The basement was dimly-lit, and Bryanna felt air escaping this large room. Bryanna coughed out blood as she sluggishly made her way to a chair. She was covered in bruises and cuts. Wipping blood off her cheek, she lifted her head off the chair she was using to hold herself up. Bryanna quickly looked around the room, trying to find the red-haired woman. The woman caught her breath as she approached Bryanna.

Bryanna sluggishly stepped to the side as the woman tried to punch her. She kicked the woman to the wall and punched her down. She looked over at Kyle and Garth. She pointed at the woman. "Is that enough?"

The woman spat out blood and scratched Bryanna's cheek. Bryanna slapped her, and Bryanna grabbed the woman's hair and yanked her down.

"Enough!" Garth roughly pulled the woman up by her arm. He looked at Bryanna. "You've survived one night."

The woman glared at Garth. "Survived?! She was ready to kill me!"

Garth glared at the woman. "That's exactly what I meant." He looked to Bryanna. "And that's exactly what we need."

                                                     ~~~~~~~

 Monique's eyes widened as she stared at the large number with as many zeros as she recalled seeing in college. She continued staring at the large number at the bottom of the receipt.

The girl behind the counter in a red vest, part of her uniform, gave a sympathetic frown. "You know... we have reasonable payment policies that could fit into any sort of budget you have."

Monique slowly looked up. "You do?"

"Mhm." The girl nodded. "I could give you the papers so you can sleep now and call us later."

Monique raised a brow. "How did you know I need sleep?"

The girl shrugged. "Your eye twitched a bit as you walked in, and your eyes look heavy. That's how I looked when I worked and went to school at the same time."

Monique smiled. "Well, thank you, but is there just a number I could call instead?" 

"We have a website, and I believe the number you could call is the same as the office. We were also going to mail that to you, but I will be sure to call my manager to let him know you picked it up." 

"Thank you." Monique grinned. "Well, have nice day." 

"You too." The girl smiled and nodded. 

Monique turned around and her eyes widened. She quickly frowned. "What the hell are you doing here? I could have you arrested for stalking." 

Dimitri smiled, shaking his head. "I'm actually here to see a friend." He smirked and walked past Monique. "I'm here to see your manager. My name's Dimitri," he said to the girl behind the counter.

"Just a second." She picked up a red phone.

Monique raised a brow and tried to angle herself in a way that she could see Dimitri's face. "Bet the phrase 'my name's Dimitri' doesn't get old." Dimitri looked at Monique, and Monique jumped back, turning her head away. She cleared her throat. "Just so you know, I'm never going to call you."

The girl turned to Dimitri. "He said you can walk right in."

"Thank you." Dimitri turned to Monique. "You will."

Monique glared at Dimitri. "Why? Because 'they always do.'"

Dimitri frowned. "How cliche is that? No. You're going to call because you've just got another financial problem slapped on your plate instead of a main course." He stepped closer to Monique. "You feel trapped all the time, but after a certain amount of time, you get comfortable in your cage. That is, until you're cage gets smaller because of another problem, like a bill, a social problem, or a certain doggy problem."

Monique glared into Dimitri.

Dimitri pushed his glasses up. He took a step closer. He whispered, "You're going to get so stuck to the point that you will need me. Trust me. I prefer that you call for my aid now rather than later. Wouldn't you?"

Monique glared at Dimitri for a moment. All sorts of thoughts ran through her head. "No one does anything for free. I already have enough bills in the world. Why should I add yours?"

Dimitri grinned. "There are only benefits to have my aid. I could help feed you and stop that abnoxious sound your stomach makes. Though, if there was to be a fee, it would be to arrive when I need you."

Monique raised a brow. "How will you need me, and how will I know when you need me?"

Dimitri paused as if he was caught off guard. He knew the answer. It was on the tip of his tongue, but he knew he couldn't tell Monique right now. He looked down at the pocket with her cell phone and looked up at Monique's eyes. He adjusted his glasses. "We'll find out."

Dimitri took a step away, but he turned back. "And the phrase never gets old."

                                                          ~~~~~~~

Bryanna groaned as she opened the door and fell to the floor. Her back felt like it was on fire, and she was surpised she could feel her legs at all. Her muscles practically screamed from pain as she lifted herself up toward the door to close it.

The couch didn't seem to come any closer as Bryanna crawled toward it. Once she was on the couch, she began to catch her breath. She looked at the clock across the room. It was almost ten. Her brows furrowed as she realized Monique must've been asleep, which meant that Monique realized she was gone.

Bryanna groaned at the tought of having to explain. However, if she cleaned herself up then not much of an explanation would be needed. Bryanna slowly sat herself up, trying not to make any sounds. Taking a deep breath, she froze as she heard the sound of the door unlocking.

Monique stepped through, staring at Bryanna. Her shoulders fell as she observed her wounded friend. She sighed and walked to the bathroom, turning on the warm water. She entered the living room and leaned on its doorway. "Do you need help getting to the bathroom?"

Bryanna shook her head. "No."

Monique lowered her eyes. "I'll be asleep in my room if you need me." She turned away.

"Monique," Bryanna said lowly.

Monique turned back.

"Thank you." Bryanna smiled.

Monique paused. She observed her friend a bit closer. She could feel the fear and pain her friend went through. She knew her friend felt safe right now. Monique nodded. "We're going to talk about it when I wake up. Good night."

Bryanna smiled. "Good morning."