A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Something wet dabbed across her legs. It stung whenever the water touched some, or rather most, of her skin. She would've winced if she could've, but she didn't have the energy for the simple action; she couldn't even will herself to open her eyes. They felt weighted down as though someone had set small paperweights on them. Even her limbs were too sore to move, and her head ached severely. A massive pain was in her lower abdomen, and she couldn't even piece together why it hurt so horribly there.

All she managed was to tilt her head to her left. Something cool touched her cheek, and it soothed her to a miniscule degree. Delicate things brushed across her forehead and pushed back her hair. She didn't know what they were, but they felt calming, and she leaned into them slightly. As soon as she did, they pulled away, and they didn't come back. A quiet, hopeful voice muttered, "(F/n)?" That was her name; she knew that it was, but she couldn't respond. Her lips only parted, and she leaned her head more against the cool surface. Before she heard the voice again, what sounded like a ... A door, maybe? Whatever it was, it opened, and she thought that she heard footsteps follow.

"I brought her some clothes. The ones in her backpack were dirtied." Footsteps sounded again until they stopped nearby. "They're being washed right now. In the meantime, these should fit. The undergarments might be a little off ..." The voice sounded familiar and feminine; she had heard it before. If she could furrow her brows, she would. Shouting and tears filled her pained mind, and she almost missed the person's next words. "I can help you dress her. That way, it's easier."

"I'll be fine," another voice, the one that had called out her name, answered. It sounded masculine, but it was louder now. The voice wasn't rude, but it clearly indicated that its owner didn't want more company in the room.

"I can hold her up." No new footsteps hit her ears. "If she accidentally falls while you're changing her, you might end up cutting her more." The other voice didn't respond, except for a light sigh. "She can't afford to lose anymore blood right now."

"I know." Slight irritation filled the more masculine voice, and some clarity entered her mind. End up cutting her. ... Ether. Something wet. Cool surface. Clothes. If she wasn't so weak, she would've burst up from what she assumed to be a bathtub and would've covered herself since she felt the cool surface all against the back side of her. She would've slapped him and slammed the shower curtain or door in his face, but she couldn't. Not even her heartbeat picked up. Rather, the news exhausted her mind, and she could feel herself drifting off again. "... Fine, you can help, Deidre."

Hearing that Deidre was there relaxed her somewhat, but the embarrassment of what was happening to her still invaded her mind. And despite her saying that she would give Ether a slap or two, she acknowledged that he probably was only washing her because she couldn't herself. It had been like back at the cabin in a way, but it was worse now since she couldn't move hardly at all. At least, though, Cal-Cal ... Her head hurt all the more, and she felt her consciousness finally fade as their voices vanished and darkness swept over her.

"By the way, that bag ..." (F/n) leaned her head against something soft and warm, and the voice, it sounded like Deidre again, came from behind whatever she was up against. Her legs and arms bounced a little, and she felt that she was moving. ... Was Ether holding her? No heat greeted her cheeks, but she did feel embarrassed; however, it wasn't like she could spring up and start walking. Admittedly, he was comfortable, and her body required that from all of the strain it had been through. "The food in there for you ..."

"I'm not throwing it out." Obvious frustration entered what she presumed to be the creature's voice.

"I wasn't saying that you should, but ..." She paused, and (f/n) felt the tugs of sleep back on her, but she also was warmer. Soft fabrics covered her body. Her bath must've been finished, and she must've been dressed since she last was up. That gave her mind some ease since she wasn't so exposed anymore, especially since she could tell that she was wearing more than just a bra and underwear. Those facts alone almost sent her hurdling back into unconsciousness, but Deidre's next words kept her awake longer. "You won't have enough for even six weeks. Maybe, two at the most if you eat very little."

"... I know, but I can't call my partner's parents for food. I don't want them around if Callest is nearby."

"Is it possible that he knows where they live, though?" More concern entered Deidre's voice, and (f/n) wished that she could open her eyes, but she only had enough energy to listen.

"It is, but I can't check on them now, not with (f/n) like this. When it's been six, seven or eight weeks, we can head back." His grip tightened on her a little, and the news would've made her freeze if she already wasn't moving. "I'm not taking any risks, and bringing them out here is riskier than leaving them over there. I'll call them later and let them know what's going on."

"I understand." Deidre released a nervous, scared sigh. "But, what about ..."

"I don't know. I might have to kill someone, rob a grave with someone fresh if that's even an option ..." Ether didn't finish, but his steps stopped. (F/n) heard a doorknob turn, and she felt her body shift a little.

"What about blood?" Quiet filled the air. "Or, tiny slivers of flesh? ... You did that with (f/n), right?" Again, he didn't answer, and (f/n)'s heart clenched a little, which only caused her body to ache more. Because of her being captured, because of her trusting Callest, because of her being ... s-s-spoiled by ... Why did things have to take such turns? Never did she want Nick or any of his teammates to be in a position to offer themselves up to Ether. It was as though her running back in Faller's Grove had been for nothing; if anything, it had made things worse, but they were ... alive.

That carried importance, but her tormentor's abuse came back, and a couple of tears dripped down her face. She really was trash. Perhaps, she was less than that since she had led Nick and his team right to Ether. Now, they were stuck with him. "(F/n)?" Her ears missed his voice calling out her name softly and with uncertainty as her mind dwelled on her tormentor's words.

"Is she awake?" Deidre hurriedly asked as her steps followed. (F/n)'s body moved again slightly as though Ether had pulled her away, but she barely felt the movement, and she leaned her head against him more. "... Tears." Deidre's tone was filled with sorrow and regret.

"I need to set her down." Soft footfalls hit her ears, but insults continued to beat at her mind. Footsteps were behind him. Soon, the warmth of him left her, and something plush greeted her back side. Despite her wounded mind, her body welcomed the comfort of what she presumed to be a bed. She wanted to curl up into the sheets and comforter, but she only could lay flat on the surface.

Slightly, her body shifted towards her right as weight sat on the right side of the bed. (F/n) figured that it probably was Ether. "What are you offering exactly?" The words broke her from her thoughts. "Are you saying that you four would be willing to feed me yourselves?" A quiet, entertained giggle parted from him. That giggle ... It felt like it had been so long since she last had heard it. Almost, it seemed like her heart was warmed by it, and the ... soothing ... sensation almost lulled her back to sleep.

"Well, would it be possible?" Deidre finally asked back, irritation at the creature's giggle kept out of her tone. "I'd rather not ..."

"Have me kill?" the creature finished for her. Silence followed, and (f/n) had a feeling that Deidre had nodded. Movement on the bed came next, and (f/n) wondered if he was leaning forward. "I do need to keep up energy for Callest. He will attack at some point given what had happened in the subway." Realization struck her, and her abdomen's burning pain brought back the memory of her being stabbed. Both the memory and pain brought with it woke her up more, and her eyelids opened just a little bit.

Everything looked blurry, but she just could make out their outlines. The creature had his elbows on his knees and sat by her right side. Deidre was in the doorway, standing awkwardly and nervously. "You'll have to keep up with that." Almost, she wanted to tell Deidre to rescind her offer, but she also understood the desire to witness no more death by the creature's hands.

"I know." Deidre tried to sound firmer in her decision. "Then, it'll work?"

"Barely, it will. Blood and slivers don't make up for an organ or a decent helping of skin and muscle, but if I have it twice a day and a good amount of blood, my strength shouldn't be compromised too much." (F/n) saw the creature sigh and comb his right fingers through his hair. "But, I'm probably going to need a pint a day along with the slivers." Deidre took a step back, and the creature released a giggle at Deidre's realization. "Even if I switch between you four, you might lose too much blood to even operate daily routines. Not to mention that death is a possibility too." A serious tone soon greeted his voice. "I'm not taking care of five people. My concern is (f/n)."

"Then ..."

"I'd suggest looking into recent deaths, and I'll figure out something so that there's no endangerment in leaving the house." Nervously, Deidre nodded before the creature turned away from her and stared back to her. His eyes widened, but she already was closing her eyes and drifting back off again before she could hear him call out her name.