"I'll be fine, Reed. I promise." Venn put a hand on Reed's shoulder and gave him a sad smile. "I feel like I need to do this alone. I'm sorry, Fratello."

Reed clearly didn't like the idea of letting Venn go for a casual stroll armed only with a silver dagger in the middle of the night. They'd argued over it for almost an hour, and Reed was already tired from their trip, so he finally relented.

Reed stood in the doorway until Venn disappeared into the darkness. He went back inside to find a book. There was no way he'd be able to sleep. Until Venn was back.

Venn walked casually down the empty streets. The night was chill, but only if you stopped moving. He breathed in the sharp air, feeling more alive than he had in a long time. He hummed quietly.

A shiver ran down his spine. He felt apprehensive suddenly, as if something was about to happen. He stopped and started to turn.

Something hit the side of his head with a crack. Venn staggered against a wall. His vision blurred and he couldn't make out who it was. He didn't need to see, however. He knew. Malvagio.

Malvagio hit Venn's head with his board again, sending him groaning to the ground. Venn held the side of his head, massaging the spot with his cold hands. He tried to sit up without success.

Malvagio took out some iron handcuffs. "Aw look at you. So sad and lonely. No red haired master to save you now eh diavolo?" He knelt down and snapped the cuffs onto Venn, the iron burned like fire. "Don't worry, I won't be long."

Venn managed to clear his mind enough to realise what was happening. He struggled instantly. "Malvagio let- hmph!" He was cut off by a couple handkerchiefs being shoved into his mouth.

Malvagio smirked and shook his head. "Well you understand, Venn. I can't have you back in town and not have you traumatized. You'll be out of commission a few hours.

Venn shouted curses through the impromptu gag. He struggled frantically, the usual fear was doubled by knowing that Malvagio had something planned. He was transported back to when he was eight. That thought filled him with anger as Malvagio dragged him into an alley and threw him against a stack of old wooden crates.

Malvagio started kicking Venn. Dull pain flared every time he made contact. Each time he kicked, the pain grew. It didn't take long for Venn to be curled up in a whimpering ball. He didn't beg or scream, he refused to give that satisfaction.

Malvagio pulled out a knife. He knelt down and held Venn's face still. "How about we make you more hideous?" He pulled the knife down the curve of Venn's chin. Venn didn't dare move. He whined and closed his eyes tightly as he felt the knife cut his cheek.

Malvagio moved down, cutting Venn's right leg and arm. Venn had given up all hope of fighting back. He was shaking weakly from fear and blood loss. Malvagio yanked the gag from Venn's mouth. "When you're found in the morning," he snarled, "if you speak a single word of who did this to you... I'll do worse. Understand?"

Venn nodded slowly. He shuddered, letting out a pained cry as Malvagio started tying his legs together. When he finished, he picked Venn up and kicked open one of the crates.

Panic shot through Venn all over again. He twisted helplessly. "N-no! NO!" Pain arced through him, but he didn't care. He would not go into that box without a fight.

Malvagio cursed and dropped Venn into the crate. Venn's struggles hadn't been especially good in his weakened state. Malvagio smirked. "See you later, diavolo!" He sang before dropping the lid back on the crate.

Venn wailed and struggled for as long as he could. Before long, the blood loss caught up to him. "Reed... help me..." he whimpered just before falling unconcscious.

Venn was found late the next morning. He was barely alive when someone had the idea of opening crates. He was rushed to a hospital where Reed absolutely refused to leave his side.

The doctors bandaged and stitched Venn up as thoroughly as they could, administered some heavy painkillers, and left him with Reed in the hospital room.

Reed sat next to Venn all day, refusing any food and water that was offered. He was worried, and he knew that if he ate something he'd throw up.

Venn stayed completely unconscious until almost midnight. His groan snapped Reed out of a doze.

Reed leaned forward. "Venn?"

Venn opened his eyes slowly. He tried to sit up in alarm, feeling the bandages tight around him. He turned panicked eyes to Reed.

Reed gently pushed Venn back down. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "Hey, you're safe now. I'm not ever letting you out of my sight."

Venn looked away from Reed, seeming ashamed. He said nothing and made no sound apart from the occasional whine of pain as he moved.

Reed furrowed his brow in concern. Usually Venn would be apologizing or cursing his stupidity or both. Something was wrong.

Reed touched Venn's shoulder lightly. "Venn... talk to me."

Venn hesitated, then said something in Italian. A statement and question Reed didn't understand. Venn looked up at Reed in confusion then repeated himself in English. "You seem familiar..." his voice was raspy from shouting the previous night. "Who are you?"

Those five words broke Reed's heart. Tears appeared and started to fall instantly. "Oh Venn..." his voice broke and he buried his face in his hands.

After everything the two of them had been through, this hurt almost more than Venn's first death.

Venn was obviously trying hard to remember. "It was... like a plant... Fern? No..."

Reed rubbed his eyes and put a hand on Venn's arm. "Reed."

Venn still couldn't remember anything about Reed, that was clear. "Well... I'm sorry Reed. Whatever I did was stupid. You should have come with me."

Reed wanted to say something in response, but Venn had slipped back into unconsciousness. Reed sighed. "Rest up, Venn... Find your memories... please."