Sunny awakens to desperate banging on the door, much to his annoyance. That dream was super fun. Still though, he does have a promise to Basil so, can't stay inside all day. 

He opens the door to see Kim…

Kim is AFRAID.

"Sunny I need two thousand dollars," Kim begs, Her voice shaking.

She tries to rob him, and then tries to demand money from him? How low can one sink? How disgusting can this money obsessed bitch be? This is what money reduces people to. God he hates money.

Sunny slams the door shut only for Kim to stop it with her foot and exclaim, "It's for Aubrey! Please!"

Sunny freezes, opening the door with a glare, starring right into Kim's eyes. If she has a good reason maybe she's not just a greedy fucker after all…

"Show…" Sunny demands.

"Show you?" Kim inquires, calming slightly,  "Yeah yeah come with me."

Kim leads Sunny through the town before the sun rises, commenting as they pass by the park, "You wanna grab your knife? Could be trouble ahead."

Sunny nods and walks towards where he dropped the knife yesterday, left untouched since then…

…

Sunny equipped the STEAK KNIFE.

Kim leads Sunny to a house unfit to live in, the home reeks of garbage even from the outside, Sunny gagging but collecting himself. The festering rot is worsened by the cool night air, cicadas crying out from everywhere but the house, the home not even fit for insects.

"Aubrey's mom isn't taking care of her," Kim explains, "But if I could hire a private eye or someone I could get her out of the picture and Aubrey could go somewhere better. I have one in mind but without the money-"

"Go." Sunny demands handing him the money.

"What about you?" Kim demands.

Sunny walks around to the back of the home. 

"Sunny?" Kim asks.

Sunny does not respond.

"Sunny!" Kim yells.

Sunny does not respond.

Seeing there is no stopping whatever he has planned, Kim rushes to get help…

Sunny is overwhelmed with worry upon seeing Aubrey's situation. This is dangerous. And he…

SOMETHING flashes in his mind.

He can't lose her too. He… won't…

Won't.

No matter what. 

He'll die before he loses anyone else.

Like… his mom…

He thinks of Aubrey's smile, another of the few things be wants, and another of the things money can't buy. 

Worthless paper.

He opens a window, inhaling deeply before he enters, the putrid fumes fill his nose, burning like fire in his nostrils, but he carries on, walking over a broken needle and shattered glass pipe before he spots a rickety rope ladder leading to a room…

The room smells of lavender and is much calmer. Spotting the guest, a small white rabbit makes honking sounds in its enclosure. Sunny pets it gently before turning to see Aubrey, fast asleep. He looks on the wall, seeing many photos of…

SOMETHING…

He nudges Aubrey, who mutters, "Sunny's gone Kel. Not like you cared." Before rolling over. 

He didn't care? Is that how she felt? 

Of course.

What kinda sack of shit is he? He wasn't there for anyone after Mari died and look what happened. He should have been there for him. How selfish can he be? And money can't fix this. Worthless wealth once more.

He nudges Aubrey once more who opens her eyes to see Sunny.

She at first smiles, still half asleep, happy to see him, but snaps into anger as she realizes Sunny broke in.

She instantly reaches for her bat by her bedside, demanding, "Why are you here?"

Sunny freezes, Aubrey seems really upset and she has every right to be. He failed her for four years. He…

"Why are you?" She demands, pointing his bat at him.

Sunny is AFRAID, but he sees sadness in Aubrey's eyes, not anger. Something isn't right. He's missing something and…

He hates seeing her cry.

Aubrey glares daggers at him, if he can just…

FOCUS.

That's when he sees it, on her left leg, a large blue mark.

…

Aubrey's mom is she?...

Aubrey is MISERABLE… 

She needs to know he cares. He wants to see her smile he wants her to be happy and cared for and safe and…

"Well!?!" Aubrey demands, waiting for Sunny to do something. Anything. 

A voice in her head whispers, "Please hold me. I miss you."

But he doesn't care. He never cared, and why should she open up now? He's just going to see her as weak and hurt her like-

A warmth wraps around Aubrey. She freezes for a moment in shock. 

And Sunny says the exact words she needs to hear, his voice raspy but clear, weak in volume but strong in resolve, "...I...care…"

And she breaks.

She holds Sunny tight, like he'll fly away if she lets go and never come back. Tears stream down her face as she comforts herself in Sunny's embrace. The hug is warm and safe it…

It feels like home.

"Sunny?" Aubrey asks.

Sunny nods in acknowledgment.

"Never let go again…" Aubrey begs, closing her eyes and fully embracing him.

Sunny hugs her back and the two enjoy the embrace for a moment before Sunny lets go. 

Aubrey is in danger here, and he won't lose anyone else. He won't be alone again.

Sunny grabs the rabbit and hands it to Aubrey.

"Sunny what are you-" Aubrey demands. 

Sunny states sternly, "Leave…saftey…"

"You wanna go somewhere safe?"  Aubrey inquires, "Beats mom beating me."

Aubrey and Sunny go down the ladder and head past the piles of trash and filth only to hear the floorboards creek as a voice, full of hidden malice demands, "Where are you going, Aubrey?"

She stands up, a woman with dilated pupils, overweight and death in her eyes, "I birthed you. You're supposed to make me some breakfast."

"I'm leaving," Aubrey replies.

"What?" Her mother demands, rising with her fists clenched, her massive body shaking the ground with each step.

Aubrey is AFRAID.

"I'm-" Aubrey repeats, her voice trembling.

And…

She shoves Aubrey.

She…

Pushes…

Push…

Like when Sunny lost…

A voice screams in Sunny's head, "YOU WON'T TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME! NOT LIKE MARI!"

Sunny charges…

And…

He sees red.

Aubrey's mom throws a punch that will leave a black eye and staggers Sunny, a shooting pain spreads all across his face. Yet he…

He stabs her.

Blood drips on the floor around her as sirens blare.

"Run!" Sunny screams grabbing Aubrey's hand and rushing out the door. The two spot Kim. Her and Aubrey exchange eye contact as Kim stands with a private eye who talks to the police.

Aubrey mouths the words, "Self defense" to Kim so she can assure the cops won't go after Sunny.

Kim also notes the bruise on Aubrey's leg, confirming her fears of abuse which led to her suggesting Sunny grab the knife in case things got dicey and made her desperate enough to contact her in the first place.

The two slip away and return to Sunny's home at 4am. Sunny locks the door, calming himself down best he can. He takes deep breaths to calm himself, looking at the blood stained knife.

"Easy easy," Aubrey assures him, "We're safe now."

"Safe…" Sunny smiles.

Yeah…

She's safe…

…

She doesn't need him anymore. Doesn't… need… 

Who said he had to visit Basil? Aubrey can keep Basil safe right? No one needs him now. The job is done. Kel and Aubrey can be there for Basil.

"See… Basil…" Sunny requests.

Aubrey doesn't realize he's making a more… final request.

"We will in the morning," Aubrey states, "It's early, let's just… calm down and get some sleep."

Sleep… yeah. Sleep sounds nice. Maybe he'll feel better after some sleep. Even though money can't buy forgiveness and as soon as Aubrey learns about-

He puts the knife in his pocket for now.

He pushes the thought aside and shows Aubrey to a room with a king sized bed with white sheets. The room is larger than his own with a large dresser full of expensive make up and jewelry.

"Isn't this your mom's room?" Aubrey inquires. 

Sunny does not respond the thought of his mother leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. 

Sunny begins to leave but Aubrey grips his hand tightly and requests, blushing, "I'm still a little shaken up… can… can I hold you? Just until I fall asleep?"

He can do her this one last favor. Then he's not needed anymore and he is free…

Or so he thinks not knowing that his loved ones don't want him gone. That these thoughts are dangerous and have grown increasingly so for the last four years. Sunny nods, laying in the bed first before Aubrey cuddles him the embrace brings both a sense of ease and comfort. Sunny feels… at ease, with Aubrey's arms wrapped around him. He feels happy. As he dozes off…

He feels this is when he wants to die.

…

Welcome to Green Space. 

You've been coming here as long as you can remember. 

…

Omori grips the knife.

Finally. 

Everyone is OK. They've got each other. 

They don't need a selfish rat like him. A rich bastard like him…

Omori tries to stab himself, but the knife stops before it reaches his stomach. He hears a voice scream from all directions as he presses against this unseen force. They sound like they're crying, panicking, "NO! YOU DON'T GET TO LEAVE ME ALONE AGAIN! NOT NOW! NOT LIKE THIS!"

Omori presses harder. 

Come on just one more inch and he's free!

Just half an inch and he can see Mari again!

Just a quarter inch and he can atone for being so selfish!

Just break the skin and it's finally all over!

…

Sunny wakes up, Aubrey holding the knife above him before tossing it aside. She holds him once more like he'll fly away. She clearly loves hugs so…

Sunny doesn't connect why she's crying.

She screams, "What the fuck is wrong with you!?!"

Aubrey is shaking.

Aubrey is STRESSED OUT.

Sunny tries to hug her back, he doesn't like seeing her cry but she swats him away.

She pulls him forcefully downstairs and to the phone where she dials a number, fingers trembling. Her eyes constantly go back to Sunny, not letting him out of her sight for even an instant.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end greets.

"Kel!" Aubrey yells.

"Aubrey?" Kel inquires, confused and worried by her tone, "Are you OK? Why are you calling from Sunny's house?"

"You need to get over here!" Aubrey yells, "Sunny just tried to kill himself!..."