Nuri wakes up. Still in the haunted house, still in the some room.

  Person: Are you awake?

  He heard someone's voice. Nuri looked at him and moved away.

  Nuri: just tell me you're not a ghost...

  Person: yes, I'm a ghost.

  Nuri: really!!?

  Person: no idiot, I am just trying to get some money... there is no such a thing as a ghost.

  Nuri: what is that then?

  There was a ghost in the corner.

  Person: it's.... passes out.

  Nuri tries to wake him up.

  Nuri: don't do that to me!!

  Rho in the next room.

  It's dark...

  Rho: Rikka? Are you here?

  She looks around, walking, then she stops and sighs.

  Rho: I don't even know why I'm doing this...

  Something passes her. Black shadow, can't see the image clearly.

  Rho: Rikka?

  Black Shadow: no...

  Rho: then I'm not interested...

  And she starts to leave, but suddenly everything gets darker...

  Black Shadow: Good luck finding your way out...

  Rho: I don't have time for this...

  She starts to feel everything around her, and she feels the chains. She felt the chains around her leg.

  Rho: what...

  The chains also captured her hands... She doesn't resist at first, she is calm.

  Shadow: I wonder what you're going to do now? No one will try to find you... because you are the one who finds others.

  Rho transforms and cuts the chains.

  Rho: what are you?

  Shadow: just the darkness that haunts you... that keeps you from seeing the bigger picture...

  Rho: I don't have time for this...

  And keeps finding a way out. Suddenly she appears on a cliff from which she almost falls.

  Shadow: do you recognize that place?

  She looked in front of her, cold, calm...

  Rho: yes.

  She spoke cold.

  Shadow: if you want to get out, there is a way out.

  Rho looks down.

  Shadow: that's where you died, that's where you came back to life...

  She was silent for a bit.

  Rho: you're right. Well, if this is my way out, so be it.

  She turns towards him, and throws herself backwards, and falls... She is falling trough the dark, she has her eyes closed. Then she falls trough the light... and then through the door, and appears in the hallway.

  Ace and Kaya

  They were sitting in another place, by the river. Talking about Kaya’s father.

  Ace: how are you feeling?

  Kaya: lost... I don't know what I should do...

  Ace: what does your heart say?

  Kaya: my heart says that it really wants to see him, but it's so damaged that it doesn't have the strength to look for him anymore...

  Kaya took a break.

  Kaya: the thing is, I'm aware that he could always find me... and he never tried... for him, escaping from prison was the smallest thing, actually he's in prison just to rest... And all that time, he chose prison over me... I said I didn't want to see him anymore... but he never even bothered to see me after that...

  Ace: it sounds to me like you made a decision a long time ago.

  Ace: and that's okay...

  Short silence.

  Kaya: and thank you for the hug, I know you don't normally like human touch... I also remember when we met and how I tried to hug you once, and you just pushed me away... like you did to Nuri... every time,

  Kaya laughed a little bit.

  Ace: yes, it's true, I'm not a fan of it, but you're the exception, you know? I never had a sister, well I never really had any girl friends either... but with you and Rho, I know what it's like to have girl friends, and sisters.

  Kaya: oh Ace... that was wonderful. Sorry, I have to hug you again.

  She hugged her.

  Ace: okay okay, we don't really want it to become a habit.

  Ace teases her and Kaya lets her go.

  Ace: What do you want to do now?

  Kaya: I think I'll go back to the Atlas, have dinner with them, and after that I'll go back to the ship...

  Ace: do you want me to see you off?

  Kaya lies down on the floor, in the grass.

  Kaya: we can stay here a little longer, before we go.

  Ace lies down on the grass and relaxes.

  Nuri and the person run out into the hall. The person kept running and screaming and running away.

  Nuri: wait! Where are you going?

  He noticed Rho.

  Nuri: Rho?

  Rho: what was that?

  Nuri: just another in a line trying to win money... but it looks like he won't get it.

  Rho: what are you talking about? I didn't see anyone, I was talking about why you ran out of the room.

  Nuri: what do you mean you didn't see anyone...

  Rho: relax, I'm just messing with you.

  Nuri: don't do that!

  Rho: have you seen Rikka?

  Nuri: no...

  Rho: you know what, it's very possible that she's already gone...

  Nuri: that looks like her...

  Rho: how long do we have to stay here?

  Nuri: A little less than 2 hours.

  Rho: we'll do this. I'm staying and you get out of here, and look for Rikka, okay?

  Nuri: are you sure?

  Rho: yes, it's very possible that she was scared.

  Nuri: or she run away on purpose...

  Rho: possible, but we can't know for sure, so I'll stay here, you look for her.

  Nuri: if it means that I can finally get out of this house, I agree. Are you sure you can do it alone?

  Rho: no problem.

  He nodded his head and left, she continued walking.

  Rho: let's see what's here...

  She opened the door... she went in, and the door started to close behind...

  Rikka was hiding under the bridge. She was looking at the blue pill.

  Rikka: it's been a while, hasn't it...

  She thinks and takes a break.

  Rikka: what should I do...

  Nigel and Rin.

  They both look exhausted.

  Nigel: I think that's enough...

  Rin is silent.

  Nigel: why don't you be direct and say what's on your mind, and let's get this over with.

  Rin: if you insist.

  He looked at him.

  Rin: it's about how I used to consider you a friend, and now I'm not sure about that anymore...

  Nigel is silent.

  Nigel: why?

  Rin: because a true friend never leaves his friends when they need him.

  Nigel: you don't understand Rin... trust me, running away then saved you more than you think.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Rin looks at him.

  Rin: what are you trying to say?

  Nigel: I'm trying to say, it's my business, and I'm not going to let you have to deal with it.

  Rin looks at him.

  Rin: and what about Ace?

  Nigel: It's complicated...

  Rin: answer me.

  He got more serious.

  Nigel: do you really want to know?

  Rin nodded.

  Nigel: I didn't plan on it... but she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  Rin is a bit confused.

  Rin: wrong answer.

  Rin attacks him, but Nuri appears in front of Nigel. And stops Rin. They look at each other. Nuri is confused but serious.

  Nuri: what's going on here?

  Rin let his guard down.

  Rin: nothing. Why are you here?

  Nuri: I'm looking for Rikka, was she returning to the ship?

  Rin: no, what happened?

  Nuri: me, Rho, Ace and Rikka, accepted some challenge where you can win 500,000 units if you spend 3 hours in a haunted house.

  Nigel: haunted house?

  Nuri: don't ask... we all got in, but after a while we lost Rikka. Rho still stayed in the house, trying to win the prize, and she gave me the task of finding Rikka.

  Rin: we'll help you find her, well at least I will.

  He looks at Nigel.

  Rin: I'll go in this direction, I'll let you know if I find her.

  He spoke cold.

  Nuri: if you're going to use c6, skip me.

  Rin: why?

  Nuri looks nervous.

  Nuri: maybe I gave it to Akka

  ...

  Nigel: you did what?

  Rin took a breath. And just walks away.

  Nuri: someone is in a bad mood...

  Nigel said nothing.

  Nuri: what happened here?

  Nigel: nothing to worry about.

  Nigel also walks away. Nuri shrugged and continued his search.

  Ace and Kaya

  Ace follows Kaya to the Atlas's house.

  Kaya: thank you Ace for seeing me off, and for everything else.

  Ace: there's no need for that, I'm always here, okay?

  Kaya nodded her head. Kaya stops

  Kaya: and one more thing... I hope this can stay between us...

  Ace: of course... don't worry about it.

  Kaya smiled and nodded, and she left. Ace looks at her and turns, walks in another direction. Keeps walking, soon she notices Rin who was walking in her direction.

  Ace: what are you doing here?

  He looked at her a bit cold, yet a bit hurt.

  Rin: I'm looking for Rikka, have you seen her?

  Ace: She should be with Rho and Nuri..

  Rin: well you should be with them too, but you're not. If you're looking for Nigel, he's headed in the opposite direction.

  Rin continued walking.

  Ace: why would I look for him?

  Rin stopped.

  Rin: I don't know, maybe for the same reason you hugged him.

  Ace is surprised.

  Ace: you saw that?

  Rin looked at her.

  Ace: what did you see?

  Rin: just that one thing, spare me from the rest.

  Ace: I know how this all looks now, especially since we lied... but it's not what it looks like.

  Rin: how is it then?

  Ace looked away.

  Ace: I can't say...

  Rin: why not?

  Ace: look, I don't know what you think happened between us, but what you saw was just a friend being there for another friend.

  Rin: you hate hugs.

  Ace: so what? I hugged you too, and we are just friends.

  Rin smirks.

  Rin: and after that, not only did you try to kill me, but you also avoided me. I don't see how you do that with him, in fact you are more closer than ever.

  Ace: you know what Rin...

  Takes a break.

  Ace: For someone so smart, sometimes you can be such an idiot.

  And she goes on, he doesn't stop her, but those words hit him.

  Rikka was still under the bridge. She was shaking a little, and crying. She was looking at the blue pill. She dug her nails deep into her skin that it started to leave a mark.

  Rikka: I really thought it will be different this time...

  Rikka: maybe I should stop hoping.

  She felt like she was alone in this crazy world... She starts to put the blue pill in her mouth but she hears something. Nuri appears, watching from the bridge.

  Nuri: there you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!

  She froze for a moment and then she looked up, surprised.

  Nuri: don't move, I'm coming.

  Rikka put the pill away, and walked towards him, all confused. She wiped away her tears, but her eyes still red from crying. Finally they come to each other.

  Nuri: why did you leave? You worried us.

  Rikka: I thought you left me...

  Nuri: what are you talking about?

  Rikka: Otto told me that you left the house a long time ago... so I...

  Nuri: and you believed him?

  He laughs. She was surprised.

  Nuri: good thing that I found you. Let's go, the others will be relieved when they see you.

  He took her hand and led her home. She smiled, she was relieved and for the first time ever she felt like she belongs somewhere, she is finally home. Then she looked at their hands.

  Rikka: why is there mud on your hands...?

  Nuri: I fell on the ground while trying to get down here...

  He laughs, and still holds her hand.

  Rikka: so you decided to make my hand muddy too!

  She pulls away, Nuri laughs.

  Nuri: looks like I am...

  They continue walking and laughing.

  Ace was on board, Nigel was slowly coming back. Neither one says anything. Soon Nuri and Rikka arrive.

  Ace: where have you been kid?

  Rikka: long story... but I'm here now.

  Ace: nice to see you.

  Soon Rin also came.

  Rin: I see, you didn't manage to escape?

  Rikka laughed.

  Rikka: looks like I didn't.

  Nigel: where's Rho?

  Nuri: she should be here already...

  Ace: did she still stayed in that house?

  Nuri: hey, where did you come from? Shouldn't you be there too?

  Ace: I had to leave earlier.

  Rin: what a surprise.

  He said sarcastically.

  Ace: what's that supposed to mean?

  Rin: oh nothing, you just get lost a lot lately.

  Ace: so what? I am an adult, and I can make my own decisions. And those decisions are nobody's business!

  She said angrily. Rin was silent, a tense situation was being created. Rho appeared on the ship.

  Nuri: Rho!

  Everyone looks at her, she seems even colder than usual for a moment, but then she puts on a neutral face.

  Rho: Rikka, I'm glad you're okay.

  Rikka: I'm sorry I left you... I thought...

  Rho: it doesn't matter, it matters that you are okay.

  She nodded her head.

  Rho: Ace, when did you leave the house?

  Nuri: not this again...

  Ace: I'm sorry I didn't get in touch, but I had to leave urgently.

  Rho: What happened?

  Rin: don't bother, she won't tell you.

  Ace: okay, I've had enough of you!

  Rin: what? I'm just being honest.

  Nigel: okay, that is enough, leave her alone.

  Rin: Oh what a surprise...

  Ace: drop it, Rin.

  Rin: fine, but why don't you answer Rho, where were you?

  Ace looks at her and everyone is waiting. She looked at him angrily and wanted to say something, but Kaya came.

  Kaya: she was with me!

  Everyone looks at her, she looks at the others.

  Kaya: I've been gone for a day and you don't know how to talk to each other normally anymore... What's going on here?

  Everyone is silent.

  Nuri: I know that maybe now is not the time for that, but I'm only interested in one thing...

  Nuri looked at Rho.

  Nuri: did you win the award?

  Everyone looks at her. Rho nods.

  Nigel: nice job Rhodri!

  Kaya: reward? You know what, I don't care about that now, I care about what's going on here now? And why are you all so tense...

  Everyone is silent...

  Kaya: Nuri?

  Nuri: you should ask the three of them...

  He points to Ace, Rin and Nigel.

  Ace: what is going on here is that someone is trying too to interfere too much in other people's lives.

  Rin: no, it is that here some of us lie and hide secrets.

  Nigel: You'll have to let it go sometimes...

  Kaya watches them.

  Kaya: Rin, you'll come with me, I'll talk to you two later! Let's go.

  She pulls Rin off the ship and away.

  Nuri: so... the award?

  Rho: it is all here... now we can buy everything we need.

  Nuri: I knew it you will make it!

  She was unfazed, cold, emotionless.

  The two of them are walking.

  Kaya: okay Rin, why are you so cold to Ace?

  Rin: I am not.

  Kaya: you are a bit... that doesn't look like you.

  He looked at her.

  Kaya: ok, it looks like you to be cold, but not to Ace.

  Rin: I have my reasons.

  Kaya stops him.

  Kaya: Rin? What happened?

  He hesitated but then he sighed.

  Rin: the day Hawk and his crew were there, and we were in the middle of fighting them, Nigel just disappeared. We were all worried about him. Later that night he still didn't show up, and then you came without Ace, as you remember I went to find them to make sure they were both okay. Then I found them. I went back to the ship, but those two didn't come back until sometime early in the morning, and they both lied about being together.

  Kaya: and what bothers you the most in all of this?

  Rin: Nigel's pronunciation bothered me. He said he was bored, so he just walked away, left us all in the fight, and I can't tolerate that.

  Kaya: I understand... but don't you think he has a really good reason for that, but he just didn't want to share it...

  Rin: oh, I understand his reason well...

  Kaya: You're talking about Ace now?

  He looked down.

  Rin: I found them hugging, I understand why they were hiding.

  Kaya: so here we are...

  Rin looked at her.

  Kaya: you're not really mad at Nigel for abandoning you during the fight, even though that's not a value you encourage, you're mad because you saw the two of them together, you're jealous!

  Rin was surprised at that.

  Rin: No, I am not... that's not the reason! As I said before...

  Kaya: oh Rin, come on please, it's obvious... well not to the others because they're a little blind to notice it, but you can't lie to me. Admit it, you like Ace.

  Rin watches her. He was silent for a bit.

  Rin: how did you know?

  She crosses her arms, proudly.

  Kaya: I never miss such things, and don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

  Rin: well, it doesn't seem to matter anymore, her choice is obvious.

  He looks away.

  Kaya: Nigel? Are you crazy? Trust me, these two are just friends, there's no way anything is going on between the two of them

  Rin: how can you be so sure?

  Kaya: I was right for you too, right? Just trust me, okay?

  Rin: then why did she lie about being with him?

  Kaya: I'm sure there's a very good reason for that.

  Rin: but then why can't she tell me...

  Kaya: I don't know why Ace can't tell you the real reason... but I can tell you that you are focusing too much on who she is not, instead of who she is.

  Rin: what do you mean?

  Kaya: you're forgetting how loyal friend Ace is, and how she'll do anything to protect any one of us, and I believe that's what happened, Ace was just there for a friend.

  Rin: that's what she said too...

  Kaya: maybe you should trust her then?

  He was silent.

  Kaya: you know, Ace was also keeping one of my secrets at that time... which I asked her not to tell you. I don't even have to ask you if Ace told you anything about it, because I know she didn't. I know that she will take that secret with her to the grave because she promised me that. Ace doesn't break promises. And she even hugged me... just like she hugged Nigel, and you know how she'll only do that in exceptional circumstances...

  Kaya: what if she was with Nigel in the way she was with me?

  Rin: you're saying there's a possibility they're hiding something else?

  Kaya: definitely something else... but knowing Ace, we won't know because she will really keep Nigel's secret, as I will keep yours.

  Rin took a breath.

  Rin: I feel like an idiot...

  Kaya: You can still make things right...

  Rin: you mean it?

  Kaya: of course... well it's Ace... after all, she cares a lot about you too, you know.

  Rin: what did you say?

  Kaya shook her head

  Kaya: That's all I'll say about it. After all, she respects you! When she was my bodyguard, she decided several times to resolve conflicts peacefully and not with violence, and she picked that up from you...

  Rin smiled.

  Kaya: there's that smile.

  She laughs.

  Rin: but seriously Kaya... you can't tell her about this...

  Kaya: don't worry, not a word to anyone!

  Pause.

  Rin: what about you? What's your secret?

  She looked away.

  Kaya: honestly, I don't want to talk about it now, and I'm not sure if I ever will, but don't worry, I'm fine, and I'll be fine as long as I have all of you.

  Rin: glad to hear that.

  Kaya: maybe we should go back.

  Rin: you're right, let's go.

  They return to the ship.

  Aboard.

  Ace: I can't believe how you won the award... that place was pretty tough to endure, how did you do it?

  Rho: I liked your idea, so I decided to take a nap to pass the time.

  Nuri and Rikka: there is something seriously wrong with you two.

  Nigel: was the place really haunted?

  Rho: more less.

  She said neutrally.

  Nuri and Rikka: more less?!

  Nuri: it was quite creepy.

  Rikka: yeah, there's no way I am ever going back there!

  Rho: Really? I had a lot of fun...

  Nuri: I think I'm starting to fear you more...

  Entering Kaya and Rin.

  Kaya: hey, did you guys miss me?

  Nuri: are you finally coming back to us?

  Rikka: finally, here was a madhouse without you...

  Kaya: I'm also glad to be here again.

  She sits down at the table.

  Ace: Nuri, can you pass me a beer?

  Nuri starts to grab a beer, but instead Rin takes the beer, he looked at Ace and threw her a beer. She catches it. Everyone is surprised, Kaya smiles.

  Ace: thanks…

  Rin looked at Nigel.

  Rin: beer?

  Nigel: sounds good.

  He throws the can at him too. And he sat down at the table.

  Kaya: and what else did I miss?

  Ace: oh yes, Nuri found a girl.

  Kaya: Really?

  Nuri: oh yes... I fell in love.

  Rikka: not again...

  Nuri: what do you have against true love?

  Rikka: true love? Come on please...

  Kaya laughs.

  Kaya: well, I'm happy for you. Rin? Aren't you happy for your brother?

  Rin: Nuri, how many of your first real loves have you had so far?

  Nuri is thinking.

  Nuri: six.....teen..

  Rikka: so much for a true love...

  The others laugh, except Rho of course.

  Nuri: this time it's different...

  Rin: each one was different...

  Nuri: just be like that, we'll see who will laugh at the end.

  Rho listened to them but in the same time she was thinking about the haunted house. While they were laughing, she remain calm, serious, cold, she was in her own mind, trying to push down another trauma... No one noticed anything because she stayed calm and cold as usual...

  Memory

  She entered one of the rooms, it was her old room when she was a child, the spirit of little Rho was hiding.

  Rho came closer to the little Rho...

  Rho: you better close your eyes... you don't want to see what's going to happen now...

  Little Rho closes her eyes.

  And the sound of footsteps entering the room is heard.

  Rho sat down next to the little one and she made sure she wasn't looking. A little blood falls towards their direction but Rho raised a hand in front of little Rho and protected her. That drop of blood fell on her hand... And scream is heard. Rho remain calm, and cold, as she was covering little Rho's eyes. A murder was happening in front of them...

  Nigel: is everything okay?

  Rho snapped out of it.

  Rho: of course.

  Nigel: you sure? you seem a little absent?

  She looked at him calm and unfazed but a bit surprised that he noticed.

  Rho: I'm just tired, that's all.

  She gets up

  Rho: I'm going to bed. Good night everyone, see you tomorrow.

  Everyone: good night.

  Nigel: I think I'll go too, good night everyone.

  He stood up, Rin just nodded, and Nigel left. Rho moves towards the room, puts her hand on the door frame and starts to open the door, but Nigel stops her by closing the door with his hand. He was standing behind her. She turned around and looked at him. He was standing close, still leaning with his hand on the door behind her. He looked her in the eyes.

  Nigel: are you sure you're ok Rhodri?

  She studied him a bit.

  Rho: like I said before... I'm fine, I'm just tired.

  Nigel: I noticed that you usually don't sleep a lot, are you sure you will be able to sleep tonight?

  Rho: positive. Now excuse me.

  He hesitate but he opened the door for her.

  Nigel: sweet dreams Rhodri.

  She entered the room and closed the door behind her.

  After a while, everyone goes to their rooms, and everyone is almost asleep. Rho tosses and turns in bed, unable to sleep.

  Memory

  She was very small, maybe 5 years old. when her parents were killed. She was looking at their bodies. She was lost.

  Little Rho: Mom? Dad?

  Davon: what do we have here?

  Little Rho looked at a tall man standing in front of her. She never saw him before.

  Davon: your parents forgot to mention you... you know what, I think we can both help each other. What do you say?

  He held out his hand for her.

  She extended her bloody hand towards him and accepted his. One hand was innocent, and one was sinful.

  Only one hand was covered in blood.

  Blue pill calms you down, and calms down your feelings, but you can have hallucinations, you are more tired, and if you stop using them everything you've repressed comes back the surface.

  Red pill gives you energy, you don't have to sleep so more, your brain is working faster, but as a side effect you can lose your human side, shut down your emotions, so your brain can only think with logic, not with emotion.