Remington covered his face and choking on tears as Lux continued to cry in agony. His finger lay on the floor as blood slowly accumulated around it.

  “You have 30 minutes to grow it back. If you don't I will cut another finger off. If fingers don't work, don't worry I'll get out my machetes and we can move on to larger body parts.” Vezaias said seriously. “Rem, keep him conscious. He cannot manifest a talent if he passes out.” Vezaias said firmly. “Ava come with me upstairs.” He picked up the tool bag and the severed finger, and walked out of the room. Ava quickly did as he was told.

  “Fuck…..you…..Vezaias……fuck all the way off!” Lux spat as he panted heavily in searing pain and jerking around in his chair weakly. Remington peeked out from his hands and quickly moved to try and do whatever he could to help Lux.

  “Lux!” Remington urged. He cupped Lux's cheek gingerly. Lux blinked at him looking very overwhelmed and distressed.

  “Remington……it hurts so fucking bad……” Lux cringed.

  “I know Lux. It's very painful. Focus on what you need. If you don't believe it will happen then it won't. Just try okay? I'm right here with you. I won't leave you.” Remington tried to be reassuring but this was nearly impossible.

  “He is going to kill me. True or false.” Lux mumbled huskily.

  “True, probably, if you don't figure out how to do this.” Remington said solemnly. Lux choked back a sob. His hand was soaked in blood that was dipping constantly to the floor. Minutes ticked away as Lux struggled to focus on the urgent task at hand. Eventually the door opened and Vezaias walked back in. He strolled over holding his tool bag.

  “No finger yet?” Vezaias mused. Lux began to struggle again.

  “Its not exactly something I just automatically know how to do Vezaias!……is there a fucking finger growing class that I can take?!” Lux shouted as he struggled.

  “I think it's something best learned from trial and error.” Vezaias said wickedly.

  “Did I fucking say you could cut my finger off?! Did I give you that permission?! I've done everything you've ever wanted since the fucking day I met you! You can't just start lobbing off body parts!!!” Lux shouted. Vezaias only smiled.

  “You want to help us don't you?” Vezaias asked seriously.

  “Yes but!” Lux snapped.

  “Trial and error, Lux. This is very important.” Vezaias pulled out his thick pair of hedge trimmers.

  “No! No Vezaias! No! Don't do this! Remington, tell him not to do this!!!” Lux panicked.

  “I can't stop him. You know that I can't do that.” Remington said painfully. He stood by Lux and tried to help him focus. Vezaias picked a different finger placing it between the bloody blades of the shears.

  “NO! NO DON'T DO IT!!! PLEASE STOP!! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!! VEZAIAS PLEASE I CANT HANDLE THIS!!!! I NEED THAT FINGER I NEED THAT FUCKING AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Lux screamed and the crunch of the bone popped and the finger dropped to the floor. Lux could only twist and jerk in agony. The color drained out of Lux's face and he began to melt into the chair then he was unconscious.

  “Wake him up. He's never going to manifest anything if he's asleep.” Vezaias picked up the finger and the toolbag and walked away leaving the room. Remington quickly tried to wake Lux, cupping his face and smoothing his swirly cherry hair back. He slapped him on the cheek gently a few times.

  “Lux….oh please Lux wake up……shit….please wake up Lux!” Remington pleaded now as he cried from the horrific situation. Slowly Lux began to regain consciousness. He blinked at Remington looking very lethargic.

  “Remington.….I think……he’s going to kill me.” Lux huffed and sputtered.

  “Just focus, Lux. Imagine what you need! If you don't, he will kill you!” Remington pleaded him. Lux jerked and cried. Remington pulled him as much as he could into his arms and let him cry. Time flew by this time and soon Vezaias was back. He removed several more fingers one at a time then took the digits and left the room for Remington to care for him and keep him conscious. By the fifth finger Vezaias was becoming impatient. This time Lux was too exhausted to struggle.

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk, nothing yet Lux? You won't have any fingers left at this rate.” Vezaias mused callously.

  “Fuck you Vezaias…..” Lux panted. “…..when I get out of this chair I am going to stab you!” Lux growled weakly. “I'll fucking kill you!” Lux snapped.

  “You are going to want to dial that attitude back a notch Lux, or I will cut off something other than a finger.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “Go to hell Vezaias! I think I’ve done enough for you! I became a criminal for you! I was shot! I went to fucking prison for you! Do you know what they do to guys like me in prison?!” Lux shouted angrily. “You want my thumb now?! Fine take it!! You are just a fucking demanding asshole like your father!!! Never fucking satisfied are you?!” Lux shouted. Vezaias looked angry now and jumped forward grabbing at Lux's pants.

  “I will cut your fucking dick off next!!!” Vezaias shouted angrily. He reached inside grabbing what he wanted and pulling it out and readying the shears to clip off the thickened flesh.

  “NO VEZAIAS!!! I TAKE IT BACK!!!! NO DON'T DO THAT!!!! PLEASE CUT SOMETHING ELSE OFF!!!! NOT MY DICK!!! I’M SORRY!!!!” Vezaias stared him down as he begged.

  “Shhh Lux calm down.” Vezaias soothed him.

  “I need my dick. I'm so sorry. I need my dick Vezaias please don't cut it off!” Lux was trying to stay calm but panting heavily.

  “I don't want to cut your dick off, I rather like it attached to your body, but it seems like you aren't taking this seriously.” Vezaias said smoothly as he squeezed the hardened flesh.

  “Pick something else then. Please not my dick. I'm sorry for what I said. I’m so sorry. Please Vezaias. Please not my dick….I'll do anything for you…” Lux begged. Vezaias smiled maliciously and slipped Lux's pants back up. Vezaias now put the shears away and summoned one of his machetes.

  “Go big or go home Lux. I'm thinking this time we will go with a hand.” Vezaias said, giving his machete a twirl. Lux was suddenly frightened again and struggling.

  “Vezaias! I can't handle this at all! I need my hand!” Lux panicked.

  “Rem, do you know how to make a tourniquet?” Vezaias mused.

  “NO VEZAIAS PLEASE STOP I NEED MY HAND!!!!” Lux panicked more. Vezaias unstrapped one of Lux's arms, the one that was missing four fingers. He held it in place for a moment.

  “Rem, hold his arm right here.” Vezaias ordered. Remington quickly did as he was told, holding Lux's arm with his invisible grip. Vezaias readied his machete measuring the exact spot he would chop.

  “What do you think? Just above the wrist?” Vezaias mused maliciously. “Hopefully it's a clean cut. I'd hate to have to chop at it like a tree.”

  “NO PLEASE DON'T DO THIS NO VEZAIAS I NEED THAT HAND I NEED THAT AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” Blood gushed faster and Lux's fingerless hand dropped to the floor.

  “Unstrap him.” Vezaias ordered. Remington quickly freed Lux from the chair. He stumbled to the ground squeezing his stump to slow the bleeding. Remington cradled him like a child.

  “Now if you don't figure it out, you will bleed to death very soon.” Vezaias pressed.

  “Ugh….guess that's it then…” Lux choked out. Vezaias snatched him from Remington’s arms and hauled him to his feet.

  “That's not it then! I need you here to help me!! I want you to live! I want you to regrow that hand! You cannot give up!” Vezaias grabbed his severed arm and held it up. “Look at it and imagine what you need it to do!” Vezaias snapped angrily. Lux was pale and dizzy and struggling to stay conscious but he tried to imagine how much he needed his hand to regrow. He wanted to stay alive and help Vezaias. He was now flexing his muscles that led to where his hand should be. It's like he could feel the missing flesh as if it was still there. Soon the bloody edge of his arm began to shift and reshape. It was slow, but progressively getting longer and forming into a new hand. Lux was so exhausted by this time. As soon as the bleeding stopped he immediately passed out. Vezaias carefully laid him on the ground and ruffled his swirly hair.

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  “Good job, I knew you could do it.” Vezaias whispered to him very lovingly. He stood up and glanced at Remington who was horrified still but calm. “Wake him up. Keep him focused until it finishes growing back, then bring him upstairs.” Vezaias ordered. Remington nodded and began to crawl over to Lux. Vezaias watched him carefully scoop Lux's shoulders up from the ground to hold him in his lap, then Vezaias took the severed hand, and left the room.

  “Lux….hey……wake up….” Remington helped him surface back to consciousness. Lux opened his icy blue eyes looking pained then pulled the new regrowth of his hand to hold it delicately against his chest.

  “Is……ugh…….is it…..working…..?” He managed.

  “Yeah Lux, you are doing great. It's not finished yet so keep focusing.” Remington encouraged him.

  “Sure.” He mumbled.

  Remington held him and lovingly racked his hair back and wiped his tears as they poured slowly out of his eyes. Lux clung to him like sopping wet clothing. He was pale, sweating, clammy, and shivering against Remington's body, and floating just above the surface of consciousness. The only thing keeping him awake was the loving physical attention that Remington was providing. Soon the door opened and Ava poked his head in the room then trotted over and sat a few juice boxes on the floor near them.

  “That asshole would like Lux to drink some juice as he will need to up his blood sugar and eat a meal so that will help his body replace what it's lost.” Ava hummed in his soprano voice. Remington picked up the juice and opened the straw and popping it into the box, then he held it up to Lux's lips.

  “Clever strategy. It's poisoned isn't it?” Lux cried softly. “I don't want to be poisoned!” Lux was now hysterical.

  “No, Lux, I promise the juice is safe. Look, see, I can drink it and I am fine.” Remington reassured him and took a drink of the juice. Lux watched him apprehensively until he finally gave in. Lux sucked the juice down in record speed then panting and gasping for air.

  “More.” Lux said softly. Remington prepared another juice and let him drink it. “It's helping.” Lux said but then he was suddenly distracted and sobbing again.

  “What is it, Lux?” Remington asked.

  “I can feel it growing.” Lux huffed uncomfortably.

  “Does it hurt?” Remington asked delicately.

  “Yes!” Lux cringed, still holding his regrowing hand close to his chest. He still had yet to form fingernails, but his hand was now full size. Ava kneeled down beside them both.

  “Oh, Lux, I'm so sorry he is doing this to you.” Ava said softly, looking very sad.

  “Pshhh, no you're not. Just help me stand up.” Lux said in irritation. Ava and Remington both helped pull Lux to his feet then guided him towards the door and up the stairs. When they got to the top they could smell something delicious coming from down the hall in the kitchen. Remington continued to help Lux as they made their way into the kitchen where Vezaias was at the stove cooking something in a large wok.

  “Just in time for dinner. Sit down and eat.” Vezaias ordered them. Remington guided Lux to a chair at the dining table and everyone sat down, just as Vezaias set the food out.

  “I made beef, broccoli, and kale with rice. Lux you will need to eat some iron rich foods to help your body repair itself.” Vezaias said as if it were a chore. Lux cupped his hand to his chest and looked afraid and Vezaias began piling his own plate with food. He then passed the food to Remington who obediently served himself some food before serving Lux some food. Lux sat soaking in pain and fear looking at the food as if it were dangerous.

  “I don't like broccoli.” Ava pouted unhappily. “I'd much rather eat some…”

  “We're not eating fucking chicken nuggets and macaroni Ava! Shut the fuck up and eat it!” Vezaias snapped.

  “Ugh!” Ava groaned and began to poke at his food. Remington was too distracted by Lux's situation to eat. He was still pale and shivering, and definitely not eating.

  “Eat Lux. It's important for you to eat when your body is working so hard to heal.” Vezaias pressed.

  “I don't want to be poisoned!” Lux shouted in a panic.

  “If I wanted to kill you, I would have chopped your head off instead of your hand! I'm not your fucking mother! Now eat your fucking food!!” Vezaias snapped. Lux jolted at his tone and reached for his chopsticks shuttering in fear and forcing himself to trust the food. Remington quickly took a bite of his own food.

  “See Lux, I am eating the same food. I'm not poisoned. It's safe. Please eat okay, you need calories right away.” Remington reassured him in a soothing voice. Lux swallowed his fear and used his newly regrown hand to scoop up a bite of food to his mouth. His new muscles were tight like new rubber bands and difficult to use but he managed to feed himself which exhausted him quickly. Once he had finished a few bites he realized that the more he ate the better he felt physically aside from the exhaustion. He ended up eating three more helpings of beef and rice before he felt satisfied. His new hand was fully formed, fingernails and all. Vezaias finished his own meal and began to clean up, taking all the dirty dishes to the sink then washing everything quickly. Remington finished his own food then quickly went to the sink to help Vezaias wash the dishes. Ava popped up from the chair and went to the living room to watch TV.

  “Come with me Rem.” Vezaias said then he led Remington out of the kitchen and back downstairs to the safe room. Once they were inside he shut and locked the door and turned to Remington.

  “You have to go back to base and continue on as if none of this just happened.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “Uh! But I don't want to leave! I want to be with you!” Remington jolted.

  “You have to Rem. If you don't come back they will search for you, and I can't have them snooping around. Then we will once again be in a battle to the death.” Vezaias took him by the shoulders and pulled him into his arms.

  “But I just need you so bad!” Remington began to pout.

  “I know. I've missed you so much Rem. But I worked very hard to secure your life and set us up for victory.” Vezaias soothed him, rubbing his back and kissing his forehead lovingly. Remington took a deep shaky breath.

  “Tell me what happened. I watched you die! How are you alive?” Remington asked urgently. He needed answers.

  “I planned it like this. The battle was a distraction, I knew they would confront us after Ava woke. Especially that flower headed bitch. So while they were distracted with fighting us, I wrapped them into a delusional world trapping them and keeping them ignorant to the fact that I had escaped. They killed me, but really it is what they had expected to see, so that's what they saw in the delusion. Meanwhile I faded out of the delusion and came here to stay safe. Of course I could not take you with me and I am sorry but if I did we wouldn't have the advantage anymore, and there wouldn't be anyone to intercept Lux or Ava. I chose to communicate with Lux because it was safer than talking to you. They would attribute his communication with me as some sort of schizophrenic symptom if they discovered it. I gave him minimal direction to help guide the three of you here to me. I tried to give you as much life security as possible and protect you from their suspicion and interrogation as much as I could. You did everything I wanted you to do. I know you must have felt lost without direct communication with me, but you performed perfectly.” Vezaias hummed his sweet voice explaining the story in his ear. Remington was now softly weeping against his chest.

  “….but they are expecting me to save your father. If I go back and they ask me what progress I've made, and I haven't made any at all…..and I've been here with you…..they will know.” Remington cringed. The thought of having to leave and go back to base instead of gluing himself to Vezaias's side, was devastating.

  “Shhh Rem…..they cannot see inside this delusion that I've wrapped myself in unless I allow it. As far as progress to show them…..” Vezaias pulled away from the embrace and with a swipe of his hand revealed a new layer of the delusion where Vincent was trapped inside. He was chained to the floor and propped up on a mattress fully bandaged and trying to heal from the gunshot wounds to his legs.

  “You found him, but you cannot fully enter this delusion, it's stronger, more secure and different than the others. You don't know how to get him out. Tell them this, it won't be a lie. They will not be able to prove otherwise and they will trust that you are making an effort. You can approach the barrier and pound on it and show Skyler this memory so you will have visual proof. I will remain behind you and silent.” Vezaias instructed. Remington did as he was told and approached the barrier he placed his hands on the invisible wall getting a clear view of Vincent who was unaware of his presence, then pounding on the barrier which only repelled him backwards. He summoned his crystal blade and bashed the barrier with all of his strength. Nothing happened. He let go of his crystal blade and it vanished. Remington sighed the barrier was strong and also painful to touch as if it was electrically charged.

  “This barrier is way too strong to break.” Remington mumbled. He waited a moment as if contemplating the situation before turning back to Vezaias. He looked crushed knowing he would have to leave, but at least he knew for sure Vezaias was alive.

  “Oh Rem, it will be alright. You can come back and see me everyday. We have much more to accomplish.” Vezaias said soothingly. “And we must be diligent in our work, before those assholes figure out that I am still alive. You must avoid talking about me at all costs. I know you cannot lie to them if they ask you if I am alive. That's why you had to wait so long to see me, so they would stop feeling the need to keep asking about me.” Vezaias said. Remington only nodded and brushed away a few tears.

  “Lux really needs you, and you really need him while you are away. So take good care of each other. I’ve already had a talk to Ava. He is to do everything you and Lux tell him to do. If he doesn't he will be in huge trouble, and I give you permission to beat his ass if he disobeys. You all need to stick together as a team. I'll see you tomorrow before theater alright?” Vezaias pulled him into a very loving hug then began to kiss him very urgently.

  “I love you so much, and I will ache for you to be in my arms again. I need you like the moon needs the stars, Remington.” Vezaias whispered into his lips and tasted his delicious mouth, and intertwined their hands together.

  “And I need you like the sun needs the sky. You are the most beautiful light in my sky.” Remington said softly as they indulged their need for each other now as Vezaias shifted them back into his hiding spot. Remington welcomed every painful moment as Vezaias crammed their bodies together. Vezaias crushed him into the ground making him cry and moan uncontrollably. It didn't matter how much it hurt or how much he bled afterwards, it was what he had been painfully craving to feel this sort of punishment to his body and the release that Vezaias drove him to was saturatingly satisfying. Vezaias dropped into his arms breathing heavily and sticky with sweat and pleasure. It wouldn't be easy to scrape himself off of the floor and away from Vezaias’s delicious flesh, but his resolve in their romance was now stronger than ever.