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“I can see that. Well, I think I would prefer to deal with the situation in the most cordial way possible given you have my sacrifice and my witch,” Rosa says, then looks to me. “My dear, you look awful. Can I get you anything? A water, some tea perhaps?” She speaks so casually it’s unnerving.

“Don’t talk to her, little sister,” Ben says quietly.

“I wasn’t talking to you, boy,” Rosa hisses now. “I helped raise you and gave you as much freedom as I could allow, and this is how you repay me? You were always like a son to me, Benjamin. You had so much potential as well and you’re throwing it all away for a lost cause.”

Ben doesn’t respond.

It’s quiet for a moment. I can feel the tension in the air. The anticipation of not knowing what’s about to happen next is making me feel sick to my stomach. If I had eaten anything, I would surely throw it up right about now. On top of seeing a mutilated body for the first time—or several.

“I must say, Benjamin, it is such a shame. I had been considering, after the loss of my daughter, giving you my position after I retired. But you had to go and do this.”

“It ain’t like you gave me much of a choice. I didn’t fucking ask to be here, and honestly, y’all are fucked-up. Not to mention you’ve lost and you refuse to see it.” Ben moves in front of Gen and me.

“Oh, that’s what you think, my dear boy.” She smiles, a smile so genuine that it meets her eyes. “You think I didn’t know? I lost my family to a foolish little boy with daddy issues. If you think I was going to be so easily fooled, you’d be wrong…” She chuckles. “You’ve clearly underestimated my determination. I trusted you, Benjamin. Such a shame.” Her heel clicks as she taps her foot on the tile floor, looking at Gen. “And you, you did well, my dear.”

Ben and I both snap our heads toward Gen, who has been silent this entire time.

“What?” Gen asks in a small voice.

His features twist, facing Rosa. “You think I’m gonna believe your bullshit?”

“Oh, of course not. And you mustn’t blame her, she was merely a pawn.”

“Bitch.” Ben says the word so quietly I barely hear him.

“Fuck you,” I say, standing in front of Gen.

Gen’s eyes bounce off me to Ben before she turns back to me, her bright green eyes staring at the floor.

“I don’t mean to do the stereotypical evil villain monologue, but I can provide context,” Rosa says, stepping closer.

“I always knew Ben was… shall we say, apprehensive about our mission. I had Genevieve keep a close watch on him, befriend him, make him fall in love. Knowing that one day, he would have just enough trust, and just enough knowledge, to set the perfect trap. Along with our tracker on the phone you bought her, it all worked flawlessly.” She cocks her head. “Cost me a few guards—but collateral damage was bound to happen with that brother of yours.”

“Is it true?” Ben breathes, looking at Gen. His eyes are unblinking as Gen grips his sleeve.

“You asked me to watch him! You told me he liked me! You fucking used me.” Gen’s fists ball tight as tears well up in her eyes. “I stopped reporting to her years ago, Ben. You aren’t convincing anyone, Rosa.”

“Oh, sweetie, it’s a bit late to back out now.” Rosa steps over to Gen, twirling a curly strand of her red hair in her fingers. “You’ve done so well, baby girl, I’m proud of you.” She pulls away, walking back over to her two guards. “Well, as unfortunate as this is, I’m going to have to let you go now. Boys.”

“Wait, no!” Gen yells, her hand reaching out as she moves to Ben.

Rosa twirls her finger in the air, and two gunshots ring out. Between the close proximity and the empty hallway, my ears begin to ring. My hands go directly to my ears as I collapse onto the ground. The ringing begins to subside, but it is replaced with a scream, fading louder in my ears. It’s Genevieve. I look over to her and see her kneeling down on the ground above Ben.

No…

Blood begins pooling around him, drenching Gen as she pleads over his body.

“Ben! No, no, no… Baby, wake up!” Gen pleads, her voice cracking. She cradles his head in her lap, rocking back and forth as the lights begin to flicker.

I stare at Rosa, my gaze unmoving.

“Take her to my room; we must prepare her for her debut!” Rosa orders one of the men, then looking to the other, she gestures at Genevieve.

The guard pulls out what looks like a gun and I scream.

“No!” I try to move over to Gen quick enough, but a quiet shot rings out and the small silver device goes straight to her neck.

It’s a tranquilizer dart. Thank Gods.