Rikka was bored, everyone else did their own thing. Nuri slept, Kaya slept in the room with Rikka after drinking her tea in the kitchen., Ace meditated, Rin drives the boat. Rikka was starting to feel nervous.

  Rikka: I can't do this anymore.

  She tries to wake up Kaya, but she couldn't.

  Rikka: how can you be so good at sleeping!!

  She hears some sounds in the bathroom, she starts to walk towards the sound. She hears Rho, Rho was crying, trying to stay quiet.

  Rikka: she forgot to close the door, how much do you seek attention...

  She wanted to close them fully, but then she saw Rho, her eyes widen. Rho was covered with scars on her arms, back, legs. Rho was crying, she was biting her own hand to keep her from crying and screaming. She was trying to remain as quiet as possible. Rikka wasn’t sure what to do, she closed the door and walked away. Rho heard that and looked at the door. She wasn’t sure if someone was there or not. Rikka run to the room. She breaths heavily... She slowly tries to walk outside, but she stepped on something, it made a low voice. Kaya woke up. Kaya looks at Rikka.

  Rikka: Gallon of water couldn't wake you, but this woke you up....

  Kaya: Is everything okay?

  Rikka: Of course... why wouldn't it be...?

  Kaya: Why did you try to wake me up?

  Kaya is all wet, because Rikka tried to wake her up with water.

  Rikka: I was bored...

  Rikka looked away.

  Kaya: You look like you saw a ghost...

  Rikka: Maybe I am...

  Kaya: what?

  Rikka: oh nothing... just nothing...

  She goes to the door and goes out. Kaya confused. Rikka goes to the kitchen, ignoring every one.

  Rikka: how is that possible...?

  She said to herself quietly while thinking of what she saw.

  Rikka: but she is so cold... and rude...

  She shook her head.

  Rikka: no, I don’t care... I will forget what I saw and I will treat her the same...

  Rikka: but I can't stop thinking about it...

  Rikka: why do I feel bad...?

  She continued to talk to herself.

  Rikka: but she would kill me if she knew that I saw her... so... I can't say anything... she would feel even worse...

  Rikka takes the blue pill.

  Rikka: And this is the only way…

  She drinks it.

  Rho in the bathroom looking at the mirror.

  Remembering...

  Nexara: I don’t know anything I swear!!

  She was in a dark room, few people there.

  Torturer: give us the code... now!

  Nexara: never!

  She was tied and hanged from a wall…

  Present.

  Rho looks in the mirror, and she put on some clothes, covering her every scar. She stands in front of the door.

  Memory

  Six months later... 6 months after torture, she was returned to Davon. She woke up in Davon's office. Nexara looks around.

  Nexara: where...am...I...?

  Davon shows up.

  Davon: you are still able to talk? Maybe I was going to easy on you...

  Nexara: what... do you.. mean...?

  Davon: do you know where have you been Nexara?

  Present.

  Nigel leaves a room, he just woke up.

  Nigel: Where is that kid... Nuri wake up!

  He woke up Nuri.

  Nuri: Just leave me be...

  Nigel: I am hungry man.

  Nuri: Then you should think about that before you decided to torture me.

  Nigel: Oh come on, that was barely an exercise...

  Ace: Nuri! I am hungry too.

  Nuri: There is no way that I will stand up now and...

  He looks at Ace, Ace angry, holding the bottle of that beer like she is going to kick his ass with it. Nuri already walks towards the kitchen.

  Nuri: On second thought I think I slept enough... time to cook!

  He goes to the kitchen

  Nigel: nicely done.

  She nods. Rin driving the boat Rikka was in the kitchen and the rest are coming. Except Rho and Rin.

  Nuri: O hey Rikka, what are you doing here?

  Rikka turns around.

  Rikka: I was hungry, duhh...

  Nuri: I am on it!

  Everyone sits at the table.

  Ace: where is Rho?

  Rikka looks nervous.

  Kaya: I guess she still enjoys her alone time.

  Nigel: and Rin?

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Kaya: I guess he is doing the same... you know how they can be... like a lone wolf thing...

  Ace: Rikka, are you okay?

  Rikka: why should I know where she is?!

  Ace: I asked you are you okay... you look...

  Rikka: I am fine... I just didn't listen. When someone mentions that red-hair girl, my mind just stops to listen.

  Ace: right...

  Kaya: when will the food be over?

  Nuri: you can't always expect for me to magically create some food the same minute you say you are hungry!

  He yells a bit.

  Kaya: okay... relax...

  Rikka is still worried.

  Rho in her room.

  Memory

  Nexara: where have I been...? The enemies tortured me to get information about you...about the project...

  Davon: and did you say anything?

  Nexara: I didn't say anything...

  Davon: how can I believe you?

  Nexara: please... you have to believe me...

  He looks at her.

  Davon: I believe you.. you want to know why?

  She looks at him.

  Davon: Because I was the one who send each and one of your so called enemies to see if I can trust you.

  Nexara is scared.

  Nexara: that was you...?

  Davon: yes... I hope you've learned your lesson.

  She was petrified.

  Davon: have you?

  Nexara: yes...

  Tears are dropping on her cheeks but she doesn’t move.

  Davon: good... now go clean yourself and get dressed, we have a lot of things to do.

  He went outside and closed the door, Nexara was left alone... she screamed.

  Present

  Rho enters the kitchen.

  Kaya: oh look who can't be without us...

  Rho smiles (usually she smiles after crying, trying to hide it).

  Rho: you are right, I even started to miss you guys. Well most of you at least.

  Rikka didn’t say anything. Rho looks at her

  Rho: you don’t have any comment on that?

  Rikka: Nope.

  Everyone looks confused. And surprised.

  Rho: I think this is the first time you didn't talked back to me.

  Rikka: so what?

  Rho: good work, keep doing that.

  Rho said proud, and everyone still suspicious. Everyone looked at each other and decided to test something.

  Nigel: so, Rikka, how is it to share the room with Rho? I bet she can be pretty annoying.

  Rho: what is that supposed to mean?

  Rikka: It's nice to share a room with her, she is not a bad roommate.

  Everyone shocked.

  Rho: was she being nice to me right now...?

  Kaya: I think I heard it too...

  Nuri: what if... she is the ghost from that haunted house and real Rikka stayed there!!

  He wanted to scream.

  Rikka: I am not a ghost...

  She rolls her eyes

  Nuri: prove it!

  Rikka punched him. He screamed a bit.

  Nuri: she is not a ghost....

  Nigel: okay, give her a break everyone, no wonder that she lost her mind because of Rho..

  Rho: hey!!

  Rin is trying to concentrate but it is noisy in the kitchen he is mad.

  Rin: peace...find your peace…

  Noise... Him mad.

  Rin: that is it!

  In the kitchen.

  Rho: did you just call me crazy?

  Nigel: it was a joke.

  Rikka: obviously...

  Rho: did she just called me sane.....? Or she was being sarcastic?

  Rikka: what?

  Rin: What is with that noise!?

  Everyone looks at him.

  Nuri: what noise?

  Rin: I heard you scream.

  Nuri: that was nothing, I just thought Rikka was a ghost.

  Rin: what?

  Ace: Oh god, can you leave to poor girl alone.

  Ace took a beer.

  Ace: come with me,

  She puts an arm around her shoulders, and on another she holds a beer. They walked out of the kitchen. Rin sighed and sit down on the chair.

  Ace and Rikka

  Ace now driving ship.

  Ace: okay kiddo, what is going on?

  Rikka: I don't know what are you talking about...

  Ace: then why are you suddenly so nice to Rho?

  Rikka looks away.

  Rikka: no reason...

  Ace: Rikka....

  Rikka: nothing okay! Please stop asking me...

  Ace: If you think I should know something... please tell me.

  Rikka hesitate.

  Rikka: I am not sure yet...

  Ace puts an arm on her shoulder.

  Ace: when you are ready, I am here, but try not to wait for too long.

  Rikka nods.

  Dinner was ready. Rikka looked distracted.

  Rho: you okay?

  Rikka: oh yes... I am fine...

  Nuri: you are not eating?

  Rikka: I think I will skip this one, excuse me...

  She stands up and leaves.

  Rho: that was weird...

  Kaya: tell me about it...

  Rikka looks at the ocean.

  Her arms starts shaking. She looked at the pill.

  Ace: everything okay?

  Rikka hides the pill.

  Rikka: oh yes, I just wanted to watch the sky.

  Ace was at the ship driving. Rikka comes to Ace.

  Ace: want some beer?

  Rikka: seriously? But I am only fifth… I mean sixteen.

  Ace: I am not Rin, I am Ace. She throws her the beer.

  Rikka: then you don’t mind me smoking?

  Ace: only if you give me some too.

  Rikka: deal.

  Ace: but be careful for Rin not to see...

  Rikka: oh yes, that Ice guy... he froze so many of my cigarettes to far.

  She smiles and pause.

  Ace: anything on your mind kiddo?

  Rikka: I am not sure if I should tell...

  Ace: why is that?

  Rikka: because it feels like it needs to be someone’s private thing but yet, I can’t just stand there and watch someone in pain...

  Ace: Rikka, if you know that someone is hurting and needs help, you never look away, okay?

  She looks at her.

  Rikka: its about Rho...

  Ace: what about Rho...?

  Rikka talks, but no sound... then silence, Ace eyes widen.

  Everyone starts to go outside after a while.

  Kaya: It is a beautiful night...

  Rin smells something and comes to Rikka and Ace. Ace took the box of cigarettes and put it under her dress, around her thigh she had something that was holding her small knife too.

  Rin: why do I smell cigarettes?

  Rikka and Ace looks away.

  Rin: you smoked!

  Hi says to Rikka.

  Rikka: No I wasn't, you took all of my cigarettes, remember?

  He looks at Ace, ad comes closer to her.

  Rin: you smoked too!

  Ace: How about some personal space buddy.

  She takes a step back.

  Rin: hand me the cigarettes.

  Ace laughs.

  Ace: I don't know what are you talking about.

  Rin: don't make me search you.

  Ace: you are joking right?

  Rin starts walking towards her.

  Ace: don’t even dare... hey, watch it!

  She runs to her room and closes the door. He follows her.

  Rin: just give up...

  Ace: No way! Leave me alone!

  Rin tries to open the door.

  Rikka looks at Rho and Rho notice.

  Rho: what?

  Rikka: nothing...

  She look away.

  Rho: you know you are acting even more weird than usual.

  Rikka is silent.

  Ace holds the door and Rin tries to get in. And he opens the door (behind science)

  Rikka: I need to go to the bathroom...

  She goes. Rho looks suspiciously, as Nigel.

  Nigel: so what now?

  Kaya: I don't know, I think it is Acacia’s turn to choose. But...

  The fighting is heard in the room, and she throws Rin through the door. Ace angry and a bit blushed.

  Ace: you are not allowed to come near me ever again!

  Rin laughs and he is holding the cigarettes.

  Rin: I got what I wanted.

  Ace: you jerk!

  Ace looks at the Nuri.

  Ace: what are you looking at?!

  Nuri: what did I do?

  Ace: you know what you did....

  Nuri: how about we skip her turn, I have a feeling she'll do something cruel to me...

  Ace: what are you talking about?

  Rikka in the bathroom, looks in the mirror. She can’t take it anymore, she looks at the place she saw Rho.

  Rikka: I am sorry for this...

  Rikka took the blue pill again...

  Ace: Oh I see... so it is my turn... well in that case, everyone drinks tonight.

  Kaya: how did I not see that coming...

  Nuri: that is actually not bad...

  Ace: except you! You will manage the ship.

  Nuri: oh man...

  Rin: well I am out too.

  Nuri: maybe we can switch places?

  Ace: oh no, you drink... everyone has to do what I say and you drink, and I want to see the look on your face when you feel bad in the morning, and you will have to exercise twice as much.

  Rin: that seems a bit personal...

  Ace: and what you did to me few minutes ago wasn't?! You are doing it!

  Rin: fair enough. To be honest, I thought you will kill me...

  Ace: I still might...

  Kaya: so drinking is then!

  Ace looks around.

  Ace: has anyone saw Rikka?

  Rikka: I am here. What did I miss?

  She looked a bit different.

  Everyone was on the ship, drinking chilling, except Rikka and Nuri. Rho was sitting on the other side, alone, watching the ocean. Ace soon joined her.

  Ace: you barely touched your beer.

  Rho: I am more of a vine person.

  Ace: I know, that's why I brought this.

  She brought some vine ad they drink from bottle.

  Ace: that's more like it.

  She sits next to Rho.

  Ace: anything on your mind?

  Rho: nothing much, I was just thinking about the past.

  She talked calm and cold, like always.

  Ace: anything specific?

  Rho: nothing that is important.

  She drinks. Silence

  Ace: you know, I’ve been meaning to tell you... today when you told me that even with my scar I am still beautiful, well that means a lot to me. Thank you for that.

  Rho: I was just being honest.

  Rho put her arm on another arm, covering her sleeves.

  Ace: I have to be honest, I've got so used to it with my scar, that it never bothers me anymore. I never cared that I had a scars on my face, or that anyone would see it, I still know who I am, and that scar is still just one story that now lives with me forever.

  Rho: I wish I was as half as brave as you...

  Ace: what are you talking about? You are the most badass person I know. Even I sometimes get scared of how strong you are.

  Rho: I know this is impossible, but you are drunk.

  Ace laughs.

  Ace: I am serious Rho. You are the bravest and strongest person I have ever met. Not tears, not even scars can change my mind about that.

  Rho looks at her.

  Rho: why are you telling me all of that?

  Ace: Because of how strong you are, sometimes I forget that even you sometimes can be in pain... and I just want you to know, that that pain doesn't make you any less weaker.

  Rho thinks, looks down a bit.

  Rho: that's funny, I always saw you as strongest.

  Ace: Really?

  Rho: Yes. You are so brave, you always stand up for yourself, you are not afraid to speak your mind, you are definitely the strongest person I know... you are not afraid to be yourself, and that is what makes you the strongest.

  Ace leans on her legs.

  Ace: And you managed to walk trough hell and back, and not only you survived, you won. And that's what makes you the strongest.

  Rho calms down, relaxes.

  Rho: well wine is still my weakness...

  Ace: everyone has a weakness... my weakness at the end became my ally.

  She shows the beer. Rho smiles.

  Rho: that's not a good thing, you know that right?

  Ace: how do you know is not?

  Ace smiles and drinks. Rho thinks, she smiled.

  Rho: well, you got me there.

  She drinks.

  Rho past.

  Door opens.

  Davon: Are you ready

  Nexara standing in her new uniform. She is cold, no emotion in her left, she seemed like a different person.

  Nexara: I am ready.

  Davon: Then let's go, there is a lot you need to catch up to.

  She nods and walks trough the door. Davon was walking in front of her, she followed him, calm, steady. The last part in her that believed in humanity died that day. Pure evil was born...