Vianne was wearing black gloves, her coat pulled tight across her body as the harsh winds cradled the rain in its arms. She waited by herself in the garden a few minutes after work, her phone at her ear. She had received Officer Antonio's phone number to keep in touch with him if she ever needed to talk, and to appear as though she was deeply worried about Dante's well-being, she decided to give him a quick call.

The ringing of the phone stopped and Antonio answered with a concerned voice. "Hello Vianne, how are you?"

Vianne cleared her throat, glancing at the glass hallway to look for Rowan. "I'm doing okay, thanks. How is everything going for you? Are there any signs of Dante?"

Antonio sighed. "Actually, yes there is."

Vianne's heart stopped, skin covered in nervous frost. "Oh? What did you find?"

"We found his car parked at an abandoned parking lot a little outside of Portland. Unfortunately, the cameras outside the building weren't working that night, so we don't know where he went. His suitcase and other belongings weren't found in the car either." He replied darkly, the frustration swarming his voice. "Inside his car there's nothing but a few old receipts and extra cash, which I found to be odd that he didn't bring with him."

The frost along her skin melted, and Vianne relaxed back into her seat. "Oh yeah, that's strange."

Antonio sighed again, and rustles of movement sounded in the background of the phone. "We also interviewed Charles Johnson. He claims that he was out back when he saw Dante muttering things to himself. When he went to ask him if he was okay, Dante had thrown a punch to his face and the fight further escalated until their boss came out and stopped it. So remind me, what exactly did Dante tell you what happened?"

"He told me Charles was belittling him for working at a car dealership as a twenty seven year old and not pursuing a high paying job." She replied, tapping her fingers against the wet, metal table.

"And you believe your husband was telling the truth?" Antonio inquired. Vianne swallowed hard, glancing back to the hallway with cautious eyes.

"Of course."

Silence wafted among the speakers of the phone before Antonio finally clucked his tongue and spoke. "Alright, I'll call you when we have more information on the case. Be careful, Vianne."

He hung up before she could respond, and the small, curt act planted a seed of worry at the base of her mind. Pushing her phone into her coat pocket, she stood up and observed the purple flowers Robert had once peered at, and her lips lifted into a small smile at the thought that he could finally be free.

Just as she entered the hallway, she caught the stare of two warm, brown eyes and a mess of red curls. Instantly, Vianne offered a smile and approached Tessa with a wave of her hand. "Hi Tessa, how are you?"

Tessa's cherry lips spread along her face and she excitedly stepped to Vianne and hugged her hard. "Hi! I'm doing alright, how are you? I feel like I haven't seen you in so long!"

Vianne returned the hug, awkwardly adjusting her face from the cloud of entangled red hair. "I'm okay. It's been awhile since we could actually talk."

They pulled apart, glimpsing over each other as it had been awhile since the last time they spoke. Tessa was more upbeat, the worry that had eaten away at her mind now vanquished with a renewed sense of optimism regarding the experiment. She pursed her lips slightly as she took in how different Vianne looked, and the warm mirth in her eyes went cold.

"You..." she started, frowning, "are you alright? Have you been getting any sleep?"

Vianne swallowed. "I'm doing fine. I've just been busy."

Tessa nodded, her hand unconsciously finding its way to wrap her hair around her finger. "Oh okay. Well, I turned in my form to request Ronnie be released by the way! I'm so happy about it, Vee, and I've already told Ronnie that once he's free we can still hang out every once in a while. Isn't that so exciting?"

Vianne blinked, lips parting in surprise. "Vee?"

Tessa cocked her head to look at her, failing to understand Vianne's surprise. Then, a hard blush tainted her cheeks in deep embarrassment that she had called her by a nickname. "Oh, uh, sorry - it kinda just slipped out. Is it okay if I call you that?"

Vianne bit the inside of her cheek, ripping her stare from Tessa to the window, a seething heat building in her narrowed gaze. "Just call me by real name, please."

Tessa nodded, cringing at her error. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything—"

"It's fine," Vianne cut in, moving passed her without hesitation, "I have to go now. I'll see you later."

Vianne refused to look back. Her gait was fast as she maneuvered her way through the halls in search for Rowan, her heart beating hard against her chest. It was time to meet with Alex Jaeger, and Rowan was the key for her plan to work.

When she entered the waiting area, Rowan was already there with his bandaged hands tucked into his pockets. His foot was tapping lightly on the flooring, and when he turned to look at her, his nervous tics stopped abruptly. "Vianne," he acknowledged her, blue eyes a shade similar to the ocean underneath a sky of grey clouds, "are you ready?"

She nodded, offering him a bitter smile before stepping out in the world adorned with blanketed melancholy.

——

Vianne drove across the slicked streets, an uncomfortable quiet pervading between the two of them. Rowan's gaze remained on the window, the faint melody of old alternative rock drifting from the speakers only making him feel more uneasy. Every once in a while, he'd turn to capture a glimpse of Vianne, only to find her expression to be eerily neutral - as if there were skeletal hands of mist grabbing at her conscious until all remnants of thoughts had become the void. It unnerved him to see how different Vianne looked: her brown eyes were a shade of obsidian, her mouth was caught in a foreboding line, and her movements were graceful but haunting. What changed her? He wondered, a chill wrapping around his skin as he grimaced from the blossoming pain at the nubs of his hands, or had she always been this way - brooding and cold, hidden underneath layers of fake virtue and shyness?

Vianne spoke up to break the silence. "How did you come to know Alex?"

Rowan shifted in his seat, avoiding her eyes. "He contacted me first."

She raised a questioning brow but said nothing. Silence swarmed around them and Rowan kept shifting in his seat as a knot of anxiety twisted within his core. He didn't know what Vianne had in mind to do, and he was certainly nervous about the outcome of their discussion with Alex. He had seen first hand how ruthless Vianne could be, and in all honesty, he couldn't wrap his head around it. How had a quiet - and immensely clingy - girl like herself become so unforgiving? Rowan glanced at the passing trees, the world caught in dismal scenery. As they drew closer to their destination, the more terrified Rowan became.

As she turned left at the same intersection at the edge of the non-industrialized area, Vianne spoke up again. "What is your favorite story, Rowan?"

Rowan was taken by surprise, unsure if he had heard her correctly. He stared at her for some time, blinking uncomfortably as he quickly contemplated on his answer. "I don't have a favorite story."

Vianne nodded, pressing her foot harder onto the peddle. "I'd rather not sit in silence for the next fifteen minutes, so would it be okay if I tell you my favorite?"

Rowan nodded immediately, hating to find the repercussions if he were to say no. "Oh of course, be my guest."

Vianne sighed, gripping onto the steering wheel tighter. "When I was in high school we had a short story unit where we could pick any story of our choosing. But the thing was, each of us had to have a different story to read. I was the last person to pick which one I wanted, and at the time the list was really limited, so I was stuck with a story by Edgar Allen Poe called "The Cask of Amontillado." Ever heard of it?"

Rowan shook his head. "I don't read much."

"Of course," Vianne smirked, "I don't expect someone like you to read at all; you're too busy filling your mind with money, huh?"

Rowan clenched his jaw hard but said nothing. Vianne glanced at him with raised brows, daring him to retort back. When the response never came, she continued with her anecdote.

"Anyway, at the time I thought I was assigned one of the worst stories on the list just because no one else picked it. But after reading it, I thought it was really interesting. All of the other short stories focused on themes of happiness, of love, of adventure, and I was assigned a story that challenged our perception of the main character and their true intentions."

Vianne paused, looking from the road to Rowan for a reaction. He simply stared straight ahead, his hands folded neatly on his lap.

"Is...is there a point to this story, Vianne?" Rowan asked quietly, unable to help himself. Vianne chuckled, a genuine smile brightening her features as they entered the deep patch of trees where she had previously threatened him.

"You're a bad person, Rowan, but at least you've got humor." Vianne commented as the road diverged once more. "Where do I turn now?"

"Right." Rowan sighed, a nervous sweat pricking his skin, "so aren't you going to explain the plot of this story you're so fond of?"

Vianne shrugged. "How many more minutes until we get there?"

"Maybe about five minutes, we're moving faster than expected." Rowan replied, glancing down at his expensive watch on his wrist. Vianne nodded in agreement, eyes focused on the road ahead as the car increased its speed.

"I'll tell the story later when we have more time."

Rowan couldn't help but roll his eyes. "This was a waste of conversation then. Silence would've been better."

Vianne chuckled once more, eyes crinkling with amusement as she slowed the car down the closer they got to their destination. She traveled on a back road winding deeper into the trees, and when the trail ended at a large, circular dead end, she parked the car and undid her seatbelt. As the two stepped out into the chilly atmosphere, they walked to the back of the car and waited for Alex to arrive.

Vianne crossed her arms over her torso and turned to observe Rowan. "We need to talk about a few things first."

Rowan sighed exasperatedly, looking to his watch out of habit. "What, are you going to finish telling me that boring story of yours?"

Vianne ignored his comment and readjusted the gloves on her hands. "You're going to tell him I'm one of the newly released inmates you've kidnapped."

Rowan's eyes widened, mouth parted as he stared blankly at her. He thickly swallowed, looking from Vianne to the car approaching. "What are you planning on doing, Vianne?"

She offered a brumal smile just as Alex parked his car and stepped out. "You'll see."

When Alex closed the door, Vianne could get a clear look of his face. He had hazel eyes that appeared more green underneath the trees, and chestnut brown hair that was ruffled and messy, as if he had just rolled out of bed and not bothered to look in the mirror. His red flannel was unbuttoned to reveal a white tank top, and he wore ripped jeans with paint stained at the hems. Based on his outward appearance, he looked completely careless. Vianne clenched her jaw hard as he stepped up to the two of them, eyes glazing over Vianne a few seconds before turning his attention to the car behind them.

"New car?" He asked Rowan, raising a displeased brow. Rowan turned to look over the car for a quick second before hesitantly nodding.

"Yes."

"Hm, it looks a little old though, and those cars are hella cheap. With all the money I've given you, I'd think you buy something luxurious or something. You seem like one of those dudes who goes and spends shit on things only to forget about them. Am I right?"

Rowan rolled his right shoulder back, digging his hands further into his pant pockets. His eye twitched slightly, and faint splotches of red stained his cheeks from his rising annoyance.

"It was my sister's car."

Alex smirked. "Damn so you're hella rich and you decide to take your sister's janky ass car? You're one greedy fucker, I'll tell you that."

"Why am I here?" Vianne hissed, glaring up at Alex with icy fire seething in the depths of her eyes. His cocky smile was erased as he turned to look down on her. He slyly pulled his flannel back to reveal a gun hidden inside a leather holster, a smile pulling at his mouth as he watched Vianne's expression grow wan.

"Don't be giving me attitude, inmate. One call from the police and you'll go right back to jail. All I gotta say is that you lured me out here, ya know." Alex said, pulling his flannel back to conceal his weapon.

Vianne bit the inside of her cheek. "And what would they think of you when they see you're carrying a gun? I'm assuming I've been brought here for some sort of shady business."

Alex clucked his tongue and whistled, a chuckle leaving his mouth as he took another step towards Vianne. "I didn't think inmates could be so articulate. I thought they'd all be dumb as shit or something. But then again, you'd have to be a little dumb to wind up in jail, right?"

Vianne only smirked. "With the path you're leading, as far as I can tell, I'd say you're far dumber than me."

Alex raised a brow. "And how does the 'path I'm leading' make me dumber than you?"

Vianne laughed. "You just proved my point."

Rowan noted the change in mood in Alex and stepped in between them. "Let's make the exchange already. I'd rather not waste time here engaging in idiotic discussion."

Alex scoffed, ripping his glare from Vianne to Rowan, his hands clenched into weak fists. "What did she get arrested for?"

Rowan eyed Vianne bitterly. "For assault."

"And they let her out?"

"Apparently."

Alex gave Vianne another dirty look before walking to his car to retrieve the cash. While his back was turned to the both of them, Rowan leaned closer to Vianne.

"What's your plan here, Vianne? I have no idea what you want me to do." He whispered urgently, cautiously glancing back at Alex who was still searching for the cash in his truck.

"You tell him to give the money first." Vianne whispered back, black eyes trained on Alex and not once pulling her gaze away. Rowan's brows creased, shivering at the eeriness of her unblinking stare. What the hell is going on? He wondered, anxiously looking back to Alex who was still rummaging around his car.

"Do...do you actually plan on going with him?"

"Why would you care if I do anyway? Just do what I say and don't question it." Vianne hissed back. Rowan stepped away from her as Alex walked back to them carrying a large paper bag, the ends of it ripped and crinkled. His hazel eyes lingered over Vianne for a few seconds before he reverted his attention to Rowan.

"Alright, hand her over." He sighed with his hand hovering over his gun. Rowan clenched his jaw and trained his gaze onto the ground.

"Actually, you'll be handing the money over first." He stated, clearing his throat nervously. Alex squinted his eyes, cocking his head in puzzlement. An increasing intensity built around them, each of them glaring at each other with rising suspicion as the air grew harsher.

"Fine," Alex spat, "doesn't matter to me." As he diverted his attention to handing Rowan the bag of money, Vianne rushed to Alex, pulling a small knife from her back pocket and whipping her arm behind Alex and over his neck. Then, she kicked him behind the knee so that he was forced to fall over, and with a grunt, she pressed the knife against his throat and forced him to look up.

"Hand Rowan the money." Vianne demanded as she slipped her hand and grabbed the gun from his holster, placing it a few feet behind her and out of his reach. Alex groaned in pain, the back of his knee throbbing. With a shaking hand, he lifted the bag of money and Rowan took it from him with an appalled expression.

"Now, tell me where the other inmates you've kidnapped are." Vianne hissed as Rowan took a fearful step backwards. Alex swore under his breath, his eyes narrowed and focused on Rowan.

"God, this was a fucking set up? Rowan, what the fuck?" Alex demanded, a snarl encapsulating his face.

Vianne pressed the knife harder into his throat. "Answer me."

Alex flinched, a sharp hiss escaping his mouth as he leaned his head farther back to escape the pressure of the knife. "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? You're the one who supplies them, aren't you? You've got to know where they all are." Vianne replied, brows furrowed.

"I just drop them off, I don't know who the fuck they're being dropped off for."

"How did you get into this business? What could possibly benefit you for doing this?" Vianne asked, her voice sharpening into shards of ice. Alex took in a deep breath, his expression igniting into waves of vexation.

"I don't do things for rewards. I do them because I fucking want to," Alex spat, "those inmates are a lost cause. I'd say you forget about them and move on, 'cause there's no way in hell you'll find them."

Silence weighed down on them. Vianne stared blankly at the back of Alex's head, her skin growing pale as she reflected over his words. Rowan, who was clutching the bag of money as if for dear life, stood against the car with wide eyes and his mouth gaped open. The trees danced along with the wind and the rain sliced through the air like knives.

"I'll give you one last chance," Vianne murmured, the ebbing and flowing of rage churning in her inky eyes, "where have they been taken?"

Alex ran his tongue over his teeth, glaring hard at Rowan for allowing this to happen to him. "And like I've said before, I don't fucking know. It's not like I'm doing anything remotely bad as what they were all charged for. I'm no psycho or some dirty low life - I'd say they all deserve—"

Vianne jerked her arm hard and the knife slit effortlessly across his throat, blood trickling down his neck as he collapsed onto the floor, struggling to breathe. Vianne scowled, stepping over him and facing Rowan with a cold, distant look. Rowan's skin had grown a snowy white, eyes wide as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

"Vianne..." he muttered, watching as blood pooled around Alex's head as he tried crawling across the floor, "you...you killed him. You know that...right?"

Vianne glanced down at Alex then back to Rowan. "Of course I know that."

Rowan stuttered in disbelief. "Why would you d-do that? What are you doing?"

Vianne allowed the rain to wash away the blood off the knife before tossing it on the ground where Rowan stood. Then, she picked up the gun and examined it in her hand. Rowan simply stared at the knife, afraid to make any move to grab it.

"The main character of the story I was telling you about, named Montresor," Vianne started, "brings a drunk man named Fortunato down into the catacombs to have him taste wine. Naively, Fortunato follows him into the darkness all the while the reader knows Montresor is leading him to his death. He swears he's taking revenge on Fortunato, but he never mentions what he had done to him; we don't know if he's murdering him for retribution or for pleasure. So the message of the story, in the end, is that our main character can very well be the bad guy."

Rowan took another step back so that his back was pressed up against the car. "Oh I see." he murmured, clutching the bag of money firmly to stop his hands from shaking. "You're the main character in this analogy, right? You're...you're the bad guy in all this, influenced by that Tom Marth. You've become his...apprentice, haven't you?"

Vianne stared at him for some time, listening to the gurgling sounds of Alex's poor attempt to breathe before falling quiet. "Yes, I guess I do resemble the main character of that story, but you don't know anything about my true intentions, so you're mistaken to outrightly call me the bad guy."

"You just fucking killed him! I'd say you are the bad guy, Vianne!" Rowan said, his body trembling. Vianne simply shook her head as if she believed she had done nothing wrong.

"I think what I did was fair."

"Fair? God, you've gone mad!" Rowan cried, his voice growing louder and echoing against the tall trees.

Vianne ignored his comment, taking a forbidding step towards him. "Give me the money, Rowan. It's time to go."

Rowan swallowed hard, glancing down at the money in his scathed hands before looking back to Vianne. "No."

"You've already seen what I've done to Alex. I'll have no problem doing the same to you." Vianne said nonchalantly.

Rowan backed away, sliding his back across the car. "N-no, no you won't. This...this is my money. I helped you get to Alex already, I should be off the leash, shouldn't I? This is my reward."

"The thing is you'll never be off the leash. You're an evil person - you're a threat to society and therefore, I think I'll kill you and take the money anyway. You've said it yourself, evil is a parasite that's best eradicated."

Rowan sneered. "I'm no parasite, Vianne. It's you that is the monster - you think you're serving justice but you're just as bad as Tom."

"You're wrong, Rowan, I've never been a monster." Vianne aimed the gun to his chest and pulled the trigger.