I looked at the nearby stereo, listening as an old fifties tune distracted me. 

"Is he... always like that?" Rose asked uncomfortably.

I closed my eyes, resting a hand on my forehead. 

"I'm afraid so. Did he not used to be like that?" 

Did I really want to know this? 

She cleared her throat. 

"Like I said; we were only acquaintances. What happened between us was as quick as a dream. It was like he was there one moment, then gone the next. Most of my relationships now are like that." 

I bit my lip. 

"I understand what you mean. You deserve someone that will hold out longer than a night for you." 

Rose blinked, staring down at the floor. 

"If it's not too much to ask... how did that become the future for your relationship with Hero? He did tape you... didn't he?" 

I shook my head, trying to remember how we came to be. 

"I'm not sure... I intended on leaving him after I found out that it circulated around and... he just didn't let that happen. He begged for me back several times and got into my good graces. I just couldn't imagine my life without him no matter what he'd done."

Rose smiled. 

"How lucky of you." 

She then stood up. I tried to do the same, but she instantly shook head, tapping on her watch. 

"Rules still apply. You need rest and food. I'm going to make you a healthy tomato sandwich. Anything to drink?" 

I huffed, trying to rack my brain for ideas. 

"Um.... milk?" 

With a skip in her step, Rose made her way out the door. As I waited, I eyed the Victorian bedroom I was in. It was all carved oak wood and 1900s appliances. 

I liked it. It gave me a sense of normalcy I hadn't felt in awhile.

Especially after I'd just been drugged. What a shock to my system this was. 

What Nora had done was illegal. I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do about that. 

Was that where Hero had run off to? Would he ever hit a girl that threatened my life?

It wasn't long before Rose returned with an inviting meal. Much to my surprise, the milk was warm and the wheat bread was toasted. 

Delicious. 

She allowed me to sit up so I could eat. I silently bit into my crunchy bread, tasting the creamy butter. She eyed me carefully as if to make sure I wouldn't run. 

"You have to understand why I want to go." I spoke through mouthfuls. "He has a tendency for causing trouble. He didn't leave because he was mad. He left to finish the job." 

Rose stood to lower the volume on the stereo. 

"Perhaps you're crazier than I thought." She joked. 

I swallowed a chunk of tomato. 

"I'm serious. Hero's very protective. He's going to find whoever did this to me and beat the crap out of them. I just know it."

Rose giggled. 

"Let him blow off some steam. He's probably gone off to talk to Kylie like you suggested. It's not like he's going to murder anyone." 

I eyed her warily. 

"Trust me. You don't know him like me. He bruised someone's face because they wouldn't quit talking to me. If you must, drive me to where he is. He needs to know that he's acting like an embicile." 

I seemed to have won a lost cause. With a clap, Rose nodded. 

"Fine. Tell you what: why don't you finish your food, take a nap, then we'll go see what he's up to."

I crunched enthusiastically. 

"Deal."

I didn't remember drifting off, but when I woke, I was in an unfamiliar place.

The Victorian styled room was now a bed of brush and leaves. I was in a dense and dark forest facing a shadowy figure. 

As they spoke, their voice was contorted. 

"I've got you now! There's no escape!" 

I backed away feverishly. 

"No, please! Leave me alone!" 

"That won't do." The voice continued. "You've got nowhere to turn. You're all mine now, to do with as I please." 

I nearly choked on my next couple of words. 

"You won't get away with this! Hero will know I'm gone and he'll find me!" 

The voice cackled. 

"You think loverboy is here to save you now? No... he was the one to give you up... look, he's sailing away now." 

To my utter horror, Hero was indeed fleeing. He had his back turned, steering a large boat in a nearby stream. 

"Hero, no!" I screeched. 

He simply twisted his head and yelled four words at me. 

"I DON'T LOVE YOU!" 

With a crash, everything went black. 

I sat up straight in my bed as I heard a continuous ringing. I eyed the phone on the dresser, glowing a faint blue.

God what a dream. 

Rose rushed into the room, answering it. 

"Hello?" She asked covering the reciever. 

I heard some unintelligible mumbling  before she became more concerned. 

"Yes- okay- oh god- yes- I can pay for it- goodbye." 

Hurrying to my side, she lightly shook me. 

"Kristina!" She hissed softly.

I blinked behind blurry vision. 

"Yes?" 

It went silent for a minute before she went on. 

"Hero got arrested. We need to bail him out."