Iris' POV"What have I done?" I asked myself, staring into the empty space Gustav left behind.Getting to know the new Gustav had been a blessing for me. He had proven to be worthy of me in measures I least expected. But now, my stupidly had gotten in the way. I shouldn't have asked him anything about the war. Being on the losing side, memories of the war would knife throuhh him, and cause him sleepless nights. I thought I had the right to ask him anything including that, but I was a fool. Our worlds are still very much apart with little to celebrate together."You should have kept your shitty mouth shut." I scolded myself, climbing out of the bathtub. "It's none of your business. Keep to your lane, and focus on your own problems next time."I untied the towel around my hair, allowing the red strands fall freely around my shoulders. They were a bit tousled, needing the fine work of a comb. But something else is in worse shape, and I needed to take care of it before the iron got cold.

Monica's POV."One glass of Martini for me, and one bottle of soda for the young lady with me." I placed an order, plopping my tired weight into the padded barstool behind the counter. Rhoda did the same, dropping her bag over the counter, wiping the sweat on her oily face with a handkerchief she got from my wardrobe. Tonight, she would shift- or die. Whatever the case may be, I needed to prepare both her and myself.What relief would it be to lay my hands on heavy chains and padlocks. Fuck! I should have left her behind.The emerald-eyed bartender flashed me a flirtatious smile, before turning to the shelf to fix our order. He was cute, no doubt- muscular, tall, golden hair, and all the sexual appeals in a man that turns the head of a girl to look again.But my heart belonged to another, and I was not in the mood to get laid so cheaply.I took a quick glance around the palor, scouting the faces of the few number of men and women clustered around tables. No face looked familiar to me,

Monica's POVRhoda pushed against the drivers seat, fighting the shift under loud breathes. Her body quaked tremendously, with sweat drenching her hair line. The moon was up and full now, torturing the poor girl with its harmless luminescence."Do something, Ben. Do something!" I yelled, tapping my feet against the floor of the truck.Ben darted about, his eyes dancing round the gridlock like a house mouse sniffing around for cheese. "Tighten your seat belt ladies, we're about to become certified criminals." Before I could secure myself with the seat belt, he reversed the truck, crashing into the head lamp of the Ford behind us. I placed one hand against the dashboard, saving my head from hitting it. He made a U turn on the spot, and screeched out of the traffic, assaulting the kerbs unto the sidewalk of a storey building."Hey! You just crashed my mom's car!" The affected driver behind us shouted at the top of his lungs, kicking the front tyre angrily."I didn't say you should kill u

Monica's POVThe aroma of brewed coffee clouded my senses. The kitchen was cozy enough to contain a simple nuclear family. An oval pine table sat at the end of the kitchen, with three padded chairs tucked out about it. A white table cloth of worsted material overlayed it, with a plastic bowl of fruits sitting right at its centre."For the upteenth time, aunt Amber, we weren't doing anything. The plate rolled out of my hand when I was setting the table." Ben scratched the back of his head.His ripped chest hung stout above his baked abs. The shirt that once covered his trunk now served as an overcoat for Rhoda, who couldn't take her eyes off his body. She sat quietly with her hands between her legs, looking timid and all.Young lovers."Rhoda?" Amber turned to Rhoda. "Did this man touch you in a funny way before we grown ups got in here?""Aunt!" Ben drawled, his eyes popping. "I'm five years above the legal age of minority. When will I be treated like a man for once in this house?Rho

Iris POVHe was the man from seven years ago; the same man who murdered my parents in cold blood. My photographic memory had captured his face for a day like this- the day of his retribution, and the exoneration of my name. My pulse fired, recalling the gory images of the murder. I need to ask him why he did it, and who sent him. At least, he owed me that much. But Lois happened all of a sudden. No one foresaw the jolly evening going awry all too soon. How could I tell Gustav about the strange man, when he had a bigger problem at hand, bleeding from her mouth and nostrils. Her skin had lost it light brown sheen, a nude cloud of grey drifting over her face."Zelta, tell me you know what to do." The lift opened into his room. Drogo pushed his way in and held the door open to allow him in.He tucked her in bed, gripping her hand in his. Her breath laboured and beads of perspiration snugged her golden blond hair to her forehead. Lois had been nothing less of a sweet woman to me. Overtime,