Constantine would stagger forward a few steps after being freed, shaking his head to regain his balance, hugely worried that this was permanent. And then, there was a terrible feeling... Something important. He knew something important about this situation... Or rather, he did. He just couldn't remember it...

"Ishi... Vimal is dead! I know, okay? I checked it. Believe me, I did. This guy... He's not so bad. Especially with us around..."

That had helped before, of course... Constantine's close proximity to Vimal and Ishi had prevented her rape. Because he was a good person and had done something about it... No. Of course it didn't matter. Constantine knew what happened. He had never really been in a position to easily change things, but he could have protested. Could have done all sorts of things. He'd barely helped Ishi. Given her a weapon with which to kill his boss, because he knew he couldn't accomplish it himself... If Ishi hadn't been Houyori's daughter, he wouldn't have even done that. She'd have been used and then killed, most likely. The timing was convenient for himself, but even then... He was trying to help Ishi get home, for both their sakes. And here she was, making things difficult for himself and Skylar. It had been rough for her, certainly, but prospects were better than ever if they kept their heads, and she was risking that...

"Ishi, if you come with us, you can yell or scream or do whatever you want to try to change things..."

A bit patronizing, perhaps...

When Skylar moved to try and pick her up, Ishi--in a state bordering on frantic--pushed away from her, refusing to be picked up, and once again retreated back to hugging her legs to her chest, and trying her best not to make eye contact with either of the two with her. Skylar may have been put off by it, but it was for the best. Had the woman picked her up, and Ishi then struggled, fight or flight instincts would have had the girl accidentally kneeing Skylar in the face.

There wasn't much stock in Skylar, truthfully. She was a comfort and someone Ishi liked to have around, but she was no defense. Skylar was as weak as Ishi was. Whether Ishi meant it or not, she didn't believe that Skylar would have been able to save her if something happened. Constantine, on the other hand, had bailed Ishi out more often than he hadn't. Even though he had only given her a blade against Vimal, rather than save her entirely, he had still given her a means of revenge--something she'd have done again and again if she had the opportunity.

"Iie . . . iie!" Ishi shook her head as she cried, a direct response to Constantine. "They . . . they Vimar ghost! They have--they have . . . they want . . . and they have . . ."

With her broken Common, Ishi was extremely difficult to understand, but she couldn't help that. She was trying to speak so they would understand, but this was the absolute best she could do.

"Feer rike . . . someone inside before wake," she whispered, suggesting that someone had already done something to her while she was unconscious--and that she felt an uncomfortable gap that had her scared and aggressively defensive. Possibly homicidal if she had something sharp. "Scream or cry or shout no make change. It no make change Vimar . . . it no make change now. It never make change . . . Con-stan-tine no make change Vimar, Skyrar-san no make change--fight no make change--Con-stan-tine give brade no make change, no-thing make change . . ."

Constantines actions worried her immensely, though she would tuck it down and refuse to share it at this time. She watched as he tried to coax Ishi into relaxing. He was right. No amount of screaming and yelling or fits was going to change the situation they now found themselves in. The childs refusal to allow Skylar to carry her broke form to the room was enough to annoy Skylar at this point. She was tired, hungry, cold...and mentally exhausted, she needed a break, and Ishi wasn’t cutting her any slack.

A look of shock eased over her face at Ishis words. They had touched her? She didn’t know what to believe anymore, after all, Ishi thought this man creature to be Vimals ghost. “You’re right Ishi, it doesn’t change anything. So, you can either come with us, and be a little more comfortable, or stay here.....alone.” Tough love maybe, but if no one wanted to help her out, she’d see to it herself.

She moved toward Constantine and wrapped her arm around his waist. There was something about seeing him like this that broke her heart, and perhaps maybe even her spirit. “We need to get you to a bed.” She looked up at him and motioned to the room. As it stood, Ishi knew where they were heading, and Skylar just didn’t have the strength to fight with her anymore. They could discuss more, of what might have happened while they were all out, once they were in the “safety” of their room.....

After a short time, Constantine was able to regain his balance, his ability to move less dampened over time. He was able to move without Skylar's help, and would walk towards Ishi slowly, his steps just slightly out of tune and awkward. More so than any impediment, it was guilt that made it difficult to approach the girl. Considering what had happened, she was perhaps right to feel helpless about the situation. It hadn't been her fault. It had been partially his, but not hers. This situation, though...

"Ishi? Do you really believe that? That we can't change anything here?"

Constantine was somewhat inclined to agree: at the moment, there was little to change. They could only accept the situation, and work from there. However, that first step needed to happen. Constantine would pat the top of Ishi's head assuringly, gesturing out towards the rest of the room.

"The only time you're helpless is after you're dead. I can promise you that. These people went through a lot, but I promise you, there's more they can suffer through if they really did anything more to you..."

. . . then I will be alone . . . Ishi initially concluded.

Truth be told, tough love wasn't what the girl needed. If anything, it could only serve to make her even more stubborn. Constantine had done the same thing just a moment ago, and it simply made things worse. Fortunately, this didn't make her dislike her companions any--just the situation and herself, as well as forcing her into a deeper state of rebellion. She was scared to death and traumatized to no end; the girl's psyche could reasonably be described as the same tunnels they almost died in, except with fewer scarabs. Even if she had the potential to make life difficult for them, they had to be patient with her . . . it was really the only way to get through these kinds of difficulties.

Patience and strength, that is. Constantine was physically powerful--the kind of person that could defend them if he really had the chance. Back then, in the tunnels, that wasn't really his fault. They had all been blindsided, and Ishi essentially paralyzed to an extent.

It was Constantine's reassurance that got her to look up, and over the period of several seconds, had her in the beginning stages of submission to the situation. That was really what they needed, anyways. If Ishi could just submit and be quiet, she'd be doing them the biggest of favors. Physically, she was useless. She couldn't even be depended on to gut someone, despite that being what she was possibly best at amongst the three of them . . .

Her features softened and her eyes trailed away from him, over to Skylar, irritated with Ishi as she was. She probably had the right to be annoyed . . .

Constantine . . . he'd make these men hurt if they really did things to her, right? That's how she felt when he spoke to her kindly, at least.

"You . . . rearry take me for . . . what I want do--after reave . . .?" Ishi asked, her voice much smaller than before. Constantine had told her earlier that when they left, he'd take her out to do whatever she wanted, and she was able to justify using it as a reason to submit, now.

Of course, following this question--rhetorical as it was--Ishi held her arms out. Her knees were still up against her chest, but only because she couldn't move one leg. The girl was intentionally reaching up for Constantine, but the man was in bad shape, too; if he couldn't carry her, then Skylar could, but there was still a could chance that Constantine could. Maybe. She'd feel a tiny bit safer then, at least.

Constantines actions were more surprising then any. Skylar took a step back and merely observed the interaction between the two. Perhaps her actions were harsh, maybe even uncalled for, however, in her present state, she was at her wits end, and didn’t really know what to do.

Surprisingly his words worked, and something told her that Constantine was being more then honest. He, more then likely had had his fill of all this, too. It seemed no matter how well they planned, how ready they were, something always went wrong. Somewhere, someone needed to cut them some slack.

As the girls arms reached toward Constantine, a smile graced Skylars lips. It warmed her heart. Maybe, just maybe there was still a bit of hope left. She moved closer to the two, in case Constantine couldn’t lift Ishi. Once they were all ready, she would go with the duo to their room.

"Yes, we'll do whatever you want..."

Constantine bent down, placing one arm behind Ishi's back and the other beneath the girl's knees to pick her up. He was entirely too aware of how injured and vulnerable the girl was as he picked her up, but his slightly distorted vision helped to remind him how he wasn't invincible, either. At least, to himself. If Ishi or Skylar needed him to be invincible, he could be that...

After picking up Ishi, Constantine would walk towards the small room, his stride somewhat more steady, despite that fact that he was carrying another person. After all, he couldn't protect someone while he needed protection himself. The room wasn't far, anyway...

On entering the room, Constantine would quickly come to the edge of the bed, his mind pushed beyond what it could handle, and his body giving out. He would fall forward, landing with his chest on one side of the double bed, while dropping Ishi across the bed into the other spot. From there, he would just remain on his knees, laying with his torso on the bed...

The room contained quite a few amenities, obviously once some sort of suite for nobility. Large dressers, elaborate furniture, a bed canopy, and even things such as a small bathroom were included. The dressers seemed to be full of women's clothing in all manner of size and style, likely gathered from all over the lower city. However, there was no men's clothing...

Constantine, having convinced Ishi that he'd keep her safe (or, at least, work to keep the circumstances more geared towards her safety), was able to lift Ishi easily, without any resistance from the girl whatsoever--in fact, she had wanted him to pick her up. Constantine was . . . stable. Strong. That made Ishi feel a little bit better about herself and the situation.

There was only one large bed available, and in the end, when Constantine started to have shaky balance, he had dropped Ishi onto the bed, and collapsed beside of her. The girl let out a soft cry as her leg struck the mattress, causing a jolt of pain within her body--but that couldn't be helped.

Truth be told, she wasn't all that hungry. Even if she was going to stubbornly accept the kindness of these underground people, that didn't escape the fact that she was more geared towards curling up and sleeping her life away than she was getting dressed and having a nice meal. In fact, that was exactly what she did. Ishi turned on her side, her back facing Constantine--but there still being less than a few inches between them--and curled up painfully. If she could just shut her eyes and pretend to sleep until it wasn't a fantasy anymore, then she was going to . . .

Her brow perked slightly as Constantine picked Ishi up and headed into the room. Turning around and looking about, she followed them slowly. Fatigue was creeping up on her fast, her stomach ached with hunger, and ever inch of her body was hating life at the moment.

As she entered the door, Constantine collapsed with Ishi, though neither of the two seemed to mind, as Ishi curled up and quickly fell asleep. She moved to the side of Constantine, and lifted his legs best she could. “Go on, get up there and get some rest.” His body seemed to weigh a ton, but sleep for him was vital, at least, she hoped it would help him regain some strength.

She took a moment and looked around the room. It was lush and decorative. Large dresser full of clothing of every type, save for male. She sighed heavily, getting dressed seemed like such a task, for now her underclothing would do.

She leaned against the wall beside the bed, and slid her body down. Drawing her legs up, she rested her arms across her knees, and her head upon her arms. Quietly she began to sob, praying that sleep would waste no time in finding her.

Sleep would come quickly to Ishi, and more slowly to Skylar, but the unchanging surroundings were very conducive to the process. Constantine wouldn't be moved in his slumber, his mind skipping through half-formed dreams as he tried to remember the fact that seemed so close, and yet so distant. There was a way out, he knew it... If only it was possible to remember...

In the morning, or what passed for it, everyone, even Constantine, would be covered with a blanket. Constantine hadn't moved from his position on the bed, and wouldn't stir for quite some time, his sleep deep if not fruitful...

Waking up to any degree of extra warmth was dutifully surprising. Warm in a comforting way, that is; not in the usual manner of the tunnels--stuffy, hard to breath, and all the like.

That said, when Ishi finally awoke, she first thought that something was wrong. Or, rather, that someone was wrong--wrongfully placed on top of her. She instinctively kicked her leg at the cover and let out a whine, but found that she was just delirious from sleep, and that her leg her like crazy, because she had kicked with it, and now it was bleeding again.

Great.

Ishi whimpered soft as she curled up into a ball again. The bleeding would stop soon, she had just reopened the wound only a bit. It was the type of injury that scabbed over quickly after the fact, so it was nothing to worry about. Nonetheless, she temporarily tried to deny the fact that she was awake, hoping that she was still just dreaming . . .

Finally sleep gripped her, refusing to release its grasp. Within her slumbering mind the events from the recent past crept up on her and flooded her dreams. Nightmares. Both. Her body twitched, and quiet words were murmured in her sleep.

Nothing about their current situation really settled right with her. Save for the fact that these ghost men wanted her and Ishi bad enough, they would probably be willing to die to keep them safe. It was Constantine though, that weighed heavy on her mind.

The smell of the hospital was still so vivid in her mind. How suave he tried to play himself off, though she thought him shady. She would have never guessed then that they would be here now, her willingly placing her life in his hand. Such strong, able hands, to see him so vulnerable broke her heart.

How desperately Ishis family must be looking for her. Worried they might never see such a beautiful little girl ever again. Ishi, trusting strangers to see her home safely. Were we doing a good job? She whimpered rather loudly. Her father, the only person who would miss her, but even then...did he?

Locked underground with a clan of men who wished only to procreate, with a woman that desired them none, and a child who shouldn’t even understand these things as of yet in her life. This was her reality now, but she refused to allow this to be her destiny.

She moved slightly, her one arm falling from her knees. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, but for now, the others needed comfort much more then she did....For now she would sit crumpled on the floor, haunted by the thoughts of what her future holds.

Sure, she wanted to try and pretend like she was still dreaming--ignore everything that had happened underground, and deny the possibility that they were in the captivity of a group she couldn't understand or see as anything else beyond a bunch of sadists. That would have been wonderful if she could open her eyes again and find herself on the couch she sacked out on days ago, but that just wasn't going to happen. Ishi wasn't lucky enough for that.

In the end, she wound up sitting up on the bed, staring ahead of her at . . . nothing. Her body would have instigated the automatic yawn response had it not been in such high degrees of pain.

The cover over her was regarded when it was gone. A night of sleep had done enough that she was self-conscious about her indecency, and she made it a point to grab the blanket and pull it over her chest. She had no shirt or anything to cover her, so this was the best she was going to manage. Ishi had no idea if anyone else was awake, and so she wound up sitting up in bed, quietly staring at her lap, and trying not to think about the "what next" scenarios.

Constantine wouldn't wake up, his mind still twisted about and in need of sleep, even after his body had recovered for the night. His dreams were infuriating... Whatever he knew eluded him. It was something small from his life, but something that was extremely important down here...

A knock would come at one of the doors, while Constantine still slept. A voice would call out after a minute, one of the younger men, likely not much older than the trio. His body was pale and worn like the others, but his voice was a bit less worn, and even a bit hopeful...

"Faruq wants to talk to you, when you're ready..."

And like every good thing, it came to an end. She began to stir and was quickly reminded of the hell she was in. She hurt from head to toe, and was now stiff from sleeping the way she had. She wanted to reach to the sky in an enormous stretch, but the knowledge that pain would follow ruined the idea.

Her eyes first went to Ishi, who seemed more like a shell of a little girl. Stone cold, glazed over look, straight ahead. The things that must be going through her mind.

Slowly her gaze lowered to Constantine, who was still passed out on the bed. Her heart dropped and her hues began to cloud behind the tears. It seemed not even her own natural ability to rejuvenate herself had kicked in, and yet, she couldn’t really understand why. She was helpless, a feeling she hated immensely.

It was the knock on the door now that drew her attention. The young pale man peering in at her, her attire less then fitting, or proper.


"Faruq wants to talk to you, when you're ready..."

Ready? Of course she wasn’t ready, she would never be ready for this. She used what little strength she had in her legs to push herself up the wall. A small cry escaped half parted lips as she tossed a glance at the young man. Almost a hateful glare, telling him, he was to blame for her current state. “Take me to him now, then.”

Long scraggly locks of disheveled hair scattered in every direction from her lop sided pony tail. Her creamy pale flesh was stained in earth and blood, and her body was covered in nothing more then an undershirt and panties. This is how they made her, and this is how they would see her. Dirty, hurt...helpless. It was this, she hoped, that would give her the upper hand.

Guilt....pity, vulnerability. Whatever won them this small battle, got them one step closer to victory, and one step closer to their freedom.