Valie opened her eyes and Rosie was actively avoiding eye contact. Her eyes twitching as if trying not to cry, her lips quivering, her hands shaking. It pained Valie to see her friends in such pain, so she slowly took her hand into hers, placed her forehead on Rosie's shoulder, and slowly embraced Rosie. Rosie was silent for what seemed like forever, until, her tears came running down. Rosie held Valie tightly, her sobbing being held back by burying her face in Valie's shoulder. "I'm sorry, so so so sorry", Rosie pleaded as Valie held on to her, "I, I thought she changed. S-she was so sure too, s-so sure of herself". Valie began to feel her stomach drop, how could she do something like this to her friend. It was unfair. But, everything that had occurred up until now seemed to have led to the moment of Giselle's breakdown. However, she couldn't bear to see her friends like this. 

     Valie broke away from the embrace and held Rosie's face in her hands. Her thumbs cleared the tears and inadvertently touched a small scar under her eye. The mark was unnoticeable for the most part, however, when her eyes were irritated the scar emerged. Valie caressed it and thought of the night they met.

     

      Before entering high school, Valie roamed areas of a nearby neighborhood that buzzed during the night. She had not started choosing her 'models' as of yet, but she was practicing, so to speak, on whoever approached and followed her to secluded areas. She used and managed many getaway spots so no one could detect a pattern and kept herself safe. She admitted to being scared at first, but, she grew confident as the summer night came and went. A quick stab to the jugular, eyes, across the gut, nose, groin, and even in between the eyes was enough to disorient anyone. 

        On one of the nights, she was scouting about. Valie went to one of her alleyways planning to leave some items behind for future use, and then she saw her. Slumped over on garbage, sparkles in her scattered caramel hair, face almost slathered in make-up, and lacerations mainly on her face and arm. A sad little thing in clothes that seemed a bit small for her. Valie approached the girl and saw she was about the same age as she was. Valie uncovered her face and saw as she was slipping in and out of consciousness, trying to grab Valie's arm but failing every time. Then, tears came running down her cheeks, wincing every time a tear touched that still fresh cut under her eye. Valie contemplated leaving her there. Then, someone blocked their main way out. Valie slowly stood and looked back and saw a strange-looking figure. The figure then began to yell out. Valie was tuning out his voice. His words going on about "something alright, something help". Then, the girl was saying something. Valie got closer and the girl whispered something, ".....help.....me....", her tone slurred and pathetic.

      Valie felt something there for a second, something like pity but with more depth and heart to the feeling. Valie wanted to see more of this person and lifted her more easily than she liked to admit, she was lighter than she looked. However, as she was about to step back, the figure was now right behind them. It looked like he towered over them, his eyes fixated on the passed-out girl beside Valie. "I asked if you needed any help earlier. Why are you ignoring me? I know this girl, so you can leave her with me. I'll make sure she gets home safely", he spat out, completely overlooking Valie. Valie felt insulted. He really believed she would buy such a blatant lie. 

     Valie slowly let the girl down, now shivering and with hands behind her back, she faced him with the most innocent face she could manage. She looked up and was quickly inspecting him. He was average-looking, with straight brown hair, and a tattoo on his neck, no weapon in sight ." Hm... he could easily get a willing night worker that works around these parts, but instead, he goes for a younger girl. Heh, he probably even tells them they 'don't look 14,' and they are 'so mature for their age'", Valie thought and quickly thanked the stupid stranger. "I was so worried, thank you for helping...but", her eyes shifted nervously,"...can you come closer, I-I need to...", Valie shuffled as she used one hand to pretend to unbutton her shirt, and the shadow-covered man complied and came closer, lowering himself, attempting to see if the little girl in front of him was going to show him something worth his while. Then, Valie quickly unveiled her second hand from her back. The man quickly got a glimpse of what seemed like a squeeze bottle and Valie squeezed the contents into his eyes. The man quickly screamed in agony as the transparent liquid rushed down his cheeks, but as he was still bent over and in pain, Valie quickly shoved the bottle into his mouth and squeezed whatever was left.

         The man keeled over, clawing at the ground trying to reach out to something that wasn't there, wheezing at the air that refused to go into his lungs, probably disoriented by the blaring music that muffled the alleyway. No sound came out of his wriggling body, no help came, the only movement was outside of the alley, and no one cared who was inside of it. 

         The alley now smelled of bleach and was irritating Valie, as some of the solutions spilled on her clothes. But, the sight in front of her was something spectacular, she didn't want to miss the last moments of his life. So pathetic and stupid, that it was a euphoric experience that caused her to feel light and free, but this was not the time for that. Valie quickly picked up the squeeze bottle and picked up the girl, getting out of her trance. She began to walk swiftly with the girl in hand to a bathroom where she could get the girl cleaned up. Valie thought of the perfect place and headed towards a small restaurant that would let her use the restroom if she bought a meal. 

                                                           ~~~~                                                       ~~~~

       The girl began to open her eyes, she looked around the room and saw mint green run-down walls, low lights, and a figure smiling at her. "Hey, you okay, be careful," the figure spoke gently as they handed them a bottle of water. The girl shook off their haze, but she was still not well enough to walk on their own. She sat up as much as she could and felt her arm was covered in something. She touched and looked as white gauze wrapped around her arm. Her hand was then lifted to her face to feel a bandage under her eye. The girl's focus was coming back to her and she could see the figure clearly now. Long brunette hair that curled a bit in the front, tied in a ponytail at the neck, tanned skin that seemed to glow pink around her face, and dark brown eyes that almost became black if you stared into them for too long. The girl took the water offered to her and began to talk, "Thank you. I...um... in that alley-", the girl began, but Valie became cautious the moment the girl brought up 'the alley', "- Was there someone else with you?", the girl asked and Valie calmed down. "Not with me, no.", Valie said with a smile that instantly put the girl at ease. "You saved me, didn't you?", the girl smiled but Valie said nothing as she packed her things. The girl kept on, trying to form a conversation," C-can I ask for your name? I'm Rosalia", the girl said, now smiling at her helper. Valie smiled and nodded, "That's a pretty name. I'm Valerian, but could you please call me Valie?", the girl quickly complied and nodded with new prospects for a new friend, "Sure, Valie".