<span style="font-weight: bold">A week ago. . . </span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Viv knew she was stepping into a nightmare but she later believed that she stepped into hell and was paying for everything she has done in her short fucked up life. Already she was lying on the ground her body battered and bruised, and although her entire body hurt she distinctly felt the sharp pain of her broken rib and twisted ankle. Viv felt that she deserved what she had coming, she lead her Deathstalkers and they all died, if any of them experienced pain in their last moments, she'll take their pain tenfold. This was all a tough act though that Viv was playing to get through the nightmare. What she was experiencing wasn't any form of justice for her Deathstalkers. What she was going through was bullying, a way to break her and force her to bend to someone's will. She really underestimated how badly Slater wanted her to be the next heir to the Desert Flower title. If Viv knew Slater's obsession, she would never had come back. Slater wasn't one to break deals but Viv finally learned that Slater worked differently when it came to family matters. Boy did she fuck up badly this time.<br/><br/>A deep growl rumbled closely to Viv's ears, and she looked up at the salivating muzzle of a mutated hound. Its saliva dripped in a heavy yellowish drops, creating a foul smelling puddle a few inches from Viv's face. There was a sort of crazed and bloodthirsty look in its red eyes. Viv knew that whatever came next, she would prefer death, she sort of wished that she was already dead now. The mutt lunged for her. . .</span><br/><br/>Viv gasped, her eyes opening and wildly scanning her surroundings. She was about to sit up but felt the restraints that kept her tied to a table. Still she was able to turn her head and find two Fire Lilies and Crystal. Seeing that she wasn't entirely in danger, she allowed herself to relax and take control of her ragged breathing.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I can do this all day."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">"All we need is the correct answers from you Scarlet, and this can all stop,"</span>Crystal replied calmly as she gently raised Viv's head, bringing a cup of water to her lips to drink. After taking a whiff to check the safety of the contents, Viv immediately started to take gulps of the water.<br/><br/>Viv emptied the cup and gave Crystal a nod of thanks.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I can give you the correct answers, but you guys don't seem to believe me."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">"We are able to tell what's truly in your heart and mind Scarlet."</span><br/><br/>A wicked grin formed on Viv's lips.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Still waiting for your worst bitch."</span><br/><br/>______________________________________________________________<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Now. . .</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">The wasteland was a overbearingly hot and dry place, but when riding a motorbike and seeing the land stretch out endlessly before you, the world seemed to open up a variety of possibilities. Viv whooped as she raised her hand in circles, glancing back at her Deathstalkers that road behind her. They returned the enthusiastic shout with their own collective cheers to their leader. But the loud sound of gun fire overpowered the cheers and soon all the members were launched off their seats, their lifeless bodies rolled across the desert ground. Viv forced her motorbike to an immediate stop and watched the Deathstalkers blood soak the dry earth.<br/><br/>"Viv," a voice groaned behind her and she turned to look at Jarret crawling with his arms, his legs shot and rendered uselss, his left eye nothing but a hole with red blood spurting out. "We should have never followed you."<br/><br/>Viv shook her head. <span style="color: #8080FF">"I'm sorry."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #ffa07a">"Scarlet,"</span> a female voice behind her, Viv hesitatated to turn to face the owner of the voice. As if her body was being controlled she turned anyways to find herself before a mirror. Clad in a silky beautiful red kimono, her hair has grown in long waves of crimson, she was the spitting image of Slater.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"No!"</span> Viv shouted in fury and used her fist to break the mirror. But instead of hearing the shattering sound of glass, two gun shots rung in her ears. Before her was the body of a boy, he looked to be sixteen, his hair a sandy brown, and his empty eyes a fogged shade of grey. A lonely tear fell down Viv's cheek.<br/><br/><span style="color: #336666">"Viv,"</span> a deep gentle voice whispered in her ear. Attracted to the sound of this voice, Viv turned to look up at Tyler standing before her with a gentle smile on his face. Viv was about to return the smile when a loud bang echoed across her ears. Looking down in shock, Viv watched blood pour out of her stomach. . .</span><br/><br/>Her eyes flickered open tiredly. Viv didn't need to look around to know where she was but the light above her made her head pound all the more. A snarky remarked was forming on her tongue but when she opened her mouth, only a hoarse sound came her, her throat and lips dry and sore. She tried to swallow which did nothing but cause her to wince in pain.<br/><br/>A hand gently raised her head up and again Viv winced.<span style="color: #40BF00">"Drink,"</span>Crystal commanded with no concern for Viv.<br/><br/>Viv obediently drank the tea, it's all they've been giving her lately but it soothed her throat long enough for their questioning.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">"What is your name?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Vivian Rowe."</span><br/><br/>Crystal sighed.<span style="color: #40BF00"> "Who do you plan to kill?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"Percival Hale and Mariel Chamberland."</span><br/><br/>There was a pause and Viv patiently waited for Crystal to continue.<span style="color: #40BF00">"It's been almost three weeks Viv,"</span>Crystal finally spoke, her voice had an edge of impatience but also held curiosity.<span style="color: #40BF00">"Why do you continue to fight back?"</span><br/><br/>Viv's eyes flicked to Crystal, she was unable to read anything in the women's eyes or just too tired to.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Slater described the Fire Lilies as some big family that looks out for each other." </span>Her eyes returned to the ceiling even though the light continued to blind her.<span style="color: #8080FF">"You guys will never understand the basic meaning of the word."</span><br/><br/>Again a quiet stretched in the room, Viv wondered if this was another strategy to get her to squirm but Crystal spoke up.<span style="color: #40BF00">"You made a regrettable mistake coming here if you wanted help."</span>Viv scoffed but winced at the effort.<span style="color: #40BF00">"Hale Corp. is too big a force in the wastelands to make an enemy out of, you overestimated your position as the Desert Flower's only daughter."</span><br/><br/>Viv turned her attention back to Crystal, trying to figure out where the women was going. Crystal raised her hand and waved for the two Fire Lilies to move towards Viv. Wordlessly the Fire Lilies unstrapped Viv from the table with gloved hands and worked together to get Viv off the table. Viv let out a huff of breath as she was slumped against and supported by on the of the Fire Lilies.<br/><br/>Glancing at Crystal, Viv demanded,<span style="color: #8080FF">"What are you doing?"</span><br/><br/>Crystal calmly took her knife out and placed it within Viv's sweaty hand only to take it away and give it to the Fire Lily who wasn't holding Viv.<span style="color: #40BF00">"I'm taking you out of the picture."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"So you plan to kill me?"</span>Viv watched closely to what was happening.<br/><br/><span style="color: #40BF00">"No,"</span>Crystal replied and waited as the Fire Lily with the knife approached her and almost mercilessly cut Crystal across the chest. The women winced and groaned slightly at the damaged but it was not life threatening. The Fire Lily pasted the knife back to Crystal. Without hesitation, Crystal stabbed the Fire Lily in the chest. The Fire Lily crumpled to the ground.<span style="color: #40BF00">"Killing you will ensure my own death at the hands of Slater. I'm just making it look like you escaped while I make my way up to becoming the next Desert Flower."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"She'll know that you're lying,"</span>Viv commented flatly.<br/><br/>Crystal only gave a humored smile.<span style="color: #40BF00">"I'll admit that you have impressive mental strength, especially since you lasted almost three weeks. But my mind is stronger. Slater will undoubtedly punish me, but I'll live. Especially since I have complete command here."</span>Looking to the Fire Lily holding Viv she nodded to her before turning back to Viv.<span style="color: #40BF00">"I'm sending you to someone who owes me. You'll be safe for as long as you need to recover. And when you do leave her safely and I kill Slater and become the next Desert Flower, know that you owe me."</span><br/><br/>Before Viv could say anything the Fire Lily quickly carried her out of the room and out the backdoor of the building.