It all happened when Robbie was thinking about who to take out to a party that he had been invited to. Robbie decided to take Willow. In order to understand what follows though, you must receive some background. Robbie was of Lhaam, and it was highly important for Lhaam to keep secret the location of their treatment center. It was a regular hospital whose head nurse was one of their own. They required personnel whom they could depend on to not reveal this secret, and this is how they met Willow. She just started working there, but everyone already knew and felt she would be perfect for the job. It was Robbie though, that had a crush on her ever since he saw her and so, that was how the Lhaam got a private nurse and how Robbie got a date to go to the party with him.

It was the night of the party and Robbie drove over to pick her up. He found her apartment and knocked. Willow invited him in for a few moments until she finished getting ready. Robbie drove them to Victor's house, the site of the party. She couldn't believe anyone could be this rich, but sure enough, Victor came out. He greeted them warmly and led them inside. They had a wonderful time, but Robbie never had the courage to ask her out as he'd planned. He drove her home and saw to it she went safely inside. Then, he drove back to his own home.

Morning came. It was the day after the party and Willow's day off. She decided to go for a bike ride through the woods, a favorite pastime of hers. She packed a large lunch, got her bike, and left, riding all the way to the woods. Once there, she ate a small lunch and then started for one of her favorite trails. She rode for a long time, going at a slow and easy pace. Soon, the trail came to the top of a hill. This was one of her favorite spots. Looking around and seeing everything was one of her favorite things to do here. She took the chance then to look behind her and scan the area. All throughout the day, she had felt as if she was being watched and couldn't let go of the eerie feeling. She shook her head, brushing it off as just nerves and began her descent. She coasted for a while before a voice stopped her. "You there! Come back!" She turned around and saw Victor jogging after her.

"Are you talking to me?" Willow yelled back. Before she could say anymore though, she was pulled away from her bike. Her hands were tied behind her back tightly. After being gagged, she was forced to kneel and wait while Victor came up to her.

"What do you think you were doing last night, going into one of my private rooms and stealing a family piece? Add to the fact that you killed someone, my fiancé, with it." Willow violently shook her head, denying anything to do with the accusations. Her mind whirled, and then she sat in a daze when he opened her bike pack and pulled out a jeweled dagger, bits of dried blood tarnishing its beauty. Victor looked at her disgustedly and gave orders to his servants. "Take her away and chain her in the dark room."

The next thing she knew, Willow was forced down a dark stairway and chained to a wall. They removed her gagging piece and freed her from her ropes only to be weighted down by chains. "What are you doing to me? What did I do to get in here? Let me go!"

"Can't. You stole something that didn't belong to you," Victor answered. "How you even got the key is beyond me, but I'll find out. You also killed Delilah. She disappeared last night during the party and a body was found nearby. Although we haven't proven it yet, it sure looks like it was Delilah. From what I heard, you had an interesting history together too. I heard you broke up your friendship with her for nothing. I know, it's old news, but it's the closest lead I have right now. There are just too many connections coming from you." He shook his head. "Until I get to the bottom of this, you're staying in here." And with that, Victor and his servants left the room, leaving her in the dark.

Willow must have fallen asleep because she awoke to hear steps descending down them. She opened her eyes and saw Robbie, carrying a small light. He came toward her and she got to her feet. "After what I heard, I thought I might just come down myself and see if was true," he said. "There's a rumor going around saying you stole a dagger from the family. Somehow though, I didn't think they were true. Am I right?"

"I don't know what they're talking about! I never left your side last night at the party. There's no way I could have gotten anything!"

"I know that Willow. That's why I want to help you get out of this. Something's up and I'm going to find out what it is."

Comforted, Willow gave Robbie a small hug before he turned to left.

After awhile, Willow heard footsteps coming down the stairs once more. However, they sounded lighter than Robbie's or Victor's. They sort of sounded like a woman's. Whoever it was, surprised her. It was a person dressed in a huge robe, something like monks would wear. The hood covered its head. The figure spoke and Willow knew it was a woman. She said, "You know me although you think you don't. We've known each other for a long time, but after the years, have grown apart. I didn't expect to see you again, and especially not with Robbie. I came to warn you though, that Robbie is doomed and because of our past friendship, I'm warning you that you need to stay away from him. I've got plans for him. Don't meddle in them. Oh, and in case you're wondering," the figure turned to leave. "I'm the one who put you in here today. And trust me, they will never find me and think you were the one who stole the dagger. There's your punishment for already getting too close." The figure turned away, leaving Willow alone once again.

Soon, Victor came down to see how Willow was doing. She was crying and when she saw him, started crying even more. He felt no sorrow for her. He came toward her and made her stand up. Without warning, he brought his fist up and hit her face. She cried out as she fell backward, cowering from him. He kicked her in the stomach and she groaned in pain. "Stop it, please!" She cried. He didn't listen. He picked her up quite easily and shook her like a rag doll. And then he stopped, his hands still gripping her arms tightly. Their eyes met, hers wide and frightened. He knew he was glaring at her with all the hatred he had. And the next moment, he was kissing her. He knew he was scaring her by being so rough, and punishing her even now as he devoured her. She whimpered and tried to push away but he tightened his grip on her and continued to have his way.

Out of the corner of Victor's mind, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He felt Willow tremble underneath him again as she put up an even bigger struggle. Somehow, she tore herself from my grasp and tried to go after the figure that'd run back up the stairs. "Robbie! Wait!" She cried out, tears streaming down her face. She struggled against the chains that held her back before crumpling to the floor, realizing that she'd lost. Victor turned his back on this spectacle and left.

"Come on. Get up Willow. I know you're awake." Willow looked up and saw the hooded figure standing in front of her. "I don't know why, but I feel kinda sorry for you. Don't get the wrong impression. I'm not going to turn myself in. It's just that you were a good friend of mine. A truly great friend. But no matter. We're enemies now and I intend to get what I want." The figure drew out a jeweled dagger, similar to the one Victor was missing from one of the many folds in the cloak. "See this? This is the real dagger. They found an imitation in your pack." She reached high over her head and plunged the dagger deep into Willow, who let out an ear-piercing scream. "I warned you not to get close to Robbie. He already cares for you. Now, you suffer." And with that, she removed her hood and what Willow saw was more than she could take. It was Delilah, her former best friend.

Robbie could sense something was wrong, and before he knew what he was doing, he made a U-turn and went back to Victor's. He was furious with himself. He couldn't understand what was going on. What was that whole making out scene down there? Who was to blame? Robbie shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. He saw that a crowd had already gathered at an ambulance and then what he saw next made him feel as if someone had just kicked him in the stomach. A stretcher was being wheeled out and on it was Willow. He pushed his way closer and saw the blood seeping through the wrappings on her chest. He took in Victor's ashen look and decided to deal with him later. He forced himself into the ambulance, explaining his relationship to Willow to the paramedics.

On the way to the hospital, he held Willow's hand with one hand and gently brushed away some hair from her face with the other. "Who did this to you?" Robbie asked in a choked voice.

Weakly, she answered. "Delilah. She's hiding. You must find her! She needs help!" The drugs took over then and she fell asleep.

In his mind, he thought frantically. Delilah? But she's dead! They found a body! Surely it must be-. He stopped and realization came to him. The pieces were falling all into place now. The only thing missing was a motive. Who would want to hurt her?

As he watched Willow being wheeled into the emergency room, he walked over to the receptionist. He was glad to see that it was another Lhaam. As soon as he made his way over, she said, "Willow's not in. I don't know who else can fill in for her."

Robbie brushed it aside. "Don't worry about it. That was Willow being taken in just now."

Her eyes grew wide. "Willow? But how?"

Again, he shrugged. "Listen. I need a favor. Would it be possible to get a private room?"

She understood what he'd been hinting at. "I'll see what I can do."

A couple of hours later, he found himself once again, holding Willow's hand as she recuperated in the hospital bed. Family and friends came and went, yet Robbie stayed by her side while she regained her strength. The next night, she awoke and saw that Robbie was mumbling something under his breath. She struggled to sit up, tired of lying down, and soon enough, felt Robbie's arms helping her out. "Thank you," she croaked. He handed her a glass of water to clear her throat. "Again, thank you," Willow said.

Robbie smiled but soon, it faded. "Willow. We need to talk."

"Great," Willow muttered under her breath.

"First off, I want to say sorry for barging in on you and Victor like that. I mean, I totally understand if you and him wanted to do something and I'm sorry for interrupting like that. And then just running off. I don't know." Willow started laughing and Robbie looked up at her quizzically. "What?"

She reached over and took one of his hands. "Oh, Robbie. It's not like that at all. I don't know what came over him but you can rest assured that I have nothing for him. I think if you hadn't been so shocked, you would have seen me struggling or heard me cry out to you afterward when I saw you leave."

He was surprised. Here she was, talking about something so horrible in her life as if it had been nothing. He had to give her credit for putting it behind her so quickly. "Alright then, on a happier note," Robbie noted the twinkle in her eyes as she waited for him to continue. "Can you tell me more about this Delilah? What does she have against you?"

The twinkle disappeared, and she gave a small, sad smile. "To tell you the truth, I don't know much more than you do. We were great friends in the past and we just drifted apart. I didn't help things out by not keeping in touch but then again, she didn't either. It was kinda like a mutual ending of a friendship, although there really was no ending to it. As for what she has against me…" Willow hesitated and he could feel her confusion.

"What is it?" Robbie asked gently.

"While I was down there, she came to visit. The first time, she said that you were doomed and that it would be wise of me to stay away from you, giving me a chance to free myself from whatever business she has with you. Do you even know her?" She abruptly changed the topic. I shook my head no and she gave a slight frown. "Well, she came back a second time and said that it was too late for me. I'd gotten too involved, saying that I was now in the game too. Robbie, I don't get it! What could she want?" And there it was, the final puzzle piece. Robbie leaned back into his chair, suddenly very tired. "Robbie!?" Willow cried out, worried.

He opened his eyes again and saw the concern on her face. "Do you mind if I hold a Council meeting here? They need to hear this." He could see that she was frightened. She hadn't thought it was anything this big but she nodded her head.

The next morning, Council was held in her room. Willow sat by the window and brushed out her hair, occasionally giving an opinion or restating her part of the story, but for the most part, let the meeting go by without her. And then she felt it. Again, she got the eerie feeling she'd received in the woods. She scanned the area outside her window. The hospital was set near the woods, a large field separating them. It was a nice place. She looked around quickly before going back slower to search the forest. There, in a shaded area some distance away, a pair of eyes locked with hers, and a chill filled Willow's body. Delilah mouthed the words to her, but Willow could swear that she was right there with her. So clear were the words in her head. Delilah had said, "You're next." The eyes glared at her a second longer before disappearing. Where her eyes had been, now hung a rag doll, a rope around its neck. Willow gave a small moan and started crying, causing the meeting to suddenly direct its attention toward her. "What is it Willow?" Robbie asked, rushing to her side.

"She's out there, waiting for me. She wants me to die."

Robbie broke the stunned silence that had followed. "We must go after her then. It's time. We can't wait any longer." The others turned to go. "Willow?" She looked up from where she still sat at the window. "Come on. You're coming with us." Fear grew on her face and he went back to her side, drawing her to him. "Shh, don't worry. It'll be all right. You'll see. We'll protect you and you'll be home right after we take care of some business, I promise," he tried to soothe her. In his heart, he tried to convince himself the same thing.

Willow and Robbie met the others at the edge of the woods and together, they went deep into the greenery. After a while of walking, the group came unto another large field, and there she was, waiting for them. Willow turned to the Lhaam accompanying her and gestured that she wanted to talk to her alone. She walked over to Delilah, standing right in front of her. "Delilah, I'm sorry. I still don't know how I'm involved in this but whatever it is, I'm sorry."

Delilah shook her head. "It's too late for apologies. You should have left when you had the chance."

"And gone where? How was I supposed to know you had something to do with this?" Willow cried out in frustration.

Delilah yelled back at her, moving from in front of her to begin walking in a circle around her lost friend. "I don't know. Point is, you're here and you shouldn't be!"

"Delilah, please listen to me! You're talking in riddles! What's wrong? Can't we talk it out like we always did before? Let me help you!" She screamed in pain then, as Delilah shot an Energy beam at her, hitting her side.

"No!" Delilah cried out, watching as her former friend blinked back tears in pain as she clutched her side. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Robbie tried to rush over to Willow. Unfortunately for him, Delilah was in between them and she just shot him back into the group with the same beam she'd hit Willow with. Willow and Robbie watched helplessly as others tried to come to their help but each and every one of them were hurt in the process. From the sidelines, Delilah's own servants dragged the injured bodies away, leaving Willow and Robbie untouched.

Willow was up now, but it was only Robbie who remained. Seeing that Willow was up, Delilah had chains appear. These went to Robbie and before he could get away, he was bound. "If you want him, you fight me," Delilah snarled.

"I will not fight," Willow said through clenched teeth. "I never fought with you in the past. I won't start now."

"If you won't fight then, I'll just as easily kill you right here." Delilah ran full speed at her opponent. Just in time, Willow jumped out of the way. When she tried to get up though, Delilah was already on top of her, holding her down and strangling her. Willow tried to cry out, hungry for breath but the grip wouldn't loosen and soon, she was unconscious.

Delilah didn't kill her just yet though. Instead, she gave a quick look toward Robbie. Tears streamed down his face as he watched helplessly. Then she turned her head. A figure emerged from the shadows and Robbie was surprised to see Victor. "Good work, Delilah."

"Thank you, master."

Robbie was shocked as he watched the two discuss terms of what it seemed to be a contract. Victor gestured for a couple of people to come forward and the two picked Willow's limp body up. Another couple of people came to get him as well when Delilah began arguing with Victor. "He's mine! You promised him to me!"

Victor looked disgustedly at his student. "If I were you, I'd learn to hold your tongue. You almost cost us here." With that, he looked at the two that held Robbie up and gestured for them to leave him. Victor and the men carrying Willow soon disappeared, and Robbie watched with growing dread as Delilah came closer. Before she could reach him though, with the last of his strength, he concentrated on an image in his mind. The image was of the Healer's cottage back in the past. From somewhere far away, he could hear the crying out of Delilah's voice as he disappeared and teleported himself to the cottage. He needed to heal and think before anything else could be done.

Willow woke to find herself in the same room she'd been in before she went to the hospital. She tried to get up but was too exhausted. Besides, she was tied down with so many ropes and chains and locks, it would have been almost impossible for her to move anyway. Footsteps came down the steps and Victor came in. He undid her bonds and without a word, led her outside. There, she realized that this was no longer the mansion but something of the past. That's what it looked like. No roads, no signs of industrialized life. The sun had just barely risen over the horizon and was now being put to tasks she hadn't thought were humanly possible. They kept her going at it, and only when it turned to dusk and it was too dark for her to continue, they led her back down to her cell. By then, she needed help to stand; she was so weak and tired.

The days following continued in the same cycle. Her only break was to get water every hour and then eat a small meal in the morning and in the evening. If she tried to slow down or lagged, a driver would whip her until she began moving again. Willow grew numb to the work, to the pain. There was nothing to do but continue on. Her life held no more meaning. She was, after all, just another slave for the Nica.

Willow had long since lost track of the number of days she'd spent there, being driven like a dog, when one evening came. It was like any other day but this time, instead of being led back to her room down below, she found herself being led through another corridor in the huge building. Soon, she found herself in the main hall and was surprised to find Victor standing there. She hadn't seen him since the day of the stabbing. How long ago was that?… A pit was in the center, and bordered by worn, smooth stones. Inside, she could see the ashes of past burnt offerings. Deep down, she protested. She didn't want to die, a sacrifice for the Nica, but she was too weak. Onward, she moved, her driver pushing her into the pit. She was surprised to see how deep it actually was. Like quicksand, the ashes gave way until she was waist high in the dirt and her feet touched the bottom. Her hands were weighted down as well and her body sagged from the burden. Victor continued his chant and from next to him on a small pillar, he removed a cloth and ceremoniously folded it into a neat square, placing it back on the table, next to the object he'd uncovered: the dagger. He took a small vile that had been set next to both these objects and removed the lid. He turned it upside down over her head and she cried out as the burning liquid made contact with her. It stung her eyes as she continued to watch. He now lifted the dagger and with one hand, gripped her chin. Before she could even try to turn her head away, he made two, clean cuts. Blood poured down her cheeks and she now understood his chant. "Oh, Divine One. Here is your chosen one. The one whose blood you cried out for and whose blood you now drink. See how she struggles even now? Her strength and spirit will be yours. In return for her though, please grant me this request. You know that I do everything I can to follow you and spread your ways. Watch over us and guide our hands in this next battle. Here is an offering to you to ensure our victory." He now took a torch from the other side of him and raised it high above his head. She cried out in terror as he slowly lowered his hand, drawing the flames closer to her body. Willow whimpered as the flames bent toward her, hungry. And the fire caught. The stench of burning flesh pervaded her senses, along with pain as the blaze licked her hungrily. Beyond her senses, she could sense a struggle going on nearby. Her senses honed in on the dagger and she watched it plunged deeply into Victor's body now. The shadow figure and Victor struggled briefly before Victor succumbed to his fate. The shadow turned to her and she could vaguely hear a voice cry out her name before all turned to black.

A cool sensation washed over my body. I could feel the vibrations of people's voices around me. I could sense their concern. 'Please, don't worry about me,' I try to say to them. 'There are others who need more help than me.' But they can't hear me, and so I drift away again.

When Willow had fully recovered, another party was held and once again, Robbie asked Willow to be his date. During the party however, Robbie took her aside. "I have a big question for you, Willow."

"Yes?"

He took in a deep breath. "Would you be my girlfriend?"

She let out a huge sigh of relief. "Robbie, you don't know how long I've waited to hear those words come out of your mouth. Of course I will."

The two smiled. The bond they shared had outlasted a great trial. Surely, they could handle something as simple as dating.

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