Little Ann shook her head to all of their questions, sniffling as she did so. “No, I d-don’t know why they were chasing m-me. I think they wanted to eat me! I-I was just sleeping together with M-Mama and Papa and then…and then…and t-then I ended up in this scary place! Wah!” The young girl clung to Faira’s leg even tighter now, a fresh wave of tears moistening her eyes and spilling forward. Watching the entire scene, Scarlet sighed heavily. Well, the girl wasn’t a threat that was for sure. Even so, it would be difficult to handle a child along their escape out of this place. In that case… Walking forward, the maid bent down to Little Ann’s level and fetched something out of her uniform’s pocket. Revealed in her palm was a small candy. Smiling, she poked Little Ann’s head to gain her attention before handing her the offering. Whimpering, Little Ann snatched the food from her hand and ate it hesitantly. After a few seconds, she calmed down enough to smile, wiping a trail of tears and some snot with her sleeve. Scarlet stood up. “Well. Now that it’s all taken care of, we should find a way out of this hallw-ow!” Wincing, Scarlet bent down to rub her head. Glancing up, her eyes widened at this new development. The ceiling was low. Lower than before. When had that happened? Looking around, the maid tensed as she not only noticed the new layout of their surroundings, but also the sound of something else approaching. The walls were closed in, tighter than when they had originally entered the hallway. They were all boxed in, forced down to crouch as the area had now suddenly become cramped. That wasn’t all, as the sound of something loud was rushing towards them. A cascade of murky green water billowed out of the hallway entrance from where they came. It was enough to flood the ceiling, and it raced toward the group like an enraged tsunami. If nothing was done soon, they would all drown.

Rosaline took several steps in the child’s direction, leaving the broken corpse behind as she approached. Her attention was mostly focused on the newest member of their group, Scarlet. Truth be told, Rosaline didn’t trust her, and this distrust was now worse… she had recognized the way her eyes flashed. The nebula’s eyes narrowed before turning her attention to little Ann. She didn’t say anything, smiling sweetly at the little girl as she ate her treat before looking back up to Scarlet. Whatever she had been about to say completely left her mind as she took in their surroundings again. The room was shrinking, boxing them in. Fear swept through the Nebula, rooting her in place. She could hear rushing water approaching, but that bothered her very little. Rosaline couldn’t drown, she had no need for air… or lungs for that matter so drowning would be impossible. Instead she was more worried about being trapped for the hall no longer continued on behind them. It had become a dead end, truly boxing them off with no escape. The water rushed forward, the cold and murky liquid already starting to pool around their feet. Rosaline looked at her companions, suddenly realizing what would happen if that water were to reach them… they’d drown. Suddenly, wanting to do something, Rose shifted where she was in front of the others, her arms spreading out before her. Energy, a wall of magic suddenly blocked the mass of water, keeping it at bay. Something was wrong though. It felt as if her magic, her powers, were weakening. Her eyes looked down at the water around her feet, it must be draining her. Suddenly a leak sprang in the wall of magic, water again pouring into the space with nowhere else to go. Another hole formed, then another, and then yet another until water was beginning to fill the ‘box’. Water was now making its way up to their waist, seeing as they couldn’t stand in the cramped space, and it was rising fast as the wall began to deteriorate. “We need to get out of here!!” she shouted. Ann was terrified, this was much worse than the wolves.

“Easy, now,” Faira placed a hand on the girl’s back. “I’ll do everything I can to get you back to your parents.” Faira bit her lower lip as the image of her own parents crossed her mind, before Scarlet reached out to Ann with a piece of candy. Faira eyed the woman suspiciously, but before she could warn the girl against taking the candy, Little Ann had already grabbed and placed it in her mouth. When Scarlet suddenly exclaimed in pain, she looked up, and her eyes widened slightly at the suddenly low ceiling and the new wall in place of where the hall had once extended. Turning her attention to the only open space, she jumped to her feet at the sound and sight that greeted her. She gasped and stepped back as the raging water consumed her shoes, her eyes on the rising murky wetness. She glanced up as Rosaline created a magic wall, and for a moment, Faira hoped they would be safe, at least for a time, but that lasted naught but a couple seconds before water began streaming in. Glancing to the frightened child, Faira picked her up as the waters threatened to rise above the girl’s head. Her breathing grew to near-hyperventilation as her back pressed against the wall and the water level continued to rise. “We need to get out of here!” “You think?” Faira shouted back in a squeak, her mind refusing to focus on little else beyond the threat of drowning. The gentle tingle of her magic ran through her panic, almost like a reminder of its existence. Like a wordless suggestion, the most recent experiment she had conducted with her powers came to mind. “Shadows,” she breathed, her words coming out in a rush, “I-I think I can travel through shadows, like portals. I haven’t tried it in full-scale yet, but…” She looked to the water, which had risen partially up her torso, and her words caught in her throat. She swallowed hard. “I took Ann with me when I transformed or whatever, so maybe…”

Conna'Cel obtained no useful information from the child, but that was to be expected. After all, he was questioning a child. He rose back up from the ground, or at least tried to when he hit his head on the ceiling. That was odd. Conna'Cel was sure the ceiling was never that low before. Before he could ponder anymore about it, he heard the sound of rushing water. He turned his head toward the source to see a raging flow of water come at them from where they came from originally. It didn't really concern him too much though; it's not like he was capable of drowning, and his designs did include waterproofing, so his electronics would not be affected. An invisible wall then stopped the flow of water momentarily, but it was already leaking, and it would undoubtedly break through. Faira mentioned something about shadow travel, which was a new concept for Conna'Cel. He did take note in Faira's earlier actions during the wolf attack, and proceeded to make calculations. "Processing," Conna'Cel said. "If everything remains consistent, you will not escape the flow of water in time to avoid drowning if we follow the path. Shadow traveling... if long-distance traveling is available, percentage of success is 46%. Recommendation: do not attempt unless this is the only option for survival."

“46%?” Scarlet asked, keeping her eyes on the steadily rising water. “That’s still more than 0. We can’t afford to waste any more time. Breaking the walls will only drain us…Faira, are you sure you’re able to transport us all?” As she spoke, the water was now sloshing against their chests, and panic soon engulfed the tiny prison they had unintentionally made. Little Ann had since crawled onto Faira’s shoulders, hoping to escape the water as it came. “We’re running out of options here,” Scarlet observed, worry slowly creeping into her voice.

Faira did what she could to help Little Ann to her shoulders and keep her steady. She glanced to Conna’Cel as he judged the percentage, giving him a dubious look. “Faira, are you sure you’re able to transport us all?” “No,” she groaned, surprised that the water around her chest did not pulse with each thud of her heart. “I got interrupted before I could do more than try with just my hand, but, unless you’ve got a better idea, it’s that or drown!” Her voice rose an octave as she said the last word. “I-if any of you are in, then hang onto me, just in case.” She extended one trembling hand toward Scarlet and Rosaline, and the other toward Conna’Cell, holding them just above the water. “I for one would rather take my chances with ‘shadow traveling.’” She inhaled as the water rose ever closer to her chin, giving the illusion of semi-weightlessness as the ends of her hair floated in the liquid around her. “You’ve got thirty seconds to decide!” she hissed, glad for the presence of her powers impatiently waiting for her command, begging to be used.

Conna'Cel looked at the hand Faira extended to him. He weighed the possible outcomes of this venture and decided that the possibility of being permanently trapped where he was now was a worse fate. Grabbing Faira's hand with his own, he said, "Proceed."

Rosaline was desperately trying to keep the wall up, ignoring the water sloshing around her neck. She wasn’t worried about drowning, just being trapped terrified her. The nebula turned her head to look at Faira, having been intently listening to her plans. She would have to time this perfectly because the minute she moves her arm away from their current place the wall would crumble faster. “I’m in, just be ready to go once I reach you.” She replies, suddenly taking steps backwards towards the human. Rose’s eyes then turn to Scarlett, now only a foot away from Faira. “Scarlett you need to take her hand… because the minute I drop my arm that wall’s going to fall. Alright?” she questions, looking determined.

Scarlet gritted her teeth, turning away to look at the rising water. It wouldn’t be long before they would be completely submerged, and she saw no other alternative. Hearing Rose’s order, the maid nodded once before lurching forward to grab onto Faira. “I hope you can navigate through this place,” she said.

“You and me both,” Faira whispered to Scarlet, raising her chin to keep it from sinking below the water. As soon as everyone had a hold on her, the water rushing in quickly, she took a last panicked breath and closed her eyes before the water consumed them. Releasing her overeager powers, a darkness spread from Faira, snaking down each of her companion’s arms until, in an instant, it consumed all of them. The cold, crushing weight of the water disappeared, replaced by the silky sensation of the world between the shadows. We need someplace safe, somewhere that’s not filled with water, she thought as she opened her eyes to the complete darkness. Though she felt no floor beneath her feet, she stepped forward, her companions’ creating a hefty weight on her arms and shoulders. Suddenly, it felt as if something pushed her forward, and light assaulted her as they fell from the dark realm. Emerging from a shadow a bit higher from the ground than Faira expected, she shouted as they fell through a short empty space. Her knees buckled under her as her feet hit solid ground, Little Ann--if she so made it through--weighing her down further and she fell forward, landing on the floor with a wet squelch. She sucked in air gratefully as spots momentarily swam before her vision. “Guys?” she said weakly, breathing hard as she looked around to see if the others had made it through with her.

Scarlet very nearly yelped in surprise as the ground beneath her feet literally gave way to the shadows. It all happened so quickly before her mind could process it, though she soon found herself landing in a darkened room. Spluttering on the ground, she coughed a fair amount of water before picking up her drenched form and looking around. “I’m still here,” she answered Faira. She turned around to study their new surroundings in this hell hole. The first thing she noticed was the little girl staring at them from the corner. Wait, what? Scarlet almost drew her knife and hurled it before seeing that it was just a child. The girl wore a white uniform adorned with red that matched the black of her hair and complimented the red of her eyes. She looked at the group with no fear, only curiosity. What was with all these young girls running around everywhere in this place? The unnamed girl walked right up to the soaking wet group and flashed them a smile. “Hello there,” she greeted softly.

Rosaline was shocked as the darkness pulled them in before promptly spitting them back out, rather harshly, onto the floor. Her body fell forward, unable to catch itself before it made contact with the now wet floor. Water dripped around her as she began to stand and as she did the water lifted itself from her ‘skin’, forming little rain droplets that then evaporated. She was drying herself, disliking the heavy wetness holding her down. “I am here as well, wherever here might be.” She replied; already busy looking around the space. It was a simple room, almost empty save for the individuals who were now strewn across its floor. There was one missing though, Adrian. Had they forgotten him back in the foyer? Had he been caught in that flood? “Adrian, we forgot the poor devil… oh well.” Rose sighed, shrugging her shoulders. She hadn’t liked the demon/ angel hybrid very much. Without another thought to the man she finished surveying the room. The space was dimly lit, a single lamp turned on in the corner to provide lighting. The only thing that really stood out was the young girl with red eyes. Rosaline’s focus turned to the child, stepping towards them and stooping to be closer to her level. “Well hello, and who might you be?” she questioned, a small smile on her lips. The nebula truly had a soft spot for children.

Conna'Cel was in the shadows in one moment, then spat out of them in the next. Landing with one knee and one hand on the ground, he stayed like that for a second before standing back up. He then checked to see if all of his necessary functions were still operational, and, fortunately, they were. Water occasionally dripping off him, Conna'Cel then began to scan his surroundings, immediately taking note of the white child with black hair and red eyes. The child seemed to show no fear at the group as she approached, and Conna'Cel's threat detection levels for the child were low. Still, Conna'Cel knew better than to immediately trust his initial readings, especially given recent events. However, it was perhaps a smarter idea to at least act nice. "Greetings. My name is Conna'Cel," Conna'Cel said, using the kind tone of voice within his protocols. "What do you know of our current location, or the Collector?"

Faira sighed in relief as the others answered her. Not wanting to continue looking around for fear of what she would find, she placed her head on her hands and closed her eyes for a moment, wishing away the house, hoping for a just couple moments where fighting for their lives was unnecessary. An achiness began to creep up on her as her body protested against running, being thrown, nearly drowning, and whatever else the wretched place decided it wanted to spit out at them. Drop the pity-party! she thought. We can get outta here. She took a deep breath, trying to convince herself of the words with minimal success. We will get outta here! I won’t let the… the so-called Collector win! Holding her breath, Faira unsteadily pushed herself up. Before she could take in any great detail, her attention went to a new young girl as the child greeted the group. Unlike Little Ann, something in the way the child stared fearlessly at the five with her red eyes unnerved Faira, While the others asked their questions, Faira pulled herself to her knees and sat on her feet. Brushing away the wet hair that clung to her face as well as she could, she turned her wary gaze from the child to the dim corners of the room in search of some way out before looking back to the girl.

The girl smiled happily. “It’s certainly a pleasure to meet you Conna'Cel,” she said politely. “And you too miss,” she said to Rosaline. “This place? Oh, I can tell you all about it! See, I got lost in here looking for a friend of mine. We were playing hide and seek and one day I woke up to…anyway, I know my friend is somewhere in here. That’s why I can’t leave just yet.” Scarlet blinked in surprise. For a girl probably no older than…well, than Little Ann, she was certainly brave-spirited. Still, how long had this girl been wandering around this place? How long had Little Ann been here as well? A shudder ran up the maid’s spine at a sudden conclusion. This Collector…he wasn’t some sort of mass kidnapper for…children was he? The thought made her clench one of her knives. That was just sick, and if it was the truth, then she’d make sure to have this Collector suffer appropriately. “Anyway, I know where the exit is and how to get out,” the new girl went on, cutting into Scarlet’s thoughts. “You do?” Scarlet asked, surprised for the second. “Please, can you lead us there? I’m sure we can help search for your friend along the way.” The red-eyed girl looked up at Scarlet with a happy glance. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! My friend means so much to me, and I…hey, are you crying miss?” The sight of Faira crouching in the corner alone made the girl pause in her happiness. Walking over to her, the young girl bent down to take a closer look at the human. “Miss? Are you alright?” The girl frowned momentarily before a smile reappeared on her visage once more. “Don’t worry miss," she said softly. "I know the way out, remember? We’ll all make it out of here, ok? So please, don’t cry. I don’t like it when people older than me cry. It makes me feel scared.” The girl said this with a nervous giggle, putting out her hand for comfort. How heartwarming. “Oh! I should introduce myself to everyone. It’s not polite of me, so I apologize,” the girl said, smiling brightly at Faira. “Well...um, actually, I don't have a name. Oh! But you can call me Marianne. I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Rosaline barely had time to register the young child’s words, her entire form instead stiffening at the sound that met her ears. Was that… groaning? The nebula rose, moving across the space to peer out into the hallway only to draw back in confusion and shock. The long hall was practically empty, the sound of shuffling feet and tortured groans echoing against the walls. One of the culprits of this chilling sound had moved into sight, having rounded the corner. Standing at the very end of the hall was a creature composed of decaying flesh, their skin discolored, and blood stained its clothes in tracks of dried crimson that began at its gaping mouth. It moved slowly, another appearing behind it before again being joined by more of the disgusting creatures. Zombies… Rosaline backed into the room, trying to avoid being seen by the decaying being. She then turned to the others, a bit of worry seeping into her features. “We seem to have company…” she mutters quietly, hoping the zombies out in the hall would not hear. The last time she had witnessed these creatures in action it was not pleasant. Despite common belief zombies could be quite fast once they discovered their prey. They also did not only eat brains, they could devour a grown human being in minutes and sometimes even ate at their bones. It was a gruesome thing to behold. The nebula glanced around the space before realizing what position they were in. If they were found they’d be trapped in seconds… They’d be sitting ducks. She had to get them out of here and past the zombies quickly and undetected… that would be difficult though but what option did they have. “We’re going to have to move, if we stay here they’ll rip us apart before any of us could even scream.” Rose suddenly said, still keeping her voice low.

“What? No, I’m not crying.” Faira shifted uncomfortably and moved so only one knee rested on the ground, the other ready to pull her to a stand as the girl neared her. As the child smiled at her, Faira returned the gesture meagerly as a courtesy before the child continued speaking. How doesn’t she have a… before Faira finished her thought, the child gave them a name. Faira's eyes widened slightly, but before she could react further, she looked over at the sound of groaning and shuffling floating down the hall. She stood as Rosaline went to investigate, the woman’s reaction making her mouth go dry. Her stomach dropped as she saw for herself what had frightened Rosaline. What doesn’t this place have to throw at us? “We’re going to have to move, if we stay here they’ll rip us apart before any of us could even scream.” “Yeah, what else is new?” Faira groaned softly in despair. “Well, let’s get outta here!”

Conna'Cel showed little concern over little Marianne's name. It was highly unlikely that the two Mariannes were related, anyway. A groaning sound then caught his attention, and he turned to see their latest threat yet: zombies. Their threat level was rather high for something that should be dead, which made them all the more dangerous. His companions were trying to avoid detection by the zombies, whose numbers had swelled up exponentially. Conna'Cel decided to follow their lead and stay unnoticed as well. It was folly to try to fight so many at once, after all.

The girl, apparently sharing the same namesake as their mysterious benefactor and enemy, titled her head in confusion at what everyone was doing. It was only after she heard a familiar groaning noise that she turned around to see the horde of zombies inching their way closer. A wide smile spread over her face and she skipped merrily head long into the gathered undead. “There’s no need to be afraid everyone. These are my friends!” the girl said, laughing all the way. Was this girl mad? Scarlet looked over to Rose, concern shining in her blue eyes. The girl was causing them all much unneeded trouble, one of the zombies having spotted them. With an inhuman shriek, it hurled itself at the group at a predator’s speed. “Shit.” Scarlet deployed a knife in her hand, eyes already turning crimson red. It seems they would have to fight their way out. Before the rest of the undead followed the first’s pursuit, Scarlet caught a glimpse of Marianne. The girl was still laughing, seemingly untouched and ignored by the zombie horde.

When the zombies began charging toward them, Conna'Cel's first action was to react with hostile force. Quickly transforming his arms into their respective weapons, he sliced through one zombie's waist while shooting another in the torso. However, the zombies that were injured continued to move around. "Recalculating," Conna'Cel said, then shot another in the head, this one staying down for good. Conna'Cel then decided to attack them from the air. "Flight mode activated," Conna'Cel said, his wings appearing from his back. Floating up to a height so that the zombies couldn't just reach up and grab him, he trained his gun at the zombies and began firing with short bursts, each burst taking down one zombie at a time.