"What are friends for?"
As Angelica sat at the table, those words filled her mind.
This made her think.
Did she ever have a friend before?
She finished her meal and waited for Bell to finish.
Before they could leave, they were met by Portera.
The old woman smiled at Angelica but quickly scanned Bell.
"Greetings, Sisters."
For a second, Angelica wanted to grab her by the throat.
Instead, she smiled at her.
"Greetings, Portera."
Portera nodded and sat beside her.
She placed her hand on Angelica's.
"I heard what happened earlier. Would you like to talk about it?"
Angelica's eyes darted to Bell.
She did look concerned, but she didn't look like she would speak up again.
After a deep breath and sigh, Angelica spoke.
"I was called out by that blond woman. I then fell back into old habits."
She leaned closer to Portera's ear, making sure she sounded like she wanted to cry.
"I don't want to say this too loudly. I almost fought her… I don't want to be like that anymore."
These words made Portera hug her and pat her back.
"You need not worry, Sister, you are safe here."
As she let go, she wiped a tear from her face.
"Portera, I am going back to my room to rest."
Portera nodded, and as they stood up, she spoke.
"I spoke with Reina. She would like to speak with you and your friend tomorrow at noon."
With a smile, Angelica answered.
"We look forward to meeting her."
As she led Bell back to their small apartment, her teeth were clenched.
As they left, she almost grabbed Bell's hand.
Instead, she walked just ahead of her, scanning for enemies.
"Angelica?"
Bell's voice snapped her out of the trance she was in.
"Yes."
"Are you ok?"
She spun toward Bell.
She wanted to scream, run or fight.
All she could utter to articulate these thoughts was in one short sentence.
"I don't know."
Angelica's eyes went wide at this unintentional confession.
She clenched her teeth and turned around.
"Let's go."
She led the way to their place in silence.
They entered early in the afternoon.
When she closed the door behind them, Angelica sighed in relief.
"You take the top room, I'll stay down here."
Bell nodded and sat down on Angelica's bed.
She had the flask in her hand.
"You look nervous. Do you need this?"
Angelica smiled as she sat down next to her.
"No, I still have some left."
The smile left her face as she continued.
"You have to get out of here tonight."
Bell frowned.
"Why? Did I do something wrong?"
The hurt look on Bell's face almost made her cry.
In response, she nearly yelled.
"No! How can I put it? You don't belong here."
Bell still had a confused look on her face.
As she spoke, she didn't raise her voice.
"What do you mean by that?"
Angelica stood up and started pacing.
"I'm a monster, and you are a person. We are different, and I might have to do things…"
She was stopped by Bell, standing in front of her.
"You aren't a monster."
At these words, Angelica's lip started quivering.
Bell hugged her and continued.
"Would a monster look out for me?"
Angelica gently pushed Bell off of her.
"Yes. A monster would. Go to your room, and be ready."
As Angelica turned around, she heard Bell behind her.
"What about the plan?"
Angelica spun with her teeth bared.
"I don't care about the plan! You need to get out of here!"
She waited for Bell to cry or run away.
That didn't happen as Bell crossed her arms defiantly.
"Why are you being like this?"
Angelica sneered and took a step closer to Bell.
When Bell's facial expression didn't change, Angelica grabbed her by the collar.
In her face, Angelica pleaded.
"Please. I need to get you out of here. You don't belong here!"
At her last word, she saw fear in Bell's eyes.
She let go immediately.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
Angelica sat down on her bed, her face in her hands.
She felt the bed shift as Bell sat down next to her.
Next, there was a hand on her shoulder.
"Why are you so afraid?"
Angelica looked at her.
"You're my friend. I don't want them to hurt-"
She couldn't finish her sentence as she started bawling.
For the rest of the day, there wasn't any conversation between them.
As night fell, Angelica lay in her bed.
Thoughts of grabbing Bell and abandoning the mission were running through her mind.
She tried breathing, exercising and shadow-boxing.
Nothing could calm her nerves.
Just as she was about to let the impulse take over, there was a soft knock at the door.
When she opened the door, she saw Ryan.
She grabbed him and pulled him into the room.
Before she closed the door, she scanned for any witnesses.
"What are you doing here?"
He looked at her with the blank expression she hated.
"I came to see how Isabelle is doing."
She nodded.
"After you are done checking on her, come back to me. We need to talk."
After a few seconds of silence, he nodded.
He turned and went upstairs.
When she heard the door close, she sat on the stairs and focused her attention on the entrance.
As Ryan closed the door, he saw a sleeping Bell.
He smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
He sat down on the bed and touched her forehead.
She woke up and launched herself at him.
The hug was so tight he had trouble breathing.
He then returned her hug, and when she let go, he spoke.
"How did your day go? Were there any problems?"
She frowned for a moment.
"I don't like this place."
Ryan shifted on the bed so that he could face her properly.
"Why? What happened?"
She looked down for a moment.
"They take in women and… I'm not sure. Keep them from accepting anything else."
Ryan smiled as she tried to articulate her point.
He took her hand in his as he spoke.
"I am just happy you are safe."
She squeezed his hand hard.
"I'm fine. I'm worried about Angelica."
Ryan swallowed the insult he had ready.
"In what way?"
Bell shimmied her way to Ryan so that she could lean her head on his shoulder.
"The pressure is too much for her. We are supposed to meet Reina tomorrow, and she wants me to leave."
Ryan was so startled by her words that he almost jumped off the bed.
"We have to get you out tonight. Reina will recognise you."
Bell slapped her forehead and chuckled softly.
"I forgot. I feel stupid."
Ryan hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Don't worry about it. I will speak with Angelica and get you out. I will infiltrate tonight and meet you in the morning."
As he finished, she smiled.
"Then we can finally go on that date?"
With a smile, he nodded and made his way back to Angelica.