"It kills me sometimes, how people die."

➳ ➳ ➳

Ethan waited in his car that was parked on the side of the road, opposite of Snow's mansion. Tonight he was going to complete the task that Alexander assigned him to do. He still didn't know what Alexander had in mind or how he would frame Nick, but he was sure that whatever it was, he was going to succeed. Alexander always got what he wanted. Everyone knew that. Everyone but Nick, who kept underestimating his powers.

Ethan smiled to himself, running a hand over his face.

Poor Nicky.

Ethan could only imagine his face when he would learn about the sick game Alexander played on him, but then it would be too late.

If Nick hadn't left and stayed with him from the beginning, everything would have been so different. But he did. He left him, took over his father's companies, and became rich. Something that Ethan is not. Deep down, he knows that the hatred he feels towards Nick is because he envies him. He has everything, and Ethan has nothing. He wasn't even the true son of Desmond Snow, yet that didn't prevent him from taking his wealth. That son of a bitch loved him too much, like a real son. Ethan couldn't help but think that he shouldn't have killed Maxwell Starr that night. No, he should have let him live and tell everything to Nick's father, maybe then he wouldn't love him, and Nick would have nothing.

That was his mistake.

Now, he could change everything. One move could change everything. Nick would be as miserable as Ethan was. Under that cold mask hid a troubled young man. The only thing he ever loved was taken from him, and now the same would happen with Nick. If he couldn't be happy, neither could he.

Sweet Angelina would be the end of him. He didn't know that just yet.

Nick kept distant from her and didn't let his cold heart feel for her, but Ethan could notice the attraction and interest he showed towards the younger girl, and he would use it against him. Ethan knew him too well, and he knew how he thought and how he worked.

Ethan glanced at the black bag on the passenger's seat and pressed his lips into a thin line, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He remembered that he still hadn't shown Alexander the adoption papers that he found at the orphanage that day. Alexander had been busy the past few days and hadn't even asked him about it, but Ethan knew that if he showed those papers to him, things would change. He didn't want to show them to Alexander, but sooner or later, he would ask for them, and then Ethan wouldn't be able to hide their content any more from him. Nick's mother's name was written on those papers, and that name was now printed on Ethan's mind forever.

Paulina Cox.

He had heard that name before.

The lights in the house turned off, suddenly bringing Ethan out of his thoughts. The large gate opened, and a man, Nick's driver, came out, making Ethan slip down on his seat to hide from him. He sighed and touched the gun that was under on his belt. He waited for a bit. He heard laughter, followed by a woman's voice, and then the sound of tires moving fast against gravel.

They were gone.

Ethan sat up again and looked through the window to make sure that no one was outside. He knew that Nick would never leave his mansion unprotected. He had security cameras and alarms everywhere. Earlier, he saw the neighborhood's guard walking past the house. He had to be careful.

He grabbed the black mask that was lying on top of the bag and put it on, hiding his face behind it. Then he took the bag in his hand and got out of the car. The streets were quiet, and the lights from the near houses were all out, meaning that everyone was asleep.

That's it.

Ethan took a deep breath and crossed the street quickly. As he reached the gate's door, he glanced around him. He remembered that Angelina used the back door to sneak out of the house. He could get inside the house from that door, but first, he would have to climb the gate.

With the bag over his shoulders, he grabbed the thick bars of the gate and pushed himself up with a bit of difficulty. He started climbing slowly up until he reached the pointed ends of the iron gate. He didn't want to cause any noise, and he knew he had to be fast, so he didn't waste any time. Carefully he placed his leg over the other side, avoiding the sharp edges and then jumped landing on his feet on the grass. He smiled in triumph at how easy that was and stood up again, straightening his posture, before making his way towards the back door.

"Alexander is not paying me good enough." He murmured to himself. Once he reached the wooden, white door, he placed the bag down on the ground and knelt, opening it. He took out a flashlight and a lock pick tool, licking his lips as he prepared everything that he would need. Taking the small tool in his hand, he placed it slowly inside the lock while holding the flashlight with his other hand. He twisted the lock pick tool a few times, turning it in all the directions, until a clicking sound was heard, signaling that the door is open.

Ethan froze in his tracks. He wasn't expecting it to be that easy. No alarm? His eyes widened in surprise, and he pushed the door with his clothed hand. He had made sure to wear gloves and hide any evidence. He had done this a million times, and he knew what to expect. If anything went wrong and they found out that he had been in the house, the first thing they would look for is his fingerprints.

He stood up on his feet and grabbed the bag from the ground, directing the flashlight towards the room. He scanned the surroundings and placed one foot inside hesitantly before getting inside. He was in a small corridor. As he walked further inside the house, he looked around him. He knew that Nick had security cameras; he just didn't know where exactly. Maybe he had one in his office and the main room, or perhaps he had them everywhere.

Ethan could feel his heart beating fast with each step he took. He knew that even if there were cameras around the house, they couldn't see his face, but he was still worried. He hadn't planned this well. Once he was standing in the middle of the main room, he let out a breath of relief and headed towards the staircase. He would go directly to Nick's room, and he wouldn't risk entering his office. That's where he kept everything, so he surely had put cameras there, but not many people put cameras in their bedrooms.

Angelina being the good girl she usually is had informed Alexander about everything and had described the house perfectly, telling them where every room was located. Ethan knew that Nick's room was on the third floor, and he wasted no time. He wanted this done and over with.

His heavy footsteps echoed in the silent house as he entered Nick's bedroom. The creaking sound of the door made him shiver, and he cursed under his breath. There goes the plan of being quiet.

"Thank god, no one is in the house," Ethan whispered to himself, approaching the big wardrobe at the other side of the room. He threw the bag down on the floor and opened the drawers, looking inside them. Then his eyes caught sight of something under his bed. He approached it and sat down on the floor, pulling the black box from under the bed. A frown appeared on his face as he opened it and looked inside. It was filled with photographs, but inside was also a small iPod and light pink, girly t-shirt. He placed the flashlight on top of the bed and took a photo from the box.

It was a picture of Nicholas and Nina. A lump formed in his throat as his eyes scanned the beautiful face of the girl he once loved and adored. 

She was dead. 

So many years had passed since then, but the memory of her was still fresh in his mind — her smile, her laughter, her kisses. Ethan could feel himself slowly breaking down as he continued to stare at the picture, an unwanted tear fell from the corner of his eye, but he wiped it away immediately. It was no time for crying about his pathetic life.

Anger replaced his sadness as his eyes averted to Nick's figure, smiling happily next to Nina. It was his fault that she was now dead, it was his fault he couldn't live happy with her, and it was his fault that he couldn't have a normal life, with a family. He ripped the photograph in two and placed Nina's part in his pocket. He didn't have much time.

Ethan opened the bag and took out Alexander's gun, placing it inside the box. Then he took the two small bags, placing them inside. He moved the pictures on top, making sure to hide the gun and the drugs and then closed the box, pushing it under the bed again.

Mission accomplished.

Ethan walked out of the room and descended the stairs at a quick pace, but soon stopped when the sound of a door opening reached his ears. He narrowed his eyes and turned around, moving the flashlight with him. As he did that, his eyes met with a pair of frightened brown ones, and his lips parted as he looked at her with shock.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Agnes was about to go back inside her room, but Ethan was quicker than her and placed his foot between the door, preventing her from closing it in his face. She tried to resist, but Ethan placed his hand on the door and managed to pull it wide open.

She tripped and fell on the floor, staring up at him with wide eyes. Ethan tilted his head to the side as his hand moved to the light switch on the wall to turn on the lights in the room. There was no point in staying in the dark, she had already seen him, and her fate was already written. His blue eyes took in her features carefully. He knew her. He had seen her multiple times in the past. She was the lady that looked after Nicholas and Nina. He saw her every time he would meet with Nick, and he always talked about her.

Agnes.

Nick had a soft spot for her in his heart.

This is going to be fun. I'll enjoy this.

He took a few steps closer to her, smirking evilly.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Agnes asked him, trying to keep a straight face. She could feel that this encounter wouldn't end well.

"I'm an old friend of Nick's. You must know me." Ethan told her. Agnes shook her head, standing up slowly to sit on the bed. She was trapped.

"I don't remember you." She replied with a shaky voice.

"Think a bit harder. Come on." He said with a wink. " You always told him that I was a bad influence and blah, blah, blah." He finished taking his gun in his hand. He pouted, observing it as he brought it up to his face in complete view for Agnes to see and then smiled at her, a wicked smile.

"E-Ethan?" Agnes asked, feeling scared.

"Bingo!" Ethan exclaimed, pointing the gun towards her direction.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked him, fisting her sheets in fear.

"For fun," Ethan replied with a shrug.

"You are sick."

"I am not completely sane. I admit that. But killing is fun, Agnes, and I will also cause Nicholas pain by killing you, which is a plus. Now, you can go on and start begging me to spare your life and promising not to tell Nick." Ethan said, rolling his eyes, but she surprised him with what she said.

"You can kill me if you want. I'd never beg you for my life, and I'd never hide anything from my Nick." Agnes told him, keeping her head high as she placed her hand over her chest, holding the necklace tightly around her neck.

"Very well, then." Ethan raised the gun towards her direction, clenching his jaw as he looked at the woman in front of him. He wanted to see her cry or beg, but she remained still staring back at him with determination, and that angered him even more. She was brave.

He placed his finger on the trigger aiming the gun to her chest and inhaled before pressing the trigger. Agnes shut her eyes as a tear fell from the corner of her eye. She wasn't crying because she was scared to die but because she wasn't able to say goodbye to her precious boy Nick. He was like the son she never had. The bullet hit her chest, and she gasped loudly before another bullet hit her and then another. She collapsed on the floor, taking in one last breath.

Ethan let his hand fall to his side, biting his lip. One more murder. One more innocent soul. More blood in his hands. He was used to it by now. He was numb. He couldn't feel a thing as he looked at the lifeless body and the crimson blood surrounding the poor woman. He was trained not to feel a thing. He was a monster, and he was just another pawn in Alexander's games.

"We will all die in the end." He stated.

He glanced one more time at Agnes and left the room. He ran downstairs and approached the back door, opening it. At the same time, a piercing sound echoed in the house, causing Ethan to place his hands over his ears. The security alarm.

Fuck.

"That bitch! She set up the alarm."

Ethan didn't lose any more time. He immediately ran outside the house and started climbing the gate. Ethan could see the guard in the distance rushing towards him, so he jumped on the ground and walked to his car getting inside. He threw the bag on the back seat and started the car just when the guard reached the gate, and the lights of the police car could be seen. He hit the pedal with his foot and sped off, leaving behind Nick's house and the police.

That was too close.

Ethan took off his mask, breathing heavily. Adrenaline was still pumping through his veins, and his heart was beating rapidly. He glanced at the front mirror to see if anyone was following him, but to his luck, the road was clear.

Suddenly his phone started ringing, and he groaned as he saw his idiotic partner's name appear on the screen.

What the hell does that idiot want?

"Speak!" Ethan yelled, answering the phone. Silence followed. "What do you want? Damn it!"

"E-Ethan, I need you to come to the Dollhouse," Steve said, sounding nervous. Ethan frowned.

"Why? What happened?" He asked him.

"We caught someone. I think he works for Nicholas. He was asking questions about you and Alexander."

"I'm coming. What's his name?" Ethan asked him, speeding up.

"Pichot. Henry Pichot."

[Angelina]

Do you ever go through something so painful and heartbreaking that you wish it were just a bad dream? You try desperately to wake up from that nightmare, but that never happens because that's not a dream. It's a reality. It's a painful truth. I still couldn't believe what was happening. How can people die just like that? One moment and everything is over, that's all it takes. Sometimes I wonder what's the purpose of living if we're all going to die at some point?

Everyone I loved died. First my parents, and now Agnes. She didn't deserve what happened to her; she was a kind soul, she never hurt anyone, and she treated everyone with love. Even though I didn't know her for long, she was someone close to my heart, and the thought of not seeing her again or listening to her sweet voice made my heart sink.

This wasn't fair. Life is not fair.

I took a deep breath as I stared at the big open gate in front of me. Nick's house was surrounded by police cars, and police officers entered and exited the house. I spotted Guidry near the front door. He looked tired, and his eyes were red. He was talking with another man and showing him something inside the house. My eyes then moved to the person standing next to me. Nick.

He hasn't spoken a single word the whole day. After Guidry's call, we left the hotel in a rush and immediately went to the airport. This time he didn't sit next to me on the plane; he preferred to stay alone and away from everyone. I saw him a few times crying as he looked outside the window, but didn't approach him or make an attempt to talk to him. I had never seen Nick like this, so vulnerable. I had never seen him cry before.

Nick moved in front of me, and I reached my hand out, placing it on his shoulder. He had hurt me with his actions, but this was no time for me to act like a total bitch and not talk to him. I wanted to let him know that he was not alone. I knew what he was going through, and it wasn't pretty. He needed support. He loved Agnes too much.

"Nick, I'm so sorry-" I started to say, but Nick walked away before I could complete my sentence. I sighed, running my finger through my hair as I followed him.

Guidry saw us, and a sad smile appeared on his face as he approached Nick and opened his arms, hugging him. To my surprise, Nick hugged him back, griping Guidry's jacket tightly.

"She can't be gone, Guidry. She can't." He said over and over again, with anger and desperation in his voice. He was sobbing, and Guidry shut his eyes, shaking his head.

"She's gone, mate." He whispered, making my eyes water again. I started crying with them. The scene in front of me was heart wrecking.

Nick pulled away, wiping his tears with his hands as he breathed heavily. His eyes caught mine, and I saw as his eyes softened, but he looked away again. Just then, a police officer approached him.

"Hello, Mr. Snow. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm officer Johnson." He said, shaking Nick's hand. He nodded his head before parting his lips to speak.

"H-how? What exactly happened?" Nick asked him, wetting his lips.

"We think it was a burglar, even though nothing seems to have been stolen. Maybe he got scared after killing Ms. Rogers and left." The officer explained.

"But how did he get in without being noticed. I have a security alarm in the house." Nick said.

"It wasn't activated when he broke in. But after, when he left, the alarm went off, which means that Ms. Rogers had heard him in the house and turned it on. The burglar wasn't expecting someone in the house, so he was shocked to see her and killed her. We have some footage from the security cameras in the living room. Unfortunately, he was wearing a mask, and we weren't able to see his face. Please, come with me." Mr. Johnson said and moved inside the house with Nick behind him.

Guidry approached me and gave me a small hug, kissing the top of my head. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply.

"This is going to be hard for him, Guidry," I told him, looking into his brown eyes.

"Nick is a strong man, Angelina. He will be just fine." Guidry said. I shook my head.

"No, Guidry, he won't. Nick-"

"I know that Agne's death is hard for him, but he will get through this. Believe me." He said, trying to reassure me. I nodded my head, deciding not to argue with him further. They don't understand. No one understands Nick.

That's the problem.

We both stepped inside the house and approached Nick and officer Johnson. They were standing behind another man holding a laptop. They were all staring at the screen in front of them.

"He is wearing a mask, and he doesn't take it off in any of the footages that we have," the younger policeman said, looking at Nick with sad brown eyes. He had a cute face for a policeman. He seemed harmless.

"Thank you, officer Parus." Mr. Johnson said.

I moved next to Nick and stared at the laptop's screen, furrowing my eyebrows as a man wearing all black, and a mask appeared on it. He was holding a bag and had a flashlight in his other hand. He looked around the room, and then his eyes moved towards the direction of the camera.

My breath hitched in