No one moves.

Fletcher's face is clenched in permanent horror as he collapse on the ground.

I'm shocked to the point where I'm still trying to process this.

His limbs are bent at odd angles.

Blood is pooling out of him... and no one says a single word.

I keep touching my lips to see if my screams have escaped yet.

Agreste puts his gun back in his jacket pocket. "Sector 45, you are dismissed."

Everyone turns to leave as Agreste yanks me from the spot I am now glued to.

My vision starts to blur and I see dark spots in the atmosphere.

Agreste is trying to get me through the door. "You really must eat more." He says.

"You killed him." I manage to whisper. "You just killed him-"

"You're very astute."

"Why did you kill him? Why would you kill him? How could you do something like that..."

"Keep your eyes open, Marinette. Now's not the time to fall asleep."

I grab his shirt, stopping him from going inside.

I start to feel dizzy until a sudden gust of wind slaps me across the face. Suddenly I'm aware of all my senses.

I push him hard, slamming his back against the door.

"You disgust me." I stare into his beautifully dangerous eyes. "You disgust me."

He twists me around, pinning me against the door he was just slammed against.

He cups my face in his gloved hands, holding my eyes in place.

I'm trapped.

Transfixed.

Slightly terrified.

Mesmerized...

His thumb brushes against my cheek. "Life is a bleak place," he whispers. "Sometimes you have to learn how to shoot first."

*Time Skip*

Agreste follows me into my room.

"You should probably sleep." He says.

It's the first time he's spoken since we left the rooftop.

"I'll have food sent up to your room, but other than that I'll make sure you're not disturbed."

"Where is Luka?" Is he safe? Is he healthy? Are you going to hurt him?

Agreste flinches a bit before finding his composure. "Why do you care?"

I've always cared about Luka Couffaine since I was 14.

"Isn't he supposed to be watching me? Because he's not here. Does that mean you're going to kill him, too?"

"I only kill people if I need to."

"Generous."

"More than most."

I laugh a sad laugh, sharing it with myself.

"You can have the rest of the day to yourself. Our real work will begin tomorrow. Luka will bring you to me." He looks at me and suppresses a smile. "In the meantime, try not to kill anyone."

"You and I," I say through gritted teeth. "You and I are not the same-"

"You don't really believe that."

"You think you can compare my- my disease... with your insanity!?"

"Disease?" He steps forward, with a stern look on his face.

"You think you have a disease? You have a gift! You have an extraordinary ability that you don't care to understand! Your potential-"

"I have no potential!"

"You're wrong." He's glaring at me.

I can tell by the way he's looking at me that he hates me. He hates me for hating myself.

"Well you're the murderer." I start. "So you must be right."

He smiles. "Go to sleep."

"Go to hell."

He chuckles a bit. "I'm working on it."

------------

Hear that Mari? He's working on it😩💕

IM SUCH A SIMP FOR ADRIEN IN THIS STORY I CANT EVEN-

but uhh as I'm writing chapter 19... I feel like being a bitchy-bitch so I'm gonna add a lil Lukanette scene😩

Love y'all 😻🕶🤏🏾