A/N: AU after season 2. Warning: Dark fic. Character death. Unhappy ending. Do not read if you are triggered easily.

Chapter 1:

"This is Warden Deacon from LA Department of Corrections. Can I speak to a Mr. John Lawrence, father of Robert Keene?"

"Yeah, this is he."

"Mr. Lawrence, I'm sorry to inform you that there was an incident in the facility last night. Robert Keene has passed away."

"You are one to talk. When did you ever take responsibility for your actions?"

"They want to try him as an adult."

"Please dad, you have to help me. I won't make it in here."

"I… excuse me, I-I don't understand. What about Robby?"

"There was an altercation last night among some inmates. It seems Keene was involved and he got killed. We need you to come down here and identify the body as soon as possible, please."

Johnny couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Robby nervous. But he was nervous now. Hell, with all the fidgeting and pacing, he was downright panicking.

"That's not the right way to go, Robby and you know it." Johnny said as gently as he could. "I know LaRusso told you the same thing. You wouldn't be here otherwise."

"I haven't seen Mr. LaRusso. Not since that night." Robby shook his head. "I can't face him… not after what I-I did. I can't…"

"Okay – but you know he'd tell you the same thing. I know you didn't mean for this to happen. I know you messed up. But the right thing to do now is to take responsibility for your actions."

"You are one to talk." Robby snapped back angrily, "When did you ever take responsibility for your actions? You've been running from your problems all your life, okay. You don't get to lecture anyone about that."

He was right and Johnny knew it. He didn't have the moral high ground to make demands here. But it was the right thing to do and he had to make Robby see that. For once, he wished Daniel was here. LaRusso knew how to get through to Robby and he didn't. He never could and didn't have the stomach for another fight.

Apparently, neither did Robby. As soon as those words were out of his mouth, he sank back into the couch.

"Look, I'm not asking for much here." Robby pleaded. "Just a couple of hundred dollars, okay? Or whatever you can spare. And I'll be out of your life for good. You can take care of Miguel and Mr. LaRusso can go back to his family and no one will have to bother with me again. It's what you always wanted, isn't it?"

"Is that what you think? I never wanted any of this. I…"

Johnny trailed off. This wasn't going to work. He could tell Robby about how desperately he wanted him in his life and how much he wanted to be a part of his but Robby wouldn't believe him. Not after all the times he'd failed him. All that would do would be to remind Robby of all the reasons he shouldn't trust Johnny.

"Look, you are right." Time for a different approach. "I never took responsibility for my actions. I always ran away from my problems. And look where that has left me. You don't want to end up like me, do you?"

He could see Robby get tense, like he was about to argue, but Robby said nothing. Its working.

"Think this through. If you run, you'll be running all your life. You'll have to give up everything you know – everyone you care about. And I know it feels like they'd be better off without you right now, but that's not true. Trust me, if you run, you'll regret it one day. But if you stay…. I'll be here with you. Every step of the way. We'll figure this out together. Alright?"

Robby wanted to argue – Johnny could see that clearly. He was clenching his jaw, eyeing him skeptically – as if he wanted to call bullshit on Johnny's offer. But for some reason, he just gave Johnny a shaky nod instead.

"Okay. okay." Johnny wasn't going to lose his son – not today, at least, "I'll call the cops and we'll go in together, alright? I'm with you here."

"They want to try him as an adult." Ben was a good lawyer – everyone said so. A little sleazy for Johnny's taste but his track record spoke for itself. "The DA is under a lot of pressure – a lot of rich kids could've gotten hurt in that fight – and he's looking to make an example of someone. And unfortunately for Robby…."

"I get it." Johnny looked over at Robby. He looked scared – he always looked scared nowadays. Of course, he is scared, you idiot. You'd be too if you were facing attempted murder charges. But he needs to believe everything will be alright. You need to convince him. "So, what's the plan here?"

"Well, I think we should proceed with the trial for now. If we put up a good fight, the DA might go for lesser charges. We can take our time, let tempers cool…" Ben gave them a moment to digest what he'd said and then went on, "I do have a plan here that might work. We can try to get the jury on our side by pointing out that Robby is being railroaded. He wasn't the only one fighting that day – he wasn't even the one who started it all. It's not fair that Robby should get in trouble while others got off with a slap on the wrist."

That was true enough, Johnny thought. Tory had been expelled and Hawk suspended, sure, but that was nothing compared to what Robby was facing. And no one had even looked twice at Samantha LaRusso.

"Of course, it's risky. The jury might see it as making excuses for bad behavior – especially with Robby's history." Ben continued. "But I think it's the best way forward. We establish that the other kid was equally at fault – that he was tormenting and bullying Robby and that made Robby snap."

Wait, what?

"You are talking about going after Miguel?" Johnny balked.

"Of course. If we can establish…."

"No. No way in hell, okay?" It was hard to keep his temper in check. "Miguel isn't the bully here, okay. There are no bullies – just kids who messed up because they weren't taught right." Because I never taught them right. "Miguel has already been through enough – we are not putting him through more."

"Listen, Mr. Lawrence…"

"Does LaRusso know about this?" Johnny snapped. "Did he put you up to this?" Daniel didn't seem like the type to go for a scheme like this, not from top of his moral high horse – but then, he had somehow managed to get the dojo's rent raised.

"Mr. LaRusso pays the bills, but Robby is my client and I'm only concerned with his best interests." Ben replied calmly. "And this is the way to win."

"There is a difference between winning and winning the right way." Johnny replied. "And this is just wrong."

"I get that you want to do the right thing, Johnny, but what's right may not be what's right for Robby. You need to consider that as well."

It was Kreese all over again. Bending the rules, cutting corners, lying, cheating, pulling whatever crap you have to to win – that's what led them into this mess. And Johnny was not going down that road again.

"There is another option." Ben sighed. "I'm told you have a personal relationship with the victim's family? Maybe you can talk them, convince them to speak to the DA about leniency. That would mean a lot coming from the victim's family."

Wouldn't that be something. Johnny saw Robby looking at him expectantly and shook his head. Carmen had barely relented enough to let him see Miguel and that was only because Miguel had begged her. She still wasn't interested in anything he had to say. And Miguel… he hated Robby. Johnny couldn't say he blamed the kid, not after what happened. Miguel could barely stomach the fact that Johnny was trying to help Robby in the first place.

"They wouldn't go for it."

"Maybe they can be persuaded." Ben said gently. "I'm not saying that we should blame the kid in court – but if the kid's mother thinks we will do that, she might be convinced to speak to the DA on our behalf. Just to protect her kid, y'know?"

"Her name is Carmen." Johnny replied coldly. "And you are talking about blackmailing her."

Ben shrugged.

"And I already told you – we are not pulling any shit like that."

"Then there is just one option left." Ben sighed. "You take the deal on the table and make the best of it."

Asshole. He deliberately kept that back when that should've been the first thing he told them.

"And you didn't tell us about this before because…?"

"Because it's a crappy deal. Its three years in prison. Prison, not juvie. Robby will have a hard time in there and this sentence will follow him for the rest of his life."

Is he trying to scare us? Johnny had friends who'd been to prison and they weren't doing so bad. Sure they weren't living their best lives but they did have their lives and families. And no one expected Robby to get away scot-free here anyway.

Ben saw the looks passing between Johnny and Robby and got up. "I'll leave you to it then." He said, packing up his briefcase. "You have the options and you know my recommendation. The rest is up to you."

They sat silently for a while after Ben left, neither wanting to take the first step.

"Its not fair." Robby said finally. "I wasn't the only one fighting that day. I was even trying to stop the fight."

"I know."

"I know I deserve to be punished for what happened." Robby's voice was breaking. "but this… this isn't… its not fair."

"I know." Johnny put his arm around Robby's shoulders. "I know, but we'll get through this."

"Are you sure you can't talk to Carmen? Or Miguel?" Robby pleaded. The, with a bit of accusation, "Or are you just afraid of pissing them off?"

Was he? Maybe he was. His own relationship with Miguel wasn't exactly on solid ground right now and asking favors for Robby might just be the thing that breaks it. He had tried to bring it up and their reaction had told him all he needed to know. They were hurting and they wanted to see Robby punished – that was all there was to it.

But this wasn't about them. Robby was scared and he was lashing out. Johnny was scared too, but couldn't show that. He needed to be strong here, he needed to put up a brave front. For Robby's sake.

"Look, I know it seems like the end, but trust me, its not." Johnny squeezed his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "I wasted 30 years of my life and I'm still kicking, right? Three years is nothing. It'll be over before you know it."

Robby looked taken aback at that. "You don't think I should fight it?"

"If you'd asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have told you to fight it to the bitter end." He'd been a different man back then. And after everything that had happened… "But we both know that fighting isn't always the right choice. Sometimes it just makes things worse. A lot worse."

Robby nodded. Barely, but it was there and Johnny never felt prouder of his son. He grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug.

"It'll be fine. You'll see. Three years will go by in a flash. It might not even take that long. There are paroles and appeals and stuff like that, right? You'll be out sooner than you know and I'll be here waiting for you."

He could feel Robby nod against his chest.

"You are a tough kid, okay? Way tougher than I ever was. You are a fighter. A survivor. And you are gonna make it through this, I promise."

"I'm getting Cobra Kai back." Johnny said, trying and failing to tone down his excitement. "Kreese is back to his old tricks. Abusing kids. They are starting to see what kind of man he is. Not all of them, but they can see."

Robby shifted uncomfortably on the hard bench, never looking up. Johnny's smile died. These visits weren't easy for either of them – Robby looked more drawn and tired every time he came it killed him to know that he couldn't do anything for his son in there. He'd hoped that some good news might cheer him up – but that was stupid. Robby had never really cared about Cobra Kai to begin with. He might be more interested in the other bit though.

"Daniel has been helping me with it."

Robby looked up at that, confused. "You are running a dojo with Mr. LaRusso?"

"No – nothing like that. But he has been teaching me some stuff about being a better sensei." Johnny's smile was back. "You were right, you know. There is a lot we can learn from each-other. I just wish I'd given it a chance sooner."

Robby smiled softly, whispering "good" before going back to examining his nails.

"He still wants to see you. Asks about it every time. Maybe you could…"

He could see Robby tense up as he stubbornly shook his head.

"You don't need to punish the guy."

"I'm not punishing him." Robby replied, still looking down, "I just can't face him. Not after how I let him down. Not after… after everything he did for me."

Johnny could relate to that – the overwhelming feeling of shame and guilt. But still… seeing Daniel would make Robby feel better. Give him hope.

"You know he won't hold that against you." Johnny still didn't exactly like LaRusso, but even he had to admit that the guy was merciful.

"That doesn't make it any easier. Just…. How is Miguel?" Robby changed the subject.

Johnny sighed at that. He should be fighting harder to get Robby to see Daniel but a part of him actually liked being the only one Robby relied on. He wasn't proud of it, but it did make him feel a little better to know that he was no longer competing with Daniel for Robby's affections.

"Miguel's better. Not all the way, obviously. He's still stuck in a wheelchair and the doctors still don't know when he'll walk again. Or if he will." Johnny could see guilt written all over Robby's face. "But don't worry about it, okay? He will walk again and he'll forgive you."

Robby nodded at that and Johnny wished he was as sure as he sounded. Truth was, Miguel showed no signs of relenting. Every time Johnny even brought up the subject, Miguel's face turned hard and impassive. And his only reaction to hearing about Robby going to prison had been "Good. That's better than he deserves."

Carmen might end up being easier. Atleast she understood that the kids weren't really the ones at fault here. As much as she was still pissed at Johnny, he knew a part of her felt sorry for Robby. If he could just get to her… No – that was no use. Carmen would never go behind Miguel's back or against his wishes. But if she could convince Miguel to show some forgiveness, then maybe….

But none of it amounted to anything right now and false hope wasn't going to help Robby. Besides, it was time to address the elephant in the room – the thing that Johnny had been avoiding ever since he got there.

"You wanna tell me about that?" He asked, lightly tapping his jaw.

It was true that Robby looked a little worse for the wear every time Johnny came. He was pale from being indoors all day and the dark circles around his eyes belied lack of sleep. He looked tired and worn out and scared all the time. But this was the first time he had a bruise on his jaw.

"It's nothing." Robby replied. "Just some assholes trying to show me who's in charge."

"Robby, you can't be getting into fights here, kid."

"I wasn't… I didn't…"

"You need to be on your best behavior. You need to show them that you've changed – that you can be better. They won't let you out otherwise."

Robby nodded. "Where are we on that? With the appeal?"

He'd hoped Robby wouldn't ask about it. It was just another source of frustration for him. Ben had not been happy when he'd decided to take the plea deal. It affected his numbers, apparently. And he had pawned off the appeals to some other guy in their law firm – someone who was apparently "better at handling them". But Johnny couldn't even get in touch with the guy in person.

Ofcourse, Robby was disappointed to learn that.

"Robby, look – it'll be fine." Johnny tried to soften the blow, "A lot of people are still pissed off. So, appealing now won't work. They tell me that we should give some time and let tempers cool off and we'd have a much better chance of getting your out."

It was true – that the lawyers had told him so, atleast. Johnny didn't believe a word of it, but there was no reason to get Robby down over it.

Unfortunately, Robby didn't buy that either. He seemed to break down over the last bit.

"You have to hurry, okay." Robby looked like he was about to cry. "Please dad, you have to help me. I won't make it in here."

The sudden change shook Johnny. He wanted to reach over and draw Robby closer, but physical contact wasn't allowed during visitation. So, he settled for leaning in closer.

"Hey – what's wrong? Did something happen?"

Robby shook his head. "It's this place. Its- its driving me crazy and every day is worse than the last."

"Robby, I know it's hard, but…"

"No, you don't. You don't know how hard it is." Robby cried. "You said we were gonna be in this together, but we are not. You are out there with your friends and your students and your dojo and I'm in here losing my mind."

Johnny looked around surreptitiously to see if anyone was watching and then reached out for Robby's arm for comfort. But Robby pulled back like he'd been burned.

"Look, we talked about this. This is what we agreed to. I know it's hard, but you are tough. You'll make it through this. Just keep your head down and get through it, okay?"

"You think it's easy listening to you talk about how great life is out there?"

"Hey, it's not easy for me seeing you in here either."

"Then maybe you shouldn't be here anymore." For a moment things seemed back to how they used to be. Back when the only things Robby felt for him were anger and hurt and disappointment. But just for a moment.

"I'm sorry, dad. I didn't mean that."

"It's okay." It was okay. He wasn't doing enough for Robby. Robby was paying for his sins and there was nothing he could do to make it better.

"It's just – every time you come in here and tell me there is no way out, it just feels like I'm going to prison all over again. Maybe it'd be easier if you didn't visit for a while."

No. No it won't. You need people to be there for you. You don't have to deal with this alone.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You probably need to focus on your dojo anyway, right? You can't be heading into that fight distracted."

Johnny looked for any hint of anger or bitterness or jealousy in his tone. But there was none. All he saw was resignation.

"Right, but… it'll be okay. I'm not giving up on you, alright? I'm still here for you. Any time you need me, you just need to call. Got it?"

It was a lie. It had to be. Some kind of sick joke. A prank. That was it. It had to be. Robby was getting back at him. Punishing him for staying away and he deserved it. (He asked me to stay away. So what? He is a kid. You should've known better). But its alright. It'll be over soon. He'd get there and everyone would laugh at him for panicking for no reason, but it'd all be worth it because Robby would be alive and he'd make it right and never leave his side again.

Johnny's hands gripped the steering wheel tight enough to turn white. He could feel his nails digging into his palms. He was driving slower than usual, he realized. Ofcourse he was. Who'd be in a hurry to confirm that their son is dead. Don't be a pussy. He's not dead – he can't be. He's just teaching you a lesson. He got someone to pretend to the be the warden on the phone. He'd just be there when you get there – looking at you with his infuriating, smug look but you won't hold that against him. You'll forgive him and you'll make Miguel forgive him and everyone else too – just as long as he was still alive.

A passing semi blared its horn pulling Johnny from his thought. Careful now. You don't want to die before Robby has had his laugh, do you? Or maybe I do. That would show him. Turn the tables. Flip the script. That'd teach him to try and pull one over his old man.

Johnny shook his head, trying to clear out his jumbled thoughts. He had to focus. Think about how to make it up to Robby. How to make it right. This was a wake-up call (another one?) and he had to figure out a way to be there for Robby from now on. Maybe he could commit a crime? Then they would be in prison together.

Ofcourse. It was so obvious. Johnny could kick himself for not thinking of it sooner. He was the one who deserved to be in prison anyway, not Robby. It need not be something big – maybe a B&E or robbery. Or drunk driving – God knew he had done that often enough. Just something that would land him in prison for long enough. Then he could be right beside Robby. In it together, like he'd promised. He could protect him.

He'd figure out the details later. After this joke had played out, he'd tell Robby and that would make Robby happy. That's right. Focus on the positive. It was all going to work out because there was no way Robby was actually gone. He is too young. It's obviously a lie. A stupid, vindictive, hurtful lie.

Except, it wasn't. The body on the slab didn't look like Robby – not his Robby – but it was unmistakably him. His face looked peaceful – incongruently so. He'd never seen Robby look this peaceful, Johnny realized. He'd only ever seen anger or regret or sadness. There was nothing to read here but Johnny read it all the same. You are too late, Robby seemed to say. You failed me. Again.

Johnny couldn't look at it. He couldn't be there anymore. He had to get out. He turned to go when he heard the voice so sharp and clear that for a moment it seemed like it wasn't coming from his own head. Don't you dare look away, dad. It was Robby – not the one on the table, but the one in his own head. Don't run from your responsibilities. Isn't that what you told me? You are responsible for this. So, look at me. See what you did.

And so, he saw. He took in every detail, as hard as it was. Robby was pale – paler than he'd been the last time Johnny had seen him. There was a bruise around his eye – blue and greenish – in sharp contrast to the pale skin. There was a cut on his lip with a bruise forming around that as well. And lower still – another one on his jaw. Not the same as the one he'd seen last time, Johnny realized. A newer one, but still, older than the others.

There was a gash on his neck – skin tissue parted showing the muscle underneath and dried blood flaking around it. But it didn't look that deep and it didn't look like it cut an artery. He could see another bruise starting at the collarbone and disappearing under the white sheet that covered the rest of the body. And finally, there was a small cut on his upper chest. It didn't look like much but Johnny knew a stab wound when he saw one.

"Sir, we need confirmation." The morgue attendant interrupted his thoughts. "Do you need another minute?"

"No – uh – its fine. Its him." How the hell was he so composed on the outside when he was falling apart inside? "It's Robby. It's my son."

"Okay…" The attendant scribbled something on the notepad before handing the papers to Johnny. "I need you to sign on the x's. We can hold the body for two days while you make the funeral arrangements. If you lack the funds to do so or if you cannot do it in time, then the county will cremate him. Do you understand, sir?"

"Yes, but – no – you can't have the funeral now. Right?"

"Would you like to opt for cremation?"

"No, that's not- I mean – don't you guys need the body for evidence?" His son was murdered, right? Didn't that mean there had to be an investigation? Even if it happened in prison?

"Uh... no, actually." The attendant replied, looking over his notes. "We've already performed the autopsy, determined the cause of death and taken any samples we might need. So, you are good to go."

Good to go? A part of Johnny was annoyed by the attendant's casual indifference to it all. But then, that guy probably dealt with dead bodies every day. How was he supposed to know that this was the day Johnny's world ended?

Don't act like you care now, he could hear Robby scoff. This is what you wanted all along, isn't it? Your screwup son out of the way so you can be with your real family?

No, it's not. You know it's not.

Don't lie to me, dad. Not now. You knew I was in trouble. I begged you to help me. I told you I wouldn't make it. And you did NOTHING.

I didn't know it was this serious. You never told me – you said –

YOU SAW THE BRUISE. You knew I was playing it down. You knew I wasn't telling you everything. You knew and you didn't care enough to ask.

Johnny abruptly finished signing the papers and handed them over to the attendant. I should go, he thought. But he didn't want to leave yet. As much as he wanted to get the hell out of there, he didn't want to leave Robby in the cold.

Why not, dad? You left me a million times before. You left me to die in here. What difference does it make now?

"What happened to him?" Johnny asked, grasping at the first excuse he could think of.

The attendant looked through his notes again. "Well, he has multiple contusions, consistent with blunt force trauma, but they don't appear to be serious. He has cuts on his arms, which are defensive injuries. The most likely cause of death are the four stab wounds, one of which cut through an artery and another punctured his lung. That's the most likely cause of death."

Don't be fooled by all the jargon, dad. You know what he is talking about, don't you? They beat the crap out of me, stabbed me and left me to bleed to death. Except, maybe, I just died choking on my own blood instead. Which do you think is better?

Johnny felt sick. He wanted to throw up right then and there. He wanted to cry and yell and scream. He wanted to punch the stupid attendant until his head caved in. He wanted to fall apart and never be put back together again. No. I owe Robby better than that. I don't get to shut down right now. I need to feel the pain of every moment, like he did. So instead, he reached out to touch him.

Don't. You don't get to touch me. You don't deserve that.

For once, Johnny ignored the voice. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. And ran his fingers over the bruise. It doesn't feel like anything. It's too cold, too clinical. It doesn't feel like Robby at all.

"He wasn't supposed to get into fights." Johnny said out loud to no one in particular. "He was supposed to keep his head down. Just get through it."

Sure, dad. I'm the one at fault. Like always.

No – that's not what I –

"Yeah, I guess." The attendant replied, still looking through the notes. "He might just have survived had he just shut up and taken it. Not made any fuss. Shit like that happens, right?"

Taken it? Taken what? Taken a beating? Abuse? Something in his tone struck Johnny as strange.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Johnny asked.

"Y'know…" The guys shrugged.

"No, I don't. What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh…" For once, the guy looked sympathetic. "It's just how things work, okay. A good-looking kid like him, is a place full of violent criminals. Most of the guys here are no better than animals. Honestly, the kid should've never been here in the first place. I don't care how bad he messed up – juvie was the right place for him."

Was he saying -? No! No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No. This was a lie. It had to be. Robby would've never let it happen. He was a fighter. He'd have fought back and he'd have –

I did fight back, dad. That's why I ended up here. But I should've just kept my head down, right? I should've bent over. Spread my legs. Let everyone take a turn. That's what you wanted from me right?

No – not this. Please, God, not like this.

Seems pretty fitting. You screwed me over for Miguel, for your dojo, in the court. Death by getting screwed over – that's the perfect end.

No – I never… That was never… This wasn't the whole story. There was more.

"Who did this to him?" Johnny asked.

"I'm just the attendant here. That's way above my paygrade."

"Who did this?" Johnny repeated, coldly.

"Honest to God – I don't know."

"THEN WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" Johnny yelled. The attendant jumped back in alarm, retreating towards the wall. Guess he was too used to dealing with angry family members because he already had his hand on the alarm bell before Johnny raised his hands and backed off.

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you." Johnny said, more calmly. "Just tell me what you know."

The attendant sighed, looking over his papers once again. "I can tell you that this wasn't the first time. According to the records, there was another incident about a month back. Robby was admitted to the infirmary, but he didn't name any names. Which was probably a smart thing to do, in here."

"And you guys just shrugged it off? You didn't think to protect him?"

"Well, the Warden tried. But without any names, there was only one thing he could do – solitary confinement. And some people say that that's even worse."

A month ago, a voice whispered in his ear. That was before the last time I saw him. Why wouldn't he tell me? Why would he hide it from me? If I'd known, I'd have, I'd have…

You'd have done what, dad? Told me to take it like a man?

No – I'd have done something. I'd have gone to the lawyer and kicked his ass if he didn't take your case seriously. I'd have gone to Miguel and Carmen and begged them on my knees to help you. I'd have…

If you cared about me, you'd have done that anyway.

"I guess he found some protection in the following weeks." The attendant continued, "Or maybe people just lost interest for a while. There were no incidents until last night. I guess they must have thought that he asked the Warden for protection. Or maybe they were afraid that he'd rat them out this time. Either way, I think they didn't want to take any chances. So that's why…" he waved his hand at Robby's body. "That's all I can tell you. You'll have to wait for the official investigation for the rest."

This wasn't right. None of this was right. Robby deserved better than this. A better father, a better mother, better friends. A better life. A better end than the cruel and violent one he got. Get up, Johnny wanted to scream. Get up and say it's not over. Get up and tell me I'm a pathetic loser. That I'm a sorry excuse for a father. Yell at me, scream at me, hit me, kill me if you have to – but just get up. If nothing else, tell me who did this to you. Tell me so I can make them pay. I promise I'll make them suffer a hundred times worse than what you have. Just give me a chance to make something right – anything. Just one more chance. Just get up and say something.

The Robby on the table said nothing, but the one in his mind had the answer ready.

You know who is responsible for this. You locked me in with a pack of wild animals and you are surprised they tore me apart? You want payback? You want someone to blame? Start with yourself.

A/N – Okay – so this chapter ended up being a lot longer than expected. I hope future ones would be shorter, but no less painful to read.