It was all just a D R E A M (Tinner)

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo followed Rose's slightly alarmed gaze and saw clouds rolling in. What the-?
He turned back to her, to find a hurried expression on her face.
"Ven conmigo." Rose whispered, diving under the water.
He followed her, feeling surprised when holding his breath proved unnecessary. After swimming for a while, Rose beckoned him into a cave. They swam in and when they came to the surface, Guillermo stared in awe.
"Perfecto."
Rose dreamed beautifully. The air pocket in the cave was glittering with bluish-green crystals, and apart from the ripples caused by their splashing, the surface of the water was like a smooth, dark blue sheet of glass.
He looked up at Rose, who had gotten onto the rock and his eyebrow lifted as she removed her dress.
She dreamed really beautiful. He wanted to dream such beautiful things.
"Atención a unirse a mí?"
He shed his clothes and climbed onto the rock as well, dripping sparkling water from his hair.
Guillermo embraced her, kissing her neck.
"God, you're so beautiful, Rose."

[ROSE MERCER]

His skin... she could feel his skin on hers. Rose was starting not to feel... quite like herself. She had this distinct feeling that she was forgetting something, something very important. "God, you're so beautiful, Rose." Her blue eyes looked at him, wide and innocent, like a child asking if Santa Clause was real. Was she, really? Was she beautiful? It was a kind thing for him- who was he? Looking at him, she could tell he was very important to her. Yes, very important. Why couldn't she-

Storm clouds.

Outside the cave, she could hear thunder in the distance. Rose was falling into a deeper sleep, losing the consciousness she once had. Soon she wouldn't be able to tell, what was a dream, and what wasn't anymore. Soon she'd be thrusted out of her happy place, and would be tossed carelessly into memories and nightmares. All that Rose repressed in her time awake, flourished like weeds when she was sleeping.

Staring at him, Rose could see love on his face. It was a comfort, in her confused mind. This person loved her. She closed her eyes, and traced her fingers along his face carefully, trying to imprint this forever. A strong, lean face. Sad full lips. A nose that felt like it had taken some abuse. Soft hair, that felt like... feathers. But it was wet. Satisfied with the tactile examination of his face, Rose pulled him close, resting her face in the crook of his neck. She inhaled, taking in his smell. It was familiar, which made her smile. Yes, familiar was good! Familiar was safe. Next, very lightly, she liked his neck, savoring his taste. "I think... I need you." She spoke, carefully, as if testing the words on herself for the first time. It was a strange thing to say, despite his familiarity. "Yes... I'm... certain?" It hadn't meant to come out as a question, and her face screwed up in confusion for a moment. "I-I can't remember."

Rose needed to sit down. She sat on the rock, her eyes feeling heavy. Everything felt heavy to her, in fact. Like if she were to jump back in the water, Rose was certain she would sink all the way to the bottom. But there were more pressing matters... who was this person. This person she could feel herself care about... more than herself even. Outside the cave, she heard the thunder again, closer than before. It reminded her she had to work quickly... She pulled him down next to her, wrapping his arms around her gently, certain his presence would aid her memory.

What could she remember?

Flashes of passion came to Rose's mind first. Kissing, touching, moaning. Wrapped in each other until it was impossible to distinguish one from the other. She liked that.

Fighting. Arguing, yelling, crying. Pain. No, those weren't good. Storming away from each other, too frustrated to speak. This hurt Rose.

But then... one would always concede. One would always return, and embracing would happen. Love. That's the feeling. Love. Madness, love.

Oh! Oh! She remembered! Rose remembered who he was! Turning to him, her smile was thrilled, taking his face into her hands. "I remember!" Breathlessly, Rose kissed him, pushing him to the rock beneath them. Her hands buried in his wet hair, as her lips trailed to everywhere she could reach from where she was. His face, the top of his torso, his shoulders, his lips, his neck. Nuzzling him, she sighed, happy that her confusion was over. "I love you, El Ladrón en Frío." How could she ever foget him? It was ridiculous.

Kissing his neck, she hummed softly, feeling her voice vibrate off his neck. As long as she concentrated on him, she could ignore the nearing storm outside.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose's fingers caressed his face gently. He watched her facial expression turn confused and it lingered much longer than he liked."I think... I need you. Yes... I'm... certain? I-I can't remember."He gave a worried frown as she looked dizzy and sat down upon the rock.
She tugged him down to sit beside her and he held her, kissing her forehead lightly. What was going on? She couldn't remember him?
Suddenly she turned back to him, smiling as if she had had an epiphany, taking his face into her hands.
"I remember!" Breathlessly, Rose kissed him, pushing him to the rock beneath them. Guillermo's relief was short-lived.
"I love you, El Ladrón en Frío."
His heart sank a little. The hero from her fairytale. Although he had seen the story as a metaphor to himself and Rose, he didn't want her to think of him as such a man.
However, there wasn't much he could say.
"I love you, Rose."

[ROSE MERCER]

He looked sad. Had she hurt him? That felt painfully familiar to her, for some reason. She had hurt him before, her El Ladrón en Frío. The thunder outside was echoing loudly, almost shaking the cave. She looked up at the top of the glittering cave, unafraid. It was more acceptance on her face. This had to happen, just like every night. Sad, but true. "If you stay..." She started, softly, eyes not leaving the roof of the cave. "-don't be sad by what you see. Okay?" Her eyes slowly trailed back down to his, and she stroked his cheek gently. "It'll be okay." Leaning forward, Rose kissed him on the mouth, almost as if saying good bye. But it wasn't good bye, she was sure.

She stood, putting the curiously dry, white dress back on, her expression grave. As a darkness started to spread from the water and up the cave walls, like a inky ivy, she gave him a brave face. "Remember: it'll be okay." The darkness swelled onto there little island, swallowing both of them in its cold embrace.

And then the darkness faded like dispersing fog. But there little cave was no more, instead a homely little apartment. Inside the apartments living room was Maria Mercer, hard at work at her sewing machine, looking up and smiling at the ruckus in the other room. White dressed Rose was no where to be seen, leaving an invisible Guillermo alone in this memory. Instead of white dressed Rose, out came seven year old Rose from her bedroom, cheeks flushed with color, copper pigtails askew. Her jeans were a little too small, and her shirt a little too big, though this seemed to do little to encumber her. With the yellow squirt gun in her hand, she pointed it at a young Seth Foxworth, spraying him with a red liquid. "BANG! You're dead!"

Seth, who was missing one of his front teeth, protested. "Am not!"

"Are too! Lookit you're shirt, stupid!" Even at age seven, Rose held an imperious tone, rolling her bright blue eyes.

Seth did look at his shirt, which had a generous amount of fruit punch on it. "Fine." He groaned, showing no indication of being called stupid at all. He fell hard on the floor, sticking his tongue out dramatically.

Thrilled by his compliance, Rose crept up to him sneakily. "And so the evil-"

"I'm not evil! You are!"

"Foxy! You're suppose to be dead. Shut up." Rose sighed heavily, earning a grimace from Seth, who laid his head back down on the floor. Rose continued. "And so the evil alien Kirpitonian Seth laid dead! And he was totally evil, because Cowgirls are the good guys and aliens are obviously bad, thank you very much." Seth mocked her silently, squinting his eyes so as to still appear dead. Rose seemed to ignore this. "Or was he? Little did Little Lasso Grace knowit, but Kirpitonian Seth was actually playing possum."

Seth sat up, once again playing character. "What's playing possum mean?"

"It means pretendin to be dead, which you are sucking at-" She caught the warning gaze of her mother, instantly correcting herself. "Stinking at. Sorry Mama." Seth nodded, understanding, and laying back down again. "So, Little Lasso approached the beastly slimeball- Little Rose approached, looking excited. "Only for him TO ATTACK!" She braced herself, only for Seth to hold completely still. Confused, she tried again. "TO ATTACK!" Still no reaction. Frowning, she tapped him with her foot, sounding irritated. "Seth, Attack me..." She stared at him for almost a full minute, before concern washed over her face. Rose rushed to his side, poking him hurriedly. "Seth! Foxy! Do something! Quit it!"

Seth did do something indeed, letting out a roar and pouncing on little Rose's scrawny frame, earning a small shriek. "HAHAHAHAHA! Got you Chicken!" Seth fell over in his laughter, not even minding as Rose whacked him repeatedly.

"That wasn't funny, Butthead!"

"Was so!"

"Was not!"

"Was so!"

"Was not!"

"Was so!"

"Was not!"

"Was so!"

"Was not!"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Heavy thunder rumbled, causing him to glance at the roof of the cave in surprise and concern. Guillermo's eyes traveled to Rose, who stared up, her eyes far away, voice soft.
"If you stay... don't be sad by what you see. Okay?"
She looked back at him and she stroked his cheek gently.
"It'll be okay."
She kissed him softly and he had the irrational urge to hold her to him and not let go. But it was only her dream. So it wasn't saying goodbye. Even so, he had trouble removing his hands from her face. His eyes lingered over her blue eyes until she stood.
The cave began to darken and Guillermo's heart began to race, panicking slightly as Rose's face was swallowed by the blackness.
Her voice echoed behind her.
"Remember: it'll be okay."
He blinked and the dark began to fade and the location had changed. A now dressed Guillermo stood in a little living room, with a younger, happier Maria. She did not look up at his presence, nor did she give any indication of him being there. He heard a tiny giggle and he spun around, watching a pigtailed head bob into the room, cornering a miniature Seth and squirting him with some sort of red substance. "BANG! You're dead!" squeaked the little Rose.
Seth sounded indignant. "Am not!"
"Are too! Lookit you're shirt, stupid!"
Guillermo smiled in spite of the odd situation he found himself in.
"Fine." He groaned, falling hard on the floor, sticking his tongue out dramatically.
"And so the evil-"
"I'm not evil! You are!"
"Foxy! You're suppose to be dead. Shut up. And so the evil alien Kirpitonian Seth laid dead! And he was totally evil, because Cowgirls are the good guys and aliens are obviously bad, thank you very much."
Seth mocked her silently, squinting his eyes so as to still appear dead. Rose seemed to ignore this.
"Or was he? Little did Little Lasso Grace knowit, but Kirpitonian Seth was actually playing possum."
Seth sat up, once again playing character. "What's playing possum mean?"
"It means pretendin to be dead, which you are sucking at-Stinking at. Sorry Mama. So, Little Lasso approached the beastly slimeball-"
Little Rose approached, looking excited.
"Only for him TO ATTACK!" She braced herself, only for Seth to hold completely still.
"TO ATTACK! Seth, Attack me...Seth! Foxy! Do something! Quit it!"
With a mighty pounce, Seth tackled young Rose on the floor, earning a surprised shriek.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Got you Chicken!" Seth fell over in his laughter, not even minding as Rose whacked him repeatedly.
"That wasn't funny, Butthead!"
"Was so!"
"Was not!"
As they bickered playfully, Guillermo found himself feeling quite uneasy and wondered where Rose's father was and what part he played in Rose's nightmare.

[ROSE MERCER]

The two eventually stopped bickering, returning to their game. It was a whimsical time, as they dived from couch cushion to couch cushion, acting out various scenes planned out for Kirpitonian Seth and Little Lasso Grace. Maria watched them, her hair still solid black, her face less lined than when Guillermo last saw her. Though she'd flinch every once in a while, when they start to rough house a bit too much, she mostly watched, her expression yielding and loving. She didn't have the heart to scold them.
As Rose lept off the couch squealing, the door opened up slowly, causing her to whirl around. As he set down his jacket and lunch pail, he gave a grim but inquiring look. "What's the noise about?" As always, he spoke with a gruffness, and Rose offered an apologetic face.

"We were playin, Daddy." Rose explained, as Maria stood in attempts to diffuse.

James lifted his hand to her, blue eyes on his daughter. "Plain what?"

Seth stood up, standing bravely next to Rose. "Cowgirl and Alien." Rose looked up, biting her lip, unsure if they were in trouble or not.

James snorted, cracking his head. "You s'pose to be the Alien boy? No. Nonono. That's not how you play a proper alien." Seth looked almost offended, though Rose was more confused. "This is how you be an alien-" With a swift scoop, Rose was lifted into the air, and tossed easily on the couch, as Jimmy let out a raspish roar. Maria gasped out, hand to her heart, but Rose let out a peel of shocked laughter. "See? You gotta put your back into it!" With that, Jimmy hovered over his daughter, who attempted to wriggle away. He laid a siege of tickles on her, leaving her writing in laughter, gasping for breath.

"Can't- *gasp* Breathe! HAHAHAHA! Fox-heh! HELP!" Rkose shrieked, one of her pigtails falling out. Seth, whose pale blue eyes were round in shock, shook this off, climbing on Jimmy's back. This was to no avail, as he was instantly flipped on to the couch next to Rose, and subsequently tickled himself. After a moment, Jimmy slunked to the floor, face read from laughing himself, though Rose wrapped around his shoulders, prodding to provoke him again.

"Oh, just a moment Babydoll. Go on and get Daddy a beer, alright." Jimmy panted, as Rose scampered off to the kitchen. Grinning, Jimmy looked at Seth. "And that, m'boy, is how you be a God Damn alien."

Still startled, Maria finally spoke. "Jimmy, what's going on?" James looked up at her, rising to his feet, pulling her into a deep kiss. Seth stared in disgust, as Rose returned with a cold beer, face looking dreamy. It was a dreaminess, in fact, that she would lose in her later years. As he pulled away, Maria still looked utterly confused.

"I quit my job."

Maria blinked, as if she didn't hear him. "What?"

"I quit my job." Jimmy repeated, taking the beer from Rose, scooping her up with his free arm. "John Shaffer and I are going to go to the bank, get that loan, and open up that tool shop just like we've been talking about, Baby. No more scrubbing toilets, no more mopping up puke. Time to start making money, get a damn good house, put my Babydoll in a nice school-" He kissed Rose's cheek fondly, brimming with pride.

Seth looked horrorstruck. "You're moving away?"

"Ohhey now Bud, don't be like that. Hell, we'll be making so much damn money, we might just get you your own room."
Rose and Seth exchanged excited stares, as Maria looked terrified.

"James, we can't-"

"Hey! None of that! I don't want you to worry about none of that." James ordered, kissing his wife again, before taking a deep drink of his beer. "Now, it'll be tight at first, but I can do this. We can finally get out of this hole. And I want the whole families support on this." Rose saluted excitedly, earning a cheerful cry from her Father. "That's my girl!" He set Rose down in his lazy boy, kneeling down to speak to her face to face, setting his beer aside after another drink. "Now, Babydolly? I know I get stressed sometimes, and I can get short with you-" By short, he meant the whoppings she'd receive when she got out of line (or, at least, out of line in his opinion.). "-But now, I swear to God, that's all done Baby. We're gonna be perfect, from now on!"

"You promise?" Rose asked, eyes wide.

"I swear it." He chuckled at Rose threw her arms around him, and Maria couldn't help the eased smile on her face. "I love you Babydoll."

"Love you too, Daddy."

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo observed the rough-housing, a soft smile on his face, easily relating certain qualities back to the Seth and Rose he knew. Maria seemed to have a similar facial expression, watching the kids scurry around. The door opened and shut. Guillermo braced himself, knowing that this was what he'd been waiting for. A younger version of James Mercer stalked into the living room and the playing children immediately sobered. Just went to show how feared he was in his household.
"What's the noise about?"
"We were playin, Daddy."
The way Rose said "Daddy" broke his heart. James Mercer wasn't a Daddy. And it was because of this man that Rose would come to be the way that she was.
"Playin what?"
Seth stood up, standing bravely next to Rose and Guillermo swelled with pride. Seth was a real friend to her. He took care of her.
"Cowgirl and Alien."
"You s'pose to be the Alien boy? No. Nonono. That's not how you play a proper alien. This is how you be an alien- See? You gotta put your back into it!" Guillermo stared in shocked bewilderment as Jimmy Mercer played with his giggling daughter. Seth attempted to cease the tickling that Rose's father was giving her, and before long they were slumped on the floor, gasping for breath.
"Oh, just a moment Babydoll. Go on and get Daddy a beer, alright." Jimmy panted, as Rose scampered off to the kitchen. Grinning, Jimmy looked at Seth. "Andthat, m'boy, is how you be a God Damn alien."
"Jimmy, what's going on?"
James looked up at her, rising to his feet, pulling her into a deep kiss. Seth stared in disgust, as Rose returned with a cold beer, face looking dreamy. Guillermo instantly loved her all over again, gazing into the beautiful romantic face of Rose Mercer.
"I quit my job."
Guillermo failed to see why that was cause for such a dramatic personality change.
"What?"
"I quit my job. John Shaffer and I are going to go to the bank, get that loan, and open up that tool shop just like we've been talking about, Baby. No more scrubbing toilets, no more mopping up puke. Time to start making money, get a damn good house, put my Babydoll in a nice school-" He kissed Rose's cheek fondly, brimming with pride. Guillermo felt his insides churning.
Seth looked horrorstruck. "You're moving away?"
"Ohhey now Bud, don't be like that. Hell, we'll be making so much damn money, we might just get you your own room."
Rose and Seth exchanged excited stares, as Maria looked terrified.
"James, we can't-"
"Hey! None of that! I don't want you to worry about none of that." James ordered, kissing his wife again, before taking a deep drink of his beer. "Now, it'll be tight at first, but I can do this. We can finally get out of this hole. And I want the whole families support on this." Little Rose saluted him excitedly, earning a cheerful cry from her Father.
"That's my girl!"
Guillermo growled, clenching his fists. She was not Jimmy's girl.
He set Rose down in his lazy boy, kneeling down to speak to her face to face, setting his beer aside after another drink.
"Now, Babydolly? I know I get stressed sometimes, and I can get short with you. But now, I swear to God, that's all done Baby. We're gonna be perfect, from now on!"
"You promise?" Rose asked, eyes wide.
Guillermo's heart broke for young Rose as her face positively shone with hope and admiration for her father. Burning, he glared fiercely at Jimmy.
"I swear it. I love you Babydoll."
Guillermo squeezed his eyes shut, an infuriated tear dripping onto his cheek.
"Love you too, Daddy."
He's lying to you, Rose. He may think everything will turn around, but it won't. It will only get worse.
"-don't be sad by what you see."
Guillermo wiped his face.
There was more to come.

[ROSE MERCER]

The scene came and went, fading into darkness. And what reappeared was very much the same house as before, with subtle changes. The pictures of Rose that lined the walls had changed, showing a maturing preteen. James Mercer had aged considerably in the the time between the last memory and then, his hair beginning to thin, his stomach starting to protrude. He kicked back a gratuitous amount of amber liquor, showing no indication of a burn. He looked bitter at the world, standing there alone, as midnight rolled around. As he took down another shot, a thump could be heard in the back of the apartment, James Mercer's head snapping towards it, like a hound that heard a rabbit. On his feet, he burst into Rose's bedroom, seeing her on the floor by her window, rubbing her arm. Seeing her Father in the doorway, she knew that a bumped elbow was the least of his worries, as he put together the open window and her on the floor. "Slut." He hissed, grabbing her by her arms, yanking her to her feet.

"Daddy, I-" Before she could speak more than three words, he was inspecting her neck. "I was just with Seth. We were on the roof and-"

"I fucking knew it!" Jimmy roared, shaking his daughter, who still attempted to refute his line of thinking. "Well, no, not me. No daughter of mine is going to be the block slut, no siree."

"It's not like that!"

"Girl, you keep lying to me, I'mma dot that eye real quick!" James spat, as Maria came sleepily to the door.

"What's going on?"

James ignored her, keeping his snarl on Rose, who glared back defiantly. "It isn't what you're turning it into. We were just talking!"

"Do I look stupid to you?"

Never one to know when to pie down, she muttered under her breath. "You said it, not me."

James already had his fist cocked back, when Maria cried out, intervening. "They'll take her, Jimmy! If you keep sending her to school bumped up, they'll take her!" His fist shook in the air, as Rose stared at him, not dropping her gaze even for a second. Deciding not to waste a perfectly cocked fist, he blasted a hole in his daughters bedroom wall, cutting up his hand in the process.

Examining it, he spoke in a cold, calm, voice. "Babydoll, go into the kitchen and get the grits ready." Rose stood very still, ignoring this order, jaw quivering slightly. When she did not jump at his command, James quickly lost patience, grabbing her by her arm, and yanking her forcefully to the kitchen, Maria at their coattails. "Get the grits!" Rose's lip went from a quiver to a tremble, shaking her head no. "No? No? I don't know why you got it twisted, girl, but this ain't a damn request." Opening a cupboard, James grabbed the grits himself, pouring them on to the floor.

Rose looked desperately to her Mother. "Mama, please..."

James barked out a laugh, as Maria's eyes fell shamed to the floor, raising no hand to help her daughter. "Go on Rose. The sooner you get it done with, the sooner it's over."

With betrayal heavy in her eyes, she knelt down on the grits, which grinded into her bare knees, doing everything in her power to resist crying. James pulled up a chair, facing his daughter, who stared back with defiance. Sipping on his booze, he waved Maria away, never ending the staring contest with his daughter.

Though time moved faster in the dream, hours went on, and by three Rose's eyes were working hard to stay open. Her body shook, as James poured himself more whiskey. "This is for your own good, Girl. You just don't learn. I gotta force it. I won't have you fourteen and pregnant."

"I didn't do anything..." She whispered, trying to suck in a loose tear, which trickled down her face. James wiped it away, face contorted in disgust, smacking her lightly. It nearly toppled her, she was so exhausted.

And that lying... apologize, and you can go to bed."

"I have nothing to apologize for."

"Have it your way, Babydoll." James said, standing up. "I'm going to bed. And I'll be up in two hours, countem, two. And if you're not on that spot still when I wake up, I'll make sure no boy wants to look at that face again. You hear?"

"Yes sir." Rose shook, a mixture of indignation, rage, and exhaustion. Jimmy knealt down and kissed her on her forehead, lowering slightly more and tapping his cheek. Raged, she pecked him quickly, looking away as if ashamed of herself. When he ventured to his room, Rose counted to twenty after hearing his door shut, before falling on her butt and letting a few tears trickle down, picking grits out of her bloodied knees.

It was at that moment, Rose Mercer knew that she couldn't depend on anyone but herself. Not even her own mother.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo's eyes opened on the same apartment, apparently years later. He saw a slightly older James Mercer, sitting alone in the kitchen. He downed shots and Guillermo felt a momentary stab of pity. Life had disappointed Jimmy. He could relate. Guillermo felt ashamed of the pity and there was suddenly a thump in the back of the apartment. Both he and Jimmy looked up. He followed Jimmy to Rose's bedroom, and the door slammed open, startling a preteen Rose on the floor by her window, rubbing her arm. "Slut." Her father's voice hissed, grabbing her by her arms, yanking her to her feet. Guillermo felt the familiar protective burning anger rise up."Daddy, I-I was just with Seth. We were on the roof and-"
"I fucking knew it! Well, no, not me. No daughter of mine is going to be the block slut, no siree." Shouting, Jimmy shook her roughly and Guillermo had to remind himself that there was nothing he could do, trying to stop his fists from shaking.
"It's not like that!"
"Girl, you keep lying to me, I'mma dot that eye real quick!"
Maria walked in, looking tired. Guillermo felt a slight relief in her presence.
"What's going on?"
James Mercer ignored his wife.
"It isn't what you're turning it into. We were just talking!" Rose tried to protest loudly, to no avail.
"Do I look stupid to you?"
Guillermo mentally begged her not to say it but Rose looked into her father's eyes, murmuring.
"You said it, not me."
James pulled back his fist, ready to hit his daughter and Guillermo stiffened, his stomach rolling.
Maria's voice filled his ears, as she weakly defended her daughter. "They'll take her, Jimmy! If you keep sending her to school bumped up, they'll take her!"
Rose stared bravely, defiantly at her father and Guillermo saw in her eyes how she had already come to despise him. He couldn't keep himself from lamenting the tragedy of it.
Surprising him, Jimmy punched a hole in the drywall of his daughter's bedroom. His knuckles scraped up, her gave her a cold order.
"Babydoll, go into the kitchen and get the grits ready."
He hated how James used affectionate names for Rose, despite being so horrible to her.
Rose ignored her father's demand and he tired of her determined bravery and pulled her into the kitchen.
"Get the grits! No? No? I don't know why you got it twisted, girl, but this ain't a damn request." Rose shook her head, eyes frightened and tearing up. Opening a cupboard, James grabbed the grits himself, pouring them on to the floor.
Maria looked on in despair and Rose shot her mother a pleading gaze.
"Mama, please..."
James barked out a laugh, as Maria's eyes fell shamed to the floor, raising no hand to help her daughter. Although Guillermo loved Rose's mother very much, he looked away from her with disgust.
"Go on Rose. The sooner you get it done with, the sooner it's over."
Rose gave her mother a hurt glare and knelt on the floor upon the sharp grounds. James pulled up a chair, facing his daughter, waving his wife away and watched his daughter
Guillermo's eyes flicked from Rose's face, to Jimmy's face to the kitchen clock and back again. Three hours sped by and Guillermo's hate festered sickeningly.
"This is for your own good, Girl. You just don't learn. I gotta force it. I won't have you fourteen and pregnant."
"I didn't do anything..."
Rose's voice was quiet and broken, a tear sliding down her cheek. In a mere second of tenderness, her father wiped it away, ruining the gesture by smacking her face lightly. It nearly toppled her, she was so exhausted. Guillermo snarled.
"And that lying... apologize, and you can go to bed."
"I have nothing to apologize for."
Jimmy stood.
"Have it your way, Babydoll. I'm going to bed. And I'll be up in two hours, countem, two. And if you're not on that spot still when I wake up, I'll make sure no boy wants to look at that face again. You hear?"
"Yes sir."
Jimmy knealt down and kissed her on her forehead, lowering slightly more and tapping his cheek. Rose kissed his cheek, looking disgusted with herself and Guillermo reached forward, ready to wring his neck. His fingers passed through Jimmy as though the man was made of smoke. In horror, Guillermo knelt beside the young Rose, unable to help the few tears trickling down his own cheek. James disappeared into his room and Rose fell on her butt after a few long moments, apparently familiar with this. She picked some of the grits off her knees, blood staining them and the skin on her knees orange. Guillermo's hand went to her cheek and though he couldn't feel her, and knew she couldn't feel him, he stroked her skin gently.
"I'm sorry that this happened to you," he breathed and his voice echoed lightly, "I wish I could have been here to help you. No one deserves this. You don't know it yet, but I love you, Rose. I'll always protect you. I will never let you feel unloved."
His shoulders shook, trying to hold in sobs at the horror her memories had unveiled. James Mercer was lucky he was a dead man.

[ROSE MERCER]

Preteen, crying Rose faded away, as did the house around her. It was replaced by a hallway, with slate gray lockers, and an older Rose stood at hers. She had matured greatly between the ages of twelve to fifteen, though this was perhaps exaggerated by the fact that she was wearing a Catholic Schoolgirl uniform. It was hardly kept to form: The skirt was tolled up shorter than code allowed, the blouse was open, revealing a tight fitting Beastie Boys shirt beneath. Black plastic bracelets, long black stockings, black combat boots that lacked the fineness Rose's present shoes held. Still, she carried herself with the same guarded Rose grace that she would have in later years. Confident, quiet. The only 'hair out of place' one could find with Rose, was the faint black eye, which was covered with foundation.

Near her were two boys, who hovered around her, waiting for her to get her books. One looked like trouble, mostly because he was trouble. From his doo rag, to his sloppy home done tattoos, to his beaten on face. Karl 'No-Good' Goode. Near him was a greasy looking fellow, with sallow skin, who looked as if he might melt into himself with how he was hunched over. Richard 'Stinky' Romney. Rose's bestfriends in highschool, as Seth was off in Juvenile Detention. "Rose? Why won't you go out with me?" No-Good demanded, though the conversation had a certain feeling of having been discussed before. "And don't gimme that 'I don't date' bologna. For real girl, lemme take you out. I'll show you a nice time."

Rose snorted, dismissing his come hither stare easily. "As fun as it would be to eat pop tarts in the park, No-Good, I have to say no. I like you too much."

"Aww, don't shoot me the fuck down." He whined, though he did so while grinning.

Rose made her hand into a gun, pretending to pull the trigger, and shrugged as if to say it was out of her hands. Before more could be said on the subject, a screech could be heard down the hall. "ROSE MERCER!"

"That's my cue to get the hell out of here." Rose said, grabbing her bags. Not that she was worried, not by anyone at the school. But it did sound like it was going to be a bother. Before she could get away, a very frazzled red head approached, her uniform pristine.

"Who do you think you are!"

"Ohh! Trivia, I love trivia." Rose said, feigning excitement. "Umm, Rose Merer... Sophomore... Person?" No-Good chuckled at Rose's sarcasm, while Stinky watched with only mild interest.

"Try skank!" Shouted the red head, tearfully.

Rose looked bummed. "Shit... I don't get the prize then. Oh well, next time." Rose gave an 'aw, shoot!' gesture, turning on heel to depart the situation.

"You slept with Matt!" Cried the redhead, who was gradually losing control of her tears. Passing students stopped to watch the scene go down, a few grinning in anticipation of a catfight.

"Matt... Matt... hrm. Matt." Rose tried to remember, further incensing the girl in front of her. Realization came over Rose. "Oh! Crayola marker dick! Right! Okay... ohh. That's you're boyfriend?" She appeared sympathetic at this. "Bad luck. My condolences-"

"Stay away from him! You can't have him, you psychobitch!"

"Alrighty." Rose complied easily. "Though, you gotta see the irony in the shrieking girl calling me a psychobitch-"

"You don't like him?" Demanded the girl, who was at least calming down.

"God no."

"Why would you sleep with him then?"

"The party was boring?" Rose offered, not really having an explanation.

"You're evil!"

"Oh no! Someone in highschool called me a name. Whatever will I do?" Rose snorted, bored with the conversation. Again, she tried to make her escape, only to be stopped by a teacher. Or, more specifically, the guidance counselor. "Shit."

"In my office, Rose." Mr. Kirkpatrick sighed, waving the crowd to carry on with there day as the bell rung. Rose waved goodbye to her friends, obeying the order to go to the office. Picking a butterscotch out of the candy bowl, her blue eyes looked at the counselor with immense stoicism. "Three complaints, and it's not even lunch time Rose." He sighed, pulling out her file, which had a certain thickness to it.

"Only three? I'm losing my touch."

"Why are you calling Mr. Davies, Jonathon?" He inquired, sounding exhausted and burnt out, obviously sick of his job.

She replied easily. "Cause that's his name, and I'm not a child."

"Well, quit it. It's inappropriate, and in the eyes of the school and the law, you are in fact a child. Also, I've been getting reports of you flirting with Mr. Wismein?" Rose shrugged, inspecting her nails. "I'd never accuse a fellow faculty member of inappropriate behavior with out proof-"

"Just a student."

"-But if that's the case, I do request you quit that too." Rose saluted cheekily, offering only her half attention. Mr. Kirkpatrick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Rose, do I have your full attention...?"

"Nope." Rose replied, looking honest. "I find this whole thing to be incredibly pointless. You know I'm going to continue to call my teachers by their full names, and you know I'll flirt with who I damn well please. It's not illegal to flirt. And if some old, paunchy, prick wants to give me extra credit because I bat my eyes at him, I don't see how that's one lick any of your or anyone elses business. This entire conversation, tragically, is a way for you to earn a pay check, because you accepted long ago that you're job is utterly pointless." Rose spoke with a flippant tone, her face passive against Mr. Kirkpatrick's mildly shocked face. "Did I adequately answer your condescending question?"

"Quite."

"May I go then?"

"In just a moment." Mr. Kirkpatrick said, picking up a piece of paper, which he began to read from. "'Very bright, unwilling to learn.' 'Far too aware of her own cleverness.' 'Dark, often frightening humor' 'Emotional Terrorism'" He looked up from the paper, watching her stare out the window with a bored expression. "I think you have the capabilities to continue your education, Rose. And I think you have the capabilities to do something you consider worthwhile. Perhaps you should think about that, and maybe attempt to practice a little empathy." He wrote her a note to get into class, smiling at her politely. "Try and make this our only visit today, please?"

She took the scrap of paper. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'm sure it'll really change my perspective on life. TO THE BRIGHT FUTURE!" She pointed onward, heading out the door to class.

As she walked past, the present Rose, older, a little taller, a little fuller, watched with almost a sadness in her eyes, before looking over at Guillermo. "I was kind of an asshole." She apologized, shrugging a little, watching herself fade down the hall. The scene melted away, leaving present Rose and Guillermo standing in a white, boundary-less, room.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo watched as the young Rose dissolved before him and the scene changed. A recognizably older Rose stood at her locker, flanked by two boys. The boy who was tattoo and oozed rebellion. The other looked like quite the slimy git. Guillermo grinned as he viewed Rose's uniform. He was absolutely certain that the outfit was not according to the dress code. She was obviously trying to relieve herself of any type of constraints that she could control.
No wonder these guys were hanging around so much.
As one of them lamented the fact that she rejected him constantly, Rose rolled her eyes and joked, quite similarly to the present one.
"ROSE MERCER!"
"That's my cue to get the hell out of here."
Rose turned to escape, but a girl marched up to her, dressed quite like Guillermo imagined the uniform was supposed to look like.
"Who do you think you are!"
"Ohh! Trivia, I love trivia. Umm, Rose Merer... Sophomore... Person?"
Rose's voice was sarcastic and a bit cold. She was becoming her future self.
"Try skank!" Shouted the red head, tearfully.
Rose looked bummed. "Shit... I don't get the prize then. Oh well, next time." Rose gave an 'aw, shoot!' gesture, turning on heel to depart the situation.
"You slept with Matt!" Cried the redhead, who was gradually losing control of her tears. Passing students stopped to watch the scene go down, a few grinning in anticipation of a catfight.
"Matt... Matt... hrm. Matt. Oh! Crayola marker dick! Right! Okay... ohh. That's you're boyfriend? Bad luck. My condolences-"
"Stay away from him! You can't have him, you psychobitch!"
"Alrighty. Though, you gotta see the irony in the shrieking girl calling me a psychobitch-"
"You don't like him?" Demanded the girl, who was at least calming down.
"God no."
"Why would you sleep with him then?"
Because she's broken and hurting and want's to have some form of control in her life.
"The party was boring?"
Nevermind.
"You're evil!"
"Oh no! Someone in highschool called me a name. Whatever will I do? Shit." She had turned on her heel, to come face to face with a faculty member.
"In my office, Rose." Mr. Kirkpatrick sighed, waving the crowd to carry on with there day as the bell rung.
Rose walked into his office and the two began a verbal battle. Eventually, Rose took to gazing out the window.
"Rose, do I have your full attention...?"
He sounded tired and irritated.
"Nope." Rose replied, looking honest. "I find this whole thing to be incredibly pointless. You know I'm going to continue to call my teachers by their full names, and you know I'll flirt with who I damn well please. It's not illegal to flirt. And if some old, paunchy, prick wants to give me extra credit because I bat my eyes at him, I don't see how that's one lick any of your or anyone elses business. This entire conversation, tragically, is a way for you to earn a pay check, because you accepted long ago that you're job is utterly pointless. Did I adequately answer your condescending question?"
Guillermo grinned at the surprised look on the counselor's face. Rose was a champion at verbal warfare.
"Quite."
"May I go then?"
"In just a moment. 'Very bright, unwilling to learn.' 'Far too aware of her own cleverness.' 'Dark, often frightening humor' 'Emotional Terrorism'" He looked up from the paper, watching her stare out the window with a bored expression. "I think you have the capabilities to continue your education, Rose. And I think you have the capabilities to do something you consider worthwhile. Perhaps you should think about that, and maybe attempt to practice a little empathy. Try and make this our only visit today, please?"
She took the scrap of paper. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'm sure it'll really change my perspective on life. TO THE BRIGHT FUTURE!" She pointed onward, heading out the door to class.
She walked past Guillermo and with a jolt he realized that the present Rose was standing with him. She glanced at her former self with almost a sadness in her eyes, before looking over at Guillermo.
"I was kind of an asshole." She sounded apologetic and he wanted to protest, but the memory faded away, leaving them standing in a white, boundary-less, room.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose stared at Guillermo, blue eyes wide. He had seen. It sickened her, that he had seen glimpses of the life she tried so hard to forget. It ashamed her. No one was suppose to see.

The room around them was blinding, but only momentarily. She began to fade away, easily whisked away by her own mind. At this point, in her deep sleep, she was helpless against it.

And as for Guillermo, Bruja had other plans for him. Had a bone to pick, one might say. The memories had not sufficiently scared him away. In fact, if his declaration was anything to go by, it had actually made him more steadfast. Bothersome, really, but she had planned for this. Rule number one of dealing with difficult situations such as taxes or body possession: Always expect things to go wrong. Always.

And so he was transported to the very same, chic, waiting room that Rose had encountered when she had first met Bruja. It had cream walls, with carpeted floors, save for the tiling around the fountain, which was unused. Except, it was no longer empty, oh no. Scurrying Munchkins, in ragged blue cloths, and chains clasped around their wrists and ankles went around the waiting room, as one would expect in a highly thought of office. But with more clinking.

Most ignored him, getting on with there work, carrying files around and discussing various plans. It was only the receptionist, a ginger munchkin of three feet 3' 1", who actually spoke to Guillermo. "You there. Yes you. Come over here." He waved for Guillermo to come over, checking some paperwork. In plain view, his name tag said the words: Wriglin. "Do you have an appointment?" Giving Guillermo an appraising look, Wriglin frowned. "Hrmmm.... bit tall to be a munchkinlander, aren't you? Where do you hail from, boy? Perhaps you are a Winkie?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose stood staring at him, her expression somewhat embarrassed. He reached for her but she dissolved before him. Dreams were so frustrating.
A strange, cold feeling swept over him. Rose wasn't in this place. He stared around as the room materialized into a office waiting room that he didn't recognize.
Very small people with chains hurried around the place, much like you would see people bustling in a normal office.
There was a little man at a desk who spoke to him directly.
"You there. Yes you. Come over here."
Guillermo frowned but approached as the man looked over his papers. His name tag said the words: Wriglin.
What the fuck kind of a name was that?
Now, Guillermo was a patient man. Or at least, he had learned to be. But this was getting to be ridiculous.
"Do you have an appointment? Hrmmm.... bit tall to be a munchkinlander, aren't you? Where do you hail from, boy? Perhaps you are a Winkie?"
"No. I don't have a fucking appointment. Where am I, hijo de puta? And I'm not a fucking munchkinlander, you fucker! I'm a goddamn person-"
It clicked. Munchkins. Oz. Wizard of Oz. Wicked Witch.
Was this what Rose saw? Was he to see the images that kept her so distant?
"You're shitting me."
He looked back at the little man, or Munchkin, he supposed.
"I'm not a Winkie. And if you call me one, I'll knock your teeth out. Now tell me where I am."
Guillermo had never been the nicest motivator.

[ROSE MERCER]

"No. I don't have a fucking appointment. Where am I, hijo de puta? And I'm not a fucking munchkinlander, you fucker! I'm a goddamn person-" Wriglin watched with mild annoyance at the idea that Munchkins were not 'people'. Honestly, how rude. Something seemed to dawn on the youth, after he cut off his own rant. "You're shitting me." Well, that was eloquent. "I'm not a Winkie. And if you call me one, I'll knock your teeth out. Now tell me where I am."

Now this, Wriglin could understand see, as he looked in on it. He was obviously temperamental, which suggested Gilikenese ancestory, but his skin and hair were far too dark, and he did not seem to have the noticeable long forehead and gaped teeth. This left Quadling, which Wriglin found to be much more fitting. Rude, uncouth, ruddy skin, piercing eyes. "Oh, don't fret, my Quadling friend, there is no need for threats." Waddling on his short legs to a cabinet, he filed some papers as he spoke to Guillermo. "Leave it to a Quadling, to not make an appointment. Honestly, I ask you..." Wriglin muttered, looking up at the boy. "You are in the headquarters of our most glorious and powerful Mistress, The Wicked Witch of the East." Nothing about his tone suggested that she was at all glorious in his eyes.

Finishing the short amount of filing, he closed the cabinet, a sudden pain striking through his spine like lightening. She was displeased with him. Ah, she must want to see the Quadling. Falling to his knees, he panted, pointing to the last door down the hall. "Forgive my rudeness. Right that way." His voice shook as he spoke, his finger quivering to match. "She is expecting you."

Down the hall, all the way at the last door, stood the Witch in her office. Her skin was green as a sweet pea, her thick mahogany hair pulled back into a severe bun. She wore a black business suit, with a gold chain link necklace covering her breasts like a blouse, though the jacket was buttoned to stop anything from being noticed. Her make up was done in severe shades of purple and black, accenting her skin nicely, and her pale brown eyes seemed to be quite striking in comparison to the rest of it. And on her feet, offering a source of shocking bright color, she wore glittering ruby slippers, which were in impeccable condition. Her back was turned away from the door, staring out her window, watching the progress of a most imaginative nightmare Rose was having at the moment, involving her Father turned into a Manticore like creature, chasing her around viciously.

Talk about a room with a view, The Witch thought, her thin lips curling ever so slightly.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Oh, don't fret, my Quadling friend, there is no need for threats." Guillermo nearly snarled at the Munchkin.
"Leave it to a Quadling, to not make an appointment. Honestly, I ask you...You are in the headquarters of our most glorious and powerful Mistress, The Wicked Witch of the East."
After a few moments, the Munchkin was floored.
On his knees, he panted, pointing to the last door down the hall.
"Forgive my rudeness. Right that way. She is expecting you."
Guillermo's stomach twisted with dread and with a twinge of regret at his attitude, he helped the munchkin to his feet carefully.
He then walked down the hall cautiously.
In the room the man had indicated, a woman stood with her back to him. She looked quite normal as he took in her posture. Her hands clasped together behind her back. He stiffened, a look of shock coming over him. Her skin was.. green. And not a sickly green, but a bright, startling green. So this was the Witch that scared Rose. She was real. Or, as real as Rose's mind believed. But, if Rose really believed in her, and was prone to submit herself to the will of this person, real or not, it was a danger.
He wanted to dive forward and crush her. Squeeze her neck between both hands until she could no longer torment Rose. Guillermo entered the office loudly, leaning against the opposite wall, brows drawing together in a dark scowl.
"I hear you requested my presence?"