Summer was back in the bars. Except, the energy was changed. There was more respect. It wasn't necessarily that she wasn't respected before. But since the news of her father's death had gone around and she had taken over, more and more people were approaching her and trying to kiss ass.

She could still see through their lies, though. She was almost worse than her father at starting new friendships. Because if she was going to start business, she wanted a long lasting affair.

Or else what would they be worth to her?

Summer walked through the entrance, her heels clicking and announcing her presence despite the boom of the music. Eyes were locked on her, and whispers could be heard.

"Summer..."

"The new head of the Prescott business..."

"She's so hot, do you think..."

She spared no one a glance as she sat at the bar, leaning over and ordering a stiff drink. Something to help take her mind off things because while she looked put together and calm, her mind was still reeling. Not to mention she was running on minimal sleep.

The bartender passed the drink to her, caught in her deft hand as she sipped from it gratefully. Then, she sensed a presence beside her, glancing from the corner of her eye. Someone sat beside her, when there was plenty of space away. Summer assumed it was someone trying to make a business attempt while she was trying to enjoy herself.

"The hell do you want with me? Can't you see I'm off work?"

Casey Fincher

☉

Remy didn't say no. But he also didn't say yes.

Summer didn't know if that comforted her or scared her further. She just heard him trying to convince her that he was going to get them out.

She stood, walking around the area to see if there was anything she could grab in a form of self defense if she was attacked or act as an offense weapon. She heard him rummage in the drawers, pull something out.

Where he grabbed shears, she grabbed a shovel. It looked like the rust was going to eat holes into the sides, almost as if it was becoming serrated like a knife. It would work in a bind... so long as it didn't fall apart in the process.

Summer looked back to Remy, coming to his side.

"Lead the way."

Remiel Calcifet

☉

Summer's eyes were torn away from the view by his voice, bringing her attention back to him.

And even in the dimness of the evening, lit occasionally by the lights outside, Barnaby still wore a handsome smile. She didn't know how he could do it, given the past and how she had treated him all those months ago.

Even with the intent of just using him and tossing away. Though that clearly didn't work out.

A small pang of guilt began to claw its way into her stomach, grasping at her throat as she tried to offer a smile back as he scooted closer. She leaned closer, pressing a small kiss against his cheek to the best of her ability, though it grazed the side of his mouth.

"I had fun. I'm glad you came along."

BARNABY FINCH

☉

Summer wasn't sure if Elisabeth was saying that to be polite or didn't have a clear answer to give. Perhaps she really didn't have many opportunities to reach out and expand her musical taste.

"Alright. Let's change that, then."

Summer would request various types a music throughout the night. Trashy music, the kind she would dance to with knox prescott when they wanted to get fucked up in the clubs... the music that Elite Four Melody Miro produced... the good old classics she knew that Elisabeth would know.

And that's how they spent the rest of the night. Dancing, drinking, and laughing. Uncaring.

Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

The daylight had finally settled, disappearing as the sun dipped away past the horizon. She requested that samuel carter meet her outside of the city, where they wouldn't be spotted or interrupted. Or, at least, their likelihood would be low.

And, if they were? Well, no one could hear screams from this distance.

Summer stood with her arms crossed, glowing blue in the light of her EMBOAR'S fiery glow. Surtur stood guard beside her as Frigg and Loki sat a few paces ahead. Sol was prepared, standing a few feet away so they could take off on the CHARIZARD'S back to make it to their destination.

She scrolled through her phone, clearing a few messages before she heard footsteps. The ABSOL and THIEVUL stood, eyes staring ahead as they spotted the tattooed individual.

"Sam. Thank you for agreeing to help me," Summer greeted, storing her phone away as she smiled, though her face was darkened by Surtur's flames.

samuel carter

☉

The deed was done. Her father was gone. In some aspects, Summer felt free. Like a giant weight that had been crushing her since she was a child was lifted off of her. Like she could breathe again.

But there would always be a part of her that would miss Merrick Prescott, despite him being a shitty person and an equally shitty father.

As she pulled herself into the shower, watching water streak reddish-pink with the blood washing out from her hair, her body, everywhere, she felt her mind churning. Emotionally, she felt numb. But Summer knew that if she didn't have some sort of distraction, she'd think about it all night.

It'd consume her. Eat her alive, like samuel carter's Pokemon did to everyone they came into contact with.

She shuddered, scrubbing her skin near raw to get herself clean. Her dress was tossed. She could always get a new one. And as she got out of the shower, an idea came to her head, her red gaze drifting to her phone.

Having her ways, Summer contacted one Cade Atreides.

"Cade. This is Summer."

"I know what you were thinking that entire time we were in the S.P.E.C.T.R.A. virtual reality. You were terrible at hiding your expressions, you know?"

"If you want me... come get me. You're more than welcome to ravage me tonight (;"

"Please. I need you."

The texts, sent consecutively, were to rile him up. To see if he'd in fact come. Her location was also sent, and so Summer dressed herself in something tasteful as she waited.

Cade Atreides

☉

Summer looked at him with a gaze of confusion, though she didn't question it. Not when it was their relationship to handle.

She'd be fine with whatever friends with benefits thing she had with Cade Atreides...

"No, unless you wish to bring more things to the mansion. Though if you leave, I do hope you take care..."

samuel carter

☉

Summer couldn't help but feel a bit of an ego burst when he spoke. Because that was exactly what she had said.

"Pointless. Like I said."

She would have rather the body be destroyed, eaten, whatever. Would have been easier for the crew to clean up everything. Summer pulled back her computer, closing the files and shutting the laptop lid.

"So, what are you going to do?"

samuel carter

☉

Summer had to stare at Sam for a moment, with pure shock before reeling back with a fit of laughter. She could hardly contain herself, almost brought to tears by his words.

Catching her breath and wiping her eyes carefully not to smudge her makeup, she sighed with a smile.

"That was the best thing I've heard in a long time. Sam. You're no where near Ollie. Trust me. Just... don't break anything, okay?"

Regaining her composure, she delved into her files, pulling up the folder she had encrypted to hold Knox's text messages. Inside there was another folder full of messages, videos, and pictures that were shared between him and Ollie from the time they had met to the last time they had contact.

Of course she pulled every file she could over.

With several clicks, she opened them before turning the computer and leaning back in the chair. Waiting for Sam to see what she had warned about.

**tw: abuse, mention of self harm, sexual assault below. please read with caution. this is only for the purpose of plot development and not condoned by me or anyone in this thread**

SPOILER: Click to show

There were texts full of insults to Knox. Calling him a whore, a slut, useless, pathetic, a waste of space. And worse. The verbal abuse continued throughout the messages, the further that Sam would continue.

Then came pictures and videos. Unsolicited pictures taken by Ollie, with Knox begging him to delete them, only for him to threaten to post them to the internet should he not do what he pleased. Recordings of their brutal "love making," as Ollie would put it.

It was quite the opposite, when you noticed Knox in tears. And not the pleased kind.

The last that he'd see were following Knox's hospitalization, after his attempted suicide. Ollie egged him on, telling him he should have done it. Gotten it over with, so he didn't have to deal with him anymore. How Knox was useless and fucking annoying.

Summer waited to see his reaction with an interest, though she knew that it would not be good. She spoke before he could.

"You see, Sam... I didn't feel quite that bad for throwing him under my father's knife. Sure, he was innocent. I won't live that guilt down. But the things he did to my brother, the amount of suffering he caused him in the past... I think it was justified in the end to some extent."

She tilted her head.

"Do you think I'm twisted for thinking that?"

samuel carter & knox prescott

☉

For once, Summer let out a truly joyful laugh. She couldn't help it. Not with Sam being so damn cute.

"Sam, I appreciate the pleasantries, but you're dating my brother, and I'm almost positive we're the same age. Just Summer is fine," she said, though the smirk still remained on her lips.

She sat in her father's- no, her chair, plush and comfortable, as she placed her elbows against the desk. Her fingers brushed her chin as she thought over his words, shrugging.

"It sounds like him. Unwilling to share the whole truth. Perhaps it's his way of trying to protect you. He has been fucked over so many times in his life... I'm not sure how his brain can function properly anymore."

It wasn't an insult. It was more pity.

"Honestly, Sam, I think that he would know if you found this information out where it came from. Not many people know about it. I think I may be one of the only living people left who do... but, I do have data on my computer from shared messages between them. When they were together. If you want to say you hacked into my computer and found it... you'd have to come up with a good reason."

Rolling the chair back, Summer pulled her computer out from where it was stored and opened it, going to her private files.

"Ollie and my brother were toxic lovers. They dated for a long time, yes, but it was never a truly happy relationship. Knox was Knox. He was much the same. Drugged, partying, throwing away his life for fun and one night of euphoria."

She paused.

"Listen. Their relationship... it was disturbing. Are you sure you want me to tell you more?"

samuel carter

☉

Summer couldn't help a small laugh, dry as it left her lips. She leaned against the rail, looking down at him from the few steps above she stood upon.

"You heard me? I didn't think anyone would..."

She wondered if that meant her brother had heard her too.

"So he hasn't told you about his past with him, has he? That's what I've assumed, from your face. I'm not surprised. He's always had a hard time letting go... particularly of Ollie."

Thinking for a moment, Summer beckoned him with her hand, ascending the stairs again.

"Place your things in your room. Let me explain in the office. It's... a long story."

samuel carter

☉