Scarlet instantly reached for her knives, ready to kill this newcomer if she proved to be a threat for them. However, she soon paused when the girl named Alexandra began to speak, albeit in a broken and manic manner. She loosened her grip on her weapons, eyebrow rising as the girl before them spoke to the teddy bear in her hand. 

As if it was some kind of sentient being…

She caught the sneak glances at Marianne, though for some reason didn’t feel as if they were hostile or that she should be concerned about the looks. Instead, she felt that same strange feeling again, as if she was missing something entirely.

Marianne suddenly let go of Rose’s hand and stepped forward. A new emotion was present in her crimson eyes. It looked like…respect? Pity? Something along those lines. The young girl walked until she stood right before Alexandra. Little Ann watched this all in wide-eyed silence.

“This is the result,” Marianne said quietly. 

Her voice was different, as if it took on a new level maturity and wisdom, something this young girl couldn’t have possessed. With a turn on her heel, she looked at the group assembled. Her eyes were held steady and her voice was clear.

“This is what happens when you don’t escape the Collector. You become raving and mad, much like this poor girl here. And yet, this girl holds more bravery than any one of you. If each of your suffering were amounted to me and put together….they would still fail to measure up to the despair and sacrifice this girl has underwent.”

Scarlet was taken aback by the girl’s words of praise. She looked at Alexandra with a new perspective now. Still, what did the girl mean when she mentioned making a deal with someone? 

Who?

Marianne remained unwavering and calm, not even fazed when Adrian transformed into his demon self and back again.