Joey thought she might die of fear before the night was over. That, itself, heightened the emotion, driving it further into her gut like a burning knife, threatening to unhinge the last remaining spark she had in her. She felt their hands on her, their touch melting through the frail material of her shirt and scorching her skin. They tormented her, images of their human selves haunting her memories. She shied away from one, only to bump into the other. The two were merciless, their ravaged bodies reeking with the dangerous smell of lust, making Joey feel like a fox being prodded by two bloodhounds.

"A fox," Pinhead mused. "How fitting. A vixen, coy and clever, as she licks her sharp teeth seductively... but when chased by predators who enjoy more risque game, what will her cunning bring her?"

Joey realized too late what his riddle pointed at. She realized it immediately, however, when Terri's nails trailed over her breasts, their tips so razor sharp that her shirt sagged where it had been sliced, revealing a white satin bra. Joey took in a shaky breath, not daring to move one inch.

"A cat prefers to play with her food," Pinhead continued. "As does the thylacine. Both are ruthless, one more vicious than the other. But both harbor the masterful ability to torture, and bring pain beyond comprehension..."

Another touch. JP this time, moving his fingers through the four clean slices, brushing his leather-covered hand over her nipple, bringing it to its taut peak. Joey knew she was responding out of fear, the adrenaline in her blood making her body flourish on the touch. She moved her hands over the box again, trying desperately to open it before what could become inevitable happened. She knew tears were flowing freely from her eyes, but dignity was the last thing she was worried about.

*Snap!*

She barely felt the elastic of her bra come undone, nor did she care that Terri was slipping it out through the holes. Both knew this, as did Pinhead... they would make her care, and that was the last thing she needed. She blindly did any combination she could think of, until finally there was a blink of light...

"You really should come live with us, dear."

Joey sighed, exasperated. "Mom... I'm fine, really I am. I just... need time. I mean, maybe I'll move there, I don't know. I just got a job as an anchor woman at a different station, and I can't just up and abandon that."

Her mother paused. "I know... but after what happened-" She paused. "Look, I'm just really worried..."

"I know," Joey said, feeling the tears well up in her eyes. "But things are being rebuilt...everything's coming together."

"I hope you're right, for all our sakes," her mother said softly. "I won't admit this to your father, but I'm scared. I really am."

"I know... I am too."

"I won't keep you, honey. Just take care of yourself, and call me this Sunday, okay?"

Joey smiled despite herself. "Okay, Mom. See you later."

"Goodbye, sweetheart."

Joey wasn't sure exactly how long she sat, listening to the familiar hum of the dial tone. It wasn't long before the erratic beeping began, though, snapping her out of her daze. She looked at the floor, trying to stop thinking about what would happen if that... that thing came out between her feet and finished the procedure it nearly began. She felt herself become cold as memories flooded her, the one of Pinhead's two "predators" preying upon her most prominent. She'd refused to tell anyone that small detail of the story...it was better left untold. As was mentioning how she'd been bound, kept in restraints in preparation for descendance into Hell... and in preparation for whatever Pinhead had in store for her...

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door chime. Her date, David Jenner, was here to take her to dinner...

"I had a wonderful time, Davey," Joey said, smiling broadly. "Would you like to come inside?"

"Love to," he said, grinning.

She opened the door and walked inside, hanging up her things before being greeted by arms encircling her waist. She mmm-d softly, leaning into him, startled to feel a familiar pressure against her thigh. She turned around and saw that he was blushing.

"I'm really sorry, Joey," he said, backing up a little. "I just... it's been all I can do, just keeping my hands off of you."

Joey blushed, but advanced on him. "So why keep trying?"

He blinked, blundered a little, then moved into her, wrapping his arms around her, hands stroking her back gently... over the scars...

He pulled his hands away. "What...?"

Joey felt a chill go over her, and she ran her hands through her hair uncomfortably. "You remember that whole fiasco, right?"

"Yeah?"

She took in a deep breath. "I got caught up in the end of it. Nothing serious." Mentally, she kicked herself for lying to him.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and smiled. "That's not important, though. What *is* is that if I don't do something about someone downstairs, you're not going to be walking away a happy camper."

"Hey, I'm not complaining."

They walked into the bedroom, Joey first, both doing the necessary preparations of removing clothing, until suddenly Joey felt nails brush against her breasts. Turning, she looked and saw Terri, claws glistening with blood, and suddenly she was back on the street with them... with all of them. She backed away from the girl, eyes filled with raw terror. She was the fox all over again...

"Joey?!"

She blinked, seeing Davey's worried face in place of Terri's. Shaking, she rubbed her shoulders, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. It wasn't long before she was sobbing.

"Oh God, Davey," she coughed. "I'm so sorry..."

"No, no. I'm the one who should be sorry. What happened?"

"I..." Time to tell the truth. "I had a flashback..." She lowered her head, afraid to look at him in the eye.

"What was it?"

"Of... what happened. I lied when I said nothing major had happened then. I was chased... by him, and others he'd created... and when I got cornered..." she blinked away tears. "They circled me... You can probably guess the rest. God, I'm acting like such an idiot..."

"Those things," he murmured. "They caught up to you?"

She nodded vigorously, another sweep of heaving sobs wracking her body. He wrapped an arm around her in an attempt to console her.

"We don't have to do this," he said softly. "Not if it reminds you..."

"But I want to," she said. "I want to so much."

"I don't wanna hurt you, Joey. God knows I don't. As much as I'd like to, I wanna know you're okay. I mean really okay."

She smiled a little. "I guess... I guess I need some time."

There was a pause of silence.

"Could you just...lay down with me?" she whispered, edging close to him, her hand over his chest.

"Sure...if it makes you feel better..." he said softly.

"It will," she assured him.