Entering the room where his old acquaintance lay, Ray looked her over. He saw no trace of the athletic girl she had once been. He had searched for her for years, but at some point, he learned she had been in a car accident with her husband a couple of years ago. After Lily's death and after he himself had come out of his coma, this foolish girl had gone off the rails, then met a guy and gotten married.
Ray had very much wanted to reconnect with her, because they shared memories of Lily, and they both loved her. So the news that she was gone had been a heavy blow to him.
Seeing her here, Ray had many questions, but he understood that his old friend had been through hell. Nevertheless, he was determined to save her. Looking at the doctor, he asked:
"What are her chances?"
"Boss, we have the most effective methods. If we can't save these wretches, then no one can. I can't say with certainty that we'll save everyone, but you and I both know: drug addiction isn't their only problem. I'm not sure that after what they've been through, it's even possible."
"But this girl has a daughter who was there with her. It's terrible, but if they had a good relationship, they might serve as motivation for each other."
Kira and her daughter Samantha, like the others, were under the round-the-clock care of doctors. Ray personally cared for Kira and Samantha. Right now, both were willless puppets, very far from reality. Ray hoped that his presence and care would provide Kira with additional motivation. Mother and daughter were in the same room.
A week later, Kira and Samantha gradually began to return to reality. Many years had passed since their last meeting, and they had both changed a lot, but Kira recognized him immediately. Hugging him, Kira began to shed tears of sorrow. Samantha, who witnessed this scene, couldn't believe her eyes. After what they had been through, not only she but also her mother felt a mixture of hatred, fear, and disgust toward men. That's why Samantha never thought she would witness such a scene.
When this man started taking care of them, Samantha's first thought was that it was some kind of sick game. But when she saw her mother like that, she realized things weren't that simple. While her mother poured out her sorrows, the man held her gently. Kira had lost some of her beauty, but traces of it still remained. In the man's arms, Samantha only saw an attempt to help her mother. Samantha had been through hell, and the fact that the one who sold them was her father didn't increase her trust in men. So this scene seriously shook her worldview. At some point, Kira fell asleep.
Turning his gaze to Samantha, who was looking at him with clear distrust, Ray smiled tenderly at the girl and said:
"I'm an old friend of your mother's. Everything will be fine now, and I promise that no one will hurt you."
The doctors did everything possible to make the withdrawal symptoms for everyone who had been through that hell more bearable and to minimize them. But despite their efforts, they were still quite painful. So at some point, Ray moved into Kira and Samantha's room.
When Kira finally fell asleep in Ray's arms after another bout of withdrawal, Samantha asked:
"Why are you doing this? If this is your attempt to get into my mom's pants, it's not going to work."
"My wife, your mother, and I were good friends many years ago. I'm just trying to help her. My wife is gone, but I want there to be as many people in this world as possible who will remember her. Your mother is one of those people."
"Drugs were slowly killing us, but they helped us escape harsh reality. Now that they're gone, I'm sure many will be haunted by memories of the hell we went through. That means most of those you saved will try to kill themselves."
"You're right. There have already been suicide attempts. But each of you has been assigned a curator who has been through similar experiences. Also, our psychologists are working hard. This is our joint attempt to give you all back the will to live."
"But you have to find a reason to fight and something to live for."
"You said everyone has a curator who's been through something similar. But you don't look like a guy who could be forced to take drugs or get raped. How can you tell us we should live? They raped me right in front of my mother. How do you think I can find meaning in life after that?"
"My pregnant wife was raped and brutally murdered along with her unborn daughters, and then they sent me a recording of it. I managed to find meaning in life. It changed me forever, and I'll never be the same."
"Living with this is very hard. There are still moments when I think death is the easiest way out. But for me, it's too easy. Living with the memories that I couldn't protect them—I see that as punishment for not protecting my family. So I think I have the right to speak."
Learning this man's story, Samantha felt ashamed. Most of her was leaning toward ending it all, but she didn't want to die so pointlessly and leave her mother alone. That's why she said guiltily:
"I'm sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?" the man asked, smiling tenderly at the girl.
"How did you cope with it?"
"I don't know if you've heard of us, but journalists have called us the 'Crimson Devils.' Realizing I couldn't find those who took my family from me, I decided to create an organization to wage war on the criminal world, making them tremble in fear. And I think I've done a pretty good job."
"All the 'Devils' are people who have been through experiences similar to yours and Kira's, and they've all found meaning in life. We have hospitals, shelters, and even our own schools. Some look after children, some help people like you and your mother, and some lead combat units. We even have a science department. Everyone does what they can. I'm sure we can find something that suits you and your mother."
"For now, just live for each other. Give yourselves some time, and I'm sure you'll find something to hold onto in this life."
Several months had passed since Ray met Kira. They were now sitting in her room.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I have to leave. Both Smith girls are on the mend, but Ray could see he was still needed—and not just by Kira."
"Don't worry, we'll be fine. I have to thank you for so much, but most importantly, for breathing life back into my daughter. Honestly, I didn't think I'd ever see her this happy again. Some time ago, Samantha joined the combat unit training. All 'Devils' undergo combat training, even those who won't go into the field. And not everyone has a talent for it. I've been practicing martial arts for years, and I can definitely say she has talent. Along with that, she's very serious about getting into a combat unit. And you do realize what that could mean?"
"We've already discussed it. We're both broken, and if killing all sorts of bastards can bring back her taste for life, I won't stop her. I know your ultimate goal, and if dying is what it takes to achieve it, I, like many here, am ready to do that. But I have one request for you. I've talked to the combat unit commanders, and they all say that among the 'Devils,' in terms of combat training, you're the strongest. And I want you to personally train her. You can take her with you."
"What will you do if your little one falls in love? Will you accept such an old man as your son-in-law?" Ray joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm glad you haven't completely lost your sense of humor. But seriously, I would be happy. That little one hasn't had a chance to experience love. I know what you were like. I remember the way Lily looked at you, and though the façade has changed, the foundation remains the same. You're the only man I would trust with my daughter."
"I'm flattered, but I think I'm too old for her," Ray said with a laugh.
"Talk to her, and I'll take her with me to train her."