No other way

(Author's note: content warning for violence)

This is the one.

Front door's locked... no surprise. Looks like no-one's in...

Ah! The window's unlocked.

'Hey. Someone's just broken into Atwood's house.'

'Huh, really?'

'Yeah. What do you want me to do?'

'Uh, who is it? Can you describe them to me?'

'It's a woman. Young, probably in her twenties. Long blonde hair.'

'...Shit. I know who that is! Harmony, you've gotta stop her.'

'You know who she is?'

'I do. Whatever she's up to, it's not gonna be pretty. Don't let her go through with it.'

'She's made it in through a window. I can't stop her without going in myself. Are you sure you want me to?'

'Oh shit... is anybody in?'

'Negative.'

'Okay, follow her in. Stay on the line.'

'So she's okay then?'

'SHE SEEMED FINE. HAPPY ENOUGH TO PLAY WITH THE YOUNG ONE, AT ANY RATE.'

'Good. She's been distant since Tristan...'

'HAZEL WILL GET OVER IT IN TIME.'

'Right... Can I get you anything?'

'I THINK I WILL PERUSE YOUR FRIDGE FOR ITS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.'

'Anstine, they're back! Atwood and Rikard!'

'Fuck! Get in there and help her right now!'

'Even if it comprises our position?'

'Just do it! If they catch her, she's fucked!'

'Okay, I'm on it!'

'I think I'll make myself a drink too. Another long day.'

'AH YES, BUT WAS IT WORTH IT?'

'Absolutely. I'll give you the details once we're sat down.'

'OH? WHAT HAVE WE HERE?'

'WHAT THE-!'

*CRASH*

'STUPID HUMAN! DO YOU REALLY THINK A KNIFE CAN DO ANYTHING TO ME?'

'A knife? Who the hell-?'

'Oh! Rikard, don't attack her! It's Aria!'

'WHO?'

'Aria. My niece...'

'I'm not your fucking niece!'

'GIRL, ARE YOU BRAINDEAD? DO YOU REALLY WISH TO ARGUE WHILE I'M ON THE VERGE OF ERADICATING YOU?'

'Don't. I don't want to see her come to any harm.'

'EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS A KNIFE?'

'I came here to kill you, and I'm not gonna give up on it-'

'OH YES YOU ARE.'

'Oh shit, he's put up a barrier! I can't get in!'

'Break it down!'

'I can't! He's too powerful!'

'Make a start then! I'm on my way over!'

'...Come on, let's talk this over.'

'I don't want to fucking talk! If you're gonna kill me, just fucking do it!'

'I mean it when I say I don't want to hurt you.'

'Fuck off! You've hurt pretty much every single other fucking person, so why am I any different?!'

'You know why.'

'ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO SPARE HER?'

'Positive. Take her through to the living room. Restrain her if you must, but don't hurt her.'