Dying To Know You

by YandereSkitty16

Summary:

Jeff comes face to face with a ghost from his past, 7 years after her attempted murder. Angry and on the hunt for blood, he will stop at nothing to keep her silenced. By any means necessary. How long will this game of cat and mouse last and just how much blood is this young woman going to spill before the enraged killer has his revenge?

Or will she be able to find the ghost of a boy she once held dear...

 

This story is a rewrite of fiction I did several years ago. I have matured with my writing style so I had wanted to make this for some time now. The Jeff in this story is AU and from a story, I did for my version. But credit to sessur nonetheless for the original Jeff story.
Please enjoy :)

Chapter 1: Bloody Beginninngs.

When Officer Yolkavich arrived at the crime scene, it was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Carnage, just carnage everywhere the eye could see it. Three bodies had been stacked up, as though whoever had done this was proud of what they'd done. The officer had to refrain from vomiting as she'd made her way through the chaotic mess.

Her partner, Officer Dalton called her to one of the bodies. It looked like there had been even more causalities than she'd realized. This one appeared to be a maid. She looked older than the other 3 bodies and the infliction's had been freshly carved. This crime had only recently been committed...the killer could've still been in the location.

"Any idea of what happened here?"

Officer Yolkavich asked, Dalton, shook her head. Whoever had committed this atrocity, they'd had a blast with it.

"On the face, there are incisions from ear to ear. Then, the sick son of a bitch even stapled the cuts, probably to ensure even more pain to the victim. What's worse is...I think that they were all alive during this...This person, whoever did this. Knew how long to go without killing them outright."

The thought of that made the officer sick to her stomach, to think a person could get such a sick pleasure out of an act as cruel as this one. Dalton leads her over to the bodies of the other 3. A man, a woman, and a younger boy. The boy looked no older than 10. It caused her to recoil.

"Now this, this is the sick part. Chief, you may wanna brace yourself for this."

Dalton warned, but Yolkavich just told her to get on with it. The smaller woman held her breath as she lifted the shirt of the man, there was something etched into his skin. It read:

Family.

"Okay, so the son of a bitch is messing with us, what does the rest say?"

Moving on to the next body, she raised the shirt and it read:

Never.

"Family...Never, never what??"

Dalton hesitated before moving on to the boy's chest and raised his shirt, Yolkavich didn't know what she was looking at.

"....Loved You"

What could that have meant? Family Never Loved You? Who was he insinuating? Had there been another victim who'd gotten away from him? Or her, they never knew the gender of the killer. Yolkavich couldn't bear to look at the bodies any longer.

"Cover them, give them a shred of the dignity they've lost."

She commanded as she walked outside and as she did, she caught something on the stairs. The woman froze in her tracks.

It was a little girl, only about 10 years old. She didn't have any blood on her at all, had she managed to hide from the killer all this time?? Using her communicator, she called over Dalton and both of them approached the girl. Yolkavich was the most gentle of the duo, so she'd often dealt with young children. Kneeling, she smiled.

"Hello sweetheart, is this your house?"

She asked, the little girl just nodded.

"Can you talk at all?"

During cases like this, it was key to be calm. If you'd lost your temper with traumatized children, then you could lose key information. The little girl, again, just nodded her head.

"Okay, that's good. My name is Officer Yolkavich, this is my friend, Officer Dalton."

Dalton waved her hand to the small child. The girl waved back to her.

"What's your name lovely?"

Looking at them both, she replied.

"Krystal."

Officer Yolkavich shook her hand gently and smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Krystal, can you tell us anything about what happened? Do you know anything at all?"

She had to watch her wording, if the girl didn't know about the murders then that could put everything at risk. Krystal just stared at her before talking.

"Where is Mister Panda?"

The two of them looked confused, Mister Panda? was that a stuffed animal that the girl had or something? Dalton replied.

"Honey, we don't have your toy panda."

Krystal frowned and then spoke.

"Mister Panda is my friend...he told me to hide there while he counts during hiding and seek...but he was a meany's head and locked me inside the room. I used my hairpin to escape, then...I met you two."

The look of horror on Officer Yolkavich's face could have killed her, this was much more than just a murder case..this was even sicker. Officer Yolkavich picked the girl up.

"Honey, we're gonna get you out of here. But I need you to close your eyes okay? Promise you won't open them until I say so, okay?"

Krystal didn't understand what was happening but nodded, her mama always said to obey the police and she didn't want to be a bad girl. Closing her eyes tight, she hugged the officer.

"What you going to do now Mila?? It's against protocol to take a victim home...I know you feel bad for what happened with-"

Dalton stopped themselves.

"I failed her, but this time I won't fail another child. She needs someone who will not just treat her like a case. If we send her to that place, she's just going to be institutionalized. She is a child and I won't let myself live with that grief. Alright? Ana??"

The young American woman just nodded, this was her chief in command and her best friend of 20 years. Once she got something in her head, it was impossible to argue against it. She sighed and smiled.

"Aye, aye, captain."

Looking back once more at the house, the two left for the station. The little girl slept the whole time.

"You're gonna be fine, Krystal. I'll make sure that he never finds you."

Mila silently promised her. For now, it was just good to get back to the police station, the smell of coffee and cigars. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for everyone. More so for the sleeping girl in the back of the car.

Chapter 2: Fresh Starts

Morning soon came and Krystal rose from her bed, where was she right now? She had such a terrible dream last night. Mister Panda had locked her upstairs and then just left her there, she was also taken by the police. It was just so horrible.

The little girl felt her feet touch the soft floor, this wasn't her bedroom. Her bedroom had wood on the floor, not carpet...Had..had last night actually happened?! Had she been taken from her home? This caused the little girl to start crying loudly, she didn't want to be here. She'd wanted to go back home, back with mama, papa, and her twin brother.

Mila came running in and swooped her up, the woman began to pet the child on the back of her head and shush her. Krystal didn't understand, why couldn't she go back and live with her mama and papa. Didn't they want her anymore?

"Did I do something bad?"

She asked through her hiccuping sobs, Mila shook her head and just cuddled her.

"No, no you never sweetheart.."

How can you explain to a child that they can't return to the life they used to have, it was so disgusting what that killer had done. Not just taken the life of her whole family, but also traumatized her for life. Simply unforgivable. Krystal tugged her collar.

"Will Mister Panda ever find me?"

She'd asked, all the talk of how bad he was had really made her scared of him now if he was a bad man...she didn't want to see him again. Even though while he was with her, he'd always been so nice and kind to her. Having tea parties and scaring her twin brother away when he'd been mean...it was all so confusing to her.

"No, sweetheart. I'll make sure that he never hurts you again."

Mila said as she placed her on the floor. Krystal took her hand and walked with her, feeling a tad bit better now. The duo made their way downstairs to the kitchen, where Mila unveiled her surprise.

"Pancakes!"

Krystal yelled as she ran to the table and glossed over all the tasty food, she beamed up at Mila. This was the first time in a long while that Mila had a child in her company, her child sadly died during a shooting ...A shooting that Mila failed to prevent.

"This is your home now, Krystal. I don't want you to be scared, okay. Eat up, tomorrow, you and I have a long day of packing ahead of us."

The little girl looked at her with confusement. Packing? But she just said this was her home now, didn't she?

"Tomorrow, we are going to move to a safer area. An area where you'll have loads of kids to have fun with, where you don't have to worry about any of this. I want you to feel safe. Krystal and live a happy life."

Mila stroked her cheek, the little girl nodded.

"Good, now eat up. Big day ahead of us."

--

After they'd finished, Mila loaded the girl into the car and headed off to the station. She'd need to inform them of her move and how to contact her, they were going to move back to her old home in California. It was a 3-hour distance from Sacramento. But, the area that she'd found was a great place to raise a child. Low crime rate. It was perfect.

"How are you going to keep fighting bad guys?"

Krystal asked, Mila, looked in her mirror.

"I'm not, I am going to just get a normal job now. Been on the force for almost 20 years now. Think it's time I relax eh?"

She laughed and this made the little girl laugh too. True, that it was rather sad to say goodbye to her friends at the force. But now, she'd felt that she had what she needed for a new start. 20 years of grisly crime and the stench of death was well within her limitations. Besides, it wasn't the life that she'd wanted to place that child in.

"So, I'll be right back. Keep the door locked."

Mila walked out and took a breath. Now it was the hard part, before you are allowed to legally take a child into your care. You have to prove that you are of sound mind and financial stability to take care of the child. There were several lawyers and attorneys inside the building. A woman came running up to her.

"That child is my niece! I demand that you release her into my custody."

The woman let out a groan. Here we go...

"Funny, because, neither of the deceased has any sisters. Only the one has a brother on his side, please do not interfere with police protocol."

Came the voice of an elderly woman, this irritated the protester.

"Yea, so what. She's an orphan anyhow. Not like it matters-"

Two armed guards apprehended her and tossed her outside on the ground, the elder policewoman glared at her.

"Please, do not show your face around this premise ever again. Or it is you who I will lock up. Am I to be understood."

The woman cowered and ran away. Looking at Mila, she apologized.

"Money brings out the worst in people, now I am of the idea that you'd like to take charge of one of the victims from a recent case. Is that clear?"

Mila nodded at her question.

"I could give the authorize, but I have to know why this child out of all the children that you've saved over the years officer?"

That was a very good question, what had it been about Krystal that was so different from the other children? She supposed it was due to the circumstances, most of the other children never had their whole lives destroyed in one night. She'd never seen a crime scene quite like the one she had then, it was so animalistic and brutal. No child could be fine after that and no parent would be able to handle a child with mental scars that deep.

Mila tried to put it in an easier sentence, as to why she deserved to be the one to care for Krystal and not place her into some care system. Where she'd just be another number. The elder woman thought for a bit.

"It is true that you of all people, deeply care for your younger charges. But I must say, that should you take this one on, then it may come to haunt you at the end of it all. Could you cope with that thought?"

She asked and didn't need to get an answer, it was all too clear that this woman deeply desired to care for the girl. She sighed.

"Very well, I will need to have you fill out some forums. Then, where you're moving to and you'll be all set. Oh also, your badge and your communicator as well. I, I wish you the best with your new life. Mila Yolkavich."

The head of commands saluted Mila and Mila bowed back in respect.

"Now, all that's left to do is...get back home and finish off packing. As of tomorrow, we start a new life. Away from stress and strain."
She smiled.

"A new start for myself too...I can finally, let go of my past mistake."

--
When Mila returned to the car, she'd spotted Krystal looking about and frowned. What was the matter with her? Krystal saw Mila and calmed down, Mila opened the door.

"Hey kiddo, what's the matter-"

Krystal stared at her as she pointed to the road. A small pink teddy sat there and Mila froze, looking at the girl. She saw her mouth.

'Mister Panda was here'

Mila jumped in the car and floored the pedal, they couldn't afford to wait until tomorrow. They had to leave tonight and leave no traces at all, this maniac was not allowed to follow them, he was not allowed to find Krystal.

As the police station grew smaller and smaller, Krystal watched as a hooded figure stood out from the trees and placed a finger to his lips. The girl spun around and clutched her chest in fear.

The hooded figure clutched an item in his hand and glared towards the car.

"L I A R"

He spat.

Chapter 3: Idle Teens

7 years had already passed since the events of that night, Krystal had grown into a lovely young woman with a handful of friends and her memories of that time, were long since locked away in her deep subconscious. 

 

She could no longer remember the man she'd fondly call...

 

Mister Panda.

 

--

 

Mila sat at the table and offered her a cup of tea. Krystal took it and raised it to her lips, taking a sip of it. It was hard to believe that this woman had taken her in all those years ago, she'd saved her from a life of loneliness and from being an orphan. 

 

For that, Krystal was truly grateful to the woman. 

 

"So, any plans for the day? It is your birthday after all. You're 17 years old now, Krystal. Want to maybe have a movie night or something later on when you're back?"

 

The older woman asked her energetic daughter, although they were not by blood. She loved the girl as though she were her own. She'd grown into such a beautiful person, compared to the scared little girl that she had used to be. Now, she was a year away from being able to live on her own and get a job of her own as well...

 

Alyssa ...would have been so happy if she could have a sister like her...

 

Mila smiled to herself as she looked at the blond-haired and blue-eyed girl, changes had to be made over the course of a few years. Her once beautiful brown hair, had to be recolored and her hazel eyes also had to be altered.

It was a sad sacrifice, but not one she had to go through alone. Mila also had to change her appearance, her white hair became blond and her own green eyes became blue to create the facade of them being a family and also to avoid any detection from

....the one once called Mister Panda.

 

Luckily, as the years had gone by. Krystal slowly began to forget all memories of him and whatever they had done together, as though he was but an imaginary friend that she'd created from her loneliness. Mila was glad of that, though she still had received alerts from her old work on the case that they had covered.

 

Turns out, this 'Mister Panda' had a real name, and that was Jeffrey Woods. He'd been only 15 at the time of that murder and had also, 2 years prior murdered his own family. Only sparing his younger brother. The location of the two was unknown, well up till now it had been. She did wonder, had it been a two-man job? Had one locked Krystal in there while the other did the murder. 

 

It was a 7-year case, a case that still wasn't any closer to being solved than it was back then, the frustration got to her at times. But, she had to remember, that it wasn't her case anymore. She was just an old part of it.

 

" MILA !"

 

Krystal's yell caught her off guard and she bolted her head up, the girl was looking at her with worry.

 

"Yes, sorry, what??"

 

The woman laughed, Krystal let out a sigh.

 

"I said, me, Ilena, and Caleb are going to go for a walk-up in the mountains. Is that alright? I know you don't like me wandering too far, especially when it is late."

 

The girl asked as she looked at her mother, Mila nodded her head.

 

"Yes, yes, that's fine. You're 17 after all, not a scared little girl anymore. Go have fun with your friends okay? Please just keep in contact ."

 

Krystal nodded and gave her a massive hug and a kiss on the cheek. Grabbing her bag and her jacket, she took one last glance back at Mila and smiled.

 

"We're so on for that movie night later!"

 

The girl yelled as she shut the door and left the woman in silence, a silence that left her with a very bad feeling, but that's all it was, right?

 

Just a very bad feeling.

 

"I'm just an old worrywart, she's with her friends...she's going to be just fine. I am sure."

 

Mila forced that worrying thought off as she took another drink of her coffee and stared at Krystal's half-empty teacup. She'd had half a mind to turn on her phone tracker, but she wanted to trust her. 

 

"She's an adult now and adults do not need to report for every little thing, I'd probably be the same with Alyssa, had she been here too..."

 

The woman looked at the old photo hanging of a small black-haired child. It brought a small tear to her eyes, at least now. She could give the love that she never gave her daughter, to another less fortunate child. She knew that from where she was up in heaven, that Alyssa would be smiling at them.

 

"It's time that I finally forgive myself for what happened. I had to arrest that boy, but he got returned to his family after a year of being in juvenile court. He reformed himself, he was one of the good ones, that small boy. He didn't want to commit a crime, just circumstances were stacked against him..."

 

Mila stated as she looked through her old case files and that's when she spotted the name and it sent a chill down her spine. The name, the name that she had here...

 

"It  can't  be..."

 

She mouthed as she stared at the name.

 

"Liu...Woods..."

 

Mila couldn't believe her eyes, he couldn't be related to...Jeffrey Woods could he?? The woman picked up the phone and began to dial the number for her station. Even if this was not her case, it didn't stop her from dropping hints and tips when she could. However, when she called them up...

 

"Mila..."

 

A woman answered. Mila frowned, not again. It was the same thing each time she contacted them with new information regarding Woods...

 

"Look, I know this case means a lot to you, meant, a lot. But the head office has told you already... You are not in the case loop anymore."

 

The woman replied. Mila felt so enraged.

 

"Let it go, Mila....please, let this be the last time that you contact us considering this matter. Look after your daughter, enjoy your new life. Just let sleeping dogs LIE."

 

The phone was hung up and she sat there in silence.

 

"Damn pricks...I give 20 years on the force and then they just close it on me, I've given them multiple tips on this case and they've done NOTHING on it...lazy bastards..."

 

Mila cursed.

 

"Well, I'll just have to do my OWN snooping then..."

 

She spat as she turned her head to the computer and began to type in about Liu Woods and the incident leading up to his brother becoming a murderer.

 

"Hah, let sleeping dogs lie...I'll let this damn mutt lie when I shove a barrel into its face and blow it's brains out for killing multiple people and ruining families."

 

Mila cursed as she began to engross herself in endless amounts of work. This would take a while.

 

--

 

Krystal on the other hand had met up with her friends Ilena and Caleb, they'd just finished getting some smoothies when Caleb revealed his master plan. The girls looked at one another.

 

"So, you've heard there's been a large number of murders right?"

 

He grinned, Ilena shoved his phone away.

 

"No, because unlike you. I have a life ."

 

The tall black girl snorted, Krystal joined her.

 

"Yea, besides. Why would you wanna go looking that sorta thing up? It's my birthday! Happy and rainbows today y'all!"

 

Caleb rolled his eyes and showed them an article. It was about a case that had happened not too far from where they were right now, in the mountains. So..that's why he'd wanted to go there.

 

"If you're thinking of spending the day at some creepy house where a supposed murder took place, then I am sorry but I'm out."

 

Ilena stated Caleb pleaded with her.

 

"Come on! I just wanna look before they close it all up, my dad is the head of police here. When can you ever say that something this exciting happens in this small town Ilena?!"

 

He argued, the girl sighed and looked at Krystal.

 

"You down for having your birthday in some creepy old forest house girl?"

 

She really wasn't sure about this, but it couldn't hurt just to scope it out and then leave. Krystal raised her hands in a surrender motion.

 

"Alright, you Michael Myers wannabe....let's go to your creepy ass house."

 

She said to Caleb and he jumped for joy. Never had she seen a guy so excited for an old creepy house exploration, but it made her smile. Who knows, this could get insanely interesting.

 

"Yea, we might even meet Jeff the killer ourselves."

 

Ilena snorted and that was when something hit Krystal like a knife...that name, sounded very familiar to her and she didn't know why.

 

"Pfft, I'll beat his punk ass to a pulp."

 

Caleb joked, she laughed with him but the name still bugged her endlessly...

 

Why do I recognize that name...

 

Krystal pondered to herself as she slurped down the last of her milkshake and watched her two best friends argue over who could win in a fight against the killer, she decided not to think too hard on it. After all, it was a day to have fun and be merry.

 

Hah...dumb old Jeff, wouldn't beat me in a fight...hah...haha...

 

--

 

Once they'd finished their smoothies and paid, the trio began to make their way up and past the hills. That was where they laid eyes on the old house that sat atop the mountain range, it was locked off by chains and a large 'KEEP OUT' sign. Ilena stopped.

 

"Wait wait wait! It's not legal   property?"

 

She said, Caleb groaned.

 

"It's been out of use for years and years, they just put that there so that kids don't go and mess the place up. Y'know, scare em."

 

He said as he raised one leg over the chain and looked at the other two, their bravado had clearly vanished. 

 

"We're just gonna go up, scope the place out and then we are gonna take some silly selfies and leave. It's Krystal's last day of being 17, soon she's gonna look for boring ass jobs and not have the time to mess around like this...So please, guys..for Krystal?"

 

Krystal did not like to be brought into this mess, but she had to appreciate his thought process in a sense, she supposed. Looking at Ilena, she took her hand and tugged her over. The girl sighed.

 

"If we die, I am coming to haunt both yo asses."

 

She griped as they made their way past the security lines and stepped over a small creek. Caleb got out his phone and grinned at them.

 

"Say, totally not  dead   meat!"

 

And flash went the camera. He looked at it and grinned, but then he focused on something up in the top window. It looked like a face, but when he looked back up ...It was gone. 

 

"Guys! I think I saw something!"

 

He said but the other two were already halfway up, Ilena turned to him and glared at him.

 

"Best not start that shit fool, we just agreed and now you wanna spook us, get your ass up here or I'll kick it."

 

She said as she turned back to Krystal and held on to her hand. Caleb just frowned as he began to make his way up to where the girls were at.

 

I definitely...seen ..something there...

 

He griped to himself as he joined the two others up at the door of the house.

 

"So...."

 

Ilena started.

 

"Who's gonna take the leap?"

 

Krystal rolled her eyes as she grabbed both of the doors and tugged them open with a screech. She had the feeling, that once they set foot in here...

 

Nothing was ever going to be the same...

Chapter 4: First Encounters

Mila cast her eyes to her watch, it was now...4:50 pm. No call or text from Krystal since she'd left at 12 am...It wasn't like she was an amazing time keeper but, it wasn't like her not to at least keep in touch with her while she'd gone out.

"Maybe, I should shoot her a message.."

The woman mumbled, it would ease her mind if she just got even an 'I'm fine' reply. Grabbing her mobile, she spotted that she did indeed have a message. But not from Krystal, no it was an unidentified number. It read:

:)

That was it, just a smiley-faced emoji. Probably it's some stupid kid being a pain, but it was rather eery. Just a plain :) nothing else at all.

"Damn pranksters..."

Mila huffed as she moved to Krystal's number and sent a message.

"Hey, hope you're fine. Give me a message, what movie you wanna watch tonight?- Mila"

She closed the phone and then proceeded to go back to her case study for Jeffrey Woods, it turned out that the kid she'd sent to juvie was his little brother, Liu Woods. From the study, it had seemed that there'd been a miscommunication, and Liu was falsely sent to juvie when in fact it had been a boy named Randy Warren who'd instigated the issue. But no one believed Jeff when he told them that. 

"Maybe, he used that aggression and began a spree of murders...according to what I learned, Randy was the first person to die in that area and another 2 boys named Keith Lancaster and Troy Owens. Both found bound and gagged with a massive smile carved on them. Randy, however, had been burnt to cinders with very little to help identify them. Tragic, truly.."

Mila said sadly as she then spotted something interesting, it appeared...that there had been a mental institute that Jeff had been sent to for a short period of time. Maybe, she could get some more information off them. It was worth the try, even to find out just what made the 15-year-old lose his mind.

She dialed the number and waited on someone to answer her.

--

Krystal and her two companions had made their way into the old and creepy looking house, the smell was horrendous inside of the hallway. It was like death, the house smelled of decomposition. Ilena felt the need to gag.

"God, it reeks in here. Caleb, no wonder you're freaking single if THIS is your idea of a fun time mate."

She hissed as she held her nose, Caleb had to admit that it'd been worse than he'd imagined. His dad told him that the place was being taken care of, it seemed that his old man had been a massive liar but that wasn't the worst part of this.

"Look over there!"

He said, pointing to a rather large stain on the wooden floor. It was blood. 

"Oh man, that's sick..."

Caleb said, getting his phone out but Krystal scolded him.

"Are you out of your mind, we can't take pictures like that! If we got caught, we'd be grounded for life man!"

She hissed, but he just looked at her.

"It's old though, not like it's a recent one. They've just not renovated it, relax Krystal. This is for my blog, after that, I'll remove the photo. I'm anonymous and they won't know who I am or you guys are."

He said as he took the photo, regardless of her protests. She glared at him.

"If you post ANY of me or Ilena, you'd better blur us out of it. I don't want anything to do with illegal trespassing."

She stated as she turned from him and went to look for Ilena, Caleb just huffed.

"I need more occult friends-"

He halted as he stared at something on the stairs, looking around, he walked over to it and knelt down. It was a small....panda?

"Huh...strange.."

The boy went to pick it up but as he did, he felt something hard collide with the back of his head and he passed out. From the shadows, another man approached his body and kicked it slightly.

"One down....."

He said, with a croaky voice.

"Two more piggies left..."

--

Krystal and Ilena were in the kitchen and completely unaware of the fate that had just befallen their friend in the room before them, this was a rather large kitchen but it also did not seem to be...unused. No, the gas on the cooker had been recently turned on, Krystal looked at Ilena.

"It's probably just from people like us who thought that it'd be fun to come in here and mess around, that's all. Caleb even maybe did it to spook us out."

She tried to calm her best friend down but then thought about it. Caleb couldn't have done this, he'd been with them the whole time...did that mean, someone was in the house with them? That thought made the hair on her neck prick up, she took Ilena by the hand.

"Let's just go get that idiot, we've looked around. We can leave now and go back to mine, enjoy the rest of my birthday in-"

Krystal halted and Ilena wondered what it was. She'd just received a message from Mila, her heart eased a little as she went to reply to it. Ilena walked away from Krystal a tad, not wishing to be rude, and look at her friend's screen. She made her way to the living room and sat down, deciding to try and see if this old place had any tv signal at all. Surprise...It never. Krystal walked in not long after with a frown.

"No...phone signal here..like, I can't reply. But that message had been sent 2 hours ago and I just never seen it. What will I do?"

Mila must be worried sick about her, and she couldn't even call her back to let her know that everything was fine. Ilena tried to console her.

"Hey, let's just get out of here as you said, that damn idiot has probably chickened out and ran back to his place by now. When we see him, we'll kick his ass okay?"

She said as she patted the girl on the shoulder, nodding in agreement, both girls began to make their way towards the door and that was when the real horror struck them. Someone had locked them inside. 

"Okay Caleb, this ain't funny ...you can stop blocking the door now..."

No answer.

"Caleb?!"

Ilena yelled as she began to kick the door, Krystal stopped her and pointed to what was holding the door. Chains. Steel chains decorated the front of the door and prevented it from being opened by anyone. Terror lit up on both of their faces, Ilena started to cry as she battered the door.

"CALEB I'M GOING TO KILL YOU !"

She screamed at the top of her lungs, the other girl was trying to remain calm for the both of them. She looked around and spotted something that lead down the hallway. It was Caleb's phone.

"Ilena, look...it's his phone..."

Both girls began to walk down towards the item and examined it. Fresh blood, coated the surface of it and this was enough to send Ilena into a frenzy of fear and paranoia. Krystal had tried to calm her down but the girl punched her in the face, screamed more, and then ran away down towards the other end of the hallway. Krystal sat there just stunned.

Why couldn't we have just gone to PizzaPalace...

With a large sigh, the girl pushed herself up and grabbed the blood-covered mobile. She opened it and her eyes didn't know what they were looking at. It was a blurred image of a male, he had blood covering his hands and his hair covered his face. The caption read:

Hello, Piggy.

Krystal frowned as she closed the phone over, what sicko would make such a horrid prank and worse still, had Caleb been apart of it. If she'd discovered this was all some sick prank to scare both her and Ilena, she'd laugh and punch him in the face. But...she had the sick feeling that this wasn't a stupid prank. She took a breath and looked at the direction that Ilena had gone.

"I have to find her first, she's got anxiety issues...if they get too bad then she could suffer a severe attack. Hold on, Ilena."

The girl pressed onwards with the hope, that all this was just a stupid birthday prank...

Even though the better half knew...

This was real.

 

Chapter 5: Recognition

Ilena had ran far from the center hallway and had ended up in a large room full of what looked like...stuffed animals and mannequins. She slumped down and began to shudder, just why was this happening?! What made Caleb want to come to this damned house, she wished it would burn to the ground.

"I hate this!"

She sniffed as she hugged her legs, but she didn't have time to rest for long. She heard footsteps following her, the paranoia in her head had sent her into fight or flight mode. Ilena hid behind a large bear and listened to the sound of what sounded like whistling. Was it Krystal? 

No... No, she couldn't whistle. Maybe, Caleb? But all that blood...he could be dying, somewhere in this house .. all alone and bleeding. It was driving her insane.

Then...it was silent. Nothing but the hum of her own breath could be heard until someone had said.

"Piggy?"

Ilena held her breath and tried to stay perfectly still. Whoever this person was, she sensed that they didn't have her best intentions at heart. They wanted to hurt her, they were probably the one that harmed Caleb.

"Won't you come out, piggy?"

The voice almost taunted her. In a sickly sweet tone, he was mocking her but she would not make any noise. Grunting, the male brought out an item and raised it high. It was a knife, a bloodied knife that dripped crimson.

"One piggy tried to fight...but that piggy...lost his plight..."

He mocked as he laughed, Ilena felt like she could be sick. She had to think of a way to get this guy away and then she realized...that she could push the bear over him and run, try to find Krystal.

Taking a breath, she pushed with all her might until the bear fell over and a large curse came from below. Ilena jumped out and didn't even dare to look behind her, she just wanted to run and get away from him. However, life just wasn't that easy, and just as she'd made her way out of the room...she felt a sharp, warm pain envelop her ankle.

A knife lay embedded in it. Ilena looked at the back room and saw the man struggling to push the large bear statue off of himself. She began to pull her body across the room and screamed for Krystal. Blood seeped out of her open wound.

"KRYSTAL!! HELP ME! HELP!"

Ilena yelled out and the man halted as his hearing perked up.

What did she just...

The name that bitch just said, he'd known that name but why.. why did he, it angered him and he wanted answers but then, he saw the other girl running towards her friend, and his body just halted. 

Why do I feel as though...I know her...

He watched as the other blond-haired female looked him in the eyes and then she too froze in her tracks...the white make-up, the black eyes...the hair...

"Mister...Panda..."

She mouthed, horror painting her face the sight of a person that she'd long thought was part of her imagination. Putting this aside, she grabbed the knife. The man frowned at her actions, what was she doing?!

"Go to hell, you damned monster."

Krystal spat as she threw the knife, stabbing it into the left of his face. He screamed out in sheer agony as he grasped at the knife, trying to pull it out. Krystal used this time to grab her friend and bolt away from him, Ilena was completely confused as she looked at her friend.

"Krystal...what the ..who was that??"

Ilena asked, but got just one answer.

"Someone I thought I knew...it's not him, let's go!"

Krystal said as she pulled her friend upstairs and into a nearby room, they used a broom to lock it and sat behind the door. Both girls hugged the other. Ilena laughed bitterly.

"Well, happy birthday girl...if we live through this....let's never watch anything horror ever again.."

She said and the other nodded.

"Deal..."

 

Chapter 6: The Bogeyman

Ilena and Krystal both sat there, listening for the sound of footsteps that would indicate that the man who'd attacked Ilena had followed them, they heard nothing. 

Krystal let out a small breath and looked at her friend's wound. It was bleeding badly, she gripped her sleeve in her teeth and ripped into it.

"What are you doing?! Mila gave you that shirt!"

Ilena gasped as she watched her friend begin to tie it around her ankle and tighten it, which made her yelp in pain. 

"She'd be happier to know it helped you live! Now come on, we have to look for something that we can use to attack him. I doubt we are going to get out of this with peace, Ilena."

The girl stated as she pushed herself up, she tried to pull Ilena up but it seemed her ankle was causing her too much pain, so she had to sit her on the couch. 

This room had seemed to be a guest room, there was a bed, a closet, and an armorer. Not an overly large room too, if he'd gotten in here...there wouldn't be much room to hide.

\
"Hay, Krystal?"

Ilena asked as the girl looked around and under the bed, hoping to find even a screwdriver. Just something they could use to defend themselves, and hopefully they could find Caleb as well...alive and well. The blood could've been from the killer, Caleb maybe put up a fight.

"Hmm, what is it?"

She replied, halting her search.

"You called him...Mister Panda... Do you know him?"

Ilena asked, it was rather odd to just up and call a deranged mad man by such a cute and friendly name. Krystal walked over to her and responded.

"No. Just...he bore resemblance to a person, I'd thought I knew as a child. He wore black eye shadow under his eyes all the time. It made him look like a panda, so I often called him as such, I never really knew his name. Mostly as I had convinced myself, he was not real. I met him as a 10 year old and he said that he and I were 'best of friends.' That best friends don't lie to each other and all that drabble. I honest to God believed he wasn't real."

She replied to her friend, getting a tad bit emotional. How, how could she not remember him? Why had her memory covered him up entirely? 

It was so bizarre, but their thought process was cut short, the sound of steps startled them. Ilena felt her breathing hitch, she didn't want to die. She had so much else to do in her life, 18 was too young to die at. Especially from an insane killer.

"Ilena, under the bed."

Krystal hissed as she rushed over to her friend who cowered on the couch, she grabbed her hand and tried her best to push her under and then followed after her. Covering her mouth. The sound of the door crashing open, almost made them both scream. 

"Okay, you little bitch...that was a good hit you got on me."

The man spat as he walked into the room, looking around for them.

"But just you wait...until I get my hit on you...I guarantee that you're not gonna be so cocky."

He jeered, Krystal didn't let it phase her. She had to remain calm for her friend beside her, any panic that she resonated, bounced on to her . It had also brought her back to a memory of when she was little and scared of monsters, in her infantile mind it always told her that 'If you're hidden and really really quiet. Then the monster can't get you' Even to adulthood, she always hid behind her covers when she'd felt scared.

She kept a close eye on the man's feet, watching where they went and also checking if there could be an opening for her to grab him and make him smack his head off the table. But for the moment, she was on the observing side. Ilena was softly crying from the terror that she'd felt. Krystal felt sorry for her. 

"You can hide as long as you like, even if you get to the door it's bolted. I ensured that, a shame for your other friend. He just had to be so curious, now...he's one of my little pets."

Hearing this sent a shiver down Krystal's spine. What had he meant by that? His little pet? She focused on where he stood and noticed that he was placing something down on the table, just what was this maniac planning. The two feet turned until they were facing the direction of the bed.

"If you really wanna help him, then...I have a proposal."

The two girls listened.

"There is one key, and 3 of you. If you truly want to save him, then one of you will need to replace him. I like having a living pet, you see and it's no fun when they die easy. So..that's the deal. Your life, for his. The choice is yours."

He taunted as he left the room. Krystal waited for a long time until she let a breath out. Ilena pushed herself out first and looked at her friend.

"What can we do? You heard him, if we want Caleb...one of us will have to.."

The thought made her want to be sick, but Krystal wasn't buying it.

"What's to say that he's not killed him already, and just luring us out to kill all of us at the once?! I don't buy it, not at all."

This guy seemed to be one for cat and mouse games, and for him just to be like 'okay I'll let you go if you do as I say' Didn't sit right with her. It felt too easy. She looked at Ilena.

"I say we make our way to the attic, even if it's to hide there. I may get a signal and call for help. I will not let us die."

She stated to her, but it seemed that Ilena had already started to let the man's words get to her head. Krystal placed her hands on her shoulders.

"Ilena, we are not going to die. We are going to get out and have fun and live to be arguing old farts that die together! Caleb too! Now get a grip!"

Krystal said with a commanding tone, Ilena seemed to snap out of it as she nodded.

"O-Okay.."

The two girls exited the room together and began to make their way to the attic, but that's when they heard it. The sound of screaming, Ilena recognized it.

"That's..THAT'S CALEB!"

She yelled as she broke free of Krystal's grasp, but she ran after her and grabbed her waist, pulling her to the ground. Ilena cursed and scratched at her. Krystal screamed.

"HE'S FUCKING WITH US! CALEB IS DEAD!"

Ilena looked at her, anger in her eyes.

"How can you say that... How could you give up on him..!"

Krystal was crying.

"BECAUSE WHY WOULD HE LET HIM LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO CHASE US, HE'S DEAD AND HE'S USING THAT TO TRICK US!"

Ilena slapped her in the face and her grip loosened.

"You're lying...YOU'RE A LIAR KRYSTAL!"

She cried as she ran towards the basement, where the screaming took place. Krystal was just stunned to the spot, trying to get her head back in place.

LIAR

She had heard that before..but she just couldn't remember where ...

I'm sorry Ilena, I'm so so sorry...

The girl wiped the tears from her eyes as she pushed herself up and she too made her way to the basement. One way or another, she was about to come face to face...

With the bogeyman...

Chapter 7: Showtime

Caleb had just recovered from the last round of torment when the man had brought something else out, he pleaded and begged him to make it stop. He couldn't feel his legs anymore, the man had sawed them off. But at the same time, he could still feel as though they were there.

"Aw, come on mate. Don't get legless on me now. We've just begun."

He grinned at him, as he brought up the knife. Caleb began to sob and beg once more, the man grumbled.

"Ugh, SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

Jeff sneered as he stabbed him in the arm, Caleb screamed even louder. That was better, the sound of screaming and crying was much more musical than the whiny begging for his life. He ripped the knife out of his arm, drawing more blood. It landed in a bucket.

"See, what a good pet you're being, helping me collect more paint."

Caleb felt as though he could vomit right now, from the pain and from the torment that this whackjob had inflicted on him. Just when was it going to end?! He felt himself be slapped and this made him look at the other male.

"What did I just say."

The boy squirmed as the man shoved his face right into his. Caleb sobbed louder again and shook his head. He hadn't been listening to what Jeff was telling him, the killer tutted.

 

"Oh well, seems old age is making you rather...senile..."

Without a warning, Jeff slammed his knife into the boy's ear. Caleb screamed out in agony as he felt his eardrum burst in his right ear. Blood gushed from his ear as he cried.

"I would say sorry, but I can't ear ya, sonny."

Jeff laughed loudly as he walked away from him and then grabbed a towel with roasting water, the man shoved it into his wounded opening. Caleb was frothing at the mouth now and fell over. This made Jeff frown.

"Don't tell me, that's all you've got in you."

He growled as he kicked the boy and he cowered, this made Jeff smirk.

"Got a bit more in you I see, that's more like it."

Jeff was just dragging him up to the meat hook when he spotted the other girl running on his camera. Seems all the piggies were coming to the slaughter. That meant, that other bitch too that stabbed him in the face, oh, oh how much he was looking forward to making her suffer.

"It's making me so ...so.."

He growled as he slammed the boy onto the meat hook, causing blood to spill down onto him and this, in turn, got him even angrier.

"You fucking idiot! You spilled your filthy blood on me!"

Jeff roared as he bashed the boy's head against the wall, a sickening crack could be heard and the boys head slumped down. Jeff wiped the blood off of him and onto the now hanging corpse, just brilliant. 

The male made his way behind the door to hide in surprise for the other two piggies to come and play, he watched as the taller black girl ran in and screamed at the sight of her now dead friend. Jeff jumped out and pulled her to him, placing a finger to his lips as he pointed to the camera that showed Krystal on her way. Ilena began to cry and struggle in his grip.

"If you scream, I'll kill her. Slow and painful."

He whispered into her ear, it made her breathing hitch and she shut up. Jeff began to softly pet her on the head.

"Good girl, good girl..."

He shushed her as they waited on the other girl to come into the room. Krystal looked around cautiously and then spotted Caleb. She gasped and ran over to him, placing a hand to his face and crying.

 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

She said through her fingers. It was then that she heard the noise from behind her, but it was too late. A pipe hit her in the face and she was out cold, before she passed out she'd heard.

"Told ya, my hit would knock that cocky attitude right outta ya..."

--

When she'd come too, she noticed that she was now naked beside her bra and her underwear. Also, she spotted Ilena had been given the same treatment. Just what the fuck was happening?!

Her wrists were bound and so were her legs, she could not move a muscle. The only body part that could move was her neck, looking around, she tried to spot a means of escape. But instead, she came face to face with the head of Caleb, it had been skewered on a stick. Krystal screamed loudly.

"Ah, I see you're leagues ahead of your friends."

Jeff said as he walked out with his knife in hand, Krystal on instinct began to struggle and cuss him out. This made him angry and he walked to Ilena, the girl froze.

"Ah ah ah...Bad bitch..."

The man dug his knife into Ilena's stomach, Krystal cried out in protest.

"Here are the rules of our little....game, you talk without command, she dies. You cuss me out, she dies...You say anything I don't like. She. Dies. Get it, bitch?"

Krystal nodded her head repeatedly, Jeff took the blade away.

"Good, cuz...now..."

He looked at her like a madman.

"The show can go on~"

--

Mila was not happy at all right now, it was 8 pm and still no word from Krystal at all. Come to think of it, where did she say that she'd gone? Somewhere in the mountains was it?

"I'm giving her till 10 pm. Then, I am going to go look for her, adult or not ...worrying her mother like this. Was not on."

The woman began to get her coat on when she received another message from that same unknown number. It read: One dead piggy.

Then the image of a dead boy, come to think of it...that looked like...

"Oh my god."

Mila held her hand over her mouth as she recognized it, that was Krystal's friend Caleb. Who on earth was this and how did they get her number?! Was this Caleb's friend playing a trick on her?! It wasn't funny.

The woman sent a reply to the number.

"Caleb Jones! This is far from a joke, now tell me where you and the girls are! Or you're in massive trouble!"

She sent the text and waited for a reply. If this came back as anything suspicious, she'd be calling the police. Kids or not, sometimes enough was enough. A reply came through that shocked her to the bone.

"Caleb is dead."

 

Chapter 8: 3 Little Piggies

Jeff looked around the room at his captive audience. It filled him with a sense of sinful awe that he’d now have 2 dollies to play with… For the moment at least. Soon, there will be 3 piggies here. That is if the text he’d sent had gone through.

Still though, something was really, really…irritating him right now. The blond girl over there did not seem to be as scared of him as her companion was. Why was that? did she not even realize who he was? What he could do to her? Or perhaps…did she need a demonstration of it. Maybe, that is what he would do if this attitude continued.

But right now, he had more things in mind for them and he’d hoped that one of them would be able to withstand it, because he was far from over. It’s that girl’s birthday, he overheard….

Why not give her something to die for?

“So, my lovely little dollies…”

He started, catching both girls’ attention.

“I want to play a game…And when it’s done...”

Jeff felt his stomach tingle with excitement.

“One of you will die.”

--

Krystal felt her insides go cold. What was he on about, one of them would die at the end of this?? She knew he looked it, but surely this maniac didn’t consider himself as Jigsaw. Right? She looked over at Ileya, the poor girl was hyperventilating. This made her angry, Ilena had asthma, and if her stress got so bad then ….

“Hey!”

The girl shouted at the male, she knew this could be dangerous but she had to try for her best friend. Jeff looked at her with an annoyed expression. It’s rude to answer without being spoken to.

“Since you so desperately need my attention, what?”

He said with a smug tone in his voice. Krystal wanted to punch his face.

“She has asthma. If you keep pushing her, she will suffer an attack.”

Krystal barked at him, her voice reminded him of a very annoying dog. That would be her name from now on. Bitch.

“Oh, really I had no idea…”

Jeff mocked with fake sorrow in his voice, this riled Krystal up and she tried to lunge at him. Her restraints stopped her though and jerked her back down. Jeff walked over to Ilena.

“You know what you do with a sick animal?”

He snickered at her face as his hand gripped the girl's throat. Krystal began to cry and scream at the sight.

“You put it out its misery.”

The man put the knife to her neck and jabbed it in there, but he did not remove it. No use in killing her out right after all. No, he wanted to prolong the pain as long as possible. Krystal was frothing at the mouth now and hurling abuse at him.

“Now, now… she’s not dead. Not yet. But, come on, if she can’t even have the liberty to breathe properly. Why let her breathe at all. Rather stupid if you ask me, it’s like-“

He was cut off by Krystal spitting on him. The man wiped the spit off of his face and lost his gleeful attitude. This bitch, she has the nerve to speak back, the nerve to retaliate…even in the face of her friend dying. Well, he’d knock that bravado out of her by the end of this. That he swore.

“You know, the more you mouth off to me. The worse it is for her, I don’t need to harm you bitch. No, I find it’s easier to kill something a person loves. That hurts 100 times more. So…I guess you don’t care about her after all.”

The man gave a fake sad sigh as he made his way to Ileya and place a hand on the blade. Krystal lost her bravado and shouted.

“N-No! DON’T I’ll behave, I’ll be quiet just don’t harm her please!!!”

Jeff listened to her begging and it made him want to vomit, but at least she was acting more to how he wanted her to. He removed his hand from the blade and smiled at her.

“Good girl”

--

 

Mila followed the GPS tracker and laid her eyes on the house, this wasn’t supposed to be accessible to the public … She’d need to have a chat with Caleb’s father after this. Pushing past the yellow labels, she jumped the small ditch. How could Krystal do this and not even tell her about it, given she is a legal adult now? But, with everything she’d been through, how could she not have sensed the danger from it.

“Well, when I get my hands on that girl, she’s not leaving the house until she’s 25! That and she will be forever monitored.”

The woman frowned as she made her way up past the gate and set food in the garden of the abandoned house. Unbeknownst to her, she had two eyes peering down at her. Jeff grinned wildly as he brought out a phone and began to text.

Krystal took this time to try and edge her way over bit by bit to the table that held a screwdriver. Any means of defense was going to benefit her at this point. Even if it was a quick stab to his groin, that would give her all the satisfaction that she’d desire. Upon hearing his footsteps, she quickly edged her way back.

“And there- Hey…what’s with the sweat…”

Jeff stated with a hint of cynicism. Krystal did not utter a word; she was trying her best to not let the fact known that she had a screwdriver behind her back. As much as she mocked him, he was not a stupid idiot. He got right in her face.

“You aren’t lying…are ya? I hate...liars and they are the best victims to kill…by slitting their vocals.”

Jeff stated, trying to get an ounce of fear from her but, he got none. The male huffed.

“You aren’t any fun…”

He turned his back to her, and she let out a massive breath of relief. Now, just how could she stab him? He had to be in her direct line of sight and preferably, not be facing her long enough for her to cut her arms free. She watched as he made his way over to Ileya, who was not moving much right now. She was running out of time.

“I should just put her out of her misery, and you call me a sick bastard. The girl is bleeding dry and you insist on me not removing the blade? Would hate to get on your bad side.”

Jeff mocked as he poked Ilena’s cheek. Krystal just focused on etching away at her restraints on her wrists. Her thoughts consisting of stabbing him in the jugular.

Just you keep joking asshole. You’ll get yours soon, you sick demented fuck.

Krystal said to herself but then, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes tracked to the large screen and no….

Jeff spotted the screen and then the girl's face.

“All 3 piggies are here to play…”

 

Chapter 9: Piggy Pie Picnic

Krystal just stared for the longest time in utter disbelief. Why, why was Mila here?! How did she even know where they were, unless... Unless that maniac had planned it all. But why? Why would he put so much effort into messing with all of them, what was his motives?

"Oii, bitch. It's rude to ignore your host!"

Jeff taunted, catching her attention. Damn this man, damn him to hell is what Krystal thought. What was his issue, surely out of all the victims he'd accumulated, they were not the most unique ones to the point of pushing this on for so long? It made no sense at all. 

"Seems that all the piggies are here to play, and I love nothing more than a good piggy pie."

He snickered as he walked to the now, half-dead Ilena. Krystal felt like screaming.

"Now, we are gonna play the game. It is Jeff says. If you fail, then I'll remove a part of her body."

Jeff stated as he stared at the girl, if this did not get a reaction out of her....then he'd move on to the next piggy. If that still did not work, then he'd just kill her outright. It's rather boring when a victim won't give a reaction to his taunting. More boring than mute or blind victims.

"Y-You can't seriously expect me to obey this! Take it out on me, hurt me but please just leave Ileya and Mila alone! Do as you wish with me please!"

The woman begged, trying to appeal to whatever humanity that she could inside of him, but it had fallen on deaf ears. Jeff felt revolted by her actions. It always sickened him when people would try and make themselves out to be a good person when in the end, they were just the same.

"Oh, I do expect it. No, I demand it. Do you think that she'd do the same if she was in your shoes?!"

He shouted at her and she shouted back.

"I DON'T CARE! SHE'S THE ONLY FRIEND I HAVE! I CAN'T LOSE HER!"

At those words, something...snapped inside of him. Something, primal and deadly. Jeff gripped the knife and sneered.

"You've always been...a shitty liar."

He spat as he ripped the knife out of Ilena's neck. Then he plunged it back in again, back and forth. Several times. Krystal stared at him in horror as he looked her in the eyes...then painted his eyes with red patches. The woman felt her stomach go cold with dread and horror. Now.. now she remembered him and remembered who he was.

"...Mr...Panda..."

She mouthed out.

--

 

 

Chapter 10: Remembrance

Jeff stared at the girl with utter glee, finally, she remembered who he was. It was infuriating that she'd forgotten about her best friend, and she even said that the other bitch was her only companion. How utterly insulting, after all of what he'd done for her. It enraged him greatly, so perhaps he overreacted a tad. 

"Heh, took you long enough to remember me...Funny, you always told me that you'd never forget me. Guess you're nothing but a filthy liar in the end as well, just like everybody else."

The man lifted his blade and flicked the blood of her fallen friend in her face. Krystal was screaming in hysterics now, she didn't want this to happen, why didn't they just go to the damned pizza place. Oh god, why did they have to come here? It was like a sick twist of horrid fate. Jeff knelt before her, his blood-soaked face looking even more joyful. He grabbed the girls face and made her stare him in the eyes, she tried her damnedest not to do so. He sneered.

"You took something from me, all those years ago bitch, and tonight, I am going to show you just how painful it feels to be stabbed by someone you once loved. I loved you, I loved you like the best friend I never had, and you just took that love and smashed me in the face with it. So, best get comfortable. The show is only just starting."

The killer released her face and pulled out his mobile, he dialed a number and walked back to Krystal. Placing the knife at her throat, he looked her in the eye.

"You're going to answer this call, you're going to tell that whore where you are and tell her that you're alone. If you don't. I will go and gut her like a pig. Right this moment. Am I understood?"

He sneered quietly as he held the phone to her ear.

"No crying either."

He stated as the line went on. Jeff heard the voice of the one who wrecked his life, took his brother from him, and spiraled his life into what it'd become: Officer Yolkavich.

--

Krystal did her best not to evoke fear in her voice as she spoke to Mila.

"Krystal? Krystal where are you?! Are you alright??"

Came the sound of her guardian's panic-stricken voice. It broke her heart to hear her so broken and disheveled. She took a moment and then she answered.

"Yes, I am fine..I-I am in the basement. I have fallen and-"

The girl felt a sharp pain as the man lightly jabbed the knife in her neck, his gaze never leaving her.

'Wrap it up bitch.'

He mouthed to her and she shivered.

"I hurt my ankle. I can't move, please come down here and help me. Please hurry."

Jeff shut the phone off and lightly pat the girl on her hair.

"Heh, quite the actress ain't you."

Krystal just glared at him with malice. Never in her life had she felt such anger for a person as much as she had the man before her right now, and now, she had put her beloved mother in harms way. Just what had she done? Mila did not deserve this. No one deserved this.

"Well, the last piggy is on her way..We are about to have a full piggy pie."

The male snickered as he grabbed Krystal by her neck and forced her to stare at the security screens. Mila was making her way to the basement, she looked scared and nervous. It was making Krystal sick, just what did this man want with Mila. She could understand what he'd gain from hurting her as she broke his trust, but what did Mila do to him??

Jeff forced the girl into the closet and it brought back horrible memories of that night when her family had been slaughtered. Then something horrible occurred to her, something that made her stare at Jeff in terror and disgust. 

"What did you DO?!"

She screamed as he looked at her through the slit in the door.

"What I promised you."

He said and then slammed the door shut, ignoring the girl's cries from within.

"I never, ever break my promises."

--

Mila had managed to make her way to the front of the basement. A horrid stench hit her nostrils as she approached the door, it was the smell of death and decay. She had not smelt this sort of smell since that night when she had rescued Krystal. It was terrible. Steeling forth her courage, she kicked open the door and covered her mouth. There was the mutilated body of Caleb. Mila felt tears run down her cheeks, that poor boy. Just what monster could have done this?! 

"You coward! Show your face! Killing an innocent child! How do you sleep at night!?"

The officer spat as she raised her gun and continued to walk forwards, she kept her guard up until she spotted a familiar bracelet and her insides turned to ice. Mila rushed forward and grabbed the small bracelet, it belonged to Krystals' friend Ilena. Her blood boiled.

"Just how much blood are you willing to spill for your twisted needs?!"

She screamed out but received no answer from her would-be kidnapper. Just where was this man and what did he want, why these kids, and more important...did he have Krystal? Was she being forced to comply with his demands? It made her so incredibly angry. Taking out her phone, she tried calling Krystal again but received no response. 

"I promise, I will find you, Krystal..."

The woman whispered to herself as she continued on her way to the middle section of the basement. She had no idea as to what she'd walk into through those doors.

Chapter 11: Que Cera, Cera

Krystal felt her fists become bloodied as she bashed on the wardrobe. So desperately she'd wanted this to be a nightmare, but she knew herself that it wasn't. But why did things have to turn out like this? She lost her best friends, her freedom, and her happiness all in one day. Her birthday nonetheless, what a truly awful reminder.

"I'll get out of here, and I will smash that damned smile off his crooked face."

She sneered as she continued to punch the wood, her skin splintering in the process. But at this moment, she was driven by pure rage and adrenaline.

--

Jeff made his way past his carnage, he did wonder how that bitch would feel upon seeing his face again. Would she feel any pang of regret for the actions that she'd done to him and his family? Would she apologize to him for causing him to lose control after his ordeal? Not that he'd truly cared to be fair, bitch was still going to die. Whether she had apologized or not, that much was true. He had long since fantasized about her death, how long it would be, and how much blood he had wanted her to shed. It gave him a small pleasure-like thrill.

"Come on, Jeff, keep it together here. Once you knock her out, then you can start having fun. Plus, what better revenge than to do it in front of her beloved charge. After all, she wrecked my life. Only fair I wreck hers and that treacherous leech of a so-called friend."

He said with nothing but venom. It still stung him, how could she just up and forget that he'd existed?! After all the bullies that he'd disposed of, even kept his promise of taking her to a place where she didn't have to listen to others and they could live in bliss. But what does she do? She calls the police, causing him to lock her in the closet. He originally was just going to take her, but then the damned family got involved. First, the father, throwing a punch at him and hitting him square in the jaw. Then that damned brother of hers, running to open the front door and finally, that damned mother of hers. Smashing a wine glass over his head. 

Everything just came to a clash and before he'd registered it, he was smashing the father's face into the wall. The rest was a rather messed up blur of reds and blacks. It wasn't like the normal black-out period that he had endured, no this felt a lot more...powerful, as though he could not stop until they all painted the walls with their blood. The feeling was that strong.

"I have one more piggy to add to this piggy pie, and then...then I can start on making that leech pay for all the hurt that she'd made me endure in the 7 years that I was led to believe that she'd been abducted. I will make her feel what I did, or she'll be begging for death."

He paused for a moment.

"Something, that I will not allow. She will suffer until I decide that she's paid the price."

Jeff said as he listened for the sound of the cop, her voice caught his ear and he gripped his blade tightly.

"Time to settle this, once and for all."

--

Mila had just turned the corner when she caught a glimpse of white. The officer gripped her gun and grit her teeth.

"HALT YOU COWARD!"

The woman screamed, to her surprise, the individual did as she said. He kept his back turned.

"TURN, SLOWLy, NOW!"

Mila kept her gun on the back of his head and watched as her suspect came to face her, it was a face that she never expected to see again and one that filled her with immense dread and a feeling of damp coldness. 

"No, it can't be...Jeffery Woods?"

She said softly, upon hearing his name come from her lips. It made him want to cut out her tongue. He raised his hands in the air and dropped his gun, grinning.

"Ya got me, copper. What's my plea deal? 10 years? 20? Maybe less if I admit to killing those brats and torturing that other gal locked up. Ya know, if I die..."

He shot her a look.

"You ain't ever gonna find her alive."

Jeff knew this would stab her where it hurt, the look of pain as his words twisted into her, it was priceless.

"You're lying. You don't even know where she is I bet! You just want to torment me!"

Mila shouted as she made her way to him, the gun never leaving his head. Jeff just stood there and then nodded to his pocket, as if to tell her to look at it, she frowned.

"Don't believe me, look on the phone. All the evidence that you'll need is on that sim card. What do I know, I'm nothing but a filthy killer. Right?"

He stated, keeping his eyes on her. Unbeknownst to her, he had a hidden knife in his hood. Soon as she lost her guard, she's being butted with the knife handle. Jeff watched as she reached for the phone and grabbed it. She opened it and looked at him.

"Passcode. Now."

Mila snapped at him, he pouted.

"Magic word?"

This man was truly trying to piss her off, she growled and placed the gun into his head.

" NOW!"

Mila screeched at him, he lost his happy demeanor. He hated when people, especially women, tried to think they were better than he was. Gritting his teeth, he replied.

"Alcove"

Hearing those words, sent millions of chills down her spine, she looked him in the eyes. He did not just say that.

"That name, how did you know that name?!"

The woman sneered with an edge in her voice, and what he said next broke her .

"How could I ? after all... she was my favorite victim. Little Krysta Alcove"

Something in Mila's mind snapped and before she knew it, she was pulling the trigger.

--

From where Krystal was, she heard the gunshot and froze solid.

"Mi...la...."

The girl slumped down and felt tears roll down her face.

"MIIILLLAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

 

 

Chapter 12: Smoke and Mirrors

When Jeff had opened his eyes, he was shocked to see that he was not dead. No..instead, the stupid bitch had shot herself. Was it because he baited her? Tricked her into thinking that other girl was dead, that made little to no sense. She'd just end her own life, over that?

"Well...saves me any hassle, I suppose. But, now what? I guess I can have fun, mess with that other bitch back there. In fact...this is better, I can mess with her more now. Make her think that bitch died because of her. Heh, I am a genius." 

Jeff grinned as he went to grab the woman, but to his surprise, even after trying to blow her brains out. She was still somehow clinging to her life, her lips dribbled with blood and viscera. In this state, she was almost pitiable, almost. The man knelt to her and picked up her chin, he tilted her head from left to right and let it go.

"Well, bitch. Time to reunite you with your charge. Oh, I didn't tell you? She ain't dead."

If she could, Mila would have screamed. She fell for his bait, she was actually made to believe that Krystal had died. From her one working socket, a single tear dropped to the floor. It angered her how easily manipulated she'd let herself become. Mila had promised to protect Krystal, a promise now, that seemed would never be kept.

"W-wrhyy..."

She slurred out, Jeff hoisted her up and thought for a moment.

"Because I have a score to settle, and you two just seem to be in the wrong place, at the right time."

--

From her spot in the closet, she'd long lost the feeling in both her knuckles. They bled and had blistered from the force of her pummeling, she hadn't even managed to break through the slightest of wood. She was no Uma Thurman, that was certain. She'd remembered those days from her youth when she and Mila would watch action movies until they fell asleep. Oh, what she'd give to go back to those days. The girl was just about to try her hand and pummeling the wood again when she heard the sound of footsteps. Krystal backed to the farthest end of the wardrobe. 

Jeff thrust the doors open and frowned at the amount of blood on the wood and dripping from her hands. He grabbed her and growled, examining her face. She hadn't seemed to damage that. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing ?! Are you a moron?!"

He yelled at her, dragging her out by her hair. She fell onto her hands and screeched as the cuts opened up, Jeff just ignored her. She did that to herself, it wasn't his fault she'd been a dumbass and tried to pull a damned Kill Bill move on the wardrobe. This wasn't a fantasy world they lived in, there were no do overs. The man once again, grabbed the girl by the hair and dragged her towards the lump on the floor. Krystal felt her heart clench.

"MILA!!"

She screamed out as she clambered over to the body. There were no signs of movement from her, nothing at all. Krystal looked at Jeff with the utmost anger and disgust.

"FIX HER!"

Krystal screamed at him, he just shrugged.

"Ey, I did not do this. She shot herself."

Those words cut through her like a knife, no he was a liar, a sick and manipulative liar. The man crouched down and watched the girl as she tried to formulate her next words. He could just put an end to that police whore and be done with it, but no, he wanted to see the pain in that other bitches eyes as she succumbed to the despair. Just like he had to do when he watched his brother be taken from him.

"Why, why would she?!"

The girl sobbed out as she watched Mila gasping for air. This was sick, she was suffering. It was not fair to her, to her wonderful mother that never gave up on her. The man slipped her the blade and she stared at him wide-eyed. She shoved the blade away.

"She's bleeding out you moron. Bitch will be dead soon so best just put her out of her misery. It's the humane thing to do."

Jeff said to her, sliding the blade back.

"Humane, hah...that's fucking rich, coming from you."

The girl spat at him, hitting him in the face. Jeff wiped it away and before she could blink, her hand was gripping the knife. Krystal protested to the act, but it was too late. Jeff forcefully stabbed the knife into Mila's chest. Blood spurted out and right onto Krystal's face. The woman pulled away and proceeded to throw up on the floor. Jeff grunted in disgust as he flicked blood at her.

"Had to be done, dumbass. Would you allow an animal to live in pain? No, same was to her."

He said as he stood up and dusted his jeans. Krystal just clung to the now, dead body of Mila and cried into her chest. She so badly just wanted to hear her heartbeat and for her to wrap her arms around her once more. It was surreal how things were occurring. Was this even real? Had she bashed her head and this was all a terrible illusion? The feeling of her being dragged off the body said other wise. Her body was hoisted over the man's shoulder as they walked from the body. 

"MILA! MILA! LET ME GO! MILA!"

Krystal screamed out as she battered the man's back, trying to struggle free. Jeff just did what he did best, ignored her whining voice, and continued to walk out of the room through a secret door. As soon as he reached the outside, he looked to Krystal, not revealing the small cloth in his hand.

"Now, bitch..."

He said softly.

"Just...go to sleep"

Before Krystal could even react to her surroundings, her mouth and nose were covered by the cloth and she felt her vision blur into darkness. The last sight that her eyes witnessed, was Jeff throwing the alcohol rag at the house, and then nothing.

--

Jeff sat with the now, unconscious body of Krystal and watched as the fire and smoke took over the old house. He'd ensured no evidence had been left, hence the use of the black gloves that he wore. He didn't care if the bodies had been discovered. Just more numbers for his growing lineage. But now, the question fell on that other girl. She couldn't be released, she'd seen far too much..and also, she did not seem sorry whatsoever. This did not sit right with him at all.

"Hmm...I could just keep her as a torture pet. I have not had a human guinea pig in quite a long time....plus, this one is different. She's personal. Yes, I think that's a plan."

For the moment, he just allowed himself to relax to the image and sounds of the flames, he could work on the next part when that came.

Chapter 13: First Night - Punishment

When Krystal had come too, she'd noticed that she was back in her bed again. It really had been a terrible dream after all. Jumping out of her bed, she rushed down the stairs and spotted all of her friends and her adoptive family gathered around the cake. Krystal felt herself becoming teary-eyed at the sight. However...something began to look rather off to her. The more she looked around, the more misplaced things began to seem.

"...Guys?"

She called out as she walked over to Caleb, he was smiling. Smiling rather too much in a sense, in fact, to her horror and terror. His face began to melt and morph into a disfigured lump of flesh, Krystal backed off and screamed in terror as she watched her family melt into a horrific mess. Their bodies began to contort as flesh and organs spilled from their confinements. She felt a hand on her shoulder and found herself being spun round to face that horrid smile.

"Happy birthday, bitch"

Krystal screamed 

--

The girl bolted up and found herself vomiting on the floor. So, the event that had occurred really had occurred it seemed. Her head throbbed and her eyes were stinging from the amount of crying that she'd been doing. She had no idea how long she'd been passed out, or where she was. The room looked dark, damp, and very little light. She was sitting on a rather dirty mattress and upon touching her neck, she found herself to be wearing a collar that connected to an extended chain. Not just that, she was now partially naked. Stripped down to her bra and her underwear.

Just what on earth did this mad man plan on doing to her? Keep her as some sort of demented pet?! 

"Well, I don't plan on playing dead, that is for sure. He wants an animal, I'll act like a god damned animal and bite his fucking jugular."

She sneered to herself as she stood up. At least he had the decency to allow her to walk like a person, but just where was this place and why was it so dark in here? Walking a few feet, she spotted what looked like a door in the furthest corner. It seemed that this was the only door in the room, she couldn't see any windows either. So a windowless room, a single door. Yep, this room was definitely designed to keep a person locked up. 

"Now, how do I get out of here..."

Krystal pondered to herself, but soon she found herself at the end of her rope. Literally, she had walked to the length of the room and found her neck being tugged by the chain. So it extended only to just before the door. Taunting her in a cruel sense. The girl plopped down on the floor and groaned. She was naked, chained like a dog and not to mention she was starving. Her stomach grumbled very loudly.

Her ears pricked up at the sound of footsteps approaching the door, Krystal scrambled backward and sat on the mattress. Her bravado vanishing for the moment, she could not afford to be cocky when she had no means to attack him or was chained up like this. The door opened and in walked Jeff holding a tray of food and drink, he looked around and noticed the vomit. 

"I see you're up eh?"

He stated to her as he crouched down, placing the tray before her. She did not answer him.

"You must be tired, confused, and scared. So, let me lay down the ground rules. You are now, in layman's terms. My pet. If I say something, you obey, if I tell you you're an idiot. Then you shut up and listen. If you try to escape, harm me, or try and overpower me. I will beat the shit out of you until you'd wished you were dead. You're here to atone for what you did to me. Only then, when I feel you're not brainwashed. Then I will maybe, let you go. Maybe."

Jeff explained to her. She couldn't believe her ears, he was mad. Simply and utterly insane.

"So, with that said. I bet you're hungry. So eat up."

Krystal watched as the tray was pushed to her, she looked him in the eyes as she pushed it away from her. Challenging him. He sighed.

"Here I had thought, that you were going to try and get better...but.."

The man stood up and place his hand on her head.

"If you're gonna act this way...then.."

He smashed her head into the food and held it there, she gasped at the impact.

"I guess I'll need to assist you with that dirty habit. So, bitch, I said fucking EAT it"

The girl struggled and clawed at his hand, he just shoved her face deeper into the grime-covered floor. Jeff did not let up, she was going to eat the damned food, even if she had to eat the dirt that went with it. Krystal felt herself growing weaker, the more oxygen he cut off, the blacker her vision became. She shouted out.

"I GIVE I GIVE!"

She felt her airway become lighter as his grip loosened. Sitting up, she rubbed her neck. It was bad enough that she was chained and had very little airway already, but to be choked in such a manner did not help her either. The girl took a handful of the grime-covered food and put it in her mouth. She wanted to gag. 

"If you vomit up, I'll make you damned well eat that too. I paid for that shit, so you eat it. Or you ain't getting food again."

Jeff spat at her, she shook where she sat as his words wrang in her ears. Nodding, she kept it down and looked at him.

"Tongue, out I want proof."

He stated, she looked at him incredulously. But, the man was not kidding at all. Groaning, she stuck her tongue up and put it on the roof of her mouth. Jeff nodded.

"Good. See, not so hard to listen to what you're told is it?"

Grinning, he stood up and took the tray away from her, it was then that he noticed a fork was missing. Not having any time to react, the girl stabbed him in the side of his face and shoved him away. This caused him to fall over and curse her out. She just spat at him and sneered.

"I will NEVER do as you FUCKING tell me, you damned maniac!"

Krystal shouted at him, watching as he pushed himself up.

"Oh, you damned will bitch. In fact, I was going to put this off. But damn you made me angry with that stupid stunt. It's time for your initiation, every time you do something dumb. You get punished and marked for it to remind you of how stupid you were."

He wobbled towards the desk in the room and placed a hand on it, looking back at her, he sneered.

"Your first punishment is..."

Jeff turned to her with a rope in his hands, Krystal felt her eyes go wide as she realized how badly she messed up.

"Asphyxiation."

Chapter 14: Resistance

Krystal tried to crawl away from the obviously enraged man, but he was too quick and dragged her by her hair. She choked as he threw her down to the ground and stood on her head. The pressure from it was so intense, that she'd honestly thought that he was going to crush her skull. Jeff sneered at her.

"You won't be so smart once I am done with you, in fact, I think it'll be an improvement."

He stated as he reached upwards, pulling down what appeared to be a hook. This terrified the girl, was he going to hook her like a slab of meat?! Was he going to skin her alive?! The horrid thoughts were endless as her eyes darted around. Jeff just focused on what he'd planned, this was sure to knock that attitude right out of her, or it could knock her breathless. Either of the two would suit him right now, her voice had been driving him insane with how much she'd whined.

Krystal felt herself being hoisted up into the air by the hook. Just what had he had planned for her? She didn't have a lot of time to think about that, as she was rather abruptly, hoisted right into the air. Jeff stared at her as she dangled in the air, grasping at the collar, and begging for help. This made him feel a sadistic sense of glee, finally, he will get to take out all his aggression on her for everything that she'd made him feel. Also, he never got to torture that other bitch for ruining his and his family's lives. So, this one would have to bear the brunt for both of them.

"What's the matter bitch? Speechless ?"

He snickered at her as she coughed and spluttered, after a few moments of her turning blue and dribbling saliva, Jeff dropped her to the floor. Krystal lay there spasming and choking, she'd really messed up with her stunt. But what did he expect her to do, lay limp and rollover? No, that would never happen. Even if he ripped her nails off and skinned her, she would never admit defeat and especially not to the likes of him either. 

"I'll let you wallow in your pain for now, but we ain't even over here. Not by a long shot, you just think about that while I get your next punishment ready."

Jeff stated as he walked away from her and to the door. She didn't even try to move, her body was too sore and far too weak right now. But it did feel so damn good to stab him in the face, a bit of deliverance for what he'd did to Mila and her friends.

"Serves you, you damned maniac..."

She unwillingly, let herself fall into an uneasy slumber.

--

Ana frowned as she stared at her many unanswered calls to Mila. She had known that she'd upset her by announcing that the case was no longer part of her concerns. But surely, that was no reason to blank her out like this. They'd fought over many things, but this little thing had seemed to really hurt Mila. Sighing, she was about to try again when she had received a call from her communicator. It was the sheriff from the town where Mila moved to. Maybe he had news about her. 

However, when she picked it up. It wasn't the happy-sounding man that normally greeted her.

"Sherrif Derrik. How can I be of service?"

Ana said, but she knew this was not going to be a very cheerful topic. The elderly man halted a bit before he replied to the concerned sounding woman. He'd known the girl since she had been a small nipper, so putting personal aside and work first, was not an easy issue.

"Officer Dalton, you remember, Officer Yolkavich. Correct?"

He had to approach this sensitively. No need to cause any more harm than what was needed.

"Yes, she is my former partner, she retired and I cannot reach her."

The air started to feel cold, like something seriously bad was about to occur. She swallowed the lump in her throat and continued.

"Wh-Why?"

The next words that came over the communicator, stabbed her worse than a knife.

"Dalton, she's...she's been found dead."

Ana stood there in disbelief, no, no this wasn't true...Mila was such a strong person, they had taken women's defense classes together. How could this have happened to her? Who could have done this to her? The sheriff's voice cut her off.

"Look, I know it's the last thing you'd want to hear right now. But, did she have any enemies. People who'd want to do something like this to her?"

Sherrif Derrik asked tentatively, this was a harsh enough situation as it is.

"No, as far as I knew. She did not have any people that disliked her, who were free and on the streets."

The woman listened as the man gave his condolences and then hung up, leaving her with more feelings of anger, bitterness, and just depression swallowing up her mind. Her bearings were lost and she slumped down to the floor, her best friend...of 15 years, was dead.

"I'm so sorry, Mila...wait..."

Something dawned on her. The girl, what had happened to the girl!?

"I have to get to the bottom of this. For Mila, I will track down Krystal and I will ensure she's safe."

Ana set about calling the police station in Cali and chatting to the main person in charge of the force there. Her friend's death wouldn't be for naught, she'd see the person who'd done this go down for it, even if it cost her the job that she loved.

"This is personal now."

--

When Krystal had woken back up, she had spotted that more food sat before her. This time, she never hesitated to devour it. She never even used her cutlery to eat, she devoured it like the animal she'd been treated as. Her stomach lurched and she felt herself in immense pain, but then it was over. She could not feel anything in her body at all. The man opened the door and crouched down to her level.

"I told you, you'd need plenty of rest for the next round and I meant it. But, I feel...generous. So I won't let you feel this part, even though I should do. I won't because I can be kind when I wish to be."

Krystal couldn't even cuss him out, her body had shut down it'd seemed. What was going on?!

"So, now that you're up and at'em.."

Jeff smirked sinisterly.

"It's time you received your first maiming, like earlier, each time you act in a way I don't like...You get marked as that word, so today's word is..."

He leaned in close.

"Bitch"

 

Chapter 15: Ain't It Fun?

Jeff laid the girl on the desk and straightened her limbs. She was utterly paralyzed at the moment, the drug was known to last hours. Sometimes it even lasted days, he'd used it on other victims before and found there were little damages to be sustained. Apart from major nausea and a little bit of vomiting. So, nothing bad in his eyes at least. After assuring that she'd been secured, he brought out his knife. The girl's eyes were darting madly around, just trying to find something to focus on. Her pupils were dilated with fear and panic. Jeff placed a hand on her hair.

"Now, this will hurt, but that is why I numbed you for this one. I know you don't understand what's happening and what you have to do with all of this, but I was so damned hurt when you left me. You broke our promise Krystal and what did Mister Panda always say to you? A promise broken is a bond shattered. You shattered our bond. But, I have a good feeling that by the end of our little stay, you'll see me in a new light. Just like how we used to be!"

He smiled at her as he pushed himself up.

"But first, you have to learn that when you're a bad pet, that you get punished. So..."

Jeff stated as he placed the blade on her skin.

"Let's get started"

--

Krystal could only lay there and watch as the blade cut through her skin like thin paper. Droplets of blood turned into rivers as he brought the blade down with every letter that he'd carved. She was crying, even if she didn't feel the pain being inflicted. She knew that once he was finished, she'd have that word engraved into her flesh for the rest of her life. Like a horrible reminder of the days of her torment. A sick trophy for him to gaze upon. It was terrible.

"Come now, stop the tears. You can't feel it can you? I did use the highest dosage of that drug, I wanted to be a tad bit lenient for your first night."

Jeff stated as he concentrated on his work, one mess up and she's ruined. If that was the case then he would have to dispose of her, no use in having a damaged trophy. He had done that before, it was a horrible sight for him. He loves his art, especially the living canvases, and when they get ruined, it sends him into a spiral of rage. He had tried to do so with the other brat, that girl's friend but he just was so disobedient and troublesome. Why could they never just be complacent? But that was the reasoning for the new drug being used, still, canvas, no pain and he can work easier. It made him feel happy.

Krystal tried to focus on the dim painting on the opposite wall. It was a cat, a small, fluffy white cat. It just took her mind away from the torment that she'd been forced to endure. The innocence of the picture had managed to transport her into a dream-like state where she wasn't being tortured, wasn't in this damp room, and wasn't here at the hands of a deranged maniac. It was pleasant for the shortest while.

And that's when the pain suddenly returned and she screamed. This caught Jeff off guard and he cursed at her.

"Jesus! Did it actually wear off?!"

He couldn't stop now, he only had two letters left to mark onto her, but the sound of her crying had triggered a memory from deep within his mind.

--

The small girl sat sniffling in her bedroom as she listened to the sound of her parents arguing. Her eyes caught sight of two sock puppets, one was a kitty and one was a panda. She crawled forward towards them and watched the show.

"Now now miss kitty, you shouldn't cry."

"But Mister panda, I am sad"

"Why are you sad?"

"Mummy and daddy want to go away, they want to take me away"

"Oh, well mister panda won't let them! Mister Panda will punish them!"

"Yay!"

Krystal giggled at the show and watched as the young boy emerged from the bottom of the bed, he raised his arms and let her run into hug him. He hated seeing her sad, it was so hurtful to him, but he would ensure that anyone who tried to hurt her, would meet a terrible end. He pulled away and looked at her , he brought out his pinky.

"Do you pinky promise me, that you're always gonna be my friend?"

He asked and she nodded.

"Deal!"

She smiled widely.

--

At that moment, he snapped out of his delusion and stared at the scene before him. Sneering, he dug the blade back in, ignoring her now harsh cries of pain and fear. No, this was a punishment. There was no time for him to have any pang of remorse, however small it was. He managed to carve the last letter and then removed the blood-covered knife. Krystal was now full-on hysterical crying, snot and saliva were spilling from all orifices. It repulsed him greatly.

"Ugh, fuck sakes. Here."

He tossed her a handkerchief. The girl could not even move due to the pain that she'd been in, softly, she grabbed the hanky and wiped her face. Jeff looked over her and then rubbed his temples, she'd need a sanitary place to lay on while the wound healed up. Also, he had to rechain her as well. A lot of effort went into keeping someone hostage, you had to feed them, make sure they never got sick and train them. It was a damned heart attack. Normally, he would kill his victims by now. But she was an old friend, why put an end to something special so quick?

"I'll kill her when I feel she's suffered enough, and I am not even close to that point."

Picking the woman up, he watched as she cradled into him. She was probably cold from being naked all the time, he'd need to try and see if there were any clothes at hand to dress her in. Also, maybe enhance that collar too. He had an old electronics book in the basement, for now though, he and the girl proceeded upstairs to the first floor. He had felt that for one night, she'd been punished enough. A tired pet is a boring pet.

"Rest up, little bitch. You'll need it for all the things I have in store for you."

He whispered to her as the basement door closed behind them.

 

Chapter 16: Small PSA

Hello. This is not an official chapter but just a small note to say about the issues in this work of fiction.

If you have been in the situation of having suffered abuse from someone, be it emotional, physically, or mental. Just know that you're not what they say that you are.

You're not worthless, you're not a mistake and you're not a burden.

You are an amazing, wonderful and unique individual that deserves better than that and you should not stand for any of that behavior.

The relationship between Jeff and Krystal is not real, but I know many who have suffered from the abuse that is depicted...

That said. I hope you do enjoy the story. It is based solely off of imagination and any similarity is merely coincidence.

Good night and see you all in the next chapter.

- Yandere.

Chapter 17: Second Night : Adjustments

Ana stared down at the coffin of her now, dead best friend. It made her heart ache that soon, she would have to lay her down to the ground, it still did not feel real to her in all honesty. The funeral was not until the next week but she'd been allowed to come and ensure that the body had been dressed appropriately and in the outfit that Mila had loved the most, her police uniform. It was a strange sensation, to be burying someone who was younger than you were. Unfair, almost. 

"It is unfair, unfair that such a strong, and amazing woman had to be snatched away so quickly. It's so wrong, I swear on my own life, I will find whoever did this to her and I will make them pay."

The woman grits her teeth as she felt a sharp pain in her head, this always happened when she was under strain. The woman searched around inside of her handbag and found a small bottle of blue pills, the doctor had instructed her to take two whenever she'd found herself in a stressful situation. Popping open the lid, she swallowed two of the small tablets and gulped down her water. Focusing back on her prior thought, she stared once more at the white coffin adorned with medals.

"Rest in peace, old friend."

She bowed her head in respect as she left the morgue. As she left the room, she spotted a call coming in from her communicator. She wiped her tears away and answered the call.

"Dalton here, what's the issue."

The woman spoke into the walky-talky, it was her commanding officer. What could she want right now, she'd made it explicitly clear that she was having a day of mourning. Irritatedly, she listened.

"Hello, I know that this is a rather unfortunate situation. But, I have some things to discuss, one of them being about the case that Mila had been on prior."

This caused her to frown, that was also the case that made her and Mila fall out. What else could that cursed case do? Shaking her head, she brought herself back to her morbid reality.

"Yes, that was the Woods case, was it not?"

She couldn't forget that night when they'd had to separate that family, it was truly a sad sight to behold. The mother was pleading, the father was shouting and then, there was the solemn older brother just staring from the top of the stairway. The youngest child had gotten messed up in a gunfight, he shot two in the leg and then ran got beaten extremely bad. He was taken to a juvenile rehabilitation center. That was the hardest part of the job, sometimes you have to cause pain to those who may just be in the wrong state of mind. 

"Yes, we took the liberty of having a look at Mila's mobile, it was badly cracked. But, it had the number of the center where the elder brother had been kept for observation after he brutally attacked the three boys that attempted to mug him and his little brother."

Ana listened as the commander continued on.

"Well, the main doctor who dealt with Jeff,  was a man named doctor Delores."

Doctor Delores? Yes, she vaguely remembered meeting him at one point, but it was so many years ago that she couldn't clearly imagine him. 

"He stated that, through his stay, Jeff remained extremely hostile towards his mother and toward the three boys who attacked him. The kid had a ton of pent up anger inside of him, he also had a diary that he wrote in. In the diary, he wrote about Officer Yolkavich. Saying that he couldn't wait to make the ...erm... woman pay for what she'd done. She was the one to take the younger brother away."

Ana had a cold pit in her stomach.

"But, that was a long time ago, surely he couldn't have held such a grudge all these years?"

It was nuts, yes they upset a part of his life. But it was for a good reason, it wasn't to spite him.

"What can I say, the kid was seriously messed up. But, he did reform himself as far as I can see. He took his meds, attended the classes, and then got released 4 months later. His diary also never mentioned anything more after he entered his last month. So, I am stumped."

The woman let out a sigh, it just didn't seem to be getting any clearer, nor did it seem to be getting any closer to finding out what the cause was. Holding a grudge for close to nine years, was an absurd concept. Especially, considering he was 13 at the time. He must've been acting the part of the good patient while he resided inside that rehabilitation center. It was terrifying that a child could hold so much contempt for someone he didn't even know.

"Thank you, commander. I appreciate the tidbit. Mila would have too."

She stated as the commander hung up, but before she had done so. She spoke one more time.

"Please, take the time to rest and to grieve. We will be searching for leads as to what happened at the house, the only thing we do know. Is that it happened around  10 pm and there were only 3 bodies. Krystal was not one of them."

At that news, a flood of relief rushed through her body. Krystal was alive. Perhaps, she could keep her promise after all.

"I won't stop until she's back and she's safe."

Ana thought determinedly. 

--

Jeff stared at the blood-soaked body and let out a large breath. He'd locked the girl in the upstairs room and now, he was preparing her food for later on. He had managed to kill a rabbit from the woods and now, was skinning the creature. Before that though, he looked at the small animal.

"As I lay thee down to sleep, Ensure the soul, thy lord shall keep. Ye small creature, rest ye sound, for our dinner. Ye was found."

He stated as he began to cut the animal open and strip parts of it off, his mother before she became what she was. Always taught him and his brother to be thankful for any meal that they were to receive. It was something that he always remembered. He could care less about human life, but an animal was pure and innocent. They put all trust into you, same as small children, you are their world. Until they become adults and then they get corrupted, but animals and babies. They were one of his soft spots. Perhaps, it was a reason he'd kept the girl alive. A small remnant of her still reminded him of the friend he'd once loved. A small, small part mind you.

Starting on the potatoes, he continued on with their dinner. He didn't really know what she'd grown to like, hell. Maybe she became a goddamned veggie. Or one of them vegan folks. Whichever the outcome, she'd be eating this damned food even if he had to force her. He made it, so she would eat it.

"Harsh I may be, but no way am I dealing with another one of the folks who were picky. The last one, he ended up lasting till the end of the night. Couldn't stand that damned screaming any longer."

Jeff grunted as he glowered. 

"I hate, picky assholes."

They were one of the worst guinea pigs to keep, picky ones always ended up dying the quickest. Mostly due to his rather bad temper, he could be rather violent while angered. Shrugging it off, he just focused back on the rabbit dinner.

"I'll see once I bring it up to her, maybe if she's in a decent mood. I will eat with her."

--

Krystal had just started to come to, she noticed that she was no longer inside of the basement. Also, she was no longer chained as well, though she still had the collar on her neck. It felt good to move her neck freely. Pushing herself up, she looked around. On a table, there was a set of clothes and a note.

- Get dressed, you get fed soon. Jeff

The girl remembered her last taste of his so-called, kindness, which resulted in her being drugged and maimed. It was a memory that had still been vivid inside of her mind and one she did not wish to ever have reoccurred. Grabbing the shirt, it was very baggy and obviously just something he quickly grabbed in a rush. She slipped it over and it ate her alive. The jeans were not too bad. A little baggy, but they fit pretty well. She walked over to the door and hesitated. Choosing not to tempt it right now, she just walked back and sat on the bed. Escape will come, just not right now.

"How many days have I been here now? I passed out and it's felt like I have slept for weeks.."

Krystal mumbled to herself as she looked about, there was a window in this room too. However, the windows had been bolted with bars. So, no escape route there. The girl huffed out loud, there had to be some means of escape from this hell house. But, she didn't have much time to think about that as the door opened and Jeff walked in. She immediately got apprehensive, like a cat. She backed up against the wall and froze there. Jeff laughed.

"Ease it up, I ain't gonna hurt ya today. Ya eat meat at all? It's the only thing available here in the woods."

He stated as he sorted her food on the small chest of drawers, he watched as the girl just studied him and his movements. Jeff shrugged as he started to eat his own food in front of her, this made her unease grow even higher. He could be waiting for her to let her guard down and then attack her like before, but the smell of the food had entered her senses and made her mouth water. Slowly, she made her way over to the chest of drawers and sat on the seat. Jeff nodded to her.

"See, I ain't gonna hurt ya right now. You're starving no doubt, so go on, I cooked it myself. Not bad if I do say so."

Snickering, he munched on his potatoes. This felt, relaxing in a sense, he still had no intention of letting her live. But, he felt it would be rather fun to drag it out a bit more. Make it seem like she needed him, he hadn't had someone to need him since Liu, and he was not in the same area as them. No, he was in the securest place that Jeff could find. Maybe, just maybe...if Jeff felt the need, he'd take the girl there too. After all, if she was put there...there's no way she'd be found by anybody. She'd be as good as dead in a way. Shaking his head, he didn't think about that for now. 

For now, he just wanted to eat his dinner. 

 

--

 

When they'd finished their dinner, Jeff lifted the plates and spotted that she had not touched much of hers after all. This made him feel angry, he put time and effort into that and she couldn't even pretend to enjoy it?! Before his rational side could kick in, he was smashing the plates on the floor and screaming at her. Krystal stared in terror at the man, who was once calm as air. Erupted into a charade of rage and curses.

"I make your food, give you damned clothes and you're just gonna reject it?! Who do you think you are?!"

Jeff roared as he kicked at her and watched her fall down. He couldn't stop himself, he kept kicking and kicking until he felt himself slump down with his head in his hands, he then began to pet the girl on the hair that now partially was coated red due to the attack on her head. Krystal couldn't stop crying and shaking. She didn't know what she'd done to enrage him so badly, did he actually expect her to be even the slightest bit hungry after what he'd did to her?!

"Pl-Please...just let me go, please.."

She wept into her chest as she lay, curled into a ball. Jeff stopped the motion of petting her and then, grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look at him.

"Watch my lips, bitch, the only way that you'd ever get out of here. Is when you're rotting just like that damned rabbit. Now, quit your damned crying. Just do as you're told, obey me and you're gonna have a decent life. If you dare, try to escape again. I'll ensure you never leave that basement. Now, get your ass up and get showered. You stink."

He shoved her head away and walked off. Leaving the girl to mourn her loss of freedom.

--

 

Chapter 18: Calm Time

Krystal had been in so much agony, that she had fallen asleep in the same spot as where she'd been beaten the night prior. When she'd woken up, her entire body was in complete agony and her wound had reopened, bleeding through her shirt. Just trying to push herself up, seemed like such a triumph due to the pain that she'd been in. Taking a few deep breaths, she pulled herself over towards the bed and tried to hoist her body up, but she fell back with a thud and screamed out in agony. The sound of booming steps caused her to become tense and she braced herself for whatever was about to happen to her.

Jeff bolted through the door, his eyes lit with panic. He had heard the thud from below and it scared the shite out of him. What the heck had she been trying to do?! Surely she'd not tried to do anything idiotic. Once his eyes caught hold of her, and he'd seen that she'd been fine, his emotion turned to irritation. 

"What the hell?! Are you just intent on making me feel nothing but anger at you?!"

He snapped, but then he noticed that she'd been bleeding from the stomach and his irritation switched to immediate concern instead. Jeff took a few steps forward and then he halted upon seeing her become defensive. It had seemed, that she hadn't fully forgiven him for his prior outburst, which he could agree with to an extent. But if he didn't check the wound, then it could become infected. That wouldn't be good at all. The male raised his hands in the air and stayed where he'd been standing.

"Right, right, I won't move. Just, lift your shirt so I can check your damages. It might get infected if we don't sort it out."

Jeff explained as calmly as he could muster, even though he so badly just wanted to drag her by the hair down the stairs. He'd had the feeling that doing just that, would not solve anything at all. Even if it was the easiest option for himself. But, it wasn't about him right now, it was about her well being.

Krystal was overcome with a mix of emotions at the moment, fear, paranoia, and an overwhelming sense of confusion as well. Why was he being rational? What did he gain from making sure she'd not die from an infection? And just what was he playing at right now?! Was he trying to lull her into a false sense of security before attacking her once more? It wasn't something that she'd wished to test out in her fragile state. The girl just stared at the man with eyes filled with distrust.

"Just why should I even believe you, after you fucking attack me, maimed me, and then KILLING MY MOTHER AND MY FRIENDS?! JUST WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU!?"

She felt her breathing hitch and she clutched her bleeding side in utter agony, the sound of the other's steps were beginning to fade out as she felt herself passing out from the stress and the pain of her wounds. Jeff caught her before she'd fallen to the ground and just looked at her with a slightly pitiful stare.

"...Because right now, I'm all you've got."

--

Ana felt her eyes becoming red and puffy with how much crying she'd done, the reality of her situation had hit her pretty harshly. Her daughters kept trying to calm her down but all she did was snap and shut them away from her. She hated it, she hated what she had become due to the events unfolding. But no one else understood. Mila was not just her commander, she'd been her best friend, the one to get her out of an abusive marriage and the one to fight for her to be kept on the force. That woman was her saving grace, and now, she was gone. It was just so, damned unfair.

"Why couldn't it have been me instead?"

She whined into her arms as she sat on the toilet seat. The woman had been in there for over 3 hours now, but she didn't care really. She deserved her time to grieve and be in pain like everybody else. After she had deemed herself capable enough, she opened the door and came face to face with her eldest daughter, Siara. The girl had black hair, mixed with tinges of pink. Something that she didn't agree with but put up with it due to her husband's pleading. 

"Mom! I've been calling for you, that older gent is on the phone for you! He sounded really really concerned. Please, just call him back. You can't keep locking yourself away from this, I know Mila meant a lot-"

Siara felt herself flinch as her face was slapped, she stared at her mother and then glared.

"You know, you're not the only one to have loved her. I did too, so did Jean and so did Henry. This is NOT just about YOU"

Siara just shoved the phone into the woman's hands and stormed off up the stairs. Ana just stood there with a feeling of numbness, how could she have done that to her own child? Her children were hurting just like her and she'd been so caught up inside of her own grief, that she ignored that. What a terrible person she'd been to those kids.

"Siara, I am so, so sorry..."

She whispered to herself as she began to dial the number that last called. The male who picked up, it turned out to be that doctor. Doctor Delores?

"Is this a Miss Dalton?"

Came a gruff voice, Ana composed herself and answered. 

"Erm, yes this is she."

There was a pause before the male continued, judging by the sound of his voice, he did not sound very upbeat. This did not fill her with confidence.

"Ah good, I had tried to call you earlier but you were presumed busy I believe. Your daughter answered Siara was it?"

Still feeling rather, on edge. Ana had very much just wanted to get on to the point. 

"Yes, can I ask what the call is about ?"

She didn't wish to be rude, but she still felt like she could break down at any moment. The male on the other end had caught her drift and, quickly stated his case to her.

"Ah, yes my apologies. I believe that you were looking into my former charge, Jeffery Woods? I called with some news concerning his case."

Upon hearing this, Ana felt herself perk up. 

"Anything that you could share, would massively help us get justice for the victims, should this have anything to do with him."

This could be it, this could tie up several loose ends for the 7-year case that she and Mila had covered, also if it was linked to this one as well then this just got a lot harder. Ana focused on listening to what the other had to tell her. 

"Well, I do know that he had a massive hatred for the one you'd held dearly. As for this girl, this Krystal. I am afraid that I do not have any link with her, during his stay he'd never mentioned a girl at all. So I have to assume, that he'd encountered her AFTER he'd been released from here and, after, he'd committed the murder of his family and the kidnapping of his brother. As for the question of, why he decided to do so? I am afraid I do not have the answer. Jeffery is a very, complicated individual. He does not often act out of impulse, I imagine that if he's kidnapped her. He has his own, twisted reasonings for it."

The answer she'd received, was not exactly the answer that she'd hoped for. But, he could now see that he'd had resentment for Mila. This she had suspected, due to the fact that they arrested his younger brother years prior. But as for Krystal, it made no sense. When they'd dropped in on that home invasion, Krystal was just a 10-year-old child. What could a child, possibly have done to a supposed 15-year-old to enrage him that much to stalk and kidnap her years later. Ana rubbed her temple. Taking a moment, she then replied to the call.

"Thank you very much, Doctor Delores. I will use this in the case, you have been a major help."

Ana said into the phone and then was about to hang up when he spoke out.

"Miss Dalton, please, take care when approaching my old charge. He is not one, to be taken lightly. I wish you luck. Goodbye."

The phone hung up and Ana stood there in silence. It seemed, that this case was no sooner set to be solved than Krystal was to be found safe and alive. It frustrated her greatly, but right now there wasn't much else she could do until she'd gotten other leads from her team. For the moment though, she had children to apologize to, and hope that her eldest will be able to forgive her.

Smiling, she walked to the kitchen and opened the hot chocolate container. She called out.

"WHO WANTS MALLOWS?"

--

Jeff felt as though he was in a different world, his dreams had brought him back to the night of when he murdered Mila and those other kids as well. Vivid images flashed back like fireworks, the sight of all the bodies that lay burnt and then, the sight of that damned bitch. She was still, alive. After, shooting herself, being stabbed 3 times...she was still not dead. It was funny in a sense, she was fighting so hard to live. When in reality, everything she'd ever loved, had been taken from her. Kind of, like himself in a sense. She took his life, so now, he was taking hers away. 

He bent down before the burning woman and shook his head.

"Looks like, we're even now...You ruined my life, and now. I took yours. It's such a shame...that you won't ever get to see your beloved daughter before you die."

Jeff leaned in close.

"Because I won't ever let her go."

Even though the woman couldn't glare at him, he could tell that she'd been seething where she lay. At the thought of her precious daughter, being held against her will. Just like, someone else she knew and he decided to let one last secret out before she could rot in hell.

"Just like, I never let Amelia have that last breath. She was so, pretty before she died. I can't say the same for her after it."

He started to laugh as he watched the tears fall from Mila's one eye. Jeff stood up and took her gun from her, looking at her coldly.

"Say hello to your daughter in hell, whore."

BANG

The male bolted up in his bed and dripped with cold sweat. His throat was bone dry and his body couldn't stop shaking, but why though? It was not like he felt bad for what he'd done to that damned cop. But still, something about how vivid that dream had been, just churned his stomach the wrong way. Getting out of bed, he walked to the kitchen and poured himself some water. The icy coldness of the liquid had seemed to calm his nerves better than alcohol during the night. Setting his glass on the table, he let out a sigh.

"Maybe, I should try a less...hostile approach tomorrow with her and see how that goes. Or maybe, just let her have a day for herself. I need to get out of this damned house and do some hunting. My nerves are shot and when I get agitated. I get angry, and when I am angry. I just lash at her."

He stood there for a moment before nodding to himself.

"Time apart sounds like a good idea for the moment...maybe, she'll even want to spend time reflecting on her actions."

The male began to write a shortlist of rules for her to abide by while he was gone, hopefully, the stunt she'd pulled before and the punishment that he'd bestowed her, had actually made her rethink her immature actions. But, knowing her, that seemed like it wouldn't be the case.

"She's always been a stubborn person...even as a kid. She was so damned stubborn. Pity, it's such an unattractive trait."

He laughed a little as he finished the list and headed upstairs again. For once, he'd just hoped that he could have a decent hunt tomorrow and not fret about her trying to run away. Then he remembered something and got an evil glint in his eyes.

"This will...be an interesting little test..."

And with that, he shut the door to the kitchen and proceeded to go back to his own room. 

Tomorrow, would prove to be a very very interesting day.

Chapter 19: Killing Time

Jeff watched as one of the men began to run from him, he lunged forward and grabbed him by the tips of his hair. He dug his blade into the man's throat and sliced it across, feeling the blood dribble over his hand. This was just the thing he'd needed right now to calm his nerves after all the stress that he'd felt that previous night. Letting the body drop, he caught wind of the other male digging through his bag, no doubt to call the police.

"No,  no, no! You're ruining the fun, sonny boy."

He laughed as he rushed towards the boy, he must've been no older than 16 but that didn't matter too much. He was being a terrible person by trying to cut the fun short. The boy began to sob and cry as he clawed at Jeff's hand. He didn't want to die, he had so much more to live for. The sniveling began to piss Jeff off, he hated whiny little brats. Jeff threw the boy to the ground and held him down there. He'd pulled something out from his pocket.

"Since you wanna live so badly, I suppose I can let you do so...."

The man stated, but then to the boy's horror, he began to spread superglue over his lips. When the man had finished, he then gave him a glare.

"By the way, I do hope you're a nose breather. Because, if not ....you won't be lasting much longer out here, so long kiddo."

Having calmed his nerves, he went back to the scene of the crime and began to burn any remaining evidence in a barrel fire. That brought him to the body, was a good thing he'd brought the jeep with him. Made it easier to lug it back to the house and leave no evidence. Jeff began to roll the body into a black bin liner. This was a big bit of a man, there was bound to be a lot of blood with this one. This gave Jeff a headache. He hated troublesome victims.

"Well, that was a good hunt. Now, to return back home and hope that little bitch, has learned her lesson."

Jeff said to himself as he hopped in the jeep and then began to drive off. During his drive, he spotted the same boy by the side of the road. Looking around, he pulled out his small pistol and set the silencer. He aimed and shot the boy in the head with a small dart, he fell to the ground and began to struggle as Jeff jumped out of the car, grabbed him, and tossed him in the boot with his dead father. He shrugged.

"I said. I would let the kid live, I never said that I'd let him go. Nope, not at all"

The man began to laugh as he turned the radio up, ignoring the crying protests of the boy trapped in his boot.

--

Krystal looked at herself in the mirror, it had seemed as though Jeff bandaged her up while she'd slept. The generosity that he had been bestowing, honestly scared her more than anything. It was the question as to, why? Why was he being so nice to her? Then lashing at her the next? It confused her. But, she supposed that it was best not to test it for now. Also, he had left her some crutches. This would help her mobility until she was able to stand up properly. As best as she could, she hobbled over to the wall where the crutches lay on the wall.

"Well, I guess it's a start...I suppose."

She muttered as she placed the crutches under her arms, looking around, she began to practice moving with them. It was a tad bit hard, but she figured she would get the hang of it, eventually. Looking down at her stomach, she felt it rumbling harshly. Great, and she did not think that her situation could be any worse right now.

"He's not left me breakfast..."

Krystal groaned as she hobbled over to the set of drawers next to the door, that was when she spotted the small white piece of paper. It read :

I won't be back until later, you are permitted to leave this room on the basis that; you do not try to escape, you do not try and do something stupid and, you do not trash the house. I left you some food on the kitchen counter, use your crutches to get downstairs - Jeff. PS. Stay away from my bedroom, or I will beat you. K, bye.

The woman set the paper down and turned her attention towards the door. Should she risk it? Risk opening the door and escaping from this hell? Was he telling the truth about the food downstairs? She really wanted to have faith, but with all that he'd done to her. It was more than a bit farfetched. Still, she was very hungry and a decision had to be made. Taking a breath, she grasped the handle.

"Worst that could happen to me, is that I get beat again. I would rather just be beaten on a full stomach than an empty one...God that is a morbid way to think, geez..."

She shook her head as she opened the door and pushed herself out it, the hallway was rather long with 3 doors in between that lead to the stairs. 

"So, this is what the outer realms of my room prison looked like. It's not, completely terrible. It looks almost like a normal person lived here and not a homicidal maniac. It would be rather funny if it wasn't such a bleak reality."

Krystal stated as she walked forward towards the first door, by no means of a shock, it was locked. She sighed as she moved to the next door and tried it, this one was opened. It was a small broom closet. It was neatly stocked with towels and mops as well as a brush. 

"Who knew Jeff was such a damned neat freak..."

She giggled to herself.

"Well, I guess the last room is Jeff's and he stated that he did not want me to go in there...but, he ain't here.. so.."

Krystal made her way over to the door and placed her hand on it, but something told her that this was an insanely bad idea that could land her in a worse situation. Letting go of the handle, she turned herself around and put it out of her mind, no need to anger an already deranged maniac. Instead, it was time to focus on her gnawing stomach. 

"Wonder what he's made for me then..."

--

Jeff arrived home around 2 pm, he had wondered what the girl had done all day. He didn't receive any incalls from his shock collar device. So that told him, that she really did not try and escape, which was a bit of a relief and a shock at the same time. He hoisted the black bag over his shoulder and made his way into the front hallway. The smell of food told him, that the girl was in the kitchen. The male made his way towards his basement and walked down the stairs, he set the black bag down on the ground.

"Now, for the other irritation..."

He sighed as he headed back up the stairs. As he reached the top, he came face to face with the girl and staggered backward.

"Jesus, you damned near gave me a heart attack!"

Jeff let out a breath as he composed himself. Krystal tilted her head at him and looked to the open basement door.

"...What are you doing?"

She asked him, it was true that she still did not fully trust what he had been saying to her, but he still fed her and even gave her crutches. So, that brought him a bit higher up the trust ladder, just by a little though. The whole thing still seemed very surreal to her, but she may as well try and make her experience a positive one.

"I've been hunting today, took the carcass down there to drain. There's a lot of blood, best not to set your sights on it. Might..not be good in your state."

Jeff said as he ushered her back towards the kitchen, the best thing to do right now, was to keep his personal and his work life separate. The two sat in the kitchen and there had been an awkward silence. Krystal broke it.

"Uhm....thank you, for the food. It was really good."

She smiled nervously. He nodded back as he grabbed one of his beers from the fridge and sat back across from her, he was not the best with socialization. It was the one thing in that hospital, that they implored him to get better at. But, trying can only get you so far. Krystal just stared at him as he drank his beer, the smell of that drink made her nose wrinkle in disgust. It reminded her of the nights when her father would get angry at the noise.

"So, what do you think of the house then, not bad for being a single guy eh?"

Jeff tried to make a joke but it seemed the girl was in her own world right now, he could understand that she would have a lot of questions for him. Looking at her, he stood up.

"If you wanna talk more seriously, about..well..us and our situation. I will answer everything you want, but not right now. It's been a long day for me. So I am gonna rest, if you really need me, then I will be in my room. There's an assisted seat on the stairs."

The man was about to leave when he heard the girl speak.

"...Thank you.."

He smiled.

"No problem."

--

Jeff had made his way out of the kitchen, he headed towards the truck and opened the boot. He looked at the boy and hoisted him over his shoulder, this would be a perfect guinea pig for his new experiment. It was something that he'd wanted to practice for a long while.

"How do you feel about zombification? Cause, very soon, you're gonna be up close and personal with one."

The young boy grunted and groaned in protest, this made the man laugh.

"That's the spirit! Keep groaning and grunting! Get your inner zombie out!"

Jeff made his way to the back garden and showed the boy, what was soon to be his fate. The boy struggled as his eyes laid sight on the large, gaping hole in the ground. Jeff was going to bury him alive, he knew this much. 

"Now, let's see you summon your inner Uma Thurman, and dig yourself out of this coffin. I mean, I am sure that you'll have loads of time to reflect on your shitty life decisions. You're a teenager, you're sure to have a ton of them."

The man stated to him as he referenced his favorite line.

"Because, one way or another...you're going in that fucking box. Even if I have to blind ya. Now, you want the flashlight, or the mace?"

--

 

 

 

Chapter 20: Inconveniences

After securing the boy inside of the coffin in the ground, he tossed him the flashlight and smiled.

"Mind, you've got until the timer ends to escape, by that time you will be buried under the ground. Also, you will have a limited amount of oxygen left, should you actually escape this. Then, text the singular number that is on the phone."

Jeff stated as he tossed in another mobile, with one last look at the boy, he closed the lid in.

"Well, now that's over with, time to head back into the house and check to see if that girl is awake yet. Damn, she sleeps like a log."

He laughed as he made his way back inside.

--

Krystal felt extremely gross right now, the worst incident that could ever happen to her, just happened right now and she was in a very undesirable situation. She tried her best to clean the blood off of the bed but, it just proved to make an even bigger mess on the mattress. It stressed her out, because if Jeff lost his shit at the lack of food she'd ate, then how would he react to this mess? The girl did not get much of a chance to think as she heard footsteps heading her way. Much like a child, she tried to hobble away with her crutches but she ended up falling to the floor. Much to her body's discomfort.

"Hey, I'm fi...nished..."

Jeff trailed off as he laid eyes on her and then stared at the bed, his first thoughts were that she'd harmed herself again. But then he noticed, the blood was on her trousers in a very, compromised area. Jeff felt his cheeks flush red.

"Oh....OH..."

He trailed off on a tangent as he looked about frantically. This was a thought, that had not entered his mind at all during the process of her kidnapping. Trying to put all, morbid thoughts out of his head, he groaned. The one item he never owned and that was period products. Turning to the girl, he grimaced.

"So...I think we hit a wall..."

Jeff stated with a laugh, but it was clear that Krystal was not amused at all.

"Uh, we need to get you some...stuff..."

Once he sorted her out and then, made sure that she'd been cleaned properly. He had to assist her with the cleaning of down below, he is one of the most infamous killers in all American history, but even he had to admit that cleaning a woman's fanny blood. Was the singular most disgusting thing that he'd ever, had to do for someone. Once he sorted the bed out, he took a breath and assessed their situation.

The man rubbed the back of his head as he walked with the woman, why oh why, did she have to do this right now...why did women in general, have to go through this disgusting phenomenon. The wonderful phenomenon that is puberty. Jeff did not truly know what sort of, womanly products that she used. So, he was taking a risk by allowing her to even go to a shop. But, obviously, she'd been warned about any stupid ideas.

"I am trusting you, not to run away. Get your products. Get back to the car, if you take any more than 20 minutes. I will activate the shock collar, it will administer a small but painful shock to your neck. Am I understood?"

Jeff stared at her and she nodded. The male slipped her some money, about $20 worth, and placed a hand on her leg. She felt a chill go down her spine as he squeezed it lightly.

"Remember, I am watching you. Get pain meds if you need to, but don't test me."

He let her leg go, and watched as she left the jeep. Now, it was just to wait on her and see what she did. Jeff had wanted to have some faith in her, in the hopes that she did want to try and mend their broken bonds but also, he knew she was a victim. Victims more often than not would jump at the chance for their freedom.

"I just have to have a bit of hope for her. She hasn't tried so far, so she may not try now."

The man let out a sigh as he sat back in his car.

"This shit's too stressful..."

--

Krystal walked with her crutches towards the pain killers, she noted that a lot were giving her stares. Jeff only had a very long pajama top left to give her and some booty shorts. He must not have had many womanly clothes in his house. It was embarrassing. Picking up a couple of pain killers and then, some pads, she made her way to the counter. The woman at the counter gave her a disapproving look but ultimately served her. She took a breath and made her way to the door, but before she could leave, a man stepped before her.

"Hey, baby girl. You look like you need some help."

He smiled at her, inside her mind the girl was screaming. The timer was about to go off on her phone as it'd been 10 minutes by now, she just laughed and tried to leave. But he didn't move. Krystal looked at him, she was not in the mood for this.

"I am sorry, my rides outside. Excuse me."

She once again tried to shove by but he grabbed her arm lightly. His smile was faltering from the facade he put on, what was this chicks issue. Krystal, in one last attempt, stared him in the eyes and sneered.

"Let me go, or you'll be dead within 10 minutes."

Krystal spat at him, the man faltered in his attempts.

"W-Wha..."

He said with a tinge of fear. Krystal eyed the car where Jeff sat, his eyes glued on the scene. If looks could kill, she and the other man would be dead. She shoved him away and sneered at the man.

"Don't touch me, do that again and you'll be dead. My boyfriend will make sure of that."

The woman walked towards Jeff's jeep and then collapsed into the second seat, the man just gave her a pat on the back and drove away. He slowly rolled the window down at the thug and spat on him.

"Keep your hands to yourself, ya damned dirty pig."

Jeff sped off, leaving the man very uneasy.

"Damn, I hate this town."

--

When they reached the house, the two of them headed up the stairs. Jeff allowed her to change into her new pads and then, he decided to lay down some new rules for her. 

"Okay, so I have decided to add some new rules to your list. Aside from, not being allowed to leave this room when I am not home. I am gifting you a mobile. It only has my phone number, it has no form of internet. But, if you need items. Then I can obtain them while I am out. Also, I will gift you a Gameboy, it will do you some good to keep your mind occupied.."

Jeff stated as he sat the pink Gameboy in her lap. Krystal felt, overly enraged. Of all the things, he could have given her...a book, a drawing pad...He gifts her a Gameboy. She looked at him with a hint of irritation, he frowned.

"Hey, I got that with my own damned money. At least you could be grateful. I could have just let you sit there in filthy garments and covered in blood. But I let you go get items, I figured that you were owed a gift. I even got you a damned mobile too!"

The man snapped, Krystal just let out a small sigh. 

"Look, I appreciate it, but I really need clothes, underwear things like that, more than I do something to play on. I would rather have a drawing pad or something like that. But, thank you, anyhow."

The woman stated as she looked at him, he scratched his chin and nodded.

"Okay, I will, I will work on getting you some new clothes. Anything else?"

Krystal felt her eyes light up.

"No, not a lock pick."

She simmered down and sulked, shaking her head in a no fashion. Jeff laughed as he left the room and was about to lock the door but then he faltered, he looked back at her.

"For today, I will leave this unlocked. Come down, if you want to have dinner together. If not, message me and I'll bring it up. See you later."

With that, the man left the woman alone. As soon as he left the room, she felt as though her heart was about to explode from stress. It appeared that he was starting to trust her, which was working in her favor. She had been allowed to go to the shop on her own, maybe if she kept working on it. She'd be allowed to freely walk by herself, and as soon as that happened, she'd make her run. As for the moment, it was good to keep on his good side. Just for the moment.

"Just a tad bit longer, then I will make my move. I just have to last a bit longer, maybe...having dinner with him might be a nice move."

She hobbled over to her mirror and began to look at herself.

"...Maybe I'll ask for make-up too..."

She paused.

"And moisturizer."

 

 

 

Chapter 21: Dirty Little Secret

Krystal felt herself tensen as she sat in the room and stared at her hands. She had truly messed up this time, she knew that she shouldn't have tried to use the paint while her hand had ached from earlier.

Now she was left with a mess on the floor, Jeff would no doubt be doubly angered by this. The pain of her stress had now magnified into a chest pain and caused her to hiss in pain.

"Stupid, that's all you are... Just stupid..."

She muttered to herself as she looked at the ever messy red stain. She'd tried her best to clean it, but it just had made it worse it'd seemed. It had taken her back to a memory of her and her twin brother.

"But mom I didn't do it I swear, if was -" 

The feeling of a hand could be felt as it collided with her cheek. The young girl stared up at her mother and shook. 

"It doesn't matter if you did or even if you didn't. Instead of doing anything, you just sat there. Useless as you always are. Now shut up and get the bleach. It won't come out with mere washing soap."

Krystal found herself back in her own adult body and staring down at the stain once again. She laughed pitifuly. 

" I'm so useless.... Just like she said. "

--

 

Jeff had just made his way up the stairs with the unconscious body of the teenager, for his age he was a heavy lump.

"Then again, means he's healthy I do suppose."

The man mused. He was just about to push him towards the room where Krystal was when his phone rang. He gave a loud sigh and begrudgingly looked at the phones caller..

Dickwad. Aka Slenderman.

"Great... This is just what I needed too after hauling this lard ass up the stairs. Just amazing."

Jeff plopped his butt down on the boy and took the call. Not like he could feel it with all the drugs..

Soon as he answered, the man gave his best pick up line.

" Is that a sword you got or are you just dying to see me. "

Consistent angry static noise met his ears. Yup. Slender was pissed.

 

--

 

Slenderman could deal with many a thing. He could deal with monsters having a rough day, he could deal with interdimensional rifts in time, but the one thing he did not and would not deal with, were lazy and inconsiderate scum bags that took his nature and ripped into it.

Scumbags like the Smiley Faced Killer. Aka Jeffrey Woods. He'd tried for months to reach him, ever since he'd been given access to the mortal world. But now, it was coming to be a very very thin line. Slenderman had allowed him to hunt there on the condition that he bring back victims. But the man had yet to show any blood and as of now, it was tiresome.

Tiresome and becoming very stale.

Slenderman hissed into the phone.

"I give you fresh life and the thanks I get is for you to up and vanish for 2 years. You think me a mindless fool, you wretched child."

The monster glowered.

"I will not be made a laughing mockery. Come back at once, or I shall cut our promise short. I gave you the life of your brother, I can just as easy take it back."

Jeff listened to the threat and he knew it was real, he sighed as he responded.

"Listen. I will be back. I have a few loose ends to tie. Then I promise I'll return. Just don't... Don't mess with Liu, he's still a wreck as it is boss."

He pleaded as he heard the monster give out a frazzled sigh.

"Return by the end of the new moon. Or our promise is over."

The call cut out and Jeff groaned.

"Great. No pressure. Thanks boss..."

Jeff said as he stared at his phone screen. It was a photo of Liu as a baby.

"I messed up once. I won't mess up again. Not with Liu, and not with this either."

The man stood up and lifted the bottom of the boy once more.

"I won't."

_

Krystal heard the door to her room open and watched as Jeff flung in, what had looked to be a young boy. She yelped in shock as she shoved herself away.

Jeff looked at the mess on the floor and frowned.

"That paint isn't cheap shit for you to spill like a moron. Keep it up and I won't buy you any more."

He lashed out at her, she covered her face to brace against a blow. But it never came, when she removed her arms, he was setting the boy oj the bed.

What on earth was going on here...

Jeff caught her stare and stood up.

"Ya said you wanted a project. Here you go. This is your problem now. Deal with him."

Krystal just stared in shock.

"But what am I supposed to do with him?!"

She asked frantically, the man just shrugged as he walked away.

"Beat him, drown him, bash him on the head. Just make sure he don't cause any issue and I won't have to get involved. Think of it like nursing a bird. You said you wanted to be a nurse's aid. Here's your first obstical."

Jeff stated as he stood in the door.

"Have fun."

The door slammed shut, leaving the girl alone with the unconscious boy. She groaned.

"Would be easier just to die...."

-

Chapter 22: New Faces

Now left alone, Krystal tried her best to come to terms with what had just occurred moments ago. Jeff just up and dumped, what she had assumed to be a living boy, or at least she'd hoped he was living...No, he definitely was alive from what she could see. His chest was slowly heaving up and down. Now was not the time to fret, she only had an unconscious boy laying on the floor, totally nothing to stress about. Krystal bit her lip as she pulled herself over, her sides aching in the process. Her ribs still ached from being brutally kicked in, she was very sure that they would take a while to heal. This very much hindered her escape plans for the moment.

"Why couldn't he have bashed me in the face. I mean, I don't need that aspect as much as I need my damned body....God being in this place has turned me into a morbid wreck.."

The girl murmured to herself as she loomed over the boy. He was tanned, had auburn hair, and some slight bruising on his lip and his eye, damn, Jeff ruffed the poor guy up. The kid looked as though he was a teenager. Maybe around the ages of 16-18? He wasn't as old as Jeff looked. He wore a, now slightly ripped and blood-stained yellow shirt.  Krystal gently shook his shoulders, but no movement. Whatever drugs used, must have been very harsh. She didn't really know what else to do, he was slightly bleeding from his forehead.

"Okay, deal with the head wound. It's only a fleshy wound, not very deep. Just what on earth is he thinking doing this?"

Krystal sighed in frustration. As if things weren't difficult enough, now she has to deal with this.

"Maybe he's thinking of trying to make me a murderer...I mean, he did already force me to kill....Mi-...ugh, fucking hell."

She shook her head and wiped her eyes.

"Don't remember her in that sense, the Mila you saw. Wasn't the real Mila...the real Mila..was funny. full of life and not..."

She forced the words out.

"Dead...she's alive in me...so long as I am alive, part of her is too."

Krystal smiled in determination.

"I won't allow her to die in vain. I will live, I'll grow old, I'll get out of here. I will do it, for Mila, no, for my, mother."

The girl pushed herself up with her crutches and made her way towards the drawers, she was sure that she had some gauze and some bandages. Time to get that head wound sorted out, and maybe , just maybe, he will wake up soon and tell her more about himself. Until then, there wasn't a lot that she could do.

"Now, let's see..."

--

The boy felt himself starting to stir, the feeling of a shooting pain had started to hit him and when he opened his eyes, he saw a woman was stitching into him. He screamed in terror and on instinct, kicked her in the stomach. She hissed in agony as she fell back and grasped at her sides. What in the hell was she trying to do to him?! Where was he, and why was he not dead. He was sure he'd died when that maniac shot him in the back of the head. Wait...that had meant, the whole scenario with the grave and being buried alive, that was a real event?! He hadn't suffered a dying memory. The boy grabbed the needle and pointed it at her.

"Stay the fuck away from me. I'll stab you!"

He hissed. This was way too much, did his father really die then? And that maniac took him hostage, who was this woman? Was she his wife?! Her voice snapped him out of his irrational thoughts. She seemed in pain and distressed.

"What the fuck is with people attacking the stomach, kick the legs or the damned arms. I won't ever be able to escape at this rate."

She whined, wait, did she say escape? So, she wasn't with that other maniac?

"Wait...so you're not married to that man?"

He said with exasperation. Krystal felt her stomach churn.

"Oh FUCK no, he took my life away. Why would I ever be with a man like him?!"

That made it a bit better, he supposed, now he just had to worry about one maniac rather than two of them. But still who was this woman?

"W-What were you doing to me?! When I woke up you were stitching into my head."

He stated and then Krystal realized, he was probably terrified out his wits.

"I think you and I, should just start from the beginning. My name is Krystal. I am a prisoner here too, I was trying to heal your forehead. You were bleeding from a flesh wound. So I tried to heal you, I mean you were so out of it that I had imagined you would not be waking up."

She explained and the boy nodded.

"I uhm...I am sorry for kicking you in the stomach..."

He said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head, looking around, he spotted the crutches.

"So, you're an invalid?"

The boy asked curiously.

"No, well..I suppose right now I am. The man who has taken us captive, he has a very very horrid temper. So when it's meal times...don't get cocky. He is not shy to hit anyone, not even a woman."

Upon hearing this, it filled the boy with terror. Whoever it was that had done this to them, he sounded like a monster. Taking a moment to calm himself , he looked at Krystal.

"How... how long have you been here."

He did not really expect a good answer out of this. If she had been here for a long time, it didn't bode well for himself either.

"I think...around almost two weeks? I lost count if I am honest."

She replied to him as she pushed herself upwards with the aid of the wall. He watched her and took her arm, she blinked.

"Let me help out, least I can do to repay you for helping me and oh, my names Colby."

Colby smiled at her. She smiled back at him.

"Thanks."

The duo made their way over towards the crutches next to the bed and once the girl had sorted herself, she sighed. 

"Well, let's just wait and see what mood he will be in tonight, for both our sakes...I hope its a good one."

Colby squeezed her shoulder.

"Hay, he tries anything I will definitely do my best to protect you. I promise."

He said sternly, the girl nodded at his chivalry.

"That's sweet, but it's going to take more than that to protect us. For now, let's just wait and see what he does."

Both of them sat on the bed and waited, for whatever mood it was, it would spell good or bad for them.

Chapter 23: Baby Steps

It had been a few days now since Colby had joined her in this hell hole. Jeff came up every morning, fed them both and then proceded to leave and lock the door. It was as though she was back to her first night's here again.

She didn't understand why he had reverted back to treating her like an animal again. She had thought that they'd been working past this, he even used the shock collar on her once. It was just so bizarre. Her new friend had tried to defend her but, as she'd predicted, he was beaten to a pulp and she had to heal him up.

It was getting far too much for her liking. She could cope before, but this side of Jeff had seemed to take over him. Ever since he left the boy here that night, it was as though something had snapped inside him and that something was lethal.

Colby had all he could stand at this point and had began to plot on ways to ultimately kill Jeff and escape here.

"We have to kill him"

He stated, the girl shook her head.

"What would you rather do?! Just sit here and be used as his emotional punching bags?? I would rather die as a man, than die as a dog being beat."

The boy sneered at her, it was true that things seemed rather bleak. But it was either him or them that was going to leave here alive, and he chose them.

" Even if that were true. I am injured with my broken ribs. I would not be able to run. "

Krystal stated. He shook his head and spoke.

"No, but if we were to knock him out so badly that he wouldn't recover for hours, then you'd not need to worry about that. Besides, I thought you'd be thrilled to see him die, after all he's did to you and your life. I would relish in that victory."

Colby stated coldly. It was true. Why did she have such a hard time accepting his death, he'd done so much to her and cared so little as well. But at the same time, he kept her alive. He got her items that she'd needed, even got her art supplies as well. He was truly a completely different person sometimes.

"Krystal!"

The boys voice echoed in her mind and shattered her thought process.

"Even if you don't want to, I will. He took my father from me and my father was the only one I had left in my life. I can't just allow his death to be for nothing. So, if you won't kill him. Then I will, for both of us."

Colby said with such a bitter hatred in his tone that it caused the girl to shudder. He calmed down and apologized.

"Now, all you have to do is act as though you are hurt. I'll hide behind the wardrobe with one of your crutches. When you blink twice that will give me the sign of approval and I'll lash at him. Even if we don't kill him, we can surely knock him out long enough to escape here."

He explained to her and she nodded, she still had major reservations about this plan. But as he said, if they didn't try. They may never escape.

She looked at him.

" Lets do it. "

 

--

 

Jeff had been a tad bit stressed to say the least. Not only had he so little time now, but no, now he had to worry about the police again. It had turned out that several people were on the look for that missing boy and his damned father.

"I should of just murdered him while he was in the damned grave. But no, I wanted to give that bitch of mine some company. The fuck was I on."

He hissed to himself, well now it seemed that he would have to kill him after all. His plan did not include that boy, it included the girl. He had just been a little side bump that he'd taken on.

Nodding to himself, he stood up from his chair and began to sharpen his knife.

"I got one pet. Don't have room for two so, sorry boyo. You're going on the chopping block."

Jeff said as he focused on the sparks of the blade, if he was to be humane, it would have to be a sharp slice to the throat. He did feel rather compassionate today.

"I know she ain't gonna like this, but life is tough and sometimes, ya can't save everyone."

He said to himself as he continued on, unaware of the plotting going on up the stairs.

--

Chapter 24: The Sweet Escape

Krystal knew her role in this plan, it was not one she'd been willing to accept. Mostly due to the fact that she had known how horrid a temper that Jeff had, should this fail....

She shook her head vigorasly. This was what Colby had meant by her lack of hope, her pessimism and her anxiety had gotten the better of her it had seemed.

"All I have to do is fall, cry and distract him. That's it. It's nothing incredibly hard. But what if he doesn't buy it? Ugh... Damn it."

The girl felt her lip beginning to wabble, this was too difficult to process. Colby was counting on her to uphold her end of this bargain deal, he had already hidden himself away in the closet with one of her crutches.

"I have to do this,or we will never be free."

Pushing herself up with one of her crutches, she grit her teeth. This would no doubt hurt worse than her already injured ribs. Without thinking any longer, she deliberately fell to the floor with a harsh crash and a scream of agony.

Now she just had to wait on the booming steps.

--

Jeff had just finished sharpening his blade when the crash occurred, he almost slit open his hand and cursed out in irritation.

"Damn bitch, what the hell are they doing!?"

He said as he shoved his blade on the counter and made a mad dash for the stairs, hoping the damage was not too bad or unfixable.

--

As per the cue, Krystal forced tears out of her eyes and began to wail in pain, that part was not fake at all, she did feel genuine agony right now. She kept her eyes on the closet and then trained them to the door before her as the black haired male barged in.

Jeff spotted her on the floor and rushed over to her, assessing her damages. How stupid could she be, had she tried any harder then she could have did some seriously bad damage to her ribs.

"What on earth were you thinking you dumb bitch!? You trying to ensure that you never walk again!?"

The man ranted on at her, she just kept the tears flowing, all the while watching as the other boy slowly made his way out the closet..

Jeff then places a hand on her hair and gave out a sigh. Krystal froze.

" You're one of the only things I have left of my good life... I wouldn't want to lose you, not yet."

At those words, something twinged inside of her, a cold and clammy feeling. Was it regret for what she was doing to him? For what was going to happen next.

Krystal held his hand and mouthed, hoping he'd understand it. Be it a sick loyalty, or hope for the boy she knew... She just couldn't abandon him like this.

'Behind you'

Before the male could process what she mouthed, he was whacked over the head and knocked out. Colby panted as he brought it over his head another few times and dropped the bloody crutch.

"We did it. Krystal. We can leave!!"

Colby said with glee as he smiled at her, he noticed that the smile was not returned back and that the girl was just staring at the body of the unconcious man. This didnt sit right with him.

Grabbing her by the arm, he tugged on her.

"If we don't go now, this will all be for nothing! Snap out of it!!"

He snapped at her and this brought her back round. She nodded and just let him help her down the stairs.

Something told her, they were about to make a very very dire mistake..

--

Chapter 25: Run Rabbits Run

Colby had managed to get both himself and Krystal down the flock of stairs. Now it was just to get to the door, but what if it had been locked. What other means of escape was there, he had recalled a back door. But it was foggy in his mind. Krystal had been very much in a trance like state, ever since he'd knocked the killer out and they managed to lock him in that bedroom, she'd just shut herself down.

He had put it down to the shock of everything that had happened, the escape, the adrenaline and the like. But it did give him a sense of unease, if he were to be honest. He looked around the room for any means of weapons, he had managed to disarm the killer upstairs, but he had given that knife to Krystal.

The girl in question, was standing still and just staring at the blade in her hands. Was this right? Did she deserve to be happy like this? Did the man upstairs... Actually get thwarted? It all was a jumbled mess in her mind. On the one hand, they did it. They managed to get away from that terrible man for now. But on the other hand, the many words that he'd spewed were echoing in her mind like never ending screams.

"Krystal!"

Colby yelled, breaking through her madness. She looked at him and rubbed her eyes, tears had swelled up in them. The boy stopped.

"Do you know if the door is presumably locked when he enters the house, you've been here a hell of a lot longer than I have, so I assume that you know his mannerisms."

He asked her and she blinked, how could she know that? When he comes in she's locked in the bedroom most of the hours, so she didn't know what he did when he entered the house.

"I don't know, half the time I'm locked away as well, he doesn't treat me any better than you."

Colby had to bite his tongue, that was an obvious lie. The few times that the man had come to attend to them, he seen to her needs first more than he'd seen to his needs. So there was some kind of emotional bond, could be that she just wasn't aware of that. It she was ignorant to the fact. Either or, didn't truly matter at the moment.

"Right, well I need you to go and check the door then, once you have, come tell me if it had the key or if he has placed it elsewhere."

The boy asked her and she, albeit a bit begrudgingly, obliged. She just.. She just wanted to go back to the room, and shut down. The stress of the situation was starting to get to her, she felt a breakdown approaching suddenly and she didn't want to be around anyone when it had happened.

But for the moment, she listened to what the boy had asked and walked through to the main hallway. Leaving the boy alone.

--

Colby had to admit that this had gone a lot further than what he had imagined it to. He never actually thought that the escape plan would work. So color him surprised that they are now searching for a way out of the house. It did still worry him that the girl had been so out of it, could she betray him? Also..the collar around her neck.

Was she aware... That it was not a real shock collar. Real ones were constantly blinking and slightly vibrating. But that one, although made of metal. Was clearly not a genuine shock collar, maybe it was an obedience collar that buzzed. He didn't know, and nether did she apparently. 

"Not important but, that could be a reason that she did not try to leave. He maybe brainwashed her into believing that if she did, she'd be shocked or he would be notified. I don't know, could be a real one for all I know about it and judging how that maniac is, I would not put it by him. "

The boy stated as he checked the counter, his eye caught something shiny and be picked it up. It was a small bronze key with the letter B on it. Basement key maybe? Putting the item in his pocket, he turned to make his way back to the girl in the hallway when he spotted a small panda sitting on the table. He looked at it closer and then felt a jolt of horror.

It was a camera....

Colby dropped the toy and backed away. They had to leave here, maybe there was something in the basement that they could use. It was better than nothing. Running toward the girl, he stopped when he spotted her holding another panda.

"... This is how he caught us in the old house... Caleb...Ileya...Mila."

She said almost with no emotion in her tone. He listened to her warily.

"It was my 18th...and yet the day that was meant to be happy... Was the day I watched everyone I love die. But... I was the one left alive. I was the one made to remember every detail... And I.."

She felt her tears begin to fall like a cascading waterfall.

"... Was the one to kill my mother... I let them all die... Because I was not strong enough... Because I didn't tell them to leave... I let them...all.."

The girl fell to her knees and dropped the panda to the floor. It was playing a feed of the last image that it recorded, the image... Of Milas blown off face. Colby felt revolted. How could that man do that to her, how dare he make her feel that this is remotely her fault.

Colby walked to her and bent down, she looked up at him.

"You know... You're very much like him, Caleb. He would often try and be the brave one of us 3..but now.. He's..."

The boy just pulled her into a hug and let her cry. She probably had wanted to cry for so long, for all her friends,for the death of her mother. It must have been so painful to hold that in and have no one to care for her.

Pulling away, he wiped her tears.

"We are going to get out, we are going to live. For my father. For your friends and your mom. We won't let him win by giving up. So let's do this. Together. I won't ever leave you to deal with this alone."

Colby held out a pinky and looked at her.

"I pinky swear to that."

The girl stared at him and then started to laugh, but placed her pinky in his. She grinned.

"You better."

--

The world around him felt very foggy, just what had that brat done to him. Why did it feel as though he was bound in place?!

Everything was becoming lighter now and his head swelled profusely. When he got his hand on the stinking brat, his death would be slow and that bitch would suffer for allowing this.

Jeff opened his eyes and yelled out, much to the terror of the two below him.

"BETTER RUN RABBITS. CAUSE THERE IS GONNA BE HELL TO PAY WHEN I FUCKING GET OUT OF HERE."

Upon hearing this, the two teens froze.

"Ah shit..."

 

Chapter 26: Taste Of Freedom

Krystal had felt her heart rate shoot up as soon as that loud booming voice erupted from upstairs. That was it. He was going to get free from there and he would harm them. She knew it was too good to be true, her body had already begun to shift into her shut down mode but Colby was not.

The boy looked around for something, anything that he could use on the door and that was when he spotted a metal pipe. It was not a key. But it was the best that he could think of. There was no searching the basement, not after that maniac had woken up. No, now it was about escaping this house and never looking back. The boy stared at the girl. 

"Do you trust me?"

He asked, she hesitated before nodding.

"Yes."

That was all the words that he'd needed, raising the pipe up, he began to swing it on the door frame. Particles of wood splintered out and scratched his face. But he couldn't stop, no, he had promised her that he'd get them out of there. Away from that monster.

He was not going to break that promise.

--

Jeff could hear what had sounded like metal on wood and sneered. The damned brat wax going to break the door.. And take his... 

Something in his brain snapped. It was like a feral hound smelling blood for the first time, he felt as though his senses were tingling. His eyes flew open wide.

"She's my toy....."

He snarled as he, by some unknown fraction of his human strength, broke free of his restraint. She wasn't leaving. Not alive. If she thought for a moment that he'd just allow her to leave, then she had been sorely mistaken. Her life did not belong to her anymore. She was not a human in his eyes. She was his property... And she had not even begun to pay for all the sins she'd caused him.

"She's not leaving... She's never leaving..."

Jeff felt a rush of anger flooding his veins at the mere thought of her escaping and living a life that did not involve him. A life that she got to be happy, was not what he'd envisioned for her.

"Damn that bitch... That insensitive, heartless, bitch. I'll break her ankles. I'll tie her to the fucking wall.. I'll cut her tongue out.. Fuck her. Fuck her. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

His manic mood had set in now, and there was no telling how angry he'd get. This was her fault. It was always her fault.

" FUCK YOU!!! "

He screamed as his boot collided with the door.

"I'll KILL THE BOTH OF YOU"

--

Colby did his best to ignore all the screaming, from both the man and from the girl now shaking in terror. His cheeked dripped with blood due to the wood splintering. But finally. He did it, the last of the wood cracked open and, painfully, he forced his hand through. His skin ripped and teared as he twisted the handle and opened it.

Looking back at the girl, he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the door and out to freedom.

Both of them took to the road and ran as fast as they could down the hill and into the wooded short cut. They didn't know where they would run, but it was all that flooded their thoughts right now. Just to get as far away from that house as possible.

Colby took one last look back as he placed his hands around Krystals neck. She froze but then felt a weight lifted off her. Her eyes widened as the collar fell off.

"You were never trapped. He is a dirty, manipulative. Liar. You're free now. Free of everything. Free of the pain. The guilt. The hatred you hold for yourself. Let's live. Let's live and never think back on this. Okay."

The boy stated as he gripped her hand. She sneered at the collar and smashed her foot down on it. Looking back at the house.

" FUCK YOU. YOU DAMNED MONSTER"

She screamed as they made their way forwards, whatever happend next, they had each other.

They had hope. 

Chapter 27: Bonding

The two teens had managed to find themselves in the center of the wooded area, neither recognized a single thing at all but it was better than nothing. Better than the house of that maniac who held them captive for sure. Colby was just about ready to collapse, never had he ever had to run like that in his life. Not even when his father brought him on military retreats. The boy cast his eyes to the girl, whom was being very quiet. It had seemed that her inner demons hadn't died just yet. Stopping, he brought himself to smile.

"So, this is what it feels like to be free, eh?"

His nervous laugh didn't help the girl's growing paranoia, what if they never were free. What if this was all an elaborate ploy to get them into a false sense of security before that man lunged again. It was just what she'd grown used to. This never-ending dread that something horrible could and would happen at any moment. She knew that this wasn't the way to act right now, they should enjoy this short burst of freedom. She should be happy that this was over, but for some bizarre reason.

She had the feeling that this wasn't.

"Right, let's look for somewhere to break for the moment. It's close to evening now. We've been fleeing for quite a few hours now."

Colby stated as he wiped some sweat away from his brows, he was sweaty, he was hungry. But he gathered that she must feel the same way right now, neither of them had been offered a reprieve. There had to be a river or something, even a lake? Scanning his eyes across the view, he caught sight of a small opening in the distance. His eyes lit up, it looked like a cave. Perfect place to crash for the time, the boy turned to excitedly exclaim his finding only to see that the girl was gone.

"Krystal?"

He called out, his voice starting to grow panicked. Where had she gone to?! She didn't actually go back to that house, did she? No, she wouldn't do that. She was just as eager to flee as he had been not even a few hours back. So where had she wandered off to? They didn't have the time to mess around right now, not when that man could escape that room and track them down.

"The fuck is she thinking?! I have half a mind to just go on my own."

The boy hissed, but then looked at his pinky and grit his teeth. He made her a promise, and he never broke them. Taking a breath, he started to shout her name, He just hoped that she had not done anything idiotic or reckless.

--

Krystal was not truly aware of where her legs were taking her if she was honest, all she knew was that she had to get away from him. Had to separate from that boy and just think things out on her own. Was It rather reckless, possibly. Did she care about that right now, not a jot. Her mental state had coped with everything just as best as it could and for the moment, she needed a short reprieve.

"Do I deserve any of this? I let them all die...I hear his words, I hear their screams and I hear her crying in my head. Every time I close my eyes, I see their faces...I hear his laughter. I just want it to end. I want it all to end."

The girl said as she gripped her hair.

"Just make the screaming stop, make his laughter stop, just someone please..."

She pleaded to anyone in particular. But as she had come to know, no one came to her aid. Just like before, she was all alone.

"I just want to ...end it ..."

Krystal crouched to her knees and hid her face in them.

"I am just so...tired.."

--

Colby, after an eternity it had seemed. Finally came across the girl who was kneeling on the ground, he ran over in a panic but when he tried to grab her. She slapped him across the face before realizing who he was and stammered an apology.

"What the actual...you know what, no, I deserved that. I snuck up on you. I am sorry."

The boy bit back any hostility and took a breather, rubbing his sore cheek. Krystal shook her head.

"No. I just felt I had to get away, just take a moment to be alone. I am sorry, I should have told you beforehand. You must've been very worried...also, here."

She handed back Jeff's knife, he was confused.

"I don't wish to look at this any longer. I don't want to remember the man who once owned it."

Colby nodded and put the blade into his back pocket, he'd be sure to toss it as far away as he could when he was able to. For the moment, he tried to change the subject to the cave that he'd just found. Krystal tilted her head in curiosity.

"So....we are living in Lost In Blue."

She stated as they walked, the boy looked at her in amusement.

"This isn't a video game, more like a horror story actually."

They both laughed with one another as they approached the cave, it had a small pool of water beside it. This would have to do for a bath they supposed. Colby walked into the cave and sat down, facing the wall. Krystal protested.

"You go first, I will watch the wall. You deserve to think on your own. Just uh, well..."

Colby took off his shirt and handed it to her, she flushed red.

"Use this as a towel. I'll be fine, I am big-boned."

The boy smiled at her as he returned to face the wall, the girl nodded.

"Thank you."

--

Ana Dalton, formerly known as Detective Dalton, had taken a leave of mental health from the force that she'd loved. After the death of her best friend and the fall out with her eldest, she just couldn't cope with the severity of everything at this particular moment. So she opted to take a leave of abscense and rest, try to rekindle things with her children.

"Mom! You have a call!"

Came the voice of her child, Daisy. Ana nodded as she took the phone and covered the answering end, she looked at her and mouthed .

"Who is it?"

Daisy blinked and tilted her head.

"He said he's a Panda."

Ana felt her throat clench as that word left her daughter's mouth, no, it couldn't be...

Taking a few shaky breaths, the woman answered the phone.

"Wh-Who is it."

She said, trying to sound demanding. The voice went silent before erupting with laughter, that same maniacal laughter that used to haunt her dreams. The voice on the opposite end did not speak for long, just uttered one word.

"Mailbox"

He hung up and then heard a scream coming from the front of her garden, she dropped the phone and rushed to see her middle child holding a small panda covered in blood. Ana yelled at her to drop it and she did, grabbing the item, she spotted words on it. Words that made her furious.

"Die Piggy Die"

Ana looked around and spotted people gathering, probably wondering what the scream was. She had to think fast.

"It's okay everyone, just my daughter had a scare. We are fine, mind your business now."

She said and everyone backed away. Ana looked at the bear in her hands and glared.

Whatever was on this tape, that maniac wanted her to know about it. So why make him wait...

It was time to play this video.

Chapter 28: New Divide

After she had ensured that her children were alright, Ana turned her focus to the small panda that sat on the desk. It was a small, black and white bear with a zipper on its mouth. Red stained its coat, whose blood that was, she had no idea and she didn't wish to know. With a shaking hand, she pulled out the small camera that was stuffed inside of the bear's mouth. It read: Die Piggy Die. What did that mean? Who was the piggy mentioned?

"No time to ponder. He wants me to look at this, why? I don't know that yet. But why would he go through the effort to ensure that not only I found it, but phone me to tell me."

Steering forth her courage, she pressed play on the camera.

--

WARNING GRAPHIC DETAIL OF GORE AND DEATH AHEAD, AGAIN, LAST WARNING - Yandere.

--

As the video played, it was extremely fuzzy. Had she not squinted, she probably wouldn't have made out the body of a woman. The woman was tanned, lifeless green eyes staring in terror as flames engulfed her body. The camera stayed on that body for, an uncomfortable amount of time. It caused the woman to shudder, she had remembered who this was. This was Ilena Chambers, she was Krystals best friend. Such a terrible fate to befall that lovely young woman. The voice of a man, clearly distorted could be heard. Taunting the body before it cut out to another body, this body was, mangled beyond any form of recognition. Besides the mangled mass of red hair and a single blue eye that loosely hung from its socket.

"Holy shh...sugar..."

She refrained, remembering that, she did have children here. She didn't wish to frighten them any more than what they'd already experienced. The woman continued the video.

A stick could be seen poking the eyeless socket of the corpse, a maggot slithered its way out and the voice laughed. This was such a terrible disgrace to that poor person, to have their corpse be violated by a deranged mad man with no pity whatsoever. Absolutely disgusting and reprehensible. Ana could feel her anger rising with every minute that she had to endure this. Then the next video came with a caption. A caption that she didn't understand.

'Mother Knows Best'

The video glitched for a moment, Ana had feared that the sick son of a bitch was messing with her. But then, it switched to video capture of a scene that she felt would be burned in her mind for the rest of her life,  a scene that she truly couldn't comprehend. The video showed Krystal, standing over Mila and she was repeatedly stabbing her. The girl looked, terrified but the knife repeatedly swung down until Mila was dead and even then, the video just showed the continuous stabbing of Mila. It was a sickening and horrendous sight. Krystal stopped eventually and the camera zoomed to her face, she had nothing in her eyes. The footage ended and left the woman viewing with a numb pit in her stomach.

A message popped up on the feed.

"Not My Momma'

Then, it ended. Ana sat there and said nothing. Instead, she stood up and began trashing her basement. The screams and cries of anguish that she'd held in, just all spilled out like a never-ending fountain. How could she have been so naive, taking that child from a crime scene, the made-up mister panda...But then again, who shot that footage? Could she have been working with someone? All the thoughts in her mind were just so mashed up and mangled, that she just didn't want to accept it.

Krystal....murdered Mila, probably murdered all her other friends too, and got someone to record everything for some sick trophy? Ana grabbed her phone and called the station.

"This is a CODE RED. Repeat, CODE RED. I want the woman Krystal Alcove apprehended and arrested on sight. This is no laughing matter."

She said into the phone, she was met with silence. Then someone answered.

"But....Krystal Alcove is dead."

Ana froze, but then...what had she just witnessed, then something clicked to her. She rewound the tape and looked at the timestamps. These videos were taken over 2 weeks ago, this was old footage. Ana noted that she had an incoming call. She hung up on the police station and answered it, there was a male voice. The same one who had tipped her off, it stated.

"Syke"

The woman screamed into the phone.

"WHO ARE YOU, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER YOU MONSTER."

The phone went silent, then the voice answered.

"She's no longer with us, just give up. You won't ever find her. Just like, you won't ever get to know that pig's last words."

Hearing that, the woman grew enraged but was interrupted.

"By the way...what a lovely daughter you have."

He hung up before the woman could scream into the phone. Tears flowed down her face as the realization hit her, this case was not over. This case had only just begun to grow more insane, what exactly did this man want from her?! She already lost her best friend and her goddaughter, now all of this? It just was not real. This felt like an episode of the twilight zone.

"I have to call the station back, I have to ask what they meant...when they said that she was dead."

Lifting the phone, she had begun to call when she heard her daughter call for her in tears. This caused her great concern as she left the phone on her desk and ran up the stairs, when she had gotten up there, she spotted Daisy sitting on the floor. She was holding a small note. Ana tried to ask her what it was, but the girl kept shaking her head.

"He told me never to let you know that I have it."

The small child whimpered as her tiny fist clenched around the paper, the woman swore that she would not tell anyone about it. But that she needed to see the note, it was important to aunty Krystal. Daisy sniffled and nodded as she unclenched her fist. Ana took the small folded note and thanked her daughter, her child tugged her sleeve. Ana smiled down at her.

"Mama...will I have to go to sleep like aunty Mila."

The words that came from her 7-year-olds mouth, sent a chill down the woman's spine. Where had she even heard that? Ana grabbed her shoulders and gently squeezed them, Daisy looked at her in fear.

"Honey, you have to let mommy know. Who told you that."

She said and what the child uttered, shocked her core.

"....Mister Panda told me if I lied I will end up like Aunty Mila...."

The woman pulled the child into a tight hug and brushed her hand through her hair, whispering sweet and reassuring words. She took her daughter's hand and brought her to her sister, Mei. Mei looked rather annoyed that her quiet time had been interrupted, but once she spotted the seriousness of the situation, she welcomed her sister in. Ana looked at her child and spoke.

"As of today, I want all of you to be home by 5 pm. No later, I want you all to look out for one another, especially Daisy. There is a bad man on the loose, but mommy is gonna catch him. That I promise."

Mei bit her lip before speaking.

"Is this...the same man who hurt aunty Mila."

She asked, Ana, flinched but nodded.

"Yes, but I will make sure he never hurts anyone ever again."

Ana made her way back downstairs to the kitchen and sat at the table, she uncrumpled the paper and felt her eyes widen. Inside the paper, was a lock of golden-brown hair and a single word.

'TAG'

--

Where he sat, Colby felt himself pondering on a few thoughts. How long could they live this way, what could they eat? How far away was civilization? Would they be caught by that man? Was there any hope of them living after this ordeal? Just a never-ending mix of worry and paranoia. But he knew that he had to be strong for the both of them, Krystal was already losing it. So him following suit, wouldn't be of any use. Taking a breath, he lightly slapped himself on the cheek.

"Keep it together, as dad said... Life won't kill you, it'll only make you wiser."

He said to himself as he listened to the girl cry outside, this really wasn't his strong point. Crying women, always made him feel incredibly uncomfortable. It was like when his step-sister used to hurt herself as a child and he would be bandaging her up, listening to the wails just put him off. He was raised in the stereotypical manly man era. So he was not overtly, in touch with his emotions. But over the years, he genuinely did try his best. Maybe in a morbid sense...this would be a good exercise in humanity for him. Morbid as the situation was. Pushing himself up, he walked out of the cave, still keeping his eyes on the path ahead and not towards the bathing woman.

"So, you have a good cry then."

Colby asked awkwardly to her, her wavering voice, confirmed his answer. 

"Yes, sorry about your shirt. You can look now. I am semi-clothed."

Upon hearing this, he turned to see her with his hoodie on. He felt his cheeks burn crimson as he banished any unsavory thoughts from his mind, nodding, he walked over and stood by the small pool. Krystal had taken this as her cue to walk into the cave and sit facing the wall. Colby removed his ripped trousers and his boxers. He sat in the water and watched as it turned an even murkier shade of brown due to all the filth on his body. It was such an odd feeling, to be here like this. He couldn't help to think of the fate of his father. How was it any fair that he was able to live, but his father, a kind and well-loved man...had to die. His eyes were brimming with tears, but he wiped them away.

"No, I won't cry. I refuse to allow myself ."

He sneered at himself as he vigorously rubbed his eyes until they burned red. 

"I have to be the strong one, if I am not the strong one....then who am I?"

Colby did not realize, but Krystal was eavesdropping on him. She whispered.

"....You're the hero who freed me from my captivity...that's who..."

Both teens sat back to back, one in the cave and one outside. Two doomed souls, trapped in a hellish nightmare of cat and mouse. With a hungry lion, dwelling from afar.

Chapter 29: A Word Of Thank You.

So, hello everyone. Yandere here.

I would just like to give a massive, massive thank you to everyone who's taking the time to read, leave a comment and a kudos on this story. It's making me more motivated to write and keep this along with more yandere-inspired stories.

Jeff to me is such a complex character if you take the time to try and dissect his mentality and his mannerisms. I find it fun working with his character and the situations that he's written into.

So, I do hope that as this story continues, you will enjoy the interactions that take place with Krystal, Jeff, and the plethora of new faces that will appear.

That said, just another big thanks to all the words of encouragement and to my story partner, Meg for helping me think of new ideas for Jeff and his ever-growing journey.

I'll leave it here for now but hope to see you in the next chapter of Dying To Know You.

--

Stay safe, stay warm and remember, you're ALL loved.

<3

Chapter 30: The Kids Are Not Okay

It had now reached around 11 pm that night, this was their first night of freedom and now, it was bitterly cold. Both of them were very hungry and neither had any fresh clothes, so they had to in turn wear their old filthy garments. Krystal had developed a rather irritating bite from, whatever bugs lived in that cave and Colby found himself irritable from the lack of food. He could feel his stomach chewing on itself, around about now, his stepmom would be serving leftovers. He'd even settle for that right now. 

"I'm so hungry, I could use a damned steak fillet.."

He griped, Krystal didn't comment on his irritation. When she had been growing up, it was normally up to her to buy things for her little brother and herself. Due to their parents being overly busy and not having a lot of time for them. Krystal had to grow up very quickly and learn things that, not many children should learn. So, to hear him complain, filled her with a sense of irritation. At least his family could provide food. At least they'd cared enough to make sure of that, the girl turned to face away from him. Her own stomach churned, but she did her best to force the thoughts away. Both teens lay in silence for a while until Colby decided that he'd had enough and sat up.

"There has to be something edible here..."

The boy griped as he had an idea.

"We could sharpen one of your crutches into a weapon and kill our food."

Krystal disagreed with this and they started an argument.

"And just how am I meant to move then? What an idiotic idea. None of this would have had to happen if you didn't bring the idea to escape up. We may have been imprisoned. But we were fed, watered and we were clothed."

Colby couldn't believe what he'd heard.

"Yes, we were also beaten, tortured, and harassed daily. How is that a life you felt fine with?! Are you insane?!"

They both argued louder and louder until they halted. Krystal glared at him.

"You know NOTHING about the life I lived. Yes, we were taken captive but like I said. Now we are here, filthy and with no food. Was it a good life to be living, no. But at least we knew we had a slight chance at surviving. But I am sorry that your spoilt arse cannot go a few hours without eating. Not everybody had that privilege, you know."

She spat out, he shoved himself up and sneered.

"Spoilt?! All I want is some goddamned food, it's a basic necessity. I am so sorry, that my wanting some food is too much for you. Not all of us can go into starvation mode and shut ourselves off to the world. Maybe you should have just- No, I won't say it."

He realized that he may have overstepped a boundary, Krystal pushed him.

"No please, do say what's on your mind, god knows you want to."

She snapped and he screamed at her.

"MAYBE YOU SHOULD'VE JUST LET HIM KEEP YOU"

A sharp silence sliced through the air. Krystal looked genuinely pained by what he'd just said and it made him feel like an absolute piece of garbage. He wanted to talk and try to amend his words, but the girl turned away from him. 

"Funny, I felt the same sentiment. When he brought you in, maybe you should have died in that coffin. Leave me alone, I don't want to look at your face right now."

The boy cursed at her as he left.

"Fine then, fuck you too."

And that was that Krystal heard the boy's booming footsteps until they grew lighter and lighter, then it was silent. She grits her teeth and punched the stone wall so hard that her knuckles bled. She felt her eyes burn with tears.

"I never needed you anyway... I don't need... Anyone."

With a last tear rolling down her eye, she forced herself to sleep and when she woke....she really secretly hoped that he would be back with her. Even if she knew, she did not deserve it. 
--

Colby had stormed off in a rage, not really caring where he ended up. He just had to remove himself from the equation before he ended up doing something that he genuinely regretted. He didn't mean half of what he had said to her, some of it maybe but the part where he said that she deserved to stay with that man. That was just fuelled by his hunger and anger. No one deserved that life. 

"Soon as I get some food, I'll bring it to her and I will say sorry for what I did. But...we have to have more trust or this won't work."

He sighed as he looked around and found a large pointed rock. This could work, now he just needed to find something small to attack. Due to his extreme hunger, he wasn't fussed about what he ate...as long as it lined his and her stomach. After a few minutes, he caught sight of a small bird. It was not very plump, but it was something. Sneaking up, he raised the rock, and then he was hit with a feeling of dread. This was an innocent animal. It had done nothing wrong.

"It's the bird, or us..."

Colby bit his lip and smashed the rock down on the bird, its neck snapped with a crack and a small pool of blood seeped out. The boy said a small prayer as he picked the bird up and turned, that was when he spotted a flashlight. His heart sunk and he bolted back towards the direction of the cave, hoping that Krystal would accept his apology. 

--

The forest was very quiet that night as the sheriff checked the area. He had thought he heard a noise, but it must've been his imagination. There hadn't been much life here in a long while, apart from the wildlife. He missed the sight of campers and kids on night walks, but he understood that it was scarier times. Wasn't like the older days.

He shined his light down and caught the sight of blood, his eyes narrowed as he spotted a trail.

"Huh... "

Against his better judgment, he began to follow the trail, he had a feeling that this was going to be an interesting night.

--

Jeff had managed to break free from his confinement and was downright furious. Not only, not only had his captives escaped from him. No, but they broke the collar off her. This collar, was a tracking collar and without it, he had no clue where she was. It enraged him.

"She thinks I treat her like a damned dog now, when I get her and that brat back....They won't know what torment really is."

The man grabbed his gun and his flash light.

"I'm going on a vermin hunt."

--

 

Chapter 31: True Kinda Love

Colby arrived back at the cave to find, to his happiness and shock that Krystal had not left after all. He cleared his throat softly, she turned to see him and then abruptly returned her gaze to the cave wall. Sighing, he offered up the bird and spoke.

"Look, I am sorry that I offended you. Truth be told, I am not good with my words, or my emotions for that matter. I didn't mean any of what I said, so can you please just talk to me..."

He asked , more like pleaded with her. The girl pushed herself up and looked down at the dead bird, she smiled softly.

"Well...he's no chicken, but I can work with it."

Colby felt his face light up at the thought of food, but then he remembered.

"I saw a flash light in the woods, I don't know who it was. But I don't think we can hunker here for much longer, so I think we're gonna have to eat and run."

He said, much to the girls disdain.

"Just when I thought that things would be a tad bit calmer...."

Krystal groaned as she took the bird and began to skin it, she noticed the boy looked rather pale so she told him to go outside and create a small fire. This won't cook itself. Colby obliged happily and left her to her own devices.

"We thank you lord, for this animal and the life that it has given for us to eat, may you welcome it to your arms. Amen."

She said lowly to the deceased bird .

"Now, let's get this started."

--

Jeff walked out of the house, his face adorned in his bandages and concealing his gun under his belt. It was the best disguise he could muster for now, those brats shouldn't be that far away from here. There weren't many places to run, apart from the woods and the nearest town was 30 minutes away. But he did have to give that boy some merit, he hit him pretty hard he did. Also, they drugged him. Not a good dose bur it's admirable. For a dead man.

"When I get my hands on him, he won't be cocky for long..."

The man snickered as he turned on his flashlight and proceeded to the only place that he figured they would run to, the woods.

"Ya best run, my little bunnies...cause it's hunting season, and I have a hunger for rabbit stew...."

He said as he cocked his gun and walked the forest path.

--

The sheriff meanwhile had been on their trail too, the blood trail vanished at a fork between two trees so now, he didn't have much of a clue which way to go. He figured that he would just head back home, maybe it was a wild animal that had been on the hunt. But the pool of blood suggested it was an ambush..didn't make much sense. 

"Well, not much I can do I suppose"

He huffed as he began to walk, but that was when he heard what sounded like voices from the north. Placing a hand on his belt for his gun, he made his way towards the noise and jumped out, startling the two young teens. Krystal on instinct, grabbed the hunting knife and Colby put his arms out in front of her. The sheriff couldn't believe his eyes.

"Woah, woah there kids. Easy, I ain't gonna hurt ya."

The older man raised his arms in the air and lowered his gun, Krystal didn't budge. Her body had gone into fight or flight mode. She was completely on edge. Colby called out.

"How do we know you aren't working with him?!"

Him? Him who?? It had seemed the sheriff had walked into something much more sinister than what he'd intended. He shook his head and spoke again, trying to calm the situation as best as he could. He had one girl have mad by fear and a boy shaking before him. Just what had these kids gone through.

"Look, I have a cabin up ahead, you both can rest there for the night and come daylight, I'll give ya a ride to town and you can get new supplies. I mean you no harm, I am the sheriff of these parts. If you can trust anyone, you can trust me. Now if you can lower the knife, I'll show you the way."

Explained the sheriff, Colby nodded slowly. He placed a hand on Krystal's shoulder, signaling her to stop and she did so warily. Both teens accompanied the sheriff down to his cabin and sat on the beds, it had been such a long time since they'd had an actual bed. Krystal still felt very out of place and clung to one of the pillows.

"Right, I'll let you both rest up. I'll check on you in the morning. Uh, there are snacks in the mini-fridge, like cola and some sandwiches. Rest easy kiddos."

With that the man shut the door on them and both teens sat in silence.

"Colby?"

Krystal asked.

"Yea?"

He replied while opening the mini-fridge.

"Do you think..we're finally safe?"

She asked hesitantly as he offered her a sandwich. The boy took a chunk out of his and gulped it down.

"For the moment, I feel safer with this guy than I did out in the woods. Look, fresh pajamas."

He held up some old navy blue bottoms. Krystal laughed as she located hers, they were yellow. Taking her leave to the bathroom, she let out a large breath. Maybe, just maybe for one night.. she could actually allow herself to have a good sleep. 

Changing into the garments, she re-entered the room and laid in the bed. Colby had already passed out it had seemed, with a bottle of cola in his hand. She sighed as she stood up and eased herself over to him, she took the bottle out of his hand. Looking around, she quickly kissed his cheek and went to bed.

"Thank you, for everything. Colby."

With that, she finally allowed herself to fall into a pleasant sleep.

 

 

Chapter 32: Character Info.

So I thought I would add this small little filler chapter to give you a visual idea of what the characters look like so it is easier to picture them while you read.

 

Krystal is a fair skinned girl with ashe blond hair, she has blue eyes and a rather petite figure. Her height is 5ft 2, she is often seen in her yellow sweater and jeans. She has scars littering her body from Jeffs abuse and one cigar burn from an unknown occurance. 

 

Colby is a tanned young man with pale green eyes and brown hair. He is 5ft 7 and has a semi muscular build. He has 3 gashes on his face due to being hit with splintered wood. He has a tattoo on his left leg of a dove.

Jeff is a pale man with a Glasgow kiss across his face. He wears foundation and eye liner along with white face paint when he goes out to kill. But is often seen with just his facial burns. He is 6ft 2 and is very muscular due to his heavy lifting. He has sullen blue eyes, black hair and is more often than not clothed in his signature white hoody and cargo pants. But rarely, he wears a black shirt and leggings. He also has several self harm scars adjorning his upper chest and lower calf. 

 

Ana Dalton is a petite Asian American woman standing at 4ft 2. Although small, she's very witty. She has blond hair, Hazel eyes and light wrinkles on her face just under her eyes. She is often seen clad in her police uniform, but while on leave she wears a flower blouse and white leggings. She has a scar on her left wrist from a dog bite. 

 

Just a small bit of character information 😁

 

Chapter 33: Pumped Up Kicks.

Colby was the first of the duo to wake up, he looked around rather disorientated. His thought process had been rather jumbled with everything that had occurred the night before, and truth be told, he genuinely believed that meeting with the sheriff was a fever dream that he'd had from being exhausted. Stretching, he looked around and examined his surroundings. Now that it was daylight, he could take more on board. 

"Well, at least he didn't turn out to be yet another, insane murderer..."

The boy said to himself as he walked over to Krystal and nudged her, she didn't budge and pulled her covers over her head. Colby sighed as he raised his hands in surrender, probably best to let her sleep. She might not feel up to chatting much after last night. They did go through quite a lot with escaping the house, then being stranded for a while, and getting rescued. It just seemed a tad bit unreal. He spotted a set of fresh clothes sitting on a stool. They consisted of a green hoodie and beige cargo pants. Also, a baseball cap? The old man must've really struggled to find clothes that would suit young folks.

"Well, at least I ain't covered in muck and cuts."

He stated as he slipped off his pajama shirt and sniffed at himself, he shuddered.

"Maybe I better wash up..."

The boy rubbed the back of his head and opened the bathroom door, he took one last look at the sleeping Krystal and shut himself in.

 

--

The sheriff on the other hand, was still fast asleep in his bed. That was until he'd been rudely awakened by banging on the door. Grumbling, he pushed himself up and slipped on his shoes. Peering through the peephole, he spotted a rather haggard-looking fellow. Frowning, he placed a small pistol under his belt and slipped on a clean shirt. Opening the door, the man looked up and places a hand out in front of him.

"Mornin' Sheriff."

The strange man greets, taking his hand, the sheriff shakes it.

"Mornin' can I help ye?"

Reaching into his pocket, the man pulled a photo of Krystal and Colby out. The sheriff raised a brow as he looked at the picture, something didn't add up here. Noticing the disapproving look, the man pulls back the photo and explains.

"Y'see those two kids, they are my cousins. They vanished the night before, so I would be grateful if you could tell me if you have seen them. Their moms are worried sick."

Lied the man, he was growing frustrated. If this old coot would just open the door so that he could shoot him, it would be mighty handy. However, the sheriff spotted something off with the photo. Both kids looked as though they were being forced to smile. It didn't add up. 

"Sorry, haven't seen em."

He said sternly, the other man cast his eyes to the opposite cabin. 

"It's for campers, but it's empty. You take care now, hope you find those kids."

Shutting the lens, he peered through the curtains and just watched as the strange man stared at him with what he could only call intense hatred, but then, he left. The sheriff breathed a sigh of relief. For whatever, reason, he just did not trust what that man had said and maybe, just maybe. That was the man that those kids fled from. He'd need to ensure that they arrived safely to town and into police custody. Also, he'd need to keep an eye out for that man in the future. Deciding not to worry too much, the man sat back in his chair and relaxed for a few more minutes.

 

--

Krystal had just woken up when she spotted a flash of white go by the window. Her heart spiked up and she fell out of the bed, Colby nearly choked on his tooth brush as he rushed in and helped her up. Bur she was stammering too much to make any sense, he consoled her as best as he could. She looked him in the eyes and panted.

"He's here."

She wept, Colby didn't understand.

"Who, who's here?!"

He pleaded to her but, he suddenly got a jolt of terror down his spine. 

"No...we just got free... GOD DAMNIT!"

Colby yelled out as he collapsed to his knees.

Krystal pulled him into a hug and wept with him.

"I just wanted to feel free , for one god damned night. Just feel like this is all a bad dream. Why can't he just let us go?! What is in this for him."

He sneered, but Krystal knew that answer very clearly.

"Because, as long as we are free. He has no control, and Jeff...Jeff needs something to control, something to torment."

She stated as she looked at her fists. They were clenched.

"But I know how to end this."

The woman said to him, she looked him in the eye.

"One of us, one of us has to go with him. If we do, he wins. He gets his victim and one of us gets to be free. One of us gets to live."

Colby didn't like her tone. Not one bit.

"You sound like you've made your mind up and no, you're not going. No one is going. We will keep running until-"

Krystal snapped.

"Until what?! I've been running for 7 YEARS, he will not give up. He will never leave us alone. Never."

She sobbed into her hands. 

"He won't stop until he gets us. I am tired...of running. I am sick of being a coward, I am sick of giving him the satisfaction of reveling in our pain."

The girl pushed herself up. Colby assisted her.

"It's time to end this, once and for all. It's him, or it's us. I choose us."

Taking her hand, he tightened his grip.

"Let's make that son of a bitch wish he never met us."

--

Chapter 34: Whistle While You Work

Jeff looked at his phone, contemplating on the action that he should take. On the one hand, he could attempt to contact that cop and mess with her a tad, rile her up enough to cause her a break down. Or, he could contact that bitch of his. He'd sent her a tornado of messages but she seemed to be ignoring it, or that boy wasn't allowing her to answer.

That boy... That filthy, degenerate, he untrained her. After all his work of breaking her and making her isolated. He ruined it all. He brainwashed her.

"I should have killed that little prick. I never should have allowed him to lay eyes on her, I never should have allowed them to communicate with one another. I fucked myself over majorly."

Jeff sneered.

"But, no matter. I won't have to worry about that after I sort this. She won't ever feel the need to leave again. Then again, she won't have the choice."

He laughed to himself as he put his phone away and turned his attention to the basement. From the dimly lit area, a terrible stench emitted out. That body had begun to decompose and rot, it reeked.

"Worst part of this line of work. The smell of rotting flesh, it has become more of a small annoyance than a hindrance. Ugh, disgusting."

The man shuddered as he began to make his way down the hallway of the basement and then he was hit with a terrible realisation.

The body wasn't there. No, no this wasn't right. He left it on the table... So where...

He had no time to contemplate as he was stabbed in the leg, the man crumpled down and saw the badly mangled body of the man barely clinging to life.

"Whree... Esss... He..."

He dribbled out, Jeff sneered as he kicked him full in the face. Teeth shattered in the mans mouth, he gargled on the blood and spat some on Jeff. This enraged him and he smashed his foot into the man's face, a sickening crack was heard and then silence.

"He will join you soon, you damned corpse."

Jeff panted as he pulled the knife out of his left ankle, he hissed in pain. The body lay still now, his sullen eyes staring up at Jeff. Feeling creeped out, the man used the knife to gouge them out of their holdings.

"Why can't the dead just damned well stay dead..."

He muttered as he wiped away the blood and opened up the freezer. Hoisting the body up, he shoved it in the freezer and closed it. Now, just to clear up the mess that he left.

"I hate cleaning..."

The killer grumbled, sighing. He began to whistle while he worked on clearing up the area. This could take a while... So, for now. He could allow those brats some freedom.

After all, it wouldn't last much longer.

Chapter 35: Sneak Peek

His body lay trembling softly as his eyes cast to the murky figure, vision blurred by fatigue and nausea.

Silence passed before he screamed at the other person.

"WHY DID YOU DO IT"

The person just gave a weak and sad smile.

"Sorry. Mister frog. It's in my nature."

A loud bang went off.

"... Goodbye."

 

(real chapter will be in 5 days.) 

Chapter 36: My Baby Shot Me Down

Krystal had spent the better half of the morning contemplating on what her action was going to be, she'd spotted that her phone had been non stop ringing. She didn't have to guess the caller.

"I knew my decision, long before I even decided on it. There's no escape from him, for me, my life began and ended with that man. But... He's the only semblance of memory that I have. Albeit a bad one, I don't have that with anyone else."

The woman said as she shoved her phone on her pocket and looked over at Colby. He was blissfully unaware of what she had in mind, but it would be better this way. It would be better if they just never met. If she never gained the small amount of love that grew for him, she should have just stayed.

"I have to go back, I don't feel welcome with this new found freedom."

Krystal sighed as she headed to the door, Colby looked at her.

"Hay, no point in leaving. We're going to town remember?"

He stated, she waved her hand at him.

"Yea, yea I just want to have some air."

The girl lied as she opened the door, the way that he'd seen her acting. It was clear that she was lying to his face, that was something that he could not condone.

Deciding against his better judgment, he chased after her.

--

There was almost a sick sense of irony to this situation, she had been given the option of freedom and running. Yet, here she was, walking through the woods and about to return, willingly, to the man who held her captive and took her life. Such a sick sense of humility.

Krystal knew though, that by doing this. She was going to save Colby. Jeff didn't want him, he was going to kill him ultimately. But if she could just give herself in and offer him the opportunity to have her instead, at least then, he'd have his family to return to. Where as, she only had Jeff. He was the only memory that had still been alive.

A voice behind her caught her off guard. She froze in her place, that damned moron. Why could he not just stay away from her, just go with the sherif and be reunited with his loved ones. What did he gain from trying to stop her from her choices.

"Krystal. Stop. This is not the path you want to take and you know this. You're acting on some weird sense of justice but there won't be any for you if you continue here."

The boy panted. His lungs were caving from the running that he'd just done, it was crushing his heart. But he had to try and stop her, she didn't deserve it. Didn't deserve to be enslaved.

" I know you feel that you don't have a life, I know you feel that the only way for you to live is through him but it isn't. You can live with me, my family and you can have our love. Please Krystal, just don't do this."

He pleaded to her, she just stayed silent. Her head turned to him and he was shocked by how empty her eyes looked.

" Are you quite finished. "

Her cold tone sliced through him like a dull blade. This wasn't how she normally acted.

" It's quite funny, you telling me that I don't know what's best for me. Considering that, you have a life. You have a family, friends and you're acting like we are anything other than two people forced to bond. Because, that's all we are. We aren't friends. We were never friends, it's just what your mind tricked you into believing. I have always seen you as nothing more than an annoying, whining idiot that caused more harm then good. So, it's best you turn back and go home. I don't want that life, nor do I want to have it with you. "

The girl, once again tried to walk away. But the boy ran and grabbed her wrist. Her facade had to be strong, even if telling him that was heartbreaking. He had to leave. He had to go back.

" What, are you braindead as well. Do you need me to spell it. I. USED. You. I never valued you. You were just a means to an end."

Colby just stared at her.

"You're a horrid liar. Your face is burning red and you look like you want to cry. So you can insult me all that you want. But you can't lie to yourself. You don't want to do this. But you feel you have to. I am not leaving, until you come with me."

He said with strong feelings, she would not be made a prisoner again. She'd come live with him and his family, they would be a great family.

" I'm sorry Colby. But the fantasy that you want to live in, doesn't include me. "

Krystal said as she pulled away from him and stared. He let out a sigh and grit his teeth, it looked like he would have to go... THERE.

Looking her in the eye, he sneered.

"Is this how you want to repay Mila. By allowing, the man who murdered her, to have a grip on you."

When he said her name, a snap echoed in her mind. Something just broke as she turned and slapped him across the face. How dare he, just how dare he.

"How dare you... You don't have any right to say her name... You didn't even KNOW her."

She screamed at him. He screamed back.

"I KNOW THAT SHE WOULD NEVER FORGIVE THIS."

He snarled.

"She gave her fucking life for you and what the hell are you doing, you're throwing it away for the man who in cold blood MURDERED her and forced you to finish her. You really have a shit way of-"

BANG BANG

Colby felt the world slow down around him as pain engulfed his shoulder. Blood seeped through his fingers. He looked to Krystal. She stood there with a shaking hand and tears running down her cheeks. This wasn't what she wanted. But she would not have gotten him to leave her alone if this was not the case.

"Go and live, Colby. For both of us."

She said as she turned to walk from him but he crawled over and grabbed her leg, she yelped in shock as she looked down at him. His blood seeped onto her jeans.

"WHY KRYSTAL WHY!?"

He screamed at her. She took one big breath before kicking him away, his body writhed in pain. It killed her to see this. The girl just looked away from him.

"Sorry, mister frog. It's in my nature."

Krystal said solemnly as she took off running towards the wooded path. Colby lay there, stunned and shocked. She shot him. She actually shot him.

"Bang bang... My baby shot me... Down..."

He hummed as he for the moment, felt his body pass out from the pain and strain. He just hoped, that some day.. Somehow... Krystal found the peace of mind that she so desired..

Even if, it was not with him. 

 

--

 

Chapter 37: Bullet Train

With her hands still trembling from the action that she'd just committed, the girl found herself sprinting off into the forest. She had to run, she had to get away from the boy laying there. Just had to separate herself, after all it was the only thing she'd known how to do.

Run.

That was all she ever did in her life, run from the things that hurt her, that stressed her out.

"I'm a coward. I know that much, I'm a useless coward that would rather hide behind the guise of a false safe hood than actually face my own actions."

She said to herself as she ran until her legs gave way and she collapsed to her knees. The tears couldn't be kept back and her body trembled in terror. Nothing she did was ever good enough. Her life was a meaningless shamble, she couldn't even open up to the one who trusted her most.

She betrayed him.

"I had to, I had to do it. I.. Had.. To.."

No matter how much she tried to justify her decision, the blood was on her hands now. This was not a choice that Jeff forced her into.

She shot him. Looked him in the eyes, and pulled the trigger.

The thought made her feel sick to her stomach, she held the gun to her chest.

"I didn't want to, he kept coming nearer and nearer, he wouldn't listen. Oh God.. I'm so sorry Colby. Please, God... Forgive me.."

She wept as she looked up to the sky. It was raining now, fitting for the tears falling from her eyes. Rubbing them, she stood up. Her jeans now tarnished from the mud.

"This ends now. No more running. No more fear. No more allowing the ones I care for to have blood shed. It ends now."

Krystal vowed as she wiped her eyes of tears, smearing blood on her face in the process by accident. Only one person was going to be walking out of this battle. Krystal was making sure it was her.

" I'm coming for you, asshole. "

Placing the gun inside of her shirt, she'd stolen it from the back of the sheriffs car. That old man really should learn to lock his glove box.

--

Colby meanwhile had felt his vision beginning to return. He'd been out for what seemed like hours. Looking around, he noticed that he was in a white room and connected several tubes. He could not move and his voice was strained.

"Doctor!"

Came a female voice. Several people were fussing over him and checking his vitals. One of the nurses held his eye open and shone a light in it.

"Colby, can you hear me?"

The voice asked. He couldn't talk so he nodded his head. The nurse gave a sigh of relief.

"He can hear us."

She replied.

"Ah grand. We can allow the officer in now."

Officer? Did they mean the sherrif? Who were they referring to? He didn't understand, his eyes cast to the door as a woman stepped in, she was a short middle aged Chinese American woman.

"This is officer Dalton. She'd like a word."

The doctor stated as he allowed the woman in and she took a seat beside him. He'd never seen this woman in his life.

"Colby. I know you're confused and you're a tad exhausted by your ordeal. But I need you to think really hard. Okay."

He listened to what she said and nodded. The woman pulled a photo of Krystal up and he felt his heart spike.

"Have you seen this woman.".

--

Chapter 38: Tell Me Lies

Colby stared at the photo and then back up at the woman. Who was she and why did she want to find Krystal..

He didn't trust this.

"This woman, is wanted for the murder of her mother and her friends. She's a wanted criminal that needs to be brought to justice. The doctors stated that when you were put under. You kept saying that you had to find her. So, please tell me if you've seen her and where she's heading. "

Ana said, trying to remain as calm as she could. There was no way that he'd willingly defend her after hearing what she'd done. Either that or he was a moron in love.

Colby just stared at her before pointing to a note pad. Ana, excitedly brought it over. She watched as he messily wrote something. He turned it over and her smile faltered.

"Snitches get stitches"

A grin broke over his face as he held the board up.

Officer Dalton had to excuse herself to the rest room. When she got in the stall, she erupted with swears and violently attacked the stall. Composing herself, she emerged.

"I will find her, and I will put her to justice. For Mila. I'll make that little whore pay. That I can promise. I never should have let her go home with Mila."

She seethed to herself as she made her way back into the room. Colby immidately tensed up once more, he didn't trust this woman or her intention one bit.

" I know that she's tricked you into believing that she's a good person. But she's not. She killed those people.. Killed my best friend Mila."

Upon hearing that name, his eyes widened and he croaked out.

"Mi....la..."

Ana rushed to his side and nodded. Colby bit down on his lip as he pondered on his action. He could tell the cop everything, tell her where Krystal was and get her to stop her making this mistake. But also, he didn't want to betray Krystal too. She had her reason for what she'd did, he knew that. Gulping, he looked at the woman.

"Inn.. o.. Cent."

He said to her. Ana looked at him.

"Who?"

Ana asked, he just laid his head back down, his body reaching its limit of exhaustion.

"Krystal..."

--

Jeff sat inside the house pondering his next move when he received a text. It caught him off guard.

-

Outside. You. Me. Right here. Right now. No going back. - K

He didn't expect this one bit, just what the hell was she playing at.

"Better get this over with so I can take my anger out on her."

Jeff shrugged as he grabbed his knife and walked to the door. As soon as he opened it, he was face to face with the mouth of the gun.

"Hello to you too. Bitch."

He laughed nervously as he held his hands up, Krystal just stared at him dead panned. So this was now it felt to be in control for a change.

"I'm here to make you a proposition.".

Krystal stated as she stared him down. The man just nodded his head slowly. He couldn't afford to make a stupid move right now. So he had to oblige.

"What's that then"

He asked her. She looked at him.

"If you swear to me, on your own damned life that you won't go after Colby. You'll leave him alone, and never target him. Then I'll go with you of my own will. But first. We play a game. I know how much you love a wager."

The girl stated. Now this was interesting, she was actually gaining some balls. He nodded at her.

"What game then."

Krystal looked at him.

"Hide and Seek, I do remember that you often cheated. So this time... We play it blind." 

Jeff growled, she was acting far too cocky. But he accepted as she ushers him to walk, the gun still glued to the back of his head. 

"Walk, bitch."

She smirked at him. 

--

 

Chapter 39: Bang Bang

As he lay there on his hospital bed,the boy couldn't help but to wonder about his companion. Had she gotten the vengance she had so desperately craved? He didn't hold it against her, what she'd done to him. He knew that from the get go. That this would be the out come. However, that pesky cop kept on pestering him for some kind of confession of sorts.

Like he'd ever snitch. It was very improper of this woman. Being a woman of the law, shouldn't she know better than this? It puzzled him greatly as to why she was so obsessed with Krystal. To the point of accusing her of murderous intent. Didn't she know how easy it was to photoshop or manipulate someone into a picture. Besides, even if she did somehow murder them, that maniac was probably forcing her.

"Colby, I know that you do not wish to accept this reality. But it is true, Krystal murdered innocent people and worse still, she left you to rot in that forest. That does not sound like something a nice, decent friend would do. So please, just tell me where she is!"

Ana was growing impatient with his naive acts, he knew exactly where that murdering little tramp was and he refused to co-operate. If he did not change his act, then she'd play dirty. She had no shame in that!

Colby just looked at her in disgust. He turned his head away and shook it, no way was he betraying his friend. Ana merely sighed as she stood up and closed the blinds, making her true face known.

"Okay, listen here you little shite. I have no issue playing hard, you tell me where the fuck she is,or I'll ensure that you have a very sad accident. You hear me!"

She hissed at him. He just gave her an intense dirty look as he picked up his board and wrote on it.

'Eat a dick.'

He watched as she took his oxygen tube and began to press lightly on it, his eyes went wide. She was insane, utterly nuts. Ana pressed harder on it,watching him gasp for air and trying to claw at her hand. She released it before it but critical and smiled at him, noticing that he was attempting to press his help button, she stopped him. He looked at her in terror.

"Now, will you tell me? Or will we have to try this again. Choice is yours, I wouldn't mind seeing you pay for hiding a fugitive."

She smiled at him, he felt so angry at this bitch. But as much as he wanted, he didn't want to die.

"......Jeff "

The name he uttered sent a dozen chills down her spine.

"Bang Bang"

He made a gun sound and aimed with his fingers , the woman bolted up and left the room. Leaving the boy to wonder if what he'd done was the right decision, or if he just sentenced his friend to death. Either way , he could only hope that everything turns out good in the end. He had a feeling that his path in this journey was ending , just how it ended was the big question.

'At least whatever happens, I kept my promise to her, thats good enough for me.'

He plopped his head against the pillow and fell asleep.

Chapter 40: Let's Play A Game

Jeff felt his lips curl into a snarl as he opened his mouth to shout at her. But the sound of the gun being clicked and the feeling of it being pressed into the back of his head, silenced any back talk.

"So, what do you want from me, to make me confess. To let me know I'm a horrible family killing psychopath. Cuz guess what, I already know this."

He said as he trudged forward, keeping his eyes ahead of him. Krystal just spoke in a monotone voice.

"Nope. I want to see you bleed. Plain and simple."

The way and said that, made his hairs stand up. Now who sounded like the murderer... He had to keep all thought to himself though. Especially with a gun pressed to his skull.

"Thats it. You want me to bleed? Bit of a crappy resolve."

Without warning, he was struck on the back of the head and yelled out as he clutched his scalp. Krystal was having non of this nonsense.

"You don't get to dictate what I want. Or what I feel..Not now. Not ever. This game of power play. Is over. Now shut up and keep walking. We are almost at the area."

She hissed as she urged the man to move, not caring that he was now bleeding from the head. Jeff was starting to lose his sense of control now. He could put up with the crying and the terror. But this, this was starting to get on his nerves. If he wasn't careful, he could snap and actually kill her. He didn't want that.

Not yet. 

Jeff had to think of a way to curve this and put himself back in the dominant role. Her little stint had started to wear thin. 

"Stop. We are here."

Both of them came to a halt and Jeff slowly turned to face Krystal. The face that she wore, wasn't the one that he'd become accustomed to. It was solemn. Cold. Almost unreadable.

"So this it. This where you lay into me before killing me for vengeance. Or you still wanna play that game."

Jeff said to her, but she just retorted with another question.

"Are you a left or a right."

She asked like it was the most normal thing in the world. The man stared bewildered at her.

"What?"

He said incredulous. She sneered.

"Which is your stronger side. Left or right."

She repeated herself.

"Right?"

He replied, the girl nodded. Without warning, she shot a bullet through his right thigh. Jeff screamed in agony. The man clutched his thigh and spat at her.

"The fuck was that"

He snapped and she just looked down at him, menacingly.

"Now, we're even. You broke my rib. I shot your thigh. We are evenly disadvantaged now. I. Told you. I don't play dirty. As for the game, its just like we used to play. Blind Hide and seek."

The man hissed.

"How the fuck is this fair. You have a gun. I have a knife. Way disadvantaged."

He stated. Krystal thought for a moment.

"Fine. I won't use my gun. But I give you the applause to use your knife should you find. Me. However, if I find you first. I get the first hit. That is fair. Aight?"

She said as she stood back up and pointed her gun at him.

"You hide first. I'll count. You so much as cheat. And I'll send a bullet through your skull."

The woman said as she watched the man hobble away, as soon as he vanished into the forest. She began to count.

"1..2..3.."

 

---

Ana was torn between her loyalties. On the one hand, she made a promise to Mila that she would love and care for Krystal. On the other, that same girl could very well be the reason her beloved friend is dead. It was such a horrible situation.

" Now to think that son of a bitch Jeff is back and very much still full of rage. This just cant get easier."

She said to herself as she made her way down the lane and towards the forest.

"Whatever the path I choose. I just hope I can get justice for Mila."

The woman nodded.

"Thats the main goal. Do it for her."

But for some reason... She had a feeling this choice was going to end badly for her. Whether she intended it to or not. It just did not feel right to her.

--

Chapter 41: Ghosts

Jeff was pissed to say the least, not only had that bitch let power go to her brain. But now he was injured with a bleeding thigh to boot, it wasn't a good scenario for him. He had to get power back on his side.

She had said that he couldn't cheat, yes. But she never mentioned about him playing fair, there was a difference. He didn't need to use his knife to disarm her, but he could use something else.

"What did that old broad teach us in wilderness camp again... Use the forest to your advantage and never take for granted her bountiful wonders. Well, sorry bitch. My life's on the line, nature is gonna have to cough up as much as she can manage right now. "

He huffed to himself as he slumped down behind a tree to retain his composure. The blood loss was making him hazy. That little whore would never walk again when he got done with her. She'd be begging to die, but he wouldn't allow it.

"I need to remember how to build a trap. If I can recall I need..."

--

Ana had just stepped foot into the area where this mess took place when she'd heard a gun shot. Her head snapped upwards as she spied the smoke. It was eastern of her location, whoever it was must have either been aiming. Or, they were letting themselves be known. Either way, it made her job easier.

"I'll get you, I'll get you for what you've did to my life and best friend. This all ends tonight."

Ana sneered as she bolted towards the black smoke. A rat was gonna die today, even if she's lucky. Might be two.

All she knew, was that she wanted their blood laid bare on her hands. 

" For Mila. "

--

 

Krystal lowered the gun as she stared towards the forest. She knew that this was the end now, Jeff was not going to get away with all he did to her and her life. He'd pay with his blood splattered on these trees.

"It's not even about revenge anymore. It's not even about wanting him to feel pain. I just want to see him dead with my own eyes. Feel his life drain by my own hands. Then and only then. Will this ghost of mine be freed. My best friend is gone. There's nothing left for me to care for. It's all. His. Fault. "

The girl sneered as she gripped the gun in her hand.

"But no matter."

She stated.

"It'll all be over soon."

Krystal stared at the forest.

"Then, I'll join them all. I'll join Mila."

A single tear fell down her cheek.

"Just wait on me, a little longer."

 

--

Chapter 42: Season 1 Finale : Misery Business

A chariot of thoughts echoed through her mind as she stood holding the gun that wounded one of the only people she seen as a friend. Thoughts of her life before this mess, thoughts of her childhood with Mila and even, thoughts of her real family.

 

Why did this have to happen? Why did Mila have to rescue her, had she not. She'd be alive and probably living a better life. But due to her saving her from the carnage, she was dead. It was a truly sick sense of comedic irony, it made her sick.

 

It was her fault after all, she'd known this. Everything that was happening, it was all her fault. If she had never agreed to goto that house, if she'd just persuaded her friends to do something else for her birthday. They'd all still be alive. Not dead, not mutilated like they had been. Yet, here she was still alive.

 

"Why. What is so God damned special about me, that I had to be spared while everyone I've ever loved, had to die. Just why."

 

She pleaded with anyone that she thought might be listening to her. But as normal, she was praying to deaf ears. Miracles do not happen in this situation, not now and not for people like her.

Wiping her face with her free hand, she proceeded to move. She had one last score to settle and then, then she could finally be at peace with everything. She could be with Mila, Caleb, Ileya and her family.

The girl checked her gun and a frown fell upon her face. She only had 2 bullets left. She knew who they were for and she had to save them.

Like Romeo and Juliet. This game of cat and mouse, will end with a tragic bang. She would see her family again. Even if it meant losing those who had grown on her. It was a literal bullet, she was willing to take. 

"I'm coming for you asshole."

Krystal sneered.

--

Colby had manged to get out of the hospital unnoticed. For being so hoity toity, they sure had lousy security. It was laughable given the state of the world. But he didn't have time to think on that, he had to settle something. Even if it meant biting the apple that killed Eve.

"Thats if the serpent even let's me live long enough. Hell. I am sure that the last face he wants to see, is the one who stole what he deems his property."

The boy griped as he limped into the forest, what was he even going to say. "sorry man I know I fucked your plans up and all that but I need you to kill some nosy cop and help Krystal." He was sure that would go swimmingly.

Had he actually paid attention, he'd of spotted small spikes in the ground. But as would have it, he reactet too late, small wooden spikes punctured his ankle and down he fell. Colby clutched his wound as blood seeped out.

It wasn't long before the loud thuds of foot steps could be heard and a familiar. Annoying voice. It was Jeff.

"I set out to catch me a bitch but looks like I caught a thieving dick instead, how lucky. Now hold still while I cut your fucking head off."

Jeff had just grabbed the boys hair when he heard what he was saying. Why couldn't he just die quietly.

"Please, I know we've had different strokes but we agree with one thing. We both want to find Krystal. Right."

He stammered. Still hoping he could keep his life through all of this, Jeff was a lot of things. But he was also observant and highly possessive. Colby knew that he wouldn't kill him if he'd thought for one iota that he knew where she was.

Jeff sneered as he dropped the boys head.

"Suppose you're correct. But what would you want to gain from betraying her, wasn't that the whole reason to escape me. To save her. Kinda contradicting don't you believe."

The man said as he watched the boy slide up the tree and stare at him.

"I still do want that, but it won't happen so long as that damn cop keeps snooping. Krystal won't ever be free, nor will I but I know you could care less about my life. Its her life you want. How can you do that if that cop kills her, how could you get your revenge then. Think about it. "

Jeff hated to agree with this pile of filth. But he was correct, if that nosy cop kills her first, how can he make her pay. The man looked down at the injured boy.

" What do you want me to do then, kid."

Colby bit down on his lip. He couldn't believe he was saying this.

"Kill the bitch. Then Krystal won't have any more support. She'll be broken. Just like you want."

Colby said, Jeff scratched his chin.

"Why are you telling me all this, what do YOU gain from this betrayal."

The man stated as he mused. Colby had to think of a decent enough lie. Jeff was no idiot. If he thought for one minute he was being lured to a trap then, he could and would kill him on the spot.

"I figure. She wounded me, only fair I return the favor. Right. An eye for an eye."

Colby said to the killer and hoped that he believed that, it took Jeff a few minutes to think on his decision. He extended his hand.

"Deals a deal, partner."

They shook hands and Jeff yanked him close.

"You so much and look at me wrong. I'll gut you, like I gut your pig of a father."

He released his hand and nodded.

"Lead the way."

--

Ana had to compose herself as she trekked through the wooded area. Anyone could jump her. Anyone at all. Jeff, that girl, the boy. It was just like walking into a death trap.

"I just have to find that girl, then get some answers. Take it slow. I don't know the full story here, who's to say she's guilty. Who's to say she's not. Jumping to conclusions won't get me anywhere at all. Just lost."

The woman stated to herself as she shook her head, what would Mila do right now. That thought made her both laugh and solemn at the same time. Probably, she would tell her to take it slow and smile. Mila always did smile in the worst of situations, it was one of her better qualities. Something that Ana just failed to do in most circumstances.

"Just, smile and move on. Ana. Smile and -"

The woman froze as she spotted a shillouette in the distance, clutching her gun, she made her way towards it. For her sake. She prayed they were friendly. She really did not wish to kill or harm anyone.

As she made her way closer, she could hear what sounded like crying, soft and pitiful crying. It was a woman.

"... Krystal?"

Ana whispered. 
--

The woman stood there, contemplating everything that she had planned at that very moment. What if she just put an end to all of it here, she didn't have to kill Jeff. Just herself. 

Give herself the peace that she'd been denied, but at the same time... It meant that he'd still be there. Still be free to harm any other young girl or boy. That was the thought that halted her from ending it all. Not while he still could breathe.

Krystal steadies her breath as she takes one step forth. But from behind the woman a voice calls out to her.

"You don't have to do this. You can lower your gun. You can come quiet. You don't have to be like him, you're not a killer like him."

Ana yelled at her. The girl turned around and felt her eyes widen. She glared.

"NO I WON'T LET YOU DO THIS TO ME"

She raised the gun and aimed at Ana, but it wasn't Ana herself she aimed at. It was the person sneaking behind her. Before she could though, Ana shot first and got her in the rib. Krystal fell to the forest floor. 

"Behind.. You.." 

She called out to Ana but it was too late. The person behind her had struck a brick down on the woman's head, Krystal could feel her consciousness fading in and out. Warm arms embraced her as droplets of warm water splashed on her face. But something else splashed on her face as well.

As her vision blurred, she heard someone say. 

"Karmas a bitch. Ain't it." 

---

When she had come too, she spotted that she was now tied to a chair. Her head ached terribly and once again.. She was stripped of all her clothes. That was not all. She wasn't alone. 

Colby and Ana were bound and stripped as well. Just what was happening here. How did they even get here? Surely Jeff did not have inhuman strength as well. 

Try as she did, she just could not move. Just what did Jeff have in store for them. How did he even get them here, surely he didn't possess inhuman strength. That was just about all he lacked. Krystal tried to call out to her fellow captives. But they seemed to be heavily drugged. 

Just what did Jeff want?

That was as good as asking why he became a murderer. No one knows that answer but Jeff himself.

Krystal looked around the room, it was dark and damp. Not much windows, she couldnt even see a door. Were they still in the same country, had they been locked away in some unknown location. Just question aftet question spun around in her mind, never any answers to be found.

The sound of steps caused her to freeze, her head was yanked up and a flashlight had been shone in her eyes. Jeff grunted.

"You're awake I see. Good. See, I pondered hard about how to punish you for your misdeeds, but I see that cop got you dirty first. Putting her filthy bullets into your skin. Damaging...MY property, the damn nerve of her. But that's besides the point. See, I'm gonna make you pick."

Jeff said as he let her go and pointed a gun at both Colby and Ana.

" Who lives. Who dies. It's your pick. One gets to live, go home safe. The other will go home in a body bag. Question is. Who do you want. The boy who risked his life or the cop who shot you."

Krystal couldn't believe this.

"You're mad."

She mouthed, he tilted his head.

"As mad as they come, now. CHOOSE" 

How could he even think that she'd have the capacity to choose between two people's lives. She had no right to do that, and he had no right to force her.

"I'm offering you a choice. That is not something that I've offered you, your whole life. But I am offering it right now, so consider that. I may not offer any choice again."

The man threatened the girl as she sat there helpless. What could she do? Neither of them desevered to die. Both of them had a life. Family that loved them. What did she have, nothing. Nothing but the devotion of this insane man.

"Untie me. I'll choose myself."

She stated and Jeff laughed.

"Yea and then I'll let you all go and you can have a tea party. You think I'm so dumb that I'd let you go a second time, so you can trick me."

Krystal shook her head.

"I promise. I'll choose one. I give you my word."

The man hesitated for a moment before aiming the gun at the wall and shooting. Krystal yelped and the noise startled the other two captives. Colby wildly looked about.

"You bastard. You lied to me."

He spat and then noticed Krystal, his stomach dropped. Jeff snickered.

"Well, how bout we spark it up. Tell her what you said, kid. Tell her how you asked me to help track her down"

Krystal looked at Colby and then Jeff.

"... What?"

Colby was yelling at Jeff.

"Stop lying to her! Its not true. What he says. It's not true. I never wanted to harm you."

The boy cried. Jeff rolled his eyes.

"Romeo here, asked me to kill that cop over there. But, I figured that it would be much more fun to have a little reunion and get the true nature of your so called loved ones out in the open."

He stated, watching the boys face contort in pain and recognition. He knew that he was a lying scoundrel. Now, he was just an honest. Lying scoundrel.

Jeff was a lot of things. But a liar was not one. He detested liars. The man always kept his promises. Even the difficult ones. His mother taught him that honesty is the best policy. Too bad his own mother was, herself, a filthy liar.

Liars had to be punished.

"Krystal, please.... I didn't. I never-"

Krystal yelled at him.

"Stop, just for once shut your damn mouth. Let me, just give me time to think."

The woman said as she composed herself. She looked at Jeff and then Ana. She hadn't done anything to her, true she shot her. But she'd believed that her life was in danger. Speaking of gun shots. Krystal looked at her abdomen. It was seeping with blood.

"Looks like you're not coping too well, need me to end your misery. Oh, right.... If you end yourself. You can't end me, but if you end one of them. I'll still be alive. Looks like, you can't win either way."

When he said this, something snapped in her brain. No, this wasn't how it was supposed to be, she was meant to kill him.

" You think I'm that stupid that I'd not check the guns bullets. I knew you wanted to end your dammed life and mine too. Now, you don't get that luxury. Life is about fighting, you think I'm gonna let you out of your debt to me. I still have much suffering to bestow oh you."

Krystal found herself back in that moment where her mother was reprimanding her for something she never done. Something her brother did.

" You have no choices Krystal, only to listen and to obey. Other decisions do not matter. Now, clean that up and stop whining. It is not lady like."

The woman snapped back as she watched the man hand her the gun. She looked at him as she grit her teeth.

" You're wrong. Jeff. "

The girl said as she quickly aimed the gun at herself, the man tried to jump to stop her but the bang echoed out. Colby screamed. Ana cried out.

"I do have a choice."

The bullet shot through her chest and she fell to the floor. Everything around her going black.

--

 

Well. This is the end of season one of Dying To Know You.

It's been a grand season. 

I for one can't wait to see what happens with season 2.

I hope you do as well. 

Chapter 43: Season 2 : Bitter Memories

Krystal had found herself back within her memories once more. This was once a place that made her feel safe, those four walls with her father and her brother. Her mother? Not so much, you see it was not as if she hated her own mother, more like she'd felt the resentment from her.

And it was genuine. Her own mother resented her passionately. It was from the little things and interactions between herself and her twin brother Kristoffer. The idea that her mother hated her, saddened her deeply.

She tried everything to be a good daughter, she tried learning to cook, tried to do her hair the way her mother did. Even stopped playing with most of her dolls. But it never seemed to make her mother love or even acknowledge her.

The only person that did, was her father Johanson. He encouraged her cooking, he complimented her hair and her efforts, defended her from her brothers words. But this all just caused even more resentment from her mother Alona.

But this memory, the one she'd found herself in was the nail in the coffin for her relationship with her mother. It was in church, and Krystal was 5 years old at this point. Her mother had miraculously decided to take her instead of her brother. At this point, she genuinely thought that her mother cared even a small bit for her.

"Do you know what a sin is. Krystal."

Alona stated as she stared at the large statue of an angel. The little girl shook her head in a no fashion. Alona laughed bitterly.

"A sin is something that you do, but you cannot undo. To cuss someone and regret it, to look at someone and feel disdain. Do you know what I'm getting at."

She said, her voice filled with anger. Krystal did, but she did not answer. Her stomach was growing colder.

" You, you are my sin. You were a being not meant to be, but as the hell Lord would have it. Here you are. I do not love. Nor do I loathe you. You are merely. Here. I bring you here so that you understand this. You are a being that causes pain. So understand this Krystal and accept it. "

The girl did not answer, just kept her head down. The mother did not console her.

" Kristoffer, should have been the child. Not you. You are the parasite who leeched onto him. Be glad he lives. For without him. You would never. "

The woman began to walk, not caring if the child followed her.

As she was, Krystal felt the sting of hot tears prick her eyes, so badly did she want to tell her little self it was untrue. But as the cruel hands of fate went, she could just watch and relive this memory.

It was on that day, that Krystal realised how cruel life really was. She'd always cherished her mother. She thought that the feeling was mutual.

How wrong she was. 

Chapter 44: Sick Irony

The girl had to wonder what was happening outside of this limbo that she'd found herself trapped within. There had to be a form of right or reason as to why she'd been going through these memories, maybe it would help her in whatever hell that she'd be awoken to.

She did not know, all she did know was that right now, her mind was trying to force her back into the worst memories that she'd had to endure.

And this one that she'd resided in now, was one of the most brutal. No child should have to witness their parents fight, no child should have to listen to their mother wish them dead. But Krystal did, and it had become her daily life after the news of her parents divorce.

She'd rather be in the hell with Jeff, than live through this moment right now and that was a very sad fact.

But for the moment, until her body woke up. She had to watch the nightmares come to life again.

This memory always started with her father storming in and screaming. Both her and her brother would watch from the balcony while cowering and holding each other. Her mother would come right after her father entered the room and the onslaught began.

"Leaving?! You're just up and leaving me. Kristoff too?!"

Johanson spun round.

"Kristoff?! You have more than one child you know, you have a fucking daughter too. But you just don't want to seem to accept that, well you do. You have a daughter who needs and loves you."

Alona sneered.

"I have a fucking abomination that shouldn't be alive. I never wanted a daughter, I never wanted twins. Kristoff is my son. It is just there -"

SMACK!!!!

Johanson stared at her with hatred.

"You're a monster. A cold. Unfeeling monster. You are not the woman who I fell in love with. She would never act this way, not toward her own child. You're just like your fucking mother."

Alona was frozen in shock, the words that he uttered. Stunned her.

" You are a liar. You never wanted me, you never... "

She trailed off as she spotted the medical papers.

" You love that girl so much, but you've never once thought of the pain that your son went through because of her. Because of the operation."

Johanson glared at her as he stuffed the papers into his bag.

"Krystal suffered too. I know in the family you lived in, men came first. Well this is fucking America. We have equality here. I love my son and daughter just the same. Kristoff is not special any more than Krystals is. You are messed up in the head."

He said shoving by her and not even looking her in the eye.

"I'll be taking the kids. You are not fit to house an animal. Never mind a child."

This was where Krystal often blocked her memories out. She hated this part. But she still could not wake up.

So she had to watch it, she had to watch as her mother tried to stab her father, fail and then be knocked out. The last thing that she witnessed that night was her father looking at both of them with utter shame in his eyes as he left.

The woman as she was, still felt the slightest pity for her mother. She was a sick minded person. But sick nonetheless.

It was a sad state of irony, that her life as an adult was beginning to reflect her life as a child.

She left that house. But not the situation that took place.

Even as she was, she was still trapped like a scared child. 

Chapter 45: Not A Dream

Admist all the screaming and the echo of his captives, Jeff found himself in some sort of loop where he was frozen.

Krystal had just shot herself. She was on the floor barely breathing and bleeding out, his two captives were crying in terror and in sorrow. All he could do was just stare. She did it, she actually shot herself.

This was not any thing that he'd planned. Not at all, he imagined that she'd take a shot at shooting him of all people, but not shooting herself.

He had to calm down. Had to think of a way to sort this out, there was one way but he knew that by doing this. It would not only get him in a shit load of trouble, but it meant that Krystal would never be able to return back here.. Neither would he. Would that be a risk he could take? To permanently, remove all of her free will.

Part of him didn't care, felt like she deserves it for all the harm she'd caused him. But the other side, the small amount of decency that he'd had left. Knew that by doing that, she would never be the same.

"You have to stop the bleeding, please, I know first aid. She'll die if left like that."

Ana pleaded, the man just ignored her as he got out his device and took a large breath. He pressed the button and waited until he'd heard the voice.

"I need a big, big favour. If you grant it. I'll never leave the Nega Verse again. I'll do all your bidding. But please. Just help her."

Jeff asked and waited for a reply. It took a while but he received one.

"What is your price. For this."

The voice stated.

".... Please, just make it so she didn't exist. Wipe their memories. I'll handle her."

Jeff said as he bit his lip, staring at the other two in the room. They meant nothing to him, but the girl.

As selfish and inhuman as he was.

He couldn't let go of the one good memory that she held for him.

" I'll open the portal, and Jeff. "

The voice stated.

"She must never leave. Not to look outside, not even to have air. If I spot that she is within my domain. I will ensure that you pay for it. And your brother. Am I to be understood."

Jeff just grunted in reply.

He took one last look at the other two as he lifted Krystal. The duo began to scream as shadow like figures descended upon them and slunk into their bodies. The man stepped into a portal that opened before looking down at the unconscious girl.

"You said, you'll see me in hell. Well, bitch. Looks like you got your wish. We're bout to spend an eternal hell together. Whether you want it or not."

He whispered as the portal shut behind him. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted to the sight of Slenderman and his three goonies.

" I will cast a spell on her, while she is in this domain. She will breathe our air. She will understand our words. I will be forever watching you, Jeff. I see so much as her face in my realm. I will ensure that she suffers, as well as your brother. They are your burdens to bear. Is that clear. "

Jeff nodded in approval to this as he gulped, he watched as the tall and faceless demon put something down the girls throat. It made him shudder.

" This is something to stop her for now. It is a poison, it won't kill her but make her weak. I will ensure that you give her it, every morning. If you don't. She will regain her energy. Keep her here. Keep her contained. Because, remember. Not all of us love humans. If not me, then someone else will kill her and it'll be all your fault. "

He warned him as the 4 of them took their leaves, leaving Jeff to have a moment to breathe.

" The fuck have I done. "

Chapter 46: Clarity

In her young life, she'd become accustomed to many things that a young girl really should not have to deal with.

She'd learned that her mother hated her. She'd learned that due to her existence, her mother's parents had all but shunned her and only acknowledge her brother as the living twin. Her father was really the one thing that was her saving light, or so she'd thought to be.

On her 8th birthday, her father came to her in the middle of the night with a large pink box. Krystal didn't know what was happening, but before she had time to think about it, the box moved.

Her father leaned and kissed her head.

"I can't always help and protect you, and I'm sorry for that. But just know that, I love you. I love your brother, but I just can't be the father that you need. So, please accept him."

Krystal opened the box and inside, was a small brown and white puppy. The girl could feel herself start to cry as she hugged the puppy tightly, her father smiled as he stood up.

" I found him in a scrap heap, he was injured but I did the best I could. He's a fighter that one, hah."

He smiled as he rubbed the back of his head. It was at this point that the lights came on and her mother and brother barged in. Alona looked pissed.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Krystal hugged her puppy tightly to her chest, her brother began to whine.

"I want it! Not fair! Not fair."

Johanson looked at the both of them and crossed his arms as he stood between them all.

"You were very rude to your sister earlier. So as a result, you don't have a claim on the dog"

Alona tried to barge by him but he shoved her away and sneered at her.

"If I so much as I see that this animal had a scratch. I will not hesitate to call my lawyer. I still have the money to take them, Alona. I am allowing you to keep our children, but just know I can end that just as quick."

Johanson stated as he walked away.

For once in her life, Krystal was genuinely happy, she loved that dog and it loved her back.

But, as with everything...

It did not last.

The day after she'd met Jeff, Tippy went missing.

She had no idea where he'd gone, but he was not in the house and was not in the garden. He was just gone. It broke her.

Kristoff, oddly enough showed her compassion that day and hugged her while she grieved.

"It's okay, I'll stay with you. You can rely on me, can't you."

He said to her, in the state she was in, she just didn't want to be alone. So she began to cling to her brother in a sense. For some reason, Kristoff gained a strange liking for this.

"Hay how about we look up the hills. Tippy might be there."

He said, Krystal nodded and took his hand, they walked to the hills but no sign of Tippy. The girl began to cry again, her brother held her close and pat her back. She could not see his sinister smile.

But someone else could.

Someone who did not like the sight of this and someone, who held on to the muddy collar of a dog.

"Funny thing about sticks is.."

He picked up a small stick.

"Much like bones..."

CRACK

"They break."

--

Krystal bolted up, that dream that she'd had, just felt far too real for her. But she'd realised that she was now in a dark and damp room. Her neck and her ankles were restricted by something and her throat burned.

What had happened while she was in that strange memory world. Where was Ana, Colby? Even Jeff. Why was she now tied up.

Her thoughts were all over the place. She remembered that she shot herself and then
...

She died
...

She had died, right? So how was this possible?!

The sound of a door opening caught her attention and light blinded her. A figure came to focus and it was Jeff.

"... You and I have to talk." 

Chapter 47: Hunger Games

Krystal was still in a large amount of shock at this reveal. What exactly had happened during the time that she had passed out and went into that limbo.

"Where are they...."

She seethingly asked as her neck craned to look up at her captor. Jeff had to think on this, he'd sacrificed a hell of a lot to take her here, asking an entire world to be altered and cover up the death of a person. Wasn't exactly an easy task.

He took a breath and looked at her.

"Who?"

He said as he stared at her, it was a terrible and shit thing to do, to make her doubt her sanity. But, he wasn't lying in a sense. The world now believed she never existed. So she was as good as dead in that world. Unless she miraculously made her way back there, then as Slenderman explained the spell on them would wear off.

"Don't play dumb with me, you know who. Colby. Ana. Where. Are. They?!"

She all but screamed at him, he didn't hesitate to swiftly kick her in the stomach, winding her.

"Listen clearly, you don't hold the cards here. Bitch. I do and I'm here to tell you, whatever you think you went through. You didn't. You did try and escape me, but you lasted half the night and I found you and brought you back here. Whatever you believed you done, was all apart of your delusion. Hate to say. "

The girl just shivered as she spat blood in his face, he sighed and wiped it off. 

" Okay. I lowkey deserved that. "

He stated as he stood up and began to walk away, before he did so, he put down a bowl of food. Krystal gave him a flat stare.

"Seriously." 

She stated as she looked at the bowl of food, Jeff just sat in a chair. He wondered how long it would take her to reach the food. Or if she would beg. 

"And you expect me to what, magically teleport it over?" 

She said as she looked at him, he shrugged. 

"I could, lower the chains. But you gotta say the word to me." 

The girl narrowed her eyes at him, she knew what word that he meant. But she would rather have her organs ripped out before ever uttering those words to him.

"Fuck you." 

She snarled, the man just slumped back in his chair. It didn't matter to him whether she ate or not. One day without food would not kill her. 

"Suit yourself. We have all the time in the world to get that nasty behavior of yours under control. So go on, call me all the names that you like. Ain't scratching my knee." 

Jeff just folded his arms and waited, and waited and continued to wait until he ended up falling asleep. When he'd awoken, she still had not attempted to touch or even ask him for the food. 

" Well, I'll just let you wallow in your misery for now, at some point you're gonna have to eat. I will gladly allow it, once you just say the word." 

He stood up and turned to leave. Krystal just remained silent, apart from uttering the words. 

"Don't fucking rush." 

She snapped as she turned her head. Jeff let out a disgruntled breath as he closed the door. 

He knew that it wouldn't be long until she gave in, the girl loved her food and as he'd learned while befriending her during the early years, she was a bit of a weakling. 

"If she doesn't want that, then I can just force feed her. But it would be so much more fun for her to beg for food. It's no fun torturing a willing victim." 

There wasn't much he could do at this point. He'd give her until midnight before checking back on her, hopefully she at least tried to escape or cause bother. 

He knew that she wasn't as dull as to just sit there and behave, she was creative in a sense. After all she'd did to save her so called friends, it did make her highly interesting to watch and observe. 

Something else hit him as well, if she was to be here for a while... It would be a shame to keep on with a certain issue. Jeff pulled out his phone and made a call. 

"Yea, could you please do another favour. Yes, I know its insane. Yes I know its not fair...yes, I got it. Thanks. Bye." 

He folded it over and then closed his eyes. 

"I'm a fucked up man."

Jeff said solemnly. She could never ever find out about this, it would lead to a massive moral problem. Not that he had much of his morals left. But as a man, he just didn't want to deal with that mess. 

"If she ever does, hah, she might end up thanking me for it. Cause I know for a fact many women don't like dealing with it all the time. In fact, while she's here. She won't have to worry about any kind of moral issue. It doesn't exist here... Not that she might know that. Ah well. "

He folded his arms. 

" I'll worry about that when it comes to it. "

--

 

 

Chapter 48: Hunger Games Part 2

The man had to give her some prop at the most, she was going now almost 2 days and still did not budge at all. He could tell that she was beginning to wane though, her eyes were blood shot and her throat clenched every time she tried to speak. If she did not eat by the 3rd day, then she could die.

He couldn't allow that to happen just yet, not when he'd just got her here. No, he had to intervene. The same bowl of food had now become rotten, but he figured if she was gonna act like a dog. She'd be treated as such. And she would eat like one.

"Okay bitch, enough fun and games. You're gonna say the damned word and eat this or I'll force it down your throat."

He threatened her, she just scoffed.

"Go eff yourself. You fucking maniac" 

She said with much pain, talking had become a physical effort for her in the state that she was in. But she'd be damned if she allowed herself to become weak enough to obey him. She'd rather die. 

"I won't ask you again. You say that damned word, or I'll take this slop and I'll shove it in your mouth." 

He said as he grabbed a handful of the now rotted food and forced her head up. She stared at him with hatred. 

"Go on and fucking do it." 

And he did, he forced the rancid food down her throat and held her mouth shut. He could hear her spluttering and wanting to vomit, but he forced her mouth shut until he felt her swallow it all. Jeff let her go and watched her wretch and squirm. 

" You do that again, and I'll force a damned IV tube down your throat. You will eat. I promise that." 

He spat as he let her go, vomit dripping down her chin. Jeff let out a sigh. 

"Come on, ill wash you off." 

The man stated as he walked away from her and picked up a hose from the other end of the room. Krystal raised her head at him, really, he was going to hose her down. 

"Can't even let me wash myself, damn, you are a controlling fu-" 

She didn't get time to finish the sentence as strong water was blasted at her, the cuts that had healed, now stung with the force of a thousand fire ants. Krystal screamed at him to stop, but he didn't until he was satisfied. 

" Here is how this is gonna work. You mouth off. I hose you. You disrespect me, I hose you. You do anything that I don't like. I hose you. Get it, I told you. I control you. I choose if you die, I choose whatever fate befalls you. Get that in your head." 

He said to her as he aimed the hose. 

" Now. Say the fucking word. "

He snapped. She just glared. 

" Go to hell. "

He laughed as he pointed it at her. 

" Your choice"

--

It had been a long day of torture for her, she refused to back down. Despite the pain that she was clearly in, she just wouldn't submit to him. It might be a good idea to, but her pride and her ego just would never let her. 

"I'll die before he ever gets to hear that word come out my mouth. He can torture me all he wants. I won't do it. Never." 

She seethed as she hung there, in pain and numb from the hosing. He'd stopped after she passed out. At least for now, he had decided that she'd had enough. 

One thing was for sure though. 

She was starting to feel lightheaded from the hunger. Just how long could she do this. How long could she keep it together for herself? How long was he going to keep her chained up like this? Would she ever get to see....

Huh that was odd.. 

"Who..who was I thinking of?" 

Krystal trailed off in her thoughts. 

"I don't.. I don't remember." 

She went silent as she stared at the door. 

"Should I?" 

---

Jeff was secretly watching her from his security room, he laughed. 

"The spell is beginning to take effect, very soon. She won't remember any of her old life prior to her kidnapping." 

He should have felt glee but for some reason, he never. Why didn't he feel happy at this. 

"I need to go and clear my conscience." 

He said as he stood up and pulled out a key from his pocket, only he could enter this room. No one else. 

"Been a while since I had to do this..." 

Jeff said as he took a gulp of air and started to make his way up to the attic. 

--

 

Chapter 49: Coming To Terms

It was funny in a sense, Jeff had never felt a reason to show nerves in this room. But he always did, perhaps it was because he always came to this room when he knew that he'd been in the wrong. The person who resided within the four walls, always knew just what to say to make him feel worse than he did.

So, how would he react to this slither of news. Would he shun him and just refuse to look at him, would he call him a monster? Not that he wasn't already one, that much he'd known already.

"Won't know till I talk to him."

Jeff took a breath as he pushed open the attic door. He'd turned this room into a rather large glass prison. To protect the one inside, he had to shield him from the world that existed outside.

The figure sat next to a table and extended his hand to reach a cup of tea on the table. Upon hearing the door open, his head tilted upwards to meet Jeff's gaze.

"Well hello there, been a while. Has it not?"

He asked him with a kind smile, this was the same smile that Jeff had failed to protect all those years ago.

"Yea, sure has... You been coping alright."

Jeff said as he turned and relocked the door, he then sat in the chair opposite the glass.

"Well, as good as one could be within a glass prison. But, it's no matter. I know that look, what have you done."

The man stated as he stared at him, the once beloved person that he'd once called brother.

"Liu, I've fucked up bad. Like really bad."

Jeff admitted to him, Liu just took a sip of his tea and then placed it down.

"What have you done."

He asked him. Jeff looked him in the eyes.

"I brought another person here. A girl. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, but I can't kill her. I have tried to persuade myself to do it. But I can't and it's torturing me. So the more I get mad. The more I take it out on her. What do I do?!"

This news caught the man off guard. A girl? Here ?? And Jeff is holding her captive? This could not end well for either party.

"Does she know anything about what you've did. About this place?"

Liu asked him and he shook his head in a no fashion. She did not know what this place was.

"I made the same deal with Slenderman that I made the last time to save you. I've gone over the deep end Liu. I don't think there's any coming back."

Jeff gripped this hair in his hands and groaned into the glass. Liu walked as far as his chain would let him and placed his hands on the glass.

" Jeff. What do you want me to tell you? "

He asked. Jeff looked at him. His eyes were no longer that vibrant shade of blue. Now they were a dull and sullen colour. Much like a zombie. That's what he made his brother. A captive zombie.

"Why can't I kill her?! What can I do to make this damn pain go away."

It took Liu a moment, but he understood now.

Jeff was beginning to feel emotional again, and that scared him a lot. Liu smiled.

"You need to stop viewing everyone as a threat. You can't even let me, your own brother feel as though he has a choice. Because you think if I get out. I'll leave you. You fear abandonment. Jeff."

Liu said to him, the man jerked his head up.

"Stop letting the monster inside you win, be Jeffery.. Not Jeff."

The man pleaded with whatever part of his brother was being shown. Jeff jus sat there for the longest time. Not saying a word.

"Thank you... Bro... But, I can't just do that... So easily."

Jeff said. Liu looked at him with a defeated expression, but then, to his shock... Jeff unlocked the glass.

"You're... Not a prisoner... You're my brother, I don't have the right to hold you here... But the girl, she's someone I have business with. She can't be free that easy."

Liu nodded sadly.

"Just stop feeding your monster, Jeff. The more you do, the stronger he'll get."

He placed a hand on Jeff's shoulder. The man looked at him, with sullen eyes just like his.

"I fear its much too late for that, Liu. 7 years too late."

Jeff walked out the room and left it unlocked. Whatever Liu did. Was now up to him.

--

Jeff sat in the kitchen and much to his shock, his brother joined him. Handing him an old shirt. It was yellow and it was woolen.

" At least allow her to have a semblance of dignity. She may be your captive, but she's a human. Like us. You need to remember that."

Jeff took the jumper and nodded as they sat in silence.

".... Is she cute.?"

Liu felt the burn of a slap on his face.

"Yep, I deserve that."

--

Chapter 50: Little Things

Slenderman sat in his office and felt himself internally groan. Again, he had granted the smiling child another wish. What did he deem him as? A genie??

A genie who at his beck and call can just erase all his issues?! Well that was far from it, with every silly mistake, his body grows weaker. 

It was starting to take its toll, he also had the task of keeping Zalgo sealed. That too took a lot of his energy, the lack of kills and fear from the humans now a days. It was not looking good at all, dire even.

He had to remain calm for everyone in this realm. If he as their leader, began to show panic. Then the rest would follow suit like a flock of sheep.

"As a ruler, I have to show little to no weakness aside from when I have to. I have to show my people that as long as they follow my command, I shall allow them to be safe. But I as I am now, I am not the leader I once was."

Slenderman admitted to himself, he was about to scream in anger when Masky walked in, he composed himself.

"Ah, Timothy. What is the matter?"

He asked, trying to sound calm and sincere. Masky took a breath before he began to speak.

"... The disease, its getting worse. Sir."

Slenderman felt himself freeze.

"How.. How bad?"

He asked, Masky brought up a video that he had taken last night. It consisted of Timothy and Brian within their room.

 Timothy was asleep and so too was Brian, until he began to seizure and spasm, then he slowly stood up and walked towards where Timothy slept.

 He just stood there. Staring down at him, and then.. He just dropped. Dropped down to the floor.

"I don't know what has gotten into him. He's been more aggressive than normal, he won't even talk to me about it and I know him better than anyone else. I.. I dread to say. I fear him at this moment. I fear my best friend."

Masky admitted. Slenderman replayed the video a few times before he froze on a scene. When Brian had spasmed. A red light emitted out if his mask. Almost like he was fighting against something. It was peculiar.

" Where is he now. "

Slenderman asked. Masky wiped under his mask.

"I've erm, chained him in a separate room, I don't want to but I fear my own safety sir."

The other monster nodded and dismissed his young companion. Masky took his leave and Slenderman groaned into his hands. His tentacles surrounded him in a veil of sorrow.

" The girl that Jeff brought here, may have just caused more harm than I initiated. Because now that I reopened the portal, even for the briefest of moments.... I've weakened the seal that holds our most dangerous foe."

Slenderman sighed.

"I fear if I let this continue, we will all be in grave danger."

He tightened his veil.

"And it could mean, that everything I've worked to keep safe. Everyone I've grown to care for..could die."

--

After wallowing in his worry and his pity, the faceless demon had decided that he needed to seek some solace. He teleported to a space that no one else had ever even seen before. This was his own, room. Where he, away from everyone else. Could be at peace for a bit. 

The man opened a door and found a small girl in there, she was facing the wall but she seemed to sense him. When she turned, she was raising her arms. 

"Hello, Delia." 

He stated as the small girl ran and hugged him, he returned the embrace and stared into the mirror, choosing to ignore the reflection it had shown.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry that I left you. You're here now. You're here with me." 

Slenderman said as he held the once alive girl to him, for now in the reflection, it showed nothing but a broken man and the corpse of a small child. 

"Forgive, for what I done. I never wanted to hurt you, I just wanted.. To see you once more... Delia... Forgive me." 

He wept, the small child looked at him. She could not see, nor could she talk. But her smile. That smile that he took away, it was forever his punishment. 

Slenderman left the realm and looked up at the still sky. 

"... I will speak with the boy tomorrow, we will discuss about the fate of the girl." 

He said, taking one last look behind him. 

".. My choice was different, I had no choice... He did make a choice, and his choice ruined the life of an innocent girl." 

Slenderman clenched his fist. 

" Fool. "

--

 

Chapter 51: Tell Me Why

Jeff had taken some time to try and calm himself down, the random acts and spurts of aggressive behaviours were becoming more common. Half the time he would not even be angry at her, yet he would fly into a fit of rage over stupid mistakes.

Today, he planned to try and be more human to her, she'd been down in the basement for 6 days now. She was practically half dead and had no energy to fight. So he decided that this would be a good time to try and talk with her, when she couldn't hit him.

Before he'd left, he spotted the jumper that Liu had given him and lifted it. It was just a normal, fluffy yellow sweater. Come to think on it... She didn't have any clothes really. All her others were incenerated. To avoid any issues.

Her memories were fading too, she could barely recognise her own shadow now it had seemed, so he'd best go down and try to up her spirit in a sense. What better way than a present.

"Liu was always a very creative person, even as a kid he'd been good at patching me up."

Jeff laughed softly as he made his way down to the basement. He touched the wall and felt for the light switch, it turned on immediately and blinded the chained up woman.

" Hello sunshine. "

Jeff said with a cheery demeanour. Krystal strained her eyes to see him, but when she did, her face just stayed blank. Maybe he'd come to put her out her misery.

"Come to hose me again. Make me cry?"

She said with a bitter tone, Jeff just shook his head and pressed a button. It lowered her chains so now, she was on the floor. Her lungs ached for air as she began to cough and splutter.

Jeff just watched her in curiosity..

Once she'd finished, she looked at him with a tad more color in her eyes.

"So what... You just wanted to.... Lower me down?"

She asked him quizzically, he placed the clothes on the table and walked to her. Immidiately, she grew scared and apprehensive. Jeff raised his hands in the air.

"Look, as it is. You don't have much of a choice here. I've realised that, I can be rather... Well..."

He struggled with the words, so she scoffed.

"Insane? A tyrant?!"

She hissed and he winced a bit.

"Was going to say harsh. But damn girl, those are cold words."

He frowned.

"Anyways. I had a small... Chat with someone, and I realised that, torture and pain is not going to get us far. I messed up a lot, but I want us to retain a form of respect."

Krystal had to laugh at this.

"Respect?! RESPECT?! After what you did, hurting me, torturing me?! You want to talk about respect??"

She all but screamed at him, Jeff took a few breaths. Trying to control the anger building.

"I said. I am. Sorry. I don't know what else you want me to say, I can't take it back. But at the same time, you are not one to be in a position to demand anything bit- I mean. Krystal."

He caught himself and sighed. Krystal just smiled and looked at him.

" Fine you want respect, I'll show it. "

Krystal pulled down her pants, and shat all over the sweater that Jeff brought down. She looked at him.

" That's what I say. To your fucking, respect. Eat. Shit."

She said as she looked him in the eyes. Something, something came over Jeff at the sight of the present that Liu had been so nice to give her. Without even fully thinking of what he was doing, he found himself smashing Krystal's face into the pile of shit, he wasn't even talking. Just unintelligible screams, it was so loud that it had alerted Liu upstairs.

"What in the good Lord?!"

He said as he  bolted down the stairs, that was when he caught sight of it. His brother.... His eyes were glowing bright red, it was as though he was not even himself and didn't know what he was doing. Liu grabbed the man off the girl and dragged him up stairs, he then locked the basement.

This wasn't his brother right now. This was someone who looked like him.

Once Liu had knocked him out, he put him to bed and just as he sat down. The door went, the man groaned as he opened the door to see Slendeman. Liu felt as though he could just die right now.

What else could possibly happen.

"Liu, I've come to speak to Jeff about the girl. I fear due to her sudden presence... The virus has began to worsen. Where is your brother."

Slendeman asked. Now Liu had two options, 1 was to lie that all was fine and his brother wasn't in at the moment. Or 2. Tell him that his brother was acting off. He felt like telling the truth, would open up more issues than needed.

So he lied.

" Sorry, but my brother is not here right now. I don't know where he's gone, but after he dropped off the girl, he up and vanished."

Liu said, trying to keep a straight face. Slendeman stood there for a moment as though he was trying to read his mind.

"Very well. But once he returns, do call me so that we can converse, oh and Liu."

Slenderman added.

"Yes?"

He replied nervously.

"Please, don't allow him to grow attached to that girl. At the end of the day, she is to remain a victim. She is not under your circumstances. Don't get that line crossed. Understand. She is alive, due to my word. If Jeff breaks any of my rules. I can just easy take you BOTH away. Understand. "

Liu didn't need to say anything. He just nodded. The faceless demon waved.

" Well, nice chat.  ta for now. "

The monster teleported and the boy slumped down.

" Things I do for that damned brother of mine."

Chapter 52: Social Problems

Liu took a breath of air as he tucked his brother into bed. Jeff would not be up any time today, so that had meant... That he would have to take care of their guest down below.

"Think... Think be kind. Be gentle. Don't be rude. Show her tenderness, show her that you're not going to harm her."

The man chanted to himself. It was important to keep her calm, keep her quiet.

"Okay, does he have a list, or anything?!"

Liu frowned as he looked around, the only book that he'd found was a book on dog training. The man had to laugh.

"Hah, leave it to Jeff to treat people like animals."

He placed the book down, it was inside it that he spotted a small photo. It was of Krystal and himself, she was a lot younger here and was holding a small panda bear. Liu stared at it, he looked at his brother.

He looked so... Calm.

" How I wish we could go back to times like those. I'd wish any amount of wishes."

Ignoring his saddened thoughts, the man walked to the kitchen and began to sort out some decent food. Jeff was never a decent cook, not at all.

"A nice, hearty meal and I'm sure she will loosen up."

Liu smiled as he prepared the meal, he also had to get her a new set of clothes. The ones that she'd had were long gone, she deserved a bit of decency.

--

Krystal was shaking, she had vomited all over herself from the incident, she had also pissed herself too from the fear of being beaten to death. Her face was bashed up badly, she felt terrible. 

That was the worst mood that she'd ever seen him in. He'd never been as aggressive as that, it was as though he'd been possessed. 

"Ugh... My head is splitting..."

She groaned, the sound of the door opening, caused her to crawl to the wall and curl into a ball. Jeff must have been coming to finish what he'd started, she was going to end up half dead today, she knew it. 

But... It wasn't Jeff, it was someone else. Another man, with ashe blond hair and soft blue eyes. Krystal lifted her head a bit. 

"H-Hello?" 

She called out, the man slowly lowered the trey of food and raised both hands in the air. 

"Its okay, I'm not going to harm you. I'm here to take care of you today. If you're fine with that."

Liu said, Krystal felt so confused right now. This person was such a different kettle from Jeff. He was soft, kind and gentle. Who was he??. 

"Oh, my name is Liu. I see you've... Met the bad end of my big brothers temper... I'm sorry." 

No way, this kind.. Loving... Boy was Jeff's little brother?! How could that be?? They were completely different. It was uncanny. 

"Please, don't think too bad of him. Miss, he's not well, but he has his good moments." 

Liu smiled as he looked down at her. 

"You poor thing, you look ghastly. We need to clean you right up. I.. I can't take your hand cuffs off... But I can take you up and wash you off. Would you want that?" 

The girl didn't have much room to complain about it, she did need a wash, she could clean her teeth too.. Maybe...just maybe, this boy could let her go. 

Krystal nodded and watched as Liu began to undo her chains until it was just her legs and hands that were chained. 

"Follow me then."

Liu stated. Both of them headed up the stairs, to an area that Krystal had never laid eyes on before. 

It honestly looked no different from a regular cabin. Not the home of a serial murderer.

"Its not, much but this is home. The bathroom is over this way. I won't... I won't look, I'm not as boorish as my older brother. You can clean yourself in peace. Please don't make me regret bringing you up here." 

He pleaded. Krystal just nodded and watched as the man shut the door. There was only one thing on her mind...

"I can get.... CLEAN!!" 

She almost cried as she stripped and jumped into the shower. Her tears of pain, replaced with tears of joy. 

"You never miss something until its taken from you. Oh sweet sweet steam of water." 

Krystal decided to take solace in her peace for the moment and just cast her mind from everything that was happening. Right now. It was just her, and the steam of the shower. 

--

Liu opened the door a tad and gave her some clothes, still not looking in her direction. 

"New clothes. Sorry about earlier. I am not the best with... Sewing." 

Krystal was hit with the realisation from earlier, she had shat.. All over that sweater, it was something he made for her. She felt horrible. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't.. I" 

She rambled, he laughed. 

"It's okay, you were angry and frustrated. It's understandable. I'm not mad." 

Liu said as he shut the door again. He looked down at his trembling hands. 

"How does Jeff manage all this... Social stuff. I want to go back into my glass." 

He wept, his social anxiety rising up from the stress. On top of that... 

"Why does she have to be... So pretty.." 

He hid his face in his hands, he clearly was not used to this at all. 

 

Chapter 53: Bittersweet Farewells

Liu checked on his brother, it'd been over 2 days now and he was still out of it. Maybe he hit him... A tad bit too hard...

He wasn't dead. That much he'd known, he could hear the soft hums of his breath while he lay there. This meant... Another day caring for the girl below.

She'd been gifted with some new clothes and underwear. Her energy had seemed to be slowly returning to her, and he no longer had her chained to the basement wall.

He'd given her a desk and some paper, the girl was very talented at drawing from what he'd noticed. She'd began to post them on her walls.

Liu gathered her food and brought it down, she smiled at him. He smiled back.

"Here, your food for today. Roast beef and mash. Apologies, Jeff does not have a good array of ingredients."

Liu placed the food down on the table and rubbed the back of his head. He turned to leave, but the girl grabbed his wrist. Sparking his heart rate up 100 beats.

" S-Sorry... But, could you... Keep me company? Its.. Its quiet down here. "

She asked him, he nodded, unable to find words. Krystal let his hand go and sat at her desk.

"... Why are you being so kind to me?"

The girl asked as she raised her fork to her lips. This caught Liu off guard. He'd not expected this.

" Well, I feel as a fellow human... You should be given some c-common decency."

He stammered. The girl chewed on her beef and nodded at his answer.

" You're so much nicer than your brother, it's not real"

She stated, Liu had to laugh at that. But it wasn't surprising, she knew Jeff the cold heartless monster, not Jeff the doting and loving brother. He looked at his feet with a solemn expression.

"Jeff wasn't always this way. He at one point...was a genuine and kind person, he still is.. At times. It's rare but, he is breaking his emotionless state. I think... I think you're helping him."

Liu admitted.

"Me?! Helping him? By what, being his punching bag?!"

She got defensive, but Liu just looked at her.

"I know you don't understand it, but I've not seen him like this before. So agitated and unsure of himself. He would never admit that himself, but he is genuinely terrified."

Krystal listened to him and pursed her lips together. It was rather hard to think that Jeff even had a shred of emotion, apart from anger and sorrow.

" What do you suppose I do then, tolerate the abuse until I die? "

She said with a bitter tone, Liu laughed at that.

"No, I'd never ask that of anyone. But.. Please, try and keep him sane. As hard as that could be for you, bring the real Jeffery back. Then maybe.. Just maybe. The person that we both loved. Could return."

He placed his hands in his head.

"Please, Krystal. I can't keep doing this alone. I can't keep him this way, it works for a while and then he's gone again. He was gone much longer this time. I fear that if he loses any more of his humanity.... He's never returning."

Liu felt tears running from his cheeks, he's not felt this much stress since the night when he was brought to this place. All those years... Being in a glass prison, having his only communication be through the window of glass pane. Thinking he'd never get to be out again. It was maddening.

Krystal felt herself tensen. How sad, how sad it must be for Liu to watch a person that he loved slowly fade into a chasm of madness and insanity. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I promise. Liu. I'll help him, for your sake and his. I'll try my best."

Liu wiped his eyes and nodded as he pushed himself up. He then, pulled Krystal into an embrace. She froze.

"Thank you, thank you for this."

He whispered to her as he pulled away.

"Now. Eat up. We don't know when he's gonna-"

The door slammed and there stood, a very... Pissed off and unhinged Jeff.

"... Wake up..."

Krystal felt as though she could just shrivel and die on the spot. Those eyes, were the eyes of a deranged madman. Liu began to walk forward, but his brother sneered.

"Stay. Right fucking.... There..."

He hissed.

"Jeff.. Its not, its not what you think. I.. We-"

Liu stammered.

"Oh, so it's fucking... We now is it? I fucking pass out and you decided to what. Take my damned toy for yourself?! Is that it?!"

He snarled. Liu shook his head.

"Jeffery."

He called out. Jeff gripped his head.

"Jeffery. Allan. Woods."

Jeff collapsed to the ground and screamed and he shook his head.

"Jeffery Allan Woods."

He called once more, when Jeff opened his eyes.

".... Liu? What.. What did I... Do?"

Jeff looked at Krystal.

"... Who is she... What.. What year is it?"

Liu felt his chest tightening, it was the same thing..every... Time..

"... Its 1995, bro.... We're on holiday. Just.. She's a friend..."

Jeff blinked at him and then the girl before turning and walking up the stairs. Liu slumped down, Krystal was extremely confused.

"What..just happened..."

She asked, Liu took a breath.

"I told you... My brother is very sick.. He.. He goes into these... States... When I call his full name, the real him comes back.. But its getting lesser and lesser... If it keeps happening, he won't ever come back."

Krystal stared at him.

"Krystal, my brother has DID. Sometimes, he's this deranged, sociapath. But then on the off times..he's the brother I know.. From our childhood."

Liu explained. Krystal still had no idea as to what was happening.

"He will be like this for now, but eventually, that other part will take over again. This time, I don't know when I'll get the other him back. My brother."

The man trembled at that thought.

"So, you'd best prepare yourself.... I'm going to set you free."

Krystal stared at him wide eyed.

"I won't allow...someone else to be captive. I'll deal with the punishment. I won't have that on my conscience."

Liu told her.

"Get whatever you'll need, food, water. Anything and as soon as I open that door. I want you to run until you can't anymore. This is the only help I'll be able to do."

Krystal listened to him and nodded as they headed up the stairs.

"It's been, a pleasure to know you miss Krystal, I hope that in another life... We could have been friends."

Liu said as he shut the basement behind them and locked it. 

--

Once they'd made their way up to the top, Krystal took a last look at Jeff sitting in the living room with a comic book and took a breath of air. 

" Remember, you've got one shot at this. I won't be able to stop what happens after. So make this count." 

Liu warned her, she nodded with her rucksack. 

"Good luck. Krystal."

He said to her as he opened the door and watched as she fled. He smiled sadly, knowing that he too, could easily run... But then.. 

Who would be there for his brother? 

"Heh... Brothers till the end, that was our promise. I never break promises." 

Liu shut the door and turned to Jeff. 

"Come on bro, let's watch some TV" 

Jeff grinned at him. 

"Captain planet??" 

Liu smiled sadly as he put the TV on to YouTube. 

"Cable sure has gotten faster." 

Jeff noted, Liu just nodded sadly. 

"It sure has... Bro..." 

The man looked out the window and watched as the girls figure vanished. He smiled. 

'At least in the end, one of us could fly free.' 

--

 

Chapter 54: Tiptoe Through Tulips

Krystal didn't know how long she'd been running, the sky never changed here. It was a perpetual red sky. It would've been so pretty, had it not signalled that...

Wait a moment...

She stopped and stared up at the red sky, that's when she realised. There was no moon. No sun. Not even any wind or clouds...

"Where... Am I?"

She said with a cold sweat. This was certainly not any place on earth that she'd recognised. There was no wind, but it was humid. How could that be possible?

Jeff, just what had he done? What kind of sorcerery was this?! Had he secretly learned the art of magic while she'd been in a coma?!

"Ugh my head!"

She gripped her hair, it felt like something was pushing its way back into her memories. There was a blurred image of a boy, he was laughing. For some reason, this made a tear run down her face, but why? She didn't know the boy in this memory, she couldn't even see who it was.

It frustrated her greatly, but she had to keep on moving. Jeff would be back to his old self any moment, and she knew when he was. He'd be after her.

"I have to not let this chance for freedom go to waste, Liu gave me this shot. I will not blow it."

The girl vowed as she began to run once more, she would not break this promise.

--

In the further parts of this land, a small girl sat playing with her dolls. They'd grown, very boring. They stopped moving a long time ago, she really wanted another one.

Pushing herself up and dusting her dress, she took to the forest to pick some daisies. There wasn't much to do in this place, weren't much kids her age here too. It was a rather, lonely existence.

"I wish I could have a sister, or even just someone to talk to. Someone who isn't dead, or half insane..."

She sighed as she sat on her own, but that was when she heard it. The sound of running and tripping. What was that?

The girl began to ready her power, just in case it was another of her friends gone mad due to the virus. But it wasn't. It was a girl... A... Human.. Girl.

"How.. How are you alive?"

She asked, both shocked and bewildered at the same time. But Krystal's lungs had used up all their air and she passed out before the strange child. The girl gulped and looked about.

"... I could tell... Slendeman.."

She pondered, wiping hairs from the girls face. She was porcelain, like a doll.

"But.. I've. Not had company for such a long long time..."

Grabbing the girl and placing her arm over her shoulder, she began to walk back to her cottage.

"I have to know... Just how she got here, and what she, a human wants here?"

It was so strange, she couldn't of gotten here alone, so did that mean... A look of horror struck her face.

"... Someone... Brought her here.. Against her will. Oh my god."

The girl made a promise.

" I'll do my best to help her, no one should be taken to this hell hole against their wills. We choose to be here, but that is because we have nothing back there... Innocent people should not be brought here. Its against the laws of our code, we protect our turf, and kill outsiders. I don't get this. "

They had made their way back to the cottage, the girl lay the other girl on her bed and sat there. Waiting for her to wake up.

" It might be fun... Having a sane person to speak with. "

She smiled and she held her pink dress.

" Please..don't be a bad person, like my uncle was..."

--

Chapter 55: Ghost Stories

Sally listened closely to what Krystal was telling her and nodded.

"So, if I'm correct... You're called Krystal."

The girl nodded her head.

"You originally came from the outer world, but due to some strange obsession that Jeff has with you, it's landed you here."

Again, Krystal nodded.

"Then his brother Liu, subdued him and allowed you to run for freedom, now you're with me?"

Krystal rubbed the back of her head.

"What's worse is, I think he did something to my memories. I have black spots where images should be, but I can't see anything. I can hear the memory. But I can't see them."

Sally frowned at this, Jeff hasn't got that ability to do that.. But... Slenderman did. It dawned on her and horror washed over her face.

" Missy,  I don't think he did that. But the person that runs this place must have, for some reason. "

Krystal perked up at this and grabbed the young girls hands.

"Could you take me to him? If anyone can get me home, I am sure he could."

Sally didn't like that, Slenderman was not always the most compassionate fellow, especially towards humans. Humans who weren't meant to be here of all things. But.. She also didn't want to have another person here against their wills. They had to be here, there was no place for them in that world.

"I will... Come with you. You'll need another monster there, its not safe here. Especially if you get to the slum areas. That's where the less... Hospitable folks live."

Krystal hugged the small girl tight and smiled.

"Oh, by the way Sally."

Krystal wondered.

"Yea?"

The girl smiled.

"How old are you? You seem very young to be here alone."

Sally paused.

"I was 8. But..its been 30 years since I died."

Krystal froze. Sally tilted her head.

"What. You look like you've seen a ghost."

The young girl winked as she held the door open.

"Living first."

--

Chapter 56: Relapse

Krystal had just about come to realize that the world she'd been taken to, had to be some kind of hell like dimensions or something like that.

She'd just met a child, who told her that she was actually a 30 plus years dead ghost.

No way she could make it up.

The woman stared at her companion until she'd witnessed her neck snap at an unhealthy angle to face her.

It made her flinch. Sally frowned.

"I may be dead, but staring is still incredibly rude you know."

She pouted as her upper lip puffed out in a child like manner, the other woman nodded and apologized to her.

"I am very sorry, it is all a tad bit much to take in for me, I'm still trying to grasp that I've even been kidnapped."

Krystal explained, the young ghost just nodded.

"I can understand this. But, don't worry. The person we are going to, he will send you back home. I am sure of it, he doesn't like humans at the best of times. So he'd be more than happy to get you away from his realm."

Sally explained to her, the woman just bit her lip slightly. She had a very, very bad feeling about this.

But could not understand why.

" How can you know? "

Krystal asked her, the girl just smiled.

" Cuz, it's me. He's never refused an offer from me before. So I just know he will be fine. Now come on, slow poke. We gotta hurry!"

Sally stated, with no other choice in the matter, Krystal followed behind her.

--

Liu was sitting down stairs when it all broke loose, he watched as the maddened form of his brother stormed down stairs.

There was nothing in his eyes, they were black as a raven.

"Where is she, Liu."

Jeff seethed, his head hurt, his chest hurt more and now..

That bitch was gone.

"Calm down first."

Liu stated but Jeff was far from ready to calm down, he wanted answers, he wanted them now.

"She's gone, Jeff."

The younger brother stated as he tried to keep the tension calm, but it was never his strongest suit.

Back then, Jeff was better at calming situations.

Jeff felt his blood run cold.

"What do you mean, gone. Liu. Where the fuck is she."

He all but screamed. Liu took a breath of air.

"I let her go."

Liu didn't even have time to register anything as his brother loomed over him, eyes glinting with rage.

"You better say you're joking, I am not in a laughing mind Liu."

There was no fun in his voice, this was the current Jeff talking. Not the one he'd been trying so hard to keep with him.

Liu shook a bit. 

"It's not fair, Jeff. Why hold her captive. What crime has she ever done to deserve this. Break a promise? Forget your existence? She was a child, Jeff and I know you'd wanted to help and save her. But she owes you nothing. Nothing at all." 

Liu said calmly, this version of Jeff was not the calm and collected kind.

He was dangerous and volatile. So he had to watch, exactly what he'd said. 

Jeff backed off and then screamed as he smashed something off the wall. Liu flinched. 

" My own damn brother, backstabbing me along with that fucking bitch. Did you two conspire behind my back? Did you want to get back at me for taking you, so you took her?!" 

He was speaking in maddened rambles now, this was not good at all.

The virus was getting worse. 

" Jeffery Allan Woods. "

Liu called out, trying in vain to get his 15 year old brother to return. The man as he was, was not his big brother.

He was a demon wearing his skin. A mockery of the real Jeffery.

But as it was, it didn't work. Liu began to cry as he said the name over and over again. But to no avail..

Jeff then, without warning, grabbed him by the hair and dragged him back up stairs and tossed him into the room. Liu banged on the door. 

"If you do this Jeffery, you'll never get her to know who you are. You'll destroy everything you've wanted to do." 

Liu yelled out. Jeff just answered him coldly. 

"You both branded me a monster. Well done, because I'm about to show you both, what a monster does when it's angry. Now, kindly, shut the fuck up before I do something I really regret, Liu." 

Jeff sneered at him. Liu dared not say a word. 

---

Sally and Krystal had finally made it to where Slenderman stayed.

The bad feeling was growing ever worse now, something very bad was going to happen. 

" Sally, I think we need to go. "

Krystal said with a wavering breath, the fear could be heard in her voice.

Sally had already rang the bell, so there was no going back. 

"You're just nervous, soon as he sees us he-" 

Sally's words were cut short as the door opened. A very, angry Slenderman faced them. 

"Sally... What have you done." 

He said. As he stared at her, then the girl behind her. That was Jeff's human prisoner. Anger was an understatement.

He was livid. 

"She needs help, I thought you can help her... You... You didn't do this. Did you?" 

Sally asked as she clung to Krystal, the woman felt as though she couldn't move in the presence of this demon.

Her legs were like stone. 

"Sally, I'm not asking. Leave, right now." 

Slenderman commanded her, Sally began to argue with him until he'd raised his voice. 

"I said... LEAVE NOW SALLY." 

The girl was petrified in place, but had to listen. 

"Slenderman, you.. You.. BIG IDIOT" 

She ran crying, casting Krystal a sorry look. Great, not only was she in a hell dimension, she was now stuck with a pissed off demon.

What else could go wrong. 

Slenderman opened a portal and in stepped a very pissed off, very deranged looking Jeff. 

Apparently yes, everything could go wrong. 

 

Chapter 57: Q&A!

Hello, this is Yandere here.

I just wanna give a big thanks to all supporting my story so far, so I thought I'd give a little q and a.

How old is Jeff in this.

Jeff is 24 years old, Krystal is 18 years old in this story. In the old one, I made them younger but since this has a lot of graphical scenes. I didn't wanna do that.

Is this a romance story. Will it be sexual themed.

No. This is not a romance in the slightest. It's psychological horror at best , I don't plan on including any sexual themes, not involving Jeff at least.

What made you want to create this.

I have always been rather interested in the psychology of killers. Why do they do the things that they do, same goes for Jeff's story. I read it and thought, that's terrifying but, why did he just snap. So I set to make my own version of the story. The other characters just came as it went.

Will other characters be involved in the story later.

I plan to add some others. But predominantly just keep it to the same faces that have been in. Aka Jeff. Krystal. Slenderman and such.

How long have you been creating Dying To Know You.

I made it in 2018. But back then I was very bad at writing. Grammar was not my strongest. So I redid it in 2019. Stalled it, then finished it in 2020. This is the latest rewrite.. I don't plan on making another after this. Just it's sequel and then a final continuation.

Do you plan to kill Jeff.

I can't say this. Not yet, but I'll just say. He's not immortal. So who knows what could happen.

Why did you write a female lead.

Well, she originally was going to die and her brother would swap with her. But, I ended up disliking the idea. Would cause too much confusion, so I kept a female lead as I felt that it's just easier for me to write those than males. I do plan on writing a male leading story in the future though, if you kept an eye on the sequels.

That's about it for the q and a.

I look forward to seeing you next chapter.

 

Chapter 58: Spiders and Butterflies

Krystal knew that this was the day, she was going to die. There was no way he'd just let her live, not after the stunt that she'd just pulled, and Liu, what about him? Was he okay?

All this and more began to swirl in her head as she processed her situation.

After they had returned back from that demons house, he'd more or less just shut her inside of a dark room with no windows. It only had one door, and he locked it as he left.

She was completely alone, not to mention that he bound and gagged her again. Her throat ached from the pain, it was a scratching kind of pain at the back of her throat. Like glass down her jugular.

It was horrific.

Just how long did he plan to leave her bound and gagged down here? He never even uttered a word of anger towards her, just cold, unrelenting hate in his eyes.

It was the most unhinged that she'd ever seen him.

But, there was no use in wondering. He'd return, when he felt the need to cause her more pain.

That was a guarantee.

Krystal just hoped, that it would be a long wait.

---

Jeff was livid to say the least, his own brother had backstabbed him and set that girl free. If only he could understand what she'd done to him, it wasn't that she forgot his existence. No, that was painful. But it was the fact that she forgot their memories. All the times that she had been scared and defenseless, and he helped her.

All that, just up and gone. Like it never even mattered to start with, why should she get to move on and have a life. When he wasn't granted the same.

He had been hurt too by the people he'd been supposed to love and trust. No one did a thing. Not even his own mother helped him.

It infuriated him with just how useless the law system was towards the people that needed it. But yet, the people who didn't truly deserve that help, got it and never even learnt from it.

"Usless, all of them useless vermin."

The man hissed to no one in particular, he just wanted to show her how it felt to truly hurt. Beating and maiming her, obviously wasn't getting through to her it was clear.

He had to do something drastic. Something to show that he was not laughing around. But what?

Then it hit him, an idea so...inhumanly evil, that it made him snicker.

"Time I clip this butterfly's wings. I'm the spider, and you should never trust a spider. Miss butterfly."

He stood up and contemplated this action. Once he did this, there was no doubt that she would never trust him, but that was okay. He didn't need her trust. Just her obedience, trust died the moment she stopped being innocent.

" But as tainted as you are, you're still my property and no use breaking a new toy just yet."

Jeff left the room and began to make his way to where his trapped song bird resided.

After this, she'd regret the moment of freedom that she stole. He'd make damned sure that she did.

Chapter 59: Blood and Ink

Krystal had found herself back into her memories once again. It was a factor that had started to become a habit of hers it had seemed, when stress was taking over, her mind went into lockdown mode.

It was... An annoyance.

But something her brain had created to almost force her to remember the things that she had lost.

This memory, was of her father. Johanson.

She never knew her father much as a toddler, it was only really when her brother and herself had turned 7 that he started to become a more permanent part of their lives.

It had also seemed, that it was also the start of her mother's strange anger towards her. Not Kristoff. Only her.

Krystal never understood what she'd done, her mother loved her up to then, and all of a sudden, she was labelled as the bad child.

It hurt her.

But she still did her best to be a good child, she helped clean dishes, she helped with laundry. It seemed that no matter how much she helped her mother, the anger for her got worse.

Right to the point where her mother just started to ignore her existence. If they were in the dining room, Kristoff got fed first and then she got a little bit of what was left.

They never went dirty. No, her mother had too much self pride for that and, she never hit her or got physically abusive with her. But she played terrible mind games.

Krystal could remember the one time that, she thought her mother was genuinely going to do something with her. Only for her to come down stairs and be screamed at for leaving the back door open.

It numbed her. She was only 8 years old. How could her mother have just up and declared that she was a burden to her.

But her father, he always ensured her that she was loved, that he cared about her. He would shower her in pretty dresses and dolls. Much to her mothers anger.

Her father began to work in the army, he'd be gone for months on end and those months were awful for her. To be constantly ignored and belittled by both her mother and her brother now.

When he gave her the puppy, it was the happiest that she'd ever been.

But she also began to realise that, her family was broken.

Her father had often come home drunk and tired. Her mother would scream about it, he'd scream back. Then it would get physical. Krystal had did her best to protect her little brother from the sight.

Even if he would hurt her, she was his twin. She still loved Kristoff dearly. She had thought he felt the same.

Krystal had began to feel her mind ache, something was pushing through but whatever it was, it was too much strain. She could see flashes of it. Her brother. Her father. Her mother breathing heavily. Then...

GASP

She woke up.

The pain that she felt, surging back into her veins. Was inhuman.

Jeff lit a smoke and blew some air in her face, she coughed and spluttered.

"Come back from dreamland? You sure do that a lot these days, go into some kinda trance and it's like you're away into another world. It's creepy."

He shuddered.

"What the fuck are you doing to m-me?!"

She spat as phlem flew from her lips and slipped down her chin. Jeff gagged a bit.

"See, I've had many thoughts on what to do. I was gonna just kill you, but at the same time... You're a tad bit special to me, being my friend and all. No way to treat a friend."

Krystal had to laugh at the irony of that statement.

"So then I thought...what better way to be nice than give you a tattoo."

He sneered. The girl just froze as she looked at the machine next to him.

"This is the spiders web bitch. And you ain't ever leaving it."

Krystal could only cry and scream as he flipped her on her back and ripped off her shirt. This was not happening, it was not happening.

She was pulled out her terror by the feeling of a blade slicing up her back. She'd felt pain, but none like this..

" If you can stay awake throughout the whole thing. I may just give you a chance to run away."

Jeff whispered coldly. 

Chapter 60: Ashes To Ashes

Sally was seething where she lay, she'd just tricked her only human companion. She didn't intend on doing it, she honestly thought that Slenderman was going to help since it was her. He'd never raised his voice at her in that way, and what had she done? She just ran and left that girl there. It infuriated her.

Pushing herself up, she had to do something to help her. Or she'd die and end up trapped here forever. Unable to leave of her own will. Like she was, Sally had been in the nega verse for so long that entering the other realm caused her immense pain.

"I won't have another person endure that, I may be vengeful. But it's not against her, it's against my uncle. Against the person that was supposed to love me and protect me, but he violated me and threw my corpse in an empty grave. He left my family without a child, and pretended to be the loving uncle. But he didn't succeed. I made sure he paid for what he done, before I was sentenced to never leaving this eternal damnation. "

She said as she felt her eyes drip, her form was changing due to the anger that she felt remembering that night. It always did, when her memories came back. Those horrid, painful, memories.

Sally was once a happy child. She had loving parents and good friends. But that one horrid night, ruined her family for life.

She had vowed to never let another family feel the pain of losing a loved one again. So with Slenderman's permission, she was given a set period of time to do as she'd needed in the other realm before her body started to deteriorate.

Would always be those who hurt their children, animals, spouses that would meet their end by her. It wasn't necessary to see them as a human. If they could do that, they lost the right to be called that.

The young girl opened her door and stepped foot outside, she would go help that girl get back to the other realm. Even if it meant being banished. Seeing someone go through what she had, was not worth it. She could kill 1000 sinners and not feel a thing. But to know she's aided in an innocent person being harmed, ate her from the inside.

---

Krystal could barely move, her back had been mutilated beyond recovery and it was agony. Jeff wasn't done though, after the needles had stopped carving the butterfly into her back, he walked over and stubbed the end of his cigarette into it. Krystal had no energy left to scream out, but she stayed awake and kept eye contact with her abuser the entire time. Just like he asked.

Jeff could see it in her eyes, she wanted to pass out, but she never. She did it to spite him, to show him that she was not going to obey him. It pissed him off. Badly.

"All I fucking ask of you, is to just do as I say. You can't do that one damn thing. Even at the cost of your fucking life, can you?!"

He all but screamed. From where she lay, beaten and bloody. The girl just furrowed her brows, not giving him an answer. The man grabbed his cigar and smeared it into her wound again, a dry screech escaped her lips as he continued to torture her.

The man stopped once she began to froth at the mouth from her pain. He took a breath.

"I'm gonna go, calm the fuck down. Then once I get back. I'll get a bucket and wash you. Don't move, not like you can in that state."

He said sarcastically as he walked away from her and into another room. Krystal just let muffled sobs escape her as the pain she'd tried to hold in finally found its way into her throat. She was so incredibly exhausted from that. The girl so desperately wanted to sleep, but she knew if she did. She'd be letting him win, she had do endure it to show him that he was not going to beat her.

"He can slice me to shreds, but I'll only sleep when I die. I won't let him see that he's in control. Because that's what he wants from me. Control. It's something I won't ever let him have again."

She said to herself as she lay there, but it was funny. She could hear a slight tap from somewhere, but she didn't know what. The noise was faint. Like it was only trying to draw a small amount of attention. Krystal traced her eyes to a small vent.

It was big enough for just one person to fit in. That was when her eyes lit up. If she could just somehow manage to open that, then at least for that time. She could briefly get away. As injured as she was, she had to try. Or she'd die here.

So that's what her new goal would be while trapped down here.

Get that vent opened.

"Even if I distracted him to drop a fork or something, it could be just enough to pry it open."

She said to herself.

"I have to keep hope. I will get home... I will get to.. See that person I can't remember, I will find myself again. I just have to get away from here. Away from him."

And with that, she resided herself back to laying flat on the board. Until he returned to torment her again.

--

 

She just hoped that it wouldn't be for a while, so her body could recover.

Chapter 61: Volatile Times

Jeff had taken the time to clear his mind, his rage had subsided somewhat and now, that feeling of dread had come back. He'd really did a number on her, slashed her skin almost to bone. But it still enraged him that all she had to do, was just to say.

"I'll obey you."

That's all the words that she had to utter, and he could start to lay it easy on her, but she wouldn't and he knew that. So any hope for a calm and easy life wasn't in the equation. The time was coming that, he really would have to end her. If she refused to at least hear his point of view, she'd just get so badly damaged that he couldn't fix her. Slenderman was done with his nonsense and he'd made that clear.

He couldn't risk Liu either, so it was coming to him or her. And he would always and forever choose his baby brother. No matter how close he was to Krystal.

"Ugh, why can't she just be easy?! I've met other women that were less hassle... But then again, they were boring. It was boring when people just up and gave themselves to me. Ugh, I hate being a hypocrite."

Jeff finished filling up the basin of hot water and anticeptic. Her wounds would be blistering and it would lead to infections, he had to disinfect the scars. This would be painful.

" All this could have been avoided, if on that day, 7 years ago... She just never came out of that room. I could have taken her to a happy place, with me and Liu. But she had to get out, and ruin it all. I did what I said I would. I got rid of her abusive family, I kept my damn promise. But she didn't. She never kept it. That hurts me more. "

Jeff stated to himself as he stared down at the bucket of water. For a brief moment, he could see himself again. The smiling blond haired boy. But just as fast, the image faded and his scarred face returned. The past could never be righted. What he did, he had to live with that for the rest of his immortal life.

"No use in crying over the past, I can't go back. The Jeff that is here. Is the person who came out strong. That part of me... Died the night of the fire. Has been for the past 7 years."

Gritting his teeth, he just made his way towards the door where Krystal was laying. If he could just get her to understand the pain that he truly felt. Maybe she'd open her eyes to him. Maybe she could see him for who he was.

A laugh escaped his lips.

"Hah.. That's a fools thought. She won't understand the pain. Just judge me for it, the innocent Krystal I once knew is also gone. She died a long time ago. I don't know who this person is... But, I will before she dies. I'll ensure that she remembers. Especially what her whore of a mother done, the night before she was taken. "

Jeff sneered as he closed the door behind him.

Truths, like blood. Would be spilled.

Even if they were unwanted.

--

Chapter 62: Blur

Once more, she'd been back into that world again. The world of her own mind. But she had guessed that very soon, it would be endless. After all.

He was going to kill her.

That much was known to her, she had gone too far this time. Something inside him, was different now. His calm demeanour was irrevocabley replaced with this much angrier one.

But then again as well, he was not well. His DID had no doubt something to do with that, one kind person. One person who wanted her to suffer. It was just a matter of who was in control as of now.

She really had hoped that he would go back to being less violent. The violent Jeff, he really scared her. She could cope with the agitated one, he calmed down. But the violent one, he just never ended.

That other boy too, Liu. He'd not been seen in a while. She had hoped that he'd been okay and hadn't suffered too badly at his brothers wrath. It was her fault. She brought that onto him. Why didn't she stay.

True, the freedom had been handed to her on a plate. But at the same time, how could she have been so full of greed, that she left that sweet boy to a fate like that. She'd felt truly ashamed of herself.

Maybe, she deserves this. Maybe this was her punishment for some crime she'd committed, whatever it had been. This was something that she had to atone for.

"Don't be ridiculous, I've did nothing of that sort to deserve this torture."

Her better half argued back. It's no use now, in the next few hours. She was going to die. All she'd had to do was wait on it. Krystal had no energy to relent anymore.

She just wanted this to end. That was all. So she could see... Whoever it was she wanted to see. She could not even remember someone who was important. How pathetic she was.

Knock. Knock.

Now he was here to kill her. It was inevitable. She took a breath and waited. And waited. And still waited. But nothing.

Krystal forced herself to open her eyes. There was no Jeff. But up at a small window. She spotted Sally.

"What on earth?!"

Krystal said. Sally hushed her as she looked about and brought up a small pad. It read.

"I know how to get you home."

Krystal stared in disbelief. Sally wrote again.

"Do you trust me."

Krystal waited a moment before she answered with a small nod.

Sally bit her lip. As she wrote again.

"You have to make it seem like you died. Smash a glass. Use a brick to hit the wall. Something to make a noise. You have to knock yourself out. Once Jeff brings you up. We will help."

We who...could she be referring to? It did not matter really. She had to temporarily... Knock herself out. Get Jeff to take her upstairs, where Sally and whoever is helping her, will miraculously save her. It seemed rather daunting. How could she know this would work. But Sally was counting on her. She had to try.

She looked for something that she could use. But it was rather bare. He did not leave her much room to plot.

This would be... Exhausting. Then it hit her...she could..

Krystal ripped off her necklace and stared at the thin chain.

"... This better work." 

Chapter 63: Sands of Time

It's a funny thing. Knowing that you're going to die soon, you can feel the pain and suffering. But just, how long would you be in pain for, how long until you finally become at peace.

That was what kept her mind racing as she lay there, motionless and clasping her necklace so tight in her fists, that a thin line of blood had formed.

She was terrified. Never in her mind had she felt fear as much as she did in that moment. Could she do it. Could she muster the strength to choke Jeff unconscious...

Did she have the will to. She'd never been able to subdue him before, he'd always been 3 steps ahead of her, and one just ahead more. There had been just one time, that she'd managed to do so with the help of... That person.. The one that she couldn't remember, more memories of him had began to surface. But not a face...

His light hair, his olive skin.. His annoying voice.

What had Jeff done to her? Also... She had began to realise that, she didn't have a pulse. It had been slow and gradually weaning on her mind. But she couldn't feel one.

The sound of booming steps halted her, she had 2 options. She could strangle him unconscious, or she could do the one thing that would be jeopardising all of Sally's work. It was the thought of what was important, her freedom or the answers that she needed.

The steps were growing faster and closer. She looked at her necklace and gave a sad smile.

"Sorry. Sally."

She whispered as she dropped the necklace and stood, bracing herself for whatever was about to befall her. One thing was sure, was that her freedom would not be coming this day..

Krystal had just hoped, that the answer that she received, would be worth the cost of her freedom.

She backed herself against the wall and looked at the door as it opened.

--

Jeff, after breaking the wall upstairs and losing his temper, had calmed enough to face the girl down below. In this state, he would not break her neck. Maybe her rib. But not her neck.

What he didn't expect, was to see her waiting, face first for him. What was she plotting. He'd spotted her bloodied hand and rushed over but she just stood there and watched him.

He backed away.

"Okay bitch. What's with this sudden act of bravery. You're acting like it's your ride or die moment.".

He laughed in a nervous fashion, she just stayed silent. Now, he was worried that she'd had brain damage.

"Enough of this, talk bitch."

He lost his cool demeanour and replaced it with anger. She let out a bitter laugh.

"You remember that time. My brother locked me in the basement, I kept screaming and crying. I thought I was going to die. Cold. Scared and alone. But then I remembered something... Sometimes, you won't have anyone to help you. Sometimes, you will be alone. That's what I realised you feared. Jeff. "

She looked him in the eyes.

" You won't kill me, Jeff. Because, you don't want the loneliness to come back. That's why you kept your brother locked away. You fear that you'll end up alone, scared and vulnerable. "

She said as she took a breath.

"Just like the night, that your father beat you near death."

The look on his face, could have stunned an ox. He'd definitely, not expected that from her...

"...That diary. Was private. No one. Not even my own brother was allowed to see it , and you just helped yourself. "

He said. Angrilly. Krystal had to laugh.

"Private, huh. And what about mines. Did you think about my wants. When you cast a spell on me. No. You didn't. Now I want to know. What the fuck you did. What did you do to me?!"

She screamed at him, he remained very calm and quiet.

"You died. Krystal."

The words shot through her.

"....What"

She uttered.

He took a breath.

"4 months ago. You died. You shot yourself in the head. I brought you here... To keep you alive. I'm actually breaking a massive law by even letting you know. But you're right. Friends. Don't lie to each other, so I'll give you this one night for the truth. That much I can offer. "

Krystal was confused.

" Why... "

She asked. He looked defeated.

" Because, I'm tired too. I'm tired of seeing my brother become a ghost, I'm tired of the constant nightmares I have. I'm tired of being blackmailed by a demon that has constant control over me. I just want to have one night. Where I can talk to you without a fuckin fight. Can we do that. Please. "

That wasn't it. Something else was stressing him. He knew, that she knew.

" Krystal, I've messed up to the point where I can't return, so I'm saying fuck it. We're all gonna die. So why not be honest. "

This scared and shocked her, what did he mean. That they were all going to die.

"I over heard Slendy say. That he's lost too much energy... Zalgo has been released, and no one else knows. Just me. Now you. So what do you wanna know. May as well ask now, before it's too late."

At this moment, she thought to Sally, to Liu, to all the others here. They.. They didn't deserve this. She took a breath.

" I want to know, just one thing. Then, I have one more. "

She said to him.

" Go ahead. "

She looked at him.

" Why did you lock me in the room, that night long ago when I was found."

Jeff looked down. He knew he would have to tell her some day. Just he had hoped it would be later.

The man rubbed his face in frustration. Krystal just watched him.

"Because, your mother... Had poisoned your food."

Krystal didn't believe him, she shook her head. Jeff sighed as he had pulled out a small watch.

"Do you really. Want to know. Because, I will show you. But, I have to say. Once you have seen this. You won't be the same. So I'll ask again."

He held his hand out.

"Do you really want to know, the night this all happened."

Krystal hesitated for a moment before taking his hand.

"I've got nothing left to lose."

Jeff nodded as he opened the watch and as if by magic. They were engulfed in light, Krystal clung to Jeff as sand whirled around them. He just stayed silent as he watched, the sand subsided and, they were back in her old house.

" Home... Sweet home... "

---

Chapter 64: Memory Lapse

The girl took a deep breath as she let go of the man's shirt. It was really her old home, back where she'd grew up. It even smelt the same. 

Krystal turned to Jeff. 

"So...any like, rules at all. Touch something and it'll affect the future. That kinda thing."

She asked him. Jeff just shrugged.

"I haven't messed too much with this shit. But yes, don't go trying to stop things or the future will be changed sounds about correct. Just watch. You wanna see the truth. So I'm being nice and letting you. But I really dunno why you'd want to see this. There's no going back now, you know."

He stated. The girl just nodded her head .

" As you'd mentioned. If we are all gonna die anyhow. I wanna die at least knowing what happened. I want.. I want clarity."

She stated. Jeff rubbed the back of his head and sighed. There really was no changing her mind on this, but he'd known that. He just wanted to try one last time.

"Well, go on then.. live out through the memory. Just like before."

He said as he walked behind her. She took a breath , this was it. The truth. What happened the night that her life went to shit. 

She was about to find out.

--

The young version of Krystal was sitting in the living room with her doll. She'd heard her mother calling for her and she ran to the kitchen. Her mother was oddly happy tonight. But why .

"Ah, there you are. Come. Go fetch your brother and sit."

She asked her , the young girl dared not to risk her mother being angry,  not when she was so happy. Krystal and Jeff watched as the girl phased right into them. Krystal shuddered.

"Oh my goodness was that strange. I don't want that again. Have you felt that before Jeff?"

Krystal turned to ask , but Jeff was just staring at the mother. A look of utter hatred on his face. She decided not to say anything . Could he really be telling her the truth. Had her mother tried to kill her.

The woman decided to walk up the stairs and listen in on the conversation between her younger self and her brother.

"Mother said , it's dinner time."

She stated , the door opened ajar and the face of Kristoff peered out.

"I don't wanna. Mom has been bad with cooking.. It gave me a tummy ache. I don't wanna eat her cooking."

He mumbled , the girl wasn't having it. 

"Mama has been struggling. She needs us now, more than ever. So come on, out."

She puffed her cheeks out, the boy frowned as he walked out.

" Mama hates you, so why are you even trying . It won't make her love you. So you're an idiot for trying."

Kristoff stated. That stung for Krystal. Both of them. 

"If I'm a good girl and help Mama. She won't hate me."

Krystal stated. Her brother just laughed.

"Sure. Keep saying that. Thats why she killed Tippy."

Those words shot a dagger through her heart. Jeff walked in just as he said that.

"She...she wouldn't."

Krystal teared up. Kristoff shot her an evil grin.

"Course she could. She hated the mutt. Slobbering and smelly. So while you slept. She beat it with a bat and tossed it up the hill. The same hill we searched on."

The adult Krystal felt her chest clenching and gripped it with her fist. So...not only was her mother against her. It was her own twin. The same one that she consoled and comforted. 

Jeff put a hand on her shoulder.

Kristoff phased through the both of them, leaving the young Krystal alone. It was then that a knock happened on the window.

"Hay this is where I come in!"

Jeff said as though they were watching a play at the theater, and in a sick way. It was a play.

Both of them followed the young Krystal to her room and watched as she opened her window. Krystal turned to Jeff.

"Really. You would jump in my window. Like spiderman."

She said with a deadpan look , he just shrugged his shoulders.

"It worked. Didn't see an issue."

They turned back and listened to the conversation between their two other selves. 

Young Krystal was so angry. Angry in fact that she sneered.

"I wish they would just..just.. go to sleep and never wake up. I hate them. So much."

This made the older Krystal shudder. Did she..was she really so hateful. 

"I can do that. But you have to stay here until I get back and then we can leave. You can live with me and my brother. We'd be a family"

Neither of the grown versions spoke.

"Yea , totally. Just put them to sleep and then we can leave."

Krystal was shaking now. Had she...had she caused all this. She told Jeff...to kill them. So he did. Was it all her fault?

Jeff snapped her out of her thoughts.

"If you don't wanna go on. Tell me and we will stop and go back. You've heard what you wanted so let's go."

He did not want her to see the next part. As he knew it well, he relived it over and over. But she did not have to. 

"I want to see it. I need to know Jeff. What did I do."

Jeff let go and nodded.

"...okay."

-- 

They followed the younger Jeff down the stairs and watched him. He was not being aggressive and he was not attacking just yet. Just listening.

"Where is your sister.. I told her to get you and come back. Seems she can't even do that task."

She laughed . Kristoff , was very sluggish.

"Come now dear. Its rude not to eat. Dear? Rude boy."

The woman scoffed at the boy slumped on the table. Krystal was horrified. He was..he wasn't was he ?!

She turned to Jeff. He shook his head.

"She drugged him . Knocked him out. Just like she would have did to you had you of come down."

The woman was horrified. But little did she know, that what was about to happen. Would forever change her. For good or bad it was not known.

--

Chapter 65: TikTok

Krystal had no idea as to what she was witnessing. More so, Jeff began to act in a very distressed manner. Whatever she was about to see, he clearly didn’t want her to.

“I can’t do this no more.”

He admitted. Stopping her from advancing forward to see what her mother was going to do to her. Krystal frowned.

“Cut it out Jeff, let me pass.”

She said as she attempted to move by him but he didn’t budge, he pushed her back.

“Look you got what you’d wanted. You seen how fucked your family is to you. Now can we just go back and die as friends.”

He snarled. Krystal was getting even more stressed and angry.

What did he mean? ‘let’s die as friends’

What change would seeing whatever this was make to their already broken relationship. 

“Jeff, we’re already past the point of that being intact,  so just let me damn well see !”

She pushed by him, but he grabbed her arm, hard. Krystal stared at him as she struggled in his grip.

“This isn’t funny Jeff! Let me go dammit.”

She said as she clawed at his hand, he winced but remained stone faced.

“This is for your own good. I won’t let you be tormented by the memories you’ve worked to hide , so please...”

Jeff wrapped his arms around her neck and began to squeeze her.

She thrashed harder until she’d felt the air leaving  her lungs. Before she’d knew it , she was passed out in Jeff’s arms.

He struggled to remain calm as he watched the next memory play out , screams and the sound of knife on flesh.

He then watched as his younger self ran into the room and screamed in horror. Then the young form of Krystal walked out , covered in the blood of her mother.

Jeff couldn’t look at the sight of her and just repeatedly pet the unconscious Krystal. She wouldn’t see this . She wouldn’t get to remember this.  Not if he could help it.

He looked down at her and held her tight.

“I’m sorry,  Krystal...but this is one mercy..I can give you. If any at all. Please, forgive me.”

Said as he left the memory and returned back to their world. What awaited him, shocked him.

A man, wearing white with black devil horns.

A man he knew and feared. 

Lord Zalgo...

“Hello there. In a pinch I see. But... you know,  there is a way to stop this eradication of your lives.”

Jeff clung to the girl. Zalgo had to laugh. 

“Ah, bonded with her I see. But, this is part of the issue. She is the reason that everything is suffering. You brought her here. Which means by default. Its yours too. But... I could stop all this mess.”

Zalgo smiled,  an inhuman  and teeth filled smile. So much teeth. Jeff shuddered.

“What do you... need..”

He asked. Not letting Krystal go.

“I need that girl. You see , I need a body free of sin and temptation and well, that girl is the purest thing here. So you need to make a choice, my young friend. Let that girl become my vessel, or watch as I corrupt everything that you love. Your other friend, Brian is it? He’s already corrupting his young friend Tim. But I can stop all of it. If you just make the deal with me. That girl. For the lives of all your friends and.. your brother.”

Jeff froze . No. He didn’t.

“He is putting up so much of a fight too. Strong fellow he is.”

Zalgo pointed to a screen. Liu was fighting against a black substance. Sally was on the floor convulsing as black slime filled her body.

Jeff was horrified and looked at Krystal and then Zalgo.

“Choice is yours. Her. Or them.”

Chapter 66: Chasing The Dragon

Jeff felt as though his head could pop. As if he’d just hand over Krystal, like she’d been nothing more than a doll to own. No, he’d not allow her to be used as some kind of vessel for this demon, what could he even want with her as a host.

 

The tall, ivory skinned demon rolled his scarlet hues.

 

“You don’t have many choices here, child. Either you give me that girl, or I enslave your allies. Is one girl truly worth those lives, do you care for her more than your own blood?”

 

Jeff felt his lips twist in a sneer at the mention of his brother. That demon had no business to even think of him. That bastard.

 

“Don’t you DARE bring my brothers name into this. Even if I do hand her over, what business do you want with a meek body like hers? You some sorta weird sicko. You don’t have to answer. I know the answer.”

 

Zalgo let out a distorted laugh. He truly liked this child, he had gusto. It was admirable. Too bad he’d be dead . He’d of taken him too.

 

“My, my, angry little thing. Aren’t you. It matters not, whether it be choice or force, I’ll have that girl as a vessel. For her own sake, I’ll hope that you’ll pick choice. Forced possession, can break limbs, or brains.”

 

Jeff clutched the girl tight, this made Zalgo snicker.

 

“But, by your own actions…it’s looking as though I’ll have to.”

 

—

 

Liu had managed to rip out the black, squirming tentacles from his body.

He shrieked with pain, those annoying little bastards. He had to hurry, the others needed help, if he wasn’t quick enough, they could lose themselves. Gripping his scarf, he made haste to the sound of Sally screaming.

 

Liu had just hoped, he wasn’t too late.

 

—

 

Slenderman had never felt so weak, his body could barely hold itself up. But he had one last kill switch. A pocket dimension. If he could use the last shred of his energy to open a pocket dimension and seal that blasted Zalgo inside, he’d had died with the peace of mind that his people were free of him.

 

Even if he’d have to go with him.

 

It was a death he’d be happy with.

 

“I must, get to it at.. once..ngh.. before my body deteriorates even more.”

 

The demon looks at the photo of a small, black haired child and if he’d been capable, he’d smile.

 

“I failed you, I will not fail them…this is my chance , to have myself redeemed.”

 

He placed the photo face down and stood up.

 

“It’s time we end this, Zalgo. You’ve hurt my people, for the last time. Old friend.”

 

—

 

Sally had felt her vision blur, her sense of self was fading from her. This demon was taking her over, Hoody and Masky held her arms and legs. It took them, took Toby too. She would cry had she a choice.

 

Suddenly, something or someone had smashed into Masky and he toppled, the black slithering tentacles that resided within him, bolted out as their host fell. Liu cracked a bat over Hoody, his too bolted from the host that resided within.

 

Pain, they couldn’t handle pain. That was their weakness.

 

Liu grabbed the tentacle, that was trying  to wriggle its way down her throat and with a tug, he yanked it from her. It shrivelled up and died. Sally gagged and wretched, her body began to slowly regain its mobility. She grabbed onto Liu.

 

“We don’t have any time to chat, Jeff isn’t here, or the girl. That could mean one thing,”

 

Sally stared wide eyed.

 

“He got them.”

 

Liu nodded.

 

“We have to hurry, god. No. Hell knows what he wants.”

 

Sally nodded as she looked at Masky, he shakily stood up. Hoody held his head before pulling him into a hug. Masky gripped him.

 

“I’m so, sorry. So sorry Tim.”

 

He said, Masky shook his head.

 

“Brothers till we die, remember.”

 

Brian nodded. Liu interupted.

 

“ I hate to be an ass. But, we are still not out of the fire, we need to take Zalgo down. For good. Where is Slenderman. If anyone can. It’s him.”

 

Masky looked at him as he pulled his communicator out.

 

“I just hope, that he can. He used up so much power after Zalgo was released. I hope it’s not too late.”

 

He stated as they waited but, then it picked up.

 

“….Ch…there’s one….ch…way left…ch…”

 

Slenderman replied with static interference. Masky nodded. Waiting on another reply.

 

“Someone has to…ch… push Zalgo….ch…there’s a chance …ch….they won’t return…ch… I can’t move ch…”

 

Everyone looked at each other, a fight ensued between them. Liu broke it.

 

“I’ll do it, I’ll be the sacrifice. I won’t mind.”

 

Sally screamed at him.

 

“You can’t!!! Jeff-“

 

Liu snapped, which wasn’t like him.

 

“-won’t be alive if I don’t. I love him more than my life. He saved me all my life. It’s my turn, to do the same, for everyone. So, I have no regrets. My only wish. Is that you don’t try to save me. Jeff has to live his life, away from being the reason that he brought me here. He needs to be living for himself. Please. For me, do that.”

 

The others all hugged Liu and nodded.

 

“Slenderman. I’m ready.”

 

Liu closed his eyes, memories of Jeff, himself, their mother flashed through his head, a small tear rolled down his cheek.

 

Slenderman told them where he was and what he had to do to open the portal. Liu listened to his instructions and that , once he done this. There’s no going back. He will be the one to fully be possessed and there was little to no way of saving him. The boy understood it. He was ready.

 

“On behalf of everyone, Liu Woods….we thank you.”

 

Slenderman stated.

 

“It’s been…a pleasure, to be able to meet everyone here. I regret nothing. Nothing at all.”

 

Liu was scared, of course he was. He’d be insane not to be, but this was his thanks to his brother, for all the years that he had loved and protected him. He could die happy with that knowledge.

“Let’s go, capture us a demon.”

 

--

Jeff had been bartering with Zalgo to no avail. He was losing , the demon knew that but was enjoying toying with the boy. When he wanted to, he’d become serious. But right now he didn’t feel it.

 

“ Child, you won’t win this bargain game, I am the king of that. “

 

Zalgo stated, showing rows of razor teeth . A twisted smile. Jeff shuddered.

 

“Well, you’re lucky, I’m a patient man. Stubbornly, patient.”

 

He grinned.

 

“Well, if you’re sure. Then, I suppose I can humour you for a while, smile child. So please, keep your charade up. I applaud you.”

 

Zalgo said with a sinister gleam.

 

Jeff just hoped, if there was a rescue party. They hurried their ass, he couldn’t keep his act up, and he knew the demon wouldn’t be humorous for long. He seen his lips twitch.

 

‘Hurry guys….’