Bloodstained Bathtubs and an Absence of Death (Frerard)

22 - Save Yourself

"I admitted it all, Gerard. It was me after all. I panicked and... I had to admit what I did to Mikey. I'm so sorry..."

I sighed into the phone, trying to remain calm. I couldn't yell at Frank. It wasn't his fault. 

"Listen, we're going to win that court case, alright?" I maintained a serious tone. "I'm going to make sure they know you're innocent".

I could hear him start to tear up on the other end, "There's nothing we can do now, Gee. I- I'm gonna miss you so much. Please promise to come visit me, okay?"

----- 2 weeks later -----

I stared at Frank from across the courtroom. He looked defeated as he stood dressed in the bright orange jumpsuit. How I wished I could just take him away from this place... from this whole mess I had forced him into. 

I had insisted a few weeks prior over the phone that nothing was his fault. Especially when it came to failing the test, in which he insisted he was a horrible person for, because he thought he let me down. But I knew they monitored your vitals and every little movement you made. Whenever they grew suspicious, they'd pressure you into admitting everything to them. And that's just what Frank did. They pressured him more and more until he couldn't take any more. He was already in a horrible mental state as most people where when it came down to taking those tests... he must've been so easy to break.

I wasn't angry with him. I knew if I were in his position I most likely would've ended up the same way. But it didn't matter anyway. It was all going to be okay. I was going to get him out of there, even though he insisted there was no hope for him now. 

The court case dragged on, with evidence being disputed back and forth. I was put on the stand at one point, and of course I defended Frank with every inch of my being. As the case played out though, I could tell it was not going in his favor. In fact, all evidence seemed to be pointed against him. Especially when Mikey took the stand. 

Despite our relationship improving as of lately, I still wanted to strangle my own brother when I heard the words finally leave his mouth, "I truly believe it was Frank who attacked me that night... as much as I know my brother loves him, I cannot deny the fact that I saw a man with black hair and light skin... the exact description of the only person who was home at that time with me. I don't know what his motives would've been- maybe to keep my brother's attention all to himself? Maybe he just couldn't stand the sight of me... but Frank, you tried to kill me that night. I am sure of it."

Everyone else seemed completely convinced as well... I was running out of time. By the time the jury had about made the decision of Frank being guilty, I knew what I had to do. I had to do the only thing left that I possibly could.I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I had to for Frank. For everything I had done to him and forced him through. This was my way of finally apologizing to him. 

We both wouldn't leave this courtroom as innocent men, but at least he would be able to...

"I object," I stood up from my seat in courtroom just as the judge was making the final decision. All eyes turned to me.

I stared down at the floor, knowing I would regret every word that left my mouth after this. 

I had to do it. I had to do it for him.

"Frank didn't attempt to kill my brother, Mikey," I looked directly into the judge's eyes, "I did".

I heard gasps and whispers across the room. I looked to Frank, who had intense fear in his eyes. I didn't dare look at my poor, little brother. 

"And why do you say that?" the judge spoke out. "We have plenty of evidence that Frank Iero is in fact, the one who was behind this."

I couldn't even help it as a devilish grin spread across my face. I walked out into the aisle, approaching the front slowing. I received anxious glances with every row of people I passed.

"You see, your Honor, years ago, my parents were murdered. Someone killed them in the dead of night, leaving their two sons untouched. The murderer was never found. Do you know why that is?"

"Continue..."

"You never found the murderer because he was hiding in plain sight all along. In fact, he still is. He just so happens to be right before you."

"Mr. Way, are you implying that you murdered your parents?"

I chuckled, "My brother was going to be next soon enough. It was only a matter of time."

The judge raised an eyebrow, "And what proof do you have?"

I cleared my throat before preparing to tell my lie, "I match the description given by Mikey, and Frank was sick in bed the whole time. That's why I left- to get the supplies I would need to kill him. I left the door open on my way back in- that's why it was open. Frank walked in as I was attacking Mikey, so I went for him too so he couldn't rat me out. I called the police and played dumb so that I wouldn't get caught. Unfortunately, I didn't have the guts to kill them... I had to stop myself after starting to hurt them.

Suddenly, I pulled out my signature knife from my pocket that Frank had used to hurt Mikey. I slammed it on the table in front of where Frank and his lawyer were sat at, making the courtroom jump in fear.

"This was the weapon used. You never found it, because it's been with me the whole time. I cleaned it up of all the DNA, just in case though. Oh, and look there", I pointed at the knife's handle. "There are my initials engraved right into it. G.W." I paused a moment before holding it up in the air, but staring straight down at the floor, "Was this the weapon, Mikey? Surely you managed to catch a glimpse of it. The blade probably matches the wounds in your back too, hm?"

Mikey was stumbling over his words, but managed a small, "Yes". He sounded scared. Wronged. Hurt. I knew this would destroy my chances of ever talking to him again, but I had made my choice. He would forever believe my lie that I had tried to kill him after all. 

"I made Frank lie for me. I tried to kill him to. I've been keeping him alive as long as he listens to what I say. I've been manipulating him all this time using his fear of me. I was going to make him take all the blame for me but... that's a bit unfair, now isn't it?" I strolled over to him, and some policemen tried to come after me, afraid I was going to hurt someone. Luckily for them though, I just lifted up Frank's shirt revealing the many scars from the day I had stabbed him, "I did this to him. Surely it only proves my point. He was under my complete control."

More whispers were heard throughout the courtroom. 

I walked up in front of the judge's podium, holding out my arms, smirking proudly, "I'm the guilty one behind all of this. Behind Mikey's attack, and my parents death. And not to mention, Bob Bryar's, Brendon Urie's, Ryan Ross's and dozens more. I can tell you in detail about every one, and how much I enjoyed what I did. Arrest me. I'm the man you've been looking for. I'm your murderer".

Of course, I was immediately ordered to be handcuffed, whether or not they believed me yet or not. Anyone who brings a knife into a courtroom and claims to be a serial killer cannot stay around long, actually guilty or not. 

This was truly my best moment though, even if I had feared it for my whole life. My name was going to go down in history. "The Mysterious Man Behind All the Killings- Finally Caught," the headlines of the news would read. I'd be one of the most infamous serial killers in the world...

"Wait Gerard no!!" Frank screamed, standing up ubuptly, you promised you wouldn't leave me!" 

The police sitting beside him grabbed him, preventing him from chasing after me as I was taken away into custody until my claims could be proven or denied. 

I took one last glance behind me at Frank, trying to look unfazed even though I knew this may be the last chance I would be able to see him outside of bars. I was going to miss him tremendously... but I had to do this. I had to let him go free and live his life. Without me, none of this would've happened. This was my way of saying, "I love you".

I chuckled motioning to Frank as he started to break down, "A classic case of Stockholm Syndrome, eh Officers?" They ignored me, dragging me forward, behind the doors of the room, separating me from the rest of society for what I was sure would remain permanent once they deemed me an insane murderer. 

As I was escorted away, I felt a tear run down my cheek, as I heard Frank's screaming become fainter and fainter, until I could hear it no more.