Hellfire

Night eight

After what Connor can only describe as a hellishly long session of intense emotional and psychological torture, he whimpers and curls up into a ball, sobbing. He hates this so much.

"Hey, Con, con it's okay," Kevin runs his hand down Connor's cheek. "It's okay you're fine." At first Connor whimpers and shies away, knowing the touch can turn cruel at any moment, however eventually he leans into the touch. "You're okay." Connor opens his eyes to see Kevin sitting next to him on his bed. Kevin leans in closer and kisses Connor. Connor returns the kiss and before he realises what's going on, both of them are shamelessly rutting against each other, gasping and moaning. Okay this is new, and much more than anything that's ever happened before, even in the damn desert island dream from forever ago. This time, Connor does things he honestly doesn't think he's ever wanted to try before, and Kevin seems to enjoy it, the pair both feeling more than they have before. Eventually, Connor feels his climax coming and he leans back and closes his eyes.

"Kevin I think I'm gonna-" he bites his lip. Suddenly the feeling is gone.

Connor's eyes shoot open at the feeling of a whip cracking across his back. Thanks to what seems like centuries of abuse, he recognises the holder of the whip from the first lash.

"K-kevin p-lease..." He whimpers curling up into a ball again to try and protect himself. He is rewarded by hearing another crack milliseconds before pain erupts on his skin again, though the initial searing pain subsides quickly, leaving a burning feeling before he hears the whistle of wind before the whip connects with his skin again. He cries out, but no one hears him scream. He hates the vicious cycle, and nothing ever makes it any better.

Connor can't even bring himself to look at Kevin, to see the smug smirk he had, that is somewhat so twisted and distorted. Every time the whip cracks down his yells.

Eventually he jumps awake, tears rolling down his face. "Kevin...." He whispers quietly.

This is the first time Elder Price had heard anyone use his name in over a week. Awake instantly, he just pulled Connor into a hug, knowing this must have been bad.

Connor can hear Kevin, but he isn't moving. He takes away his hands and feels them tacky with blood. "K-Kevin!" He says, panicking. He pulls away the sheet and cries out, seeing the White stained with Scarlett. Kevin's corpse rolls over and his back is exposed, covered in thousands of lash marks. "No, no no..." Connor whispers, shocked. He feels a tear roll down his cheek.

"Elder calm down...." Kevin whispered, trying his best to get through to his district leader, but nothing seemed to be working. He didn't even know the man's first name, but he'd had given him a name because it helps to name the person in your dream who you constantly hold hands with. Maybe that could work.

Connor cries out. He bites his lip in an attempt to stop the sobs, which doesn't work. He curls up into a ball and whimpers, trying to escape this nightmare that feels too real.

"Connor," Kevin whispers, "Con wake up."

The voice makes it through to Connor, breaking a boundary. He has never heard his name said with such softness before, even in pleasant dreams, and the nightmare shatters around him. He feels a hand on his shoulder before someone wraps themselves around him. He jumps and screams, however when he opens his eyes, he sees Kevin, who is staring at him, wide eyed.

Connor let out a choked sob and wrapped his arms around Kevin, relieved to feel a living, breathing person and not a corpse this time. "Oh god I'm so sorry..." He kept mumbling in between sobs.

Connor clung to Kevin and felt powerless to stop himself crying. He hated how little decent sleep he actually got, and his nightmares made him feel tireder than if he hadn't slept in the first place. He felt lightheaded, and could feel himself starting to get weaker again. "'M just so tired...." He whispered, feeling himself slip back asleep.

"It's okay, I'm here for you," Kevin whispered back, letting Connor bury his head in his shoulder.

That was the last thing Connor heard before he passed out. Luckily he had no more nightmares, and was instead stuck back in the black space, alone.

Kevin sighed and gently laid Connor back down and tucked up the sheets.
No now was not the time to make any rash decisions, Kevin thought, when he was sure Connor was asleep, he placed a light kiss on Connor's forehead. No, now was not the time.