《Captivated by Hatred》(Vance hopper)

basement gang

Melina was up and walking. She was looking around, looking for a way out.

"God damnit!" She yelled kicking a wall. Vance shook his head and watched her.

"no need to throw a hissy fit" he said and she glared at him.

"I'm sorry vance that I'm trying to find a way out of this fucking hell hole" she said continuing to look around again. Vance sighed. the two had been taking turns trying to find a way out. Melina stood infront of the window at ground level and stared at the bars that ran across it. she looked over at vance who was staring at a wall into oblivion. she felt bad. they were both drowning but there was some sort of understanding that they were drowning together. "vance. come here real quick?" She asked and vance looked her up and down but got up after a second. he walked over to her and crossed his arms.

"yes?" he huffed out and she rolled her eyes.

"I know we're in someone's basement but pump the hate breaks will yah. I think I know a way out" she said crossing her arms in return. Vance looked slightly hopeful as he looked down at her.

"well, how?" he asked looking as if he wanted to shake the answer out of her.

"the bars, if you lift me up We could probably open the window, or bang on it, or something and get out" she said pointing at the window. he looked up and nodded along with her plan.

"okay, sounds easy enough." he said linking his hands making a place Melina could step so he could lift her up. she put her hair up in a pony tail and took a deep breath before stepping in his hand. he lifted her up as if she were a piece of paper. she grabbed onto the edge of the window cill and pulled herself up more so the strain wasn't all on vance. she grabbed the bars and yanked. the first yank didn't work so she yanked harder but lost her balance.

"fuck!" She yelled as she fell backwards. Vance grabbed her arm before she hit the ground and it pulled on her skin. "ow!" She yelled as she gripped onto vances hand. he was staring at her worried that she almost hit the floor. he pulled her up so she was fully standing.

"you okay?" He asked and she rubbed her arm where he grabbed her and it was already turning somewhat red. she nodded and sighed.

"better than I would've been" she said looking back up at the bars. they were slightly moved but not alot. she groaned and stomped her foot. she ran her hands over her face and vance just watched her. he found here very pretty. even when she was stressed she was still the prettiest girl he's ever seen. he kneeled down with his back towards her and she looked at him like he was hitting insanity.

"here" he said and she just looked at him

"what?" She asked and he rolled his eyes.

"get on my shoulders. you can get higher and won't fall as long as I'm here" he said and she put her hands on her hips.

"as if, you'll probably throw me off your shoulders" she said rolling her eyes.

"I would never hurt you." he said blankly. he didn't turn around but his face was slightly red as he gritted his teeth. Melina stared for a second and took a breath. she slowly sat on his shoulders. he sighed as if saying finally and he stood up straight. Melina grabbed the bars and began yanking on them and eventually they came off. she smiled and laughed happily as she dropped them to the ground. she went to push the window open but couldn't. she furrowed her eyebrows and looked at the sides. the windows were bolted shut and the when she hit the window it wouldn't budge. she punched the wall and vance quickly put her down.

"don't do that, you'll hurt yourself" he said pushing her away from the wall. she began hysterically laughing as tears grew in her eyes. Vance looked at her concerned.

"Melina? are you okay?" he asked inching towards her.

"no vance! I'm not okay. I'm in a stupid fucking basement with someone I barely talk to! I'm trapped down here and I'm most likely going to die and my family will never know! do you think I'm okay?!" She screamed as she stopped laughing. Vance looked at her with furrowed brows. it hurt him to see her like this. she seemed so hopeless and hurt by this and honestly he was too but he wouldn't show it. he put his hands on his shoulders to stop her from swinging her arms as she was breathing heavily.

"Melina, MELINA!" he yelled and she stopped screaming and ranting but was breathing heavily. her eyes were red and teary and her face was wet and puffy. "were going to get out of here. I promise you that" he said, looking her in her eyes. her face quickly relaxed but then she began sobbing. her hands went to her face as she cried. Vance looked at her heartbroken. he just stood there and didn't know what to do. Melina slowly collapsed onto the floor next to the wall. she sat there crying. Vance looked at her and gave a sad sigh. he sat next to her and they both propped themselves against the wall.

Vance stared at the ceiling. he began thinking about his mom. Did his mom notice he was gone? did she contact the authorities? was she out looking? was she at home carrying on with her life? was she sleeping? eating? going to work? was she okay? he began thinking about how his mom was alone in that old house and how she lost her only son to some stupid kidnapper that hadn't been active in 6 years. his eyes began to water. This wouldn't have happened if he didn't help that stupid creep upstairs. His tears slowly fell down his face. he wasn't used to crying, he usually didn't cry. it was rare he did, but now he felt like he needed to. the only person that could see him cry was melina and at that moment. he didn't care If she did.