shameless

7. dangerous games

Vincent's obsession with Carter had escalated to a fever pitch.

Despite Carter's attempts to distance himself, Vincent's relentless pursuit intensified. He escalated from invasive gestures to outright stalking, his presence a menacing shadow in Carter's life.

In the days leading up to the present night, Vincent's tactics had momentarily shifted.

The lavish gifts and invasive gestures had abruptly ceased, leaving Carter with a false sense of security.

He began to hope that perhaps Vincent had finally relented, that he could breathe easier without the constant threat of Vincent's presence.

One silent evening, after an unsuccessful day of job seeking, he found himself walking briskly along a desolate street. The city lights flickered weakly, casting eerie shadows as Carter quickened his pace, unease settling like a stone in his gut.

"Hey. Can we talk?" Carter said in the phone at the dead silence of the night. It was getting darker but his focus remained to the person at the other line.

"To my place tonight. I have something I've been needing to say to you. It's about Vincent and these past few days." He fidgeted.

"Alright. See you. Bye."

He still has a long distance to traverse.

The hairs on Carter's neck prickled with a growing sense of dread. He glanced over his shoulder, just to see if something dangerous was on his foot. The street was deserted, save for the occasional flicker of a distant street lamp.

Just as he approached the corner, a dark car screeched to a halt beside him. Before Carter could react, the back door swung open, and strong hands seized him, pulling him inside with brutal force.

His shouts for help were muffled by a hand clamped over his mouth, the metallic taste of fear flooding his senses.

The car sped off into the night, leaving behind only the echo of Carter's struggle against his captors.

Inside the car, Carter's heart pounded with terror. He struggled against the hands restraining him, but they were relentless, holding him in a grip of iron.

Panic rose within him as he realized the severity of his situation—he had been forcibly taken, and Vincent was undoubtedly behind it.

The journey felt interminable, the darkness outside punctuated only by fleeting glimpses of streetlights and passing cars.

Carter's mind raced with fear and confusion. Why had Vincent resorted to such extreme measures? What did he want from him?

Finally, the car came to a stop in a remote area on the outskirts of the city.

The doors opened, and Carter was roughly dragged out, stumbling on unsteady legs.

He was led into Vincent's grand mansion, its imposing architecture and opulent decor a stark contrast to the terror gnawing at Carter's insides. Inside, the air was thick with an oppressive silence.

Carter was thrust into a small, dimly lit room, bare except for a single chair and a small table. The door closed with a heavy thud behind him, leaving him alone in the chilling silence.

He paced the room with his cuffed hands behind him, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

Minutes passed in agonizing silence. Carter's nerves were stretched to the breaking point, his thoughts consumed by fear and desperation.

Just when he thought he couldn't bear another moment of captivity, the door creaked open once more.

Vincent entered the room, his demeanor calm and composed. "Carter," he began, his voice measured. "I didn't want it to come to this."

"What do you want from me, Vincent? Why are you doing this?" Carter's voice filled with anger. He screamed with his all.

Vincent regarded him with an intensity that sent a chill down Carter's spine. "Carter, you know what I want." he said slowly, his voice taking on a confessional tone. "I need you, Carter. I have loved you since I saw you. I'm not letting you get away from me."

Carter recoiled in horror. "You're insane, Vincent. This isn't love. This is insane!"

Vincent's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint. "You don't understand," he insisted, his voice hinting at slight desperation yet still with an unfazed quality. "I've invested in you, believed in you. You're meant to be mine."

Carter's resolve hardened as he faced Vincent's manipulative tactics head-on. "You're crazy, Vincent. I'll never love you."

Vincent's expression darkened, his desperation giving way to emotionless stoicism. "You have no choice," he said coldly, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You belong to me now."

With a surge of defiance, Carter lunged at Vincent with his body, catching him off guard.

He fought fiercely, their struggle echoing through the small room. Carter fought with every ounce of strength he possessed, fueled by adrenaline and the determination to escape the room and Vincent's clutches.

In the chaos, Carter managed to break free momentarily, but Vincent quickly subdued him. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Carter slumped against the wall, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

Vincent's cold, unyielding gaze bore into him. "You can't escape." he said softly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You'll love me too, Carter."

Defeated but not broken, Carter knew he had to bide his time, to wait for the opportunity to regain his freedom.

Vincent's obsession had ensnared him in a dangerous game, one where escape seemed impossible and survival uncertain.

But in the depths of his fear, Carter clung to a flicker of hope, determined to outwit Vincent and reclaim his life from the grip of his captor's obsession.