Unbound - A Synacky Fan Fiction

Unbound - A Synacky Fan Fiction - Part 4

-          Scarlett’s POV –

It had been a long time since I’d eaten the bread. The tiny bit of light that made it around the corners of the cardboard blocking the window was some indication. It had gone dark twice, and it was going dark now. So it had been two days since I’d last had food or water.

I was salivating at the mouth. I had a feeling this was deliberate, that Brian was starving me out as part of his grand scheme. Maybe I’d annoyed him. Maybe he’d let me die.

The bravado I’d had last time we’d met had been all for show. I knew full well that if Zacky thought I was in danger, he would blast in here without a second’s thought. And I couldn’t let Brian get to Zacky. I just couldn’t.

One thing that particularly scared me was the ‘monster’ Brian had found in the hallway. He had said his name was Jimmy. I’d caught a flash of a tall figure with black hair, and that was it. For a second I had thought it was my brother.

What pained me most, though, was why I was here. I’d been kidnapped, taken hostage, and not because anybody wanted me around. Brian was just using me to get to Zacky. I’d been abducted and still nobody wanted me. It was the shittiest reason to be kidnapped ever.

I was certain, though, of what was going to happen when I finally got out. I was going to grab Jimmy and we’d make a run for it. I didn’t believe Brian’s monster claims. Brian was the only monster here. We’d leave before Zacky fell into Brian’s trap.

A knock at the door told me I wasn’t alone. My throat was dry and extremely sore. I’d kill for some water right now, I thought. Brian made his way in, carrying another plate.

“Long time, no see,” I drawled, eyeing the plate hungrily.

“Yeah,” he said, keeping his face blank, “I thought I’d give you some time to soften up a bit, you know? Maybe be less feisty.”

I laughed dryly. “I wouldn’t hold out for that.”

He nodded in agreement, and I pulled the plate towards me. A jug of water. I gulped half of it down in one go. It was cold and sweet and delicious.

“Tell me something,” Brian asked, “Why isn’t your brother at home?”

I froze in the middle of reaching towards the plate. “Have you been watching him?”

He waved a hand airily. “Of course I have. He hasn’t been home since you moved in here. I don’t think he knows you’re gone.”

The words hurt me, but I refused to let it show. “He’s with his friends,” I replied curtly.

Brian nodded. “You’ve been missing for three days and nobody has noticed.”

Hurt, but not exactly surprised, I snorted. “Sorry if the master plan is taking longer than you thought,” I said sarcastically.

“That’s fine,” Brian murmured, “It’ll work out in the end.”

I grabbed the bread sitting on the plate. “Tell me something. How long has Jimmy been here for? And what is he?”

“He’s been here for five months,” Brian replied absent-mindedly, “And as to what he is…well, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me,” I challenged.

He laughed and shook his head. “Not a chance.” He got up and headed towards the door. “I’ll be seeing you, Scarlett.”

I waved at him teasingly, and went back to eating my bread.

-          Brian’s POV –

I found Scarlett intriguing. Dry and sarcastic as she was, I got the feeling she was really hurting beneath it all. I wondered if it had something to do with her parents. They hadn’t noticed her disappearance, either. Or maybe they didn’t care. I had a feeling it was the latter.

Zachary would be home soon, I thought. He’d been away for over a week and he couldn’t stay away from his little sister much longer. And when he was home…I’d send him the bait.

I’d fed Scarlett yesterday, giving her more bread and water. I’d thought starving her for a few days would mellow her out, but it hadn’t in the slightest. It was only at the last minute that I remembered she needed water, not just food. She could only go a few days without water.

If she dies, there’s no Zachary for you.

I growled at my internal dialogue, surprised at its correctness. I would have to keep her watered. But food she could do without. At least for a little while.

I unlocked the thick chain into the basement. Today was the day to check on Jimmy. He was different every time. Sometimes he was quiet, easy to look after, and mumbling a little. Others he was enraged, clawing at everything he found. He’d attacked my jugular twice, and it had taken all my strength to get the venom out of my system. I still had the scar.

I opened the door quietly, expecting to see Jimmy curled in a heap in the corner. Instead, he leapt at the door, making funny noises. He was literally foaming at the mouth. His bright blue eyes were feral and wild, his hair in all directions. Clawing at the door, and moaning at his own thirst, Jimmy had descended into insanity. I slammed the door before he could attack me again.

The truth, I supposed, was that Jimmy was unnatural. He was something that should not have existed. I’d found him in strange places. If people were murdered, or injured, or if animals went missing…he was always there, looking more insane that the last time.

I had taken him back here and studied him, only to discover one thing. Jimmy was scary, unnatural, and inhuman. I still wasn’t sure exactly what he was, but I knew he had a fondness for throats.

Zachary was his best friend. I needed Zacky to help me figure out what the hell had gone on with Jimmy. As far as Zacky was concerned, Jimmy had died in a car crash six months ago. But, plain as day, Jimmy was here, and very much alive.

Another reason I wanted Zacky was because he was so damn cute. I’d seen him walking around and my jaw had dropped. He was…amazing. I saw a little of him in Scarlett – some physical similarity here and there – but the truth was that I really wanted to get to know him better.

So I’d taken Scarlett in an attempt to get to him. I couldn’t have taken him personally, he’d disappeared off somewhere – with friends, Scarlett had said. So, I took her to get him to come back.

My plan was working.