Golden Snow - Bennoda

Chapter Sixteen

Mike held his breath when he heard the knock. He knew who it was but still hoped with everything he had that it wasn't. His heart plummeted as the door slowly opened, revealing the skinny, blonde boy he hoped he wouldn't see in this moment.

Jay was beaming heavily at the sight of the boy he was so in love with. His heart was pounding and his smile broad. His eyes were wide open and breath caught in his throat. He felt needy but couldn't express himself.

Buck and John were silent. They weren't expecting the boy to come. They were stunned and more than surprised, unable to even breath, like the two Shinoda boys. Nobody knew what to say so it was Chester who first spoke.

"I'm so sorry, Mike," He said softly and Mike felt his eyes water up. He wasn't expecting an apology as the first thing Chester said. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to be normal."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Mike bushed the apology away and gave him a soft smile. "This is probably the worst time to say this but I love you."

"You're right," Chester nodded. "This isn't the right time but I'm afraid it might be the only time. I love you too, Mike. Ever since the first time I saw you in the clearing. You gave me hope of being like any other kid."

"But you're not any other kid," John was the first to find his voice. He scowled at Chester. "You're the boy everyone's obsessed with, making you an easy bank."

"You're fucking cold," Mike sneered. "He doesn't deserve to be a toy."

"No," Buck agreed, finally speaking up. "He doesn't. But this same shit will always happen to him. Right, Jay? Even though he wasn't with us nor his father, he was still assaulted."

"I..." Jay tried but couldn't find a logical argument.

"Why'd you do it, boy? Hmm? Everyone in town thinks you're the biggest threat they have. They know nothing about us." Buck sneered and Jay frowned.

"I had an urge-"

"So did everyone else who molested the boy. That dumb lustful urge is the thing that lands the boy into constant trouble."

"And," John added. "Mike is the worst of them all."

"Me?!" Mike exclaimed with a yelp. "I've never touched him. I've helped him and fallen for him-"

"That's your problem, Mikey Boy! Your lust for the boy is clouding your vision, making you think you love him. You don't. You just want to fuck him like everyone else! Right boy?!" Buck snapped and Chester's eyes widened.

"M-Mike wouldn't d-do that..." He stuttered.

"You'd think, wouldn't you? You also wouldn't think we'd murder your mother but guess what? You're an orphan."

Buck and John went back to the house after setting posters in the town over. They had already set them all over their town but decided they needed another way to spread the word. They argued as they went inside about the boy.

"It's your fault he managed to get out! You must not have chained him well enough in his room!" Buck snapped, smacking his younger brother across the face.

"Shut the fuck up! It's not my fault! You know he's a little shit!" John countered as they closed the door behind them. They caught sight of a stranger in the living room, looking at the chains before noticing the two men. "Who the fuck are you?"

"The missing boy's mother," She snapped. "What the hell have you done to him?!"

"He doesn't have a mother," Buck sneered. "Explain yourself."

"I am Chester Bennington's mother. I left him and his father after his dad beat me for the first time. I was afraid of it happening again so I left. I know about him. I know what he did to Chester. One of the assholes who paid to hurt him came clean and confessed everything. I know what happened to him and I feel guilty everyday but then he went missing. I know you boys had or have him and dyed his hair blonde!" She stated and the two gawked at her.

"How do you know?"

"I'm not the dullest color in the crayon box," She rolled her eyes. Buck came forward angrily and wrapped his hands around her throat. He squeezed as she choked and desperately tried to receive air. She set her hands on his weakly and tried to pry them away as her eyes rolled back into her skull. Her body went limp and he dropped her to the ground. John came forward to check her pulse. He pulled away, shaking his head.

"You killed her... Why did you kill her?"

"She knew too much," Buck shrugged. John had to admit Buck was cold and ruthless. "Keep her in the basement for now."

"I'm sorry to say I don't care. I didn't know my mom. I'm saddened but not heartbroken. She left me with a monster, well-knowing who he was," Chester said quietly and looked to the ground. Mike was incredibly sad over Chester's past but had taken the time during the flashback to pick at his lock. He was so glad Brad had taught him how to pick basic locks when they were in grade school. With a slight click, his wrist was free. He realized no one noticed and kept quiet a little longer for the perfect time to strike.

"Well nevertheless, we're glad you came. You'll be coming with us," Buck smiled and stepped forward. Chester took a step back. He didn't want to runaway with Mike still locked in the room. He glanced at Mike with panicked eyes but they settled when he noticed how cool and collected Mike was. He immediately assumed Mike had a plan.

"Fuck you," Chester swore, which wasn't odd for him but such a rebellious term had caught the men off guard. Chester looked to Mike again who dropped the chain on the ground and rose.

Mike struck.