Distorted [C]

Chapter five: try

Ah. Flashbacks because I need to explain shit to myself and .-. I'm puking tbh.

Chris frowned as he watched the man walk back towards him. He didn't know if he was a cop or what. Chris didn't want to find out. He quickly stood up off his bench and started to walk back to the homeless shelter. It was almost time to go anyway.

"Hey, kid."

Chris looked back, seeing the man run up to him.

"Hey, are you alone out here?"

"What's it to ya?"

"I... If you need a..."

"I'm not gonna be somebody's bitch." Chris grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"It's not like that. My wife hates seeing kids on the street and wanted me to ask if you wanted a warm meal for once. A good one. Like she's an amazing cook."

Chris slowly looked him over. He shrugged as he stopped walking.

"That a yes?"

"Yeah sure whatever."

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

**plop**

Chris smiled as he slowly ate. He was warm and happy for once. The couple were extremely nice to him throughout the evening. Chris frowned as he felt a little too warm.

"I um... I'm tired." He whispered, his fork slipping from his fingers. He slowly looked around the table. The other two hadn't touched their food. "Did you... Fuck." He whispered. Chris tried to stand, falling to the floor.

"Poor baby. Let's see if the cameras like him." Josh chuckled as he lifted Chris into his arms.

Chris laid limp as he carried downstairs into a basement. He tried to struggle as he Josh laid him on a bed and slowly stripped him.

"St-Sto-o-0p." He whimpered as Josh got a knife out.

"Shut up. Be a good boy and spread your legs for the camera." Chris frowned as he slowly looked around the room. He blushed at the sight of a high tech camera pointed down at him.

"No."

"Do it." Chris let out a soft cry as Josh cut his hip. It was shallow but drew blood. Chris slowly spread his legs, small tears forming. "Looks like next I'll have to use more on you hm?" Chris let out a soft groan, shaking his head.

**boop present**

Chris jerked awake, his eyes wide as he tried to push the memory out his head. He quickly stood up, stumbling out the room and down the hall. He ended up knocking a couple pictures off the wall, Josh's light turning on.

"Chris?"

"Get away from me. He'll hurt m-me if I..."

"Did you have a bad dream?" Chris slowly looked up at the woman, tears in his eyes. "You did. Come on. I'll get you some tea. It'll help you sleep." Chris hesitantly followed her, his arms cross across his chest.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Kidnapping kids."

"We're a family. You didn't have a family so we gave you a family."

"What happened to your face?"

"Nothing." She whispered, making the tea. It was quiet as they sat at the table. "I know you're not my real kid."

"Shocker."

"Josh just wanted to-to make me happy again after they died. I tried to save them but I only got myself hurt."

"What happened?"

"A fire. I let Devin cook by himself but he was just like Ricky. I thought I had taught him enough but he didn't know what to do if a fire happened and he panicked and... Him and Ryan never made it out the kitchen."

"I'm guessing I'm Ryan in this little family."

"You don't look like him. You just have the same age. Ryan's and Devin were three years apart. It was perfect when we found you. I told Josh not to hurt you at first because I wanted to bond but he never listened. He said you were too old. He always knows what's best."

"Ricky is fourteen. What makes him different?"

"He doesn't act like it."

"Why don't you let us go?"

"I'll be lonely. I don't like it. I'm sorry Josh does that shit but it's the only way we can get money. I used to bring in the money but I'm too scared to leave anymore."

"Where does he go most of the day?"

"I don't know."

Chris and Ryan-Ashley grew silent. Chris looked down at his tea, feeling like he finally understood why this was happening to him. He stood up, heading back into the kitchen. He grabbed a kitchen knife, closing his eyes.

"Say I threatened you okay?" He whispered as he struggled to cut the collar off. "Say you didn't have a choice but to let me go."

"He'll kill Ricky."

"No he won't. Not if you tell him how happy Ricky makes you. That's all he wants. Your happiness is what makes him do this".

"Then it is my fault."

"No." He sighed as he placed the collar on the table. "I'm going. I'm going to get help. Josh needs help too. Mental help. Losing your kids must have hurt him too."

"Please tell them not to kill him."

"I promise." He smiled as he left. He started running, as fast as he could through the woods.