the book of fluff (that usually isn't)

hell and back

i feel like you guys are probably going to ask for a second part to this

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Officer Smith knocked on the door, Officers Johnson and Rodriguez on either side on him. Both of them had their hands on the guns in the holsters, just in case the criminal was violent. "This is the police. Open up," Officer Smith commanded.

There was silence for a moment, and Officer Smith was preparing to break the door down when the door finally opened. Carlos eyed them coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "May I help you?" he asked, annoyance clearly in his voice. Officer Smith nodded and held up his badge, the other two officers doing the same. "Yes, actually. We received a call from your neighbor saying that they have heard some strange screaming coming from your house, and occasionally they've spotted a small brunet boy with you in your bedroom. They told us the boy looked remarkably like Mitch Grassi, the fifteen-year-old who disappeared five years ago. We'd like to search your house."

Carlos shook his head, knowing perfectly well that Mitch Grassi was chained up in the bedroom across the hall. "You have no warrant to do this," he said, but Officer Rodriguez shook his head. "Actually," he chimed in, holding up a signed search warrant, "we do. Please step aside." Carlos shook his head again, holding his ground. "No." Officer Johnson pulled his gun out of its holster and pointer it at Carlos's chest. "Please step aside."

Grumbling, Carlos obeyed. Officer Smith stepped inside, followed by the other two. "Johnson, you hold him. Rodriguez and I will go search the house." Johnson nodded and grabbed Carlos, holding his arms behind his back as the other officers began to move through the house.

The first door they came across was locked. Officer Smith and Officer Rodriguez spoke for a moment before they kicked it down and stepped inside.

Mitch looked up with wide eyes when at the noise, and a small whimper left his lips when he saw the two men. He quickly pushed himself as far into the corner as he could get, terrified. Officer Smith frowned and held out his hands to show he meant no harm, and he signaled Officer Rodriguez to stand back while he approached the boy — Officer Rodriguez was the larger of the two, and therefore more terrifying.

"Hey. It's okay. We're not going to hurt you. My name is Officer Smith, and this is Officer Rodriguez. Are you Mitch?" Officer Smith asked, his voice gentle and kind. Mitch nodded and watched him warily as he approached. "Good. Good. You're going to go home now, okay? May I undo your handcuffs?" Officer Smith asked, gesturing to the chains holding Mitch to the wall. Mitch hesitated, but he nodded again, so Officer Smith kneeled down in front of him and carefully undid them. "There. Come with us, alright? We'll get you back to your family." Mitch sniffled and carefully got up, wrapping his arms around himself. He limped after them, towards freedom.

Officer Smith and Officer Johnson got to the end of the hall before they realized Mitch wasn't following them. They turned around to see Mitch, stopped in the doorway of the room that he'd been held in for five years. "Mitch? Are you coming?" Officer Rodriguez asked gently, but Mitch sniffled again and shook his head.

"Scott."

His voice was so soft the officers weren't sure if they had heard him.

"Um, what was that?"

"Scott," Mitch whispered, wrapping his arms around himself. "Scott."

The officers shared a glance, confused. "Who's Scott?" Officer Rodriguez asked finally, wondering if he was another one of Mitch's tormentors. Mitch sniffled and shook his head. "No Scott, no go." The officers hesitated, but eventually, Officer Rodriguez left to search the house for this Scott. Mitch stayed quietly with Officer Smith, watching.