MANIACAL | TRACOB

Thirteen.

It was not long before Troye found himself locked in the bedroom again. He was sat against the wall, listening closely to everything Jacob was doing. He had tried to get out a few times, but that was kind of impossible seeing as the door was locked and he was way too high up to get through the window. So instead of jumping to his possible death (more like a broken arm), Troye resorted to listening. He would perk up every time Jacob walked by the room, hoping that he would come in or at least open the door. When he would not, Troye would make sure to listen super closely to him going downstairs and outside. He made sure that he came in every time. Not that he knew what he would do if Jacob just did not come back, or if he heard him drive off. Of course, Jacob had promised not to hurt him, and locking him in a room and driving away would probably count as hurting him, but anyways. Troye was nervous and tired, and he just wanted Jakey to come back.

Strawberry was curled up on the bed sleeping in the sunlight. She looked so cozy, Troye wanted to join her, but he had to keep watch. Well, listen. Even if it was pointless. Troye had thought about getting Strawberry and bringing her over to cuddle, but knowing her, she would just want to play. And Troye was not in the mood for playing, and if she got ahold of a loud toy such as her ball with a bell in it, how on earth would Troye listen to what Jacob was doing?

He could not really tell what Jacob was up to, and honestly, he did not want to know. Judging by the amount of steps he took every time he went by the bedroom (4), Troye could tell that he was in the mystery room. Not that it was much of a mystery anymore, seeing as Jacob had just confessed to being a serial killer or something. Ew. That was not very fun to think about. So, Troye thought about other things. He pushed the images of Jacob with blood on his hands out of his mind and rather thought about playing outside with Strawberry. He imagined they were in the backyard, and there were a lot of flowers, and Troye made flower crowns for the both of them. Strawberry's was made of buttercups and Troye's of wild pansies. They ran around and played, little Strawberry hopping through the grass because it was a little bit too long for her to simply walk. Somehow - a miracle - her flower crown stayed atop her head. Troye was giggling and having fun, not worrying about anything, only snapping out of it when he heard Jacob call him from the house. He looked up, smiling and waving at the man, but he just continued to call.

"Troye."

Troye woke up, gasping quietly as he realized he was not in the backyard and rather on the ugly carpet of the bedroom. Gosh, he never noticed how bad the carpet really was.

"Why are you sleeping on the floor?" Jacob asked, smiling down at the boy with a slightly confused expression. "The bed is right there and I'm sure it is much more comfortable."

"Was listening to you," Troye responded, stretching his arms up above his head and yawning.

"While sleeping?"

"Didn't mean to fall asleep."

Jacob chuckled, leaning down and picking Troye up. "Are you still tired? Would you like to take a little nap?"

The blue-eyed boy shrugged, yawning again immediately after.

"I will take that as a yes."

"No, wanna be awake with you," Troye argued quietly. Well, it was not really arguing, but he really did want to stay up with Jacob. Especially since Jacob said he was going to be here the whole day - Troye did not want to sleep that away. It did not happen near often enough.

Jacob laid him down on the bed anyways, kissing his forehead. "You take a quick nap. I'll still be here when you wake up."

There was hesitation in Troye's voice as he pouted, a little "you promise?" sounding.