The Storm Comes Before The Rainbow

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TW: Mental and Physical Abuse. Blood.

Crying.

That's the first thing Pete can hear when he regains consciousness.

"Shut the hell up." Luke's voice is deep and striking.

"Fuck you!" Patrick spits.

Patrick.

Pete lifts his head up weakly, eyes slowly opening. The sight makes his blood boil.

Patrick is sitting on his feet, hands cuffed behind him. His fedora is upside down in front of him and his hair is a mess. His cheeks are blistered and red yet he continues to sob. Every sob causes his small frame to shake. He looks angry though, bitter tears raining down as he looks up to Luke. Luke looms over him, a disgusting smirk on a formerly sweet face. Luke squats down in front of Patrick.

"What did you say?" The smirk drops off.

"Fuck. You." Patrick hisses through clenched teeth.

Luke smacks Patrick. The piercing noise is followed by a cry.

"Get the fuck away from him." Pete grumbles lowly.

It's loud enough for both Patrick and Luke to look over.

"Pete!" Patrick tries to walk over on his knees.

Luke shoves him back and walks over to Pete. "Fine for you to join us."

Pete doesn't answer, he attempts to move his hands but he can't.

"Handcuffs are a wild thing." Luke smiles.

"What do you want from us?" Pete tries to pull himself out of the restraints.

"Did you read any of the notes I sent?"

Pete doesn't hesitate to lean back and kick Luke backward. "You're a piece of shit, I hope you know that!" Pete cries.

"And you've been one since high school." Patrick adds, regaining himself on his knees, slowly making his way over to Pete.

"I'm sorry, I'm confused." Luke sits up.

"How are you confused!?" Patrick yells.

"You got fucking arrested! How'd they even let you be a cop!?" Pete continues to pull against the cuffs.

"Luke Palmer? I don't know him. I'm Martin Lucas Palmer. I go by Luke."

Patrick's face falls. "You fucking changed your name." His voice is a light whisper.

"More than that, my dear." He walks over to Patrick. "My name is new and my social security is too. There's no evidence that I know you two or that I went to Parkdale."

"You're a fucking monster." Pete growls.

"I like this name more." Luke continues on. "It gives me more power." He grabs Patrick by the bicep and lifts him off the ground.

Pete struggles to stand after him. Once he does, Luke knocks him right back down and he lands hard on his back. Without his hands to stop him, the wind is knocked out of him and there's only a wheezing noise.

"This name gives me more strength and freedom." He walks over, Patrick in tow, and looms over Pete. "With this name, nothing is going to stop me now."

Pete tries his hardest to see where Luke is going but fails miserably. Luke turns off the light too, leaving Pete in darkness. By the time he regains his wind, Patrick and Luke are gone.

"HEY." Pete yells, finding his way back to his feet.

He searches every inch of the area barn, using his foot to guide him. It's secluded and extremely dark. Pete can't find an exit or window. Suddenly a blinding white floods his eyes. He groans and shuts his eyes, hoping to adjust. Pete tries to listen to sounds. They're coming closer and it's to his right. There's a slight wheezing noise, as if someone is struggling to breathe.