knives out || why don't we

"Roses"

24

𝚉𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙴𝙻

"BYE!" ZACH CALLED

out with a giggle falling from his lips and his hand waving to the blonde boy with a smile. "Are you sure you're okay with going home alone?" The blonde boy questioned, pulling Zach back with a tug at his arm. "Yes, Corbyn, i'm fine," Zach once more giggled at his best friend, kissing the older's cheek and walking away from his home.

The sixteen year old watched after the thirteen year old, a worried smile on his lips. It was nighttime and very scary outside with the many abductions only days before. "I love you!" Corbyn called out to him, he had the strong feeling it was going to be the last sentence to be exchanged between them. "I love you, too!" With a last wave, Zach was out of sight and Corbyn had closed his front door, immediately calling the younger boy's parents to tell them Zach was on his way.

Zach hummed the song in his head, a smile on his face as he continued his walk home; it was only two blocks, nothing too intimidating in his lovable town. Turning a corner, he looked back; uneasiness coursing through his veins— he could feel somebody's stare.

Taking out his phone he pretended to call someone, hoping it would scare off whoever was following him. "Yeah, mom, i will be home in no-time," He spoke with a shaking voice, his phone shut off since it was completely drained of any battery percentage.

"Will you, huh?" The hands on his arms made him freeze, the unexpected voice entering his ears. "You won't, will you? A fake phone call, smart, sweetheart," The unknown blonde had his front against the boy's back, holding him tightly and making sure there was no unexpected movement. "Why don't you come home with me, sweetheart. It will be fun, promise," Zach didn't answer, keeping his frozen state.

"I have a weapon, so any unexpected movement and i will blow your head off," The threatening whisper made Zach's eyes glaze with tears, the honey-brown orbs seeming black in the lack of light the small street lanterns gave. "O-okay," The brunette stuttered out, feeling the arms tighten and guide him to a car. Zach was forcefully pushed into the passenger seat, his hands and ankles being tied with rope. "The name's Daniel, sweetheart, but you won't be calling me that for long," The blonde placed a kiss on the brunette's forehead, his fingertips tracing Zach's jawline softly.

Closing the door, Daniel walked to the other side of the car, sitting down in the driver's seat and starting the car with a turn of the key. "W-where are w-we going?" Zach questioned, maybe Daniel was dumb enough to give him the answer. "Adelaide forest, my love," With a grin, he turned the car left; following the oh-so familiar route.

Stopping the car in the alley, Daniel stepped out and slammed the car door closed; making the young teen jump in his seat. Zach's body was shaking, but he knew he had to stay calm; if he stayed calm, maybe he could find a way out of this situation without having to harm himself in anyway. Daniel opened his car door, pulling Zach's knees over his one arm and leaning the other behind his back.

"I c-can walk," Zach stuttered out, but Daniel knew he would have to cut the rope around his ankles loose. "No, i'm not that dumb, sweetheart. You're fine in my arms," Without another word, the twenty-five year old carried the thirteen year old across the park and through the trees. "What are you going to do do with me?" Zach questioned, leaning his head on Daniel's shoulder, the placement in his arms was uncomfortable and Zach knew there was no way out; they were covered by the darkness and trees— nobody would be able to see them and Daniel held him tightly.

"Shh," The blonde shushed him, not saying another word and keeping his gaze in front of him, carrying the boy through the trees and dirt. "All beauty must die," Daniel whispered, his hand cupping Zach's cheek as he stopped by the river. He let the boy down to stand on his feet and held him close; both looking out at the stream of water and trees full of black and dark green— it was a cold, scary night.

"Look at the roses. Aren't they ugly," Zach looked at the side of the river, seeing the dead flowers laid on the ground, people having stepped on them and killed the beautiful red. A kiss was planted on Zach's temple, making the boy turn around and look at the older male. The last thing Zach heard was a muttered word, the blonde looking down at him with a smile; a rock in his fist.

The next day, Daniel took him where the wild roses grew; not the ugly, stepped-on roses he had planted. He kissed him on the forehead for a final goodbye, laying the boy down in the water on his back. The blonde plucked a beautiful, healthy rose, leaning down and putting the rose between the bloody lips and teeth. "All beauty must die,"

wc: 873.