Work Text:
Victim’s hand suddenly started spinning in a circular motion. Chosen watched carefully as a lasso suddenly appeared in his hand. Panic filled his head as he now knew his mission. Flee. Fire sparked from Chosen’s hands, lifting him off the ground and away from the stranger that had trapped him. But Chosen was not fast enough, for the lasso had wrapped around his neck, choking him as it was drawn taut.
“Agh!” Chosen choked as he almost fell to the ground. The rope was suddenly pulled again, causing the black hollow head to hit the floor. Tears pricked his eyes as he struggled to breathe. But this was no time for hesitation. He needed to free himself or he could die. Chosen grabbed the rope, weakly trying to grab enough to loosen the loop from his neck. But instead, Victim pulled Chosen closer, flinging him to the floor on his back. Chosen feebly flipped onto his arms and knees, trying to get away from his abuser. A sudden sharp crack was heard behind him. Chosen turned to see that Victim was using the other end of the rope as a whip. With a scattered brain, Chosen struggled to get his body to listen to his brain. Chosen flaied as he tried to flee, hearing the whip once more.
“No! Please!!” Chosen suddenly cried out. He curled up, covering his head with his arms, and pulling his legs in. Chosen laid there shaking with terror. Suddenly, the rope went slack. Confusion washed over Chosen as the rope was removed from his neck and he was embraced in a hug.
“Wh-what…?” Suddenly, there was the sound of a bell ringing.
“CUT!!! Vincent, what are you doing?!” Cody looked up to see his older brother in tears.
“I'm sorry! But I just can't help it!” Vin sobbed. “He looked so scared and I didn't want to hurt my baby brother!”
“Lame!” Danica shouted at him. The director sighed and shook his head.
“Alright, 30 minute break!” He shouted. Vincent stood, helping his little brother up.
“Are you ok Cody? You're not too hurt are you? Oh, I'm so sorry.” Vincient said as he hugged the younger boy.
“I'm fine Vin. I was just acting.” Cody chuckled as he patted his older brother’s back.
“And you're absolutely sure about that? Look at your neck! It’s starting to bruise!” Vincent said as he tilted Cody’s head to the side.
“Come on, let's get you an ice pack.” Before Cody could protest, his older brother was already dragging him away. That was before their cousin, Danica, stopped them.
“You're such a worry wart Vinnie! Let the kid live a little!” She laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and messing up his hair.
”Hey! Stop that! Don't mess up my hair!” Vincent shoutted, trying to escape the stronger girl. As Danica distracted Vincent, she gestured for Cody to go. Cody mouthed a “thank you” before running off to join his friends.
Cody ran over to the break area, immediately spotting his friends.
“Hey guys!” Cody shouted as he ran up to them.
“Cody!” They all cheered as they hopped out of their seats and ran to hug their friend.
“Are you ok?!”
“You're scene is so scary!”
“Did you finish filming?”
“I bet Vincent chickened out again.”
“You're such a great actor!”
“Here, have some water.”
“Thanks Soren.” Cody said as he took the water bottle from his younger cousin. Soren nodded as Yevette suddenly stepped up.
“So, did Vinnie chicken out again?” She asked with a smirk. Cody chuckled and fiddled with the bottle in his hands.
“Maybe…?” Cody said with a lopsided smile.
“Ha! I told you!!” Yevette said as she turned to the rest of the gang.
“What?! Again?!” Berry groaned.
“Now yall gotta pay up!” Peyton said as they fist bumped with Yevette. The others groaned as they got out their candy. They handed over their lifesaver gummies and snickers as Cody laughed.
“You guys really bet on Vincent stopping the scene?” Cody laughed.
“When do we NOT make bets on anything?” Reed scoffed. Everyone laughed at Reed’s comment. He was right after all. The group of friends were always betting on something. Cody chuckled and took a sip of the cold water. As he did, Gabriel noticed the bruising on Cody’s neck.
“Dude. You're literally starting to bruise around your neck!” Gabe shouted. The rest of the group turned to look.
“Ah, Vincent did say that huh?” Coddy muttered. Remembering what his brother was originally taking him to do, Cody put the cold bottle up to his neck. He flinched at first, but he held the bottle to the bruising.
“Vince’s gonna kill you if he doesn't get his act together.” Berry suddenly blurted. Yevette elbowed the boy hard in the side, causing him to wince.
“Ow! Sorry!” Berry huffed. Cody chuckled.
“Ah, it's fine. I'm sure the director will give the scene a break… Or completely recast Victim altogether.”
“I heard that!” Cody and his friends jumped and turned to see Vincent leaning against the wall. The older brother wore a sort of poker face. Scaring Cody and Soren.
“O-Oh hey Vin!” Cody stuttered. Vincent stalked up to the little group, causing them all to stumble back in fear.
“W-w-wait!!! W-we were joking! Right guys?! We were just joking!” Soren pleaded with his older cousin. Vincent glared down at him, an almost angry smile resting on his lips. Soren cowered away and behind Cody.
“I was going easy on you Cody. but it seems you really want the hard way.” Vincent said with a terrifyingly calm demeanor. He leaned into Cody, still with the irritated smile.
“C-can you please not hurt me?” Cody squeaked out. Suddenly, the bell telling the actors to come back to the stage rang. Cody knew he was screwed. Vincent chuckled and stood straight again.
“Prepare yourself little brother. This time, I won't ‘chicken out’.” Vincent said as he turned and walked away.
“And you can bet on it!” He called back as he disappeared behind the corner. Cody and the gang stood there frozen. Peyton suddenly rested a hand on Cody’s shoulder.
“Well, it was nice knowing ya Cody.” They said with a depressed look.
“Wha-Peyton!”
“RIP Cody.” Soren said, hand over his heart.
“Not you too!!” Cody screeshed.
“Actors for scene seven, please return to the set.” The co director’s voice came on the loudspeaker.
“I'm so dead.” Cody said as he tried to turn and run. But Gabriel and Reed grabbed him.
“Noooo!!! I'm too young to die!!!!” Cody cried as they pulled him back to the set. Soren, Peyton, Yevette, and Berry stood there watching as the two boys dragged away the oldest group member.
“How much you guys wanna bet Vincent will actually kill him?” Yevette snickered.