Chapter Text
AGE-6
LANDON KING
The sounds of footsteps echoed across the room and through the long wooden door, a man entered wearing an all black outfit, hair styled perfectly, not a single strand escaping.
He stopped in front of me, looking down at my small and wounded figure. Though, he wasn't that tall — probably around five-foot-ten — his presence still felt so commanding and scary. The men in my family were taller and even intimidating, but there was something about him that was sending chills down my spine.
Maybe it was the way he held himself with a confidence that screamed power and danger, or the way he was looking down at me as if he could snap me in two.
I pulled my knees closer to my chest, hissing slightly at the contact as my body was all scraped up from the accident from earlier.
My chin wobbled remembering what had happened.
Mum and Dad took us all out for the family trip to the island they own. Bran, my twin, and I were shouting and fooling around, as our parents shook their heads at us — though, Dad looked rather amused.
Glyndon, who turned two a few weeks ago, was sitting on a chair. Her curly honey-blonde hair tied in a small ponytail, babbling in a barely understandable language.
Everyone was happy.
Until, we got into an accident when we were going back to our home. The events from then are blurry in my memory, but I remember shaking an unconscious Bran, while calling out for my parents.
No one answered.
After that, I only remember waking up in this dark and cold room. I don't even know how long it has been since then, but from the growling of my stomach, most likely it has been more than a day.
My eyes watered. I want to go back to my family and trouble everyone with my antics. Dad would scold me while also looking amused and Mum would tell him to stop being so harsh with me.
“He’s a child, Levi, and children cause trouble.” These would be her words.
A tear fell from my eyes as I remembered my family. I hope this whole thing turns out to be a nightmare, and I wake up tucked in my bed beside Bran.
The man crouched down, his body hovering over mine, eyes looking straight at me. I averted my gaze, looking down at the floor.
“Are you scared, kid?” He asked, giving me a smile that was showing all of his teeths. It was creepy and very unsettling, making my stomach churn.
I didn't reply. Instead, I wrapped my arms around myself tighter, not even meeting his gaze.
His hand grabbed a fistful of hair, pulling my head back.
I yelped.
“If someone asks you a question, you should reply to them,” he said, his tone venomous despite the cool demeanor he was pretending to have. “Did your useless parents not even teach you this simple thing?”
That line angered me. Even though my whole body was shaking with fear, I looked up and glared at him.
His lips curled up in a smirk, eyes shining with something…vile? I'm not sure of that, but I hate that look. It makes me feel uncomfortable. “Looks like you're a feisty one, huh?” He mused.
I did not let myself waver, even though every fibre in my body wanted to hide away from him. Somewhere this man could never find me.
He leaned down, his breath falling over my face. His cologne flooded my senses, the strong scent of leather and musk made bile rise in my throat. He released my hair and grabbed my chin.
“Kids like you should just stay in their lane and act on whatever orders they are told,” he whispered against my mouth.
I leaned down, throwing up at his hand and shoes. He pulled his hand backward, staring down at the mess I made with furrowed eyebrows, lines forming around his forehead, and lips curled downwards.
My chest filled with satisfaction, and a small smile almost broke out in my face, but I didn't let it show.
He glared at me, mumbling some curse words under his breath, then he lunged forward at me, grabbing me by my throat.
“You fucking bitch!” He spat, his other hand coming down at my face, leaving a burning sensation behind.
He applied more force around my throat, making me cough and gasping for air. It looks like he will kill me. My hands tried to grab his hand in an attempt to remove him from me, even though I know I can't overpower him. But my survival instincts kicked, nonetheless.
Black dots clouded my vision and my head felt lazy. An image of mum, dad, Bran, and Glyn appeared in front of my eyes. They all looked happy, as they spent time with one another.
I wish they could always stay this happy even without me.
Tears cascaded down my cheeks, and just when I thought the blackness would consume me, he released me. I fall back on the ground, coughing and taking long inhales of air.
“Killing you would be too easy,” he said, and I looked up at him. “I have something else planned for you.” He gave me that unsettling smile again, making me want to throw up again.
Then, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, ordering someone to come here. After a few minutes, a few men dressed in black t-shirts and trousers. They all were buff and could knock me out in one breath.
The man from before — who I assume is the boss — pointed at one of them and he walked towards me. On instinct, I took a step back, but it was in vain. He was faster and stronger than me. Gripping me by my leg, he pulled me towards himself.
I thrashed around his grip, shouting, “Leave me alone and don't you dare touch me!” But he grabbed my arms, lifting me up in a swift motion, and put a gag in my mouth, shutting off my screams. But I still tried to speak around the gag, though my voice got muffled from it.
He carried me to a cell and threw me inside it, locking the door behind him. I slumped back on the ground, exhausted.
I removed the gag and stared at the ceiling. All I wish is to go home.
After a while, I diverted my gaze, looking around to find another presence there. The boy was sitting in the corner, quietly. I did not even notice his presence.
His clothes were torn and dirty, and he even has this injury on his forehead. It looked like someone hit him there with something.
Looks like that man has more children as hostages than me.
I walked towards him, sitting beside him and he flinched back a little.
Did I do something wrong?
“Hi,” I said, expecting him to reply back but he didn't. Instead, he just averted his gaze and looked down, making figures on the ground.
“Are you deaf?” I asked him, but instantly facepalmed myself. If he was truly deaf then he wouldn't hear this question either.
Stupid, I thought to myself.
Biting my lips, I moved in front of him, and his head snapped up at me. His grey eyes widened a little, but he still didn't say anything.
Maybe he really is mute.
“Are…you…deaf?” I said the words slowly and loudly so that he would read my lips, while also trying to sign the words even after not knowing sign language.
“I can hear,” he said, with a frown.
My eyes widen and a grin spreads on my face. “You’re not dead?!” I exclaimed.
He shook his head, still frowning at me.
“If you could hear then why didn't you reply to me?” I pout.
He hesitated, wrapping his arms around his knees. “I…didn't feel like talking to you,” he whispered the words.
The grin disappeared from my face. “Why?”
He shrugged, not replying to my question. He didn't seem so interested in talking to me. Which didn't make much sense to me because I'm the most popular boy in my class and everyone wants to be friends with me.
Maybe because he is missing his family like me. This makes me want to befriend him more.
“What's your name?”
No answer.
“If you're not going to tell me your name, then I won't either.”
Again, no answer.
“Are you from the UK or somewhere else?”
Still, no reply.
“Judging from your accent, I think you're American. Am I right?”
Nothing.
“You know my father cooks the best meal in the whole world.”
His body perched up at the mention of my dad, but he still didn't say anything.
I smile internally, at least I got some type of reaction from this robot. Soon he would be replying to my questions as well.
But I will do that tomorrow as I'm too tired and hungry today. “Will that man give us something to eat?” I asked the grey-eyed boy, and in reply he just shrugged.
Not complete ignorance. We are making progress.
“It's fine then,” I said with a sigh and closed my eyes, letting sleep take over.