Chapter Text
1950 April 1st,
*Today is the anniversary of the day I was kidnapped. It's been five years...five years of agony and twisted torment, but I can't do anything to stop it. I've tried running away but the door is too heavy for me to push open and there are no windows for me to crawl out of. There is just a small vent that my head could barely go through and these chains don't make it easy.
I keep trying to remember how I got here, but I just can't. Everything's a blur.*
Sean closed his small notebook, putting it aside on the cold cement floor alongside his worn out pencil. He leaned back against the cold brick wall, his worn gray shirt brushing against it. He rests his leg over the other. His shorts brush against his pale thin thighs.
*It's evening* Sean thought.
*It's time for dinner* He sighed. The basement was cold and unwelcoming. The only thing that helped Sean not freeze to death was an old mattress and blanket.
He sat in silence, staring up at the ceiling before he heard a noise, his head darts toward the door. The rust on the door hinges made a squeak sound which Sean has gotten used to throughout the years. It signalled **he** was here.
Sean looked down, not daring to look him in the eyes. The kidnappers footsteps grew closer as they descended the wooden staircase. He approached, kneeling down so he and Sean were eye to eye and placed a plate down. The plate had an over ripe banana and a jam sandwich.
Sean eyed the plate, grimacing but quickly covering it up by looking down, making his hair cover his face.
*Cigarettes* Sean remembered.
*Thats what he always smelt like, the smoke always makes me suffocate*
The kidnapper lifted Sean's chin with his finger, forcing Sean to look at him.
"Now, now, don't cover that pretty little face of yours" He moved a strand of dirty blonde hair behind Sean's ear "Were you writing in your notebook again?" He calmly questioned, giving Sean a grin that only means trouble.
Sean flinched away from his touch.
"I was" He replied hesitantly, watching him.
*He always has a knitted green sweater on with blue pants, I've never seen him without it. He probably doesn't have any other clothes* Sean figured.
"Why don't you let me take a peek then, hm" the man suggests "I'm interested, what you have been writing about lately"
Before Sean could deny, the kidnapper grabbed the notebook.
"W-wait" Sean tries taking it back, but he only moved farther away so Sean couldn't reach him.
"It's rude to deny people Sean" He opened the notebook and started reading through it. Sean watched helplessly as the man flipped through the pages. "I should really teach you how to write better" The kidnapper mumbled under his breath, pausing on one page and bursting into laughter.
A chill ran down Sean's spine.
*Why the hell is he laughing* Sean stiffened.
He closed the notebook, tossing it to Sean "This is interesting" He muttered.
Sean caught the notebook and held it to his chest.
"It's your five year anniversary with me" He grinned
"How splendid is that"
The kidnapper stood up with a small grunt "This means we have to celebrate" He hummed, thinking for a second "I got it, we will have so much fun Sean" By that tone Sean knew nothing good will come his way.
The man turned towards the stairs "I'll be back" Before turning to face Sean "Don't go missing me too much now" He said playfully.
Before the man could utter another word he paused. The sound of a gunshot rang throughout the hollow basement. Sean's eyes widen, instinctively shrinking back as he saw a bullet striking through the man's head.
The kidnapper struggled to balance and collapsed onto the cold floor. Dark liquid escaped his head, staining the cement under him.
Sean froze as he heard footsteps going down the narrow staircase making a thud with every step.
The body of the person walking down was slowly revealed. It looked to be a person dressed in a brown trench coat with a dark colored hat on. They were wearing a mask on their face, though strands of light colored hair could be seen from under the hat.
The person stood at the bottom of the steps, glancing at the body of the kidnapper before glancing at Sean.
After a few seconds they approached Sean. The basement felt colder as if the temperature dropped when they came in.
"Who are you" The person's stern voice rang throughout the basement.
Sean darted his eyes "Sean.. My name is Sean" He shook. The person moved closer to Sean.
"What are you doing here kid?" They enquired flatly.
"I-i was kidnapped-"
The person tilted their head "kidnapped? By that guy?" They pointed toward the kidnappers body with their gun.
Sean flinched "Yeah" He whispered.
They glanced at Sean one last time before turning toward the stairs "Well now you're free"
"Wait!" Sean pleaded "I'm chained up, if you leave me here I'll stave to death"
"You already look like you're doing that" The person eyed sean, kneeling beside him "How do you expect me to unchain you, kid"
"The man" He nudged his head toward the body "He has a key inside his pocket"
The person stared at Sean for a second before going through the kidnappers pockets, pulling out a small key.
*What am I doing with my life, going through a dead man's pocket's* They thought.
The person approached Sean once again. Letting the chains which were around his ankle fall.
"You're free now" The person repeated, turning around and leaving the basement.
Sean rubbed his ankle which was red from the chains. He stood up, wobbling slightly as he stood in place. *If I stay here.. I will die* He grimmly thought *But if I go after him I might be able to find a city or town to stay in*
The sound of the front door closing echoed through the house.
*This is my only chance* And with that Sean ran up the stairs and through the door, not caring about the house interior or the new things he saw.
The soft breeze of the night sky brushed his face while the moon gave the forest light. And for the first time in those five years he felt free.
"W-wait" He tripped over a small rock which was just outside the front door. His ankle ach was getting worse but he just sucked it up knowing he would rather be in pain than die.
Just as quick as he fell he stood up, running after the person and almost tripping once again.
The person faintly glanced at Sean "Don't follow me" He scowled.
A shiver went through Sean's skin at their cold tone "Thank you for saving me" He thanked but only got met with silence.
The person's strides grew longer, as if trying to get rid of Sean's presence.
Eventually after a few seconds of silence the person spoke.
"Don't thank me"
The light in Sean's eyes flattened "But you saved me" He confirmed
"I only came for that guy, not you" They remarked.
Before Sean could utter a word he noticed they were on a small oak bridge. The steady stream under the bridge sloshed against the rocks.
Sean knew he should leave, maybe find a shelter or a town he could live in, maybe someone would take pity and adopt him. But something stopped him. Was it sadness for what he just left behind? Maybe anger? No.... It was fear. The fear of being alone in the world. Back at the small house he had his kidnapper, even though he wasn't a great example, they still took care of him. Maybe, just maybe by following this man, he won't be alone. He was the first person he had seen in years other than the kidnapper. But the image of them getting shot stuck in his mind, eating at his thoughts and filling them with fear.
With all the courage he could find Sean spoke.
"What's your name..."
The question Sean asked made the person stop, right on the middle of the bridge.
"Why do you want to know my name" The person questioned blankly.
Sean felt like the words got stuck in his throat, leaving him quiet.
"I-i don't know" He admitted "I just want to know who the person that saved me is.." Sean glanced at the person "Your mask is scary"
"Kid, you are really traumatized" They noted flatly.
"I'm sorry-" Before Sean could finish his sentence, the person spoke.
"Dont follow me kid"
Sean's eyes widen as he stepped forward, wincing at his wound "I don't have anywhere else to go"
"Thats not my problem now is it, bug off"
They turned their back to Sean as they continued walking.
Sean's eyes fill with unshed tears "Don't leave me here alone" He cried "I don't know where I am"
Sean tries to catch up to their long strides.
The person turns their head slightly to look at Sean.His eyes glistening with tears.
"I hate kids..." The person mumbled under their breath before stopping, leaning against a tree.
"Look kid" They started "I don't need a little bugger following me around"
Sean catches his breath, slightly gasping for air.
"I know... But-" He hesitates "I don't know anyone else, you're the only person I had seen in those six years.."
They stood in silence, staring at each other for what felt like years before the person spoke.
"I am horrible with kids, you should go into town and find some guy who would adopt you"
"Where is town..."
The person lowered their head with a sigh, of course Sean wouldn't know where the town is.
"Come with me then kid" They finally gave in as they turned toward the cobble pathway.
Sean nodded, quickly hurrying to match their pace.
The walk was quiet, leafs sloshed against their branches as the moon shined the path in front.
"Bob" They murmur.
Sean tilted his head "Bob?"
"You asked for my name, it's Bob"
Sean let the name sink in "Thank you for saving me, Bob"
The person glared at Sean "You really are dense"
But all they got in response was a confused gaze from Sean.
"Never mind"
Awkward silence filled the air once again for a few moments.
"You said you-" Sean paused "Killed that man because of you needed to, right?"
The person nodded.
"Why..." He questioned.
"It's my job"
"Killing people?"
The person paused "Yeah...something like that"
The fact that the person admitted it made Sean uneasy, was he really walking beside a serial killer.
Sean didn't want to ask it but it just slipped out "Will you kill me?.."
"If I wanted to I would have left you for dead back at that house"
The person had a fair point, but the way they're fiddling with the gun in their pocket. He knew he couldn't trust them, but he had no choice. Either trusting them, even slightly, or being left for dead.
The site of buildings can be seen though the tree's.
"Is that-" His breath hitched, it was the town.
They both step onto the gravel streets of the town, street lights shine a warm yellow color on them as they walk down the empty streets, which in the mornings are bustling with life.
"It's so quiet" Sean murmured
"It is midnight after all" The person added, turning a corner "There is an orphanage nearby, il take you there"
Sean's eyes widen "An orphanage?" He looked at the large building they were approaching.
"Of course, do you expect me to adopt you?"
The person approaches the door, knocking on it before trying to open it. "This is just smashing" Sarcasm spilt through their teeth "It's night, of course they won't be open" They groaned before turning to Sean.
"Guess you'll just have to stay with me for the night"
Sean's eyes lighten up before hesitating "I don't want to be a burden"
"It's fine, it's just one night" The person said blankly, leading Sean deeper into the town.
They reach a small inn. The inn was connected to a few houses, having a few cracks on the brick walls.
They open the door, ringing small bell above them signalling their presence. The room was well kept, a small foyer greeting them. Out the foyer was a room and in the middle of it was a oak desk with a person behind it. The man looked to be around middle aged having dark hair and eyes.
"Good evening" They greeted "I'm the owner of this inn, you can call me Jered"
They stepped in front of the desk.
"I want a room for one night" The person replied blankly.
"I see, for you and your kid am I correct"
They fell silent at the owners words.
*Sean doesn't even look like me, what kind of a idiot runs this inn.*
The person stiflled a scowl before continuing.
"Yeah" Even though it hurt for them to say it, they had no choice. If they would have said that Sean wasn't his child then Jered would think they kidnapped him. Sean basically kidnapped the person, not the other way around.
"Great then" He chuckled studying the person "Halloween is still far away to wear a mask"
When met with silence the owner opened a small notepad which was near his desk.
"That would be two quid for one night" Jered motions to the left door "The communal bathroom is on the left. If you need anything else feel free to come to my room since the desk closes at 11:30pm" The owner pulls out a pocket watch and study's the time.
"It's 11:20pm which means you made it here in time"
The person nodded "Two quid you said?"
"That's correct"
The person pulled out a small wallet from the inside of their trenchcoat, taking out two quid and placing it on the table.
Jared opens his desks drawer, shuffling around seemingly looking for something before pulling out a key.
"Your room is on the second floor, right side"
They take the key and slightly nod, moving toward the hallway with Sean behind them.
As they walk though the slim hallway and up the stairs they turn to the right side, making way to their room.
The person unlocked the door with the key Jared gave them and stepped into the room with Sean behind them. As they walked in immediately they felt the humble atmosphere.
In the middle of the room was a decent size bed with white sheets and blankets folded on top the others which were neatly placed on the corner of the bed. On the left was a small kitchen area and on the right was a worn out couch.
"Of course there is only one bed" They groaned, closing the door behind them.
"You take the bed kid, il sleep on the couch"
"Are you sure" Sean hesitates.
"Don't make me rethink" They warned.
Sean nods, walking toward the bed and sitting on it "It's super comfy" He admits.
The person took off their trenchcoat and hat revealing their pale lean but athletic figure. They wore a white button up which was tucked into their black jeans. They hang the coat on a wall hook before turning towards Sean.
"You should go to sleep" They say, sitting down on the couch.
"Won't it be hot for you to sleep with that mask on" Sean murmured.
They glanced at Sean before taking off their mask.
What Sean saw wasn't what he expected.
The person was a man who looked to be in his twenties. His hair was blonde and the underside, a blue color. His stern eyes were the color of emeralds.
"It's rude to stare you know" The man put down his mask on the ground.
"S-sorry" Sean apologized, lowering his head "You just don't look like how I imagined you"
The man hummed "What did you imagine me like"
"More scary" Sean pictured "Maybe a scar on your face, darker eyes"
He chuckles in amusement "Who says I can't be scary" He lowers himself on the couch, his hand resting on his closed eyes.
"Do you want to live in an orphanage" He questioned blankly.
Sean paused, he never gave it any thought.
"I don't know"
"Better make up your mind before morning"
And that was all the man uttered before going quiet.
"I'm sorry" Sean broke the silence.
"For what"
"For causing so much trouble for you"
"You're a pain in my ass right now, but it's morally wrong to leave a kid alone in the forest"
*As if killing someone isn't morally wrong* Sean huffed "I know..but still" His tone apologetic.
The man moved his hand, opening one eye and studying Sean.
"Do you not have any more clothes?"
Sean glanced at his clothes, they were dirty but he shook his head.
"No" He admitted "I only ever got new clothes every few months or so, and if I did I got my kidnapper's hand me downs"
"Tragic" The man sighed "You should get to sleep, it's almost 1"
Sean nods as he lays down, his body making a small dip in the mattress of the bed as he rests his head on the pillow. He grabbed ahold of the blanket and pulled it up to his chest.
"Goodnight Bob" He muttered droozily.
"Night kid" The man replied.
Just like that they both fell into a light slumber.