So, this is the creepiest story I've ever written. I don't know I had a dream about this happening to me and wrote it down, a couple of months ago, and then I decided to write it as a Niff fan fiction. I hope you guys don't get too creeped out and stop reading it. Anyway I hope you like this chapter, and please review!
Days have gone by since Nick's kidnapping. Every day he had learned more and more about his new "family." His father was kind and loving towards them, but then as soon as they did something he didn't approve of, they'd get hit, hard.
The day before Nick and Jeff had been cleaning their room and Jeff had spilled juice on the floor. Their father had come in and pulled him from the room. A minute later Jeff returned sobbing loudly and clutching his side. After they finished cleaning, their father happily watched a movie with them and allowed them a bowl of ice cream.
Jeff was the scariest part of it all. He believed he was 8, maybe even younger. Every morning Jeff would watch a cartoon, a different one each time. Then after their hour of school he'd color in a coloring book.
Today he had asked Nick to play with him. Nick had agreed hesitantly and Jeff led him into a playroom. Various stuffed animals lay in a tub, and games lined a bookcase. Jeff picked two baby dolls from the tub and handed one of them to Nick.
"We're going to play house, this is our babies, Olive and Nathan." He cradled the fake baby to his chest and smiled.
Nick nearly dropped the doll, it was the first time he had ever heard Jeff say something as childish as that. "Okay."
Jeff took his hand and led him to a play kitchen in the corner of the room. "So first we have to cook them dinner, like good daddies." He set the baby on a small chair, dropped to his knees so he could match the height of the kitchen, and began to take out the fake food items and put them in a pot, "These are for the soup."
Nick set the baby beside the other one and sat on the floor beside the kitchen.
Jeff opened the fridge and looked at Nick, "You have to get the juice, and pour it in the cups." Nick nodded and picked out the bottle of juice, he poured it into the cups (nothing came out) and set them on a table. He really wanted to stop, he felt silly, but he didn't. He had to make Jeff happy.
Without thinking he spoke, "Jeff how old are you?"
Jeff looked up at him, "8." He turned back to the stove and began to add fake salt and pepper to the pot.
As Jeff set the "soup" on the table their Father came down the stairs and clapped a hand to his mouth. "You two, hold on let me get the camera." He reached for his back pocket and took out his phone; he quickly snapped a picture of the two of them, who were either spoon feeding a baby or looking away in embarrassment.
Jeff squealed in excitement, "Daddy come play with us!"
Their father shook his head, "No, clean up, and come upstairs it's time for class."
Jeff looked at Nick disappointed, "Okay, father, we'll be up in a flash."
Nick nodded in agreement and began to gather the fake bowls and cups and set them back in the play fridge. He got up, dusted his knees and waited for Jeff. Jeff got up and held his hand out for Nick to take. Nick took it, not knowing why. They always held hands when they were together.
Jeff squeezed his hand, "Nicky I like holding your hand."
Nick said nothing but led him up the stairs so they could go to their 'class.'
Father Homeschooled them, of course he never allowed Nick to leave the house, so why would he let Nick go to school. But it wasn't things a normal 16 year old would learn, it was things an 8 year old would learn.
Today they were learning about the planets, the acronym that helped them remember the order, and the colors. They had to draw all the planets in order and color them. Nick finished quickly and handed it to father. Jeff was counting on his fingers and trying hard to remember the colors.
Jeff looked up at him sadly, "Nicky, you are so smart."
Nick smiled, "So are you, just remember the acronym."
Jeff's innocent eyes widened and he began to write the names down, "Nicky what comes after Mars."
"Jupiter."
A sharp smack was sent to his arm making Nick flinch away. Father was starting up again.
Without thinking Nick blurted out, "What?" That was a very bad choice, especially since anger dripped from the word.
Father stood up and dragged him out of the room, Jeff watched with wide eyes, tears beginning to pool in them. Nick fought to get free.
"Don't you dare talk back to me ever," Father hissed. He punched him in the face and pushed him into the wall. Nick didn't cry out, he held his ground. He couldn't show a weakness. He felt his cheek beginning to throb but he didn't grab at it. Father looked at him satisfied and pushed him back into the room.
Jeff looked at Nick and gasped, "Daddy..." he whispered. A blue bruise was forming just below Nick's eye.
Father gave him a dirty glance and rolled his eyes, "He deserved it."
Jeff looked down and continued coloring Neptune. Nick slumped down beside Jeff and sketched lines on a paper.
Jeff wiped a tear from his eye and gave his finished work to father. He took it and looked over it. "You two can leave now."
Nick stood up quickly and left. Jeff kissed his father on the cheek and left as well.
Jeff searched for Nick for 20 minutes before finding him in the attic. He was sitting on the couch, cheek pressed against the window and eyes closed.
"Nicky?" Jeff whispered walking forward and sitting beside him.
Nick opened his eyes and looked over at Jeff; he said nothing and shut his eyes again. Jeff crawled over to him on the couch and cuddled himself against Nick's chest. Nick wrapped his arms around Jeff and felt the boy sigh.
Jeff, of course, was too innocent to understand what was going on. He believed Nick had come to them by a stork like Dumbo. He also didn't understand that his father's punishments were cruel. Nick couldn't stop thinking about his friends and family, they were probably frightened beyond their minds. Nick was gone, one day he was there, and the next he wasn't. All because of Father.
Trying to cheer Nick up Jeff sat up and stroked Nick's hair. "Nicky, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Nick, who was still aching with pain, both emotional and physical, answered. "I don't know." 'I'm never going to make it out of here, so what's the point,' he thought, not wanting to say that aloud in fear of scaring Jeff. "A dancer, maybe. What about you?"
Jeff thought, "I want to be a prince. And marry my true love. Like Cinderella."
Nick smiled, "A beautiful princess, in a white gown. You two would dance until the night ends."
Jeff shook his head, "I don't want to marry a princess. I want to marry a prince."
And in that moment, Nick made a promise to himself. He had to help Jeff get out of here, and perhaps he'll find his prince.
