(*sprinkles glitter everywhere* As promised.)

Ugh..." Jean tried to sit up, but hardly moved at all. Something was very wrong with this situation.

Brown eyes opened and were greeted by harsh sunlight that was streaming in from a single, dirty window. The room was a mess...peeling off-white wallpaper barely clung to rotted wooden walls. The air was stale and had a strangely bitter scent to it as Jean inhaled deeply, trying to think through his pounding headache.

Even though his vision was hazy, he could make out a door across from him. A way out...

Well...not yet, anyway. There was still one problem; he was restrained to the bed. It looked old enough, just a simple iron framed bed that looked like it should be on display in an antique store somewhere. Attached to his wrists were leather restraints that had been screwed into the bedposts. A few hard tugs showed that they wouldn't be coming lose any time soon.

"Shit..." He muttered out loud, his eyes widened when the events of last night flooded back to him and he froze in place. That man...he'd taken him here, hadn't he? Why?

And Marco...he'd just killed him. Oh god... that was still a lot to take in. It was almost as if it couldn't have really happened. Like it wasn't real. You could say a part of him was in denial about it.

"Hey! Is anyone out there?!" Jean yelled at the top of his lungs. It wasn't a very good idea to go screaming in the house of a psychopath, but he was already pretty screwed. That didn't change the fact that he was scared shitless and shaking like goddamn leaf.

As soon as he called out, light footsteps could be heard running up what sounded like a flight of stairs. The door clicked open and a figure that Jean couldn't quite make out appeared in the doorway.

"You're awake!" Said a soft voice, followed by a small laugh. "I didnt think you would be this soon...father hit you pretty hard, I heard. But dont worry, you'll be okay."

"Who are you?" Jean squinted to try and see the person, but all he saw was blonde hair and a fuzzy face. Jeez, his vision was pretty messed up...and he was pretty sure there dried blood on his cheek too. It felt tight...flaky...eww.

"Does you're head still hurt? I bandaged it up, but I didn't have time to clean you...would you like me to?" The figure ignored his question and walked closer. The bed creaked slightly as he sat down next to him and allowed Jean to get a better look.

It was boy, he could see that now. It'd been a little hard to judge just by his voice. Large blue eyes glanced down at him on a face framed by thick blonde hair, a kind smile on his face that clashed with what was happening. Not a time to be smiling, thats for sure. There was something...off about the boy. Strange. He didn't act bothered by this in the slightest. As a matter of fact, he looked comfortable with it all.

Jean stiffened as the boy reached over and brushed back a few strands of hair that had fallen over his eyes. "...don't be scared. I made father promise that he wouldn't let anyone eat you." He then smiled again and leaned forwards, planting a kiss on his forehead.

"...e-eat me?" Did he hear that right? This kid couldn't be serious... "You don't really mean that, do you?" When received a blank stare in response, he felt his stomach drop.

"Yes. The other boy you were with...father brought him back with you when he finished hunting. But you were still breathing...so I got him to let me keep you." The boy cocked his head slightly to the left. "Everyone else he brings back is dead or saved for later, so I guess I got lucky this time! It gets lonely here by myself...everyone is always so busy."

Oh for fucks sake. What had he gotten into...this kid was coo-coo for fucking coco puffs. Jean swallowed hard and forced what he hoped was a convincing smile to his face. "Uh...y-yeah...I guess you are. You still didn't tell me what you're name was..."

The boy's own smile brightened when he saw the other's own smile. "Armin."

"Great...Armin. Do you think you could help me out of these things?" He pulled at his restraints, choosing his words carefully. If he got lucky, this kid might be stupid enough to help him.

Armin promptly shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I was told not to until father says."

Shit.

"Whats's your name? I told you mine, it's only fair that you tell me yours."

"...Um...Jean." Jean replied after a few moments. "...Armin. You wouldn't happen to know what...what happened to my friend, would you?" His pulse speed up as he choked out the question.

Armin shrugged his thin shoulders. "Him? I do believe we'll be having him tonight...why?"

"Oh." Jean whispered. So he really was gone then...Marco was gone. He sucked in a deep breath and ground his teeth until they hurt, staring off at the opposite wall. "...just...wondering."

How long had it taken for his life to go down the toilet? A few hours at most. Even if he DID manage to get out of here, Marco would still be gone. There was no changing that. What made matters worse, was the fact that there wouldn't even be a funeral for him. His best friend was going to served up on a silver platter for these sick fuckers like an animal. The thought of that reality...lets just say it was a good thing he could move at the moment.

But he had to focus on getting himself out now, there wasn't time for him to grieve. He could just as easily be next on the menu.

(I have this story pretty well planned out, but if anyone reading as an idea they'd like to share, go right ahead. c:)