AN: Hey Everyone! :) How is everyone? :)
First of all, a VERY special THANK YOU to KDesai for ALWAYS reviewing my stories and leaving very sweet reviews! Thank you for the support. This chapter is for you. ;)
Also thank you to Dawofmorning for being very sweet too. :)
Dongirl: I couldn't reply to you personally but THANK YOU for reviewing as well. I appreciate it.
On to the story... We finally get to see who this mystery man is that I have been teasing you all with. :)
This is was very difficult to write. :( It gets very disturbing. If this bothers you click out now. You've been warned.
This is split up into two parts. Part two will be next chapter.
I don't want to give too much away so I'll let you all go ahead and read. If you have questions, let me know. I'll try my best to answer what I can. :)
With that, Lets go to the basement shall we?
Enjoy!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEX3
Chapter 3
By the time Sebastian had his bearings after being shoved down the second time, he found the emaciated, unstable guy huddled against the wall, almost in a fetal position. Seb found the flashlight and waved the light near him to get a better look. The guy was shaking and his arms were covering his head, like he was guarding himself from being hit. His legs were curled under him and there was a fresh urine smell.
However, Sebastian couldn't leave it like this. He reached behind him for his pack and found the first aid kit. Seb used the light to find some gauze, alcohol prep pads, and triple-antibiotic. A flash of unknown fear went through him when he thought of using the alcohol on fresh, perhaps infected wounds. Nevertheless, he had to try.
"Hey." Seb gently said. The guy didn't move. "Hey." Seb took a step closer and the guy jumped back even more if it were possible. "It's OK…. It's OK…" His kind words had no effect. That's when it dawned on him that he'd probably touched a nerve about the guy's mother. So, he tried a different route.
Suddenly, Sebastian made chewing sounds with his mouth. He even moaned a little, as if he was having the best meal of his life. Ridiculously, he kept this up, shining the light on his face, but not in a ghostly way. He just wanted the guy to see that he was enjoying a 'meal'.
Surprisingly, the guy stopped shaking and lowered one arm. So, Seb kept it up. He pretended to chew on the finest delicacy and even rubbed his belly. Seb wondered if he could produce a belch, as disgusting as that was to him. But as he went on and on, the guy began to lower his guard again. More chewing sounds, more 'good food' moaning, more belly rubbing…
The guy relaxed, staring at him. But he was also curious. In an astonishing movement, the guy suddenly crawled towards Seb, the chains that dragged on the floor no longer haunting Sebastian. After a few steps, the guy came to a halt near him.
"Good food!" Sebastian eagerly said. The guy blinked and opened his mouth. "Good food!" He repeated. "Good…food…good…food…good…food…"
"Goooooo fooooo"
"Yes! Seb exclaimed, rubbing his belly.
"Goooood foooood."
"YES!" Seb happily said. "Good food!"
"Good food!"
Sebastian smiled.
"Good food! Good food! Good food!"
Seb's smile faltered just a bit. "Want some more?"
"Mooooooore…."
Sebastian did a double take. The guy knew that word. WELL, THAT'S WEIRD, Seb thought.
"More good food?"
The guy, rotted teeth and all, smiled so, so broadly! "Yeessssss!"
"OK! More good food!"
"OAAAA! More good food!"
Sebastian stood up and the guy frowned. But Seb just put his finger up as the guy stood up as well.
"Back." Seb said.
The guy smiled again! "More good food back!"
"That's right! I'll be right back!" Confidently, Sebastian turned and walked towards the staircase. And before Seb could say anything, the guy said that very same phrase. Sebastian chuckled, heavily amused, and went up the staircase. That's when it occurred to him that the guy had said his first complete sentence.
.
Sebastian was so out of breath he had to take a moment at the bottom of the basement stairs. He also had to adjust to incredible shift in light. Even in the evening time, that basement was as dark as a dungeon. He had a little bundle with him that he assembled from his home. Sebastian thought this would be a good time to get rid of some older canned good in his house. And he was right.
Sebastian walked over to the smiling guy, who didn't rear back when he arrived. Seb sat on the floor directly in front of him and unrolled the pack. But the man simply looked at it curiously.
"They're cans."
"Caaaan…."
"Cans."
The guy thought for a second and then brightened. "Cans!"
WELL, AT LEAST HE REMEMBERS THEM, Sebastian thought. So, his old can opener and paper plates were pulled out of an accompanying knapsack and within minutes, the guy had a veritable feast in front of him – canned corn, Spam, and white bread. Sure, it wasn't what Sebastian wanted and it wasn't even heated up. But the guy inhaled the food! Seb was astonished. But he also used the time to shine his flashlight around the room another time.
That annoying thing was still in his way. It looked rolled in carpet or something and was very heavy. But then, he shined it on something that would be a little problematic.
The guy's neck chain.
Sebastian checked the tools he left on the floor and it was as if they stared back at him cruelly. This would be a different challenge. He got knocked to the floor the first time he tried to free the guy. How could he change things?
"Good food?" Sebastian asked.
The guy smiled with his mouth full. "Gooo fooo!"
Sebastian chuckled and let him eat. In the meantime, he had to think of something!
"Free?"
The guy looked up at him, still eating.
"Free?"
"Freeeeeee."
"That's right. Free." And then, Seb pointed to his neck and then to the guy's neck. "Free?"
The man touched his neck harness. "Freeeee…" This was said much more despondently. Sebastian's heart ached for him. Oh God, he HAD to do something!
So, Sebastian deftly grabbed the metal clippers and scooted a little closer to the chained man.
"I can make you free." Sebastian slowly said. The guy swallowed.
"Free?"
"Yes. Free. Can I free you?"
There was a moment just then when the guy simply looked at him. Sebastian could see the little battle in the guy's head and there was no way of knowing if he understood what Seb meant to do. So, Sebastian scooted closer. The guy did nothing. Closer. Nothing. Closer. Nothing.
Now, Sebastian could feel the guy's penetrating stare and fetid breath on his neck. Heartbeats raised and tension was way too thick. But this had to be done. It just had to be!
"Eat." Sebastian suggested. "And I will free you."
The guy blinked. Twice. He absently took some Spam and shoved it into his mouth. Seb ignored his revulsion and simply smiled.
"Cut now." Seb added, pointing to the guy's neck. He stopped chewing. "Cut." Seb repeated. "Cut. Cut. Cut." He even made scissors movement with his fingers.
It was as if floodgates of understanding had been opened. The guy heartily smiled and Sebastian dared to raise the metal clippers.
"Eat… Eat…"
"Eat… Eat…"
"Eat… Eat…"
Sebastian slowly raised the metal clippers.
"Eat… Eat…"
"Eat… Eat…"
"Free…"
"Freeeeeee…"
The clink of metal on rusted metal sung in the air. Sebastian then maneuvered his other hand to the bind and angled the clippers where they needed to be. Sweat dripped down Sebastian's brow and the eating guy seemed clueless. And suddenly, Sebastian went for it.
Snap! Some of the rusted metal tore away! The guy shook a little, just repeating 'eat', 'eat', 'eat', and he chomped at the revolting Spam.
Clank! More metal freed! The guy ate like a madman!
"C'mon! C'mon!" Sebastian whimpered. He cut, and cut, and cut. But he was only halfway done! And Seb had no idea if the guy was out of Spam or not.
He sheared at the metal, an ugly tearing noise in the dim light. Sebastian had positioned the flashlight too low and he couldn't see very well. But he just cut and cut and cut!
"Pleeeeease!" Seb wailed.
"Pleeeasshh." The guy echoed, mouth STILL full of food.
And that's when it dawned on Seb. The guy was calm, letting him cut. But that didn't deter Sebastian – he didn't want to take any chances.
More cutting, more tearing, more ugly shearing noises! Sebastian was exhausted and his arms ached. The guy just sat there, shoving more food in his mouth.
SNAP!
Suddenly, the clamp was cut and Sebastian yanked it! The guy was free. Seb was panting and reached for his flashlight. He held it up and sure enough – all chains were cut and this poor guy was free.
"You're f-free." He announced, in between breaths.
"Freeeeee." The guy said, still shoving food in his mouth. Sebastian looked down and saw that the last of the creamed corn was scooped by the guy's fingers into his mouth.
JUST IN TIME, Sebastian thought.
Then, he raised the flashlight to the guy's neck and immediately groaned.
Obvious signs of infection were all around the neck. Sores had developed and epidermal pus had formed near the right and left side. And as Sebastian inspected, the guy stared up at him. In fact, once, when Sebastian was across the guy's body looking at his neck, the guy leaned forward and sniffed him. Seb didn't even notice. But the guy seemed hypnotized.
"Ohhhh, this must hurt." Sebastian quietly said. He pulled back just as the guy was pulling back. "But you're free."
"Free?"
"Free."
And then, a thought occurred to Seb. He pointed to himself and said, "Sebastian."
The guy looked at him, puzzled. So, Seb repeated his full first name. No response. Seb shook his head and said, "Seb."
"Seeeee…"
"SeB."
"Seb."
"Yes!"
"Seb!" the guy proudly said.
"Yes!" He pointed to himself. "My name is Seb." And then, he pointed to him. "And you? What is your name?"
"Aaaaaaaa…."
"What?"
"D…aaaaaaa…"
Sebastian looked at him curiously. "Dan?"
He vehemently shook his head. "Daaaaaaaaaav….."
"Dave?"
And this time, Dave wildly shook his head! "Yeeeessss! Daaaaave!"
Sebastian laughed out loud joined by the suddenly free guy! They were incredibly happy and Seb felt like dancing or something. But that's when, as he shined the flashlight on Dave, he saw those awful wounds on his neck.
"I just hope those aren't gangrene." Sebastian quietly said. Dave just kept smiling. It was like he liked ANY words that came out of Seb's mouth, regardless of understanding them or not.
Seb immediately turned around and reached for the first aid kit. He made sure everything was setup from before and sure enough, they were. He had everything he needed. And as exhaustion became a serious problem for him, he found a little burst in his desire to seriously help David. So, he did.
He grabbed the medical supplies and approached Dave. "Dave?" The guy looked up at him, just as Seb sat down. "I have to dress your neck wounds." Of course Dave didn't understand. So, Sebastian pointed to his neck. "Hurts?"
Dave put his hand up to his neck and winced. There was the answer.
"I can help." Sebastian said. No response. "Help."
"Hellllp?"
"Yes, I can help."
"OK!"
Sebastian was astonished! It was another clear response and he knew he was making progress. But every First Responder knows that when treating wounds, the one thing that kids (or, previously chained up guys for an unknown amount of time) hate sterilization. Everybody does. But it had to be done. So, somehow, Sebastian tried to figure out how to tell Dave that this would hurt. But amazingly, Dave beat him to the punch.
"Hurt?" Dave asked, pointing at the medical supplies.
"A little." Sebastian absently said. He ignored Dave and shined the flashlight on the infected areas. White pus had formed on many cuts but he didn't see any other dangerous symptoms. Not that he would've known exactly, but thanks to years of education, he knew when you saw lifethreatening issues. So far, this wasn't one of them.
So far.
Sebastian was all prepared to go. He had ripped the alcohol swabs and was ready. He repeated that it would hurt and Dave seemed to nod! So, Sebastian went for it on the nearest cut.
"Owwwwwwwww!"
"Shhh, shhh."
Dave seemed to look at him in wonder. It didn't deter the pain any, but Dave watched Sebastian as he worked on his neck. It must've stung fiercely for pus bubbles to form but nevertheless, Dave bore through it. And as he did so, Sebastian kept calmly whispering to him, even humming from time to time. And there was a strange kind of serenity amongst all the pain of sterilization. The kind you see when you have no other recourse and you accept your fate. Like a losing football team. Or accepting a job promotion. Or people on the Titanic.
Finally, Sebastian was done and he began the messy task of putting triple antibiotic on the wounds. This would soothe the pain and heal the infections. Well, Seb HOPED it would heal them. And for all he knew, Dave hoped it would too.
And after some time, Sebastian was done. He was sure, in the horrible lighting, that he'd done a poor job, but it would have to do. When he sat back, he put the cap back on the ointment tube and smiled at Dave. Dave's rotted teeth shined through the light. But this time, there was that same serenity again.
Sebastian had begun cleaning up, ignoring the annoying lump that tripped him numerous times. It stunk and it caused him some hip pain. But for now, he had more important issues AGAIN to deal with.
Now, for the biggest task of them all.
"Upstairs?" Sebastian asked. Dave stared at him. Seb pointed up. "Upstairs?"
"Usttttrssss."
"Yes, upstairs." Seb stifled a yawn.
"Upstairs!"
THAT woke Sebastian up! Dave clearly said a multi-syllable word. But he did it so quickly.
"Well, aren't you the bright one." Seb said. And then, he got down to business. "Alright, come on. Let's go upstairs."
Dave, of course, didn't understand. So, Seb pointed up again and even headed towards the stairs. "Want to go upstairs?"
Dave cautiously looked up at the ceiling of the basement, obviously considering what Sebastian offered. But when he looked back, Seb was amazed at the fear in his eyes.
"Mo-…..mommmaaa?"
Seb frowned. "No. There's no momma upstairs. No momma upstairs."
Dave looked around, a little befuddled. He didn't exactly know what to do next and looked to Seb. So, Seb reached for Dave's arm. It was absolutely sickening how skinny the arms were and he didn't want to dislocate his shoulder. So, he gently coaxed him up.
"Come on… Come on…."
Dave looked up at him, the flashlight showing the way. Finally, Dave maneuvered to stand for the first time in who knows how long. And when he tried, Sebastian almost vomited.
The body odor. The fecal matter that fell from Dave's body. The urine that dribbled away. The bones cracking in Dave's body. It almost overwhelmed them both. Dave held firm to Sebastian and the other boy didn't let go. Dave whimpered in pain and never completely stood up. But he did, in a hunched way, stand like a home erectus there in the dank basement. Shaky legs almost made him collapse, but Sebastian used his other hand to support his extremely bony waist. That made Dave howl even more and yet the previously chained guy looked at him in wonder. Sebastian nodded and he continued to guide Dave to a straight up and down posture.
It turned out Dave was taller than Sebastian. By at least six inches! But Dave was still shaky and a little unsure of himself. And Seb struggled to comprehend how he'd help the guy out of the basement. But greater challenges had been presented to him before and he KNEW he'd get this done.
"Ready to go upstairs?"
"Reaaaaddeeeeeee!"
Sebastian smirked.
.
AN: We are almost out of the basement. :)
How many guessed it was Dave down there? Poor Dave. :(
More on why he was chained up as this goes on. Part two will be up soon. I'll try to get it posted soon.
I would like to hear what you guys think will happen next? What did you think overall? Have a Nice Day!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEX3