A/N: Long time without updating, I know. One word: depression.

Your reviews:

cheercia:D: Oh, I know, updating more often would rock so hard. I'm gonna try to do it two more times before Friday because I have been neglecting this story lately. and, hey, thanks for loving it so far! I know it isn't that eventful, and it won't get super duper crazy, but whatever. I still hope you love it(: And Derrick dying? Well, you'll have to find out, my friend.
omgitskristen: Oh, I know. And I hate just throwing out excuses. I'm so bad at long chapters, it's horrible! But whatever. I'll try to update twice by Friday, just because I've been a sucky updater since this story began. Hee, continue with the awesome reviews!
emeraldeyes101: Oh, they are all kind of stupid. The "spoiled rich kid" mentality they all have with make their time difficult, I tell you. And I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I'm totaly gonna get better as I write a new fic at the same time. Keep reviewing(:
littlemisstroublee: Oh, gosh, thanks yous! I have never been in a situation like this, so I'm so happy you think I'm correct in this. I try. Ad I've done a LOT of editing(: And I'm an amazing writer?!?! Oh, wow. And tips? Write, write, write! I look at my old penname on a different fandom and it was all so terrible, but you get better as you keep going. And I'm starting to check out your stories, and they are CERTAINLY not too shabby(:
prettybaby182: Ha, I don't have words for that awesome review! Thanks for liking it. I hope you stick with me even thought my updates have been less-than frequent. I'm just bad that way. I hope I keep writing too... I have about six fics I've started, didn't finish, and haven't posted. Thanks for the review(:
soccergrrl62: Oh, thanks yous! I love when someone loves my work! And I TOTALLY will continue, I just need to update better:P Thanks for reviewing, and if you review again, thanks for sticking with me(:
ohmyitsdani: It gets better and better? Oh, thats so nice. I have actually finished it, it just needs major editing done. The ending is pretty much my most favorite chapter ever ever ever. I need to update quicker so you can read that. And yes, I feel bad too. But things are going to get much worse for Massie before this is over.
rashelleah: Oh, thanks for loving it! I love this review, and especially that constructive criticism. I will totally keep writing, and tried to add more description(: I hope this update is to your liking.
likewow5556: Thats what I strive for - interesting ideas. I don't want to write a story you've seen a million times. And thanks! I will totally try to update at least twice by Friday, since I've sucked on updating this. I hope you stick with the story anyway!
iluvbooks: thanks for loving it! Even if you only have that to say, I still love the review, so keep it coming! And the update didn't exactly come soon, but whatever, sometimes problems like my depression have to come first, you know? But I totally am going to update twice by Friday(:


"What were your thoughts throughout this?" Patricia, as soft and gentle as she could be, could also be straight to the point. It was what Massie liked, the no-bullshitting. She'd been lied to about her life, and now only wanted truthful questions and truthful answers. She tried to answer Patricia every time she fired a question like this at her.

Massie pursed her lips, blank mind almost forgetting to answer. Her thoughts? Hurting. Threatening. Dread. Fear. Knowing.

"I think I was just out of control. I hated not having a grip on ths situation." She knew she'd have to explain more. Patricia always asked her to. It felt like she was letting go of every little bit of bad when she did that.

"As in?" Her pencil stood, poised, over the notepad, her bright eyes waiting patiently for another answer.

"As in," Massie took a deep breath. "As in, knowing he'd broken down all our defenses. And the whole time, he was just planning on killing me."

Planning on killing her. She hated admitting that. Jason had been planning on killing her the whole time.

Maybe that had hurt the most.

***

"Everyone turn towards me," he said in his deep voice, grabbing the attention of the nine other scared teenagers.

And then his fist connected with Claire's stomach, sending her into a coughing fit and causing Cam to tackle Jason with an unknown strength.

This wasn't good. This. Was. Not. Good.

Jason, unaware that Cam would be so bold as to tackle him, fell tot he ground with a thud and a grunt. His gun came loose from his grip, but before anyone could register that Brad was slamming his foot down on top of it to keep young hands from grabbing hold. Massie watched, as if detached, looking like a zombie. Pete was wrenching Cam's hands from Jason's throat, yanking him into a standing position, ten shoving his into the group of boys. Cam quickly regained his footing and glared, but Chris's hand on his shoulder kept him from making another stupid move.

Jason stood up, rubbing his hand over his face. Massie felt all the muscles in her body clench, knowing that this didn't mean any good to them.

After a few coughs, Jason snatched his gun from under Brad's foot and looked at the group of, now more scared than ever, teens. The froze, as if his one look could paralyze them all.

"What the fuck?" he said abruptly, making Kristen and Claire jump. Claire was now breathing deeply, shooting Cam looks for being "noble". His words, so sharp and abrupt, made everyone's muscles clench.

"Are you... are any of you fucking retarded? Because you don't seem to listen. Or obey. And..." his words trailed off as he rubbed his forehead, gun at his side. "I can't trust you guys. Not that I was ever able to trust anyone." Massie wanted to roll her eyes. Jason, apparently, didn't know the first thing about trust. And he never would. That was difference, why she would win this. Because she knew what love was. And he didn't know the first thing about consideration.

Pete, catching on, leaned down and grabbed a duffel bag, holding it up and raising his eyebrows in silent question.

"Yeah," Jason said gruffly, "secure them. Good thing we brought extra duct tape."

The girls sighed, absently pursing their lips and shooting looks at Cam. The guys just stared at the floor, accepting their fate.

Frank stepped in front of them, grinning. "All of you, hold your hands together, behind your back. Palms flattened together, along with fingers. Backwards prayer position." their words, seasoned with experience and said as if practiced, made everyone comply with a sort of shiver.

Each of the men grabbed a roll of duct tape, starting with the guys. They did as they were told, putting their hands behind their backs. Seeing the normally headstrong boys look so resigned in the face of a crisis made Massie want to cry.

The girls were pretty easy too, except for Dylan.

"I don't get it. Why can't you just tape our wrists? Why do you have to do the prayer thing?" She still obviously didn't understand that arguing was, quite possibly, the worst thing she could do at the moment. Everyone looked alarmed as she continued to put up a fight. The term "fiery redhead" used to be a term of endearment, but now it was just putting them in danger.

Jason sighed, exasperated.

"Because it keeps your fingers from moving. You can't do anything then." He looked like he expected this, almost, but that wouldn't lessen the punishment of resisting.

She rolled her eyes. "But seriously, I don't even know why you would tape my hands anyway. I mean, I'm not even a threat. The guys are, but-"

Brad slapped his hands together in the way they were supposed to be, giving her a "shut up and listen" look. She quickly did as she was told, forgetting the fight she wanted to put up. Maybe it was the way his gun caught the light at that exact moment. Massie didn't care enough to ask.

As soon as Claire's hands were secured, along with Cam's, Jason roughly pulled her towards him.

"Oh, and..." he scratched his head and gestured towards Cam, grip on Claire's arm firm. "Your name?"

Cam looked at the floor, refusing to answer. Massie couldn't believe his stupidity. Her eyes shot daggers towards him, begging him to just understand that he was making this difficult.

"Someone tell me this kid's name." He held on to Claire's arm tighter, holding it higher in the air to remind them of the agreement. (Or, more appropriately, disagreement.)

"Cam," Massie murmured quickly, eyes on the floor. She didn't want to see Claire hurt again.

"Ah, Cam." He turned to Massie. "Thanks, sweetheart. So, Cammie-boy, you did tackle me. And I said that any wrong moves would not be good for Claire, here."

Cam looked up quickly, taking in his words. Claire's eyes were huge, knowing the full extent of his words.

Pete nodded, getting enjoyment from seeing Cam so angry. "Correct, J. Cam showed complete disregard for your rules." Dylan scoffed, lightly, barely being heard, but they all glanced at her for a second.

Jason nodded. "So I think it's only right." He quickly whipped Claire through the air, throwing her against the wall where she slid down, landing on the carpet. Frank was holding Cam's arms, restraining the boy as he fought to get to Claire. Kristen whimpered, ready to pass out from her sheer terror.

"Settle down," Pete said with a laugh. Cam looked ready to kill. "She's fine. Even if her hands couldn't block the hit," he acknowledged, making Cam's eyes tear up with the realization.

They were in deep shit.

One of the guys, with hair that was also black like Brad's, stepped forward. "Sir, I hear a dog barking."

Jason listened quietly for a second, then shrugged. "Just go and bring it down here. Find a leash, too. By the front door, I assume."

The guy looked worried for a second, then shyly asked, "What if it's a big dog?"

Pete shook his head. "For God's sake, Kevin, it's a pug." He laughed at Kevin, trying to meet Jason's eyes with a smile.

"Oh, yeah, laugh it up, Pete," Jason said, irritated. "Because you actually noticed how big the dog was. You did, however, fail to fucking notice the extra nine teenagers in the house, though. Stupid moron."

Pete stopped laughing instantly, turning red and pretending to be very busy with his gun.

They suddenly all turned their attention towards Kristen, who let out a loud, giant sob as if the situation was finally catching up with her. Frank tapped his leader on the shoulder.

"Uh, J, should we shut her up?"

He shrugged. "This place is soundproof. I think." He turned to Massie, a questioning look on his face.

She nodded, resolutely.

"It doesn't really matter."

Frank tapped his foot impatiently. "But I can't stand it. The crying, it pisses me off. So damn much."

Jason's shoulders sagged as he rubbed his eyes. "Get the fuck over it. We don't need to gag them until someone needs some sleep, okay?"

Frank walked away quickly, trying to avoid a long lecture, eyes rolling as if Jason was just an annoying, overbearing parent.

"Liquor. You got lots of it?" His question wasn't necessarily directed towards anyone in particular, but he definitely needed an answer.

Massie gestured her head towards the large cabinet that sat behind the bar, and looked away, hoping he wasn't a mean drunk. That would be the icing on this cake. He looked pleased, and visibly relaxed.

"Ah, wonderful. So much of it, too." He looked ready to thank God as he clinked through the bottles, searching for his favorite.

"I'm always in the mood for a black Russian. So cheesy, an old person drink, I agree. But there's something about them..." he busied himself, pouring it all into a hard-bottomed glass, no ice. The other men got to preparing their own drinks, dismissing Jason's rant.

"You boys make your own thing," he quipped, gun pointed at the kids, a kind of warning. "I'll watch them."

Of course, there wasn't much to watch, seeing as they were sufficiently taped to the point where cliche movie stunts couldn't let them escape. Frank, not ready to liquor up just yet, checked different surfaces in the room, making sure the edges weren't too sharp. Nobody was going to escape.

"This the key to the booze?" Frank asked. He held up the little gold key, and pocketed it when Massie nodded. "We can't have anyone using glass to cut through the tape, can we?"

Nobody answered. Nobody knew what to say. Because it was true.

That was probably the scariest part, the fact that they were so smart. This wasn't a movie, filled with clueless villains. They wouldn't think of a clever way to get out of this, complete with funny remarks and happy dances. They would have to listen to these men and hope for the best, because that was all they had. Hope.

Eventually, everyone had to kick off their shoes, which were also thrown in a duffel bag. And then the real questions began.

"Parents will be out for three weeks, am I correct?" was Jason's first question. Massie snapped from the daydreaming doze she'd fallen into.

"Yeah."

Kendra and William Block had decided that their fifteenth wedding anniversary called for major celebration. Of course, for them that doesn't just mean a nice dinner and a night out. It mean a three week vacation in which William forgot about business and they relaxed. It was initially inspired him to install and upgrade the security system. As much as he wanted thoughts of home to be farthest from his mind, he always wanted her to be safe.

"Call me if an emergency occurs," he'd said as she kissed him goodbye.

Well, dad, Massie thought now, this is the emergency. I need your help. And nothing is going to save me now.

Jason smiled appreciatively, nodding. "Pete was right. Good thing we tapped your phone lines."

That was creepy. Along with hearing them mention that "Lexus that she drove around" or that they "didn't see any other kids". The thought of being watched while she blissfully enjoyed her time without her parents made her shiver. This could happen again, at any time, and she probably still wouldn't know.

"And that maid... Eenez?"

"Inez."

He grinned. "Ah. Right. Inez. She's visiting family for the next two weeks. Doesn't she do that yearly?"

It was then that Massie realized how big of trouble she was in. Her parents didn't even really need a phone call every night. And all Inez needed was a simple note and she wouldn't think of Massie until her parents arrived home.

Frank gulped down a large portion of his brandy seven, then set it down on the bar. "What the hell are we doing with them?" He looked at the nine extra kids ruefully, rubbing the skin behind his ear, crinkling his eyes.

Jason was smiling, full-on, now. He licked his lips.

"Easy. We set them free. And we keep Massiegirl here. They won't say a thing to the police, will they?"

Alicia and Josh's eyes met, while Kemp glanced at the clock. It was clear that they had every intention of contacting the cops as soon as they had the chance.

"Because you've all seen me do what I want to do." He stared pointedly at Massie, who still had cheekbones twice their normal size.

And then they all understood. The sickening feeling of helplessness sunk in. The fact that they actually planned on taking Massie hadn't even registered yet.

"And we have guns. And, here's the real zinger, I also have money. Lots of fuckin' money. So I don't care if Willy pays up or not. I can kill her either way."

That's when the real fear set in. Deep in her gut, an ache the rivaled the worst of cramps. Her head whizzed with thoughts of never seeing her parents again. The cold sweat that permeated her designer top became hot. They wouldn't take her, would they? Were they really like that?

"Wait," she mumbled, barely coherent. "You have money? Then why are you... why are you doing this?"

He didn't look happy with her question. He looked pissed that she would even dare ask, but answered anyway.

"Because William Block is the biggest traitor I have ever met. This is just a royal way of saying "Kiss my ass". And you're his only child, his little girl. What better way to-"

"Your fucking sick," she said softly. She didn't sound bitter, or angry, or bitchy. She was only confused that people like this actually existed. Her voice held every bit of the horrible feeling she had: defeat.

Jason was irritated, and for a second she had the deep fear that he would hit someone again, but then he let out a long breath. Massie felt the tiniest bit of relief, even though it only lasted a second. He waved his gun around casually as he spoke, knowing full well that everybody was staring at that and only that.

"I'd do something drastic to freak you all out, but I deserve that. What I didn't deserve, though, was your Daddy's skeevy business schemes." He, on the other hand, sounded like a man who had his whole future ahead of him, but refused to enjoy it. His bitterness held him back, that much was obvious.

Massie turned her attention to Brad, who was sipping at his brandy with the lightest of grins on his face. All the kids were leaning on one another, sniffling while the guys assured the girls that it would be fine. Because it would be fine, right?

This was going to be a long night.


End Notes: Review? I'm totally gonna update on like Tuesday or Wednesday(: