A.N. So I know in the last chapter I claimed there would only be two more chapters, but having written out chapter 7 thus far I realised that even with my solid chapter plans I did not count for actual length. So basically, I feel that the original chapter 7 had too much in it (or I'm just too lazy to write another few thousand words tonight…) so I'm splitting it in two. So now the story will have 9 parts in all. I received so many comments and messages guessing at who was at the door - well done to those who guessed correctly! I planned to have more than 1 person and different characters in fact, but for the result I need it had to be this character and it had to be them alone. Not to spoil anything, but hopefully those who have seen the movie Funny Games will recognise the 'opportunities' our victims have, and how they may or may not work out. Bonus point – in past chapters I gave not-so-noticeable hints as to what might happen in this chapter and the next. Only one person so far has picked up on it so I probably should have written it better… Still, these 'hints' will be coming into play in the next part. Can you guess what it might be before reading? No? Okay, well, I guess you should just wait til the next update then. :P
IMPORTANT UPDATE! I received a few messages asking if there was a way I could update you all on fics so I used a reader's idea to start a blog on Tumblr – if you'd like to check it out all the information is in my bio. =D By the way, anyone else totally hyped up after seeing some of the recent leaked footage of the season 5 premier? I can't control my excitement, the anticipation is too much and it's still over a month away.
Punishments and Rewards
'Finn! Dude, it's me, open up!'
Four sets of wide eyes stared at the front door. The knocking continued, bringing the onlookers out of their temporary stump, yet none of them moved.
'Kurt? Kurt, it's me, Puck. Let me in.'
It was Puck – Noah Puckerman was at their door. Kurt tried to swallow but couldn't; was this an opportunity? Was this the chance they hadn't known they were looking for? Or was this now even more dangerous? Kurt glanced up to Blaine and found the older boy's gaze focused firmly on him. 'Friend of yours?' He murmured quietly.
'C-Classmate.' Kurt answered yet was unsure as to why he felt the need to answer the question in the first place.
Upstairs, Sebastian jerked Finn upwards into a more secure grip and ignored the bigger boy's pained gasp. The thin-faced man peered down to his comrade and between their looks they seemed to have some type of silent discussion. Kurt gripped onto the handrail of the staircase as his mind raced. Should he call out to Puck? He could scream that they need help, and urge Puck to get the police. As much as his consciousness didn't want to admit it, he was aware that there was almost no scenario he could formulate in his head which would see either he or Finn living; Blaine and Sebastian were in the perfect positions to end their life in a blink of an eye, by a few firm jabs of a knife to the snapping of a neck. No, there was no way he and Finn could survive this. But if Puck knew he could call the police and there would be a chance Blaine and Sebastian could be caught. It truly was the most grave of realisations when Kurt knew he was thinking about the 'greater good' over his own life. But…what was he to live for? Without Finn, without Carole, without his… His heart gave a strong painful beat and his throat hitched like he might throw up tears. If this was the only shot, the only way they could potentially save others from a fate like theirs; it had to be worth it. Then again… Kurt could imagine Puck on the other side of the door; hands deep in his pocket, shoulders hunched and a scowl in place due to the fact no one had let him in yet. Puck was a good guy, a far cry from the letterman jacket-clad meathead from junior year. He was also not the most thoughtful guy in terms of how he reacts – if Kurt were to shout out for him to call the police because they were in trouble, would Puck do as instructed, knowing that Kurt must have a reason for calling the cops, or would he try to batter the door down out of panic and the belief he could in some way help? Kurt knew Puck well thanks to all those hours spent in Glee club. He knew that Puck had a form of hero complex and nothing Kurt could say would stop him from trying to fight his way in instead of calling the police. And even if there was something Kurt could say – did he really believe Blaine would let him get two words out before forcibly silencing him? He felt Blaine's grip tighten on his forearm. No. If he tried to alert Puck, it would ensure nothing but the more immediate ending of their lives as well as Puck, he's sure. He sent a tearful gaze up to Finn and then bowed his head. Finn stared, whether he had thought something similar, Kurt did not know.
Blaine and Sebastian noticed the exchange. 'Alright, kiddies,' Blaine whispered. 'Now because I'm sure you wouldn't like your innocent classmate to steal some of the fun from our games, we're going to be very quiet until he leaves. Any sound I hear will result in immediate disqualification,' Blaine's eyes flashed, 'and we all know what that means, right?'
As if to demonstrate, Sebastian drew a thumb across Finn's throat in a too-real pretend cutting motion. Yes, they understood. Eyes clenched together, Kurt began shivering; the air had turned very cold and deathly quiet as the four of them stood like statues. Upstairs, Sebastian held Finn close to his chest and their cheeks pressed against each other. The knife in Sebastian's hand was poised inches from Finn's chest which heaved up and down with tremendous force. Blaine was set on Kurt, eyes boring into the chestnuts locks which were falling over the smaller boy's face. The house stood silent a few moments longer before-
'What the hell, guys? You got some kind of bromance in there? Let me in or I'll pick the lock. You know I'm an expert.'
A growl of frustration inches from Kurt's ears caused him to open his eyes. Even in his calm, composed state, murderous intent was evident in his expression. 'He will,' Kurt bit out. 'Puck, he-he won't just leave. If you don't let one of us send him away he'll pick the lock and force his way in.'
'Kurt-!' Finn said, alarmed. Clearly he did not want his friend to have any contact with them for his own safety.
Kurt looked up at him. 'Finn, you know it's true. He's done it before – several times.' He turned back to Blaine who watched him calculatingly. 'Just…let me get rid of him. Please. He hates being ignored but he'll listen to an excuse.' The feverent knocking which followed his plea only enhanced his sentiment.
Arching a brow, Blaine seemed to consider Kurt's request. Slowly, a smile spread out across his lips. 'I suppose…we could adapt this into a new game.' Kurt's blood ran cold.
Sebastian's eyes lit up. 'Ooh, what kind of game?'
Blaine turned up to him. 'Sadly you and Finn will have to take an inactive role in this one, Sebastian.' Sebastian's face fell into a pout. 'We're going to play 'House'. Take Finn to his room and keep him quiet. I'd love for him to take part but the mere sight of his dishevelment might cause this Puck character to reach the wrong conclusion.' Kurt came under his positive scrutiny next. 'Kurt, on the other hand, has kept himself decent. He'll help me answer the door.' From above, Sebastian could be heard dragging Finn's form down the hall and after a few moments, and a worrying moan of pain, the sound of his bedroom door closing met Kurt's ears. Alone again, bar the jock outside the house, Blaine tucked his arms around his smaller hostage. 'This is how we'll play: you answer the door. Swap a few pleasantries, or whatever you normally do, and you send him away. Finn is tucked up in bed, as are your parents, and you are planning to follow their lead so he has to go home. Understood?' Kurt had unwittingly hardened at the mention of his dad and Carole. He couldn't believe he was following the orders of one of their killers; with every ounce of hatred within him, he vowed to give Blaine and Sebastian hell the moment Puck's life was not in danger. Nevertheless, he nodded. 'Let's use our words, Kurt.' Blaine sang lightly, mocking.
'…Yes.'
'Yes what?'
'Yes, I…understand.'
'Good.' Blaine commended. He thrust Kurt forward towards the door. 'And if you forget, just remember the position your loving yet intellectually challenged brother is in upstairs. I'm sure Sebastian would be very angry if he heard you were not complying.'
With that, Blaine produced a key and clicked the front door open. On the other side of the threshold, Noah Puckerman was poised at lock level with a crafted wire in his hands. It was clear they had just narrowly avoided Puck's forced entry. The jock's eyebrows jerked up in surprise but he straightened himself up to full height and set his standard 'I don't give a fuck' expression firmly on his face. 'Took you long enough. Been freezing my ass off out here.' From the look of Puck's stained sweats and tank top, he was in his nightwear attire. At least the modest version.
'Puck,' Kurt started, his hand twisting the door knob nervously under Puck's eyes and the heat pressing against him from behind: Blaine was keeping out of sight but still close enough to maintain control. 'What, uh, what are you doing here? It's…' Kurt checked his watch, 'Almost 3am.' Jesus, was it that early? After all he's been through since the start of this horror, he imagined it would be later.'
Puck huffed, unamused. 'You think I don't know how to tell the time? I wouldn't have to be here if that jackass Finn hadn't abandoned me in the middle of our session.' Kurt stared, not understanding what he was talking about. 'Our Call of Duty session, Kurt, geez, it's like you don't own a dick.'
Kurt flushed and swallowed hard. 'Finn's asleep. He, uh, he wasn't feeling well so-'
'So he thought it would be cool to leave me in the middle of one of the biggest all-nighters in our lives?' Puck sniffed, folding his arms. 'Screw that. I tried it with Sam, then Rory – who both suck ass, by the way - and Mike's playing sleepover at the old girlfriend's house. No, nuh-uh, he's getting his ass out of bed now. Finn!'
With that, Puck tried to move past Kurt, who immediately stepped in his way and unsuccessfully tried to push him back onto the porch. 'Wait!' he cried, 'Y-you can't!'
Puck pulled a confused face and tried again to get through without accidently hurting the smaller boy. 'Cool it, Kurt, it'll only take a second-'
'No, Puck, wait – stop!'
Suddenly, Blaine stepped out from behind the door. Puck, out of surprise, backed away a few steps and looked the new guy up and down. Blaine placed a gentle hand on Kurt's shoulder, placing himself between the two McKinley students. A warm smile graced his face and his hand stretched out to shake. 'Hey there, Puck, is it?'
Puck's eyes darted from Blaine to Kurt and back to Blaine. 'Uh, who's this guy?' He asked, strangely unnerved by the sudden appearance. 'A…boyfriend of yours?'
Blaine laughed, earning himself a furrowed stare from Puck and a shiver from Kurt. 'That's a first! Right, Kurt?' He didn't wait for the other boy to respond, going on to shake his head in a good humoured way. 'No, no. Cousin. Kurt's cousin, I'm just visiting.' Puck seemed to accept his words and he nodded. 'We were actually just heading to bed, so I'm afraid Kurt's right.'
'You should go home, Puck.' Kurt's voice came out more firmly than he meant it to. Way to play it cool.
Puck didn't seem deterred, however, and once again tried to step into the hall. 'I will once I speak to Finn.'
He was stopped once again, this time by Blaine's unyielding hand pressed against his chest. Any threatening notions, though, were dissolved by Blaine's easy smile and sympathetic gaze. 'I'm sorry, but this is Carole and Burt's house and they're already asleep-'
'But their car isn't here.' Puck interrupted.
'They were out tonight, left their car at a restaurant and got a taxi home. They'd kill us all if they were woken up.' Blaine winced as if imagining the scenario. Kurt's wide eyes turned to him at hearing his excuse. How did Blaine know-? How much of his dad's evening had he been involved in? Was this type of slick talk his method for getting the opportunity to take their lives? It made Kurt sick to his stomach just thinking about how easily Blaine's lies slipped off his tongue.
Puck took the excuse into consideration and Kurt knew why; the last time he had angered Burt Hummel he had been chased around the back yard with an engine pipe. If it didn't hurt so bad, Kurt might have cracked a smile at the memory. 'Oh…so they're- okay…' He shuffled back out onto the porch. 'Finn didn't tell me you'd be having guests.'
Blaine shrugged, slipping a friendly arm over Kurt's shoulder. 'I wanted to surprise them. But I think Kurt would agree that it's been a long day and it's so late… We should get to sleep, hmm?'
Kurt felt himself be nudged playfully, and his throat hitched when his body was pressed up against Blaine's side. Under the lack of porch lighting, it was unclear if Puck noticed his fearful expression. Still, Kurt nodded. 'Y-yeah…'
Satisfied, Blaine reached out for the door handle. 'Well, it was nice to meet you, Puck. Maybe the four of us could get together tomorrow – I'm a Call of Duty fan myself.' With a shadow of confusion on his face, Puck nodded and began walking backwards down the porch steps and only the grass. 'See you.'
Kurt knew for a fact that Puck's stare was firmly set on him. Even through the darkness, Kurt knew. And so, as the door started to swing to a close, Kurt let his emotions show. He was scared. He was trapped. He was so close to death and needed Puck's help. There was a reason he had to go along with the lies – Blaine was dangerous! Puck, please – please understand what I'm trying to say. See that I'm not right. Please, Puck, recognise what I'm trying to say!
The door shut with a quiet thump, followed by the sound of clicking as Blaine once again locked the door. That was his chance… Kurt couldn't help feel like he had blown it.
Finn tumbled further down the stairs with every merciless kick. Sebastian simply smirked as the bigger boy whined in agony when he finally fell into a bloodied mess on the bottom step.
Kurt gasped in horror, wrestling against Blaine's easy hold, when he noticed there was so much more blood than before. Scarlet was staining the carpets and walls as it oozed from numerous fresh cuts along Finn's body – far too many to count. The knife playing between Sebastian's slender fingers still dripped red as he sauntered down the stairs. Kurt's eyes flashed in pure anger and he forgot himself, making a useless dive towards him. Blaine tightened his grip and Kurt got nowhere. 'You- you evil, heartless bastard! Why can't you just leave him alone?!' Kurt shrieked hysterically. 'St-stop torturing him, for God's sake!'
Sebastian drew back in faked surprised innocence. 'What? Finn's fine. He's just getting over his punishment for his actions upstairs.' He came to a stop on the first step and he leaned over Finn's twisting body. 'He should have known better than to try and pull a fast one on me when we had our uninvited visitor at the door. Isn't that right, Finn?' The quarterback groaned, but that was not enough of a response for Sebastian's liking. Another sharp kick was aimed right into Finn's side, causing him to convulse a few times at the beating.
Kurt tried so desperately to squirm, fight, and peel his way out of Blaine's arms but in the end he could do nothing but try in upset and frustration. However, for once Blaine seemed to want to give him a reprieve. 'Sebastian, I think we're being a bit hasty in our punishments, don't you?' His voice was so soothing, and that drove Kurt to believe worse was coming. 'Kurt played the 'House' game beautifully – I think he deserves a reward.' Without another word, he motioned for Sebastian to carry Finn through to the living room once again before lifting Kurt into his arms and going in after them.
With a loud 'Humph!' Kurt and Finn were dropped unceremoniously onto the couch. Wincing for himself only a moment, Kurt immediately cradled his step brother in his arms as if he could lessen the pain with his useless hands. Finn's cries subsided a little, so he must have done some good. Both their gazes were now on the two guys who had started it all. Blaine was kneeling not far from them, head tilted slightly as if enjoying the loving picture before him. Sebastian had propped himself up against the fireplace, somehow looking both watchful, smug and bored all at the same time.
'How do you suggest we reward our precious Kurt, then?' Sebastian drawled.
Blaine hummed, his thumbs pressing against his lips in consideration. 'Let's think: before the delightful Puck came to the door we had planned to make good on our bet. It is now,' He looked at the clock hanging in the corner of the room, 'Three-thirty. Less than six hours of game time remaining. Now, Sebastian, you'll know that normally by now we'd have taken at least one player out the game. In fact, by now we're usually so jaded by the lack of entertainment that we'd have won the game.' Blaine's smile turned sweet; it made Kurt's stomach turn and his fists clench. 'I think we should reward Kurt by giving him one more game to play before we off one of them.'
Lips curling up in approval, Sebastian nodded. 'Sounds like a generous reward. They might be the longest playing participants we've ever had.' Blaine voiced his agreement, but was cut off in mid-sentence by an infuriated Kurt.
'Wh-what?!' Finn looked up at him in surprise as his younger brother stepped up, face red and his body heaving in what could only be described as rage. 'What is wrong with you? What had to happen in your pathetic mediocre lives for you to be like this – to torment us like this?' Finn reached out to pull Kurt back to the couch but his hands just didn't reach. Blaine's gaze had hardened, and his mouth twitched. 'You're a couple of cruel, vicious fuckers and you like to destroy and end lives just to satisfy your-your pointless existence and your delinquent minds-'
'Kurt,' Blaine murmured in a low, warning tone.
'Shut up! I'm not playing any more of your sadistic games – I'm not going to just let you play with me, kill me now 'cause I swear if you don't then I'll cut my own throat!'
Finn was quietly pleading for him to stop, but even he knew damage was already done. Sebastian, if anything, seemed amused by Kurt's outburst. 'Hmm…I don't know if we've ever successfully made a participant commit suicide, that would be cool-'
'Sebastian, quiet.' Blaine snapped. It was one of the few times Kurt had seen him lose some sense of control, and although it was small it was by no means less terrifying. Sebastian's lips pressed together obediently. Stepping up beside the panting teen, Blaine continued. 'Kurt…I'll give you a moment to collect yourself and then I expect an apology.'
Kurt blanched and then half-scoffed at him. 'A-apologise? Go to hell!'
SMACK!
Kurt fell backwards and his head hit into the coffee table loudly. However, the thumping pain surging from the side of his head could not distract him from the searing heat pulsing through his cheek. He never knew a simple backslap could have so much power behind it. God, it hurt so much… He heard Blaine take a few slow steps towards him and could see from the shadow on the floor that he was leering over him. With all the pride he had left, he forced his neck up to look at him. He was passed this game.
Blaine's face, still measured in calmness, contrasted dramatically to the fire burning in his glare. Blaine was angry. Beyond angry. He leaned down, uttering his words carefully like each sound was a stab of a knife. 'I don't like people who do not have enough decency to show respect. I own your life, Kurt. I decide what happens to you.' A new flash brought Kurt's fears to the forefront again. 'Perhaps…' Blaine glanced to Finn on the couch. A smile, no, a smirk, filtered out onto his lips again. 'Perhaps to remind you…Finn would like a renactment of our 'Bedroom Game'. You screamed so beautifully last time, it should be something he witnesses before he dies, don't you think?'
Instantly Sebastian's demeanour became more excited. 'It's only fair.'
Kurt's eyes watered all traces of anger gone and replaced once more with utter fear. He fooled himself into thinking he was beyond caring. He wanted to die, and that desire encouraged him to stand up to Blaine – to disarm him emotionally – he had let himself forget he still had weaknesses for Blaine to exploit. 'N-no, please…' He fumbled forward. Blaine let him crawl into his grasp. 'I-I-!'
Had anyone been considering Finn over the preceding moments, they would have noticed the furrowed brows of confusion, then the paleness of his cheeks from realisation, followed by the slight shake of his head from denial, to the rising of pure white rage and fury as he understood what Blaine had done to his little brother. It was fair to say that the loud roar which erupted from him took everyone by some type of surprise, and fortunately for him his lunging at Blaine was also so unexpected that he tackled the slightly smaller guy to the floor easily. In amongst Finn's merciless fist pummelling, he screamed obscenities. Kurt was frozen in place, eyes unable to look away from the violence and his limbs too locked in place to help. That was, until he saw Sebastian.
The slim, thin faced tormentor was coming up fast behind Finn with the blood-stained knife poised for many fatal blows. Kurt threw himself at him, catching Sebastian off guard. He was different to Blaine, less muscular but by no means less challenging. With an angered growl, Sebastian took hold of Kurt by his collar and swung him into the living room door. Even as he tried desperately to recover, Kurt knew he was helpless and knew that, as Sebastian turned to Finn's exposed back, that he was about to watch his only real family die. His throat ripped out a bloodcurdling scream.
And Finn noticed.
In a blink of an eye, Finn grabbed hold of Blaine's front and hurled him around. Blaine was sent hurtling into Sebastian, who only just managed to avoid stabbing his partner. As the two intruders collided into a heap, something was knocked out of one of their pockets: A cell phone. Finn's cell phone. When had they stolen it? Kurt knew they had, but had assumed it had to be considered a lost hope. Yet, as it tumbled in Kurt's direction he knew he had been wrong.
What followed happened so fast, Kurt's mind whirled. Each boy had seen what had happened, and every pair of eyes were on the cell. Everyone moved at once; Kurt swiped the cell up into his hand and turned on his heel to escape with it. Blaine and Sebastian got to their feet and gave chase. Finn, no doubt knowing there was no way he could outrun anything in his condition, did all he could: he threw himself into their path, succeeding in stalling them for a few brief moments. But that was all Kurt needed. Out into the hall. Taking the stairs two at a time. Tearing down the upstairs hallway to the furthest away room with a secure lock: his parent's bathroom. As he slid onto the tiled floor, Kurt could hear two sets of running footsteps coming up the stairs. He slammed the bathroom door shut. Locked it. And then he backed away into the showering stall.
The battering if fists against the door caused Kurt to cry out fearfully, but his hands were already at work. They punched in the numbers 9-1-1.
'Open the door!'
'Don't make this worse for you than it already is, Kurt!'
'If you make us break this door down-'
A new voice entered Kurt's ears; the sound of a woman. The first few words she said were a blur, but the second part was like music to Kurt's pounding ears: 'what's you're emergency?'
'HELP!' Kurt screamed so loudly he hoped Blaine and Sebastian could hear. He couldn't hear the lady anymore over the thumping on the bathroom door. 'PLEASE, HELP! INTRUDERS – TWO OF THEM – TRYING TO KILL ME AND MY BROTHER-!'
'Get out here or we'll cut Finn into pieces!'
Kurt tried to ignore them but the sound of the wood cracking around the door frame – it was too loud. All he could do was repeat his address over and over, pressing himself into the corner of the shower stall and sliding into a crouched position. Then he heard those magical words.
'Sir, help is on its way. Please remain calm and-'
Kurt let out a choked sob. Police were coming. The lady on the phone said it – help was coming. He couldn't believe it. Maybe there was a chance he and F-
Crash!
The bathroom door cracked off its hinges and fell to the floor.
A.N. OH MY GOODNESS, THE DRAMA! Please review!
