Just Misunderstood
By: TheSilverHyena
Warning:: Contains Mature/Adult Content, Violence and Gore, and Adult Language. If you cannot HANLDE these sorts of things, you might want to go elsewhere. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Chapter 4: Pandora's Box
After a short break over tea, it was back to work for Blake, though at least Luda Mae insisted on doing the heavy lifting until the girl was better. The two of them were out in the backyard, tending to the clotheslines once more. Thomas and Hoyt had been gone for a while, though when she heard the police cruiser pull up to the front of the house and could make out shouting and struggling, Luda Mae told Blake to pay it no mind and to stay out of the boys' way. The noises persisted, up until the metal door in the hall slid open.
"You go on ahead boy, there's somethin' I just wanna take care of down here first!" Hoyt shouted from inside the house.
Then the metal door slid shut again.
"Don't worry none, child. Thomas should be finished up pretty soon, then he'll be free ta keep you company in the evenin'," Luda Mae mentioned, "That boy has always had a strong work ethic. He never was late for work, always did his job without complaint, right up until the day the old slaughterhouse closed." she reminisced sadly, shaking her head.
Blake's hold on the sheet she was taking off the line faltered a little. She remembered seeing what looked like dried blood on quite a bit of their clothes, especially the ones that looked like they were Thomas'. Then the way he swung that sledgehammer, precise and terrifying like he knew exactly what he was doing.
"T-Thomas used to... work i-in a slaughterhouse?" she asked, nervously.
Luda Mae nodded, "That old factory was the one thing this here town had goin' for it. My poor Tommy was picked on there too by the other workers. But he found solace in his work. All that ended once the slaughterhouse closed down and took the town with it. Now that most everyone else left, we just do what we can to survive out here." she prattled on, "But you, now you're just the little spark of life this family needed. Tommy's been much happier with you around."
To be polite, Blake listened and nodded, keeping her head down and eyes lowered. Luda Mae always loved bringing up how much Thomas adored the girl. And while, yes, Blake liked being able to make someone's day better just by being there, knowing that her natural kind-hearted nature helped land her in this mess only made her heart sink.
"W-what do you mean by-?"
Blake's question was cut off as heavy footsteps approached from behind and two large arms wrapped around her in an affectionate embrace. A deep, low, rumbling groan reverberated in her ears as Thomas nuzzled against the girl. She leaned back against him, partially returning his affection without appearing too wanting. While the brute was kind to her, there was a part of Blake that feared him, and wisely so!
"H-hello, Thomas." Blake squeaked out, feeling rather small and fragile at the moment.
"Tommy, your girl's been a big help. Go on and take her to the barn, let her see them dogs. Just keep yer eye on them." Luda Mae instructed, "I'll finish up here an' git a start on dinner."
For the first time all day, Blake actually smiled. Finally she'd get to see her beloved dogs again. Maybe, just maybe, if she didn't overplay her hand, Jason and Toby would be permitted into the house, to stay in her room. While Luda Mae was insistent that Blake had Thomas to look after her, the girl always felt more secure in the company of animals.
Without any complaint, Thomas escorted Blake to the barn, where the noises of the two German Shepherds were getting louder and louder as they sensed their young mistress approaching.
"Toby? Jason?" she called.
As Thomas opened the door to the barn, closing it behind him, both dogs began to scratch at the walls eagerly. Inside was quite dusty, though it appeared as though this barn was used for storage rather than keeping animals. There were several hay bales, more then likely for the pigs and chickens the family had outside in the back, a tool shelf along one wall and animal stalls on the other. Several boxes of God only knew what were stacked nearby along with a large freezer. Ropes and pulley systems hung from the open rafters. Two cars were parked in back, a tow truck and a large black dodge pickup. A lump formed in Blake's throat, seeing her dad's old truck, though the eager yipping and scratching at wood and steel brought the girl back to why she was here.
Both dogs put their front paws against the wooden slats of their prison while Thomas removed a key from his pocket. Two of the animal stalls had been refitted into makeshift kennels for Jason and Toby. Ramshackle, but effective, kept secure with padlocks on the latches, much to Blake's annoyance. Still, once the kennel doors were unlocked, both German Shepherds bolted into the girl's waiting arms, each one vying to be pet first as she knelt down to their level. Just feeling their fur through her fingers once more, it was complete euphoria.
"Easy now, boys. I've got plenty for both of you!" Blake giggled, shying back a little as she was mercilessly attacked by doggie kisses.
Thomas couldn't help but smile, especially when the girl leaned back into his sturdy legs. He curiously tilted his head as she looked up at him, then knelt down as well, giving each of the dogs a few pats while they stretched their legs. Blake continued to laugh as the two dogs bounded around like dorks, just enjoying being in her company.
"Thank you," she said, leaning against Thomas' powerful bicep, "D-do you think that maybe... you might b-be able to talk your mother into... letting me keep Jason and Toby in the house?"
Even Thomas wasn't certain, but perhaps if it pleased Blake, he'd try. However, the happy reunion between dogs and owner began to take a turn. For the second time that day, pinpricks of pain began racing through Blake's head, the same sort as when she passed by the sliding steel door earlier. She felt a little bit dizzy, trying to reason with herself that it was just the Texas Summer heat, though deep in her heart, she knew it had something to do with the bond she shared with her dogs.
"W-wha-what is it, boys?" Blake asked, trying to shake the dizziness from her head.
Jason let out a soft growl, trotting around behind Thomas and Blake while Toby barked a few times. Their previously wagging tails came to a standstill, both dogs staring at a spot further in back of the barn. It was then Blake noticed that one of the ropes slung over the rafters was swaying differently then the rest, and is couldn't have been from the breeze periodically blowing through the open window and gaps in the door. Once more, Blake could feel the telltale migraine coming on, like her psychic abilities wanted to work for her, only they refused to function properly. However the girl was learning to interpret that as a warning in and of itself. Thomas gently rubbed her back and shoulders with concern, giving her his 'what's wrong?' look.
"Ah! I-I d-don't know w-what is... happening," Blake panted, "Toby, Jason, seek."
At her command, both German Shepherds bounded to action, pawing their way through the piles of junk. Eyes wide in alarm, Thomas suddenly sprinted forward, trying to stop Toby and Jason from knocking over a crude, plywood wall as a muffled yelping could be heard.
"Thomas, j-just what exactly-?"
Blake suddenly cut herself off, stifling her own startled scream with her hands once her dogs toppled the ramshackle barrier to the ground, creating a horrible racket in and of itself. Suspended from the rope back there was a man, hanging by his wrists, feet not even touching the floor. He was gagged and appeared to be badly beaten, wearing only a soiled pair of boxers. Dried blood caked over numerous lacerations and one eye was swollen shut. A terrified moan escaped his mouth once his sight landed on not only Thomas, but the two dogs as well. He began to struggle feebly, but it was obvious that his strength had been drained.
"Oh my God!" Blake cried out, in shock.
Spurred forward by a mix of compassion and medical knowledge, the girl rushed towards the poor wretch with the intention of cutting him down and tending to his injuries. Before she could reach him though, Thomas had intercepted her, pulling the confused and screaming girl away. Toby and Jason began barking again, turning away from the man as Thomas held Blake back.
"No, no, NO! What are you doing?! Let me see to him! He's hurt and needs help. Thomas!"
Blake cried out in pain, her own struggling against Thomas' superior strength resulting only in aggravating her still healing wound. But while she kicked and pummeled as much as she could, things suddenly became a whole lot worse.
"Hey Tommy! What the fuck's goin' on in there?!" Hoyt bellowed from outside, before barging in, "You better not be-!"
The false sheriff stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with a mixture of alarm and rage at the sight that greeted him. Thomas holding onto a distraught Blake, keeping the girl away from the prisoner they had stashed in the barn, and the dogs... the vicious dogs that were now out of their cages. Upon seeing Hoyt, Toby's and Jason's hackles raised and they bared their teeth in a threatening display.
Blake cried out again, grasping her head as it began to throb and pulse in agony, nearly causing her to throw up. Gently, Thomas set her to the ground in a heap, leaving her to grasp onto Toby's harness as the dog stood over her protectively, while he set his sights on Jason. The other German Shepherd slowly stalked forward, wild, hate-filled eyes glaring at Hoyt. Toby pulled slightly against Blake's grip, barking savagely. Meanwhile, all the poor, half-naked man could do was watch helplessly from where he was strung up.
"Jason... Toby... stand down!" Blake cried out, weakly.
As much as she didn't like Hoyt, the last thing she needed was his death caused by her faithful canines, then they'd be slaughtered for certain. However, at her words, neither one of her dogs backed down. This... this had never happened before. Her dogs always obeyed her.
"Stand down!" she ordered again, her voice pained and frantic.
"God dammit, boy! Whatcha let em' out for?!" Hoyt shouted.
Snarling, Jason suddenly lunged forward, crashing into the wooden door as the wannabe sheriff slammed it shut just in time before the fur-coated razor blade made him it's chew toy. Hoyt hissed curse after curse, struggling to keep the door closed as Jason relentlessly chewed and clawed at it with a fury Blake hadn't seen before. Luda Mae wasn't kidding around when she mentioned that the dogs wanted to make Hoyt their next meal! Even Toby once again completely ignored Blake, eager to assist his brother in the assault.
"Fuck it ta Hell, boy! Lock them damn animals up before I shoot them! And get her outta here! Sloppy work, Tommy. Sloppy!" Hoyt snarled, furiously.
"N-no!" Blake whimpered, still holding onto Toby's harness, 'Why aren't they listening to me? Why aren't they doing what I ask them too?!' she thought, frantically.
With some difficulty, Thomas dragged a still snarling and snapping Jason away from the door and shoved the beast back into it's kennel, locking the door before doing the same with Toby. Blake was nearly on the verge of hyperventilating, unsure if she should even move or not. Once her dogs were locked up tightly, Hoyt came storming in, giving Thomas a good tongue lashing and scolding.
"What in da Hell you doin', boy?!"
"L-Luda Mae said I could see my dogs!" Blake pleaded, shakily rising to her feet, "Don't be mad at him!"
Her breath caught in her throat, looking back over her shoulder at the captive man struggling against his bonds. Before she could try to get to him again, Thomas had already stooped down, gripping Blake in one arm before effortlessly tossing her over his shoulder and held her there quite firmly and began walking away.
"Wait... -ah-! What are you doing?! What are you going to do with him?!" Blake screamed, trying to squirm free.
"What we have to in order to survive out here!" Hoyt answered, his tone flat and cold, "Git her back to the house Tommy, I'll take this meat back to the basement for you to deal with later."
Ignoring Blake's protests and panicked screams, Thomas wordlessly obeyed his uncle's orders and carried the upset and distressed girl back inside. All the while, Toby and Jason snarled fiercely, pushing against their cages aggressively, their eyes never once leaving Hoyt until he left with the struggling captive, shutting and locking the barn door behind him.
TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~
Needless to say, Luda Mae was wondering what happened when she heard all the commotion going on out there and then saw Thomas bringing in a hysterical Blake. Carefully, he set the girl down in one of the dining room chairs, grunting softly as he stroked her hair, trying to get her to settle down.
Blake drew in a shaky breath, trying to figure out what exactly just happened. That man they had tied up in there, her dogs refusing her commands, and the violently ill feeling that had erupted inside of her when Toby and Jason sent their sights on Hoyt. She glanced up with a start, as Luda Mae dabbed at the girl's forehead with a cool, wet rag.
"I knew them critters was trouble..." the elderly woman sighed, shaking her head.
"N-no... i-it w-wasn't... Toby's and Jason's fault. T-they didn't d-do anything to me." explained Blake, "B-but t-t-there was a man... tied up in there! H-he was badly hurt."
Before she even got a chance to finish, Luda Mae was already shushing her while Thomas knelt beside her and hugged Blake close.
"Oh, oh, sweetheart, it's alright. Shhhhhh, there, there, now. He wont be able to hurtcha. Didn't I tell ya my boy would protect ya?"
Blake's forehead wrinkled slightly as a frown of confusion and a little bit of horror crossed her face. Did... did Luda Mae honestly think that it was the mere presence of this other man that had her upset?! He was strung up out there, helpless and wounded. He couldn't have harmed her if he wanted too! Just as Blake was about to try and attempt to clear things up, Hoyt stomped past in the hall, dragging that poor, helpless man behind him.
"Tommy, I'm gonna want yer help, pickin' up the mess those fuckin' animals made!"
He flashed a rather vile smirk at Blake before hauling his captive down into the basement.
Thomas let out a low, rumbling growl from his chest, keeping his firm, protective hold on Blake. At this point, the shaken girl was at a loss for words.
"See? That man can't hurt you while Tommy's keepin' ya safe." Luda Mae stated, gently running her hand through Blake's silky brown hair.
"W-what's... what's going to happen to him?" Blake gulped, nervously.
"Never you mind about that, child. Go on upstairs and git cleaned up a little, then come help me with dinner."
Obediently, Blake nodded and Thomas reluctantly relinquished his hold on her, watching as the much smaller female made her way up the stairs. The sliding metal door flung open, slamming shut just as quickly as Hoyt stomped out of the basement, letting out an exasperated sigh before shouting at Thomas to come back out to the barn and help him out.
Upstairs in the relative safety of her bedroom's private bathroom, Blake continuously splashed cold water in her face, taking in heaving breaths as her heart thundered in her chest and her pulse echoed in her ears. Only barely, did the girl manage to stave off a complete panic attack. Looking at herself in the mirror, Blake could see the dark circles forming under her reddening, mismatched eyes.
"J-just what... what are these fiends doing? They may not be with The Damnation, but they'd fit right in with their ranks! T-that poor man..." Blake panted, closing her eyes as she tried to calm herself so that she could think rationally.
It was crazy and more then likely stupid to even think such a thing, yet it already crossed the young psychic's mind. Now, Hoyt had thrown that wretch in the basement for Thomas to "deal with". Seeing as how the massive brute had no trouble taking a sledgehammer to someone's head, Blake had a pretty good idea of what he meant by that. But, right now the guys were busy elsewhere and Luda Mae was distracted in the kitchen.
"Is it better to be dumb but courageous? Or wise but cowardly?" Blake questioned to herself, drying her face with the towel she had on hand.
Sooner or later, it was bound to happen anyway. So against her better judgment, Blake was going to see what was beyond that door and save a life if she could. There may not be another chance. Steeling her nerves and taking in a few deep breaths, Blake quietly descended the stairs, her bare feet making little noise on the normally creaky old wood. She could hear Luda Mae humming in the kitchen and that old, wheelchair-bound man she bumped into earlier while tending to the house was nowhere to be seen. But the TV was on in the living room, further drowning any sounds she may have made.
One last look around, then the girl pulled the heavy metal door open, slowly as not to make too much noise, then slipped inside, letting it slide shut behind her.
"Ulk! W-what is that horrid stench?" she whispered to herself, covering up her mouth and nose with her hand in an effort to prevent herself from vomiting.
Honestly, it smelled like a mixture of soggy earth, sweat, rotting flesh, and excrement! It was beyond horrible! Apparently the steel door did a pretty good job of covering it up from the rest of the house, but now on the other side, no amount of air freshener could mask this disgusting reek. There was some lighting, but it was very dim, giving the place a very cave-like appearance. The rickety wooden stairs led down a ways to a dirt floor covered in a multitude of puddles, some of which were above ankle deep. Holding onto her bandaged side, Blake took a nervous look around, her eyes adjusting to the less then ideal conditions. Those small pinpricks of pain in her head started up again, but she did her best to ignore them for right now.
Up above, leaky pipes dripped and a steady rate. The place was just an overall filthy mess, there was a large wood and metal table in the center of the room, a wall lined with various tools, most of which looked like knives or other sharp blades, though there were a few sledgehammers. But the one tool that really made Blake nervous was the chainsaw she noticed resting on a nearby counter. (Some time ago, she had met a man that claimed to have sliced off his own right hand with a chainsaw, telling her it had been possessed by a demon, then later fitted the deadly piece of hardware as a prosthetic for his missing hand. Funny thing though, Blake actually believed him.)
Chains hung from the ceiling, most of which had sharp, deadly hooks designed for hanging large chunks of...meat of them. Then... there was the grimy bathtub with a thick layer of old, dried blood in it. Taking a closer look, Blake soon realized that there were several dismembered body parts, some hanging, some looking like they had already been chewed on and ripped apart by an animal, and others neatly organized on what could only be described as a butcher's block. Amongst some severed fingers, ears, and even a tongue on the table, there were some shiny trinkets; the pentagram medallions that the Soldiers of Eternal Damnation wore, along with a couple of rings and other jewelry. Piled up on a shelf were several bags, backpacks, and even purses, of which Blake recognized hers and her dad's amongst them. To top it off, the crossbow and her walking staff were leaning against it.
"Oh... n-no... Oh God, p-please please no! T-this can't be..." Blake pleaded, knowing all too well that she had seen this place before as well.
Thinking back to that day at the 'Last Chance', when that vision struck, she had seen this room... and-and, "Thomas..." she whispered.
Luda Mae mentioned that Thomas used to work at a slaughterhouse. Was he... turning those skills to butchering people?! Is THAT the work he and Hoyt were always attending too? W-were they... hunting people to do this too?! A muffled yelp suddenly caught Blake's attention, causing her to jump. Licking her dry lips, the girl turned to see the poor man from earlier, still bound and gagged, lying in a murky puddle. Understandably, he looked terrified.
"Shh,shh, shhhhhh. Quiet! I... I'm not going to hurt you..." Blake whispered, approaching the captive, "I'm not one of them. T-they took me prisoner too."
Looking at the state of the man, she suddenly realized that she had been given the royal treatment by these people as far as captivity went. Grabbing a nearby knife, Blake knelt down and cut off his bindings and removed the gag from his mouth, once again motioning for him to remain quiet.
"T-these... t-these people a-a-are fucking insane!" he rasped, quietly as he clung to Blake as though she were his lifeline, "T-they killed my f-friend! S-said... h-h-he made f-for a good stew a-and t-t-that I'd b-b-be next!"
"My name's Blake, I don't want to be here any more then you-w-wait... y-you j-just... s-said...?"
She didn't even want to finish that thought. All she wanted right now was to vomit her guts out. Of course, all the body parts, the "mystery meat" Luda Mae always seemed to proud of cooking... the stew Blake had been fed when she was sick and in bed. The horrifying realization struck; it was human. Fucking HUMAN flesh she had eaten! They knowingly fed her other people! Possibly those dead Soldiers of Eternal Damnation!
"I think I'm gonna b-be sick..." Blake groaned, as the man helped her shakily to her feet.
"W-we have... t-to escape! What's the b-best route... outta this fucking hellhole?"
Before Blake could answer the terrified man's question, a weak, feminine chuckle from the shadows interrupted her. Accompanied by the jingling of chains, the laugh grew stronger. Blake flinched, feeling that pounding in her head return once more when she finally made out the form of a filthy, naked female bound by the wrists and suspended from a hook on the ceiling. It was Vex! She-she was still alive after all this time?!
"W-what's... the best route... out of here?" Vex questioned, in as much of a mocking tone as her severely weakened state would allow, "Same... one m-m-my brothers in arms... took. Same one your pathetic, whimpering friend took! Just... look around... You'll ….. figure it out..." she giggled.
"W-why... h-how are you s-still alive, then?" questioned Blake.
Beneath the mess of matted, greasy hair, Vex just smiled, "Same... reason you're... still alive, little kitten. The rent-a-cop up there likes... to tickle my... my pussy with his tiny... limp... cock!"
And here Blake thought she couldn't have been more horrified then she already was. The man she had freed, although weak, was able to stand well enough on his feet, well enough to run. Vex continued to laugh, taunting them further.
"Your... new family... are cannibals, little Blake. May... a-as well get... used to it now. Your mother... certainly enjoyed it!"
"S-shut up!" hissed Blake, as she racked her brains for the best means of escape and what to do next.
However, the prisoner she had just freed stared at Blake, wide-eyed, pointing an accusatory finger at her, "Y-you! Your mother? Y-you're... j-just... trying to trick me... you're one of them! Aren't you?"
"N-no. P-please... j-just listen t-to me!"
Things were getting out of hand fast. The thought of just slitting Vex's throat and bolting had crossed Blake's mind, even though it didn't sit well in her already churning stomach. Fighting for your life was one thing, but murdering a helpless victim even if they themselves would have done horrible things to you was just sinking to their level. However, without warning, the man she had just risked her personal safety to set free shoved her to the ground, putting severe pressure on her injury. There was no stifling her cry of pain as she held the wound. Meanwhile, Vex just cackled madly and began screaming as loud as she could,
"OH BOYS! THE LIVESTOCK IS GETTING LOOSE!"
Up above, Luda Mae could be heard shouting and shortly after, several loud stomps up above echoed throughout the basement. The metal door slid open and Thomas' annoyed grunts could be heard along with Hoyt's cursing.
"Tommy boy, I have a feelin' that bitch of yers is gonna be nothin' but trouble!"
A growl from his nephew was the only response.
Blake was only just about to stand when she was once again kicked in the side by the man who's life she was trying to save. She let out another yelp of pain and could only watch as he bolted for the stairs only to come tumbling back down and landing in an agonized heap. Whimpering, he scuttled backwards as Thomas towered over him until eventually backing into the butcher's block with no where to run. The masked behemoth's fists clenched and he snarled beneath his mask, reaching for a heavy leather apron resting on a nearby hook and put it on. Hoyt meanwhile kept the terrified captive right where he was, throwing the occasional glare towards Blake as she was finally able to get to her knees.
"Now just where do ya think yer goin'?" Hoyt questioned, prodding at one of the man's reopened wounds, delighting in his pained cries, "Ain't got much meat on them bones, but it'll be good fer jerky or somethin'! Hey! Whddja say to tacos, maybe? Sound good to ya?"
"N-no! P-please no! Don't... do this to me!" he cried out.
Despite everything that had happened, Blake knew that helpless man did not deserve what was about to happen next. To her abject horror, Thomas picked up the chainsaw and began to pull on the cord. At first the deadly machine only sputtered, then roared to life with a furious vengeance.
"THOMAS! NO!" Blake screamed, "DON'T!"
Too late, Hoyt moved aside with a sick smile as Thomas mercilessly impaled the half-crazed victim on the floor with the chainsaw blade. Blood, guts, and bits of flesh went flying in all directions and the savage revving effectivly overtook the helpless man's agonized screams as well as Blake's own. She couldn't even tear her eyes off the scene and just watched, trembling, as Thomas cut off the man's head after gutting him for good measure. From behind her, Vex just cackled madly.
"That's a good one, boy! Whew! He was a screamer all right!" Hoyt congratulated, patting Thomas' shoulder before bending down to examine the brutalized remains, "Well now... look at that. Already nice'n ground up. Tacos it is!"
Feeling the bile rising in her throat from watching such a horrifying murder, Blake could no longer hold back and puked her guts out until there was nothing left. The bad taste lingering in her mouth was nothing compared to what she had just witnessed! When she finally made it to her feet, Thomas turned off the chainsaw and looked at her. He set the chainsaw down on the table, letting it drip blood and lingering chunks of flesh on the metal surface, having noticed that Blake looked injured and distraught.
"N-no! S-stay away from me!" she choked out, her voice quivering with terror, "Don't touch me!"
Blake took one last look at Vex, then made a mad dash for the stairs as fast as her body would permit. As much as she wanted them, there wasn't time to grab her weapons, she need to run! Hoyt had made a move to grab her, only he missed and tripped on the stairs. Groaning in embarrassment and pain, he started to pick himself back up, "Well boy? She's yer piece of ass! Go an git her before she done and runs off!"
"Ahahahaaa! Run little kitten... RUN!" Vex cried out after Blake
Thomas let out a mournful whimper as he gave chase, confused as to why Blake was suddenly acting the way she was. He had only been doing his duty, protecting his family. That man had hurt Blake! Shouldn't she have come to him for comfort?
Meanwhile, upstairs, Luda Mae wasn't even able to get a single word out as Blake dashed by in a mad panic. Just as she was about to scold the girl for not only going down to the basement but for over exerting herself as well, Thomas was not far behind in giving chase, Hoyt following suit.
"Fuckin' bitch! Git yer lil ass back here!" Hoyt snarled.
Blake practically flew out the door in the kitchen, making a dash for the barn. This was it, this was the last straw. She was going to break her dogs out and get the hell out of this place! Where she would go, she didn't know. Anywhere was better then here right now! The dry, prickly grass and rocks hurt her bare feet as she bolted and the painful bouts of coughing and her overworked lungs began to slow the girl down, but she kept going.
Hyperventilating, Blake scrabbled at the barn door latch, struggling to get a steady grip on it with her shaking hands. Inside, Toby and Jason barked and bayed wildly and she could hear their claws scraping against the wood of their prison. But just as she finally got the door open, heavy breathing and stomping from behind greeted her ears and in a matter of seconds, she was lifted into the air. Screaming, Blake pounded her fists against Thomas' arms and shoulders as he held her, seemingly unphased. Of course, the girl didn't know that by now, Thomas was used to such an attack method and it did little to bother him.
"N-no, no, NO! Let me go! -cough, cough- l-let me go!" Blake cried out, frantically.
She squirmed and struggled violently, but Thomas did not relent his grip. But what he did do both surprised and terrified Blake. He hugged her, tenderly. After butchering a man with a chainsaw, he showed worry and affection towards her, leaving the poor girl horribly confused.
"Oh good. Ya got her..." Hoyt panted, slowing down to a walk, "Now don't you go runnin' off again like that, girlie! No idea whatcha coulda done!" he scolded.
Too exhausted to struggle any longer and succumbing to her body's overworked constitution, Blake just sobbed in her captor's arms and allowed herself to be carried. Her head swam, it was difficult to see straight, and her body just ached all over. Warmly, Thomas nuzzled against her, wiping away her tears.
"Please... let me go..." Blake pleaded.
She was answered by a grunt, and Thomas putting his hand over her heart before adjusting his grip on her.
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"Thank heavens you two boys found her!" Luda Mae cried out, once Thomas carried Blake back inside once more, "Blake sweetie. Ya shoulda listened ta me. I told ya Tommy an' Hoyt would handle it. Can't go runnin' off either, now. Lotta bad people out there. It'd break my sweet boy's heart if somethin' happened to ya, darlin'."
Blake didn't answer, she just tried to wriggle out of the giant's grasp, which wasn't exactly working out for her very well. It was then that Luda Mae and Thomas both noticed the fresh, red stain seeping through Blake's dress. The stitches had reopened.
"Upstairs, Tommy. I'll be with you and Mamma in a minute, gotta get somethin' first." Hoyt stated.
While he entered the basement, Luda Mae had Thomas take Blake back to her room, grabbing a medical kit before joining them. Once the girl was on the bed, Thomas held her down while his mother lifted up her dress to get to Blake's bandages. She tried to struggle, but all her energy had been drained, doing chores all day, what happened at the barn, and now this. In protest, Blake tried to slide her dress back down, but Luda Mae wasn't having it.
"Stop it now! I need to take a look, girl. Oh... see that, ya ripped a few stitches. Sweetie, you ain't gonna get any better like this."
"You kill people... he murders people..." Blake moaned, flinching as Thomas nuzzled against her once again.
"We just country folk out here, doin' what we have to in order to survive, sweet child." Luda Mae answered, fixing the sutures and putting fresh wrappings over the wounds, "Oh dear... them bruises don't look to good. I'm afraid you gonna have to wait a little longer, Tommy. Until she's ready."
Thomas nodded in understanding, putting Blake's dress down once his mother was finished, then sat on the bed firmly holding the confused and frightened girl in his lap. He rocked her back and fourth, desperately trying to settle her down.
"Ready... f-for what?" Blake questioned, trying to swallow with her painfully dry mouth.
Luda Mae just smiled, brushing her fingers against Blake's wet cheek before patting her flat belly, "You'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, you just focus on gettin' healthy."
Her answer made Blake squirm uncomfortably, but not nearly as much as when she saw what Hoyt brought up the stairs with him. The false sheriff grinned maliciously, holding aloft a long length of chain with two shackles on one end. Blake let out a yelp, but was unable to struggle as Thomas held her tightly.
"Sorry it's gotta be done like this, little one, but we can't exactly trust ya not to go an get yerself hurt." Luda Mae apologized.
"There now, it ain't so bad. You'll be able to move around the house, getcher chores done. My nephew will be there for ya!" Hoyt explained, roughly grabbing Blake's wrist.
"N-no! LET GO OF ME!" Blake sobbed, fighting to pull her wrist out of his cruel grasp.
It didn't do much good, as the first shackle clicked shut around her wrist, closely followed by the other. The long length of her chain was secured to an anchor drilled into floor and a sturdy padlock. Blake kicked and screamed, flailing the chain around, then slumped against her captor's chest in defeat. Now... they made damn sure that she was there to stay! While there was enough slack between her wrists to still perform useful tasks for her captors, she'd be unable to defend herself properly or run very far.
"In time, dear child, I hope you'll understand that it's for the best." Luda Mae sighed, before she got up and left the room.
"Tommy, boy... ya better tidy her up. Don't want her at Mamma's table lookin' all dirty like that." Hoyt mentioned.
He flashed one, last cruel smile and made a grab at his privates before leaving. Blake could hear him hurrying down the stairs and the telltale sign of that...that slaughterhouse door opening. Presumably, he wanted to have some "playtime" with his toy down there before dinner. Blake just remained quiet, complying with Thomas as he led her to the bathroom and cleaned her up a little. When she finally found the courage to look him in the eye, the girl could see that he was still capable of compassion and empathy. Something deep down was telling her that it wasn't Thomas' fault that he was the way he was. The way his family treated him, ordered him around, he had been trained and conditioned, probably from a very early age.
"Thomas... w-what did they do to you?" Blake choked out.
TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~ TCM~
Even after all of the excitement that had happened, dinner had still been set out in the dining room as usual. A bit later then what the family was used to, but with a new member, they would have to adjust. Blake felt more humiliated then ever, hearing the sound of her bonds dragging everywhere she went now. Trembling, she had taken her seat at the table, right next to Thomas. Eagerly, everyone else at the table dished out their meals, said grace, and began to eat. Just looking at food made Blake feel sick. The thought of what, or rather who, she was eating nearly made her throw up again.
'Don't eat the meat... NEVER eat the meat again.' Blake muttered in her head, over and over again.
::To be Continued::
Author's Notes: I'd like to start by saying Happy Independence Day! What better way to celebrate a day of freedom then being grateful that you're not being kidnapped by the insane, Texas, backwoods cannibals of the year?
Here we have a lot of little things. Where to start? Perhaps... the dogs. As an animal lover, I greatly enjoy writing the animals. Jason and Toby seem to get along okay with Thomas but they absolutely detest Hoyt, to the point where they ignore their mistress' commands to stand down.
This chapter also has the first chainsaw kill, which while quick, tend to be gruesome and very, VERY messy. One part that... I'll admit, I was giggling while I wrote it, was... tacos. That just sounded like something so delightfully twisted, only Hoyt would be able to pull it off.
So, Pandora's Box has now been opened. Blake knows that she's not just living with killers, she's living with cannibals! There's a Soldier of Eternal Damnation being kept down there, and the Hewitts will go to insane lengths to keep Blake with them and force her into the family. Seems like right now, it's the frying pan or the fire. The rock or the hard place. But, Blake does have one advantage; Tommy absolutely adores her. Will she be able to play her hand carefully and earn her freedom or end up on the dinner table? (Only I know the answer to that! Kheheheheeeeee!)
Anyways, I love, love, LOVE your comments and any suggestions that you may have to offer. Feel free to PM me, I'm very chatty and friendly.
Disclaimer:: I do not claim to own The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or any of it's characters. The references to Jason Voorhees and Lisa Voorhees are from Lady_Vorrhees' story, The Strange Good Girl.