The Nature of the Forest was so serene, filled with the sound of birds chirping around them. Ever so present winds blew past them, causing the branches to sway. Not a single care what was going around it as the two figures knelt on the ground below.

"Make a small incision in the neck, right about there." Soft, warm hands guided a small shaking one, the knife lightly touching hide, not yet piercing flesh. The fear of making a fatal mistake in the driver's seat. "Careful, Don't want to miss and cut an artery, Malcolm."

Deep breaths calmed his nerves, just enough to cease the tremoring. However the second he pressed the knife into the flesh, the scenery changed. Deer hide was now human skin and blood sprayed all over him. Panic set in as he desperately tried to stop the profuse bleeding.

Suddenly Malcolm's eyes opened wide as his body shot up. The relief he felt knowing it was only a nightmare was short lived the moment he failed to recognize his surroundings. He was on a bed but it wasn't his bed. These walls weren't his walls either.

"What do you think, Malcolm? Do you like it?" Malcolm's eyes widened as a younger version of his father appeared in front of him. "Bought this place just for us, it's a perfect spot for a camping trip. Wouldn't you agree?"

Malcolm was now wide awake, the memory of the previous night's events hitting him like a freight train. "Fuck." He muttered to himself as he took the time to fully process where he was now. There had to be an exit somewhere. If he got out now he might have a chance to get far enough where his father couldn't find him. From there he could call for backup.

In the background he could hear the clamoring of pots and pans. His father was humming some sort of tune he couldn't quite catch onto. The man was clearly distracted, a perfect chance to get away. Upon further inspection, Malcolm managed to find a back exit but it was locked. Shit. He took a deep breath, looked around to make sure the coast was clear before promptly kicking the door with all his strength. Much to his relief the door busted open and he wasted no time running out.

Once Malcolm felt like he'd ventured far enough away, he pulled out his and immediately started to dial Gil's number. "Wrong decision, Malcolm." The voice was sudden and right behind him. He didn't even have time to react as the phone posthastedly snatched from his hands and thrown to the ground, followed by the sound of it shattering. "Now how about we go back to dear old daddy."

A clothed hand covered his mouth as he tried to fight his way out of the strangers grasp, whose voice seemed oddly familiar. His vision started darkening before pure black greeted him, his body going limp.

He should have properly secured Malcolm, He should have seen this coming. Should have took off the second he heard movement. Martin paced back and forth, cursing himself. He should have rushed to his son's side the second he heard him screaming in the bed. But he didn't do that in the fear that it would scare him. Instead he'd chosen to give his son the benefit of the doubt. That maybe he would either not remember or stick around. Now he was left too many regrets and should haves, waiting for some saving grace.

Seconds, minutes...More time seemed to pass and his hope was fading. What if it was too late? By now Malcolm would have called that damn cop and they would be on their way to arrest him, again. Martin relaxed when he heard a friendly engine approach the cabin. Needless to say he was out the door once the engine shut off, eagerly craving to reclaim his son.

"Found him not too far down the road, gotta admit, he's a fast one." the man before him remarked as he handed an unconscious Malcolm over Martin. "Don't worry my friend, you won't have to worry about him calling anyone anytime in the foreseeable future."

Martin clung Malcolm's unconscious body as if it was life or death, feeling his boy's breath against his chest. "Thank you, Paul. I owe you a big one for this." Martin said softly as he smiled down at Malcolm. "Would you like to join us for breakfast?"

"Nah, I got some trash to take care of that your boy here got interrupted." Martin smiled thankfully at Paul. "Just try to keep an eye on him this time."

Oh he definitely would do that. No one was going to keep him from his son ever again. "Trust me, soon he won't want to leave."

||So... shorter than the last one buttttt the good knews is that I've decided to make it multi-chapter. That counts for something, right?||