Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or anything related
Warnings, rape.
Chapter 12
He tried to keep himself busy by cleaning. Scrubbing the floors in every room, vacuuming the carpets, dusting the shelves. He'd found a room that was covered in dried blood. There was no trace of anything used to torture people, but he assumed this was where it was done. He spent the least amount of time there because it made him sick to be in there. The amount of blood there was shocking and he could almost feel the despair of the people who'd been tortured here. After a few minutes of scrubbing he left. The floors were still dirty but the room was too close to Don's.
He could hear Aerith screaming and crying and he couldn't handle it. A part of him wanted to rush in and stop him, but it wouldn't do any good. Not yet anyway... Maybe he could knock him out and pretend like nothing happened.
Zack shook his head, it was no good. Don would come too eventually and he'd be angry, even if they did manage to convince him that he'd blacked out, he would still take it out on Aerith. He wondered how long Don was going to keep it up. It had already been 30 minutes and while Aerith's cries had quieted down, he knew the man wasn't even close to being done with her.
0.o.0.o.0
It pained him to see her like this... Bleeding and crying on the floor like some pathetic creature. It hurt him more than her, he was sure of it. "Aerith, get up." he ordered. Her body was trembling and she didn't move, "Come now, what good are you if you can't listen to orders?"
"I... C-can't..." she gasped, "P-please stop..."
"I won't hit you anymore." he said, "That part is over." She didn't look thankful at all. She just continued to trembled and cry silently. "I'm being nice to you." he said, "Wouldn't you like to return the favor?" She didn't say anything, but he knew that she agreed. He pulled her to her feet, "Here, I'll let you relax a little okay? Just let me take control for you."
"P-please..." she whimpered. He laid her on the bed, apologizing as she hissed in pain. She wouldn't be able to lay on her back. He turned her over, spreading her legs and getting between them. She wasn't wet, she never really was, he always had to use some sort of lubricant to get in but he didn't have any with him. He cursed himself for being so unprepared and lathered his fingers with spit.
"I had a good day planned." he sighed as he worked them inside of her, "And I let my anger get the best of me, please forgive me." He leaned down and hugged her. She stiffened and cried out, "It hurts? And you're bleeding... Have the servant fix it up for you before you go to sleep." He kissed her ear and removed his fingers before quickly thrusting into her.
She cried out and he smiled, "It feels nice." he said. It would take her mind away from the pain, at least for a while. He continued to thrust while planting kisses on her shoulders. Every cry that broke from her lips threatened to drive him over the edge, but he kept control. He wanted her to know that the he still loved her. The punishment was necessary, even if he didn't like doing it.
Don finished quickly and pulled out of her. He helped her get dressed, she was trembling too much to do it herself, "That bastard rescheduled," he said, "So I'll be leaving early tomorrow, but I'm going to take you out to dinner. How does that sound?" He helped her up and walked her to the door. She left the room on her own and paused.
She struggled to stay standing and he waited for an answer, "G-Great." she said after a moment and he smiled. She still loved him, even though he'd had to punish her. He'd known that she hadn't done anything with the servant, but he had been too angry to see reason. But that was what he loved about her! She understood his ways and would forgive him no matter what he did. It was something the other girls he'd gone through had lacked. No sense of understanding for what he did.
"I love you." he said, although he wasn't ready to hear her say it back. Not while she was crying and hurt, he wanted her to shout it out while they made love, as they climaxed together. Her arms would be wrapped around him, her fingernails digging into his back. He wanted to feel her heart racing as she finally admitted it to herself. She loved him, and he loved her. "Goodnight." he closed his door and went to bed.
0.o.0.o.0
He sat up the moment he heard the door open. "Aerith?" he squinted through the dark and saw her standing shakily at the top of the stairs. She grabbed the rails and attempted to descend, "Wait, let me help you." he saw her falling and he rushed to her. "Aerith?"
She didn't say anything to him as he helped her down the steps and over to a bed, "N-no..." she pushed him away and fell to her knees, "I... I can't."
"What?" he turned on the lights, "What did he... What did he do to you?"
"I needed to be punished." she said softly. He went to her and looked her over. Her clothes were covered in blood.
"Here, I need to take this off of you." he said.
"No!" she gasped.
"I just... I just want to see the damage." he said softly, "You're bleeding and I need to bandage you up."
"It's my back..." she said. He slowly lifted her shirt, careful not to glance anywhere but her back.
"He... He whipped you?!" he asked. Considering how much blood he'd seen in the other rooms, he shouldn't have been surprised. "Why would he do that?"
"I should've been in his bed." she said.
"No, this isn't okay! He can't just..." He took a breath, "He can't just do this to people."
"I deserved it..." she was shaking and it was scaring him.
"No, you didn't." he snapped, "No one deserves this!" She flinched away from him, pulling her shirt back down. "Listen, I'm sorry." he said softly, "But I really need to clean that up."
"I'm... He's never going to let me go." she said, "If I left... he'd find me..."
"No, he wouldn't." Zack said.
"I'll be with him f-forever..." she cried, "And... H-he wants to g-get married to me..." Zack got up to find a first aid kit. There had to be one somewhere. "I j-just need to learn how to handle h-him..."
"Stop that, you're not marrying him." He couldn't find one around, but he knew there'd be one upstairs. In the room that made him sick... "I'm going to get something." he told her. She didn't respond but he rushed anyway. In the closet of the room was a good amount of bandages and disinfectant creams, but he couldn't find anything that would ease her pain. He grabbed a few towels and some water and rushed back down to her.
He lifted her onto a bed. "I'm taking your shirt off." he said slowly, "I'm going to clean the wounds now, it'll hurt a little, okay?" Not as much as being whipped had hurt, but still it would burn. He poured the liquid onto a towel and began to wipe away the blood. She tensed and whimpered and he kept apologizing. "It's clean... okay? Now I'm going to wrap you up." This part was easier, he managed to get her completely wrapped up before gathering all of the blankets he could find.
"Zack..." she whimpered.
"It'll get cold, okay? Take the blankets." There was no heat in the basement and he didn't want her to be uncomfortable.
"Sleep with me?" she asked quietly. Why would she ask him to do that? Surely, after what Don did to her, she wasn't asking him to...
"You don't want me to..." he said.
"No, j-just lay next to me... make sure he doesn't come back." she said. He almost face-palmed, of course she wasn't talking about sex, what the heck was wrong with him?
"He won't be coming down here." he said as he climbed into bed with her.
"J-just in case..." she said, "You can w-warn me..."
"Sleep on you stomach, it'll hurt less." he said as she tried to get comfortable. She nodded and laid on her stomach. He wondered if it would be okay if he got under the blanket too. She had a lot, she wouldn't miss one... As if she read his mind, she threw the blankets over him, moving closer in the process. "Thanks." he said.
She didn't say a word, but he did notice her breathing had calmed. No more frantic puffs of air or gasps, she was asleep now and he felt that he should probably sleep too.
0.o.0.o.0
They were at the beach, the first family vacation in a long time. His mom lounged on a chair a few feet away and his dad was off to get her a drink. It was fun, he would admit, but his little sister Katherine was ruining it.
"Mommy!" she screamed, "Zack threw a rock at my castle!" Zack stood over it and rolled his eyes. There was barely anything wrong with the castle. Sure, one of the sloppy pillars had fallen, but it was fine. She was overreacting.
"Zack..." his mom sighed, "Why would you do that?" She lowered her sunglasses and looked at him, "Why do you always pick on her?" She had it all wrong, he never picked on her. Anything he did to her was always in response to something she had done to him.
"She took my soda and put seaweed in it!" he crossed his arms, "I wasn't even done with it." He'd all but begged his mother to let him have it. She never really allowed them to have sweets but she'd relented because they were on vacation.
"He wouldn't share!" Katy said.
"She had her own!" He argued, "She drank it all."
"But it wasn't like yours!" Katy argued.
"Zack, she's younger than you, she doesn't know any better." his mother slipped her sunglasses back on and leaned back, "Just help her rebuild it."
"But mom, that's not fair!" he said.
"Zack, please, just do it." she said. He rolled his eyes and sat down in front of the castle. Katy got away with everything! He was sure that she could burn down the house and they'd be fine with it.
0.o.0.o.0
He woke up and noticed Aerith was trembling again. Ignoring the dream he'd just had, he got out of bed and found another towel. He peeled back her blankets and examined the bandages, the blood had started to soak through, but he was sure that it was fine for now.
He wiped the sweat from her neck and removed a few blankets, it was too hot for them now. "Zack?" she jumped.
"Yeah, I was just getting rid of some of the blankets." he said quietly, "Go back to sleep."
"H-he's not coming?" she asked, but she fell asleep again before he could answer. He waited a moment to make sure she didn't wake up again before going back to sleep himself.
0.o.0.o.0
"Wrong!" Katy shouted, "The flag goes over there!" But he'd built it exactly the way she had it, but apparently that wasn't good enough. She kicked the newly built castle, getting sand in his eyes, "Go away!"
He stood up and kicked sand at her, "Your lucky I even helped you!"
"Zack!" his mom hissed, "I told you to help her!"
"She kicked sand in my eyes!" he argued, and he only kicked some in her direction, why was he getting in trouble.
"Just... Go back to the room." she said, "I'll come back there in an hour and get you." She pointed towards the hotel. He glared at his sister once more before walking off into the hotel. He knew that his mother would come and apologize to him when she finally came to their room. She always did, and he always forgave her, but it was still unfair.
He entered their room and started to wipe the sand from his feet. "Not fair..." he mumbled to himself. The door opened and he turned around, "Mom...?" it wasn't his mother... "Um, who are you?"
"I saw what happened." the man said, "Life's hard sometimes." Zack backed away, who was this man?
"Are you... Do you work at the hotel?" he asked, "I don't think you can just come in here."
"I know, I guess I should have knocked first." the man said, "My name is Ray, I don't work here but your dad sent me. I saw what your mom did, yelling at you like that, it wasn't fair."
"I know." Zack nodded. How exactly did this man know his dad?
"I have an idea." Ray closed the door, which made him a little nervous, "I'll take you to McDonalds and buy you ice cream. And we'll stay for a long time, so when your mom comes here, she'll think you ran away."
"Why would I do that?" he asked.
"Because when you come back, she'll be happy to see you!" Ray said, "I already checked this out with your dad, he thinks it's a good idea."
Zack knew his father never made bad choices, if he thought it was okay, then it probably was. "Okay, let me change first!" He rushed to his room and changed his clothes before returning and putting on his shoes, "Let's go!"
He followed the man to his car, noticing how shiny it was, "Go on and ride up front." Ray said. Zack jumped into the passengers seat. This car was different from his dad's car. It had leather seats!
"Mom always listens to whatever Katy says, because she's younger then me." Ray got into the car and started driving.
"How old are you?" Ray asked.
"I just turned 10 yesterday." he said, "This is my birthday vacation."
"You got a vacation for your birthday?" Ray asked.
"Yeah..." Zack answered.
"You know, kids are ungrateful." Ray said, "Some kids don't get what you have. They don't get to go on vacations because they work all day." They drove right by the McDonalds and he panicked.
"Hey... Where are you going?" he asked, "You passed-"
"I'm sure your mother told you to never get into a car with strangers." Ray said, "I'm taking you to work now."
Zack stared at the man, realizing that this man had lied to him. "I... I don't want to go with you." he said.
"That's too bad, i'm going to get big bucks for a boy like you." he said, "And you shouldn't have been so eager to make your mom worry. And for what? Because she sent you to your room? You're a spoiled brat."
"But you said-" it hadn't been his idea! He'd thought his dad had approved of the entire thing. He looked at the door locks, maybe he could open the door and roll out. He saw it in a movie, it could work for him. But the door was locked, and he couldn't seem to open it.
He banged on the windows, screaming at the other cars as they drove by, but no one was paying attention. He slumped in his seat, staring warily at Ray, he wasn't getting out of this. Ray wasn't going to let him out! He was being kidnapped and it was all his fault.
0.o.0.o.0
He woke up before Aerith did, which was probably for the best, because he was sure she wouldn't like the position they were in. He wasn't sure when he'd turned and wrapped his arms around her, but at some point, she'd snuggled up to him as well.
His fingers were in her hair, rubbing her scalp absently and his chin was resting on her forehead. He wasn't entirely sure how he would get out of the position without waking her, but he knew he'd have to do it before Don came and saw them like this.
He slowly moved his arm from under her, pausing when she let out a shaky breath and only resuming when he was sure she was still asleep. He got out of bed quickly and headed up the stairs. He needed to talk to Don about the lack of food in the house. "Boy, where is she?" Dona asked. Zack stopped looking through the kitchen and turned around.
"She's still asleep." he fought to keep his voice steady, "She was really hurt last night."
"Right, she needs her rest." Don said, "I want you to make her a big breakfast, she'll need energy for what I have planned."
Zack bit his lip, he didn't want to know what the man had planned, "There's nothing here to cook, sir." he said.
"Then go to the store!" Don rolled his eyes.
"I don't have any money." Zack said. Don mumbled something before taking a card out and handing it to him.
"Take out $300. Fill this place with food and take her with you."
"She's not really feeling that well." Zack said. He didn't want to show this man how angry he was, he knew that Don would play on that anger. "Maybe she should stay and rest."
"No, she's pale and I think she needs the sun." Don said, "Get home quick enough and she'll be able to rest. If she doesn't get enough rest it will be no ones fault but yours."
There were a number of arguments he could use to counter that, but Don wasn't going to listen to him. "Alright." he said.
"Get her ready, I'll write a list, there are other things I want you to get." He left the kitchen and Zack went down to wake Aerith. She had rolled onto her back and the discomfort was showing.
"Aerith." he called, "Wake up." He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. She gasped and let out a cry, "Hey! It's just me!"
"Zack?" she coughed, "Is he coming?"
"No, but he wants us to go to the store." he turned on the lights, "But I think you should stay here." She looked horrible and he was sure she felt just as bad.
"I can't..." she said, "What if he comes down here?"
"I doubt he will." Zack said, but wasn't sure. There was nothing down here for him and if he moved Aerith to a bed that was further away from the stairs, he wouldn't see her if he did peak in. But Aerith didn't listen, she was already getting out of bed. "Hey! Slow down!"
"I need to go with you." she said, "You can't leave me alone here." She was scared and he knew it, but her body could only handle so much.
"You can barely stand... come on." he said.
"Zack, you try having someone force their way inside you and see how well you can stand." she snapped, "Stop trying to tell me what to do."
"I'm not!" he protested, "I'm just worried, okay?" Aerith looked away from him and he sighed quietly. He cared about her, even though most of their talks ended with her snapping on him and telling him to go away. She needed help and he was trying, but she was making it hard... But she was scared and injured and he had no right to push the blame on her. "I'm sorry?" he tried.
"Okay." she said. She allowed him to help her up and he smiled, at least she was still comfortable enough to let him touch her. "I'm going to get dressed." she said. He hadn't realized that she was still shirtless, he hadn't put a shirt back on her after he applied the bandages.
"Oh! Yeah, I'll be upstairs." he said, "Call if you need me." he rushed up the stairs and waited by the door. Don came down and gave him the list.
"My PIN number is right there." he said, "And I swear, if you steal a penny from me I will gut you like a fish." Don's threat meant nothing to him, he wasn't afraid of the man, but he had to play a role until he got Aerith home.
"Don't worry, sir." the sir at the end might have sounded a little forced but if Don noticed it, he ignored it and went back up to his room.
Aerith hadn't called for him, which was good because then Don would have heard and he'd want to talk to her and she was in no condition to see him again. Instead she struggled up the stairs by herself and was panting and sweating when she did get up there.
"You forgot your coat." she held it out to him.
"Thanks." he put it on and gave her a moment to catch her breath. "We don't have a ride... We'll have to walk." He was starting to realize exactly how long this trip would be. He remembered them being at least 30 minutes away from town, it might take even longer for them to walk. Plus it was cold out, that always slowed him down... and Aerith could hardly stand, he'd carry her if he needed too, but still.
"Let's go." Aerith walked by him and out the door. He followed her and closed the door. It wasn't too cold out, maybe he was too worried about the trip.
"Aerith...?" he asked after a few minutes of silence, "Did... did you really mean all of that?"
"All of what?" she asked.
"Last night... You told me he wanted to marry you." he said, "You said you just needed to figure out how to handle him."
"Yeah..." she nodded, "I meant it."
"That's kind of stupid." he said, he kind of regretted saying it, but it was true.
"Zack, you have no right!" she stopped and glared at him, "My life has been hell since they snatched me off the streets and if you were in my shoes, you'd give up too!"
"Wait!" he rushed to catch up, "Hey, calm down!" He could see the strain on her face, but she wasn't slowing down. "I said i'd get you out of here right? I will, I promise! But you can't just give in like that." He knew that it seemed like the easier option for her. If she could get Don to stop hitting her, she would be fine, but he was going to make sure she got home.
"I..." she started but trailed off. She stopped walking and sighed, "Alright, sorry."
"We're almost to town." he said, "And I'm out of breath." he stopped and she did too, "You walk fast."
"Obviously not fast enough." she mumbled.
"We're going to have a race when you're feeling better." he said.
"And you think you could beat me?" she smiled and he did too.
"I know I could!" he said, "I'll give you a few days to prepare, but when you lose, you have to... admit i'm the best in the world and if you win you... Go on a date with me!" He stood up straight and waited for a response, she stayed quiet for a moment and he thought he'd upset her again.
"A date?" she giggled, "What kind of prize is that?"
"A good one?" he suggested.
"I don't think so." she said. They both started walking again, this time Aerith leaned on him slightly, "It's just really numb now."
"What is?" he asked.
"My back, it doesn't hurt too much." she said.
"Good." he noticed a car pulling up to them and he narrowed his eyes. It wasn't Don's car and it definitely wasn't a police car. If it was some stranger offering a ride, he'd tell them to go away, he'd had enough of strangers in his life.
"Somebody need a ride?" it was the worst Italian accent he'd ever heard. The window of the car rolled down and he gasped.
"Angeal!"
"Who?" Aerith asked, but he'd already ran over to the car.
"What are you doing here?" Zack asked.
"You called." Angeal said, "Now get in, we need to talk."
"Oh, yeah!" he walked back to Aerith, "This is my friend, he's going to help us." Aerith looked at him nervously, "Hey, i'll be with you and he's a good guy, just come on."
"What if Don finds out..." she asked quietly.
"He won't, I promise." Zack led her to the car. He helped her into the car and got in himself, "Angeal, this is Aerith."
"Nice to meet you." Angeal said.
"Nice to meet you too." she said quietly. She wasn't going to talk much but that was okay.
"What did you need to talk about?" he asked. Angeal went over a few things, the plan had changed a lot from what they'd talked about over the phone. But things were still the same. All he needed to do was make a little extra money and they'd be able to go home before even going back to Germany. He glanced back at Aerith and noticed her dozing against the door. "Hey... How'd you get here?" Zack asked.
"I had some miles saved up from traveling. And I had some money... This business is expensive." he said.
"How much do you spend?" Zack asked.
"Well, to be honest, it's hard enough convincing the women I find to go home. Most of them are pretty brainwashed." he explained, "And because they're adults, I can't do a thing about it. So I've only saved 3 people since I met you."
"But how much?" he asked.
"Just 3 plane tickets." Angeal said, "Out of the thousands I have, it's nothing okay?"
"I don't want you to be poor..." Zack said.
"Don't worry Zack." Angeal said, "I have a lot of money, I won't run out any time soon."
"Okay, you're doing a lot... but just one more favor, okay?" he looked at Aerith again, "Can you take her somewhere? Just while I go shopping?"
"Hmm?" Angeal questioned.
"We were out to go shopping, and he made me bring her with me." Zack said, "I tried to leave her behind but she wouldn't have it, but she's too injured to walk around any more, so just take her somewhere and sit down for a moment."
"Alright, I think we can-"
"No." Aerith sat up suddenly, "No, i'm not staying with him."
"Aerith, it'll only be for a little bit." he tried, but she shook her head.
"I want to come with you." she said.
"But you can't!" their conversation had turned into whispers, "He isn't going to hurt you."
"I don't... I don't trust him at all." she said.
"I get it, but you'll be in public. And I won't be gone for long." Zack said, "Just talk to him, he's a nice guy."
"What if Don comes out and sees me?" she asked.
"It's only a little risky." Zack said, but he hadn't really thought about it, "But don't worry!"
"Zack, we'll both get in so much trouble..." Aerith said. She glanced up front at Angeal, but he had his eyes on the road. He wondered if any of the other people he'd saved acted like Aerith was right now.
"I can handle him." Zack said. Don had no guards with him, just the driver who was absent until Don needed a ride. If the man did try to do something, he'd protect himself, he only needed to be careful when it came to Aerith. "Just give me time to do the shopping."
"Okay..." she said quietly. The rest of the ride was quiet and he apologized before leaving her behind to shop.
0.o.0.o.0
A/N: and I didn't think it was possible for these chapters to get any longer :P
I debated putting the rape scene in here, I think enough people know that he's doing that too her, but I don't know... What do you guys think?