Sorry that this took so long and for how short it is. I've had really bad writers block. This chapter has hints of GeorgeXKaneki but I'm not sure if I'm going to pair them yet. Next to be updated should me Masquerade Murders, if you wanted to know. And even though I don't reply to reviews I read them all some (Some multiple times.) and really appreciate them.

Once again a big thanks to my betas newerher3 and tootsie23101!

WARNINGS: hints of torture and blood. You know, all the fun stuff that I suck at writing.

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George had long ago learnt how to withdraw into his mind. It stopped him from going insane when he was being tortured. It was a method he had used quite a bit during the war. He could withdraw into himself if he so wished and his magic would protect him as much as it could. The only thing stopping him from doing so now was Kaneki.

If he was to withdraw into his mind there would be nothing to stop Kaneki from being hurt. So instead of withdrawing George focused all his magic, which wasn't much considering how drained he was, on protecting Kaneki. Knowing Kaneki was safe from harm with his magic protecting him calmed him a bit. But now even if he did withdraw into his mind his body could still be harmed.

So George decided to stay aware in order to keep an eye on Kaneki's unconscious form. For all he knew Jason, the hulking blonde ghoul, might be able to get through Georges magic to hurt Kaneki. And if that happened George wouldn't hesitate to fight back. Besides he wouldn't be able to fall unconscious even if he wanted to, Jason made sure of that.

George was tied up to a chair, his hands and feet securely bound. His skin had been peeled of where the rope had rubbed it and was bleeding freely. He wished he hadn't used so much of his magic during the fight. If he hadn't he would be able to brake free, grab Kaneki and escape this hell hole. Unfortunately he had used most of his magic, and what he hadn't used he was using to protect Kaneki.

George barely held back a scream as Jason stabbed a knife into his chest. The blonde slowly and painfully ripped the blade through George's skin, muscle, nerves and bone, exposing his organs and causing blood to pour from the wound. Jason raised the knife up to his lips and licked the blood off of it. "Now little birdie, let's see what makes you tick."

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Kaneki woke with a gasp. His eyes flew open to survey his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was that he was bound to a chair, the ropes pressing into his skin painfully. His heart beat fast in his chest. The last thing he remembered was those other ghouls showing up at the cafe. The ginger haired customer had jumped in and saved him. Concern flooded him for the other man. He hoped he was okay.

He appeared to be in some empty room that seemed to stretch out in every direction. The floor was black and white and looked dirty. The roof loomed above him like a rusty, shadowed dome. He tugged on the ropes binding him to see how tight they were. He felt weak for some reason, maybe he'd been drugged. Either way he was in no condition to try and escape.

Strangely enough even though he knew the room should be cold, he felt warm, protected. Like he was wrapped up in a warm blanket. Which didn't make sense because he was being held prisoner in what looked like some sort of torture chamber. But the feeling of warmth and safety wouldn't go away. He was still nervous and scared but even those were dulled by the feeling of protection.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a whispered "So, you're finally up. How you feeling?" He hadn't realised there was someone else in the room and his head whipped around to where the voice came from. He let out a loud gasp as he caught sight of a familiar ginger.

The other man didn't look so good. He was pale and seemed to be trembling. He was covered in wounds and bruises. Some of the wounds were in the process of healing, while others bled freely. The man's clothes, what remained of them since he was topless, were drenched in enough blood to make Kaneki feel sick. How could a human body hold that much blood?

The man's intense brown eyes held Kaneki's. "I know I probably don't look to good right now but don't worry, I'll be fine. I've been through worse. Oh, I nearly forgot my names George. Pleasure to meet you." The man's intense brown eyes held Kaneki's.

Kaneki wasn't really sure what to say. He'd heard of people going insane from torture, but the man seemed to be perfectly fine, mentally anyway. When Kaneki had first seen him in the cafe, he'd been worriedly clutching his phone, as if waiting for an urgent call. His hair had looked neat and his eyes full of laughter. He'd given of the air of a prankster and his face looked slightly elfish. The man's voice had been smooth and comforting, now it was rough and painful sounding. As if he had been screaming a lot. The thought made Kaneki feel sick.

He wouldn't admit it out loud, but his heart had skipped a beat when the man had first smiled at him. Staring at the now bloodied and beaten man, Kaneki couldn't help but feel that it was his fault the man was in this position. He stared wide eyed at the man, not sure what to do.

"What are you staring at. Is there something on my face?" George asked jokingly. Kaneki felt a small smile cross his face. He wasn't sure how George could be making jokes at a time like this, but he appreciated the man's attempts to cheer him up.

Catching sight of Kaneki's small smile, George gave him a wide grin in return. His face became serious soon after though. "You're lucky you woke up now. I don't know where Jason went but it's likely that he'll be back soon. All we have to do is wait for my friends. They come to save us soon, I just know it." Looking into George's wide, honest eyes Kaneki believed it to.

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