Jaeh- Oooh an update! Sorry for taking a tad long… hope you like this one. Um, Lori, what do we rate this one?
Lori- Err, in my opinion it kind of breaks the scale at an 11. Seriously, it really dark and really disturbing... It skirts around the rated M territory, but not quite…so brace yourselves…
Riley opened his eyes, moaning. He had a horrible headache… did I go out drinking last night? Hell, I think I'm suffering from a hangover – what happened… He rolled over to his left, and saw a chair, with some ropes neatly draped over it.
Then everything flashed through his head in a micro-slideshow type fashion. The Carnival… Devin…oatmeal? He had a cloth… oh dammit, I was chloroformed.
Riley winced, wondering why his arms pained him more than before. He felt nauseous and aching and he wanted to be rid of the constant horrible pain. His eyes scanned his surroundings until they fell on the ropes coiled on the chair. Then it hit him, that he was unbound and on a mat on the floor, totally free. Riley shot up from his position, his mind quickly assessing his options. No Devin; nothing but him, the chair, and a pile of boxes near a table. His head perked up, and he glanced around, eagerly now. Devin's not here…
Riley wanted to make sure – he wanted to even shout Devin's name to see if the psycho would poke his head out from a corner or something – but he didn't want to risk calling attention to himself. A sigh slipped out of Riley's lips. He was grateful that Devin wasn't there taunting him, touching him, watching him …he was just grateful that Devin wasn't there. That gave him a chance to breathe, to relax as much as his current situation would let him… a chance to escape. To finally escape. I can get out of here!
The thought made Riley feel unbelievably giddy, and his eyes swept the place for anything useful. There was nothing, but an obviously unlocked door. This must be a trick. One of Devin's games. He's outside, waiting to see if I'll try and escape. Riley shook his head. No, Riley, game or not, this is your chance. Take it.
Riley made up his mind, and crept to the door. He opened it slowly, and winced when he heard it creak. He shut his eyes, expecting for Devin to come around the corner any second – but he didn't. Riley became a bit more relaxed, and he boldly ran out into the open.
He didn't know where to go at first, and racked his brain for direction – any direction at all. Then he remembered the animal stable, and the spider announcement, and the booth. The booth – he remembered the booth with the intercom controls in it. He racked his brain for clues on the direction towards it… that booth looks familiar, oh, and that tent… that… there!
Riley ran straight towards the intercom booth, thinking that speed beats creeping around and bumping into Devin – that was what he tried the last time and he got screwed. Screwed: tortured, beaten, cut… Riley shuddered, and slowed when he got to the booth. He cautiously peeked through the window to see if Devin was waiting for him inside. No one. There's no one in there.
Was it possible? Did Devin mess up and leave me alone? Riley entered the booth, and grabbed the microphone and a hand hovered over the toggle switch. He was about to say something, but then had a second thought. Devin might be on to me before I even finish the sentence. I can't risk that. I need to get a message to Ben and…
He looked for a pen, a knife, anything he could scratch the walls with. Riley clawed at the walls, desperately trying to think of a solution to his problem… blood, Riley. Write with your blood. That was the best thing he could come up with at the moment, and glanced at a wound on his arm. It was covered with a crude bandage – the corner of the cloth was already slightly fleshy-pink with whatever residue of his blood was left. He ripped the bandage off, and gingerly slipped a nail into the closed cut. Riley hesitated – his sense of self-preservation was screaming no, but Riley knew it was his only hope.
The nail slipped with ridiculous ease into the cut, and Riley pulled it all the way through the wound, biting on his shirt to keep himself from screaming. The wound slowly opened, the blood started to flow. Riley quickly got to work. He knew exactly what to write, something his friend would understand instantly but Devin wouldn't. Riley was amazed that as he wrote, he knew where he and Devin were going next – he remembered vaguely, from a foggy drug-induced haze, Devin's leering face, his words… "Riley! Guess where we'll go…"
Riley shuddered, and grabbed the mike. As soon as he turned it on, he knew that Devin was going to come for him. He flipped the button, and exhaled.
"BEN! BEN IT'S RILEY!"
8…
"I'm in the intercom booth, y-you're gonna have to hurry…"
4…
"I don't have much time."
He heard heavy, angry footsteps outside the door, and Riley dropped the microphone.
He closed his eyes.
2…
1…
"Game over, Riley."
Ben was already running towards the main booth as Ian had directed when he heard a low voice speaking inaudibly in the background, and Riley cry out. If he could fly, he would have, and he slipped and slid around the corners and straight into the booth.
There was nobody there. There was nothing but the microphone and an open door, and a few drops of blood.
"What was that about?" Ian said, blinking at the sight before him. "Riley isn't here."
"Devin must have gotten to him before we could." Abigail whispered in a trembling voice. She was practically hugging Riley's shoes.
Ben kicked at the door. "No… NO!" He screamed, and kicked the door again. He took a few deep breaths, getting himself under control. Riley needed him and he had to think. "Riley's a smart kid. I know if he had the time he would leave us some clue… some sign…" He entered the small booth, his eyes roaming around for anything useful. "He would've left a clue – anything!"
Abigail started looking at the walls and the controls. Ian stood at the side, his arms crossed as he watched Ben and Abigail search the small room. "Look, he was cut off when he was speaking. Who's to know if he was just going to tell us where he was going – "
"Riley is not stupid, Ian!" Ben growled. "He left us a message – he knew he would get caught by speaking on the intercom!"
"Ben, people in panic tend to do idiotic things – "
"I found something!" Abigail shouted, pointing at a spot in the wall. There were graffiti scribbled all over the spot, probably something written by the bored clerk or by kids roaming in the abandoned carnival. Abigail traced the wood with her fingers. "Maybe he wrote something here… This – this looks new, and it's not written with a sharpie…" She traced some letters written in red, and drew back when she felt that they were pretty damp. Ben leaned forward and squinted at the lettering.
You'll find me in the hue of sun. Mix all the colors.
"That looks more like something a depressed 13-year-old would leave his girlfriend, Ben." Ian murmured, gesturing at the writing.
"No… this is definitely Riley's handwriting… it's still damp… can't be paint…" Ben drew his handkerchief and pressed it against the writing. Some of the red stuff came off, and Ben took a whiff. "It's… It's blood. This is Riley's blood – it's his message. It's his message!"
Ben traced the letters with his hand and read it aloud. "You'll find me in the hue of sun. Mix all the colors. You'll find me in – hue of sun. Hue of sun!"
"That doesn't make any sense, Ben. Hue of sun – what does that supposed to mean?" Ian leaned against the booth and raised an eyebrow.
"It's an anagram, Ian – 'mix all the colors' – Riley left us a clue! He's telling us to mix the letters around."
Abigail sat in one corner and stared blankly at the air. "Hue of sun? What's the word, then?"
"It's a place in the carnival. Hue... sun… fue? No no, there's no such word… fun… fun- what?" Ben paced, gesturing with his hand. Then he stopped and snapped his fingers. "Funhouse! He's being held in the funhouse!" Ben literally leapt out of the booth. "Let's go – we have no time to lose – let's look for that funhouse!"
Ian frowned. "What if it's a trap?"
Ben stopped, and clenched his fists. "I don't care. I would do anything to save my little brother." He turned to look at Abigail, full in her beautiful face. "Abby… please, this is too dangerous… I don't… I don't want to lose anyone else."
Abigail shook her head, stroking his cheek. "You're not going to lose me, Ben. And we're not going to lose Riley."
"What is this?" Devin snarled, grabbing Riley's arm. "Trying your hand at poetry, now?"
Riley cried out as Devin grasped his arm and squeezed it hard. "I-I don't… it's… n-not mine…" he stuttered. Devin sighed in annoyance and began to drag Riley away. "Doesn't matter anyway. We have no time, Mr. Poole. Thanks to you my schedule has been thrown off."
Riley was handcuffed again and dragged through the carnival more quickly then he thought possible. The whole time Devin muttered angrily to himself. "This is how you repay me, Riley? I don't like it when my little toys do not obey."
Riley found himself thrown onto the dirty ground. Any attempt Riley might have made to get away was cut short when Devin kicked him in the stomach, making him curl up in pain.
Then he heard Devin's voice, cold and merciless. "I'm disappointed, Mr. Poole. Very disappointed. I thought you learned your lesson. But it seems I was wrong." Riley tried to struggle up, but Devin was suddenly on top of him. "Good pets don't run away. Pets that run away need to learn their lesson."
"Get off me!" Riley shouted, thrashing as hard as he could. He couldn't even use his arms to defend himself because they were bound behind him. Then with horror, saw a glint of silver, and realized that Devin had brought out the knife again. "No!" Riley cried, trying to get away from the blade.
"Hold…still…" Devin snarled, pressing the knife to Riley's neck. Riley froze, his eyes went wide and he fell still, shaking.
"Oh, don't worry, Riley. I won't slit your throat... to kill you. But you need to see the consequences for your actions." He pressed the knife harder into Riley's neck. "You know why I chose this place, Riley? I soundproofed it. Oh yes, Riley. I put a lot more thought into this carnival for us then you realize…"
Riley felt sick with fear, unsure of what Devin was going to do. He only prayed it would be over with quickly.
"Mr. Poole, it is very unfortunate that you didn't listen to me," Devin glowered at Riley, his eyes nothing but predatory. "You disobeyed me again. And bad children must be punished, wouldn't you say?"
"Why don't you go ask your pal Jigsaw," Riley spat, trying to kick out. "Then maybe you and him can chat it up over tea with Hannibal Lector."
Devin glared at Riley. "You give me no choice, Riley." Devin straddled Riley, making it impossible for him to move his legs. He pressed Riley hard into the ground, which caused his arms to hurt more and Riley tried not to cry out from the pain. "We have to do something with your attitude."
"Don't try and move," Devin whispered dangerously, the knife still lurking precariously near his neck. Riley's throat went dry, his heart pounding painfully fast. He could only stare up at Devin and wait for whatever torture he would inflict on him.
"You need to be taught one more lesson, Mr. Poole." In one swift motion there was a ripping of fabric and Riley's shirt was broke open. Riley's eyes were wide in horror, but he wouldn't allow himself to scream yet. The knife positioned itself over his chest, and Riley squeezed his eyes closed and gritted his teeth, bracing himself for being stabbed. "You need to learn, and get it into that thick skull of yours."
But Devin didn't plunge the knife into his heart. Instead, he traced it lightly over Riley's skin, just hard enough to draw blood. Riley swallowed hard but managed not to make a sound.
"Now Mr. Poole. Tell me you're going to be a good boy for Daddy, hmm?"
Riley didn't say a word, just glared at the monster, biting the inside of his mouth. He knew this was Devin's sick sadistic way of twisting his arm to get him to say 'uncle'.
Suddenly, Devin pressed the knife down harder, into his rib. Riley gasped in pain, but immediately bit back a scream.
"I want to hear you say it," Devin snarled pressing the knife in another millimeter. Riley was shaking but he didn't respond. His better judgment screamed at him to give Devin what he wanted, that if he did it would end the pain. But something else in Riley held off on it. Devin had already taken so much from him, and now he was trying to coerce words from Riley. And Riley wanted some control, no matter how fleeting. I am not your toy, Devin.
"SAY IT!" Devin screamed at him, Riley's lack of response enraging him.
Riley gasped, and he glared more fiercely at Devin. "Go… screw… yourself."
Devin's eyes flashed from surprise to anger, then in an almost animalistic manner, Devin began slashing at Riley, the knife cutting over his skin. Riley couldn't help it. He screamed and screamed, every time the knife made contact.
Riley's agony seemed to quell some of Devin's anger, and he smirked down shivering young man, who was beginning to cry.
"This hurts me more than it hurt you," Devin sighed, gently stroking Riley's cheek with his other hand. "I just need to hear you tell Daddy, that you'll be good and listen to him from now on."
Riley choked back a sob, and didn't respond. Devin slashed Riley again across the chest again. Riley let out a hoarse scream and suddenly tried desperately to struggle away, but Devin wouldn't let him move. Riley fell back to the ground sobbing.
"Will you say it, Riley?" Devin asked, almost tenderly. Riley nodded, his whole body shaking uncontrollably. "I'll be good," he sobbed. "P-Please… I'll be good..."
"That's all I wanted to hear," Devin said brightly. He placed a hand on Riley's chest and smeared the blood. "You can think of that as a little reminder of our lesson, okay?"
Riley nodded, still trembling. He shut his eyes, afraid that Devin would do something more.
"Okay, Mr. Poole," he laughed, as if he found Riley's blind terror an amusing joke. "That's enough for now."
As soon as Devin released him, Riley scrambled himself as far away from his tormentor as he could. But he couldn't get far because he could only use his legs, so he curled his bleeding body in on itself as terrified sobs escaped him.
Then he let out a whimper as Devin knelt down in front of him. Go away go away please go away…
Riley felt Devin sit him up and brush off the dirt from his clothes.
"You know I only did that for your own good."
Riley nodded, still trembling. Then he jerked away when he felt Devin press something onto his chest. "It's okay Riley…I'm just cleaning your wounds." Riley sat there numbly as Devin methodically dabbed and applied some painful stinging antiseptic onto his chest. He didn't know where Devin got them, and he didn't care. Then Devin wrapped his chest in bandages, with almost maternal like care. Riley still shivered, but as least the pain was lessened.
"There we go," Devin said, putting the finishing touches on the bandages. "Good as new."
Devin lifted Riley to his feet. The young man's legs shook, and Devin held him up. "We're off to our next game, Riley. I hope you have enough endurance in you."
Riley didn't respond, and his fear made Devin smile. Riley had had been a tough one to crack, oh yes. But he had gotten to him to him, even if took longer than most. Devin knew Riley's kind, and drastic measures had to be taken.
All of them eventually broke, though. Didn't matter if you were a soldier, or an agent, or even a lowly tech expert. Every human being had a breaking point. It always fascinated Devin to see how far he could push someone, before they entirely shut down. Oh, Riley was one of the best he ever had. His spirit was strong, and Devin had to shatter it like a piece of glass. He wished he could drag it out longer, but time was running out. He had to finish this game, although he admitted to himself he would miss playing with this man. He doubted anyone better would come his way.
Devin reached behind Riley's arms and undid the handcuffs from his rubbed raw wrists. Riley's hands fell limply to his sides.
"I think you've learned you're lesson. As a reward, I'm taking off your handcuffs. Can you say thank you?"
"Thank you," Riley said numbly.
Devin grinned, and he knew Riley wouldn't try and run. He placed an arm around Riley, ushering him toward the funhouse. Riley followed Devin easily without resistance in his movements. Devin just couldn't wait for the next part of the game, and he laughed quietly as he imagined what he had in store.
"You having fun Riley?"
"Yes," Riley whispered.
"How much fun? Tell me."
"A lot, sir." Devin glanced at Riley, and Riley seemed to draw back a little. Devin narrowed his eyes at Riley, urging him to say more. Riley faltered, then gave in. "I… I can't wait."
"You know, I built these games just for you." Devin stopped and stood in front of Riley, taking his chin in his hand and tilting it toward him. "You're not going to disappoint me again, are you?" Riley shook his head, his eyes staring at Devin's shoes.
"Now there's a good boy."
He stopped in front of the funhouse for a moment, admiring his handiwork. He glanced down at his toy, wondering if there was enough battery power for one more game.
Jaeh – Lori, I'm concerned for our sanity. Why do we write stuff like this? . Did Devin break Riley, Lori?! Did he?! DID HE?!
Lori- I DUNNNNNO TT_TT (cries)
Um, so yeah. Please review guys. Also, check out our the profile page for the awesome fanart The Cheater made for us!! Thanks again :D!