A/N: Sorry for not updating for almost a month, I was lacking inspiration for this story, but I'm in a rather dark mood today, so I wrote this for you guys ;) I hope you'll like it and maybe drop me a little review... just maybe ;) I might update faster, lol. Anyways I hope you like this chapter, more about the Lucas Brothers 'secret' will be in the next chapter :) Enjoy & maybe review? ;)
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Camp Rock, or Camp Rock 2, or JONAS... or, yeah, anything.
The sunlight coming through the small, barred window woke me. Even though I wouldn't have minded sleeping through most of the day, if simply to avoid the horrors that I knew today would hold, I was glad that I woke up on my own, without having Dain hovering over me. I closed my eyes, taking a sharp breath, realizing how much I simply wished that I didn't have to open my eyes back up - I didn't want to face Dain again, or the Lucas Brothers, or sit by while thoughts of Landon tortured me.
With a groan, I forced myself to sit up, doing my best to ignore my aching body as I pushed myself up, my eyes darting around the small cell and finally coming to rest on the Lucas brothers, who looked as if they had hardly slept last night - dark circles were under their eyes, and their eyes held a troubled glint. If I hadn't been so haunted myself, I might have asked what was wrong, but I was sure it was nothing more than the last two day's events that was giving us all nightmares.
Joe caught my eye, although almost instantly, he turned away again, and this made me frown as I wondered what had made him act so strangely. It was as if he couldn't even look at me - as if he didn't even care about me. I felt my heart jump into my throat as I questioned what was wrong.
I jumped, my eyes darting away from Joe at the sound of the cell door being slid open, and I expected to see Dain walk through the door, demanding once again for my final 'answer', and I wasn't that far off. I was on my feet in an instant, however, when someone else stumbled into the cell, almost falling immediately to his knees. Shaking, I ran over to him and dropped down beside him, my hands moving to engulf him in a hug right away.
"Landon." I whispered, my eyes meeting his horrified ones, and a second set of footsteps made me stiffen - Dain wasn't far behind, stepping over towards us, his hands on his hips as he glared down at the two of us, a smirk already placed on his lips. As much as I wanted to run back into the farthest corner of the cell, I stayed put, my grip tightening around Landon protectively.
"Mitchie." Dain's voice held no warmth, but a taunting authority, as he glared down at me, his eyes harsh and yet teasing, as if he was already enjoying this brother-sister moment. "So, I've come to give you one last chance to re-think your decision, since I'm just that kind." His tight-lipped smile was gloating, and I shivered unconsciously at his cool gaze. "And now, I'll need your final answer. Think carefully Mitchie, because this is your final chance to get things right."
"Mitchie." Landon whispered, his voice hoarse, and I glanced at him, my heart in my throat. Dain's eyes narrowed as he glared down at the two of us, his eyes glittering with hatred. "Don't do anything irrational, please." His eyes bore into my own, and I swallowed, closing my eyes briefly as I tried to calm myself.
Dain's harsh cough made us both jump, my eyes sliding to the figure hovering over us, glaring back at him in determination.
"So, your final answer, Mitchie." He prodded, his eyebrow raised in fake curiosity, and immediately shook my head. With a sympathetic glance at Landon, I stood, rising so I could see eye to eye with him, and his own narrowed angrily. He already knew what I was going to say, and he wasn't pleased.
"No - I won't." I answered, "And I swear, that's my final answer. I won't become your personal killing machine." I heard the others in the room give a small gasp, but I didn't move my eyes from Dain's. "I will neverbe like you, and that is my final answer. I won't do what you're asking - you might as well just kill me, because I refuse to become you." I spat, glaring back at Dain in determination.
"You know, that can be arranged." Dain's voice was deathly low, and he stepped closer until he was hovering over me, his expression threatening, and although I felt myself flinch as his words hit me, I still refused to glance away from him. "I can't keep doing this - I won't give you another chance to answer right. I'm growing tired of this gamethat you insist on playing, and if you won't do as I say... well, although it might be unfortunate, I can arrange... a solution to this Mitchie problem."
"Leave her alone." The voice was firm, determined, and harsh, and for a moment I hardly recognized Landon's voice. The sheer anger in his tone made me pull my eyes away from Dain and dart to Landon, who was struggling to his feet beside me. Out of sheer instinct, I reached down, our hands entwining as I helped pull him up. His breath was coming in gasps, and he looked close to collapsing at any given moment, but still he faced Dain without wavering.
Dain's cold eyes flickered towards Landon, although he simply looked amused by the situation.
"And what if I don't?" He asked, simply sounding curious, and I felt myself bristling with anger at how he was treating Landon. My mouth opened, ready to shoot back a sharp retort, but the sound of someone getting up caught my attention. My eyes slid back towards where the Lucas Brothers were, and with surprise, I saw Joe stepping forwards, until he had placed himself firmly between Dain and Landon and I.
Joe's eyes were livid with anger and hatred as he glared defiantly back at Dain. The words he spoke were crystal clear and filled with rage, and something else I couldn't quite make out.
"Then I'll make you."
[Joe's P.O.V]
To say I was utterly surprised would be an understatement. Mitchie's words, the 'answer' Dain wanted from her, shocked me to my core.
"I won't become your personal killing machine." The very sentence she'd uttered made me question exactly what Dain had wanted her to do. I felt Nick and Kevin stiffen beside me, and I knew they'd heard her as clearly as I had. "... I won't do what you're asking - you might as well just kill me, because I refuse to become you." She continued, her voice hard and determined, and I felt my own eyes widen when Dain leaned closer to her and glared down at her.
"That can be arranged." He hissed, so coldly that I knew he wasn't simply just threatening her, but had planned this for a long time, and this was simply an excuse to get the job done more quickly. I saw Mitchie stiffen, and Landon's deathly pale expression, before he struggled to his feet beside Mitchie.
While Dain's attention was focused on Mitchie and Landon, I slipped a glanced towards my brothers, to see the same horrified look in their eyes, although their expressions gave away nothing of what they were feeling. I could see both swallow nervously, as if they were contemplating what they should do if Dain resorted to violence, and as they caught my eye, I saw they felt the same way I did.
"We can't just stand by and let this happen." I whispered, casting a quick glance in Dain's direction to be sure he wasn't paying attention to us, and both Nick and Kevin gave barely noticable nods. "We have to do something."
"We can't." Nick whispered back, his tone thick and heavy with emotion. "If we do, he'll know some thing's up, and we'll immediately be disposed of, and then there really be no chance to help Mitchie. We can't let him know, or it'll be the worse for everyone." His eyes shone with the same anguish that I knew was couring through my own body at the extremity of the situation.
"I won't just stand by and watch everything happen." I hissed back, and I saw Nick grimace.
"Nick's right, Joe. We don't stand a chance if he suspects anything. We can't do anything." Kevin whispered, a pained expression on his face, and I clenched my jaw. I didn't get how they could handle just sitting there when something did happen, although I did see their point. If Dain suspected they were on Mitchie's side, he'd surely have them eliminated immediately. They couldn't do anything, without putting not only themselves, but Mitchie and Landon in danger also. Yet he couldn't just sit by and watch Dain hurt Mitchie.
As I watched Landon tell Dain to leave Mitchie alone, and caught sight of the dangerous gleam in his eyes as he stared down at Mitchie, a strange glance in his eyes, I'd already made up my mind, no matter what the cost.
"And what if I don't?" Dain replied, his eyes still focused on Mitchie, a smile growing on his lips, I knew I had to do something to stop the situation, for fear out of what was coming. Ignoring the soft gasps coming from my brothers when I stood, catching not only Mitchie's attention but also Landon and Dain's, I glared darkly at Dain as I stepped forwards, in front of Mitchie so as to block her from any of Dain's further attacks.
"Then I'll make you." I spat, my expression full of hatred as I locked eyes with Dain, challenging him to try to lay a finger on Mitchie. His expression was one of utter shock, before quickly turning to a sly smile, as if he'd figured out what had just happened. I couldn't help it as my gaze faltered slightly - the prospects of what Dain was going to do were flashing through my head, reminding me that acting out of instinct wasn't always the best thing to do.
"You can't make me do anything." Dain snapped, stepping closer, his eyebrows raised, and I hesitated. My initial anger towards him was slowly being replaced by fear as I realized what my mistake had cost not only myself, but Kevin and Nick, and I wished I had just stayed in the corner with my brothers. "I can do whatever I'd like." As if to prove his point, his hand reached out, grabbing onto Mitchie's wrist, and with one swift motion he pulled her forwards, easily pinning her up against him, and before any of us knew what was happening, there was a knife at Mitchie's throat.
I heard Nick and Kevin give gasps of horror, and Landon's terrified expression, and I realized just exactly how big of a mistake I'd just made. Mitchie's eyes were wide and she was standing extremely still. I could see her trembling, even from where I was standing, and the only thing I wanted to do was reach out and hold her.
"As you can see, I'll do whatever I please, whenever I please. You certainly won't stop me. If I would liketo, I'll kill her now, and not one of you can do a thing about it." Mitchie was shaking, her expression unreadable besides fear, and I watched, horrified, as he pressed the knife harder against her throat, causing her to whimper quietly.
With a laugh - loud, clear, and completely inappropriate for the situation - Dain smirked at all of us before he pulled the knife away, although I could see where it had broken a little skin, and then shoved Mitchie away from him, still laughing. Seeing Mitchie was falling, I jumped forwards, catching her in my arms before she could hit the ground, and pulling her back, away from Dain, my hands firmly wrapped around her waist. Landon's worried expression followed my every move, but I was solely focused on Mitchie, who was clinging to me for dear life.
"Now," Dain remarked, his eyes watching as I lowered myself - along with Mitchie - to the ground, realizing she wasn't able to stand at the moment, "Is there anyone else who would like to question what I can't do?" His eyes glared at all of us, daring anyone to speak up, and when we all firmly kept our mouths shut, he gave another short laugh.
"Now that that's settled," He grinned, stepping closer to where I knelt with Mitchie on the ground, her face buried into my shirt, "and Mitchie's given me her final answer, it's time for some consequences." He leaned closer, although I attempted to shield Mitchie from his triumphant glare, and Mitchie glanced up at him, tears staining her cheeks as she still gripped onto my shirt, as if afraid to let go. "If you'd like, I'll leave you five alone for a moment, so you can enjoy each other's company... for now, because that's how forgiving I am."
Mitchie turned her head to glare up at him, and although she looked fragile, weak, and helpless at the moment, there was no mistaking her venomous tone.
"I hate you." She hissed, her eyes filled with determination, and Dain's own gaze hardened before he pulled away from her, straightening.
"I'll be back soon enough." He snapped, "Be ready, because, Mitchie, there are no actions in this world that don't have serious consequences."
I wished nothing more than that Joe hadn't decided to try to be a hero and stand up to Dain. Maybe then, I wouldn't be here, Dain's firm grip around my waist, and his knife at my throat.
My heart racing, my body shaking, I stared back into Joe's shocked eyes, and Landon's horrified expression, but didn't dare to move or respond, with the cold steel pressed against my throat, cutting deeper every time I swallowed.
"If I would like to, I'll kill her now, and not one of you can do a thing about it." Dain hissed, glaring back at Joe as if daring him to speak up now. As if on cue, he dug the tip of the knife deeper into my flesh, and I couldn't hold back my moan of pain. Joe flinched, and Landon looked as if he would have killed Dain if he hadn't been afraid of what would happen to me.
With a loud laugh, Dain released me, shoving me forwards, and my legs buckled underneath me. I closed my eyes, expecting to hit the floor in any moment, but Joe stepped forwards, catching me as I fell.
I glanced up at him, gratitude in my eyes, as I gripped onto his shirt, finding that I didn't have the energy to stand. As Joe tried to steady me I half collapsed, and Joe immediately lowered down until I was sitting beside him, my head buried in his shirt.
"Is there anyone else who would like to question what I can'tdo?" Dain snapped, and I flinched at his harsh words. He was sickening, a twisted being, and he knew that no one else in the cell would stand up to him. He was perfectly happy - actually, he was at his happiest - when he was feared.
"Now that that's settled," He continued when everyone remained silent, and I felt him take a step closer to where Joe and I were, "and Mitchie's given me her final answer, it's time for some consequences." I felt Joe move slightly so as to put himself in between Dain and I, and I knew Dain was leaning over us. I forced myself to raise my head and glare back at him. "If you'd like, I'll leave you five alone for a moment, so you can enjoy each other's company... for now, because that's how forgiving I am."
"I hate you." As shocked as I was by my own words, I knew that deep in my heart, this was the truth, and I watched in satisfaction as Dain stiffened, his eyes hardening, before he pulled away, standing up straight once again.
"I'll be back soon enough." He snapped, the anger evident in his voice, although he managed to smile before he continued speaking. "Be ready, because, Mitchie, there are no actions in this world that don't have serious consequences."
I heard Dain's words clear enough, but I couldn't bring myself to raise my head up from Joe's shirt and face him again. He would be back soon, I knew that much, and I had to force myself to stop shaking before I could go any farther. I could only imagine the horrible punishment Dain had in store for me - or worse, Landon. At the very thought, I couldn't help the sobs tearing through my body.
The door slammed shut behind us, once again trapping us in the tiny cell, and I broke down.
"Whoa, Mitchie, calm down." Joe's voice wasn't harsh, but he sounded worried as he spoke gently down at me, and I glanced up to see his eyes filled with both anxiety and guilt, and immediately, I wondered why. I opened my mouth to ask him when I felt Landon's hand on my arm, and I turned to face him, before burying my face into his chest as, unwillingly, more tears fell from my eyes. Landon's arms encircled me, and his hands gently rubbed my back as I cried.
I was terrified that Dain would decide to punish either Landon or Joe, just to give me a 'taste of his power', and I knew that would be the worst punishment that Dain could ever utter. To see someone else suffering, for the mess that I created... just the very thought was torturing me.
"Be strong, Mitch." Landon spoke slowly, and I pulled away so I could meet his gaze, noting that he didn't offer me any words of false comfort, such as 'it'll be okay' or 'everything will be fine', because we both knew it wouldn't turn out well. Landon wasn't going to pretend there would be a good ending to this, because he knew, probably better than I did, what Dain was capable of.
I didn't respond, but I knew my expression said it all, because now I could see the tears on Landon's own face before he pulled me closer, back into a hug, and I could hear him crying. He knew what was coming, or at least could guess most of what would happen, because he had been here with Dain for the past four years.
"What the heck were you thinking, Joe?" I heard Nick yell, causing me to raise my head slightly as I turned to glance at the three brothers, two glaring defiantly at the other, and one with guilt and regret in his eyes. "I told you, why didn't you listen?" Nick's tone was frustrated, and terrified, and Joe frowned.
"I'm not just going to stand there - I already told you that." He snapped, and I watched the scene in confusion. Something in all three brother's tones told me that this was about more than just Joe telling Dain to back off.
Nick let out a frustrated groan as he ran his hand through his curly hair, looking lost, and Kevin was staring at the ground, biting his lip, and looking nervous. Joe glared back at Nick and Kevin, looking determined but yet scared, and I frowned at the strange reactions I was getting from the Lucas Brothers.
"And you don't think he's going to just let you get away with that, do you?" Nick shot back, and when Joe looked as if he was at a loss for words, Kevin sighed, burying his face in his hands.
"What's wrong?" I asked, softly, although I instantly caught all three boys' attention. I knew a better question might have been 'What's not wrong?', but I wasn't referring to the situation with Dain or Landon, but whatever they were upset about. I saw Nick and Kevin glance nervously at each other, and then at Joe, who stared back with an unreadable expression in his eyes before he sighed, running his hands through his hair nervously, and then shot me an apologetic glance.
"I don't know how to explain this..." He began uncertainly, his eyes locked on my own as he ignored his brothers' panicked expressions, and I saw Landon's eyes narrow from beside me as he stared at Joe, suddenly looking rather mistrustful, and I felt his grip tighten around my waist as we waited for Joe to answer. "There's something I need to tell you." The seriousness in Joe's voice had my full attention, my heart in my throat as I wondered what Joe was going to say.
Before he had the chance to speak, however, the door opened to reveal two guards, both instantly catching sight of Joe, ignoring the rest of us, and motioning him forwards. I could see the panic that lit up his eyes before he masked his expression, stepping forwards with a slight nod. I wanted to get up - to stop him from just meekly following them, but Landon's firm grip made sure I wasn't able to
"Dain wishes to see you." One spoke up, and although Joe met his eyes firmly, I could sense the fear he was feeling, and I had to choke back tears. I didn't understand his calm atmosphere when he moved towards them, his head bowed so they couldn't see his expression.
"Joe." I whispered, feeling my heart breaking as I concluded this was some sort of Dain's punishment to me, and as much as I tried to blink back my tears, I couldn't help as they fell down my cheeks while I struggled to get my emotions under control. Joe glanced towards me, his face softening, and he gave me a slight smile before he stepped out of the cell, and the door was firmly slammed shut.
I cried out in protest, pulling myself out of Landon's grip and rushing towards the door, screaming at them to take me instead, screaming that I wanted to speak to Dain. They ignored me completely, one on either side of Joe as they continued down the corridor, as if oblivious to my cries. I saw Joe flinch every time I yelled, though, and I knew that he, at least, could hear me.
I fell to the floor, curling myself into a ball as I cried, sobs tearing through my body as I thought about the fact that this was all my fault. The reason Landon was here, the reason the Lucas Brothers were here, the reason Dain had decided to punish us - everything was my fault.
I felt someone pull me back, away from the door, and I turned to see Landon's stricken expression as he wrapped his arms around me, telling me to stop screaming.
"Please help me because I'm breaking down." I whispered, feeling myself trembling as he held me, and I heard Landon's sharp intake of breath as he tightened his grip on me, as if he wanted to protect me. He couldn't - he knew this as well as I did. Feeling as though my heart was breaking in two, I grabbed hold of Landon, tears soaking his shirt, although he didn't seem to care as he pulled me closer.
And I couldn't help but notice that even as he held me, he didn't offer me words of comfort or try to tell me everything would be okay. He didn't say we'd make it through this, he didn't say that it would turn out alright.
Maybe that's because he knew as well as I did that nothing would be alright.