Several days went by.
The Strider had no idea how many days or how many hours, but he knew that he was going to be trapped here for sometime. John treated him like a God- unless Dave made him upset- he would throw a tantrum and shout horrible things at Dave, like "liar," "You hate me."
Dave hadn't received a real meal in those days. John offered him dog food, water, and, sometimes- if he was lucky- an apple or some type of 'treat.'
One day in particular made Dave realize that the only way to survive was to please John, and to give him what he wanted.
The blond boy sat in the living room on the old, dirty blue couch with several holes from the rats chewing away at it while John sat on the ground beside him playing with his stuffed bears that were in a variety of colors; red, blue, pink, green, orange, and purple. He moved the red and blue bears around, making them peck each others muzzles. He laughed sweetly, muttering in different tones, "I love you, John!" "I love you, too, Dave!"
John picked up the orange, shoving it between the blue and red bear. In a deep voice he said, "No! You can't be with him because he's weak, and he's stupid!"
John grew frustrated with his game and began to tear at the head of the orange bear angrily. "STUPID! YOU'RE SO STUPID!" He ground his teeth together until he tore the bear's head off, it landed in Dave's lap.
Dave's eyes widened. He hadn't paid much attention to John's game until now; he had learned to block him out, but this was one of those things he couldn't block out.
John looked up at him with cold, dark blue eyes then looked at the bear head. "He deserved it," John hissed childishly. "He's tried to take you away from me. Just like God. He took my mom away. No one will take you away from me, Dave."
Dave had no idea what to say. Dirk hadn't exactly ever threatened to take Dave away from John, but he certainly had thought of moving back to Texas. He looked away from John, and back down at his feet. He was so hungry for real food...He just wanted a damn taco from Taco Bell, or a hamburger from McDonalds with a large order of fries. God damn it…
"John...I'm starving. Can't you go to town and get me a hamburger?"
"No. We already have good food," John said wiggling the red and blue bear around, making them hug each other. A childish smile appeared on the raven's face.
"I don't want dog food, though," Dave said, finding his voice.
John dropped the bears and slowly turned to look back at Dave. "Davey, I don't have money. We have dog food. It tastes good, so you are going to have to deal with it."
"...No."
"Excuse me?" John said giving him a second chance to change his answer.
"I said no. I'm not eating dog food!" Dave said.
John stood up, grabbed Dave by the hair and shouted at him, "You have to eat! If you don't, you'll die! And if you die, you'll be leaving me! You promised you wouldn't leave! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!" He yanked at the blond hair roughly.
Dave trembled in fear. "John, please stop!" he shouted holding back tears.
"No! Not until you eat!" He dragged Dave off the couch with his hands tangled into the blond hair. He pushed Dave onto the dirty floor by the bag of dog food. "Eat it!" he shouted.
Dave trembled and shook his head no. "No, John! I ain't eating that!"
John jumped on top of Dave, pinning him down with all the strength he had. He reached into the bag and took out a few pieces of the dog food out, pushing them against Dave's lips. The smell of meat and other strange scents filled Dave's nostrils. Oh, God, he couldn't eat this.
"EAT IT!" John shouted.
Dave whined unhappily as John pinched his nose shut with two fingers. "You'll have to eat it now because you won't be able to breathe!"
John was correct. After going a minute without breathing in fresh air, Dave's mouth opened up to take in a breath, however, one of the pieces of food went down wrong causing him to choke.
John crawled off quickly. "Now, eat it!" he shouted.
Dave sat up coughing up the one piece. He trembled and just quickly swallowed the food. It was the most disgusting things he had ever consumed in his life. He quickly grabbed a water bottle and swished it around his mouth until the taste of dog food was gone.
He had never dreamed of having to live like this with John Egbert. He imagined a happy home with a little girl running around, screaming with them while they played tag or some ironic kids game, but no. This was not that dream. This was something else. Yet...Dave still loved John.
Ya! Another update! I'm so proud. I actually liked this chapter.