Sebastian took his son upstairs, taking him to his room and locking the door on him. Victoria glared at Jim, but figured it best not to say anything. "Oh, don't look like that, sweetheart. I hate it when people are mad at me," he said with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

"Did you really think Alex was stupid enough to not know how I'd react? Was he so lovestruck he didn't realise the consequences? Or was he ordered to lure you here?" Jim lied. If she was smarter than she seemed, she wouldn't believe him. But Jim always loved planting that seed of doubt, because it will always grow, at least for a while.

"You're lying. He wouldn't do that. He's not like you." she insisted. She didn't believe him, not for a minute. Well... it was possible, she supposed, but it seemed unlikely. It was much more likely that he was simply lying than it was for Alex to have pretended about their relationship for so long, just to get her here.

"Honey, he's more like me than you'd like to believe." He grinned.

"Oh, Seb," he said, as Seb walked into the room. Jim pushed Victoria into his arms. "I think there's some extra rope lying around downstairs. Make use of it."

Sebastian nodded and all but dragged Victoria downstairs and into the basement, tying her tightly to one of the columns supporting the roof.

After Alex's fifth attempt at ramming his door down, he sank down to the floor, clutching his bruised shoulder. He looked towards the window and regained his ambition. He opened it, looked down and deemed the three meters safe, before jumping out. He quickly ran across to the back, praying his parents hadn't heard him.

Alex ran towards the small basement window that was in the backyard. He pushed it open, hoping his dad was already upstairs "Vic? Are you alright?" he called out into the darkness.

Victoria turned her head over to the sound of Alex's voice. "Alex? Don't worry, I'm fine." she called back. Following the sound of her voice, he found her sitting on the ground, tied to a support beam. "Do you have your phone? Was planning on telling your father where you were, but my dad nicked mine."

Victoria shook her head. "No, otherwise I'm sure my father would have already called it. Aren't there a bunch of phone booths on the next street corner, though?"

"You're brilliant, Vic!" he said, trying to keep his voice down. "Don't worry, I'll be right back for you," he said, running off before she could answer. Alex was filled with relief. He'd take whatever punishment his dads could lay on him, whatever threats Sherlock Holmes could scare him with, but at least Victoria would be safe. But, when he walked back to the front of his house, he discovered his father waiting for him. "Going somewhere? You know, you should really learn how to move more silently."

"Oh, um... I was just..." Alex stammered, trying to come up with an explanation.

"...Out of your room, trying to help your little tramp escape." Jim knew he wasn't strong enough to detain Alex anymore, Sebastian was all the muscle he ever needed, so he quickly ordered him to grab hold of Alex again, before he'd have a chance to run. Seb took hold of Alex, who protested. "Just let her go!"

"Well, since you wanted to help her so badly..." Jim trailed off. "Take him downstairs and stay there. Don't let him go" he said to Sebastian, already walking back inside the house. "I'll be there in a few moments."

Sebastian wasn't entirely sure what Jim was on about, but he brought Alex downstairs nevertheless. It was too dark for Victoria to really see properly, but she heard Alex anyway. "Alex? You're back?"

"Yes, but not with the help I wanted to bring," he said, as he walked down the stairs. The lights turned on, and Alex saw Jim at the top of the stairs. Something in his hand glinted, reflecting the light. Oh no. "I guess you're getting too old to be told to go to your room. You might need a bigger punishment." He walked down the stairs, the knife in his hand now obvious.

Alex began to struggle again as Jim made his way to Victoria. "I must say, at least you picked a beautiful girl, but let's see how long that'll last."

"No, no, no, no ..." Victoria murmured, struggling in vain against the ropes holding her back. God, this day was going to shit. Father, hurry up, get here, she thought to herself.

"Oh, don't worry," he said, after she protested. "If he really does care about you, I'm sure Alex will still love you even after I ruin your pretty face." As he dug the knife into her cheek, Alex struggled to try and run over to Victoria, but he wasn't strong enough. "No!" he called out.

Victoria let out a loud cry, closing her eyes in order to stop any tears of pain- she knew the salt would sting even more. Even so, a few escaped, causing her to whimper softly.

"Doesn't she look wonderful, Alex?" he said, grabbing her chin in his hand and lifting it up, forcing him to look at the large red gash in the shape of a heart.

He dropped her chin and walked towards Alex, who looked at him with rage. Jim cleaned his knife on the boy's shirt, making sure the symbolism was evident. "I think that was an appropriate punishment. What do you think, Seb? Should we leave them alone down here so he can think on his sins or keep them apart?"

Sebastian thought for a minute. "Your call, but I think it's better if they're down here."

"Fine, but tie his hands. Sorry, son, I don't like treating you this cruelly, believe me, but it's for your own good. And I can't have you ruining my plans."

Alex wasn't having it, glaring fiercely at Jim while Sebastian restrained his hands.

Jim made his way up the stairs, before pausing after hearing Alex mutter "You fucking bastard.." He didn't look back, finally deciding to just continue up the stairs.