A/N: Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for the large amount of support for this story! It just recently reached 1k views on AO3 and I've gotten nothing but good feedback so far! I'm so happy everyone is liking it so far and everything goes up (or down) from here. Literally. It's the beginning of the climax. I hope you enjoy. Btw, which color do you pick on candy land and what piece do you choose for monopoly? No specific reason... just wondering is all. Thank you all again! :)

April 13th, 1973

9:30am

Family House Basement

Song recommendation: "I Can't Decide" by Scissor Sisters

Say Cheese! (And Don't Die)

Maria

-.-

"Smile!" Someone yelled before a large light covered the entire room. Despite being in a deep sleep, I could still hear and sense the light. My eyes shot open as I quickly raised up - my back hitting the metal frame of the bed. I searched around in the darkened room before another light went off with a little chuckle. Little spots filled my vision as I tried to make sense of who it was bothering me. My eyes weren't adjusting enough to the dark just yet. In the corner of the room was a regular lamp. The figure walked over before turning it on and facing towards me. Based on the shifty body language, greasy hair, and large birthmark on the side of his face - I could tell it was Nubbins. He turned back around and faced me.

"J-Johnny isn't here y-yet!" He stuttered before smiling wide, "I-I-I thought we'd have some play t-time!"

Play time? What does that mean?! I swallowed hard before slowly nodding. I didn't want to fight anything unless I really needed to. So far, it just looked like he was having fun with my camera. The same one I used to take photos of my friends, family, Danny, and nature around me. The same damn camera that helped me get into this situation. God, why didn't I listen to the warning signs? Quite literally the no trespassing sign that I willingly ignored - thinking the property was abandoned. I thought it would be harmless just to take a few pictures. It's not like I was going to destroy their property - just wanted to take pictures of the flowers that bloomed around it. I should've turned back. I shouldn't have passed by that gas station. I should've agreed to let Danny fix my car that was starting to have problems. God, I'm such an idiot! What if they come looking for me? I would never forgive myself if they ended up in this situation.

"What do you have in mind?" My own voice a faint whisper - trying to be calm and put on a happy expression. I didn't want to anger him. I didn't want to anger anyone in this messed up family. One wrong move and I'd probably have my head served on a platter. Nubbins' smile only widened somehow as he walked over to me. Around his neck and dangling off his side was my green messenger bag. My dad was a veteran, fighting in the ongoing Vietnam war. He only served a few years but this bag was one of the last things I had of his. Inside held most of my school supplies and everyday equipment - even some extra film for my camera. Nubbins dumped the contents in my bag onto the bed and began to rummage through everything in front of me - as if it was his property and not mine.

"What g-g-goodies were you hi-hiding in t-t-this?" Nubbins asked before his nosy hands began to rummage around in my contents. Three packages of unopened film, some light makeup, an extra pair of socks and underwear (always best to be safe than sorry), a few pads, and a few tampons thanks to Julie. I also had a nail file, some bobby pins, a little coin purse, and most of the photos I had taken the night I was captured. Nubbins looked down at everything with a tiny look of disappointment on his face, "T-t-this all you g-g-got?!"

"Here." I reached forward with my untied hand and grabbed my bag from him. I unfastened an area on the front which was supposed to be where a compass would sit. But since the pocket was a bit deep, it held a pair of sunglasses I had. Julie also got them for me. I passed the thick frames to Nubbins who happily accepted them. He slid them onto his face before grabbing my compact mirror that had some blush inside. I gently gave it to Nubbins who tried to open it. He struggled a bit before whipping out his knife. My body tensed up as I remembered our last encounter - when he cut my hand open along with his own. He wedged the blade through the compacted mirror and shimmied it until it popped open. He let out a happy gasp before squinting at himself through the tiny mirror - trying to decide if he looked good or not. I decided to humor him, "You look stylish!"

"Y-y-you think so?!" He beamed.

"Mhm!" I forced a genuine smile with a nod, "Ready for the Texas sun." Nubbins continued to gaze at himself in the little mirror before shutting it and tossing it back onto the bed.

"C-Can y-you play a game with m-me?" He stuttered out.

"What type of game?" I asked a little hesitatingly. I really didn't want to know what he had in mind. The only person I felt like I could almost trust is Sissy. My personal encounter with her - and grandpa - was fine. Johnny I'm iffy about. I should hate him - and part of me still does. But the other part of me is getting used to his presence. Most of the time, he's the one who visits me. Cleans out the bucket, feeds me, gives me warm blankets, and makes small talk with me. Of course, it doesn't help that I've been entertaining him. Smiling up at him, listening to every word he says, thanking him, having actual conversations with him. Part of me almost views him as an actual person. While the other still wants to run away and hide from his gaze. There's only one major problem I've had with Johnny - and that's his protectiveness. I've noticed it. The way his gaze doesn't leave me if someone is close along with the way his broad shoulders tense up if someone else talks to me. Especially after he noticed the cut on my hand thanks to Nubbins. In a way it reminds me of... Danny. How Danny would immediately defend me, has stood up for me before, and even took a few punches for me.

I missed Danny so much. It's starting to get to the point that I'm starting to subconsciously search for him through Johnny. It's scary but... comforting. That despite what Johnny led me to - at least I could maybe and hopefully rely on him to protect me against his messed up family. I don't know if I'll ever see Danny, Ana, and the others. I hope so. I plead to God that I do. But the thought of Johnny protecting and comforting me through the chaos is what has made me not lose my complete sanity yet.

Nubbins beamed wide before quickly exiting the room. The pocket knife he used to open the compacted blush sat on the bed. Wait, did he mean to leave this here?! I used my free hand and quickly grabbed the weapon. The wooden handle was rough against the palm of my hand as I quickly slid it underneath my makeshift pillow. It was a simple pillowcase just stuffed with a bunch of old clothes. Nubbins didn't notice as he rushed out of the room and bent down in front of the door. He picked up a long rectangular box as he came back over to the bed. He mindlessly shoved all my belongings onto the floor around me before placing the box between us. On the top of the worn out cardboard read the words; "Candy Land."

You're joking. This has to be some funny joke to him, right?

Nubbins smiled wide before taking the top of the box off. The board itself was a bit faded as the cards were all bent and some even ripped in some areas. But what threw me off was the mismatched pieces. Normally, there's little colored Hershey kisses like items that you use - and recently little colored gingerbread men. Instead, there were a bunch of excess Monopoly pieces that obvious don't belong with this set. Nubbins noticed my confused stare before he let out a chuckle.

"We lost the original p-pieces a while ago," Nubbins explained, "The d-dog is blue, the th-th-thimble is green, the wheel ba-ba-barrow is yellow, and the hat is r-red for this version! Go ahead! P-p-pick one!" He eagerly waited as his arms began to move almost on their own - his own excitement being hard to contain. I gave him a little smile - which I forced through how uncomfortable I was becoming - and picked up the dog.

"NOT THAT ONE!' Nubbins then suddenly yelled - his stutter magically disappearing as he slapped my hand. I flinched before immediately dropping the piece almost like it was hot to the touch. "That one i-i-is Grandpa E-Earl's! H-he's the b-best! B-best k-k-killer and best at these games! He t-taught me because he thinks I-I'm the best!"

Sure.

I instead grabbed the thimble piece as Nubbins picked up the wheelbarrow and placed the cards to the side. He decided to go first, picking up a single colored card. The color showed a simple blue color. He moved it to the first blue position which was only three spaces in. It was then my turn. I picked up a card that was a singular green one. I moved my thimble to the first green spot before realizing where I landed. Oh no, this didn't seem good. Along the green spot was the rainbow trail with an arrow pointing upwards up to a blue square - meaning that I can skip a large section of the board. I slowly slid the thimble over the rainbow trail to the blue tile. Looking up at Nubbins, I noticed his facial expression turned sour.

"You're cheating!" He accused me.

"How am I cheating?" I asked politely, "We can restart if-"

"NO!" Nubbins yelled which startled me, "Y-Y-YOU THINK YOU'RE THE BEST! YOU'RE W-WRONG! I-I'M THE BEST!" Nubbins yelled in my face and I leaned backwards. He lunged forward before wrapping his hands around my throat. Despite his slender frame, he was somehow stronger than me. He pushed me down onto the bed before hovering on top of me - his grip tightening around my throat. I began to push up on his face as his nails dug into my neck. The burning sensation in my face and neck was slowly increasing. Tears sprung into my eyes as I tried to shove him away more from my suffocating body. I moved one arm to slide underneath the pillow. I felt the pocket knife slowly inched its way into my grasp. I just needed to quickly jab it into his neck. It's self defense, right?! God, please forgive me and not have this crazy family hate me. He grabbed my neck and slammed it against the pillow again - the rest of the breath being knocked out of my lungs. The sensation intensified as little black spots started to fill my vision. I needed to use what strength I had left to fight back. The knife handle slid into the palm of my hand before I tightened my grip around it. I didn't want to do this - but I wasn't going to die either. Okay, Maria. You can do this! On the count of three.

One…

Two…

Suddenly a pair of hands pulled Nubbins off of me. I let out a loud wheeze as I began to cough and rolled over, the knife slipping from my grasp, as I held my throat. I massaged the area gently as I continued to cough and gag - begging for air. Through the blurry tears that had whelmed in my eyes, I saw Johnny. A huge wave of relief washed over me. It's almost like he knew I was in desperate trouble. Johnny slammed Nubbins against the wall, his fists clenched with the fabric of the twitching man's shirt. Johnny's jaw was tightened as I saw the veins bulging in his arms and hands - using all his strength to make sure Nubbins didn't come close to me again. He didn't need to since Nubbins was no match in strength compared to Johnny.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN'?!" Johnny yelled out.

"S-she c-c-cheated!" Nubbins stuttered out. But this time not due to his speech impediment - it was due to his nervousness. Johnny looked over at my general direction. His eyes scanned all over the floor before noticing the board game on the bed. He rolled his eyes before loosening his grip on Nubbins a little bit. Johnny walked across the room and grabbed the board - throwing it across the room. It hit the wall as all the pieces scattered across the floor.

Johnny sighed in frustration, "I thought I threw that shit away!"

Nubbins snorted with a laugh. He sang out, "Yoooooou t-thought w-wroooong!" Johnny's eyes closed as he took a deep breath in through his nose. He slowly let the air out through his mouth - trying to calm himself down - before opening his eyes again. Nubbins was still giggling as he scratched the back of his head with one hand - the other moving around like it had a mind of its own. Johnny forced a smile at Nubbins - frustration still his main emotion as he was desperately trying to cover in front of me - as he patted Nubbins' shoulder.

"Don't do that shit ever again, yeah? 'Cause it'll be the last time you do." Johnny warned him.

"S-s-she ch-cheated a-and-"

"Nubbins, does it look like I give a fuck?" Johnny's grip on Nubbins' shoulder tightened as his smile immediately disappeared. Nubbins felt the older man's grip as his face examined over Johnny's face - noticing how serious he was. Nubbins nodded quickly - almost scared of Johnny - before looking back at me. Nubbins swallowed hard as he shrugged sheepishly - his nerves still high as he felt intimidated by Johnny beside him. Johnny then said slowly, "Don't. Touch. Her."

"S-s-sorry! I-I didn't mean t-to hurt you." Nubbins stuttered out. I highly doubted it as he probably felt pressured to. Plus, they all most likely kill with little to no remorse. I forced a tiny smile before nodding, not saying anything, scared to upset the skittish man once more. Johnny directed Nubbins to the door where he politely kicked him out before making his way over towards me. My shoulders relaxed a bit at just Johnny in the room. It felt like he slept outside the door with one eye open - always ready to protect me when I needed it. Johnny gave me a sad smile before crouching down in front of me.

"Let's see the damage, sunshine." He whispered to me. I pushed my hair back behind my shoulders as Johnny reached his hand up, gently touching the tender skin. I flinched as he touched the areas where Nubbins really dug his nails in - the area still on high alert with pain and sensitivity. Johnny let out a frustrated sigh as he very gently lifted my head as he tried to see the bruises that's slowly forming under the lamp in the corner. "Did he do anything else?"

My voice was hoarse, "He just tried to strangle me."

Johnny's hand dropped from my neck as he stood up before sitting back down beside me, his knee was touching mine. He's never touched me unless it's to make sure I was okay from any of my injuries. I didn't move my knee, part of me feeling scared he might notice and get upset, while the other found some weird comfort within it. It's such a simple thing but enough to make sure I wasn't completely isolated from this. Johnny ran his fingers through his hair, slicking it back even more, as he rested his elbow on his knee.

"I can't believe him," He started to rant to me, "fucker is messed up in the head. Trust me, everyone here is, but somethin' ain't right in that peanut sized brain of his. Must've been dropped down a flight of stairs as a baby."

I smirked slightly before looking away. Okay, that was a little funny. Something about how Johnny described Nubbins' brain and his theory afterwards wasn't what I was expecting. I bit my lower lip, trying to hide back my giggles, but I couldn't. I let out a few before I noticed Johnny's gaze on me. Despite the situation that just occurred, Johnny's blunt statement was too much to not laugh at. In hindsight, it's not funny. I could've died, I'm locked up, and Nubbins isn't mentally well. As Johnny said; the entire family clearly isn't. Maybe it's just because I'm craving normal interactions and haven't had much since being here, but what Johnny said was making me chuckle uncontrollably.

"What?" Johnny said confused but a slight smile formed in his voice. "What?! It's probably the truth! You can't tell me that fucker has a single brain cell in that skull of his. Seriously, the guy prefers to play Candy Land over any of the shittin' games we have! I'm surprised he doesn't like Chutes 'n Ladders considerin' he probably has fallen off ladders before - probably why he's always twitchin', messin' up his own nervous system!"

Johnny probably wasn't even trying to be funny. It's not even the funniest stuff I heard. But somehow, at that moment, it was. I held my stomach as I laughed harder. Tears sprung in my eyes, this time of laughter instead of fear, as I began to wipe the tears away with my hand. Johnny had a half smile while staring at me as he looked away, coughing and biting his lower lip. He was repressing his own laugh. But sure enough - he broke too. Johnny's shoulders began to gently shake as he chuckled softly at first before it started to get a bit louder. I know, it's so stupid; to be laughing and having a nice moment with someone who brought you here. But I was slowly starting to believe that Johnny didn't want to hurt me; he's just in a sticky situation like me. Controlled by his own family, forced to carry on their legacy, or suffer the consequences as other people who cross them. I've done a lot of thinking since that's all I can do in this room besides cry, pull on the rope, and sleep. My mind often drifts to each family member but especially Johnny. Such as his reaction to what Sissy said while I was forced to try on the wedding dresses. How she teased him about the family not loving him and Nancy, Johnny's ma, gave him that scar on his beautiful face. I can only imagine what he's had to go through. Being born into this family and his own ma who birthed him decided to hurt him so badly it physically scared him. How apparently he's the only one with these expectations of a wife, child, and upkeeping the family's legacy and reputation. That has to be a lot on him that I'm sure he doesn't want - or at least at his own pace.

"Maria," Johnny snapped me out of my giggles and thinking, "you have a contagious laugh."

Was he flirting? I wiped the tears from my eyes as I looked over at Johnny. He looked... different. He didn't have the hard expression he always wore. Instead, his features were softer. Despite him being older than me, I could still see the slight boy-ish features on him. How - even if it's just for a split second - the cold heart killer persona mask began to slip away, showing his genuine self. How his typical frown had turned upright, showing a soft but genuine smile that met his chocolate brown eyes. They softened as we met eye contact. For the first time here, I gave him a small and genuine smile back. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt fake. For a second, I was somewhere else where this all felt natural and I was talking to someone I've known for a while.

Someone that I liked.

"You have a captivating smile." I complimented back. The words slipped out and I didn't realize until they were already out in the air. But instead of regretting my words, I owned up to them. It was true. Johnny's genuine smile, and not his smug smirk, was refreshing to see. It felt warm. It felt inviting. It felt like... home. My breath hitched as Johnny tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. His gaze never left my eyes except for a split second - which was to look down at my neck. Or that's what I thought at least. It wasn't until Johnny subconsciously licked his lips before meeting my gaze again that I realized he was staring down at my lips in that singular second. Oh! I felt a weird sensation in my stomach area as I started to feel a bit nervous - feeling like I was shaking but somehow from the inside. Why was I nervous? Johnny wasn't going to hurt me - at least in this moment. Not like Nubbins. So why was I feeling this way?! It wasn't like I was repulsed to trying to fight back against it like before - my body and mind somehow caving in. I haven't felt this way since... Danny.

Without warning, Johnny leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to my temple. I froze up as my breath caught in my lungs. I didn't know what to do. Do I enjoy it and say thank you? Do I punch him and scream profanities? Johnny kept the gentle kiss there for a few seconds before slowly pulling away. He let out a soft sigh as his fingers gently combed through my hair, gently comforting me. It felt nice. It felt safe. It felt loving.

"I promise to never hurt-"

Before he could finish, the door violently swung open again. Johnny and I flinched as he jerked his hand away from me. He quickly stood up and in front of me, almost like he was shielding me from any impending danger. As strange as it sounds, I immediately missed his comforting hand. It's one of the very few nice things about being here so far. Maybe it's because I'm so used to Danny's touch, but I miss the physical comfort of someone. Being able to cry in someone's arms, being able to hug them happily, the gentle reassuring touch after getting angry. I crave it. I crave Danny but... I crave Johnny's touch again too. Peeking over Johnny's frame, I saw Sissy. Her usual large and creepy smile had turned to a look of worry. Sissy was also breathing heavily, clutching onto the door frame, her normally neat hair was falling out of her hair. She sprinted down here. But why?

"Visitor!" She yelled while still trying to catch her breath. Johnny's demeanor changed once again. He took a step towards her, becoming more alert of the situation. Sissy swallowed hard as she used one hand to push her messy strawberry blonde hair away from her face.

"Where?!" Johnny demanded, his hand immediately grabbed the back knife from his jeans. He gave it a little twirl before his grip tightening around the handle - fully ready for an upcoming fight.

"In the back... near... SHIT!" Sissy said as she clutched her chest, trying to feel her rapid heartbeat that was slowing down her explanation.

"WHERE?!" Johnny yelled a bit louder, trying to get Sissy to focus.

"Cars!" Is all Sissy managed to say. Johnny's shoulder knocked into Sissy's as he shoved right past her. Sissy took a deep breath before grabbing her straight razor and rushing behind Johnny. The door was wide open. They forgot to close and lock me back. Was that intentional?! Surely not due to their reactions to the unwelcomed visitor. As sad and twisted as it sounds, I'm glad their focus is on the stranger. I know I'll regret everything if I see them get caught and have the same fate as me. But for now? This is the closest I'm going to get to escape. I suddenly remembered the pocket knife I had stolen from Nubbins. Reaching under the makeshift pillow, I felt around before grabbing it.

Oh my god. OH MY GOD! I could escape! Okay, Maria. We need to focus instead of getting ahead of ourselves. Think clearly and celebrate once I get out.

I began to use the pocket knife to saw into the rope that bound my wrist to the rusted metal bed frame. Every few seconds, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure the coast was clear. For a second, I was relating to Sissy. My heart was pounding rapidly in my chest as I began to cut faster and faster. By now the rope was halfway done. As I glanced back again, I accidentally felt the teeth of the knife slice past my knuckles. I let out a hiss as the area was still severely sensitive due to Hands deciding to crush it with his hammer upon my first night here. Fucking pendejo! Blood began to trickle down my hand and arm before I said fuck it - yanking my wrist with all the force I had. The rope snapped as my entire hand felt like it was on fire due to the injuries I was still suffering from. But due to how much adrenaline I had, I could barely feel the intensity of it compared to before.

I held the knife close as I rushed out of the room - entering the blood red room. Glancing around, I saw animals and human body parts strung up from the ceiling. The smell of decaying carcasses made me want to hurl. But I didn't have the time for that. I didn't have time to fully process what ever fucked up make-shift slaughter house or art piece this was - I needed to escape. I saw the metal door that Nancy and Hands escorted me through. That leads almost right to the front door! If I can get up there and quickly do the several locks, maybe I have a chance to make it down the driveway. I could go to the gas station down the road and call for help.

I could call for Danny.

I rushed up the little platform, hopping over the few steps, before tugging on the door. Shit! Of course it's locked! You're such an idiot, Maria. I groaned to myself before going back to where my room was. There was another little room where a bathtub was. It was in the center of the room and- oh. Oh god. There were several layers of dirt, blood, guts, and body parts inside. I think I even saw hair? What the fuck?! I snapped my head away - trying to focus on the bigger task. I can think and mourn about what I saw later. I head to the left through another doorway - where I saw a lopsided clock. It was stuck on a time - fifteen minutes past twelve. I wondered if that's the time that someone died. There were shelves of mainly gardening and outdoor equipment too. Pots, gardening tools, a few bear traps, and cans of what looked like paint or bug spray. Against one of the walls was a double wooden wardrobe too.

But the most important thing? Another metal door.

I went up another smaller wooden platform as I approached the door. The little lightbulb above flickered a bit - desperately crying out to be replaced. This needed to work. I didn't want to keep searching for unlocked doors or even things to open the doors. If I find a key, how will I know it unlocks a specific door? Connie was good at lockpicking - thanks to the few times we've locked ourselves out of our dorm by accident - but she has those skills, not me. Plus it's a basement, I highly doubt I can find a window down here - or at least one big enough to squeeze through.

Please, God. Please let this work.

Grabbing the cold metal handle, I gently tugged. It only budged a little. Okay, maybe I could get it open? The other door didn't budge at all. I pulled again, this time a little harder than last. Almost! I was just using the strength of my good hand. I took a deep breath as I knew what needed to be done. I had to use all the strength from both hands - including the injured one. This is going to hurt like hell! I slowly exhaled before gripping the metal handle once more. Here it goes. I tugged again once more - using all my strength as a loud grunt escaped my throat - trying to suffocate the full blown scream that wanted to rip through me.

That's when I saw someone. On the other side of the door, also pulling and adding extra strength to open the door with me, was a much older woman. She had short blonde hair, a yellow short sleeves and ruffled shirt, brown pants, and sandals. I didn't recognize her. I had met most - or even - all of Johnny's family at this point. She didn't seem like them at all. Didn't have that... off... vibe like the rest of the family does. Both of our eyes widen at each other - startled by accidentally running into each other. The woman's frown lines appeared as she examined my face - trying to make out who I am.

"Who the hell are you?!" She asked.

"Maria, Maria Flores." I answered, "Who are you?" The woman's eyes scanned all over my face as she tried to make sense with what I just said. After a second, her expression widened before dimming. She recognized me. Wait, she recognized me! Danny and Ana must've made posters for me! My heart rate picked up as she snapped out of her realization - finally answering my question.

"Virginia." The older woman answered, "I'm looking for my son. Have you seen him?"