AN/: Hiii! Sorry this chapter is a bit short! But after this, is where the fun really starts! I'm sorry in advance for sad Danny.
April 14th, 1973
9:01pm
Nancy's Basement
Song recommendation: "Scars" by Novulent
TW: Mentions of cheating and rape accusations
Crestfallen
Danny
-.-
It's been over twenty-four hours since I saw Johnny. From my last encounter with him, I was still pretty shaken up. I've vomited several times - trying to purge the innocent person that he had shoved down my throat. My ribs were on fire along with the rest of my body. I have no doubt he broke a few things on me - or at least slightly fractured something. Nancy, the older woman, had taken care of me since he left. Her passive aggressive comments went in one ear and out the other - mentioning how stupid I was to defend myself against her. She slid me some food and water - allowing one of my hands to be set free in order to consume it. I only ate the steamed vegetables she gave me and ignored whatever was in the bowl. Perhaps stew? I don't know. It had meat and potatoes and the meat alone - now knowing the truth - was enough for me to literally kick the bowl across the room with a disgusted scowl. How can these people live this way?! I've tried pulling at restraint and was able to cause the rope to tear apart slightly but not enough for a full escape. But I've realized the only way I can make any progress is when Nancy or Johnny decides to feed me. Otherwise, I'm just tugging and wiggling around helplessly for hours.
That's exactly what I've been doing too. The rope that had bonded both of my wrists together had started to fray slightly. I was doing everything I could to make it fray more and more. Yanking, pulling, twisting, even mustering up enough body courage to try and use my teeth before accidentally scraping my tongue against the rough rope. Yeah, that hurt like a bitch. I groaned as I pulled myself up once again, trying to bite and gently saw my way through the rope. My teeth gently ripped at the loose strands as I used what upper body strength my body was providing me with. I can't lie, being sustained by my wrists above my head can make someone feel fatigued as hell. Especially when you can barely touch the ground with the tips of your shoes. My arms trembled from overusing the muscles in my biceps and shoulders for several hours. I know I've only made little progress and it's possible they could notice my attempt, but I didn't care. I needed to get the hell out of here.
My body fell and dangled again once I heard a pair of thick boots making their way closer towards my door. I only knew one person who could possibly walk like that. Nancy normally wore flats or maybe shoes with a slight heel. Her curvy body shuffling against the floor - barely picking up as she walked. Johnny was the type to always make his presence known. Not just from the cowboy-esc boots he wore, but his footsteps were heavier and rougher compared to his mothers. My body tensed up as my gaze remained on the floor that I could barely touch. I hate to admit it - but Johnny scared me. It wasn't the fact he has beaten me a few times. I've had my fair share of a few fights in the past. But it was the fact he had restrained me, forcing someone cut up into my mouth, before forcing me again to swallow - the only alternative to suffocate and die. I've never had an experience like that - even without the forced cannibalism. The look in his eyes and the way his smile widened as he saw how I was suffocating underneath his strong grip. That he had so much power over me and I was restrained and weakened to the point that I couldn't fight back. That my life was quite literally in the palm of his hands - twirling it around his fingers - as if he was innocently fiddling with a pencil out of boredom. I can't fully fathom or quite understand how someone finds pure entertainment out of it. I can't quite accept that there's people this twisted and demented to the point of doing such things. It was the overall fact that Johnny knew he could easily take me down and there wasn't much I could do at the moment.
That's what terrified me.
I kept my gaze low as the wooden door creaked open as Johnny entered the room. He didn't say a word as the door shut behind him - simply observing me instead for a few seconds. My dark brown hair had fallen in front of my face - trying to shield my timid gaze from him. I didn't want to appear weak. However, I didn't want to be cocky and piss him off like I had before. My stomach twisted at his presence alone along with the memory of our last encounter.
"Mornin', how'd you sleep?" Johnny asked as his voice seemed chipper. I didn't respond to him as my head remained low to the ground - scanning over the cracks I've traced with my eyes instead of meeting my gaze. Johnny noticed and walked over to me. He roughly grabbed my chin as his fingernails dug into the sides of my face. "When I talk to you, you respond. Got it?"
"Decently." I responded to his question. My voice was monotone as I stared into those eyes that caused me so much fear. Johnny smirked as he enjoyed how I obeyed him - almost like a dog - before pushing me away roughly. My body swayed slightly due to the force as he nodded up at me.
"There we go, there's those manners." Johnny chuckled to himself. He noticed the knocked over bowl with hours of cold content spilled out. He tusked as his head slowly shook side to side. "Got an issue with my mama's cooking?"
"I wasn't hungry." I simply answered him.
Johnny shrugged, "Do I need to force-?"
"No." I spat out quickly before shaking my head violently. My gaze went back to the floor. My hair shielded my face again - thankfully - as my eyes widened at the thought. The last thing I needed was a repeat with Johnny. I tried my best not to show my fear but I'm sure the mask is slipping. To be absolutely helpless, strangled, and then forced to eat someone?! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Not to mention that there were two additional men that could've easily snapped my neck without much force. When it came to Johnny and the other two men, I felt absolutely helpless. I knew that's what they wanted too. But I can't shake off the events of the morning before. I continued speaking with my head hung low; "I'm sorry. I just... didn't want to eat. It won't happen again."
Johnny nodded, "I'm holdin' you to that." His leather boots echoed through the room as he made his way over to me. Underneath the shield of my hair, I quickly changed my facial expression to the best that I could; from scared to cold. I refused to show him any of my true emotions - even more afraid he'll use it against me. Johnny's eyes scanned mine for a second before looking down at his arms. He continued; "Well, I have your update on her, as promised."
My eyes broke from what he was carrying in his grasp. I had kept my head lowered the entire time - trying to avoid even looking at him the wrong way so I wouldn't trigger his anger again. In his muscular grasp was a pile of clothes. My brows knitted together as I tried to piece together what he was showing me. It took a few seconds before the realization kicked in - those were Maria's clothes. My eyes widened at the site of dirt, rips, and blood on the several pieces of fabric that were once in pristine condition. Her blue flared denim jeans were covered in blood. Don't even get me started on her shirt; the once white fabric was stained with red and pink as it was also covered in what I assumed was her own blood. I also could spot her bra - which matched the same color of her shirt - and darkened underwear.
Oh my god. What did they do to my baby?!
"W-what... what the hell-"
"Relax, Dan-man." Johnny rolled his eyes as he saw my worried expression. "She's fine - nothing more than a damn scratch."
"That blood doesn't look like just a scratch." I protested against him.
Johnny shook his head, "Well, a large enough scratch for a scar on her forehead. Not to mention her arm got cut up pretty badly too. But... I cleaned and bandaged it all. Don't worry, it looks bad but it really ain't."
"Why should I trust you?" I shook my head at him, "She could be dead for all I know."
Johnny scoffed and rolled his eyes, "You really ain't that bright, are you? Or maybe extremely forgetful? I already told you; we got plans with her. If we wanted her dead - she would've been dead already. Same with you - although you probably thought that was gonna happen last time, huh?" Johnny chuckled in a lower tone as he teased me about our last encounter. He licked his bottom lip before holding up the pair of Maria's underwear. He chuckled again, "These were so easy to pull off of her."
"Like she'd ever let you." I muttered to myself. Johnny's slight smile widened into a full toothy grin as his brows raised. Why was he still going on about this shit?! Maria would never let him touch her. The only way that would happen is if he happened to- no! No, Danny. Don't even think down that path. It's hard not to consider all he wants to do is talk about her body, how he wants to marry her, have children, and so forth. I don't even want to picture Maria going through it. But, if these people are cannibals, I wouldn't be surprised if they're capable of other disgusting things.
"Oh?" Johnny perked up as he began to twirl the fabric around his index finger, "Maybe you should tell her that."
"What the fuck are you talking about now?!" I finally snapped, feeling my blood begin to boil. "Won't you give it a rest?! She'll never love you. She'll never be your damn wife as long as she loves me."
Johnny scoffed, "Is that why she kissed me back?" I felt my body beginning to tremble for a new reason; anger. At first it was just from my upper strength being used more than normal by trying to set myself free. But now it's having to talk and deal with this piece of shit. My jaw was snapped shut and starting to ache due to how my teeth grinded against each other. Johnny smile turned into a smirk once he noticed the glare in my eye. He looked down at the thin fabric in his hands before continuing; "Oh yeah... I forgot to tell you about that. Whoops, my bad! But I ended up kissin' and tellin' her that I loved her. I honestly expected to believe you, Danny boy! With her yellin' at me, spittin' in my face, or even cryin' out for you instead. But you know what she did? She ended up kissin' me back."
"You're lying." I spat out, "She would never cheat on me - not my Maria." Johnny looked away as his brows raised. He rested his back against the wall as one leg crossed over one another. Johnny remained quiet - lost in thought - as he began to drape Maria's clothes over his arm. First were her bell bottom jeans that she wore often, paired with the short sleeved white empire waist shirt, the matching white bra, and dark colored underwear, and white socks on top. He did it with such caution and care - as if he was holding several fragile artifacts.
"Well, I guess you don't know her as much as you thought." There was tension in the air before he broke the silence again, "She let me take her virginity."
"BULLSHIT!" I yelled out as I tried to lunge forward with no budge. The pain in my ribs caused me to hiss out in pain but I didn't let the pain consume me. Well, I really couldn't. Because masking most of the pain was adrenaline and rage towards the slightly older man across the room who looked unphased. "SHE WOULDN'T EVEN TOUCH YOU WITH A TEN FOOT POLE! SHE WAS WAITING UNTIL WE GOT MARRIED! YOU'RE A FUCKING SICK PSYCHOTIC ASSHOLE! IF ANYTHING, YOU PROBABLY FUCKING RAPED HER!"
"What the fuck did you just say?!" Johnny snarled as he glared back at me - clearly shocked and offended by my bold claim. He raised off the wall as he stormed over to me - causing me to flinch and try to sway backwards but to no avail. Johnny looked up and into my eyes before scoffing, "I would really advise you take that fuckin' back before I break your other goddamn ribs, do you hear me?! I know you don't have the greatest impression of me - that's fine, expected and used to that. Cool! But don't you ever THINK I would fuckin' hurt her either! I might kill and eat fuckers for a livin' but I would never touch her like that! You're out of your goddamn mind if you truly think that. I ought to fuckin' cut that damn tongue off before you go and accuse me of somethin' like that again."
I let out a breathless laugh, "Okay, let's just say you didn't. That doesn't excuse that you're still a pretty good liar. Because there's no way in hell that I would believe she'd willingly sleep with someone as sick as you."
Johnny snorted before shaking his head at me, "Oh, Danny. You're so blinded by love and rage that you don't even realize what's really happening, do you? Like I said; I might kill, torture, and eat people like us often. But one thing I don't do is lie. I know what it's like to be lied to - especially for a long period of time and over somethin' serious. Jesus, why don't you trust me for once, will ya?! Fuck, why won't anyone?! I might be a complete fuckin' asshole but I ain't a monster, all right?!" Johnny stepped back to recollect himself. He paced the room slightly as his hand - that wasn't holding her clothes - pushed his slightly messy hair back. Johnny turned back to me, "Her and I got into a little argument. Don't get your damn panties in a twist over that too, alright? It ain't nothin' major. But one thing led to another and shit escalated, ya know? I asked her several times if she wanted to continue and she agreed each time."
"You're lying." I spat out. This time, I was trying to convince myself that he was. The way his words and body language were making me second guess - almost believing him - I had to continue to remind myself of who he truly was. Johnny is someone who loves to watch others suffer - no matter what. Emotional, physical, or mental pain seemed what fueled his blood. At least with me. What was their fight about? Did she get hurt? Did she actually agree several times?!
Johnny groaned loudly, "Fine! Clearly I gotta have you watch next time to believe me. Just know that she could've said no anytime and I would've waited like you - until our wedding day. But she didn't. Actually - she quite enjoyed it. I was half expecting her to call out your name but she actually was yelling mine instead."
"Stop."
Johnny didn't, "I almost couldn't believe it was her first time either, ya know? The way she quickly matched my pace was almost mind-boggling."
"I said stop." I tried to interrupt him again.
"Oh my god, her body is so beautiful!" Johnny smiled wide, "She was so shy at one point and honestly it was cute and sad. How can someone as pretty as her think of herself in such a bad way?! I must've helped her because the way she started to quickly moan into my ear and-"
"I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I screamed loudly. I couldn't deny it anymore - I was starting to believe him. Especially when he mentioned how shy and insecure Maria was. I didn't realize it until now but tears were slowly rolling down my face. I dipped my head as I tried to hide my tear stained face with the intense glare in my eyes. When Maria and I messed around a few times, she was always shy about it. Always thought her body wasn't the prettiest or maybe her skills. But I truly didn't care or see it like that. I loved Maria just the way she was. It didn't matter her body type or if she's had tons of experience or not. I was just happy that she was mine. But now... now I'm not too sure. Did she actually agree several times to sleep with him? Is that how he got her most intimate clothing? But what about waiting for marriage? She was so big on that, what made Johnny different from me? Maybe she developed Stockholm syndrome - is that what the new term is called? But I thought that it takes a super long time to develop - like several months or even years. I let out a stifled sob as I tried my best to hold it in. But I couldn't. I shook my head in disbelief as my morbid imagination began to paint the scenarios for me. Did she ever love me? Was she looking for a way out? No. But maybe? Fuck! Johnny is attractive but am I really that bad? Am I worse than a cannibalistic serial killer?
Am I that bad to be cheated on?
"Listen, I-" Johnny was cut off with the door roughly swinging open. We both flinched violently at the sudden intruder who didn't care about our topic of discussion - nor me tied up and crying in front of them both. It was an older man, one I hadn't seen more. It wasn't the man with the weird mask or the other who was freakishly strong. No, it was a roughly middle aged man who wore a white button down, trousers with a belt, and a receding hairline. He shuffled into the room as he glared at me before snarling at Johnny - whose demeanor immediately changed. Before, Johnny was almost an open book with his emotions; from happiness, smugness, and anger from our entire interaction. But when the older man entered the room, Johnny was stone cold. It was almost alarming with how quickly he switched up. His large smile was replaced with a monotone expression - refusing to show anything at all - as if he was completely numb to everything around him.
"Johnny! Damn it, boy! Where the hell have you been?!" The older man snapped at Johnny who let out a deep sigh.
"Busy." Johnny simply stated.
"Busy?! Busy, my ass!" The older man shouted back, "While you were runnin' around doin' only God knows what - we got visitors!" Johnny and my ears immediately perked up at the sound of that. Visitors? Who?! Who in their right minds would come all the way out here. Then again, I say that as someone who ended up on their doorstep - same with Maria. Using his free hand, Johnny reached behind his back before pulling out his large knife before looking down at the older man.
"When? How many?" Johnny simply asked.
The man scoffed, "Oh now you give a damn! But about five of them - roughly. They're held up in the field next to the damn gas station. I need all hands on deck - including you, boy! So stop your dilly daggin' and get to it!"
With that, the much older man exited the room which left Johnny and I alone again. Johnny let out a deep sigh as his shoulders relaxed briefly. But then they tensed again at the bigger task at hand - he most likely had to capture these people. Wait... how many did that older man say again? Five?! Shit, shit! That could be my friends! Yeah, there would be five of us left; Connie, Leland, Ana, Julie, and Sonny. I didn't expect them to actually come find us! They were so hesitant about finding Maria that I thought they'd just sit around and let the police try and find us. Wait, that means all of them are gonna end up like Maria and I. FUCK! What if they get injured or... die? Fuck, what about Ana?! If Maria somehow finds out it'll crush her. I needed to warn them but I couldn't as I was still tied and dangling from the ceiling - not exactly sure where the hell I was.
"Duty calls." Johnny shrugged before exiting through the same door that the man had walked through. He shut the door before locking it behind him. Great, even if I could escape I still couldn't. Johnny and his mother were the only ones who seemed to have the key or something to my room. I groaned to myself as I startled to flare myself around - trying to create more tension on the rope above me. I needed it to break! I couldn't let him get to the rest of my friends; it's bad enough Maria and I are in this situation, they don't need to either. I know I was severely pissed and angry at them before I left - but that doesn't mean they needed to suffer too. Fuck what if he hurts Connie and Julie too?! Sonny is weaker than Leland - he doesn't stand a chance physically. Then again, Leland isn't as strategic as Sonny. My mind was all over the place; bouncing from Maria cheating on me to the situation that my friends could be in. I was still hoping neither were true; maybe he is lying about Maria and maybe it just so happened to be a different group of people instead.
But something in my gut told me otherwise about both.