AN/: HELLO! Sorry it took so long! I've been busy with the temporary job along with the new update! How do we feel about Bones, Wyatt, and the Graveyard map so far?! I'm already brainstorming a few ideas! Also, this took a while because someone died. I felt very horrible writing this and almost wanted to somehow skip over it. But... what needed to be done needed to be done. I hope you enjoy! I didn't writing it.

April 15th, 1973

11:02pm

The Family House

Song recommendation: "The Family House" by Ross Tregenza & Wes Keltner

from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game soundtrack.

WARNING: Drayton making racial comments about Sonny. Character death.

Art piece by mitchboobiez on X.

Curiosity Will Kill The Sheep

Maria

-.-

I can't sleep. I've been trying the last few hours but I kept hearing a weird sound in the room next door. At first I thought maybe it was Bubba - the one who wears the weird masks - but it didn't sound like him. My mind went to Johnny and the others but I don't think it was them either. It was definitely a man's voice - but not one I recognized that was part of this dysfunctional family. It sounded like a man struggling and bumping into stuff. Hissing out in pain, grunting, knocking a few things over, and so forth. I slowly raised out of my bed - putting the same clothes I've been wearing this entire time back on. Johnny had taken the few other clothing items I've worn of his away - wanting to wash them too. It was sweet - him trying to take care of me the best he possibly could. I know he abandoned me for several hours but I know he's busy. Or claims to be at least. By the way he avoided my gaze, I had a feeling he was lying to me. But I didn't want to start anything. He has a temper that I didn't want to mess with. One wrong move and he would've exploded like a bomb - just like the other day when he tried to poorly convince me that he doesn't love me. Despite his very erratic mood swings, him taking me out to that field a few hours ago was a really sweet gesture. Although, I wouldn't have minded venturing out more - maybe even fully escaping from this hellhole - but I knew not to risk it. I knew Johnny loved me - as he keeps telling me - but killing is what he did best. I knew he didn't want to hurt me but will if he absolutely needed to - which is something neither of us wanted regardless.

I rise out of the bed before walking over to the door. I twisted the knob a few times. Like always, it kept me inside this prison cell of a room. To the right, on the wall, was a little vent. I figured it's been bolted shut or something this entire time - so I never tried it out. Plus I don't want to risk getting caught. But, I needed to know who was in the room beside me. I got onto my knees - peeking through the vent. Through the mass amount of dirt and gunk, I could make something out. It was a room that I hadn't seen before. Why did they have random animal kennels?! I never heard of a dog or seen farm animals... unless they were meant for people like me. Well, more specifically probably people like Virginia. This entire family has given me the special treatment since Johnny saved me against Bubba and Sissy. So, I can only imagine the unfortunate people who don't get the same privilege as me.

I squinted a bit - trying to see through the rusty metal vent - before my blood ran cold. I did see someone! However, from the angle, it looked like they were hanging themselves. Their feet weren't touching the ground - causing their legs to flare around as they grunted in discomfort and pain. My eyes continued to trail upwards where I saw a younger black man being held up by his wrists with some rope. He wore a pair of dark jeans, a blue short sleeved shirt with brown stipes, and... oh. OH MY GOD!

"SONNY?!" I yelled out - louder than what I intended to, "I can't believe it, you came for me!" Sonny stopped moving before looking around - freezing in place. I gently knocked on the vent - having his attention turn towards my voice and tapping. Sonny squinted before his own eyes widened. A large smile spread across his face - somehow being able to see parts of my face through the gaps of the vent. Tears welled in his eyes before they began to rapidly roll down his face.

"Maria?! YOU'RE ALIVE?! WE FOUND YOU, THANK JESUS!" He cried out before gasping between tears, "What did they do to you?! I'll get you out of here."

I gave a breathless laugh before tears of my own began to roll down my face, "It looks like you're in a tougher situation than me right now."

"Yeah - they tied me up real good." Sonny laughed back as he looked up at his restrained wrists, "I've been trying to get out of these for hours. Those... freaks... took us in the middle of the night! I don't even know how long I've been here - or where the others are."

"The others?!" I interrupted him.

"Maria, we all came for you." Sonny started before continuing, "Danny was the first the leave and we haven't heard from him since. We got tired of the police doing nothing - so we came to find you both." My friends, they came for me! Wait, Sonny said Danny left first and hasn't been found. Does Johnny know about that? Did he or someone else within the family take him?! As soon as my happiness enters, it fades at the dread of my friends' fate. Is Danny okay? What about Ana?! Or maybe even Leland? As my mind wandered briefly, I knew I couldn't think about that right now. I have to focus on getting Sonny out of here, find the others safely, or tell the police and circle back.

"Did Ana come with you guys?" I asked.

"Yeah, although I don't know where she is." Sonny sighed, "We all got drugged or something and she was the last one. Being handled by someone with a scar across his face. I don't know! Everything happened so quickly and it was super dark!"

A man with a scar across his face. My blood began to boil as I only knew one person who fit that short description: Johnny. I let out an angered sigh - knowing he had to be behind all of this. Danny got captured, along with my own sister, and the rest of my friends. Who else is down here? What else has he been hiding from me?! I could get angry at him later. Right now, I needed to try and help Sonny get loose. I began to try and twist the rusted screws off. It wasn't budging - however the entire metal covering of the vent seemed loose. Maybe I can wedge something in-between and somehow break it off?

"Shit!" I cussed out and lightly punched the rusted piece of metal.

"Here... let me try to kick something over to you." Sonny muttered before moving his head - trying to look around the kennel room. His body swayed with a slight delay due to his movements. His eyes widened along with his smile once he spotted a blue toolbox on the table behind him. He swung his legs back, wrapping his ankle and foot around the small metal box, before knocking it onto the floor. The sound of several tools and scrap metal echoed throughout the air - making both of us wince by the sudden intruding sounds. A few tools rolled my way as Sonny noticed before pointing to them with his foot, "Can you grab one of those?"

I slid my fingers into the thin slivers of the vent. I could fit almost my entire hand through if it wasn't for my knuckles. I fumbled around as I pulled one tool closer to me. It looked like it was handmade somehow. Almost like a screwdriver with extra tape and... are those bones?! Oh, god! That's so gross! The bones were stuck with tape on the handle. The long metal shaft of the screwdriver looked normal - except for the drive tip. For some reason, it was thinner and sharper than normal. Maybe it could still work? I grabbed the very end of the screwdriver before slowly pulling it through the vent. I yanked it a few times as the handle got stuck - but was still in one piece that barely clung together with the tape.

"I got it!" I beamed.

"Good job, Maria!" Sonny praised, "See if you can get it open." I was already steps ahead of him. I slid the thin metal tip in the head of the rusted screws that held the vent against the wall. Between the rust and super thin tip of the Frankenstein screwdriver, it was no use. I couldn't screw them off. Although, it was still loose enough to wedge something between the vent grate and wall themselves. I used my own fingers and nails to gently pull back on the vent, slipping the screwdriver between it and the wall, before beginning to shimmy and pull. I placed both my shoe covered feet on the wall as I pulled harder and harder - hearing the vent bending and breaking. Sonny heard and nodded, "You got this! I believe in you, Maria! Come on!"

His little confidence boost was exactly what I needed. With one loud grunt and final pull, I was able to get the rusted grate off the wall. I gasped as my back hit the floor due to the amount of force I used. I coughed before getting back onto my knees. Looking over at the bed, I saw my papa's brown satchel with everything inside along with my polaroid camera. I knew I should take it all - especially papa's satchel - but I couldn't. It would just get in my way and slow me down. Knowing my luck, it would get stuck on something and get me more injured than I already am. If I'm able to escape, maybe I can alert the police and have someone else grab it for me. I feel guilty leaving it along with my precious camera behind... but it's better than risking it all getting me captured again.

"I'm sorry, papa." I whisper before crawling through the new hole in the wall. Sonny's smile widened as he made eye contact with me - before fading quickly. I must've looked horrible. My clothes are stained with my old dried blood and dirt. Not to mention the scar on my head from Bubba's chainsaw, the bandage on my arm from slicing my arm on the butcher knife, my hair dirty and ratty, and my skin matching with the dirt and dried blood. I probably smelled horrible too! How did Johnny even find me attractive?!

"Holy hell." Sonny whispered in disbelief, "What did they do to you?!"

"You'll find out if we don't move." I rushed out before my eyes began to roam all over the floor for something else to use.

Sonny nodded, "You're right, let's move."

My eyes landed on a pair of scissors. They weren't in the best condition - just like the weird screwdriver - but were still durable. I crawled onto the table that Sonny had kicked the toolbox off of before leaning forward, beginning to snip away at the already worn thin rope. It only took a few minutes, but the rope became thin enough that Sonny's body weight was able to snap the rope. Sonny fell onto his knees with a loud grunt before standing up and walking over to me. I began to pull at the large knot that bound his wrists together. It didn't take long since whoever tied it did a poor job along with using an already fraying rope. As soon as the restraints fully came off, Sonny wrapped me into a tight hug. It took me a split second but I almost immediately returned his hug. Tears began to roll down my friend's face before he buried his face into the crook of my neck.

"Sonny?! Are you-"

I was cut off with his choked sob, "We thought you were dead! The police deemed you as a cold case and were willing to drop it. God, I'm so happy you're alive!" Sonny confessed as his arms only wrapped tighter around me. Tears of my own formed again as I felt my body relax against his. I wrapped my arms around his neck - hugging him almost as tight. We held each other for what felt like forever but was probably only a minute. He pulled away, sniffling his tears back, as his happy smile turned back to being serious. He continued with a new sense of determination, "Let's get you out of here, okay?!"

I simply nodded in response. Sonny gently rubs his wrist as I walked over to the kennel's room door, noticing it wasn't locked at all. They must've figured Sonny wasn't gonna be able to escape his restraints. Sonny and I entered the same hallway that I've been in a few times prior. We take a left, going past the room I was held inside of, before entering the large red lair that belonged to Bubba. Sonny gasped lightly as his eyes roamed around the room in a new fear. I knew the feeling - seeing nothing but the body parts, blood, bones, and stench of death come into your view for the first time.

"God!" Sonny hissed out, "What is this place?!"

I repeated the same answer I gave Virginia, "Hell."

"That's putting it lightly." Sonny muttered to himself before shaking his head. He was trying to keep a straight face, appearing stronger than what he is, but I could see right through it. It looked like he wanted to get sick at any given second. I don't blame him. I began to walk forward towards the little wooden platform with the illuminated metal sliding door - before Sonny stopped me right in my tracks. He held his arm in front of me, holding me back, before snapping his head towards the door. I didn't hear anything but he surely did. Sonny quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a wooden make-shift wall that was near one of the gallows. Blood of someone else began to stain my once white shoes and jeans - that were now stained with God only knew what.

A few seconds later, the metal sliding door creaked as it was pulled open. My eyes widened - noticing Sonny probably just saved us. Under the flickering light above the door stood the cook - also known as Drayton; the man who made the chili that Johnny tried to warn me about. Sonny had his hand on my bicep - opposite of the injured one - as he tried to shield me against Drayton. The older man glared around the room before sighing loudly. In the palm of his hand were a set of keys - similar to the pair Johnny had too. His little dress shoes creaked against the wooden floorboards before he walked over to a table nearby - rummaging through some of the body parts. Probably to see what he can use to cook up the next meal with. Who knows, maybe it's what's left of Virginia.

I can't believe I just thought that! I could feel my stomach turn at the thought of the truth.

"Imma smack that Johnny upside his dawgan head! This is all his doin." The older man complained to himself, "I told that boy not to bring those girls around here, look at the dang mess he stirred up! I'm too dang old and worn out for this nonsense." I frowned upon hearing his complaints. Those girls? As in plural? I thought I was the only one he's had eyes for in that way. I'm sure he uses his looks and charm to his advantage. But the way he sounded, plus the way he made me feel, seemed like he has never had deep feelings for anyone else besides me. How many girls have there been? How many girls did he and his family force to stay here to carry his child or become his wife? How many actually tried to listen and understand him? How many of them felt special because of him?

How many girls has he called sunshine before me?

Sonny shifted his body where he saw a pile of bones. His nose scrunched up in disgust before beginning to dig through the sharp mound. He gently slid a bone fragment out - it being sharp due to it being broken before. Sonny's trembling hand gripped the bone as he gently carved into the wooden board that we hid behind. It was sharp enough to scar the wood. Sonny looked back at me, then at Drayton, gestured to his keys on the table, and then down at his bone fragment in his hand. He wants to stab him and steal the keys. It's a bold move but could work. I nodded hesitantly, not knowing if his plan will fully work. It reminded me of Virginia's plan and how it ended badly for her. But, just like before with Virginia, we were desperate. So any plan is better than no plan.

Sonny went to the left, circling around behind the make-shift wooden wall that had the gallow wedged against it. He gripped the knife harder in his hand before sneaking right behind Drayton. However, when he raised up, Sonny accidentally knocked into a hanging meat hook nearby - causing it to bang into other tools around it before falling to the ground. Drayton quickly turned around - both parties shocked to see one another. However, Drayton's slight shock didn't last long. His gaped mouth closed into a sinister smile as he noticed the improvised knife that Sonny held in the air. The bone-knife came crashing down onto Drayton - but he was quicker than Sonny. He moved to the side where the knife stabbed into the wooden table instead. Sonny gasped as he held onto the table, trying to pull the sharp bone out, but it snapped in half. Drayton laughed before looking to the side where a busted broom handle was.

"This ain't nothin' personal!" He chuckled before the broom hit Sonny on the arm. Sonny stumbled back - but not without sliding his hand against the wooden table. The sound of Drayton's keys along with Sonny's cries for help echoed around me. Until the keys dropped to the ground next to me. While still crouching and hiding, I quickly grabbed the set and stood up slowly. Drayton didn't seem to mind the keys as his entire focus was still on Sonny. He smacked the broom across my friends face - causing Sonny to stumble and turn around - holding the struck area in pain. Drayton took this as an opportunity and wrapped his broken broom handle around Sonny's neck. Sonny's back met with Drayton's chest as the handle began to crush his wind-pipe - causing Sonny to gasp out in pain.

"MARIA, RUN!" He choked out. Drayton's eyes widened as he heard my name mixed with what Sonny said. My hands gripped tighter around the keys as I saw one of my closest friends look at me one last time. He seemed scared - yet hopeful. In a split second, the broom handle crushed against Sonny's wind-pipe harder before Drayton used all his strength to snap Sonny's neck to the side with the stick helping him. Sonny's mouth hung open as his eyes widened - the last few seconds of his consciousness understanding what had just happened. His neck was at an uncomfortable position as his Adams apple was crushed into his own throat. Sonny's body went limp before falling to the floor of the dirty and bloodied basement.

"SONNY!" I screamed out as tears began to roll down my face, "NO! SONNY, GOD! NO!" Once again, someone had sacrificed themselves for me as I sat and did nothing to help. Sonny's face laid face down on the ground. Even if he was alive, his nose probably would've broken from the harsh impact his body made with the floor. I covered my mouth in horror with my free hand - noticing how loud I just was. Drayton bounced on the balls of his feet as he made eye contact with me - his grin growing more wicked with each passing second.

"Ain't gotta worry about him no more! Gotta love dark meat, though. I knew he would've loved my barbeque, all them dark folks do!" Drayton muttered to himself before beginning to walk towards me, "Now, let's get rid of ya! I knew it was a bad idea to spring a love child 'round here! You've been nothin' but trouble for him and all of us here."

I cried out, "I NEVER WANTED ANY OF THIS ANYWAYS!"

"You're to blame for your own situation!" Drayton chuckled as his head shook side to side, "Should've known better than to trespass on someone's property."

I glared up at him before scoffing, "Then who's to blame for your shitty cooking skills?! You should've known better by now that your chili is disgusting like you and this entire fucked up family."

Drayton's smile dimmed as he glared down at me. In a split second, the broom he used to kill Sonny smacked me on top of my head instead. I let out a cry before standing up and beginning to run. Drayton started screaming at me before at someone to help him out. It could've been Johnny - the broken wolf. It could've been Sissy - the singing nutcase. Or it could've been Bubba - that... thing! It could've been literally anyone following behind me but I didn't care. It didn't slow me down as I began to backtrack the journey I had with Johnny a few hours prior. Going past the room that I found Virginia at, into the storage room where all the old furniture was, and down the old tunnels. I saw the same locked metal sliding door that Johnny had taken us to prior. I rummaged around for the keys before spotting one that was similar to the one he used. I slid the key inside the hole before twisting it and pressing the red button. A loud high-pitched buzzing sound echoed around me before the door slowly creaked open.

"GET BACK HERE AND TAKE YOUR PUNISHMENT!" Drayton yelled as he was suddenly right behind me. I walked into the large tunnels, where it seemed like all the properties are connected from, before rapidly pressing the button from the other side. Right as Drayton raised his broom to strike me - the metal door quickly shut on him. I stumbled back as I heard his muffled and angry yells along with his violent kicks to the door. There was no turning back now. It was either escape or get killed.

Fuck... fuck! Sonny! Poor Sonny, who didn't have a singular ounce of hatred in him. Who loved and accepted everyone. I let out a choked sob as the face he made before he died appeared in my memory - just like Virginia's. The way he looked at me scared but was getting beaten and choked out so I had a chance to escape. The way life left him when his neck got snapped. It all happened so fast! This is all too much for one person to handle. I held onto the walls as I began to make my way through the long and confusing tunnels. I had to keep going.

For Virginia.

For Sonny.

To find Ana.

To find Danny.

To get the truth from Johnny.

Virginia and Sonny should've sacrificed themselves just for me. Virginia came here on her own terms - but died trying to protect me. Sonny and my friends came to find me and Danny - but he had the same exact fate as her. I can't let them die for nothing. I couldn't keep from freezing when I should have helped them. I can't let anyone else die because of me. I couldn't let their sacrifices be in vain. They tried to help me and I wasn't able to help them at the times they needed me. Now, I had to be there for everyone else including myself.

I needed to escape - and there was no turning back now.