AN/: Sorry this chapter is shorter compared to the others! It's supposed to be short, sweet, and a slight filler. Next one is gonna be a bit longer though! I hope you enjoy regardless :)

April 16th, 1973

2:10am

Johnny's Shack

Song recommendation: "You Found Me" by The Fray

You Found Me!

Maria

-.-

"Until death do us part, Mrs. Slaughter." Johnny's voice echoed throughout my mind. Tears welled in my eyes as I shook my head - his sinister smile growing more. I choked out a sob as I felt the blood of those around me weighing me down in the long vintage down I was wearing.

"No!" I shouted before getting louder, "NO!"

I turned on my heel and picked up the heavy dress that was soaked with blood now. I began to sprint down the aisle - the crowd of dead friends and family surrounding me. Johnny's twisted smile twisted into a snarl as he watched me run away from him. He called out my name but I didn't listen to him. I didn't want to marry him! I didn't want any of this! This entire situation is all my fault. Everyone is dying or already dead because of me. I ripped the veil out of my hair, tossing it onto the ground, where the pure white tulle quickly turned into a dark red shade, before continuing running.

The aisle seemed much longer than before - stretching miles and miles as if I could never truly run away from Johnny. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the man I once found imposing and handsome to be right on my trail. My heart sank to my stomach as I saw him reach behind his back for that famous hunting knife he likes to use.

"MARIA!" Someone suddenly shouted. I stopped in place before looking forward again - towards the wide double doors that my papa had walked me down earlier. With the doors wide open, exposing a white bright light, while dressed in a perfectly white suit, was Danny. He was smiling wide and happily - welcoming me into his arms. He looked free of any harm, compared to earlier when he was strung up on the cross.

"Danny!" I breathed out happily before running into his arms, the light around us growing brighter as Johnny's angry screams grew louder too. But nothing else mattered. I was in his arms.

Until I had a sharp pain in the side of my face. I groaned and hissed before touching the side of my face - starting to wake up from that dream from hell. I raised my head, my vision blurry, as I saw someone crouching down in front of me. My eyes widened as I quickly crawled away - thinking it was Johnny.

But it wasn't.

It was… Danny?!

"Danny?!" I choked out when I finally realized who it was. Danny's worried expression turned into a gentle smile as tears of his own formed in his eyes. The young man who risked his life to find me was so happy to see me. All my fears and worries slipped away for a split second as he had pulled me into a tight hug.

"Maria!" He cried out, causing the tears to slip from my eyes. I buried my face into his chest as his own head dipped into my neck. I sobbed quietly as he did the same - both of us were happy to know each other was alive. He gently pulled away and smashed his lips against mine, his face cupping the sides of my face. I placed my hands on his wrists before kissing him back. I missed the scruff of his beard. I used to complain about it at times due to it itching me - but I had fully missed it.

I hiccupped into the kiss before turning my head and deepening it. Despite everything, it was the most beautiful kiss I've ever received. I didn't taste the smoke and alcohol that Johnny had on his breath. I didn't feel his teeth clashing against mine in a hungry way. Danny was loving and gentle - even after everything he was still careful to not hurt me. Johnny was the raging storm that ruined everything it touched. Danny has always been the calm - the peace that I always longed for.

"I missed you so much!" I cried out when I had finally pulled away. Danny was wiping my tears away as his own still streamed down his face.

"I missed you too, baby!" He choked out before holding my face close to his, "I'm sorry I had you go alone on that trip! Please forgive me. I love you so much! I'll get you out of here, I promise!"

I shook my head before responding to him, "It's not your fault, baby. I should've listened to you and waited until you fixed my car. It's Johnny's fault - not yours, trust me. Johnny messed with my car more - I think!"

"These assholes will pay for what they did." His jaw clenched at the thought of Johnny, "No - he will pay for what he did!"

I nodded at his words, my happy and sad tears turning into anger and determination. Johnny did this to me. I was perfectly fine on my trip until he had come along; stalking its prey like a wild predator before attacking. But instead of going in for the kill, he decided to keep me all to himself like his own little pet. Well, I hate to break it to him, but this pet doesn't like to be left in a cage and will claw its way out. She's getting to that breaking point.

It's me, I'm getting to that breaking point.

Danny gently grabbed my hand and pulled me up to my feet. I hissed in pain as a large pain throbbed in the side of my face. I gently touched the area that Johnny struck - wincing in more pain. Danny gently pulled my hand away as he examined the area more - shaking his head in disbelief and anger.

"Is it bad?" I whimpered out.

"You have a nasty bruise." Danny sighed out, "But it doesn't make you any less prettier, baby."

I blushed lightly at his words. Even in the middle of Hell, he's able to make me feel like the happiest girl alive. The guilt of what I did to him still weighed my heart down. Would he forgive me? I hope so. But I don't blame him either if he never does. If we die today, I don't know which I would prefer; to tell him and crush his soul or not tell him and take the weight to my grave. I shouldn't have slept or entertained the idea of Johnny. Maybe it was my desperation to live and survive. Maybe it was how rough Johnny seemed to be with me while Danny was always affectionate and loving with me. Maybe… maybe I loved them both.

No! No, Maria! That's just what Johnny wants you to think. You don't love him. He's your damn kidnapper, for Christ's sake! He literally led you here in hopes to kill you eventually.

Yet, despite everything, I still had a soft spot for him. The good moments were heaven compared to the hell we were both trapped in. Maybe in another life, we could've been friends. Maybe in another life, without Danny and I together, he would've made a decent boyfriend. Maybe in another life, he would be able to escape his family and live a normal life.

But this isn't another life. This is the life that was sadly hand picked for us.

"Danny," I sighed out before looking into his eyes, "there's something I need to tell you. I… when Johnny was alone with me.. he…"

"I know." Danny cut me off before swallowing hard, "You two… did shit, right?"

My eyes widened at his words. Did Johnny tell him?! Of course that bastard did! Tears welled in my eyes again as my bottom lip quivered. Through his strong facade, I could see how crushed he was. Danny's thumb gently rubbed my neck - away from the bruise so as to not hurt me more.

"How did you…?!"

Danny cut me off, "He told me - boasted about it, actually. I didn't want to believe it at first but… he seemed sincere behind the cockiness. Then I could just tell by how you were acting. I'm… I'm not happy about it. But I get it. He's a handsome guy. You probably fell for his tricks. Or maybe in exchange for you to get pregnant and live longer. It's fucked! But… I get it, baby."

He understands?! I shake my head at his words - shocked that he was able to come to terms with it. I swallowed hard before looking away from his gaze.

"I'm such a horrible girlfriend!" I cried out.

Danny shook his head, "Maria… with this situation… you did what you had or needed to. If we weren't in such a stressful situation, where our lives aren't on the line, then that would be different. But he led you into a false hope and security, right?" I nodded at his words before he continued, "He was using you - even from the start with his and that family's weird plan to use you for some baby. You were used, Maria. You were manipulated - tricked. It's not your fault."

I dipped my head low as I stared at my feet. Danny took that as an opportunity to lead forward and gently kiss my forehead. His arms wrapped around me as he tried his best to comfort me. I sobbed harder into his chest. I didn't want to believe it - wanting to actually believe Johnny cared about me. This entire time I believed that he did in fact love and care about me like he claimed. But I remember how he hunts his prey - by charming them. He charmed me like a charmer does to a snake. He played his cards right and got what he wanted in the end. Now it's my responsibility to take it back from him - keep what was mine in the first place.

My freedom.

Just because Johnny lost his, doesn't mean I have to lose mine too.

At that moment, the shack door swung open. Danny in one quick moment moved me behind his back - using his body to shield me. I peeked over his shoulder as I trembled in fear. I really hoped it wasn't Johnny. Between his creepy and possessive behavior - let alone kicking me across the face and knocking me out - I don't want him anywhere near me at the moment. I also hoped it wasn't Bubba or whatever Johnny had called him - the man with the chainsaw that hurt me the first night. Or that crazy ass girl! I literally hoped it was nobody except someone I knew. Which thankfully, it was!

I gasped softly when I saw a long familiar brunette braid. Danny's broad and tense shoulders relaxed once he saw the figure too. I ran around him and went over to the figure who looked shocked to see me.

"Julie!" I happily cried out.

"Maria, is that really you?!" Julie gasped out as she pulled me out of the hug to examine me. Shock was written all over her face - surprised to see me alive. She shook her head before speaking again, "Oh my god! Babe, I can't believe you're alive! Thank you, thank you, God!"

Julie's shock turned into a happy smile as tears welled in her eyes. She let out a sigh of relief before her arms wrapped around me tightly again. I buried my face in her shoulder as I held my own tears back. Julie calls everyone babe - or at least Connie, Ana, June, and I. I wasn't super close to Julie - unlike Connie. But I still cared about her, even if she did hurt my sister. I'm not completely mad at her. I'm mainly upset with Leland. They're both good friends who made a huge mistake. Just like I did with Danny and Johnny. So who am I to really judge her or Leland?

"Where's the others?" I asked.

"Ana and Leland were chased off by a guy with a huge chainsaw." Julie explained before shaking her head at the thought. My blood ran cold. Bubba is chasing my sister with the chainsaw?! She's very tough - being a cheer captain and surviving a few injuries. Leland is super tough too! But I just hope they can escape him.

"Maria," Danny sighed out before swallowing hard, "Connie… she… she's dead and-"

"I know." I cut him off, which caused Danny to blink rapidly.

"You… you know?" He asked while still being confused. I nodded at his words.

"Connie was killed in front of me by Sissy - the crazy girl who sings." I explained to them before swallowing hard, "Sonny…. Sonny is dead too. He was killed by the older man who has the receding hairline."

Danny's eyes widened at my words. He must've not known about Sonny. He leaned against the counter where Johnny's sink was and shook his head. Julie covered her mouth with both hands as tears formed in her eyes. Danny pinched the bridge of his nose as he began to quietly cry. More grief has struck them sadly due to my words. I don't even want to imagine Leland's reaction to Sonny. He's going to be crushed. Leland and Sonny are best friends and roommates - just like Connie and I. The last thing I'd want is to see one of my closest friends - damn near brother - to be in such pain over his friend.

"God… no!" Danny cried out before throwing his head back, "Sonny! No! Fuckin' Christ, what will June think?!"

"That bastard was racist against him!" Julie spoke up about Drayton, "He was at the gas station and Ana overheard him stereotyping him! Do you think he had it out against him since the beginning?!"

Anger boiled slightly inside of me for my dead friend, "I don't know. I don't even want to know. I just want us to get out of here without anyone else dying, please." Danny nodded before raising off the counter and wincing. He held his ribs in pain before taking a sharp breath. I walked over and gently rubbed his shoulder with a gentle smile, "Are you okay, baby?"

Danny shrugged, "I've been managing."

"What happened to you?" I asked him.

Danny gave me a slight nervous laugh before responding, "Johnny. Are you even shocked? Fucker forced me to eat human meat or die. Kicked me in the ribs. I think they're broken? But it's fine. Once we're out of here I'll go get them checked out. Don't worry about me, alright?"

"Danny, you've been in severe pain. Ana and Leland had to help you-"

Danny cut Julie off, "Let's just focus on getting out of here, alright? I don't want to slow anyone down. Now, all the cars seem pretty jacked up and we can't escape through them. The trial above is blocked by an electrical grate. The front door of the house is too risky. Do y'all have any ideas?"

Julie slowly shook her head as she played with the end of her braid nervously. I thought for a moment before something clicked. There was another car graveyard like Johnny's but behind the main family house. It's where Virginia and I tried to escape - where she originally came in from. Maybe there's an actual car there? Or we could sneak up front and see if Drayton or Johnny's trucks are at the front door?

"The main family house." I told them, "It's where they held me captive. A woman tried to help me escape but… she didn't make it. But her son's car was in their backyard along with a bunch like those outside. Maybe we can try and see if we can fix those up?"

"Alright, how do we get there?" Danny asked me.

"The basement tunnels." I informed them, "They have them underneath their properties to travel easier at times. They're all connected to each other."

"Like Disney World!" Julie gasped out, "The underground tunnels so the workers can travel around easier and in secret!"

"Exactly!" I exclaimed, nodding at her perfect example. But when I looked over at Danny, he seemed severely confused. I chuckled at his facial expression that showed how clueless he was to whatever we were talking about.

"There's… there's tunnels under Disney?!" He asked.

Julie chuckled before egging him on, "Yep! There's also Walt's frozen head in a vault underneath the property too!"

Danny blinked rapidly at her - trying to decipher if she was telling the truth or not. She's not. It's just some rumor someone made that got popular. However, the tunnels are real! They try to hide them but photos have been leaked and such. I wouldn't be surprised if the Slaughters got inspired by them. Or maybe even vice versa - depending on who did it first.

"You're fuckin' with me." Danny spat out after seeing the evil smirk that spread across the brunette's face.

"Yeaaah!" Julie laughed out before shaking her head, "Although those tunnels are real! I have friends in Anaheim, California - where DisneyLand is -who know people that work at Orlando, Florida which is where Disney World is. Anyways, Land doesn't have the tunnels but World does because they realized how much more massive World is!"

"This just sounds like someone trying to explain math to me." Danny whispered while still looking confused which resulted in some giggles by Julie.

"Come on, let's try it." Julie enthusiastically beamed, trying her best to bring all of our moods up despite the situation we're all victims of. I walked over to Danny and wrapped my arm around his waist - guiding him to the shack door. I never wanted to step foot into this dingy shack again. I glanced over my shoulder, looking at my poster on the wall, before scowling. Not necessarily at Johnny - but also at myself. Johnny is a disgusting and disturbing man. Yet, despite everything he's done, I still have a soft spot for him just like he developed one for me. In that case, I'm no better than him.

I'm a disgusting and disturbed individual too.