Welcome To Your Life
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CW: Torture, minor character death (No one you know or care about, but... you do see her die.) Also brief lady whump. Kieran learns what Lukas has been doing while he was gone, and gets a glimpse of the fate that may await him.
Kieran stared up into the darkness, willing himself to wake up. This all must be a dream. A terrible nightmare conjured up by his subconscious to torment him. It wouldn't be the first time.
He didn't close his eyes. Though he couldn't see anything anyway it felt as though to close them would be tempting fate. Every sound made his body stiffen, every creak sent his heart leaping into his throat. His arm grew numb from being held in position for so long, the metal cuff started to chafe his skin. He'd stopped trying to escape it.
You just have to hold out for a little while, he thought to himself. They'll find you. You just have to hold out 'til then.
It was only a matter of time. He didn't know how far they travelled, but he was sure he had to have been reported missing by now. The police were probably already searching. Abigail, his friends, they'd all tell them about Lukas so they'd know exactly where to start looking. He would be saved. It was only a matter of time.
"Good morning!" Lukas sing-song voice greeted with a flick of the light switch that seemed to buzz and take a few seconds to actually work. "Sleep well?" He unlocked Kieran's handcuffs, letting it fall back against the rail with a soft clink. "You know it almost doesn't feel real; I've dreamed about this for so long. Now you're finally here I can hardly believe it." He slowly caressed Kieran's cheek as if physically touching him was the only way to be sure he wasn't still dreaming. Then he grabbed Kieran by the arm and yanked him to his feet. "We better get moving, there's work to do and it's already nearly noon. Heather finished setting it up an hour ago but I said you needed to sleep in a bit. It's been a tiring few days for you, I'm sure."
Kieran said nothing as he was led upstairs. He nearly tripped on the rickety steps but Lukas didn't slow down, not until they were in a room that was probably meant to be a guest bedroom. Indeed, there was a bed but it didn't fare much better than the one in the basement, a bare mattress with… built in restraints on the headboard. Cameras sat in every corner, and a woman operated another on a tripod. A computer hid under a wooden desk with multiple screens on top. It looked like a streaming setup he'd seen online. A wooden chair with leather straps attached to the legs and armrests sat against a blank wall, and there were several lamps not unlike those used in a professional photo shoot.
The temperature had seemed mild. Now Kieran felt as though he'd been thrust into the arctic, goose bumps appearing as his skin tingled. Just what were they planning here?
"Heather! Is everything ready?"
The camerawoman turned. Her face was obscured by a mask and dark sunglasses. "All good here. Get your boytoy sorted so we can get on with it."
Lukas tugged Kieran's arm to pull him further into the room. Kieran stayed still. His heels dug into the floor as he wrenched his hand free. "What's going on?" He demanded, eyes flickering from Lukas to the woman -Heather, apparently- to the streaming setup and mattress. "What is this? I- I thought we were just going back to how things used to be, what- what have you been doing these past years!?"
A shadow crossed Lukas' face. He reached out to grab Kieran again but he jerked away, colliding with the wall as he staggered backwards. "Don't be difficult, now."
"Difficult!? I've been compliant, I haven't fought you. You kidnapped me and I just go along with it, waiting for- waiting for something. Afraid of what comes next, waiting for you to just talk to me, properly, we can- we can talk it out! Can't we?"
For a moment, Kieran thought he'd overstepped. Lukas rubbed his temples as if he hadn't expected any kind of resistance, and he didn't know what to do about it. Kieran braced himself for his anger, to be forcefully dragged wherever Lukas' wanted him to be, where he would do what he wanted to do. He'd apologise later, making Kieran out to be the bad guy, making him feel bad for daring to question or say no. That is what Lukas' of two years ago would have done.
Now he smiled. A genuine smile that showed off perfect straight teeth that didn't suit him. He should have fangs like a wolf ready to tear his prey apart as easily as picking petals off a flower.
"You're right. I've been unfair." He held his hands up in mock surrender. Heather muttered exasperatedly under her breath. "You have been good, and you deserve to know. You want to know what I've been doing since you've been gone, well I'll show you. Then we'll see if we can still talk it out." He snapped his fingers, "Change of plans Doll. It's movie night."
Heather huffed, but kicked the computer chair aside to replace it with the wooden one. She went back to move her camera while Lukas grabbed Kieran's shoulders painfully, fingers firmly digging into his flesh as he steered him over. "Sit," he ordered, "or I'll make you." His tone left no room for argument.
Still Kieran hesitated. He had no doubt those restraints would be put to use immediately. He would be completely at their mercy then. He might receive some answers, but what then? Would it be worth it?
Tentatively he obeyed. As predicted, leather straps were pulled tight across his wrists and ankles. Lukas leaned in front of him blocking his view as he set things up. Headphones were jammed over his ears. Lukas moved to hover behind him while Heather stood a little ways to the side, swapping her large camera for a smaller, cheaper one she held by hand.
She finished adjusting her settings. "Ready when you are."
Lukas reached over and clicked play.
Kieran wasn't sure what he was seeing at first. He didn't recognise the room. It looked more like a basement -not his basement- and the footage was grainy with poor lighting. It was too amateurish to be Lukas' own.
Muffled voices were heard muttering in the background but Kieran couldn't make out what they were saying.
A door opened. Two masked figures dragged a woman through by her arms while her legs dangled uselessly below her. Her head lolled back as she was manhandled into a chair. Thick rope was tied around her legs, wrists, and torso pinning her there. Her hair was matted like it hadn't been taken care of in months. Her breathing was haggard and she murmured incoherently. Fingers weakly clenched and unclenched grasping nothing but air.
Bile rose in Kieran's throat. "Who is she?" "Keep watching."
The taller of the two patted her face condescendingly before stepping out of frame as another one entered it, a shorter masculine figure holding something in his hand. He aimed it at her, and fired.
A scream tore from her throat. Her frail muscles convulsed against her restraints as she fruitlessly writhed. Although the violent shaking stopped after a few seconds she still trembled and her screams settled into weak, pitiful moans, too broken to even cry properly. She babbled to herself frantically, stumbling over foreign words.
"Pathetic." One of the captors taunted from behind off-frame, a masculine voice difficult to make out over crackling audio. "Fuckin' junkie. Can't get enough of it can ya? Needy little slut."
The video ended abruptly.
Kieran stared at the monitor. The way her body spasmed was etched into his brain, her screams echoing even once the video ended. His nails dug into his palms.
"What was that!?"
Lukas chuckled, both hands stroking Kieran's neck who flinched his touch but it's not like he could go anywhere. His fingers lingered a little too long. "It's not over yet."
Audio started playing again before the screen brightened once more. It seemed to pick up moments after the first video.
The woman slumped forward, rope around her chest loosened so she was held there only by her legs tied to the chairs, and her arms twisted behind the back. She kept saying something, a single word over and over. Male voices laughed. The shorter man grabbed her hair, pulling her head up so she was facing the camera. Though the lighting was dim it was just enough to make out dark bruises spoiling her face, her nose clearly broken. Her left eye was swollen shut and she seemed barely able to open the other one.
"Say goodbye."
She became more alert then, using what little energy she must have to shake her head. Her lips moved faster as her pleas became more frantic. The grip in her hair tightened, pulling her head back to expose her neck. A switchblade pressed against her throat and, in one swift movement sliced through like taut skin like butter. Blood sprayed everywhere as she gurgled, her body desperately thrashed in a vain attempt to get free. Almost as quickly as it started she went limp. Her head tilted over the back of the chair exposing her savaged neck.
It was too hot. The room seemed to shrink as the walls closed in leaving him trapped in this tiny box with no air. Everything blurred and his lungs constricted, it was so hot yet he felt clammy, this wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening. The screen went dark and someone removed his headphones but it was too late, it was too late, the sound of death would replay in his head over and over and over.
"Wha- what-" He gasped between words. "Was- was that real? Tell me it wasn't real."
"You wanted to know what I'd been up to. Now you know. That was tame, really." Gentle fingers massaged Kieran's scalp, running through his curls tenderly in what was supposed to be a soothing manner. It was the same thing Abi used to do, when he curled up on the floor shaking, pulling fiercely on his own hair. She'd carefully move his hurtful hands and replace them with her own soft, loving ones as she crooned, always a little off-key. Always the sweetest song he'd ever heard.
"Don't touch me!" Kieran cried, wresting his head away. "What is wrong with you!?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"You're a- you're fucking sick! You've always been messed up but this is another level. Tell me that wasn't you in the video, that this is some sick joke. Tell me!"
Lukas said nothing. His silence was somehow worse than any verbal confirmation.
Kieran let out a strangled sob, letting his head hang limp. "You're a monster," He whispered, barely audible even to himself. "I don't know what I ever saw in you."
That had been the wrong thing to say. Lukas grabbed his hair, painfully this time and wrenched his head back, the chair tilting backwards as he leaned over forcing Kieran to look up at him. "Monster?" He hissed, and Kieran whimpered, trying to pull away but Lukas only grasped tighter. "I've been so nice to you. I've forgiven you time and time again, yet you have the nerve-" He cut himself off, releasing his hold and pushing the chair back down with a bang. He took a deep breath which he held for a few seconds, slowly releasing it. "I suppose we do have some work to do," He said finally, and the sudden stillness in his tone made the hairs on the back of Kieran's neck stand on end. He'd almost forgotten. Lukas rage was scary. But his calm was terrifying. "Heather? Be a dear and go boil some water."
Heather didn't even sigh. She just dutifully obeyed, leaving the two alone.
"Oh Angel." Lukas carressed Kieran's jawline, tucking his hair behind his ear. "I wish you didn't make me do this."
"Do what? I didn't make you do anything, I- mmphf!" Something firm was slid between his teeth, tightly tied around his face. Lukas then took some scissors and cut off Kieran's shirt, tossing the ragged remains aside. The blade traced across his bare chest slowly, tauntingly. Lukas smirked at his flinch.
Heather came back a few minutes later bearing a steaming kettle in one hand and a large bucket in the other. Her posture was stiff. Like she had to brace herself for what was about to happen.
Kieran pulled frantically at the straps pinning him, trying to kick his legs but succeeded only in scraping the chair across the floor. Lukas stood in front of him, kettle in hand. He'd put a mask on too, with dark sunglasses to conceal his eyes.
"Ready?" He asked. He wasn't talking to Kieran.
"Ready." Heather reclaimed her position behind the camera.
Kieran breathed heavily, his wide eyes desperate, pleading. Lukas' expression did not break. He remained impassive as he lifted the kettle over Kieran's right arm, and tilted it.
A muffled yelp filled the air and Kieran tried to move his arm out of the way. Searing agony poured into his flesh, the longer it went on the worse it felt. He'd spilled boiling water on himself before but having it slowly and purposefully poured on you was a different ballgame and he understood what the bit was for now, he'd surely break his own teeth without it as Lukas poured the stream across Kieran to his other arm, and down his back. Tears streamed down his face, he thrashed against his restraints and his words couldn't be heard but nonetheless he begged, scrambled apologies mixing with pained sobs. Hot water ran down his back, his chest, soaked into his thighs and wrists.
Lukas shook the last few drops before setting the kettle aside. He then took the bucket, raising it high.
Kieran gasped as cold water splashed over him, the intense heat turning to a shocking freeze. It wasn't so bad though; it wasn't icy, just cool, but the fresh burns stung. After the initial rush Lukas slowed down, instead slowly trickling it over the skin he'd just scalded. It was supposed to be damage control then. But the damage was done. Kieran feared how bad it would be later. He let out a wet sounding whimper when the bit was carefully removed from his mouth. "Shh, shh, it's over now," Lukas whispered, taking Kieran's face in his hands. "I'm sorry. I had to do it. I'm so sorry."
I hate you, Kieran thought. He refused to meet Lukas gaze. I hate you Ihate youIhateyou.
"Those burns need treatment." Heather's voice interrupted. He hated her, too. Though this was his first time seeing her she had proven to be as bad as Lukas was. She watched it, she filmed it. She was complicit.
"Yeah yeah. That's enough for today anyway. I need a drink." Lukas had the audacity to huff, stretching his neck. He ripped off his sunglasses and mask, tilting Kieran's chin up. "Look at me won't you? I'm sorry, you know I'm sorry."
Liar. Lies lieslieslieslies. All he does is lie.
"All right, I need to get on with it. You can have your pity party later." Heather tapped Lukas shoulder. "He'll be here when you get back."
Lukas sighed regretfully, throwing Kieran one last wistful look. "I'll see you soon Angel. I love you. You know that right? I need you to know that."
-
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed please consider reblogging, it really does help the reach enabling others to enjoy it too!
Well! This did not go as planned! It was supposed to be watching videos and taking photos, but Kieran decided to talk back. Good to see he has some spirit in him. How long will it last? Only time will tell!
Taglist: @scoundrelwithboba @watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees @morning-star-whump @oddsconvert @fortunately-cool-penguin @unforgivenn @whumper-whimsy @auradastler
