I wake up with a parched throat, growling stomach and a sense of anger/shame towards myself for fainting yet again in this house.

All of this hits me before I've even opened my eyes but as I feel fingers roughly combing through my hair I'm suddenly filled with energy and I leap out of the annoyingly comfortable bed.

"Can you just stop touching-"
I growl out as I spin around to face Rosik but I falter as I realise that it's Dana who was sitting next to me on the bed.

My whole body sags as I stare at her in shock for a few moments before tears well in my eyes, making her image swim.

"Rosik wanted me to be the one to wake you up. He doesn't want you getting more stressed." Dana states blandly and I self-consciously pat down my hair and alter my dress.

I must look like an absolute mess for Rosik to actually correctly recognise and interpret how I'm feeling.

As I lift my hands to wipe my eyes and any drool that may be still on my face I freeze as those lifeless eyes flash before mine.
Dana notices my hesitation and her face scrunches as mine undoubtedly pales.

"What happened Katie? I woke up to you screaming last night and then it all went silent. You don't look hurt."
Dana questions before slowly rising to her feet and pulling down her dress also.

I shake my head briefly before responding.
I want to explain to her that hurt is capable of so much more than physical wounds but now isn't the time.

Dana hasn't had to be broken in that kind of way and I'm not going to be the one to shatter her perception of her world.

"I-I just realised last night the severity of the situation." I explain carefully and Dana let's out a light chuckle which is quickly suctioned into the bleak walls.

"It took you this long to figure it out?" Dana stares at me in doubt and I know that she knows that I'm hiding something.

Her eyes are drooped and guarded and I feel a sense of tenseness in the air. I've never felt awkward around my cousin before but right now I really feel as though everything I say holds a higher meaning.
This is my last chance.

"I found a body." I whisper out finally and Dana's whole face lights up which draws a look of concern onto my face.

"You found somebody?!" Dana whisper shouts and quickly leaps over to me before grabbing my hands.

"Who were they?! Did you tell them everything? When will the police be here?" She rambles on and my mind struggles to comprehend her rushed words.

I'm still trying to recover from admitting the truth of what I've seen, actually admitting it makes it real.

"No.." I try to cut in but Dana is too caught up again in her hope.

"No?! The police aren't coming? Wait, is my Dad on his way?!" She nearly squeals and I can't help but cringe and pull my hands out of hers and quickly place them on her shoulders.
Stopping her from practically jumping up and down.

"No! Dana I found a body. A dead body." I grit out and now a few tears do trek their way down my cheeks and Dana follows their trail as she comprehends my words.
All energy sapping out of her body.

"Oh god.." She murmurs and I nod my head in agreement before pulling her stiff body into mine for a tight hug.

I hold her there for a few minutes, now running my hands through her long hair and I force myself to stop crying the moment I feel Dana's shoulders begin to tense and shake.

As much as I feel guilty for telling her this and making her upset I know fundamentally that it was the right decision. Keeping this from her would have caused more harm than good.

"It was the owner of this house I think. He was an older man and I found his murdered body in the barn while I was looking for a tool to help us escape."

I murmur into Dana's hair and her shaking continues while I loosen some of the burden on my shoulders.
It feels nice not having to carry it all myself but now guilt replaces the lost weight.

"Are you sure he was murdered?"
Dana sobs out and I clench her tighter to me, silently letting her know the answer.

We remain like this for at least ten minutes before I slowly lead us over to the bed and we both take a seat.
I run my cold hands over her splotchy face and try to cool down her angry streaks of sadness with my touch.

She sniffles and offers me a light smile as I fuss over her.

"Dana, what was said yesterday was a misunderstanding." I begin but Dana quickly places her hand over my mouth, rendering me silent.

"I don't care. I'm sorry Katie, this place just makes me so suspicious of everyone. I know that you'll never do anything to hurt or leave me. I'm sorry that I left you alone and I know that you're focusing only on getting me out of here."

Dana's hope starts to drip from her words again and I send her a fleeting smirk before adjusting my hair.
Her hope scares me considering that I still haven't uncovered a new tool to help us escape.

"I love you so much Dana." I reply with so much emotion that tears make an appearance once again.
Dana mutters a brief 'I love you too.' Before we grasp each other's hands and go silent.

As much as I enjoy this moment of peacefulness and as much security as we can manage I still have a thought nagging at the back of my mind. Knowing full well that it will break whatever serenity we have created I still clear my throat and move onto a more concerning matter.

"So.. Dana. How did you sleep last night?" I question softly, trying really hard to keep my tone light but Dana tenses anyway and suddenly finds the carpet really interesting.

"Uh, good.. I slept through the whole night which is good." She replies quickly and I nod my head and continue trying to catch her eye.

"Dana were you alone last night?"
I continue on, wanting answers now and from the way Dana begins to fidget with her dress I sigh loudly, knowing the answer already.

"Why was he in the room with you Dana?! Did he make you?" As my tone grows more sharp Dana rises from the bed and starts pacing.

"No! I-I asked him.. I was scared of being alone." I shake my head, trying to quell my anger as I notice Dana starting to back away closer to the door, wanting to avoid another argument.

"I'm not going to fight with you Dana." I sigh out before standing as well, making her pause.

"But you know what you should be scared of. Having time alone in this situation should be treasured. Do not fall for any of their mind games Dana, they-"

I lightly scold however my words die in my throat as the door is flung open and standing there with a large grin, straining either cheek is Eric who stares at the both of us with pure undiluted joy.

"Ah, morning Katie! You gave us a little scare last night, right Dana?"
Eric is wearing denim shorts, rising just above his knee and a white collar shirt which is fairly sheer and I curse myself as my eyes take in his physique.

It's purely for survival reasons I remind myself sternly but as I glance at Dana who is ogling at him I can't help but roll my eyes.
How do I get through to her?

I refuse to say anything and Eric chuckles awkwardly and puts his hands in his pockets.
I remain unaffected by the atmosphere but Dana quickly grows red.

"Why are you in here?" I finally ask exasperated as he continues smiling oddly at us.

Like a kid being given a treat Eric claps his hands together once and holds them tightly together and nearly bursting from the seams with excitement Eric gushes out a sentence that evokes yet another eye roll.

"We're all going to play a board game!" He shouts with childlike glee and I narrow my eyes further.
There is something seriously off about this man, not matter how attractive he may seem.

"Who is playing?" I question, not trusting it.

"What game?" Dana questions over me, too lost in the temptation of a distraction.

Eric turns around and makes a sweeping motion with his arm and sharing a grin with Dana he looks at both of us expectantly.

"You'll have to come out to find out." He states, trying too hard to be mysterious.

However I know that we either have the choice to go out willingly or by force later on so surprising both of them I make the first move towards the door.

"It better not be fucking monopoly."
I groan as I shuffle past, careful not to touch or even look at his chest as I do so.

But as my body shimmies past him I can actually hear him audibly gulp and my heart sinks.

Fucking monopoly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This certainly is an odd sight.

I think to myself as I let my eyes lazily trail around the lounge for seemingly the hundredth time since this torturous game began.

Dana and Eric are watching the game intently, both on opposite sides thanks to my intervention.
As soon as we entered the room I made sure to wedge myself between them but they were far too focused on the game to notice.

I'm laying on the floor, my hand holding my face as I try to ignore the steadily stronger pains in my stomach.

Axel is surprisingly invested in the game also but not nearly as much as the other two, less mature players.

While Axel schemes silently and tries his hardest to buy out the best land he is also sizing me up, every now and then asking me questions to test the waters.

He wants to know just how fucked up I am after last night but thankfully I can focus on the hunger pains and grit my teeth through that rather than replaying last night.

I manage to keep my stare cool and hard even as the game bores me more and more with each second and I remain painfully aware due to our last member being missing.

Rosik wasn't in the house when we left the room some hours ago and while I should take this time to ask for food or at least sneak around for some I don't want to deal with his boost of power when he finds out that he cracked me.
I will win this.

"Eric where is Rosik?" I ask yet again, this is the only thing I've said the moment the game begun.
I've simply changed my line of questioning to either man consistently, figuring that somebody is going to get sick of me.

"For fucks sake. Why did you let her out again?" Axel interjects and even Eric is struggling to keep his obnoxious grin afloat.
I'm getting close.

"Well we can't just leave her in that room to rot. Where is the fun in that?" Eric returns while shooting me a wink and I bristle.

"This isn't meant to be fun newbie. This business is going fucking soft."
Axel struggles to stand abruptly and I feel my heart lift knowing that this game is finally ending and I push my body back into a sitting position, ignoring the way to world goes black for a moment.

"Feel free to consider a career change. I'll even help you write a resume, you'd make a very convincing rubbish picker, preferably in chains." I offer but Axel is far from amused while Eric makes the mistake of snickering which encourages Dana to join in.

It really does wonders for my ego however one thing I know about Axel is that he hates being mocked.

"You all better watch yourself.. When I get better you're all going to feel a world of pain."

"I think you need to watch yourself. You're not exactly in tip top shape on a good day there buddy." I counter quickly, his threats meaning nothing when he is weaponless and leaning on the couch to stand.

He is pathetic.

Axel growls and begins to stumble towards me, over the board and scattering the pieces everywhere.
I watch my Thimble scatter and I feel a little sad, I'd laboured over this game long enough to acquire quite a real estate.

"Feeling hungry yet you bitch?"
Axel spits out and I remain seated calmly, partly to look unimpressed but mainly because I don't trust the world not to spin.

I hum lightly and pretend to consider his question as he gets dangerously close and I hear the back door open and close distantly.

"Hmm.. No not really. The sight of you is rather repulsing." At this I'm sure Axel would have lunged at me if it wasn't for Eric who quickly stood between us and firmly held back Axel by the shoulders.

"There, there children. Let's play nice!" Eric interrupts still with his annoying smile and that's enough to make Axel flip his shit.

"I swear to god when I get you alone I'm-!"

"You'll what Axel?" Rosik cuts in, forcing his broad shoulders in the room and the room goes quite as Rosik towers over everyone.

He has a grim expression on his face but I quickly avert my eyes as they settle on me, the hairs on my arms stand and I begin playing with the small tufts of carpet.

"Nothing." Axel mumbles and while Eric snickers at Axels sudden demeanour change I can't manage to join in, recognising the transition into a shell of yourself the moment the threat enters the room.

As much as I hate to admit it, I understand and relate with Axel the most out of all the men and the thought depresses me.

"That's what I thought. Dana and Eric go organise lunch." Rosik commands and I crinkle my eyebrows at his coldness.

Whatever he has been up to he hasn't been happy about.
As Dana rises to go concoct some sort of meal I shakily stumble onto my feet. I go to follow behind her but as I near Rosik he stands in front of the door, making my shoulders slump.

"It's not fair that Dana is doing all the cooking." I complain loudly, hoping that my volume tricks Rosik into thinking that I have more energy in me than what I actually do.
I don't want him to realise how weak I am.

"She won't be cooking for much longer. We'll be leaving soon."
As my eyes widen at Rosiks confession I notice the other two men in the room freeze also, obviously unaware of the next phase approaching quickly.

"When?" I choke out, desperate to know how much time I have to work with before our next escape.

"The news has dropped your case for now so we'll be moving tomorrow night while it's gone quiet." I notice my mouth open in a small O shape and I'm quick to close it as Rosiks eyes dart down to my lips, even though I'm a few steps away from him I can still feel his stare as strongly as his hands.

I hear Axel give out a tired cheer before the couch creaks under his weight while Eric remains silent.

"Now Kitty you and I need to have a word.. About last night while the other two prepare the food. Now come." Rosik leaves no room for arguments and I can't help but find him extremely imposing as he walks down the hallway and I presume he enters his room.

I keep my feet firmly planted due partially to fear and also simply in rebellion.
Rosik isn't the boss of me.

I was still considering my next move when a hand gently rested on my shoulder and turning I face a rather serious Eric.
I'm not used to seeing him so sombre and it takes me a moment too long to shake his grip off of me.

"You better go." Eric murmurs and I fleetingly wish for his sarcastic smile once more.
His seriousness just makes this situation even harder and I try not to gulp too loudly and I take breath.

"You and I need to have a talk after this." I murmur back just as quietly and he stares at me hard for a moment, seemingly a different person with his blonde fringe partially covering his left eye and I fight the urge to brush it aside.

Every aspect about him annoys me, from his hair to his bright eyes.

I glance at Dana and she nods her head while mouthing 'Be Safe.'
I don't even bother glancing at Axel, only expecting malice and finally square my shoulders before walking down the hall and without breaking my stride I enter the room with my head held high.

Rosik is behind the door and the moment he closes it I only then feel a tremble travel through my body, realising the severity of the situation.

I keep my back to the door, not wanting Rosik to think I'm fearful of him and instead keep my gaze light and on the musty carpet.
That is until I felt Rosiks slimy hands curl around my waist and his head rest on my shoulder.

Disgusted by this lovers embrace I try to squirm out of the way but the most damage I do is irritate his face with my curly hair, which he easily blows away. He squeezes my mid-section suddenly, brutally and I gasp loudly and see black spots.

"Let go of me you bastard!" I choke out as he continues holding me in his python grip while slowly pushing his nose through my hair until he finds my neck.

I shudder powerfully as he begins sucking on it, lightly at first but quickly builds both speed and pressure as my fight builds.
I swear to god if this beast gives me a hickey...

"You. Shouldn't. Use. Words. To. Hurt. People." He mutters surprisingly darkly in between his horrid kisses and I choke out a laugh.

"So I should use my fists instead?"
To prove my point I try to reach behind and punch Rosik in the ribs but I either miss or he feels nothing as he continues his assault.

"Just don't call me a bastard."
He grumbles out before spinning me around, he tries to plant his slimy lips on mine but I quickly raise a hand and slap it over his lips.
He arches an eyebrow and I'm horrified to feel his tongue lick my hand.

What a freak.

"Aww has somebody got Daddy issues? Does my mean word hit too close to home?" I taunt, hoping to trigger his rage to replace this foul arousal.

I'd rather be beaten than this any day.

The rage does fill his eyes to my pleasure however his actions do not as he lifts me off my feet and before I have a chance to scream I'm thrown backwards and I land on the bed with an "oomph!".

Rosik is quick to straddle me and as I open my mouth to scream Rosik now slaps his hand over mine.
I'd consider returning the favour and licking his hand but I have a feeling that it would be interpreted very differently.

"I'm sure you don't want to know about me." Rosik grumbles and I shock both him and myself and start nodding wildly while mumbling.
Rosik removes his hand once he's sure that I'm not going to scream.

"Tell me!" I nearly shout, not out of excitement but out of desperation for him to stop this situation from getting anymore heated.

I'll happily listen to him tell his sob story if it means that he won't be getting a boner anytime soon.

"Why? So you can tell the cops in your perfect world where you escape and mock me?" He sulks and I crease my eyebrows as I do something that I really don't want to do..
Comfort my captor.

"No.. Rosik if you want this to even vaguely work then I need to know you better. You're a complete stranger."
I reason and Rosik stares at my lips the entire time, barely believing my lies as they spill out.

However his eyes fill with so much sickening joy that I have no reason to doubt my acting skills.
Rosik lifts himself off me but as I go to slide away he is quick to grab my arm and he lays his hulking body down beside me, grasping my arm tightly.

"I didn't know my mother.." I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his stereotypical beginning and unwillingly relax into Rosiks bed sighing.

This is going to be a long story, I can tell.

"I'm sorry." I offer blandly and start counting the cracks in the ceiling.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep this story rolling.

"Don't be. She served her purpose.
I had no need for her after she delivered me." I ball my fists at this but remain blasé on the outside.

All these men are so fucked up, where do they get these thoughts?

"My father is a strict man. He raised me well but he is a busy man and growing up I spent much of my time in various classes with other boys. I didn't mind, in fact I excelled in all my classes but my father never noticed. My father is well known in the.. Community for his work so I had high standards to one day take over his business."

"And look what you ended up doing. You must be making him so proud."
I sarcastically remark while Rosik remains silent.
Not dignifying me with a response.

"My Father would beat me every chance he got. Even when I did well in classes he still beat me. An ego is a vulnerability. I have many scars, do you want to see?" Rosik continues and rolls over to face me I keep my face bare of any emotion.

He creases his eyebrows at my blasé reaction but suddenly understanding blossoms in his eyes.

"Somebody has hurt you before."
He exclaims and now I crease my eyebrows and force myself to scoff.

"Yes they have. You are. You're literally starving me." I grit out hurriedly, hoping for Rosik to drop the topic. Rosik can't know about my families secret, nobody can.

"That's not it. You're used to pain, it doesn't surprise you. I have been wondering why you have remained so strong and now I know why.. Who has hurt you?!" Rosik demands and with a heaving motion I manage to push myself back onto my feet and I propel myself away from the bed.

"This isn't therapy-" I begin but as Rosik rises also I watch something fall from his shirt and as it lands on the carpet my heart skips a beat.

It's a blade of hay.

Rosik notices what I'm frozen by and quickly stands on it with his hands held in a surrendering motion.

I vaguely notice my body shaking but I close my eyes tightly, forcing myself to stay grounded.
I am not fainting again.

"Shhh it's okay Kitty, it's okay."
Rosik quickly coo's and he takes advantage of my rigid form and wraps his strong arms around my body holding me flush against him.

I see the mans body flash behind my lids, I can hear the insects chittering on his flesh and I force my hands over my ears before sagging in Rosiks arms whimpering.

I should have closed his eyes, maybe if I had covered his eyes then they wouldn't be haunting me so strongly, he is blaming me. I should have helped him, why didn't I?!

"It isn't your fault Kitty. I shouldn't have let you see him." Rosik whispers against my cheek and my eyes snap open as I realise that I was voicing my dismantled thoughts.

Rosik is staring at me with worry but underneath his false sympathy I see something else, a look of excitement.
Rosik wants me to crack, he wants to be the one to fix me into his perfect girl and I would rather die.

I shove him away suddenly, the chirping still tainting my ears and before Rosik can stop me I spin and run out of the door.

Slamming the door in his face and fleeing down the hallway I feel tears running down my cheeks, burning my hot cheeks while my legs tremble with each step.

My footsteps are far from silent and I'm not surprised when Eric quickly enters the hallway from the kitchen, intercepting me.

I don't trust myself to dodge him, worried that the angle will cause me to topple so instead I slide to a stop and rest my hand heavily on the wall, calming the spinning world with the power of my hand.

"W-We need to talk r-remember?"
I gasp out and I'm grateful that Eric doesn't make a snide comment about my state and instead nods quickly and points to Dana's room silently.

I know that Rosik isn't far behind and seeing him will only cause me to crumble further so I shuffle into Dana's room with no reluctance.

I need a distraction, I need some sanity and right now telling a guy off for sharing a room with my cousin is sane enough.
By no means is it a normal situation but I at least expected to have this chat with a boy at some stage, I can trick myself into the responsibility.

I make Eric sit on the end of the bed and while he tries to direct me to sit also I remain leaning against the door. Partially in rebellion and also due to fear of keeping Rosik at bay.

"What do we need to talk about?"
Eric questions and I'm still slightly on edge about his serious persona.

I'm confused as to where the flamboyant blonde has gone and I'm wary.
Everyone here is bipolar I swear.

"You need to stay the fuck away from my cousin." I command heavily, trying to hide my panting and the cramp in my side.

"That's impossible. I'm in charge of caring for her." Eric replies coolly and I'm frustrated by the look of concern on his face.

"That does not include staying in this room at night! It's either Dana and I or Dana is alone, understand?"
I fight back and I clench my fists, my emotions truly getting the better of me in my exhausted state.

"That will only make it easier for Axel to get her, you do realise that don't you?" At this Eric does stop me for a moment and I feel sweat slide down the back of my neck making me cringe. Eric takes my silence as a pass to carry on.

"I am protecting her Katie, that's all you need to know."

"Bullshit! You're manipulating her into trusting you just so that you can throw her to the wolves! I'm not going to let that fucking happen you piece of shit!" I yell out, most likely looking like a banshee while Eric's face only grows grim and dark.

"You don't understand anything. This is bigger than you think. Now come on, we need to get you some food."
Eric grumbles so lowly that I have to lean forward to hear him.

This motion however only causes my legs to give out and I quickly topple forward.

Eric of course being the worst kind of gentlemen swoops in to catch me while swearing under his breath, leaving me tangled in his arms.

I glance up at his face, his blue eyes staring deeply into mine and I falter my efforts to escape for a mere second. One that wasn't unnoticed by either of us but we refuse to comment as I struggle to straighten.

Just as I begin to gain my footing the door behind me opens and I hear a growl emit from it.

I hang my head momentarily sighing loudly, knowing that I'm about to experience more pain and most likely no food.
Eric is quick to shove me back onto my feet.

"Rosik she fell due to hunger, that's the good thing about starvation, really makes a girl easy to swoon. It's probably time she got some food though, that is if you don't want her falling for just anyone."

Eric quickly explains with a wink and I glare harshly at his grin which has miraculously appeared once more and he is quick to relax him stance and stuff his hands in his pockets.
Looking relaxed as ever.

However I can still feel Rosiks anger and Eric can as well judging from the waver in his smile.

All I want is some goddamn pasta. Carbs can't let me down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next chapter done!!!
This took a little longer to write, I was a little stuck.

However things will be moving along from here, the gang is about to get moving!
Katie and Dana better act quick!

Don't forget to vote and comment! Your comments honestly make my day.