Tom stirred awake, body cracking and aching as he rolled over, facing his curtain-covered windows. His eyes slowly opened, staring at the curtains in a state of exhaustion. Everything hurt from the day before. Ribs, head, face, stomach, hands, and unfortunately, his heart still ached. He closed his eyes and replayed the events of stopping Arthur all over again.

Arthur's face was red as a stop sign and he was going to hit her. SJ's face turned to the side and scrunched, looking terrified but Tom and Mikey ran without a word and just stopped it. There was no thought process. Tom didn't think before doing it because he didn't have the time and quite frankly, he didn't care. Sure, he'll probably pay for it but even laying in bed with terrible aches it'll take a bottle of ibuprofen even ease a fraction of, he doesn't regret it. She was terrified and he's not gonna let Arthur hurt her. He just wishes she wouldn't have lied to him.

Tom opens his eyes again, noticing no sunlight coming through the bottom of the currents. Instead, he can hear the pelting the rain hitting his windows. He rubs his face with a sigh, remembering the night with SJ because the rain reminds him of her and in more than just what happened the other night. It's rain because it's the first time he got to really sit down and talk with her. Rain usually sucks the hope out of people. It leaves them feeling sad and sometimes uncomfortable but all the rain did that night and right now is give Tom hope. Hope that maybe he's worth her time and she'll let him in.

He grabs his phone form the charger and unlocks it. He's met by a text message from SJ. It was sent last night after he'd already fallen asleep and there's an uncontrollable warmth that spreads through his chest.

"Thanks for tonight ya know pulling arthur away and shit and mikey told me what you said to arthur so thanks and im really sorry"

To say it was unexpected would be an understatement. Tom just didn't expect her to bother texting him despite the night before. She seems the kind of person to just let people do their thing. She's all but literally said those words. But, she texted him anyway because he deserved the thanks and Tom is kicking himself because there's no way she's using him. He's going to stay pissed about the lying and about the entire situation but that text and look of on her face when he caught her last night, it's enough. She looked at him like he was her hope in the pouring rain.

Tom scans the screen and allows himself to reply. It's simple and to the point because he needs a few more days until he's ready, really ready to talk to her. A few days won't hurt and he hopes she'll understand. Eye for an eye even. So, he sends his message and tosses the blankets away from him and places his feet on the floor.

The scent of scrambled eggs clouds Tom's nose as he enters the hallway and goes to the kitchen. Harrison is standing over the stove, making breakfast, Tom's stomach growling with the sight of the food. Tom walks over the island and takes a seat, Harrison glancing over his shoulder with a quirked brow.

"You alright, mate? Look a bit like death." Harrison chortles going back to his food, one of the few things he can cook without issues.

"I'm not wrong for being pissed, ya?" Tom asks bluntly.

Harrison turns back around and shrugs his shoulders. "Nah, think it's normal to be pissed but I think you should talk to herself, still."

"She talk to you?" Tom asks as Harrison turns around again.

Harrison pauses for a few beats. "Nope. Had to guess, she went home and her friends had her. Arthur seemed to scare her. Why?"

"She thanked me for it. I dunno."

Harrison turns the stove off, removing the small skillet and dumping half of the eggs onto a plate. "What'd you say?"

"Don't mention it." Tom says as Harrison hands him the plate of eggs and a fork.

"Alright," Harrison sighs in a bit of frustration before getting another plate down from the cabinet and turning to Tom. "Do you want to be pissed at her? Do you want to talk to her? What do you want to do?"

"What if this is just a persona and she's playing us?" Tom challenges.

"Nah," Harrison shakes his head. "Don't think so."

"You remember the first day we met her. She wasn't exactly pleasant." Tom argues.

"Don't care." Harrison defends. "I think that was a persona. The person she is with you, that's her if you ask me." Tom shoves a forkful of food into his mouth with Harrison words, unsure if he should believe Harrison or not. Harrison wants Tom to be happy. He wants everyone to just get along. He wants what's absolutely best for Tom but Tom fears maybe that's left Harrison a little gullible. "Don't believe me, that's on you."

"I trusted you both and--"

"Fuck's sake." Harrison groans. "You know I'd have told you about everything if I thought you needed to know. Why didn't you tell me Arthur's been burning you?"

Harrison immediately freezes as does Tom. Harrison wasn't supposed to tell him that. Of course, he's not blind and he did see the burns on Tom's back and he had planned to play it off and ask about them today. But, the events of last night happened and Harrison wasn't thinking. What's said between SJ and Harrison stays between SJ and Harrison but that's just been broken and Harrison doens't know how he's going to get himself out of that one.

"What'd you say?" Tom asks him as if giving Harrison a chance to rephrase his wording.

The only person Tom has told is SJ and only because she saw. For Harrison to know, it's easy for Tom to know SJ is the one that said something. Arthur wouldn't and he thought SJ wouldn't either but SJ is clearly full of surprises. Harrison could have guessed it was Arthur because who else would be burning Tom? But, by the look on Harrison's face, Tom knows there's not a single question in Harrison's mind and he just knows. Harrison knows it's Arthur and Tom is livid.

Harrison goes back to his plate, pouring his eggs onto the glass. "I, right," Harrison mutters. "Um, yeah." He turns back around, plate in hand, fork in the other. "Why didn't you tell me?" There's no undoing it. He can't unring the bell.

"How do you know it's Arthur?" Tom's eyes are narrowed and he's asking to see if Harrison is going to lie to him or just spit it out.

Harrison purses his lips and shrugs a single shoulder. "She was worried, alright?" It kills Harrison a little to tell him. He's not one to go back on his word.

"Oh," Tom slams his fork down, a dry chuckle coming from his throat. "So, SJ wants shit to stay between people when it's convenient for her but when it's other people, she can't be assed?"

"She didn't know what to do, Tom." Harrison rolls his eyes, finding Tom's outbursts a little theatrical. "She gives a shit about you and for the life of me, I don't fuckin' know why because you're not giving her the benefit of the doubt and you should."

Tom can feel the anger bubbling and boiling through his veins. "That how you feel? Date her then. I don't fuckin' care anymore."

Tom picks his fork back up and Harrison just stares at him. "She told me because she's been planning on to get us out with Arthur. She's willing to risk her own life to save us. To save you. So, maybe you should care a little bit."

Ever since the fallout with Tom's family, he's quick to jump to not caring. He's quick to snap. His own family left him, betrayed him when he needed them. Sure, it was all his fault and he had it coming but family is supposed to stick with you, thick and thin. They didn't. Harrison did. So, Tom is willing to make an effort with people but when things get sticky, when they do something where he's going to get hurt, he runs. It's easier to run than get betrayed again and again and again. But, Tom needs to listen to Harrison.

"She what?" Tom asks, the anger leaving his face.

"You're not gonna like the plan she's thinking about but she's trying, alright? Yeah, she fucked up and I fucked up but you fucked up, too."

"What's she thinking?" Tom asks and there's no bitterness in his voice this time.

Harrison shakes his head. "I want her to tell you." Tom's face hardens once more and Harrison doesn't let him get a word in. "It'll be better coming from her because she can explain what she's thinking. I don't read minds."

"Fuck." Tom groans and he hates how he's reacting. "I'm being a dick, aren't I?" Harrison's words hit deep and Tom knows deep down he's right. It's just letting that sink in.

Harrison chuckles. "Just a bit." Harrison shoves some food into his mouth. "Can't blame you, though."

"'M sorry." Tom apologizes, going back to eating his food. "I'll, yeah I'll talk to her."

Tom doesn't have much choice but to talk to SJ, not right now. He does have to talk to her sooner rather later thanks to Arthur wanting Tom to get with her. But, Arthur has already ignited a spark and that spark is turning into a roaring fire that isn't going to be able to be extinguished with threats much longer. His fear of Arthur is wearing down so he'll talk to SJ when he feels he can hear her out the way she deserves.

Harrison nods allowing the conversation to die. To Harrison, it's better to quit why they're ahead. If he pushes anything else or states anything else, Tom will probably fly off again. Deep down, Harrison wants Tom to go talk to SJ now. And he wants Tom to tell her exactly why he's pissed because maybe if Tom gives her that, she'll give him her side. They might be able to make progress and Harrison knows Tom is more willing to talk so maybe his willingness will make SJ talk. Maybe.

Back at the diner, SJ is bussing a few tables, ignoring the pain in her ribs. When she got back to Mikey and Matty's, the two helped get her some ice and make sure she was comfortable in bed. They made sure she was okay but her mind always fell back to Tom because he didn't have to help and he did. Mikey can take Arthur but Tom helped and he helped her. So, she owed him a thank you and an apology. She owed him an apology anyway even though she figured he'd ignore her. She would ignore him if the situation were reversed.

"SJ?" Sheryl pulls SJ's attention towards the register, most of the diner fairly empty thanks to the robbery.

SJ walks over to her, container of dirty plates under her arm. "What's up?" SJ asks, shaking the thoughts of Tom away.

"Why don't you go home?" She offers and SJ just shakes her head.

"Why?"

Sheryl looks SJ up and down with sympathy and she doesn't want to say it, but she needs to. "You come in looking worse every day. You're limping a little and you have some bruises that are cause for concern. Maybe you need to rest."

SJ has to remain composed. She can't let her anger or annoyance with Sheryl show. "Are you firing me?" SJ keeps her voice flat.

Sheryl shakes her head. "No, but a few others have brought their concerns to my attention, a few customers even." Sheryl explains. "I think you need a few days to yourself."

It's so unfair. Everything she's doing is to keep her and Travis afloat but there always has to be something to come in and toss a cinderblock into her boat, trying to sink her. She can't afford to lose this job. It's just not in her cards.

"I need the money, Sheryl. I can't afford a few days off." SJ almost pleads and she feel the tears of frustration and devastation behind her eyes.

"You still work at the gym. Maybe you can pick up a few extra shifts." Sheryl tries to reason but she doesn't get it. No one ever gets it.

"I can't. I'm pushing hours there as it is. The only reason I have what I do is because Maurice is an old friend, Mikey's friend. I need this money. What am I supposed to do?"

"I know things are hard right now, with everything with Travis, but maybe this will be good for you. I'm sorry, SJ but you need the week off to heal and get yourself together."

"The week?" SJ's eyes widen with heartbreak. "I had to scrape up everything I could find just for heating. Taking a week off? That's not going to do anything."

The bell chimes above the door and the two of them look to see Mikey and Matty coming in. SJ rolls her eyes at their incredible timing.

"You take a week off or I have to let you go. I can't have my employees looking like they're in a fight club." Sheryl's voice turns stern and SJ knows it's hopeless.

"Fine." SJ caves and rests the bin of dirty dishes on the counter. "I'll be back next week." SJ takes off her apron and starts for the back to grab her things.

SJ takes a moment in the backroom to breathe. She needs a second because if she doesn't, she will snap on Sheryl and she will get herself fired. SJ just doesn't understand how people can be so cold when it comes to other people's financial problems. Of course, people have their own problems to worry about but this is different. SJ is the main provider and she has been for years now. Sheryl knows that and it just feels like SJ is being stabbed in the back over it. Without this job, the hours, they'll lose the house. She won't be able to help Travis. He has a small income and he has the checks from the government that come once a month, but it's not enough. It's never enough because why would the government care? It doesn't affect them. People only care when it affects them.

SJ clocks out and walks to the front of the diner, paying no attention to the other employees or Sheryl. She walks right for the door, walking past Mikey and Matty knowing they'll follow her right out. The door swings open with the rage of SJ's push against the glass. Mikey catches the door from swinging back and allows Matty to follow after SJ.

"What happened?" Matty asks.

"I get the fuckin' week off because I'm in a fuckin' fight club." SJ storms, her words coming out sarcastic and snarky.

"What?" Mikey keeps up with SJ's pounding feet.

"Yeah, customers and co-workers were bringing up their concern or whatever." SJ grits her teeth, one hand putting air quotes around 'conern' and the other hand tugging hard on the strap of her backpack. "It's fuckin' stupid! There's no fuckin' rule in that fuckin' handbook about this. I would know, I read it start to fuckin' finish three times and can recite the whole damn thing back to her. She's an inconsiderate bitch."

Matty's eyes widen and he knows SJ is dangerous when she's like this so he doesn't say a word. It's Mikey who does. "It's bad for business."

SJ turns on her heels almost too quick with the wet pavement from the rain earlier, Mikey running smack into her. "Really? You wanna fuckin' go there with me, Mike?" If SJ were in a cartoon, there would be smoke and steam flying right out of her ears.

"I told you this would happen but you didn't listen." Mikey argues.

"Mikey, don't." Matty whispers.

"Oh, no, Matty, let 'im finish. Go on about how you know so much, Mikey. Go on, give me the 'I told you so' speech." SJ gestures a hand out, waiting for the speech Mikey seems to be dying to tell her. 

Mikey looks down to SJ and he's ready to off fly the handle with her. It's not so ridiculous she's asked to take a step back. If it were a one-time thing, yeah she could be pissed but SJ walks into work after every weekend looking worse. Her bruises start to heal and she comes in with fresh ones. It's bad for business and small businesses need to keep up their appearance. If not, they'll go under. People will get the wrong idea. It's smart and Mikey warned her about losing her jobs if she kept fighting. She barely made it last year.

"I told you so." Mikey scoffs. "You barely kept your jobs last year and Rocket, you know the only reason Maurice kept you on two days a week is because I asked him to."

SJ shakes her head and looks to Matty. "Yeah," She looks back to Mikey. "But you're my friend and you're supposed to understand but you don't." SJ turns back around and starts walking.

Mikey looks to Matty who actually looks like he's ready to start telling Mikey off himself. "What?" Mikey asks.

"I'm just saying, you could be nicer. She's trying."

"I'm not saying she's not but--"

"No," Matty cuts him off. "You just want her to listen to you and she's not going to."

"I don't want her getting hurt." Mikey reasons.

"Oh, I know." Matty huffs. "I think the only person who doesn't see that is SJ but that's not an excuse for you to be a dick to her. She doesn't need an 'I told you so', she needs us to be there. If she loses this job, she's fucked. So shut the fuck up and be her fuckin' friend. Put yourself aside."

Matty doesn't even let Mikey try to argue. He just starts walking, SJ far ahead of them and Matty allowing it to stay that way. Knowing SJ, she'll end up going to her favorite place or she'll be finding a way to distract herself. He knows her well enough to know that she needs the time to herself and he'll happily give it to her with his phone volume all the way up just in case she needs him for something and Mikey should do the same. And he does.

Hours pass and SJ finds herself walking to the club. She's never been so happy she managed to pack everything with her for once. Extra clothes, water, gear, everything she could need. She'd already had plans when she got off work and figured she wouldn't have time to stop at home. Turns out, she just didn't feel like going home and wanted to be alone. She'd even still prefer to be alone but as she gets closer to the club, Tom comes into view.

SJ's heart stops as her steps become slower, prolonging her walk. Should she talk to him? She read his text he sent that afternoon when he'd woken up but she didn't reply. Similar to what SJ prefers, she figured it was better to give him that space. But, now what does she do? It's rude of her to completely ignore him but what if he doesn't want anything to do with her right now? What if talking to him fucks everything up more than it already is? It's a lot to think about in the last two minutes of her walk.

Tom looks up from his phone and his eyes spot SJ, her eyes on her feet as she walks towards him. He doesn't want to talk to her right now. When he said he'd talk to her, he meant after the fight. Last night, he made a dumb mistake of almost losing. It wasn't a conscious mistake but there's a part of him that thinks his subconscious made him almost give up. Physical pain to outweigh the mental exhaustion and heartache of being betrayed. At least, maybe that's what happened or maybe Tom just wasn't in it and his opponent was better than him. No matter what happened in his fight last night, he just can't risk it happening again. But, similarly to SJ, he can't ignore her. That's a bit cruel given what Harrison told him.

SJ gets closer and Tom's palms start to sweat, heart thumping in his chest. Her eyes meet his and the smallest, almost awkward smile comes to her face. Her face is bruised pretty bad and Tom wonders if she'll make it out of this round. With her getting closer, he noticed a small limp, probably from the hit she took to her ribs. He doens't look too great either but he's definitely better off than she is and it breaks him a little.

"Hey." SJ says, approaching him and hoping it's the right decision.

"Hey." Tom says and looks around at the neon lights illuminating the street.

They're just silent. Neither of them knows what to say or even how to say what they want to say. SJ regrets approaching him and Tom regrets just saying 'hey' and he regrets not just going inside and pretending he didn't see her. She wasn't looking at him. He could have done that. Why didn't he just do that?

"Um," SJ pushes her hands into the pocket of her hoodie, eyes staring at her shoes. "Uh," She stutters and she doesn't know what she's doing. She doesn't do this. "Good luck tonight." She manages to say and looks back up to Tom.

Tom's head tilts just barely before he nods. "Yeah, you, too." He mutters.

"Tom, I-"

Tom shakes his head. "I gotta go." He licks his lips and SJ doesn't try to continue, she gives him an understanding look.

She lets him walk away and there's a pain tugging at her heart. He looks at her differently now. There's no spark anymore. He just looks hurt and it's her fault. It hurts to see him look at her like that. She's terrified of people leaving. It's why she does what she does. It's why she pushes people away and maybe, maybe when Tom asked about her parents or about anything and she would have told him something, maybe he'd be willing to forgive her. Maybe he'd understand why she did it without her having to explain. If SJ would stop pushing people away, people who actually give a shit about her, she'd be okay.

"SJ?" Matty is standing next to her, grabbing her attention and pulling her back to reality.

"Huh?" She looks at him, shaking her head. "Sorry, zoned out."Confusion comes over her, wondering when him and Mikey even showed up. 

"You alright, dude?" Matty asks.

"Always." SJ sends him a faked reassured smile before looking to Mikey.

"I'm sorry I'm an asshole." Mikey says, eyes squinting with sincerity.

"You should be." SJ remarks, leading the way to the side of the building.

"C'mon, for real. I'm sorry." Mikey jogs beside her.

"I know." SJ says. "And I'm saying that you should be."

"I just want what's best for you." Mikey reasons as Matty catches up on the other side of SJ.

"Mikey, you can't always protect me from everything and I don't need you to or want you to. Sometimes, I just want to yell about something and have it not to turn into some fuckin' lecture."

"Lesson learned." Mikey says with the shrug of his shoulders.

"Thanks." SJ says, bumping into him.

"Can I take your bag or is that too much?" Mikey muses.

"Here." SJ pulls her backpack off her shoulder and shoves into Mikey.

He blinks at her a few times before pulling the strap over his shoulder. "What the fuck do you have in here?"

"Couple of bricks, some rocks." SJ laughs while Mikey opens the door to the building.

"Wouldn't even surprise me." Mikey mutters.

The three of them make their way down the few stairs and into the basement of the building. SJ hates how familiar the building is. It's a reminder that she's stuck. She most likely will not get to see the ocean or the stars in the silence of the night. She'll likely always be stuck in the circle of needing money, not being able to gain enough traction to get herself out.

It's like she's having to climb up a well. The rope is wet and the cinderblocks wrapping around her are slimy with muck. She gets up a few feet, sometimes even a little close to the top, the edge being just out of reach, and then she falls. She'll always be stuck at the bottom of the well where there's no ocean and the stars don't shine. The basement is her reminder and it's more than disheartening, to say the least.

The group getsto the room they're using for the night and SJ takes a seat in one of the chairs while Mikey shrugs her backpack off and rests it in front of her. She digs out her clothes and her gloves, followed by a water bottle. SJ stands up and motions her finger in a circle for Mikey to turn around.

"So," Matty starts as SJ hands him clothes so they don't have to go to the floor. "Saw you with Tom as we were walking up."

"Yeah?" SJ asks, swapping her pants out for shorts.

"How'd it go?" He asks with hesitance.

"It didn't." SJ says softly, pulling her hoodie over her head.

"What do you mean it didn't?" Matty takes her hoodie from her while she sheds her shirt, leaving her sports bra for the fight.

"I mean, it didn't. I said hey, he said hey, and then he said he had to go." SJ takes her clothes back from Matty.

Matty watches her walk back to the chair, putting her clothes back. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. "I'm telling you, he'll get over it."

SJ looks up to Matty and shakes her head. "Mikey, you can turn. How much time?" SJ drops the Tom conversation and Matty lets her. It's for the best right now.

"You got five minutes." Mikey checks the time on his phone as he relays it back to SJ.

She nods in response, grabbing her hand wraps. She wraps her hands and makes sure everything feels right. By the time she's done, it's time for them to make their way out to the ring. SJ's gloves are in hand and Matty goes to his normal spot. She takes a few breaths and preps herself silently, pushing Tom out of her mind. SJ clears her head of everything besides the anger of having to take a week off. If she's going to have to deal with it, hell, she's going to use that anger to make sure she doesn't lose.

The night is similar to most nights. Tom watched SJ fight from his seat beside Arthur. He watched her take a few hits but despite the injuries she's already sustained, she pulls out a win in the first round. There's a sense of unbelievability that comes over Tom as he watches because it's like watching a different person today compared to yesterday. Her hits are harder and faster than he's seen, especially last night. SJ's face scrunches with almost every hit she makes, likely from sore muscles. SJ's fighting is what caught Tom's attention first and it's something that continues to pull him in.

The round ends and SJ is declared the winner, her glancing to Tom as she does after every match and Tom nods, giving her a gentle smile. It's not one that says forgiveness or anything close but it's relieved. He's relieved she's okay this match because if she had another one like the one the night before, Tom isn't sure he could follow that. There'd be a pull in his bones to make sure she's okay. He can't help it.

SJ exits the ring and Arthur is pulling Tom to his feet, ushering him to the hallway for him to get ready for his fight. Harrison can't help but roll his eyes at Arthur's actions but, again, not the time to start anything.

"You better win, got it?" Arthur threatens as they walk down the hallway.

"Got it." Tom mutters, the annoyance evident.

"I don't think you do." Arthur retorts. "Your performance last night was less than perfect and I believe you owe me a nice fight tonight."

"I owe you?" Tom raises a brow with snark in his voice.

"You don't think so?" Arthur questions.

Tom's brows furrow in confusion. "Not particularly."

Harrison bites the inside of his cheek to conceal the smirk that's coming to his face. Harrison is happy and proud Tom isn't letting Arthur scare him. Of course, he's worried about that but if Arthur can't scare him, he doesn't have any leverage anymore.

"You do." Arthur sneers, shoving Tom into the room that's deemed theirs for the night. "Get ready." Arthur demands, pushing Harrison into the room as well before shutting the door.

"You owe him?" Harrison chortles.

"Probably for telling him I wanted to punch him." Tom chuckles.

Harrison shakes his head but agrees. Maybe not the smartest choice of words but it wasn't a lie. Tom would give anything to punch Arthur in the face at this point and he just might when it's all over. But the comment maybe should have been held off for a little bit. Tom's sure it'll come back to bite him in the ass.

Tom gets ready and before he knows it, Arthur is pounding on the door for his match. The boys exit the room and head to the ring. Tom looks over his shoulder to SJ's usual spot once he's in the ring. She's there, just as she is every other time. He doesn't know why she stays but she does. And he's happy she does. He nods her way and she nods back, a reassuring and delicate smile coming to her face.

Tom and his opponent take center ring and this guy is much bigger than Tom. The guy must be over six feet tall and two-hundred pounds. It's not going to be easy, not with Tom's still aching muscles and bones. But, Tom can tire this guy out even if that means losing the first round.

Which, he does.

Tom takes a few good hits and he ends up losing that round but none of the hits were major and all of them were just to get his opponent tired. Tom is quick and agile on his feet, it's how he fights when he knows the competition won't be easy. Tom is content with it because his opponent is in the opposite corner looking smug but breathing fairly heavy. But, that doesn't fly with Arthur.

Arthur knows Tom can beat this guy and it looked like Tom was intentionally losing which Arthur doesn't like. Tom is supposed to go out and win, try his hardest and win not whatever he's pulling tonight. It's not some game to Arthur and he'll be damned if Tom makes it out to be one. He's getting out of line and it's time Arthur put him in his place once more.

The next two rounds fly by with Tom taking the upper hand and winning. Pride fills his chest and he's happy he's not in excruciating pain this time. He's happy that he pushed SJ out of his head and fought. It felt like an overall good match, an ego boost he desperately needed. And it lifted a weight from his chest he didn't even realize was there. But the weight would soon be crushing him once more.

SJ locked eyes with him and smiled but she was heading for the exit as he was exiting the ring. If he wants to talk, he'll text her and he seems pretty okay. She doesn't want to crush the high that he's likely on with the win. So, she plans to just leave with her friends.

Arthur is waiting for Tom and Harrison by the hallway. His face is red and Tom doens't get it. He was told to win and that's what he did. He held up his end so what does Arthur have to be pissed about this time?

"What was that?" Arthur demands as he grips Tom in the space between his shoulder and neck, leading him down the hallway.

"I won?" Tom responds, trying to pull away from Arthur.

"The first round? You call that winning?" Arthur question with a huff.

"I won the match." Tom presses.

"After tossing away the first round. You don't pull that." Arthur warns, his grip tightening on Tom's skin while they approach the room that's theirs.

"Fine, won't happen again." Tom glares up at him.

"You're right, it won't." Arthur opens the door and shoves Tom inside, slamming the door before Harrison could come in.

Harrison grabs the doorknob only for it to be locked. Panic starts to take over his system. He didn't like the way Arthur gripped Tom or the look of pure sinister rage on Arthur's face but he laid back. He laid back because he figured the same thing Tom did. Tom won. What the hell could Arthur possibly be so pissed off about? But, now Harrison is banging on the door while he's hearing Tom yell at Arthur to get off of him.

"Shit, shit, shit." Harrison mumbles under his breath as he rams his shoulder against the door. The door doesn't budge and a painful scream that's without question Tom's hits Harrison's ears. "Let me in!" Harrison yells over Tom's scream.

Tom's scream starts to die down and Harrison rams his shoulder against the door again. He has an idea of what Arthur could be doing and he needs to get in that door, now. So, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone.

SJ feels her phone vibrate in the pocket of her hoodie. She furrows her brows with Harrison's contact showing up.

"Yeah?" She answers, allowing her confusion to show through.

"He's got Tom in a room and I can't get in. I need your help, please." Harrison's words are panicked and rushed and before SJ can even give him an answer, she hears Tom's horrific scream on the other end.

"I'm coming." SJ says, already pulling the phone from her ear.

She shrugs her backpack off and digs through it, finding the pick she always carries on the off chance she gets locked out of a house. Mikey and Matty watch her frantic state, both just waiting for her to explain.

"Arthur has Tom and Harrison can't get in the room. Make sure there's a car here when I come out of that building with him." SJ speaks so fast the boys can barely understand what she's saying but luckily they do.

And they know that what's going on in that basement is anything but good. SJ has the scars to prove it. They remember hearing her screams and the initial pain. They know what Arthur does. So, they'll be right here with a car when SJ gets back with Tom and Harrison.

SJ runs into the building, ignoring her aching muscles, and makes her way to the all too familiar hallway that reeks of dread. She sees Harrison running his shoulder into the door. His voice is going hoarse from yelling and his face is pale as SJ approaches. The second she reaches the door, Tom's screams are heard and her stomach turns with the sound.

"Move." SJ mumbles to Harrison as she crouches in front of the door handle, the lockpick in hand. She can hear Tom crying on the other side of the door and she's never been so happy she took Mikey's advice on carrying the lockpick.

"A lockpick?" Harrison asks, almost relieved SJ might actually have a way inside.

"Mikey's idea. I had a habit of forgetting my key." SJ barely explains and she hears the door unlock just as a wail comes from the door.

SJ turns the knob and shoves the door open. She gets to her feet as her and Harrison are met with the sight of Arthur having Tom pinned to the floor on his stomach and a round lighter, similar to the ones that used to be in cars, in hand and pressed to Tom's back.

"Help." Tom croaks.