Warnings: Violence

We're gonna make it Tommy, we have to.

How precious, Hoyt thought to himself from the porch. He had seen them from the window and not a word had slipped past his finely tuned ears. He had briefly contemplated breaking the door down and squeezing the life out of her right then and there, but he withheld himself. He was glad he did, if he hadn't he wouldn't have uncovered such a useful secret. She was pregnant. It seemed there would be an end to her reign after all. She'd be too weak to survive childbirth, he would make sure of that. He wouldn't be the direct cause of her demise, but his hand would be in it, he could content himself with that. He smiled to himself as he listened their scheme. He found it quite amusing that they were naive enough to picture a world in which they could live without him, to think he'd let them go. Ungrateful is what they were. He was the only reason that Thomas had managed to touch a woman, he'd brought her there in first place. He'd brought them together, albeit against his will, but without him they wouldn't have existed. Perhaps they needed a reminder. If they wanted to be together so bad, then so be it. They'd be together, but first, he wanted to see them do it. He wanted to see them try and run from him.

They waited until long after nightfall to make their attempt. Ronnie hadn't even tried to sleep, she knew it wouldn't be any use trying. As Thomas held her she lay wide awake, terrified, though she couldn't quite explain why her fear was worse than it had ever been. He was finally on her side, he was going with her. He had protected her well enough before and it wasn't that she doubted him, but she knew what they were up against. If one wrong move was made and they were caught, she wasn't so sure Hoyt would hesitate to pull the trigger this time. Her insides twisted and turned as the time drew closer. Freedom was alluring, but failure would result in a heavy price. She savored each breath she took as the seconds ticked by, she held Thomas' arms a little tighter when she felt him stir, because she would have been lying if she said part of her didn't think these may very well be her last minutes. Even the sound of his breath in her ear seemed more precious than ever. She felt him tighten his hold on her waist and pull her into him as if he'd heard her thoughts. Ronnie turned her head and found his eyes were open. He'd been watching her for quite some time, he knew she couldn't sleep, neither could he. He didn't want to. He was just as frightened as she was that this would be it, that they were walking into a death trap. He didn't want to close his eyes, he didn't want to waste a single second on sleep in case he was correct in his own fears. He had hoped the night would pass slower so that he could have her in his arms just a little while longer, but the house was silent. His family had gone to bed and it was time.

"I'm scared, Thomas," Ronnie admitted into the darkness.

Just hearing her say that out loud frightened him to the core. Ronnie had always been the strong one, whether she knew it or not. For her to admit weakness only confirmed that leaving that house really was life or death. He leaned in and pressed his forehead to her's, he took a deep breath and hugged her as tight as her growing body would allow. He wouldn't lose her again, he wouldn't lose either of them, he would be damned if he did. She nodded her head against his and they stood.

The house seemed darker than it usually did. Each step they took had to be steady and inaudible. She had pictured that night over and over again, memorized every crack in the old floorboards, knew exactly where to place her feet, yet her sense of direction seemed to have abandoned her as they moved. She watched Thomas open the bedroom door and the sound of her heart rate quickened to an uneasy and unsteady beat. It was so loud in her own ears she feared the devil would surely hear it in his room below. She found herself frozen in place when Thomas motioned for her to follow. Her eyes were wide and she didn't understand why every part of her body screamed for her to stay put, but he had promised himself he'd be her strength. He reached his hand out for her's and helped her take those first few steps. She shook as she held onto him as tightly as she could while he guided her to the top of the stairs. If they could make it down without interruption, she could breathe, at least that's what Ronnie told herself. It felt like such a long time to hold it, the staircase seemed at least ten steps longer that night. Once they reached the bottom they paused, ears piqued for any hint of movement. It was eerily silent as they began their walk to the front door. The closer they got to it, Ronnie took the lead, anxious to find the handle she knew was hiding in the darkness before her. She felt Thomas pause as her fingers wrapped around it and she turned back to see him looking at the basement door. They had no protection other than his bare hands and part of him wondered if it would be foolish to walk through that door without a weapon. However, he knew if he opened it, he would be starting a fight they could possibly avoid by simply running. He felt her squeeze his hand and he turned to meet her concerned gaze. She shook her head no as if she'd read his mind. They didn't have any time to waste, they had to go right then and there. He reached forward and put his hand over hers to turn the handle. The soft click it made raised the hair on both of their necks, but the silence that followed as the door stood wide open before them ignited a myriad of different emotions in each. For Ronnie, it was as if life had come rushing back to her. As she stepped into the night air she felt her senses, her instinct, her will to survive fill her once more. There was no one stopping them, they had a chance and she wasn't one for dancing, but she felt as though she could have given it a try in that moment. She even let herself smile. Her joy was more than evident and Thomas knew he was ready to give in to it. She turned and shared that smile she had on with him. His only regret would be that he hadn't said goodbye to Mama, but he had a feeling she would find a way to forgive him. It brought him some joy of his own to think she'd be proud of what he was willing to do for his little family. He had no idea what life would be like away from his home and he would have been lying if he said that that unknown world didn't terrify a part of him, but if it meant he could keep that smile on Ronnie's face then he'd run with her. She deserved it, she had suffered long enough for him.

He stepped out onto the porch with her and quickly surveyed the area. Their best bet would be to go through the woods, it wasn't too far of a run and if she needed to she could rest once they were sheltered within the trees. He knew once they got to the road it would be a day's walk unless a traveler found them. Even then, he wasn't sure he wanted to risk that. By morning, Hoyt would come looking and looking to kill.

Their feet hit the gravel and they were careful not to take off just yet, paranoid the sound of rocks crunching would wake him. They just had to make it past the cop car and then they could fly. It was so close, yet each slow step seemed to take a lifetime. Thomas' steps were so much larger than her's, he had already reached the front of the car. Ronnie tried to stretch her legs further to catch up. He turned back to her and smiled as he watched her stumble closer. She glanced up to return his affection, that was when something caught her eye. Her brow furrowed and her steps slowed as she tried to make out what exactly it was she was seeing. The shadows had all but encapsulated it, but it was there, in the driver's seat of the cop car. A silhouette. The joy she had found the moments before quickly twisted in the pit of her stomach into sheer panic, because she knew exactly who's it was.

"Thomas, come back," she said in a shaky voice.

He tilted his head in question, confused as she started to cry.

"Thomas, move!"

Suddenly, she was blinded. The headlights had turned on and before Thomas could react, the engine roared to life. Ronnie's screams were almost as loud as the tires skidding on the gravel as he pushed the pedal down and sent the car hurdling forward, straight into Thomas. He hit the ground face first and just before he could pick himself up, Hoyt made sure the car was situated over his body, trapping him there in the dirt. Thomas raised his head to look Ronnie dead in the eye. He heard the car door open and panic set in. There was nothing he could do.

"Run," he choked out as the sound of Hoyt's boots steadily approaching filled his ears.

"Guess he does talk," Hoyt said in amusement as he watched his brother struggle to free himself.

"Leave him alone," Ronnie begged as she watched him hover the base of his shotgun over Thomas' head.

"Ronnie, go," Thomas pleaded weakly.

"I can't leave you," Ronnie sobbed, but she knew there was nothing she could do to help him, all she could do was watch.

"Ain't that sweet, Tommy. She wants to sit here and die with you," Hoyt said with a grin as he leaned down to meet Thomas' gaze, "I'm just teasin', I ain't gonna kill you. But this is gonna hurt."

He cracked the base of the gun over Thomas' head, knocking him out cold, then he turned to her.

"Still don't feel like runnin'?" He asked.

She did. She gathered what little strength she had left and flew, though she knew it was in vain. She had no choice but to run past him and she barely made it one step before he grabbed her by the arm. She pulled against him until she fell to the ground only to scramble to get back up again. Before she could on her own accord, he grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to her feet.

"That baby you got in you is the only thing keepin' you alive," he hissed into her ear, "so you best pray all this strugglin' don't kill it or you ain't got a chance in hell."

With that, he yanked her forward towards the house.

"No, no, please," Ronnie choked out as her prison drew closer once more, "just let us go, we won't go to the police, you'll never see us again, please. You don't even want me here."

Hoyt laughed as he tightened his grip on her hair, relishing in the yelp she let out, "Oh, Ronnie, that's where you're wrong. I do want you here. I brought you here and I'm gonna finish what I started, but I can be patient. I can wait just a little longer."

"Then kill me, Hoyt, but you won't take my baby. Thomas won't let you," Ronnie said through gritted as she continued her struggle with each step he forced her to take.

He threw the front door open and shoved her through. Once it was shut, he pushed her up against it.

"Thomas don't make the rules, girl, it's time you understood that," he whispered menacingly in her ear.

"He'll kill you. If you lay a hand on me or this child, I promise he will," Ronnie said with her eyes fixed on his.

She wasn't going to close them this time. She wasn't going to turn away, not when he was so close to winning. She wanted him to know it didn't matter, she would never admit defeat even if he succeeded.

"Then why hasn't he, huh?" Hoyt spat back.

A grin spread across his face as he watched her struggle to find an answer. The truth was she couldn't find one. Thomas had the power to end this, yet he hadn't and she feared even if perhaps he had found the strength to do so then, it was too late. Hoyt had the upper hand and she was at his mercy.

"He's weak, Ronnie," he said as he forced his lips against her ear, "he can't save you, he won't. He's nothin' but a dumb animal you went and fucked."

She did the only thing in her power to rebel against his vile words and spit on the side of his face. He pulled back and wiped it off in disbelief. When he looked back up his eyes were wide with rage. She didn't have time to brace herself before he reared his hand back and swiftly back handed her cheek. He hit her with such force, she fell to the ground, hand holding the cut his fingernail had left behind on impact. He knelt down beside her and shook his head.

"You did this to yourself, all of it," he muttered.

"No," Ronnie choked out, "it's you. You've done it all. You think they love you, Hoyt?"

"What the hell are you talkin' about?"

"You think your mothers proud of this? You're a monster Hoyt. You're her greatest disappointment. Thomas wasn't her failure, it was you. You were unwanted, not him. She needed him to make up for the misery it caused her to call you her son. It's not love that keeps them compliant or some fucked up family bond, it's fear. It's hate. They hate you."

He was silent for a moment as he studied her with contempt. Then he started to laugh again, which made her grit her teeth.

"You think I give a shit?" He said.

"I think it eats you alive," Ronnie spat up at him.

"No you see, Ronnie, that line between love and hate is so thin," he said as he leaned in closer to her, "hate consumes your thoughts just as much as love does, maybe even more. In fact, I reckon you think about killin' me more than you think about lovin' Thomas. I cross your mind every day, don't I? You sure as shit cross mine," he spoke softer now and she winced at the feeling of his breath on her face, "I've imagined doin' things to you, killin' you in ways I ain't ever killed before. That's hate, but it feels so damn good just to think it sometimes I think maybe it is love. Maybe it's the same for you. What do you imagine doin' to me? How much do you hate me?"

He took her jaw in his hand as he studied her. Her nostrils were flared, her face red with anger as his eyes fixated on her lips. He began to close the gap between them and she desperately tried to free herself from his grip.

"If you can learn to love him, I can't be so different, can I?" He said before he forced his lips against her's.

Ronnie pushed back with all her strength, but he wouldn't budge. The only thing she could think to do was use her teeth. She opened her jaw and clamped down on his bottom lip, practically splitting it in two until she tasted his blood on her tongue, her mouth filled with it. He pulled back and his hand shot up to stop the bleeding. When he looked back at her, he had nothing but pure and unbridled contempt in his eyes.

"You god awful bitch," he muttered.

He slapped her again, nearly knocking all the breath out of her that time before he lifted her up by her throat, "I'll make that damn child watch when I gut you."

He began to drag her again, this time to the basement door, "Until then, I think bed rest oughta do you some good."

Her energy was all but gone, all she could do was scream for Thomas, Luda, anyone to come to her aid, though she knew it wouldn't stop him. He threw the door open and dragged her down the stairs to push her onto the table in the center of the room.

"What the hell are you doing?" She screamed as he grabbed hold of her ankle.

"We're gonna make sure you're good and rested for when that baby comes," he said as he clamped the ankle brace around her, "you been on your feet too much. It's time to lie down for awhile."

She tried to push herself off the table and pry her foot out, but the metal wouldn't give. He yanked her back up and locked her other foot in place before he grabbed her wrist. A lock was placed around it as well and finally her other was secured. She was trapped.

"I'm gonna fucking kill you," she screamed as she struggled against the chains, "I'm gonna send you straight to hell where you fucking belong."

Hoyt grabbed her jaw in his hand and let his thumb brush over her chin, making her wince as his eyes roamed over her with a sick mixture of hate and lust, "We can take each other there then."

She turned her head away as much as she could, until her neck ached from the angle. He finally released her and began his ascent up the stairs.

"Thomas won't leave me here, he'll come for me," She yelled after him.

"I sure hope he does, wouldn't want you trapped down here all alone," he replied coolly.

"No," she whispered to herself as she watched him disappear.

Hoyt strode out the front door to find Thomas was stirring once more. Without a word, he hopped in the driver's seat of the cop car and reversed it off of Thomas, releasing him. He scrambled to his feet and didn't hesitate to march over to the car door and pry it open. He dragged Hoyt out and held him by the cloth of his shirt. He hated that no matter what he did, Hoyt never feared him. He only looked up at Thomas with that ever present arrogance knitted in his expression.

"Ain't you gonna ask what I did?"

Thomas' heart sunk as Hoyt started to cackle. He released his grip and let his fists fall to his side, clenched with all the strength he could muster. He tried to steady his breath, but he was overcome with rage, rage that was fueled by his own failure.

"Why don't you go have a look," Hoyt said as he watched Thomas' shoulders heave up and down.

Hoyt watched with satisfaction as he followed his order, "Good boy," he added.

Thomas stopped in his tracks. He wanted to kill him, he wanted to more than ever. He didn't understand why he hadn't, but even then he couldn't force himself to turn around. He tried to imagine breaking his neck, ripping him in two as he'd done to so many who hadn't deserved it, not like he did. No matter how much he wanted to, he needed one last push. He needed to see what he'd done, then he figured he could do. He'd kill him if he hurt her. So he kept walking, even when the sight of the open basement door made his stomach drop. He walked right through it and down the stairs to see she was chained to his cutting board. She lifted her head and began to struggle again at the sight of him.

"Oh god, Thomas no, you have to run, you have to go now," Ronnie pleaded in her strained voice.

Thomas furrowed his brow as he watched her eyes widen at the sound of footsteps from above, "It's a trap," she sobbed.

Before Thomas could turn back, the scraping of the metal door filled the room followed by the lock falling shut.