Exchange

12 pages

Chapter 15

It's been two days since that moment. Thoughts kept spinning in my head, mixing into a solid mud. For days Andrew stared at the wall, studying the criminals. He also thought about escaping, although he did not hope for anything successful. Andrew was only scrolling through some rescue options, but he needed a blueprint, albeit a made-up one. It is hardly possible to make something without a drawing of the house, but it is possible to assume. Minyard was in some kind of dark enclosed space, something similar to the lower floor. The walls were gray.. concrete, or something, the floor differed from the walls only in a lighter shade. Andrew was handcuffed to the wall with two hands at his sides. To his left, literally seven or nine steps away from him, there was a staircase. The room itself was almost empty, except in the farthest corner there were duct-taped boxes that differed in size from each other; and a chair that was located almost opposite Andrew. There were also no windows in the room, apparently a plan had been thought out in advance. On the first day, after the innocents were released, Andrew was taken by the elbows and led out of the Millipede. The girls got into a modest car; the guys ended up in the car opposite. The trip went smoothly, although it remained a mystery that Kevin, who was watching the road, put Andrew in the passenger seat, and Theodore and the black guy in the back. Halfway there, both cars stopped in an abandoned parking lot, changing cars and SIM cards on their phones. Everything was going well. Knowing and easily identifying the edges of his city, Andrew knew that they were currently traveling abroad. Question: why do they need Andrew? They arrived at a large building that looked like a mansion. It was simple, but the shape and the very location on the square gave it a special feature. It was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a large long fence; the trees were tall and dark. Some of them seemed to be already old, and therefore several trunks had already been cut down. This place was a fairy tale or something fantastic, not combined with the real world. Moreover, flowers were planted on the sides of the courtyard, some large and slightly sharp shapes. Each row was assigned its own color, and the beds themselves were numbered. In the right part there was a gazebo, also decorated with plants. The building consisted of two floors. It was white, like the snow that had just fallen. Large columns decorated with indescribable decor made it impossible to look away from him. Andrew, passing inside, managed to make out the kitchen and the stairs to the second floor. The little things were boxes and paintings hanging on the pale yellow walls. Minyard spent the rest of the time on the ground floor. If on the first day he sat alone, then on the second day he was already under supervision. In the morning, when he first woke up, Alison was sitting on a chair next to him, interested in a book; Kevin replaced her later in the afternoon or evening. These hours were slow and boring. From the motionless position, the arms noticeably weakened and, it seems, began to slowly go numb. Kevin tried to talk to Andrew a couple of times, but Andrew just didn't say anything. It was the same with eating, only in the presence of Alison. She tried to feed and water Andrew, but he, pressing his lips into a thin line, resisted. If you die, then you're a hero. Sometimes two people followed him. Kevin immediately realized that it was not necessary to let Theodore near Andrew, otherwise it would be a kick-ass. In the following days, the supervision took place only in the morning and in the evening, so that Andrew got used to the new place. Day turned to night. Andrew was getting sleepy. Alison was sitting next to him, out of habit, with her legs crossed. She was only looking at Minyard this time, as if studying him from the outside. Next to the girl was a small coffee table with a tray of food on it. No one was going to force Andrew to eat anymore, they tended to "want to eat." Alison tried to talk to Andrew, which was extremely difficult. Andrew was silent, seemingly provoking the person sitting opposite. In such a short time, Minyard managed to memorize the names of each of them. He couldn't read the character completely yet, but certain ratios flashed in some places.

—

The night lowered its shadow from the world and took with it all the remaining darkness that had been walking around the city until that time. The sun has almost completely appeared to others, again delighting with its arrival. Andrew woke up with a slight sigh. That sigh was like a pitiless moan. Minyard looked around the room with a still dazed gaze and later stressed that Alison's turn was over. She's probably asleep, so Kevin is filling in for her. Andrew could stare at him, studying such a simple and at the same time unusual appearance: curly hair seemed slightly dark, eyes were emeralds. The dark brows that were always furrowed gave Kevin's face a more wary severity. Andrew still pretended to feel the cold metal on his wrists, feeling completely deprived of freedom. Andrew sat down and sighed again, looking at Kevin, who was also silently sitting on the chair opposite him, not showing a single emotion. He stared at Andrew with his cold-blooded gaze. Kevin waited a moment, then raised his eyebrows, expecting something else. He understood why the blond was silent, but he didn't know that Andrew's thoughts were turning to someone else. Kevin was so frozen in his cruelty that he couldn't understand what kind of indomitable fire was burning inside Andrew. During each of Minyard's silences, his soul whispered answers to the silent pleas for liberation, which Kevin let only through himself, without bothering with it. Andrew didn't really believe in miracles, but he hoped that at some point something would break his shackles and give him back his freedom. Concern for the boys burned in his gut, but at the same time a sense of exceptional determination revived. In such moments, Andrew realized the value of every sound, every movement, something that belonged solely to him – his freedom. To be a prisoner is to be a prisoner. This created in him an excessive desire to touch the wind and hear the ringing of the keys inviting him. He knew that he needed to find a way out of this heartbreaking situation. Every cell in his body burned with a passionate desire to regain his rights to freedom. His eyes reflected a mixture of hatred and tenacity that gave him strength in his endless struggle. Kevin approached his prisoner and looked into his eyes. He silently watched what was happening, seemingly not understanding what he was driving at. Kevin ran his thumb over Andrew's lips and later asked: "Are you going to keep quiet?" Andrew held his breath, his heart beating faster. He was almost completely under Kevin's control; his only hope was to save his life. However, at the same time, there was a stubborn determination in his eyes - he was ready to resist, even under any circumstances. Minyard knew that fate would not take his decision into account. Andrew became even more willing to fight, feeling that the nascent energy inside him was ready to lead him through trials, through the cruelty of his captor. Now is the time when you need to act in order to gain freedom and free your nature, which has remained imprisoned for so long. Perhaps his thoughts will be heard and given at least a small chance. Then, perhaps, an enthusiastic song will be heard in his soul, and his face will light up - freedom will undoubtedly be his reward. Kevin touched Andrew's lips with his thumb, as if breaking his psychological boundary. At that moment, a mysterious smile appeared on Kevin's face, which made Andrew shudder. "Are you going to keep quiet?" Kevin repeated his question, this time with a clear hint of contempt. Wanting to shake his prisoner, he tried to freeze his last spark of hope for salvation. Kevin knew that his attempts to break Andrew were unsuccessful. He tried to read something in his eyes, but there is no fear or weakness there - there is only a burning determination. Andrew looks at Kevin, knowing for sure that he is not going to give up. There is an unquenchable flame of strength and determination in his eyes. He knows that silence is his strongest defense. His silence is his wonderful indicator of strength and perseverance, which even Kevin himself will not be able to break. And yet, at some point, Andrew lost the damn game. "Do you think you can stand up to me? I've seen a lot of human weakness, and you're just another star about to go out." Kevin's eyes flashed with blazing fire. He got what he was most looking forward to–a word from Andrew. His voice, his manner of speech... Andrew didn't try to hide in the shadows anymore because he had already said those words. Kevin longed to hear him say something again, even if it was something like "go to hell." Andrew sat in silence, watching Kevin's movements, and Kevin, in turn, quietly whispered something to himself. His face expressed discontent and mystery. Kevin's mind was full of different thoughts and emotions. "What did he mean by that?" Kevin thought to himself. He bothered with his chaotic and uncontrollable speech, wanting to speak out. But there was nothing else in his head but noise and chaos. Andrew tried to find answers to his questions, but found nothing but screams and whispers in his own head. Minyard, immersed in the grim reality, leaned forward. It was a forbidden gesture, but Andrew forgot about submission. It was extremely difficult to look at someone without emotion, but for Andrew it was something amazing. Kevin, approaching Andrew, whispered, as if conveying his own epiphany to him: "Maybe this star will go out, but the ray of the sun will still shine." There was a deep meaning in those words that eluded Andrew. He couldn't quite grasp their meaning, so he pulled away from Kevin. Andrew wondered if this might be exactly what he was looking for-a small ray of hope that would not fade even in the darkest of times. Maybe it's a comet flying past his path, illuminating his life only for a moment. And Andrew decided to move on, forward, in search of that ray of sunshine shining somewhere in the distance. Kevin didn't bother anymore. He sat back down in his chair and once again illuminated Andrew with a breathless gaze. There were minutes of complete silence, and no one broke this moment. They looked at each other in silence, seeming to be talking in their minds. In the end, Kevin got tired of the silence first. He reached for the coffee that was on the table, and later, after taking a couple of sips, he said: "Aren't you hungry?" Andrew yanked on the handcuffs, making a metallic sound. It expressed dissatisfaction. Kevin feigned surprise, and later leaned back in his chair. There was silence again, but it was interrupted quickly. The door creaked open. Dan appeared on the stairs, carrying a large box. She carefully descended to the flat surface and set the thing on the concrete. Kevin gave Dan a blank look. She, in turn, pointed at Andrew. "These are things for Andrew," the girl said to Kevin. "He can't stay in the same place forever. Take off his handcuffs and give him some of this." Kevin nodded, to which Dan drew attention: "If you miss him, I'll kill him." The girl stood there for a couple more minutes, then left the room. Kevin looked at Andrew, looking him over in his entirety. Later, he went to the box and opened it with a light movement of his hand. Things were stacked in it, starting with T-shirts and ending with socks. Kevin found the right one–something that would fit Andrew exactly–and put it on a chair. Pushing the box aside, he walked over to Andrew and reached for the commas, but did not remove the handcuffs. Instead, Kevin ran his thumb over the black bandage that reached to his elbow. Back in the Millipede, Kevin fixed his eyes on this fabric. Andrew leaned forward sharply, not taking his eyes off the kidnapper's hand. "What are you hiding there?" Kevin said mysteriously, "as far as I remember - scars. Well, cuts, right? Because of an extremely crazy childhood. Alas, I'm sorry." And in truth, Andrew's bandages hide the past, although not all, but most of it. There was no reason for Minyard to take them off once. The scars on his arms hid the past that he was trying to forget. He did not have the strength to experience pain and suffering, but they remained with him, as if they were forever embedded in his skin. Violence, beatings, subjugation - everything that has become a part of his existence, his dark symphony of destruction. In a perverse way, his innocence was stripped at the age of only seven, and since then this cruelty has been repeated almost every evening. He had no place where he could hide from this hellish captivity. For Andrew, it was impossible to live until adulthood in a family where his stepbrother was a rapist. Communicating with family is equivalent to being in a vicious circle of cruelty and suffering. He felt like a prisoner inside his own four walls, from which there was no way to get out. Dreams, hopes and joy were stripped of his existence, driven into dark corners of humility. The foster mother tried to do everything to make Andrew like it there, so that he felt not in a terrifying place, but at home. But if she only knew... Kevin squeezed the fabric, pulling it towards him. Squinting slightly, he let go, and then repeated what he had done earlier. Andrew didn't really understand the meaning of this game, but he was sure that in the end he would be deprived of bandages. Kevin soon got bored with the silent games. He pulled a key from his pocket and later freed Andrew from the handcuffs. Nothing significant played for Minyard, he did not feel free even under such circumstances. A minute later, Andrew dropped his hands and froze. It seemed like the right solution would be to escape, but Kevin was closer to the stairs. He was one step ahead of everyone else. The elder got up and took two steps away. Right now, at the moment, Kevin is playing the role of an observer. He waited for at least some movement, some action, but Andrew just continued to sit in his original position. Minyard went into his thoughts, forgetting everything. Kevin didn't like to delay. I should have pushed, called Andrew, but he didn't. I really wanted to stand and watch the blond man. Interest in Andrew has not faded and, it seems, will never fade for anything. Kevin silently stared at Minyard's profile. Andrew blinked a couple of times and reached for his clothes. At some point, Minyard became sick of the fact that Kevin had chosen things suitable for him both in length and size for one or two. He didn't forget about the color either – black. Everything was exactly black. Perhaps all the things in the box were the same color, but it was impossible to say exactly. Andrew just didn't pay attention to it.

—

Minyard was lying on the mattress, staring at the ceiling. My eyes were already closing, but I couldn't sleep. Restoring sleep is one of Andrew's tasks. There was silence in the room. There was only one Andrew in that space. Kevin, leaving, did not put handcuffs on the kidnapped man, only glared at him warningly. Minyard, after lying down for another half hour, fell asleep. And if only he knew what was waiting for him.. The dreams that appeared were alternately replaced by new, stranger and, to some extent, scary ones. In one of them, Andrew found himself in a desolate desert, surrounded by huge sand dunes that were rapidly shrinking, trying to crush him. Minyard's heart was pounding in his chest, and in his soul there was a question: why is his consciousness so tormenting? The next dream seemed even more strange and incredible. Andrew was in some kind of ancient castle with dark corridors and a mysterious atmosphere. There were traps hidden in every room, waiting for him at every turn. It seemed that the evil lurking within these walls wanted to break and take Andrew's life. But he refused to give up, fighting for his fate. Another dream was intertwined with reality, which made it even more creepy. Minyard found himself in a world ruled by monsters and universal darkness. Each step was a real test, where even a minor mistake could turn into fatal consequences. He was fighting for his life, trying to find a way out of this nightmare, desperately looking for signs of hope. And each new dream kept coming, it was even more terrifying than the previous one. They intertwined with his reality, twisting Andrew into traps and manipulating his feelings. Andrew's heart was beating at the limit, and his brain was trying to find a solution to the puzzle that this maze of fear represented. And then one day in a dream, Minyard found himself in a deadly situation. His life was hanging by a thread, and he felt that it was already over. But then something clicked inside him, and he decided to fight to the end. Andrew did not give up in front of his own subconscious and continued to fight. Fear was no longer his enemy, but his inspiration for action. The last dream made Andrew shudder, pressed against the wall. This conduct seemed so real.. Alison stood in a dark room, shrouded in darkness and mystery. She was a proud witness to that ominous moment when the dagger slowly descended on Theodore's neck. Her eyes, filled with sparks of fire, spoke unequivocally of her satisfaction and determination. Kevin stood next to Alison, silently watching what was happening. His eyes were full of curiosity, but without a trace of approval or condemnation. Nevertheless, Kevin was a devoted ally of Alison, who always stood by and supported the girl in her dark and dangerous affairs. In the cold and silence, Alison's gaze was directed at Theodore, whose cruelty and betrayal she had known for a long time and thoroughly. This knowledge was one of the reasons why she made this decision. Theodore never stood in the way of evil, was not afraid to cause suffering to others, regardless of the consequences of his actions. He was naturally a victim of Alison and her high morals. In the silence of the room, the only sounds were Alison's steady breathing and the rustle created by the dagger, naked and ready to devour Theodore's life. Every second decided the fate of the traitor, but for Alison it was not a place of doubt or fear, it was a place of strength and liberation. Moment by moment, the dagger sank lower and lower until it touched Theodore's neck. A drop of blood rolled across the polished blade, reflecting the light of the room. Alison's eyes remained unchanged, and her smile grew. She felt the power of her decision, her determination to punish Shaliz. It was the end for Theodore, and the rebirth for Alison. Kevin, meanwhile, remained motionless, watching this drama with a blank stare. He was a witness, but not a performer, like a shadow that always serves nearby, but remains invisible and incomprehensible. The last gasps came from the room, then silence covered her captivating veil. Alison looked at Theo's body, feeling his resistance weaken, as he leaves this world, leaving his sins and betrayals in the past. And then Andrew came out of this nightmare with a misunderstanding. The previous dreams were just a reflection of his own fears and the problems he faced in real life. With each dream, he became stronger and wiser, preparing for the new challenges that awaited him in the future. It was his story and, to some extent, a spiritual escape from reality. And Andrew, despite everything, continued to grow and move forward. Only the last dream shown remained a mystery. Andrew could not compare this with reality; he could not even imagine that this conduct could turn out to be real.

Chapter 16

Every time Andrew saw him enter, he remembered his last dream. I was curious, I wanted to know more about it, to ask, but Minyard kept silent. Another option: Kevin. Andrew had already talked to him, and therefore, having heard the words from the blond, he would definitely not faint from shock. If you choose Alison, then Andrew certainly won't talk to her. Too mannered. Let her sit until she's blue in the face and wait. Dan rarely comes for supervision, and therefore you should not trust her either. Theodore doesn't count. The last person who could tell me what the future plans were was that dark-skinned guy. He was a hell of a tall brunette with a heavy build. He could have played a good character in appearance and appearance, but he belongs to the Alison clan. By the way, if anything, Dan is like a female version of this guy. She is also a dark-skinned brunette, but with an elegant and slender build; her curly hair gives her face an already intense beauty. More than once, when meeting him, Andrew heard the name of domineering, even in some cases noticed their games of staring. It seemed to him that there was some kind of connection between them, something similar to love. And these are just assumptions. Today it's Dan's turn to get together. Besides, she couldn't just stare at the phone or look at Andrew. A couple of times, Dan left the room, leaving Andrew alone, but literally seven to ten minutes later she returned again. Minyard, if he was like his own with Kevin, could say whatever he thought about him, could talk freely, discuss any questions, details, then he certainly would not show such a condescending desire with Dan, Alison and others. Oddly enough, Kevin was one of the first people Andrew trusted. He can take third or even second place, but Rene and Rick are still in the lead in the first place. They have taken this place and will never come down from it. Andrew doesn't think about the guys, because knowing their characters, we can assume that they are definitely safe. I would like to see them, but there is no way out and there are no solutions. They are somewhere in their hometown, and Andrew is far, far away from them abroad. Dan, sitting opposite, was holding a cup of coffee. She did not drink the drink itself, but only looked at it. Andrew recalled the last day he saw his friends Renee Walker and Rick. Andrew definitely didn't know exactly how many days had passed, but every minute alone was getting more and more exhausting. Andrew's gaze met Dan's in silence, making no sound. In this setting, only the clatter of the cup, which Dan periodically created, was reflected in the void. A cup of coffee, although it seemed like a small thing, was a symbol of the uniqueness that Andrew had. Even the very smell of coffee entering his nostrils reminded him of those moments in the restaurant outside this dark room. His memories were even more vivid. Andrew could see in his imagination the faces of friends who were walking somewhere free, not forgetting about him. Renee Walker, with her carefree smile and short hair, the tips of which are painted in pastel colors, has always been the person Andrew could rely on. Rick, with his strong arms and open character, always ready to help others, was a reliable companion in all adventures. Dan was silent, as if reading his mind and realizing that he would never know the truth about what happened to the guys. Theories about "did they let them go?" immediately began to come to mind. What if it was just a scene? It was lousy to think about. The agonizing expectation continued to slowly spread through the room, reminding him of his loneliness and lack of chances for freedom. And so, sitting in this darkness, Andrew realized that even when everything seems hopeless, he has the strength to move on. His friends had disappeared, but they had left their mark on his heart. He knew he had to find a way to deal with this situation and get back to them, who might already be looking forward to him. Meanwhile, there was still hope in his heart. Andrew kept looking at Dan and holding out hope for better days to come. Well, or not soon. Dan glanced at Andrew with her usual ruthless gaze, setting the empty cup on the table. She whispered something softly, and then, pretending not to notice, left. Minyard watched her go and got into himself again. Andrew planned to wait for Kevin and ask about Theodore. So, for the sake of interest, rather than worry.

—

My thoughts were spinning around Andrew. He was sleeping peacefully. It seemed as if the words spoken in a dream were reflected in reality. After Dan left, Andrew went into his own thoughts, and then fell asleep. Just sitting in the same position for days on end was unbearable. Minyard's back ached every time he tried to stretch. Sometimes Andrew even dreamed of watching Kevin. When Kevin was watching Andrew, the atmosphere in the room changed. They immediately became easier and more comfortable. It was then that Minyard could get out of bed and wander around the room, making circles; he could lie down quietly and sleep normally. Kevin was the only link and toy Andrew could use to express his opinion and not get something worse in return. The elder listened to him in silence, and only at the end of the monologue put his point of view on its boundaries. However, Andrew doubted that Kevin was doing this only on his own. There is something bad behind these actions–at least that's what Minyard thinks. This doubt arose from the fact that the rest of the gang members were on the opposite side. Dan didn't care about Andrew; Alison thought he was a toy.

—

It was Dan's turn. Andrew did not know a specific schedule for supervision, but he noticed more than once that the schedule was going well. That is: Alison, Dan, Kevin. And although it changes at some points for a while, but this routine was used more often than others. Andrew was quietly spending time on the mattress, staring at the wall. No one has visited him in the last two hours. There was nothing on the table where there is a tray of food every morning and every evening. There was silence all around. Minyard thought that everyone was already asleep–he didn't know what time it was–however, if that were the case, Kevin would have come to say good night. Maybe Dan would have stopped by to check if everything was okay, just in case. But that didn't happen either. Andrew is currently strapped in. He wasn't going to worry about anything, but a hunch told him otherwise. Andrew sat for about twenty more minutes, and later, having accepted this, he picked up a comfortable sitting position and tried to fall asleep. He slowly fell asleep, and later woke up again. Not insomnia. Every time Andrew was tormented by thoughts of something bad... After a while, Minyard fell asleep... And dreams again. They were bothering Andrew. If the previous ones seemed a little strange to him, then these ones were really terrifying. In the first dream, Andrew found himself in an abandoned hospital. The dark corridors were illuminated only by dim lanterns, creating an ominous atmosphere. Minyard's heart was beating with a crazy rhythm as he wandered through the dark rooms, feeling a sense of gloomy foresight. This moment reminded Andrew of the past, that period of treatment, those terrible days and torture. Every step seemed filled with an indefinite danger. Minyard heard an ominous whisper that shook his soul. "Don't stay here. Leave before it's too late," a voice shrilled in his ears, forcing him to rush to a nonexistent exit. The second dream led Andrew into a dense dark forest. Desperately wandering among the trees, he felt the endless branches touching his skin and the sharp leaves catching on his clothes. Forest sounds permeated the air, creating a terrifying symphony. Andrew cringed inside with fear, feeling that he was not alone. There was an unfathomable danger lurking somewhere in the depths of this forest, and his instinct told him that he urgently needed to find a way out of here. The third dream that visited Andrew took him into a maze of intricate mirrors. The cold reflection of his face haunted him at every turn, reflecting his own fears and hopes. He tried to get out of this looking-glass prison, but each passage led him only to a new maze. His nerves were straining to the limit, trying to unravel the mystery of these ruthless mirrors and find a way out of this terrible mind game. Each dream played an important role in some of the plots. One by one, the dreams turned into a supposedly real reality. Andrew was fearless, but the events of the night had somehow changed him. These dreams were a test. Just a test. Andrew couldn't sleep peacefully. He even suggested whether the new space and setting could influence this. Then, living in normal conditions and being in his hometown, Andrew could go to bed and fall asleep so easily.. Here, in his opinion, some spirits or something similar were not happy about his arrival. Is it his fault? Andrew started violently when he heard a muffled knock. Opening his eyes slightly, he first looked at the stairs. Footsteps and voices were heard. At some point, my heart began to beat faster than before, and my body was seized with fear. Andrew didn't understand what this was about. The sound of keys was heard. The next moment, the door opened, and later Kevin appeared. Panting, he went down to Andrew and squatted down next to him. "Are you still here?" Kevin asked, smiling. When he got a little closer, he touched Andrew's cheek with his palm. Minyard himself watched the proceedings with caution. Kevin noticed the tension in Minyard's shoulders, so he pulled away, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "We were away for a while. So, on business... Wasn't it boring?" "Take them off." Kevin didn't immediately understand what Andrew had asked for. Lowering his gaze a little, he looked at the handcuffs and turned away. "On one condition," he said. Andrew nodded, indicating that he was listening. "I'll do what I think is necessary, and you won't ask questions." After waiting for another nod, Kevin undid the handcuffs. He then threw Minyard onto the mattress and hung over him. They stayed in this position for a couple of minutes. Andrew's heart was beating so fast and loud that it seemed like it was pounding in the corners of the room. Kevin approached Andrew. Looking straight into his eyes, he smiled. Lying quietly, Andrew tried not to panic and stay calm. A minute later, Kevin touched his lips to his neck, making a wet path up to his collarbones. It was incredibly enjoyable, however... Andrew couldn't accept it. Living in another family, he lost his trust at an early age. What his stepbrother did to him then will remain in his memory and, unfortunately, will never disappear. Kevin left a hickey on Minyard's neck. Andrew reacted sharply to the barely noticeable pain, pressing his hands against Kevin's chest. "What you?" Andrew did not answer the question, but only continued to push Kevin until he sat down opposite. When Andrew got under the target, Alison said that together they gradually studied Minyard. Kevin was the first person to come face to face with him. Alison is the second, and even from afar. That day, Andrew had a choice: either him or others. It seemed like a bad idea to sacrifice yourself, however, if it weren't for Rene and Rick... That evening, he made an exchange deal, and now, being here, Andrew remains under "protection" and "involuntary" at the same time. If the words the girl said then are true, then the kidnappers know both Andrew's present and past. So why does Kevin allow himself to do this? Kevin studied Andrew carefully, focusing on his eyes for a long time. Minyard couldn't see it, but he could feel his gaze on him. Andrew, looking at the stairs, moved aside and, sighing, looked at Kevin. A minute later, Alison popped in. The look directed at Andrew was charming. She walked slowly down the steps, keeping a sharp eye on Minyard's neck. Andrew didn't know what he felt the most–shame or anger at Kevin. "Is that the only reason you asked to pick up Andrew?" Alison asked, turning to Kevin. "I think if he hadn't worked at that restaurant, we wouldn't have made such a scene. It's your idea, Kev." "Let's keep this a secret?" "I'll think about it, " she said with a wink, then switched to Minyard: "Since when do you get along like this?" There was no response, so Alison did not delay on this.

—

Andrew walked around the room, making circles. Kevin, sitting on a chair, stared at Andrew. His eyes only wandered over his body, clearly registering his physique. Kevin liked to play peek-a-boo with Andrew, and also to look for something in his brown eyes. I liked looking at Minyard's emotionless face, teasing him that he could show emotions. And most of all, Kevin liked to look at Andrew sleeping. Andrew's face was calm and defenseless. In those moments, Kevin could admire his natural appearance, his innocence. Kevin loved watching Andrew breathe evenly, how his chest slowly rose and fell, how he sometimes tossed and turned, as if looking for a more comfortable position. And it was only in these moments, when Minyard was asleep, that Kevin was calm and felt powerful. After all, Andrew was his control, his toy, his prisoner. It was then that Kevin could fully enjoy his power over him. Moreover, it was interesting to observe the phases when Andrew dreams of something panicky. Sitting next to the blond man, Kevin simply watched the barely visible tremor of lips and eyebrows. Sometimes he squinted, sometimes he sighed with a stretch. I wanted to pamper myself with Andrew's body, but Kevin kept away from such thoughts. One line written by Dan gives you the creeps. "... not inclined to touch; wakes up abruptly, feeling someone's hands on his body" "Will you spin for a long time?" Kevin said. "For a long time." Kevin tilted his head to the side, not hiding the smile that had just app eared on his face.