Conjuring Her Deepest Fears

Zacky, Johnny, and Jimmy sat in Zacky's living room. "Man, I'm telling you. Something's up. It's obvious," Jimmy said. "I mean, I go over to Syn's house, bang on the door, and nothing. Brian and Rain are both home, though. But neither one of them are answering their phone. And I called Val and she said that Matt went over there and he's been gone for a while." Zacky shook his head. "I don't know, man." "Look, if we're so worried about them let's all go over there." Johnny suggested. "I've already gone over there," Jimmy said. "Well," said Johnny, "go over there again." Jimmy sighed. "Fine. I'll be back."

Brian sighed from exhaustion. He guessed it was probably dark out. Hell, it could be six o' clock in the afternoon. He had no idea what time it was. He looked over at Matt, who was trying to pick the lock on his handcuffs. "What are you doing?" Brian asked him. "I'm trying to pick this damn lock with one of Rain's bobby pins." Brian raised his eyebrow. "Where did you get one of her bobby pins?" "She dropped it, I guess." Matt then stopped and glared at Brian. "Why don't you worry about your own damn self?" Brian shrugged. "Fine. Whatever. It just amuses me." Matt continued picking the lock and asked, "What?" "Seeing you trying to hopelessly break free." "Well, at least I'm making some fucking progress. Unlike you." Brian chuckled. He yawned and said, "I'll get out of here. Just watch me." Matt looked at him for a moment and asked, "How exactly are you going to do that?" Brian smirked. "I'll get my opportunity. Just wait." Matt scoffed. "Oh, I'm sure you'll get your opportunity being tied to a fucking chair in the center of the room." Brian gritted his teeth. "Fuck you, man." Matt smiled at him and continued with the lock.
At about that time they heard the basement door open. Rain came walking down the stairs and she did not look happy. Matt immediately dropped the bobby pin he was using to pick the lock. Rain didn't seem to notice. She walked into the room then stopped and stood between Matt and Brian. "I'm tired of your fucking friends showing up here and beating on the door." Brian glared at her. "Well, what do you suppose we fucking do about it?" he asked her. She walked over to him and got in his face. "Don't get smart with me, asshole." Then she turned to Matt and said, "I don't suppose you have anything to say." Matt shook his head. "Good," said Rain. She turned back to Brian. "Now, sweetheart. What you're going to do is go up stairs and answer the door. You're going to tell Jimmy that you're fine and to not come back." "Wait, Jimmy's here?" Brian asked. Rain smiled. "Aww, look. Little Brian misses his best friend, Jimmy." Her smile slowly disappeared and she slapped him. "Now, I'm gonna unite you. Don't try anything stupid." "Or else what?" Brian asked. "Or else..." Rain lifted her shirt and pulled a gun out of the side of her skirt, "I'll blow a fucking hole in your head." "Where the hell did you get that?" Matt asked. She pointed the gun at him. "Shut up."
Rain walked around Brian keeping the gun pointed to his head. She quickly untied him and they slowly made their way upstairs when they got to the top, she said over here shoulder, "You better be in the same exact spot you're in when I get back." Then they disappeared into the living room.

Brian walked towards the front door. He could hear Jimmy on the other side calling his name. "Brian, come on. Me and the guys are worried about you. Open the door, man." Brian stopped and looked at Rain. "What if he asks about Matt?" "Tell him he's not here," she answered. Brian swallowed hard and nodded then he walked up to the door. Rain stood behind it when he opened it to reveal Jimmy standing in the porch light. "Hey, Syn. Are you okay?" Brian nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." He was trying so hard not to break a sweat, knowing that Rain kept the gun pointed at him. "Are you sure? If something's wrong, you can always talk to me about it. Why haven't you or Rain answered the phone? Is Matt here?" Brian shook his head. "No, Matt's not here." "Where did he go?" He could see Rain out of the corner of his eye lift the gun so that it pointed right at his temple. "Um, Jimmy. Thanks for your concern and all, but I don't want you to come back." Jimmy stared at him with a confused look. "Huh?" "I said don't come back." Brian couldn't stand to do this. His best friend was standing in front of him, worried about him...and he's telling him to leave and not come back. "I don't get it. Did I do something?" "No, Jim. Just leave. Don't fucking come back. You're gonna get hurt." And with that Brian closed the door in his face. Rain looked out the window and watched Jimmy walk back to his car and drive away. "Good job," she said. "I'm proud of you." Brian glared at her. "You fucking bitch." She smirked at him. "I try."

Matt watched as Brian and Rain went back up the stairs. "You better be in the same exact spot you're in when I get back," she called over her shoulder. Then Matt picked up the bobby pin and went to work. It's been a while since he's had to do something like this. He just couldn't get it to unlock. "Come on," he said to himself. He started to get frustrated with it and started cursing under his breath. "Come on, goddammit." Matt widened his eyes when he twisted the pin and heard a click. He looked up to the top of the stairs and looked back down at his wrist. He was free. He was finally free. He could get out of here right now. Matt could go home to his wife who was worried sick. He could just leave Brian here. They agreed. Every man for himself...but he couldn't do that. Never in a million years would he do that. If he's leaving this damned house, then he's taking Syn with him. He doesn't care if he has to give his own life up. Brian is like a brother to him. He will not betray him. Matt sat back and listened when he heard people start talking. He heard Jimmy's voice. He wanted to yell for help, but that would put him in danger. He heard Brian talk, but couldn't quite understand what he was saying. Then he raised his voice. "No, Jim. Just leave. Don't fucking come back. You're gonna get hurt." And he heard the door close. You're gonna get hurt? Then he thought for a moment. Oh my God, Brian. You're a genius. After a few moments Rain made her way back down the stairs right behind Brain. Matt hid his hand behind him as she made her way down. "Sit in the chair," she ordered Brian. He sat down in the chair and she tied him back up. "Now, keep quiet while I invest in some 'me' time. If I have to come down here and cut your tongues out then so be it." And she went up the stairs and into the living room, closing the door behind her. Brian sighed. "I can't believe what I just did, man." He looked down at the floor and closed his eyes. "Well, you can explain later." Brian looked up at him. "What are you talking about?" Matt smiled then held his hand up. Syn looked confused, but then he realized it was the hand that had been handcuffed. "We're getting the fuck out of here," Matt said.

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