All he could see was the blur of the moon from his watery eyes, vision blurred by the pool of water he was submerged in. Bubbles of precious oxygen escaped his lips as he screamed for help. The water burning his throat as his body went against his wishes and tried to take in the non existent air. Hands around his throat kept him down not letting him break the surface that was only a mere four inches away. Just as he felt himself fading into the grey area he was pulled forward by the collar of his shirt. He chokes and gasp for precious air letting it fill his lungs as water spurts from his mouth and nose the burning feeling now not caused by the water but by the beauriful flow of air returning to his lungs. He's curls up on his side trying to catch his breath when Bert's voice above him demands his attention. He's so exhausted he can't bring himself to even turn his head. But instead of a fierce kick to his side Bert kneels down beside him. His whole upper body dampened with water from having to hold Gerard under. He looks at the broken man before him on the ground and laughs, glee in his eyes and a pleased smile on his face. A sick pride he feels that is evident in the way he looks at Gerard.

"You're so beautiful like this, used and shattered. Mmm and in the moonlight the way your skin looks, just fucking gorgeous." He reaches out to stroke his face but Gerard flinches back, screwing his eyes shut. Hoping that when he opened them back up he ould be anywhere but here on the cold hard ground, body cold and burning. His last flicker of strength within him diminishing until it becomes the faintest and smallest of embers with minimal chances of reigniting. "Oh come on Gee", Bert says using the pet name he used for Gerard when they were 'dating', " Don't be like that. if I really wanted you dead I would have held you down a little bit longer."

"W-why then? Why n-not just k-kill me?"

"Just look at you. Why would I waste a marvelous piece of work like you? I couldn't let you go without trying."

"Let me g-go?" Gerad says lifting his head from the cold ground, his glossy eyes almost pleading.

Cupping his hand around the flame as he lights the cigarette dangling from his lips, Bert smirks as he pockets his lighter. He lets out a light almost airy laugh, "Calm down princess, me letting you go isn't as fun as I make it sound. The only way you're going free is if you're at the bottom of the river or being buried alive in the woods. So I think keeping me company is in your best interest right?"

Gerard crashes his head back down against the earth, letting out a choked sob. He had known somewhere in the depths of his soul that leaving was not an option but for that one second he had just let himself hope.

Hope.

He didn't even know what that was anymore. It had obviously served him no use through all these months. Just a waste of time and feeling, a way for his soul to be slowly ripped to shreds again and again, realizing after each 'lesson' that there really was no way out.

Finally allowing himself to give in, Gerard pulls himself up to his knees and kneels before Bert, head bowed and hands resting on his thighs. He uttered two small words, giving himself over completely to Bert, his will no longer enough to keep him fighting.

"Yes, sir."

Bert turns to look at him through narrowed eyes, trying to decide if Gerard has really gave up this time or if he's just trying to buy himself time. He smiles in triumph as he looks at how the mans whole body sags in defeat.

"Good now get your ass up and get walking, I got an offer for you yesterday and now I'll be able to take it."

Gerard walks through the wooded area quietly behind Bert, his body still aching and sore, stumbling over roots of trees and mounds of uneven dirt. When they reach the car he lets himself get thrown into the back seat of the car. Biting his tongue against the pain that his body is in. Looking out at the full moon he tries to push himself into an alternate reality where he would have hopefully never crossed paths with Bert or anyone like him.

As Bert turns on the car, the sound of the engine coming to life is accompanied by the blare of some rock metal station coming over the speakers. Allowing Gerard to just close his eyes not out of fear but out despair knowing that there was no chance for him to escape this life he was about to be thrust into.

He wipes the tears from his eyes and opens them to realize that he's not in the back seat of Bert's car but in a warm comfortable room. It was just a dream, well, not a dream but a memory. He blinks looking around trying to remeber the events of how he got there when it all comes rushing back. Having sat up in bed he lays back down, looking up at the cieling and the intricate carving of lilies in the crown molding.

For the first time in a year that small ember begins to glow.

Notes

True this is a short filler chapter (and I updated out of order) but @2shrt4thisshlit asked very nicely for an update so how could I possibly say no?

Hope you all somewhat like it.

-Venomous Kiss