Frank’s POV:

I saw Detective Johnson leave the room and run his hand down his weary face. I walked up to him and asked, “Did Mikey tell you anything?”

Johnson nodded, “He told me what Hannah looked like, but as soon as I asked him what happened to her, he lost it. The bastard sure did a number on the kid. I remember when I first met Mikey, the kid was shaking, he wouldn’t talk to anyone besides Gerard.” Johnson shook his head, “If he talks to you, please give me a call. I don’t care if Hannah is dead or not she deserves to be home.” He handed me his card and walked away.

I put the card in my wallet and went to see how Mikey was doing. I was shocked to see that Gerard had his hand on Mikey’s knee. I smiled inwardly at the sight, Mikey was definitely making progress. I was about to leave the room when Mikey saw me, he stood up and walked up to me.

“I need to help Hannah, Frank. B-but every time I think about what happened I-I lose it. Helping Hannah, it might help me move on.” Mikey stated, “I need to help her.”

I understood what he meant, “Okay, well first you need to stop letting what happened to you control you. You’re safe here; I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?” Mikey nodded slowly and I continued, “Also you need to stop blaming yourself, there was nothing that you could’ve done, I know it’s hard to do, but if you keep blaming yourself you won’t be able to help Hannah.” Mikey nodded again, “Thirdly, and this one is going to be the hardest for you…you need to accept it. The memories won’t be as hard for you to recall, I know you just want to forget about everything but that won’t help Hannah.”

“Okay,” Mikey stated, “Okay, I know what will help me accept it.”

“What?” Both Gerard and I ask in unison.

“I need to see him.” Mikey said in a shaky voice, “I need to see Charles.”

**** Mikey’s POV:

Gerard didn’t agree, Gerard didn’t agree with me in the slightest. He begged Frank to say that it wasn’t a good idea, but Frank, albeit hesitantly, did agree with me. So here we were sitting in Frank’s car driving towards the prison. Gerard was in the backseat, arms crossed and staring out the window. Frank was driving, his hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel, he was chewing the inside of his cheek.

On the outside I was trying to appear calm, but on the inside I was freaking out. I could barely make it through the trial, let alone actually talk to him. I was afraid that he would escape somehow, that he would take me somewhere that nobody would ever find me. When I was on the witness stand the prosecutor had to stand in front of Charles because he just stared at me, I couldn’t get a single word out. The last time I actually talked to him was the night before Gerard got me out.

Ever since Hannah had been taken away Charles had been especially cruel. He’d spend more time beating me, or burning me. I didn’t know how much more I could take. I was curled up on the mattress when I heard the door open, I didn’t move. I had learned not too, if I hid it would just increase the punishment. But the footsteps were different, they were hurried, not slow thunderous steps like the ones I was accustom to. I thought it might be one of Charles’ friends, so I closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable.

“Mikey? Oh my God…what did he do to you?” My eyes snapped open, it was Gerard.

“Y-you can’t be here! He’ll kill you! G-Gerard you can’t be here!” I stated.

Gerard grabbed my face gently, “No he won’t. I won’t let him hurt you anymore. I’m so sorry I didn’t figure it out sooner. I’m so sorry Mikey.”

“He’ll kill you. H-he said he would. Y-you need to go.” I repeated. Gerard eyes welled up with tears, he helped me to my feet.

“Everything is going to be okay Mikey. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“We’re here.” Frank said parking the car, “You sure you want to do this Mikey? This is a big step.”

I nodded, “I need to do this, plus you said you wouldn’t let him hurt me again right?”

Frank smiled softly, “Yeah, I won’t let him lay a finger on you.”

I took a deep breath and followed Frank into the prison, Gerard was following close behind me, and I could faintly hear him muttering curses under his breath. We checked in and an officer led us into a small room, I jumped when the door closed behind us loudly. I accidently gripped Frank’s hand tightly, he gasped, and I quickly let go. I tried to ignore the look on Frank’s face; I felt heat rise into my cheeks.

“He’s on his way,” The officer said from behind the door, “Shout if you need anything.”

I heard the door on the other side of the room open and there he was. His hands were cuffed in front of him and an officer was leading him to the table in front of us. His eyes never left me, and I shifted uncomfortably. The officer handcuffed his hands under the table and moved to the other side of the room. No one moved for what seemed like an eternity.

That is until Charles spoke, “Ah my pet, I was wondering when you’d come and visit me; took you a bit longer than I would have guessed.” His voice was the same, he looked the same. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak, “Is my pet scared?” I saw Gerard ball his hands into fists and before this visit took a turn for the worst I spoke up.

“Where is she Charles? Where’s Hannah?”

“I thought I told you to only call me sir?” Charles smirked. Gerard shook his head and backed away, he was getting upset. Frank, however, didn’t move. Frank stayed right by my side.

“Where is she?” I asked again.

“How should I know, I’ve been here.” Charles stated, “Last time I saw her, she was being carried up the stairs. She made my pet misbehave.”

“Do you really expect me to believe you? You know where he has her. Tell me.” I growled.

“You giving me orders now? Remember the last time you disobeyed me? I left you hanging from that hook for two days; I burned you with the cigarettes. You are my pet; I do not take orders from worthless pets.”

“I have to get out of here. I can’t hear anymore.” Gerard stated, his voice was shaking, he called for guard, “I’ll meet you guys outside.”

Charles smiled, “Big brother can’t take it. Maybe because he knows I’m right; maybe because he wants to do the same thing to you. Because that’s all you’re good for.”

My hands were beginning to shake, and I could feel my throat tighten. I was losing it, Charles knew how to control me, and he knew exactly what to say to make me feel completely worthless. “W-we aren’t here because of Gerard. H-Hannah where is she?”

“I told you I don’t know.” Charles smirked, “I was too busy with you.”

“Mikey he isn’t going to tell you. I’m sorry.” Frank stated, Charles looked at Frank and smiled.
“Your little friend is right my pet.”

I sighed and began to turn away. I was angry, angry that Charles wasn’t telling me anything, but most of all I was letting him win. He thinks he can still control me. “You want to know what makes me happy Charles?” I asked turning to face him.

“What would that be my pet?”

“Seeing you in a cage. Seeing you locked up like the way you kept me. Seeing that you have no control over anyone. I pray that a man come to you in the middle of the night; that he touches you and violates you. Are you someone’s pet Charles?” I asked. Charles fought against his handcuffs, I had struck a nerve, “You can’t control me anymore, you have no power over me. I hope you rot in prison, and then maybe you’ll understand just half of what you put me through.” I growled and turned away.

“Don’t you turn your back on me you little piece of shit! You are mine! You will always be mine!” Charles shouted as Frank and I left the room. I took a deep breath and wiped a stray tear that fell down my face.

“You did great Mikey.” Frank stated.

“I still don’t know where Hannah is.” I mumbled as we left the prison.

“But you faced him, I’m so proud of you.” Frank smiled.

I looked at him and smiled softly, “Frank?”

“Yeah?” He asked.

I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around him, I hugged him tightly until my anxieties faded away, “Thank you so much, for everything.”

Notes