There was no light in the attic when Gerard awoke. It was purely pitch black. Any other time there were a few bulbs illuminating the room, but not now. The atmosphere in there was thick and murky with heat. Sweat had collectively gathered on Gerard's skin. His jeans were sticking uncomfortably to his hips and legs as the rough wood of the floor and chair splintered into his skin. His rope bound wrists felt blistered and raw. This position, literally and physical, was a miserable one to be in.

Gerard had no concept of time in that wretched attic. There was no way to figure out what hour it was or day. Fuck, Gerard really wasn't sure how long he'd been held captive. His sleep patterns were way off from passing out so much. He began wondered if anyone would bother to come look for him, if anyone had even noticed he was missing yet. Gerard wanted comfort from someone so badly. He missed everyone so desperately. What about his family? What about his plants at home? Holy fuck, what about his job? Missing a day without notice would result in suspension, missing any more than that would result in termination. What about his internship for the New Jersey Dark House office? He wanted to work there more than anything, and working for that stupid retail store was supporting him with the money he needed so he could have the internship. If he lost the internship, there would be no reason for the retail store job. If he lost his paying job, there'd be no way he could keep he could stay with Dark Horse. Then Gerard would revert back to the same awful spot he had been in back when he was 18. Fresh out of high school, no job, forced to watch his friends find places to work and one by one abandon him for new people. It was a very low point in Gerard's life, one he would hate to relive. Gerard's thoughts kept going in circles. If this, then that; If that, then this; and so forth.

He was starting to drive himself crazy asking the same questions over and over, and moved to something more troubling-his current situation. How the hell did Frank get him here? What was Frank's interest in him? What was he going to do to Gerard? Anger about the situation had completely subsided at this point, and fear had set in. Gerard hated the unknown, because he knew he had no control over it. This situation was nothing but an enigma consisting of undecided variables that would result in some unknown outcome. It was one big "I don't know." He might not know how long he'd been in here, but he'd decided he'd do what he could to get the hell out.

For about the sixth time since he'd been awake, Gerard's stomach growled. He was starved, and despite having little water, desperately need to piss. He lied there, listening to the silence and occasional stomach grumble, just daydreaming. Being completely zoned out, he didn't end up hearing the quiet footsteps coming up the stairs. In less than a second, the door was flung open and bright light poured into the room, nearly blinding Gerard since he had become accustomed to the dark. While he winced at the painful bright light, Frank marched over to him. Gerard could feel as he was forcefully hoisted back to an upright position. By the time he could see again, Frank had taken a seat directly on his lap. The additional pressure did not feel good to Gerard's bladder. He would've said to get the hell off him if it had not been for the tape over his mouth. Frank smirked wickedly as Gerard tried to buck the smaller man off of him.

"Ah, ah," Frank tisked as he pushed down with his hips, "There will be plenty of that later, pet." Horrified at the realization of his words, Gerard's expression fell from annoyed to stone blank. Frank purred darkly at the change. "Besides, you've been bad, pet. You don't deserve anything I have to offer you... But-" he stopped and reached to his back pocket, flicking open a switchblade with a skilled swish. He examined the glint of the blade as he said, "I've come to let you reconsider your recent actions."

Gerard was praying that Frank didn't feel how fast his heart was thumping in his chest. He could practically feel his blood rush through his veins. The mere sight of Frank with a knife- a seemingly sharp one at that- petrified him. Having Frank know how scared he was wouldn't help him in the slightest. He was thanking God now that the duct tape still on his mouth, preventing him from responding. His voice would fail him, no doubt. Breathe, Gerard, just breathe. Someone will find you. You have to do what you can to get out. Breathe, he told himself.

Frank continued, "Now, you've been very, very naughty Gerard. I was expecting some resistance, but not this much. Gerard, I'm doing you a favor, the least you could do is appreciate it, yes? There really are only two options here- you conform to my rules and do what I say, and I'll give you world. We'll live happily together, never worrying about another person or other earthly troubles. Or you can choose to continuing acting like you do, and I'll punish you. I might add that punishments will only turn worse and worse, my dear. Either option you choose, I will never let you go, because you are rightfully mine. And since you are mine, I can do what I want with you, is this clear?" Gerard, forcing tears back, nodded his head. Frank daydreamingly ran the blunt edge of the blade against Gerard neck, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

"So, to my offer. I could leave you here to piss and shit all over yourself with no food for a few more days or you behave. I'll untie you to go to the bathroom and I'll let you walk around for a bit. We'll see how it goes from there. Sounds like a much better offer-" Frank rather mercilessly ripped the tape from Gerard's mouth, "-doesn't it Gee?" The tied man let out a hiss of red-hot pain before Frank gripped his jaw. He looked down at him expectantly."Your answer love." It was not a question, it was a demand.

What was Gerard's answer? A little while ago, he wanted to die, and now if he said no, he would be a step towards to that wish. Gerard didn't take that into consideration though. He was thinking about how miserable he was, having to sit here for God knows how long, his body aching. He thought of how bad he wanted food. He thought of how bad he needed a restroom. He thought of how bad he wanted to get out of this place alive to see his family again.

"I... I'm s-sorry. I'll behave," he stuttered solemnly, trying to look as innocent as he could.

Frank stroked his cheek with his thumb, smiling and said, "Good boy."

Notes

Hello again, new chapter! I apologize, I know this isn't my best quality work and certainly not my longest, but I had a hard time writing this scene for some reason. I don't know what it is, but the next few chapters should be more interesting since Gerard's getting out of the attic some! I'll keep this short, so thank you to all my readers, subscribers, everyone! I think the views jumped from like 500 to 800 and that's abso-fucking-lutely amazing, it's all thanks to you guys! It means so much to me! Feel free to leave comments letting me know your thoughts and opinionos. See ya next chapter!

-xo OfSaintsandSinners