The Rose Diaries Ch. 20

"That's very tough talk." Miss A. smirked. "Doll, please get on with it. You wouldn't want your guest to see the ire of some of our less patient Misses do you?" A few snickers came from the crowd as he felt tears well back up in his eyes.

His body moved completely in both instinct and mindlessness. Not a single thought came to his head as he stooped in front of his friend's naked body and found the subject of his task at hand.

"What the fuck?" Daniel hissed as Peter took hold of his manhood and stirred it awake. "Get the fuck of-"Then dove headfirst between his friend's crotch.

Daniel tasted of fear and desperation and Peter could not help but whimper as he slowly in quick strokes with one hand as his mouth slid up and down in response. He had done this before. Done this all so much before that he didn't even need to think.

Instead, Peter's mind floated to a meadow far away. The bright summer sunbathed him in golden light that warmed every pore on his body. His body was heavy, and so he sat slowly down on the grass beneath him. The plush greenery beneath him formed a perfect pillow for his weary body. He stared up into the cerulean blue depths of the sky far above and smiled.

It was peaceful here. Not a single soul that could find him, see him, or even talk to him. There was nothing but the birds, the bees, and the wind through trees. A cloud passed by overhead with sad grey hue. He watched it as it drifted by perhaps in hopes of finding its own place in its celestial home. He closed his eyes for just a moment and a shadow overtook the land. Grey clouds, first two, then four, then ten, then dozens, filled the sky in a pace he had never thought possible. His worst fears were confirmed when the heavens took a far more ominous color.

From above he heard the booming of thunder and the flashes of lightning. A storm was fast approaching, and he had nowhere to go. He sat up quickly shaking whatever exhaustion from his bones as he began to run for lower ground. He barreled through the meadow as the first of many raindrops landed on his head. He ran frantically but could find no place to flee to. Finally, the sky opened up and the rain came forth. But it wasn't rain, it was-

Peter gagged as the warm salty taste of Daniel flowed down this throat. He threw himself backwards as the women applauded and giggled with glee. His friend screamed in anguish as he thrashed in his chair.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?" He screamed.

"Go ahead and tell him, Doll." Miss A. smiled. Peter crawled back to his friend and hugged him deeply.

"GET OFF! GET OFF!" In a single motion, he tore off his friend's blindfold. Daniel's eyes closed as the rush of light hit him, but his rage was as clear as day. When he finally opened back up, he glared deeply at him and Peter could feel his bloodlust.

"Daniel," His throat was dry made even worse by his failing voice as he finally let his cries out. "Daniel, I'm here."

It was as if everything had just died inside Daniel. Tears formed in his eyes as he swallowed hard.

"P-P-Pete?" A tear rolled down his cheek. "Peter?"

"Yeah, it's me." He grabbed hold of his friend once again. "I'm here, Daniel."

"She goes by Doll now." Miss D. spat. "Why don't you give her a little kiss."

"I'm going to kill you." Daniel trembled. "I'm going to fucking kill you."

"I'm sorry." Peter sobbed into his friend's shoulder.

"Peter, I'm here." Daniel sniffled. "I'm finally here."

"I-I know." His voice broke as he exploded into loud wails. "I KNOW."

"Untie me, cunt." He growled. "Untie me so I can bash your fucking skulls in."

"Well that's just rude." Miss A. laughed. "I would never-"

"Mr. Wu, in the name of love I will give you a choice." Mrs. Stone cut her off.

"In the name of my fist, I'm going to give you one too." He growled back to her.

"Take your friend and go. My husband offered every girl this opportunity. I never offered to Doll or you. The forest surrounding this house is dense and packed full of danger but if you truly wish to leave then I wish you luck. I will give you no food, no clothes, no help of any kind. If this how your mind is made up, then leave."

"I will." Daniel answered. "Now let me go."

"Of course. Doll, a word." He let go of his friend at her command and stepped back.

"Peter?" His friend called to him.

"I'll be fine." He answered as he looked at Mrs. Stone. In her hands was still the chest. He pushed his way past Miss D. and T. who eagerly looked on before standing in front of her once more.

"I-"

"Don't say another word." She narrowed her eyes. "Girls untie Mr. Wu and take him out front. Doll will be joining him shortly." Miss T.'s face twisted into concern but then just as quickly into acceptance. She grabbed hold of his chair and leaned over.

"Fucking bitch." He heard his friend mutter as he turned to see him standing on his feet with Miss K. and R. standing by.

"We're going to go now, Daniel. If you make one wrong move, I will lay you out." Miss K. spoke.

"Try me, bitch."

"Okay." She smirked. The collar beeped once and then torrents of red-hot pain tore through him in an instant. Peter was too weak, too unprepared, for the pain and fell to his knees as he grit his teeth unable to even let out a single scream.

In an instant it was over and as he caught his breath and wiped the saliva from his chin, he saw his friend restrained by Miss R.

"Take a step out of line and we hurt Dolly. She's got a fancy shock collar around her neck and we are unafraid use it."

"Peter!" He screamed.

"I'm fine!" He yelled back. "I'm used to this."

"See, she's fine. Let's go." Miss R. shoved his friend and together they made their way towards the door.

"I'm getting you out of here, Peter." He said as he passed by. "No matter what."

Then the doors closed behind him and Mrs. Stone smiled and opened the chest.

His eyes widened, his breath grew short, and he shook his head.

Inside was a polished handgun on a velvet cushion.

"Do you know how to use this?" She asked as he took another step back.

"No..."

"Just aim and squeeze. Very simple. The safety is disengaged, and the gun is loaded. Now take it."

"I..." Another step.

"TAKE IT." She hissed. "NOW." His legs were made of gelatin as he slowly took a step forward. Then another. Then another until with trembling fingers he retrieved the weapon.

In this moment, Peter held death in his hands. Instantly, his eyes slowly raised to meet Mrs. Stone

"Please." He begged. "No."

"A choice for you, Doll. There is one bullet in that gun. Now, you can take it and shoot me dead right here. I've lived a full and good life. Shoot Amanda if you'd like. Shoot anyone in this house for all I care. However, before the barrel of the gun even cools you will be disarmed, disciplined, and then made an example out of in ways that are too horrific to mention alongside your good friend. My girls and my compatriots will torture you for the rest of your incredibly long life. Long enough for even your rage to give way to regret. You can shoot yourself and free yourself finally of this torment. But know that if you do, your friend will take your place and he will get much worse treatment than even you received. I'll also kill your friends in Glendale for good measure."

"Please." He begged. He already knew what the choice was.

"Or you can shoot Daniel Wu and spare him from this life of so-called misery. You seemed to hate this place so much when I last checked your files. Would you want to put your friend through that? Wouldn't death be a mercy? You could alternatively do nothing and that would be fine too. I'll send Daniel off into the woods to die and you'll remain in my wonderful home as if nothing ever happened." She smiled.

"Please." He felt a tear roll down his cheek. "Please, Mrs. Stone."

"Don't beg me! It's your choice to make. Now, let's regroup with the others as I did say that I would only have you for just a moment."

"Mrs. Stone!" Peter begged again. "I don't want this! I'll do anything! Just let him go!"

"Let him go? Anything?" She gasped clearly taken aback by his plea. "You're the one in control here. I cannot do anything." It was useless. His hands trembled as he took gulps full of air.

"Let's go." Miss A. sighed as she grabbed hold of the arm holding the gun. "Okay, Doll."

He didn't respond. Not that he could. He just kept on staring on ahead as his world collapsed around him. He felt the weight of the handgun in his fingers. He could raise it and in one motion kill the devil. But he would still remain in this hell. Even worse, he would condemn his friend to it as well.

He could escape from it. With barely a thought, he could end the pain and torment. But he would condemn his friend to hell once again and take Theodore and Charlie down with him.

Or, he could...

He shook the thought from his head. There was nothing that would make him do that. He had the power! He had the ability to leave.

Then it hit him.

He would leave with Daniel. Yes, the forest was dangerous, but he had a gun! He had a fucking gun! He couldn't help but smile. That was it! He was done with Blackstone. Done with this horror. Done with this awful existence.

Every second, every minute, every hour, every month, all of it had led to this one glorious moment. The moment of his freedom. The moment of his escape from this bullshit. The abuse from K. and R., From A. and P., From Charm and Luck. No more clothes that he would be forced to wear, songs he would be forced to sing, and parts he was forced to play.

No more Mr. Blue, Black, Orange, Green, or any of the other fucking colors in the goddamn rainbow. No more handcuffs and beatings! No more pretending!

No more of any of it! He was free! He had done it!

Peter Baker was finally free of Blackstone.

"Peter!" Daniel's voice broke through his thoughts. He was standing outside, the autumn air wafting on his face, it was getting late. Instinctively, he hid the gun behind his back. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause a scene.

"I told you we'd be right out." Mrs. Stone chuckled. "Are you ready, Doll."

"Yes." He smiled as he stepped down the stairs. "Fuck all of you. I enjoyed none of my time here and if I die then so be it but at least it won't be here!" He couldn't help but smile more as he began to approach his friend.

"Burn in hell, cunts." Daniel screamed back as he motioned him to follow.

"Goodbye, Mr. Wu." Mrs. Stone called.

He took one step before he remembered. A sudden jolt hit him as he stepped away from the mansion.

"No." He mouthed as he could feel his plan falling apart.

Another jolt coursed through him. This time far worse than the last.

"No." He whispered. As he took another step, a shock tore through him and his walk slowed to a crawl.

"No." He spoke again as the tears began to form. As he stopped in his tracks.

There was nothing that could be done. From the moment his hands curled around the pistol, he knew what he had to do.

So, with a heavy heart and his eyes full of tears, Peter pulled the trigger.

END OF ACT 2- CONTOUR.