Dim light flickered inside the cramped, dark, dank front office of the motel. The man behind the desk, masked under heavy glasses, shaggy hair, and an oversized flannel, might as well have been wearing a name tag that said Bates. Rory nearly jumped out of his skin as hands clutched around his arm. It wasn't until he realized those hands trembled more than his own that he relaxed and glanced to his side to see Sabastian's petrified gaze. Rory followed Sabastian's line of vision and nearly gasped out loud. There was a huge poster hanging on the wall of Rin and Sabastian from the previous book. Rory clasped his hand over Sabastian's hand. "I'll finish up here if you'd like to get our things…"
Sabastian leaned closer and whispered harshly into Rory's ear. "Are you sure? Can't we go somewhere else?"
Rory's eyes darted to the lowered shaggy head on the other side of the desk as he pressed his finger to his lips. He shook his head. "There isn't another place for hours." He whispered as low as he could, his eyes staying trained on the man across from them.
Sabastian's hands tightened around his arm. "I'm not leaving you in here." He hissed.
Rory nodded toward the poster. "You… not me…"
Sabastian bit into his lower lip, understanding what Rory meant. Finally giving in, he nodded. "Hurry…" He moved to leave, but then thought better of it and quickly pulled his hoodie off and flung it around Rory before pulling the hood over Rory's head. "Keep this on."
Rory nodded as he nudged Sabastian toward the door. As he turned back toward the desk, he realized the man had finished with the paperwork and was now watching him silently. He cleared his throat as he extended his hand for the papers. "If that will be everything…" Rory couldn't help the apprehension that built as the man continued to stare in silence for the longest time. Rory moved to snag the papers from his hands, but the man held them tight.
"You seem close… May I ask what the two of you are doing out this time of night?" He paused as he continued staring, his grip on the papers tightening. "I know it's strange of me to ask… but I always find myself fascinated by the stories behind our guests… There are frequently so… interesting…"
Rory fought the urge to glance at the poster… to search the room for more signs that this man knew who he and Sabastian were. Rory forced a stoic expression. "We're traveling for work, and it has just gotten too late to continue driving."
"Just the two of you?"
The way the man tilted his head as if he were a doll coming unhinged at an old, worn-out joint sent a shiver down Rory's spine. Rory struggled to mask his discomfort as he nodded. "For now… The others will be along later… tonight… They are a bit behind…" He lied, deciding it would be in their best interest. Rory stumbled as the man suddenly released his hold on the papers.
"Room 104. Right next door… so you won't have to carry your bags far… and so… the others won't have far to go to find you."
A cold chill raked Rory's entire body. The way the man said 'the others' made it sound like he was talking about people other than his work associates. His eyes shot to the poster, then quickly around the wall as the man turned to retrieve a key from a peg on the wall. A plushie caught his attention, but he couldn't tell if it was more of Rin's merch or if it belonged to some other popular character. He debated on engaging the man in conversation regarding the poster and plushie. What if he recognizes me once I bring attention to it, though… What if he already recognized me… If he had wouldn't he have said something though? Rory's mind was a turbulent maze of questions as he held out his trembling hand for the key. "Thank you…"
Rory forced his feet to take slow, steady steps as he made his way toward the door of the office, but his heart stopped with a hard thud. His blood turned cold as he heard movement behind him. His entire body shook as he slowly turned his head to see that the man had stepped out from behind the counter and was now close behind him. "Wh…what are you…"
The dim light glinted off the scuffed, smudged glasses as the man mechanically tilted his head once again and gave a manic smile. "You're trembling… your friend was too…"
Rory's heart thudded against his chest painfully; it's pulsing deafeningly against his eardrums. "Wha…"
The man's manic smile widened as he continued forward. "The heater in the room can be tricky. Follow me."
Rory clasped the front of his shirt over his chest as he tried to keep from gasping for air. Every fiber of his body wanted to flee from this place and never look back, but it was already so late, and they'd already spent most of the day driving just to get to his mom's. Rory blew out a long breath as he struggled to steady his breathing. He forced his feet to move as he followed behind the man. His frantic gaze roamed the parking lot for Sabastian, and relief washed over him when they did. Sabastian moved to run toward him, but he shook his head and motioned for him to stay put.
Sabastian swallowed hard as the bright moonlight illuminated Rory's face. It was obvious something had happened in the short time since he'd left the inside office, because all the color had now faded from Rory's face. Sabastian knew without a doubt Rory was on the verge of fainting… but why? His eyes moved to the other man as he led Rory the short way to the room next to the office. Oh no, don't tell me that's our room… At this point, we'd be better off sleeping in the fucking car! Rory's troubled eyes met his as he was ushered into the scantily lit motel room. Sabastian clutched his arms tightly around himself as he shook his head, urging Rory against going inside. 'Let's leave!' He mouthed to Rory, but he didn't listen.
Rory sucked in a steadying breath as he stepped over the threshold of the room, but the tiny bit of ease it had brought was suddenly ripped through his lungs as the man flipped on a light switch behind him. The more that became lit and visible in the room, the more the edges of Rory's vision began to blur and grow black with the threat of fainting. His head spun as his eyes moved around the shrine-like room dedicated to Rin and his team… the team that included not only Sabastian but himself as well.
"I knew if I took a job at a motel close to where your parents lived, there would be a good chance you'd come there." The man came closer to Rory as he stood frozen in the center of the room. "I've been watching your socials and driving by their house. When I heard others talking about an expensive flash car around town earlier today, I was going to go check." He began to laugh disturbingly.
Rory flinched and spun to face the man when his hot, smelly breath touched the back of his neck. Rory stumbled backwards as the sickening, manic smile curving the man's lips widened. The man reached out and caught Rory's arm, steadying him, but didn't let go. "But look, heehahaha, you came to me!"
Rory dug down into the deepest pit of his lungs and chest as he let out a blood-curdling scream. "Sabastian!" He yelled as loud as he could, but before he could yell 'run' as well, the large, grimy man already had him tackled to the bed and his mouth covered.
"Tsk, tsk! We can't have that." The man cooed as he pressed his body harder into Rory.
Rory squeezed his eyes shut against the gross sight scant centimeters above him as he continued trying to scream and fight against he man's tight hold. The unfortunate disadvantage to having his eyes closed, however, was that he didn't see the exact time or cause of the horrendous pain that began radiating through his temple. Blackness began seeping into his vision as he struggled to open his eyes once again. He could feel moisture beginning to trickle from the area where the pain seemed to originate, but he could no longer find the strength to move his limbs as consciousness began to fade.
Sabastian regretted the second he'd dropped the bags and chased after Rory instead of jumping in the car and leaving by himself the second his feet stumbled over the threshold of room 104. The posters were one thing, but the photos from distant and weird angles and prints from their social… His mouth dropped as his eyes landed on the shelves. There were homemade plushies of each of them… several plushies, a blow-up doll with a photo over its face… Sabastian came to a complete stop before beginning to backstep out of the room. "What the hell?" The beds had custom sheets with their images on them, and that wasn't even the most disturbing part. The beds were rigged up with enough bondage straps and cuffs to subdue a Hollywood werewolf… And the creepy bastard was just finishing up with strapping Rory to one of them.
The man's head fell to the side as he stood and advanced on Sabastian. "Oh, goodie, you finally came as well! My collection is almost complete. One more to go, now."
Sabastian's eyes widened as his gaze moved from the creepy man to Rory, then back around the room. "You're collection? What the fu…"
The man rubbed his hands together eagerly as his advance toward Sabastian quickened. "Come here and I'll tell you all about it. Wouldn't you like to know?"
Sabastian shook his head as he took more hesitant steps backward. His eyes moved between the man and Rory's limp body, conflict written all over his face.
"You aren't going to leave him, are you? Not with the way you were clinging to him in the office earlier." The creepy smile returned. "I said it was all an act. It was, wasn't it? You have to tell me the whole thing." He motioned for Sabastian to come inside. "As long as you talk, I'll not hurt you…" His smile dropped as his eyes moved over Sabastian's back. "But if you run, he may hurt you…"
Sabastain spun to see an even larger man standing behind him. He turned and bolted into the room and onto the bed beside Rory's limp body. He curled himself up against Rory and began shaking him as he whimpered. "Wake up! Please! You have to wake up! Come on!" His trembling hands tried to work loose the cuffs, but he couldn't. Manic laughter drew his attention back to the door. The two men were watching him in entertained fascination as he worked. Their amusement drew out his rage. He screamed French profanities at them as he continued to try freeing and waking Rory to no avail.
"As amusing as this is, I say we make them talk or make them fuck." The larger, grimier man said.
The other man shrugged. "We're still missing one." He nodded toward Rory. "He said Rin was on his way. We should tie them both up and wait."
"Rin's too smart! He wouldn't fall for your bullshit! Besides, the joke's on you! He's not coming!"
The man's head fell to the side once again like a broken doll. "Smart? Funny, you use that word. A smart person wouldn't say that the only reason they're being left alone for the time being isn't coming…" He studied Sabastian for a pause, giving him time to let his words soak in. "Now, I really have to wonder. If you're telling the truth, why would the two of you be out this late at night by yourselves?" He rubbed his stubbled chin before shrugging. "Already know Rin's in town with that new flashy car of his…" He sent Sabastian a wide smile. "Only task now is figuring out the right way to get him inside this room, right?"
"Rory! Please, wake up!" Sabastian sniffled as he turned his attention back to Rory and began shaking him again. "I don't know what to do…" He whispered as he rested his head against Rory's chest.
The two men began chuckling as Sabastian's muffled sobs filled the silence of the room.
"Would this work as a way to get me into this room?" Rin's gruff voice sounded from the doorway.
The men's eyes were both overjoyed as the sound of their idol… judging by the room, their god… emerged from the dark night. But their joy was short-lived as Rin cocked the hammer back of the revolver he held aimed at the largest man's head.
"Either of you move and I'll plaster the fucking walls with your brains." Rin's eyes moved around the room as he shook his head. "On second thought, I may do it anyway for the hell of it." He moved between the two men. "You cuff your buddy to the empty bed." When the men didn't move, Rin lowered the gun to the man with the glasses and flannel's groin. "I can shoot you in the head first if you prefer. Your choice."
The men quickly moved to the free bed and began working the cuffs. When they seemed to be still wasting time, Rin sent them a devilish grin. "Tell me, boys, do you think I came here alone? You seem like diligent stalkers. Do I ever travel alone? Do you think this is the only gun pointed at you? I'll also give you a heads up. The cops are on the way… the question is, will the coroner need to be sent as well? It's all your choice."
Glasses frowned up at Rin. "There, done. Now what?"
"Cuff yourself," Rin instructed. "Same bed." When the man seemed confused, Rin shrugged. "Figure it out."
His smudged, scuffed glasses moved toward Rory. "I would have to uncuff him first and use those."
Rin shrugged. "Perfect, then do it."
The man begrudgingly moved toward the other bed, not wanting to free Rory even with him unconscious.
"Chop, chop motherfucker." Rin bit out.
The man sent Rin a pinched smile. "You're every bit like your characters. Regardless of how this ends, I'll cherish the experiences as your true and most loyal fan." The other man nodded in agreement, causing Rin to send them both disapproving head shakes.
As the last strap was unlatched, Rory's eyes popped open, and confusion gave way to raw, unadulterated fear. He let out a blood-curdling scream that left his voice ragged and hoarse as familiar arms wrapped around him. To his surprise, Sabastian clung to him, soaking the front of his shirt in tears.
"We're safe… We're safe now! Rin's here!" Sabastian muttered over and over as he clung to Rory.
Rory's shocked, foggy mind couldn't grasp the words that Sabastian was saying. Rin was here?! Was he ok? Did the freaks have him, too? Sirens blared in the distance, pulling his attention away from the dyed blonde-grey head pressed to his chest. As he lifted his head toward the sound of the sirens, he saw Rin standing strong in the center of the room, a revolver in his hand, pointed at the stalking kidnappers. Rin... The one person he'd tried to protect by running had run all the way here in the middle of the night and protected him against all odds...