Once the adorable young 5 year old was out of the room, the atmosphere around Sam and Alastor became tense and discomforting, almost suffocating. A DRASTIC change from when Edith was there.

"Take a seat, boy." The man said, sitting at the head of the table, pointing to the chair to his left. The boy gulped thickly before slowly and reluctantly obeying the order and sitting down in the chair.

"Such a sweetheart that little one is. Wouldn't you agree, Samuel?"

"W-Why did you bring us here?" Sam asked, just loud enough to be slightly audible.

"Hmm? Pardon?"

The boy inhaled deeply, gaining more courage. "Why did you bring me and my sister here? We're just children and- and you're a wanted serial killer. Why did you not just kill us for finding out your secret? Why did you kidnap us instead? What are you planning to do with us? There has to be more! What are you hiding? What have you-"

"Quite the young inquisitor you are! What are you, a policeman?!" Alastor laughed, cutting Sam off. "Anyways... I don't know why you asked why I brought you here. I suppose you'd already know the answer had you just put the story together. I couldn't just leave you two with the knowledge of my crimes and what I look like. That would just be rather stupid of me! As for why I didn't just kill you. I would have if it weren't for your dear little sister."

Sam's eyes widened. So- if it was just him this guy would have killed him but because he had Edith with him, he was spared. "Wait- why is it that you would kill me but not my sister."

"Because your sister is an innocent and defenseless little fawn. You're a young lad who can defend himself. As a fellow male in these times you know very well that we men are expected to be gentlemen. I don't know about you but personally I do really hate those who can't show a little more respect to those of fairer means, it's rather distasteful."

Sam knew that sort of made sense- this is a time where men are expected to be gentlemen. He's no stranger to that fact- but- it still leaves unanswered questions in his mind. "I-I guess that makes sense but- what are you planning to do with us? Keep us here forever? Do you not think our family will notice our absence and search for us?"

Alastor started laughing at the comment. "Oh-ho, no! I'm not worried about that, there's no sense in lying to me, dear Samuel. I know you both are the only family the other has."

Sam's eyes widened. "H-How did y-you-"

"Oh it was quite easy, my young fellow." The man started, cutting him off. "For one thing your clothes are both filthy. Any mother who can afford it wouldn't let her children walk around with so much soil on their clothes that you can grow a garden in them. Not to mention if either of you had a parent or guardian you wouldn't be out and about so late at night, especially considering all the murders happening around." He said, saying the last part very smugly.

"Yes, the murders that you commit. How could I possibly forget?" The boy retorted, rolling his eyes resentfully.

The man's eye twitched, accompanying a look of anger. "Well, since you remember such a topic that I pride myself on, perhaps you'd do well to remember how to speak to me." He said, hinting towards Sam's attitude and sarcasm.

The teen looked looked down to avoid Alastor's glare. "S-Sorry..." he mumbled. The man's glare faded.

"Good boy, that's all settled! I'll make sure you and your sibling are taken care of and you will not try escaping or telling anyone anything, especially the police. The precious life of yourself and the darling dearest Edith depends on it. Understood?" Alastor said, terrifyingly joyful. It sent shivers down Sam's spine and racked fear into his heart as the thought and vision of his innocent little sister being slaughtered by the killer in front of him flooded his mind.

All he could do was nod his head, he didn't trust his voice to not scream and cry from fear and panic if he spoke. The tears in his eyes were already close to betraying him by falling down his cheeks. He wouldn't let his own voice box do the same horrible deed.

"Great! Well then you look absolutely exhausted, how about I show you to your room and you get some rest." He suggests, though, it was more like a demand than a suggestion.

"O-Okay, A-Alastor."

"Perfect! Follow me then!" The man said, rising to his feet and gesturing for Sam to follow him, which he obediently does.

The boy has a bad feeling about this whole thing, he doesn't like it at all. Sure, having a roof over their heads is great and something they haven't gotten in a while but being kidnapped and forced to live with a feared serial killer is one of the worst things that could have happened. What a mess! Sam has to find them a way out of here. He doesn't trust this sick, smiling, lunatic anymore then he trusts a guy in a white van offering him sweets in a dark alley on a cold winter day.

How do they escape is the problem? Before, he was thinking about running away alone and telling the police so they can get Edith away and arrest Alastor. That way he can move quicker and not worry about his sister having to keep up... but now that's not an option. That horrible man said if he tried to escape he'd hurt her. Now he has to take her with him, there's no other alternative.

But if he has to take Edith, he needs to plan this out correctly. There's no room for error. He'll have to see when the best time is for an escape.

What better time to start planning than now?

Alastor had brought Samuel to his room, let him get comfortable and then left him for the night.

For the next few hours the only thing on Sam's mind was the fact that he wasn't sharing a room with Edith.

Why?

He wants to share a room with her in order to protect her in the event that Alastor does something at night. What if he changes his mind and decides to kill them? What if he wants to take advantage of his sister?! He needs to be ready to fight! Luckily, he knows she is safe at the moment because the door right across from his is open and there is Edith cuddled up in a soft bed, letting the blissful feeling of sleep wash over her. He's never seen her more relaxed.

On the streets, they always had to remain on high alert at all times, even in their sleep. It wasn't uncommon that an animal would try to attack them in the night or a person would try to snatch what was left of their food supply, or someone would try to wake them up and take them to an orphanage.

Sam would never allow them to be placed in an orphanage. He hears horror stories all the time about how badly the children in those orphanages are treated. Not all are bad, he admits, but the majority of them are. Then again... maybe he should have let them be given to one of those orphanages. They'd be safe with whoever their guardian would be instead of unsafe in the dark, cold hands of a murderer. Ugh, they need to get out of here.

Sam gets up off of the wooden chair in the corner of his room and tiptoes out into the hallway, careful not to make much noise.

He looks at his sister again, her diaphragm steadily rising and falling to the rhythm of air peacefully travelling through her nose and out her mouth, mumbling along with the vivid story her dreams are showing her.

Peaking in her room, it looked much like his, only his was red and hers was blue, her sheets were white and his were black.

'Enough about the room Sam, focus!' He scolded himself, before walking down the hall and to the stairs.

"So far so good." He whispered, slowly and carefully walking down the first flight of stairs.

'That guy was smart... putting us on the third floor. It's too high to jump out of a window. Ugh. Very smart on his part, horrible for Edith and I.'

When he got to the bottom step, the boy stopped and looked around.

'Nothing. He's either asleep or still on ground level.' With that thought, he stood up straight, and walked forward past Alastor's room and office to which the doors were both closed. Though, still careful not to make too much noise with his steps, he walked forward.

"Now, now, I do hope you're not planning on going anywhere." A voice came from his right.

The boy slowly turned his head towards where the ominous voice came from. He knew exactly who it was, though, he wished it were anyone else.

Sitting right there in the parlor looking straight at him was Alastor with a book in one hand and his spectacles in the other. His face was barely lit by a fireplace behind him, giving the scene terrifying flickering lighting. Sam gulped at the sight, regretting his decisions.

"I believe we spoke about this a mere 2 and a half hours ago, did we not, Samuel?"

The teen stayed silent. Though his mind was the exact opposite. 'W-Why is he so calm? I've been caught, what is he going to do to me? Please don't harm my sister! Why is he just sitting there? DO SOMETHING! I can't take the silence!'

Alastor cleared his throat, as if to say "Answer me."

Samuel mustered up his courage to talk, which took a lot out of him. His eyes started to water from being open so wide for such a period of time. "W-Well I-I... I was just g-going to u-um-"

"Try to run away? Find a way to run away? Haha! I am no fool to mess with, boy." Alastor said, his anger-hiding smile never daring to falter. "I don't find sleeping very useful. It takes time you could be using for something productive, away. At night, there is almost never a chance to get past me, young one. So I do ask a favor. Give up."

The boy's eyes widened ever so slightly as shock settled into his system after what he was just told to do.

"It is better for you and your tiny sibling who seems quite content and already settled in. If I am correct, she is upstairs fast asleep, is she not?"

"Y-Yes..." Sam stuttered out.

"She seemed quite happy when I allowed her to explore my home, was she not?"

Silence.

"My dear, if she is happy to live here and unhappy living like a malnourished rat out there on those cold, disgusting streets, wouldn't it be quite selfish of you to decide to run off and ruin the life she wanted and could have lived had you just been obedient and stayed here? It really isn't such a hard thing."

Silence.

The silence was like a wonderful jazz tune to Alastor's ears because it meant that he had won the argument and Sam knew it.

Now, Al knew he was being manipulative, but was he? He was telling the truth after all. It would be selfish to do such a thing, especially when the life and future of someone he loves so dearly is on the line.

Samuel put his head down and crossed his arms in front of him as if to say that he admitted defeat and surrendered.

"Fine... You win." he whispered, just loud enough for Al to know what he said. With that he turned on his heels and went back upstairs, angered with himself.

Why did he not have anything else to say in retaliation? Why did he let that happen? Why didn't he make up an excuse so he could just get downstairs? What an idiot he is!

Sam walked in front of Edith's door, leaning on the doorway with his arms still crossed.

Maybe Alastor was right. She does seem happy here. She didn't appear to have any trouble getting to sleep, that's for sure. Maybe it won't be that bad staying here, it is better than the streets.

No! What is he saying?!?! This is the home of a murderer! This isn't better than the streets! They aren't safe here! They're completely at Alastor's mercy! He could do anything to them if he wanted to and there would be no one to hear or help them! He has to find a way out of here and soon!

Only- it can't be at night, Alastor will catch them and who knows what will happen to them if that happens. It'll have to be some time during the day, but when? Sam will have to find out Alastor's schedule and plan from there.

Sam sighed, getting up from the doorframe and turning around to go back to his own room but he stopped, turning his head back around to face his sister. The brotherly protective feeling washed over him so he walked over to her, pushing her to the side, and lying down next to her, stirring her awake slightly.

Edith snuggled up next to her brother, relaxing her head into his side. "Goodnight Sam." She whispered to him before drifting off back to sleep.

Sam rubbed her head gently, trying to relax himself from the fear and tension in his muscles. "Goodnight, Edi. I'll keep you safe. I promise." He said, before falling into a much-needed deep sleep.