Rival Dreamer

But that does beg the question, how exactly would a reverse AU work without compromising the charm of the original characters?

(This is mostly like a rough summary idea of this AU but if people like it I might do something with it)

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O Imagine, three estranged brothers coming back to their hometown after 10 years, each of them bearing scars, physical and emotional.

O The brothers barely speak to each other, especially the two oldest. The last they saw of each other was at their parents funerals before they all inevitably left, one by one.

O Vincent is a shut in artist, awkward and keeping to himself in his studio apartment, staying locked up days on end, perfecting his masterpieces of paintings, woodwork and of course sculpting.

O Bo runs his own mechanic shop but he can be pretty brutal on his workers, a strict and no nonsense boss. But the customers love him for his charm, charisma and overall killer good looks.

O Lester works as a trucker, transporting goods and equipment across states for anyone willing to hire him. He’s pretty friendly and has the largest friend group out of the brothers, mostly comprised of other truckers he meets on the road.

O Returning back to their hometown was Lester’s idea, wanting to do something special for the 10 year anniversary of their parents passing.

O Bo and Vincent don’t talk to each other, the twins having a falling out prior to parting and thus have bad blood. They both still keep in touch with Lester, though, neither of them willing to outright ignore or abandon their youngest brother.

O Vincent is dreading this trip, even more so when he pulls up to Ambrose to find Bo already parked on the outskirts of town, leaning against his car, cigarette in hand and casting an indifferent glance his way.

O Lester pulls up, honking his truck horn before he jumps out, pretty much tackling his brothers in a hug. Bo and Vincent, though still holding a grudge against each other, are still willing to put their differences aside for Lester’s sake.

O They explore their old abandoned hometown, visiting their old childhood home, the Wax museum that had been their mother’s life’s work and finally visiting their parent’s gravesite.

O The brothers don’t shed any tears or give any sweet words. As Lester kneels to place a bundle of flowers he picked up, they hear a sound.

O Turns out, they’re not as alone in this town as they once thought. A bunch of college aged kids have taken up residence in the abandoned town.

O Alls fine at first, the group greeting the men and welcoming them, telling them to join the others at the campfire later tonight.

O At the campfire, however, after hours of drinking and playful conversation, old wounds open up. Vincent and Bo began to argue, leading into a physical fight which Lester and the kids had to break up. Bo storms off to cool down, Vincent flipping him off before doing the same.

O Cue Bo getting led away by a flirtatious Carly that’s been making eyes at him the whole night. One steamy make out session leads to Bo getting knocked unconscious and dragged away.

O Vincent makes some startling discoveries of his own. Turns out, these kids haven’t just be squatting in the abandoned down, they’ve been outright abducting and murdering people that drive through the high way, stealing their possessions and using it to maintain their lifestyle.

O Vincent gets Lester, them finding and rescuing Bo before he can be killed.

O Now, it’s a fight for survival as the brothers, even Vincent and Bo putting aside their differences, to work together and go up against a group of psychopathic kids who’ve rigged the whole town with traps.

O One by one, the brothers pick off the kids being surprisingly adapt when it comes to killing.

O It isn’t until the climax that it’s revealed that Trudy Sinclair had actually been the one turning people into wax statues, her and her husband keeping this up for years and even getting the boys involved in the scheme from a young age. But, the Sinclair brothers never turned out bad from this, choosing to try and leave it all behind them. However, they weren’t trying to fix the damage done, only bury it in the past.

O Vincent and Bo go up against Nick and Carly, a final fight in the museum similar to the original movie, except this time, the brothers are able to push the siblings down into the basement as the museum begins to melt away. They watched from above as Nick and Carly scream, being devoured by boiling hot wax.

O Outside, a bloodied and exhausted Lester is dousing the town’s streets in gasoline.

CHAPTERS:

CH1 , CH2

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Madison and Sydney decided that some sightseeing would be good to pass the time, although Sydney did seem rather down that Lester wouldn’t be the one showing them around.

Bo suggested they check out Ambrose’s star attraction; the wax museum which the girls definitely seemed interested in. Although, Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the man.

There was something off about him… about this whole place…

He really wanted to voice his suspicions to the girls but he knew they would just say he’s overreacting. Again.

And yes, there was the added fact he was perfectly capable of protecting them from any threats.

But damn it! It was better to avoid danger than to walk right into it!

He stewed on his thoughts, Madison definitely taking notice, she and Sydney making their way over to the museum.

“Gabe… please stop,” she sighed.

“I didn’t say anything!”

Gabriel yelled, voice coming from Madison’s phone secured to her belt.

“Wha-? What’s wrong?” Sydney perked up.

“Oh nothing,” Madison shrugged her backpack up higher, “just our brother overreacting.”

“I am not ‘overreacting’! I’m being sensible. You two idiots are too trusting!”

“Gabe sweetie, calm down…” Sydney put a hand on Maddie’s head. She would have parted the hair in order to better see Gabriel but they were still out in the open.

“Listen,” Maddie tried to reason, “I know this whole situation can come off as sketchy, but stopping in this town wasn’t exactly a choice, remember?”

“Yeah,” Sydney agreed, tone gentle like a mother trying to settle an angry toddler, “and even if we wanted to leave right now, where’d we go? Our car’s busted and we’re…ya know…”

She lowered her voice.

“…on the run and all.”

Gabriel grumbled. He hated how right they were…

Sydney stood on her toes, throwing her arms around her siblings as she gave them a hug, making sure to rest the side of her head against Gabriel’s.

Gabriel huffed at the affection but didn’t protest.

“We just gotta believe that everything will turn out okay, Gabe,” Sydney assured him, letting go.

“Fine…” he relented, begrudgingly, “just keep my damn stuff close by…”

Madison patted her backpack. “In here, within reach,” she smirked, “better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Right?”

Gabriel would have smiled if he could, but no doubt Madison felt his amusement as her smile got wider.

The three of them continued walking, Sydney chattering away.

“Don’t worry Gabe, think of this as a chance to unwind for a change. I mean- with all our moving around, we barely have time to enjoy ourselves!”

“Since when exactly was life on the run supposed to be fun?” Gabriel deadpanned.

“It can be!” Sydney argued, tapping her chin, “what exactly would a bunch of criminals do for fun anyway?”

“Murder.”

Madison burst out laughing.

“…yeah, I walked right into that one.”

Walking up the stairs, they stood before the wax museum. It was certainly the most eye catching building in the whole small town. With its distinctive architecture and bold signage, it was practically the first thing they noticed when they arrived.

“Do you we just go in?” Maddie wondered aloud.

“This place…has an…odd scent to it…”

Sydney rested her hand against the wall. “Yeah, it does smell a bit funky- huh?” She turned to her hand, examining the wall under her fingertips.

“What’s wrong, Syd?” Madison asked, coming to stand beside her.

Sydney pulled her hand back, sniffing it before her brows shot up. “No way…” she put her hand back on the wall, “I think-… I think it’s made of wax!”

That surprised Gabriel, him examining the wall closer.

“What? The walls?” Madison also put her hand on the wall.

“Maddie, can you-?”

“Sure Gabe.”

Maddie allowed him control. Gabriel pressed their hand to the wall, scrapping their fingers and feeling the wax build up under their nails.

Gabriel was… honestly, intrigued.

Seeing as the coast was clear, he turned around, peeking through the locks of hair, seeing the building with his own two eyes.

“This is so not what I was expecting,” Sydney said.

“What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know, like- a couple of wax statues? But this is like-…well- this definitely is somethin’ else.”

“I wonder if the whole building’s made out of wax?” Maddie mused.

“If that’s the case, then this place should be an even bigger attraction.”

“How about we stop yapping and actually go inside?” Gabriel butted in impatiently.

“Okay, okay, fine-” Sydney froze, “wait a minute, since when did you care?”

Gabriel stayed silent.

It was then that both his sisters got an evil look in their eyes.

“Oh Gabe~” Maddie teased, “are you actually getting excited?”

“…shut up.”

Both sisters laughed, Sydney giving Gabriel a playful pinch on the cheek, to which he swatted her away before Maddie regained control, their little group entering into the museum.

The museum did look rather old, with a fine layer of dust covering the furniture and faded paint along the walls.

“Hello?” Maddie called out.

No response.

The sisters exchanged a look before they parted, taking in the many wax statues on display.

Light filtered in through the full length windows, casting the room in a shade of yellow. There were various furnishings and sculptures of people fixed in various poses. With no one around, Gabriel was allowed out, approaching two sculptures of a man and woman mid dance. He turned around, tilting his head as he examined them.

“They…look so real…”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it,” Maddie said.

Gabriel fingers raised, carefully caressing the face of the sculpted lady.

A shadow moved out the corner of his eye.

Gabriel spun around, searching wildly.

“Gabe? What’s wrong?”

“I-” Gabe blinked shaking his head, cascade of hair still covering his face, “nothing.”

Okay, maybe the girls were right. He was on edge and now being paranoid and imagining things. He really should take the opportunity and enjoy whatever fun comes his way. And honestly, this little detour was turning out to be more interesting than he’d anticipated.

“Gabe, look over there,” Maddie pointed out.

A dual, soft control was shared between them, Maddie leading them to a wall where framed newspapers were hung.

“‘Trudy Opens House of Wax,’ ‘Trudy’s Wax Carvings Are A Hit At The State Fair,’…” Maddie read the headlines out loud, squinting at the last one, “… ‘Trudy and Husband Expecting First Child’…”

“Well, I guess we know who runs the place,” Gabriel mused, maneuvering them backwards towards a table, the trinkets and knickknacks upon it catching his attention, with smaller carvings of inhuman creatures.

Gabriel picked up a mermaid sculpture, marveling at its slender body and its elongated tail, running their fingers over the carving.

Madison chuckled at his actions.

“You really like these things, huh?”

“It’s…” He hesitated, awkward and uncertain of how to express his feelings,“it’s just-… how can someone create something so…so…”

He struggled. Gabriel wasn’t really one for flowery words of compliments but then again he barely had a reason to use such words. He was always nihilistic. Nihilistic and inexperienced, in the world and in himself. He barely knew his own likes and dislikes. He barely knew himself.

But, there was no denying the fascination he felt at the art around him.

“How can… someone create something from nothing?”

As soon as he said it, Gabriel knew how stupid the question sounded. It was nowhere near what he was feeling.

But Madison didn’t judge, smiling. “Simple. You don’t,” She inclined her head slightly, “I’m no artist but I do know, art take’s a certain kind of passion, emotion. It can be anything really from joy, anger, sadness. It’s what you decide to make with it.”

Gabriel mused over her words, turning the sculpture over in their hands, noticing a name carved on its underside.

“Vincent…”

He whispered.

‘Who were you Vincent…?

What did you feel when you made these…?’

Suddenly, a scream was heard.

Sydney’s scream.

“FUCK!”/“FUCK!”

The May Twins simultaneously cussed, dashing to the sound.

They skidded to a halt into a model kitchen. There was Sydney, terrified and being held, knife to her throat, by a man.

The man was a good build, easily overpowering Sydney as she struggled in vain. He had long dark hair which flowed aggressively with his movements but the most distinct feature about him was the blank faced mask he wore.

The second the twins entered, the man snapped his head towards them, grunting.

He threw his knife at them. Time seemed to slow down as the blade sailed towards their head.

“MADDIE!”

Madison backflipped, the blade soaring by harmlessly, bones cracking and muscles twisting midair as she relinquished full control to Gabriel.

Gabriel landed on their feet, twisting around only to quickly dodge another knife aimed at them, scrambled and janky movements as he quickly ran and threw them over the display couch in the main area, taking cover.

“Shit! Where’s my stuff?!”

“Fuck! I left my bag at the door!”

“ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!”

“MADDIE!” Sydney screamed, desperately, her cries becoming fainter as she was being taken away to who knows where.

“FUCK IT! Just make a run for it!” Maddie screamed.

Gabriel readied himself before dashing out from behind the couch, jumping over furniture and heading to the entrance.

Sydney screamed and kicked as the man dragged her down a flight of stairs, descending into an ominous dark basement.

“LET ME GO YOU SON OF A-!”

A ‘SHING!’ sound was heard before the man grunted in pain, stumbling back and releasing his hold on her.

Sydney blinked, noticing a familiar gold blade embedded in the man’s shoulder.

A dark figure filled the entrance of the stairway, black coat flowing and dark hair framing a bloodied face.

A bloodied, absolutely pissed off face.

“GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER YOU PIECE OF SHIT!”

The masked man froze at the sight of Gabriel.

Sydney, smiling in relief, raced up the stairs and got behind him.

Casting a glance to make sure Sydney wasn’t hurt, Gabriel focused his full unfiltered rage on the masked attacker. He clenched their gloved fists, growling. From his vantage point at the top of the stairs, Gabriel looked down on the man like an insignificant insect.

The man seemed to steel his resolve, standing back to his full height, yanking Gabriel’s blade out and seeming to examine it, curiously in fact before tossing it to the ground.

Gabriel jumped, leaping across the rest of the steps, landing before the man in a crouched position.

The man jumped, staggering back and going on the defensive. From his hip holsters, he produced two daggers of his own, holding them at the ready as he watched Gabriel closely.

Gabriel tilted his head, noting how intricately designed the man’s weapons were. He lazily picked up his own dagger and stood, watching the man’s tense movements.

Gabriel chuckled, twirling the dagger around in their hand.

“What? Surprised by my pretty face?”

The man perked up at that before Gabriel lunged at him, blade aimed at his face.

The man immediately reacted, crossing his blades in an X and blocking Gabriel’s attack, kicking him back with a grunt.

Gabriel stumbled back, surprised.

“Huh…”

He threw another attack and another, the man deftly deflecting or dodging them and even came close to landing a hit on Gabriel a few times.

After another failed attack, the pair in a stalemate, Gabriel trying to shove his blade into the man’s throat while the man successfully held him back with his own two weapons.

Their faces were close, Gabriel deliberately getting into the man’s personal space to make him uncomfortable, blood from his face dripping and staining the white mask a stark red.

“Not bad…” Gabriel grunted, fighting to push the blade into the bastards windpipe, “you’re more capable than I gave you credit for asshole.”

This close, Gabriel could make out one eye through the mask, wide and staring at him.

“What are you staring at shitface?”

Gabriel growled, deciding to just say fuck it and headbutt the motherfucker.

A crack was heard, the man stumbling back and desperately trying to hold together his now shattered mask.

Gabriel took this opportunity to grab the man by the back of his sweater, another hand roughly grabbing fistfuls of hair, before he slammed the man’s head against the concrete wall.

The mask shattered completely, falling to the floor.

Gabriel growled, throwing the man down and jumping on him, blade raised and ready to put an end to this.

But he froze.

Looking back up at him, was a face scarred and deformed.

Like a breeze blowing out a candle, Gabriel’s rage vanished.

The left side of the man’s face was completely deformed, one eye clouded over, most likely blind, while the right side was completely unmarred.

The man stared up at Gabriel intensely, chest raising up and down as he panted, a scowl tightening his features.

Gabriel tilted his head, hand reaching out.

The man flinched, making Gabriel pause before moving slower.

His fingers delicately brushed over the scars.

At the soft touch, the man’s features softened, scowl vanishing as he too began to take in Gabriel’s features, not with fear or disgust but with genuine curiosity.

They stayed like that for a moment, Gabriel pinning him down, the man gazing up at him, them both taking in the sight of each other.

“Gabe! Are you okay?!” Sydney yelled from above.

The sound of her voice jolted Gabriel back to his senses, scrambling off of the man and backing away but never once taking his gaze off him.

The man too hurried to his feet, taking cautious steps back as he stared Gabriel down, eye narrowed.

The both of them gazed at each other, tense, waiting for the other to make the next move.

After what felt like an eternity, Gabriel finally spoke.

“Who are you…?”

The man didn’t respond, grabbing his discarded weapons and fleeing down the tunnels. Although, as he ran, he cast a look over his shoulder. What expression he wore, what he felt about the encounter, Gabriel couldn’t tell, too far to read.

Gabriel stayed there, not going after him.

CHAPTERS:

CH1 , CH3

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Driving up through the old town, Madison admired little old Ambrose. The quaint setting reminded her a lot of the rural areas where she and Sydney grew up, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With this remote location, she didn’t feel as anxious about being recognized.

Throughout the rest of the car ride, Lester and Sydney had been happily chatting away. Madison smiled, especially noticing how Sydney blushed at Lester’s corny jokes.

However, the closer they got to town, the more Lester’s easygoing demeanor faded.

The truck came to a rickety stop beside a gas station.

“Well, thanks a bunch Lester,” Sydney said, beaming at him.

Lester’s grip tightened on the wheel. “Y-yeah…don’t mention it…” he turned to them, “l-listen, if ya want…I can just tow yar’ truck on’ down here. Save’s ya girls the trouble and all…ya can wait back where I found ya at…”

Madison felt an odd pit in her stomach.

Sydney frowned. “Lester… we’re already here though. We may as well have a look around,” she smiled softly, “I kinda wanna see your hometown.”

Lester’s ears went red.

Just then, Madison’s phone began to screech violently, everyone jumping at the ear splitting pitch.

“S-sorry!” Madison exclaimed, fumbling with her phone, casting a look Sydney’s way.

She put the phone to her ear, Gabriel’s voice rasped and static…

“Get out of the car…”

“What-? Gab-”

“Something doesn’t feel right. Get. Out. Now.”

Madison didn’t know what to think, her fight or flight instincts kicking up. Or was that feeling coming from Gabriel…?

Before she could even react, a hand slammed down by her window.

Madison yelped.

A man came into view, smiling beneath his cap. “Well’s… you must be the fine pair of ladies Lester called ahead about,” he spoke, his southern accent thick and suave, “I’m Bo, the one he told ya’ about.

He offered his hand to shake.

Madison hesitantly shook it. “Emily, nice to meet you.”

Bo tapped his hands on the car window. “Heard you were havin’ some car troubles up the road?” He opened Madison’s door for her.

“Uh…y-yeah…”

As Madison hopped out from the truck, she got a good look at Bo. He was tall, strong features, chiseled chin, curly tuffs of hair peeking out from underneath his cap and an all around charming smile.

Overall, he was very attractive, in spite of the grease stained mechanic suit he wore.

But something about how he carried himself, how he spoke, how he smiled, egocentric, domineering… reminded her of another monster from her past…

Gabriel watched through Madison’s eyes. He too felt an odd familiarity. He didn’t know this man, if they’d met him in the past, they’d remember.

It was than that Gabriel recalled a similar man…the first face he saw after waking up for the first time in 20 years…

A man that dared put a hand on his sister and whom became Gabriel’s first kill in his rampage.

Drawing connections, Gabriel already didn’t like Bo, making his disdain known by growling, Maddie’s phone and the truck’s radio blaring with jumbled static.

Madison jumped, reaching to the back of her head and desperately shushing them.

Bo furrowed his brow, looking over into the truck. “Hey Lester! Somethin’ wrong with ya radio there?”

Lester was in the middle of helping Sydney out from the driver’s side.

As the static blared, Lester moved to hear Bo. Sydney, who’d been using him as support to get down, yelped when the movement caused her to lose her footing, falling forward and causing both her and Lester to go tumbling down into the gravel.

Lester groaned looking up to find Sydney sprawled on top of him.

“Uh…” He went red and so did Sydney once she realized the position they were in.

A wolf whistle was heard, making them both turn to see a smirking Bo.

“Well, Lester, when’s ya get a little lady on the side?” He teased.

The two of them immediately scrambled up, apologizing and giving excuses, faces red and burning.

Madison was still desperately trying to get Gabriel to calm down.

“Gabe, CALM DOWN!” She hissed into her phone, feeling his emotions flare up.

“Something’s not right!”

“Gabriel, please, we can’t just start acting out. They haven’t even done anything.”

“Yet…”

Gabriel added with cynicism.

“Gabriel…” Madison sighed, a hand to her forehead, “Gabriel, I’m not gonna say your worries are unjustified. I’m worried too…”

“The filthy one, he’s acting suspicious and his brother…I don’t like him…he’s too much like… like…”

Madison flinched at the reminder.

“Sorry…”

“No…” She reached a hand to the back of her head, “I noticed too… but I’m not afraid. I’m stronger now…”

She smiled softly.

“…and I have you.”

Madison truly meant it. She felt safer and secure knowing that Gabriel was there, assured that no matter what happened that he would protect them. Her affectionate feelings travelled over to Gabriel.

A purring buzz came over the phone. Madison couldn’t help but laugh. “Gabe! Are you purring?”

“…shut up…”

She laughed even harder.

“Talkin’ to a boyfriend?”

Madison gasped, spinning around. Bo leaned against the truck, arms folded and one leg overlapping the other, a lazy smile on his face.

Madison felt her face warm.

“Uh…no…” she waved her phone, “just my brother…”

Bo inclined his head, arching a brow. “The two of ya must be pretty close huh?”

“Oh… you have no idea.”

Madison had to bite her bottom lip to keep the shit eating grin off her face.

Bo pushed off the truck. “Well, you and your sister can go have a look around the town. Town’s a little quiet at the moment, all other folks are attending a funeral down at the church. I suggest not disturbin’ em. I’ll have Lester head on back down the road and tow ya car in.”

Madison nodded. “Thank you…”

Sydney came stumbling into view.

“Oh Sydney, where have you-?”

Sydney, red faced, stumbled over and buried her face in Madison’s chest.

“Wha-?! Sydney?!”

“Kill me now…” Came Sydney’s muffled reply.

Madison furrowed her brows. “What…?”

Bo chuckled, getting Madison’s attention.

“Seems’ ya sister and mah’ baby brother ended up gettin’ real nice and acquainted with each other.”

Madison’s brows shot up. “What? Sydney-?!”

“It was an accideeeent…” Sydney whined, still hiding her face from view.

A fierce anger and protectiveness spurred from Gabriel’s end.

“WHAT-?!”

Gabriel’s voice screeched from the phone.

Both sisters jumped, immediately shushing him, sending panicked glances Bo’s way.

Bo rose a brow.

Madison nervously chuckled. “Ah heh… guess I didn’t end the call when I thought I did…”

She immediately shoved the phone into Sydney’s hands. “Explain, to our brother what happened young lady. You know how he gets…” she ordered, trying to play it off.

Sydney raised the phone to her ear, raising a brow. “Gabe? Since when were you concerned about my love life?”

A moment of silence passed, Sydney beginning to grin like the Cheshire Cat.

“Aww! Is my big brother Gabby being overprotective?… oh you so are! Don’t deny it, ya big softie! And no I will not drop the nickname!”

Bo chuckled in amusement at the sight.

Madison let out a sigh of relief. He seems to have bought it. Then again, what else could he have expected in this situation? What are the odds someone’s going to suspect you for hiding your conjoined twin?

Bo turned to her, giving her a smile. “Seems ya brother’s a bit overprotective.”

Madison shrugged. “Would you believe it if I told you Gabriel didn’t really like her at first?”

“Not too surprisin’ ,” Bo stuffed his hands in his pockets, “most siblings don’t like it when a new one comes along, ends up stealin’ all the attention.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s a bit more complicated with Gabe and I…”

“Oh yeah? How come?”

“Well, the two of us, Gabriel and I are…twins…it’s-…It’s… a long story…”

Bo looked particularly interested at that.

“Hey…” he shook his head, “we got time, gonna be a while fore’ Lester finishes towin’ ya car in. Wanna have a drink? I got beers in the garage.”

Madison meekly smiled. “I’m… not much of an alcohol person…”

“I got colas, too?” Bo offered without even passing judgement.

Madison blinked, smiling awkwardly . “Oh… okay then…”

The two of them headed into the gas station, Lester passing them to talk to Sydney. Apparently, Lester’s arrival caused Gabriel to go into a tirade of threats, his voice blaring from the phone as he told Lester to keep his filthy hands off of his sister, and offering very graphic descriptions of where he will put those hands if Lester does not heed said warnings.

Bo opened a small cooler in the corner, passing an ice cold cola to Madison. Honestly, with the sweltering heat, a cola had never seemed more tantalizing. Madison did inspect the bottle though, still suspicious, but didn’t find it to be tampered with in any way, the cap sealed tight and good.

Before Bo could even so much as offer a bottle opener, he gawked as Madison effortlessly opened the cap with her bare hands.

“Well damn… I was not expectin’ that…” he pulled out a drink of his own, leaning against the counter as he opened it. “ya sure got a strong arm on ya, little lady.”

“Oh yeah, it… runs in the family,” she shrugged, taking a long deep and soul refreshing gulp.

Bo watched her intently as she drank.

“That hit the spot…” she sighed, “how much do I owe you for the drink?”

“Nothing, it’s on the house. But ya can pay me with a story. Mind tellin’ me about the whole situation with your brother?”

“Uh…well…” Maddie really had to choose her words carefully.

“Syd- I mean-…Sunny, she’s not our biological sister. Gabriel and I are orphans, our mum gave us up when we were still a baby.”

Bo looked down into his drink, particularly scowling at that. “Sounds like a real piece of work your mother…” he huffed, going to take a sip.

Maddie glared at him. “It wasn’t her fault, she had no say. She was just a child.”

Bo choked on his drink.

“Are you okay?!”

“Fine-!” He coughed, clearing his throat, “s-sorry…”

Madison gave a sad smile.

“It’s okay, you didn’t know…”

She looked down at her own bottle as well. As she told the story, Madison could feel Gabriel’s presence slink in, no longer preoccupied with the others outside.

She took a deep breath, whispering. “It’s going to be okay…”

Bo tilted his head. “What’d you say?”

“Oh uh- sorry. Still um…bit of a rough topic to talk about, especially for my brother…”

“Well, he ain’t here right now ain’t he?” Bo took a swig from his drink.

‘Oh if only you knew…’

Gabriel grew smug and Madison smiled to herself.

“Let’s just say… um…the two of us-… kinda…disconnected? As kids?” That was the best way she could phrase it to Bo.

Bo furrowed his brows, looking up her from under hooded eyelids, gaze calculating.

“Why’d ya do that? Ain’t twins supposed tah’ stick together? Ride or die as they say?”

Madison shook her head. “We didn’t have a choice in the matter…”

Bo nodded, seeming satisfied with that response. “But the two’s of ya seem pretty close now, from what I’ve heard. Ya said he ain’t like the little blondie outside much? The one currently chatting’ up mah’ baby brother?”

Madison snorted. “S- Sunny’s real friendly like that. As for Gabriel um-… well-…let’s just say my new family adopted ME but not HIM.” She intentionally emphasized the words.

A wave of hurt and loneliness drifted in from Gabriel’s side. Madison found herself unconsciously reaching back to comfort him.

“I guess-… with a new family and a new sibling, Gabriel…um-… he must felt like… like I had abandoned and replaced him…”

“So, while you were livin’ every orphan’s dream, where’d ya brother go off to?” Bo asked curiously.

“Well- Gabriel’s always been around? Just-…just not- ugh…” she rubbed a hand over her face.

Gabriel’s emotions and hers became jumbled and confused during the conversation, neither knowing which feelings belonged to who.

“Sorry, it’s just a lot and-… it’s-… honestly it…it turned into quite a big fucking mess when both of us reconnected. Recently actually!”

Bo leaned in, brow raised. “What type of mess?”

Maddie smiled weakly. “Like…blood being spilled type of mess?”

Bo blinked looking down at the floor.

Madison shook her head vigorously.

“Sorry, you must think we’re a real cheery pair…”

Madison’s fingers dug underneath her hair, Gabriel nuzzling into her palm.

Bo tapped his finger on the bottle contemplating, before looking back up.

“Nah, I get it. I got into my fair shares of fights with mah’ brother. When I tell’s ya, the two’s of us could get into some real nasty fist fights. Hell, couple of times, back when’s we was teens, both of us had to be rushed to the emergency room. Our momma just screamin’ at us. Mostly at me,” he chuckled wryly.

Madison tilted her head, confused. “Who? You and Lester? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a bit… eccentric. But my sister’s got a good eye for people. And well… he seems like such a sweeyheart…”

Bo chuckled, shaking his head. “No, no, Lester’s third in our family. Talkin’ about mah’ other brother, the two’s of us…well, let’s just say; we’re closer in age. Sometimes the bastard can really get on mah’ nerves,” he sighed exasperated, “…but all the same, I can’t just leave em’.”

He twirled the almost empty bottle in his hand. “Funny thing’ ain’t it? Family. They can do the most fucked up shit and yet we’re willin’ tah’ forgive and protect cuz’ of the blood we share? Blood is thicker than water and all that shit...”

Bo finished off the last of his drink.

Madison tilted her head. “That’s incorrect.”

“What’d you say?”

“That saying? ‘Blood is thicker than water’? It’s actually a cut out piece from the full phrase, which is; ‘The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.’ Basically, the bonds you make through life are supposed to be stronger than the family bonds you have,” Madison smiled to herself, “although, I only partially agree with that phrase.”

Bo smiled at her.

It was small, and for a moment, it seemed like the most sincere smile he gave her since they started talking.

“Huh… well, ain’t you a well educated little lady.”

Madison felt her cheeks become warm.

Bo pushed off the counter. “So… where exactly is this Gabriel? Does he know where ya at?”

“Oh he’s… around.” Madison brought the bottle to her lips.

‘Way closer than you think…’

“What about you? Will I get to meet this mysterious second brother while I’m in town?”

Bo smirked. “Oh ya know, he’s…around.”

Madison narrowed her eyes, smiling.

Bo looked out the window, seeing Lester still chatting away with Sydney, the younger Sinclair now showing off his Bowie knife as he twirled it around.

Bo rolled his eyes, heading to the door. “I better get that lazy ass to start doin’ his job instead of wastin’ time chit chattin’.”

Madison watched him go, raising a brow. “Isn’t that exactly what we’re doing?”

Bo was halfway out the door, leaning back in, grinning. “Hey, us wastin’ time had a point to it.”

“Which was?!” Madison called after him but he was already out the door.

“Hey idiot! Quite playin’ lover boy and git’ to work!”

Madison smiled wistfully.

A radio on the shelf blared to life, Gabriel’s voice speaking through.

“Don’t tell me you actually like that asshole…”

She rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t… but he was nice to talk to…”

She did find Bo incredibly attractive but Madison didn’t think she was ready for romance, especially after everything she’d been through.

Sydney ducked into the gas station, Madison noticing how behind her Bo and Lester seemed to be having a private conversation.

“Ugh! Cockblocked by another big brother and- HEY! You’re hoarding sodas? Gimme!” Sydney exclaimed, diving forward.

Madison smirked, allowing Gabriel control.

Gabriel with deft movements, swiped the bottle out of Sydney’s reach, shoving her back.

“Cockblocked? What I did was for your own good brat,” Gabriel chuckled, voice still coming from the radio.

Sydney jumped and grabbed in futile, scowling. “Gabriel, you embarrassed me and went totally overboard with the threats!”

“I only threatened him an adequate amount…”

“You said, and I quote; ‘Put a hand on her and I will shove your teeth so far down your throat you’ll have to stick your toothbrush up your ass to clean them’! Like, what the shit?! Who even says stuff like that?”

Madison laughed, watching the two bicker with each other.

Outside, Bo and Lester finished their talk.

Lester, gave one last guilty look Sydney’s way before hopping in his truck and driving away.

Bo turned his attention back to the station, watching the girls laugh and fool around inside.

He supposed maybe he could keep the girls around for awhile, especially keep around the blondie for Lester since his brother had clearly gotten too attached to their prey. Then again, Bo had to admit he got a little attached himself.

This Emily character was entertaining, a good conversationalist and overall a real cutie.

It’ll be a shame once they kill them but the brothers couldn’t just spare every pretty face that came by.

Bo took out his phone, calling a number.

“Hey Vince, ya got company comin’ your way…”

———————————

CHAPTERS:

CH2 , CH3

——————————————

Madison sighed, leaned over the opened hood of her car and inspecting the smoking engine.

“There’s no fixing that…” Gabriel’s voice buzzed from her phone sat beside her.

“Not now Gabriel…” she muttered, leaning over to get a closer look.

“You should have pulled over an hour ago when I told you.”

“And since when were you the car expert?”

“It doesn’t take a genius to hear that engine begging to be put out of its misery…”

Madison groaned, slamming her head against the hood.

“…ow”

“Sorry…” she rubbed her forehead and by proxy the back of Gabriel’s head.

“Come on, Gabe,” Sydney spoke up, stepping out of the car with a bottle of water, “it’s not like we could have just stopped, we’re in the middle of nowhere.”

That’s true, stopping your car in the middle of nowhere is one thing. Stopping it in the middle of nowhere when you were a bunch of wanted criminals was another.

It had been several months since Gabriel’s awakening and the ensuing bloodbath that followed as they took revenge on those who wronged them and cut down anyone who stood in their way.

Madison had regained her control over them, stopping their rampage, about to seal them away once again. But her twin, practically wailed in fear at the thought of being trapped in the darkness again, cold and alone.

Madison couldn’t find it within her to hate them despite everything they had done. They were still their sibling, their twin and literally a part of them. Gabriel didn’t ask to be born this way and they certainly didn’t ask to be mutilated and cut up like a tumor. So, here they were, on the run, sticking to the remote country roads where no one would find or recognize them.

Madison told Sydney she didn’t have to come along, that this blood was not on her hands. She could continue to live a normal life. But Sydney refused, insisting on coming with them. It was actually Sydney that formulated their plan for life on the run; picking the remote routes to take, getting them burner phones even pulling all nighters to drive them across state lines.

As much as Madison didn’t want Sydney sacrificing her future for their sake, she couldn’t deny the help Sydney’s been.

Sydney turned up, hand to shielding her eyes from the blazing sun.

“We probably picked a bad time to drive through these parts though.”

Indeed, the Louisiana heat was unforgiving in the summer. Madison had changed into a black tank top and tied her hair into a bun, as no doubt the heat would be getting to Gabriel as well.

As Madison went back to looking over the engine in vain, Gabriel eyed Sydney chugging down her water, the blonde taking notice.

“What’s up Gabe?”

“Give me some of that,” they ordered bluntly.

But Sydney took no offense. “Oh I’m sorry Gabe, you thirsty?”

She went and retrieved a straw from their things, coming back and delicately pushing away the strands of hair in order to allow Gabriel to drink from the bottle.

That was another new development, Sydney overly doting over Gabriel. Despite everything, and especially despite them trying to kill her, Sydney still tried to make an effort for them. Madison didn’t know what Gabriel felt about the constant coddling but they hadn’t voiced complaints, and for Gabriel that’s saying a lot. Gabriel didn’t sugarcoat things, if they had an opinion, they’d say it. They were about as blunt a rock being bashed against your head.

After Gabriel had finished drinking, Madison slammed the hood with a defeated sigh. “Welp… we’re not going anywhere…”

“We’re especially not going anywhere in the middle of nowhere…”

Sydney sighed, closing the cap on the bottle. “According to the map, the next town is still 5 miles away. And I specifically picked this route because it’s the most remote and longest, meaning most people will definitely not drive down this way.”

“So what? Do you expect us to start walking?”

“Oh please, like you’re gonna be doing any work,” Sydney smirked, lightly jabbing Gabriel.

Gabriel let out an annoyed grumble, making Madison chuckle.

“Okay you two, settle down,” she crossed her arms, “we still have a lot of food and water packed with us. We could camp here for, give or take a couple of days, see if any cars drive by during that time.”

“And when no cars pass by? Then what?”

Madison smirked. “Then you can start pulling your weight and start walking.”

Sydney laughed as Gabriel caused the static to kick up and screech from the phone, clearly annoyed.

“I will walk us both into traffic!”

“Sure you will,” Sydney giggled, patting Gabriel’s forehead.

“Don’t chastise me brat!”

Madison shook her head, smiling to herself as her siblings bickered behind her.

It was then, she heard something.

“Hey guys…” she called, getting their attention, “can you hear a-?”

“An engine!” Sydney exclaimed, dashing to the other side of the car.

Sure enough, driving down the highway road, approaching them at a leisurely pace, was a beat up old truck.

“Looks like we didn’t have to wait long at all!”

Madison jogged over to Sydney, grabbing her phone and apologizing to Gabriel as she had to let down her hair in order to hide them.

The girls wasted no them flagging the truck down, the car pulling up beside theirs.

Out of the driver’s side popped a scruffy, filthy looking man, eyeing the girls over with a toothy grin.

“Well I’ll be, what’s two purdy ladies like you’s doin’ out in a place like this?” He asked, his southern accent heavy.

Sydney stepped forward, always the more social one. “Hi, uh- sorry… we’re having car trouble, the damn piece of junk broke down on us. Can you give us a ride? We have money, we’ll pay you for your troubles.”

The man tipped his cap. “Hey, it’s no worries, my brother, Bo, he got a mechanic shop in town. He can get ya fixed right up.”

“Really? Are you sure it’s no trouble?”

“Eyy it’s no problem, just headin’ down that ways myself,” he waved his hand dismissively, scratching the back of his head.

Sydney smiled. “Thank you so much, you’re a real life saver!” She was about to turn, “oh wait-… I uh- didn’t get your name?”

The man grinned, a wide toothy smile. “The name’s Lester little lady.”

Sydney gave a soft smile, nodding. “Nice to meet you, Lester.”

Just as Sydney was about to run off to grab her things, Madison caught her arm. “Wait Sydney…” she lowered her voice, “are we just going to hop on a car with this guy? He seems a bit… shady.”

Sydney frowned. “Maddie we don’t have a lot of options right now, and also it’s not nice to judge someone based off appearances. Besides…” she nudged Madison playfully, “I’m not scared, I got my 2 in 1 guard dog with me.”

“You’re delusional if you think I’ll be bothered saving your ass,” Gabriel muttered, voice low so as to not be heard by the truck driver.

Sydney ran off, calling over her shoulder; “You know you love me!”

Madison shook her head, smiling as she followed after her sister.

As Madison leaned into the passenger seat, collecting her things into her backpack, Gabriel’s voice buzzed over the phone.

“Get my dagger…”

Madison blinked. “What…?”

“I have a bad feeling. Just take it. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

Madison didn’t think long on it, since she too had a bad feeling. Opening the glove compartment, out fell Gabriel’ signature dagger, make-shifted from the trophy Dr Weaver earned from the research and suffering subjected onto them.

She quickly shoved the weapon into her bag.

In no time, they were piling into the truck. Sydney hopped in first but Madison hesitated upon seeing the interior of the truck. It was as worn down and rusted as the rest of it, with various suspicious looking stains, torn seat cushions, strings of bones, shells and feathers hanging from the dashboard and if the smell outside was bad, the inside was another story. Imagine a bunch of animals squeezing into a clown car and dying at once, that was the best way to describe it.

Sydney was well aware but being the ever polite and friendly one, she made a face Madison’s way, a face that said; ‘Yes, I know just please bare with me and don’t make a big deal out of it.’

Madison sighed, hauling herself up. She could practically feel Gabriel squirming in the back of her head. Even they were bothered by the smell.

The truck then took off, driving down the road.

“I gave you’s mah’ name, but I don’t thinks I got yours…?” Lester asked nonchalantly, trying to start conversation.

“Oh uh…” Sydney and Madison exchanged a look. They couldn’t give their real names they were in hiding after all.

“You can call me…Sunny, and this…uh…is my sister…Emily!”

Madison felt a wave of smugness from Gabriel and she had to cover her mouth to hide her smile.

“So, what you ladies doin’ around these parts?”

“Oh,” Sydney perked up, “ya know, just a road trip with us gals, driving around parts of the country unexplored. Really, though, we were real lucky when you drove down this way. I thought this whole route was remote and empty.”

Lester grinned over at her, posture relaxed, one arm on the steering wheel and the other resting on the window. “Ain’t no luck about it, I work around these here parts.”

“Oh? What’s your job?” Sydney asked, genuinely interested.

Lester stuck a thumb over his shoulder. “That’ back there.”

The girls turned and Madison felt like she was gonna throw up. So that’s where that smell was coming from.

In the back of the truck was a rotting deer carcass.

Madison slapped a hand over her mouth, her face going pale, nausea traveling over to Gabriel who, with all the commotion and out of curiosity, peeked through her tresses of hair and saw what had upset her. Lo and behold, both May twins became nauseous.

“Maddie, are you okay?” Sydney asked, concerned.

“No-…they-…I-!” She aggressively pointed to the back of her head then to her mouth.

Sydney quickly rummaged in her bag while Lester looked on, confused and a bit concerned. “Ya’r sister doin’ okay there?”

“Yeah! Just-… a weak stomach!” Sydney carelessly dumped the contents of her toiletry bag, handing the empty item to Madison who wasted no time emptying out the contents of her stomach into it.

Gabriel didn’t really need to eat, sustaining themself on whatever nutrients Madison took in. Sadly, that also applies to expelling nutrients.

Madison could feel the waves of guilt wash over from Gabriel’s side at putting her through this.

Sydney rubbed her back, surreptitiously patting the back of her head as well to give Gabriel comfort.

Lester furrowed his brow at them, pulling over by the side of the road but when Madison went to open the door, she found there was no handle.

“Sorry, thin’ fell off a while ago. Here, lemme get that for ya’…” he hopped out of the truck, walking to the other side and opening it for them.

Madison practically leaped from the car, gaining distance in order to communicate with Gabriel without rousing suspicion. She hunched over, gasping and wheezing. “Gabriel… what the hell? Of all things, I didn’t expect you to be phased by rotting animals…”

“I don’t kill animals…” Gabriel huffed, “they’re better than people anyway…”

“…

you got me there…”

Sydney hopped out of the car, sheepishly looking over at Lester who stood by with his hands in his jacket pockets. “I’m so sorry about all the trouble…”

“Ain’t nothin’ to worry about missy’,” he waved her off, “seems like yu’r sister can’t handle a little bit of roadkill.”

Sydney perked up. “Roadkill…? You mean… you didn’t kill it?”

Lester let out a laugh, shaking his head. “No! Whatchu’ take me for? That right there’s mah job, I go around collecting roadkill offa’ the roads.”

“Huh…” Sydney looked down, “I didn’t realize that was a job…how long you been doing it for?”

Lester seemed taken aback by the genuine interest in his work. “Well uh…” he cleared his throat, “picked it up while back when’s I was still a teen. Ya don’t need no special trainin’ to be doin’ the work. Money was tight around the home so I’d figured I pull mah’ weight around and help out likes mah’ brothers .”

Sydney frowned. “And you’ve just been doing it ever since?”

“Well… mah’ brothers still be livin’ in our hometown and I cant’s just leave em’. They… still need mah’ help…” he trailed off.

There was a distant look in Lester’s eyes.

Sydney frowned, reaching over and setting a hand on Lester’s shoulder.

Lester jumped at the contact, not expecting it, looking at her with wide eyes.

Sydney smiled, eyes soft and caring. “I think it’s sweet you want to stick around for your brothers.”

Lester’s face went red, quickly turning away and clearing his throat. “W-well- thank’s you very much!”

Sydney recoiled back, her own face turning red at realizing how close she’d gotten to him.

“Uh…you just work by yourself-? Y-your job I mean!” She stuttered , trying to change the subject.

Lester immediately nodded, suddenly too shy to make eye contact with her. “Y-yeah! Just long hours patrolin’ the roads around these parts…” he scratched at his neck.

Sydney chuckled awkwardly. “And I thought I had it rough with my job…”

“O-oh? What d’ya do?”

Sydney’s face got even redder, shaking her head. “It’s-…it’s really stupid really…”

Lester finally looked back over to her, giving a goofy grin. “Ey no worries, I ain’t one tah’ judge.”

Sydney gave an embarrassed smile.

“I…dress up as a princess…and go to kids birthday parties…”

Lester stared at her long and hard before he burst out laughing.

Sydney looked offended, swatting at him playfully. “Hey! You said you wouldn’t judge!”

“Sorry! Sorry!” Lester wiped a tear from his eye, snorting, “that just ain’t what I was expectin’ at all…”

Sydney crossed her arms, pouting.

As Lester settled down from his laughing fit, he grinned her way. “I wouldn’t mind seein’ ya all dolled up, little princess…”

She perked up, turning to him with wide eyes and a blushing face.

Lester realized what he had said, becoming awkward as he tried to back step. “I-I mean-! I think you’d look real nice-! …B-b-bein’ a princess and all!”

“Uh…th-thanks…” Sydney was finding it really hard to make eye contact right now.

“A-anyways! Ya shud’ probably go check on ya’r sister over there!” Lester was literally pulling his cap over his burning face by this point.

Sydney nodded dumbly. “Y-yeah! Right! I should do that!”

As Sydney ran off to Madison’s hunched over form, putting a hand on their back and checking on them, Lester watched the girls from a distance.

None of them noticed the guilty look in his eye…

——————————