The Bond We Share

Chapter 1

This is a rewrite of an old fic known on AO3 as "Our Bond" followed by the series of oneshots called "Missing Pages". Some people on this website may recognize it under a different name (because someone stole it months ago). This is a complete overhaul of the stories.

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Everything seemed to happen so quickly - almost like some sort of dream. Rachel had been broken free from the psyche ward, thanks to the serial killer - and her companion, Isaac Foster. It was a brief and tearful reunion, yet there was not enough time to catch up on old times. Ray eagerly leaped into Zack's arms as the man carried her far away from the mental facility. Just before a squad of police could arrive.

The two disappeared through the wilderness isolating the facility, making their tracks much for difficult for the authorities to catch up behind them. From there, they stumbled upon a large meadow of flowers. The two traversed through the sea of white petals under the light of the full moon. It brought the fugitives a sense of calm amidst the growing chaos. They're both finally getting that absolute taste of freedom. Ray especially felt this, along with a sense of belonging alongside Zack, a sense of being wanted, and for that, she was grateful. They're relieved to be together again, with no more crazy building to survive through. The next challenge for them has just started.

The oath was never forgotten, it will never be forgotten. This was a sacred pact between Rachel and Zack that forged their strange bond in the first place.

'That killer is to be executed...'

The psychiatrist's words echoed.

The world around Rachel turned black, she's confused and scared, and has no idea where she is. Just a moment ago, she was with Zack, feeling overwhelmed with so many emotions, as she escaped with him to wherever he lead her.

Now, there was nothing. Only a vast emptiness that surrounded her.

Soon, she can see a figure slowly walking onward.

It was Zack, bound in prison chains, as he walked down a seamlessly endless hall. He had a hollow and defeated look on his face, while he slowly shuffled on, only to disappear into the unending, abyssal darkness - to his fated execution.

"Zack!" Ray called out.

No reply.

The darkness around her began to change, she can see the familiar floor of the dreaded room she once inhabited. She was back at the mental facility, she was back in her room, she was no longer with Zack. Panic filled Rachel, a pit formed within her stomach, as she felt trapped and alone. She wants to call out for Zack again, she doesn't want to be alone, Rachel cannot bear the stress of another separation. Ray tries her best to scream out the bandaged man's name, but no sound escaped her lips.

She's imprisoned in this isolated hell once again. Back to sleepless nights. Back to numbness. Back to feeling the heavy weight of bearing the oath alone.

Rachel's eyes shot open, inhaling a sharp breath as she sat up. She's feeling a cold sweat within her body, while her eyes frantically scanned the entire environment she was in. It's not her hospital room, it's somewhere else. The scent of the room she's in is musty, the bed she lied on is very stiff, and the blankets at her hips were thin with a couple tears in the fabric. Ray's in a motel room. Now, she's recollecting where she was. She did escape with Isaac, and ran away with him to safety, before the manhunt began in full force. Zack had to restrain his killer nature to avoid suspicion, and knocked out the nearest person who came across his path. They needed money for a temporary place to hide out in. Motels were cheap, never asked any questions, and Zack knew this. He's seen tons of shady people book plenty of rooms for god knows what they had in mind - either to ride some sort of high, or to spend a few hours with "company". In this case, Zack just needed a place for the both of them to rest.