<strong>Cody<br/><br/>Basement</strong><br/><br/>The handcuffs that he'd been forced to put on himself chaffed against Cody's wrists, pulling at the hair with sharp little pricks. It seemed strange how such a small thing and relatively tiny amount of pain and discomfort would draw his attention, particularly as he was forced down the stairs into the basement with the rest of his family.<br/><br/>He should do something. With dad gone out of the house, he was the man of the home. His sisters, his mother, all bound and scared - he could smell the fear on them, and with good reason. And yet, Cody was the only one ungagged, and he had... nothing to say. His mouth was dry with fear, and his palms sweat, and he stumbled when he hit the bottom of the stairs, bumping into Tess again. The feel of her before had been... distracting.<br/><br/>One of the criminals must've noticed his distraction, for he commented on it, making Cody's face flush even more. "N-no," he stammered, denying that his sisters could have that effect on him at all. Ever. They were family - that was... wrong. "Please sir, don't hurt us. Them. We won't be fighting you."