Chapter 20

Sunday, evening.

I open my eyes and I'm hung up. The room is dark. Warm. Their bondage basement. I remember everything again, as a new wave of hopelessness bathes me. Her words, the conversation, it rushes me, and I have nothing to counter. Nothing to build resistance left.

My arms are past numb. Shoulders, arms screaming at the joints. My back hurts all over. Literally, paralyzing pain. Just slight movements send pain shivers down my back. I have a black right eye, distorting my sight. My face feels grotesque, disfigured.

Time doesn't exist in this world. I have no clue what day it is. How long I've been strung up. When it will eventually end. 

I immediately remember the blonde punching me, hard. Didn't think my face was that soft.

My head hurts, I'm dehydrated. In front of me sets a glass of water on a wooden table, magically lit up by the day's light creeping in from a window.

"Are you kidding me?" I whisper to myself.

I drop my head in exhaustion. My mind keeps repeating, how much more? How much more do I have to take? My eyes are heavy, and I fight to stay awake.

Above I hear the metal click of a lock, and the door slowly squeaks open. Steps creak one by one, as heels click towards me.

I whimper slightly and look up, expecting more pain. 

The brunette stands, wearing some red summer dress, white spots. Her face barely covered by a white mask I've never seen, possibly lace. Suntan pantyhose shine in the dim light. Red heels. Her hair is perfect, nothing out of place. She dons white plastic flowers in her hair. She holds her hands in an air of entitlement, donning white lace gloves. Some expensive looking white leather purse in the crook of her arm. 

"Awww, poor baby...Are you thirsty?"

The glass of water is to my chapped, cracked lips. The water stings and my head jerks back, unsure to trust her. I wait a moment, reluctant to make eye contact.

"Aww!"

Her hands go to my chin, turning my black eye towards her. I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to see her face mocking me.

"What did she do to that pretty face?" She whispers to herself.

My eye slowly opens, and we connect. I see her face react with pity under her mask, and she gently touches the swollen skin.

"Does...it hurt?"

"I'm fine." I say robotically.

"What did you do this time?" She asks, still studying the bruised and swollen skin.

"I...fell down some stairs." I say without emotion.

She smiles, then hushes me with a finger to my lips. Bringing the water back to my lips, I clumsily choke down the entire glass. Her eyes study me, holding the glass to my lips.

Her face slowly grows concerned before asking, "When was the last time you drank?"

I think, yesterday. 

I answer, "I...I don't...know."

Her face reacts in shock, and she immediately sets the glass down, and retrieves a key from her bra. My head hangs, and I watch her lower body as she unlocks me. My left arm is free, and I fall into her. She catches me with ease. I look surprised, then pain shoots from my right shoulder.

Grimacing, she requests nicely, "Stand with everything, if you can."

I groan out of pain, but try to stand on legs that have no strength. Feels like day old jello. I'm even slightly embarrassed, being held by her, unable to stand.

My right arm is freed, and I'm getting carried over to the bed and set down, then I'm laid down.

She disappears for a couple of minutes.

I'm completely immobile. My arms and legs are so sore, I don't even try to resist or move. I know the blonde is watching on some hidden cameras. My left eye looks around, as my body reacts to finally being freed. Pain in my joints; shooting down my back, cramping in my legs cause me groan out in pain.

She returns, and sets down next to me. All prim and proper, back into character, she holds a bag of ice to my eye.

"Did we antagonize again?" She prods.

I can only see out of my left, and I look to her face. She wears make up, her cheeks are bronze. Her eyes caked in a thick red hue. Her hair looks plastic. On her mask, a set of red painted lips.

I respond by looking to the ceiling.

"Can...you not move?" I sense eagerness.

I look back reluctant. I'm sure my face gives me away.

I see her biting her lips under the lace material. Her eyes seem energized. 

"That's too bad!..." She pivots, stretching her legs across my bare stomach. I feel the silky pantyhose on me, and the one part of my body that's not sore, perks to life.

Holding the ice to my eye with her left hand, she looks directly down at me as she begins to slowly kick her heels off. I can't help it but watch, then look back to her.

She obviously smiles thru her mask, knowing I'm weak. I immediately regret looking. I try to close my eye to block out her control over me, but I'm melted the second she begins to rub her feet across me.

I hear the swish-swish of her legs rubbing together, and open my eye without thinking. She's bent her knees, holding her feet on my stomach, moving them back and forth.

I hear her giggle, and my eyes shoot back to hers.

"My feet are so sore!" Her eyes taunting me. "Wish someone could help."

She holds her powerful look onto me, and I can only close my eyes.

"Ah-ah-ah!"

My eye goes back to hers. She enjoys my utter helplessness. With her left hand she adjusts the ice on my face, then I hear a familiar snap. My eye goes to her legs, and sees her right hand pull her pantyhose, then letting it snap back to her leg.

My heart jumps, but I can't show my waning spirit. My resistance crumbles under her hosed feet.

"Oh, this feels nice." She says as she continues moving her feet across me. I hear her toes pop; feel them wiggle through the nylon. 

I try to move, but my body aches, and the weight of her legs feels massive. I barely move, as my left arm flops weakly at my side. 

"Awww, are you trying to get away?...That's so cute!" She mockingly taunts, as she adjusts the ice. Her face looks closer to mine, her eyes just staring holes into my one. 

I try to roll away, but her feet push hard into my stomach. My body reacts, and I stifle a groan threw grit teeth. I'm held down by her feet, she holds the ice harder to my eye.

"You're not going anywhere young man. Now, I have a full day planned, and since I'm being so nice, and helping your poor-widdle-eye, were not starting this full day, till I get my foot massage."

My eye looks to my left hand, then shamefully towards her.

"Both hands." She matter of factly states.

This hurts my head just to think of moving my arms, let alone give her a massage, without getting turned on. I'm convincing myself I won't cave. Deep down, I'm already losing the battle.

"Here, I'll even help you get started."

She adjusts herself to take my right hand, popping my shoulder then placing it on her feet. My eyes contemplate, but before I can answer her feet push hard into me again.

"Arrgg." I can't help but groan out in surprise.

"Thinking won't get you out of this. Both. Hands." She now commands, but with a robotic politeness.

My left and right hands struggle, but find her nylon feet. I pick one, her left, and begin massaging with the little strength I have left. 

She lets out a little moan, and stretches her foot in my hands. Arching and flexing her foot, feeling it in my hand, I can't help but get excited. 

"Mmm, so today, I'm going to take you on a little walkie pooh. Oh don't worry; I know you can't stand, so you're going to crawl for me. Oh! And I have the cutest little dog collar for you. I even got your name engraved..."

She opens her purse, and pulls out a dog leash, showing me. A black studded dog leash, "SLAVE" engraved on a stainless steel plate.

"See?...I even made sure you have your rabies vaccination updated. Figured the little jingle jingle it makes, will let me know where you're at, at all times. Just like a real dog. Ha-ha-ha!"

She moves to attach it around my neck, I stop massaging, and she immediately pushes harder into me with her feet.

The pain causes me to freeze.

"Did I say you could stop? And, I didn't hear a "thank you" for this pretty little necklace I spent a-lot of money on."

My hands reluctantly touch her foot again, she releases her pressure. Then takes the ice from my eye. Leaning in close, I know she's attaching the leash, but her mouth is just inches from mine. 

My eye watches her lips; she wets and bites her bottom lip as I feel the leash tightening around my neck. My head refuses to just accept this, twitches loose from her grip.

Her one eyebrow raises, and she stops with the leash. Her hands move around both sides of my jaw, holding my face to hers.

I close my eyes out of resistance.

"You, are, mine, today. You are my cute little broken pet, understand? You, don't get any say today, what you eat, what you do, or how I dress you."

Her breath right in my face. I smell ice breakers. I smell it again. Her lips still close to mine. She doesn't speak, just stays over me. 

I open my eye, she's right there. Holding me so close, I swear I'm touching that mask. Her eyes locked into mine. Oh god, I've lost. I want to lean up and kiss her.

She knows.

"You, will call me "mistress."

Something in the sparkle of her eyes, the confidence, or the cockiness; I vow to refuse. I'm sure my face tells her this, because her face changes.

I see "challenge accepted mother fucker" on her face, but in a turned on dominatrix abductor kind of way. 

"I know you want to kiss me..." 

Her eyes drift to my lips, her face moves back slightly. 

She waits a moment before prodding, "What, you're not even going to deny it?"

I give her nothing, blindly massaging her foot, looking to the ceiling. Trying not to look at her face. Trying.

"Come on...Lie to me. I want to see your poker face." Her eyes drift back to mine, waiting for my response.

I don't know what she wants. Me to lie to her and say I don't. Or admit how weak I am, and this fasad of a tough exterior crumbles.

She grows impatient, and pushes hard with both feet into my stomach. I groan out in pain, doubling over, and letting go of her feet. The ice pack slips off my face. I see her grab the leash; both hands attach it roughly around my neck. 

It's tight. Then it's really tight. Not play tight anymore, my eye looks scared to her. I see her looking at me, in character. Looking down at me, enjoying her control.

My hands flop to my neck, weakly grabbing at the collar. I numbly feel her hands, holding it tight to me. I try and grab fingers; pulling at them my brain goes numb. And my vision, hearing begin to blur.

My eyes flutter, and I forget about breathing, I just sleep.

What I think is a moment later, I open my eyes. For a second, I forget where I'm at, and what's going on. In that second, I see her, and think she's my lover in another reality.

Her face looks cold towards me. Then I remember, and reality hits. 

"You know...the KGB had all sorts of torture methods, we learned about. Easy, little things that leave long lasting effects. Take, oxygen deprivation for example...did you know that one way they used to silence critics of the Kremlin, was to abduct, torture, and make them mentally retarded?"

Cold sweat hits me. My mind.

"In fact, after World War Two, after they took their half of the Nazis not worth executing, they learned all sorts of tricks...if a man can't think, a man can't fight back...Take your beautiful mind for example..."

Her hands tighten their hold on the leash. My eye looks down, then back up to her legitimately scared now.

"If I let you breathe, then deprive you of air..."

Her hands grab tight, my eyes get watery, I gasp for air. Nothing comes. I start to see and hear static.

Then she releases. Air.

"Now, I could do this, over and over, and over again...it wouldn't take that long to make you forget, well, just about anything! I could program you however I wanted!"

My heart is broken, shocked by her twistedness.

I respond without thinking, "You...like me...the way I am."

She contemplates for a moment, "I do?"

"You wouldn't...You want me to be defiant, to make you work-"

Her hands tighten around my neck again, and I can't breathe. I look up to her face, it's focused, intent on breaking me.

I choke out, "If I was...retarded...you wouldn't...have any...fun!"

I see her mind thinking, her hands loosen up slightly. Her head tilts slightly.

"You wouldn't...have any reason...to keep me."

Her hands loosen up, still resting on either side, and I breathe a full breath. I see her mind working to answer this in character.

"We don't have any reason to keep you. You are just a stray that we will keep and play with, for as long as we want."

My left hand clumsily finds its way to my neck, then her hand. She holds it on my neck, still looking into me. My fingers find hers, and try to inner lock themselves into hers. I feel her hand tighten on my skin, and I rest my hand on hers.

"That's...not true!" I want to yell, but it comes out stifled, like a hurt child.

Her eyes mock me, "You, are just a mission. After you are released, you will forget this, us...you will move on with your sad little life, and you won't interfere anymore with the "rise"...Probably get married, kids-"

"Liar!"

Her hands go tight again. I can't breathe, my hand holds onto hers. Her eyes are wild, and mine try to melt through to her soul. They seem to ignore, looking past me, she chokes me harder.

"I-refuse!" I choke out threw grit teeth.

"What?" She playfully looks down to me. "What will you refuse?"

"I won't...forget you...I won't...move on..."

Her hands tighten again.

My eyes watered over, tears run down my face. I'm almost out of breath, but I have to make this statement rush out of me before I lose conciseness.

"I...won't...call...you...mi-"

Everything fades to a peaceful numb. I'm not thinking of her, I'm not worried about air. I'm floating above my body, and I don't have the human attachment to myself.

"You will!"

Her voice snaps me back to reality, and I wake up. Her face is close to mine, her eyes determined, angry. Her face is sour; I see the ugly version of her beautiful face. 

"What's my name?" She asks innocently, her face looks to me with curiosity.

"I won't-"

Her hands tighten again. Tears in my eyes. I choke on snot in my throat. I gasp, and twitch inches from her face. The whole time she looks down to me without emotion.

Then air. I suck in so much, I choke on snot. She cuts me off with a slight squeeze from her thumbs.

"What, is, my, name!?"

"I...won't-"

Hands tighten down; eyes watered over to the point all I see is blurry colors. My hand tightens on hers, squeezing it to let her know, I won't resist physically, just mentally. And right now, my physical side is getting his ass whipped. 

I open my eyes to her unemotional face, "Name?"

Thru grit teeth, "Bitch. Cunt. Slut-"

She chokes hard; I barely register her grip before I'm out again.

I wake up when my left hand hits the bed, and I forget I can't move. I struggle weakly on the bed, as she looks down on me. 

"We are having so-much fun...breaking you!" Her smile shines through the lace mask, it's her genuine smile.

I whimper and make pathetic sounds trying to catch my breath. My hands flop, trying to get me away. I'm legitimately scared, but my terror can't be used as her weapon against me.

Her eyes locked on mine, she retrieves a metal chain leash from her purse. Slowly pulling it, like a clown pulling tissues from a prop.

I see her lean over me, attaching it to my neck. Her mouth, so close, this time my lips tuck in from fear. I hear the snap, and her eyes are on my lips. She leans in closer, and I push into the pillow until I can't get further away. She stays right on me; I see a sparkle in her eyes as she looms right above.

Her right hand tilts my chin up, as she blankly states, "Kiss me. Now."

Hesitant, our eye contact is the only communication before she speaks.

"What will he do?"

She's backed me into a corner, torn between lust and servitude. I want to. Either decision leads to a bad consequence. I cave in and kiss her, but my defiance is just a show. Or defy her, risk more physical abuse, but show her my will is stronger than my weaknesses.

"What would you do?" I whisper out loud before I can stop myself.

Her face isn't deterred by the question, as she ponders her own response. 

"I would do as I'm told. Especially in your situation."

"If I cave now, I'll cave on everything."

"I want you crumbled."

Those eyes looking down on me can cut, and she has me in ribbons. Never wanting to leave her gaze.

"There will always be more pain waiting for you...what not enjoy what few pleasures you are given?"

Her words hypnotizing, I start to believe. Start to realize I've withheld myself out of fear of pain. It will come, even when I'm not looking.

"For once in your life, do as you're told."

So I lean the inch up, and our lips touch. A spark of static zaps us both, but I commit, pushing my lips gently into hers. She answers back with a slow, passionate kiss. Holding me into the bed, I melt and let out lips do the conversation. The mask blocks our tongues like a lace fence.

 She pulls away, slow. Staying just out of reach. Allowing me to struggle to keep her connected to me. Her smile, letting me know her enjoyment, watching me want her.

"That's better. Now, it's time for some exercise. Come on."

She grabs her heels and spins off the bed, pulling on the chain in the process. Standing, she spins back towards me, arm flared back, legs pointed in a dance pose. I'm jerked upwards, then falling towards her, I tumble off the bed.

My body screams in pain, I can only raise myself on my elbows and knees; twitching in blinding pain as I hear her drop her shoes in my face. 

"Be a dear."

Her right foot rises off the ground and arches impatiently in my face. I slowly look up to her, as she's fetching a stun gun from her purse.

"Oh, do hurry. I don't want to ruin our day."

She smiles a genuine broad smile. I study her face, the smile, her eyes, completely honest. I realized a long time ago, you can't argue with crazy. I reluctantly accept playing along is my best, and only option.

I grab each of her heels, and carefully Cindarellaing each foot in its shoe. After finishing she stabs me in my back with her heel. I'm pushed down, unable to fight back. Looking up, I see her checking her heels and hose. 

Before I know it, I'm jerked forward, crawling, faster than my weakened body can keep up with. My chin hits the hard ground, and the sound of my teeth clanking causes her to turn in surprise.

"Oh wow, you are in bad shape." I hear her sincerely state.

I gather myself, and feel her grab my chin. My face is lifted, and she checks my mouth.

"Making sure you didn't bite your tongue off. Come-come." Her voice fluctuates in tone as she leads me.

I crawl behind her; the chain pulls with no slack. I'm led to the table, and I feel her jerk up. I see a sly smile from over her shoulder.

"Stay."

She leans over and pushes the leash handle into my mouth, then pushes my jaw closed. My eyes glare up in response. 

She pauses, smiling broadly. I'm sure she's taking a mental snapshot of me.

She giggles, and then walks into the darkness, returning with a metal chair in her arms. She sets it at the table, and then squats in front of me. Her face swoons seeing me, simmering but unable to stop her. Her right hand strokes my chin, and then fetches the handle from my mouth.

"Think you can stand?"

With my anger bleeding thru, I spit out, "Yeah, want a lap dance as well?"

I see her mind taking in my response, her thinking about her next words carefully before responding.

"You know, I'm not even supposed to tell you this, but...we had a bet, between us girls...It was to see which one you would fall in love with first...It's so obvious...I won...its, kinda sad actually...Is it my looks?...Are you in love with my longing looks?"

I can't help it but inside I'm fuming. Her words, her every venomous word, stings.

She strokes my cheek, her face looking at me with pity.

"I told her, I bet that when he goes home, he'll get married to the first girl who looks like me. We even have a bet on how long till you settle down after this. I bet she'll be some sad Iowa City bar whore...someone tough enough to remind you of her, but looks like me."

She stands, facing away from me, continuing to poke and stab.

"She said, after us, he would spend his life searching for us...I don't know what's sadder...but I'm sure you'll find out...You can't surprise us."

That's it. I snap. Taking everything I have I lunge upwards at her. My body fragile, hurting everywhere. I have barely enough strength to tackle her at the waist.

She anticipates, catching me with ease, and spinning us both. I land in the chair and already regretting playing into her bait.

She snaps my right wrist in handcuffs, then to the chair. Walking behind me, I hear her heels clicking in my right ear, then in my left. The metal jingles, and I don't resist when she snatches my left wrist. 

The chair is hard, no padding. My boney ass adds another shooting pain in my body. She secures my other wrist, and then begins to slowly circle me. Her eyes never leaving mine.

"Well, that was pathetic. I thought you were supposed to be smart...that was too easy. You can't be that weak! I think you wanted me to throw you around. "

My head begins to spin, as the exhaustion kicks in. The sunlight shining off the table is brightened in the dark room. Every couple of seconds I see her pass left to right. Always staring at me. In character, poking me.

"When was the last time you ate?"

"Is your tum-tum growling yet?"

"I spent all day preparing dinner, and you had to be late!"

I never respond, just look at her with my good eye.

She walks out of the room, disappearing into darkness, and I feel alone.

I look around the dark room, not seeing much. Everything is shades of black. The sunlight blinds most of the room. Except to my left, my left I can see the wall is stone wallpaper. In one of the "mortar crevasses" I can see a small black glass circle.

A camera.

I don't know if the blonde is watching, but it doesn't matter. I have to show whoever watches, I may be down, but I still have fangs.

"Are you watching monster?" I ask the camera, unsure if my words will be heard.

I hear the brunette's heels clicking on the floor, and my head hangs back down. Not letting her know, I know where the camera is.

From out of the darkness she emerges carrying a covered stainless steel plate. She sets it down in front of me, and it shines blindingly in my face. Pained, I look away, and up to her. She smiles then pulls the lid off.

Food! Real fucking food! Steak. Potato. Beans. What the fuck do I have to do or say to get that shoved in my mouth?

"You were out with her, weren't you?"

"I can practically see it on your face."

"Tell me you love me...and I can forget it."

Her face wants to hear me say it. A hand strokes my chin. 

I pause on the word "me".

Her face starts to crack. Starts to show waning patience.

"I...love...you...both."

Her face tells all. That's not the answer she wants. Her smile is gone, and her lips disappear behind the painted lips of the mask. Her eyes are cold, then look away to slam the metal back down on the plate.

The clang of metal is loud and I miss the first of what she says.

"-LOVE, BOTH of us!? BOTH, like YOU think you get to have either of us! You can just wait a little longer for dinner then!"

She gets up furious, wanting to say more, she paces in front of me.

"You know she has less of an attachment to you than I do? She wanted to leave you out there, like a dog! To freeze! And I said no!"

She gets right in my face. Hers, angry but determined to know why. Grabbing my face, she shoves it into hers.

"She punched you!"

"I know-"

"Slapped you in your face!"

"I know!"

"How, how, HOW can you still love her!?"

"I don't...know, it's just a body...a shell."

"What do you even know about her!? Tell me, what's her name? What's my name!? "

"We have some...something more. A spark. We can't help it, were attracted to each other. The butterflies in the stomach. Eyes never leaving each other. That spark when we touch. I want to know everything about you, the both of you. You know this. I've begged you both, for anything, any-thing about your pasts. You mock, and taunt me. Have I ever not accepted you, for who, what you are?"

Out of anger she lets go, and starts to walk away.

"The three of us...we have...something more than just the...physical."

She pauses, back turned to me. Her head turns, and I see her eye looking down. Contemplating. Her hand slowly moves to the table. 

Her face glows in the sunlight. Silhouette of her body, mixed with the sun's rays, makes my view of her majestic. Artistic even. I wish I could pause this moment, and tell her how gorgeous she is in this moment.

Her hand grabs the lid from the serving tray, and she finally looks back to me.

"Let's see if that spark gets you fed."

She removes the lid from the plate, and walks away without looking back. She slowly saunters out, her heels clicking away from me into darkness. Then she's clicking up the wooden stairs. And I hear the metal latch locking.

I'm alone, facing a delicious meal I can only enjoy with my one eye.

I want to escape, to sleep. So I tuck my chin, and try. Try to ignore the food in front of me. Before I know it, I'm asleep. Nothing hurts. All is calm, and I'm comfortable.