Back To Darkness

Chapter 10: Indoctrination

By the time the light began to bleed into the room, Yuki was dry-eyed. Physically he was aware of the ebbing pain in his feet and legs, the sharp tug at his wrists, the burn in his arms and shoulders, and the tightness in his chest. All this dimmed however, compared to what he felt inside. The hungry emptiness was like a void. It called to him, seductively whispering of an end to pain. That would be such a sweet release.

Akito returned as the sky was changing, beginning to leech the light from Yuki's special room. Yuki watched through blank, impassive eyes. His heart quickened, his body reacting in fear whereas his mind barely felt it. Akito approached, surveying his work clinically through cold narrowed eyes.

"My love. How did you sleep?" The voice came soft and tender, wrapping itself around Yuki in a warm embrace.

He didn't answer. He hadn't slept. How could he?

When the light had made it possible to see that morning he had chanced a look at his feet. What he saw made his stomach churn. At first all he could process was the vibrant, raw red. Steeling himself with a deep breath he looked closer. He saw the ominous white blotches amongst the cracked, dry red. A vast blister wrapped itself round one foot, caressing his heel and continuing to the sole of his foot where he lost sight of it. A trail of blackened, cracked skin laced its way up one leg, almost to his knee. It was repugnant, but oddly fascinating. Examining the different ways his body had responded was darkly intriguing to him.

Akito showed no emotion as he gazed at the burns. He swivelled his head to look pensively up at Yuki whose face hung several feet above his.

"Mmm, Yuki? My pet?" he prompted.

Yuki squirmed. An answer was required. But what to say? A cold knife seemed to scrape along his spine. Be careful. After a moment he settled on the truth.

"I- I didn't sleep. Master." His voice was cracked. He hadn't used it since screaming himself hoarse the night before. He flinched slightly at the memory.

Akito smiled indulgently. "Oh but sleep is very important my love. We wouldn't want you to ruin your beautiful looks. And you do look oh so beautiful, my pet" he sighed longingly, and his eyes lingered on Yuki's crotch for an uncomfortably long time. Yuki blushed. He was immensely thankful Akito had allowed him his boxers.

"Well let's see, perhaps we could do away with these."

Yuki's heart faltered. He thought he was about to lose the last of his dignity until he noticed Akito was indicating the cuffs on his ankles. As he stepped closer Yuki's heart juddered back into a rapid pace. He shifted away slightly and felt the painful tug as his handcuffs shifted. Akito smoothly removed a key from his pocket and reached out to Yuki's feet. As soon as his light fingers made contact, Yuki drew in a sharp hiss of breath. Akito undid one cuff. The pain was extraordinary. It was as though his bubbled, raw skin had melded to the cuffs. He felt an intense pull as Akito gently eased the cuff away from the mangled skin. A wave of nausea washed over him. His head swam and he tried desperately to take deep, steadying breaths. Akito paused, that familiar wickedly sweet smile just tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"You know Yuki, you really did let me down. Everything I did was for you. And you- you..." he seemed to be struggling. He ran his fingers distractedly through his hair. "You ruined it."

Akito began to work on the other cuff. Yuki flinched away. This was more painful. He was too scared to look at his foot, to see what was happening. Akito inserted the small key, and as the cuff pulled on his skin Yuki felt bile rising in his throat.

"But, that will not happen again. You're mine. I'm God, and you're the rat. And we belong together." He paused, and his hands stilled. Yuki concentrated on his breathing.