Whumptober+ Short Stories - Volume 2

Prompt 20 & 25 - Trembling/Humiliation

The battered convoy made its way slowly down the gravel road toward the eastern encampment. From the back of the main cargo truck, Kyle listened as his keepers discussed the recent mission. Sabre's tone was filled with irritation as he spoke to his team in a falsely calm manner. Kyle half wished the heated debate on the other end of the vehicle would last forever, yet at the same time the anticipation was killing him. He knew full well what they were talking about, though he couldn't make out a word of what they said. The mission had failed miserably, and admittedly it had been his fault.

He just hoped he could survive the aftermath.

At that moment, the door to the cargo unit slid open. Kyle glanced up, then almost instantly looked away again as his keepers entered the small area. There was a quiet shuffling and sounds of dress shoes on the metal floor of the truck as the men approached, and he could feel his heart rate increase.

"Kroita."

He winced. Hunting dogs are always named by their masters, but being referred to as one, even in a different language, made him feel ashamed of his own existence. Still, even in his present state of mind, he knew better than to ignore the unspoken command. Rising from his place on the steel side bench, he forced himself to look up. Sabre's disapproving gaze met his, and he winced again on instinct.

"I'm... I'm sorry I..." Kyle began, then stopped when he heard the warning growl coming from the man in front of him. He knew what was coming; he just wanted to delay it as long as possible.

"Don't. Apologize. To me." Sabre hissed. "I don't accept failure. In any form." Here his voice dropped to a lower pitch, confirming Kyle's fears as he continued.

"So don't even try to get away with it."

The next few minutes were a sudden blur of motion and pain as Sabre emphasized his words with actions. Kyle only managed to stay standing through his fear of what would happen if he didn't. He had withstood beatings before, though never directly at the hand of his master. Sabre was strong, a fact that was made evident as he took out his anger on his captive, regardless of where he struck. Kyle could feel his vision starting to fade from repeated blows to the head; a fist slammed into his chest, and he cried out in pain.

"Quiet, you dumb animal!" Came Sabre's angry voice. "Who told you you could speak?"

No one did.

Another blow, this one to his shoulder.

I'm sorry...

Sabre's fist collided with the side of his head, and he went down.

Why...

Kyle hit the floor hard, his head knocking against the steel panel.

Why do I have to...

"Get up, idiot!"

Why am I such a failure?