PUPPY

CHAPTER 2

Neil was standing right next to me, watching me like a lion its next meal.

"Now that I have your full attention, we'll let Mr Black present himself," I said and looked up at him.

By his look, I knew that he smelled the fear that lurked around me, and he kept feeding on it with satisfaction.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Neil Black. I'm here to keep you company for a few lessons."

A pupil named Liam lifted his hand. He permitted him to speak.

"Are you going to grade us, sir?"

He lightly laughed before saying: "No, don't you worry. We're only going to play and talk." The pupil quickly nodded in approval.

Neil looked back, locking our gazes. I quickly looked away and said: "Thank you, Mr Black. Now please take a seat at the back of the classroom, and we'll start with the lesson." He scanned me from top to bottom for the last time before making his way to the seat.

Throughout the lessons, I could feel a new unwanted set of eyes following me around as I moved. As I kept peeking at him, he sat there with an expression of concentration, following my every move and word while scribbling something into his ebony agenda. At the end of the school day, Neil stepped to my table. All the pupils were already out of the classroom.

"Now we can talk," he said with a low voice.

I quickly gathered all the papers and books on my table in my hands and quickly walked past him while saying: "Sorry, can we talk another day? I really need to be somewhere."

"Then we can meet after you finish with what you're rushing to, Puppy?" He said as he started following me.

I quickly turned around and jumped on him. I pulled him down by the collar of his white shirt and angrily whispered: "Don't call me like that!"

Cold sweat started running down my body as memories came back. Almost three years have passed since I heard that word from his lips. I let go of him and took a step back, composing myself.

He closed the door behind him, trapping us in the classroom. "Then let's talk now."

"I don't have time now. Move or I'll be late," I said in anger. "Where's the rush, Puppy? Aren't you happy to see your Master?"

"Stop it!" I shouted at him.

I can't keep looking into his eyes, so many wrong memories rush to my mind. I looked down at the wooden floor to avoid his gaze.

He doesn't like 'no' as an answer.

"Please, stop. I don't-"

"What don't you?" he whispered. I could hear the anger lurking in the tone of his voice. He gently pushed me against the wardrobe full of supplies, trapping me between his arms.

I don't know what took over me, but I quickly looked back up at him. With the determination that I could gather at that moment, I said: "Leave me alone! Wasn't a year of university enough! Do I have to live in constant fear of you popping from around the corner? Stop it!" I was catching my breath.

Neil's hand moved under my chin and lifted it even more. With a madman's smile and a sweet voice, he said: "I think you forgot who I am to you."

More scenes from when we were together started coming to my mind. It finally sank in what I said, or more like, to who I said those words.

"I see that being alone made you go rugged, Puppy."

"No, I-"

"We'll have to do some discipline. Better start right now," Neil said. His hand moved around my neck, firmly pinning me to the wardrobe. My mouth was dry. I couldn't utter a word.