𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞

2 | throat

After dinner, he orders us to help with the dishes, then he throws us back downstairs. He didn't put the chain back on my ankle, but he did lock us down here.

"Have you ever tried escaping?"

"Yes," He says.

"Did he punish you?"

"He cut off my pinky toe and made me eat it if that's punishment."

I cringe, "What's he like? I only knew the mask."

"He is sweet, that's not fake. He cares for people more than you might think. But he just... he's not a good person."

"Clearly," I mumble.

"He's closed off, and he doesn't talk to people. Not that he would even let them get to that point either."

"How do you know so much about him?"

"He uses me. He uses me just like he uses everyone else. But, he keeps me healthy, and he cleans me and he gives me a mattress to sleep on, so it's okay."

I hum, "For sex?"

"Mhm."

I sigh, "Do you... want it or?"

"Sometimes... sometimes not. Can we stop talking about this?"

I nod, even though he can't see me, "Sorry."

"It's fine. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Sao."

-

Noah wakes us up in the morning, but it wasn't cruel or mean, he was actually nice.

He came to both of us, whispering and gentle shaking us until we woke up.

"Rise and shine, my family, we have a very busy day today!"

The only light coming in was the light from the trapdoor, so waking up was actually difficult, even on this hard floor.

Maybe today I would start creating a plan to get out of here.

He gets us up the stairs, then drags us into the bathroom.

"You guys stink, so it's bath time."

I cringe. Bath time sounds like we're little kids.

He cranks the faucet to the left, getting in all the hot water before he switches it to cold so he could level it out.

"Do you guys want bubbles?"

"Yes," Sao says. I stayed quiet.

Noah grabs a bottle, then while the cold water is running, he pours the liquid in.

"Okay get in."

I look at Sao, but he's already dropping his underwear to the floor. Okay, so this is how it's gonna be.

I swallow any embarrassment or doubt, then start taking off my bra and underwear. They were caked in the dirt from the basement floor my hair, what's left of it, was greasy and knotted.

I step into the bath after Sao, then bring my legs up to my chest. Noah gets onto his knees at the edge of the bath, then grabs a plastic cup before scooping out water. He covers Sao's eyes with his hand, then pours the soapy water onto his hair.

He then does the same to me, covering my eyes with his hand, then pouring the water over my head.

After that, he grabbed a bottle of shampoo, putting some in his hand before running his fingers through Sao's hair, lathering it into his scalp. Sao's eyes were on him, and there was a type of sadness and love in them. Almost like heartbreak.