Disappearance: A broken Wing

I'm yours

After Carter carried me out of the chamber, he took me straight to the bathroom and began to wash me himself. Every touch made my skin crawl, but I had no fight left in me. What was the point? My body was weak, my mind shattered, and my spirit felt like it had been ripped to pieces.

"Everything will be alright," Carter murmured as his lips brushed my neck. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. I just stood there, numb.

After I was clean, he handed me some clothes and told me to take a nap to regain my strength. I did as I was told because resisting him meant more pain. What I expected to be a short nap turned into eight hours of deep, dreamless sleep.

I woke up to the smell of food drifting from the kitchen. My legs felt heavy as I dragged myself to the bathroom to freshen up. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. Her face was hollow, her eyes lifeless, and her skin covered in faded bruises and burns. I wanted to cry, to break down completely, but I forced the tears back. Crying wouldn't save me.

I splashed water on my face and made my way out of the room, using the walls to steady myself.

"Hey, babe," Carter greeted me with an unsettling smile. "You slept all day yesterday, so I made you breakfast."

"Thanks," I muttered, sitting down at the table.

I devoured the food like I hadn't eaten in weeks—because I hadn't. My stomach cramped as I shoveled in every bite, plate after plate.

"Dang, girl, you were starving," Carter chuckled.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice flat.

"I'll fix you another plate," he offered, watching me like I was some fragile pet.

After four plates, I finally slowed down, leaning back in the chair. "Breakfast was good," I admitted quietly.

"I'm glad you agree," he said with a smug grin.

I felt Zues's cold, watchful gaze burning into me from the corner of the room. He didn't say a word, but I knew his presence meant one thing—if I tried anything, I'd regret it.

Carter stood and walked behind me, placing a kiss on my neck. My whole body tensed. I wanted to shove him away, but I knew what would happen if I did.

"What do you say about watching a movie together?" he asked, his tone fake-sweet.

"That sounds... lovely," I said through clenched teeth.

Carter took my hand and led me to the living room. He picked out some thriller movie, but I barely paid attention. My mind was screaming while his hand slid up my thigh. I kept my eyes glued to the screen, pretending to be interested, pretending not to notice his touch.

When the movie ended, Carter's phone rang. The tone of his voice shifted—it was an urgent call.

"Zues," he barked, "I have to go to the warehouse. Make sure she doesn't do anything."

"Yes, boss," Zues replied without even looking at me.

The moment Carter left, I felt like I could breathe again. Even with Zues's eyes watching my every move, I felt a tiny shred of relief. I didn't say a word. I just stayed on the couch, letting the TV play, because if I stayed quiet and still, maybe they'd forget I was even here.

Four hours crawled by. My eyelids grew heavy, and I finally turned off the TV and made my way to the bedroom. I just wanted to sleep and pretend this place didn't exist.

But as soon as I pulled the covers up, the front door slammed open.

Carter's footsteps were heavy. Angry.

I didn't need to see his face to know he was pissed. I closed my eyes, feeling sleeply, but it didn't matter. Moments later, the bedroom door opened, and Carter climbed into bed behind me.

His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. I felt his breath in my ear as he whispered, "What was the final rule?"

"Sleep naked," I whispered back, my voice trembling.

"So why," his hand tugged at my shirt, "are there clothes on you?"

"I'm sorry," I muttered, hating myself for the words.

I hated this—hated being forced to follow orders, hated feeling like I was less than human. But I hated his punishments more. I stripped off my clothes and threw them onto the floor.

"Good girl," Carter murmured as his hand slid up my thigh, trailing higher and higher until he reached my breast. "Thank you for following directions. Life is going to be so much easier for you."

Then I felt him press closer, his body heavy and suffocating against mine. He pushed inside me from behind. I closed my eyes and wiped away my tears.

Pain isn't forever.

That's what I told myself. But at that moment, it felt like it would never end.