Suffering To Survive

Part Eight

Eleanor and Owl were both awakened the next morning by a cold rush of water. They burst out in a coughing fit as they covered their heads and looked up to see Jonas Fogg with Dr. Damien Killdall in tow, a now empty bucket in Fogg's hand. "Now then Damien, isn't this sweet, seeing my little girls take such loving care of each other?" Nellie and Owl looked at each other with scowls of shared contempt for the men standing over them. Nellie began to pull herself from the floor, until her friend pulled her back down, slowly shaking her head in disapproval. "No, don't stop her. My dear, what do you have to say to me?"

The baker raised a brow, unsure if Fogg expected her to open her mouth, or if this was just a test, just an excuse for Killdall or himself to do more to them. Owl rose and spoke up for her instead, "Actually doctor, I do 'ave a request. Ya see, Dr. Killdall has discovered that Mutiny 'ere is with child. We was talking yesterday, and, she don't want it. These two 'orrid men were keeping 'er locked up, torturing and rapin' 'er. She resents these men, and shouldn't have to face a lifelong reminder of what both of these men 'ave done against 'er will." Owl looked over at Nellie, who offered her a small smile of gratitude.

Fogg knelt down face-to-face with the baker and gave her a toothy grin. He brought his hand to his heart and raised his voice in pseudo-marvelment. "Oh yes, and I couldn't be happier that one of my children is expecting. Please, don't be ashamed, your child is a gift to us all!" His hands shot out and took hold of her stomach. Nellie gasped and pulled her hand back as she gave him a rough slap. She smirked as he cursed and rubbed at his burning cheek.

Her pride soon diminished as he began to chuckle. She balled her hands into fists and wrapped her arms tightly around her stomach, as if she were protecting the child that she did not even want. "Very good, my child, very nice, Killdall said that you were a stubborn one. I'll let you in on a secret though, the more stubborn they are, the more fun they are to play with. Let's see how long your impertinence lasts in my asylum. Oh yes, this will be fun, my dear girl." Nellie moved to throw herself at the doctor, but Owl held her back. "A very wise choice. Inciting another, disturbance, could cause stress to our imminent inmate." He returned his attention to Nellie and clicked his tongue as he wagged a finger in her face. "Shame on you, dear, I would be more careful if I were you. If you want your request granted, I would be a good girl, stay in mine and the other doctor's good graces." He smiled and gently pat her cheek condescendingly.

The baker ground her teeth and spit in the asylum director's face. This time Killdall lunged forward to attack the baker, but Fogg swept the bucket in front of him in order to stop him. "Now then, my friend, this is clearly an inmate in distress. What have you been doing to my little girls?" Killdall twisted his mouth at the culpable suggesting, but broke out into a low chuckle after Fogg gave him a wink. He spun on his heel and struck Nellie with the bucket before Owl could stop him.

Seeing the commotion, Owl and a number of the surrounding redheads began to grab at Fogg; successfully getting him to the floor before Killdall pulled them all off and sent them recoiling with roaring threats to brutalise any that continued to take part in the sudden revolt.

Killdall pulled Fogg to his feet and Fogg beat the dirt from his clothing before righting himself as some of the women continued to vociferate for the two men to leave the baker alone. "Killdall, bring this misbehaving child into solitary. She's been nothing less than the bane of my existence since she arrived, and has shown absolutely no improvement. She is clearly a bad influence on her sisters, especially that one that clings to her, and is in desperate need of a lesson. Anyway, we need to think about that precious gift inside, keep it safe. You may even want to restrain 'er, but that depends on if she chooses to be a good girl."

He grabbed onto Nellie's chin and shook his head. "What a shame, all of that impropriety and insubordination in what was surely such a pretty woman." He sneered and wiped his hand on his coat as if merely touching her might infect him. "Oh, and give her a nice dosage of something to ensure that she remains unconscious, she's already caused enough trouble for one day and that little knock with the bucket won't do much." Killdall nodded and hauled Nellie's body into a wheelchair.