City of Decay: The Cleaner | MxM

Chapter 18: Breaking a Bird's Wings

[Trigger warning for physical abuse and implied rape]

How lucky can a person be? Especially in a city like this? Granted, with a less skilled doctor I may not have survived the whole ordeal, but according to him, I could recover fully. Emphasis on could.

The branch missed my vital organs, dealing damage to my intestines – something the doc was able to fix, thanks to magical influence. But there are still things no one can tell just yet. For example, my ability to walk, and of course... my mental trauma.

Not that I care much... Or rather, I don't want to care much. But after my trip to the bathroom assisted by the doctor while feeling the pain with every movement of my body, I had too much time thinking about the whole situation.

Part of me feels ashamed to be in such a situation where I can't even wash myself without assistance and the fear of fainting due to the pain. My thoughts can't stop circling around what had happened... Someone had locked us in, purposefully.

I could make excuses, I could try to find another perspective, but for what? I'm treasuring a flower from a man who just... did this... to me.

I've been bought without realizing it. I thought I was in control but alas, I wasn't. I've been played. And it's different from how it ever was with Thayer. Thayer has always been a calculated risk, but the Shadows aren't. Without realizing I just wished for something so utopic that isn't possible to ever become real.

I hated the thought but at the same time, I wanted to believe. I hated his touch, his attitude, his personality, but on the other hand, it took away so much of the usual critical and paranoia-fueled thoughts.

His presence, while annoying, let me breathe. I secretly looked forward to that – now I dread it. I'm still alive, which might be a problem. The Shadows might come after me, trying to end what they've started. Not even this bedroom feels safe anymore.

Well, it never really did, but at least I know I can survive Thayer. I doubt this will always be the case, but he got me here, ordered the doctor to take care of me, fulfilled every wish the doctor had to grant my survival; so I guess I'm not about to die here in the near future. Hopefully.

I hear his heavy footsteps just before the door sways open and our eyes meet. Gods, he is pissed – no – beyond pissed: He is furious. He stands tall and straight, looking down at me. I'm a nuisance he must deal with while he could invest his time elsewhere. I'm aware of that. As is the doc.

"For fuck's sake, Eon." He tries to keep his voice calm, but I can hear the anger trembling through his words, "Next time I'll leave you to rot. Do you really want to die that badly?"

It takes him four heavy steps to tower over the bed, like a dreading doom waiting for the ideal moment to strike. I can't help but pinch the bridge of my nose, frustrated about the fact that he chose to lecture me now of all times.

"Not really, no. I'd hardly be alive if I did."

"Then why are we playing this game?!"

Now he is angry, ramming his fist down right onto the nightstand. My gaze wanders past him to the doctor who's sitting in an armchair. Our eyes meet for a second, then I look back up at Thayer.

"What are you on about, old man..."

I probably shouldn't agitate him more, but I can't help it. The more anger and frustration he shows, the more I want to push against it. He couldn't intimidate me in the past, and my current state shouldn't change anything about that.

"First you take on a job I warned you about the last time you walked right into the Duke's domain," I couldn't give a rat's ass about his 'warning', not after asking him why again and again without an answer. All it was to me was another way he tried to control me, a way I wouldn't accept. He can't expect me to follow orders or even recommendations without an explanation.