Chained - Cannibalistic love

Chapter 16

We didn't leave the house at all today. After breakfast Ryan made me go over the rules from last night again. I struggled a little to name the rules correctly, but I managed it, and luckily for me, that meant he wasn't going to punish me more which surely would have resulted in me covered in more cuts.

As the day progressed Ryan seemed to be caring, maybe even nice. He didn't make me do anything other than sit on the couch with my feet up. He had gently cleaned my foot with disinfectants and creams, he even put a new dressing over it to protect it from getting infected. My arm seemed to be doing well and so we decided to leave the dressing off for now after disinfecting each of the wounds. It looked to be scabbing already so that was good news. Thank God they were mostly shallow cuts. So, for the rest of the day, I remained sitting on the couch, an old book in my hands. I love to read fantasy and paranormal books however he didn't seem to have much of anything that interested me. But with nothing better to do, no radio, no TV and no walking around, I settled for a book he handed me. At first, I had denied the book, wanting a book that sounded more interesting to me, but after a small argument of sorts, I gave up and settled for the book. If I must stay here, I will make him pay, and I will take every opportunity I can to make him sorry. Starting with something as petty as a book genre. However, I have to admit the book is decent.

I haven't seen much of Ryan at all today. I'm not complaining. I'd like to not see him for as long as possible. He is going to make me kill tonight and I can't do that. This thought makes it hard to focus on the book. Not that I'm really paying attention, just giving myself something to do.

"Valerie, we need to get going." I gulp loudly and my body freezes. No. Not already. I have to get out of here, I have to avoid killing someone. I can't go through with this. I just can't. I watch as Ryan walks over to me with a pair of sandals in hand that look to be my size. I remain frozen and I watch him come closer. He holds out the black shoes to me, but I make no move to grab them. I'm paralysed in fear of what's to come. I hear him let out a deep sigh as he gets down on his knees. He gently takes my feet and puts the shoes on. At least he is caring, and gentleman – ish. I let him pull me up and together we make our way out the door and head towards the pit. I'm about to kill someone. Oh god, please someone save me right now. Mum? dad? The police? Anyone! Please save me. There will be no going back from this. My hands are shaking, my eyes are wide, and my body is sweating as my nerves increase with every step we take. I see a lot of the cannibals already there, waiting for tonight's festivities and more are still arriving. If only I didn't win the damn baking competition. I'm such an idiot for trying so hard. I should have known when he made the deal that I would not get out of here that easily. He wants me as his wife, he wouldn't let me go, not even in death.

He leaves me at the edge of the stage where I silently stay tears running down my cheeks as I stare at the floor. I think I may faint. Will he get angry if I do? Will it get me out of this? I wipe my sweaty hands on my shirt. There is no point in running or hiding. No matter what, I will have to kill someone. Either I get punished along the way, or I do this with his help and get out of it unpunished. I can even give the poor person a quick death, to save them from being tortured.

I feel numb as I watch him talk. I don't listen, I can't listen. All I can think of is the screams of people who will be killed. I can only think of the knife that will soon be in my hand slicing a person's throat. I am imagining how they would shoot me a pained pleading look right before I kill them with my own hand. Just because I want to live. Would anyone else do this too? Or would they refuse? Would they allow themselves to be punished, allow them to be cut on their arms and feet repeatedly? Or would they fight, would they keep running no matter what? I don't know. I'm weak. I care about people, and I'm terrified of the punishments he could give me. I can't risk fighting against him, can't risk running without a solid plan.