Corruption

Power rivals fear, but mine is fear itself

Chapter 10

West was dragged back to his family a month later.

Solitary confinement, even for one month, has changed him. During his stay, he had to find things to occupy his mind with. Picking lint off the floor to count it. Talking to his numerous reflections, acting as if they weren't himself. Instensly psychoanalyzing his family and every single decisions he has made in his life. Even with the blaring noise gone, he could still hear it ringing in his ears.

"Ew, it stinks in here." Sonders opened the door and waltzed in. West forgot how to interact, didn't know what to do with himself now that another human was next to him.

"You look truly awful, mutt." Sonders mocked, staring intently at West. At the word mutt, memories flowed back to West. All of them of his family, of Chessie. When she would laugh at him for doing or saying something stupid. Her calling him a mutt, not with malice or with a purpose to inflict hurt on him. Simply because it was who he was.

He wanted Chessie. He needed his Chessie.

"Chessie?" West croaked, looking for the sun in his life. Sonders sighed and nodded to some guards. They forcefully grabbed him and yanked his body through hallways, back to the cafeteria. All of The Damnation was present, all but Ryker who was having Syndicate's five star treatment.

Chessie was with her family, sitting by Petra and Iris, talking to her friends. The whole month, her sole thoughts were on the soft haired idiot of a man. Of course, being a human being, she took responsibility for West being tortured with solitary. She worried like none other, staying close to her friends, in need of support. Her eyes constantly had bags under them with a slight red tinge. 

Iris wanted to help the blind girl in any way possible, though she had trouble knowing what to do. She made sure her hair was done, braids were her favorite. Dressing her in clothes that Sonders gave to her. A white long sleeved shirt with black sweats, no shoes, only socks. Keeping the mood was near to impossible, but Iris made it work.

Luke also kept a close eye on Chess. He would serve as her temporary eyes while West was gone. Chessie was extremely thankful for him and Iris, though they couldn't do much more until West was returned.

"Hey, doll face! I have a gift for you." Sonders crowed, hitting West in the stomach so he made a sound. Chessie stood and carefully stalked forward. Luke was by her side in an instant, along with the older kids.

"West?"Chessie called, quickly turning to Luke. "Is it really him? What does he look like? Is he injured?"

Luke stood still, staring at one of his friends. "It's really him, Chess. He sort of looks like crap, but his whisky eyes are focused on you." Luke quickly explained, taking in West's haggard appearance. How he couldn't focus on anyone else but Chessie. How his skin was a sickly pale with a slight stubble on his chin. How he couldn't use his limbs much from days when he couldn't find the willpower to move.

It was heartbreaking, seeing a once strong person now reduced to a broken, sad excuse for a man. His once warm eyes now were slightly changed, slightly crazed from being alone for so long.

Chessie was pained, taking a step forward, away from her family. "Please let him go, Sonders. I need him. I'll do anything." She pleaded. Sonders smiled at her, loving the sound of her begging. West gave a deep growl, warning Sonders of taking Chessie up on her offer.