Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 4: The Hands of Pain and Peace

The next morning, I was so sore that I could barely move. I groaned in pain, but I had to get up. As always, the bowl was on the floor near the door, and I ate as fast as I could. I had hardly finished when the door opened, and I saw that there was a customer here already. I suppressed my sigh, and put my bowl down as the man came in, the door closing behind him. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him, studying me. He trailed his fingers down my cheek, but it was rough, with a hint of cruelty, and I shivered. He frowned, and backhanded me across the face, splitting my lip. I didn’t fight him, knowing that he was one of the ones who would beat me senseless if I did. He dragged me over to the bed and shoved me onto it, binding my wrists as tight as he could. Then, he removed his pants, toying with his belt. I refused to let any expression come to my face, hoping that he wouldn’t use it on me.

However, that hope was crushed. I screamed in pain, but he didn’t ease up. After a few blows, he straddled me, and drove himself into me, while still using the belt. The mixture of both was excruciatingly painful, and I writhed, trying to get free. In the process, I kneed him between the legs, and he went white and still in pain. I froze as well, knowing what I’d done. I also knew that anything I said would make it worse. So I waited. I didn’t have to wait long. He pulled out of me so fast that I was lightheaded for a moment, and it was only the crack of his belt across my exposed body that roused me. I struggled, but all it did was tighten my bonds, to the extent where I couldn’t feel my hands. Finally, he ceased, and sat on my hips. He caressed my face roughly, sneering at me.

“That should teach you,” he growled. “Shouldn’t it?”

I didn’t respond, except for a slight nod. He ground my hips into the bed, and I arched in pain, trying to get away. I heard him laugh, and then the pressure on me was gone. The next thing I heard was the door, and the murmur of voices outside. I took the opportunity to breathe, knowing that he would be complaining about me. I closed my eyes, resigned to another beating.

I opened my eyes when I heard the door open, and saw my kidnapper standing in the doorway. He closed the door and stalked over to me scowling. I cringed away, but he grabbed my throat, forcing me to keep still.

“Worthless,” he said. “You worthless bitch. When will you stop this?” His voice rose, until it was a full blown roar. “This will teach you!”

He laid into me, hand, fist, and eventually, belt. I can’t remember much of it, and can only hope that I passed out for it. What I do remember is coming round again to find myself on the floor in a ball, alone. However, I knew that he hadn’t just beaten me.  He used me as well – I could feel it. I tried to get up, and found that I couldn’t. My wrists were bound together, as were my ankles, and a short rope was running between them. I dropped my head, closing my eyes. Again, I was completely helpless.

The next thing I knew, someone was wiping my face gently. I opened my eyes to see Duchess, her expression as blank as always. I dropped my gaze, unable to look her in the eyes. She released my wrists and ankles, and helped me to stand, before giving me the cloth and the bowl of water. I took them with a nod, and she left me alone. Tentatively, wincing in pain, I washed the cuts that the belts had left on me. When I was done, I staggered over to the bed, and collapsed onto it, my vision going black.

When I regained consciousness, or just woke up – I couldn’t tell – I was still alone. I really needed to go to the bathroom, so I did, wrinkling my nose at the smell. As I rose, and began to go back to the bed, still wincing in pain, the door opened, and my kidnapper was there – with the gentle man. I blinked at them, uncomprehending for a minute.

To his surprise, she wasn’t on the bed. They seemed to have caught her by surprise, for she was blinking at them, standing near the wall. The door closed, and he watched her for a moment before crossing the room. She backed away from him, and was brought up short when she hit the wall. He cupped her cheek gently, but she pulled away, and he saw the flash of pain in her eyes.