DemoGrassi

three

Scott meets Kirstie outside Mitch's room. She's smiling as bright as ever. "Hi!"

"Hi, Kirstie."

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Kirstie giggles a little bit and grabs his wrist, pulling him along. "Don't worry. Everyone here is actually pretty nice when you get to know them. Even Mr. Grassi. I know he seems scary — because he can be — but he's really nice." She stops in front of a big door with other slaves, usually female, bustling in and out. "This is the kitchen. If Master Mitch asks you to get him food or something, this is where you'd have to go. If you're getting food for your master, then all you have to do is ring this little bell here —" she taps a small bell dangling by the door "— and a cook will come to assist you. Master Mitch and Mistress Jessa are allowed to eat whenever they want, but we slaves have to wait until mealtimes. However, if you ask them really nicely or do well on something, they might let you get a snack."

She grabs his wrist and pulls him again, this time stopping in front of a smaller door but just as many slaves going through and out. "This is the slave break room." At Scott's surprised look, she smiles. "Yes, we have one of those. Again, Master Mitch uses this room as sort of a reward. You get to come in here for however long he says and play the games and stuff. I've only been in there a couple times because I got here a month ago but they were really fun."

They continue on with the tour, Kirstie pointing out important things and Scott looking around with wide eyes and an awed expression. When they finish, Kirstie drops Scott off in front of Mitch's door. "You go in there, I guess. Master Mitch isn't back yet but it's almost bed time, so I think you're probably supposed to get ready for bed. Goodnight, Scott."

"Goodnight, Kirstie."

She smiles at him one last time before turning and leaving, probably to go find Jessa. Scott turns to the door to Mitch's room and goes inside, closing it behind him. He freezes when he seems a small bed at the foot of the larger bed in the center. It wasn't that big, but it was bigger than the cot under Mitch's bed. Scott carefully edges nearer, seeing a little note resting on a pile of clothes that is resting on the pillow.

Scott stares at the strange markings on the paper, trying to figure out what they mean. He knows they're probably words, but they don't make any sense to him. He sighs frustratedly and tucks the paper under the bed, planning to read it if he ever learns how.

Scott dresses in the softer bed clothes and sits down on the bed, crossing his legs and preparing to wait.

+++

Six hours later, the door opens. Scott, who had been trying to stay awake but accidentally drifted off, jumps to attention, forcing himself to stand up. Mitch stares at him tiredly for a few seconds as though trying to remember who he is.

"Scott? What are you doing up?" Mitch's voice is softer than usual.

"I-I was waiting for you, Master."

Mitch smiles at Scott's answer. "You didn't have to do that." Without waiting for an answer, Mitch moves forward and clicks on a lamp. Scott can barely suppress a gasp: Mitch has multiple bruises littering the exposed part of his neck and his shirt is blood-soaked, hugging his body.

Mitch moves to a mirror, sucking in a breath at his appearance. He glances at Scott and grits his teeth, his gaze flickering back to his reflection. "Help me. Don't ask questions," he orders, and Scott hesitantly comes to his side. "What do you need me to do, Master?" he asks, and Mitch takes a deep breath before tugging on his shirt, signaling that Scott should take it off. Scott stares at him, wide-eyed.