Old Version Shatter Pieces

Chapter 1: Dinner

Dedication section used to show who edited the chapter for me, thanks Heather

Elinn

I sat in the corner clutching my knees to my chest. The room was cold and I didn't have anything to keep me warm. It was at times like this that I forgot what heat was. I would try to picture what it felt like in my head and hoped it might bring some strength to my weakened muscles. The thoughts would come, but they did nothing to keep out the chill.

By now I would think I would be used to it. The last time I had felt heat it hadn't been a pleasant experience. Most of my memories were tainted; full of shadows and monsters. Finding light and hope was something I had given up on. I wasn't worth the breath in my body and was only here to make other people's lives easier.

It was the reason I sat in this cold, dank bedroom. Money was meant to be spent on things that mattered, and I didn't. The tattered clothes on my back had been there for two years. Master had told me I didn't need clothes, I had nobody to impress. My bedroom consisted of a box I slept in, and a bucket that served as a toilet. Master made it clear that I was blessed to even have these few items. I had thanked him for allowing me the privilege.

I rubbed my hands along my arms trying to bring some semblance of comfort to myself. I had been left alone in here for several hours and hoped I would get to rest, the rest of the day. My room wasn't the ideal place to stay and relax, but it would have to do. The room was never clean and it wasn't for lack of trying. Stains littered the concrete floor and walls. The ceiling had one dim light bulb hanging from it and it was bound to stop working soon.

I was dragged from my thoughts of my horrible bedroom by the sound of footsteps in the hall. I curled in on myself knowing whoever was coming wasn't going to be nice. The sound of jingling keys had me shaking, they were almost here. I wished I could just poof out of existence, it would be better for everyone. The door opened to reveal Master's second in command.

"He wants dinner on the table for him and two guests in an hour. Afterwards you are to be ready for the evening entertainment," He smiled at me as he gave me my instructions.

I nodded acknowledging that I had heard him. I kept my head down in a show of respect hoping it would be enough to please the malicious smile on his face. Apparently, it wasn't because he had me by my hair a second later and yanked me to him.

"I expect you to answer me when I talk to you slave. You are nothing and mean nothing to anyone. You will answer me out loud whenever I speak to you. Do I Make Myself Clear?!" He accented each word with a sharp yank on my head. It felt as though he was trying to pull my head off.

"I'm sorry Sir," I whispered. He let go of my hair and pushed me away. He spat on my face and made his way out of the room. I slowly pushed myself off the floor and followed him out. I was used to this sort of treatment, it wasn't anything new to me. I was nothing but a body to get pleasure from, to them.

I followed the man up the stairs making sure to stay far behind him and keeping my head down. We passed a few people as we entered the long hallway that lead to Master's office. Most of the people we passed were men, some of them would touch me as I passed or whisper something to me. I did my best to keep up with Sir and ignore what was going on around me. After a few more twists and turns we arrived at the kitchen.

I quickly began to prepare a meal for Master and his guests hoping that alfredo and some garlic bread would be an acceptable meal for him. I set to work boiling the pasta and creating the alfredo sauce. Once those were on the stove cooking I hurriedly made the garlic sauce and spread it on some french bread I found in one of the cupboards. Then as I looked at the meal I had prepared I realized I should probably make a salad to go with it. I cut up some lettuce and spinach, threw in some croutons and tomatoes and called that good. I glanced at the clock noticing I only had ten minutes left.