CAGED

Chapter 13: Punished

RACHEL'S P.O.V.

I watch as Marissa is taken to the basement and a small pang of pity stand my heart. She has been doing so well lately, I wonder what went wrong today. As far as I knew Daddy was taking her to the garden for being here a whole year.

I still remember her first day here so clearly, how she had sliced through her wrists with Daddy's cuffs. Daddy was so upset when it happened. I was the one who had to bandage her while she was strapped to that bed. I felt bad for her because if she had behaved then Daddy would have made her first day pretty decent, like he did mine.

Daddy bought me from my sperm donor of a father when I was only ten, three years before Marissa was brought in. Daddy pitied me because my father only wanted $100 for me, booze money was all I was worth to him. I was pretty wise for my age, having had to grow up so quick in my circumstances.

Daddy saw the age in my eyes did not match my true years, so he allowed me to spend my first day watching television and eating ice cream with him. He told me that I was to be his new daughter, that he would love me forever. I can count on both hands the number of times that Daddy has hurt me; none of which were particularly terrible compared to what I endured with my father. Daddy has always been so kind to me, so it confuses me how he acts with Marissa.

I thought that Daddy had bought Marissa to be my sister, but he's only kept her in her room and hit on her. I could see the bruises, the scars, the tattoo of a punishment; she couldn't hide them from me no matter how hard she tries.

I wait patiently for Daddy to come back up from the basement and finally, after three hours, he makes his way through the door. He's sweaty and his hair is disheveled, and he looks just plain tired. Daddy doesn't notice me at first as he shuts and locks the basement door behind me.

"Daddy!" I say excitedly when he turns around and sees me. Daddy gives me a smile and opens his arms to me.

"Come here Princess," Daddy says with nothing but adoration in his voice. Daddy loves me, I know he does; just like I know he loves Marissa. I run into his arms and despite his exhaustion she lifts me into the air with ease. I wrap my arms around his neck and smile at him.

"Is Marissa in trouble?" I ask cautiously. I don't want to make Daddy mad, but I wanted to know what happened.

"Yes she is, Princess." Daddy confirms. "Marissa said something very silly, and she needed to be punished so she can know not to do silly things any more."
Daddy tucked a bit of my loose brown hair behind my ears and smiled at me, which I returned happily.

Daddy set me down again and took my hand as he lead me to the kitchen. He lifted me so I was sitting on the counter while he made us some lunch. I watch him silently for a minute before I decide to test the waters a little bit.

"Daddy?" I ask in an extra sweet voice. Daddy looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes Princess?" He asks with a light tone.

"Do you love me?" I ask innocently. Daddy States at me for a second before setting down the butter knife he was using to make our PB&J sandwiches.

"Of course I do, Princess!" Daddy almost sounds offended at my question. I give him a huge grin to ease his nerves before I continue.

"Do you love Marissa?"

Daddy freezes for a moment with his expression unreadable, and suddenly I regret my question. I hang my head in shame, but before I can apologize Daddy speaks.

"I do, Princess." Daddy answers my question. "I love you very much, and I love Marissa too. She just doesn't understand yet. She's still mad, still confused. She thinks she loves me now, but I want her to understand what love is before she says it. Do you understand?"

I nod my head after a moment. "You don't want her to love you because you give her things, but because of who you are, right?" I ask, knowing he's thinking about the garden. Daddy nods his head and gives me a smile as he pets my head. I grin and lean into his hand. "I love you Daddy!"

"I love you too, my little Princess!" Daddy answers back before returning to making our sandwiches. He cuts the crust off of mine and cuts it into four triangles, adding a small handful of chips to the plate before handing it to me. Daddy is so smart, he knows I don't like crust on my bread. It may seem childish and irrelevant, but it's important to me because the crust has a funny taste that I don't like.

I take the plate from his hands and immediately dig into the food. I'm nearly half finished with my sandwich before I hear Daddy clear his throat. I look up at Daddy to see a scowl on his face. I frown and look up at Daddy from under my hair, confused for a moment.
Daddy puts his right hand on his hip and gestures to my plate with his other.

I gulp on the bite still in my mouth as I realize what he's waiting for. "I'm sorry Daddy!" I cry out as I set the plate beside me. "I didn't use my manners. Thank you Daddy for lunch!"

Daddy smiles again and nods his head. "You're welcome Princess." Daddy returns to his own food and proceeds to eat. I smile at Daddy and continue to eat my own food as well.