CAGED

Chapter 20: Eavesdropping

A/N: I don't normally do dedications, but this chapter is dedicated to my BFF. You know why chika. Love you J.E.! ❤❤

Jesse left the room over an hour ago leaving me to think to myself, something I have had way to much time to do lately. I don't want to think anymore today so I decide to get out of bed and be productive, which means cleaning my mess in my room. With that in mind I swing my legs over the edge of the mattress and stand on my shaky legs, wobbling a bit before I get my ground. I leave the room, shutting the door behind me, and go down the hallway to the stairs.

Once I am downstairs I make my way to the supply closet to grab the broom and dustpan. I'm sore and my cheek aches horribly but I don't let the pain take hold of me as I go back up the stairs to my room. My door is open still and I can see the room is a mess again, undoubtedly Jason's handiwork. With a heavy sigh I get to work folding the clothes amd putting them in the drawers, then the drawers back into the dresser. I put the bed sheets up off of the floor and make the bed, pulling everything up so it looks nice.

Next I make my way to the bathroom, sweeping glass shards up as I go, careful not to step in any since I'm barefoot. I make sure to get all of the small pieces up, brushing them into the dustpan before dumping it into the trashcan. I delicately pull the remaining pieces of glass that had not shattered from the wall above the sink, leaving the space bare.

I decide that I like it better with no mirror, no way to see what I have become. No way for Master to force me to look at myself while he insults me in his weird ways, calling me broken but beautiful, as if they make sense. Somehow despite the nonsense of his words, they have such a pull on me that I can't describe. I see the broken girl, I always see the broken girl; he sees beauty in the broken, and I can't fathom how that can possibly be.

Shaking my head of its thoughts I pull the bag of trash from the can and go downstairs to throw it away. As I am closing the lid to the kitchen can I can hear voices in the living room. I silently creep towards the door so I can hear them.

"You had no right to interfer!" This was Aaron's voice.

"He had no right to do what he did!" This was Jesse's voice.

"I didn't break any of the rules Ryan set!" This was Jason's voice.

"You didn't abide by them either." Jesse snaps. "You found that disgusting middle ground and took advantage of it."

"Jealous that you didn't think of it first?" Jason taunts. "I see how you look at her, you wish it was you she sucked off, don't you?"

"You're lucky I can't kill you," Jesse answers, "you sick son of a bitch!"

There was a quick shuffling sound and a loud bump.

"Enough!" Aaron shouts. "Stop acting like goddamned children! Jason, stop fucking the girl. Jesse, stay the hell out of our way. I don't know how you weaseled your way in here, but I'll shoot you myself if you interfer again. Both of you understand?"

"Yes," both Jesse and Jason answered in unison, both sounding equally defeated.

"Good, because Ryan will be home in a few hours. So use her while you got her." Aaron dismissed them.

I clasped my hand over my mouth and tried to get away before I was found out. I turned quickly and started to scurry away but felt a hard hand clasp onto my shoulder. The person spun me around and I was greeted with Aaron's red angry face.

"Eavesdropping?" He asks in a dangerously calm manor. I can't deny it since I was caught in the act, so I simply nod my head and cast my eyes down. "You'll be whipped for that." Aaron digs his fingers into my shoulder and I cry out as he drags me down to the basement.

Aaron doesn't shackle me to the wall like Master does. Instead he throws me to the floor and quickly grabs a whip from the wall. He doesn't give me time to act as he swings his arm and the whip arches through the air gracefully before striking fire into my side. He strikes me three more times, two hitting my side and one hitting my cheek splitting the flesh wide open. I scream out as the leather drags across my face and blood begins to rush out.

Aaron puts the whip down and crouches to my level, grabbing my chin as he examines his work. His eyes are a cold blue and it sends shivers down my spine. A mischievous grin plays against his lips as he gazes at me.

"Jason is right," Aaron finally speaks. "You do have a pretty fuckable mouth." I cringe at his words, suddenly very afraid of the man in front of me. He stands up again and unbuckles his belt, dropping his pants to the floor. I stare at him in disbelief. Didn't he just get done scolding Jason?! "Suck it or fuck it, your choice doll."

"Neither!" I yell at him, my voice shaking and terrified.

"Do as you're told," Aaron threatens. "Or I'll beat you to an inch of your life and take what I want anyway."

"No, I won't!" I scream at him again. Aaron stares at me with a wicked look in his eye before he grabs the whip again.

"I'll only stop when you agree," he taunts as he brings the whip down against my shoulder. He continues to slam the leather whip against my flesh, tearing the clothes I was wearing to shreds, as he stands there naked from the waist down. I scream and cry each time the whip rips open another spot, each crack tempting me to give in to him.

I don't give up though as he really does beat me to near death. By the time he finishes with me I am barely conscious and can feel life slipping away from me. I don't know why he stops, because I don't know what's happening in general. I feel ridiculously light and airy, and strangely enough I don't register any pain.

What I see now is not Aaron or the basement or that house of torture. I see a beautiful green field with brilliant white daisies sprouting up everywhere. I see my daddy. He is standing across the field waving at me excitedly. I wave back cautiously because I know that daddy has been dead for years. I can't figure out where I am, or how I got here. Everything seems surreal and I can't grasp ahold of any particular idea or thought.

As I try to ponder on where I am, a single word slaps me in the face. Limbo.