His Prize

Chapter 9: Wisening Up

"Wake up," I hear a voice in the distance.

I'm knocked awake with a thud. I grab the couch as my bottom half falls to the floor. I struggle to focus my vision. Alex is towering over me.

Startled, I scurry back from him, to the farthest corner of the couch.

"Why did you kick the couch!?" I scold him.

He groans, his hand gripping his messy dark hair. "I told you to wake up. You didn't listen."

He leans in and reaches towards me. Expecting the worst, I flinch away, shutting my eyes.

The lock clicks and the neck chain falls away. I look at him again, relieved he didn't hit me.

"There are a bunch of toiletries in the bathroom. You will hand me the razor when you're done, so don't get any ideas. After your shower, return to the kitchen table for breakfast," he commands.

I scurry past him to the bathroom.

How can he go from covering me with blankets at night to kicking the couch the next morning?

I brush my teeth with the new toothbrush. I turn to face the shower, and my heart sinks. I don't want to face it now. I'll shower after breakfast.

Paying no mind to Alex, I sit at the kitchen table. I play with strands of my hair while staring at the pepper shaker, waiting for him to finish cooking.

He pauses mid-way putting down my plate. "You're still in the same clothes." His eyes trail up and down my body. "And you haven't showered," his voice grows angrier.

"I'll do it after breakfast."

"No," he drags out the word as if I'm too stupid to understand. "I specifically told you to shower first, and you deliberately disobeyed!" He slams my plate on the table, grabbing his hair again.

"I don't see what the big deal is," my voice carries a hint of frustration. I couldn't care less that I disobeyed him. It's his fault that I hate showering after all.

"Shower! Now!"

"I told you I'll shower after breakfast," I retort.

He grabs both my arms and pulls me backward off the stool. A loud crash rings through the air as it hits the floor. He shoves me against the wall, pinning my arms on either side of me.

"Why are you being so difficult!?" he shouts only inches from my face.

His grip around my arms tightens, and I squeak from the sudden pain. I breathe through my teeth and look to the floor, trying to keep my composure. I can't let myself appear weak.

"Just listen, dammit!" He pushes my arms inwards, squeezing my torso. I scream in pain as my cracked ribs are compressed.

Hearing my sudden screech, he releases me.

I waste no time getting away from him. I run to the bathroom and slam the door behind me, pressing my back up against it in an effort to keep him out.

He's insane. He's actually insane.

I stay there until my breathing returns to normal. I'm relieved he didn't follow me.

I turn on the shower, doing as he wanted in the hope that he'll stay out.

I throw my old shoulder blade bandage in the bin. My skin has healed enough that it's no longer necessary.

I shut my eyes tight and begin my shower procedure.

I exit the bathroom, flinching as I see Alex right at the door. I shakily hand him the razor, and he locks the chain around my neck.

Without saying a word, he leaves, locking the front door behind him.