His Prize

Chapter 17: Discipline

Sunlight fills the bedroom. I stretch, yawn, and rub the sleep out of my eyes. The bed is cosy. I snuggle into the blankets, listening to the bird's chirp.

"Morning," Alex greets me from the door, pulling me out of my daydreaming.

"Grab my arms." He stands by the bed.

"Why?" I ask, suspicious.

"You should try stand."

"There's no way my feet are better."

"The cream has proteins which accelerate the healing process."

"Wait, you really think I can stand?"

"Use my arms as a brace, and give it a shot."

"What if I can't? Won't I just hurt myself more?"

"I'm right here. I won't let you fall."

I try gauge his intentions. It must be a bother having to carry me around all the time, so I don't think he would deliberately drop me.

I slide my legs off the bed and let my feet touch the ground. I use his arms for balance, gradually putting more weight on my feet. They ache, but there's no sharp pain like before.

"Now try walking," he instructs.

I take a step, then another and another. He keeps his arms close.

"Satisfied?" he says, sounding bored.

I nod, still in disbelief that I can walk. It's not perfect, but it's certainly better than nothing.

"Go shower and brush your teeth. Be sure to brush on all sides, use a circular-"

"I'm not a child," I interrupt him, "I know how to brush my teeth."

"Nina," he growls, causing my stomach to fill with butterflies. "Do not interrupt me when I'm speaking to you. Brush your teeth on all sides with a circular motion. After that, go to the kitchen table."

I limp past him, eager to get away.

I take a difficult shower, then eat breakfast. I head to the couch, but I'm stopped by a heavy hand on my shoulder. "Wait."

I gulp, slowly turning to face him. What did I do?

"Since you can walk, it's time you know the rules."

"Rules?" This doesn't sound good.

"Yes. You are my pet, and hence you will follow the rules I lay out for you. If you break them, I will punish you as a deterrent. I will not repeat myself, so listen carefully."

"Rule one: You are not allowed to touch me."

"Rule two: You are not allowed to hold a knife, with the exception being when sitting at the kitchen table."

Those rules don't matter. I'm not so low as to kill him just so I can escape.

"Rule three: You are not allowed to interrupt me."

"Rule four: You are not allowed to damage my property."

"Rule five: You are not allowed to enter my room or the garage." He points to both doors.

That's fine.

"Rule six: You are not allowed to go outside-"

"Wait what?" I blurt out. How am I supposed to live like that?

"Nina!" He stomps forward, and I flinch at his voice.

"I have not even finished explaining the rules and you've already broken rule three! I've been far too lenient with you. You will be punished for that display of poor discipline."