His Prize

Chapter 19: Punishment

The stall door flies open. I jump as its handle crashes against the tiles.

"Finally," he growls.

He grabs my arm and pulls me out of the stall. I stumble forward, trying to avoid a painful fall.

He shoves me face-first against the wall. I wince from the pain in my chest. He twists my arms behind my back, pinning me in place. I can't even turn my head to see him.

"Nina, what the fuck!? I warned you that further escape attempts would not be tolerated, and here you are at it again!"

"I-I just-"

"Shut up! I'm sick of your excuses and your arguing! You're nothing but a pain, and I've been far too lenient with you. You will be punished when we get home. If I hear even a peep out of you on the way back, I will double it."

My legs are trembling, and my breathing is uneven. I don't know what to do.

He yanks the end of the neck chain from my arm. I stumble behind him as he exits the bathroom.

The other shoppers are staring at us, whispering to each other. They must have heard his shouting.

I'm walking behind him, with the chain leading from my neck to his hand, clearly on display for everyone to see. I guess he's done playing nice.

I struggle to keep up. The aching in my feet becomes worse with each step. I open my mouth to say something, but I stop myself, remembering his threat. No talking.

I push myself to keep going. Soon, the pain becomes unbearable. We aren't even in the parking lot yet. I won't make it. I stretch out my arm and lightly touch his back. I know I'm breaking the rule about touching him, but I have no choice.

He stops and turns to face me. I can't bring myself to look him in the eye. I fall to the ground and sit with my legs crossed, massaging my foot with my hands. I keep my eyes on his shoes, afraid to look up.

He sighs. His hands reach under my arms, and I'm scooped up. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he holds me tight against his chest.

I'm carried to his car. I can't stop myself from trembling in his arms. I don't know what he's got planned for me, but I know it's going to be a lot worse than the last punishment. He said it himself.

The journey back has my mind racing through all the creative punishments he could inflict. I become more and more nervous by the minute.

We arrive. He grabs my arm and pulls me out of the car. "Move," he orders, shoving me into the kitchen.

The chain is still locked around my neck, but I don't dare mention it.

He returns to the garage and fetches his power tools, taking them to the bedroom where I've been sleeping. I know what he's doing. He's building a set of constraints to hold me still. It'll be just like the cell. I'll be defenceless while he hurts me.

I start to panic. I can't take that. Not again. I can't. I can't. I can't. I limp-run to the front door. It's locked.

I turn and head to the bathroom instead, locking the door behind me.

The sound of the drill pushes me over the edge. I can't hold back the tears anymore.

I sit in the corner furthest from the door. I hug my knees and sob into my arms.

I know I shouldn't have tried to escape, but do I really deserve this? I just wanted to be free. Surely I don't deserve to be tortured for that?

It's not long before he calls, "Nina!"