The Pet

Chapter 8

Alex stood beside Damien. He had been eerily silent for the past two days. His silence worried Alex. Damien always spoke to him, told him what was on his mind. Now he seemed closed off, just like he was before he became Alexs Pet.

Damien, what are you thinking?

Damien was quiet for a moment and Alex feared he wasnt going to answer at all.

Im thinking about what this is going to mean to me. His voice was empty, void of anything that would have told anyone what he was feeling.

Alex gazed at Damien. What do you mean?

While Damien stood there contemplating how to answer the question Alex was hit with a realization. Standing in the living room dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and a black silk shirt with an expression of complete loneliness and emptiness he appeared to be a hollowed out doll. A doll completely void of meaning and purpose. Something to be used not nurtured and loved.

Damien didn't know why he even answered Alex. He hadnt meant to. He didn't understand everything that was tumbling through his head. Wait, yeah he understood it but he refused to believe any of it. He couldn't believe it because then where would that leave him?

Damien? Alexs voice was soft; it carried no threat of punishment if he didn't answer.

He glanced over at his master. Alex stood there hunched over with his head hanging on his shoulders. His eyes stared at the floor, his mouth was a slash and his hands were in fists.

Damien sighed. Im trying to figure out how much is real and how much is fabricated. Alexs eyes lifted to his face. This life Im living is confusing and complicated. I need to realize what is real and how it will affect me.

What do you mean?

Damien shook his head. I dont know. Ive been having so many epiphanies that its hard to think clearly.

Yeah, Alex thought. He could completely relate to how Damien was feeling. He had not known that he was in love with Damien when he had first spotted him being beaten up. He had soon realized that he was madly in love with him and he had decided to keep it from Damien. Alex didn't want to scare Damien off or make him uncomfortable.

Before Alex could respond a black limo pulled up the driveway. Alex glanced at Damien. He was staring at the limousine with wide empty eyes. Alex had a feeling that Damiens way of hiding his emotions was the literal way, not showing them at all instead of covering them with another more acceptable emotion. It made sense.

The door to the limo opened and Khan stepped out dressed in a simple black suit. He stood there patiently with a knowledge shining in his eyes that had Alex scared out of his mind. How had he figured it all out so quickly? Could it have been written on his face the whole time? Had everyone seen it? Alex shook his head. No. Khan had always been the smartest. He always figured out everyones secrets and he used them against everyone. What was he planning? What part would Damien play in his scheme? Alex could do nothing to stop Damien from going with Khan. If he refused to let Damien go then Khan could take Damien by force and imprison Alex for disobeying. If that happened, then Khan would have Damien for as long as Alexs sentence was. Only God knew what Khan would do to Damien in that span of time.

"Let's go, Damien." Alex strode to the door and paused with his hand on the knob. "Damien."

"Yes, Master."

Alexs heart shuddered at the emptiness in his voice.

"I need you to be strong. Don't listen to everything Khan tells you. He is a manipulative bastard who loves playing with people." Alex glanced at Damien. He was standing beside him with a thoughtful expression. "I dont want you coming back with some notion that I am using you without any thought. That I just want your body." Alex stopped. He didnt want to give too much away. He definitely didnt want Damien to know his true feelings. That would harm him in the long run.