Free to Feel [Temporarily (??) Discontinued]

Chapter 18

Catherine slowly nodded, not sure how she was supposed to feel. On one hand, the two agreed to work with her and help her with her plan. On the other, well, Maya had just proven that the only reason they were doing this was because they had to obey orders. They didn't want to be freed, they were just being submissive like they had been taught!

She shook her head at those thoughts and sucked in a breath, feeling a sliver of air go into her lungs and exit from her nose. Right now she had to focus on the fact that they had agreed to work with her, that they had agreed to participate in the plan. This was the most important thing now.

"First thing first, we are going to buy you some new clothes and cuffs that are lighter than the ones you have now." She announced, giving a small smile when Sam's eyes widened in delight. "Since you can't go outside without them, we have to make sure that wearing them is as comfortable and as painless as possible."

"So thoughtful." Maya muttered and rolled her greyish eyes, but Cat was so used to Raven giving her attitude that she paid no attention to that. Her gaze settled on Sam instead and only then did it occur to her that he had never said a single word to her. Was he... Was he mute? No, she would've been told that, she would've been warned if there was anything with him. Perhaps he was just not used to speaking? Perhaps he was afraid? Judging by the way he managed to communicate with his sister without as much as a sound, this was his usual condition.

"Tell more." Heather whispered and looked up, pushing his head up against the fingers of his owner. His face was happy and bright, his eyes sparkling with glee. For one moment, for a split moment she allowed herself to get lost in his eyes. Just a single thought about waking up every day for the rest of the lives made her heart swell in happiness. He was the perfect one for her. Her companion, her pet, her friend, her everything... She was so glad she'd chosen him among others.

"Right." She curled the corner of her lips up and raised her eyes, looking back at the two redheads that were so similar to one another. "After that, I'm going to... We're going to go to a special place where, hopefully, you'll be hired to work. Not bought, but hired as frees, you know, being able to earn money. Don't worry, that work will not be difficult and will not require physical strength whatsoever. If everything goes perfectly, and I surely hope it does, you'll officially employed."

"That's a mighty big 'if' there." Maya grumbled and huffed, then shrugged. "Listen, frees don't employ slaves, don't give them easy work and don't pay them for their labour. Frees buy slaves, use them, pay them with food and water and a roof above their heads."

Catherine shrugged and gave a smile.

"I'll make sure they will." She replied, looking at Maya with a small smile, even though the latter clearly played very hard to get. This was her shell, her protective cocoon, similar to the one Raven had. Heather had a shell as well, his mask of the overly-obedient slave was fake. Even though he was truly unbelievable submissive, it had long since become clear that he was not as scared and as pathetic as he had pretended to be during his first days here. Sam... Hmm... Perhaps his lack of words was an attempt to keep his act up, to keep his protective mask on him. It appeared that all slaves developed that cocoon of safety at one point. Not surprising, really, they were put through unbelievable things. It was just their defence.

"And what exactly will we be supposed to do there?" Maya raised her chin and began to pick at her very short fingernails. She could appear almost relax if it wasn't for a couple of details that Raven had as well while hiding her awareness. It wasn't something Catherine could actually pinpoint, but she knew that now the redhead was as alarmed as it was possible for her to be.

"I don't know, I'm not an expert, but I suppose-"

Suddenly the front door opened and the parents walked in. John and Nick immediately got up to help unloading the bags, and Cat caught herself with her arms tense to stand up and rush to their aid as well. What the... She had never thought those reflexes were still alive in her.