Monster lost me once, and I can already see that his determination not to lose me again really knows no bounds. He’s hyper focused on keeping me, on making me accept my place through sexual torture and captivity. He’s trying to force a bond between us, and in doing so, he made a fatal error.
He gave me back the symbol of my progress, a shining beacon of hope in the desolation of my circumstances. Luci isn’t just a cat; he’s a reminder of how hard I’ve worked, how hard I will work to move forward and get the fuck away from this hellhole.
It doesn’t matter what Monster does to me. As I carry Luci to the bed and settle him on the blankets beside me, I renew the promise I made to myself the last time I was in these circumstances.
I’ll find a way to escape. Whether it takes a week, a year, or a decade. And, when the time comes, I won’t hesitate. I’ll put a bullet in Monster’s skull and rid the world of him, once and for all.
Monster returns with lunch as I’m dozing and petting Luci. Lucifer hisses at Monster’s intrusion, fur standing on end as he turns to face Monster.
“Down, boy,” Monster says, tone steeped in boredom. “She was mine long before she was yours. You’ll do well to remember that.”
As if Luci can understand him, he lets out a yowl of protest that seems to say, “over my dead body.”
“I’ll tell you what I told your mother; don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Monster sets a metal dog bowl filled with food down by Luci’s crate. I arch my neck to get a closer look, grimacing when I seeraw meatin it.
“What are you feeding him?” I ask, worried. “He’s a picky—” Luci’s guard seems to lower as he lifts his head and sniffs the air. Abruptly, he abandons me, galloping to the other side of the room. Luci’s so distracted by Monster’s offering, he doesn’t even pause to hiss at him before digging into the food, letting out territorial little growls.
“He’ll be on a raw diet from now on,” Monster says, watching the cat with raised eyebrows. “According to Max, who started vet school before bowing out, a raw diet is the best possible thing for cats and dogs. He told the chefs what to put together.”
My cat, who previously subsisted on wet and dry canned food, is now being fed gourmet meals by Michelin-starred chefs. This shit is surreal.
“Come to the table. Take a seat. Thank me for your food.”
My eyes flutter at the memory that Monster’s words summon. I was knocking on death’s door, a few days into my time in the cell, when he first uttered those words to me. They were absolutely devastating back then, just as they are now. A deep pit forms in my stomach, nearly suffocating me.
“Scarlett,” Monster says when I stiffen. “Come to the table. Not for me to hurt you—never again. But for me to take care of the most precious thing in my life.”
There’s that word again.Precious. I’ve never been precious to anyone—I’ve never held value beyond my body and its natural assets. But the Monster who broke me keeps saying I’m the most precious thing in his life. I’m wearing a collar made of precious stones around my neck, one he must’ve dropped a fortune on.
He touches me like he owns me, like I’m just a pussy and set of tits.As soon as I have the thought, it’s overridden with evidence to the contrary. He doesn’t just touch and treat me like a pussy and set of tits. A body alone wouldn’t merit the jewels decorating my neck—only a person of high value would.
My head starts to pound from the onslaught of confusion and strange, unpleasant emotions.
“Come on, Flower,” Monster sighs. “If I have to tell you again, you won’t get to go outside today, which would truly be a shame. I have some things I think you’d like to see.”
Outside. Yes, I need to see the outside grounds if I’m going to successfully escape. I have to map out the compound—fortress—whatever the fuck it’s being called these days. I have to map it, find weak points, and devise a plan.
I force myself to stand from the bed. Every step towards the table feels like a step to my own demise—a walk to the gallows. A single experience of forced pleasure isn’t enough to wipe away the trauma that Monster’s phrasing dredged up.
“I’m still full from breakfast.”
“I don’t give a shit.” His words are impassive, almost harsh. “You did a terrible job taking care of yourself, Flower—now,I’mgoing to take care of you. Starting out with getting some meat on yourbones.”
I force myself to take a seat on the chair. Monster pushes the food tray closer to me. It has two steaming sandwiches along with two small salads.
I slowly reach for the salad, but Monster shakes his head. “Start with the sandwich. More calories.”
“You can’t control what I eat,” I say, pinning him with a glare. “I’m not a doll—”
He takes my chin in a firm grip, cutting off my next words. “You’re not a doll, but you are mine, and you’ve neglected to care for yourself. In case it isn’t clear yet, I’ll once again impress upon you thatyou belong to me. You aremine. Mine to toy with, mine to fuck, and most of all,mine to protect and care for. Until you can show a solid ability to make good decisions for your health, I’m taking the wheel.” He releases my chin with a faint scoff. “Eat your fucking food, Scarlett, and stop being a child.”
“Why couldn’t you have just died on a hit these last months?” I snap, unable to keep the words to myself. “Why did you have to come back and infest my fucking life? I was free of your oppression and working my way back to normalcy.”
“Normalcy,” Monster echoes with a disbelieving laugh. “What would you know about normalcy, Flower? Nothing about your life has ever been normal. You wouldn’t knownormalif it bit you in the ass. Now, stop lashing out like a child andeat.”
“No.” I’ve officially had it for the day. I don’t know why, but my emotions feel wildly out of control, and I’m swinging between anger, confusion, and determination. “I’m not eating another thing you give me.” I’ll find another way to get outside, but right now, the merethoughtof complying with Monster is fucking repulsive.
“You’ve forgotten about the afternoon walk I offered you.” Monster’s tone is flat. “That must be it, right? Why else would you risk my kindness?”
