I still wasn't allowed to eat regular food that I would actually enjoy. He continued punishing me from a month ago for running my mouth and defying him. Hector was a motherfucker. He didn't allow us to get away with even the most minor infractions, and held a grudge for a long time. I believe we paid our debt to him over a week ago, but he didn't even acknowledge the attempted escape anymore. He just loved torturing all three of us. That was who he was.
When the guards returned with Becca and Layla back from the red room, Hector made them bend over their chairs in front of me. His voice was condescending.
"Look at how well your little friend is doing, princess."
Becca's ass was a mess, streaked with angry red welts against her pale skin. I barely recognized her anymore.The girl who used to light up a room now stared blankly at everyone, her expression vacant. There were no more tears, no resistance, just quiet compliance.
On the one hand, I was relieved. At the least, she wasn't terrified anymore. But that relief was poisoned by something far worse. If this lasted much longer, I was afraid she would snap. Lapse so far into the abyss, I would lose her forever.
Jesus, I hope she doesn't end up falling for this loser, but it was possible. Stockholm syndrome was real, and I believe Hector knew exactly how to exploit it.
Punishment and reward, control and surrender. Almost identical to how Atlas handled me in the beginning, but there was one crucial difference. Atlas never beat or hit me. His version of dominance was twisted of course, but it was done with care. He always tended to me afterwards. His kink was all sexual. He got turned on by BDSM and dominance.
I didn't break into pieces and lose my spark from his conditioning. The methods used by the two men were completely different, like night and day.
Hector was someone else entirely.
It wasn't about the sex for him. He wanted ownership of us—to break the three of us into pieces and make us beg like dogs. He got off on pure fear, not pleasure. And if we ever pushed him too far, I had no doubt in my mind he'd kill us without blinking an eye.
Atlas would not.
Hector rubbed Becca's bottom, with a smug smile on his face. She didn't even flinch, just obeyed like a puppet on a string.
"See how well she's doing, princess? No more crybaby tears. Because she is passing her trainings like a trouper, she may eat all the food she wants, and Layla here will give her an orgasm after their shower."
He kissed the top of Becca's head like a proud lover.
"Sit. It's time to eat. You will have thirty minutes to enjoy this wonderful food. Both you and Layla can eat all you want. Dig in, girls."
His eyes settled on me. I wanted to smack the smirk right off his face! I wasn't completely broken yet.
"You, princess, can also eat as much broth and oatmeal as you desire. I don't want you to think I play favorites."
God, I wanted to fucking kill the bastard.
I hate his guts!!!!!!!!
Everyone was helping themselves, while Hector piled my plate with goddamn oatmeal, and set a bowl of steaming broth in front of me.
"Eat up, princess. Food isn't cheap!"
I clenched my fists in my lap, holding my tongue. I wasn't in the mood to have my head smashed in today.
The smell of turkey and potatoes assaulted my nose, making my mouth water. I slurped the same beef broth I'd been eating for the last month. I can't take anymore of the oatmeal. Just looking at the shit made me want to toss my cookies.
My stomach growled so loud, I was sure everyone at the table heard it. I watched my friend and Layla while theyate. I sat quietly next to Becca as she shoved a roll into her mouth, never meeting my eyes.
I knew she wasn't doing anything on purpose. She was surviving, and I wasn't upset with her one bit. He was beating her into submission and starving me so I'd weaken and not challenge him. I knew exactly what the ass-hole was doing. He knew I could take the beatings, so he withheld food from me to turn me into a brittle shell.
I looked at all three of them eating their delicious dinner, while my cold oatmeal remained on the plate. Hector didn't so much as glance at me while he stuffed his mouth with a good helping of turkey, potatoes and corn, adding a deep groan for special effect; knowing it would upset me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, along with my pride. I needed to eat. My body was fucking desperate for food, and this bastard wouldn't relent and feed me anything solid and nutritious. I couldn't stand it any longer.
"Hector." My voice was soft and cracked slightly. "Please, I am starving. Can I have some real food tonight? Just a small plate of turkey, potatoes and a roll?"
He paused mid-chew. His gaze slowly drifted toward me. That cold amusement already danced around his eyes. A shiver went down my spine. I was nervous, but also in agony from being famished to the point of almost losing my mind.
"You hungry, princess?" He said, his voice laced with mock sympathy.
