Things I liked would be taken away, which is why I didn’t like very many things.
I shot a glare at my thumb, seeing the red dented marks. My bites were still covered, but I could feel the bruising when I moved my arm.
I deserved more pain. That was nothing.
“Oatmeal. And milk.” Today, he sat a cup, a grown-up one, in front of me. It was half full of white liquid.
Ignoring the milk, because I’d rather have anything but that, I focused on my breakfast.
The oats were soft, going down easily. It was one of the things Sir liked me to eat, and filling enough to last most of the day.
I finished off the bowel, hungrier than I thought. Or maybe Sabastian didn’t give me as much, knowing what I could handle. Either way, that only left me with a cup of milk. One I knew I’d have to drink.
Taking a small sip, I noticed it tasted a bit different than what Sir had me drink. It was sweeter, almost in a strange way.
Taking another, bigger sip, I kept it in my mouth for an extra second before swallowing.
“Oat milk.” I jerked at Sabastian’s voice. “I have trouble with regular milk. There’s a protein in cows’ milk that I’m allergic to. Which makes it challenging sometimes when I want pizza or nachos, but it’s better than spending hours in the bathroom.”
I blinked, taking another drink. So, it was normal? I wasn’t a freak because I couldn’t drink it without paying a price?
“I like pizza,” I said around the lip of the cup. Why that came out, I’d never know. But the man smiled.
“Me too. Maybe tonight, if you’re good, I’ll order some.”
Would he? Or was this a test, one I’d fail, and I’d have to sit there eating dog food while he got the pizza?
Sir did that a lot. He’d tell me to do something, and if I did, he’d order the best smelling food that’d make my stomach growl with hunger. All for me to not be allowed to eat it, instead, I’d get a can of dog food to eat.
“Oh, Oakley,” Sabastian sighed, laying a hand along my cheek. I didn’t stop myself from seeking more of his comfort. His touch was warm, settling the thoughts in my brain as easy as that. “Even if you mess up today, you’ll still get pizza. I promise.”
We’d see, I thought, letting my eyes slide close.
When a high-pitched ring rang through the house, Sabastian pulled back. “Go get dressed, little one.”
It took a moment to get my feet to work to stand. Then, as Sabastian went to the door, I headed upstairs.
Even though he said to only get dressed, I brushed my hair and pulled it into a clip once more. The skirt I pulled on wasn’t as long as the others, tickling the top of my feet instead of to the floor where I’d likely trip over the edges. A white tank top with one of Sabastian’s checkered black shirts, which covered my hands with how long the sleeves were, I deemed dressed enough.
Heck, I even put on a pair of underwear, although it felt odd to do so. The ones that were left out on the top of the dresser were simple, but way better than what Sir had be wear the last few months.
As I descended the stairs, voices reached me. With my heart in my throat, I forced my feet down each step. I followed the voices, hands clasped in front of me in a tight grip.
“Come here, Oakley.” I followed Sabastian’s order, walking right to him. When I was in reach, he grabbed my hand, pulling me to sit down beside him. “Good boy,” he whispered to where only I could hear it.
“Hello, kiddo,” Collin’s voice got me to look up quickly before looking anywhere else. “How are you doing today?”
I lifted a shoulder. When a throat cleaned from beside me, I sighed. “Fine, sir.”
“Bruising is better,” Sabastian supplied, leaning back against the couch. I stayed on the edge, ready to run if I needed to. Not that’d get away with it, though. Not again. “Nights are a bit challenging. Nightmares, I think.”
“Monsters,” I said before thinking. But my reply had both of their attention.
“What monsters, honey?” Collin asked gently, like he understood. Maybe, he did.
“The ones in the dark.”
“There’s no monsters, little one.” Sabastian’s hand ran up and down my arm.
