The floor felt less stable when I pushed up from the chair. The edges of my vision brightened, but I still felt in control of my body. I walked carefully to face The Director where he sat. Master Derek came as well, looking even taller and bulkier whenhe stood next to me. The oil on his skin smelled bad, and I hated the thought of having it rub all over me.
“Jonah, I was told you’d do your part today,” The Director said doubtfully.
I nodded stiffly, recalling how I had tried to impress him at Eliot’s, believing he could help with my career. My naivety weighed heavily on my chest.
Based on my past two experiences in this dungeon, I didn’t understand why he was referred to as The Director; he didn’t do much as far as directing went.
“Since Jonah is showing growth, try to take it easier on him,” he told Master Derek.
“And if he changes his mind midway through?”
“I’m sure you’ll manage to overcome the challenge.” The Director moved to look at the monitors, dismissing us.
With that out of the way, we started shooting.
*
“Here we go.” Bo used a key to open the door.
I limped inside to sit on a chair next to a small table, waiting for my heart to settle down. My body was a battlefield of bruises, inside and out. A so-called doctor had come to check on me once we finished shooting, but all he did was give me a painkiller.
Once I could breathe with more ease, I looked around at my new room. After weeks in a smelly cell, it didn’t take much to impress me. I immediately zoomed in on the wide bed with the pillows and the cozy-looking blanket. My aching body couldn’t wait for a good sleep. The cream-colored walls were bare butnot dirty. A side door seemed to lead to a bathroom, and the possibility of a decent shower sparked a flame of excitement in my chest. A pile of clothes lay on the bed, plain gray and clean looking. It was finally time to dispose of the dirty underwear I’d been wearing since I got here.
“Told you it’d be worth it,” Bo said.
He was right, but I wasn’t willing to admit it. The drug he’d given me had helped me handle the hell in the dungeon, providing a layer of protection around my body and senses.
Taking in my new surroundings, I almost missed the food on the table: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a bottle of water. “I’m vegetarian.”
Bo snorted. “I’ll be sure to alert the chef.” He moved closer and picked up a piece of chicken. I was starving, but the scent of meat made me ill.
“Open up, Prey.”
“I’ll just eat the—”
He shoved the chicken into my mouth. With his other hand, he grabbed my hair so I wouldn’t squirm away. My eyes watered as I chewed and swallowed, fighting my gag reflex and my churning stomach.Pick your battles.
Bo removed his hand, and I wiped the grease from my lips.
“Don’t think that getting this room means you can turn into a princess.” He picked up another piece of chicken. I forced my lips to part and ate what he gave me, focusing on getting my strength back.
When he saw I was playing along, he wiped his hand on the table and sat on the second chair in the room. I drank the water and finished all the food, feeling fuller than I had in weeks.
“Can I take a shower and go to sleep?”
“You can take a shower, but you aren’t sleeping until we inaugurate this bed.”
I glanced at my new bed, fearing it might end up being more of a trap than a reward. “You’ll have a better time when I’m not so open.”
Bo tugged at his messy beard. “Yeah, you’ve got a point. Go grab a quick shower, then; you smell like a sewer filled with cum.”
The bathroom was small, but it had what I needed, including a new toothbrush and toothpaste. I brushed my teeth until my gums bled, then stepped into the narrow cubicle where the water was cold but heavenly. I knew I shouldn’t keep Bo waiting, but it was hard to pull myself out of the current. When I finally managed, I dried myself with a soft towel and stepped out naked, my modesty but a distant memory.
“Can I get dressed?”
Bo shrugged. “Whatever.”
I hurried to put on the gray clothes before he changed his mind, the feeling of fabric against my body strange after all this time. I ran my palms over the front of my shirt.
