"In time, you'll grow to love him just as you had your other Daddy," Dorothy assured me, but I didn't believe her. My Daddy and I had a special bond. He was the only adult who showed me any affection past stiff politeness. Even Dorothy was cold to us most of the time. This was unusual for her.
"And until then, what am I supposed to do?" I sat up and crossed my arms. "Just pretend he's not the same age as me? That he's an authoritative figure? I couldn't listen to him if I tried." I glared at him from across the room. Callahan's face was blank, as if bored. Bored!
"You wanted this, didn't you?" I pointed and accused. "You love seeing me at my lowest. I bet you love knowing I was stripped of everyone I cared about, don't you?"
"Eleanor," Dorothy warned. "That's not the way to speak to your Daddy."
"Or what?" I mocked. "He'll punish me? Too late for that, buddy. My old Daddy couldn't break me. There's no way you're going to."
Callahan leaned forward, clapping his hands slowly. "You really are quite the drama queen."
"Why you—" I lunged for him. Dorothy and the medic snatched me back. Suddenly, something was being plunged into my arm, and I gasped in pain.
"You have disappointed me today, Eleanor," Dorothy said after I was dragged back to bed. My head was dizzy, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Those bastards had sedated me. "Whether you like it or not, we have to continue. For the human race to one day thrive and leave the bunker, we must continue to send you out to collect the necessary items to help us create a solution."
I raised my arms, which felt like limp noodles. "Just give everyone the pills,” I said, my vision going blurry. I was going to fall asleep. I wobbled on my feet. “There's tons of them. I've seen it." I struggled to get my words out, my tongue and everything else feeling heavy.
A hand slapped over my mouth. "Don't listen to her, she's delusional." She urged my head back to my pillow. I was so weak from the sedatives, I couldn't fight, and quickly lay back, defeated. Why wasn't Callahan supposed to know about the pills? I wanted to ask, but my mouth was dry and my jaw felt too heavy to form words.
"Callahan, stay with her tonight. If she gets up, assist her. The sedatives were heavy."
While I couldn't do anything but listen, I heard them leave my room. A chair scooted closer and I felt hot air on my cheek. I groaned and turned slowly away.
"Hello, Young Lady," Callahan said dryly.
"Cal." The word was heavy, but I managed to get it out. I wanted to scream and shout and kick and thrash like a toddler denied dessert, but it was futile. Our fates had been decided, and I had no say.
"Nuh-uh." His voice took on a sing-song tone, and he tsked. "That's not my name anymore, is it? Oh, sweet Eleanor. Sweet, sweet, cunty Eleanor, you have to call me Daddy."
Chapter 15 - Callahan
If you don’t have any tools, just use your hand.
Isat in a chair next to her bed all night, watching her fight her drug-induced sleep. I'd been given a little time to toss my belongings in my new room attached to hers, but then they dropped me into my duties and left. I'd lost the fight.
As she slept, I had hours to think about things. If I wasn't careful, I'd end up telling her everything. A Young Lady and her Daddy were supposed to bond, like an actual father and daughter. That was why we were paired with eight-year-old children. Not... 18 year old brats.
18-year-old beautiful brats.
I had to force the inappropriate thoughts back and focus on the more difficult things, like not confessing everything to her the moment I felt vulnerable. I couldn't let myself get close to her. I knew Eleanor, and how she used her innocent look to manipulate everyone around her. I wasn't going to let that happen. I had to make her hate me even more.
Morning came and I took the time to shower, change, and brush my teeth. I'd have to take a nap later, while she was at school. She only had a few weeks left before the official courses were over.
A shrill scream pulled me from unpacking my things in my room to run to Eleanor's. She stood in front of her bed, screaming wildly.
"What is your problem?" I demanded, going to her.
"I hate you!"
Good. Stay that way.
"Get dressed. We have a schedule to keep," I said instead. Her face twitched as she tried to decide what to say, but finally, she let out a huff and stormed into her private bathroom to shower.
I waited for her in the hall. She stepped out after taking as long as she possibly could without making us late, and we headed to breakfast. She hurried to her friends and glanced back to glare at me,, telling me to stay away. I nodded and went to find the other Daddies. I was one of them now.
"Welcome to the crew, Callahan." Rudy, Pearl's Daddy, welcomed me. I made eye contact with all of them, my expression cold. Silent words were exchanged.
I knew their secret, and if they didn't treat me with absolute respect, I'd reveal exactly what they'd been planning to do to Eleanor.
