“Then don’t,” I said.
“But I’m unable to remove your restraints,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken.“It was a condition of your stay here, and I’m a man of my word.”
I snorted.Javier’s gaze darkened.I narrowed my gaze at him.
“Man of your word?How?Which of my needs are you meeting?I don’t even have the freedom to take a piss in private.”
“That’s not a need.It’s a want.You’re sheltered, safe, and provided with food and water.Those are needs, Sophia.However, if there is something you want and it’s within my ability to provide it, I will.”
“I want you to go to hell and take Javier with you.”
“You’re being unnecessarily difficult.We’ll speak again when I return.”
The call disconnected.Javier said something to Marta and left the room.Marta reached for my pants, showing me that using the bedpan was no longer a choice she could offer.I didn’t fight her.She wasn’t my enemy.
Lunch came and went.So did dinner.
Between not eating anything and not drinking enough, I didn’t need the bedpan again.I could feel the toll that not enough fluids was taking but didn’t ask for more than what was offered.Instead, I slept.
When I woke the next morning, my mouth was dry, and I would have killed for a toothbrush.The thought of feeling clean again almost brought me to tears.To distract myself, I focused on the almost imperceivable sound of distant sirens.
Where was Konni?What was taking him so long?
Marta entered with a tray.This time, it had soup on it.That’s it.A clear broth instead of water.When she lifted it to my lips, I drank it down.
Then she brought out the bedpan.I lay there, not helping her like I usually did.It wasn’t that I was being purposely uncooperative—my thoughts were foggy, and I was just slower to respond.She had my pants down and the pan under me before I even thought to sit up.
After a few minutes of her waiting, I shrugged.
“I don’t have to go.”
She removed the pan then turned toward the pants pooled around my ankles.The snick of a pair of scissors registered after a second.
I frowned and looked down, watching her cut away my pants.
“What are you doing?”
She didn’t pause her careful work.
“What are you doing?”I repeated, fear growing as I attempted to jerk my feet back.
She hung onto the material and continued to cut.After a few more snips, she removed the ruins of pants and underwear.Then she picked up her tray and left the room.
I shivered, exposed from the waist down.
To the camera.
To anyone who walked into the room.
Vulnerability attempted to suffocate me.Tears wanted to flow, but I refused.
Hestian strode in with Javier a few steps behind him.Javier kept his gaze on my face.Not Hestian.His gaze devoured me, and I’d never felt more disgusted or afraid in my life.
I hated the fear.I hated the way I started to shake as he drew closer.
“You are beautiful, Sophia,” Hestian said roughly.“Seeing you tremble like this… If I cut these ropes, would you spread your legs for me?”
He set a hand on my shin and trailed his fingers up to my knee.
