The morning arrived, bright and early. The feeling of rebelliousness hadn't left my system after the two hours of sleep I was graced with. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, it would be a beautiful day!

Too bad I was stuck in here.

But that seed of breaking out was planted, and determination filled my system. I had slept in later than expected. It was ten o’clock and yet no one had come to pull me from the covers. A single ray of light peeked between the curtains and spread like warm butter on the white carpeted floor. The hunger gnawed at my belly. Someone had taken away the plate of food and I hadn’t noticed, but that was okay. It wasn’t like I was going to eat anyways.

Pulling the covers to a tidier spot, I glanced out the window to the blooming garden. I could almost smell the sweet scent of the roses. Grey clouds started to roll across the sky, but even that couldn’t dampen my mood. The rain would be here soon, and I didn’t want to get caught in it! I slipped my sneakers on, getting ready to bolt if I had to.

I tested to doorknob and to my surprise, it was unlocked. Maybe someone had forgotten about locking the bolts on the other side. As careful as I could be, I started to walk downstairs, a plan already forming in my head.

Tino and Alan were in the living room. Phil was hidden behind the island in the kitchen, probably drinking coffee. As I slid down the steps, I wandered through the halls. What was I supposed to do for now?

Avoiding the kitchen, I decided to turn back. It was no use trying to go to Phil. It wasn’t like I was going to talk to him in a casual conversation! I would break my truce of no speaking today, but not to Phil. Alan and Tino seemed much calmer, but after the encounter with Alan yesterday…

Too late. I was already standing by the edge of the living room.

“You’re up late, Kynder.” Tino said, slightly amused. The boys were sitting on the couch, watching TV. An anchorman chatted away dully in the background. I nodded and managed to look right at him.

“Yes, sir. I woke up a while ago, but I was admiring the garden from my window.” I added. It’s good to always soften them up a little. Alan punched Tino’s arm lightly, who then blushed profusely. I didn’t smile or crack my wall of stoic expression.

“Well, Tino is quite the gardener.” Alan joked. Tino took a sip of his coffee.

“It is quite the beautiful arrangement, sir. The roses are in full bloom.” I sighed longingly. My mom had roses and had planted them when I was only six. Every afternoon I would go out to read among the flowers. The fond memories were worse than stings of a whip.

“So you like the roses? They cost a pretty penny, but they were worth it.” Tino looked back at me. I could only nod and force a blank expression on my face again.

“I love the roses. My mom planted roses when I was little.” Whoops. I let out a little too much information. Tino and Alan raised an eyebrow, wanting more.

“I thought Miles said that you were taken off the street.” Alan had a look of confusion pass over his face. I nodded and resisted crying out or bolting upstairs. I really didn’t want to talk about this right now. I didn’t want to be here, I don’t want to talk, and I just want to go HOME.

“Yes, sir. I lived on the streets after my mom and dad died about seven years ago. They were murdered by some men that had robbed the house.” I answered truthfully. The memories of hiding under the bed, hearing the gun shots, listening to the door slam, and the dreadful silence. It was enough to nearly make me break down again.

Alan and Tino looked shocked for a moment. Tino blinked it away and took another hesitant sip of coffee and stared back at me. I dropped my gaze on habit. Nobody said anything so I took that as my cue to leave. Walking back, I stopped before the door again. Nobody was watching.

Was it my time to go?

With another glance behind my shoulder, I saw didn’t see anyone. As I touched the door knob, I didn’t feel anyone pull me away. Would I really do it? Could I do it? So many questions raced through my head. It was risky, no doubt about it.

So, of course, I pulled the door open. It swung free on well-oiled hinges.

My heartbeat raced ahead of my feet. I pulled the door closed, leaving it cracked an inch, before I sprinted to the garden. I was ecstatic with joy! The sun was warm on my back and I opened my arms to soak up the warmth. The grass was greener than I remembered it! Trees swayed in a gentle breeze as the flowers waved joyously.

The grey clouds rumbled in the distance, but even that didn’t change my mood. I took my seat among the roses, inhaling their scent. Closing my eyes, I enjoyed the melodious chirps of the birds’ singing. A stray leaf tickled my arm and I laughed a little.

Only the shrieks and yells broke my peace. My eyelids snapped back open, although no one was around. The three must’ve discovered my “escape” to freedom. I wouldn’t hide, no I wouldn’t leave this place.

This was when my heart stopped.

The anxious calls rounded the house’s corner towards the front lawn and the garden. Alan’s head popped around first, I closed my eyes and smelled the roses one more time as he took a few steps forward and found me.

“Oh guys, she’s just in the garden enjoying the roses.” Alan let out a sigh of relief and gave a half grin, like he knew he was worrying for nothing. Maybe I was worried for nothing.

That was until Phil and Tino stormed around. In a few long paces, Phil seized my neck before I could even blink. The silver collar around my neck choked me as I gagged and fell limp. If I didn’t move, maybe it would all be over quicker. Don’t move, don’t react. That was the motto of life.

“Did we tell you to that you could leave?!” Phil screamed as Alan held up his hands.

“Look guys, she was just enjoying the roses!” Alan defended, but he wasn’t the one about to be punished. The pleas fell on deaf ears. I was dragged into the living room. The stormy sky thundered loud overhead. It would rain soon.

Phil threw me down on the carpet and kicked me with the toe of his shoe while Tino went to the fireplace. My eyes widened in terror as he struck a match and threw it on the log. I think I knew what was coming next.

Even as Phil beat me, I didn’t react, just shook the hair out of my face occasionally. On the inside though, I was screaming Bloody Mary. Alan just stood on the sidelines, a sorrowful look on his face.

The fire crackled on. Tino threw the tip of the fire into in between the logs. This was when I broke. Scrambling away from the fireplace, I felt each charred inch of skin on my body ache from fear. No, please not again! I didn’t think this would happen with the new Masters!

“Please, no!” I begged in fear. The black shirt I always wore was already hole ridden enough!

“Shut up!” Phil screamed at me again and threw me to the floor. I was on my hands and knees, trying to crawl away until a shoe landed right on top of charred skin. I cried out in pain, tears of agony streaming down my cheeks. My weak voice mumbled for him to stop, to forgive me.

“Phil, Tino, this seems a little extreme!” Alan begged, stepping forward. The other two shooed him away. Tino pulled the fire iron out of the flames, stepping forward to teach me a painful lesson. Phil held my arms behind my back, twisting them painfully. I tried to leap out, twist around, but he held on tight. Tino brandished the iron in front of me. I leaped back with a shriek, crying out for them to halt.

“No, no, no, please stop! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Forgive me, please not this!” I begged from the bottom of my heart. Anything, anything but this! I looked to Alan for help. He seemed like the kindest of the three right now. Instead, he ran out the door. Someone was driving up the cement pathway. I was alone right now.

The red tip of the iron smoked slightly as it neared my chest. I thrashed violently while Phil held me. I let more tears fall as I stopped moving and decided I had to endure this punishment for misbehavior. The tip was just inches away from my side when a voice made us all freeze.

“Phil, Tino!” A strong voice commanded. In the moment of Phil’s lack of concentration, I bucked out of his arms and dodged his attempt for recapture. I landed at the feet of Austin Carlile, the Master. Aaron stood beside him, frowning at the other two.

“I’m sorry, Master.” I begged to him, choking out between the sobs and sniffles. Once again, I waited for him to do the honors and burn the lesson into my side. What he did instead shocked me.

His two strong arms lifted me up so I stood. The strong muscles wrapped around my scarred back, holding me close to him. There was no resisting. Rain pattered sullenly on the windows, picking up speed. He was so warm and protective. This shouldn’t be real. I put my face, tears still sliding down my cheeks, into his jacket, letting the sobs that I couldn’t control wrack my body.

“Breathe, just breathe.” He cooed to me, a single hand gently stroking my hair. I shivered and regained my posture, trying to do as he instructed. Austin looked up to the others.

“Boys, I said get her adjusted, not burned.” He spoke sharply. No one said anything. My legs felt weak under me and my head spun. Aaron sighed and walked to the kitchen. He came back in a moment with a bucket of water.

“Let’s get you up to bed.” He murmured into my ear. Before I could respond, Austin swung me into his arms, already climbing the ascent to my room. His strong grip made me shiver. It seemed so unfamiliar against all the weeks of torture. Pushing open the door with his shoe, he walked into my room and set me down on the edge of the bed, standing in front of me. I shied back a little, waiting for something the hurt.

“T-thank you, Master.” I whispered to him. Biting my lip nervously, I looked up into the sad brown orbs. He pulled me into another bear sized hug.

He set me down, the finally drops running from my face. I shivered as the tips of his fingers ran up my spine, but halted right before they touched my neck.

Austin never said a word the entire time. He let me put my head on his chest and take shaky breaths. He murmured into my ear sweet sentiments that made my mind tired. The lack of food, sleep, and what had just happened was wearing me down.

“Calm down, darling. You’ll be okay.” He soothed as his fingers traced my jawline. My eyes were heavy and tired. I couldn’t say anything, and I didn’t want to keep talking. Look at the trouble I had gotten in today. I detached myself from his caring arms and went to the mirror.

The reflection taunted me, telling me I wasn’t beautiful, that I deserved what I was in now. Sighing heavily, I rolled up my shirt to expose my stomach. The ribs were starting to be outlined from the lack of food. Austin came to my side, staring into the mirror with me, but my eyes were down on the ugly scars from the whip of Miles, and the black and grey bruises. A few stray fire iron burns from Miles old weapon dotted my sides. I let out a small hiss from the wounds.

Austin’s cool hands lifted up the back of my shirt and I froze, no idea what he was going to do. He traced the outlines of old torture on my red skin. My face returned to the sad frown and I closed my eyes again. The shirt dropped back down against the hem of my shorts.

I had never experienced this much kindness from a person, especially in the month or so that I’d been in this black market. This feeling of serenity and calmness seemed so foreign, it was unreal.

“How much sleep have you had?” He turned me to face him. The brown hair stood up, gelled to a frozen place in time. I looked down shyly and hunched back, ready for more yelling. It was a habit.

“N-not much.” I stuttered an answer out and stared to the floor. I don’t want to look the angry brown orbs that would soon turn to a fiery rage.

Instead of punching or hitting me, adding to a collection of bruises, Austin reached down and stroked my cheek. I flinched from his touch, but soon accepted it.

“How much have you eaten?” He questioned softly. This, I refused to answer. I never even opened my mouth. I could feel Austin sigh, a single breath that seemed to fill up the room with disappointment.

“Darling?” He asked me for another answer. Could I trust him? He’s shown me this much kindness, but should I trust him?

“Nothing.” I responded. I let out a stress yawn, some habit that I had never lost since I was a little kid.

“Someone needs a nap.” Austin chuckled, plucking a stray strand of hair away from my face. I was thankful that he didn’t yell or try to force food on me. I could only nod and lean into his cool palm as it cupped my face. He pulled me along and helped me into the bed, where he then tucked the covers around my limp body. The blankets were a cool comfort against the hostilities of the house.

“Sleep well, baby girl.” He sighed and walked out. With his final words, filled with true caring, not a false emotion, I started to drift off.

Notes

Awwwwww Austin :)