Page 20 of Red Waters

Yury’s stare went to my necklace.

My eyes closed.

“He can’t help you here.”

My eyes opened.

“Only I can.”

After he reached into his front pocket and held up what appeared to be a dog collar made of red rhinestones and a key, I realized I had been guided into the trap I was now in.

“Here is what I’m offering you, only once, Fire.” He showed me the collar. “This replacement for that necklace.” He showed the key. “This for your new lock.”

We both knew who was in control, therefore we both knew what he was offering. This choice had another purpose. Yury wanted a surrender from me. He wanted me to admit weakness, and he wanted me to choose him over Link. This wouldn’t be the first time Yury would win. There were many more wins for him to enjoy, but this one was the hardest. It was painful to relinquish Link’s gift. It was painful to admit I needed Yury. But I knew it would be even more painful to let Kirill have his way with me.

My defeated expression must have told Yury of my decision. He pointed to the ground under his feet. “On your hands and knees, come to me.”

My clothes had been taken and ownership given.

Give and take.

I let the concrete scrape my knees and palms as I crawled to the only salvation I had. I wanted to be reminded of this moment when seeing the ripped skin. I wanted someone to see the wounds being placed on my heart.

He opened his legs wider, making room for me. “Sit back on your calves…” I followed every direction. By the end, I was staring at the floor, my palms facing the ceiling while laying on my thighs. “Beautiful. This is how you are to greet me. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Rise.”

Between his thighs, I rose to my knees.

“Take it off.”

Tears floated in my eyes as I unclasped the silver from around my neck. I love you, Link.

A bit of my pride became Yury’s property as he placed a collar on me, demeaning me.

I wish I could say that at least Yury was consistent with his daily torments, but his actions were bizarre, always leaving me either demoralized—stripped of any self-preservation—or in a state of confusion.

When my stomach growled, Yury smiled. “Is it time for another price to be met?”

My mouth gaped as I realized I would never receive one thing without paying a price.

Reading my mind, he smiled. “Yes, you will even earn your toilet. Years ago, we learned to remove them. Slaves tend to get very thirsty and would drink from the bowl without permission.”

Every moment that passed, I learned that my situation was even worse than I thought.

Leaving me naked and on my knees, Yury turned off the light and left the room.

In the darkness, my stomach continued to rumble. I didn’t know what to do. Maybe I had no energy to do anything anyways. So, I sat there, in the dark, lost.

The door reopened in mere moments. As if standing by waiting, a man I hadn’t seen yet replaced the lock on my door.

When finished, Yury held up a key in the hallway. “Sleep well, Fire.”

There was no food offered nor a way to earn it.

* * *