Page 16 of Truth

I quickly reopened my eyes and met his angry stare.

“Answer the question.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

I swallowed.

“Yes, Sir. I answered the door without... without checking.”

He dropped his hands into his lap and looked at me. For the longest time, he didn’t say anything, and I could feel the uncertainty take hold. He’d said many times that he didn’t own me, that I wasn’t his slave. I believed that now, but what would happen if he didn’t want me to be here anymore? Stephan wouldn’t sell me, but he could make me leave. Where would I go? What would I do? How would I—

“Calm down, Brianna.”

I took several deep breaths, trying to do as he said.

“You know you did wrong, correct?”

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded.

“Good. That’s a start.” He paused. “You do realize I can’t just let this go, don’t you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You deliberately put yourself in danger.”

I nodded and looked down. This time, he didn’t stop me.

“Stand up.”

I moved quickly to obey him. Whatever my punishment was, I’d take it. Anything was better than having to leave.

He stood and walked around me to the small side table where he kept his keys. Opening the drawer, he removed something about a half-inch thick and rectangular and then placed it on the floor in front of the door. He straightened back up to his full height and waited. I realized he was waiting for me and moved quickly to stand in front of him.

“Kneel facing the door.” He nodded, motioning for me to kneel on what I now realized was a thin cushion.

I didn’t hesitate in complying and lowered myself to the floor.

He knelt down and adjusted the position of my legs, spreading them farther apart to where they were not far from the edges of the rectangle. I didn’t understand what was going on, but I didn’t question him.

“Now rise up onto your knees.”

I did as instructed, lifting my butt off my legs so that all my weight was supported by my knees. Once I was in position, he stood and walked around the other side of me.

“Place your arms behind your back and grasp your forearms.”

It had been a while since I’d been in this position, but I remembered it well. I fought a moment of panic at the memory. This was Stephan. I was fine. I was safe. He wouldn’t hurt me.

He reached into his pocket and removed a coin. When he brought it in front of my face, I realized it was a quarter. I had no idea what he planned on doing with it, but I didn’t ask. I was in enough trouble as it was.

Stephan placed the quarter between his thumb and index finger and held it against the door. “Lean forward and press your nose against the quarter, Brianna.”

I leaned forward, pressing my nose against the round metal coin. It was warm, probably from being in his pocket. The metallic scent filled my nostrils when I inhaled.

He backed away and walked around me again. His movements were slow and deliberate, each step measured. When he finally came to a stop, I could feel him staring down at me. From the position I was in, I couldn’t see his face. I could only imagine the disappointment in his eyes. I hated disappointing him.

“You are to stay in this position until I tell you otherwise. Do not let the quarter drop.” He paused. “Maybe next time you will stop and think before you open the door without looking, since you are going to be staring at it for a while.”

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