Page 80 of Cedarwood Cabin

I hold up my shirt for Dax as he kneels in front of me, holding a tube of cream. I let out a whimper as I look down at the raw F mark on my skin. My eyes gloss over tears. “Ouch,” I sob.

Dax applies a small amount of cream on his finger and gently dabs it onto the burn. I can’t help but flinch at his touch.

“It’s okay. I know it hurts. This cream is antiseptic and numbing, it will help soothe it,” Dax explains as he applies more cream.

Dax pauses, looking up at me. There is a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Is that regret?

“We need you to learn, but I don’t want you to suffer in pain.”

He seems almost human for a moment; the darkness I’ve seen before is gone. He applies the last bit of cream and his fingers linger above my skin for a moment. He starts tracing the brand with his fingertip, a small smile tugging on his lips.

“You need to understand that we are in control at all times. You’re ours, Flora,” Dax says.

I lower down my shirt. Dax's eyes are still on me as I move away from him and approach the bed.

“You’re monsters,” I whisper out.

Dax sighs. “We’re not monsters, Flora. We’re just doing what needs to be done to keep our flower safe.”

I don’t answer him. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he joins me.

Dax places a hand on my knee. I sit there paralyzed. I should be angry, hitting him and lashing out. However, the memories of my parents flood my mind. I want them here, making me feel safe.

“I want to die. I don’t want to be here anymore,” I whisper quietly.

Dax’s grip on my knee tightens. “That's why we won't and can’t let you go.”

Tears fall down my cheek and Dax moves his hand from my knee to my face, wiping away my tears.

“We’re all you have now, don’t you understand? We’re your family, flower,” Dax tries to reassure me.

I shake my head and bite down. “Family? Family doesn’t brand you or hold you captive. My real family is dead. This is a prison! I’ll never be safe with you two!”

“Flora. It's a different kind of safety. You don't understand yet, but you will,” Dax says while gripping my face.

I want to scream and fight him as fury overcomes me. “One day, I’ll understand…That’s all you keep saying! Shut the fuck up!” I scream.

Dax releases my face and stands up, looking back at me frustrated.

Anger overtakes me as I stand, but I do not feel scared, so I step closer to him.

“Calm down…” he warns.

“No. No! I won’t. What are you gonna do? Punish me more?!” I shout, finally snapping. “You’ve branded me a Faulkner. Nothing can be worse! Give me all you’ve got!”

Dax clenches his jaw and his fists.

That’s right. I’m fighting back, fucker.

I’ve shocked him and he doesn't know how to react. He then steps closer, towering over me.

“I’m not your fucking property!” I yell in his face.

He grips both my arms tightly, pinning them to the side. “You need to calm down or things will get worse.”

I look at him, really look at him, and I see fear in his eyes for the first time.

So that’s it, you hate losing control.

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