Page 61 of Dauntless

“Stop it,” I begged him.

He rubbed the front of his pants and groaned. He was getting off on her pain.

I turned to Loren and pleaded, “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t know about your past, and I would never make fun of it. I only ask him to stop giving me drugs in the water. That’s all.”

She wouldn’t look at me.

“This is a teaching moment,” Dimitri said elatedly. “Gia needs a lesson in learning to appreciate things I so generously provided for her. What do you think, Loren, no more food for her?”

Loren nodded in agreement. “Yes, Simon.”

“Good girl,” he praised her. “The next time she’s given something she’ll care to appreciate it. No food for her for the rest of the day. If she wants water, she drinks what I provide her.”

Loren nodded and said. “Yes, Simon. But…” she fidgeted.

“But what?” he asked harshly.

“Do….do you want her to clean the floor?” she stammered.

“Oh,” he stroked his chin. “Yes. She can do that but watch her. If she does anything you don’t like, you have my permission to punish her.”

“Yes, Simon,” she answered quietly.

He turned toward me. “You going to behave now and think before you respond, Gia. And just so you know, I just ran out of patience for you.”

“Yes, Simon,” I replied between clenched teeth.

He was smart to turn her against me. Immediately he left, and Loren returned with a bucket and sponge, I wasted no time in trying to remedy whatever damage he might have caused between Loren and me.

“Thank you, Loren,” I said to her as I scrubbed the carpet with the cleanser she had sprayed on it.

“For what?” she asked.

“For offering to let me clean up,” I said calmly. “I’m sorry. I ruined your floor.”

“You didn’t. We don’t use this place… I’m sorry I can no longer give you food,” she added gently.

“I feel too ill. I don’t think I could eat anyway,” I responded and coughed.

“He can hear you,” she pointed out.

“I don’t mind if… Simon hears me, but he was wrong about me and living luxuriously,” I told her.

“No, he wasn’t,” she answered haughtily. “Simon never lies when he talks about someone’s life.”

“He had somethings right, but not all,” I admitted. “I didn’t have servants my whole life. Patrick wanted them. He wanted a life of extravagance. That was what made him happy. All I wanted was to be loved, and that’s the truth. I never said anything about drug addiction. I hadn’t tried drugs mostly out of fear. I’d never make fun of anyone suffering.

“You’re trying to make me think better of you,” she said frowning down at the carpet. “You want to be a better person, you need to listen and follow him. I don’t want to get you in trouble, but I will if you make me. Be quiet,” she shouted.

I bit my tongue. There was no talking to her right now. She was in no mood to listen.

I finished up letting the soapy water hit my body to clear off what was on my skin. I was unsure if I would be allowed a bath. And if I was, I didn’t want Simon to touch me. She left, and I moved to the bed. Besides feeling sick, the heat and dampness of the room weren’t making me feel any less queasy. I needed more water. The door opened again, and Loren came and handed me one of his special waters and left. I drunk it down and laid back.

It didn’t take long for it take me away to my dreams. To Elliott. I needed him. I needed him to find me. Soon.

***

I had no idea how much time had passed. Without windows and with the light constantly switched on, it was hard to say if it was day or night. Every moment was too long. If this was another test, I certainly failed. I feared they won’t return, and I’d die alone without anyone ever finding me. Prayers filled my mind. But time remained suspended, and I remained alone; I was losing my grip. I was losing my mind.

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