Page 31 of Haze of Obedience

The water is cold, and I shake.

"Strip," he commands, and I don't question it. I peel off the clothes. He sets a basket of shampoo, conditioner, soap, and shaving cream down. "Wash."

I do as I'm told, and when he sprays the last of the conditioner out of my hair, he spins me. His face is inches from mine, and he smirks as if begging me to challenge him. "Shave."

New tears fall. I pick up the shaving cream and take the razor from him. When I finish, he rinses me off, then runs his hands up my legs, over my privates, and then under my armpits.

He holds out two towels, and I wrap my hair in one and the other around my body. He sets flip flops on the ground, and I step into them.

I don't question where we are going. He leads me to a table in the next cell that's full of food.

"Eat."

I sit and eat.

He slams a toothbrush and toothpaste on the table. "Brush."

I obey.

He pulls my chair out. "Up, now."

I rise, and he points.

He guides me up several flights of stairs and into a sitting room. "Don't move." He leaves, and I stare at the same spot on the floor for what feels like hours.

Santiago finally comes in and stands in front of me. "Did you have a good time, Zoe?"

I stay quiet and blink hard, but an ocean of tears erupts.

"Look at me," he screams.

I tilt my head up.

"Who owns you, Zoe Diego?"

I sob.

"Answer me," he bellows. "Who owns you?"

"You do."

"What do you do when my men or myself tell you what to do?"

"I do it," I sniffle.

"The next time you disobey, I'll show you what real hell is like. Do you understand?"

"Y...yes."

He steps back and removes my towel, so I'm naked. "Lift your arms."

I lift them, and he inspects my armpits, then trails his finger down my torso, bikini line, and legs. "Turn."

I spin, and he inspects me further then turns me back. "You shall act like a lady in my presence. If you wish to be anything other, you will go back to the cell. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"