Page 2 of Sadistic Obsession (Rise of Phoenyxx #1)

P hoenyxx

I groan as I slowly regain consciousness.

The old man is staring at me, bending over my prone form.

He drags me up by my hair, sneering. “Move that ass, let’s go!

” I can barely stand, swaying. Double vision and nausea ride me like a wave.

He pulls me down the stairs, where his bitch wife is waiting.

“You missed three days of lessons,” she hisses. She dumps all of my heavy textbooks into my arms. “Go put those in your room, then have a fast shower. You smell like a gutter.”

Rolling my eyes internally, I can’t help but to snark back. “It’s my birthday! Don't you even care?”

She scoffs, shaking her head. “I’m not dignifying that with a response. Now- MOVE!”

I do as she says. I rush through a quick shower, soaping up my body and hair with the thin sliver of bar soap I’m provided.

No shampoo or conditioner, not even a damn comb.

I stare at my image in the mirror. Average height, long and dark unruly hair, emerald-green eyes, pale skin.

A turned-up button nose. As my gaze rakes down my body, I can’t help but wonder if my ample breasts, hips, and ass are attractive or not.

My hand slides down my flat belly, knowing how thin I am by feeling my ribs and pelvic bones.

Despite that, I still have curves. With a sigh, I wrap the towel around me and turn to head back to my room.

I look down at my textbooks and sigh. I hate being homeschooled! It's lonely and depressing, and mostly boring. English, Math, History, Geography, Biology.

In the beginning, I was left alone to do my work. I utilized that “free” time by watching YouTube videos. I learned a lot from watching just basic videos. Combined with the colorful language I heard from Betty and Matthew, as well as the assholes sent to the attic, I gained quite a vocabulary.

I hear the door slam and lock. I heave out a sigh, wondering how long I’ll be locked in this time. “Enjoy it while you can, girl!” Betty says through the door. I shiver. What the hell was that ominous statement all about?

I turn back towards my dinky closet bar, grabbing a plain black T-shirt and grey sweatpants. No underwear, no bra. I have never been given those at all.

I notice a plate and a glass of water next to my bed. A plain cheese sandwich on stale white bread. Yum. I eat it slowly since it’s been three days with nothing at all. I sip the water, not wanting to choke and puke up the meager sandwich I’m eating. Who the fuck knows when I’ll get anything again.

“Okay, Phoenyxx, time to cooperate,” I mutter.

I have incurred enough of their wrath for now.

I set the plate back down, and snuggle into my thin, holey blanket and thin pillow.

I highly doubt sleep will find me, but I close my eyes, anyway.

As I try to figure out what happens next, my exhausted body and mind drift off into the black of sleep.

Hours later, noise has me waking suddenly, and I bolt upright. I can hear Betty talking to someone—it’s definitely not Matthew. It sounds like she’s on the phone. She is really pissed off, but I can also hear fear in her voice. Whoever is on the other end of the phone has her scared.

“Well, what do you propose we do now?” she screeches down the line.

“We have done all we can to subdue the girl, but she’s turned into a vicious little beast!

” I grin at that. “Yes Sir, I’m aware. But she just turned eighteen, and I fear there’s nothing more we can do.

” I hear a pause, then she mutters, “Yes, Sir. We will make those plans immediately. When do you suggest...” Her words cut off as the person on the other end says something.

“Oh! Yes, Sir, we will finalize things by tomorrow morning. Thank you for your understanding, Sir. We will always be readily available for all your wishes, Sir.”

I hear her take in her breath on a sharp inhale. Then, angry footsteps towards the back of the house, the wing where their living quarters and bedroom are located. My room is in the front of the house, tucked in close to the stairs that lead to the attic.

My mind spins as I try to figure out what the fuck is going on.

Who was she talking to? What does it have to do with me?

I always assumed I was a nobody, and the only people who were aware of my existence were the Windbags, the mystery hoodie guy, and the random sick fucks that abused and raped me during my lovely stay here.

“Fuck!” I clench my fists as thoughts of what’s coming for me fly rapidly through my brain. Are they going to sell me? Kill me? Maim me? I have NO fucking clue!

Trembling, I make my way back to my bed. I sit near the pillow, my legs drawn up in front of me, the blanket draping my shoulders. I rock back and forth as I wait. And wait.

After what seems like an eternity goes by, I decide to pass the time by doing my schoolwork. It's all really easy for me, even the math.

With a sigh, I figure finishing all my work might help my situation when Matthew and Betty come back.

Luckily, I have very limited internet access to do the online portion of the classes.

With complete supervision, of course. As I got older, the supervision became stricter, so the computer isn’t in this room.

So, I do it the old-fashioned way—pen on paper.

After I finish what I can, I stand with a groan and stretch my tired, sore body.

All I want to do is crawl under the covers and sleep; the amount of pain in my stomach and head is horrible.

My head throbs, and I wince as a shooting, electric pain lances me above my eyes.

“Fuck, I hope I don’t have a concussion,” I whisper quietly.

I am so distracted by my physical aches and pains that I don’t hear the key jiggling in the lock outside my door.

I startle and jump up as the doorknob turns and the door opens.

Betty is lurking there, with arms folded, and a smug look on her wrinkled face.

“I am only here to inform you that tomorrow morning you will be relocated,” she announces.

“Wait... WHAT? Where?” I begin to question.

She cuts me off by saying, “Absolutely NO questions. You WILL do as you're told, or you will have another trip upstairs. Now, I am leaving a bag here for you to pack your belongings. You will be ready when we come to get you. Am I clear?”

“Belongings?” I snort. “What belongings?”

“Do not test my patience, child! I suggest you rest up; you will need it.” At that, she shuts the door and relocks it.

My eyes travel to the small duffel bag set in front of the door. I grab it, shoving my few items of clothing inside. I don’t know what in the ever-loving fuck is in store for me tomorrow, but it’s GOT to be better than here!

I head to the bed, taking the books and placing them on the floor next to the stand.

I climb in, pulling the blanket to my chin.

I don’t know how I could possibly sleep; my mind’s running a thousand miles a minute.

I am scared and hopeful at the same time.

I close my eyes, imagining a nice house with a yard, getting to go outside, and going to real school for the first time!

I drift off to dreamland with these pictures in my head. PLEASE let my life get better now!

“Phoenyxx!” a shrill voice shouts, sending me bolting up from sleep, my heart racing. Betty stands directly above me, shouting in my face.

“Get up! Go take a fast shower and get dressed, it’s time to leave.” Betty huffs as she turns on her heel to walk out of my room.

Okay... Well, I’m not nervous at all...nope! But I still get to my feet and head to the bathroom. I shed my clothes and peer into the shower. Is that SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER? And there’s a comb lying on the sink! Well shit...I am struck stupid in shock.

I mentally shake my head and jump in. I make quick work of cleaning myself, then jump out to towel off. I pick up the comb and stare at my reflection as I comb my hair, starting at the ends, working upwards.

I wrap the towel around myself and poke my head out of the door, making sure the coast is clear.

I dart to my room and glance at the closet bar.

My mouth drops open at the sight in front of me.

There is a pair of JEANS, a new hoodie, socks, and a bitchin 'pair of Chucks.

And Oh My God...A pair of white cotton underwear AND a white bra hang beside them.

Someone must have brought these in while I was in the shower.

I dress as fast as I can, taking a minute to figure out how to wrangle the bra over my large breasts, and throw open my door.

“Come, child,” Matthew’s voice calls to me from the kitchen area. “Come eat before we go.”

My jaw drops as I shake my head, and scurry to the kitchen. I can’t hide my shock as my eyes land on the spread of eggs, bacon, pancakes, butter, and multiple syrups!

“Fill a plate, you have a long day ahead,” Matthew states.

He's sitting on a stool at the counter in the middle of the kitchen, hands folded on the table in front of him. He pats the seat next to him, so I head over after piling my plate high with everything on the table.

I tuck in, my eyes closing at the explosion of flavors and textures on my tongue. I eat quickly but savor every single bite.

Once I'm finished, I stand with my plate, which one of the kitchen staff hurriedly takes from me.

I've seen her a few times over the years.

She's young, early twenties, maybe. Light brown hair pulled back into a bun, face devoid of any makeup.

She glances up, an empathetic ghost of a smile crossing her lips.

She pats my shoulder as she walks back to the sink.

It seems some of the staff see how fucking horrible I’m treated. Thank fuck I’ll be away from this house soon!