Page 27 of Sadistic Retribution

I snarl like an animal, bending to rip the ties from my legs. I jump up, stalking towards Demon. "You are dead!” I rush him, tackling him and taking him to the floor, raining punches on his stomach. I reach up to rip off his mask when I’m yanked backwards, lifted from the ground, and held by my throat by Horns.

Demon starts laughing while coughing. “Take her back to her room. This was amazing!”

I frown, wondering why the hell they wanted me to become a monster of strength and rage. It must be because of the fighting ring. I wonder if they’re going to drug me, then have me fight. Then again, it could be literally anything. These sadists get off on this.

“Not yet, 11,” Demon answers my unspoken question. “More observation first.”

The fuck? I shake my head, being marched back to my cell. I hear giggling as we get closer. 6 must still be there. Not sure how I feel about that. She's friendly enough, but clearly batshit crazy. I don’t know if I can trust her.

Chapter 10

Phoenyxx

Age 7

“Wake up, little one.”A hand caresses my cheek, rousing me from the sleep I finally fell into. I'm curled up on the cold floor of my cage. It's where I live. It's the size of a big dog cage. Enough room for my small body to partially stand up. A small pot sits in the corner, which is my toilet. I have a small, thin blanket—at least when I’m good. No pillow.

I blink up at the man towering above me. Even crouched like he is, he’s huge. A terrifying presence. He's tall and muscular, with dark, brown hair and gray-blue eyes. He is always wearing a suit. I can tell he’s a powerful man. He's the one who is always here, so this must be his house.

“Would you like to get out today, Bella?”

I look at him in confusion. Out to where?

“Yes,” I whisper meekly.

“Good girl; so bellissima,” he answers. “I thought to take you upstairs, to visit my room. If you’re really good, you’ll be able to watch TV for a while.”

My eyes widen. I nod frantically, dying to watch TV again. He takes my hand, helping me to stand. On shaky legs, stiff from lack of use, I follow him up the stairs, into the main part of the house.

It's so massive! We walk through a large kitchen, then out a set of doors and into a living room. He nods towards the wall. “The TV is there.”

We continue on, towards a large, winding, spiral staircase. Up and up we go, then down a long hall. He leads me into a bedroom—such a big one, it has separate sitting areas, and a bathroom.

He gestures to the bed. “Sit.” I do as he says, releasing a shuddering breath. He sits next to me, taking my hand again. “I want you to give me pleasure.”

He puts my tiny hand directly in between his legs, and I flinch.

He uses his other hand to release the button and zipper to his pants. I try to look away, but he grabs my chin. “Don’t look away. Be a good girl now.”

I try to close my eyes, not wanting to look.

He slaps me in the face. “Always keep your eyes open, Bella—or else.”

My lip trembles, and silent tears streak my cheeks, praying it’s over.

“Let’s go wash your hands, then you can watch TV. You've earned it, Bella.”

I sit up, hyperventilating. What the fuck was that? It wasn’t just a dream; it was way too vivid. Maybe a side effect from the drugs? I hold out hope that’s all it was, but it’s probably a memory. Why now? Why? Who was that man—and where was I?

The questions make my head pound, and I’m forced to my feet to make it to the toilet in time to empty my guts. I glance down at my arm, noticing an IV is taped in again. There's no pole or bag anywhere, that’s weird.

My head is still swimming from that drug they gave me. I've never felt such a rush of pure rage before. It was almost... freeing.

My musings are interrupted by Demon and Jester coming into my cell.

“Okay, little bird. Time to watch another fight.”

Jester grabs the back of my neck, steering me out and towards the fighting ring. “Fun, fun, fun! This will be so fun!” he sing-songs. Crazy as fuck, this one.