'Do you have a liking in Steven?' , of all questions attainable to ask he picks the most diabolical of all. I'd like to know where on earth he retrieved the thought from. It's complete and utter madness.

"Ex-excuse me? Of c-course not, I'm n-not brain d-dead. Why would y-you th-think that?" I query, feeling a slight bit disappointed. I'm not entirely sure if my current stuttering frenzy is due to the trauma of the coma or his question.

Falling for my kidnapper.

Now wouldn't that be an interesting turn of events? I know I've lost my senses far too many times, but my head still happens to be attached to the rest of my body. Steven has not only kidnapped me, but both physically and mentally abused me, starved me, left me in isolation, I nearly died, twice, plus he's nearly a decade older than me.

That last fact was so irrelevant. So technically if he was your age, you'd-... No, Jess, I wouldn't!

It would take a miracle for me to even remotely think of him as other than an isolated, self-serving, coldhearted prick. Today's display of a concerned and protective nature is simply misleading. I'm sure that as soon as I'm the picture of health, Steven will revert back to his usual remorseless self.

"As soon as he left earlier, a dazzling smile was dancing on your pretty face and it left me wondering the reasons behind it," he reveals and I'm astounded by his observation.

My mind backslides to that moment Steven exited my room and I suddenly become aware of the warning mystery man gave me. 'Be careful princess. They fool easily,' he claimed at random.

I do wonder if his warning was simply that or if something bigger is in play. Something which I'm undoubtedly oblivious towards, but blindly falling into.

Dazzling smile? Pretty face? Please say I'm not the only one taking note of every strange revelation coming out of his mouth... Jess queries.

Not having the energy to battle with my subconscious, I choose to ignore the thoughts being pushed forward and focus solely on one topic. I'm pretty sure I've had enough of getting caught off guard with his revelations today. If I just ignore them, they won't bother me. At least not as much as they should.

"Why only a-ask me this n-now? Wh-why not after he l-left?"

I mean, it would make a lot more sense if he asked me about Steven right after the acclaimed dazzling smile moment. Or at least after his warning about the guy. Plus I've seen myself smile a million times and dazzling is not exactly the adverb I'd use to describe it. The exaggeration is quite palpable.

"Because you wouldn't have-" he begins but stops abruptly and I feel my droopy eyes shoot open.

What the chicken sandwich. Did I just doze off?...

I batter my eyelids rapidly to keep myself awake. Sleep seems really promising right now. It's strange how I didn't notice my eyes drifting close a few seconds ago. But I know I can't fall asleep just yet as I'm in the middle of an insightful exchange.

"S-sorry I-"

"Get some rest princess. You'll have something to eat once you wake up."

What? No!

I open my mouth to protest, but in an instant, I feel my energy being drained right out of me. Like a late night party that leaves one frazzled and limp, all motivation to stay awake vacates.

"Th-this conversation is-isn't over."

A light chuckle escapes him and I wish I knew what he looked like so that I'm able to place that laughter with a face.

"Of course not, princess." Are the last words I hear before falling into a deep slumber.

-៛₹៛₹₪៛₹៛₹-

I wake up to the sound of a billion chains rattling. The noise enough sends my face crunching together in annoyance. My body begins to stir in all directions as I stretch out my aching limbs.

Chains!?

I attempt to pry my eyes open, but my crusty lids refuse to comply. Ridding away sleep grains from my eyes I rotate to the direction where the noise seems to be coming from.

"Why you here?" I question immediately upon identifying the intruder. However, my hoarse voice fails to come out as strong as I intended it to.

"Why you here?" he repeats, swinging the chains back and forth in the palm of his hands.

Okay maybe not a billion chains, but the sound alone is enough to drive me up a wall. Every memory of that room down in the basement starts to replay in my mind and I don't know how long it will take before my emotions get the best of me.

"What are you, an echo? Answer my damn question, Michael." I state as I slide my body a bit up on my bed.

Hey girl... What!

Woah, relax. Just came to report that your stuttering has completely vanished!... Oh, I haven't even noticed. Thank you, Jess.

No problem. Now put this bitch in his place. But stop once he starts showing signs of becoming physical, understand?... Highly understood. Don't worry, I won't take it too far. My body can't handle much else anymore.

"Why do you think?" he questions while looking down as he starts to wrap the chains around his left hand.

I clear my throat to rid any muck that has formed during my rest. 

I really need to brush my teeth soon. 

Damn. 

The feeling of plaque is nauseating.

"I don't have time to play cat and mouse. Either tell me or leave. You're not needed or wanted here." I state, my cold hazel eyes piercing his blue ones as he looks back up to me.

Michael should best know to leave me the hell alone. Why he's even present to begin with puzzles me. I push my body further up on the bed to a point that I'm sitting. To speak to him fueled with resentment while laying down simply feels awkward and out of place.

"Your gremlin attitude is what I came to check up on. But it seems to me that you've learned absolutely nothing," he states taking a step closer towards the bed and I involuntarily lean in the opposite direction.

He continues on by saying, "One would think a punishment serves as a warning against your behavior. A reminder really that you're doing something wrong. But no, those obvious reasons don't seem to flash in that empty head of yours."

"What is it that you want from me? My dying loyalty? Undivided attention? My utmost respect?" 

If he says yes, I'm going to burst out with laughter. It's best I continue before he answers me.

"If it's any of the above, please kindly understand that you've fucked that opportunity up as soon as you dragged me into that cage! Not to mention the induced coma I ended up in!" I viciously bark his way as I get to deal with the cause of my problem first hand.

Not knowing if I went against my word and took things too far, I wait in anticipation for what's to arrive next. There's no use crying over spilled milk, so whatever occurs from here on out will need to be accepted and dealt with.

I do hope he doesn't use those chains he brought along with him for whatever reason. Perhaps he had to collect them from one of the rooms and thought to make a pit stop here before heading back to where he came from.

That's a big maybe.

"Do you honestly believe I'll allow you to speak to me in such a manner without there being consequences?" he sneers as he takes another step closer.

Well no, but a girl can hope.

Before he continues to speak, he takes one final step towards the bed and leans over it. His fists form two earth craters in the mattress as he supports his weight on them. The chains still wrapped around his left hand till just past his wrist.

"You're nothing but a product on our shelves waiting to be auctioned off. I'm going to personally make sure you get sold to the worse of the worse fuckers out there."

Those words hit me right in the gut. The reality behind us girls being here caved in on me. If it wasn't for his voice that reached a lethal tone, I would have backlashed him on the spot. Sadly, unlike Steven, this clown is unpredictable and I'm not in the mood to fight against physical torture.

However, it is time to declare some thoughts and get this man going far far away from me. "Threaten me all you want, it won't change a thing between us. Now please, stop hovering like a fly and go bother someone else."

He looks taken aback by my response before frown lines cover his forehead as he visibly thinks off to something. He slowly lifts himself from the bed and folds his arms as he squints his eyes at me.

"Ah I see, you've adapted some of subject 015's devilish traits. The two of you need to realize you're only making things harder for yourselves. This brave and bold shit won't get you anywhere."

Subject 015?

Oh, Maxine. I remember she was taken by a nurse just before I was that first day we arrived here.

"Ah, I see... that you refuse to leave! Can you please just go?" I beg, wanting to be alone.

It's as if everyone I come across in this place can't seem to leave me alone. Do I have 'seeking attention' written on my forehead? Back in school, even though I was surrounded by hundreds daily, I had loner syndrome.

Aside from Jessica, Nick, and Lucas, no one else bothered with me. I had occasional friends here and there, mainly due to group tasks and school functions since I was part of the committee but they always dulled out. They faded from friendships to acquaintanceships back to strangerships. Those aren't real words, I'm fully aware, but neither were the "yeah we should definitely hang out sometime" plans.

"I informed you. I came to check up on your attitude and since it hasn't been fixed yet, something needs to be done about it," he claims and I roll my eyes dramatically.

And all this time I thought they only wanted to fix up our physical appearances. Not tamper and adjust our traits too. My attitude is part of my personality and my personality part of what makes me rightfully me, and I happen to be quite fond of who I've become. 

So screw his delusion of changing a damn thing about me!

"Steroid pumping jackass," I mutter, but somehow he hears me and anger flashes in his eyes.

He casually begins to unwrap the chains from his hand, "Come again?".

My eyes linger for a period of time on them as fear kicks in not knowing what he plans to do with those. "You will learn one way or another subject 016. These will simply help the process."

"Michael, are you in-"

"YOU WILL REFER TO ME AS SIR!"

Before I knew it, one of his arms stretched back and swung down in my direction with such a power hunger force. I have a sickening feeling it's the chains coming my way.

Reflex causes me to go into defense mode and protect my body as much as I am able to.

It's time to brace myself...