Harder. Faster. Push just a little bit further.

Count backwards from 100 and it'll be over shortly Max.

Push it.

99. 98. 97.

My feet fall crashing against the grain of the tread mill. I feel my lungs burn and the sweat pouring down my face, neck, and back drenched. I'm on the second hour. I know that much. The numbers on the digital portion of the treadmill has been duct taped over. I will not know how much longer I need to run until it's over. The line of the leather pulls against the middle of the treadmill it is clipped to the black studded collar around my neck. If I stop running, I'll choke or be dragged I don't know which so I run. If I complain she will raise the speed so i stay quiet.

I use this time to think. To keep my head clear. I think about how I came to be here. I don't hate anyone for the twist of fate. Gran wouldn't want me to be angry with god. It's not his fault after all I made this choice. I have to live with it. I signed the paper. I let them close the latch of the tight leather around my neck. I let them take my name, my voice, everything. Even my book the last item I had to remember Grandma Maxine by. My choice. My life.

Now run bitch. I urge. My legs feel like the bones have been left hollow in the middle. I feel my self sway and feel the collar tug and catch myself.

I have been here four days. I remember the words so clearly.

"She will make a perfect little house pet." His crooked teeth dismal yellow under the low lights. I remember the first unwanted touch that I forced myself not to recoil from. "She'll be a perfect pretty little kitty."

I was sworn in that night. Paper's signed. Rules read. I still couldn't remember them all which earned me a good slap here and there. The one's I could remember due to good doses of reinforcement I listed off in my head.

You are no longer human.

Your Purpose in life is to please the men that purchase you, if it be for one night or the rest of your life. Every day you spend with them will be lived for them.

You no longer speak. The only sounds that should leave your mouth are sounds of the animal you now are.

You no longer walk upright unless requested. You will walk on all fours.

Your commands should be memorized.

You may leave after six months of service.

You may not speak a word of this to anyone. We will find you.

There may be more but thats what I grasped. I wonder was afternoon lessons will bring. I also fear it.

I can't breath. I'm choking.

Push.

Run.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The spool beneath me begins to slow. I feel like dropping but the leash prevents it. I hold myself up on the bars. I hear Madam Via come to the side I pant hard but look to the side at her.

"How are we feeling?" She smirks riding crop in hand. I bite back a response. She unhooks the leash from my collar. I step off the treadmill and immediately fall on all fours and meow breathlessly sweat rolling of me in waves.

"Time for a bath." She takes a leash from her pocket. My leash. And hooks it before pulling me. I go forward trying to keep up with her. I see it before I feel it the wip hits my ass with a smooth thwack. "Don't slump like that."

I move forward trying to keep my movements as feline and graceful as I can.

"Lessons start in an hour." As I approach the shower knowing the frigid waters that await me. She reached down to me and rips the shirt from my body and then slides down the shorts leaving me bare. She flips on the water as cold as it goes. I look down at the ground and shoulder in. It beats down on me like fierce needles. I grit my teeth.

"Too cold kitty?" I ignore her taunting words.

This process it to break me.

What they don't know is...

They won't break me.

My name is Maxine The Second.

Drips down my body.

I'm eighteen years old.

I'm from the brooklyn.

I had the best grades in my senior class.

My teeth begin to chatter uncontrollably.

My Grandmother was the most important person to me.

My mother was mentally ill.

My father was an alcoholic.

I wash my hair and body.

My grandmother saved my life when she took custody.

My grandmother died of cancer last mother.

Our favorite poem was the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe.

My lips turn a sickly blue.

I was accepted to Brown University.

I want to get my law degree and become a defense attorney.

I need to do this to have a place to live and money for college.

The water turns off. I crouch shaking.

"Ready to go kitty?" She pets my wet head.

"Meow." I creep from the showers.

My name is Max. And you will not break me. My self, my inner me will be be kept intact.

AN/ Please comment if you like it. I worked really hard on this and knowing people want more or are enjoying it drives me to write more and faster. Thanks for reading!