OUR OWN DEMONS
Kort struggled against the bindings. He knew it wouldn't do any good, but he had to try. He couldn't just give in to what was about to happen. The bindings held tight. There was no escaping this. He knew this, but still he struggled against it. Though the ropes bit deeply into his wrists he barely felt them.
"I'm disappointed in you."
Kort stilled at the voice.
"But that's all you do isn't it? Disappoint people?"
He knew the other person was just trying to push his buttons. He couldn't let that happen. Won't let it happen. Kort turned his head so the other person wouldn't be able to read his expression. It didn't work. The man walked closer and grabbed Kort's chin, forcing Kort's head up. The man stared at him for a while. Kort glared at him defiantly. There was no way he was going to allow this to happen without a fight.
"Please. You knew what would happen when you came here."
The man released him and walked to the other side of the room. Kort followed him with his eyes. He had known what would happen when he arrived, but he had to come. It didn't mean he couldn't fight it every step of the way. The gag in his mouth kept him from actually saying any of the sarcastic remarks that were running through his head. Kort watched the other man eyeing the things on the shelf across the room. When the man turned around with a blindfold in one hand and a smile on his face Kort began to struggle against the bindings once again.
Holding very still he tried to get his bearings. He couldn't immediately remember where he was. Slowly he became aware of a few things. There was a hand moving slowly back and forth over his arm and someone seemed to be talking to him. He couldn't quite make out the words yet. He hurt almost everywhere. Slowly he opened his eyes and inspected his surroundings. They were vaguely familiar for some reason. Sudden sparotic memories came crashing back. He sat straight up and wished he hadn't.
"Easy there," said a voice he recognized.
Kort slowly leaned back against the headboard of the bed and winced. Sitting forward off the headboard he scooted further down the bed and rolled onto his left side. God he hurt. You knew you would. After all, isn't that why you came here? He squeezed his eyes closed trying to bring himself back to the present fully. He couldn't seem to finish shaking all the demons from the past. After a few minutes he took a deep breath and let it out.
"You doing okay yet?"
Kort lay there refusing to answer.
"Alright, alright. I'll go make the coffee then."
Kort felt the bed shift and listened until he heard the door close. When he finally heard the soft click he slowly opened his eyes. Taking one more deep breath he held it for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. He began taking stock of the damage. By the time he had finished assessing everything he was finally fully back in the present. He sighed to himself and finally got out of the bed.
Heading into the bathroom he studiously avoided looking in the mirror. He couldn't stand the thought of seeing himself right now. Turning the water on as hot as he could stand he stepped into the shower and wasted no time cleaning himself off. When he was done he tried to remember why he did this to himself. You know why. He shivered inspite of the water's temperature. He finally got out of the shower and dried off.
"Never again," he muttered to himself as he left the bathroom in search of his clothes. Never again, huh? Just like all the times before? He found his clothes sitting on the trunk at the foot of the bed. Same spot they always were when he came here for... a visit. "Situation normal, all fucked up," he muttered. After dressing he took one more deep breath and released it before finally exiting the bedroom.
