Puppy Mill
I want to write this. ... I should be finishing The Girl in the Ward, Chapter 10... But I've finally put down my V.C Andrews book... (What was it called, again? Broken Flower, or something?) and now I REALLY feel like writing this.
Alright, maybe I should be explaining who exactly V.C Andrews is.
Have any of you ever read the book Flowers in the Attic? That was V.C Andrews's most famous novel. V.C Andrews is a female writer whose specialty is writing about girls with cursed lives. In fact, my story 'The Girl in the Ward' was inspired by her book 'Secrets in the Shadows'; They both share a girl cursed with a murderous mother, who was only acting in self-defense, and suffered the consequences.
Flowers in the Attic is about a girl cursed with incestuous parents.
And Broken Flower is about a girl cursed to become a woman too early.
Honestly, I think V.C Andrews would be proud of this story. XD
She is someone I admire, and would like to become. She is truly the origin of the Darker than Death series.
Oh, yeah... for any people who haven't realized, this is the second story in my mini-series, the Darker than Death series.
It is, like the title suggests, a small collection of stories that are darker than even death.
The other story in that collection so far is a Miku x Rin fic called Dust in the Corner. It is very mild compared to this, actually. It has nothing to do with Puppy Mill, though, so it isn't necessary for you to read it. Although it'd still be nice if you did... ;)
Anyway, a lot of you were asking if this story would feature gore. Surprisingly, though, you were all... encouraging it?! Wow... that was one thing I definitely wasn't expecting. One person even mentioned he/she would rather have the story rated M for gore/killing rather then for lemons. O-O Oh my... seems I'll have to... ... rethink my plans... :3 I'm glad to see people are finally telling me what they want to see, though. It's actually quite motivating.
I'll see what I can do to include some of... that.
Although...
I've never written about killing, or torture, or anything like that. Not yet, at least. I wonder, would I even be able to...?
Although I can assure you, I am trying to put in torture. ... That sounds sadistic. XD And cruel. But it's the name of the game, is it not?
And a bad Rin needs to be punished for her bad behaviour... Heh heh heh...
Anonymous Reviews:
Guest: (Hehehehe... Great Prologue! I know this won't be as innocent because of the rating, but these things do happen around the world! I'll wait for your next update!)
Oh no, I can assure you, it will NOT be innocent… … … I hope not, at least. And yes, there are things like this that happen in the world; so if you see a guy in a dark alley, who introduces himself as 'Tohru'… RUN. And here, my friend, is the next update~! Read away!
MaddyTheAwesome: Can you? Good; so can I! ;) Oh, I don't even need suggestions for the rules; I've got them all written down~! I just wanted to see what people would say, is all. (And you couldn't think of anything, hahaha! :P Where's your imagination? D:) Have no fear, next chapter is here~!
Chapter 2 – For the Right Price
"Where are we going...?"
The man - whose name Rin had learned was Tohru - had his hand on her shoulder, and was guiding her towards a large building.
"I told you already." He hissed at her, being careful not to let his partner hear them. "This is the Terra Perfectionis."
Rin watched it get closer and closer with every step she took. She wasn't sure how she felt about this... 'Ter a Perfectness'. She didn't even know how to describe it.
It was a large gray building, but it wasn't boring, nor did it stand out. It seemed to loom over her, but it didn't shadow over her. It almost seemed to her like it was saying, 'I'm perfectly innocent, move along.' But surely it couldn't be.
It had a small porch of white; a small white roof, shielding white patio chairs and a matching white table. A white wooden porch swing hung beside it all, and a wilting (white) pot of (surprisingly red) lilies.
However, a large 10-meter high fence surrounded the area, and the building had no neighbours. It was completely secluded, a ways away from the nearest town.
They'd be able to make as much noise as they wanted without receiving complaints.
She shivered. Somehow, that idea frightened her.
The building was huge, so it had to be filled with people. However, it stayed completely quiet and eerie. It was enough to send shivers down the 5-year-old's spine, without completely knowing why it had.
Tohru's partner - Cal - tested the fence's door. "Locked, of course." he muttered. "Tohru, push the call button."
In front of where Tohru was standing, there was a small, strange device. Tohru pushed the button, and waited.
"Hello?" The voice was scratchy, like how it had sounded through the walkie-talkie.
"It's Cal." Tohru's partner answered. "Cal Denvers. Dell knows me."
"..." There was a moment of silence, then a quick, "Dell is waiting for you. Go straight to his office, and do not stop anywhere first."
"I know, I know." Cal dismissed, with a wave of his hand. "Casual protocol."
He tried the fence, but it was still locked.
Eventually, a woman came out of the building's front door.
Her expression was serious, and she walked with her head held up high, complete confidence in her every stride. To be honest, Rin felt slightly envious of her certainty.
She wore a red, frilly halter top, with a black unbuttoned cardigan hanging from her shoulders, and tight denim jeans. Her feet were squished into pointed black heel.
That wasn't what the working city people looked like. Was she not an important person?
Her bright red hair was pulled into a messy ponytail on the back of her head, but her eyes were pointy and blood red, obviously stating that she thought she was an important person.
The clothing she wore, along with her hairstyle and the dozen golden bands she wore on one arm seemed to create the image of a woman in her early twenties, but with her high cheekbones and her sharp gaze, the slightly sunken appearance of her cheeks, she had to be in her mid-thirties.
Strange...
She swiped a card into a device on the other side of the gate, and punched in a code that Rin couldn't see. The device beeped, and a click could be heard. She pulled out a key from her pocket, and slid it into a lock that fastened a chain around the fence, keeping it shut.
Then, she opened the door.
"Right this way." she ordered, her voice dry and monotone. "Dell seems pleased to hear from you." The woman glanced down at Rin, and grimaced a little.
Rin immediately decided she didn't like this lady.
"Is this what you've brought over?" she asked, her voice disapproving. "Not much of a prize..."
What wasn't much of a prize? Rin? Rin was plenty much! She pouted, crossing her arms defiantly.
"That's up to Dell to decide." Tohru said, glancing down at the young blonde.
"Hm." was all the woman said.
Rin sucked in her breath, as they opened the front door to the 'Terra Perfectionis'.
It looked... normal. Somewhat normal. Surely it couldn't be a completely normal place. After all, if what Tohru had told her was right, and it was in someway similar to Hitler's camps... It couldn't be a good place.
They walked through the carpeted house, and Rin couldn't help but be mesmerized by the rugs' designs. Swirls here, stars there, criss-crossing lines from one side to the other. They were beautiful, and probably very expensive.
Paintings hung on the walls, but none did Rin recognize from that book of famous paintings she'd received from her other. However, they seemed more... real.
Many of them featured people, both male and female. They were... stunningly beautiful. The women were all young, but all with different colors of skin, hair, eyes...
One that Rin was particularly fond of as she passed it was of a young woman leaning against a dining table.
She wore nothing but a bed sheet covering her, and her long orange curls frizzed wildly.
Her green eyes were piercing, but were rather low on her face, and she had a small nose and mouth.
Strangely enough, she had the face of a child, in the body of a woman. And she didn't look very happy about it either.
Another painting Rin liked was of a brunette, with long wavy hair flowing over her shoulders.
She was dressed in a Greek robe, with golden chains decorating her head, her neck, her waist.
The other people in the painting seemed to marvel at her, as if she were a Goddess. Which, she could have very well been.
Rin admired the pictures of the women, and longed for their beauty. She was even envious of the men in the paintings, for even they were just as beautiful.
There were many hallways sprouting on either side, and they passed many staircases. How big exactly was this place, Rin wondered.
As she peered into them, she could sometimes see people glance back at her. They were also quite gorgeous, but none were as wonderful as the people in the paintings.
Most of them seemed to be in their early twenties, and their hair color ranged from all different shades, including pinks, greens, and purples.
Those colors were rarely natural for a person, but not impossible at that time. The first person born with an oddly natural hair-color was discovered in 2009, after all, a girl born with light pink hair (1).
They glanced at her curiously, then returned to their business, never asking the red-haired woman who they were.
After what seemed like forever, they stopped at a door.
"He's waiting for you." The woman told them.
Cal opened the door, and Tohru ushered them all in.
"Ah, well if it isn't Mr. Denvers."
A man was sitting in a brown leather seat, his feet up on a desk.
He had (naturally) silver hair, and crimson-colored eyes. His hair was pulled into a ponytail, but seemed like, if it were let down, it would reach his shoulders.
He wore a dress shirt, though the collar was lazily kept open, and he wore dark black jeans with Italian polished shoes.
All in all, he seemed in his mid-twenties, or his early thirties.
"Dell!" Cal exclaimed with a laugh. "Nice to see you!" They gave each other a good-natured hand shake, as if they were good friends back in the day.
"Well? What have you brought for me today?" The man asked, grinning in anticipation.
Cal pulled Rin forward, and she stumbled. "This clumsy brat, here."
The man kneeled in front of her, cocking his head. "Not bad, not bad..." he said, as if he were examining a product rather than a young girl. "Does she have a name?"
"Only if you want her to have one."
"My name is Rin."
Cal shot her a look, telling her to shut up.
The man only smirked. "Disobedient, aren't you? Rin..."
"Are you Dell?" Rin asked before Cal could stop her.
"Why yes, I am." Dell answered, seeming flattered the little girl had heard of him.
Rin blinked, taking another good look at him. "... I thought you'd be... scarier."
Dell laughed, and Cal slipped in and pinched her arm. Rin squeaked, but no one else seemed to notice, save for Tohru, whose jaw set.
"I think we're going to get along just fine, Rin..." Dell purred. "The only question is... Are you good enough to stay here?"
"I think I'm good enough." Rin answered, which resulted in another hard pinch.
"Well, she certainly seems to have the confidence." Dell laughed. "Do you know if she has any hereditary problems?" he asked Cal. "Any mental disability? Physical?"
"She seemed pretty fine to Tohru, didn't she?"
Tohru tensed as Rin swung her gaze at him.
"Yes, she seemed pretty fine..." Tohru muttered.
"Put up a good fight, didn't she?" Cal teased.
"She was strong." Tohru agreed. "Very fit."
"Nothing odd about her?" Dell asked. "No extra leg, or self-inflicted scars, or something?"
Cal chuckled. "I'd be surprised." They both turned to look at Tohru. "Well?"
"..." Another quick glance at the young blonde, before his face turned hard as stone. "She was very good. Better than average."
"Hm..." Dell thought. "We don't take simple 'better than average'. We only take the bests."
Tohru's face shadowed for a moment, but he seemed even more determined now. "This girl is one of the best."
'My advice to you is... no matter what Dell says, you have to follow his orders. Make him like you, and you'll be okay.'
"I... I want you to take me, please." Rin said, so quietly, she was afraid no one had heard her. "I... I can be good enough for you. I... I don't know what I have to do, but I'll try my best."
Dell raised a brow. "... I see. You really haven't told her anything at all, have you?" He tsked. "Next time, Cal, I'd like you to educate your... proposal. They have a right to know what lies ahead of them."
"Will do." Cal nodded, seeming pleased.
Tohru didn't show very much emotion, but Rin felt his hand press onto her back, and she knew then that things had gone well.
"..." Dell gazed at her curiously, a small smile on his face. "I'll have Mew put her into the children's religion classes for now."
"You have religion classes here?" Everyone turned to look at Tohru.
It took a while for Dell to answer. "... We simply call them religion classes. They are more... a preview of life kind of course."
"What do you mean?" Tohru asked, frowning.
"Now, normally, I wouldn't explain such a thing to an outsider, but... I like this girl you've brought me." He winked at Rin, who didn't quite know what to make of it.
"These classes basically educate young children into knowing what to expect in their futures. It teaches them how their parents were chosen for each other, how they will someday be paired together too."
"Will it involve teaching them how to..." Tohru glanced over at Rin. "How to make babies?"
"Of course not. Not that it's any of your business." Although Dell seemed proud to explain. "It simply explains certain rules, such as how you must be good, why you can't leave the grounds, et cetera, et cetera."
"..."
"Yes, they do learn how to... 'make babies' slightly earlier than regular children... at the age of 8, really. But it's all to help them cope better."
"Forcing them to grow up faster so they can cope." Tohru said bitterly. "Hm."
Cal glared at him, and probably pinched him too.
"That's an interesting way to put it." Dell said thoughtfully, completely unfazed. "But it is essential. The children's mentality and emotional stability is extremely important to us."
"But not their sexuality."
"Tohru... that's about enough." Cal warned. He looked furious. "I'm sorry, Dell... He's only been on the job a few months."
"That's fine, that's fine." Dell dismissed it with a wave, though he didn't seem to find it 'fine'. "I wouldn't expect an outsider to understand anyway."
"So... Shall we discuss the price?"
Dell pressed a button on a phone on his desk. "Send Teto, please? ... Yes, Kasane. Thank you." He turned to Rin. "You can wait outside for a moment. Please."
"A-Am I...?" Rin stumbled over her words. "Are you... accepting me?"
Dell let out a small laugh. "If the price is right."
Rin glanced over at Tohru, who nodded at her. Hesitantly, she nodded. "Alright..."
She left the room, and turned to close the door. Dell was already leaning against the door frame. "Are you really going to be worth it?" he asked very quietly.
She nodded. "I... I want to be."
"... Why's that?"
'Make him like you, and you'll be okay.'
Rin stared up at the man before her with her big blue innocent eyes. "I want you to like me."
He smiled, the left corner of his mouth rising. "... You're a strange child." he said, leaning down to place his lips to her forehead.
Rin wasn't sure how to respond to that. She simply felt surprised, but couldn't quite tell if this action was a good one for her or not.
"Wait for Teto." he said. "She'll show you where to go."
And then he shut the door behind him.
... What would happen to her? That was one of the many questions bouncing around in her head. She'd had a choice; die straight away, or be sent here, to this Terra Perfectionis.
Had she made the right choice?
But wasn't living better than dying? It had to be, right?
Somehow, it felt like this was going to be one of the biggest moments in her life.
For better or for worse.
"You must be Rin."
A woman with hot pink-colored curls pulled into two pigtails stood before her. Her eyes were fuchsia-colored, and her brow was furrowed. She did not look like a very kind person.
She seemed about 28, possibly older. Her jaw was clenched, and Rin wondered if she'd done something wrong. She later realized Teto always looked angry.
"Follow me."
She began to walk away, not even looking back to see if Rin was following. Rin struggled to keep up.
Eventually, Teto stopped in front of a door, and opened it, beckoning Rin inside.
There was a black board set up on one wall, and the floors were tiled white. In the center of the room was a circle of children her age. That got Rin interested more than anything.
After all, she'd never met anyone her age. She wasn't even sure they existed until now.
But there they were.
Their ages seemed to vary between ages 3 to about 5. Their hair was of different colors, blues, greens, blondes, browns... a rainbow.
They were talking amongst themselves, laughing, teasing... Rin couldn't help but feel somewhat amazed.
"Sit."
Despite not liking Teto already, Rin sat down outside of the circle. A few of the children turned to look at her, whispering curiously to each other.
One came to talk to her.
"Hi." the girl smiled at her. She had long teal-blue hair that hung down to her mid-back, and bright, friendly teal eyes. "My name is Miku."
"Oh..." Rin gasped. "Um... hi."
Miku giggled. "What's your name?"
"M-My name?" Rin stuttered. She could have sworn her mother had warned her against telling anyone her name... but she'd already told Dell. And the memory was already fleeing her. "M-My name is Rin."
Miku giggled again. "How old are you?"
Rin blinked. Why was she asking about so much? "I'm... 5."
"Really?" Miku cocked her head. "I thought you were 6."
Rin shook her head, feeling a little awkward. "U-Um... how... How old are you?"
"I'm 7!" Miku grinned, then looked both ways. "... Can you keep a secret?"
Rin blinked, but said nothing, which Miku took as a sign to continue. "I'm actually not supposed to be here..." Another giggle. "But the classes I have to go to are just so... weird!"
"How?" Rin asked, curiousity peaking.
Again, Miku looked both ways before answering. "They told us... that girls, when they grow up, start to bleed."
Rin frowned. "Bleed? Doesn't everyone bleed?"
"No, I mean..." Miku patted her lap. "From down there!"
Rin gasped. "Oh... but won't that hurt?"
Miku gaped at her. "That's... it?"
"What?"
"You didn't freak out at all!"
Rin shrugged. "I've... I've seen my mommy bleed like that. She told me it would happen to me one day. It happens every month, right?"
Miku blinked. "You... saw that? ... What did she do to stop it?"
"She..." Rin stopped, struggling to remember. "She... I don't know."
Miku grimaced. "It's gross, though. I don't like it."
"Hey!" Everyone looked forward at Teto, who stood in front of everyone. "Your teacher has been... ... She won't be able to be here anymore. So for today, I will be your teacher."
Some children in the class groaned.
"I hate her..." Miku grumbled.
"Now, I want you all to tell me where you are right now." Teto ordered.
"La Terra Perfectionis!" the children all yelled out.
"Good." Teto seemed satisfied. "And what do you get at Terra Perfectionis?"
This seemed to stump the children. They whispered amongst each other, wondering what the answer to this question could be.
"What is the answer?" Rin whispered to Miku.
"It depends for each person." her new friend whispered back. "They all say something different."
"You get a perfect life." Teto answered for them. "The only job you have to do is be good parents. You don't have to work. Money is not an issue for you. Your safety is guaranteed. You don't have to worry about a single thing. Does that sound good?"
The children mumbled. "We don't get a lot of toys..." one of them said. Others nodded their agreement.
"You don't need toys." Teto said coolly. "Toys ruin the mind. Why should you be wasting your time with dolls when you could be learning instead?"
"Because it's fun...!"
"It won't be fun if you turn dumb." Teto threatened. "Because you know what happens to dumb people? They die."
The children were silent.
Suddenly, Rin felt extremely uncomfortable. She didn't want to be here anymore. So, she simply rose to her feet, and walked to the door.
"Where do you think you're going, missy?"
Rin turned back, surprised at the anger in her teacher's voice. "I don't like it here." she simply stated.
"I don't care." Teto seemed furious. But what had Rin done? With momma, Rin was allowed to leave whenever she didn't like something.
Embarrassed, she glanced at the children staring at her. Miku stared at her gaping, mouthing the words, 'What are you doing?!'
Another stare met her eyes. A young boy the same age as she glanced at her in curiousity, his ocean blue eyes sparkling. His blond hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and he was smiling slightly.
"I... I want to go." Rin insisted.
"And I don't care!"
Rin thought for a moment. Surely Dell would let her go... "I'm going to go see Dell."
"No, you will not!" Teto stormed over to her. "You are staying here, and that is-"
Seeing an angry woman storm up to her, Rin couldn't help but follow her first instinct. She opened the door, and ran.
She had no idea where she was going, couldn't even hear Teto following her. Even so, she ran and ran.
She didn't like it here! She hated it here! She was scared! She was going to die!
And then suddenly, she heard them. Someone- maybe more than just a someone -was following her. The footsteps were all around her, coming from the left, the right, in front of her, behind her, and even from above.
No...! She had to be faster, faster still! She didn't know what would happen to her, should she be caught, but she hadn't had very good experiences when it came to being chased.
Around a corner, around that corner, until she was back in the hall where the people stared from the paintings on the walls, watched her run away, somehow knowing exactly why.
Turning right, she spotted a staircase. Did she really want to go up? But no, she didn't have time to turn anywhere else; already, she could hear their voices behind her.
Her throat hurt, her lungs ached, and she was beginning to grow tired as she ran up the stairs.
Why had she even run away?
All around her, she felt danger. It was everywhere, in the walls, behind the doorways, and especially in the people. She didn't like it!
The top of the stairs was nearly in reach.
Tohru had given her a choice: die now, or be sent here. She hadn't even discovered the truth of the Terra Perfectionis yet, and she was already regretting her decision.
Teto scared her. The woman with the red ponytail scared her. Dell scared her.
This place scared her.
And she missed her mother.
Mother would know what to do... Mother would be able to tell her whether it would be best to stay or die. Mother would know! Mother would-
She froze.
"We've gotten orders not to shoot." The walkie-talkie beeped. "Hold your fire."
They'd ambushed her.
Three of them waited in front of her. Four others were in the stairwell behind her.
A few people poked out of rooms and halls to try and see what was going on. A few offered her looks of pity. Most just went back to what they were doing, as if this were an everyday occurrence.
Which, it very well could have been.
"Come on." A man with dark hair told her, grabbing her arm rather violently.
"No!" Rin screamed, thrashing.
"Sedate her." Another man nodded to a woman with black curls.
"No! Where are you taking me?!"
The man who had her wrist smirked, bending it at a painful angle. "We're taking you where bad girls go."
Rin let out a scream, as her wrist reached its maximum turning point. Tears slipped down her face. "Let me go, let me go, let me go...!"
The woman shook her head with a small laugh, and pulled out a needle.
"Bring me to Dell!" Rin shrieked. "Dell won't let this happen to me!"
He scared her, yes, but he had power. Even at that age, I could recognize power, and know what it could do. If anyone could stop me from going wherever they were taking me, it had to be him.
After all... he'd given me a kissed. Surely that meant he liked me.
I hadn't known that he was just as sadistic as these people, if not more. But I'd soon find out.
But in the end, he was nowhere near as ruthless as I could be.
The female guard stabbed the needle into Rin's arm, and things went dizzy. Black spots blotched her vision, and her head began to hurt.
"Dell won't help you." a voice echoed outside of her head. "He doesn't care about you, or any other money-maker."
Rin wanted to object, to tell them how Dell had kissed her, but her mouth fell like it was stuffed with cotton, and her ears were losing their hearing.
And then she blacked out.
"Mm...!"
She wasn't sure how she could still cry after all this time. Shouldn't she have run out of tears by now?
Her sobs were muffled, her eyes red and puffy. She felt disgusting, even more so than when she'd spent weeks on the streets without a shower.
Why couldn't they just kill her now?
Wasn't that what they were going to do to her anyway? Why tie her up, first? Were they going to torture her before killing her?
She let out another choked sob. Hadn't she suffered through enough pain already?
She pulled again at her bonds, but the ropes only cut into her skin, and her arms remained tied to the bed posts.
Why was it always beds? It was always like that in the movies she'd seen with her mother, whenever they were lucky enough to find a house left unlocked. The pretty girls were always tied up to the beds.
Despite her situation, she had to admit beds worked quite well for bondage. A strange thought for a mere 5-year-old girl, but she'd been through enough to know it was best to learn from any and every experience.
It calmed her down as well to think of this as nothing but another experience, even though she was quite sure it would be her last.
Her hands were tied above her head, her feet tied at the lower bed posts. She wondered if they had one for every size; after all, she was only five, and wouldn't be tall enough for an adult's bed. Did that mean they also had bondage beds for older girls, teenage girls, and even adult women?
Perhaps she'd find out.
Oh, of course not... That was only wishful thinking. They were going to torture her, and she was going to die. There was no use hoping for any alternati-
A door clanged shut.
Oh god, no...! Not yet!
She tried to scream, but her voice was already hoarse and irritated, and the gag in her mouth stopped any sound from escaping.
She didn't know who was there, until he took off her blindfold. It didn't help very much at first, and she squinted, adjusting to the little light in the room provided from a small lantern on the wall.
She gasped as she recognized the person standing over her. "Mm!"
Dell didn't smile. He looked dead serious, which scared Rin to no end. "I heard you tried to run from class."
Rin stopped thrashing, listening to him with a worried expression.
"Were you trying to escape la Terra Perfectionis?" he asked, his eyes cold as stone.
Rin shook her head, protesting through her gag.
"Really?" Dell's eyes narrowed. "Why should I believe you?"
Why was he asking her something like that when she couldn't speak? Couldn't he take out her gag first? It hurt...
She squeezed her eyes shut, and more tears pooled around her lashes. "Mm...!" she whimpered.
"Well?" Dell waited. "What happened to all that 'want you to like me' crap? Hm?"
Rin just stared up at him with her wide innocent eyes.
Dell kept his stare, but his jaw worked. Finally he sighed, and reached behind her head, beginning to untie the knot of her gag.
"Well?" he said, as he pulled the cloth out of her mouth. "Do you still think you're worth it?"
"She..." Rin slid her gaze to the side, embarrassed. "She scared me... I didn't like her."
"So you ran?" Dell raised a brow. "You ran because you were afraid of Teto?"
"... Yes..."
"... Really?" He still didn't believe her.
"I swear! I promise!"
He stared at her, daring her to come up with something better.
Instead, she gave up. "You... You're going to kill me now... aren't you?" She asked gloomily.
His expression didn't change. "... No..." he finally answered. "I'm not one to waste my money." He crossed his arms.
For the first time in the last few hours, a shred of hope filled the young girl. "R-Really...?"
"Really." He repeated.
"S-So... I'm going to live...!"
"Yes... but I can't have you run from class again, even if your teacher scares you." Dell said, looking over to the stone walls thoughtfully. "Therefore... I'll have to teach you a good lesson. One you won't forget."
He glanced back at her then, and she shivered at the look in his eye. She wasn't sure what it was, exactly. Anticipation, perhaps, mixed with a strange form of lust. He was looking forward to this 'lesson'.
"Wh-What are you... going to do to me?"
He began untying the knot that held her hands to the posts. Once it was untied, instead of simply letting her free, he forced her hands together back to back, and tied a new knot around her wrists.
He smirked at her fearful expression, and untied the knot from around her ankles.
This, however, he left untied. If she wanted, she could run from him now... He smirked as she slid her eyes to the door.
"It's closed." He smiled. "And if you try to run, your punishment, I promise you, will be severe."
And Rin believed him.
Dell had enough power to do whatever he wanted. He sat on his own throne. If he wanted to torture someone, no one would stop him.
Somehow, his power radiated from him. She could even smell it. It frightened her, but at the same time, she was curious about it. What would she be able to do with power like that?
"I would never try to run from you." She stared him straight in the eye as she spoke. "You are the only one who can... who can save me. I... I need you. Please..."
Dell smirked. "You truly are a strange child... But that doesn't change anything for you right now." With that, he flipped her over, so she was lying on her stomach against the bed's hard mattress.
She squeaked. "Wh-What are you doing...?!"
"Relax..." he whispered, dangerously close to her ear.
Suddenly, he tugged on her skirt. She let out another squeal. What on earth was he doing?!
Her skirt fell to her feet. "D-Dell...!"
He slid his fingers under the waistband of her panties, and let out a low rumble of laughter. "Are you still willing?"
Rin had no idea how to answer. What would he do to her?!
Without her even realizing what he was going to do, he pulled down her panties, and she was literally butt naked, forced down on a scratchy mattress. Not a very good combination.
"Are you still considering running away?" he asked her teasingly.
"Nn...!"
He ran his hands over her smooth bottom. "Precious, aren't you?"
Rin whimpered. "Please...!" She tried to protest.
"SMACK!"
Rin cried out, and her skin started to redden. "Don't be slutty, now..." Dell smiled, leaning over her. "This isn't supposed to feel good."
How did these tears keep falling? Her eyes were already red and stinging...
"I don't think you've learned your lesson quite yet..." Dell whispered. "And this doesn't hurt nearly as much as it should."
"Wh-What do you...?!"
A sharp slap echoed through the room, and Rin screamed, twisting around to see what exactly he had hit her with; it hurt much more than it had when he'd simply slapped her.
He held up the ruler in his hands, showing it to her. "Be thankful I didn't use the whip...!"
Another hit.
"Please stop...!" Rin cried up. "Dell...!"
A super hard slap this time. "You do not call me Dell...!" he hissed. "Any ordinary person at the Terra Perfectionis must call me 'Master', as they've called the leaders before me here since the very first generation."
Rin grit her teeth, as he delivered another blow. This person couldn't boss her around... No one was the boss of her...! "Dell...!" she repeated.
Dell actually took a step back from her. "Did you just... defy me...?" He smiled. "You really are different... But don't even think of disobeying me again. Or I'll have your skin peeled off your back."
Rin cried. "Momma...!"
Another slap.
"Don't cry for someone who abandoned you." Dell snarled.
"A-Abandoned?"
"What? You didn't know?" Dell grinned evilly. "She gave you away. Begged for them to take you, Cal said."
"Momma would never do that...!"
Another hit. Another cry.
"People aren't always what they seem." Dell chanted, like a child. "You can't trust people on the outside. The only people you can trust are the people in the Terra Perfectionis~!"
"No...!"
This was the very first lie told to me at the Terra Perfectionis. Oh, or... maybe not, actually. When Teto said our safety at the Terra Perfectionis would be guaranteed- THAT was the first lie told to me here.
But this was the first lie that truly mattered at the time.
They got me to believethat my very own mother had abandoned me, given me away. And I foolishly believed them.
And little by little, I began to forget her; I forgot what her face looked like, how her blue eyes glowed when she laughed, how full and pink her lips were, how she always felt warm, how her laugh sounded, how she'd play with my hair how she'd give me her warmer clothes on the coldest of nights, how she vowed to always protect me, how proud she always seemed to have me...
I forgot all the things I loved about her, and all the love she had for me. All that was left was a growing ball of hatred, angry at her for 'abandoning' me, a small ball of fire that the council happily fed until it became a part of me.
But now, I remember her.
She would have been proud of me, I think. Devastated to see I'd gotten worse than she, but proud at how far I'd strived.
I know now; you never would have let them take me, if you could have stopped them. I wish I could have saved both you and myself.
Finally, the hits stopped echoing throughout the room. Rin was still sobbing and sniffling, her bottom so red, it looked like it would bleed.
"There, there..." Dell cooed. He'd abandoned the ruler he'd had so much fun using, and scooped her up so she sat on his lap. "Now do you understand why it's important to follow rules?"
Still blubbering foolishly, Rin nodded.
"Have you learned your lesson?"
Up and down, Rin shook her head.
"Good." Dell smiled in fake warmth. "I have one more question, though."
'I don't wanna! Why can't you just leave me alone...?'
Dell leaned close enough to her left ear that she could hear his breathing. "Do you still want me like you?" he asked.
Looking back, I'm certain I couldn't have been smart or determined enough to say yes. No, it wasn't my intelligence or common sense that made me whisper the word, but rather fear, I think, that the ruler would swing back down on me- or worse.
He smiled. "Good girl... I have a feeling we'll get along well together."
Rin was shocked. After a harsh beating, the last thing she'd expected Dell to do was lean down, tilt her head back, and press his lips to hers.
I wonder if there was anyone else he was this 'close' to. This didn't happen often- rarely did he show me such affection.
But I had to wonder... Was I really as special to him as he said? That's one thing I'm actually not completely sure was a lie or not. I'd never caught him with anyone outside of the council, other than myself.
So was I really the only one?
And… if so… then why?
There was one thing I knew for sure, though: No matter what, I had to be good, or I'd suffer. I had to live up to their standards, no matter how high. I'd always have to be a model patient.
But a certain boy turned that all around for me.
But I don't blame him for it. Of course I wouldn't. There's nothing for him to take fault in, after all.
It's my fault. I should have gotten between them sooner, made them hate each other; this way, they couldn't have been paired.
But they did.
And that was what started my mission in the first place.
Love had it begin, and hate had it end. Ironic, isn't it?
I can tell you for sure, though; this was not the last time I would be tied up and hit.
But I suffered through each and every beating because of love.
And that's how you know when it's real.
AHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Awesomeness~!
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN! Too fun… I really am a sadistic bitch. *w^" Heh heh heh…
So, interesting, don't you think?
It certainly gives you a different impression of this 'Terra Perfectionis', doesn't it? "Your safety is guaranteed." Ha. Haha. Ha. Hopefully you've all realized by now that THAT there was total bullshit. ^w^
No gore, I'm afraid… Sorry. I only just remembered that part, and… uh… yeah. That beating was quite mild.
I'm still not sure if it's even possible for me to CREATE gore. Like… really. I'm not sure if I'd honestly be able to do it.
Sigh… We'll see, right?
Ladeeda~!What else was I going to say…? Oh yes!
I keep forgetting to mention this, but I'm looking for a beta to help me with… Well… all my stories. More of an editor than a beta, really. Just someone who will be forced to listen to me bounce ideas, will suggest some, tell me what I should change… and perhaps even be my personal coach. (You know, like, 'GET YOUR BUTT MOVING AND UPDATE!' Not necessarily that angrily, though… OTL) Anyone interested?
Ooh, let's see what people guessed would be the rules!
MonochromAddict: Well my guess is you can't fall in love with anyone other than the one chosen for you (reminds me of the book MAtched). Hmmm perfection... I guess Dell chooses people based on some way to create a perfect race (like Hitler) and pairs them up with others who suit them exactly as he likes to make more people of that type... stupid guess? I'm not feeling very smart today.
That's actually a very good guess~! You are VERY smart, Mono-chan~! (Heh heh, Mono-chan… funny. :3)
satuross: so what is Terra Perfectionis? A brothel?
… … … Nooooooooooo…! (Sort of… … … Maybe a little more than just 'sort of'…) (That wasn't actually one of the guesses, but… well TECHNICALLY, it was, so… yeah. I thought I should mention it.)
Question of the Chapter: Would you go through beatings like Rin had for something like love?
I'm expecting some lengthy answers here~!
Anyway… thank you all for your reviews! 11 reviews for chapter 1?! Amazing! I'm really, REALLY happy~! QwQ
Keep them coming!
I love you all~!
Naty17
(1) Not true, but I needed a reason to make people like Miku look normal there. If colorful hair is rare, but people like it, then so do the bosses at the Terra Perfectionis.
Please Review!