"What was this doing in your jeans pocket?"

I looked at the object in Mrs. Wu's hand. "I'm sorry, ma'am."

"Where did you get it?"

"He gave it to me, ma'am."

"How could he do that?!"

"I'm sorry."

She stormed up the stairs as a tear fell from her eye, collar in hand.


"Cody, where did you get this?" Mr. Wu said calmly, holding up the collar.

"He gave it to me, sir."

"How could he do that?! He's dead!" Mrs. Wu said angrily, tears streaming down her cheeks. She clung to her husband.

"Cody, tell me the truth."

"I am, sir."

"Don't lie to me!" He tried to calm himself down. "Did you dig up where he was buried and take it?"

"No, sir."

He looked at me, disappointed.

"Sir, I promise."

He sighed. "Cody, I'm gonna have to ground you."

"But, sir-"

"No 'buts.' Go to your room."

I glanced at Mrs. Wu, who had a smirk on her face. I hung my head and walked up the stairs. "Yes, sir."


I didn't like being locked in my room. It reminded me of staying with Eddie.

Mrs. Wu stepped into the room.

"May I, please, come out now?" I asked desperately.

"Nope," she said coldly.

"Yes, ma'am." After a moment, I spoke. "Ma'am?"

"What?"

"Why do you hate me so much?"

"I think you already know why." She smiled, thinking to herself. "He actually thought you were lying. I can't believe he fell for it."

"You believe me?"

"Of course not. I'm the one that put it in your pocket."

"What? No. Dakota-"

"No, he didn't. I dug up his body. I got the collar. I put it into your pocket. It's as simple as that."

"But why?"

She smirked. "Here's your lunch."

"Thank you, ma'am."


Tears fell from my eyes as I remembered being locked in the small closet when I stayed with Eddie.

One time, I'd stayed in there for two whole months, only getting my weekly food and water.

I was locked inside the cramped dog cage for two weeks, forced to eat kibble and drink like a dog for Eddie's amusement. He'd hold me in place with a leash. While I ate, Eddie would whip me with his belt, causing me to whimper involuntarily.

Eddie liked it when I got on my knees, acting like a dog. He'd made me beg for my punishments...plead for the sex.

I remembered how he'd touch me as I did as I was told. I remembered every act we'd play out on the mattress to fill his sexual desires. I remembered how, on some nights, I'd be naked, curled up next to him, shaking as he snored, his arm keeping me close to him.

I thought about the things he'd use to torture me as we f***ed. He loved using the whip and the shock collar.

He'd cut me with a knife as I'd play the poor victim. He'd dig his nails into my skin. He'd yank my waist, pulling me closer. He'd sit on my chest, a knee on either side of my neck, his hips bucking as he forced me to suck, then swallow every last drop.

He'd said it felt so good. He'd forced me to do the same to Master, Benny, and Cal.

One time, he'd chained me to the cold, hard floor, screwing me over four times a day for several weeks. I'd lay there, completely exposed, waiting for the next time he'd do me.

He liked causing pain during sex for his twisted enjoyment. He did this to hear my screams and cries. He'd bite my lip, causing it to bleed and swell. I'd have many bruises and cuts each time we were done.

He'd force me to beg for more as our sweaty bodies moved.

"Cody?" It was Mr. Wu. "Cody, where are you?" After a moment, he opened the closet door. "Cody, what are you doing in here?"

I sat naked in the corner, my knees to my chest. I was sweaty, shivering, in tears. I weakly reached my arm up, a scar Eddie had left clearly visible.

*FLASHBACK*

"You didn't do it good enough."

"I'm sorry, master." I lay, only wearing my boxers. One of my hands was shackled to the floor.

"You better do it better next time."

"Yes, master."

"For your punishment…" He held up a small glass filled with acid. He had a dropper in his hand. He lightly squeezed it above me.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying not to yell out as small droplets fell onto my body, eating through my skin.

All of a sudden, he dropped the glass on my shackled hand. "Oops."

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" I sat up, trying to pull my hand away. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

*END FLASHBACK*

I weakly grabbed Mr. Wu's shirt and pulled him closer. My voice was a whisper. I was panting. "Please. Please. Please, master. Please. I'm ready. Please. Do me."

Mr. Wu gripped my hand, pushing it away. "Cody, what's wrong with you?"

"Please."

"Cody-"

"C'mon. Please. I've been a bad boy. Punish me."

"You're sick!" He stepped out of the closet.

"Please!" I called. "Please! Punish me!"

"Dad?" It was Melissa. "Where's-"

"Go downstairs."

"Is he okay?"

"Yes. Just go."

I heard Melissa leave the room.

Mr. Wu opened a few of the drawers in the dresser.

"Please! It hurts! Please!"

Mr. Wu slammed some drawers closed.

"Please, master! Please! F*** me! I've been a bad boy! I need to be punished! Please!" I was sobbing now. "Please! I'll do anything! Please! Please, master! Please! Ahhhh!" I yelled through clenched teeth.

Mr. Wu came back into the closet. He reached up, grabbing a pair of pants and a t-shirt.

I gripped his leg just above his knee. "Please. Please."

He pushed me away, then grabbed my arms, dragging me out of the closet. He threw the outfit, along with some boxers, at me. "Put them on."

I looked up at him, my eyes pleading. My teeth were tight together. I yelled. "Give it to me! Please!"

"Get dressed, d***it!"

Tears fell. But I didn't dare disobey the man. "Yes, master." I stood, pulling my clothes onto my body. When I was finished, I looked at the man, crying.

He pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back.


I woke up the next morning, then reluctantly headed downstairs.

Mr. Wu was sitting in a chair, reading the newspaper, a cup of coffee on the table next to him.

Melissa and Mrs. Wu were watching TV.

I cleared my throat. "Excuse me."

Mr. Wu looked up, then folded the paper, resting it on his lap. "Yeah, Cody?"

"May I, please, talk to all of you?" I knew Melissa and her mother had heard me last night, even from downstairs.

"Sure. What about?"

"Last night."

He was quiet.

"Um, I'm sorry...about what I said and...did. I wasn't being a..." A single tear fell from my eye as I forced myself to say the words. "...good boy. And I'm very...ashamed...about it. I'm really...really sorry. My language and actions were uncalled for. I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd, please, forgive me for my wrong-doing. And, if you don't, I understand. I'll do anything to make up for it if you'd give me a chance. I'm gonna add a week without food to my restriction, plus whatever punishment you give me." When the room was silent, I said. "I'm sorry that I came out of my room. I know I'm still grounded. I'll just go back upstairs now." I turned and headed for the stairs.

"Cody?" It was Mr. Wu.

"Yes, sir?" I looked at him.

"You're not getting punished for what you did. And when you're grounded, it doesn't mean you have to stay in your room."

I was relieved. "Thank you, sir. If you don't mind, may I, please, sit in here?"

"Sure."

"Thank you, sir." I took a seat next to Melissa.

She gripped my hand and smiled at me, then turned her head back to her homework that sat in her lap.

I watched her scribble neatly into her notebook. I never took my eyes away from her as I spoke. "Sir?"

Mr. Wu looked at me. "Yeah, Cody?"

"Can I go to school?"