I walked slowly and silently down the stairs, suppressing a yawn. I could see a police officer standing in the living room.

He handed Mr. Wu a large bag containing some video tapes. "These are the tapes that Captain Gregor wants the police reports on."

"Thanks, Larry."

"So when you coming back to the office?"

"I don't know. With all that's going on right now, I just need a break."

"I understand. Well, I gotta get going. I'm on duty. I'll see you later."

"Bye." Mr. Wu held the door open as Larry walked out and toward his police car. He shut it, then headed into the living room. He poured the tapes onto the floor, then grabbed one and stuck it into the VCR.

I was at the bottom of the stairs now, peaking around the corner, watching Mr. Wu.

On the screen, a video played.

A teenage boy was hanging upside down, a rope wrapped tightly around his bleeding ankle. He spun slowly, his arms dangling. His body was battered and bruised. He resembled a skeleton, cold and alone.

A man entered the screen, walking toward the boy. He grabbed the teen's hair and pulled his head between his own legs, forcing him to suck.

After five minutes, the kid looked as if he was having trouble breathing. He tried to pull away, but the man wouldn't allow it.

The older guy held on to the boy's legs, wrapping his own legs around the younger one's head, no longer touching the ground.

The teen had tears streaming down his cheeks as the rope cut through the skin around his foot with the excess weight. He slowly spun on the rope.

A tear streaked down my cheek when the teen's back faced the screen.

Carved into his back was "You're my b**** now."

It was me.

Mr. Wu watched video after video.

I still peeked around the corner.

I was surprised about the way I looked on the screen. I didn't even recognize myself.

I kept my eyes on the TV, staring at each tape, thinking about all the things Eddie had done to me as Mr. Wu and I watched it.

I thought about the three months Eddie had injected heroin into me. I didn't remember much--only that several different men that I'd never seen before had touched and undressed me, then gave Eddie some money afterwards.

I closed my eyes as Mr. Wu watched the video, scribbling on a sheet of paper all the while.

I thought about that first day without Melissa…when I was a very bad dog.

*FLASHBACK*

"We're almost there." Cal's voice came from the phone. "Wanna give them a word?"

Eddie spoke. "Yeah." He gripped the whip tightly as he yanked my hair, pulling me to my knees.

"Jackson?" Melissa's voice came from the phone.

Tears fell from my eyes. I couldn't speak. I was too ashamed. I knew she'd heard what had happened to me.

"You there?"

I was quiet.

Eddie spoke into my ear, his voice low, although Melissa could still hear. "Do you wanna learn how to be a good dog?"

I nodded, terrified by the man's threatening tone.

"What do good dogs do when someone talks to them?"

My voice was barely above a whisper. "They answer, master."

"So what are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna answer, master."

"That's right." He yelled loudly into my ear. "So do it!"

I flinched at the change in volume. "Yes, master." I spoke into the phone. "Hello, Melissa." When Eddie slapped the back of my head, I quickly corrected myself. "Ma'am. Hello, ma'am."

Melissa was heartbroken. "Oh, Jackson…"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, ma'am."

After a long silence, she said, "Did he really…"

I knew exactly what she meant. But I couldn't answer.

Eddie slung the whip against my back.

"Ahhhh!" I dropped the phone.

"Jackson?"

"Ahhhh! Ahhhh!" I was on my stomach now, my mouth next to the phone, screaming into Melissa's ear. "Ahhhh!"

"You're clearly not doing good on your training," Eddie said, slinging the whip. "I guess I'll have to take it a lot harder on you." After a moment he commanded, "Answer her!"

"Yes, master. Ahhhh!"

"Jackson?" Melissa said worriedly.

"Yes, ma'am. He did. He raped me." I was crying. "Please, master. Ahhhh! Please. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Ahhhh! Please."

After a minute, Eddie stopped. "Maybe that'll teach you a lesson."

I was sobbing loudly, almost screaming, yelling even more as I imagined the rest of my life like this.

*END FLASHBACK*

Mr. Wu had stopped the tape. He abruptly turned and threw the remote controller behind him angrily, his teeth clenched.

I didn't have time to react before the remote hit my lower stomach. I fell to the floor with a yelp.

Mr. Wu heard this. He turned around. "Cody?!" He rushed toward me.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry."

"Are you okay? I didn't see you there. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, sir." I wiped my eyes, then picked up the remote and handed it to him. "Here, sir."

He stared at it. Anger filled his features.

"I'm sorry, sir."

He abruptly pulled me into a hug. "Cody, I'm never gonna let anybody hurt you. Never. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." His voice cracked, but he shed no tears.

I, on the other hand, was sobbing.

He rubbed my back, speaking soothingly. "It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay. No one's gonna hurt you anymore. I promise."