Richie and Tessa were taken to an old office building on the outskirts of
the city. They were bound and gagged while in the back of the paneled van.
Master drove and left the task of keeping his captives under control to
the boys he had brought with him. When they arrived, a chain was slipped
round Richie's neck so Master could lead him while the mortals struggled
with a struggling Tessa. Once inside they were led to the middle of a
large room. Master stopped and made a gesture with his hand. Richie knew
the order and obeyed kneeling down. The mortals tried to push Tessa down
as well, but Tessa refused.
"Deal with her first," Master decided. He took a large pair of scissors off a near by table and handed them to one of the boys. They busied themselves cutting away Tessa's shirt. While they worked Master went back to Richie and untied his hands. Richie reached for the gag, but was stopped. "No, no. You know what I want you to do," Master told him gently.
Richie obediently began to undress. Then folded the clothes in a neat pile in front of him. Master then retied his hands and grasped the chain. He ordered Richie to his feet then led him to a door at the far end of the room. He opened the door, gestured Richie ahead of him and locked him inside.
Tessa was being as difficult as she could manage as they cut away her clothing. She struggled more as she watched Richie be lead away. Master approached her and removed the gag.
Tessa screamed at him in rapid French.
Master slapped her. "You must learn to behave. Such language is not tolerated."
"Why won't you just leave him alone?"
"Because he is mine. I bought him and he was stolen from me."
"He's a human being! You can't sell a life."
"I have been doing this before your family even existed. You have no power to stop me."
"Why him? Why do you have to take him? He belongs at home with his family!"
"If you want to join him you will do exactly as I say."
Tessa paused. "What do you want?"
"Your phone number. Now that I have my property back, I have to deal with the thieves." He took out a cell phone and Tessa gave him the number. "MacLeod, I presume?" Master asked when the line was picked up. "I believe we have some business to discuss... Yes, they are right here with me. Safe and sound." He laughed. "Very well then." He held the phone to Tessa's ear.
"Mac! He has Richie, you have to save him!"
Master took the phone back. "Are you satisfied?... I'm afraid that's not a possibility. He isn't allowed to use the phone... I assure you he is in the best of hands. What sort of Master would I be if I hurt my baby? Very well, just this once." He left and went to the other room. A few minutes later, he came back. "You may put her in Time Out. And bring me my baby boy. We have a lot to catch up on."
The two mortals took Tessa to the room shoved her in and roughly grabbed Richie, dragging him back out.
. . . . . .
Richie had been gone for over an hour and Tessa was starting to worry. She paced the small, dimly lit, windowless room she was locked in waiting for him to come back. She could hear muffled voices in the next room, but that was her only indication that she had not been abandoned in her cell, still bound and gagged.
"You are such a good boy," Master whispered in Richie's ear as they lay on a mattress in another room. "You are just as I remember you. Did you miss your master?" Richie couldn't answer as he was still gagged. He was panting slightly trying to catch his breath, but the gag hindered regular breathing. "I was worried when I found you gone that day. There were so many places they could have taken you." He pushed a damp curl off Richie's forehead. "I am so glad to have my special baby boy back." Richie just looked at him. "Do you promise to behave?" Richie nodded. The gag was removed and his hands were untied. "That's better. You are much better looking without all this." Richie still couldn't answer. The only thing running through his head was if Tessa was okay. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, Master," Richie found himself answering.
"Then you may fetch girl. It is time for lunch."
"Yes, Master." Richie got up and made his way back to the small cell. He rushed to Tessa.
"What happened?" Tessa asked as soon as he took off her gag.
"Nothing," he answered carefully looking her in the eye and no where else.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes." He untied her hands.
"What are you not telling me?"
"Look, we can talk later; Master said it's time for lunch."
"So we just run to him like cats to a can of tuna?" she scoffed. "We're human beings."
"Look," Richie hissed. "This may be the only chance we get to eat today. You may have your pride, but I've been humiliated too much to care anymore. You coming or not?"
"Richie, how can you just go back to this life? It's horrible, it's degrading, it's..."
"Well, it's all I had for a long time. So it's good enough for me," he snapped.
Tessa paused. "Richie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I'm just worried."
"Me too. But there's no work to do around here; we'll have plenty of time to figure something out. Right now it's time to eat."
He took her hand and they walked out to Master. Richie crouched on the floor and had to tug on Tessa's hand a few times to get her to do the same.
"You will learn, my dear. All of my children do. And since you've been so good, I am going to reward you."
Her reward was being given the first wax paper wrapped sandwich after she, Richie, and the two other boys and been arranged in a small circle in the middle of the floor.
"Time for prayers," Master reminded them.
The three boys automatically joined hands and Tessa reluctantly joined as well. Together they recited the prayer. Tessa knew it from all the times Richie mumbled it before he ate anything or went to sleep. That had been one of the last things to go in his routine. And he still repeated the prayers sporadically replacing "holy master" with God and taking out Master and his siblings in favor of Duncan, Tessa and his friends.
When Master was satisfied and gone elsewhere, Tessa opened the food. She and the two mortal boys were given tuna fish sandwiches on wheat bread and tall glasses of water. Richie got peanut butter and jelly on white, no crusts and cut in half and his large sippy cup was filled with milk. The boys were openly envious of Richie's meal and one made a grab for the half that Richie left unprotected as he ate the other. But Master saw the move and confiscated the boy's meal before sending him to the corner. Richie rolled his eyes at Tessa behind Master's back. A typical meal.
Once they were done eating, the boy gathered the trash and cups and left Tessa and Richie kneeling in the middle of the floor. Tessa started to get up, but a slight shake from Richie's head stopped her. 'We wait' he mouthed. They ended up waiting until Master had eaten before he acknowledged them.
"I suppose it's time for somebody's nap," he nearly cooed approaching the pair.
Richie looked up at him. "Her too?"
"Do you want company?"
"Please?" Richie had noticed the way Master was looking at Tessa and wanted to keep her as close as possible.
Master smiled at him. "Alright. And I want to have a little talk with you, too. So you go get ready and I'll be there in a minute."
Richie and Tessa got up and hurried off to their little room to talk while they could.
"Wednesday at three," Richie said as soon as they were in the room and out of hearing range.
"What?"
"That's what Master told Mac on the phone. He said he'd send a car Wednesday at three. So all we have to do is play nice for a couple days and we're good."
"And how are we defining the term 'play'?" Tessa demanded.
"Tessa, I promise, he'll have to kill me first."
"Richie, don't put yourself in danger because of me," she told him. "I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."
"Time for our chat," Master said coming into the room before Richie could answer. "Get ready." Richie moved to the edge of the little pallet he and Tessa had been given to share and knelt down. Master smiled. "I'm not going to punish you, you may lie down." Richie obeyed. Tessa stood in the corner. It was odd to watch Richie slip back and forth between the two personalities so easily. She feared that by Wednesday they would have to start all over with him. "I just wanted to tell you," Master said as he tucked him in. "That I am not angry at you for what you did. You are young and impressionable and easily manipulated. You didn't no any better than to go with those men. You're too little to have understood what their intentions were. So you need not worry about any consequences. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good." He kissed Richie's temple. "Now get some rest, you've had a busy morning." Once he had taken care of his baby, Master moved on to his new girl. "You've had quite a couple days; you should get some rest, too." He reached out to guide her to the pallet, but she jerked out of reach.
"Don't touch me!" she spat. Richie sat up, ready to defend Tessa should she upset Master.
"Very well, but to bed with you," he told her sweetly.
With her head held high, she got under the covers, turned her back to Master and pretended to go to sleep. Richie lay down as well, following her example. As soon as they heard the lights switch off and the lock turn both opened their eyes to total darkness.
"Tess?" Richie whispered.
"Right here," she answered.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Did you speak with Duncan?"
"Yeah."
"What did he say?"
"He told me that he'd be here as soon as he could and to behave."
"We can do that," Tessa agreed.
"Tess?" Richie whispered after a long pause.
"Yes?"
"I meant what I said. He'll have to kill me before I let him touch you."
"Richie..." Tessa's hands groped under the blankets until she found Richie's shoulders. "If that's what it takes to get out of here safely, I'll do it."
"You can't."
"Why not? It's for nothing other than survival."
"As long as I'm here, I go first," he insisted.
"Richie, you don't have to protect me."
"You don't understand. Just let me handle all that stuff. There's no reason for you to go through what I did. Not when I can handle it."
"Richie..."
"This is something I have to do; you can't take that away from me."
"Alright. But if it comes down to it, there's no reason for anyone to get hurt," she reluctantly agreed. "Let's get some sleep."
She felt Richie shift around and then felt a pillow brush her skin and lay between them as a divider. It was his attempt to make sleeping, naked, in the same bed a little more comfortable.
. . . . . .
"How is my baby boy?" Master asked Tuesday morning as Richie and Tessa were brought out for breakfast. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Master."
"And you, girl, did you sleep well?"
"As well as one who has been kidnapped," Tessa answered curtly. She had no intention of giving into this man, or even to pretend to. And she had been letting him know that since yesterday. She was rude, condescending and stubborn.
Master grabbed her arm. "I have had enough of your attitude!" he roared. "You will learn to respect me!" He slapped her face. "You will learn, and learn quickly or I will be forced to punish you," he sneered.
"Master, no!" Richie pleaded falling to his knees at the man's feet. "Punish me!"
He looked down in amusement at his baby on the floor. "What did you say?"
"Please, Master! Don't hurt her!"
"Why should I punish you? Her behavior is not your responsibility."
"Please, don't hurt her! If you wish to punish someone, punish me!" Richie begged.
"You want me to punish you?"
"If you have the need..."
Master laughed and let go of Tessa's arm before crouching on the floor by Richie. "My baby, why would you say something like that?" he asked giving Richie a strong hug. "Her behavior has nothing to do with you," he assured him, holding him close with one hand and smoothing back his hair with the other. "You are a good boy and I have no need to punish you."
"Please, Master, don't hurt her. I'll make sure she is good, don't hurt her."
"Why do you want to take on her training as your responsibility?"
Richie's mind raced. "I'm a big boy," he finally answered. "I want to do big boy things."
Master laughed again. "Just because you are not in your nursery and haven't been for a while, doesn't make you a big boy. You still have a long way to go."
"No, I'm a big boy."
"Not yet, you're not."
Richie nodded, not missing the edge in Master's voice. "Can I try?" he asked quietly. "Please?"
Master smiled. "You want to train girl?"
"Yes."
"I'll tell you what," he decided. "You can be my special helper. If you see her doing something wrong you can correct her. You can show her how she's supposed to act. How does that sound? Do you want to be my helper?"
"Yes, Master," Richie answered, summoning the best smile he could. He was supposed to be an excited child.
"Then it's a deal." He kissed the top of Richie's head then smoothed his hair again. "I think it's time for someone to see Mamma for a hair cut."
"I missed Mamma," Richie whispered.
"We all missed you."
After breakfast (plain oatmeal for everyone except the baby who got cinnamon, sugar and raisins in his), Richie and Tessa were sent back into their little room.
"You didn't have to do that," Tessa told Richie after they heard the door lock.
"I wasn't going to let him beat you." He took a step towards her and touched her red cheek lightly. "Does it still hurt?"
"It only stung for a minute. I'm fine. What about you?"
"He didn't hit me."
"But he has you acting like a child again."
"Tess, I'm just giving him what he wants. I promise that it's not working. I'm still me and plan on being me from here on out," he assured her.
"You're a great actor then," she told him. "You had me convinced."
"Then I did my job." He sat down on the pallet on the floor, putting his pillow on his lap. Tessa sat next to him wrapping the blanket around herself. They had become oddly used to seeing each other's bodies, but still covered what they could when they could out of habit.
After lunch Master tried to put Richie down for a nap and tried to keep Tessa for himself. Richie begged and pleaded that Tessa stayed with him.
"It's scary!" he begged trying to get himself to cry. "It's dark and strange. I don't want to be alone!"
"Boy, you are trying my patience," Master warned.
"Please?" Richie begged. "Don't make me go in there alone!"
"I will send a boy to stay with you, then."
"Please, Master, they're mean. They steal my food and hit me when you look away. They'll hurt me! Don't leave me alone with them!" Richie was crouched on the floor, hugging Master's ankles, still trying to cry.
"Boy, I will not tolerate this behavior. You are to do as you are told. Now go to bed!"
"Please!" Richie sat up and clung to Master's pants.
"That is enough!" Master yelled, back handing Richie. "I will not let you get away with this!" The slap made Richie's eyes water and he used that to his advantage. He looked up at Master, sniffling and looking as pathetic as he could. "This will not work. You will not manipulate me. Now go to bed!"
"No!" Richie recoiled as soon as he heard his voice answer so defiantly.
Master's eyes flashed with an anger Richie hadn't seen since he had not allowed Master to touch him his first day out of Time Out. "What did you say?" he demanded reaching for his belt buckle. Richie froze, unable to speak. "Did you say 'no' to me?" Master continued, unbuckling his belt and taking it off.
"M-m-m-master... Master please..." Richie begged backing away on all fours. "I...I'm sorry, forgive me... I-I-I..."
"You what?"
"I was bad," Richie whispered.
"And what happens to bad boys?"
"They're punished."
"That's right." He advanced on the boy, who was cowering on the floor.
"No!" Tessa stopped him. "Leave him alone. He just wanted to protect me."
"You will stay out of this," Master instructed. "This is between myself and my very, very bad, baby boy," he said spitting the last words at Richie.
"He's a child!"
"He is my child! Hold her back!" he ordered one of the mortal boys, who grabbed Tessa. "As for you..." he folded the belt in half. "You have a lesson to learn."
"Richie!" Tessa screamed as the belt cracked on the boy's bare butt repeatedly. "Stop! Leave him alone! I'll do what you want! Please, just don't hurt him!"
Master stopped mid-swing and looked up at Tessa. "You will obey me?"
"No! Master, I'm the bad one!" Richie insisted. "I deserve to be punished."
"Silence!" He hit Richie hard in the back of the head with his belt. "Restrain him," he ordered a boy. "Bring her to me."
A boy grabbed Richie roughly and began to drag him to the little room. He watched helplessly as Tessa was led to Master's room.
"Deal with her first," Master decided. He took a large pair of scissors off a near by table and handed them to one of the boys. They busied themselves cutting away Tessa's shirt. While they worked Master went back to Richie and untied his hands. Richie reached for the gag, but was stopped. "No, no. You know what I want you to do," Master told him gently.
Richie obediently began to undress. Then folded the clothes in a neat pile in front of him. Master then retied his hands and grasped the chain. He ordered Richie to his feet then led him to a door at the far end of the room. He opened the door, gestured Richie ahead of him and locked him inside.
Tessa was being as difficult as she could manage as they cut away her clothing. She struggled more as she watched Richie be lead away. Master approached her and removed the gag.
Tessa screamed at him in rapid French.
Master slapped her. "You must learn to behave. Such language is not tolerated."
"Why won't you just leave him alone?"
"Because he is mine. I bought him and he was stolen from me."
"He's a human being! You can't sell a life."
"I have been doing this before your family even existed. You have no power to stop me."
"Why him? Why do you have to take him? He belongs at home with his family!"
"If you want to join him you will do exactly as I say."
Tessa paused. "What do you want?"
"Your phone number. Now that I have my property back, I have to deal with the thieves." He took out a cell phone and Tessa gave him the number. "MacLeod, I presume?" Master asked when the line was picked up. "I believe we have some business to discuss... Yes, they are right here with me. Safe and sound." He laughed. "Very well then." He held the phone to Tessa's ear.
"Mac! He has Richie, you have to save him!"
Master took the phone back. "Are you satisfied?... I'm afraid that's not a possibility. He isn't allowed to use the phone... I assure you he is in the best of hands. What sort of Master would I be if I hurt my baby? Very well, just this once." He left and went to the other room. A few minutes later, he came back. "You may put her in Time Out. And bring me my baby boy. We have a lot to catch up on."
The two mortals took Tessa to the room shoved her in and roughly grabbed Richie, dragging him back out.
. . . . . .
Richie had been gone for over an hour and Tessa was starting to worry. She paced the small, dimly lit, windowless room she was locked in waiting for him to come back. She could hear muffled voices in the next room, but that was her only indication that she had not been abandoned in her cell, still bound and gagged.
"You are such a good boy," Master whispered in Richie's ear as they lay on a mattress in another room. "You are just as I remember you. Did you miss your master?" Richie couldn't answer as he was still gagged. He was panting slightly trying to catch his breath, but the gag hindered regular breathing. "I was worried when I found you gone that day. There were so many places they could have taken you." He pushed a damp curl off Richie's forehead. "I am so glad to have my special baby boy back." Richie just looked at him. "Do you promise to behave?" Richie nodded. The gag was removed and his hands were untied. "That's better. You are much better looking without all this." Richie still couldn't answer. The only thing running through his head was if Tessa was okay. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, Master," Richie found himself answering.
"Then you may fetch girl. It is time for lunch."
"Yes, Master." Richie got up and made his way back to the small cell. He rushed to Tessa.
"What happened?" Tessa asked as soon as he took off her gag.
"Nothing," he answered carefully looking her in the eye and no where else.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes." He untied her hands.
"What are you not telling me?"
"Look, we can talk later; Master said it's time for lunch."
"So we just run to him like cats to a can of tuna?" she scoffed. "We're human beings."
"Look," Richie hissed. "This may be the only chance we get to eat today. You may have your pride, but I've been humiliated too much to care anymore. You coming or not?"
"Richie, how can you just go back to this life? It's horrible, it's degrading, it's..."
"Well, it's all I had for a long time. So it's good enough for me," he snapped.
Tessa paused. "Richie, I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I'm just worried."
"Me too. But there's no work to do around here; we'll have plenty of time to figure something out. Right now it's time to eat."
He took her hand and they walked out to Master. Richie crouched on the floor and had to tug on Tessa's hand a few times to get her to do the same.
"You will learn, my dear. All of my children do. And since you've been so good, I am going to reward you."
Her reward was being given the first wax paper wrapped sandwich after she, Richie, and the two other boys and been arranged in a small circle in the middle of the floor.
"Time for prayers," Master reminded them.
The three boys automatically joined hands and Tessa reluctantly joined as well. Together they recited the prayer. Tessa knew it from all the times Richie mumbled it before he ate anything or went to sleep. That had been one of the last things to go in his routine. And he still repeated the prayers sporadically replacing "holy master" with God and taking out Master and his siblings in favor of Duncan, Tessa and his friends.
When Master was satisfied and gone elsewhere, Tessa opened the food. She and the two mortal boys were given tuna fish sandwiches on wheat bread and tall glasses of water. Richie got peanut butter and jelly on white, no crusts and cut in half and his large sippy cup was filled with milk. The boys were openly envious of Richie's meal and one made a grab for the half that Richie left unprotected as he ate the other. But Master saw the move and confiscated the boy's meal before sending him to the corner. Richie rolled his eyes at Tessa behind Master's back. A typical meal.
Once they were done eating, the boy gathered the trash and cups and left Tessa and Richie kneeling in the middle of the floor. Tessa started to get up, but a slight shake from Richie's head stopped her. 'We wait' he mouthed. They ended up waiting until Master had eaten before he acknowledged them.
"I suppose it's time for somebody's nap," he nearly cooed approaching the pair.
Richie looked up at him. "Her too?"
"Do you want company?"
"Please?" Richie had noticed the way Master was looking at Tessa and wanted to keep her as close as possible.
Master smiled at him. "Alright. And I want to have a little talk with you, too. So you go get ready and I'll be there in a minute."
Richie and Tessa got up and hurried off to their little room to talk while they could.
"Wednesday at three," Richie said as soon as they were in the room and out of hearing range.
"What?"
"That's what Master told Mac on the phone. He said he'd send a car Wednesday at three. So all we have to do is play nice for a couple days and we're good."
"And how are we defining the term 'play'?" Tessa demanded.
"Tessa, I promise, he'll have to kill me first."
"Richie, don't put yourself in danger because of me," she told him. "I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."
"Time for our chat," Master said coming into the room before Richie could answer. "Get ready." Richie moved to the edge of the little pallet he and Tessa had been given to share and knelt down. Master smiled. "I'm not going to punish you, you may lie down." Richie obeyed. Tessa stood in the corner. It was odd to watch Richie slip back and forth between the two personalities so easily. She feared that by Wednesday they would have to start all over with him. "I just wanted to tell you," Master said as he tucked him in. "That I am not angry at you for what you did. You are young and impressionable and easily manipulated. You didn't no any better than to go with those men. You're too little to have understood what their intentions were. So you need not worry about any consequences. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good." He kissed Richie's temple. "Now get some rest, you've had a busy morning." Once he had taken care of his baby, Master moved on to his new girl. "You've had quite a couple days; you should get some rest, too." He reached out to guide her to the pallet, but she jerked out of reach.
"Don't touch me!" she spat. Richie sat up, ready to defend Tessa should she upset Master.
"Very well, but to bed with you," he told her sweetly.
With her head held high, she got under the covers, turned her back to Master and pretended to go to sleep. Richie lay down as well, following her example. As soon as they heard the lights switch off and the lock turn both opened their eyes to total darkness.
"Tess?" Richie whispered.
"Right here," she answered.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Did you speak with Duncan?"
"Yeah."
"What did he say?"
"He told me that he'd be here as soon as he could and to behave."
"We can do that," Tessa agreed.
"Tess?" Richie whispered after a long pause.
"Yes?"
"I meant what I said. He'll have to kill me before I let him touch you."
"Richie..." Tessa's hands groped under the blankets until she found Richie's shoulders. "If that's what it takes to get out of here safely, I'll do it."
"You can't."
"Why not? It's for nothing other than survival."
"As long as I'm here, I go first," he insisted.
"Richie, you don't have to protect me."
"You don't understand. Just let me handle all that stuff. There's no reason for you to go through what I did. Not when I can handle it."
"Richie..."
"This is something I have to do; you can't take that away from me."
"Alright. But if it comes down to it, there's no reason for anyone to get hurt," she reluctantly agreed. "Let's get some sleep."
She felt Richie shift around and then felt a pillow brush her skin and lay between them as a divider. It was his attempt to make sleeping, naked, in the same bed a little more comfortable.
. . . . . .
"How is my baby boy?" Master asked Tuesday morning as Richie and Tessa were brought out for breakfast. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Master."
"And you, girl, did you sleep well?"
"As well as one who has been kidnapped," Tessa answered curtly. She had no intention of giving into this man, or even to pretend to. And she had been letting him know that since yesterday. She was rude, condescending and stubborn.
Master grabbed her arm. "I have had enough of your attitude!" he roared. "You will learn to respect me!" He slapped her face. "You will learn, and learn quickly or I will be forced to punish you," he sneered.
"Master, no!" Richie pleaded falling to his knees at the man's feet. "Punish me!"
He looked down in amusement at his baby on the floor. "What did you say?"
"Please, Master! Don't hurt her!"
"Why should I punish you? Her behavior is not your responsibility."
"Please, don't hurt her! If you wish to punish someone, punish me!" Richie begged.
"You want me to punish you?"
"If you have the need..."
Master laughed and let go of Tessa's arm before crouching on the floor by Richie. "My baby, why would you say something like that?" he asked giving Richie a strong hug. "Her behavior has nothing to do with you," he assured him, holding him close with one hand and smoothing back his hair with the other. "You are a good boy and I have no need to punish you."
"Please, Master, don't hurt her. I'll make sure she is good, don't hurt her."
"Why do you want to take on her training as your responsibility?"
Richie's mind raced. "I'm a big boy," he finally answered. "I want to do big boy things."
Master laughed again. "Just because you are not in your nursery and haven't been for a while, doesn't make you a big boy. You still have a long way to go."
"No, I'm a big boy."
"Not yet, you're not."
Richie nodded, not missing the edge in Master's voice. "Can I try?" he asked quietly. "Please?"
Master smiled. "You want to train girl?"
"Yes."
"I'll tell you what," he decided. "You can be my special helper. If you see her doing something wrong you can correct her. You can show her how she's supposed to act. How does that sound? Do you want to be my helper?"
"Yes, Master," Richie answered, summoning the best smile he could. He was supposed to be an excited child.
"Then it's a deal." He kissed the top of Richie's head then smoothed his hair again. "I think it's time for someone to see Mamma for a hair cut."
"I missed Mamma," Richie whispered.
"We all missed you."
After breakfast (plain oatmeal for everyone except the baby who got cinnamon, sugar and raisins in his), Richie and Tessa were sent back into their little room.
"You didn't have to do that," Tessa told Richie after they heard the door lock.
"I wasn't going to let him beat you." He took a step towards her and touched her red cheek lightly. "Does it still hurt?"
"It only stung for a minute. I'm fine. What about you?"
"He didn't hit me."
"But he has you acting like a child again."
"Tess, I'm just giving him what he wants. I promise that it's not working. I'm still me and plan on being me from here on out," he assured her.
"You're a great actor then," she told him. "You had me convinced."
"Then I did my job." He sat down on the pallet on the floor, putting his pillow on his lap. Tessa sat next to him wrapping the blanket around herself. They had become oddly used to seeing each other's bodies, but still covered what they could when they could out of habit.
After lunch Master tried to put Richie down for a nap and tried to keep Tessa for himself. Richie begged and pleaded that Tessa stayed with him.
"It's scary!" he begged trying to get himself to cry. "It's dark and strange. I don't want to be alone!"
"Boy, you are trying my patience," Master warned.
"Please?" Richie begged. "Don't make me go in there alone!"
"I will send a boy to stay with you, then."
"Please, Master, they're mean. They steal my food and hit me when you look away. They'll hurt me! Don't leave me alone with them!" Richie was crouched on the floor, hugging Master's ankles, still trying to cry.
"Boy, I will not tolerate this behavior. You are to do as you are told. Now go to bed!"
"Please!" Richie sat up and clung to Master's pants.
"That is enough!" Master yelled, back handing Richie. "I will not let you get away with this!" The slap made Richie's eyes water and he used that to his advantage. He looked up at Master, sniffling and looking as pathetic as he could. "This will not work. You will not manipulate me. Now go to bed!"
"No!" Richie recoiled as soon as he heard his voice answer so defiantly.
Master's eyes flashed with an anger Richie hadn't seen since he had not allowed Master to touch him his first day out of Time Out. "What did you say?" he demanded reaching for his belt buckle. Richie froze, unable to speak. "Did you say 'no' to me?" Master continued, unbuckling his belt and taking it off.
"M-m-m-master... Master please..." Richie begged backing away on all fours. "I...I'm sorry, forgive me... I-I-I..."
"You what?"
"I was bad," Richie whispered.
"And what happens to bad boys?"
"They're punished."
"That's right." He advanced on the boy, who was cowering on the floor.
"No!" Tessa stopped him. "Leave him alone. He just wanted to protect me."
"You will stay out of this," Master instructed. "This is between myself and my very, very bad, baby boy," he said spitting the last words at Richie.
"He's a child!"
"He is my child! Hold her back!" he ordered one of the mortal boys, who grabbed Tessa. "As for you..." he folded the belt in half. "You have a lesson to learn."
"Richie!" Tessa screamed as the belt cracked on the boy's bare butt repeatedly. "Stop! Leave him alone! I'll do what you want! Please, just don't hurt him!"
Master stopped mid-swing and looked up at Tessa. "You will obey me?"
"No! Master, I'm the bad one!" Richie insisted. "I deserve to be punished."
"Silence!" He hit Richie hard in the back of the head with his belt. "Restrain him," he ordered a boy. "Bring her to me."
A boy grabbed Richie roughly and began to drag him to the little room. He watched helplessly as Tessa was led to Master's room.