A/N: Graphic scenes to follow that include physical abuse, violence, and sexual assault. Please be warned and aware of your triggers if you choose to proceed.

Chapter 5: The Dueling Demons

Elaine


Surrender to him, my conscious pleaded. It would be easier. It would sure as hell hurt less.

Hux hadn't woken from the previous night's events yet. I stirred in the dark as my fingertips prickled, my hands secured above my head.

When every part of you aches, how can you sleep? Unable to relax without muscles contracting with resistance, your helpless body strung up into a standing position. Once I awoke from the blackout, I could not fall into the soothing unconscious again.

My skull hammered with each heartbeat, thudding against my forehead as my lungs wheezed with each raspy breath.

What happened after he cut me down? I reviewed the events in my mind, taking a mental inventory of my condition. I recalled his grasp around my face and gasped when I tried to open my mouth and felt sharp cracks in the bases of my jaw.

Ok, great, what else?

My eyebrows furrowed together and I hissed sharply as the swelling under my left eye tightened. Can you open them? I attempted to peer between my eyelids; my right eye appeared to be alright, but my left was impeded by the swelling on my cheek.

Fantastic, I inhaled deeply, savoring the air in my lungs. At least you can breathe now.

If I thought I was hideous before, I would hate to see myself now; my skin wracked with bruises, cuts, and welts. I'm sure no one would even notice your tattoos with you looking like this, I reassured myself.

Hux stirred in his sleep and rolled over with a groan. All of my muscles tensed until I was positive he was asleep.

Just survive, right? I rummaged for my determination as my shoulders cramped in their uncomfortable distortion. Just survive.


"I must apologize to you, pet."

I almost choked on the rice as I lifted my face from the bowl on the floor.

"I should have been in more control last night," Hux reflected and brought his hand to rest under his chin. "Instead, I let my emotions get the best of me; behaved no better than that blasted child, Ren," he sneered, his eyes fixated on something in his mind. "I'm going to make it up to you, my pet," he finished definitely. "I have a marvelous surprise for you that you will surely enjoy."

My legs and arms quivered in dread. I don't like the sound of that.

After finishing breakfast, he collared me once again and attached the leash to it; a dull pain throbbed as his fingers palpated against what must've been bruised skin around my neck.

Let's get this over with, I obeyed begrudgingly, awaiting further instructions on my hands and knees.

"Oh, no, pet," he declared as he pulled his cloak over his shoulders. "Don't you worry— I'm not going to make you strut around the bridge on all fours. I'd never get anywhere at your lazy pace," he smirked at this and clutched the leash in his hand. "You may stand," he granted permission.

My joints shook violently under my weight as I stood, wobbling back and forth to gain balance independently.

Just breathe. You can do this, I instructed. Focus on your breathing and it won't hurt as bad.

If only that were true. No matter what I did, I couldn't stop flinching from my wounds. He led me to the automatic doors that opened with an aggressive hiss and briskly walked into the hallway, tugging me along as my feet padded on the floor. The familiar sound of my bare soles against the polished ground flooded my senses with memories. I let myself be immersed by recollections from that night. I imagined walking through the alleyway lit up with vibrant colored neon that rippled in puddles, the sound of the shuttle engines roaring in my ears as we departed Coruscant, the way Silas' eyes gazed upon me as if I was his long-lost sister sitting with him in the cockpit.

"General," a group of stormtroopers saluted as we passed, ripping me out of my subconscious.

My cheeks flushed with heat and I squeezed my eyes shut. Please don't look at me, I implored. The embarrassment, shame, and humiliation were too much. All of my nightmares, even some that I had never fathomed, had come true.

The hallways seemed to stretch even longer than before as if they mocked me in my degradation. I held my breath every time someone saluted Hux, praying that maybe their eyes wouldn't fall on my exposed, mutilated body. Though, I couldn't blame them; it's not every day you see a naked woman adorned in tattoos and bruises paraded around with a leash. After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at a set of large automatic doors that opened for Hux.

The office was half the size of his chambers but the same shades of black and gray. There were a refrigerator and coffee station alongside one of the walls and a bookcase on the other. In the back of the room, there was a large desk with an enormous window that loomed behind it. Through it, I could see what looked like a central headquarters; workers bustled around furiously operating computers.

"Come, my pet," he regarded me after nothing but silence during our little tour. "Come and stand by me," he unclipped my leash, wrapped it in his hands, and sat down at his desk.

My eyes lingered on the window as I stepped to the other side of the table and pivoted my body to him. I clasped my hands in front of me as they grew hot with anxiety.

Hux fiddled with something in his pocket and brought the object up to his lips. "Come in," he uttered in the serious voice he used to converse with other First Order members.

When the door opened, my heart and guts writhed in my torso. My body temperature spiked as a deep shade of red filled my face. I refused to bring my eyes up to any of them as they entered, forming a line in front of Hux's desk.

"Where the hell is Silas?" Hux demanded when they saluted him.

"He got held up on the bridge, sir," Carson promptly responded.

"Well, look who it is," Declan snickered under his breath. I chewed on the inside of my lip until it hurt.

"Speak out of turn again, Declan, and I will place you in Phasma's care," Hux fired.

Looks like someone is on a short leash, too. A grin flickered in the corner of my mouth but I didn't dare show it.

"Now. Speaking of, how is the attack on the village proceeding?" Hux stood, his arms resting on his lower back.

"The troops touched down on the surface of Jakku at 0427, sir," the stiff one rattled off. "Master Ren arrived shortly after them."

Hux groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "Any reports?"

"None yet, sir."

"They'll be returning any moment, I'm sure," Hux commented as he turned his attention to me, grazing my tender jaw with his fingertips.

"Declan," Hux barked. I flinched under the vibration of his voice.

"Sir?" Declan addressed.

"Since you have a keen eye for her," Hux continued while twirling a piece of my hair around his finger, "What do you think of my little pet?"

"May I speak freely, sir?"

"You may."

"From what I can see she is not nearly as disciplined as you prefer." I sensed his smug face twist with a smirk across his lips.

Hux sighed longingly as he nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately, you're quite right."

A wave of dread filled my chest, unsure of what to expect.

"Let's see if she can perform her tricks in front of an audience, hm?" Hux asked rhetorically as he left my side and relocated to the front of his desk. "Come, pet."

Just breathe. I drew air into my lungs as I forced my legs to abide by his command. Just survive.

I heard Declan chuckle as I stopped in front of Hux, my hearing distorted by the pounding of my heartbeat.

"Sit," he patted his desk with his hand.

Really? Not on the floor? I quipped and followed instructions. I didn't like where this was going. Something suggested this would be more malicious than before; his intentions oozed in vile.

"Declan," Hux beckoned, and the pup ran to his heels. "If you place your hand upon my pet, do you think she will bite you?"

Don't tempt me, I remarked.

Declan stood with his hands behind his back and studied me, his eyes lingering on my bare breasts that he so desperately wanted to see on the shuttle. "To be honest, sir, she very well might."

Smart pup, I smirked and realized all too late that Hux caught a glimpse of it.

"Is something funny, pet?" Hux snatched my face in his hand.

"No, sir," I muttered, my abdomen tense as his grasp flooded my jaw with pain. Stop it, I scolded myself.

"Rowan," he waved over.

"Yes sir?" the stiff one stood at attention.

Rowan, I repeated, finally able to call him something other than an oddity.

"When you were in the Imperial Academy, did they practice grappling techniques?" Hux inquired.

You're going to make this worse for yourself, my subconscious warned, imploring me not to do anything reckless.

"Yessir. We practiced many short-range fighting styles."

"Come here, Sergeant," Hux motioned him over. I found myself surrounded by three men who towered over me as the wolves closed in.

No, I clenched my jaw, incapable of feeling the pain anymore. It's already worse— I can't do this anymore.

Something inside me snapped; call it ignorance or stupidity or the will to live. I would not— could not— be the First Order's little whore, an empty shell of a being for them to use at their beck and call. I decided then and there that I would fight Hux with every fiber of my being until he either killed or released me. Though, the latter seemed least likely out of the two.

"Fuck you," I growled at them. All of my politeness, refinement, and manners that Pheme taught me had been discarded.

"What was that?" Hux fumed and wrapped his fingers around my throat.

"You heard me," I narrowed my eyes at him. "But in case you didn't catch it the first time, fuck you."

Hux gawked, astonished at first. Then, his expression changed to one of resolution. "Hold her legs," Hux commanded Declan before he disappeared across the room.

I felt his hands wrap around my knees and I became a live wire, writhing and tearing away from his touch as I tried to fight him off.

"Don't touch me!" I snapped and attempted to get down from the table.

Rowan's bulky arm wrapped around my throat and pulled my face into his bicep as locked me from behind. Declan took advantage of my distress and coiled around my left leg.

"Carson!" Declan grunted as I tried to aim for his gut with my foot.

I bucked off the table, my hands clawing at the forearm wrapped around my head. Carson joined the chaos as he snaked his hands around my right knee. I was exposed, trapped, utterly terrified, like a hunted animal ready for the slaughter.

"Let me go!" I howled, straining my body against their firm clutches.

"I am through with your attitude, pet," Hux's voice rose above the commotion. I heard the refrigerator door open and shut across the room.

The automatic doors abruptly hissed open as Silas jogged into the doorway, panting. "I'm sorry sir, the troops just got back— " He froze as he attempted to make sense of what was happening. His eyes lingered on me before darting to the men that held me captive.

Silas! Silas help me! My eyes frantically stared at him. I gasped for air as Rowan squeezed my throat tighter.

"It's time for you to know true agony," Hux stepped into view, ignoring Silas. In his hand, he held something that looked like ice. Glass, maybe? It was frost-covered, long and thick like a—

"NO!" I wailed, using what last bit of energy I had to tear at my captors. Tears flooded what vision I had left as I choked on my sobs. "You monster! You fucking monster!"

The two that held my legs pulled them apart as Hux positioned himself between them. My insides churned, rejecting the object before it had even been inserted. Every fiber of my being trembled in revulsion and frightful anticipation.

All the while, Hux beamed victoriously. He loved every bit of it; he succeeded in breaking me. "Now, now, shh," he cooed and leaned between my parted legs. "Don't worry, pet. In the end, you'll beg me to fuck you because it will be so much better than what I'm about to do to you."

I screamed as forcefully as I could and my lungs collapsed in my chest. The familiar speckles danced in my vision as Rowan's relentless grip propelled me closer and closer to the familiar blackout.

This is it, I braced myself, my fingernails digging into his forearm. You can't fight anymore.

When it all erupted, time reduced to a crawl. Silas seized Hux by the shoulder, whirled him away from me, and landed a blow square on Hux's jowl. When Hux folded, holding his face, Silas brought his knee up to meet the General's midsection.

Carson released my leg to advance on Silas, who connected an elbow to his face as he fell backward, clutching his nose. Then, everyone froze, even Silas.

In the doorway, a giant, black mass stood as if he had risen straight from my nightmares as a child. I could barely make out the details through my tears and swollen eye, but I sensed that even the men who held me feared him.

"General," the masked figure's voice sounded modified, almost mechanized.

Silas used the opportunity to resume his assault on Hux, but as he drew another strike he suddenly convulsed; his back arched and limbs trembled. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, baffled as to what was happening. Silas groaned in pain as the black figure neared him, his gloved hand outstretched as if he held something in the air.

"Sir- I-" Silas gasped.

There was a sickening crunch that stopped my heart. My jaw dropped just as Silas's body fell to the ground, lifeless. I stared, unable to physically react. I didn't know Silas on a personal level; I could never repeat where he was from, what his food preferences were, or if 'Silas' was his first or last name. Still, he showed me kindness. He was the only person other than Pheme to look at me as more than disposable. All his efforts to protect me dissipated, as did my only ally; I was truly on my own. I gagged as my stomach threatened to expel its contents, at least what little it had.

The black monster's gaze shifted from Silas's body to Hux who was bent over, recuperating from his attack.

"Would you like to explain to me why you are not at your post, on the bridge?" the voice echoed.

Hux straightened. His face had begun turning purple from the developing bruise. "Just- delivering necessary disciplines."

"Disciplines?" the monster repeated as he snatched the clear toy from Hux and examined it. "I doubt this is what they taught in that fancy imperial academy, General."

Hux extended for it but the monster pulled it out of his reach. "We have a prisoner on board from Jakku that is awaiting entertainment."

The General struggled to collect himself. "I will send my men to handle him shortly," he countered.

The hands that held my leg and neck lost their confidence when the creature looked onto us. I swore I felt Declan's fingers tremble, though it could have been my muscles that quivered.

"They appear to be," he paused mid-phrase. I couldn't determine if he was studying them or me. Either way, I was unsure of who to be more afraid of. "Occupied."

"I assure you, my men are available to assist with an interrogation," Hux regained his composure. He nodded to Declan who released me entirely. Rowan hesitated before withdrawing his arm from my throat. I coughed as air rushed into my windpipe. I cowered as I squeezed my thighs tightly together and wrapped my arms around my chest.

You could run for it, I studied the layout of the room. The black monster was the only thing between me and the automated doors. But if he were to kill you, it would be quick, I mulled it over. A quick death. It's comical how our desires change based on our situations.

"Phasma requests a presence with you, as well," the creature continued, his cape draping over Silas as he turned back to Hux.

I was beyond logic and reason. I weighed my options between the two monsters: one could kill you with the flick of his wrist, a pleasantry. The other would take his time with you, delighting in your suffering. What would Pheme do?

I took my chances. I rallied what little strength I had left and sprung off the table, pumping my legs for the door.

You can make it! I smiled for the first time since arriving. That hulking beast provided the perfect distraction for me to get away from that fungus of a human and contract be damned I will not go back to him.

The doors hissed open and the hallways beckoned me, but I screeched to a halt before crossing the threshold. I drove my knee forward, but it remained stationary. The air hummed around my skin, tingling as I gagged on the still air— is this what Silas felt before his neck snapped?

The sound of his boots thudded behind me as the black creature walked around to my front. With his helmet inches away from my face, all I could do was gaze into it as he judged in silence.

"P- please," I choked on my tongue. Tears threatened to spill over my cheeks as the stars filled my view again, dancing around the outer rims of my vision. "N- not— H- H- Hux," I whispered to the lifeless being.

The creature glanced over my shoulder for a moment, then back at me. The tingling stopped, along with my ability to hold myself up any longer. I collapsed in a heap but didn't crumble onto the floor. Instead, my chin fell against my chest as the monster scooped me into his arms. My eyelids fluttered in an attempt to see what was happening, but my brain yielded to the dizzying spell that forced me unconscious. As I waivered in-between states, the brute shifted his arms to cradle me as he turned to leave.

"Ren!"

Hux's voice produced an involuntary flinch from me. The figure that carried me paused in the doorway.

"That's mine," Hux seethed.

Please, don't make me go back to him. I begged, Hux's voice reverberating in my head.

After a moment, the creature resumed his stride through the doors. "Not anymore."