The two days until the party dragged by for Lex who while he had reprieve from the physical abuse resulting from Joshua's anger over the attempted escape still had no break from the mental and emotional threats. Joshua had just left his room after his resent visit and Lex lay on the floor thinking about Clark.
Joshua had not given him any information regarding Clark other than to insinuate that Clark would be lucky to make it to the party alive since he was in Amir's care, let alone make it to the fight. Lex had been left with the far reaches of his imagination in his solitude. A number of scenarios about how Clark was being treated played in his head and with Joshua's innuendos leading his fears his imagination was definitely over-active.
Lex was anxious to see Clark and he had the promise of seeing him for a few minutes prior to the party, if Clark made it. He was glad that he healed fast for Clark's sake. Whatever nightmare Clark had been living, Lex didn't want to add to his friend's worries with his injuries. Lex hadn't seen in a mirror but he knew he must be healing well because his eyes felt far less swollen and while his hand still pained him he could somewhat move his fingers. His ribs hurt less as well and he was finally able to take a full breath without doubling over in pain.
He had a while to go but he knew he was making quick progress, so much so that Joshua had even noted it. He had questioned Lex about his speedy recovery to which Lex had little response. He didn't feel the need to let Joshua in on the fact that he healed faster than most. Than information may just be the ammunition Joshua needed to physically vent on Lex more than he already was prone to do.
The hours crept by even slower as he waited for transfer to his apartment to meet with Clark. He was wondering if they had forgotten about him when the door finally opened. He was taken to the apartment, which with great disappointment he found empty. He had hoped to find Clark already there. The guards left him with directions to shower, eat and dress in preparation for the party. They said nothing when asked about Clark's arrival, they simply shut the door and secured the lock in place.
Left alone yet again with his thoughts Lex strolled around the apartment remembering the last time he was standing in the living room. He thought about his decision to try an escape and shook his head sadly. He always seemed to make things harder for himself and those around him. He thought of Joshua's request that he cut Clark with the knife and knew in his heart that he could never have brought himself to carry out the demand. No, escape had been the right thing to do. If things had gone as he had hoped they would be back in Smallville right now.
He searched the fridge for food as he thought of Smallville and the promise that it had held for him. He had hated that his father had sent him to the small town. He thought of it as an exile of sorts but after meeting Clark that had changed. Clark's friendship was bitter sweet. He valued Clark's friendship but Clark's life had reminded him again and again of what he could never have.
He could never have the loving family, the perfect home, the close friendships that Clark had. He was destined to live a different life. He thought of the castle and how suiting it was that he lived there. It, like his life, was cold, heartless, dark and empty.
He laughed a little but stopped when he felt the sharp pain of his ribs rebel against the motion. "Fuck." He whispered as he grabbed his side. He finally settled on having some toast and butter hoping that after going without food he would be able to hold at least that much down.
He carried his toast with him as he crossed the bedroom and turned on the shower. He turned around and stared into the smooth dark glass of the window and wondered just who was on the other side, if anyone, watching him as he let his pants fall and got into the shower.
"Amir!" Joshua called as he walked across the entrance hallway. He reached out and patted his friend on the back as he embraced him in a hug. He glared at Clark over Amir's shoulder and Clark felt a shiver of fear at the look behind the eyes.
"Did you do as I asked?"
Amir laughed and pointed at Clark, "Look at him! He is in one piece, I didn't touch him. I hope you know how hard it was. A boy like that is screaming to be touched."
"Good." Joshua nodded as he examined Clark.
"Was it worth it?" He turned his attention to Clark.
Not knowing what to say Clark didn't respond. He wasn't even sure if he was supposed to.
His lack of response spurred Joshua's anger and he grabbed the back of Clark's neck pulling him forward and slamming him chest down onto a side table in the entrance way.
"Oh shit." Clark gasped as his chest hit the table.
Joshua motioned for one of his men to give him his belt. The guard quickly removed his belt as bid and handed it to his employer.
"I. Asked. You. Was. It. Worth. It?" Joshua shouted as he held Clark in place with one hand as he whipped Clark across the back between his words. "Was it? Answer me?"
"No!" Clark cried out in response.
The beating stopped and Clark was hauled back upright. Joshua grasped his hair and held him inches from his own face. "You will not disappoint me tonight. Am I clear?"
Clark nodded yes as he attempted to avoid looking Joshua in the eyes.
"You will kneel by my side at this party, do as you are bid and remain silent. One word from you and so help me I will give my consent to Amir."
Clark nodded in understanding again.
"You have been quite co-operative since your arrival here and it appears that your young friend gets you into more trouble than is necessary. Talk to him. I think I have convinced him that fighting is futile but I want you to assure him that you want to co-operate. Got it?"
Clark again nodded.
"Good boy. Tonight you will be required to do some tasks that I suspect are out of your comfort level but you need to know that the ramifications will be far greater if you do not complete them." With that he turned his attention to the guards, "Take him to his quarters."
"Amir, I believe you and I have some arrangement to discuss." Joshua turned to his friend who was smiling lustfully at the scene in front of him, and ushered him down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Lex exited the shower and was over-come with emotions when he emerged from the bathroom and saw Clark sitting on the bed. Clark looked pale and tired, his eyes were watery and his hair was a mess.
"Oh God Clark." Lex sighed as he crossed the room to sit by his friend's side.
Clark looked up at Lex and bravely tried to smile. "Hi again."
Lex didn't return the smile and the look of worry on his face made Clark's smile fade as well.
"Are you? Did he?"
"I'm fine Lex. He didn't touch me. Actually, he didn't even come to see me. He said being around me without touching me was too difficult so he posted a guard to look after me. How about you?" Clark motioned at the bruising that had faded but still remained on Lex's face, shoulders, ribs and back.
"I've been better." He smiled, "Seriously Clark I'm just glad your okay."
"So Joshua was pretty pissed eh?"
"You could say that. I don't know what made him more angry, losing you or being stabbed, either way he was none to impressed."
"What is going to happen tonight?" Clark tentatively changed the subject.
"I wish I knew." Lex looked at the glass wall for what felt like the hundredth time. "Just don't say anything, keep a low profile, don't make eye contact with anyone and try to do what he asks."
"Sound easy enough." Clark tried to kid.
"I'm worried about you. There are things that he made me do at the last party that I don't think you will be able to do."
"Like what?"
"Like oral sex." There was a pause, "On men."
The look on Clark's face said it all. He couldn't do that. "How did you-"
"There are things that I have done in my past that I am not proud of Clark. Things that made it somewhat easier for me to follow through with what was demanded."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know?"
"After you went missing I did some digging into your past to try to figure out where you might have gone."
Lex looked embarrassed to say the least. "Clark, I was young and I-"
"Lex," Clark interrupted, "It's okay. Everyone has a past. Everyone has secrets." He thought of his secrets briefly and realized that any hope he had of his abilities returning would be delayed again by his return to this apartment.
Lex sighed beside him and the two sat quiet for a moment before Lex broke the silence. "You better have a shower, you look terrible."
"I-" Clark started but stopped when he looked up and saw the humor in his friends eyes.
"I guess I probably do." He smiled in return and rose to head into the bathroom. Lex in turn went to the kitchen in search of some food for Clark and maybe some more for himself since he had been able to handle the toast.
Chloe had been fairing quite well since her arrival. No one had bothered her and her fears about being called to Joshua's bed had not materialized. She had spent a great deal of time with Karema and some of the other women in the apartments learning the art of belly dancing. If the impending worry for Clark and Lex hadn't been so prevalent she may have even enjoyed herself. She had constantly been on the look out for a way to get into the main mansion to look for Clark and Lex but had not been provided with such an opportunity. She hoped that this evenings events would allow her the freedom to move around the building easier.
She had gotten to know some of the girls and heard their stories of how they had come to be in this place. It made her angry that these women's lives could vanish purely for someone's selfish desires. She was surprised repetitively by their tenacity and adaptability. They seemed to have fallen into their new role in life from all outward appearances but once she got them talking they broke down into tears. Some of them were strong enough to openly reminisce about their pasts while others completely removed themselves from the conversation completely.
Now the entire wing of women was a whirlwind of activity. Everyone was getting ready for the party, showering, primping, dress and practicing. She was no different. She had showered and dressed in the red belly dance costume that she was provided with.
She couldn't help but stare at herself in the mirror in awe. Her hair was completely covered by the shear scarf-like headdress held in place by a silver beaded tiara. The tiara was in a v-shape and the tiny beads that dangled of the front laid neatly between her eyebrows. Her face was covered except her eyes with the same shear material pinned in place.
The two-piece dress was much more revealing than she would have liked but she found she felt somewhat sexy in the attire. The bra part of the costume was red with the same silver beadwork and an intricate design of sequence. She was surprised at the weight of it when she had put it on. It weighed a tonne and she questioned its ability to stay up during the dancing.
The shirt was long and flowing and she had another scarf of the same silver sequence and beads that she tied loosely around her hips as a belt. She had no shoes on and noted that none of the other women wore shoes either.
"You look beautiful." Karema nodded in approval as she finished the last of Chloe's makeup.
"Thanks." Karema would have been rewarded for the compliment by one of Chloe's large full smiles if the scarf on her face hadn't covered it.
"Are you ready?"
"Um, I think so." She looked herself over once more in the full-length mirror.
"Good then it is time to go." Karema motioned to the door and slowly guided Chloe towards it with a gentle hand on her lower back. The rest of the women hurried to finish their final touch ups and followed them out into the main mansion.
Chloe's heart skipped a beat as she realized her chance to find Clark and Lex started the minute she exited the confines of the apartment complex.
