Author's Note: Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and Happy Holidays everyone! As your holiday present, you get this chapter bright and early Saturday morning, instead of Sunday afternoon XD I wish I could give you 2 chapters as a true present, but my betas have been having a rough go and I don't have enough chapters ready in advance for that. Anyway, happy holidays, guys! Enjoy!
Trigger Warnings: Nothing new from the last chapter.
Chapter IX
It went on for hours. It could have been days for all she knew, she fell so completely and utterly into her own pain. Her world narrowed to a single point: her burning back. She was aware of nothing beyond that.
Eventually, the crackle of the vibrowhip was turned off. Her lungs heaved in air, her body grateful at the reprieve. But it had been barely even been a moment, and she was arching in pain again. Turns out Mr. Theeto had simply decided there were enough burn welts on her back for now, and had switched to a leather whip instead. One that aggravated and tore at the wounds already on her back.
She didn't even have the energy to flinch away when he paused to rip off the remainder of her shredded dress. She just hung there, toes not able to hold her up anymore, shivering in her breastband and leggings.
And the entire time… the Sith crystal never let up.
Your Master left you at the back on purpose.
Obi-wan is happy you're gone. It's just him and his brother again.
Your Master is ecstatic that he's finally rid of you. He never wanted you in the first place. He's never even told you that he's proud of you! For all the work and blood and tears you gave him.
In fact, you've been injured far more on missions for the Jedi than you ever have been when you ran into a Sith.
Even Dooku came to whisper poison in her ear.
"Just tell me how many lights you saw and this can all stop."
"I don't want to hurt you like this, but you leave me no choice."
"You only need to simply say the word, and I will get you down from these chains immediately. And you will have a warm bath, a warm bed, and as much good food as you can eat."
Any time Ahsoka started to even try and form a response:
Obi-wan has never thought that!
"You're a liar, Dooku."
My Master doesn't need to tell me with words how proud he is.
"Leave me alone!"
The whip would fall, all thought would fly out of her head, and she would just be left with the impression that she wasn't going to come out of this whole.
However many hours of immense physical torture coupled with the dizzying mental cacophony of poisonous whispers left every part of Ahsoka overwhelmed. Overstimulated. Mentally, physically, spiritually drained? Whatever word or phrase you wanted to use, she was it.
So much so, in fact, that the next thing she knew she was opening her eyes to almost complete darkness, except for a glowing bracket on either side of the door.
I must've blacked out, and they left me alone. No sense torturing someone if they're not awake to feel it, she grumbled to herself. Hey, brain! She "yelled" at herself. Let's try that a little quicker next time, eh?
Was she still hanging from the ceiling? Yes. Was it a better sleeping position than Despair? The jury was still out. Was there sweet, blessed silence from the Sith crystal, though? Thank the Force, yes. Her mind was currently her own. Even if it was a wreck.
But none of these things could've been what woke her.
There it was. That same presence from last night.
Her chains rattled as she shifted slightly, trying to relieve the pressure on her arms. It didn't work. Her legs just didn't have the strength.
"I know you're there," she spoke softly to the darkness. She tried to sharpen her gaze, itching to get a glimpse of who it was. The first night she thought it was Dooku. But Dooku had already been here to witness her pain, why would he come back hooded and disguised? The man lived for attention.
"Help me," she wheezed, still wishing she'd been permitted water. "Or…" she hesitated a second. Did she really want to bite the hand that fed her again? Yes. Putting strength in her voice, she finished, "... or get out."
A dark chuckle came from near the door, and she jumped. She hadn't really been expecting a response.
Where do I know that laugh from?
The chuckle eased away, and Ahsoka saw a slit of light appear and then disappear around the doorway as the shadowy figure slipped away.
Leaving Ahsoka with more questions than answers.
