The next five days became the five days from hell, James stuck to his word and Mac spent his days in so much pain that each day just rolled into the other. His only periods of rest were when his father needed to sleep and even those moments were filled with fear, and he was so on edge that only the drugs helped him sleep. His father was relentless, Mac had stayed strong in the first few days but after a while he just wanted it to be over, he would do whatever James wanted if he would only stop torturing him. It seems his father wasn't convinced that Mac had broken, as the torment continued, not letting up until the sixth day.

Mac was currently in a position he'd found himself in a lot over the last five days, he was in only his boxers, restrained in the corner of the 'secure room.' His hands were locked up over his head, he was blindfolded and gagged, and he was leaning all his weight against the wall, not able to hold himself up. He sometimes cried when he was left like this, although usually that only made his father angrier.

He tensed as the door opened, knowing that sound meant one of a few things, either his father was here to feed him, beat him or take him off for one of his experiments. He'd been fed recently so it had to be one of the other two. Mac didn't even move, he was too tired, and he'd accepted days ago that this was now his life, what was the point in fighting.

"I've come to the decision that you're ready for this process to be over," James said, standing over his son. "I don't need to continue your lessons as actively as I have been, but know that they will still be happening, just not as frequently."

Mac wasn't sure he'd heard his father correctly, he hadn't come here to hurt him, there wasn't going to be any more pain? He felt the material in his mouth come out and he instinctively licked his lips.

"Are you ready to behave?" James asked.

"Yes," Mac replied, and he meant it.

"I'll keep an eye on you for the next few days and if you're obedient and don't cause any trouble, then we'll lose a lot of the restraints and you can have some more freedom."

Mac would be the poster boy of good if it meant that these days of hell were over.

"First thing on the agenda is a shower, I'm sure it will be good to get clean again."

Mac didn't say anything, even though he desperately wanted to tell his father that he was stating the obvious. The cold water being dumped on him every so often hadn't really been good enough, some hot water would feel great.

His father started removing his restraints and he got up, walking a little difficult, he hadn't been doing much recently. James kept a tight grip on his arm as they walked to the wet room.

"I'm going to take of this blindfold now, the room isn't too bright so your eyes should be fine," his father said, untying the knot and removing the material.

It had practically become a permanent fixture and Mac wasn't sure the last time he wasn't in the dark. He was a little scared for it to be taken off, he hadn't looked at himself for a long time and he could imagine he was black and blue. Mac kept his eyes closed, slowly opening them and squinting at the light. It hurt his eyes and he closed them again, putting a hand up to his head.

"I'll leave it off as long as necessary today so that your eyes can get used to the light again, if you're going to start helping me around the house then you have to be able to see. Now have your shower but don't get dressed until I get back, I need to check on your injuries."

James shut and locked the door and Mac made his way slowly to the shower, wincing when the hot water hit his bruised body. He washed his body gently, his hair more thoroughly, what was left of it, his father had cut it two days ago, saying that it was far too long, and it was getting in the way. He wanted to stay under the spray, but he couldn't stand any longer, he turned off the water, grabbed a towel and then lowered himself to the floor.

This was where he was when his father came back in.

"Up Angus, I need to check on you and then there's some work that we need to do," James said, standing over him with a first aid kit.

Mac wasn't sure he could get up, he hurt so badly, and he was so tired, pulling himself up would take a lot of effort. He was obviously taking too long as his father sighed, grabbing both his arms and hauling him into a standing position.

"This isn't a good start Angus, ignoring me already, when I tell you to do something you do it straightaway."

"I'm sorry Sir," Mac said, his father wanting to be called that, it was a sign of respect.

"You might regret it later; I'm keeping count and it'll all add up to more punishment."

Mac was shaking, but not from the cold, he was scared, he was also finding standing up difficult.

"I can see you're not gonna be able to stand up without help while I examine you, you're obviously weaker than I thought you were," his father said, pulling Mac to the centre of the room.

Mac hoped his father would have him lie down, he didn't even mind if he tied his wrists and ankles to do it, instead Mac felt his arms being raised. What was happening? He hadn't noticed before, but there were attachments in the ceiling and his father was securing his wrists to them. If he didn't at least hold some of his weight then the cuffs were going to dig into his wrists.

"This'll have to do," James said, opening the first aid kit and getting to work.

Mac let his chin hit his chest, trying desperately to remain on his feet, he wasn't even worried that he was standing naked in front of his father. That had happened numerous times after the last five days and he was no longer bothered by it.

James wasn't gentle and Mac tried to keep in the whimpers and gasps, especially when his father hit a couple of bad spots. Mac was positive that he some broken ribs, he thought he might even have some internal bleeding, he wouldn't be surprised. Soon the exam was over, his father releasing his wrists, watching Mac crumple to the floor. He closed the first aid box and left the room, returning a minute later.

Mac had pulled himself to his feet, knowing it would be unacceptable to still be on the floor when his father came back.

"You've definitely got a couple of broken ribs; I'll keep an eye on them. The bruising is bad, one place could be worrying, but I can't take you to a doctor, so we'll just have to hope it heals on its own. The concussion you had has gone and the electrical burns aren't infected. The cracking on your lips has increased, you'll need some ice on them, they'll probably keep bleeding, but as long as they don't get worse we won't have a problem."

Mac listened to his father list his injuries, praying that none were added to before the day was over, panicking when he wobbled and almost fell.

"You can sit down for a bit in the kitchen and I'll let you have some painkillers; I need you to be on your feet later to help me. You need to start pulling your weight around here."

His father handed him some clothes and Mac slowly dressed, he was then led into the kitchen and given some water, some painkillers and some ice for his lips, for the first time Mac could remember he didn't get secured to the table, his father left him sitting completely free.

Mac dozed at the table after the painkillers kicked in, his father off somewhere, possibly in his workshop. The sleep didn't last long as soon James came back, walking over and sitting in his usual seat.

"I want you to make lunch Angus," James said, as Mac sat up. "I'll let you start easy, just fix some sandwiches for me and some fruit. You can eat after I have."

Mac got up to do what his father asked, he could do this, cooking wasn't his best quality, but sandwiches weren't hard. Not long later Mac was putting his father's lunch in front of him, sitting back to wait to be told when he could eat.

His father ate slowly, and Mac watched, trying to avert his eyes when James caught him looking, finally the meal was finished and James put his glass to his lips, drinking the last of the apple juice quickly.

"Well done, that was perfect, you can clean this up and then get yourself a small sandwich," James said, pointing to the table as he was talking.

Again, Mac did as he was told, washing the plates and other bits and pieces. When he got out the items for his lunch, he stopped, his father didn't specify what type of sandwich, just small, he didn't want to take more than he was allowed. He made a simple sandwich, bread, a small amount of butter and some cheese. That should be ok. Putting everything away he got out some juice for himself and took it over to the table.

Mac sat down and waited until his father gave him permission to eat, it was something he'd learnt early on in his days from hell.

"The sandwich is fine Angus, but I don't recall saying you could have a juice."

"I'm sorry sir."

"I'll let it slide this time, you need to get some calories into you, but don't do it again," James replied, harshly.

"Yes sir," Mac said, digging into his food. It was soon finished, and he cleaned up again. Standing next to his father waiting for his next task.

"Let's go into my workshop for a bit, I'd like your opinion on something."

Mac nodded and followed his father, stopping inside the door, he wasn't sure where he should stand.

"Come and sit next to me Angus," James said, pointing to a chair. "All you need to remember while you're here, is to keep your hands to yourself."

Mac nodded again and sat down, waiting for his father to start talking about his inventions. It was crazy for Mac to think that just the day before he was in pain and tied up in the dark, what a difference a day made, as the saying goes. He wouldn't go back to that, he just had to be obedient, keep quiet and not make any mistakes. He thought he should be able to handle it.

It was starting to get dark when they left the workshop and walked back to the kitchen, James stopping in front of the pantry and opening the door.

"It's time for a session, you know what to do," his father said, standing backwards.

Mac nodded; he had been given instructions a couple of times of what was expected of him. He entered the room and took off his t-shirt and trousers, folding them neatly, he then took two items from the same shelf and walked over to the stool. Sitting down and getting comfortable, he placed a strip of material in his mouth and tied it around his head and did the same with his eyes, putting his hands behind his back, waiting patiently for his father to come in and finish securing him.

"I'm pleased Angus, well done," James said, pulling Macs hands to attach them to the wall and then securing his legs.

Mac felt the needle in his neck and then the headphones were put over his ears, he waited for the words he knew were coming. His father had made new tapes a few days ago and they were more intense. The tape only lasted an hour, unless his father decided he needed it to be repeated. The words filled Mac's drugged brain, enforcing what he already knew.

"I will behave, or I will be punished."

"Trust is earned."

"There are consequences to my actions."

"My thoughts and feelings don't matter"

"I will be broken."

Those five phrases were repeated over and over throughout the hour. Once again when the hour was up, the headphones were removed, and Mac was left to think about what he'd heard.

"What are you?" James asked, once he'd returned.

"Broken," Mac replied.

"Do you need to behave?"

"Yes."

"Do you need to listen to these tapes again?"

"Yes"

"Why?" James always asked that last question, but Mac had never given the right answer.

"Because you've told me to and I do as I'm told," Mac replied, really believing that was true.

"Are there any other reasons?"

"These lessons need to be learnt, so I know how to behave."

"That's correct Angus, we will continue these lessons every day for now. Then we'll see how we go."

His father removed his restraints and led him into the kitchen.

"Now it's time for dinner, what are you going to make me?"

Mac stood frozen, he had no idea, his heart started to race, had bowed he spoke. "I'm sorry sir, I don't know."

James laughed, "Don't worry son I don't expect you to know just yet. I'll help you for a few days, once you get to know the kitchen and what food there is, then you'll be able to do it by yourself."

They made dinner together, James letting Mac eat more than usual, he hoped it was a good sign. Once dinner was finished and cleaned away James sat Mac down so they could have a talk.

"Things have gone well today Angus and I'm pleased," his father started. "I hope you see that what I had to do to you over the last few days was necessary, if I hadn't been so aggressive then we probably wouldn't be where we are now."

Mac remained quiet, he didn't believe that what was done to him was necessary, he thought it was barbaric, something must have shown in his face though as his father spoke again.

"I can tell you don't agree with me, and that worries me. You are being obedient; you're behaving and saying all the right things and I hope that continues. But if you don't believe that you deserved what I did to you, then I'm not sure this has worked as well as I'd hoped."

Mac sighed knowing that today was too good to be true, he just hoped his father would wait to start the torment again.

"I'm not going to do what I did again Angus, if it didn't work as I intended then it won't work a second time. That's not to say there won't be some form of it as the days and weeks go on. You must learn that this behaviour needs to continue, I can't have you getting too used to the freedom, that's where things start to go wrong. We will have sessions in the 'secure room' and I want you to know this now. "

Mac breathed a little easier, he was sure he could handle being punished from time to time.

"If I tell you that we're having a session I expect compliance, whatever I decide to do you will take, no complaints. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Then we won't talk about it anymore. Unless you give me specific reason too I'll hold off on having any sessions for a few days, to let your injuries heal. Now it's time for bed, let's go."

Mac got up and followed his father, not sure where he would be spending the night, he hadn't been down to the basement in a while. He got his answer as the door opened and he was ushered down the stairs. He was told to do his business and then sit in the corner.

"I'm going to let you secure yourself tonight," James said. "I want to start trusting you. Hopefully, I won't have to follow you down here each time. Until a time when you can have a proper room, this basement is where you'll sleep. When I say goodnight or I tell you to come down here, you are to secure yourself the same way each time."

Mac nodded, watching as his father showed him what to do. He was to always clip the ankle cuffs together and then attached the chain to the cuffs, he must then put his arms behind his back and clip the wrist cuffs together, this was more difficult, but it could be done.

"I won't be sedating you anymore for the night, it's all part of the trust. If you break that trust the drugs return. I hope you won't. As tonight is the first night without the sedatives and you disobeyed me earlier, you will have to be blindfolded and gagged."

Mac nodded again, sitting still as his father put the material around his mouth and eyes.

"Goodnight Angus, I'm hoping tomorrow goes as well as today."

Mac fell asleep straightaway for the first time in six days, he was as comfortable as he could get and happy that his father was trusting him. He prayed that it continued.