I stared at the ceiling that night, wondering if this was all just a bad dream or just punishment from a higher power, but I was so stoic that my thoughts could hardly process at all. I knew that the bastard was still watching me in that wretched room, though I couldn't see him, and now I was just waiting.

…but for what?

To exchange words?

To have his way with me?

To let me go?

"Ha…doubt that last one…" I mumbled, turning over in the small bed. The room by then was fairly dark, and though there were no windows, it gave the impression that night had already fallen. I chuckled softly, thinking of just how off the situation was.

There I was – locked up liked some caged animal – and as someone's goddamn test subject…not to mention an apparent sex slave…It's always been my absolute best skill to tell what my opponent was speaking, but other than Shizu-chan, I just couldn't crack Nakamura's head. Even in those short hours, I should've been able to find what his primary motive was, but no such thing came to mind.

I sighed lightly, weakly running a hand through my head.

"Why the hell is this happening to me? I know what he means by 'I'm different from the rest', but what's all this for…?"

It seemed like doing this "just for research purposes" was all just a bunch of bull, but if that was the man's actual purpose, then he really was sick.

Clutching my pillow, I tried to think about me being back to my apartment, in my own bed. Of course, Namie would be there to bitch at me in the mornings, but those nights were comfy after a long day's work. I didn't have to worry about being snatched and drugged to later be put in some hamster cage.

Frowning, I sat up, dangling my legs off the edge of the bed, and slowly, I took to my feet and paced around the room. It was odd – the last time I remember doing something like that was when I was in high school. I'd been trying to get into Shizu-chan's head for weeks and months on end, and eventually, after reaching a certain age, the habit just…went away.

I bit my finger, trying, trying to piece together what was going on.

What does this man want with me?

Why was he trying to "break me?"

There's got to be an ulterior motive…but what the hell is it?!

Suddenly, a stinging pain coursed through my head, nearly knocking me off balance. I groaned, clenching my teeth as my head became hot and throbbed harshly.

"Oh God…" I tried to massage it, "Dammit…"

"Mr. Orihara~"

Flinching, I immediately looked up towards the ceiling, recognizing the voice but not knowing where it came from.

"Don't bother trying to locate the speaker, because there isn't one. This room was developed to filter the sound through the walls. You can hear it clearly and loudly, but it's more difficult to hear it on the outside."

I scoffed, replying bitterly, "How revolutionary, Nakamura-san. I'm impressed."

He chuckled, "I'm glad you think so, but shouldn't you be in bed, Izaya-chan?"

"I could ask you the same thing – rest and research go hand in hand, don't you know that?"

"True, true…it's childish, but you're much more interesting than a long slumber."

"Such flattery…"

"Hmph…again, shouldn't you be off to bed?"

"Oh what? I have a bedtime now?" I hissed.

"No, no, yet I'd advise you to keep what strength you have left as long as you can. You have quite a long day tomorrow."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see, Izaya-chan~"

I growled at the demeaning honorific.

"That brings me to my next question – what time is it?"

"Hmm…a quarter after two."

"Alright, then it's tomorrow, so tell me – what's going on?"

"Not until you get your rest," he answers coolly, "This is actually surprising – after what you've just been through, you really want to know what's around the next corner. How adorable~"

I gritted my teeth, summoning up every ounce of my strength left in my fists, "You know what, I'm just about sick and tired of this childish bullshit – I want to know what's going on, and goddammit, you're going to tell me!"

…there came a pause, and that same cold sweat broke out all over my body again. I knew that perhaps I bit off more than I could chew. My mind raced at what his next words would be, and then he spoke once more.

"…Alright, then. If you're that eager, just wait there like a good boy, and you'll be rewarded."

My eyes widened. It was like a wild cat cornering a mouse – there was no way out. I couldn't fight him off this time. I was tired, hungry, weakened, and drugged. The hunter was coming, and I was his prey.

"Oh God…" I whispered, trying to steady my composure, but my body wouldn't stop trembling, either because of the drug or the steadily increasing fear that ran through me.

And the only thing I could do was wait…wait for the impeding danger.

I swallowed harshly, slowly backing up to the edge of the bed, almost preparing for what was to come next. For a second, an ironic child-like thought passed through that told me to hide under the blankets, and I shook even harder. I lay on my side, facing the wall, waiting…waiting…

…However, mere seconds turned into multiple minutes, and those multiple minutes turned into lengthy hours. My eyes were beginning to droop from being open for so long, and from time to time, I'd get up and scan my surroundings, possibly picking up any sound or syllable from up above. There was nothing - just me and my body encumbered in heavy darkness and eerie silence.

In all honesty, my first thought was What's taking him so long? Just hurry up and do it. Break me.

The everlasting pressure of just waiting, constantly on guard, was taking its toll. I began wishing for it to be over with, otherwise my thinning patience would break me by itself. I just lay there, my body convulsing with every passing hour, now hoping for the inevitable. I had to resist every temptation to yell out to the bastard, scream to have him come for me, to make me his prey. Not only was my body beginning to deteriorate from this evil, but my mind…had just become clouded and muddled. It was almost as if I couldn't think like myself anymore, like my very being was siphoned out into the dark, never to return.

"…please…" I whispered, nearly whimpering like a lost dog with a thorn in its paw, "…just hurry and break me already…"

By now, my eyes were bloodshot and watery, my limbs paralyzed and numb, my head in a different realm. I expected the hours to become days, but I was so deprived and disoriented that my perspective of time was irreparably damaged. I long since gave up trying to hear the slightest breath in Nakamura's speaker, only hearing the repetitive sound of my light breathing.

"Am I…" I croaked softly, "Am I…dying…?"

"No, Izaya-chan, far from it."

Instantly, I shot up out of the bed, madly darting my crimson irises from wall to wall.

"Good morning again," Nakamura said cynically with a slight chuckle, "You did most wonderfully."

I tried to steady my breathing. I didn't even have the energy to respond.

"Somebody's tired~" he mocked, "I told you to get some rest, didn't I? Now you're so weak that I don't even know if you can bear to hear what I'm about to tell you."

I rubbed my tired eyes, suddenly curious, "…what the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh dear, oh dear," he sighed, "After all this time, you still haven't figured it out, huh? Well, then…Izaya-chan, let me ask you something – do you know how long you waited?"

I didn't answer, trying to make a speedy recovery for my mind to process what was being said.

"It's almost noon, so about nine or ten hours. That's a pretty good estimate, so you understand that I'm a little impressed with how long you kept your eyes open."

Inside, I was boiling with anger. This man was toying with me, beyond toying with me – he was corrupting me.

But…honestly, why was I surprised? It was his plan from the beginning…so why wouldn't he do something like this? On a scarier note, minute by minute, second by second, I was losing my dominance over this situation. It was almost like I was accepting this cruel, unexpected fate.

"Oh, yes – another question," Nakamura started again, "That event I promised you…were you waiting, Izaya-chan? For my voice, my touch, my breath on your shoulder? Did you want me to come and strap you down to the bed like a dog so it would be over and done with? Did you so desperately want me to take all of your will before your very eyes, over and over and over again?"

My throat went dry, and my eyes began to water again. This man…he was doing it, all along. Everything I was waiting for…that was it. Those last ten hours was him backing me into a corner, and now it was his time to strike.

"I can see it on your face that you're beginning to realize it – surprise~"

I started damn trembling, mouth agape. My God…this isn't…it's just…sick…!

"Oh, Izaya-chan…that disappointment in your face breaks my poor heart…you really did want me, didn't you? Answer me honestly now – you still want me, don't you?"

I made a sound similar to a wounded animal…I didn't know what the hell was going on anymore. I had no control over my body or my mind – I was becoming putty in his hands. Worst of all, he didn't have to do a thing except sit back and wait, just as I did.

"Well, then, your silence gives me your answer. However, Izaya-chan, I'm a man of my word. You waited like a good boy, and now it's time for your reward~"

I jumped, unconsciously shaking my head and backing up to the edge of the bed.

"No…" I kept shaking, staring down at my clenched hands, "No…no, no, no…"

I froze as the door slowly unlocked, revealing where the dark man, the one who put me through years of hell in less than ten hours, stood, a looming smile on his face.

"Now, now…" he speaks in a low, predatory tone, locking the door slowly behind him, "Shall we begin…Izaya-chan?"

Yes, well, here it is. I know it's been sooooo long since I updated this story, but just know it's always been in the back of my mind. I'm always looking for ways to enhance the story as well as multiple paths I should take it. The haitus for the story was not in vain - I want to be as productive as I can on fanfics for you guys, school or break, winter or summer, you get the idea. Anyway, I'll try to do better, and please don't forget to review~! Thanks so much for hanging in there with me!