(Chapter 9)

Faith

After our talk, Damien stuck around more frequently. He said he just wanted to make sure I was okay, and added that he knew it was like being alone in a hopeless situation. He wanted to help me escape the city, and said that he would come up with a plan, and tell me about it once he was one hundred percent sure it was happening. I understood, and we haven't spoken about it since.

I was sure Avery noticed, because he had a certain edge about him whenever another guy got too close to me, and it was written all over his face whenever he saw me and Damien walk into work together. As far as I was concerned, however, me and Damien were just friends, and if he brought it up I'd tell him about him. I was prepared for him to confront me about it at work.

What I wasn't prepared for, was for him to catch me off guard at home.

It was my once in a blue moon day off of school, some Holiday I didn't care enough to remember. Regardless, I didn't have work that day either. I was home, it was about eight at night, and had just gotten out of the shower. I was walking to my room, when I found Avery in there. He was sitting on my bed casually, laying back with his arms behind his head. I glared at him.

"What do you want?"

He sat up and smirked at me.

"Always so hostile towards me, Kyle. I wish you would go back to your old sweet and timid self."

I rolled my eyes and walked towards my dresser, tossing my clothes in my hamper along the way.

"He locked himself away when you decided I was your prisoner here. Now get out."

He got up and strolled toward me, before wrapping his arms around me softly, laying his chest against my back, and pressing his forehead against the back of my head.

"Oh come on Kyle...I know he's still in there. I know he remembers how happy we were together. How nice it was to be treated special, like nothing in the world was more important to me. You still are. I would hate for someone else to try to take you…"

I raised a brow then sighed.

"Look Avery. That's long gone. I'll work to pay off everything like you said, but I've been through too much for you to appeal to my emotions anymore."

He huffs and backs off a little, not fully deterred.

"Tch, so stubborn. Things would be much easier if you'd just come back to me. I can give you everything you've ever wanted, I can love you endlessly, we can be happy. Why are you so insistent on making things difficult?!"

I put my paws on my dresser.

"Because I didn't want to live like this! I wanted to be with an honest man and have a happy life together, with you running your business and me supporting you while trying to find out what I wanted to do in the future! I didn't wanna come here and have to deal with all the drugs and the killing and crime! You honestly thought I'd just be okay with that?!"

He glared at me, seemingly dumbfounded by my change in tone.

"I-"

"Then you went and threw the "You never loved me" guilt trip at me, and now you're making me work that disgusting bullshit job to pay you back for everything you consciously bought me! How could I possibly want to date you again?"

"I see you've really thought about this."

I went through my drawer and grabbed my underwear before putting it on underneath my towel. I could see Avery eyeing my rear in the mirror.

"I have. The only reason you're letting me stay is because you don't want to let me go, and think that I'll break and give you my ass again in exchange for freedom. Well that's not happening. So please leave so I can enjoy the rest of my night."

I heard him snarl as I dried my ears while he walked toward me. He pushed me against the dresser and pushed his nose against my neck before biting it, making me freeze and submit effortlessly. He let go and kissed it softly as he pressed his clear erection against my abdomen. He looked at me with a crazed look in his eyes, filling me with fear.

"That's better. You may speak boldly but you know who has the power here. You should consider yourself lucky that I still have love for you, so much so that I can't bring myself to strip you once more and fuck you like I want to. Your assertion and aggression is honestly driving me insane with lust. But don't let it get to your head. I still own you."

He backed off and I could only half glare at him.

"And you'd better not forget it. We don't want your Luxray friend to disappear like the last friend you made."

I covered my mouth and nearly stumbled over as he slammed my door closed.

Fucking asshole…

I wasn't surprised that Avery made a threat like that. He knew exactly how to get to me, and make me feel powerless, and it made me sick. I felt tears streaming down my face at the harsh reminder, the reminder that I was nothing but a plaything to him. He may have claimed to love me, but I knew what it really was.

The worst part was that now I know that he knows about my friendship with Damien, meaning that his life was in danger as well. I'd accepted that I cared about the Luxray by this point, and the last thing I wanted was for him to be putting himself at stake just to help me.

I was at a crossroads once again. Do I distance myself from the one person I could trust and keep him out of danger? Or do I ignore Avery's threat and keep talking to Damien so we can brainstorm a way out?

I decided to wait and see what Damien had to say. It'd been a couple of weeks since Damien brought the idea up, so when he asked to meet me where we first met, behind one of the school buildings, I assumed he had a plan.

"I don't have a plan."

Well that was quick.

"However, I'd like you to hear what I have to say first. It's... important that you know the truth. If we're really about to do this together, I need you to trust me. I'm going to start from the beginning."

(A few years ago, yes another Flashback)

I lived in Icirrus City with my Uncle. He was very wealthy, and as such, I lived a great life. I won't go on about any hardships or struggles, as, realistically, there weren't any that you don't already know of.

My only problem was that I essentially had no parental figure. My parents were nowhere to be seen, and my Uncle was never around, often leaving me in the hands of his servants until I was old enough to take care of myself.

As I got older, I decided that I would make my own living, without relying on my family's money. I practically raised myself, so I would live by myself as well.

I'd read a lot of articles and did a lot of research, and found that the best place to start was here, Breeze City. I had found a job and applied online, and fortunately, it allowed me to relocate to an apartment building that the company owned, so I was allowed to live there for free.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans. I had arrived in Breeze City, gotten settled in my new apartment, and was slated to start work within the week. However, when I arrived at the location, the company building was burned to the ground. There was nothing there, and none of the employees seemed to be around.

I was nearly devastated, but then… he appeared.

"Oh? I certainly hope you didn't have any business with anyone in that building, unfortunately they've all perished."

A Houndoom stepped out of a black car, chuckling as he walked towards me. I was hesitant to tell him my business with the now scorched corporation, but I spoke without thinking.

"I was supposed to start work there today. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now."

He appeared to look up in thought, before reaching into his pocket.

"Well, seeing as I sort of ruined your plans, I'm more than happy to provide you with a new opportunity."

He hands me a card with what I presumed to be his phone number on it, and an address.

"If you're looking for work, feel free to contact me. I'll happily hire you, consider it a repayment for destroying your chances at a new job...figuratively of course, heh."

After that, he got in his car and drove away, leaving me with some words of wisdom for people like him.

"Always repay your debts."

I had no intention of being hired by someone who could burn down an entire building full of people. He seemed like a bit of a greedy sadist, and every ounce of my body wanted nothing to do with him.

And yet, after two weeks, I knew I'd need to find something, anything to do. I tried to find a normal job, at a convenience store, but it didn't cover the cost of the apartment I was in. It was no longer being sponsored by the company that was meant to hire me.

I had started rationing food so I'd spend less, but after another two weeks, I knew I needed something, and soon.

I decided to call him.

"You've reached Jace, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

(End Chapter)