Chapter Thirty-Nine

Corin Campbell would have normally backed away in horror at the sight of Tia’s mutilation. The young Asian woman, who didn’t look to be over eighteen, had only a mangled nub where her tongue should have been. Corin wanted to run as fast as her deceptively strong little legs could carry her.

Unfortunately, Corin was behind enemy lines with two broken legs, and she could do little more than look away and tremble.

Sonnequa said, “This is your world now, baby girl. You’d best get used to it.”

“Get used to it?”

“This is your life now. I’ll explain the rest of the rules. Only ask questions if it’s pertaining to that specific rule. Nod if you understand.”

Corin nodded.

“Good.” Sonnequa pushed Corin’s wheelchair over to the massive window. “Nice view, isn’t it? You can have a decent life here, Corin. A quiet life, perhaps. But not an uncomfortable one. As you can see by the view.”

“And that is a view of where?”

“Northern California, and that’s as much as you need to know about that right now. The first rule, as you heard, is no communication of any kind unless the Master is present or you are acting under his orders.”

“Where is the Master? Is he here all the time?”

“He joins us for dinner most evenings. The time varies depending on his schedule. It’s always a five-course meal. Prepared by us, of course, but the Master often brings in takeout to give us a break from even those duties.”

“So he’s not here right now?”

“Sometimes he is. And sometimes he isn’t. Doesn’t really matter. Rules stay the same.”

“But if he’s not here, then how does he know—”

“There are sophisticated surveillance and audio detection systems installed throughout the compound. If you speak to one of the other ladies or attempt to communicate, he will know. Someone is always watching. Trust me on that. Tia thought she was being smart too. She didn’t plan to get caught.”

“If that’s the outside world, right there, and he’s not even here, then what’s to stop us from getting away. We could smash that window and run. All of us.”

“That brings us to rule number two. We have wonderful facilities here. A stocked kitchen abundant with healthy snacks. A swimming pool. Sauna. Gym. Jacuzzi. Lots of books to read. A television with an endless supply of movies. And very little work to do. This place provides us with a life of luxury.”

“As what?” Corin asked. “Sex slaves for some psychotic pervert?”

“If I were you, I would keep thoughts like that to myself. The Master will probably cut you some slack since you’re new. But I would never count on mercy here, baby girl. Not from anyone.”

Sonnequa dug into a pocket of her dress and handed a stack of pictures to Corin. Staring at the first photo, Corin felt the urge to vomit, but there was nothing in her stomach to heave out. She looked away from the photos and asked, “What is this?”

“Keep looking at the photos. Rule number two: don’t ever leave the protection of the Compound.”

“Or what? The Master will butcher you?”

“The Master didn’t inflict those wounds. That’s what happened when the hellhounds—a trained pack of Rottweilers—got hold of a girl who decided to break rule number two. The hellhounds protect the compound from intruders, but they’re also trained to tear us to pieces if we venture outside. You can explore, if you wish. Just don’t try to open a locked door, cause a problem, or step outside these walls. Keep looking through the pics.”

“I don’t need to see any more.”

“That wasn’t a request.” Sonnequa snatched the photos from Corin’s grasp and stuck them up in front of her face. “You look at these, baby girl. I’ve been here the longest. I’ve seen what happens when you defy the Master, and breaking the rules has swift and serious consequences.”

Sonnequa kept sticking photo after photo in front of Corin’s face. “You look at them! These were my sisters. That’s what we are here. A family. You can have a good life here. You just need to be a good wife.”

“A good wife?”

“He has bought you as his bride with his strength and blood.”

Corin felt as if she’d stepped into an alternate dimension. “I’m no one’s property, and I’m no one’s wife. Good or otherwise.”

“Rule number three is a catch-all. Do anything to incur the wrath of the Master, and the sentence is death. He has no mercy for those who defy him.”

“This is insane. I’d rather die than live on my knees.”

Sonnequa slapped her hard across the left cheek and then leaned down into her face. “You best wake up, baby girl. There are much worse things he can do to you than kill you. And when one of us breaks a rule, we all suffer. Things aren’t as dark as they seem now. When you see the Master tonight at dinner, I suggest you show him respect and reverence. You can have a good life here.”

~~*~~