"Hey Paige, can you work late tonight? It would be good overtime."
I turn to my supervisor and force a pleasant look on my face. "Sure, a couple extra hours couldn't hurt."
"You're a lifesaver! Feel free to clock out around 8." I look at the clock: 4:45. Fuck.
****
I shamble to my car feeling defeated. A long day's work sits heavy in my body, I'm exhausted and can't wait to get home to rest. Thank goodness gracious it's Friday. Although the thought of spending another weekend alone catching up on chores is almost as depressing as working. That's the life of a single 24 year old living in the suburbs, though. I guess, anyway. I've always craved routine and stability, and now that I have it on my own, I can't stand it. Not even the music playing on my car stereo can cheer me up. I'm still getting over my boyfriend of nearly a year, not that he ever truly satisfied me, but it was nice to have someone to text goodnight. I start lightly thinking about texting him before I shake my head and continue driving. "What is wrong with you, Paige? Surely you're not so desperate. No, I *know* you're not that desperate," I say out loud to nothing. "Have some self respect," I mumble as I turn into my street.
As I pull into my driveway, I notice a truck parked on the side of the road across from my neighbor's house. I figure they must have someone visiting because everyone parks in their garages on this street. I wonder who could be visiting the Neuman's at this time in the evening, but shrug it off. I'm too tired to care. I get out of my car and get a whiff of something sweet and earthy in the air, it smells heavenly but I can't identify the source. It fades as I go into my house. I don't even bother turning on the lights as I walk through to my bedroom. I walk through, turn on the light and flop dramatically onto my bed. I giggle at my own theatrics. I roll over and sit up in bed, facing the mirror. I take stock of how I look: my golden curls are frizzy, my pale face is flushed, my blue eyes have bags under them, and my body is still really chubby but getting a little smaller and more toned thanks to a new workout routine and diet plan. I look better than I feel, at least. I go to wash my face and brush my teeth quickly before collapsing into bed, half dressed. I quickly look at my phone to check if I have any messages on my dating app: Fet-ish. Nothing but horny young guys trying to see if I'll meet up for 'something casual' right away. No thank you. I'm an attention whore, but I'm not quite that desperate yet. I drift off to sleep with my phone in my hand.
In a fog, I'm awoken to something soft covering my mouth. For a second I assume I must be leaning my head against my stuffed animal, but I'm laying on my back... I open my eyes briefly before my vision starts to blacken and my body goes back to sleep.
As I regain consciousness, I feel something around my wrists pulling me upwards. I notice a coldness at my shins and become aware that I'm kneeling somehow... and completely naked. My mouth is dry and my throat feels like it's been burned. I groan as a dull pain throbs behind my eyes. I hear something move behind me and my wrists start to lift higher so I'm forced to stand. My legs are wobbly, but I have no choice.
My eyes hurriedly scan the dark room: concrete floors, cinderblock walls, and not much else. The only light is coming from a small bulb at the top of the staircase in front of me. A voice comes from behind me, startling me, "Hello, little one. Welcome to your new home." A soft chuckle resounds off the walls,
"My name is Daddy. Well, that's what you'll be calling me anyway. Sir is good too. Even Master, if you feel so inclined. But I like Daddy the best." I hear footsteps and feel warmth on my naked back and behind. Large hands come to rest on my sides, softly rubbing up and down. I shiver and gasp at the touch. He whispers in my ear, "You're mine. Acknowledge it." I wait a beat and then nod. His right hand goes quickly to my hair and grabs it, yanking my head back slightly so his lips are right against my skin. He growls, "Out. Loud."
I swallow and try to wet my tongue enough to speak, "Yes Daddy." I croak out.
"Aww, poor thing. You must be thirsty." His tone is condescending, and I hate the way my body responds to it. I feel him lower the chain that's holding me up and I do my best to not immediately crumble to the floor in exhaustion. My legs give out and I find myself kneeling on the cold floor. I feel him give me a light push on my back and I fall forward, just barely getting my restrained hands out in front of me in time to catch myself against the concrete. He chuckles again, "Need some help there, Princess?" Against my will, I whimper at the sting of the impact on my hands.
"Let's see here," I hear him walk around in front of me and I lift my head to get a look at him.
Because he's blocking the only light in the room, all I can really make out is a large, tall, imposing figure in front of me. He grabs the end of the chain attached to my handcuffs and pulls me up. He leads me over to the corner of the room, where I find a large plushy surface that I can't quite see. It feels like a massive dog bed. Oh god, it is a dog bed. I hear a click as he reaches over to the wall, it looks like he's padlocked the chain to a loop embedded in the cinderblock. He gestures to a small area on the left wall where two shiny bowls sit, "This is where food and water will be. You've got water and some crackers in there for now." He gestures over to the right where a bucket is. "This is for absolute emergencies only. While I am around, you will ask for permission to use the restroom. Hold it when you can. I'll have more information in the morning." I hope he can't see the horrified look on my face in the dim room.
"Goodnight, pet." I can hear a smile in his voice, and then he's gone. Up the stairs and the door closes with a resounding, heavy thud.
I take a second to quell the panic rising in my chest and think logically. Maybe if I just cooperate with him, he won't kill me. That's the best I can hope for right now. That's what kidnappers usually do, right? They kill people? Every true crime episode I've ever heard of runs through my head. Eventually, I might be able to connect with his humanity and get him to let me go... I sigh, that sounds like a pipe dream. I test out the chain length to see how far I can go, it's just about far enough to get past the water bowl and then it goes taut. I try to pick up the water bowl to drink from it, but it's chained to the floor. How humiliating, I have to lap from it like a dog. I drink as much as will get my mouth back to normal and nibble on a few crackers despite the grumbling in my stomach. I don't want to have to use the bucket tonight. The thought makes me shudder. I curl up on the bed and fall into a restless sleep, exhausted.
I awake to bright fluorescent lights turning on above me, I blink at the sudden change and try to get my bearings. I hear the man coming down the stairs. I rub my eyes and finally get a good look at him. He's tall, broad-shouldered, grey hair, a strong jaw, a short beard, and lightly colored eyes. He's in his mid 50's probably, and looks like he could break me in half if he wanted to. He comes up in front of me and crouches down.
"Hello gorgeous." He says with a warm, perfect smile.
I stare at him, confused, my brows knit together. He's being nice now? Or is this a game?
He keeps the smile on his face as he leans in close to mine, and whispers, "Aren't you going to say 'Hi Daddy' like a good girl?"
I gulp. "Hi Daddy..."
He leans back and looks at me appreciatively. Before I have a chance to react, his hand swings back and strikes me across the face, just hard enough to sting badly. His smile has diminished, but it's still there, it looks sincere but strikes me as creepy. I gasp and hold my hands up to my stinging cheek as tears leak from my eyes.
"That's what you get, little girl, for hesitation. You're going to serve me without any reservation. I own you completely."
I nod and sniffle. "I-I'm sorry, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy."