Can You Save Me In Time?

I closed my forest green eyes tightly as Kresh, my master of thirteen years, pounded into me. His grunts, groans, and pants filled my ears, and it took everything in me not to cringe and pull away. Latching his lips onto my neck he sunk his teeth into my overly sensitive skin adding further markings to my already bruised neck with every intent to make me moan. I whimpered instead, panting to hold back my screams and cries of pain, only then did he release my neck, releasing his load into me with a loud grunt of pleasure. Panting, he pulled out of me, my eyes remaining closed even as the bed shifted under his weight till it was only me left on the bed. “Good night, Princess.” He whispered, kissing my forehead. I heard his footsteps and the rustle of his jeans and shirt as he pulled them on then the sound of his bare feet on the cold marble floor as he made his way out. Once the door was closed behind him and the retreating footsteps disappeared, I curled up into the fetal position and closed my eyes trying to block out everything and just focus on the sleep that I desperately needed. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I awoke to the sun shining brightly in the sky signaling only one thing, work. Sighing I threw off the blankets and slipped off the side of the one-person bed, grabbing my ugly tattered rags as I retreated to the bathroom where I bathed and got ready for the morning ahead. Pushing my raven black hair from my olive-colored skin and onto my back where it hung to my hips. Twisting it I turned it into a bun, tying it off with a worn piece of green cotton ribboned in a long one-inch-wide strip. I didn't cut it often but when I did, I made sure to cut it extra short so that it wouldn't be too long. Of course, now that I had gotten used to the length, I liked the way it was, but I wouldn't tell Kresh that. He liked it when my hair was long, part of the reason he had visited me last night. I shuddered and shook my head pushing the thought from my head as I turned, heading towards the staircase that led to the first floor. The downside to living in a mansion meant that I lived at the top or better known as the fourth floor, meaning several flights of stairs with plenty of rooms, and pathways to get lost in. Once I made it to the living room on the first floor I sighed again and grabbed the broom to start off the long list of chores that were to fill my day with lots of pain, sneezing and hopefully no run in's with him. About halfway through my chores strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. Lips found their way to my neck, leaving featherlight kisses along the exposed flesh causing goosebumps to prickle along my arms, a shiver skittering its way down my spine simultaneously. He took this as a warm welcome to his touch and he groaned, hardening against my back as he began biting and licking around my neck to make yet another mark. Not like I didn't have enough to deal with already, but he didn't seem to care. When I didn’t react the way he wanted, he bit into the already tender flesh in the crook of my neck causing me to whimper. Satisfied, he released me, placing a sloppy kiss upon my cheek. “You’re lucky I like you.” He murmured before turning around in time to receive his guests with all the warmth and love he could offer. By the time I finished my stomach was rumbling loudly in protest forcing me to put my hand out and lean against the wall to keep myself from falling over. A wave of dizziness crashed over me, and I closed my eyes trying to keep from passing out. I sighed once it left my body, heading down the many flights of stairs until I found my way to the kitchen down on the main floor. Pushing open the doors the loud noises of working, dishes clanking together, and hurried feet with orders shouted every now and then filled my senses. My mouth watered, and I found myself envying Kresh and his select chosen guests who got to enjoy the fancy feasts presented before me. It took everything in me not to steal a plate and devour it right then, the only thing stopping me was a glare from the head chef who’d spotted me entering through the slave entrance. I gave a sheepish nod and hurriedly walked over to my place at a small table off to the side and sat down. Almost instantly a plate filled with steak, mashed potatoes and green beans were set before me. My stomach grumbled loudly, and my eyes widened as I looked up at the male who had given me the food, he put a finger to his lips in a shushing motion, winked, then returned to work without a word. I nodded but it was far too late for him to see it so instead, I picked up the fork and forced myself to eat slowly while blocking out the noises around me. As I finished, I took a moment to look around, taking note of the lack of other slaves, adoptees, as Kresh called us, and pondered to myself. I was either the first one finished with my long ass list of chores, or I was the last one done. Either way I seemed to be the only one here. Just then a small petite girl with blond shoulder length curls came in and sat across from me. She had a rounded face and looked much younger than me. But then again, I was only nineteen and from what I could tell, she looked to be maybe ten. I shuddered at the thought of him or any of his friends doing something to her. Poor girl I thought to myself. Her bright blue eyes looked sad and trained to the plate of food that was placed before her. I opened my mouth to speak but someone burst into the kitchen yelling about how the food wasn't set up right on his plate. I lowered myself down in the chair I was sitting in suddenly finding the small thin layer of mashed potatoes very interesting as I tried my best not to bring attention to myself. The girl before me shivered in fear and sank down as well. Her form was shaking, and I realized she knew this man. Curiosity sparked and questions flooded my mind. Where did she come from? Why was she here? How did she know him? Was she a slave too? Or was she simply visiting? I shook my head, calming my thoughts and snapping back to reality when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Looking up I saw that he was still in there yelling on and on about what exactly he wanted to go where and how it was supposed to be set up. The girl, who I still didn't know the name of and had been the source of the movement, didn't seem to care if she got caught. Stubborn one I see. She stood up from the table and tried to sneak past him, but he turned right as she passed. "Oh, why hello little one." She seemed to freeze in place just by the sound of his voice, though he didn't sound mad anymore, instead he sounded quite pleased to see her. I frowned but hid it quickly as I stood up, merely intending to clean up my plate and head to bed but the man saw me and grinned mischievously, a look that sent chills all over my body effectively halting me in place. "Ah look. The favorite pet. Samantha, I think you could learn a thing or two from Jinx. I’ll put in a good word with Kresh and see if you can’t stay here a while, study under her, learn how to please me the way she pleases her master, and then maybe, just maybe, I’ll give you more privileges.” He winked at her, and she lifted her chin, the defiance burning as brightly as ever. I shook my head slightly, knowing that would be the death of her if she continued. “Now Sammy, be a good girl for me. You wouldn’t want to be Kresh’s next plaything, would you?” He teased in warning and her eyes widened, fear gripping her features as she shook her head wildly. “Good girl.” Samantha turned her bright blue eyes on me, and they seemed to widen when she saw me. This made the man smile widely then pat her on the head before walking out of the kitchen forgetting his food. I sighed and walked around her pushing through the doors and into the hallway that led to the stairs. "Come with me. Lessons start immediately." I heard her footsteps behind me rather quickly as she tried to keep up with my unnaturally fast pace. We were only at the top of the second flight of stairs, but she was already tired and slowing down. I turned and grabbed her hand before almost dragging her up the rest of the stairs. I didn't have the time to wait for her to catch her breath. I groaned unhappily and closed my door behind me letting go of her hand in the process. She seemed glad to be away from the commotion because once the door closed her face seemed to light up a bit and she hopped up onto the edge of my bed. "Soo...This is your room?" It was a stupid question to ask but I nodded anyways slipping into bed and under the covers. "Alright. What exactly have you been told about being here?" She turned around and her face, once bright, turned gloomy. She obviously didn't like that I was getting straight to work. "Umm..well...Karin showed me how to clean the floors, wash dishes, the usual stuff, and warned me to be super careful when in the presence of Kresh. She didn’t say why, but she hinted at him being linked to all the missing kids...” She trailed off, obviously affected by the idea. I nodded, offering her a warm smile as I lowered my tone, trying to soothe her into a more relaxed state even as my words were laced thick with warnings. “I see. Yes, he is quite terrifying when he's mad so you must behave when around him. No talking back to him, no playing, no talking to anyone while working, and if he does something to you like touching you. Do not, and I repeat, do not push him away. That will only make him that much angrier." Her eyes grew wide again like before and her face went pale. I grabbed her arm and pulled her further onto the bed and pat her head gently. "I know this must be terrifying to you, it's a lot to take in and probably very different from what you were taught before, huh?” I asked, trying not to overwhelm the poor child. She didn’t answer at first, her mind probably reeling with all the scenarios and possibilities. Finally, after a few minutes, she nodded. “I understand.” She spoke timidly. I’d nod, continuing where I’d left off. “If you do not follow these rules, your chances of survival will not exceed a week in this house. You must do your chores every day, do not look him in the eyes and do not do anything to make him angry. Karin was right, Kresh is behind the disappearances. Or at least most of them. His friends sometimes help though..so it would be wise for you to learn your place, allow them to think you are broken and if you ever have a chance-“ I paused, looking around, when I didn’t see anyone else, I lowered my voice to a whisper and continued. “Run away and never come back.” She didn't say anything after that, but she did nod, obviously processing what I had said and then, after a few minutes, she grew a little more color in her face, thanked me, and left the room to sleep or attempt to sleep. I laid down pulling the covers up around my shoulders to let myself rest. Tomorrow was going to be another hard day of work, that much I hoped she knew but what she didn't know, was how much harder it was going to be for her. Waking the next morning I noticed that the sun was just starting to rise making the clouds in the sky change to the colors of orange, red, and purple. I smiled as the thought of being early, so early in fact, that I could finally have a proper breakfast before working. Pushing off the covers I hurried through my bath and dressed rather quickly. I raced down the stairs as quietly as I could while still running to get into the kitchen, but I ran into the one person I had been aiming to avoid. "Ah, Jinx. I was just coming to get you." I blinked and stood up dusting myself off before looking up at him. "I need you to go into the closet and pick out a nice outfit that will make you look presentable for an outing today." I was stunned into silence. I'd never been invited to go anywhere with him but now, suddenly, he was taking me out. That didn't make since. Something must be up. He must be planning to do something with me. "O-out?" I stuttered, hazarding a look at his face. An obvious flicker of annoyance flickered across his face and his eyes narrowed, but he merely nodded in answer. The lack of a response was enough to light a fire in my step and I hurried to the closet in question. There were many dresses hanging up just waiting to be picked. I sighed shaking my head before looking at each dress, trying to find something ‘suitable’. One that was nice enough to go out in but not too elegant for parties. I smiled faintly as I found a red dress, long and the sleeves ruffled and puffed out. in the middle was a slip sewn into the dress the color of a pretty lavender. down the middle hanging over that was a black cord with three golden flower shaped pendants. In the center of each was an emerald. It was indeed expensive, and she thought very elegant but there were much finer dresses in there so closing the door she slipped off her rags and began pulling on the dress. Once I walked out Kresh was standing in hallway waiting for me. He turned around and smiled as he saw me. "You look beautiful my dear." I blinked, surprised; it was as if he could read my mind, but I knew he couldn't. "Th-thank you..." I seemed to be stuttering a lot today and I really didn't have a reason for it. "Ready to go love?" I nodded, utterly confused by the pet name as I took his arm, walking with him to the front door and outside. I didn't know where he was taking me or why he was suddenly being sweet to me, but it was sending off alarm bell. I pushed all thoughts from my mind and tried to focus only on the beautiful scenery around me. I probably wouldn't get another chance so I needed to take in everything while I still could.