I wake to darkness again. No shackles though, which meant Milura was somewhere in the room, if I remembered correctly.
I sat up and crossed my legs, annoyed for some reason and ready to spit like a raging boar. But I kept myself in check, kept myself from showing what I wanted to do or say.
"Are you back to reality, Caroon?"
I stiffened. "Where else would I be?"
A chuckle. Milura was in the darkness, and it made me wary. I preferred him in sight where I could see what he was doing. "You are snapping at me."
I cringe and tell myself to calm down. Taking a deep breath, I say in a more even tone, "I don't like being knocked out randomly."
"The first might have been random for you. But the second wasn't. If you had responded to me, I would have kept you awake."
"I was fine."
"Don't lie to me, Caroon." His voice was suddenly very firm, nothing like I have heard so far. "Lie to me, and there will be consequences. I told you I'd give you a week of being this way, but if you give me falsehoods, I will begin early and I don't like doing that."
"Begin what?"
"Soon."
I gave a groan. "Why won't you tell me? It's not like there's anything stopping you!"
"I like to see the mind of yours work to figure out what may or may not happen. I like to see the expressions play on your face. And I like to see the reaction you'll have when I finally tell you."
I furrow my brows. "Suspense?"
"Exactly."
"Since when does anyone just keeps their prisoner in suspense of telling them about what's expected?"
"Many don't. Many begin, threaten or promise, then hold suspense. I do not." There was a long silence as I processed that. Then, Milura asked, "Would you like to share what happened with you?"
"No."
Another chuckle. "You will."
"Am I going to have consequences now?"
"No. That answer was what I was expecting and I don't need to know right now."
He's so confusing! I don't understand what he's trying to do with me!
"Let's try something different," Milura said after a few minutes.
I heard him move then he appeared and opened the cage. I stared at him. "What's going on?"
"I want you to step out for me."
"No."
Milura smiled. "Don't make me force you, Caroon. You won't like it."
"I have a feeling I won't like what you have planned either."
He shrugged. "I don't plan to hurt you, Caroon. Not yet. Step out and join me."
Not yet? Does that mean I am going to be hurt?
I slowly stand and walk out of the cage, stiffening when he grabs my arm and stops me while he closes the cage. He then leads me to the chair beside the table and gestures for me to sit. I do. Milura goes away for a moment and comes back with another chair, then sits and scoots in to the table. He folds his hands on top and looks at me. "Grab the pencil and a page of one of the notepads."
I stare at him. "What am I doing?"
"I am going to give you ten minutes to write every thought in your head down. I don't care if they are threats to me or not. I don't care if they are foul words. I don't care as long as they are the truth."
"Why?"
He shrugged. "Just to see what happens."
I take a piece of paper and the pencil and begin to write.
I end up using only half the page before Milura stops me and takes it. While he reads, I think about keeping the pencil and hiding it in my pants, but decide against it. He would notice.
Milura laughed. "My, my, Caroon! Where did you learn such language?"
I blush in embarrassment and scowl. "Around. Many people use bad language."
He nodded and set the paper down and looked at me. "Well, at least you know how to intimidate your peers. Very interesting."
"You're not intimidated?"
He shook his head with a smile. "You will learn that I am hardly ever intimidated by anyone, that I control what is around me. You are more amusing than anything."
I cross my arms. "Fuck that!"
He laughed again. "I will allow you to use that language on occasion, but don't make a habit of it."
"And if I do?"
He grinned. "You know, Caroon."
I glare at him, and saw his lips twitch as if to laugh again. "Stop laughing at me!"
Shaking his head, Milura stood. "Go back to the cage, Caroon."
I hesitate, but obey. I walk to the cage and reach to open it. I expected him to stop me, but he didn't. So, I grabbed the door and pulled it open, then ducked inside. Behind me, Milura pushed it shut and locked it.
"Put the shackles on, Caroon."
I turned and stared at him again. "Why?"
"Do it."
"But why?"
He crossed his arms. My heart sped up and my breathing became uneven.
"Please, I will just sit and stare. I won't-"
"Shackles, Caroon." Milura wasn't budging.
"Tell me why."
"You are not earning your request, which I was going to get."
I thought for a moment, then remembered I asked for under things. I swallowed. "How long?"
His gaze became curious, but he said, "A couple hours. I have a few other errands to run before the day ends."
I stumble backwards and find the chains with my feet, keeping my gaze on Milura. I sat and shackled each wrist and ankle, then heard the clicking sound. I continue to stare at him.
Milura stares back for a moment then sighs. "When I return, you will have dinner and your bathroom hour. After those, we will have one more talk, then it'll be time for bed."
"Will I at least get a blanket?"
"If you cooperate next time I ask you to put the shackles on, then yes." He narrowed his gaze on me. "But argue again, and I will wet you down so you can't sleep all night."
He left.
I felt my heart drop, my stomach roil, and my head spin. I finally saw Milura's cruel nature, or a hint of it. I didn't like it. I didn't want to see the full brunt of it. I didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.
An hour and a half later, Milura returned and went to the table to write something down. He didn't look at me, or say anything. But after writing, he left the room again. I wanted to call out and demand he allowed the chains to come off, but kept quiet.
I waited for another fifteen minutes before he came back with a tray of food. He held out a bowl and spoon. I took them and ate without a word. Then drank the water he offered. Once those were taken away, he came and unlocked the shackles and told me it was time for the bathroom. I went and spent forty-five minutes in there before requesting to return.
Finally, when I was back in the cage, Milura spoke. "You notice I didn't give you your under things." I nod. "That is because of your behavior earlier. However, I will give them to you tomorrow."
"You will?"
He nodded. "Now, let's discuss something, Caroon." He grabbed the metal chair and sat down. "For a strong woman, you have been very cooperative, but I will not tolerate disobedience again. Especially when it concerns the chains. I will allow argument over opinions and beliefs, maybe even how I run things, but not the chains and cage."
"But I said I wouldn't try to escape. I said I'd stay in one spot."
"And I don't care." I glare at him. "You are my prisoner, Caroon. Do you think I'd believe you wouldn't try to escape if I gave you the chance?"
"I wasn't lying!"
"Maybe not, but I don't care."
I crossed my arms.
Milura chuckled. "Now, I want you to shackle yourself again. I am going to leave for a few minutes. When I come back, I will let you out for a half hour to walk around."
I tense. "You will?"
"I will not lie to you for now. After the seven days is up, I may, but not until then." He paused. "Even then, it will be rare that I lie."
I see the truth in his gaze and shackle myself. The clicks sounded and I hugged my knees to my chest.
"Caroon?"
"I am waiting," I whisper.
Milura doesn't move for a long moment, then leaves. I wait.