AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"This operation has been going on for almost a decade, but it's close to being done. So fucking close. And then you'll be free, Casey. You and Carter. And so many others like you. There's a safehouse we'll bring you guys to and then your future is yours again. Your life is yours again. Okay, Casey? You're going to be free."
He doesn't seem convinced.
"Think about it, okay? Think about how I've treated you. How confused you've been. It makes sense now, right? If you forget about me being stupid and drunk and making the mistake I made last night, doesn't it make sense? You're safe now, Casey. You're safe."
His face twists before relaxing into an expression that's startlingly calm. My stomach drops in realization.
He doesn't believe me.
Chapter Thirteen
Casey
It turns out that Master has been playing the long game. He was smart. Tricky. He didn't hurt me. Didn't fuck me. Didn't give me many rules. He took care of me. Fed me. Bathed me. He held me close after my panic attack and promised there'd be no games. Even last night, that kiss was… something. Or I thought it was.
And then he told me that I'm free.
It might have worked if my old master hadn't played a similar trick on me before.
But I know better now. This man is just like the others. Cruel. Twisted. Monstrous.
And to bring Carter into it, even…
"You don't believe me," Master says, rubbing at the back of his neck.
I tread carefully, knowing I can't call this man a liar without serious repercussions. "I believe you would set me free if you wanted to, Master."
"I'm going to. And it's Jake. You can call me Jake. The others here call me Benny, but that's not my real name. Carter will probably call me Benny too. Maybe even Travis – or Nathan - since he feels safer when he uses our code names, but I'm Jake."
He even came up with a fake real name. When he first introduced himself to me, he said he was Benny Rivera, my new master. Then last night he had requested I call him Jake. At the time, I had figured it was a nickname or something. But now I know he was laying the foundation. He was playing the game.
He's good.
I'm better.
I remain quiet and calm, not giving the man any sort of reaction that can earn me a punishment. I certainly will not be calling him Jake, that’s for sure. I shouldn’t have done it last night, but I’ll forgive myself since I was half-asleep and thrown off by the confusing way he was acting. Unless he clearly orders me to call him by that name, I’m not using it.
It almost feels good to be back to this. I was starting to relax, starting to believe this master might be different. It’s better this way. Hypervigilance might be exhausting, but it keeps me from thinking dangerous things. Keeps me from forgetting my reality.
“Okay,” Master says, looking genuinely concerned. He’s good. “Let’s go see Carter. I think it’ll help if you see him.”
That almost gets me. Is he really here? I feel very confident that the whole freedom story is made up, but there’s still a chance Carter really is here somewhere, owned by his friend. Maybe even the friend that’s been checking up on me. I thought he looked vaguely familiar. But it doesn’t really matter one way or another. We’re just slaves. Two pawns in our masters’ games.
I really hope Carter’s not here though. The last thing I want is him being dragged into this sick game.
“Come here, Casey,” Master says softly. I flinch at the sound of my name again, wishing he’d stop using it. But I know it’s part of the game. I can handle it. I start to crawl, but he stops me. “Please stand. Walk. It’s just down the hall. No one should even see you. In fact, it’d probably be safe to wear clothes. Maybe. Well, probably… not. I don’t know. Do you want clothes?”
Clothes? This man is really going all out.
“I want whatever you want to give me, Master.”
“Right. Great. Let’s just… go. But walk. Get up and walk, alright?”
I do as instructed, wondering when this whole game will be over. Should I just pretend to believe him so he can get to the punishment part?
I walk a step behind Master, keeping my head down as we travel. We stop at a door exactly like the one we just walked through. Master pauses, seeming to take a deep breath, then lifts his hand to knock. I keep my gaze locked on the floor as the door opens and Master nudges me forward. My heartbeat pounds loudly in my ears, making it a little difficult to hear. But I make out the sound of my name, the voice familiar, though a little shaky.
Something complicated twists inside of me. I can’t help myself then, peeking up just enough to see that Carter is standing a few feet away. My eyes burn, my throat going tight. I quickly look at Master, not sure what he wants me to do. Master is frowning at me.
