“What did you just say?” Maddox barked.
“It just stopped biting me. I don't know why. Probably it's not a monster like you who never gets tired of torturing people.” Nisha said, with the little confidence in her.
Maddox was baffled as how the creature, which is known for its relentless torture. He got so furious that he dragged Nisha out of the cage to his bathroom. Vivian followed him to see what he was going to do to Nisha. Maddox turned on the tap to make his bathtub filled with water. When it was filled up, he carried Nisha and put her in the bathtub as she was trying to fight to release herself. He pinned her to the bathtub, so she would not be able to come out of the water. Nisha was trying so hard to release herself, as she wasn't breathing underwater. Maddox brought her up for a while to catch her breath, then pushed her back in the bathtub. He did this five times before he dragged her back to her cage. Nisha was so weak and frightened, she thought she was going to die when he tortured her that way.
“That serves you right, princess. I'll keep reminding you that you are not a princess here!” Maddox barked and barged out.
Vivian took the creature up and placed it back into the box, then she faced Nisha, who curled up, shivering.
“You look so pitiful, but it's so satisfying.” Vivian laughed and left the room.
Maddox got back to his room in the evening and saw Nisha curled up.
“Have you been given something to eat?” Maddox asked.
Nisha looked up, sneezed three times, then answered him.
“Yes.” Nisha said.
Maddox went to his cupboard, brought out a big towel, then threw it on Nisha's cage.
“Draw the towel in and cover yourself up. Tonight seems like it would be chilly, and I need you alive for more tortures.” Maddox said, then jumped on his bed.
Maddox met himself in a forest, in the middle of the forest was a swimming pool which had light bulbs at each corner. The light illuminated the pool and the color of the water looked light blue. He saw a lady with black, long hair in the pool. It seemed like she was naked, as half of her body was naked. Her back was faced to Maddox, so Maddox couldn't see her face. Then the lady started turning to face Maddox, then he woke up. It was morning already and saw Nisha staring at him in curiosity.
“Why are you staring at me?” Maddox said, looking stern.
“Nothing” she said, and looked away.
Maddox went to the bathroom, took his bath, then wore his clothes. He left the room and went downstairs to the dining, where Vivian and Rogan were already having breakfast.
“Morning, guys.” Maddox greeted.
Vivian and Rogan replied him back with smiles.
“I hope you enjoyed your night.” Vivian said.
“Yes, I did.” Maddox replied, "Now that we're here, why don't I tell you about an experience I had with a girl who was madly in love with me.” Rogan said.
“You always have a story to tell.” Vivian chuckled.
“Of course. I have to.” Rogan smiled.
“Alright then. We're listening.” Maddox said.
“When I met her, I fell for her beauty and the way she spoke, composed herself. But when I got closer to her, found out that all was trash, as she had no charm in her.” Rogan said.
“Really?” Vivian said.
“Yeah. I had already used my skills on her, thinking she was worth it. But when I found out, I withdrew. However, she had already fallen.” Rogan laughed.
“Oh, jeez” Vivian laughed.
“She kept on bugging me, following me around, which made her so annoying.” Rogan continued.
“So, what did you do to her?” Vivian asked out of curiosity.
“You know too much about me, Vivian.” Rogan smirked.
“It's good.” Vivian smiled.
“Alright… I scared her. I scared her and it worked. She began doubting my personality, so she couldn't move closer.” Rogan said.
“Nice.” Maddox said, as he drank the last liquid in his cup.
“That's funny.” Vivian laughed.
“So, Maddox, I'm so happy I'm home. Nothing like home.” Rogan said.
“Yeah, home sweet home.” Maddox replied.
“I was happy when I took a stroll around the neighborhood. It was refreshing, exciting and…" Rogan was explaining, but cut short by Maddox.
“Rogan, stop beating around the bush. Cut to the chase.” Maddox said.
“Alright. I want Nisha to accompany me to the neighborhood today.” Rogan said.
“I don't want her to see this as a privilege, Rogan. She's here to suffer!” Maddox said.
“I know. She's accompanying me, not having fun. And I think I'll love to go hunting instead.” Rogan said.
“Alright. But if she escapes, you know that you won't live to tell a story anymore.” Maddox threatened.
“Sure. I know… You don't need to repeat it. I'm off.” Rogan said, and left.
Rogan went upstairs to Maddox' room and opened the cage. He took Nisha out to the forest. Nisha remembered how Josephine could have helped her escape, the other night. It brought pain to her heart as she was let down by her trusted friend.
“What are we here for?” Nisha asked.
“We're here to hunt. Actually, I'll do the hunting, then you carry whatever is my prey.” Rogan said.
“So, I was called to accompany you?” Nisha protested.
“Yeah. What's wrong with that? Aren't you thankful that I brought you out to feel the sun, breeze, and liveliness of the world.” Rogan said.
“Well, I am. But don't you think I could escape? Like right now?” Nisha said.
“Well, you always know you shouldn't attempt to. I'll catch up with you, tell Maddox about it and then only you can imagine what he could do to you as you've been tortured by him, several times.” Rogan replied.
Nisha was left speechless. She knew it was best for her to stay calm.
“Thank you.” Nisha said.
“Alright. Let's get to hunt. I hope a deer comes our way.”
They wandered around the forest for a long while, then they heard the sound of breaking twigs. They saw it was a deer and then they stayed low.
“Stay here and watch as I pounce on that beautiful deer.” Rogan said.
Rogan left her and walked slowly towards the deer. Nisha began to think hard, if she should attempt running away, but she was too scared to move an inch. Rogan had almost gotten to the deer when a jaguar appeared at the other side. Sighting the jaguar, the deer ran off, and Rogan was pissed. The jaguar didn't seem like it was scared, as it was moving towards Rogan. Rogan was prepared to fight against the jaguar and probably take it home.
The jaguar charged at him and Rogan gave it a big blow at its belly. It caused the jaguar to growl and move back, it got ready again and jumped on Rogan, trying to bite his head. Then, Rogan used his claws and pierced the jaguar's heart. The jaguar died instantly.
“How did I do?” He asked Nisha from a distance.
“You did well!” Nisha replied.
He carried the jaguar and placed it on Nisha's neck. Nisha shrank a little, but later maintained her balance. They began their journey back to their territory.
“How were you caught by Maddox?” Rogan asked out of curiosity.
“My disobedience made it possible.” Nisha said
“How?” Rogan asked.
“My father has always told me to refrain from going to the forest or going anywhere without having two to three guards around me. I guess I didn't know how serious this enmity between the two clans is.” Nisha said.
“Oh! I see. So, right now, you must be feeling really bitter, regrets, and resentment.” Rogan said.
“I guess.” Nisha said.
“Maddox was never like this before his father died. I would say he was just like you. He wasn't weak though, but he had a good heart. Maddox also tried to stop this war by pleading with his father, but his father was adamant. He followed his father without him knowing, with the intent of trying if he could stop the war, but he witnessed something else, which turned him into a beast.” Rogan said.
“My father, giving his father a slow, painful death.” Nisha said.
“Yeah.”
They got home and Nisha went straight to the kitchen to hand the jaguar over to the kitchen maids.
“Uhm… This is what we caught today. We went hunting.” Nisha said.
They collected the jaguar from her and Nisha went upstairs, opened the door and met Maddox and Vivian having sex, which they seemed to be enjoying. She was so disgusted at this sight as she wondered what sex addict would have no shame.
“Oh! Maddox, give it to me.” Vivian cried out, licking her lips in pleasure.