"I warned you about not following the rules."
Whumper ignored the tears streaming down Whumpee's face, along with their near incoherent blubbering, dragging them over to the corner of the room near the furnace. They shackled Whumpee's wrists to the ceiling, forcing them to stand upright, before turning to some iron rods resting near the coals
"You're going to recite them to me. And if you can't remember," their hand floated to one of the brands. "I can help jog your memory. Now, rule number one?"
"Please!" Whumpee begged. "Please don't do this!"
"Incorrect." Whumper grabbed the first iron from the coals and pressed it against Whumpee's back. "The first rule is don't talk back."
The words burned into Whumpee's flesh as their cries turned into screams. Unbothered, Whumper continued on. "Rule number two?"
"Nn..." Whumpee was struggling to catch their breath, then saw Whumpee move towards another brand. "No flinching!" they shouted. "No flinching."
Whumper paused, then set the rod back down. "So you do remember, hmm?" They walked over and caressed Whumpee's face. It took all of Whumpee's willpower not to turn away from it.
"And rule number three?"
Their body was shaking now, the shackles above them rattling with their nerves. "Dont...try...to leave..."
"Good." Whumper smiled cruelly, then turned back towards the furnace, grabbing two branding irons.
"I'm glad to know your memory's intact. But I think you should have a reminder, just in case you forget again."