Calum was a Collector. That’s what they called him, and those like him anyway. They collected the payments, and when payments weren’t made, they collected the person on file as being closest to the debtor. He had done this a thousand times before. He knew pain and torture like the back of his hand, he’d spent years of his life doing this to innocent people. He could tune out the screams, the begging and pleading him to stop, the smell of blood no longer made him sick and he knew just what to do to harm them but keep them alive as long as possible. All this time, all these unfortunate people, only two had died at his hands.
Jason was different though. Jason didn’t beg for mercy, Jason didn’t ask why this had to happen to him and he didn’t fight back. He calculated his choices carefully, he was ready to do whatever it took to get free and if Calum so much as hesitated it seemed to upset him. He wasn’t used to this kind of submission, someone so calmly deciding what pain be inflicted on themselves, hell, Jason was creative combining multiple things at a time, Calum had kept people for months and in that time only broken a finger or two, while Jason seemed to know, or think he knew, how much he could handle at one time.
When he came back in the morning Jason was a mess. He was trembling, letting out choked sobs. Blood was running down his neck and soaking the collar of his shirt from where he tried too hard to lean back. He looked horrible, and Calum felt the need to apologize to him as he took out his phone and snapped a quick picture of him, face swollen and bloody, tears mixing with dried blood, his nose horribly out of place. Once the picture was taken he was quick to unlock the collar first, and then cut the rope. Almost immediately Jason slumped forward, Calum having to catch him so he wouldn’t smash his face on the floor.
“We’re not doing anymore today.” He told him seriously, freeing him from the handcuffs as well.
“N-no, I… I have to keep going… please…” he whimpered as he was laid down. “I… I can handle it…”
“No, you can’t, you need to stop.” He cut the rope binding his ankles before leaving him there for a moment. He took the clean rag kept by the bathtub in the room, soaking it with warm water before returning. He gently cleaned away the blood from his face and neck, though Jason winced and whimpered when he did so. “Your body can only handle so much, believe me, I know, you need a rest.”
“A rest won’t get me anywhere… I have to pay all this off, please, beat me, whip me, cut my hair, just do something!” He begged. Calum had never heard someone tearfully beg him to continue to hurt them, something about it made him sick to his stomach.
“No!” He said sternly. “Just calm down, you have all the time in the world to pay this off, one short break won’t kill you.” Once Jason was cleaned up and got up and went to rinse all the blood out of the rag. Once he was done he told Jason to just lay there for a moment, leaving the room.
He knew he’d be in a lot of shit for this, but at this rate Jason was going to be dead in a week, and then where would they be? His phone was already buzzing, no doubt his boss telling him to get his ass back in there and break that poor kid, but for once he ignored it. He was going to be in so much fucking trouble.
He made his way to the infirmary in the building. He showed up there often, so no one questioned it when he went searching through the countless drugs kept in a cabinet. Most of them were poisons, or hard drugs meant to cause extreme pain, even paralysis in some cases. It took him forever to find some kind of pain killer, those weren’t usually needed by Collectors after all.
He took the pain killers and got him a cold water bottle, taking it back to the room. He opened the door, expecting to find the younger man curled up on the floor where he left him. Instead, he was on his knees next to the drawers where Calum kept most of his supplies. He’d found the stun gun, just as Calum opened the door Jason gave himself a shock. It didn’t last long though, as he immediately dropped the device.
“What the fuck are you doing?!” He rushed over to him, dropping the water and painkillers before dragging him away from the drawers, pulling him farther when he weakly tried to reach for the stun gun.
“I-if you won’t do it then I- I thought I could… do it myself…” He groaned in pain, every movement no doubt exasperating his previous injuries.
“That isn’t how this works idiot. I told you, you’re taking a break today, I don’t care if I have to force you to.” He left him in the middle of the room, grabbing more rope and going back to him. Jason tried to struggle away but Calum was able to easily hold him down. He bound his arms securely behind his back, then bound his ankles once again. “You’re making a really good case as to why I shouldn’t ever untie you again.” He said with a sigh, going to get the discarded items.
He came back and pulled him into a sitting position, ordering him to open his mouth, which he did. He dropped one pill in his mouth before holding the bottle up to his lips. He repeated this once more before sighing, sitting down more comfortably beside him.
“You really love Lev this much, huh?” He asked after being silent for some time. Jason nodded slowly.
“Love ‘im to death…” he murmured.
“I can’t imagine loving someone so much that I let myself be tortured.” He said, shaking his head.
“Lev… means the world to me… I’d rather it be me here than him…”
“Well… Lev can wait. He knows you’re alive, I have to keep him updated, and as long as you’re here and alive, he’s safe.” He started to get up. “Speaking of which, I should get today’s picture to him. I’m sure he’s worried sick about you.” He felt the need to get out of the building, at least for now. His boss was without a doubt pissed off at him, and he was going to pay for straying from his job like this. At the very least, he could postpone it, even just for a little bit.
***
It was late when he returned. He stayed out longer on purpose, he hoped that when he got back he’d be able to check on Jason and then go to bed. He wasn’t that lucky though, the minute he stepped inside he was grabbed, dragged off to his boss’s office. He didn’t even try to struggle, he knew it was pointless.
He was taken to the office and dropped on the floor, forced to his knees. His boss, Mr. Savaro didn’t look the least bit pleased with him.
“Calum, this isn’t like you.” He said, rising from his desk chair and approaching him. Savaro was a tall man, and while Calum wasn’t short or small by any means, he always felt like a small, deeply in trouble child when forced in front of him like this. He was an older man, not elderly though, and certainly had no need for the cane he carried with him everywhere, which Calum was sure that a blade was hidden inside. “Going against orders, ignoring me, why, you even tried to run, didn’t you?”
“I’m sorry sir.” He said quietly, keeping his eyes on the floor. Savaro jabbed the end of the cane under his chin, tilting his head up.
“You seem to forget that I've been doing you a favor these past few years.” He said sternly. “I don’t tolerate fuck ups on the best of days, much less from charity cases like yourself.”
“I’m sorry sir.” He repeated. By now he knew that groveling for forgiveness was the only way to go in these cases.
“Yes, you will be.” In one swift motion Savaro swung the cane, cracking it against Calum’s face. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay up right. He knew that if he moved it would only be worse. The cane slammed against his temple, and then caught his ear, but he still didn’t move. “Tell me boy, what did your assignment request last?” He asked.
“Stress position sir. All night.” He knew where this was going and he wasn’t the least bit happy about it.
“Ohh, a fun one, hm?” He sneered. “I suppose I can leave you here overnight. At least I’ll know where you are.” He turned to one of the men waiting by the door, giving him a list of things to gather. The man left and Savaro knelt down in front of him, tangling a hand in his hair and forcing him to look up at him. “Since you don’t want to do your job I guess that you can take some pain off his shoulders.”
“Yes sir…” He said quietly. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been subjected to this, but it was by far one of his least favorites. He found it hard to believe Jason was able to willingly subject himself to this all night. Eventually the man returned, and Savaro took the items before dismissing both of them, so just him and Calum were in the room. Calum was almost grateful for this.
“Over here, now.” Savaro ordered, stepping over to a chair inside the office. Calum did as he said, he stood stock still as his ankles were bound, as he was made to cross his arms over his chest, his wrists bound and then his arms. He was forced to kneel once more, rope fashioned around his neck like a collar, and a length tied to the back of the chair, making it so that if he wished to breath, he would have to keep himself bent backwards. All. Night. Despite his impending dread for the night ahead of him, he did as he was told, he didn’t fight or protest. He knew he’d never get anywhere. Savaro stepped back to look him over, and Calum kept his eyes averted. He hated feeling this helpless, this vulnerable.
“Hopefully this will teach you not to disobey me. I don’t want this becoming a common occurrence.” He said as he used a strip of cloth to blindfold him. Calum didn’t see it as necessary, but he knew better than to question him. He opened his mouth, prepared with his automated “yes sir” but as soon as he did he was roughly gagged. He squirmed uncomfortably in his bonds, it had been years since he was last in this position and he’d hoped he’d never be this way again. “Let’s hope you’re back to normal in the morning, Calum.” He felt that awful cane tap against his knee. “I’d hate to do something even worse to you.”
He didn’t bother trying to respond through his gag, just listened to the retreating footsteps and the slam of a shutting door, leaving him to himself and his discomfort for the rest of the long night.
Part One//Part Two//Part Three//Part Four//Part Five//Part Six//Part Seven
Calum didn’t sleep much that night. He worried about Jason, he was angry at Lev, he was stressed and worried and he wanted nothing more than to get a few hours of sleep, but he couldn’t even have that.
He was exhausted as he headed to Jason’s room the next morning. He hated knowing he’d have to hurt him somehow, especially after what he went through last night. He unlocked the door, which he was quite sure he hadn’t even locked the night before, and froze the moment he saw Jason wasn’t alone.
“Ah, there you are!” Savaro said brightly, smiling at Calum. Jason was on his knees, blindfolded, trembling in fear and probably pain as he was forced to kneel on his injured knee. He was biting on his lip hard, probably trying to keep his whines in. Calum didn’t even know what to say, just staring with wide eyes. “What? Did you really think I wouldn’t look over any footage I missed? After your little fuck up I knew I’d need to keep a closer eye on you.” He sneered. “Come in now, I thought I’d be nice and give you a bit of a refresher on your job.”
He felt numb as he entered the room, obediently making his way over to him. He couldn’t take his eyes off Jason, his shirt had been removed and he could see the dark bruise covering his stomach. His arms had been twisted behind him, unlike how Calum had left him the night before. He couldn’t see his eyes but he didn’t need to to tell he looked scared, and Calum wished he could do something to stop this. Jason had a hold on his heart that he didn’t know anyone could have, he brought out a side of Calum that he thought was long dead. Savaro however had a hold on his life. He couldn’t so much as breathe without Savaro knowing about it, and he should’ve known he’d be caught for everything he did.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but I can’t have you getting some sort of soft spot for your assignments.” Savaro told him. “I mean honestly, /this/ is what breaks you?” He sneered, jabbing Jason’s broken knee with the end of the cane, causing him to cry out, tears spilling from beneath the blindfold. He smirked, suddenly kicking him hard in the knee. Calum winced when he screamed, as if he hadn’t already gone through enough.
“I’m sorry sir.” He said quietly, still refusing to look at him. “I’ll do better sir.”
“I’m sure you will. I’ll be nice and give you one more chance Calum, but if you fuck up one more time he’s not going to be your problem anymore. The other collectors aren’t as weak as you.” He gave him a look.
“Yes sir, I understand.”
“Good boy. Now watch carefully, I’m not going to go easy on him.” Calum had no reason to doubt his words, and he wanted desperately to tear his eyes away as Savaro went behind Jason, giving him a harsh kick forward. He whined when he slammed his head against the hard tile, but he didn’t dare try to sit up. Savaro looked over his back, deep red marks still crossing over his skin. He seemed to approve of the damage, before deciding to add to it himself.
Jason didn’t try to hold back his cries, when the cane slammed into his arm. His wrists were still bound, Savaro clearly didn’t care if he hit his back or his arms, as long as it hurt. Savaro caught his hand with the next hit, causing the poor boy to scream. The worst thing to Calum was that he could only stand there and watch. He couldn’t offer any comfort, and if he wanted to be sure Jason made it out alive, he couldn’t do anything for him once it was all over. He just had to watch.
He tried to count to distract himself. Jason wasn’t there, Savaro wasn’t there, there was no cane, no beatings, just numbers. Three, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, oh god he just wouldn’t stop. Eighteen, twenty one, twenty four, twenty seven, why the fuck couldn’t that cane just break, why wasn’t Savaro tired yet. Thirty, thirty three, thirty six- there was a sickening snap, even Calum flinched when he heard it. Jason’s scream was strangled, his voice hoarse. The poor guy had been screaming constantly for nearly six whole days.
Jason sobbed, and Calum finally snapped himself out of it, realizing that snap meant something broke, and it wasn’t that damned cane.
“What was that?” He finally managed to ask, looking to Savaro who was rubbing his arm, as if tired from what he’d done. Jason tried to answer but could only let out these harsh, broken sobs.
“Can’t say for sure.” Savaro prodded at Jason with the tip of the cane. He jabbed at his arms, along his spine, and finally into his left wrist, causing Jason to shriek. “Ah, the wrist then. Figures.” He walked around Jason, past Calum. “When you’re done here, come by my office. I’m not exactly done with you.” He told him, leaving Calum to deal with Jason, and his own unending fear and guilt over this situation.
***
He couldn’t comfort Jason, couldn’t sneak him painkillers and assure him everything will be okay. The most he could do was help him into a more comfortable position, asking if he was done for the day, to which Jason tearfully nodded, much to his relief. He didn’t want to cause anymore pain today, or ever for that matter.
He was only somewhat relieved though, he still had Savaro to deal with. He didn’t know what he had planned, and he knew there wouldn’t be any sort of mercy. Calum had fucked up, he was going to get what he ‘deserved’.
When he arrived at the office he tiredly knocked on the door, and Savaro called for him to come in. He was silent as he entered the room, he didn’t know what he was supposed to say or do. He figured he was best off just waiting for whatever punishment awaited him.
“Come here, Calum.” He ordered from where he sat behind his desk. Calum wordlessly did as he said, kneeling obediently at his side. Savaro was smoking a cigarette, the smell always made Calum sick to his stomach. “What conditions did I give you when I took you in?”
“You… you told me I had to work, sir.” He said slowly. “You trained me to be a collector.”
“I did. And do you remember what I told you would happen if you ever messed up?”
“I would be punished. Severely.” He frowned, staring at his lap.
“Good, you do remember!” Savaro grinned at him. “So tell me, why do you keep doing this? I know everything that happens in this building, I know everything that you do. It’s one thing for you to go against orders, comforting and providing help to your assignment. It’s another to fucking call the debtor, from inside the fucking building, which could be fucking traced.” There was a venom to his words, though he stayed calm Calum felt as if he was being screamed at.
“I’m sorry sir.”
“You keep saying that, I even believed it for a moment. Yet, you turned around and fucking slipped up again.” He suddenly grabbed ahold of Calum’s hair, forcing his head up. “I tried to go easy on you last time, but clearly you need a more permanent reminder.” For once, Calum felt scared. He’d been through countless things before, different torture methods and injuries, but nothing that couldn’t heal, nothing that he couldn’t forget. The thought of something permanent genuinely scared him.
“Like what, sir…?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady. Savaro examined his face for a moment, seeming to think about it, before asking a simple question.
“Right or left?”
“H-huh?”
“Right. Or left.” His grip on his hair tightened, pulling harder.
“R-right.” He stammered.
“Good. Don’t close your eye, understand?” He asked, and Calum immediately tried to yank back when he realized what was happening. “Hold still or I’ll do both eyes.” Savaro snapped, and Calum forced himself to stay still.
Calum expected a blade or something else to pierce his eye, his heart stopped when Savaro raised his cigarette. Calum had to bite his tongue to keep from yelling, he wanted to fight and struggle and run away, he wasn’t even fucking tied down, but he just couldn’t.
“You’ll behave from now on, right Calum?”
“Yes sir.” All he could see was the hot end of that cigarette.
“Good boy.” He wasted no time in pressing the cigarette against his right eye, causing Calum to scream. He tried to pull back but Savaro had an iron grip on him, even when he reflexively tried to close his eye, it didn’t matter, the damage was already done. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he pulled it away from him, he let go of him and Calum collapsed, trying to hold back his frantic cries. Savaro stood up, looking down on him. “I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Calum.”
