Whumpee who doesn't recognize Caretaker or the fact that they're being rescued
Whumpee cowers in the corner of the room, whispering soft pleas to themself. Caretaker slowly inches closer, dropping their weapon to the floor to try and appear less intimidating.
"Hey... Whumpee. It's me. It's Caretaker." Their voice is soft, trying their best to be comforting. They haven't seen Whumpee in years.
Whumpee's head snaps up when they hear Caretaker's name. They recognize that name...
"N-no! No, please... Please don't hurt Caretaker! I-I'll do anything. Don't hurt them."
Whumpee doesn't recognize Caretaker themself, but they recognize their name. That was the person they loved. They won't let anyone hurt Caretaker.
Jim had lived as the prisoner of a cruel vampire for years, forced to provide blood for his insatiable appetite, before finally escaping. A decade has passed since then, when he hears word of a vampire in the custody of a group of hunters matching the description of his former captor, Kane. Wanting closure, he negotiates to have custody of Kane transferred to himself. But when he finally lays eyes on the vampire, itâs like heâs a complete stranger: A sobbing mess begging for mercy, not the arrogant man he once knew.
-
listed in chronological order, but writing order is indicated by the number next to them. click here for chapters sorted by newest update (and click here for canon drabbles sorted by newest update).
đą Prequel: (recommend not reading until after Family Reunion)
The Knight (#14)
Clean Break (#30)
The Contents of Several Unopened Envelopes Delivered to Kane de Sang (#41)
On Your Own (#50)
đ Â Jimâs Captivity & Recovery:
Youâre Mine Now (#7)
Tomorrow (#8)
Run (#3)
Rebellion (#27)
Happy Birthday (#25)
Too Sick (#11)
Curls (#33.5)
Family Reunion Part 1 (#12)
Family Reunion Part 2 (#13) + Bonus
Quiet (#16)
Broken (#21)
Slice (#29)
A Nice Thought (#46)
Out (#22) + Bonus
Home (#23)
Everythingâs Different Now (#43)
Healing Right (#53)
Bad Night (#54)
Drabbles: Calm Down, Midday Snack, Jimâs Nightmare, Fuck you
đŞÂ Intermission:
Something New (#19)
Power (#34)
Names (#45)
Drabbles:Â Playing With Food
âď¸Â Kaneâs Captivity: (this arc is interactive, see here! anything tagged âcanon kane whumpâ is canon!)
Failure (#47)
Sunrise (#9)
A Small Funeral (#37)
Hunger (#15) + Bonus (coming soon!)
Make Me (#28)
Helpless (#48.5)
Opened (#20)
Choices (#31)
Raw (#42)
Locked In (#51)
Better Vermin (#40)
A Peculiar Device (#4)
Bystander (#36)
Impending (#32)
Drabbles: Deserve, Dartboard, Stitched, Take a Deep Breath, Taunt, Collared, Healthy Snack, Problem Solved, Five Minutes, Keep That In, Go to Hell, Cement, Iron Kane-den, Dog, Light & Laughter, Greatest Wish, Kaneâs Nightmare 2, Bites Him, Barbed Wire, Blowtorch, Useful, Into
Kaneâs Whumptober Bites: Masterlist
â¤ď¸âđŠšÂ Kane & Jim Present Arc:
Itâs Been a While (#1) + Bonus + Bonus 2 <- Recommend starting here and then going in whatever order you want after that
Grateful (#2)
New Rules (#5)
Visitor (#6)
For the Wash (#10)
Sunny Days (#49)
Papercut (#17) + Bonus
Guilt (#18) + Bonus
Refusal (#23.5)
Understanding Part 1 (#24)
Understanding Part 2 (#26)
Reminder (#33)
Kaneâs Mark (#35) + Bonus
Heat Wave Part 1 (#38)
Heat Wave Part 2 (#39)
Sweet 116 (#44)
Basement (#48)
Trust (#52)
Feeding (#55)
Else (#56)
Indulgence (#57)
A New Kind of Hunger (#58)
Drabbles: Kaneâs Nightmare, Bloodsucker, Stairs, Fangs, Sunburn, Haircut, Kaneâs Bad Day, Jimâs Bad Day, Mirror, Thirty-Four, Spilled Blood
â Epilogue:
Stay With Me (#E2)
Crunch (#E1) + Bonus
Drabbles:Â Accident
đŠ¸Â Click here for part 2 of the masterlist because i was approaching the link limit! contains:
AU writings where Kane & Jim get into new situations
Caretaker new master, conditioned whumpee, past slavery, past abuse, people pleasing, referenced abuse, pet whump, slave/servant whump, trauma, past starvation, healing, medieval-esque setting, dehumanization, ptsd, misunderstanding
Murial really was worried about taking Ellis out to town.
They were so afraid all the time, and she was sure that they would only be more afraid with more people around. They seemed anxious even by her presence. Who could say how they would react to going out into town?
But they needed clothing. And she was very hopeful about being able to find things to give them, to help them feel more at home.
She was faced with a unique dilemma as she finished getting ready, in not being sure whether to wake them.
They hadn't left their room yet, so presumably they were asleep. She worried that waking them up would make them nervous to sleep in when they needed it. So she gave them some time to get up on their own.
â â â
Ellis had almost forgotten how much they hated mornings.
In the two weeks with Haman they hadn't had to worry about them. But they despised them.
With Master, the closet door had been locked every night, so they had to wait for someone to let them out. Usually a servant of some kind would, that way they could get started on chores, and be ready for when Master and Mistress woke up.
But some days they weren't let out for hours. They couldn't beg to be let out, that would only get them in more trouble. So they just had to sit in the dark, unsure of how much time had passed, hoping that someone would open the door, no matter what faced them outside.
Being locked up shouldn't have made them as upset as it did. But they hated it. It was awful. It was dark, and it got stuffy fast. They missed their meal sometimes because of it. And on top of that, even though it had only happened a couple times, the fear that they would get left in for a whole day, was very present.
It was usually a punishment, but sometimes, it was just for fun. Leaving them to frantically look over the past day, feeling intense guilt for any small mistake. And worst of all, it reminded them of the basement.
They were almost always in tears when they got let out. With an apology ready for every possible failure.
They dreaded the idea that Miss Murial, after all her kindness, would do the same.
But it was still far kinder than how it used to be.
There were windows, and sunlight. The room wasn't near as small as the closet had been. So, it shouldn't be a problem to be good. They wouldn't leave. They would wait for her to open the door and let them out. And they would thank her for the merciful version of the punishemnet.
â â â
Murial waited for about an hour, before letting herself get properly worried. So she walked over to the room, and knocked on the door before opening it, hoping to see that Ellis was fine, just sleeping.
But, what she found was far more worrying. Ellis was kneeling on the floor, silent tears running down their face. They looked up at her, expression shockingly hopeful, "T-thank you, Miss," they whispered.
"Oh, Ellis, honey, what's wrong?" She got down onto the floor, meeting them at their level.
"I-I'm sorry⌠please⌠please tell me what I did wrong, Miss. I-I won't do it again I swear."
"Love, what are you talking about? You havn't done anything, I'm not mad."
"B-but then⌠then why d-did you keep me in here?"
"Ellis, I need you to explain what you're talking about, dear."
"I- I wasn't let out⌠and⌠and when I get left⌠It's supposed to be a punishment⌠so, so I had to have done something, Ma'am."
While that wasn't exactly the clearest explanation, it made it clear that they still thought that they needed permission to leave. Even after yesterday.
Poor dear. They must've been so worried the whole time.
"Oh, goodness, no. I didn't mean to leave you. I thought you would come out on your own time, I don't know any of the rules that you've had before, so I wasn't expecting to have to give you permission to leave."
They nodded slowly, looking down at the ground, letting more tears fall down.
"Can I ask you a couple questions, honey?"
They nodded, "O-of course Miss."
"First, I need to know what the rule about leaving the room was, that way I can be clear about how it will work here, okay?"
"Yes, Ma'am," they bowed their head further, "I-I would stay in the closet untill someone came and unlocked it. N-normally that would be early, s-so I would wake up right before. B-but when⌠sometimes they- they would keep me in there, f-for longer. When I was bad." The last words were a quite whisper, almost an admontion.
"Okay. Thank you for telling me. Things won't work like that here, alright? You can go anywhere you like, whenever. None of my doors even have locks."
Ellis looked up, clearly surprised.
"Can you repeat that for me, love?"
Ellis gave her a warry look but spoke, "I- I can go anywhere?"
"Yes, good job. Now, I have one other quesiton, alright?"
They nodded.
"Why did you say thank you, dear?"
They looked over the window in thought for a second before answering, "I-it was far kinder t-than how Master used that punishment⌠t-this room is much bigger, and has, um, windows. The c-closet wasâŚ" they shuddered, "This- this was- would've been a m-much lighter punishment."
Murial added that to the list of things to remember. They didn't like being closed in. She wasn't sure how far that fear went, but it was certainly there.
"Well, I won't do anything like that to you. It was cruel of them to do any of those things."
Ellis didn't respond to that, they just looked at her as she spoke, clearly trying to ramain blank in the face.
After a moment of thought she decided to delay the trip out until they had been given time to relax. She hoped that this wouldn't be too big of a hiccup, she couldn't stand the idea of a miscommunication on her end hurting them so much.
Luckily after breakfast they seemed to have calmed somewhat.
"Love, I know this morning as a lot, so I want to check, do you feel like going out today?"
Ellis thought from their seat on the floor, "I-if you want me too I-I can."
Murial sighed a bit, "I want you to be comfortable, so if going us too much right now then I want you to tell me."
"I-I don't mind."
â â â
They really didn't. Sure they were shaken by that morning's confusion, but being outside would help. And going into town would be manageable.
Sure, it could make them nervous, but they could handle it. They were around people all the time, so that wasn't a huge issue. They preferred being alone of course, but they'd learned to cope.
Miss Murial seemed pleased with that response, she smiled, "If you're sure, honey."
They nodded.
"Alright, I'll get my things together then we can go, okay?"
â â â
It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. Ellis enjoyed watching the woods give way to the small town in front of them.It was very much like the place they had grown up. With a mixture of homes and shops spread over the soft dirt paths.
People milled about, laughing and talking. Some clearly on errands, others just seemingly spending time with neighbors. Ellis was hesitant to walk closer to the people. It had been so long since they'd been in a town like this. They desperately wanted the people to like them, or at least to make an alright first impression. But they had no idea how to do that.
So they followed behind Miss Murial closely, all but gripping onto her sleeve.
She seemed completely at peace. The pedestrians noticed them, waving and smiling at Miss Murial. Ellis caught a few odd looks, but all in all they didnt seem to question a stranger entering town with her.
A dark-skinned woman with a baby on her hip, walked over to them, "Murial! How good it is to see you!"
Murial reached out and brought the woman in for a hug, "Good morning, Earna!" After letting go, she bent down a bit to look at the baby, "How has he been, hm?"
"Oh, just fine. He's a bit fussy, more so than his sister ever was, but he's been eating and sleeping fine."
"Good to hear, good. What are you doing out today?"
"Oh, just shopping for dinner tonight. What about you?" she asked, giving a glance to Ellis.
"I need to get some things for them, mostly clothes."
"What's your name?" She asked looking over at them.
They froze for a second, unsure what say, but eventually the words came out, "E-Ellis, Ma'am."
"Oh, no need to be so polite! A friend of Murial's is a friend to mine."
They nodded, "O-okay, my apologies."
She got a bit of a look on her face, one that seemed almost sad, "So, what brings you here?"
Before they could answer Miss Murial spoke first, "They'll be staying with me for the foreseeable future."
It was reassuring to hear that she really did intend to keep them.
"Well, let me be the first to give you a welcome, we hope you'll enjoy it, it's a really nice place."
Ellis nodded shakily.
"Well," Miss Murial began, "We have to be off, but have a lovely day!"
The woman smiled, "I will, you too!"
That had gone⌠really well? Ellis was shocked. The woman hadn't seemed to dislike them at all. She hadn't called them creepy, or said anything unkind to them. She'd asked their name, and wished them well. Like you would a person.
Miss Murial led then down the street and past most of the houses to where the majority of shops were located.
She took them inside one building with a sign they couldn't read
There were shelves lining the walls of the shop, full of bolts of fabric, each dyed a different shade and color. Along the back side of the room there was a counter, presumably, where you'd pay. To the right was a clear corner, several measuring strips lay on the side of the counter that faced it. To the left was a doorway, that likely led to the work room.
Miss Murial took them over the counter to stand as they waited for the shopkeeper to come in.
After a about a minute, a middle aged man came out of the left side door. He had black hair, but it had mostly gone grey. He wore tiny circular glasses on the bridge of his nose. He had on a worn apron with pockets making up a good portion of the front. And he had a small pointed beard that looked well kept.
The man, like the woman from earlier seemed pleased to see Miss Murial.
â â â
"Murial, It's good to see you," the older man noted with a faint smile under his mustache.
"Good morning, Edger, how have you been?"
Edger was one of the few people who had been in the town before she had. He'd helped her set up her first work room, all those years ago.
"Well as I can be, and you?"
"Quite well, thank you."
"So what can I do for you?"
"My companion," she had been mulling over what to call them the whole way to the shop, but she felt confident in her choice, "needs some new clothes, the sooner the better."
Edger gestured to them to the right, "I'll get their measurements first of course, and then we'll have to talk style, but I can see what I can do about speed."
"Stand still, love," Murial instructed as Edger came closer with the measuring tape.
She hoped that his quick movements wouldn't startle them too bad. It was honestly impressive how fast he was able to get them.
She'd always appreciated his efficiency. It had been one of the reasons she'd aproched him, all that time ago. She'd been nervous, to talk to him, he'd seemed cold, and maybe even stern. But very quickly she learned that he was just quiet. He didn't say much about himself, but he would help at the drop of a hat. She hoped that Ellis would be able to see that as well.
"Well, it's easier to make smaller things, and with these measurements it shouldn't be too bad."
"Good to hear! Do you think you could leave some extra room though?" She was really hoping that Ellis would lose their concerningly slender look.
Edger nodded, making a note on his sheet.
"As for style, I'm thinking comfortable, certainly. Soft fabric, comfortable fit, does that sound alright, hon?" She asked turning to Ellis.
They looked a bit stunned, but nodded.
"Is there anything in particular we should know that you want?"
They stood there for a moment, clearly in shock."I- no, Miss, th-thank you for offering."
Murial gave a sad smile to them, and turned back to Edger, meeting his concerned gaze, but not acknowledging it.
"Just some simple things then, I can alter them later."
He nodded and jotted that down as well, "And color?"
Murial looked over to Ellis, who was looking down at the floor again, but they noticed her gaze and looked up.
"Go ahead, love, she prompted."
They seemed to panic for a moment before speaking, "I- I couldn't, I- I don't-"
Murial took in a breath, "Ellis, I promise you it's fine. I want you to have things you'll enjoy wearing. Don't worry about it."
They still seemed reluctant to speak, but eventually they forced out an answer, "G-green?" they asked, as if unsure what answer to give.
"That's a lovely choice! Thank you for your input, darling."
Murial wasn't sure to be relieved or upset to see that her reassurances seemed to calm them.
Edger looked over his notes for a second before speaking, "This should take a bit, for as much as you're asking for, but I'll have them as a priority."
"That'll be perfect, thank you." And with that, the pair left the building.
â â â
Ellis was still reeling from having their opinion asked after. Of course, they'd answered honestly, hoping that that was what Miss Murial was really asking for. They felt lucky that they had got right.
Miss Murial finalized the order, and took them back out to the street. They tired to listen as she spoke, but their mind kept trying to wander back to the previous encounters.
Those people had been kind. The woman had asked their name. The man had no issues looking to them for an opinon. They didn't seem to look down on them at all. In fact, they seemed almost friendly. It was strange, but relieving all the same. "I think we should get some lunch, alright? Then we can go looking for things for you or your room alright?"
The idea of the room being theirs was truly baffling. The closet hadn't even been fully theirs. On the other side from where they slept was where several cleaning supplies were kept. They'd thought of the corner as theirs, but they knew better than to say that out loud. They couldn't own anything. People got to own things. And a person, Ellis was not.
But, they wouldn't protest the kindness. It was all they had.
Miss Murial took them into another shop, this one's purpose immediately clear, due to the scent of baked goods flowing out into the street.
They couldn't help but get excited about the idea of the sweets and fresh baked bread. They would've been certain that they wouldn't get anything if they were with Master, but Miss Murial was different. A small part of them wanted to expect a full meal.
But, they knew that was wishful thinking. She had given them food before, sure. And a lot more than Master ever had. But⌠they couldn't let that taint their expectations. They couldn't fully stop it, but they at least could limit it to only expecting scraps.
They followed her up to the front as she made her order.
â â â
Murial wasn't sure how to handle Ellis' insistence to eat on the floor in this situation. She really didn't want them to kneel while out in public. It would lead to a lot of questions, and she didn't want the whole town to know about what had happened to Ellis. It wasn't that she wanted to keep it super secret, but simply, she didn't think that they would want so many people to know.
She was sure they would be understanding, but she didn't want Ellis to think these people saw them as lesser. So they stood as the waited for Bridget to collect the things she'd ordered. Best to avoid sitting at all.
She could almost feel Ellis' gaze when she collected the baked goods. She handed them one of the two muffins she'd bought, and smiled when their eyes lit up.
She'd also bought a berry pastry to split, but she didn't want to overwhelm them.
"F-for me?"
"Go right ahead, I can't very well let you go hungry."
They nodded hesitantly, clearly not fully agreeing.
She gestured for them to follow as she left the shop. If they were walking while eating it might help them not feel the need to kneel.
â â â
Ellis was glad that they had been given more food. But they felt the need to clarify with Miss Murial later. She didn't need to feed them so much. They'd told her that they'd survived on less, but clearly that wasn't enough. But that could wait till they were alone. They didn' t want to embarrass her in public. And the contradiction could be taken as disrespectful, even though it was ment to help her. So punishment was likely. And they doubted she'd want to stop her errands to punish her faulty servant.
They didn't expect her to keep walking as she ate, but clearly they were to follow. The order to eat contradicted the one to walk, so they tried to do both to the best of their ability. And since Miss Murial didn't comment it was clear that she approved of the solution.
As they walked, side by side, she spoke, "Do you have any hobbies you'll need supplies for, love?"
Hobbies?
Like, for fun?
They didnt really have the time for hobbies. Let alone the supplies. If Master had caught them slacking like that they surely would've been beaten.
But before that⌠they'd had to have hobbies, right?
"I-I used to, um, draw? B-but you shouldn't- I'll be plenty busy h-helping you, you won't need to- to worry, Ma'am."
Miss Murial turned, and placed a gentle hand on their shoulder, "Love, I hardly have enough to keep you occupied all day. And you don't have to do it alone.
Now, you said you liked drawing?"
"W-well, i-it was a long time ago, Miss. And- and you don't have to worry! I promise!"
"Ellis. I want you to have a way to enjoy yourself. Its my treat, alright?"
My treat, that made sense. She gave her other pets treats, on top of all the meals. This was just her way of giving one to them.
Once again the walking proved a problem. They needed to thank her, but they were moving, and they couldn't stop her to kneel down.
"T-thank you, Ma'am, I- I am truly grateful f-for this kindness."
"You're welcome, dear, it's no trouble at all. I have writing utensils at home, and some paper, but I'd like to see if I could find a proper sketchbook for you."
They genuinely didn't know what to say. It was too kind. She was too merciful, and caring, and gentle, and wonderful, to be real.
They felt like crying. She had been kind last time, but that certainly wouldn't last. It had to get on her nerves eventually. So they tired to remain calm. They would thank her properly when they got home. And they wouldn't cry until they were sure that she wouldn't have to listen to it.
"Th-thank you, thank you so much, I-I, I'll make it up to you."
They had to.
â â â
Murial was pleasantly surprised that Ellis had actually had something. She supposed they had mentioned a before time previously, but every time they referenced it it came as a shock. How could someone who'd had a normal life get like this? The idea of a younger version of Ellis, one who had a family, and hobbies, and viewed themselves as a person, only made the situation seem more tragic.
But it was good to see that that version of them was still in there, even if they were deeply buried.
Getting a sketchbook would be easy enough, she could just buy one of the many journals that the leatherworker, Alana, had for sale.
After peaking around the shop from the doorway, Murial spotted her in the workshop, attached to the side of the front room where she sold her goods. "Ah! Murial! I'll be right o'er!" She called with a smile.
Murial smiled, "How about you look around for a book you like, alright? I'll go talk with Alana for a bit while you look alright?"
Ellis nodded, but didn't move to look around until Murial began to walk to the work room.
Despite being several decades younger than Murial, Alana was a good friend. When she was a little she'd helped out in the garden in between learning from her father. The poor girl had lost her mother in a raid, which is what forced her and herfather to move into town. Alana had certainly tried to hide her attachment back then, but since she'd been very upfront about the role Murial had played in her childhood.
When Murial entered the room Alana bounded over with a broad grin, her frizzy curls bouncing behind her. "You know I said I was going to meet ya out there, yeah?"
"I thought it'd be easier for you to keep working while we talk."
"So's that all you came fer, a good conversation?"
"Well, no, I do intend to buy something, my companion in there. Ellis, is in need of a new sketchbook, and so I obviously had to take them here. But I heard that you had some news?"
Alana let out a laugh, "Has anyone not 'eard? Good lord, there ain't no such thing as a secret 'ere is there? Well, yes, 's all true, I finally got the courage to ask Matilda. Weddin' date is still in the air. But we're real excited. Whole family is. I think 'er mother woulda killed me if I waited any longer, poor woman," then after a pause, "Did she tell ya?"
"No actually, it was dear Willie, he had a lot to say about his big sister's fiance."
Alana turned red, "Oh lord, good things I hope?"
"Yes of course, dear! He said that you made his new belt, he couldn't stop messing with it the whole time."
She laughed again, "Good ta hear! The first time he caught me chattin' with 'is sister he tried to give me a whole talk."
Murial smiled at the image, the ten-year-old boy trying to sternly talk to Alana, who when standing, had about a foot and a half over him.
"Of course he did, he was also telling me all about how he's gonna run the farm one day, had a whole plan and everything. He's really a delightful young man."
â â â
The sketchbook that Ellis picked out was relatively simple, which didn't surprise Murial in the slightest, the dear got freaked out over being given a bed, a fancy sketchbook would surely be too much. She hadn't wanted to influence their choice by being in the room watching them, and she'd had plenty to talk to Alana about, so it all worked out.
But they seemed genuinely pleased with the gift, and Murial counted it as a win. All in all, even with the incident in the morning things were going well. Tonight she would give them the cloak back.
It had been a good day. She hoped they saw it that way too.
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 / Part 16 / Part 17 / Part 18 / Part 19 / Part 20 / Part 21 / Part 22 / Part 23 / Part 24 / Part 25 / Part 26 / Continued on the second masterpost!
(a collab with @maracujatangerine) Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 / Part 16 / Part 17 / Part 18 / Part 19 / Part 20 / Part 21 / Part 22 / Part 23 / Part 24 / Part 25 / Part 26 / Part 27 / Part 28 / Part 29 / Part 30 / The End /
Whumpee fearfully watched as Whumper fell to the floor.
The stranger paid no mind to them while they tied Whumper to a chair.
"You messed with the wrong person", the stranger grabbed Whumper by the hair and pulled their head back.
"Go to hell", Whumper yelled.
"Got a lot to say for being at my mercy", the stranger turned suddenly realizing there was a witness present.
"Who are you?", the stranger had their full attention on Whumpee now.
"Don't mind them Cash, just useless garbage that lives here rent free", Whumper groaned weakly, "just leave already."
"I'm not talking to you", the stranger slapped Whumper on the cheek, then turned back to Whumpee and nodded.
"M-my name is Whumpee, I'm th-their slave", Whumpee shook, "please, I beg of you have mercy on me", Whumpee bowed.
"A slave you say?", the stranger turned to Whumper.
"Don't look at me like that.. I bought them fair and square, Cash", Whumper tried to shake out of the bindings, "fuck, let me go."
"I came to collect what's due to me, but I have a change of plans", the stranger grinned, then turned to Whumpee, "you buying humans with my money?"
"No", Whumper shook their head.
Cash turned to Whumpee.
"If you have any belongings or anything in this house you want, pack them. Do not come back to this room", the stranger led them out to the doorway, "I'll find you when I'm done here."
"Whumpee don't listen to them. They are very dangerous and are trying to kill me, stay where you are", Whumper pleaded.
"Ma-may I grab something before I leave this room", Whumpee looked back at the stranger.
"Yes you may", Cash nodded.
Whumpee walked to Whumper and reached for a necklace they wore. They yanked it from Whumper's neck and pocketed the chain and item that hung from it.
Before they left the room they grabbed their favorite blanket and stuffie.
"I-I apologize, three things. I forgot these were in here", Whumpee looked down.
"Now remember, pack the belongings you want and wait for me to come and find you. Do not leave and DO NOT come by this room again", they grinned, "am I clear?"
"Y-yes", Whumpee nodded.
"No", Whumper yelled after them, "Whumpee, please come back."
Whumpee packed what little they had in two plastic bags. There wasn't much for them in the house. They now waited on the bottom step for the stranger.
Cash rounded the corner and saw that they were waiting.
"Oh good, I was wondering if you'd run. I'm glad to see someone knows how to follow directions", they grinned, "do you have every...thing... that's not a lot at all."
"Yes master, I-I don't have much, but I do not need much to be happy", Whumpee bowed lowly.
"Master?", the Cash questioned, "hmm, I like the sound of master. I think you will find your new life fairly enjoyable, as long as you behave." They grinned, "I have a feeling you will be quite easy to spoil my dear, if you follow directions."
Whumpee nodded, "I will be happy with whatever you give me Master. I will do my best to be good for you Master."
"Then come along", they opened the door.
"I-is Whumper dead?", Whumpee whispered.
Cash gave them a look that said they shouldn't be asking such questions.
"I-I only ask for piece of mind... th-that I'll never see them again", Whumpee looked down before walking to the door.
"You will never see that trash again", the master nodded, "they stole from me, but unfortunately, the lesson they just learned doesn't help them in the afterlife."
Whumpee stared out of the window, it had been a long time since they had left the house.
"Traffic is terrible", Cash mumbled.
Whumpee's stomach rumbled.
Whumpee made a horrified face and turned to Cash.
"Are you hungry?", they grinned.
"No master", Whumpee shook their head quickly.
"I don't like liars", they moved lanes so they could pull into a restaurant, "you haven't eaten anything today?"
"No master", Whumpee hugged their stomach, "I haven't eaten since Monday."
"But it's Wednesday", Cash looked at Whumpee.
"Yes Master", Whumpee nodded, "but I'm okay."
"I'm getting you some food", they frowned, "I can't believe that asshat wasn't feeding you."
Whumpee's stomach rumbled again. They made an embarrassed look.
"Do you want nuggets or a burger?", Cash turned to them.
"Fine, you can have both", Cash looked at Whumpee's stomach.
Whumpee took a giant bite from the burger.
"Taste good?", Cash grinned as they reached for one of Whumpee's fries, "your fries are my fries, that's why I got a large."
"This taste delicious", Whumpee smiled at Cash, "thankyou Master."
"You're welcome", Cash looked to the road again, "I'm glad you are happy."
Whumpee nodded excitedly before taking another big bite, "mmm", they hummed.
"Tell me about that necklace you took", Cash made a serious face.
"Necklace?" Whumpee thought for a moment, "oh", they reached for their pocket.
Cash pulled into a neighborhood.
"Whumper broke the original chain", Whumpee handed it to Cash, "the chain was my father's and the ring was my mom's. Whumper took the chain and sold it. They came home drunk that night. They always threatened to sell the ring as well."
"Very nice", Cash looked it over and started to hand it back to Whumpee.
"Y-you don't want it?", Whumpee nervously looked down at the ring in their master's hand.
"It's yours, isn't it?", Cash frowned.
"Y-yes, but you're my master", Whumpee shakingly took the broken chain and ring, "Whumper said they owned everything of mine. Because they owned me."
"I'm not taking it, Whumpee. It's yours. I'm sorry the chain was lost. I'll help you find a safe place to put it", Cash pulled into a driveway, "we are home."
"Home?" Whumpee looked up.
Cash nodded, "home. You will be taking a shower or bath as soon as we get inside. I'll find you some clean clothes to wear. When I go out next, I'll get you some clothes of your own."
Whumpee looked down at what they were wearing.
"Your clothes are worn out" Cash looked over Whumpee, "I will get you taken care of."
"What are your plans with me?", Whumpee watched as Cash got out of the car. They hurried out as well. They quickly grabbed their things.
"I want to take care of you", Cash answered, "I plan on spoiling you."
"Oh", Whumpee whispered, "will I have to do tricks."
"No Whumpee", Cash chuckled, "you just need to follow directions."
"I can do that", Whumpee smiled happily.
"And that's all I ask", Cash opened the door, "go that way to the bathroom and strip. Room at the end of the hall. Set your bags here."
Whumpee hurried and did what was said.
They covered themself when Cash came in.
"Here are some clothes for you", Cash set a few things down on the sink, "towel to dry off, loofah for cleaning. Use the soap and shampoo already in there."
"I haven't been able to clean myself for a while", Whumpee admitted.
"No offense, but I can tell", Cash sighed, "take as long as like. Come find me when you're cleaned, dried, and dressed."
Whumpee nodded.
Cash got up from bed and groggily walked to the bathroom that night.
They glanced down the hall as they walked into the bathroom.
It took them a minute; they stood in the doorway of the bathroom. Cash stepped back out and looked down the hall.
"Whumpee? What are you doing besides trying to give me a heart attack?", Cash leaned on the door frame, "why aren't you asleep?"
"I-I wasn't given permission to sleep, Master", Whumpee looked down nervously, "a-and there was a loud noise outside... i-it scared me. So I sat near your room to feel safer. I-I'm sorry."
Cash rubbed their face tiredly, "hold on."
Whumpee plays with the hem of the shirt Cash loaned to them. Their stuffed toy sits in their lap.
Cash appears in the hall again after using the bathroom and starts to walk to Whumpee.
Whumpee shrinks away cowardly as Cash picks them up.
"Where are we going?", Whumpee whispers.
"I need to sleep. You need to sleep", Cash sighed as they went back to their bedroom.
They plopped Whumpee down on the bed, walked around to the other side, climbed under the sheets, and pulled the blankets up over Whumpee.
"I'm not going to tell you to go back to the couch because of the scary noises a new house makes", Cash sighed as they got comfortable, "so for tonight, you get to sleep in my bed."
Whumpee cuddles their stuffie close, "a-are you sure?"
"I wouldn't have put you in the bed if I was unsure", Cash mumbled tiredly, "get some sleep Whumpee."
"Thankyou", Whumpee whispers before shifting slightly to get more comfortable, "good night", they whisper.
"Good night", Cash whispers.
Taglist. As always, please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.
The man pivots, the rubber of his boots squealing against the concrete. He spins around fast enough that Whumpee can feet the burst of air from the movement and cowers back.Â
Sir, thatâs what Whumpee is to call him. Thatâs all Whumpee is allowed to know. He is Sir. Thatâs all. No name. Sir refused to tell Whumpee his name, and believe it, that Whumpee had asked. A few hundred times actually, but that was in the beginning. And now it is no longer such a time.Â
Who are you? Whumpee had asked, what was it? Months ago? Years? It was so hard to tell time down in the cellar. It was always dark, never even a peep of light. They used to try to tell time by sleeping but then sleeping became the only thing they ever did and suddenly the hours didnât feel like hours anymore and the days slipped away and everything just seemed so⌠impossible to keep track of.Â
All there was was Sir. His visits and his taunts and his rapid mood swings. Sometimes heâd be kind, almost as if it were possible for such a rotten man to feel any semblance of regret, but other times he was simply evil, down to his core.Â
âWhumper?â His tone was clipped, filed down to a fine point.Â
Whumpee had heard that edge before. The time they bit Sir. The time they managed to fight and claw their way out the door just to be dragged back in. The time theyâd thrown every horrid, awful, cursed word at Sir just for the hell of it.Â
They shouldnât have said anything. Sir had been in a good mood that day. Hadnât even hurt Whumpee a little bit. So they thought⌠maybe they could ask. Just a quick question, just the rip of a bandaid. It couldnât hurt, right? It couldnât have but yetâÂ
Sir closed the distance, forcing Whumpee to puff up in defense like a cornered cat. They scurried nearly half up the wall, pressed into the corner, hair standing to a pin point.Â
âWhumper?â He repeated, savoring the name on his tongue, swirling it against his teeth. âNow, whereâd you hear a name like that?âÂ
âInâ theâ in theââ Whumpee shot their eyes towards the pile of books that paid next to their bed, a stripped mattress on the floor with a cotton blanket and little else. âTheâ book that youâ the uh- theââÂ
He was so good at words, Sir that is. He was so good at polishing them, rolling them along his mouth until they were soft and clean and shined like a fresh amethyst. He was so very good at making words that would bring ruin and blood sound as if they were coated by honey and lavender.Â
Whumpee wasnât so good at that though. Whumpee spit out words as if they were rocks, unpolished, dirty, ugly rocks that got stuck in their throat and to get out they had to retch. Sometimes, most times, only fragments came out, tiny jagged pebbles and not full words at all. So Whumpee would have to try harder, digging into their own throat with their grim caked nails and ripping out small bits of sentences until they could slop them together into something legible. All while Sir watched with patient malice.
 Sir followed their gaze to the small, pathetic stack of paperbacks. He had brought them himself, in a fit of what he'd called "charity." A means to pass the endless dark, he'd said, his smile not reaching his eyes. Now, his own gift had betrayed a secret.
He took a slow, deliberate step toward the books. Whumpee flinched as if struck, a small, wounded sound escaping their lips. Sir didn't touch the books. Instead, he crouched, bringing himself to Whumpee's eye level, his presence filling the cold cellar air like a physical weight.
âWho do you think Whumper is?âÂ
âIt saidâ in the book that- it saidââ Whumpee squeezed their eyes shut, inhaling sharp through their mouth. They had to get it together. Had to. Sir was already annoyedâ at least thatâs what Whumpee could gather from all this. It was hard to tell what he was thinking one moment or the next. But those pesky words just couldnât seem to gather enough strength to reach past Whumpeeâs teeth so instead they moved.Â
It was a quick movement, the dash of a doe as they realized a barrel was pointed right at their head. Whumpee scurried across the mattress on all fours, snatching the book from the top of the pile and shakily opening it to the first page.Â
It was aged, half torn. A cook book, actually. Sir never really paid attention to the books he dumped down into the dark to rot away, but he supposed at that moment that he should have. The page, aged to a dark eggshell, had in bold print âProperty of _______â in the center. The name Whumper was written in quick thin handwriting, right there, easy to see, a secret so boldly told in the open air.Â
Sir looked at the page, a twitch in his brow for a moment, and then another. âAh, I see.âÂ
âI didnâtâ I didnâtââÂ
The book hit the ground as Sir reached out for it. Whumpee retracted their hands as if theyâd been struck and shifted back into their protective bundle. Sir though simply plucked the book up and continued to analyze the name with a blank coldness.Â
Finally, after so long of silence that Whumpee stopped breathing altogether to make sure not a single thing set off Sir, he spoke. âDo you like that name?â
Whumpee shook in response, a pitiful creature that wished they had never spoken at all.Â
âDo you think it fits me?â Sir asked, his voice a low, considering hum. He snapped the book shut with a crisp thwump that echoed in the damp cellar, the sound final as a coffin lid. âWhumper.â
He tossed the book onto the mattress, where it landed with a soft, indifferent thud. It was just an object again. The secret was out, and now it was his to play with.
Sir crouched once more, closing the distance with no false tenderness. His gaze was pure, analytical ice. He didnât seem anger, nor happy. Perhaps, if Whumpee squinted hard enough he seemed⌠disappointed. Such a secret, such a thing that Whumpee had wanted to know for so long, exposed just like that.Â
âLet me ask you this. When you read that name, did it give you some hope, maybe?âÂ
Whumpeeâs breath hitched. That was the true, unspoken, crime. Hope was the most awful cruel thing to ever occur in the cellar.Â
A slow terrible smile spread across Sirâs face. âIt did, didnât it? You probably thought in your sweet little head that now you know something about me. So when you get out of here, you can tell them all my name, right? You still think that, Whumpee? That youâre getting out of here? That youâll get your revenge some day? You thought youâd have some power over me?â
âNoâ noâ I didnâtâ I wouldnâtââÂ
He straightened up, his shadow engulfing the poor whimpering little thing. âOh but you would. We both know it. If you ever got out of here youâd tell the entire world my name. Youâd be a survivor, an inspiration, right? Oh how brave and strong Whumpee must have been to survive Whumper.âÂ
They didnât like that. Whumper. The name. They wished theyâd never said it at all. Sir had been right though, when they read the name, a part of them was relieved. Finally, a name to the face. Finally a name to give to the police. Finally just a hint of power.Â
Stupid. So stupid. To think theyâd ever have any power. To think they were ever going to get out of that cellar.Â
âItâs a quaint thought,â SirâWhumperâsaid, his voice softening into something almost paternal, which was worse than any shout. âThe fantasy of the victim. Itâs what keeps you breathing through the pain, isnât it? The mental list of details youâll recite one day. The scars youâll point to. The name youâll give them.â He tapped the bookâs cover with one polished fingernail. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Then almost at once, Sir slowly shook his head and began towards the door, his hand rested against the heavy latch. He didnât look back when he spoke, his voice now casual, almost bored. âWe both know none of that is ever going to happen though, Whumpee. But itâs okay to dream. Since youâve been so eager to know my name, you may use it.âÂ
Whumpeeâs heart stuttered, a frantic, trapped bird within their chest.Â
Sir cast one singular glance over his shoulder, his profile sharp in the gloom. âYou may use it when you beg. You may use it when you thank me. When you ask permission, which youâve been neglecting to do recently. Youâve been sleeping without my say so, or did you think I wouldnât notice? I guess weâll have to deal with that later, huh?âÂ
âNoâ noâ Iâm sorryâ Iâm sorryââÂ
Sir opened the door, the action forcing Whumpeeâs lips shut. No talking when the door was open. No yelling. No screaming. Theyâd learned that the hard way.Â
A sliver of painful light from the world above cut across the floor. Whumpee shied away from it, too afraid that if they seemed too grateful for the light that Sir would take that was defiance. âLetâs see if you still find hope in my name after youâve screamed it a hundred times, shall we?âÂ
The door closed with a deafening finality, plunging Whumpee back into the shadows and dark. They couldnât help but whisper the name to themselves as the silence settled over like a sheet of ice.Â
Whumper.
The hope it had sparked now curdled into a new, deeper dread. It wasn't the dread of the unknown now, but of the known one. The one with a name, who had just promised to reshape reality with it. The fantasy of the future, of testimony and escape, shriveled and died in the still air. All that was left was the present and the promise that Whumper had left them with.Â
Chapter 20 of The Professionals with @knivestothroats
Tommy struggles to understand that Fletcher doesn't want the person he has been forced to be.
tags: long term captivity, "cooperative" whumpee, post traumatic stress disorder, collared whumpee, behavioral conditioning
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The crops in Fletcherâs garden ripened in stages across the seasons. Even as winter descended, the apple trees still held some fruit, sweet as candy when the first frosts turned the starches to sugar.Â
In spite of this thoughtful design, there was no way to avoid the fact that the bulk of the crops came ready to harvest around the same time. It could mean some long days harvesting, and more pickling. Or jarring, baking, ricing, trimming, cleaning, pitting, juicing, washing, spiralizing, mashing, boiling, peeling, plucking, salting, candying, frying, drying, dancer, prancer, donner, vixenâŚ
It was hard for Tommy to muscle through the harder physical labor, his body already a perpetual state of bruised and sore, but he could appreciate the process. He liked working with his hands; tasks that created tangible rewards, rather than just another grueling endurance of punishment. Jars lined neatly in rows, filling the root cellar shelves with salsas and jams and preserves. Greens that he had tended to with a fastidious hand made bright, fresh salads that tasted buttery and delicious only moments from field to plate. It was lively and gloriously satisfying, especially after a long dayâs work.
Fletcher wasnât teaching today, and theyâd worked together since early in the morning. It had actually been kinda fun, and Tommy had a chance to study Fletcher working. The way they handled themself, the way they moved. Relaxed, confident in their work without feeling any need to show off.Â
He stole glances when he could, watching Fletcher stand and straighten their back with a grimace. They put their hands on their hips to stretch back, before wiping the sweat from their brow with the back of their forearm. Loose strands of their dark hair had pulled free from their ponytail, falling around their face in darts. He admired their bronzed and freckled skin, their tank top revealing scars and tattoos.Â
This is who Iâm going to spend the rest of my life with.
How can I make this work? How can I be a good companion? How do I give them what they want?
The satisfaction he felt from the work and some pretty amicable time with Fletcher made him want to show them he would try. That he could be their good boy, and then maybe they wouldnât make it all hurt so much.Â
It was a long day, but they were finally finishing up and heading inside.Â
âHey, good work today,â Fletcher said, bumping their fist against Tommyâs shoulder.
âOh! Thank you,â He beamed, managing a tired grin. He rubbed his shoulder after their hand left him, replacing it with his own for a moment before dropping it.Â
Fletcher stood washing their hands in the sink, and they had their back turned to him. With effort, Tommy tried for his best casual tone.Â
âHey, I uh, I feel like this has been a pretty good, pretty good week. For us. Yeah...?â Stop stammering, goddamnit.
âUh⌠yeah, I guess,â Fletcher agreed. They looked at him over their shoulder and added in a light tone, âYou havenât done anything to piss me off lately.â
âSo, thatâs- yeah, thatâs a good sign.â He drew in a nervous breath. âI want to be a good boy.â
Fletcher quirked an eyebrow and gave an awkward chuckle before turning back to the sink to wash their hands. âUh huh. Thatâs good.â
âYeah, I meanâŚâ He rubbed his arm. âAm I..?âÂ
Fletcher looked back at him over their shoulder again. They waited for him to finish his sentence with their eyebrows raised expectantly.
Tommy swallowed nervously, though he maintained a casual posture. He forced his eyes up to meet their gaze, and asked hopefully, âAm I a good boy?â
Fletcher gave him a pitying grimace before turning back to face the sink.
âHave a little dignity, dude.â
That cut deep. It him him hard enough he gasped, âOh!â, and covered his mouth with his hand. Sucking a few shaky breaths in, he shrank back a bit from his place against the counter.Â
âLook,â Fletcher said, turning back and wiping their hands on a towel. âYouâre fine. Just⌠you donât have to act like a dog. Or a child. You did a good job. Thatâs all. Okay? I told you that you did good, Iâm acknowledging it, we donât have to make it weird.â
Tommy nodded, his eyes huge and horrified. Pink to the tips of his ear, he nodded jerkily, his composure crushed. He pressed his fist tightly to his mouth, trembling.Â
âAlright, just go⌠take a shower. You can take it easy for the rest of the night. Got it?â
He nodded again and ducked his head, quick to retreat to his room. Locking himself in the bathroom for a bit sounded just fine to him. When he went to take his collar off, he remembered with a start that he had asked Fletcher if he could sleep with them tonight. Fletcher had hemmed and hawed, but said they would think about it.
At lunch, theyâd said yes. Usually they didnât say yes until he asked again right before bed.Â
Great. The one day they donât draw it out the whole time, and the one day he wished they had.Â
His stomach clenched with anxiety. He wanted more than anything to hide, but he couldnât imagine telling Fletcher that â what? He changed his mind? They might not let him sleep next to them anymore.Â
And heâŚdid want to sleep next to them. If he faked falling asleep long enough, Fletcher would hold him, and it felt so nice to be touched without pain. When they pressed against him, their warmth helped soothe his aches, and he could finally fall asleep⌠he couldnât lose that, couldnât even risk it.
He sighed and leaned forwards towards the mirror, his fists clenched on the bathroom counter. He looked at himself for minutes, forcing his own eye contact to punish himself as he let the shame eat him alive.Â
~
Tommy was unusually distant in bed that night. He clung to the edge of the bed away from Fletcher, and he was pointedly looking at his bear when Fletcher turned the lights off.
âGoodnight,â was all he whispered, and he lied eerily still in the dark. His posture was taut, forced. Fletcher knew they had run him down to utter exhaustion today; they were worn out themself. In spite of their tense companion, Fletcher started to fall asleep exceptionally early â a mere forty-five minutes after laying down.
They woke up to a trembling of the bed. It was only so lightly; a slight shiver in the dense foam of the mattress. Fletcher immediately looked for Tommy, to find he was twitching and shuddering on his side. Only then did they register the sound of gasping, muffled sobs, and they realized he was crying.
Fletcher listened for a moment, the way they listened for the thunder in the storms or the patter of the rain on the roof. They knew he had tried his best to hold off. He had his part of the blanket bunched up to his face, sobbing into the folds to dampen himself. After a few minutes, they reached over and felt his shoulder. Jerking violently on the bed, Tommy curled away from their touch. He shuddered in a few short gasps before hiccuping out,
Fletcher leaned over and patted him, unsure of what to say.
âItâsâŚfine. You know, justâŚnot my thing.â
Tommy sobbed harder. He had to struggle to collect his words for a minute.
âHe - he got inside my head.âÂ
Tommyâs harsh gasp sounded pained.
âHe made me like this. And then he justâŚthrew me away. I donât know whatâs left of me at all.â
Fletcher didnât know what to do. After a moment, they scooted forwards, and wrapped their arms around him. A little awkward, neither quite sure what to do.
âItâs okay,â Fletcherâs dark voice sounded almost emotionless, but Tommy could sense their honesty.
âLook,â Fletcher said. âYou did what you had to do to survive. Survival isnât pretty. You were there for five years, and youâve only been here a few months. Itâs not realistic to expect you to adjust immediately.â
âI justâŚâ Tommy choked back another sob. âI donât know what you want from me sometimes.â
Fletcher thought in silence for so long Tommy assumed they wouldnât answer. When they finally spoke up, they told him, âI want you to be a person, who follows orders. When you have a job you still have to do what your boss says, but you donât have toâŚâ
They sighed, trailing off.
âI know itâs different, because I can hurt you and you canât leave. But in the⌠the downtime, you can act normal. I know that this is different for you, but you were a person for 25 years before Caius. You just have to remember how to do it again.â
âThat personâŚâ Tommy spoke in a small voice. âI donât think he exists anymore.â
âThen be a new one.â
âI justâŚâ Tommy curled his bear tighter to his chest. âI just want to make you happy. So you donât hurt me. As much, I mean, I know - I know - I know you can hurt me, wh-whenever you want to or-or feel like it, but⌠I knew how to make Caius happy, sometimes, so⌠things could be easier. So things could kinda be okay. I donât⌠I donât know how to make you happy.â
Fletcher rested their hand on his arm.Â
âListen. I will tell you when I want you to do something. Outside of that, you can do what you want, and if I donât like what youâre doing, I will let you know. You donât have to be tripping over yourself to anticipate what I want you to do; I will tell you. If you donât have any assignments you can watch TV or braid a daisy chain or cook yourself food or whatever. You can speak freely, just be respectful. If youâre saying something thatâs going to make me angry, I will let you know before you dig yourself into a hole. I want you to have a personality, T-Bird. You can have a personality and still take orders.â
Tommy was quiet for a long moment. Talking about it was helping him calm down, and he wasnât shaking as much. He took a few long, labored breaths.Â
âHow do you find that?â Tommy asked.
He swallowed painfully against his dry throat.Â
âI know itâs justâŚsupposed to be natural. It was, before â before him. But⌠I donât know. He broke me. I donât know how to function outside the house anymore.â He sniffled sadly, but he was finally starting to relax.
âItâs just gonna take time.â Fletcher yawned.
They laid in silence. Tommyâs breathing was starting to even out, his crying giving way to exhaustion. It was the first time Fletcher could actually see him respond to being held, and it had a calming effect on him. They supposed they should not be surprised â he calmed from his nightmares when Fletcher held him close at night, pulled from their shallow sleep by the sounds he made in his.Â
âCan youâŚbe patient with me?â Tommy asked softly.Â
Fletcher was no longer interested in forcing their eyes back open in the dark.Â
âHmmâŚâ they murmured. âNo. But weâll figure it out.â
Tommy actually chuckled. Strange kid. But it had broken Tommyâs fever, and they fell asleep in a companionable silence.
Whumpee's stomach rumbled as they looked over the several treats on the shelf of the grocery store.
They licked their lips in thought over which one they would pick if they could.
Whumpee wasn't there to buy anything. They couldn't. They just liked to look. Dream about it.
They were homeless.... very, very homeless.
It had started to rain about an hour ago. Whumpee took shelter in the grocery store. Something they were not technically supposed to do. They had been warned several times about loitering around the stores.... the managers had had enough of the rough, scrawny person making their customers uncomfortable.
"Eh-hem!"
Whumpee startled and turned.
Sure enough a manager had caught them.
"You are not supposed to be here", they warned, "I'm about to call the police and have them take you away for good. Then give you a restraining order."
"I-it was raining... I'm not bothering anyone", Whumpee looked down, "please don't call, I'm going."
Whumpee's head hung low as the manager followed them out.
"I will call the police if I see you in here again", they warned, "don't come in here."
Whumpee sadly started to the road.
It was still raining, and Whumpee was getting drenched.
"I just want a cookie, is that so much to ask for", Whumpee's stomach rumbled, "and a sandwich, oh and some chips", Whumpee sat down under a tree as they thought. The rain was still able to get them, but they had some protection now."
"Are you hungry?", someone from behind startled Whumpee, "I just saw what happened at the store."
"Oh uhm", Whumpee shakingly turns.
A tall, well-dressed gentleman stood a few feet away. An umbrella blocked the rain from hitting his nice suit.
"I-I'm sorry", Whumpee whispered, "I-I didn't mean to disturb your shopping. I was trying to be quiet and unnoticed."
"The only thing that disturbed me was the manager's behavior and how they treated you", the gentleman sighed, "I saw you were looking at the treats, I hope I picked correctly."
Whumpee watched as the person pulled out a bag of cookies from behind them.
"A-are those, uhm... are those for me?", Whumpee stared at the bag with wide, hopeful eyes.
"They can be, but I have a few questions. How does that sound?", they shook the bag as they grinned, "do you like treats?"
Whumpee gulped, but nodded. Their eyes looked longingly at the treats. Their stomach made a tell-tale rumble.
"I will be quick of course", the person looked at the bag in their hands.
Whumpee continues to stare.
"Do you want one?", they grinned, "I don't mind."
"Uhm, only if you'll allow me too", Whumpee's eyes sparkled.
They opened the bag and walked toward Whumpee.
"The rain is thankfully stopping", they closed their umbrella after handing the treat over.
Whumpee nodded, "th-thankyou."
"I suppose I will come right out and ask: are you a human pet?", they frowned.
Whumpee's eyes widened, "a wha... no? Uh-uhhhm n-no", they sputtered.
"Oh, you seem to be quite panicked. Most people would just say a simple 'no' with a touch of confusion. You've reacted in a way that says you at least know what I speak of."
Whumpee suddenly stared at the treat in their hand, it became very hard to eat.
"There were a few signs that led to my guessing. You have a small mark on your wrist their. Every pet from the underground trade receives that mark... once they are trained, of course. Yours seems to say you are trained in some way. Plus watching you in the store. Pups are easily excitable about food, I saw your little excited dance when you were looking at the different treats. Human's don't normally wag their butts unless it's a trained behavior."
"I wasn't...", Whumpee realized, "I was..."
"You were wagging your invisible tail quite enthusiastically", they grinned, "fairly adorable if you know what it means. In my opinion, at least."
Whumpee looked down shamefully, "yes sir, you caught me. You must know a lot about human pets then."
"I know enough, I have been wanting one for a while. There hasn't been any available because the police caught and raided the underground group I was in contact with, it's been difficult to find a knew link", they frowned, "I don't know who you belonged to, nor do I care. I don't like the idea of a lost pup. Your owner should be ashamed."
"I have no master", Whumpee sighed.
"How did you become homeless? You are homeless, yes", he looked at them questioningly, "with no master?"
"Oh, yes sir", Whumpee nodded, "I was being shown to a new master. I think they were undercover, that's how the raid started. I was so terrified of everything going on... I-I ran away. I was a bad pup, but I was so scared that I was in trouble. Even now, I'm afraid of a police catching me. I don't know what they'll do to me or what they did with the others."
Another cookie was handed to Whumpee.
"You seem tired", he smiled weakly, "my name is Carewhumper."
Whumpee nodded slowly as they ate.
"I don't like being out here, I'm so sleepy. It thundered last night, I-I don't like storms. I don't like being hungry", Whumpee wiped at their eyes, "I was supposed to be given to this kind master and taken care of... as long as I was a good pet. Which I planned on, but that supposed master lied. I lost my chance because of them. They ruined it for me."
"Well, I was going to offer you two choices; are you interested?", Carewhumper handed over another treat, "but I almost feel as though I might no the answer "
Whumpee nodded, "yes sir, I-I'm interested."
"Option one: you get into my car willingly. You get to eat all of this here. Option two: I call the police and tell them you stole these from my trunk at the grocery store and I caught you. There is video evidence of you being at the store, it would be an easy sell to get you into trouble. You just admitted you didn't want to be caught by the police."
"Can I... can I have a sandwich... a-and some chips?", Whumpee looked at them longingly, "I'm a good pet, I promise. Are you sure you want me? I just want to have a good master, wh-who loves me."
"I will happily take care of you and love on you. I've been wanting a pet for a while now. I have a few things prepared already", Carewhumper turned to their car, "as for the sandwich and chips. I think I can certainly arrange that for you."
Whumpee started to stand, "I'm afraid I will make your car wet and dirty. I guess I'm not the most appealing right now."
"Yes, you will be receiving a bath after you eat. We will have a small spa day. I'm sure you will feel better after that", Carewhumper led them to the car, "I have a towel in my trunk to put on the seats."
Whumpee watched as Carewhumper spread the towel out.
"What may I call you?", Whumpee cocked their head to the side.
"I was hoping for master, I'm afraid you haven't told me your name yet", Carewhumper stood aside and let Whumpee climb in.
"Whumpee, Master", they smiled as Carewhumper handed them the bag of treats.
"Here you go. As promised: a sandwich and chips", Carewhumper handed a paper plate to Whumpee, "I am hoping to work on your hair a little while you eat. Maybe have some of it unmatted before you get a bath."
Whumpee looked at the sandwich excitedly.
"Does it look good?", Carewhumper sat down on the couch behind Whumpee.
"Oh yes, Master", Whumpee nodded excitedly, "thankyou so much."
"Good, good", Carewhumper studied Whumpee's matted hair, "you have been so neglected. I might have to cut your hair, then let it grow out again before it gets styled. Would you be against short hair?"
"It's up to master, I'm yours... it's your decision", Whumpee munched on chips.
Carewhumper sighed, "I don't really want to. Your hair is slightly longer than I prefer, but I'll have to go really short to fix this. But a good reason to do it would be for you to have healthy hair start growing, and hair grows back, right?"
"Ymhmm" Whumpee hummed with half of their mouth biting into the sandwich.
"Alright, hold on, I'm getting scissors. Once your hair is grown out, I'll take you to a friend of mine who does cute haircuts on human pets", Carewhumper got up quickly before they could change their mind.
Whumpee played in the water for a while until Carewhumper came back into the room.
"How are you feeling?", Carewhumper set down a few things.
"Good master", Whumpee looked up happily, "I don't normally enjoy bath time, but that was the best bath I've ever had."
"I'm glad to hear that. I found an old t-shirt for you to wear. Your clothes accidentally ended up in the trash can", Carewhumper chuckled, "unfortunately, your old clothes are not salvageable. I will be going out tomorrow to get some clothes for you. For right now, you can wear this for the night."
Whumpee nodded, "thankyou."
Carewhumper walked in from cleaning the bathroom up.
"Whumpee would you like another sandwich bef...", Carewhumper turned to see that Whumpee had laid next to the fireplace and was fast asleep, "before you fell a sleep... hmm", Carewhumper smiled.
Whumpee stretched contentedly before a few snores escaped them.
"Aww", Carewhumper cooed, "how lucky was I to come across you?", Carewhumper studied Whumpee lovingly, "the universe chose you for me, and I couldn't be happier."
Carewhumper watched for a few more moments before deciding to cover Whumpee with a blanket.
"That fire can't be on all night; we'll get you nice and warm before that goes out", Carewhumper tucked the blanket in slightly, "there, nice and comfy. I can't wait to get you all kinds of things."
Carewhumper patted Whumpee's head, causing Whumpee to smile.
"You will be so spoiled my pet."
Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.
"Quiet... I can't think with all of these sirens behind me. I don't fucken need you adding any noise", Whumper yelled at their backseat hostage.
Whumpee sniffled. Their arms were tightly bound behind their back, their legs bent uncomfortably under their weight, "I'm sorry", they whispered as they tried to squeeze themself even lower into the floorboard.
"We have reason to believe the driver of the stolen car is somewhere inside still. We can not do anything too risky and put their life at risk", a detective spoke into the radio.
"Affirmative, I have eyes on the captive", a crackling voice came through the radio, "they are wedged into the floor of the backseat."
"Roger", the detective replied.
"These stupid police", Whumper looked out the window to see the helicopter flying just above the car, "should have just killed you and dumped you before I stole the car."
"Please", Whumpee pleaded, "just pull over."
"Shut up", Whumper hissed.
After a few miles passed, Whumper could see a road block in the road ahead.
"Great", Whumper growled, "just wonderful."
In a last effort to get away, Whumper turned the car into the woods and slammed into several trees.
"NO!", Whumpee screamed as the door crunched in behind them. They were tightly wedged into the floorboard now.
"Shit, I'm not going to jail", Whumper yelled as they kicked open the door and tried to run.
Several police were already surrounding the car and gave chase.
Ambulance workers fought to open the door.
"Ow, OW", Whumpee screamed as the door pressed into them, "please, no more. I-I can't.. I can't take anymore."
"We need to get you out", workers fought to open the door on the other side.
Whumpee squealed as both doors were pulled open at the same time.
"Alright, hey, hey, it's alright. Your name is Whumpee right?", someone crawled in from across, "we are going to get you out."
Whumpee felt their hands being untied from behind.
"I'm going to put this around your neck, just in case you have spinal or neck injuries. This will help us keep injuries minor", the person smiled comfortingly as they worked, "we have you now. Everything is okay."
"I-I want Caretaker", Whumpee pleaded.
"Caretaker is aware of what's going on and will meet us at the hospital. We are taking you right now", the ambulance workers worked around them.
"I can get Caretaker on the phone to talk to Whumpee while you work", the detective watched from the side.
"If it will help Whumpee, then that would be helpful. Whumpee's heart rate is elevated", a worker started to get set up to pull Whumpee out, "a familiar voice might help calm them."
"Whumpee? Whumpee, can you hear me?", a worried voice cut through the noise of the workers.
"Ca-Caretaker?", Whumpee cried, "i-its totalled, your car... it's.."
"Whumpee, listen to me. I am not worried about my car. I've been pacing back and forth for the past 48 hours worrying about you, not the car", Caretaker's voice shook.
"I-it hurts", Whumpee whimpered.
"I'm sorry.... I know", Caretaker tried to sooth, "you have to let then get you out though. You can start healing after that."
Caretaker panicked when Whumpee cried out in pain.
"We got them out", Caretaker heard someone announce.
"I'm so proud of you Whumpee, you're so brave", Caretaker encouraged them.
"I-I want to go home", Whumpee whimpered.
"Okay, yes, we will go home. I'm going to meet you at the hospital and we will make sure you are ok, then we can go home", Caretaker nodded, "we can... we can get you some food. I'm sure you're hungry. Anything you want, I will buy it or make it for you. You can have anything."
"Caretaker they are loading them onto the ambulance", the detective interrupted quickly, "I have to stay at the scene. They will be with you very soon."
"Whumpee", Caretaker's lip quivered, "I'm going to see you in a few minutes. I love you so much."
"I love you to Caretaker", Whumpee sobbed.
"Take care of them" Caretaker pleaded.
"They are in good hands", the detective affirmed.
"Thankyou, thankyou so much for finding my Whumpee, I've been so worried" Caretaker looked around the room.
"You're welcome, I'm glad we were able to find them and get them out of there", the detective turned, "I will be in contact with you and Whumpee."
"Okay, thankyou so much", Caretaker nodded.
The rest of the day was a blur.
Whumpee's injuries were minor, and mostly soreness from being in the cramped space for so long
They needed to stay in the hospital for the night for monitoring and pain meds.
Whumpee stared out the window to the darkening sky.
Caretaker carried in a few bags.
They watched Whumpee for a few moments before announcing their presence.
Whumpee turned.
"I have your dinner", Caretaker smiled a cheerfully, "everything you wanted."
Whumpee sat up.
"I'm glad you ate a little earlier. That took a little longer to get", Caretaker started getting the food out, "but if it puts a smile on your face, then it's worth it."
Whumpee nodded, "thankyou Caretaker, this means so much. You're really not mad about the car?"
"No Whumpee, not mad at you. I am so happy you are safe", Caretaker ruffled through Whumpee's hair, "that's all that matters. Cars are material, I'm already talking with insurance about the replacement. You are not replaceable though."
"Maybe if I wasn't there, if I was home", Whumpee frowned.
"Unfortunately, things happen Whumpee. I'm honest though, I'm not mad", Caretaker cupped Whumpee's cheek, "you're safe, that is the most important thing to me right now."
A tear slipped from Whumpee's eye, "I-I was so scared", Whumpee sniffled.
"I know. Here, let it all out. You were so brave", Caretaker wrapped their arms around Whumpee.
Whumpee allowed more tears to come out until they were full on crying.
A nurse came in to check on them.
Caretaker looked up, "they're alright, they just need to get this out."
The nurse nodded and turned.
Whumpee sniffled, "c-can I get a bite to eat without letting go of this hug?"
"You absolutely can", Caretaker moved away slightly to allow Whumpee to get a bite of the food, "I am right here. Very soon we will get you home and you can rest there. I'll be right there with you", Caretaker soothed.
"Home sounds nice", Whumpee whispered, "I don't know if I will want to leave for a little while though."
"That's alright, we can take baby steps", Caretaker nodded, "everything will be alright."
"Yo-you promise", Whumpee's lip quivered.
Caretaker lifted themself up and kissed Whumpee's forehead, "I promise."
Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all.
Fear was expected. Tears were expected, hell, maybe even anger for getting to him too late. But Caretaker didn't expect Whumpee to be recoiling out of absolute terror from his outstretched hand.
"Don't touch me! Get out of here!" Whumpee tossed a half-empty water bottle in Caretaker's direction. The fact that Whumpee was so scared of Caretaker hurt more than the actual impact of the water bottle.
"Whumpee, it's okay, I promise. I'd never, ever hurt you. Please, just come with me, okay?" Caretaker dared another step closer, grabbing ahold of the rope binding Whumpee's wrists to the floor.
Whumpee shrieked when Caretaker started to cut his bindings. "No... No, no, no, no, stop! Whumper! Please! Help me, please, Whumper help!"
Caretaker tried to block out Whumpee's screams, tried to ignore how much his heart twisted when Whumpee was calling for his captor as opposed to even recognizing his own friend. The person that Whumpee called for was dead in the hallway, and his team was also there listening to the cries leave Whumpee's mouth.
When his first arm was freed, Caretaker started to feel the tiny thumps of Whumpee's fist hitting his back. When his second arm was freed, Caretaker grabbed Whumpee by the shoulders and forced him to look at his face.
"Do you not remember me? It's Caretaker. Your...your best friend." Whumpee's breath stilled, shaking his head as his eyes roamed Caretaker's face. Caretaker waited for any sign of recognition to snap in Whumpee's face. But it never did. Instead, Whumpee's voice dropped down to the quietest octave it's been since Caretaker found him.
"Please, sir, just leave me...I don't know who you are. I don't want any trouble."
âAww donât look so horrified, Whumpee will only be hurt as much as you allow them to,â Whumper said with an eerie smile.
They were firmly grasping the back of Whumpeeâs hair, leaning the front of their body just inches away from a small tub of water. Whumpee was on their knees, wearing both a blindfold and noice canceling headphones with their arms tied behind their back.
Caretaker and the rest of Whumpeeâs team were surrounded by Whumperâs henchmen, each one sporting a gun aimed at the group. They had watched, eyes wide, as Whumper had brought out their missing friend and shoved them down before the tub.
âSo, hereâs how this is gonna go,â Whumper started, their eyes focused on the group. âYou all are going to give me the information I need, orâŚâ With a sudden jerk, Whumper shoved Whumpeeâs head down into the tub.
The team gasped in shock as Whumpee thrashed about, Whumper never loosening their grip. After a few moments, they pulled Whumpee back out, but kept their face only about a few inches from the waterâs surface. Whumpee sputtered and coughed, the sudden movement clearly taking them by surprise.
âNow, as you all can tell,â Whumper continued, âWhumpee cannot see nor hear right now. In fact, they arenât even aware that any of you are watching this. Makes things easier for me, that way thereâs no communication between them and all of you. Plus,â they added smugly, âItâs more fun when theyâre unable to tell when theyâll go under next.â
Whumper eyed Caretaker and, without hesitation, shoved Whumpeeâs head down. Once again Whumpee started thrashing, only this time Whumper left them under just a little bit longer than previously. When they came up, Whumpee gasped, coughing even harder as water dripped down their face.
âWe can do this the easy way, or the hard way,â Whumper warned, âthe more compliant you all are, the better things will be for your precious little Whumpee.â
Caretaker quickly closed their mouth, their eyes never leaving Whumpee.
âNow, first question, where is the object hidden?â Whumper asked.
âWe donât know,â said Caretaker steadily, âwe donât have it.â
Whumper frowned and shoved Whumpeeâs head down.
âYou know, youâd think after two demonstrations youâd all be a little more compliant,â Whumper said, Whumpeeâs head still under. After a concerning amount of time, they lifted Whumpeeâs head only to nearly immediately throw it back down.
âNo, stop!â Caretaker shouted.
Scowling, Whumper yelled, âyou know if this keeps up I can always just kill Whumpee and then torture the information out of all of you instead!â
Whumpeeâs head was finally brought back up. They coughed once, twice, then vomited water all over the tub in front of them.
âPlease,â Whumpee gasped, âplease stop, I canât brea-âWhumpeeâs pleas were cut off by Whumper dunking them yet again. This time however, their body only thrashed for a few moments before going oddly still.
âWhumpee!â Caretaker screamed, lunging forward. The nearest henchman dug the barrel of their gun into Caretakerâs side. Eyes wild, Caretaker shouted, âStop! Iâll tell you everything, just stop!â
âGood choice,â Whumper remarked, bringing Whumpee back up. Whumpeeâs jaw was slack, Whumperâs grasp being the only thing holding up their body.
âBetter hurry though, I donât think your little Whumpee has much time.â
Caretaker using a trigger word/phrase Whumper gave Whumpee. Either in a moment of desperation or because they're a bad caretaker :)
#133
content: bad caretaker, conditioned whumpee, rocky recovery, recovery fic
"I said fucking sit!" Caretaker snapped, and Whumpee immediately obeyed. They dropped to their knees in utter terror, trembling, eyes downcast, just like they'd been taught. Just like Caretaker knew they'd been taught. By Whumper.
Had they overshot by using that trigger word? That command? But they just needed some time to think without Whumpee freaking out on them! They just needed a minute. And there was no other way to get Whumpee to shut the fuck up for a moment.
Caretaker inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Whumpee was still kneeling there, frozen. Caretaker ran a hand through their hair and tried to calm down. They crouched to be at eye-level with their friend. "Whumpee. Look at me."
Whumpee didn't.
"WhumpeeâŚ"
"I can't. Can't look anyone in the eye. Can't."
"You're not with Whumper anymore."
Whumpee shook their head. "Then why are you using Whumper's commands?"
"Well, Iâ I just⌠Look, I needed some time to think, you wouldn't calm down, I just needed a fucking second to collect myself, I didn't know what else to do."
Whumpee stayed looking at the floor. It was clear they wanted to wring their hands, but they refrained, keeping them neatly folded on their lap. "Can't look anyone in the eye."
Caretaker sighed. "I'm sorry, okay? Let's stand up and go to the couch."
"Can't go on furniture."
"Don't make this into a whole thing. I said I was sorry. Let's justâ Let's get back to our conversation."
Whumpee didn't move an inch. Caretaker stood up alone. Okay. So this was how Whumpee was going to act. Then Caretaker was going to leave them right there to kneel. Once a few minutes passed, and Whumpee would feel the ache in their knees, they would drop the act and get back to normal.
Right?
Except Whumpee stayed kneeling there for hours. Caretaker was begging them by the end, begging them to stand up, to lie down, to do anything but ruin their joints like that. Whumpee didn't budge.
"What do I need to do for you to get up? What did Whumper do?" they pleaded. "I'll do anything. Please, Whumpee, I'm sorry I said that."
Whumpee finally, slowly, hesitantly, lifted their gaze to meet Caretaker's. "You mean it?"
"I mean it."
"Okay," they whispered. They tried standing up, and they immediately toppled over. Caretaker had to catch them before they hit the ground. "Sorry⌠Sorry⌠My legsâŚ"
villain captures hero and locks them away, only visiting to drop off food and water. after a few days, hero breaks down. they crawl up to villain, snot running out of their nose and throw themselves down in front of villain.
"please don't leave me again," hero begs, nails digging into villain's shin, "please...I can't take it anymore!"
Whumpee who craves hugs like itâs a crack addiction because Whumper withheld all gentle touch until it could be used as a reward for compliance.
#123
content: rocky recovery, recovery fic, touch starved whumpee, past trauma
"Please don't go," Whumpee begged. "Please. Just a while longer. Just a little while longer."
"Whumpee⌠I have work."
"Please. One more minute."
"You're like a clingy puppy with separation anxiety."
The comparison hurt, but it was accurate. Whumpee hadn't been held in ages, and all they wanted was to curl up inside Caretaker's ribcage, never to leave or be alone again. "Please."
Caretaker sighed. "One more minute."
Whumpee nuzzled up to them. "Thanks. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I understand. I just⌠I can't do this every day."
"I know."
"Okay," they said gently. "That's good. Knowing on the intellectual level is the first step."
Whumpee slowly nodded. It was the first of many steps they would have to take.
"Well, the minute is upâ"
"Wait!"
"Whumpeeâ"
"Iâ" Their protests died in their throat. They had to let go. They slowly unwrapped their arms from around Caretaker. "I⌠When will you be back?"
"Five o'clock, give or take."
Ten hours from now. Ten hours of no-contact. "Okay," they whispered, defeated. "See you then."
Badly Injured Hero Sidekick Shows up at Villain's Base to Beg for Help Masterlist
This is officially going to be a series now! Yay!
Warnings: Blinded Sidekick (via acid attack), broken legs, hypothermia, abandonment, cruel & heavily abusive hero mentor, detailed description of grievous facial injuries and melted eyes, severe past trauma, implications of past sexual assault, needles, low self-worth
Summary: One day Villain finds Hero's precious Sidekick shivering and badly injured on his doorstep. And Sidekick's been blinded by an acid attack as punishment for failing Hero. Villain decides to help Sidekick recover and keep him away from his abusive mentor, but over time he begins to realize that the mental wounds and trauma... goes far deeper than the physical ones.
This is absolutely not pointed at anybody in particular, so if you read this and think it was inspired by you... um, don't :)
Whumpee winced as Whumper started setting up the chess board again. âNo,â Whumpee mumbled weakly. Whumper paused, glanced at Whumpee on their mattress on the floor and grinned.
âGood morning, Whumpee. What exactly are you protesting today?â
âNo chess,â they begged, their voice croaking from sleep.
Whumper straightened and stepped around the table, walking towards Whumpee slowly. Giving Whumpee enough time to fear his advances and back up on the flimsy mattress, cornering themselves against the wall. Whumper kept coming and stopped at the edge of the bed. He crouched and grabbed the chain that attached to Whumpeeâs ankle cuff. Whumpeeâs heart raced as they stared wide eyed at the monster.
Whumper clicked his fingers and pointed at his feet. He curled the chain around his hand in warning, come here or be dragged here. So Whumpee bit back a whimper as they crawled towards Whumperâs feet and sat back on their heels, kneeling before him, head bowed. Whumper kept wrapping the chain around his fist so Whumpee couldnât get away as he leaned a hand down and tapped two fingers under Whumpeeâs chin.
Whumpee bunched their hands into fists as they turned their head up to meet Whumperâs almost fond expression that curled their stomach.
âNow, pet, what was that no about?â
Whumpee trembled as they stared at Whumper. They swallowed to try and clear their throat but they were scared to speak so boldly with Whumper this close. They looked away but flinched when Whumper clucked his tongue twice and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
He put his hand under their chin again to make sure they couldnât look away. âCome on, darling. You know I donât ask twice,â he purred. Whumpeeâs heart raced against their chest. âAre you going to make me ask twice?â
âN-no! No, sir. I just⌠please, no chess today.â
Whumperâs horrible blue eyes looked concerned as if Whumpee was a child who had fallen during play time. âWhy, pet?â
âI never win,â Whumpee replied mutinously. âItâsâ itâs not fair. I donât- I never played before youâââ
âI taught you the rules,â Whumper supplied.
âThe rules, but not plays. And everyday it seems you use a different one and I canât adapt andââ
Something simmered under Whumperâs skin that terrified Whumpee and they quickly tried to appease their kidnapper. âI mean, I am grateful you taught me, sir, itâs justâ I canâtâ itâs frustrating.â
âHm.â Whumperâs hand moved to Whumpeeâs head and patted it lightly. Whumpee struggled to repress the shiver dancing down their spine. âSo you want to forfeit your chance at freedom today?â
âNo!â
âBut you know the rules.â
Whumpee knew the rules. They knew the rules alright. They knew that everyday Whumper would come down and set up the chess board and they would play. If Whumper won, he got to do whatever horrible torture he thought up to Whumpee that day, and if Whumpee won theyâd be granted their freedom. Which was a sick twisted game in and of itself because Whumpee didnât play chess.
âI do, but Iââ
âAnd now youâre interrupting me, pet. My, my, you really have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Perhaps itâs the mattress. Perhaps, Iâve treated you too well.â
âNo! Sir, no, please sir. Iâm sorry.â
âI like playing chess with you everyday, pet. Youâre improving so quickly.â Probably because tortureâs a great motivator, Whumpee thought dismally.
âWhatâs the point if I canât win?!â Whumpee snapped. The words flew out of their mouth in pure frustration, their hands coming off their lap in a helpless gesture at the futility of it all. It was cruel. That with every move Whumpee thought that maybe, maybe, they could win and go home today.
They realised their mistake as soon as the words left their lips. Terrified eyes went to Whumperâs face, which had lost all softness and warmth, replaced with a cold fury.
âWe will play chess today,â Whumper said, grabbing Whumpee under their arm and pulling them to their feet roughly. âWe will play multiple games, to help improve your skills.â
Whumpee blanched. âM-multiple games?â
âYes!â Whumper replied brightly. âI may even teach you an opening.â
Multiple games meant multiple losses. Whumpee dug their heels into the ground, resisting. âBut, sir if I lose more than one game, do I get punished t-twice?â
The question nearly stole the air from their lungs as Whumper stopped by the table and grinned at Whumpee who shrunk back.
âI think thatâs only fair, donât you? Considering youâre getting multiple chances at freedom.â
And Whumpee had the sudden, awful feeling that even if they won, Whumper would never let them go in that moment. His eyes were too bright, his smile too twisted. Helpless anger bubbled up inside them as they spat, ânone of this is fair!â
Whumper raised their hand and Whumpeeâs head whipped to the side with a soft gasp. Gentle fingers turned Whumpeeâs cheek to face him again, his expression sympathetic, his eyes anything but.
âLetâs play.â
***
Commander Tag-list - get it instead of general hehehe *clears throat* ahem, anyways: @sunflower1000 @scoundrelwithboba @distinguished-ruler
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