caged walls

Vesna Xiao had lost count of the days she was locked in one of the dog cages. Even with her small stature, she couldn't stand to her full height inside. The metal bars pressed against her back, making her feel like an animal. The air was thick with the stench of urine and fear, and the only sound was the relentless snarling of Rottweilers in the adjacent cages. Spit flew from their snapping jaws as their vicious eyes fixed on Vesna, eager to tear into her. 

She was backed against the wall of the kennel, her wide eyes frozen in fear, her pupils dilated with terror as she trembled with each snap of their jaws. The clothes she wore were tattered and covered in dirt, barely hiding her petite body. Her black hair was matted and tangled, clinging to her sweaty forehead. There were many bruises that covered her skin, some new and some old. Tears streaked down her cheeks, leaving clean trails amidst the dirt and grime.

How did she end up here? 

She still could not believe the answer to that question. She did not want to believe it.

How could a woman she called her mother do this to her?

Given she was not a good mother who never paid any attention to her and when she did, she ended up receiving a slap for something she never did. But how could she be so heartless to throw her away like this?

Her thoughts flashed back to the countless times her mother had ignored her, dismissed her, and belittled her. The memories stung, but they paled in comparison to the ultimate betrayal. 

She heard the metallic gate screech as it opened and a silhouette entered the dark room she was kept in. The lights in the room flickered and a man appeared in her sight of vision. She stiffened and pressed her body against the metal bars, her breath catching in her throat. Fear radiated off of her trembling body as she watched the man slowly approach her. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, drowning out even the sounds of the snarling dogs. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to hide, to escape the impending danger.

But there was nowhere to go, nowhere to run. 

The man's footsteps echoed hollowly in the cramped space, each one a dreadful countdown to whatever horrors awaited her. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to disappear. 

"Down!" the man hissed and all the dogs in all the kennels laid down obediently, yet Vesna could still feel their hungry eyes on her.

He paused in front of her cage and knelt down on one knee. 

"How's my pretty bitch doing today?" his voice was low and menacing, sending shivers down Vesna's spine. 

Vesna remained frozen in fear. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even open her eyes. 

"Open your eyes," he commanded, his voice low and menacing. "Look at me."

Vesna's heart raced, her mind screaming at her to disobey, to resist, but her body betrayed her. Slowly, her eyes creaked open to reveal the man's face, half of it covered with a mask. 

Even if she could see half of his face, she knew he was handsome, with sharp jawlines and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into Vesna's very soul. His dark hair was perfectly messy, and his lips curled into a sly smile, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. He was the kind of man who would turn heads in a crowded room, the kind of man who exuded confidence and power. But to her, his good looks only made him more terrifying, like a predator hiding behind a charming mask. 

"Good girl," he smiled, a cruel twist of his lips, and Vesna's heart sank. "You're learning to obey."

Vesna's gaze dropped, her eyes fixed on the dirty floor, as tears continued to stream down her face. 

She heard the sound of the metallic door opening and a sense of dread washed over her as the man reached inside. The man reached inside and looped a worn-out leash around her neck, tightening it just enough to make her gasp for air.

"Time for your walk," he said as he yanked on the leash, forcing Vesna to stumble forward out of the cage. 

Her legs felt like jelly as she struggled to keep up with his pace, her heart pounding in her chest. The dogs in the adjacent cages watched them with intense interest, their eyes following Vesna's every move, their snarls growing louder as they sensed her fear.

He led her through the long, dimly lit hallways. Men scattered around the corridors, their gazes following Vesna's every step. Some leered, their gazes hungry and predatory, while others simply sneered or laughed.

Vesna kept her eyes downcast, focusing on the dirty floor beneath her feet, trying to block out the leering faces and the mocking jeers.

Finally, they reached a door at the end of the hallway. The man unlocked it with a key, the sound of metal scraping against metal sending a shiver down Vesna's spine. She knew what was behind the door, she knew what awaited her on the other side, and she dreaded it with every fiber of her being. 

The door opened revealing a room bathed in red light, casting long shadows across the wall. Various instruments of pleasure and pain were displayed on shelves. Chains and cuffs were hooked on the wall. 

The man let go of the leash and settled himself on the semi-circular couch, his legs spread wide. 

"Kneel."

Vesna's body trembled uncontrollably as she slowly sank to her knees, her hands trembling as she clasped them tightly in her lap.

"Now, let's see how well you've learned."