Outside

In all truthfulness, I might have exaggerated on how long that Otec had me run. I mean, I was completely soaked with sweat, from head to toe. There is no real way for me to tell if the dew had completely dried. Running is something so mechanically simple, that, at least for me, I just do.

The threat of pain made me be able to force my body to run for longer than I thought I would be able to. I think the only reason that Otec allowed me to stop, was because I was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other. And with finally being allowed to stop, I just dropped to the ground, gasping for air.

"Rehor, stand up. It's time to eat." (Otec)

My muscles hurt so much in my legs, that the idea of standing up sounds like some type of farce. I have just run for, who knows, how long or how far, and he wants me to stand up right away. That is a load of crap. If I had the energy for it, I would probably be angry at him, for even suggesting such an insane thing.

Still, in fear of reprisal, I attempted to force myself to get up. The lack of energy in my body, made my arms feel like lead, with joints made of paper. As soon as I put weight on them, I fell back down to the ground.

Much to my apprehension, Otec did not do a thing to me, while I was attempting to get up. He just stayed there, standing about me, looking at me judgmentally. Am I some dog to him? There for him to get immense pleasure at seeing me suffer?

* * *

Sooner or later, I was able to get my corpse to stand up. Thankfully, the sadistic bastard, Otec, never so much as threatened me. Once I was upright, Otec had me follow him to the cafeteria.

Unlike when I was there the previous night, there was several other people were in the room. Though I was extremely tired, I did glance around the room. My inquisitiveness beckoned to me to take in what I could. I wanted to know what the people were like in this community.

Let me first say, everyone here was an Unleashed, all twenty or so people. Everyone in the room dressed in clothes, if it were a town, would be indistinguishable for other people. Simple work attire, with no unnecessary embellishments. Maybe I was fooling myself, but, I assumed that this group of people would be dressed more elegantly. They have power, should they not try to enjoy the comfort that power brings?

Ignoring the clothes, I sought out to view what type of Unleashed were there. Counting me, there was seven Unleashed there that where not Chained, all of them displaying similar leather Collars, similar to one that I, too, was wearing.

Of those adorned with Chains, most of them were also leather Collared. There was only one with a rope around his neck, showing that he was only one level of control higher than a leather bound Collared. I do wonder if there is some stigma attached to being Collared with a rope, like there was in my previous life. It could just be that it is was uncomfortable.

As for those wearing a linen Collar, the majority of the remaining people there were wearing one of them. Like the rope Collar, there was only one person wearing a silk Collar.

The Chains were spread out a little more so than the Collars. While the majority of the people, excluding the not Chained, were showing off there iron Chain, bronze and silver Chains were more dispersed. Surprising me, the silk Collar Unleashed, only had an iron Chain.

If my understanding of the Unleashed was correct, he only had a slight amount of power that he could have. He might have more control over his power, but he was not that strong, overall. Is he important, since he is wearing a silk Collar? Or is he just one more Unleashed?

Enough of this. I do not know enough about this new society that I have begrudgingly joined. My lack of knowledge brings up more questions than I can even remotely try to answer.

"Mornin' Otec. Is this our new ward?" (Leather Silver Unleashed)

"Yes. This here is Rehor. He is currently under my care." (Otec)

"Will he be easy to trained?�� (Leather Silver Unleashed)

"He's a little stubborn. It might be easy, if I can break him early enough. But if he digs in his heals…" (Otec)

"That's rough. I like it when you know that they will be easy to mold. Too much work to bring to heel the stubborn ones." (Leather Silver Unleashed)

"True, true." (Otec)

I am to be broken? I am some animal to be broken? This place just wants me to blindly follow their lead and become a sheep, of their ideals. I refuse to let that happen to me. I will play their games, but I refuse to follow their ideology. I will not become a sheep led to slaughter.

* Thwack *

In this whole group of people, somebody randomly hit me. Seeing as I could not see who it was that hit me, this time, I assume it was done by power. Much as I want to learn to this power, I will not become one of the followers of this cult.

Torture. Breaking. This is some type of cult that I was put into. I know this, and I will fight every step, that they try to brainwash me with. I am my own person, and understand how cults work. I cannot let myself be caught in their net.

"Dang it, he's going to be a difficult one to help out." (Leather Silver Unleashed)

"He does seem to have that feel about him. Don't take this the wrong way Otec, but do you want some help with him?" (Silk Iron Unleashed)

"No, I'm able to do something, for the time being. I will ask for some help when I advance his training further. Thank you for the offer, though." (Otec)

I will play their little games with them, but I refuse to become one of them. If it was some religious group, I would more happily embrace their ideas. But, some group like this, I will, with all my heart, not become a part of this.

* Whack *

I will bear this indignity, for now. I will go down fighting if I have to, but I will not become one of these abhorrent people. I will play along them. I will show them that, but I refuse to join this cult.

* Whack *