Punishment

"Today Christian Andreas has been found, he was sighted in his neighborhood by his father late at night, he had appeared to have amnesia, he collapsed afterward an ambulance had been called."

"He is now recovering at Dover Mon General, we are still looking for Alice White...if you have any further information about her that help us find her you can call us at xxx-xxx."

Shimon opens the door to Alex's room holding a portable radio playing the news report, "Isn't this your guy?" Shimon shouts as it plays, he sits on the bed beside Alex playing it as they continue talking.

"Christian...what are you doing...Shimon?"

"How many times have I told you, my job is here Alex?" Shimon replies tossing a book at his face, he picks it up realizing it was fantasy.

"So this is what you give me?"

"Shut up, it will keep up from being bored at least in this prison of a room at least."

"Can't you sneak me out or anything?"

Shimon crosses his arms, "You seriously think I am going to abandon my mission here cause you are my kindred?"

"Don't you think you at least owe me that?"

"I do not owe you, nothing kid, suck it up already...you did this to yourself by accepting that leader's offer!" He argues pushing him back to the bed.

"How exactly is this my fault?" Alex replies pouting, "I didn't ask for this!"

"Oh...but you did when you stayed! Now I am here babysitting you!"

A knock on the door, "You may come in." Shimon yells, a shy maid comes in handing vials to Shimon.

"Master Edwin will be in shortly, please be aware." She says before exiting, Shimon makes an annoyed face; Alex catches this becoming curious.

"Looks like this is for the both of us...bottoms up I guess..." Shimon mentions, he places his in his satchel for later.

Alex decides to pop the cork before anyone can uncork it for him, downing it in one go, "If he comes with Joseph I am not taking chances again!"

"What did he do to you that you desperate enough to gulp that down?"

Alex reddens, "I...he...I don't want to talk about it, Shimon..."

It is silent for several minutes Alex tries to get up when he hears the door, stumbling onto his feet teetering left and right.

Edwin catches him halfway to the door, Alex is having a hard time keeping awake; Shimon takes out the vial showing it, "You wanted him to consume both didn't you?"

Holding his head up as Alex sits on his knees rubbing his face, "Good boy..."

"What are you going to do with him, Edwin?"

Shimon picks Alex up, "He is serving his punishment for getting out and acting up in the house of datura..."

"Why did you need to drug him?"

"He will put up a fight if I let him go," Edwin states as they go down the long hall walking down the stairs, in the middle of the large hall downstairs a tall pole stands erect, Joseph sits on the stage with Clarence.

"Alex!" Clarence yells seeing Shimon bring him down limping into the room, Joseph only smirks sticking his hand out blocking Clarence.

"No, this is time you learn what happens to prisoners who act out."

"I am not like you, Joseph!" Clarence clarifies, Alex is forced to his knees, his hands are placed against the length of the pole resting to be wrapped in ropes tied tightly, chains are later intertwined; the bottom of the chain is linked to his cuffs.

Three maids stand behind him holding long trays, each containing a different instrument, Edwin takes the sword from the first maid.

He uses the sword to jab it into his back, Alex cries out in pain; he slices deeply into his white robe cutting lines down and across letting the fabric fall to the floor showing his bareback.

He tosses the blade to the ground taking the snake whip, he warms it up on the floor cracking it against the wooden floor, "Punishment is fifty lashes..."

The whole floor goes quiet watching Edwin put force into flogging Alex, they say nothing the whole time he is licked so hard by the hard leather it leaves deep cuts and gashes; coming out of the medicated daze he bites his lip groaning out.

His head hitting the pole with each repeated thrash slapping his skin, he can hear Edwin silently counting each strike pulling back the whip only to swing out vigorously.

By the time he was done, Alex was titling to the side exhausted, aching, and in pain; the cold air stung his back.

Edwin grabbed a fist of his hair drawing him backward making sure he was looking up at him, straight into his eyes, "Will you ever do that again?"

Afterward, he goes to the third maid to take a towel dry off.

He had no energy to speak, his mouth opened with nothing to say; he merely uttered voiceless words, Clarence was appalled by the ruthless act clutching his chest feeling he may be sick.

He could see it in Joseph's eyes he was prepared to give him a similar treatment.

Clarence gawked while they cut through the thick rope then yanked the chains off letting his body plunge to the floor, blood seeping from his open wounds.

Shimon would not let anyone else touch him, gathering him up from the ground he loses consciousness, "Shi-mon..."

"Kid...hey kid..."

"Teach him to obey me next time Shimon."

Turning away he feels guilty, "Yes Edwin..." Clarence trails back of Shimon worriedly.

"Where do you think you are going, Clarence?"

"Dare stop me and I will snap your fingers in half Joseph!" He threatens, Joseph flicks his hands out saying nothing more.

"Hey...who are you?" Clarence asks following behind him, till they reach the medical center he lies Alex on the bed pushing him on his stomach.

Twisting he wipes tears from his eyes, "I am his former master."

Clarence stands there stunned, "So you are Shimon..."