Caged Phoenix

Aster had been told to take it easy on the orders of Zane himself. Truth be told, Aster was getting bored—fast—in this opulent bedchamber that had been bestowed upon him. Of course, he knew that this bedroom could be none other than Zane’s, but he would let that fact pass. The TV stood silent on the high dresser top as Aster finished his second of the day. In spite of this nourishment, he was still profoundly exhausted.

Sleep.

That’s what he needed. Sleep.

Even though he had only been awake for six hours, Aster once again drifted into deep unconsciousness. He awoke two hours later just when it was growing dark outside. Naturally, Aster had no access to the outside, but the clock confirmed that it was 6:08. Sunset.

What am I going to do?

Nothing. That’s what. Unfortunately, Zane had covered all the bases.

Suddenly, there came an unwelcome sensation as Aster laid there in bed. A pair of hands was skimming along Aster’s torso; pulling up his hated black shirt as they ascended upwards. Aster grimaced in discomfort as old wounds were aggravated and cried out in uncertain apprehension.

“Zane?” he breathed.

He guessed correctly.

“I’m here, Aster. Don’t be afraid,” Zane quite literally crooned.

Aster bit his lips as Zane’s fingers made contact with various burns and lacerations he had personally created. Aster fearfully craned his neck upwards to view the surprising expression of wonderment on Zane Truesdale’s face.

“I did this to you,” he murmured to himself. “I must truly have transformed into a monster.”
Aster knew not what to say, save that he’d probably end up just agreeing with Zane’s own self-definition anyway.

“You perfect skin—flawed beyond repair. What can save it now?”

“Plastic surgery?” Aster was joking again. It felt…good. At least he was now aware that his humor had not been burned out along with his flesh.

Intensity flared in Zane’s blue-green eyes right before his hands began to physically stroke the upper reaches of Aster’s chest. Aster flinched. These caresses were not normal. To him, in any event. His worst suspicions were unfolding right in front of his startled sapphire eyes as Zane’s lips attacked his neck.

“Zane,” he gasped. Aster was both embarrassed and shocked beyond belief. “What on earth are you doing?”

Zane broke the kiss momentarily to gaze up into his eyes. “Making it up to you.”

Before Aster could reply, Zane’s mouth was working its way up his chin. Soon, Zane’s mouth would claim in his own. If this wasn’t disturbing enough, his tormentor’s hands were becoming more…intimate.

Like a cornered animal, Aster wrenched his head away just before his lips and the lips of his former torturer yet to-be rapist met.

“Zane, stop! I don’t want this! Please. Don’t hurt me anymore—not like this!” Aster was vaguely ashamed that he was reduced to pleading so quickly.

Obediently, Zane disengaged himself. For a moment, he stared into Aster’s tearing eyes.

“You have a girlfriend, Aster? Is that it?”

“No!” Aster threw back defensively, “but I still don’t want this. I’m not involved with guys, Zane. At all.”

“Pity,” Zane commented quietly. “But, perhaps if you gave me a chance…”

“No.” Aster’s reply was firm.

How could he even expect that I would ever want…

Zane looked vaguely hurt as he dragged himself off Aster’s body at long last. To himself, Aster breathed a sigh of relief.

At least, Zane still has some scruples left.

Then, Zane’s voice invaded the brief sanctuary of his thoughts.

“I know what you want, Aster, and I’m going to give it to you.”

Aster swallowed hard. “And, what is that, Zane?”

“Your freedom. Tomorrow, I’m going to let you go.”

“You are?” Aster blurted out.

Zane frowned. “Well, I can’t keep you forever. The authorities won’t rest until they find you in one state or another.”

Regardless of the risk that Aster might be endangering his own safety, he had to ask his question. “So, you’re not killing me then?”

“I never was seriously considering it,” Zane returned rather offhandedly. “I wouldn’t mind an extra week of your company, but this will be for the best.” Zane was acting as if this had been a wonderful holiday that Aster had willingly taken for his enjoyment.

Aster’s mouth was moving before his brain. “But, what will I tell people? That I was kept a prisoner for five days, and now, I’m perfectly fine? Am I supposed to say that Zane Truesdale, top graduate of Duel Academy, was the perpetrator?”

He had struck a nerve. It was evident in how frosty and serious Zane’s features became. Indeed, he bore a striking resemblance to how he had appeared when he had been below in the basement whilst cutting lemons for Aster’s daily torture. Not good.

“Aster, don’t. Don’t mention my name. It’s not if anyone will believe you anyway. Besides, what would it accomplish? Putting me behind bars would be hardly satisfying after all the horrors I’ve inflicted on you.”

“Justice would be served,” Aster stated boldly. Bitter memories of his own injustice—and his father’s as well—were flooding his mind. So much that he couldn’t even think straight. “You deserve to be punished.”

Zane heaved a heavy sigh before turning his gaze to the ceiling as if seeing it could somehow alleviate his own obvious unrest. “I am being punished. Trust me. There are other methods of retribution besides prison bars.”

It then dawned on Aster that his own prison guard was offering him the precious key of liberty. Here, his keeper was actually considering it, and here he was testing his temper.

I’m the worst idiot alive.

Aster struggled to regain his composure.

It’s still not right. I’m going to tell everywhere as soon as I escape. With or without Zane’s permission. Everyone has the right to know how wicked he has become.

As if catching wind of Aster’s train of thought, Zane fixed him with a freezing glare. “If you tell, Mr. Phoenix, I just may have to wreak vengeance upon you. Again. And next time, you’ll stay here with me forever.

Zane left Aster to ponder that as he strolled out of the room.