IX
Mei Ling woke up at that point stretched and sat up. She kissed Minx
softly before addressing me.
"Good morning M -5. I trust you slept well?"
"Very well Master. May I inquire as to your rest?"
"I slept well. You pleased me greatly with your behavior. You will be
rewarded."
"Thank you Master, but I wish no reward for following instructions. I
was following orders."
"I understand that, but you followed them very well."
She turned back to Minx.
"How long have you had him in your pens Minx? she asked.
"I have only had him for ... well less time that you might think. He
seems to have a natural talent, a bit unrefined, but there is potential." Minx
replied.
"M - 5, can you cook?' was the next question from the Master.
"Yes Master, I can cook."
"Good. Go through the door at the far end of the room. You will find a
small kitchen. You will fix us both some breakfast, and bring it to us. Show me
how creative you can be. Go."
I started to get up but was pulled back down by the lead attached to the
bed.
"Well, I will say he follows orders well Minx, " she laughed. "Perhaps
you should release him."
Minx released the lead, and untied me.
"Go."
I went through the indicated door and found a small well-stocked
kitchen. I also found something I had not seen in awhile. A window. It looked
out into a courtyard with a fountain, splashing quietly. I could see the sky for
the first time in days. And flowers, beautiful red flowers. There was also a
door. Escape! I started towards the door, then stopped. Where was I going to go?
I was naked, no money, no real idea where I was.
And then I thought about it. Did I really want to escape? I was being
treated like an animal, I was being tortured and abused. And I was being cared
for, even...loved. Some people use the expression "A dog's life".
And really, what's wrong with a dog's life? They're fed, cared for, and
all they give in return is devotion and service.
I turned away from the door and started fixing breakfast, refreshed by
the view of life in the outside world.
Breakfast wasn't fancy, just scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. I
placed them on a tray and reentered the bedroom.
Both of the women were gone. I placed the tray onto a table and kneeled
next to it to wait. After a short time, both Minx and Mei Ling returned. For
some reason they were carrying animal capture poles, poles with a noose on the
end. I guess for me, if I had escaped.
"Breakfast is ready Master, Controller," I said careful not to show any
reaction.
They stood transfixed for a moment then both begin laughing in delight.
"Potential Minx? I think you have underestimated him and yourself", Mei
Ling laughed.
"Why didn't you escape M - 5? You had a chance.", Minx asked in wonder.
"I didn't want to. It would have been wrong. I belong here."
"Why do you say that M - 5?"
"I want to stay with you."
She smiled.
"Do you M -5? Do you really want to stay with me?"
"Yes Controller."
"Then offer me your pain."
"I don't understand. I will accept the pain you give me."
" I want more from you M - 5."
Mei Ling bowed and left the room, but not without a smile at the both of
us.
"Tell me. I wish to please you Controller. How can I show you my love,
my need for you?"
"Who was the woman you loved, the one you lost?" Minx asked.
I paused and took a deep breath.
"She was my wife."
"What happened Michael?"
"She died trying to have a baby. My baby. She wanted to give me a child,
because she felt I was the most important person in the world. She died for me."
"And the child?" Minx asked softly.
"Died. She was five months premature. And it was my fault."
"Why was it your fault? What did you do?"
"I didn't stop my wife from drinking. She had a problem with alcohol.
She hid it from me until it was too late."
"Was she your slave? Did you own her?" Minx asked.
"No. She was free to choose. I couldn't make her stop. It would have
been wrong!" I protested.
"Then it wasn't your fault. You loved her enough to let her be free to
choose. You can't make a person stop drinking, or using drugs, or smoking. They
have to want to stop."
"I just didn't love her enough. If I had she might have stopped!" I
cried out.
"She loved you Michael. She knew the risk, she chose the risk. She was
wrong. Not you."
"I failed. She died because I didn't stop her."
"Michael, listen to me", Minx instructed. " You are forgiven. No one is
blaming you. Just yourself. You are worthy of being loved."
"Am I", I said crying.
"Yes, Michael you are. And you will be loved."
I looked up at her through the tears. She was smiling at me, love in her
face.
"I love you."
"I know." was her sweet reply.
