Against the Gods

Persephone tried to fight against the shackles that held her dangling a few inches above the ground. Her grunts of determination filled the hollow room. Blood had dried from her back from open wounds and stained the white dress Samuel had clothed her in. She had not noticed this little feature of her room until Samuel had forced her into them. They had been hidden in a corner of the room. Her arms were screaming to be put down while her wrists were slick with blood. She had been struggling for hours and was becoming tired as well as frustrated. Yet despite her discomfort and the feeling a dread in her belly, she was very pleased with herself. She finally had gained the upper hand and caused Samuel some damage even though it was short-lived.

*****A Few Hours Before********


“Are you enjoying your lunch, Arista?”

“Uh-huh.” Persephone muttered and pushed her carrots around on her plate with her plastic fork. She had lost her appetite and now all she could do was stare absently at her food. She felt like a child. While Samuel used a real plate, glass and silverware, she was given plastic utensils, a paper cup and a paper plate. He said it was for her protection as well as his. This is so fucked up; she thought and tucked a carrot slice underneath a pile of mash potatoes before scooping it up into her mouth.
For the last several days, she had been heavily medicated to a point she could not tell up from down. Whatever medication Samuel had given her had a very numbing effect, both on body and mind. She even called him uncle for a while with no clear reason why. By that time, he stopped giving her large doses of medicine and gave her enough that it numbed the pain but not her mind. It was then she really had time to think over her situation.

It was obvious Samuel had an unstable Jekyll/Hyde personality. What she had put together, he immediately went from cruel to loving after he stopped beating her. He let her sleep in his bed while he slept on the couch. Samuel made her delicious meals and changed her bandages. He did not talk much, however, just was tender and very careful as he played nurse. Actually it surprised her. She had been very vulnerable that he could have taken advantage of her. Even though she could not entirely recall, he never touched her inappropriately. It was noble in a very weird, twisted sense. Yet, a cold and heavy feeling, lingered and she knew that this time out would not last.

He would go about beating her again when she got strong enough. Persephone was sure of that. She really was confused about him. What was his ultimate goal? He could not want his ‘love’ returned if he planned on abusing her. Or was this all a trap, a sick game for her submission? Maybe that was his idea of love. But Samuel wasn’t in love like he claimed. He was just some obsessed, mortal sadist. Yet again, he was nursing her avidly to health…after beating her with a whip. Did he intend on killing her? Was he just drawing the inevitable out? How long was he going to keep her here? What was he planning next? Could she endure it? What about her mother? Did she know she was gone? Will she find her? It made her head swim.

“What are you think about?” Persephone scowled. He had broken through her thoughts and was looking at her intently. He had finished her food while hers had become a mountain of carrots, potatoes and chicken.

“Why do you care?”

“I care. Don’t think I would not want to hear your thoughts.”

“What if I do not want you to know my thoughts,” she shot back, stubbornly. Samuel sighed and set his silverware onto his plate. He stood up and went to take her plate. Her hands shot out immediately to stop him.

“Wait. I am not finished.”

“You haven’t eaten a bite for the last 10 minutes. I think you are done.” Persephone slowly brought her hand back but an idea struck her and she went for his plate. Hitting it with the palm of her hand, the silverware went crashing to the floor. Before she could take another breath, Persephone scrambled to get the knife. It may have been a butter knife but it was a weapon. It would give her time to get another one. She was quickly on her feet and made a dive toward the kitchen but Samuel pushed her to the ground. She fell with a hard thud and her back exploded with pain. Yet she was not going to give up without a fight.

He was about to grab her, towering over her with fire in his eyes. Persephone twisted onto her back, ignoring the screams of protest and bucked her feet hard into his belly. He doubled over and retreated enough to give Persephone the chance to get to her feet. Dashing into the small kitchen, she frantic pulled out drawer to find a sharper knife. Silverware clattered to the floor and scattered at her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a butcher knife slide across the tiled floor. She went for it but the knife disappeared and she found herself face to face with Samuel. He held the knife by the handle, swinging it back and forward with a smug grin.

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Persephone panted before throwing her weight into him. This time she was able to knock him down and quickly straddled his waist. With hair falling over her face, Persephone raised her fist and punched his grinning mouth before he could react. The knife had slipped from his hand and slide over toward the table. Persephone crawled over Samuel, clawing to get the knife. He turned over and grabbed her feet, trying to pull her back. She could not reach the knife but the leg of the chair was in her grasp. Pulling it toward her, she sent it crashing down on top of Samuel. His grip loosened and she was able to kick away.

The knife was in her hand before she knew it. The warm handle felt so welcoming in her grasp but Samuel had recovered and had a hold of her again. Without wasting a moment, Persephone twisted around and swiped at his arm. She knew the knife had caught him as he yelled in rage and blood welled from his arm. He let go of her and she scrambled onto her feet. Samuel was up just as quickly, holding his injured arm as blood gushed onto the floor. Persephone kept the knife in front of her, swaying back and forward on her feet. Both were breathing heavily and both were well tousled.

“See how it feels? Would you want me to slice up your arms the way you sliced up my back?”

“I would love if would give me that pleasure.”

“A sadist as well as a masochist. Oh how lovely. You are really screwed up, you do realize that? DO NOT COME NEAR ME!” Persephone shrieked when he took a step toward her. He stopped and raised his arms in the air. A bolt of excitement bubbled through Persephone. She liked having this control. It was a bit of an adrenaline rush. Yet so was the fear of what might happen if this failed. Struggling to catch her breath, Persephone needed to figure out what to do next. She had a knife, she had the advantage but did she just walk out? Would he let her? It was obvious he did not mind the pain.

“What are you going to do, Arista?” He was looking at her with melting gray eyes and a cruel smirk playing on his lips. His voice was soft and enigmatic as if he was hiding all the secrets in the world.

“I…I…am going to go. I am leaving, you hear me? And I better not see you again, understood.”

“Understood,” he complied.

“Good.” No, not good, Persephone. He has a trick up his sleeve. This was just too easy. She began to back up, very slowly and cautiously. He did not move and he just watched her as she walked to the door. Her free hand felt behind her, making sure she did not run into anything but she could not take her eyes off Samuel.

“Before you go Arista.” He had moved. She had not seen him move. When had he moved? Samuel had left the kitchen and was taking small steps toward her. His arm was dripping with blood and on his shirt.

“Stop where you are…”she pronounced each word slowly. She was trembling and she was becoming hysterical. When had he moved? “I will….I will…”

“You will what? I told you I would love to know what you have in mind. Do you want me to suffer? Feel the pain that I gave you? Well, I am right here.”

“Stop that. Why would I want to give you what you want? Do you think I am stupid? I come anywhere near you and you will get the upper hand. I am not going to let you do that. I am getting out of here.” He moved again, lunging at her. Persephone shrieked and slashed the knife blindly. Blood oozed from his arm and he recoiled. Persephone turned to run. She was not going to bother with him but that had been a grave mistake. He grabbed her from behind, pulling her back. Persephone struggled against him, kicking and screaming but nothing helped. He was a lot stronger than her.


*******End Flashback*******

Yeah, it had been really stupid on her part. He had enjoyed that pain she had given him and now he was going to return the favor. Yet she showed them she could and would fight back. The question was: Would she get another chance? If she did, she needed to find something else to do. Maybe next time actually take him up on his offer and kill him. She was surprised that she even considered murder. She was not normally a violent person. Yet if that was what it took for her freedom, then give her a knife and let her at him! He was going to pay dearly but unfortunately not before she did. Yet she was not going to give him the pleasure of hearing her cry or scream. She was deep in her thoughts to realize he was in the doorway, staring at her.

“Are you pleased with yourself, Arista?”

“Actually…I am quite pleased,” Persephone replied sweetly when she saw the bandages on his arms. Yet her amusement was brief when she saw the bat in his hands. He stepped toward her with the bat hitting his side. Persephone freaked and started too struggled against her binds in vain. She was not going anywhere. He made sure of that. Samuel stopped in front of her, the bat behind his back and he smiled at her. Persephone struck out at him with her feet but he had been wise to stay out of her range.

“That was a very bold thing to do. I am surprised at you.”

“There is a lot more to me than you think, you bastard,” Persephone hissed. Samuel smiled and moved the bat from behind him. Her courage shrunk along with her body as she tried to retreated fruitlessly.

“Well I guess I will find out later. Until then…”Crack! The bat struck the side of her leg with a hard thud. Persephone held her breath, cringing as pain bolted up her leg. She would not cry! She would not scream! She would not….CRACK! The bat came again and Persephone’s hands curled into fists as she struggled not to scream. Her breathing was difficult and intense as her hair fell in her face. Crack! Crack! He was striking her everywhere imaginable and she felt her legs bruise and swell under the abuse. Samuel continued his torture for several minutes, hitting her over and over again. The only sounds were his grunts and the bat hitting her soft flesh. Each time Persephone struggled not shed tears and scream and let him know how much it really was hurting her. And he was obviously angry.

“Why don’t you scream? Why aren’t you crying? Doesn’t this hurt you?” He hit her again with more force she heard a crack. She could only imagine what her legs looked liked now.

“Takes away the fun when I don’t cry, doesn’t it,” Persephone replied through gritted teeth and shallow breath. “Can’t get you jollies when I don’t scream?”

“You think I enjoy this?” Persephone scowled at the statement. Didn’t he enjoy it? Wasn’t that why he was doing it? Samuel threw the bat the side and it clattered to the ground. He stepped toward her and caressed her swollen legs. Persephone wished she could move her legs at that moment but it was too painful. Carefully, Samuel lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. It hurt like hell to feel them move and Persephone threw her head back, pursing her lips until they were white. Samuel pulled her head down toward his. She had a good few inches over him. Their lips were extremely close and she could feel his raged breath against her mouth. He pressed her into the wall and she could feel him hard against her thigh.

“It…it very obvious….you are,” she stuttered and blushed. He grinned and pushed harder against her. Persephone winced both from pain and the feeling of his bulge against her.

“Does that really bother you? The feeling of me against you?” Persephone did not answer but held her breath. Samuel softly pressed his lips against hers and balancing her against the wall he pushed white dress up her legs. Persephone whined against his mouth as pain shot up her thigh and she felt his hand slither between her legs. His fingers brushed against her pussy and hot desire rushed in her belly. She felt herself growing wet with lust.

“Or does this bother you?” He whispered cruelly against her lips as his finger brushed against her clit. Persephone moaned and shuddered at the contact. What was he doing? Why wasn’t he beating her? Why had he stopped? Samuel pressed a finger inside of her and she felt the warm feeling spread to her limbs. Her face flushed with excitement and embarrassment.

“Stop it! Stop it!” Samuel chuckled as his lips traveled up her jaw and against her ear. His tongue caressed the outer shell.

“I knew I could make you scream.” He worked his finger inside her, in and out at a slow and excruciating. Her breathing became heavier and her face was flaring. Samuel declined his head, sending butterfly kisses down her neck. It felt so good but it was wrong. She would never let a anyone touch her the way her was. Yet she could not stop him and half of her did not want him too. Samuel’s hand moved from her thighs and undid the irons around her wrist. She fell against him, her arms collapsing over his shoulders. He held her legs around him and carried her to the mattress. Holding her, he lowered himself to her knees and laid her down on the mattress. Persephone winced as he removed his legs from around his waist.

“There, there, love,” he coaxed when she winced. Her legs were burning with pain. And when she looked at them, she moaned. They were engorged with large bump and had discolored with purple, yellow and black. Samuel traced his fingers along the curve of her legs, just skimming them. He relaxed between her legs, hovering over her. Persephone was still breathing hard through gritted teeth and her chest was heaving up and down rapidly. Samuel kissed her brow and brushed stray strands of hair away from her face. “Now you can’t run away from me. Al east you won’t be able to for a while."

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Because I love you.”

“That a load of bullshit. You do not beat someone you love.”

“Love is pain, Arista.”

“You are taking that far too literally. I think you might have love confused with lust.” Samuel crawled off of her and sat down on his feet. Persephone could not even sit up to watch him. He opened her legs, earning a cry from her lips and kissed the inside of her thigh.

“Good night, Arista. Sweet dreams, “he said in a monotonous voice before standing up. He looked her over before retreating. The door shut and she was plunged into darkness. What did she say?