Free Slave Jade by Claire Thompson

tongue felt fat in her mouth. She licked dry lips, her eyes fixed on the bottle.
    She knew this time she would succumb. She had to get water and more food. She needed to regain her strength so she could think clearly. She had to begin to plot a way out of here. She wasn’t about to give up and spend the rest of her life in a dark cell at the mercy of a crazy person.
    If only she could get out of the room. Get to her purse, to her cell phone. She could press 911 and hit send. She was vaguely certain a cell phone’s location could be traced by its proximity to a cell tower. It was worth a try, if only there was some way to get to it.
    She thought about her computer and the emails no doubt piling up from Master John, as he wondered where she was. Not to mention her friends and her parents. How long had she been here? Were they looking for her?
    He’d abducted her late on a Friday night. With a sinking heart, she realized she might not even be discovered missing until she didn't show up on Monday to work. And even then, it might take a day or two before they became truly alarmed. She could well be dead by then.
    But this man—it didn't seem as if he wanted to kill her. It was almost as if he got confused sometimes, and seemed to regard her as his lover. As his willing slave girl. What kind of lover kept his beloved chained and then raped her and denied her basic sustenance? He was a monster!
    And yet, he also smoothed her hair gently from her face and told her how lovely and fair she was. And how happy they would be together once she was properly trained. The man was clearly insane and entirely deluded if he thought the two of them could ever have a relationship!
    Even through the numbing thirst, an idea began to form in Lisa’s head. Perhaps that was the key. She could use his delusions to gain his trust and somehow get the hell out of there. But how?
    He may be deluded, but he was also very careful. She didn't know where she was. She didn't know his name or anything about him. She was kept naked and starving in a tiny room with no relief from constant terror, overlain with stultifying boredom.
    For when he was gone, there was nothing. Most of the time there was no light. No sound. Nothing but her mattress, on which she tossed and turned, naked and frightened, dozing fitfully, only to jerk awake from a nightmare, or imagined noise, fists clenched, body covered in sweat, breath catching in her throat.
    The man lifted one eyebrow in question. “Are you ready, slave?”
    “Yes, sir.” Her voice came out as a croak, from disuse and thirst. She cleared her throat.
    “Kneel up on the floor,” he ordered.
    Lisa rolled from the mattress, trying to blank out her mind as he moved to stand in front of her, turned and lowered his jeans and underwear.
    With trembling fingers, Lisa spread his ass cheeks, squeezed her eyes shut and licked the puckered opening. Thank god, at least he was clean. Nevertheless, bile rose bitterly in her throat but she swallowed it, forcing herself to remain in position.
    He didn’t move away so she licked again. And again, determined to keep on until the bastard was satisfied.
    At last he stood up. Lisa sat back on her haunches, wiping her face with the back of one hand, wishing desperately she could brush her teeth. Pulling up his pants, he turned around and smiled broadly.
    “That wasn't so hard, was it? I can't believe you were so obstinate! You should worship your master’s body. You must never reject any aspect of him, no matter what.”
    He handed her the bottle. Lisa grabbed it and drank deeply, quickly, in case he took it away.
    While she drank, he produced a small apple, which he proceeded to cut into segments. He held them out, forcing her to take them from his fingers with her lips. She didn’t care, as long as he let her eat. Obedient as a trained dog, she opened her mouth again and again until the apple was gone. She was still ravenous but didn’t dare ask for more.
    Smiling with benign