Chapter 7

"Tell me, my pet, how do you feel right at this moment?" Your quiet, calm enquiry floored me. How do you expect me to feel? Foolish. Idiotic. Insane.

"Small, Sir. Very small." My cheeks are burning with the embarrassment I feel at having urinated in front of you. It didn't matter that I couldn't control myself, that it was your fingers pinching me that started the flow. No, it didn't matter. What mattered to me was that I did it, me an adult. I breathe deeply once, to get my thoughts under control. I hear you talking...

"... should be proud of yourself, pet. Never feel small. Would you like me to remove you from the ladder?" Was this a trick question? I narrowed my eyes, behind my blindfold as I thought about the alternatives to staying up here and getting down. Thinking what you'd do to me if I stayed up here. Shaking my head, I realize I just can't out-think you. No way in hell, could I ever do that. Not you.

I have to give you credit for being so clever, so persistent, so damn patient. "Shall I take your silence to mean that you wish to stay on the ladder?" Oops...

"No, Sir. I was just thinking." I worded myself very carefully, so as not to be misunderstood. "I would like to be removed from the ladder, Sir. It would please me very much." Whew. I hope this isn't a trick. It wasn't. I felt your hands gently removing my bindings and, wrapping an arm around my waist -- an arm that felt strong and capable of gentleness and strength -- and unhooked my legs from the ladder rungs. I was lowered slowly to the ground.

Not daring to remove my blindfold, I slowly rose to my knees. The pebbles ground into my knees and feet, but I refused to shift. I stared straight ahead, knowing that with being blinded, looking down at the ground or up at your face (wherever that may be) would be silly and senseless. I heard a low chuckle of pleasure. Good. My heart swelled with pride. I did something right -- and it was so simple to do, painless even. I was even happier to realize that you didn't set me down in the puddle I'd created. I had almost forgotten about it, since I remained relatively dry, having had my legs spread wide.

"Why aren't your ears pierced, pet?" The unexpected turn of questions caught me off guard. It was a simple and somewhat mundane question, so I happily, and unhesitatingly, answered. "I did have them pierced, Sir -- twice. Infection each time, proved that I am allergic." I remained quiet and waited for your next question, knowing what it'd be...

"You had to try twice to be convinced it was an allergy?" Smiling, I nodded and explained that the first infection could have been a fluke -- inexperience at having to deal with the responsibility of tending to the new holes.

"Sir, may I ask a question?" Instinct tells me to ask first, even though I know you'd allow me to ask -- still. I felt it a courtesy since you were nice enough to let me down from the ladder. Heck, come to think of it, you hadn't even done me any harm. Caused me embarrassment, perhaps, but that's not so bad. I'll recuperate from that -- already was...

"You may, pet."

Good. "Sir, why did you ask me about the pierced ears?" The scar was barely discernible, the scar tissue in one lobe could barely be felt -- the other having completely healed over.

"Oh, I was just thinking -- for future references."

"Future... ?" I felt panic build within me. Forgetting myself, "Sir, we will... ? We... ? You... ?" Shit! I can't even form a coherent question!

"Yes, my dear. Did you think this was going to be a one time thing? I told you: I own you."

My heart, I thought, should have sank at your pronouncement but it didn't -- it kind of swelled. I think, with pride.