Chapter 14

Maddie’s hunger grew again, and she began to get dizzy with the isolation and silence and constant bright light. The voice came back, and again she followed his instructions, out of the room, hands on the handprints, was locked in. Then, in darkness, the featureless blob man left her food, and felt up her body, changing her underwear and socks.

This time, however, he or it also fastened a collar around her neck. After she ate her demeaning meal she was allowed to return to her room and get a proper look.

The collar was a sleek, matte black band, lined with soft material to prevent chafing but tight enough that she could barely slip a finger beneath it. A small charging socket and an integrated locking mechanism hinted at its high-tech, invasive design.

“I hope you find your collar pretty, Maddy,” the voice blared suddenly, making her jump. “You’ll be wearing it for a long time—it will be part of you, a means of controlling you and ensuring you stay nice and compliant.”

Maddie said nothing, as her fingers traced the edge of the collar nervously.

“Now, Maddie,” the voice purred, “can I see you in your new panties? Pull up that dress, give me a nice twirl, and this time, bend over and shake that ass for me—let me have a good, long look.”

“What is going to happen to me?” Maddie asked instead.

Suddenly, a sharp buzz sounded, and the collar delivered a jolt to her neck, making her gasp in pain.

“You see, Maddie, this is what happens when you’re disobedient,” the voice said, dripping with cold amusement. “You need to learn—you’ll be disciplined with the collar and in many other entertaining ways, trust me.”

Maddie was still reeling from the sharp pain in her neck, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as she exhaled loudly, trying to steady herself.

“Now, show me your panties, girl.”

Maddie obediently lifted the hem of her dress high, almost to her shoulders, acutely aware that she wore no bra. Her entire abdomen and legs were exposed as her eyes flicked down to the white thong with a small fox emblem printed on it.

“Now, the second thing I asked you to do...”

Maddie bent over, aware that the thong would be riding right up her ass displaying her full buttocks, and swayed her hips gently.

“Up and down not just side to side.”

Maddie tried to move her ass up and down, shaking it as much as she could, but she had barely any body fat and the sight was more valuable to Pembroke for its humiliation value than anything pornographic.

“Very good Maddie. I will talk to you later. Goodbye.”

Maddie was left alone again, touching the collar, fearing its power over her, ---------- Pembroke was a bit afraid of crossing the rubicon of revealing himself to Maddie. There was still a chance she might be found or he be suspected and he could still release her and get away with it. He needed just some more reassurance.

And so Maddie found herself facing another tortuous period of solitude as Pembroke left the island again.

“Hello, Edward,” said the cheerful young woman as she walked into the room.

“Oh, hello. What happened to Doug?” Pembroke asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Doug is on sick leave, so I’m stepping in,” she replied with a bright smile. “I’m Hyacinth—I’ll be taking over your cases. And ... I’ve seen your diagnosis,” she added, her face softening into a look of sympathy.

Pembroke shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his expression guarded. He’d taken the train to London to meet with his probation officer and finalize details with his lawyers about the life insurance payout and the island.

“Oh yes, well, I still try to live on,” he said flatly, his eyes narrowing as he assessed her. She was young, with short hair, a scattering of tattoos, and several piercings—the left wing type he instantly disliked.

“Edward, have you been living in London the last few weeks since that awful incident—the one where the mob tried to burn you out?” Hyacinth asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Oh yes,” Pembroke lied smoothly, rattling off the address of a Pakistani family of seven he had bribed to vouch for him.

“Oh, good,” Hyacinth said with a smile. “We have to keep track of where ex-offenders have been, you know. It’s so unfair on you guys.” She leaned forward slightly, her voice tinged with sympathy. “I will make sure it’s clear you were living here if some fascists try to blame you for anything.”

Her tone grew more indignant as she continued. “That poor girl up in Scotland who drowned in Loch Ness—they’re trying to pin that on people who were in prison years ago. It’s so unfair how your lot are treated.”

Pembroke inhaled sharply, his brow furrowing. “Why is that, if she drowned?” he asked cautiously.

“Oh, apparently they can’t find the body,” Hyacinth replied, her tone dismissive. “So, they’ve come up with this crazy idea that someone kidnapped her. And of course, they just go straight for past offenders—it’s ridiculous.” She gave him a reassuring smile, leaning closer to pat him on the shoulder. “But don’t worry, I have your back. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve been through this year.”

Pembroke managed a smile. “Thank you.”

“And, well,” she said, her voice wavering as she stifled a quiet sob. “I’m afraid this will be our last meeting. On account of your condition and the staff shortages we’re facing ... well, we won’t be having any more meetings, so your probation period will be ended.”

“Oh, I guess that is ... good news,” Pembroke said, feigning a smile.

“Well, of course,” Hyacinth replied, her voice soft and hesitant. “I guess it just means that ... well ... you know.”

“Oh, of course,” Pembroke said with a slight smirk. “Well, I’m not dead yet.”

---------- Pembroke had never felt as good in decades. Temporarily giving up drink and drugs had been a boon, but even so, he started daring to believe the diagnosis might be incorrect. Anyway, he had things to do.

He took a train straight to Edinburgh and managed to gain access as a member of the public to a press conference where Gerry and Kate McAllister were addressing the media. He wore a cap, dark glasses, a smart polo shirt, and heavy makeup to conceal the scars that had once been hidden by bandages or stitches. Neither Gerry nor Kate had ever seen him without those layers of concealment, they had only seen him in stitches or in heavy bandages. Standing inconspicuously at the back of the room, he watched as the grieving parents spoke.

“The police are doing everything they can,” Gerry said, his voice heavy with emotion. “And they assure us that if Maddie is out here, either in Loch Ness or anywhere else, they will move heaven and earth to find her.”

Kate stepped up next, her face pale and tear-streaked. “Please, if someone has taken my daughter,” she began, her voice trembling, “she was the light of my life. I cannot go on without her. Please, we don’t care about punishments or anything, we just want her back—to see her smile again.” She paused, choking back a sob, before continuing, “If you have her, please just let her go or let us know she’s alive. And please ... please don’t hurt her.”

As her voice broke, she dissolved into tears, and Gerry immediately stepped forward to embrace her. The room filled with the quiet hum of camera shutters and murmured sympathy. Pembroke though, the sick freak that he was, got an erection just from watching Kate, loving the change he had enacted on her. She looked like she had aged a decade in a week.

He set off with renewed purpose to the west coast by train, then to the small harbour town, picked up his new deliveries, and made his way by boat to begin the next phase of breaking Maddie in.

---------- Maddie was spiraling into madness from the relentless hunger, the blinding light, and the suffocating solitude. Pembroke had watched footage recorded while he was away—she had banged on the walls in desperation, bitten the duvet as though it were food, and alternated between screaming and crying, and nodding her head in despair for hours.

When she heard the voice again, Maddie felt an unsettling wave of gratitude—for the company and the promise of food. She didn’t care about what it wanted.

“Hello, please, please, I’m starving,” she begged, her wide, desperate eyes darting frantically around the walls.

“The door is open my darling. Same procedure, hands on the paw prints” he said jauntily.

Maddie bounded out like a hungry dog, eagerly getting on all fours, and almost feeling grateful for the ‘click’ of the cuffs around her wrists.

Some time passed, and she began worrying and calling out again. Then she heard some doors opening, and the anonymous giant blob man came through the darkness, putting the metallic tray below her.