Faline

I help hold him as Trisha and Orion work on him right there in the bathroom. Good a place as any. Alastor also helps, talking to the younger boy. The sounds of the bones snapping have me wincing each time, but the fox barely makes a sound. Makes me wonder just how much they hurt to begin with. That or he's doing all his screaming in his head.

The black fox body starts shaking before the first leg is done. Scarlett has shifted and is nosing at his face, licking over his muzzle. Danica is also wincing but watching what’s done, being the healer's apprentice, she needs to learn about and what to do as well.

Once his legs are reset and bound so they stay in position to heal, he passes out. I had asked if it'd be better if he was in human form, and they said yes, but he refused to shift. Now that he's in a place where he won't get molested while animal, he feels safest in that form.

Can't say I blame him, I did the same thing. Don't know about everyone else, but I'm glad when he finally goes unconscious. Once all finished, Orion and his nephew take the small fox to the room where the others are resting.

I have Scarlett go as well, wanting her to stay close to the smaller fox and provide whatever comfort possible. No family was brought up at all, but when he wakes later I plan on asking. Even though neither will be staying, I write down notes for them anyway.

When asked how old Alastor is, I'm told twenty. Only looks in his late teens due to the slower aging of Shifters. Which means Maii is probably older than he looks.

Next room I enter belongs to the last human female; Elena. She also looks very young, and very drugged. The curvy young woman’s arms are covered in old and new track marks, and with that many, Trisha motions to the girl's feet.

I'm confused, but she explains that between her toes will more than likely be more traces of needle penetrations. Don't need those to tell me she is pumped full, I can smell it in her constant sweating. Detox is definitely needed here.

She'd been another that was offered upfront; only one who seemed to enjoy being there. Rika had said an Elena had been there for at least three months, so this must be her. She's mumbling as I get her to the showers, much of it being propositions in return for a hit.

I hold her up in the shower room as Trisha looks her over. Multiple rings are pulled out from her labia, the thick metal had been there for quite a while. Can tell that from after the removal of them, as the skin still hangs lower than what it should.

A total of six larger ones are removed and four smaller that had been further in. The healer explains what she finds, and it has me dumbfounded. Evidence of multiple births, which she goes on to say that most would have either been aborted or ended up as miscarriages.

When asked, the girl just giggles, singing a litany of 'No Maybes or Babies, just Pleasures to go with the Leathers'. I'm asked multiple times if I'd like to give her pain, that she enjoys it, even craves it. By the time I get the water turned on, I make sure it's cold.

She screeches then starts giggling again. When I ask what she's on, she won't answer, so Trisha asks what she smells like. When answered, her lips purse. Heroin.

I’m told to put her under warm water since her normal temperature has gone down. Spots are pointed out where pustules have formed, patches from repeated scratching, inflamed gums, and where veins have collapsed. Poor girl is a mess when you really look beyond the pretty face.

Even her face though is showing the continued use of the drug. After makeup is washed off, it shows even more so. Waxy looking skin that is splotchy and red, dark under eyes, and sunken cheeks that at first looked like natural cheekbone definition. Trisha shakes her head when it's all revealed.

"She will be lucky if she is alive this time tomorrow, but it won't feel like it. She's already starting to go through withdrawal effects. They must have been giving her a steady diet of it."

Grabbing the girl’s hands, she looks over her fingertips and toes. Whole time this is going on the girl is asking for a hit...she'll do anything for me...nothing she won't do.

"There's no blackening, so they weren't using cheap grade. Her teeth may look fine, but they’re thin and will break easily. The scars on her butt extend all the way into her anus. The muscle tissues have been damaged just as her vagina has been. Rough insertions of various objects from fists to various alcohol bottles, to go off what I've heard from others who survive."

Her head is shaking, a bleak look on her face as we dry the girl off and wrap her in a fresh towel.

"Cold turkey detox will have her dead by tonight. No real way to prevent it without giving her more and trying to wean her off of it. It would be merciful to end it for her now."

I'm appalled, but this isn't my line of expertise. Being a healer as old as she is, I'm sure she's seen this many times.

"She's young enough that there's still a chance but not too high of one. The other girl, Tasha, doesn't have these types of marks, but even she’ll have to be closely watched. Just one time is enough to develop an addiction."

I nod, unsure just what to do. Successfully blocking out the girl's wishes of a good time and listed things she can and will do, I get her back to her room. On my wishes, Trisha gives her a strong sleeping aid.

When we move further away from the room, Elena's cries grow more frequent and urgent. They're muffled, but supernatural hearing can still make out her pleas. Unable to think too hard on it, I eventually turn to the older woman.

"If she doesn't show any sign of being able to make it through, give her something that will put her to sleep, and stay that way. She's been through enough, anything more is just torture."

I try to keep my face blank and voice neutral, but it cracks. She nods and pats my arm.

"This is why there are so many animals here and not too many humans. Most of them brought in don't make it through the purging of their systems. Those that do are little more than zombies from their brains being damaged too much."

I nod once more, having seen those she's referring to. Blank expressions or one of constant confusion. Most having been kicked to a much younger thought process with as...slow...as they are.

Perfectly obedient and seem to want for nothing but to get to their next task. Doesn't matter what it is. This is where being a paranormal is a blessing...and just as much a curse. We may not have to worry about the everyday drugs, but the physical and mental abuse is twice as bad.

Trying to push my mind from it, I grab up a couple of water bottles and open two more doors. Both are Shifters. Both have track marks, but whatever had been pumped into them has worked its way out. Couple more that'd been upfront to be shown off, each gets handed a water bottle while I write things down.

Milo, a serval Shifter, is twenty-one. Started out on the street and is a bottom. When I look at him in question, he smiles. Trisha fills me in on what it means.

A thin, lanky build of five-foot-ten has him looking younger. At this point, I take them at their word; no point in lying about it. The proverbial blue-eyed blond, his hair is cut short and his face has been shaved.

Seems to be in good spirits overall - even looking battered with old wounds and fresh brand removal. When asked, because it seems weird to me, he explains that he's been listening. Cocking my head, I look him over.

"How long were you held?"

It takes him a moment as he thinks about it, but it's the other who answers, a lower-pitched voice meant for seduction and bedroom pillow talk.

"Around three weeks. He was already there when I was brought in, but only by a day or two."

Viskal, wolf Shifter. A light brown skin-toned black man with startling gray eyes. Just looking at him you know he had to have been a high school heartthrob. Being nineteen, I'm not far off. Few inches over six-foot with the defined body that most African American males are known for, shaved black hair is on both his head and face, but it’s obvious that the facial stubble was shaped.

He's trying to appear submissive, but it's clear that he isn't. When he finally meets my eyes, I quirk a grin at him.

"Around me, you don't have to do your subby act; it's obvious you aren't. When around other Vampires though, I'd suggest caution. They're used to having bowed heads and pliant bodies. The Lady of the house especially. Where others may hesitate because you're not their 'property', she has no problem harming anyone."

Pretty sure my voice changed there, becoming harder, but I calm down easily enough. The wolf watches me curiously but doesn't say anything. Clearing my throat, we go for the bathroom.

"Just what is it that's expected of us now? The spoils going to the winners?"

His deep voice has a bite to it, but I don't mind. I answer as he walks beside me, once more grinning. Seth trails behind us while the healer and serval are upfront.

"Pretty sure you're smart enough to figure that out on your own. After you've all rested, the Mistress will talk with all of you and tell you what's what. I'm taking over the caring for the submissives here, but she still lays out all the laws, as it were."

I shrug nonchalantly but capture both gazes before they go into the showers.

"If you wish to leave after she speaks with you, talk to me and I'll see what I can do. Since you're all 'spoils' that had no money exchanged, I'm sure I can see you released if you wish. I need to know where it is you plan on going though, I'm not sending any of you back to previous pimps. Actual friends, family, or if you have it; your own place."

Milo is plenty satisfied with my explanation but Viskal stands just inside and looks at me. Those gray eyes are pretty creepy when their total focus is on you. Tilting my head, I look right back at him.

"There was another place you mentioned earlier when talking about the fox kid."

Ahh, I see. My hands motion him towards the water as I respond.

"My sister, yes. I still need to get the go-ahead for it."

He blinks at me, then goes for a showerhead. Leaning on the 'T' part of the wall dividing the entrance, I look out at Seth. Still in human form, but he looks pretty uncomfortable.