Chapter 59
Phoenix
Walking through the stalls in the Abbey's underbelly, I notice the inventory has increased. Every one of the stalls is full, the air once again thick with fear and sweat. The most notable change is close to half of the new products are men.
The first I move past is secured to a wooden beam, same as they usually are.
Except I see The Sect's men have bolted another trailer hitch onto this one, its chrome surface reflecting the scant light.
The man, this “new option” item, is straddling it.
His ankles are shackled with rusted iron cuffs and being pulled slowly apart by mechanical winches, forcing him into the splits.
His wrists are cuffed behind him. The skin raw and bleeding where metal meets flesh.
His head is encased in a wooden box with tiny airholes.
The knob of the trailer hitch disappears into his ass, leaving a ring of angry red skin.
This seems so much worse than what I've seen before.
It makes me ill. Leaving a hot and bitter sting in my throat.
I don't know what to make of the fact the man's dick looks like granite, it's so hard, jutting upward against his trembling stomach.
I don't see any staff around him. He's just been left in this position, muscles quivering with the strain of maintaining it.
I walk quickly to the hallway and then to the stairs heading to Clark's office, my hand sliding along the cold metal railing.
“Phoenix!” he boasts as I walk in, his voice booming in the sparse room. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” His mask catches the light, the polished surface hiding whatever expression might lie beneath.
“Nothing exciting. I just came by to make sure the most recent updates have installed and are running. I want to make sure the encryption is never at risk. I’m feeling a little squirrely about security these days.
There’s been a lot going around that’s compromising systems, and I want to make sure you’re covered for all of them. ”
“Always forward-thinking.” He waves his hand at the computer like it’s some peasant machine.
“I noticed there’s some new merchandise,” I spit out after hesitating. “I don’t think they were here last time I stopped by.”
“Yes, you have come in on a particularly busy ‘training day’. We got quite a haul in yesterday,” he explains. “You no doubt remember we had that clearance sale.”
“Of course.”
“The boss had somewhat of an epiphany. We were being tragically short-sighted by only offering women. We received a couple complaints from clients about the fact that we lacked true diversity on our menu. Thus, we’ve expanded the business model to include anyone of appropriate age.”
“So that’s where we draw the line? Minors?” I chuckle rhetorically.
“Absolutely. We don’t deal with anybody underage. Once they’re an adult, they’re on their own and fucked the same as anybody else.”
I log into his computer and hurry through my tasks. It doesn’t take long for me to make sure everything is set the way I need it. The way I want it. So I can access it.
“I don’t suppose we’ll see you at the next auction, Hmm?” he hums, and I imagine a sinister grin under his mask.
“I doubt it, but you never know. Is there something you need me for?”
“I’ll let you know. I take it you’re done with your little updates here?”
“Everything should be perfectly fine.” Making my way to the exit, I focus on maintaining my composure.
I know he doesn’t know shit about computers, but still worry he’s going to discover my deception.
He’s going to know I can spy on him and everyone else in The Sect.
That I see everything they’re doing. But he won’t.
He has no idea I’m going to see every file.
Every folder. Every transaction. More importantly, I’m going to find Simon. And then I’m going to end him.