The Secrets we Reveal
Chapter Eight (Aidan)
"He looks so young." I hear a voice say, and while I was still in pain, and I couldn't see very well. I knew it was the voice of the girl who had set me up or at least played along with it.
"He's really hurt too, Kate." Another voice then says, and I instantly know that it was the guy named Chris. A part of me wanted to tell them to go away, and another part of me, the part of me that I felt ashamed of, wanted to beg them to help me. But even if I wanted to say anything, I wasn't able too. I could barely make a sound, let alone speak.
So I just had to listen, as they talked, and the more they talked, the more hope I started to feel. Not that I thought it would help me right now, but what had happened to me, didn't appeal to a lot of the Followers here. Of course, that didn't stop them taking their turns, but it seemed like that was through fear and self-preservation, rather than wanting to hurt me. I guess it didn't justify it, but the fact that there were those that felt remorse and disgust.
Meant that maybe not everyone who was part of the Rogue Empowered cult or whatever it would be called, is completely brainwashed. Which meant that there was hope and that the Rogue Empowered wasn't as powerful and secure as they thought they were.
"Here, try to drink this." I then hear Kate say in a soft tone, before feeling something pressing against my lips. The touch had actually made me cower back a little, and I felt what I figured was a bottle, moving away from me.
"Shit, Kate. Look what we've done." Chris then says, and while that was another potentially good sign. I could only feel the shame I felt grow. I was supposed to be the greatest and the strongest Empowered, I was a hero, a role model, and within a day or two or however long it's been. They've reduced me to be afraid of something offering me a drink.
"I know." I then hear Kate respond, before I then feel the bottle being pressed against my lips again. "It's just water, they told us it's okay to let you drink, just go slowly." She then says in a soft and gentle tone. Maybe if I wasn't feeling so bad, I would be able to figure out if she was being genuine or not, but I couldn't concentrate enough for that.
I also didn't realize how thirsty I was until I felt the moisture in my mouth, but as much as I wanted to drink it all, I felt the bottle being taken away. It barely felt like I had even taken a mouthful and to my continued and growing shame, I heard myself whimper a little bit. It made me feel pathetic.
"Don't, just don't Chris. They might be back soon, and it's too late." I then suddenly hear Kate say, and I instantly think about what her words just revealed. If the Rogue Empowered weren't heard, then I could escape. "Sorry for taking it away, Aidan. But if you drink too fast, you will just be sick." Kate then says as she cuts off my thoughts about escape, and I feel the bottle back against my lips.
I still felt pathetic, but I slowly drink the bottle. She has to take it away a couple of times, just to stop me from drinking too fast. Once I feel it being pulled away for the last time, I just about manage to open my eyes, after adjusting to the light, and I could see that it was daytime.
I could also see that no one else seemed to be around. At least not in front of me anyway, which was a relief. I knew they would have all witnessed what happened, hell, they took part, but I was happy to be left alone. It wasn't just the physical stuff, but the verbal abuse as well. These people were angry and full of hate. They were perfect for what the Rogue Empowered needed.
"Kate, look at him. he's just a kid." I then hear Chris state quietly. His concern gave me that little bit of hope again, but I could barely move, and if they released my restraints, I was pretty sure I would just crumple to the ground. So escape seemed impossible.
"If he can save the world, he can take this. It's not like they're going to kill him, they said they're letting him go soon." Kate quickly responds, and although her words are cold, even in my condition, I could sense that she didn't believe them.
"This is just wrong. It wasn't supposed to be like this." Chris then half mumbles quietly. Then to my dismay, I see him give me one last look of sympathy and then walk away.
"I know you're hurt, but you will be okay." Kate then says as I watch Chris disappear from sight. I wanted to take some kind of comfort from this, but I couldn't, and even as I suddenly felt something warm and wet on my forehead, I could feel myself giving up a little bit more. I just felt so weak.
It actually took me a few moments to realize what was actually happening, from that feeling of wetness across my forehead, it didn't register until she started cleaning my chest, that she was actually using a cloth or flannel to clean me up.
It should have brought me some comfort or made me feel grateful, but being cleaned up while in the middle of open space, and knowing the lower she got, the worse it would be to clean, just made me feel ashamed and mortified.
"That's enough!" I then suddenly hear from in front of us, and when I see Kate tense up and before quickly standing up. My heart sinks, as I see Poison and Siren standing there. Siren, in particular, was looking worryingly smug and was staring right at me to my growing shame, straight at my underwear.
"Sorry… I er… was just cleaning him up… like… er..." I then hear Kate nervously try to say, before being cut off by Poison. Who to my surprise wasn't looking smug or amused by my appearance. In fact, even with everything that had happened to me, she hadn't seemed to have enjoyed any of it.
"Leave, and catch up to your friend. Wraith wants to speak with you both." She states sharply, and as Kate gives me a quick final glance, I can see the fear in her eyes. I know I shouldn't care about them, but I can't help it.
"Such a little goody two shoes." Siren's voice then suddenly distracts me from my thoughts, and straight away I can see the amusement in her eyes. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you down." She then states coldly, and every fiber of my being shudders. That wasn't just a threat, that was a promise, and I quickly find myself looking at Poison, for some reason. I guess hope?
"If it were up to me, you would be dead already, Aidan. But it's not, and we follow our orders." Poison states without giving away any emotion. I couldn't work her out at all, but her response to questioning or more than likely pleading look wasn't the response I wanted to hear.
"You..." I then decide to say. Well to be more precise, try to say. My throat was killing me, and even though the water had helped, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to be able to talk for a while. Making me feel even more helpless than I was already feeling.
"Things change, Aidan. We have our orders, and for now, Invictus wants you alive and under control, and Siren will be making sure that happens." Poison then quickly states in the same emotionless tone as before. This time, however, I saw something in her expression. I wasn't sure what it meant, but maybe it's something that could help me.
"You're going to enjoy being my pet, and I am definitely going to enjoy training you. My own little ‘Super Hero' to play with." I then hear Siren state, and as I look back at her in fear and embarrassment, I could see her grinning in anticipation, and there was nothing I could do.
"Just remember what Invictus said, don't go too far." I then hear Poison state quietly. I was pretty sure that she didn't want me to hear that, but even with my powers dampened like they were, I could still make it out, and it gave me some hope. I just hope it was enough to survive what was coming.
Before I can really take it all in, and process that I wasn't being let go, I see some movement behind the two girls and see four followers approaching us with something that I had never seen before. It must be some kind of restraint for me, but this one looked very different from the one currently holding me up.
Although the closer they got, I slowly started to figure it out, and if I wasn't blushing already, I knew that I was now. It looked almost like a metal skeleton kind of thing, or something like that, and while I didn't know what it was, it was obvious that it was going to be very embarrassing and very restricting to wear.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt. Well, maybe a little, but you will get used to it." I then hear Siren say with an even wider grin than before. I had completely forgotten about where I was, as I tried to figure out this new restraint. So knowing that they had seen me trying to figure it out, and my obvious reaction. Made me feel even more humiliated.
"Don't take too long, we have things to do." I then hear Poison state, and as I look towards her, I saw a quick look of pity on her face, before just as quickly turning and walking away. Leaving me alone with Siren and the four Followers.
"I want him cleaned up before we put it on him." Siren then says without taking her eyes off me. "Hurry up, and I want him dressed before I see him again, you know where his clothes are." She then quickly states impatiently.
I'm not sure why I felt a sense of dread when she mentioned getting dressed. It should have given me some kind of relief, but knowing what she wanted to do to me, I couldn't help but fear the worst and knew that it had to be something humiliating.
Before I can really process it all, and think of some way out of this mess. I feel my restraints being removed and quickly slump to the ground, only to be lifted up by three of the Followers and slowly carried away from the clearing and towards wherever I was going to be cleaned up and restrained again.
Two hours later…
"You're just the cutest. My own little ‘Super Hero' to protect me." Siren happily teases for what had to be the hundredth time. It was almost like she was a child, but given the situation I was in, I knew that I had to be careful and not anger her.
The fact that I was already trying to avoid angering her wasn't lost on me either. I knew that no matter how hard I tried, and how much I resisted, she would break me. No one was unbreakable, and as I knelt in front of her staring at her feet. I felt a chill run through my entire body.
The only comforting thing that I could hold on to right now though was that I was at least dressed. At least that should be comforting to me, but she had even made that humiliating. To be in my own Empowered suit, or at least a very good copy of it, while being helpless and at the mercy of Siren. It just increased the feeling of hopelessness.
The only hope I did have, was for the Facility to launch a rescue operation, but I wasn't due back until tomorrow and given my reputation, it could be another day or two before they realize something could be wrong. Then they would have to find me because I doubt that we're in the same place that they captured me.
"Are you even listening to me?" I then suddenly hear, and quickly look up. Which was obviously a mistake, as I felt a sharp pain across my face, and quickly looked back down.
I could still feel the burning across my cheek, as I tried not to give her the satisfaction of letting her see how much that hurt. Although the sound of her giggling in amusement, quickly made it clear, that she didn't care how I reacted. She was in control, and had all the time in the world, to make me hers.
"You're going to be sixteen soon." I then hear her say, and despite myself, I shivered at the implications. I had seen what she had done to some of the followers a few days earlier. I knew what she was capable off, and it wasn't limited to those above a certain age. In fact, I was surprised that it seemed to be an issue with me. But it's one that I was grateful for because I'm not sure that I could handle that humiliation.
"Look at me, Hero!" Siren then states in a firm and sharp tone, and as I look up, I can't help but hate the smirk on her face. I've never really hated anyone before, but I hate her. "I would prefer to call you Aidan. I like that name, but when I unveil you to the world, I want them to know exactly who you are." She then states with that same smirk on her face. Which quickly replaces the feeling of hate, with fear and shame.
I still had hope, because I believed Riley and Lily would never give up until they found me. However, that didn't mean they would find me right now, and the thought of being broken and paraded around as Siren's slave, just chilled me to the core.
"I might have to rethink your gag, even if it does make you look adorable." She then says with obvious amusement again. I really fucking hated her. "There, that's better, now we can talk to each other." She then says, after removing the gag that had been forced into my mouth.
"You're making a mistake." I quickly decide to say. I know that it's hardly the smartest thing to say, but I couldn't help myself. She was likely to gag me as soon as she got bored again. So I figured this might at least amuse her enough to give me at least a break from the inevitable.
"You're making a mistake. You're going to regret this. I will make you pay. Please, I'm sorry. I will do whatever you want. Please. Please. Please." She quickly responds back, and I can't help but just stare at her in shock. "It's what you all say. I don't blame you, but it's boring. So let's talk about something else." She then adds, and while I was shocked before, I was even more so now. But I really have nothing to say. Well, fuck, I have a lot to say. But she was clearly crazy or some kind of psychopath. Either way, I had no idea how to deal with her, especially without my powers and restrained like I was.
"Oh come on, Hero. I take the gag out, and now you don't want to talk." She then states impatiently, and as much as I had no idea how to deal with this or what to even say. I knew that being quiet now was a mistake.
"How did you know I was here? How do you know any of us were spying on you?" I decide to ask. I mean why the fuck not. I might be at my lowest right now and scared shitless, but I was still Hero, and more importantly, I was still me, and I don't break easily.
"Hmm..." Is her only response though. At least for a few moments and that started to worry me. Although at the same time, I guess it was also good. I mean she wasn't mocking me or torturing me. So that was something.
"I mean, what's to lose. Unless you think I might escape." I decide to taunt. It was risky, but that's who I am, I am tired of being scared, and from what I do know about Siren. She is the one that I might be able to get information from. I just had to hope I would have the chance to use it. But instead of reacting how I assumed or even hoped she would, she just laughs, and it wasn't a hysterical or insane laugh either. It was a laugh that made me feel like I just lost some kind of game, that I didn't even know I was playing.
"I'm sorry, I really am. But you're just so predictable, Hero. So, so predictable." She then says in a tone that was full of contempt. "You thought I was the dumb one, the crazy stupid little girl, the one you could trick into revealing all the plans. It should piss me off, but it's just funny now." She then adds with a smirk. A smirk that instantly made me realize that I had fucked up.
"I..." I then try to say, as I try to get myself out of whatever mess I just made for myself, but I quickly get cut off.
"Don't worry my little pet. I enjoy this moment enough not to punish you. Although I might do it anyway. I can't wait for the day when you enjoy and beg to be punished." I hear her state with a look of amusement. It makes me shake a little, and even though it was pointless, I try to test the restraint that bound my body, but as I had already discovered, I could barely move, let alone break free.
"But anyway, where to start. I have two PhDs, probably would have had a couple more if it wasn't for gaining my powers and having Invictus recruit me." She then starts to say, before pausing for a few seconds to smile at me. I guess I must have looked as surprised as I felt. From what I had observed, she was not an academic.
"Oh please, don't give me that look. I was never an angel or a saint, but I was always near the top of the class throughout school and college. It's actually funny because I initially tried to be a hero. I mean we all dream of being a hero, even those of us who weren't angels. It was actually quite fun, and helping people and taking down the bad guys. Yeah, it was fun and satisfying. At first." She then says with an almost wistful expression. I had never heard or seen her before. So she must have gone by a different name.
"At first?" I find myself asking, without even meaning to. I just couldn't help it, she talked about enjoying being a hero and taking down the bad guys. So what could possibly change that? What could change someone from helping people to torturing and enslaving people for your own perversions?
"I don't hate people, I don't want to see the world burn or kill people. Well, there are exceptions, but you, Hero. You believe in a world that doesn't exist. It is no good or evil. There is no right or wrong. It's a convenience. You take away peoples creature comforts, and what are you left with? You tell people that there could be a petrol shortage, you tell them not to buy too much, and they won't run out, and what do they do? What do people do? They buy ridiculous amounts, they buy enough to last them weeks and weeks when they would normally buy enough to last the week. Then, of course, the petrol runs out and people panic and complain and get violent. People are savages, Hero. People are only good when it's convenient for them to be good." She eventually answers after a few moments of just staring at me. Although as I tried to process what she had said, and come up with some kind of response, she starts talking again.
"I know, I know. There are good people and exceptions and all that crap. But really think about it, Hero. I mean take a look at your own Facility. What exactly are they doing, are they the good guys? Are they really just in it to help Humanity, or are they after something else?" She asks with a strange look. A look that takes me a few moments to realize as intrigue. She genuinely wants me to answer. I just have no idea how.
"Okay, I get it. Lot's to take in and think about. So how about this, Hero. How did we get our information on you being here, and other operatives spying on us?" She then asks. It was another serious question, and another I had no answer to. "I know you thought I was stupid, and I would slip up some information and crap like that, Hero. So here's some information for you. Your precious Facility has a mole. It has a wolf in sheep's clothing, and they have no idea. They will never see it coming, and when the times comes, that wolf will bring it to its knees." She then adds in an almost terrifying tone. She believed what she was saying, and more importantly, I believed it.
"Don't worry my little pet. You will be trained before that happens. We want them to see you in all your glory as my little pet before we bring them completely to their knees." She then gloats with that stupid laugh of hers. It actually makes me angry enough, to stand up, or more accurately, attempted to stand up, but whatever this restraint is, and what's it's made off, makes it impossible.
"That's just too cute. It must be hard for someone with your power, to not even be able to stand up. But I promise, Hero. You will soon enjoy all of this, it will excite you to be under my control, and there is nothing you can do about it." She then states in amusement, whispering the last few words into my ear, after crouching down in front of me. I hated her, I hated her more than anything at this moment.
"You will never win." I then somehow manage to say. I was scared, humiliated and for the first time in my life, I felt completely defeated. But I wasn't just some little kid. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing how I felt. I am better than that.
"Oh, Hero… We've already won." She quickly retorts. It's like she could see right through me, like she knew exactly what I was going to say, and had the perfect response ready. Just the way she was staring into my eyes, and rubbing her fingers down both of my arms, let me know that she knew she was in complete control.
"We're ready." I then hear a voice from behind me say. It had actually made me flinch, and I could see the amusement in Siren's eyes, furthering my humiliation.
"Perfect." Siren quickly responds, before standing up and looking at me expectantly. "If you want me to carry you like a baby, I will. Otherwise, you better get moving." She then states impatiently. It wasn't a threat, and I knew, either way, I would be humiliated even more.
But as embarrassing as this was going to be, I wasn't going to let her carry me. Although as I struggled to turn myself around, I quickly froze, as I saw Poison standing there and looking at me in disgust. I have no idea why that bothered me, why that affected me as it did. But it hurt for some reason.
Before I could really think about it though, I feel myself being pushed forward a little by Siren's foot against my rear. It wasn't a hard push, but it almost made me fall flat on my face. Whatever this restraint or suit was, it made even the slightest movements almost impossible, and it took almost all my strength to hold myself up.
"Even with the collar, I thought he would be able to stand." I then hear Poison state in what sounded like disappointment, but as I glanced up at her, I could see that it was as much disgust, as much as it was disappointment. I then watched as she walked out of the room, and feeling something pressing against my rear again, I reluctantly started to crawl forward.
The restraint suit was making it harder and harder to crawl, as I struggled against its pressure. However, as soon as I reach outside and see what is in front of me, I freeze. Even the pressure on my rear doesn't make me move. This just couldn't be happening.
"We know we can do so much to you, and you won't give in. Normally I would enjoy it, but we kind of want to break you quickly. Breaking the best of the best, the strongest of the strong, in record time. That's just too good to resist." I then hear Siren whisper into my ear. I hadn't even noticed that she had draped herself over me. But even though I was in shock, I knew how this was going to end.
If it wasn't for the restraint suit, I would be slumped on the ground. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. Sure they might have played a part in setting me up, but they were young. Maybe not as young as me, but from earlier, I knew that they were having regrets and second thoughts about being Followers. Now, they were restrained in the same kind of frames, that I had been held in for the past few days, and they were both staring straight at me with fear in their eyes.
"This is your fault, Hero. They felt sorry for you, and actually thought we wouldn't find out that they were talking about leaving, and even taking you with them. You see what you do to people, Hero. You give them false hope, and now they will pay the price." A voice then suddenly says, and it takes me a few moments to realize that it was a male voice, and as I looked up, I could see Wraith standing in front of me.
I try my best to get to my feet. If I wasn't in this suit and wear this collar, he wouldn't stand a chance, none of them would, but as much as I tried, I just couldn't do it.
"This is what Heroes do. This is what they do to the people they're supposed to help. They get them hurt, Hero. You give them a sense of security. You make them think that they're protected and can stand up for themselves. It's because of people like you that so many people suffer." He then states after looking down at me with a smirk.
Before I can even think of anything to say in response, I feel the same pressure as earlier on my backside, and quickly glare back at Siren. I was getting sick of this, but at the same time, I knew that I couldn't do anything. It was hopeless.
"You still have a little spirit left, Hero. Let's see how long that will take to whip out of them." Siren then states in an almost sadistic tone. Although as much as I want to do something, I can't help but be a little confused by her choice of words, and I definitely didn't misunderstand her. She knew what she said, and as I look over to Kate and Chris, my heart sinks as the realization finally hits me completely.
"I think he just got it." I then hear Wraith state in amusement. I wasn't really listening though, I was focused on Kate and Chris, and the two followers behind them, who were both holding the same type whips that were used on me, and I quickly tried to get up.
"Disappointing." I then hear one of the girls say. I think it was Poison, but I was too distracted to really care who it was. I just couldn't believe this was happening. Even as I felt myself being half dragged in front of Kate and Chris, I couldn't quite believe it.
"This is going to be simple, Hero. We tell you to do something, you do it." Wraith then states, but I still can't take my eyes of what is now directly in front of me. I could see the fear in both their eyes and what was worse. What was even worse than that. I could see the hope in their eyes. I could see what they were thinking. It made me feel sick on the inside.
"Every time you hesitate, every time you say no or refuse, Hero. They get whipped. Do you understand?" I then hear Siren state. I could only tell this time because she was draped over me again. "Don't say we didn't warn you." I then hear her say. Which quickly makes me look at her, and then at Kate and Chris, as I hear them scream in agony.
To be continued...