It's NEVER Too Late

'Ouch!' I screamed, half asleep, pain surging through my ribs. 'Get up!' he shouted. He was wearing his boots today, I didn't see them, I just knew from my wake up call, my aching ribs. I scrambled as quick as I could to my feet and grabbed my over sized t-shirt and quickly slid it over my head. It would be easier to sleep with it on but that's not allowed. I could hear most of them talking in the hall, I couldn't make out any words, but I could tell from the different tones. I used a match to get the fire going, hoping it would heat the water up quickly.

All but one was up when I got to the hall. I placed the hot water in the center, ready to fill their cups. They continued talking like I wasn't there, relief washed over me but I knew it would be short lived. I managed to get to the fifth cup before Michael walked over, he had an evil smirk across his face and an empty cup in his hand. He was a tall slender man with dark hair, he towered over me, and he knew it. He held his cup out towards me, prompting me to fill it. I didn't want to, but I knew better than to refuse.

The instant the boiling hot water went down my legs I began to scream, all of them looked at me, not a hint of sympathy in any of their eyes, but possible a hint of pleasure, sexual pleasure. They casually began carrying on with their conversations when I stopped screaming, like they had enjoyed the show, but it was back to business now. At least he had tipped it before I had filled it to the brim. Michael had a devouring look in his eyes, I had seen it before. He knew I would react, and he knew he could now punish me for it. We were not to make a sound unless directed to. I was directed to continue serving and head to Michael's quarters at lunch time. I finished filling the cups as quickly as possible, I desperately wanted to dry my legs and apply something cool to the already forming blisters.

Anita began serving breakfast, I only knew her name, nothing else. I knew a few of the girls names, only from them talking about us. We weren't allowed to socialize, we would be punished for just making eye contact. I quickly put a rag under the cold tap and rested it on my legs, it was an instant relief. I sat for a few minutes but I knew I had to get on with the morning jobs. I began filling the mop bucket and got to work, I had to make sure everything was spotless.

I finished just before lunch, I looked at the old wooden clock with dread. I got to his door and lingered outside a couple of minutes before knocking. He didn't initially answer but then 'Come in' came from the other side, his voice clear and firm, as usual.