OSWALD'S presence was oppressive, and it felt like the walls had shrunk. He took a step forward, standing directly in front of her now, looking down at her with an expression devoid of emotion. His hands quickly went behind his back.
"Listen carefully," he began, his voice low and deliberate, "there are rules and regulations I have gotten for you, laid down rules," she gasped, "you are going to follow every one of them, obey every one of them."
Orlanda's heart sank as his words came, each one more terrifying than the last. He continued in a cold, measured tone:
"First rule, you don't leave this room unless I tell you to. Never ever."
"Second rule, you don't make a noise, no sounds, no talking, no screaming. No one should ever know you are in here. You stay quiet at all times."
She blinked, fear settling deeper in her chest.
"Third rule, if I give you an order, you follow it without question. You do not ask why and you do not hesitate."
Her stomach churned. The rules weren't just harsh, they were dehumanizing, the commands of a master over a slave.
"Fourth rule, you don't touch anything that belongs to me anymore. Not in this room, not anywhere in the house, keep your hands to yourself."
Orlanda's lips parted slightly, her mind struggling to keep up with the onslaught of rules.
"Fifth rule, you will only speak when spoken to, and you will address me as 'Master' at all times."