Chapter 23: Loveless
"So, if I said I was going to kill your family, what would you do?" (Otec)
"I would prevent you by any means necessary." (Rehor)
"Why?" (Otec)
How is that even a question? They are my family, of course I would attempt to prevent any harm coming against them. They are something I must protect.
"Because they are my family. It's would I should do." (Rehor)
"It's not because you love them, and you want to protect those that you love?" (Otec)
"I would like to say that I love them, but I'm no longer able to say that. You have taken that from me. The ability to love my family, I wish I could do that, but, I can't." (Rehor)
"Alright then, I'm going to go kill them. It was Muceni that brought you here? I'll have her help me. I'll just constrain you here to prevent me from having to deal with you." (Otec)
He is one disturbed person. I am not able to see what type of game he is playing with me. My only guess, is that he wants to destroy the one last attachment that I have with anything outside of here.
I will fight him. Even though I no longer have the ability to love my family, I will do something to prevent my family from getting hurt. Though, can I compete against somebody that would attack an innocent family. My own self preservation and lack of true caring will prevent me from trying my hardest.
I know, when I first came here, I would have raged against what Otec is saying he would do to my family. Now, I here what he says. I know I should protect my family. But, I am not able to throw myself, wholly, into it.
"Please don't. I ask that of you. I will not fight any longer. I will join your cause, willingly." (Rehor)
"Hmm, that's an interesting proposal. Let me think about it." (Otec)
"Thank you." (Rehor)
"Now, time for your remaining activity of the day, isolation. I won't act until I have let you out of there." (Otec)
If it will keep Otec from attacking my family, I will do as he asks. I would like to be able to care more about what he says, but it is not possible for the me that I have become. I know I am to weak to resist him, successfully.
* * *
Usually, being in an isolation room, I am let out some time around dinner. Yet today, it has gone well past the time where I would normally be released from this room. Does that mean that Otec has forgotten about me? Or is he doing something else?
Could what he has said earlier, about my family, be what he is doing now? He said he would kill my family. And I said I would defend them. Did he leave me here in this room to keep me out of his way?
While he is a brutal torturer, he has never lied to me. I find him a product of his environment, reprehensible, but, I know he is true to his word. Even if he went to attack my family, he would have released me first, even if he would put me straight back in here.
* * *
I am hungry, thirsty, and tired. It has been over two full days since I was put into the cell. Neither food nor water have been given to me in that time period. And sleep, I have not done that either. One of the few rules about the isolation chamber, is that one is not allowed to sleep in it. I have the punishment, multiple times, from that rule.
Where is Otec? Is he still contemplating on whether or not on if he will kill my family? Does he think that me joining the cult is worth the time and hassle of doing that task?
I know that I should be nervous and scared that Otec is in fact going to kill them, but I am not. This is what is like to be devoid of feelings. The simple reactions that emotions cause, no longer come.
It was at this time that I hear a couple of voices talking, as the are going past the cell. I recognize the voices, as they are Collared Unleashed, but I do not know who they are. As I have said, I have purposely not learned the names of the Unleashed. I did not want to humanize them, since I was going to destroy them, when I am capable.
"Did you hear, Otec went on a trip?" (Woman Unleashed)
"I knew I didn't see him yesterday. I don't remember seeing his apprentice either. That would explain it." (Man Unleashed)
"But isn't Rehor still fully untrained? Why would Otec take him with him?" (Man Unleashed 2)
Otec left? Did he not tell me, that he was going consider my proposal of willing joining his cause? Does that mean he was lying to me about releasing me, prior to killing my family? While I cannot believe that he would lie to me, I should at least attempt to stop him.
"That kid isn't worth the hassle of training him. He's already been here for several years, and he is still in the initial level of training." (Man Unleashed 2)
"We don't stop training someone partially through. You know that." (Woman Unleashed)
"I know, but it is still not worth the effort that we are putting into him. Most of the others that came in after him have already advanced to at least there next level." (Man Unleashed 2)
"Can you let me out of here?" (Rehor)
I asked this of the Unleashed that were talking as they passing me. I know I am forbidden from speaking, but I should attempt to leave from here. I should try to make sure that Otec is not going to kill my family.
"Otec left me in here for several days. I think he might be trying to attack my family. I want to stop him if he is going to do that." (Rehor)
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ApollyonDais
ApollyonDais I think I am being a bit of a sadist as I'm writing this story. I originally didn't mean to write this dark of a story, at least as of this point. But I am being cruel to Rehor, and I'm kind of enjoying it.
Sorry if this is hurting anyone, but I thank you for continuing reading this piece.
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