It’s been a month of being in this hell hole and I still want to leave, but I don’t at the same time. I feel a connection with Walter with every passing day, it gets stronger. I wear my collar every day, all day. Until one day, where things changed. I was still a broken boy. I still couldn’t feel anything except affection for Walter. No other emotions could shine through my hollow shell of a human.

“Skylar I got you a friend,” Walter called down from the top of the stairs.

I sat on my mattress on the basement floor confused by what he meant by a ‘new friend.’ He came down with an unconscious boy in his arms. He looked like me when I was in his place. Extremely exposed, dull face, fearful slightly.

I watched as Walter gently placed the boy next to me on the bed. “W-who Is he,” I mumble nervously.

“Skylar, this is Jamie, he has been here a lot longer than you but I started keeping him in a room upstairs and doing all the fun stuff I do to you, to him upstairs. He is just like the three of us. He is hurt, not as much as you and me, but he is hurt. His mother and father got into a hard divorce and he couldn’t go with his father. His mother isn’t nearly as kind or as loving his father was. His father is another one of my co-workers, just like your dad.” Walter smiled at us and started stroking the new boy’s hair.

“I waited for the day Jamie went to his father’s house and then that night I took him. The same way I took you. Except Jamie isn’t the most ‘talented’ boy. He also does corporate with me whenever I want to have some fun with him. I’ll talk to both of you about the subject when he wakes up,” Walter touched Jamie’s forehead and walked back upstairs.

~~~~~~~~

Jamie slowly woke up, he was obviously confused when he saw me. “W-Who are you,” Jamie said nervously.

I didn’t reply I didn’t talk much since the first whipping. Since then it happens almost every day. I have dozens upon dozens of scars. Jamie quickly noticed my collar and the engraving on it. “Skylar? Is that your name?” Jamie asked trying to communicate with me.

I nod with agreement, still not saying a word. My voice has felt so worn out It’s hard to even get a complete sentence out of my mouth.

“Well nice to meet you, Skylar. I wish it could be under better conditions, but it's still nice to meet you,” Jamie said giving me a smile.

I haven't seen a true smile in such a long time. I deeply inhaled with surprise. I scratch my neck and try to avoid eye contact. I didn’t want to look at this boy who isn’t broken after being in Walter’s hands.

I touch is chest, I couldn’t tell if he was real. A person who wasn’t Walter, I couldn’t believe it. “Um.. what was that for,” Jamie said awkwardly.

I hid my face and whispered, “I’m sorry,”

Jamie smiled at me with a soft reassurance. I gave a smile back at him. “Jamie, Skylar,” Walter called to us as he walked down the stairs.