It had all started with a slap across the face for some disagreement in the training ring. "Be glad the boss says no perminent marks, or I would have had my claws out, girl!"

One thing led to another, and soon Serenity somehow found her trainer's paw clenched between her teeth. 

With a hiss, he shoved her roughly and yanked it away. "No food or water for five days!" That had been the verdict her trainer/guard had given, as with his uninjured hand he transfered the purple hedgehog's chain to a lesser guard before gripping his bleeding hand and rushing off to get it seen to. As an afterthought he added, "I'll make you PAY for that later!" 

That had been four days ago. Serenity was now wishing she had not had the temerity to actually bite him, as her stomach complained loudly of emptyness. Her muscles were weak, and her lips parched as she sat in the darkness of her cell. Sure, it had gotten her out of practice for a few days, but...instead she was stuck in here. She was surprised they hadn't locked her in solitary for that. Yet.

The storm last night had taken her by surprise. At first, she had trembled, the pervasive superstition of angry Old Gods working it's 'magic.' But then...the sound of rain on the roof...She had strained her hand to reach through the small barred window in an effort to collect some of the water running off the roof outside. She had gotten the tiniest handful of runoff, but it was worth it. Glorious, wet, clean -well...cleaner than she usually got around here anyway- rainwater. She slurped it up gratefully, then also licked the excess off her arms, then strained her hands out for more, drinking greedily. She didn't know when she'd get another chance. She didn't sleep at all that night, until after the storm had passed and the runoff had stopped coming...only then did she allow herself to nod off, an arm still protruding from the window...

She woke to a guard slapping her arm and shoving her back in. "Git back in dere, slave! Whatcha think yer doin' Thar's no escape thataway! Hahaha! Thar's no escape ANY way fer you...'cept gettin sold! Harharhar!"

"Yeah well...come in here and say that to my FACE you coward! I'll send you packing like I did my trainer!" It was an empty threat however.

"Oh yeh? We'll see 'bout dat when he comes back wit'cher punishment, girl!"

"Hah! You guys can't touch me! I'm high-value, remember?"

"Don' start, girl! We don't HAVE to touch you...we got somtin better'n dat...jus' you wait an' see!"

*********

Several hours later, her guard/trainer was back, his hand freshly bandaged.

"What, one bite not good enough for you, hmm? You back for more?"

"Don't get smart with me, slave! I'm here for your punishment."

"I thought you already gave me that. Five days of thirst and starving?"

"Oh that was just the start. Boss won't let me cut off yer tongue, but I got something better...just for YOU! You see this?" He gave a yank on a chain in his good hand. It was then that she saw the other slave on the end of it.

"What..."

"Just watch..." He brought out his whip. "This is what happens when priceless high-values get rebelious. 'Innocent' yard-workers get to take the beating FOR them!" He grinned sinisterly, as Serenity's face fell in horrified realization. 

She had to look away as the other slave was forced to take the punishment that she should have been getting. Hearing his screams was worse than getting the lashes herself. "...Please...stop. Beat me instead. I'm the one at fault, not him. He's innocent!" She managed between the tears.

"Yes. That's the beauty of it. Now...when you misbehave, he or another slave will take the beatings for you. So if you wish to spare others pain...you'll stop this nonsense right now, kapeesh?"

Serenity nodded.

"IIIIII caaaaan't HEAAAR yoooooou!"

"...Yessir."

"Yes, WHAT?"

The purple hedgehog grimmaced as the other slave grunted again from the pain of another lash. After a pause, she sighed and hung her head in defeat. "Yes, Master."

"...That's better. Try to remember that." Turning to the other slave, he ordered, "Now scram, you! Back to the yard!" The other slave hastily retreated. Her trainer sauntered out behind him, leaving her in her cell for the rest of the day.

Serenity felt sick.