The Training (Part VII)

VII.

When Cuan felt a deep tranquility in that dark, humid, and foul-smelling box, so much so that he fell asleep, from which he awoke to the sound of the locks being removed to lift the lid. One by one, the four slaves emerged and were led to the stable where they habitually resided: sober, discreet, clean, and spacious. There, the four of them showered together. Cuan was struck by the slaves' backs still marked by the lashes of the Mexican and Argentinian slaves and by how imposing and handsome the German slave was.

When they came out of the shower, the Executioner took Cuan out of the group and led him outside the enclosure. The prospect followed and adopted the position he had learned slaves should follow: at attention, eyes on the ground, hands behind his back.

The Executioner spoke:

- The Master has shown a preference for you and has ordered us to move you to the stable of the slaves. This is a great responsibility, and we are not sure you are prepared to be one, but the Master wants it, and it will be done.

- Thank you, Sir.

- Don't say anything yet, dog…

- Sorry, Sir, sorry…

- To be with the slaves, you need to fulfill a series of requirements, and you will have to demonstrate that you can assume them. A slave must accept that he is worth nothing, that his life has no value, that there is nothing resembling will or freedom, that he is property, and that anything can be done with him. Do you understand?

- Yes, Sir, I understand and accept.

- We are not interested, and it does not matter to us that you accept it; here, you do not exist, understand it once and for all. This is not a game. We will test you to the limit, and when we reach that limit, we will break it, that's what we will do. I'm not asking you to accept it; I'm only asking if you comprehend what I just told you.

- Yes, Sir, I comprehend.

- We'll see, we'll see. You've seen how I treat the slaves; well, I've treated you even worse.

Cuan felt a shiver and an emptiness in his stomach.

The Executioner grabbed him by the neck and led him to where the three slaves were eating. There, he presented him:

- This dog is Irish, and the Master wants him to know what it's like to be a slave. You three are slaves, the lowest that exists on this estate. You, dog! - he said to the Mexican - what are you?

- I am nothing, Sir, I am less than trash.

- And you, German trash, what can I do with your balls?

- Whatever you desire, Sir, they belong to the Master.

- Come closer! - the Executioner said to the German slave, and as he did, he grabbed his balls and squeezed them mercilessly, making him moan in pain.

- Thank you, Sir! - was the only response from the German slave.

- Do you understand now what I'm talking about? - the Executioner asked Cuan.

Cuan remained silent, thinking carefully about what ...