Chapter Text
Caleb snapped the collar around your neck. It locked automatically, only unlocking with his finger print. He had chosen a sleek, black collar with a bell on the front, the bell ensured that he could hear you wherever you were. The collar had a built in tracking device. After your... little stunt, he wasn't taking any chances. You had tried to escape your shared house in Skyhaven again. He honestly should just lock you in your room. But he was giving you another chance. And what fun would it be if he wasn't greeted by you every day? It's not like you could leave the house without him knowing anymore, he had coded everything to only open if he allowed it. You were trapped.
You protested. You begged. You didn't want a collar. But it could've been worse, right? You had escaped only a week ago, and had been captured within 24 hours. Caleb was meticulous. He knew your every move. He had found you outside a convenience store. You forgot to bring money with you. You had only had a short window of time to escape after all.
Caleb had waited, just long enough that you felt defeated. Just enough time so that you didn't have any energy to run when he found you. He kneeled in front of you, grabbing your wrist. He tried to make eye contact with you, but you continued to avoid his gaze. He left out a tsk and grabbed your face to force you to look at him.
"Are we done playing this game, Pips?"
You could feel your blood run cold at his words. GAME? Did he really think this was a game? You seeking independence and him denying it was a GAME? But you were too tired to run anymore. Maybe it was better to just give in... I mean, you wouldn't have to run anymore. You would get 3 meals a day... Maybe just at the price of your freedom... But what was the alternative? Keep running from Caleb forever? You knew you wouldn't be able to do that. Caleb would be able to find you every single time. He had been able to.
You let out a meek nod. There was nothing you could do. This was just how it had to be.
"Good girl pipsqueak. I knew you would come around," Caleb smirked. He was pleased that you finally came to your senses. But he would still need to take... precautions.
The two of you retuned to Skyhaven. He let you be. The first week was normal. Nothing had happened, yet. And then he came home with that. The collar. He had put it in a cute present box. He had sat you down on the couch. Handed it to you.
Your heart thumped as you held the box in your hands. It had a pretty bow of your favorite color. You didn't know what it could be. You glanced at Caleb, but all he gave you was an encouraging smile.
"Open it, Honey. It's a gift."
You slowly untied the bow and opened the box. A collar. A black collar with a bell on it. This had to be a joke. You turned your gaze frantically to Caleb, but his smile only widened. He was pleased. He gently took the collar from your trembling hands and held it in front of you.
"Since you had escaped last time Pipsqueak, I had to think of an appropriate punishment. And what could be better than a collar? I'll be able to know where you are at all times and whoever sees it will know that you belong to me. Now hold up your hair so I can put it on you."
You numbly held up your hair, more so out of shock than anything. You should've known that something was wrong when Caleb let you be after you had escaped.
He slipped it around your neck.
Click.
Now there was no chance of ever escaping Caleb's grasp again. You were trapped, forever.
Caleb watched you with a satisfied grin. You would get used to the collar, he reasoned. He hooked a finger under the front of the collar and pulled you towards him. You watched him with wide eyes, wondering what his next move was. Oh how he loved that expression. You were just like that cat he had found. This time, all he did was kiss your cheek. "Don’t worry, honey, you'll get used to it. You'll come to love it, just as much as I do."
You doubted that.
But all you could do was give him a weak smile and hope for the best.