Empty

Art stopped.

The room went quiet.

Becca lay on the bed, chest heaving, waiting for the next command. She kept her face arranged.

Art looked down at her.

He reached out to touch her cheek. His thumb brushed away a bead of sweat.

-You can drop it, he said softly.

Becca blinked.

-Drop what, Daddy?

-The act, Art said. -The cam girl script.

He looked tired.

-I'm going to keep doing this, he said. I'm going to debase you. I'm going to break this body down until it's just raw nerves. But I need to know something first.

Becca stared at him, fear in her chest.

-What? she whispered.

-Do you understand that I don't care about the character? Art asked. Becca Sunshine is cheap. I can buy her anywhere.

He leaned in close.

-It’s the empty girl that wears her that I cherish.

Becca felt a chill go down her spine.

She looked at him.

-I see you, Art whispered. Do you trust me?

Becca swallowed.

-OK, she said.

Art nodded.

-And this? What we're about to do? Is this the character? Or is it you?

Becca looked at the ceiling mirrors. She saw herself, a girl on a bed, ready to junravel.

-It's me, she said.

She reached out. She took his hand.

- I want you to ruin me, she murmured. I want, I want to be gone.

-Good, he said, squeezing her hand.

He stood up.

-Then let’s fill you up.

He turned to the Amazons.

-Restrain her. For real this time.