story A Game of "Chance"

[Aura]

Warning: The following story includes content that some may find disturbing. This story deals with such matters as human trafficking and nonconsensual sex. This story is entirely fictional, but if such topics still make you uncomfortable, do not read any further.

It wasn't fair from the start. From before I even walked in the door, you already knew I'd be there. You knew what I was after. I have no idea how, but you knew... And you also knew there was nothing I could do to stop your plan. I stepped in fully expecting to take command. I'd practiced at poker all my life, I knew all the tricks and traps even the dirtiest casinos in the world were capable of pulling. I thought there was nothing you could do to catch me off guard. You had to be cheating, no man was as lucky as you supposedly were. I knew for a fact this would either be a fair game, or I would catch you in the act. The simple knowledge that you were cheating was enough for me to be assured victory.

Yet, one by one, you disproved all of my theories. No stacked deck, no trick cards, no mirrors or cameras, no sleeves... But it was impossible. No man could possibly be so lucky. There had to be something I was missing. Every single hand I laid down... I was beat. Surely, if it was a fair game, I would've won at least once. I was no amateur! It was impossible to guarantee victory, sure, but every time you beat my 3 Kings with your 3 Aces, my Straight Flush to your Royal Flush, my Hearts to your Spades... Every single play I was not only beaten, but merely one-upped. I felt my breath catching in my lungs every time I heard the smack of your cards against the table. I felt sick.

You were toying with me. You had full control of the game from the beginning, yet you consistently made me think I had a chance of figuring you out after just one more game... I knew you were cheating, but every time the cards were dealt, I just felt more like a fool for having learned nothing since the last deal. You even offered to allow me to inspect the cards, to deal myself... you mocked me as I investigated every possible theory and laughed as I shakily passed each card one at a time from the top of the deck. I couldn't believe it... you one-upped me again.

$1K, $2K, $4K, $10K, the deficit kept rising until I couldn't possibly pay the prices I was betting... I was out of chips, yet you allowed me to keep playing. I was about to leave. Perhaps you read the hopelessness on my face and took pity on me.

"We can work out a deal," you said. "You work for me to pay off your debt. Then you can continue playing."

I was a fool to take your offer. If I was in any other mindset, I would've have so thoughtlessly accepted. I should've cut my losses... But I was desperate. I was ashamed, I felt humiliated. I wasn't going to empty my entire bank account to line your greedy pockets with millions just because I gave up. You weren't going to defeat me.

You had me in your hands by this point. You knew I was desperate enough to do anything if it meant another chance to catch you in the act. You made me agree to yet another deal. We turn the game into strip poker. Alongside money, I gamble with my clothes. You saw the blush paint my entire face red at the very idea, and you loved every moment. It was like I was in bondage, tied to my seat, and you took pleasure just in sitting there, watching me squirm under the pressure you put on me. I will never forget your cruel chuckle. You knew exactly where my mind was. You knew as well as I did that I would only continue to lose but that I was so caught in your web of deceit that I had no choice but to continue saying yes. I was already working for you, already playing myself...

One by one, my clothes were removed. My face was burning with humility. I could feel every pair of eyes in the still-operating casino that landed on me. I could feel the sting of every camera pointed at me, the cold wind of every whisper as people stood by. I was so desperate, I was even wishing somebody would come and help... of course, nobody did. All they saw was a blushing beauty stripping down more and more, being crushed, toyed with, and humiliated by the untouchable ruler of the house. I have no idea how long the game lasted, I just knew how tired I was. How sloppy I was. It didn't matter how good my hand was. Unless it was perfect, I never won. I was drained, and finally, you said it.

"Do you understand yet? You can't defeat me." You said it with such a snide voice that made me want to vomit. You were basically confirming that you were cheating, but I had no evidence to prove it... no way to call you out. There was a glimmer of hope, yet it felt so impossible to reach that it was more like a carrot dangling in front of my face. I was almost entirely naked by this point. At some point, you'd even convinced me to allow you to choose which clothes I'd remove. I was so desperate to avoid irritating you that I just went along with it... And now, even though our game hadn't ended, you moved around behind me when I dropped my hand. You and I both knew the result. I hated myself for allowing things to get this far. Once your hand reached my left breast, I knew it was over.

"Do you think your sister will be happy to see you like this?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words could escape my choked voice. You lifted another glass of wine to my lips which I accepted... how long have I...

"It seems you understand your place now. Welcome home."