They arrive home

The drive back to my house was in silence. I was lost in thought trying to figure out what to do. Every time I looked at Carrie her head was down looking at the floor. I knew that I was in over my head, but I felt something whenever I looked at her. I don't know if its empathy about her life, or what but I couldn't let go just yet.

I pulled into my complex and parked my car in my assigned spot. 'Fuck my nosy neighbor was home. The old bitty was always sticking her nose where it didn't belong. Maybe I can slip her in without her seeing us.' I hoped.

I looked at Carrie and I needed her to understand that her life had changed, at least for now. "Carrie," I said.

"Yes Master." She answered her voice barely over a whisper.

"Stop calling me Master, especially in front of my neighbors. They already think I'm strange and I don't want to confirm it." I said and smiled. A normal person would have known I was kidding, but I could tell she didn't by the look of fear in her eyes.

'Jesus this is going to be more difficult than I thought. I can't imagine what she has gone through.' I thought.

At that moment I had serious second thoughts about going another step further. I knew I should back out of my spot and drive to a shelter. But something inside me said no. She had suffered enough.

I got out and opened her door. She sat there not moving until I held out my hand. I watched as she grabbed my hand and slowly got out. "Look, I'm not going to give you commands for everything. You're not my **** and I need you to act like a normal person." I barked a little rougher than I intended.

"Yes Mas...Sir" She answered.

"Good, now I've got some really nosy neighbors and I don't want them sticking their nose in my business. If they come out and say something to you and ask about you, just say you're my niece visiting from out of town. Got it?" I said trying not to intimidate her.

"Yes Sir," she answered.

"Now follow me and try to act normal." I said and walked up the walk and in the lobby.

Luckily no one was in the lobby and we made it to the elevator. I pushed the four and waited for the doors to close. Just as they started to close, a hand slipped between them and held them open.

A second later my worst nightmare stepped into the elevator and glared first at me and then at Carrie. It's strange how someone can be barely five foot tall and still look down their nose at you.

"Mark." She growled.

"Margaret." I answered.

"A little young isn't she?" She spat.

"Margaret, besides the fact it's none of your business," I started but then I thought, what if Carrie stayed here for longer than a few days. "She is from out of town and I'm letting her stay in my spare room while she gets situated."

"Sure I believe you." She said and glared at Carrie.

I looked at Carrie and was surprised that she was looking back at Margaret. Her face calm and with a small smirk on her face. Her expression screamed disgust. I turned back to Margaret and started to say something, but was surprised to see her blush. I smiled and the door opened and Margaret rushed out and down the hall.

I smiled at Carrie, grabbed her hand and we followed the nosy bitch down the hall to my apartment.

I almost laughed as I watched Margaret struggling to unlock her door and rush in her apartment. I'd never seen her get flustered before. I opened my door and we stepped across the threshold. Carrie walked past me as I dropped my things, closed and locked the door. When I turned around, Carrie was naked and on her knees.

"This **** is ready to serve Master."

I stood there in shock. The change between the look she gave Margaret and now was shocking. I shook my head and headed for the bathroom. I needed a minute to gather my thoughts. I was now more confused than ever.

From the time I first met Carrie she was the most passive person I'd ever met. It was as if she had no spine. Never looking anyone in the eyes let alone looking confident. But just her look at Margaret shut her up and flustered her. In the 2 years I'd lived here, no one had ever done that to Margaret. She always got the last word.

Just that made me think bringing Carrie home was worth it. I chuckled at the irony of it. I was six foot two and twice my neighbor's size, but the bitch had put me in my place countless times. Here was a **** for who never stood up for herself, and she of all people, put her in her place without a word. Fuck if I thought I was confused before...

I walked out of the bathroom and stood right in front of Carrie. She was still naked on her knees and staring at the ground. I reached down and pulled her chin up to look at me.

"What the fuck was that?" I growled.

For the first time since I met her a small smile cracked her face. "No one messes with my master, Sir." She said.

I burst out laughing I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard tears ran down my cheeks. When I looked back at her the smile was gone but her look had changed. Something was different, I don't know what it was but she looked different.

"Get up and go take a bath. There's towels in the closet. Take your time and enjoy it. If you're going to stay here you need to be properly groomed." I said and pointed at the bathroom.