pilot
“hey.”
Her voice is quiet, she uses both her hands to cradle the phone. The extra support doesn’t stop the shaking.
“maria?”
‘Nat what’s up? I’m at dinner right now, are you okay?’
“oh- oh i’m sorry i didn’t know, i’ll call you later?”
‘of course, are you sure you’re okay?’
“yeah i’m fine, talk to you later, bye.”
‘bye.’
Just before Natasha could press the end button she could hear her name being screamed from downstairs.
“NATALIA, GET DOWN HERE.”
Natasha pressed end call quickly before scrambling to get out from the small closet she was curled up in.
Several thudding footsteps came up the stairs, Natasha managed to hide the phone under her mattress and started putting her pointe shoes on as the door swung open.
“Natalia! Class has started already, hurry up and see me in my office when you are done.”
Natasha stood and bowed her head, “Yes Madam, I am sorry Madam.”
“Move widow.”
Natasha quickly walked past Madam B, the lady pushing her as she entered the hallway. She hurried down the stairs and into the small ballet room, all the other girls had started their session.
“Widow Romanova, you are late, I believe you will be seeing Madam B after class.”
“Yes Sir, I am sorry Sir.”
“Join the others.” He waved dismissively
Natasha fell into line between two other Widows her age. Olga and Sofia.
“Why are you just getting here now?” Olga suppressed a laugh, “Your shoes are laced wrong.”
“Shut up Olga, she is going to get enough shit from Madam later.”
Natasha ignored them both.
“But seriously,” Sofia prodded gently, “Why were you late?”
“Yeah, are you trying to piss off Madam?”
“Natalia! Stop distracting your comrades.”
Natasha huffed quietly, “Will you both stop, I don’t feel like having to spend the night in Madam’s room too.”
That got both of them to quiet down, even Olga looked remorseful.
By the time their ballet lesson had come to an end they went straight into combat with no time to change out of their leotards, tights and pointe shoes. Natasha’s feet ached but she didn’t dare complain like some of the other widows did to each other.
Natasha was partnered with Katya, one of the smaller girls of the first generation. By the time combat was over Natasha was covered in a thin layer of sweat and her feet ached from the tightness of her shoes.
“Widows you are dismissed, save for Natalia, Natalia report to Madam B.”
The widows filed out and headed up the stairs, “Natalia,” Sofia whispered from the back of the line, “I’m sorry, good luck.”
Natasha nodded and turned to enter the Madam’s room.
“Hello Natalia dear.”
“Hello Madam.” Natasha bowed her head again.
“God you are filthy, wash up in my shower, I have an outfit already hanging up for you.”
“Thank you for your kindness Madam.” Natasha blinked quickly to hide the tears that threatened to fall.
Natasha entered the Madam’s shower, it was cold, the showers were always cold. The second she left the safety of the shower Madam B was there waiting for her. Natasha stood naked on the cold tiles, Madam B came forward with a towel, looking over her body with desire.
“Are you cold darling?”
Natasha swallowed and bowed her head, Madam B’s finger caught her chin and lifted her head back up.
“I said, Are you cold darling? Answer me when I speak to you!” Madam lifted a hand and smacked Natasha cheek.
“Yes- Yes Madam.”
“Good girl Natalia.” Natasha swallowed roughly as Madam B wrapped the already damp towel around her, “now let’s warm you up dear.”
Madam B led Natasha back to her room where she took the towel from the redhead.
“Now I know you like to get special attention when you act out, however, I’ve got quite a bit of work to do.”
Natasha remained silent, afraid to jinx her luck.
“Now I still have to punish you, but there will be no reward after.”
Natasha nodded, “I understand Madam.”
“Good girl, now get me my switch.”
Natasha grabbed the black switch from the corner and handed it to the Madam.
“Face the wall, kneel down.”
Natasha listened and immediately felt the sting of the switch on her back. She didn’t bother counting the lashes, only when she had to bite her tongue to stop from crying out did she know it was coming to an end.
“Done.” Madam spoke with a final lash to punctuate her word, she threw the switch at Natasha and made her put it back where it was from. Natasha stumbled as she did so, “Looks like I made you bleed dear, make sure you clean that before school, I don’t want to see blood on any of your clothing.”
The Madam then promptly kicked Natasha out of her room with only her ballet shoes, leotard and tights in her arms. She had no energy left to care as she walked completely naked back to the bedroom. When she got to the bunk several girls whispered when they saw her back.
Natasha took her night clothes and slipped the phone into the pile before heading to the bathroom to change.
She glanced at the screen behind the closed door.
‘two missed calls: maria h.’
‘three text messages: maria h’
She opened the texts first.
maria h: hey, just wanted to make sure everything it okay, you sounded upset
maria h: if there’s anything i can do let me know
maria h: sorry for spamming, just call me when you can
She typed out a quick response before turning the phone off completely.
natasha: don’t worry about me, i’m fine, i can’t call tonight but i’ll see you tomorrow, goodnight
Sighing to herself she put the phone down and finally inspected her back, it was ugly and red, there was a thin layer of blood smeared over her skin. She made quick work of wiping the blood off and changing into her night clothes. She rushed out of the bathroom as she heard a worker enter for handcuff time. She made it back to her bed just in time for handcuffs to be placed on her wrist.
The lights were then flicked out and the shared room fell silent.