Story: Colonel Williams, Ch. 9, pt. III

Before the sun had finished clearing the horizon the next morning, Tyrone entered the prison and woke the women. Maria had managed just a couple of hours of sleep, but her experience in espionage helped her stay focused. She knew that if she kept her emotions under control that she would find a way to escape. If only she knew where to go!
“You three will all work in the house,” Tyrone said without preamble, “and you will be expected to do your jobs well or there will be consequences.” He patted the whip that was looped over a hook on his belt.
The other two women immediately crawled forward and knelt next to Tyrone in a display that sickened Maria greatly. Here they were, torn from their families, treated like mere property instead of like human beings, and these two women grovel in near-worship at the feet of their oppressor. Had they truly given up any hope of ever being free? It made no sense to her. She would not give up her freedom so easily; she was ready to fight.
Tyrone noticed that Maria had not moved. “Come on, woman,” he ordered fiercely, “on your knees!” He pulled out his whip menacingly.
Maria did not move. She knew that if she did not start to fight now, then would quickly surrender to enslavement.
Tyrone raised the whip over his head and lashed it out at Maria. She was ready for it, though, and barely ducked out of the way. This evasion further enraged Tyrone, and he proceeded to lash at her numerous times with the whip. Sometimes, Maria succeeded in dodging the cruel blows. In the end, though, she found herself curled up on the ground, in pain from the blows of the whip. She cried, not because she could not control her emotions but because she knew that her chances for escape were better if she seemed downtrodden.
“Now, missy,” growled Tyrone, “are you going to come inside and work, or are you going to stay right here?”
Maria did not speak a word to answer. She merely lay on the ground, crying.
“Fine!” Tyrone shouted. “Stay there. I’m going to tell Mr. Walters about you, and I assure you that he won’t be too thrilled about your attitude.”
He stormed out of the prison, the other two women following him subserviently.