A chasm of disparity is created when power is exerted. This unfilled space can therefore be used as a psychological (and physical) battleground for any and all parties involved. Majorly unbalancing the equity that most of us get attributed by being born human. when removed, this causes the drama to be super dramatic as within this space there are no rules. Naturally the power remains tethered to the whims of the strongest and most persistent. It's a free for all game dictated by strength of will and conviction in ones superiority. If you concede that your flaws exist (even within your psyche), you loose.
This information would seem pretty obvious to anyone with a healthy sex life. Not Bernice. Bernice had to learn the hard way that structure does not always equate to love, as such that pipe dream of an expectation established by the conditioning of her childhood was shattered when she met Maddox (a mysterious new roommate, as she couldn't pay the rent on her own). He was a boy that was determined to destroy everything he could within his physical and psychological (self appointed) mandate. Lord of all he surveyed at first sight, this young man had a voracious appetite for causing pain that required satiation.
He cared very little for the thoughts and feelings that affected those he preyed upon.
To begin with Bernice saw him and felt her heart drop to the depths of her gut, seeing the darkness in his eyes as he walked into the kitchen of the flat the two of them would be sharing. She cursed the internet for his profile seemed so pleasant on room share - where she accepted him.
Sat on the sofa she was expecting him, the landlord had informed her that he would be handing the keys over to the new tenant in the late morning. When he entered with boxes.
'Hello, you're Bernice right?'
She could hear her heart beating, he was so much bigger than her and as such a threat.
'I am yes' she managed to intone evenly. He placed his bag down and asked her to show him to his room. Which she did obligingly, sighing he placed the bag down and said
'this will have to do. Would you be a doll and help me with the rest of my things?'
Not knowing how to say no and aware that she would be living with him for the foreseeable future she nodded and followed him out. Naturally having spent his youth cultivating an alpha persona Maddox had already turned his back on her expecting a follower. And after him she went.
Reaching his car, he stood before the boot as she turned up to stand by his side. He pointed to a box and she picked it up, thinking to herself how odd it was that he never once spoke to her. His posture above her was intimidating and he snarled threateningly down as she held the it like a newborn that was deeply cherished. He called after 'put it in my room', he commanded with a level of entitlement that made her so angry her spine shook in outrage.
Tentatively she placed her new flatmates possessions tentatively onto the ground wondering why she was bothering to help him. In her mind, body and soul she felt a massive fool. Soon he followed behind her with a suitcase and swung it around his door. Looking at her he dismissively said 'Thats all, good girl'.
Leaving she couldn't figure out why she did what she did. Maybe it was because her boyfriend had just broken up with her and was now hooking up with another girl that was prettier. She was also probably smarter however this detail could not be lingered on to for too long as she new that would spiral into an episode of manic depression that she simply could not be bothered to deal with the fallout of. Self harm wounds were not as fashionable as they were in the mid twenty tens, so she thought for the sake of social normalcy it was best to avoid them. Not wanting to be perceived as an attention seeker, especially now Maddox was in the house and his presence was nothing if not judgmental.
Trying to forget the sad circumstances of her life Bernice laid on her bed scrolling through Pinterest looking for a new hairstyle. When Maddox's head peered around the door, for the first time since their meeting he actually seemed embarrassed about crossing a line. 'So sorry, I thought that this was the bathroom' he said turning a brighter shade of red. 'No. It's my room' Bernice responded. Awkwardly he bit back slightly irritated 'I see that now.' He looked over me in my position and changed his whole stance, adopting a kind levity that I hadn't seen before saying 'we should get to know each other, come see me in the living room and we can have a talk'. Feeling uncertain as his mood was all over the place I nodded and let him exit.
Standing, I wanted to get into position in our communal space to prove that I would not be walked all over. Taking my seat I tucked my feet under me and he bounced in once again cheery. Taking the seat on the couch next to me he said looking into my eyes and leaning towards me 'I'm Maddox, I don't think I properly introduced myself. Thanks for the help earlier.'