Yoongi was curled in on himself in the backseat of Vylette's car, trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as possible.

He dreaded having to go back to school and be separated from Namjoon, anxiety poisoning his veins.

Vylette parked the car and unlocked the doors. "Get out."

Holding back a sniff, Yoongi grabbed his backpack and slid out of the car.

At least he would be able to see Jimin.

"Yoongi."

Yoongi stopped and faced her as she rolled down her window.

Despite her wearing sunglasses, the woman's gaze was intense.

"I know you and my toy like to be touchy feely, and I allowed it to happen last night, since Holden overstepped a line. But you're fine now, and that lovey shit ends permanently today. Got it? Namjoon is mine, and you need to grow up and learn how to take care of yourself."

Yoongi's heart dropped like a stone in water.

"No more hugging or kissing," she went on. "And only speak to him if absolutely necessary. He needs to learn to devote everything of his to me, and he doesn't need you getting his way. Understand?"

Yoongi's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yes, ma'am."

She smirked. "Good. Now get inside. And I'll be picking you up here after school, so don't be late."

On auto pilot, Yoongi turned and walked into the building.

-

The day passed with Yoongi experiencing none of it. Not even spending the lunch hour with his friend Jimin helped the boy.

He had turned in his homework- the one Namjoon had helped him with, and the teacher was pleased to give him an A.

Numbly, Yoongi sat on the steps after the school day ended, waiting for the woman's silver Chevy to come pick him up.

All day he had thought about Namjoon and how they weren't allowed to be near each other anymore, not even allowed to talk.

He didn't know how he was going to survive without Namjoon.

And he didn't know how Namjoon was going to survive in a forced role of being a bipolar woman's plaything.

He had seen what happens when she got tired of her toys.

The sound of tires rolling over gravel made Yoongi lift his head up, seeing his adoptive mother honking the horn at him.

Quickly he gathered his things and stood up, hurrying to the car.

"I called the office three times throughout the day." She said as Yoongi climbed into the backseat. "All three times they verified you were in class. I'm glad you made the right decision today. I hope you'll make the right decision to stay away from my toy, as well."

Even when she was praising him, Yoongi felt anxiety.

He looked out the window as she drove, confusion overtaking his anxiety when he saw they weren't taking the road that led to home.

"Ma'am?" He asked, tentive. "Where are we going?"

Home, school, home, school. That was Yoongi's life. The man and woman almost never let him go anywhere else. The only exception was to the doctor a few times when he was really sick, a yearly appointment with the optician for his eyes, and once to the dentist when he had a cavity.

"I have some shopping to do." She said, not looking in the rear view mirror. "You'll be a good boy for mommy and be on your best behavior, right?"

Yoongi nodded on autopilot, a little excited to be going to the mall. He had seen them on the TV shows the man and woman sometimes watched and they looked so cool with their high ceilings, pleasant aromas and carousels. Not to mention all the things on display and for sale.

The woman parked the car and Yoongi quickly slid out.

"Lets go. Stay by my side and don't do anything that will piss me off." She ordered, though they both knew Yoongi would listen.

Yoongi looked around in awe when they stepped inside, getting blasted with air conditioner.

Overhead, music was playing. Yoongi didn't recognize the song, but he liked the beat.

"This way." She led the way to the department stores and entered a high end looking one full of women's clothing.

Any boy shopping with their mother would get bored quickly, especially as she tried on outfit after outfit and made Yoongi carry all the ones she intended to buy, but Yoongi was just happy to be out of the house.

Finally, with three bags on each of Yoongi's arms, they left that part of the store.

Yoongi scurried to keep up with her, looking all around at the same time.

Vylette entered a pet store, and Yoongi was confused- they didn't have any pets- but dutifully followed.

After a few minutes of searching, she apparently didn't find what she was looking for and waved a store employee over.

"Can I help you?" He asked kindly.

"Are these all the dog collars you have?" She pointed at the colorful array of differently sized collars.

He nodded. "Did you have a question about them?"

"Don't you have any shock collars?"

Yoongi froze.

"We carry a few types, they're back here." The man walked to the counter and Vylette, looking pleased, followed.

Yoongi was slower, disbelief and fear making his feet drag.

The man laid out three different kinds of thick, black collars with a small box on the side.

"What kind of dog do you have?" He asked.

"I don't know the breed, but he's big." Vylette scanned the display.

"Over or under a hundred pounds?"

"Over. 175, maybe 200."

The mans eyebrows shot up. "Sounds like a great dane. Or English mastiff?"

Vylette shrugged. "He's a prize, for sure. So I don't want him running away."

The man nodded. "I understand. In that case I would recommend this one."

He pushed the middle one towards her.

"It's from Dogtex, one of our most respected brands. It has five levels, ranging from 1500 volts per second at level one, up to 4500 volts at level five. Of course, levels four and five are only recommended for emergency situations, as that level or electricity is dangerous even to large animals."

"Of course," Vylette ran her manicured finger over the collar. "This one is perfect. I'll take it."

As the man rang her up, Yoongi could only hope and pray that the collar was for Holden.

But deep down he knew it wasn't.