For a long time Nye was not aware of anything much at all. There were very brief moments of lucidity in which he became aware that he was... in a car, in a bed, in a... different room. However although there was awareness there was no understanding, no connection between the moments, no stream of consciousness that would allow him to make sense of what was happening.
Sometimes he heard voices around him, the words, heard but not processed, were meaningless and did not touch him. Not so the pain. It came at regular intervals and was sudden, unexpected and intense. Too drugged to process the mechanics he was unable to comprehend where it came from, what caused it or which part of his body was affected by it, he simply lived for the moment it stopped and he could sink again into the blissful darkness.
Having long ago ceased to wonder, to process, to resist, during those rare moments of semi consciousness he followed orders unquestioningly. Until now they had been simple, consisting of brief instructions... to drink, to swallow, to walk... although he was no longer capable of that.
Occasionally he had been aware of being moved, his body lifted and carried, positioned, invaded but none of it mattered, nothing mattered, nothing made sense, nothing existed beside the darkness and the pain.
Sometimes when he was deep in the darkness he dreamed. The dreams were never of Adam, always of Kane. They were the only times when he felt anything at all and the pervading feeling was sadness. Right now he was rising from one of those dreams and was reluctant to let it go. At least there was no pain... yet.
Nye was numb. As he swam upwards through the layers of consciousness he first became aware of it and then he dismissed it. It simply wasn't important and neither were the voices. The truth was he didn't want to regain consciousness; he wanted to sink again, back into oblivion, back into safety, back into the dreams... but this time there was nothing he could do... he was rising and he couldn't hold on to any of it.
"For God's sake Lian, can't you see the boy's not up to it, he can't take anymore. If you insist on carrying on with this madness you are going to kill him."
"You had better think long and hard Adam, before you seek to offer advice to me about training and what boys can or can't take. For some reason I have lost my faith in your judgement."
"Lian..."
"Enough Adam! If you persist I will have no problem having you gagged."
"But this is barbaric! It's pain for the sake of it. What purpose will it achieve?"
"Adam, dear Adam... you have known me for long enough to know that I have never needed a purpose in inflicting pain, over and above the pleasure it gives me to do so. I am a connoisseur so to speak. People come from a long way away to sample my exquisite tortures. I haven't lost anyone yet... not unless I have wanted to."
The coldness in Lian's voice caused Nye's stomach to flip. Who were they talking about? Was it him? What were they going to do to him?
Nye was largely unaware of the attention being given to his body. Although he was no longer entirely numb he just wasn't interested. His entire body was tingling and, when he was first lifted onto the table he struggled, an almost automatic, instinctual reaction to the pins and needles that fired his muscles. All it took was a command from Adam to still him utterly and he gritted his teeth and focussed his mind away from his body until they faded and he was left in a state of almost hyper awareness, sensitive to every touch.
Adam's ministrations were gentle, firm and swift and it was easy to let his mind drift. Trying to sink back into sleep, to recapture his dreams, the sense of Kane being close by, Nye let his eyes slip out of focus and his body relax. He heard Lian laugh.
"Your boy's trying to escape you Adam. Seems like your touch is too gentle... it's sending him off to sleep."
This time the slap to the face registered, sharp and shocking, making him gasp, tasting blood.
"Stay with us, Nye. You're not going anywhere, body or mind."
Nye blinked and stared at him, his eyes hardening as his mind cleared.
"Fuck you."
Lian laughed again. "See how obedient he is Adam? Your methods are so impressive."
"I wouldn't crow too much, Lian... he's been under yours for the past two days."
"Patience my dear boy, patience. I have been too occupied with that other recalcitrant. Luke was an old friend after all and I was busy reacquainting myself with him. I have been saving this one." He stroked Nye's belly noting with pleasure the tremors beneath his hands. "Patience was never one of your strong points, but sometimes waiting, lingering, anticipating... is the greatest part of the pleasure." Nye became aware of him moving, standing near his head. "Look at me boy."
As much as he didn't want to Nye had no choice but to turn his head to look at Lian who was staring at him with cold disinterest. As he watched Lian reached out his hand and cupped his face, stroking the cheek bones with his thumb. Nye compressed his lips and glared with the last ounce of defiance he possessed.
"Oh you are a strong one aren't you? It is going to be such a pleasure to break you, it already has been, and if you think what has happened to you so far had been bad, think again. It is going to get a lot worse for you very quickly. This is different to anything you have ever experienced before. If you survive it then you will be mine... if you survive.
"Bastard."
"Oh dear. Is that anger I see in your eyes, Nye? Or is it fear? It really should be fear you know. I am going to hurt you like you have never been hurt before and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. Be sure to scream nice and loud, it's music to my ears."