Silence woke suddenly, his attempt at movement stopped by the restraints on his wrists and ankles. A soft touch on his cheek made him turn his head. Eileen smiled gently at him. She saw the sudden shiver that went through his muscular frame. She caressed his face again.
"Relax, Silence," she said softly as her hand continued to stroke his hair, his face. "This is something you must accept." She kissed his forehead. "I will be near," she continued. Then she blindfolded him.
Another shudder went through him. He tugged at the restraints, hesitant at first, then stronger. Soon he was pulling and thrashing as the fear claimed him.
Her hands were suddenly on his cheeks, holding his head still. "I am here," she said softly. She held his head until he lay still, then withdrew her hands.
He shivered. Darkness and restraints made the memories surface. What if she left him alone? How long would he be here? Was this punishment? What had he done? He strained to hear. She said she would be near, yet he could not even hear her breathing. Memory. Darkness. Restraints. Left alone until his mistress remembered him or was ready to release him. He had struggled until his wrists and ankles were raw and bleeding. His voice had already gone. What if she left him like the others had? How long? He could not call for help, couldn't beg for release. He was trembling again. He began fighting the restraints again.
"Ssshhh," came Eileen's voice, her hands again caressing his head. Slowly, he stilled. She was still there. Each time his fear of abandonment brought him to frantic struggles, she soothed him. Again and again, until he lay quiet, gasping for air, body still trembling. Darkness. Memory.
"Wait," she said softly. Then he heard the door closed. The sharp surge of fear. Almost, he started to struggle again. He was so tired now. He needed to trust her, needed to allow the fear to leave him. He sighed and forced his muscles to relax. He had no idea how long he waited. A few minutes? An hour? More? Then he heard the door again.