Cheryl felt herself begin to awaken. She was standing suspended with her arms over her head. A rush of fear swept through her as the memory of her branding became fresh in her mind. Terrible throbbing pain emanated from her right hip. Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to open them.
The cold walls and floor were made of gray stones. Iron bars filled the doorway in the corner on her right. A simple bed was next to the wall on her left. Hanging on the wall above one end of the bed hung a leather belt. Cheryl remembered how Master Thomas had fitted it to her waist and bottom, the day before. The memory of his gentle kindness mingled with the memory of her branding and the pain on her hip. Her tears grew into continued sobbing with the overwhelming since of confusion about what was happening to her.
Cheryl's attention turned to the echoing noise of footsteps growing closer. They stopped with the loud clanking of keys as the lock turned on the cell door.
Nurse Lankford pushed a small cart into the room. Her cheery voice and warm smile greeted Cheryl as she closed the door. "It is so good to see you are awake my dear. " She pushed the cart past Cheryl. Cheryl noticed a bottle, several wash cloths, and bucket of water on the cart as the Nurse pushed it past her. She heard the cart stop someplace behind her. She then felt a warm hand placed tenderly on her bottom. Nurse Lankford stood beside her inspecting her wounded hip. "This is beginning to looking much better now. I think we will get you through this just fine without an infection." She gently touched Cheryl's tear stained face. "I know it hurts dear. It will hurt a little more while I clean it. But after I cover it with fresh salve, you feel a lot better, and we can move you back down to the bed."
Cheryl heard the nurse making a soapy lather on the washcloth. She screeched from the pain as the nurse scrubbed her the burned hip, then rinsed it several times with clean warm water. She felt relieved as the nurse applied a generous layer of salve.
The Nurse moved in front of Cheryl, gently caressing her cheek. Her hand slid down the curve of her neck and breast, coming to rest on her erect nipples. "You must be cold. Lets get you down onto the bed and get you covered up with the blanket." She unfastened Cheryl's arms. Her legs were a little unsteady under her weight. Nurse Lankford steadied her on the way to the bed. Cheryl realized the pain on her hip had subsided significantly. Lying on the bed, she felt comforted by the warm blanket. The nurse sat down beside her, stroking her hair and shoulders.
"I've been hanging you up and getting you back down every four hours since you were branded. Moving you around prevents the scab from getting too stiff. For the next few weeks I will frequently take you out for exercise, to help your scab develop into a scar. But now you need to eat. You stay right hear and I will get some food for you."
The nurse took the cart with her, locking the cell door behind her. She soon returned with a pot of stew on the same cart. Cheryl greedily ate two bowls without hesitation. The food filled her with a new since of strength and well-being. Nurse Lankford put the bowl back on the cart. She again sat down again beside Cheryl. "It is good that you are getting stronger now. You will be appearing before Master Thomas in a few days."
Cheryl gave the nurse a puzzled look. "Nurse Lankford, what is a virgin? Yesterday, Master Thomas said that I am virgin. But I didn't know what that means."
The nurse chuckled slightly before considering her answer. "Oh dear child, it is hard to appreciate how innocent you really are. Do you remember your first lesson with Master Thomas yesterday? " She continued caressing Cheryl as she listened for her reply.
"Yes."