Caged -- Days 4 & 5
Natasha slept fitfully on her third night in the cage. The aches and pains in her body were too persistent to ignore and the particular locations of her injuries meant she could not find a position in which to alleviate the discomfort. Her chest was the worst, throbbing painfully under the bandages. But when she tried to lie on her back, her ass and upper thighs suffered in turn. The area the subject of the caning was still very tender and would take at least another week to heal. The overall effect -- mentally, as well as physically -- was devastating. At a tender age of twenty-one, Natasha had never experienced anything like it. It was little wonder she was having second thoughts.
Lying in bed listening to her tossing and turning restlessly, Gabriel pondered his next course of action. He was not particularly concerned about the young woman's lack of comfort, but he knew from previous experience the kinds of complications that could arise and what they could lead to. Some women were tougher than others, it went without saying, but generally speaking they were weak. Much weaker than the men he had tortured and that had lasted for weeks before breaking down. Had this been just any girl he likely would not have cared so much, but this was Natasha. The daughter of an Army general and the most coveted girl at every base they went to. Gabriel had grand plans for her future. Notwithstanding all the things he put her through, he also planned to keep her healthy and in fighting spirits. Finally, he made up his mind, springing lightly from his bed. Time to give her a helping hand.
Halfway through another turn, Natasha realised Gabriel was there, leaning over her. In the darkness his blue eyes glowed like a wolf's and she cried out in fright, throwing an arm up before her. He caught her wrist with lightning speed and brought it back down.
"Relax," he ordered, firmly. "I'm here to take care of you."
While she looked at him in a daze, he pulled her out and placed her on a sort of a padded trolley on wheels, low to the ground. After strapping a wide belt around her waist, he proceeded to wrap leather cuffs around her arms and ankles, immobilising her completely. She moaned in sudden fear, but on this occasion at least, it was not justified.
"Shhh... shhh... be a good girl now and relax. Just relax," he crooned to her soothingly while stroking her hair, and slowly but surely, she grew quiet under his hand. She saw him turn away briefly and in the next moment he was strapping a piece of rubber over her bicep.
"No! Please... what are you doing?" she pleaded, her eyes wide. Instead of replying he tapped her skin lightly, looking for the vein. Having found it, he inserted the needle and taped it in place. He unstrapped the rubber letting the blood flow resume, before connecting the tubing and hooking her up to a drip.
"You'll feel a lot better soon," he told her as he wheeled her back into the cage. The gurney he was using seemed designed for the narrow space, for it fitted perfectly. Natasha watched him through drooping eyelids as he hung the drip on the outside of the bars and locked her in once more. Whatever it was that he gave her was fast acting, because she could feel her body relaxing already.
"Mmm..." she tried to thank him, but the powerful mix of anaesthetic and morphine was in full effect and before she knew it, her world went black.
*******
When Natasha next came to, the lights in the dungeon were on, which usually meant it was daytime. She felt better, if not exactly awake, and she gazed around her curiously wondering where Gabriel was. Although he had hurt her as he promised he would do, he had also given her pleasure -- and besides, he was the only person that she could hope to see while she was here. She felt pretty sure he was also the only one who knew where she was, a thought that scared her if she dwelled on it for too long. Supposing he left, what then? She could easily starve to death, alone where no one could find her. She shivered delicately, feeling the panic set in. Then through the bars she saw a shadow fall on the floor, and she realised he had been there all along. Watching her with his blue wolf eyes.
"Hello Natasha," he said in his usual calm voice as he strolled over to her cage. "How are you feeling today?"
She waited until he was squatting beside her, on the other side of the bars, to answer.
"Better, thank you," she said, looking him in the eye. He seemed pleased at the response. With a corner of his mouth lifting into a smile, he reached into the cage and placed a hand on her forehead -- the hand that had slapped her and cut her and caused her pain. Now it simply felt big and warm and very much male. Noticing the pattern of her thoughts, Natasha closed her eyes in embarrassment. What the hell was wrong with her? He was not interested in her, except for the purpose of his sadistic game.
Reading the expression on Natasha's face, Gabriel smiled more broadly. She was weakening, it seemed. That would make everything so much easier.
"You've been out for two days," he told her, watching as she recoiled in shock. She was still strapped down, however, and soon she slumped back weakly.
"I don't believe you," she said, frowning. Then, "What did you give me?"
Gabriel reached for her arm. He had left a needle in her vein, in case it was needed again, and he pulled it out as he replied.
"I gave you what you needed," it was all the information he would provide. He had neither the time nor the inclination to discuss the matter further. As he turned to her with a look of anticipation on his face, he saw her pupils narrow in fear.
