Chapter 4

Knowing what came next, Clark’s head rolled forward, and he pulled himself upright with his arms so Daniel could wrap two more cuffs around Clark’s thighs above the knees. The sharp tug of undertow yanked at Clark’s consciousness, and time slowed. It seemed to take an eon for Daniel to pick up the steel bar, line up the ends to the inside of Clark’s knees, and snap them into place. With each click and clink, Clark’s awareness of reality receded and narrowed, and the old battle began. Part of Clark yelled, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”in a clarion voice of authority, while another part cried out in elation at being so restricted, confined, secured.

“Sir?” Clark asked, the single word a breathy whisper and all he could muster.