CHAPTER 14

Ben had never felt that much pain in his life. He was convinced that the darkness that was approaching him was death and he welcomed it because it was better than the future he foresaw in his present state. 

But when he woke up at what looked like his high school's clinic, he knew he was not dying anytime soon. 

Even with all the pain relieving drugs pumped into him, he could still feel his nipples tingling. But when he touched them, someone asked him to stop. 

His back burned, his butt cheeks were on fire, his ass ached so much. The pain was from all over and he was to remain on his side to prevent his back skin from getting peeled. That was how close to breaking it was. 

He was given another dose of pain reliever when he started whimpering in pain and he was grateful for it. Maybe if he kept sleeping, maybe he would wake up from this terrible dream. 

He was between sleeping and waking up, that moment when even though you were still asleep, you could sense that you were not alone. His body tensed up and he became uneasy. 

Derrick watched him for a beat and then carefully tapped him on the shoulder. 

Ben abruptly opened his eyes. They were filled with dread. 

"Hey." Derrick said in a low voice. 

Ben stared at him. 

"My name is Derrick. What is your's?"

" Ben sir." He shivered.

Derrick smiled. " The only person you can use 'Sir' for is your master. If he hears you use it for any other person, you will be in trouble."

Ben was confused so he kept shut.

"I need you to listen to me carefully, Ben. Your master, his name is Rolph but to you, he is 'Master'. You are not allowed to call him by any other name. And you must always say 'Sir' when you address him.

Your master is quite unpredictable. Sometimes, he will be nice to you and some times, he will torture you. But most times, he will treat you like a house pet. 

Whenever he is upset, he will take it out on you. And whenever he is happy, he will celebrate with you. Do you understand what I am saying?" Derrick stared at Ben with worried eyes. 

"I think so." Ben replied with a small voice. 

He didn't understand shit but he wasn't going to say that. 

"For your own sake, it is very important that you understand. Today's beating is the first of many to come and there is no escaping. Don't even think of it."

'Shit!' Ben thought to himself. It was as if this man could read his mind. 

Ben was hoping to get a chance to look around by nightfall. See if he could sneak out when everyone was sleeping. 

He was brought in drugged and sleeping so he didn't know he was back in San Antonio or more than 20 feet underground.

" If you want to survive beside your new master, you must accept your situation and embrace the pain. Don't show fear. He hates it when his slave shows fear. Fear can only be shown by his enemies. Don't turn away from him. Even when he tortures you. If you embrace the pain, come to enjoy it, maybe you will live long enough to get your freedom."

As Ben listened to Derrick, all he could feel was terror and hopelessness. So he was now a slave? How did that happen? Endure what pain? How do one embrace pain to the point of enjoying it? What was this man saying? Ben's mind was in turbulence. 

But when he heard that there was a chance to gain his freedom, a spark of light came into his eyes. 

"If I endure, will he let me go?" Ben asked hopefully. 

"No."

Ben's spirit deflated.

"But he may let you join the other boys in the club."

Ben closed his eyes. If only someone could wake him up from this bad dream. 

The door opened. 

Delvin and four others came in. One of them had some beddings with him. 

"It's time?" Derrick asked Delvin.

"Almost. but the boss wants him back." Delvin answered. 

"Hnmmm!" Derrick signed. 

"He also wants to see you." Delvin continued.

"Okay." Derrick got up and spared Ben a last look. "Remember what I said."

Ben nodded. 

"And this conversation never happened. Okay?!"

"Okay." Ben replied with a trembling voice. 

He wished Derrick wouldn't leave. These men that just came in, he had never seen them before and they made him more nervous. They looked like thugs.

Derrick stood up, opened the door and left after patting Delvin on the shoulder. 

The guard with the beddings went to the cage and they all watched as he unhooked; first the top of the cage, then the four sides. He then flattens them, making the cage look like a rectangular burglary yet to be attached to the wall of a large window. 

No one paid Ben any attention. It was as if he wasn't there. 

'What is going on?' He mused. 

The guard proceeded to fold and arrange the beddings Into a similar but smaller shape. He then spread it on the cage's flooring, making sure it didn't go beyond the four corners of the bottom. 

Another guard, who was holding a pillow, placed it on one end of the beddings. He then turned to Delvin.

" Done." He said. 

"Good." Delvin turned to Ben. 

"Can you walk?"

"What?!..I..I..don't know!" Ben replied with a trembling voice. He had an idea of what was about to happen and he became more terrified. 

"Help him." Delvin said to the guard beside him. 

The guard approached Ben and wanted to carry him bride style. Ben froze.

"Relax. He will not hurt you." Delvin reassured him but he felt no reassurance. 

"I will stand by myself. What do you want me to do?" Ben asked. He had a good idea but still wanted to hear the ridiculous words. 

" I want you to lie down in that cage."

"What?! No! I will not!" He shouted.

"I am not asking." Delvin's tone was platonic before but now it rang of authority and brooked no argument. 

Remembering what Derrick said about bearing with things, Ben reluctantly got off the bed. 

'Everywhere hurts. How was he supposed to go on like this? He was sure he wouldn't survive the next beating. When will the next beating happen?' Ben's mind was unsettled as he approached the flattened cage. 

He stood by it and stared at his new mode of transportation for some time. 

"Can't I just walk?" He turned to Delvin but no one answered him. 

Accepting his Ill fate, Ben stepped onto the bedding and lay down on it. 

It was actually soft and comfy. 

One of the men covered him with a milkish shawl and gave him a blindfold to wear. 'Crazy!' But He wore it without saying a word. 

They started reassembling and locking in the four sides. That was when Ben discovered that he wouldn't be able to stretch his frame. He had to lay on his side and fold his knees up his stomach for the other edge of the cage to lockup. 

After the cage was recoupled, Ben found out he could only sleep on his side and turn just once. There was no extra space at all for any other movement. 

"Accept the situation." He muttered to himself. 

After closing up the cage, the four guards grabbed each handle on both ends and carried Ben out of the room with Delvin leading the way.