Page 2 of Caged
"It does. And I'm lucky to be part of it, but I couldn't do what you do." Rani turned to him. "So have you been dating or anything? Found anyone new to go out with?"
He rolled his eyes. "I've been moving. I haven't had time. Besides, after Jerry's bullshit, I really don't have the urge to play the dating game. I really thought things were going good with us." He sighed, thinking about the man he'd dated for three months, only to find out that he was living with another man and seeing two others besides. How he'd been so blind he'd never know. He'd thought the relationship had potential and he really was looking for a future together.
"He was one bad seed in the midst of many. You can't give up dating because of him."
"I haven't given it up. I've just slowed it down. I have a new home to get set up, plus work keeps me busy. I promise I haven't closed the door on dating, but I needed a breather. It's not like time is running out. I'm young enough I can still find Mr. Right down the road." He turned the conversation on Rani. "What about you?"
"Who has time? With work, I seldom have time to sit down and watch a movie or anything. Dating would take too much effort. Once I've got my medical license here, then maybe I can look for someone." He swallowed the last of his wine. "Show me around this place."
"Sure." He set his glass down and stood. "It's not much, and I still need a lot of furniture, but it's mine, and that's all that matters." He led him down the hallway to the bedrooms, then through the living room again and outside to the backyard. "This is my favorite spot. Probably the reason I bought it."
"I love it." Rani leaned against the deck railing and looked out over the yard. "I can see some team dinners back here." He glanced over his shoulder and grinned.
"Yeah, I planned on that. I figure it's my turn. Jessica's thrown a few, D and Jeremy have us over at least once a month. The least I can do is invite the team over to break in the place. I need to get a few more things, then I'll plan something."
"Let me know and I'll help you plan."
Another loud scream echoed from the house next door, sounding as if an older man was yelling at someone.
Rani's eyes went wide.
"I know. It's the second one I've heard. I'm not sure what's going on over there. I haven't seen any of the neighbors and the blinds are always down. Sounds like some husband yelling at his wife or kids. I hope they aren't like this all the time."
"They say you should talk to the neighbors before buying a house, but I'm guessing you didn't?"
"Didn't even think about it." He stared into the neighbor's backyard. It was a little overgrown, but not ignored. Someone was taking care of the place. "Hopefully, tonight is just a bad night for them. If it keeps up, then maybe I'll say something."
"You sure you want to get involved?"
"No, but I don't want to listen to him yelling at his family every night either. I could have stayed at the apartment and had that." He turned to Rani. "I'll give it time. Maybe talk to the other neighbors and see if it's an ongoing thing." Not wanting to dwell on anything negative with his new home, he nodded to the back door. "More wine?"
"Sure. Just remember, I have to work at six in the morning, so this is it."
"Workaholic," he teased as they headed inside, hoping to forget his neighbors and focus on the friend he seldom got to hang out with.
CHAPTER TWO
"I told you to get the dishes done."
Danny braced himself for the impact. He no longer flinched. It happened too often. The blow came to his shoulder, throwing him off balance and across the kitchen. He slammed into the counter, then slid to the floor, but he didn't dare remain there. He didn't dare cry. It would be worse if he did. He quickly forced himself to stand, turning away without a word to go to the sink and do the dishes.
"You took too long with the boys." Larry was close behind him as he spoke.
Danny didn't dare look back. He wondered if another hit would come, but he washed the plate in his hand as if that was all that mattered. To do anything else would mean another beating.
He stared into the sink, watching the suds, wondering when this hell was going to end. He was so tired. He just wanted to go to bed and die. It was the only escape, but even death evaded him. He'd tried to kill himself twice, but the first time Larry had caught him with the knife as he started to cut into his vein. The punishment for that had been worse than the pain of the knife would have been. The next time, he'd taken a bunch of pills. But they had only been over the counter pain killers. All that had happened was he ended up sick and vomiting, feeling as if he'd been hit by a truck for the next three days. Larry had been pissed then too. He didn't know about the pills, but being sick was unforgivable. Who would take care of the house or the boys if Danny couldn't?
It was probably for the best. Without him, the boys would suffer more. And they were already hurting enough. They were too young to do anything but obey Larry. Unlike him, Larry only used the boys for his sexual pleasure. He'd quit using Danny for that but now had him taking care of the housekeeping and childcare. Not that there was much childcare to do. The boys were locked in the basement. They had a bedroom, bathroom, and even a radio, but other than that, the boys didn't get to come upstairs.
Danny was the one who cooked, took them their food, helped them bathe, and get ready for bed every night. He was the one who whispered words of encouragement and love, assuring them that what Larry did to them wasn't their fault. He also promised them that somehow, he'd help them escape Larry, but that was just one more thing he'd failed to do.
Escape.
God, he'd dreamed of that for so long. He couldn't even remember how old he'd been when Larry took him from his mother, but almost from that first night so many years ago, he'd dreamed of escaping. He'd tried to come up with a plan several times, but it never happened. Larry had several locks on each door that opened with keys Larry kept in his pocket. Larry was the only one allowed outside. Each window was locked, and the blinds were always kept down. Not that it would matter. The neighbors didn't seem to pay any attention to them. The few times anyone had ever come to the door, Larry ignored them.
He'd thought about breaking a window, but Larry seldom left him alone long enough that he could do it. When he did leave him alone, he locked him in a tiny, windowless bathroom until he got back. There was no escape. No way out.
The only phone was Larry's cellphone, and he kept that in his pocket, locked with some code he'd probably never be able to figure out if he got his hands on it. There was no way out. No way to help the boys.
