Part Seven

The basement smelled dank and musty, the windows having been painted shut many years earlier. Lee’s form was huddled into the corner, his fingers and toes having lost all feeling. He shifted against the metal bars of the cage and the chain leading to the collar around his neck rattled and echoed around the basement.

The metal band around his neck had rubbed the skin raw and his eyes flitted open as his body shivered in the cold. A cough wracked through him, the phlegm tearing up his throat and making him gag. His throat was raw and it hurt to swallow, his tongue swollen from lack of moisture.

The smell of urine permeated the air around him and his eyes closed again. He had no semblance of time and he had no idea how long he’d been down in the basement. His shoulders stiffened as he heard the key in the lock.

“I brought you some porridge.” Another key scraped against metal and Lee’s eyes focused on the woman in front of him.

“Mommy … please …”

“I can’t let you out, Lee, you know what h