18 comments/ 51077 views/ 21 favorites Caged Ch. 01 By: Daniellekitten The eyes of the cat were unblinking as she watched the men below her resting place. She longed to escape, to run into the gracious arms of the forest and disappear from sight. But doing just that had left Tippin to the nefarious ideas of the men. They'd fire at her twice, their guns loud and scary, almost as scary as watching Tippen fall, two darts buried in her front shoulder and the top of her hind legs. The men had surrounded Tippen, one reaching out to pull away their darts. But Tipping didn't react. Instead, they'd wrapped her in booties that would protect them from her claws and then muzzled her, the strap cutting cruelly into her face. It took mere minutes to turn a predator of grace and beauty into little more than a domestic cat. I shook that thought away. That had happened last week, these hunters weren't the same. She could sense nothing of her sister on these men. It gave her a feeling of relief. She might be able to get away from these men. Even as she thought that and let her relax a bit more in the cup of the tree she was lying in, there was a shudder and then the sound had the movement of her body on the bough was all it took. The crack was loud, almost as loud as the guns that the hunters used. The men turned at the sound and the leader grinned. He raised his shotgun, aiming carefully and pulling the trigger before I had chance to get out of the maze of branches that had held up there for years. Now it was like I was being punished. The dart hit my left flank and I yipped, turning my head to pull the dart from my flesh, but it was too late. The medicine left in that dart had flowed into my blood stream and my eyes grew heavy. I lost all desire to speak or to escape. I lay back, ignoring the branches as if they weren't there. I let my eyes close and it was all it took for the medicine to work. I could feel them working around me, lifting my unresisting body. They lifted me up, grabbing my four legs to haul me away from the branches and out onto a flat piece of land where their truck was located. I could hear the man talking about me. "She didn't give us any hassle." "Nope, she knows how to be a good pussy." He slapped me on my flank and I wanted desperately to reach out my razor sharp claws and teach him what a good "pussy" I actually was. I felt the straps that they'd wrapped over my body, hooking it all to the muzzle that slipped over my face. It happened so quickly and I was having a hard time understanding what was going on. I felt them lift me again, this time carrying me between two of them to reach the truck. The smell in there was almost enough to make my retch. Dried blood covered the walls, blood from the animals that had been kept in there before. I felt a shudder rip through me and wondered if any of those smears were from my own litter mates With my eyes closed, I could see Tippin again, her soft golden fur, the black that covered the tips of her soft ears. I could smell her and I thought I would scream out loud as the pain of her loss and my own capture ripped through me. How could this be happening? Would anyone even notice that I was missing? Would they come looking for me? I barely looked up as the truck I was in started off with an almost painful lurch. The canvas cover on the back hadn't been tied down and I could see my home passing behind me. The tires squeaked over the ruts and ridges and I was bounced around, feeling the bruises that would have been terrible in my other shape. Staring up and into the clear blue sky as I was being ripped from the home I'd known since birth I made a vow. I would be back. I would find away to get away from these terrible people and I would go back. Tears streamed down my face, wetting down my fur but I couldn't help it. I was terrified, more so because of the secret my family had hidden for millennia. If they found out what I could do, they'd never give me a chance to escape. They'd do testing to see what it was that made me so different. I sighed, using one of the paw coverings to wipe at my eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my shaking nerves. Should I try now? The weight and thickness of the muzzle on my face stopped me. The heavy leather would definitely cut into my throat and I would be helpless like that. I could hear the people in the cab of the truck and they were arguing in their thick accented voices. I tried to understand what they were saying, but it was in a language I didn't understand. Instead, I crawled closer to the back of the truck, staring out at the growing darkness of the day and the jeeps that followed us. If the jeeps hadn't have been there, I would have been gone. Now I knew why Tippen hadn't gotten away. They never gave her a chance to get away. By the time that the truck stopped, I'd laid down to sleep. There was nothing I could do, not trapped in leather like I was. I woke when the back end of the truck was let down and I growled at the two men that stood there. One of the men waved a stick under my nose before pressing the trigger and letting me see how electricity flashed at the tip. I knew he would do it, I had no doubts. I lay back down, allowing them to take me with no resistance. But I stared into their faces, memorizing every feature. If I could get away, those men would pay for their part in kidnapping me. "She's going into isolation?" I felt his hard hands pulling me toward him. "Don't he usually want them in isolation?" "Well, she's going there to start. He's got something of a hard on for this cat. He wants her checked out tonight and then brought to his quarters when she's been given a clean bill of health." "Is it me, or does it seem as if he's gotten a bit stranger in the past few week?" "Our's is not to question why, our's is just to do or die." They picked me up between them and carried me into a tent where they took off my leather binding and my muzzle before quickly slamming down the door and trapping me in a small cage that I could barely stand in. I roared my rage, the sounds of my screams sounding eerie in tent around me. I pushed at the walls of the cage, roaring again when I couldn't make them open or find the clasp of any kind to open the door. By the time I had exhausted myself, another two men were coming into the tent. "Look at her. Ain't she the prettiest cat you've ever seen?" The other man looked me over, walking around the cage. He was making me feel extremely nervous, as if he knew my secret and he was going to use it. "Yeah, Spence. But is she one of them?" "You were the one that always demands to do the testing, Randolph. Far be it for me to take away you're pleasure. Except this one isn't for you to play with. Mr. Caster wants to do this one himself." "So what the fuck am I doing out here getting fucking destroyed by mosquitoes?" "Well, you are the vet and an expert at the shifters. Of course he wants you to make sure she's not going to die like the last one did." My ears perked when he mentioned the last one and I had a scary feeling that I knew who that was. I snarled at the two of them, striking at them with my sharp teeth and claws. The man whose name was Spence held up a new cattle prod. He didn't touch me with it; just let the electricity arc between the nodes at the end. I growled at the damn thing, wondering if I could strike fast enough to take that damn thing away from them before he would be able to use it on me. "Your eyes give you away, sweetness." Randolph laughed at the way I snarled at him. "I say you have two choices. One, you keep up this behavior and my friend, Spence here will shock you until you submit. Two, you give up and let us do what we have to do and then we'll take you where you can rest, no electricity to be used at all. So which is it to be, baby?" I so badly wanted to tear off his head and take the prod out of Spence's hands to use on him. How would they like it? How would they like not having control over their own lives? Instead, I lay down on my side. But I kept my head up, ready for any chance that I might get to get rid of the two. Randolph moved closer, reaching between the bars. He looked into my ears and my eyes then lifted my lip to look at my teeth. I hated this, I felt like a cow at auction time. His hand was so close to my mouth, I was drooling. I had an almost overpowering desire to bite off the damn thing and spit in Spencer's face. Randolph must have been reading my face again because he moved away from my face, stroking his big hands over my chest and stomach. "Well, she hasn't had kittens yet. Her stomach is beautiful." I snarled again and felt the prod touch my neck. I relaxed a bit more while Randolph finished his perusal of my body. I jumped when he pushed fingers where fingers shouldn't be, growling loudly as he moved them inside of me. Then he moved back, pulling off a set of rubber gloves. "I'd swear Spence, she virgin." "Virgin?" Spence laughed and I could feel the fear building in my stomach. It was like a coil, one end digging deep in my belly, the other at my mouth and I thought I was going to be sick. When I heard Spence's voice again, saying the words that I'd been terrified I would hear. "Well, we've got to know for sure and there's no way to tell for sure unless she'd human." Randolph took the cattle prod from Spence, bending close so that I could hear his words. "I hate to do this to you. You are such a beautiful mountain lion. But the boss says and we've got to do. I hope you'll forgive me." I curled into a ball at the farthest point of the cage that I could, but it wasn't far enough. I had no defense against what that electricity would do to me. I snarled, batting at the damn prod with my claws, trying to get it away from him and use it on him. But I had no chance. Randolph was fast and he was sneaky. Before I even realized it, the first freezing pain swept through me. I fell to my side on the ground of the cage, my body spasming as Randolph gave me another jolt. I could feel the change coming on and I screamed in pain and denial. I felt my fur retract and my ears changing. My face grew more human, even as my teeth lost their points. My black hair fell from my head in long waves that reached my waist. I could still feel the amber colored eyes of the cat and I blinked heavily. Then I was human, using my hair to help hide my body from the two men that stared into my cage, enraptured by the change. I wanted to speak, to call them horrid names and issue virulent threats but the only thing that would come out of my mouth was high pitched squeaks. Randolph handed the prod back to Spence and then went to a small bucket of water and lifting the ladle into his hands. I could see the water; I could almost smell it and feel it. More than anything else, I wanted that water. I held my hand out, staring at Randolph with pleading eyes. He smiled and moved closer to the side of the cage. He handed the ladle to me and I gulped it down eagerly, feeling it sooth my dry mouth. "More?" I rasped and Randolph took the ladle and filled it again, handing it to me to watch as I drained it down. "Better?" he asked, grinning down at me. I nodded. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely louder than a whisper. "You're welcome." He dropped the ladle into the pail and then came back over to me, reaching through the bars to snare my hand. "Up you go sweetness. We need to do a thorough check up before you meet the boss." I had very little strength left to fight him and I let him drag me up. He turned me before I could reach the cage and he wrapped one large arm against my stomach. It was his other hand that had me kicking and screaming. His fingers pushed between my thighs and I could do little about it. He pushed up against the opening of my vagina and I felt a spurt of pain that was quickly over. "I was right. The boss is going to be so happy he might even give us a bonus." "You'll get a bonus for taking me from my home? What kind of people are you?" I could hear the whine in my voice but I couldn't stop it. "How can you do this?" "You'd be amazed at what men will do for money, sweetness." He hadn't let go of me and his hand was still buried between my thighs. I could feel his fingers rubbing at my clit. It grew harder and he pinched it gently. "Stop," I wanted to yell, to find a way to turn myself back into a lion, anything to feel the things his fingers were doing to my cunny. "Just stop!" "You really don't want me to stop," Randolph whispered against my ear. His hand, the one that had been holding me still, slid up my slender waist and up to my breasts. They were full and round with my nipple predominantly closer to the top. He caressed my flesh roughly, tweaking at my nipples and sending another gush of come from my pussy. I hated what he was doing and I growled low in my throat. It wasn't nearly as impressive and scary as it was when I was a lion. I fought him with everything I could in my human form. "No, leave me alone!" Randolph chuckled. He was enjoying every single one of my protests. Tears ran down my cheeks and I felt my head beginning to pound. "Please," I sobbed. "Please stop." Spence laughed. "Just remember buddy, she's virgin and he's not going to want your sloppy seconds." Randolph sighed. "Yeah, dammit. I could have really made this little kitty purr." He slipped his hands down my body, admiring the curves that I had. I didn't try to pull away again because I knew Spence would keep Randolph in check. "Well, maybe the boss'll let you have some after he's through." "Yeah." Randolph reached behind him, drawing a rough cotton dress that had no shape and pulled it over my head. I shoved my arms in the holes and then hugged my arms around my waists. The dress reached my knees and I no longer felt so exposed. Spence turned toward a small table that was in the corner of the bare room that held my cage. He handed something to Randolph that I didn't quite catch. He grasped my wrists and quickly snapped metal cuffs over them. Then he slid a belt chain around my waist and fastened my wrist cuffs to it. I rattled the cuffs, wanting nothing more than to let my beast loose. But it wasn't responding to my prompting and I could only think that maybe the electricity had screwed up my system in some way. I wanted to stomp my foot in aggravation but I didn't want to give them the satisfaction. Randolph grabbed my waist chain and tugged me out the door of the cage and along behind them. I sighed but followed meekly for there was no way in my human form to over power them or escape while I was chained. He took me across a rough patch of ground and I cursed silently as the stones and sticks cut into my feet. I knew I was leaving bloody footprints behind me but there wasn't much that I could do about it. I definitely wasn't going to tell Randolph or Spence of the pain. Spence knocked on the door of a travel trailer. He waited until someone called out then he opened the door and lifted me easily into the trailer. "Boss, we got a honey for you here. Randolph checked her and she still has her hymen. She's healthy and ornery which I know you like. I think we did good this time, boss." "And she changes?" a voice in the shadowy interior asked. "Yes, just like the other one." The man finally came into the light and I cringed. He was a big man, wearing riding britches and heavily soled boots. His white shirt was tucked into the pants and left unbuttoned to show off the wide muscles of his chest. It stretched over the muscle, the buttons straining to keep him. He looked half wild himself, his brown eyes moving over my body as if he could see it even under the rough shift. His face was hard and I could see the scars, scars he'd gotten from some big cat. He reached out to me, his hands moved over me, pinching at my nipples, poking at the flesh between my thighs. I cried out even though I didn't mean to. He was rough and I got absolutely no pleasure from his touch. "So little kitty, how do you like my kingdom?" I stared around and then met his eye. "I think it pretty much sucks." He laughed and touched my cheek with his fingers stroking over them before he drew his hand back and let it fly, backhanding me so hard it felt link my cheekbone exploded. I hit the floor and then pushed myself up on my elbows still staring at him defiantly. "Want to try that again?" He held his hand and I knew he would hit me again unless I gave him the answer he wanted. I swallowed, licking off my lip from where it'd been bloodied. "No," I said softly. There was silence in the room for a few seconds then the man began to laugh. He let his hand fall to my chin and he lifted my face. "I really respect hearing the truth even if it might cause you more pain." I nodded and tried not to let him see how shaken I was. He was huge and it was all muscle mass. I knew he could hurt me. But I could only be the person I was. I couldn't cower and try to hide. I had to face him on my feet, eye to eye or at least eye to chest. He seemed to enjoy my spunk. He picked up the chain that was around my waist and he tugged me further toward him, pressed intimately to him. I could feel the muscles in his chest and the heavy ridge of his cock against my body. I heard him sigh and felt his hand running over the satiny length of my hair. "It's just too bad you're not mine. I really wouldn't mind taking that cherry." I didn't say anything. I wanted him to let me go, to let me leave. I stared down at my feet, refusing to look up at him. "Your name?" he asked me, forcing my chin up so that I had to look up at him. "What's your name?" he asked me again, his fingers hard against my chin. "Rhys Holly," I gasped. "Pretty name for a pretty woman. I'm Harland Jones. I will take you to the master when the time is right. Until that time, you will stay away from the men. You'll be fixing meals and cleaning. Understood?" "There wasn't anything much I couldn't understand." My tone was snippy and I knew he found my little fits adorable. "Good. I hate having little girls that couldn't cook or clean. You have nothing to worry about tonight. But you will be up before the men wake and you will cook a decent breakfast. They find their own lunches but you will be expected to feed the men at night. I will not have complaining. You will have enough to deal with when the master comes." I stared around, taking in what he was telling me. It sounded as if I were off limits except those cracks that were thrown at me about the master and what I could expect then. I tried to brush the comments off but I was beginning to get very nervous. I was led back outside, Harland's hand was hard against my arm, guiding me. I was beginning to really hate this man. He didn't know the difference between helping a lady up and not yanking hard enough to kill her. "You will have your own tent, Rhys. You will keep it clean and neat at all time." He led me to the tent that would be my home sweet home. The tent was situated so that they would know what I was doing even when I was left alone. Harland took my hand, swinging it like we were in love. He tucked me into a different tent. This one was bigger and it had running water. "Could be worse," I muttered. "You could be sleeping with my men." Harland laughed. "You could have your nasty runny cock be bitten off." were some of the last words I said with meaning. He'd hit cement as he spun, his hand moving to my chin and holding it so that I could not move it. "You know, little girl, I don't have to watch the bruises and I could explain a few of them away when the master arrives. So if I were you, I'd watch that tone and your tongue. Now do you want to get cleaned up before I take you to your tent or do you want to wait until tomorrow?" I could barely get the words out. My throat felt swollen and sore. But I did want to wash him off of me, to at least feel a little cleaner before I went to sleep. The idea of trusting these men wasn't the easiest thing to do, but it looked as if I wasn't getting much of a choice. "I'll get cleaned up," I said hoarsely. Caged Ch. 01 "Please?" he smirked. "Please." I could ask if I needed to. I didn't need to be a hard ass all the time. And if it helped keep him from bruising me further, I was willing to a point. Harland laughed. "And here I was told that you weren't reasonable. You feel reasonable enough to me." I didn't speak, I couldn't trust my runaway mouth to open and give them reason to hurt me more. He was the only man in here and I felt a bit more giving. I lifted my arms over my head, shimmying the rough clothing they given me. It had rubbed against different parts of my body, leaving them sore and red. I tried to ignore the sores but I knew if I didn't wash it off, I could get infection. The man, Harland, ran his eyes over the darkness of the bruises. He got out a piece of paper and a pen and began to write on it quickly. When he was done, he waved Randolph and Spence to join him at the table. I couldn't hear what they were saying right off, it was very low but I knew it was about me. Randolph said something else and I watched in horror as Randolph's hand was chopped off with one strike of a machete. Then he seemed to be giving Spence a choice. I felt bad for him which still didn't mean that I would forgive him from what he'd done to me. I heard my name called and I turned just in time to see Spence's head fly from his body. He almost seemed to spin, he tried to move but then Harland called for his clean up crew. He walked over to where I was washing. "I did that for you," he whispered carefully missing the spray of water. "For me?" I crinkled my forehead. "So why must they be punished in such a way?" It's to be an example for my other crews. You are not to be touched. You will be doing the cooking and cleaning the house as well as darn and mend for any and all of the crew. You are going to be giving a free ride. But you will not use your powers in any way that will be construed as dangerous. I wanted to laugh at his terms. I could have free rein and I wasn't allowed to use any of my magic or change into my beast. Why would he be stupid enough to order that and expect me to behave? Well fuck him and his group of boy scouts. If I found a way out, I was going to take it. I did my best to hide my decision even after Harland handed me a towel. I dried off as quickly as I could but my brows furrowed when I wasn't given my shift to put back on. Harland stared down at me with a crooked smile upon his lips. "Come on, sweetness. We've got two more stops to make before you can go to your room." I tried to cover myself with the skimpy little towel I'd been given. I could feel my hair dripping down my back. Harland stopped at a flap and pulled me through. He stopped at a trunk, reaching in to pull out a shift and a dress, both of soft cotton. "The boss don't like it when the girls get hurt, especially when it could be fixed so easily. Dress, or do wish for me to help you?" I pulled the slip shaped shift over my head. It was short, only covering me to just below the curve of my ass. Then unbuttoned the dress and stepped into it. It was soft and smelled good and it fit as if it had been made for me alone. "Thank you, Harland." His cheeks turned red and he blustered about for a minute or two until he grabbed my arm again and led me out of the room. "I think it's time for a bit of a family reunion." He pushed through another flap off another tent. I couldn't see her in the gloom and murky dusk. But I damn well could smell her. "Tippin?" A part of the floor rose and started toward me. Harland stood in front of me and gave Tippin a warning. Then I pushed past him to take her in my arms. "Tippin? Are you okay?" To be continued ... Caged Ch. 02 She was beast. That was the first thing I noticed when Harland left me alone with my sister. She wore a collar at her throat, one that probably would have killed her if she tried to change to human. Her body was bent and stiff and she walked as if every move hurt her. She looked nothing like the swift and agile cat that had been taken so many weeks before. She looked as if she'd seen noting but pain and horror since that terrible day and it made me terrified about what I had to look forward to. Are you okay? Oh Rhys, I would have done anything to keep them from finding you. I'm so sorry. I stroked my hands down her twisted body, feeling every bone, every bump. It was heart rending, wanting so badly for her to be the same Tippin that had chased me through the branches in the trees at home. We'd spent hours playing, laughing together. But now, the way she seemed, I couldn't even think of her laughing again. What did they do to you? Her voice was soft in my head, speaking more then sending the pictures that our kind was able to transfer. She spoke for what seemed like hours as I stroked my hands down her still soft fur, letting her rest her head in my lap. I could feel the tears running freely down my face, tears that dropped from my chin and fell to her fur. She told me of being captured, that day I remembered so well. I hadn't been able to get over the horror of that day and now, after she told me what happened next, I was almost paralyzed. They'd taken her through almost the same process I'd been through. She'd been checked, first by the vet and then by a doctor that was no longer in Harland's employ. That doctor had taken advantage of her. My mind could fill in the blanks she'd left in the telling and I could almost see myself, forced down on the table while this man with big hands and a harsh laugh felt me up. He'd been harsh and uncaring, pushing his fingers between my sister's sleek thighs and forcing them through her hymen. He'd laughed when she'd cried out with pain and then force a strip of gauze into her mouth to eliminate her shouts. He'd tied her to the cot, strapping her ankles to her thighs and each thigh to a separate tent pole, leaving her exposed to his eyes as well as his hands. I couldn't believe how much hatred I could feel for the man who'd forced his hard cock into my sister's unprepared vagina, ripping her open and fucking her until she was raw. I know she didn't mean to, but I could feel her relief when the man had finally stopped thrusting into her, his semen both warm and soothing as well as disgusting and slimy. When he'd pulled his cock from her body, there'd been blood coating it, a slimy, bloody mess that he'd forced past her lips and into her throat. He'd forced her to lick him clean, his fingers twisting her nipples harshly whenever she would do something he didn't like. Then he washed her clean, enjoying her screams as he cleaned her wounds. Harland had come in when he had unstrapped her, leaving her to stand and wait for him. She'd followed him docilely, unable to do anything but with a thick collar at her throat and blood still flowing from her abused pussy. When Harland had done his own exam, the man had grown red with anger, calling for the camp physician to be brought before him. The doctor must have known how much trouble he would be in because he was never seen again. He'd left Tippin and had gone and cleaned out his tent and left, taking a company jeep to get him out of the jungle. Harland had been gentle with Tippin. He'd given her clothing and helped her to clean herself up. He'd found her a place to sleep and had threatened the camp with dire harm if any one of them touched her. His apologies had seemed oddly sincere to Tippin and she'd begun to relax around him. It had only taken seven days for her to realize how wrong she'd been. The master had arrived. He was handsome, and funny. He made me laugh, she said to me. He had touched her everywhere but she hadn't minded. She'd actually felt pleasure at first. Then Tippin threw up a wall, not allowing me to see inside, to know what had happened and why she now hated the man she knew only as master or Harland. But it was hatred that was absolute, making her whole body rock with emotion. Just don't trust them, Rhys. Promise me you won't trust them. I did, unable to do anything else when her golden eyes had gleamed so fiercely into mine. Her hate was an almost palpable thing. I couldn't hide from it, even if I'd wanted to. But mostly, I just wanted to understand. Since the day with the master, Tippin had been left here. She was given food and occasionally one of the men would visit. Then she would be forced to let them do what they wished, be it fucking her or beating her to within an inch of her life. She'd been forced to bear it all. They act as if being able to change is something to be ashamed of, Rhys. That because we are what we are, we should feel more shame and do whatever they want. Now she was only allowed to change in front of Harland. He seemed fascinated by it, as if it were some kind of strange and exotic strip tease she did for him and him alone. If she changed to fast, he would beat her. If she changed too slowly, he would beat her. She was expected to know his wishes and to follow what he wanted without him saying a word to her. Harland had left most of the damage on her body. He seemed to hate the fact that she intrigued him so much and he seemed to love to take that hatred out on her. I could feel my own animosity grow even to change the gratitude I'd felt earlier into loathing. "We're going to get out of here." I spoke the words aloud. They seem to have more impact that way, at least upon me. "I won't stop until I get us both home." Tippin purred and curled into a ball against me. I'd gotten up and grabbed the thin blanket and the pillow that was on the only bunk and brought them to the floor, curling up next to her warmth. I felt better beside her. We'd slept this way, except both in animal form since we were litter mates. The next morning came all too early and I was kicked awake by Harland. I snarled at him, knowing that my human face was never as impressive as the face of my beast. But I couldn't help it, especially knowing that he'd done something so horrible to my sister she couldn't talk about it. "Do not touch me," I growled, yanking my arm out of his hold. "Okay," he said, then he turned toward Tippin, who'd slunk away as we fought. "Perhaps I should talk to her?" His hands went to his pants and he unzipped his zipper. "No!" I threw myself over her, feeling her body shake in terror. "Leave her alone, please," I begged. I could beg for her, for the sister that I loved beyond thought. "Then you will do as you are told," Harland growled. He pulled his pants back up, quickly zipping and buttoning them and then reaching out a hand for me to take. I would have rather bitten it off but I could see that he had little patience this morning and I wouldn't do anything that might have him around Tippin any longer than necessary. I took his hand, almost shivering as the loathing was so strong to make me weak. "She's told you what she is?" he asked as he escorted me from the tent and took me to the trailer that was used for cooking. "No, so why don't you tell me?" I couldn't help that bit of mouthiness. I knew as far as Harland was concerned, my sister was less then a slut. Harland turned me, grabbing my arms just as I was about to climb into the dinner trailer. I could feel his strong fingers digging into my arms and knew there would be bruises there when he was done. "Your sister is the camp's cum slut. She has less use then a condom. If you don't want to end up just like her, you might want to watch your tongue and your attitude. I might have to follow the master's orders but I will find my way to get paybacks, bitch. Just remember that." He shook me hard and then turned me toward the trailer, slapping me on the ass to get me moving. "Salvatore is in the tent. He will tell you what you have to do. Do not make him come and find me, Rhys. You will not like the punishment." He waited until I was up the steps and opening the door of the trailer and then he began to turn away. I entered the trailer, my entire body still shaking. I hated myself almost as much as I hated him. I'd never thought myself a coward until today. That man had hurt my sister. He'd taken all of her self respect and tossed it to the winds. Now I was letting him do the same thing to me. "Rhys?" I looked up, finally seeing the man who would have responsibility of me while I worked. He was huge, his arms were wider than tree stumps, his legs thick and muscular. He had a chest that was almost as wide as his stomach. Just looking at him, you could tell he never missed a meal and that he really enjoyed well prepared food. "Yes." "I'm Salvatore, Sal if you'd like. I know you probably don't have much experience with cooking, but that's okay. I'll teach you everything that you need to know." He held out his shovel sized hand and I took it, almost flinching when it closed around mine. He was as gentle as he was big, a strange combination for a man. "What do you want me to do?" Sal held out a knife, haft end first. I took it cautiously and then he waved me to a huge table in the middle of the trailer that was full of different vegetables. "Stew for dinner but I like to let everything cook together for a while. Just peel and chop then drop it all in that huge pot on the burner, I'll take care of the meat." I started to work, not allowing myself to even look at the meat that Sal was cooking in another big pan on the stove. The raw scent of the meat was making my mouth water and I realized how long it had been since I'd eaten. My stomach did at the same time and Sal turned, staring at my back. I could feel him staring and then I heard him move. There was the sound of his knife on the big chopping block he used for a meat board and then he called my name. "Rhys, why didn't you tell me you hadn't eaten? I'm your boss, not your tormentor. I'm not going to work you until you drop." I turned and stared at the huge slice of meat that Sal had chopped for me. It was sitting on a plate that seemed as big as a platter, the meat juices filling what the meat didn't. My mouth filled with saliva and my stomach grumbled again, ignoring the words that I tried to say. "I'm n-not h-h-hungry." Sal laughed. "If you're worried about how you're going to eat this while still in human form, baby, I've seen about everything working for this crew. Don't worry, you can't shock me." "B-but..." "You'll do me no good passed out on the floor with hunger. I know your kind doesn't eat as often as we humans do, but I refuse to let you go without a meal. Now eat that and then get back to work. Those vegetables won't chop themselves up." He plopped the platter onto the table, setting a knife and fork down next to it. He was right, I wasn't comfortable eating as a human. My sharp cat teeth are much better to use to chew raw meat, and truthfully, it tasted better when I was a cat as well. But I was hungry, and I didn't want to wait for another chance to eat. Who knew when Harland would give me another chance? I sank down in the chair and lifted the knife and fork, doing my best to cut tiny pieces before lifting them to my mouth. When the meat was gone, I lifted the platter, licking it clean. Then I sank back down onto the chair, lifting my hands to my face and licking them before using them to clean my face. Then I took the platter to the huge sink that was already full of dishes and then took my place back from Sal who'd started chopping potatoes with that same dodged determination he did everything else. "Thank you," I said quietly, hating that I felt grateful to one of them. I felt infinitely stronger now, almost strong enough to sneak away. But I couldn't do that without Tippin. I wouldn't allow her to stay here and maybe be punished for my rebellion. Harland had the perfect victim in me. I was physically capable but mental stayed. He had only to threaten Tippin and I would do anything he asked, without second thought. The weakness made me angry and I took out my frustration on the potatoes, peeling and chopping in a frenzy until the table was cleared and the pot was almost overly full. Sal looked up when I grabbed for the cloth next to the huge sink and wiped down the table I'd been using before going to the sink and filling it with water and detergent to start the dishes without being told. "I think you and I are going to be great friends," he said in his deep baritone voice. "I doubt it." "Why's that?" he asked, pausing in his work to stare at me. "You work hard and do what I ask and I don't think we'll have any problems." "Do you know who I am?" I asked, unable to stop the disbelief that was heavy in my tone. "Do you have a clue?" "You're another one of those cat girls that the boss likes so much." "...and?" I urged, letting the rag drop into the water as I began to stack the dishes in a dryer. "And what?" "Your fucking boss kidnapped me. He has my sister hostage as well. I'm not here on my own volition, Sal. While I like you, if I could kill you and get Tippin and myself away, I'd have a hard time feeling bad about it." I tried not to show the abject hatred that was eating at my soul but it was difficult. Tippin and I had loved our jungle home. We hadn't wanted the human life, with their frail bodies and starchy ways. There was nothing more freeing then playing tag in the trees while the sun shone high above you and your family was near. We'd all loved each other fiercely until the humans had come and one by one, taken them away. Tippin was all I had left, she was my world now and I wouldn't leave her here, not while I could help it. Sal nodded his head and then he lifted his shirt showing me a scar on his stomach. It was thick and long, bisecting his flesh. "The boss saved my life, Rhys. He stopped the bleeding and then carried me five miles to a village where they could call for help. If he hadn't, I'd be dead and I wouldn't have the family I have now. I find it hard to believe that he could be the way you say he is." "Harland saved your life?" I didn't know why that thought surprised me so. Maybe it shouldn't have. I knew there had to be some good reason for Sal to stay where he was, cooking for all those men. Maybe it was just that I'd seen the look in Harland's eyes when he'd seen my naked body yesterday, or the look in Tippin's eyes when she glossed over the things that they'd done to her. I just didn't want to think of the man as a savior or as a saint. I couldn't. "Yes. Because of him, I have a wife and children. I've never been so content Rhys." "And because of him, all I have left in this world is my sister." Sal nodded sagely and then picked up a container of eggs that was probably heavier then I could handle. He took them easily to the huge stove and started breaking them into a bowl, stirring it and then pouring the mix into another skillet. Scrambling eggs took little thought and his eyes wandered back to my back. I could feel them there, as if he were trying to figure out what I was all about. "You don't plan to cause trouble for me, do you?" I sighed and picked up a towel that was sitting next to the sink. Wiping my hands I turned and leaned back against the counter. "No trouble that I don't have to cause," I answered. "Can you not just be happy with your lot in life?" he asked, waving his spatula around and sending tiny egg pieces all over the kitchen. "Could you be happy to be sold, to be raped and beaten and have your life no longer be yours? Do you have any clue of what Harland means to do to me?" I wanted to scream at Sal, to hit him over the head with one of his skillets just to see if that would give him any smarts. He waned me to be happy with my lot. I'd be happier to see my carcass hanging off of one of those trees. "He won't treat you that badly, will he?" "Have you seen my sister, Sal? She can barely walk. That's the kind of gentle treatment the Master and Harland hand out to young girls, that's what I have to look forward to. Do you think that I could possibly be happy with that? Would you like it if you had to wake up every day with the knowledge that at sometime during that day you were going to get a knee to the groin? Would you look forward to it? Could you be happy with your lot?" I tried to settle down but the question pissed me off so much I could feel my beast growling just below the surface. But I knew what would happen if I let her free. I knew that I wouldn't be the only one to be punished for my lack of restraint. I also knew that Tippin wouldn't be able to handle much else before she would lose her last grip on sanity. I had to stay calm. I took a deep breath and pushed her back down, ignoring her growling protests. This was the longest that I'd been trapped in my human form and it was taxing at my strength. I finished the dishes without another word then went and stirred the vegetables that I had cut up. Sal threw in thickly sliced, chopped steak that he'd fried covered in flour. Then he added beef broth to the mixture and thickened it with a bit more of the flour and some milk. By the time the stew was bubbling over the hot burner, breakfast had been served and I was sent out to clean up the tables and to collect the dishes. Another huge sink of dishes later and I watched as Sal mixed up a batch of biscuits to go with the stew. He showed me how to fix them and then watched as I tried to mix the flour and water, soda and shortening to get the perfect consistency. My arms were nowhere near strong enough and he pushed me to the side, fixing that problem by adding the strength of his huge arms. I left him with the biscuits when he pointed me toward a table filled with apples. These I cored and quartered, peeled and sliced, filling the crusts that he'd already made with a mixture that he'd shown me as well. Then he covered each one and set them to baking, filling the air with the scent of cooking apples and cinnamon. I felt my sweet tooth kick in and I snitched a piece of apple from the last pie he'd yet to cover. "There's a sandwich in the cooler and another for your sister. Why don't you take it to her and have your lunch together. I'll expect you back in an hour, Rhys. Please don't make me have to come and find you." "You won't," I said quickly. I saw the size of the sandwiches that he'd fixed and grabbed both plates, hurrying out the door of the trailer and into the bright sunlight of noon. I skipped almost happily to the tent and slipped inside, stopping only when a strange noise caught my attention. Then there was the sound of flesh striking flesh and I stepped into a corner where the shadows grew deep. The light was dim enough in the tent but I could just make out the sight of my sister, her emaciated body thrown under that of another man. He held her down as his hips pumped over her and I saw for the first time what fucking actually looked like. My sister moaned but I didn't think it could be in pleasure. The man had taken one of her exposed nipples into his mouth, his teeth biting down hard upon that tender bud. When he lifted his head, I could see the blood on her skin and I felt sick. I felt an almost irrepressible urge to change, to let my beast free and see what kind of damage I could do to this man who was raping my sister. But if we weren't able to escape, I had no doubt what would be our punishment. I would be forced to watch while my sister was torn apart by Harland. Was it worth the risk? Could I risk her going through all of that when she was so weak to begin with? I knew if we could be patient that soon, with my care, she'd be strong enough to run with me. I tried to suppress my rage but it grew with each rough slap of skin against skin. Finally, the man groaned and his hips jerked. He lay collapsed above her for a few short moments and then he rose. Pulling on his clothes, he didn't even look at Tippin. He left without seeing me, but I could see the blood on her breasts and more that coated the insides of her thighs. I hurried to sit the sandwiches on a stand near the bed and then grabbed for a cloth and some water. Caged Ch. 02 Tippin only opened her eyes when she felt the coolness of the cloth on her skin as I dabbed at the bloody bites. "How long were you there?" she asked me dully. There was no fight left in her. I could feel her defeat, it was so thick in the air. "Not long, baby. How often do they do this to you?" "It's how I earn my way," she said, closing her eyes to the sympathy she could see in mine. "I hate that you saw that." "I hate that they do this to you and you don't fight back, Tippin. Why don't you fight back?" "Because this is worse," she answered me, rolling to her stomach. I had to fight to keep from being sick, the sight was terrible. * * * Thanks for reading. Please remember to vote and leave a comment if you wish. You guys make it so much more fun for me to write. Take care! Caged Ch. 03 This story has gotten mixed reviews but I've had so many people ask for more, I couldn't resist. Please let me know what you think, good bad or indifferent. Take care! * * * * Chapter Three The scars on her back told the awful tale of Tippin's life in the camp. I cringed at the sight but schooled my features for when she turned back. I couldn't allow her to know how guilty and angry the abuse made me feel. I wanted to race from the tent and find Harland. I wanted to let my beast free and then I wanted to take out my fury on every man in camp. I knew that Tippin had been passed from one to the other, used as each saw fit. It sickened me. Instead, I took a deep breath and then dabbed carefully at the blood around her nipples, quietly apologizing when she flinched away from my touch. "We have to get you better, Tippin. You have to be stronger before we can leave this place." Tippin's laugh was harsh and bitter. It sounded nothing like the carefree, playful kitten she had always been. "We can't leave, Rhys. They will kill us when they find us." "That's why we can't let them find us, sister. We have to be smart and we have to not give them any reason to doubt us. Can you do that?" I hated having to ask her that. It felt as if I was betraying her in a way too terrible to think of. But I had to know; I had to be sure of her. I rose, going to the bucket of cold water and rinsing the cloth, watching as the water turned red with her blood. "I...I don't know." Tippin cringed once more when I started cleaning off her raw and bloody pussy. I hated that I was hurting her even more but I was afraid if I didn't clean her off, in her weakened state, she might become infected. It took too many minutes out of the hour that Sal had allotted me for lunch and I quickly tossed the rag into the bucket and unwrapped Tippin's sandwich and brought it to her. "Eat, sweetheart." "I'm not sure I can." She sighed, stiffening in pain as she sat up. "Try." I took a bite of my own sandwich. It was thickly sliced ham and baby swiss cheese. There was the bite of spicy mustard on my tongue. It was an intriguing combination and I urged Tippin to try a bite. "It's really good, sweetheart." Tippin picked up a half of her sandwich and took a bite, moaning as the split on her lip tore open. I rose, handing her the cloth so she could hold it against her mouth. A drop of blood escaped her and slid down her chin to drop to her breast. The sight of that one drop of blood, despite the grievous wounds that I'd cleaned up when I'd come in, broke my heart and I felt tears welling in my eyes. "Tippin..." I couldn't finish. For the first time, Tippin smiled. "Rhys, I'll be fine. You were always the strongest of us. Where's that steely backbone now?" I knelt down next to her, dropping my head down to her lap. Her hand stroked over my hair. "I would handle it better if it was me that was bleeding. Seeing you...like this...it's eating at my soul." "I'll heal." She brought her sandwich to her mouth, taking another bite, her other hand still stroking my hair. "I hate that I couldn't help you...that I didn't stop them when they first came into the jungle. I wish I could kill them for you now." "But they are using me against you." Tippin didn't need me to tell her yes or no, she knew. "Rhys, if you find a way out, you take it." She glared at me until I nodded. But I think she knew it was a lie because she sighed and closed her eyes. "Dammit, Rhys." "You need to eat, Tippin. I have to get back or Sal will have the entire camp out looking for me. Eat, please. I'll try to come back tonight." I brushed a kiss against her cheek and rose, sending her a smile before I left the tent. I hurried back through camp, knowing I was pushing the time limit that Sal had given me. All I could do was hurry and pray Sal would understand. The men I rushed past stared at me and I saw lust in their eyes. It was scary, especially after seeing what that man had done to Tippin. I rushed through the door to the camp kitchen, skidding to a halt. Sal had his back to me. "Sal, I'm sorry. My sister needed me..." The man that I'd thought was Sal turned around and for a moment, I was speechless. I felt my cheeks flush and I had to force myself to hold still and not run out. "I thought you were Sal." He laughed and a shiver shuddered through me. "You aren't the first who's thought that way. You have to be Rhys. My father's been raving about you since I got here." "Raving... Wait, father?" "Sal is my father." He grinned again. "My name is Bernardo." He reached out and took my hand, kissing the back and squeezing my fingers gently. "I'm the oldest of Sal's kids." Rhys was tongue tied. It wasn't just the fact that he was handsome, there was something in his eyes, a kindness, a goodness that she hadn't seen in any of the men she'd come into contact with since her capture. "I...I..." I was saved from having to try to make sense by Sal's entrance back into the kitchen. "There you are, Rhys. I thought I was going to have to get Harland involved in looking for you." "No, my sister..." I glanced back at Bernardo and couldn't finish my thought. We weren't the type to let anyone know when we were hurting. I dropped my eyes and felt my cheeks heat when I saw his eyes on me. There was a curiosity in his soft hazel eyes and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "My sister needed me." "Do we need to send for the camp doctor?" Sal's voice was rich with concern and I found it much easier to meet his gaze than that of his son's. "I...I took care of it." I glanced back at Bernardo and then dropped my eyes again. There was just something about him, something that had me flummoxed. Sal seemed to notice and he took a step toward his son. "You go see your mother, Bern. If you don't and she hears that you are back, it's not going to be pretty." He slapped his son on his well shaped back, the sound so loud that I flinched. "Bern?" Half the names that I'd heard since my arrival at the camp had sounded strange to me. This one I found fascinating. "It helps distinguish me from my twin sister, Bernadette. If she can get passed Mom, I don't doubt she'll be down here to snitch a piece of apple pie." He reached out and lifted my hand once more, brushing one last soft kiss upon it. When he let go, I wrapped that hand with the other, covering the spot that he'd kiss. I watched as he left the trailer and I turned back, just in time to see Sal's smiling gaze meet mine. "Bern is my oldest. He and his sister have been away at school. Bern wants to be a doctor." Before their deaths, my parents had always schooled us, we'd never even thought of going away to school. The idea fascinated me almost as much as Bern did. "He seems nice," I said and turned from Sal to go to the deep sink that was filled once more with dishes. I quickly started washing and rinsing the dishes, setting them carefully in the big draining rack. It surprised me when Sal stood next to me, a towel in his hand. I guess he noticed my surprise. "I'm not too bossy that I can't dry a dish or two." He chucked me gently on the chin and I couldn't help the smile that crossed my lips. Maybe everyone in the camp wasn't the horrid monster that I'd thought at first. "I like working with you, Sal." He smiled and settled another plate on the drain board. "You ain't so bad either. It's not easy to find good help out here, so when you find someone, you do everything in your power to keep them. I think when we get some muscles in these arms, you'll be a hell of an assistant." I glanced down at my slender arms. I'd always thought of myself as strong but after watching Sal and the way his huge arms had flexed as he worked the biscuit dough, I knew I had some work to do to catch up. "Of course, when the Boss comes, you won't be in here anymore." I looked his way again even as I felt a thrill of fear. When the Boss came, I wouldn't be much more than what Tippin was now. I hated the thought. It scared me more than I was even willing to admit to myself. Instead of allowing myself time to think, I attacked the dishes with a ferocity that shocked Sal. "Hey, girl, whoa, slow down a bit. We have time to finish dinner yet." He dropped one big hand on my shoulder. That touch was enough to break me and I turned, an otherworldly sounding growl coming from me. I dropped the cloth I'd been using and backed slowly away, my hands up as if I could ward him off in this weak form. "Don't touch me, don't ever touch me." "Rhys, I'm sorry, calm down." His tone was soft, sympathy in his eyes. He held out one hand, not touching me. It was as if he was willing me to take it, to accept what I could see in his eyes. He took another step toward me and then a loud, chaotic sound came from just outside the trailer. The door popped open and I jerked back even further as a tall goddess of a woman walked in, her arm around an older version of herself. Bern was behind them and I saw his eyes search the trailer before landing on me. Sal stepped in front of them, keeping them from coming any further into the room. I felt their eyes land on me, curiosity rampant in them. I ducked my head, turning my back. I was ashamed of how I'd reacted toward Sal's concerned touch and even more embarrassed by being caught out the way I was. I felt a touch on my shoulder and I spun, my mouth opened to apologize but it wasn't Sal. "He feels bad," Bern said softly. "My father is a good man, but there are times when he doesn't realize that what he says can injure. I hope you can forgive him." "No...no, he didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one that should apologize. My...my sister..." I couldn't say anymore. He'd picked up my hand, playing with my fingers as I spoke. He looked up as I searched for both the will and the air to finish the comment. "Is she ill? I am only a medical student but I've seen what Harland hires as camp doctors. I'd be more than willing to help if you'll let me." His eyes, more green than hazel now, met mine. There was an honesty there as well as something else, something that had my heart rushing and a strange itch starting in my lower belly. I felt a swelling there, between my thighs, that was maddening and I wanted to press my legs together, to try to get relief. "She's not ill. She's..." I closed my eyes and then opened them quickly. I could see Tippin in my mind's eye, see the torn pink flesh and the rawness in her pussy as well as the bite marks on her breasts. I was worried about her getting sick from the open wounds, knowing that in her weakened state, it would probably kill her. "She's been raped." I spoke the words quickly, glancing up at him to see his reaction. "I'm so sorry, Rhys." His mouth opened and then closed, as if he wanted to say more but couldn't. "Would she let me help her?" I remembered the terror in Tippin's eyes, the hatred she felt for the men in camp and I wasn't sure. "I...I don't know." His hand rose and cupped my cheek, a gesture of affection that I wasn't sure how to take. "Da, I'm taking your new assistant awayfor a bit. I'll have her back in plenty of time to help you with dinner." He glanced back at his father. I glanced as well, though I did it without moving my face for he still held my cheek cupped in his warm palm. I liked it there, liked it perhaps too much. Sal nodded his agreement. "Stay out of Harland's sight. He might not be as understanding as I am." "Yes, sir." Bern was quick to agree and he took my hand in his, tugging me along behind him. He held open the door to the trailer, holding his hand out for mine. "Come on," he whispered. "Before he changes his mind." I skipped down the stairs and took his hand, pulling him hurriedly toward Tippin's tent. "Whoa, Rhys. I was joking. My father can be a taskmaster but he's a fair man. He's given his okay and he won't take it back. You're fine." I slowed but I couldn't resist the occasional look over my shoulder. "I...I guess, I'm just concerned. She's so much weaker than when we were both at home." "If this is such a bad atmosphere for her, why doesn't she go home?" He asked the question as if Tippin and I had a choice. A snort of disbelief let my mouth. "Are you telling me that you don't know about us? You don't know why we were brought to the camp?" He stopped short which stopped me as well. I turned and looked at him when he didn't move. "He...He didn't...He wouldn't... My father wouldn't work here if what you're implying is true." He was indignant and for a moment I couldn't say a word. Sal had been nice to me. He'd been more than fair and I didn't mind the work since it kept me out of the sight of the men in camp. A sudden flare of guilt had me wincing and I pulled my hand out of his grip. "My sister was taken from me, from our home eight days ago. During that time, she has been raped over and over. She's been beaten and half starved. That is the kind of camp your father works at, the kind of man he works for. Harland does nothing to stop his men. He's declared me off limits because I'm some kind of gift that he is saving for his boss. Tippin was supposed to be that gift but she ended up being raped by the old camp doctor five minutes after she was captured." My rant seemed to take everything I had left and I wobbled a bit, wishing I had the strength to shrug his hands off of me. But I let him support me. "Slow breathes, Rhys. Take it nice and slow." I closed my eyes so that I wouldn't have to look at him even as I obeyed his advice. A few minutes later I felt stronger and I pulled away, turning my back to continue to Tippin's tent. I pushed open the flap, not looking to see if Bern still followed me or not. Tippin lay where I'd left her, the sandwich that I'd brought her sitting on the floor next to her bunk. Her eyes were closed and she didn't open them, only whimpered and pulled the blanket closer around her. "No," she moaned. "There was so much pain in her voice, so much terror that it tore at my heart. "Oh, Tippin, it's me, baby." I rushed to her side, kneeling next to her and stroking her dark hair away from her face. It was a tangled mess and she flinched when I accidently pulled it. "How...are you here? I thought you'd get in trouble if you didn't go back, Rhys. Please, I beg you, don't get yourself in trouble with Harland for me." "No, Sal gave me permission. I won't be in trouble. I brought you a doctor. Will you let him look at you?" I felt the tiny shake of her head and leaned closer, speaking softly for ears alone. "Please Tippin. If we can get you better than we have more of a chance to escape. Let him help you, please?" Tippin sighed and I saw the defeat in her eyes. I knew she'd do whatever had to be done to get me out of that camp before I had to face what she was facing on a daily basis. "Thank you, Tippin. I will stay if that is okay with Bern." I glanced up, watching the slow, non-threatening way he came across the tent toward her. "Tippin? That is such an unusual name. Is it a family name?" He waved his hand at me and I took a step back, scooting around the bunk so that I could hold her other hand. "O-Our aunt's." Tippin's voice was soft, hesitant. I hated hearing her like this, so different from how she'd been before our parents had been killed, before our family had been decimated by these hunters. Bern continued speaking softly. "My name is Bern, Tippin. My father is head cook here in camp. I'm here on vacation from school before the next semester starts. Will you let me look at your wounds?" Tippin glanced at me and I could see the fear in her eyes. "He won't hurt you, Tippin. Let him look, please?" She closed her eyes. "Yes." I glanced at Bern and then found myself watching as he long fingers pulled the blanket out of Tippin's grasp. I heard his sudden intake of air and I knew he was as shocked as I had been by what had been done to my beautiful sister. The marks looked even worse now that the black bruises were so easily seen. There were marks around the bites and small finger-shaped bruises that encircled each breast. I saw how Bern's hands trembled for a moment and then he blew out a breath which seemed to steady him. "Who's done this to you, Tippin? Does Harland know about this?" Tippin opened her eyes and gave Bern a look that shouted her disbelief. She let her fingers brush over one of the worst of the bites, flinching at the pain. "He did this." "Harland did that to you?" She scoffed. "You sound surprised. He likes to come in around midmorning. Most of the men are off doing their chores so he has me all to himself. Your Harland has a biting problem." Her cheeks were florid and then turned white and she closed her eyes tightly, reaching for the blanket. But I moved it out of her reach. I was even more determined to get her out of there, to take her away from these men, from their perversions. I glanced over at Bern. "You looked shocked." "I'm just having a hard time believing that Harland would condone this." He reached down and took the cloth, wringing it out before laying it over the swelling black marks on Tippin's breasts. "Where else are you hurt?" Bern was mad too, I could see it in the way his hands shook though the gentleness in his voice never wavered. He nodded when she gestured toward the sore red flesh between her thighs. I held her hand tighter, more than a little shocked by everything that had happened to her. I was angry and grew even angrier when Bern gently pulled Tippin's swollen pussy flesh open. I could see the fresh blood that coated his fingers and felt Tippin tighten against the pain. By the time Bern finished his perusal of Tippin's wounds, his face was white and his hands shook. He knelt at Tippin's side, gently covering her before lifting her hand and holding it between both of his. "This kind of treatment should never have been allowed and I can't tell you how sorry I am. It's an atrocious affront that any honorable man would allow this abuse, Tippin." He bent and brushed a tender kiss to her knuckles. "Can you do anything to help her?" I knew my tone was anxious and I worried that I might tip my hand but it was more important to me than ever to get her out of here as quickly as possible. I knew the best medicine for my litter mate would be the green trees and jungle paths of home. I needed her strong enough to get there. "I'm going to go to the camp pharmacy now and get the medication that will help her." He tucked the blanket even closer around her and brushed her inky black hair off her face. "We'll get you fixed up and right as rain, Miss Tippin." I followed him out of the tent. "Is that the truth?" Bern spun on his heel and raked his hands through the black silk of his hair. "How could any man worthy of the name do that to a woman?" I looked at him with a sudden insight. He really didn't know what Tippin and I were. That was how a man could do what had been done to her and what was going to happen to me if I stayed around long enough to let it. For just an instant, I thought of changing, of showing him what we were. I even closed my eyes to concentrate upon that warmth, that savage beauty of the lioness that made up such a huge part of me. But the look in his eyes, the look he'd given me when he'd first seen me, would that look turn to disgust if he knew? Would he be so willing to take care of Tippin if he knew? I couldn't take that chance. "You'd have to ask them." I turned to go back into Tippin's tent only to be stopped by his big hand on my arm. "What?" "I think you do know, Rhys. I think you know and are just unwilling to talk about it." I shrugged. "I appreciate your help with her. I'm terrified that she will get some kind of infection and in her weakened state, not be able to fight it off. Thank you." A tiny shiver of fear shook me as he turned me to face him. Caged Ch. 03 "You can tell me." I stared up at him, wishing that it was true. Then I dropped my gaze. "Thanks again." His hands slid off my arms and I hated that I felt no relief at the loss of his touch. I turned and went back into the tent, refusing to look back though my every instinct told me he was still watching me. "He's gone to get you medicine, Tippin." "You shouldn't have done this, Rhys. Do you have any idea how much trouble they are going to give us for this?" "Who is, Tippin?" I sank to my knees at her side and stared down at her. "Explain this to me." I felt her sob and saw her head shake against the pillow. "You should just go. They haven't collared you yet. Go and don't quit running, Rhys. Please!" "I...I can't leave you here, not like this." She sat up though I could tell that it was agony for her. "Then bring me a knife from the mess tent. Bring me the knife and then go!"