Dale is a 23-year-old university student working on his thesis. Fortunately, rather than having to endure the interruptions and distractions at university, his “Uncle” Tom has invited Dale to stay with him at Walton Manor. In the countryside he has plenty of space, almost continual silence, and a butler to cater to his every whim. Dale and Tom have always had a mutual admiration for each other, and now they have the chance to explore this attraction. Yet Dale doesn’t count on falling in love with Dominic, the muscular Italian employed as Tom’s gardener. Despite his feelings for Tom, Dale can’t help the fact that the more he sees Dominic, the more attracted he is. Unfortunately, Tom is a jealous man. Even worse, he reveals a hitherto unseen sadistic side, which frightens Dale. One night Tom’s jealousy boils over, and Dale finds himself punished for his feelings for Dominic. From then on, Dale’s tranquil existence at Walton Manor is permanently shattered. Once things are set in motion, they are impossible to stop. After a final confrontation between Dominic and Tom, Dale discovers the most shocking truth of all.

The Human Cage

Dale ran back to the pool, dropped his towel and then slipped into the water. He swam a couple of laps and then made a big show of getting out again. He collected his towel and walked up to the house, thinking along the way how ridiculous everything seemed at the moment.


For the rest of the afternoon he worked feverishly on his thesis. With the end in sight and the uncomfortable atmosphere at Walton Manor, he was eager to be finished with the whole situation. Except Dominic. That man was all he ever thought about and whenever he thought about him he smiled. He wanted to be near him because when they were together everything else around them melted away and their world was a tranquil one, of love and beauty.


At dinner time that evening Dale walked tentatively down the stairs towards the dining room. If he hadn’t been so hungry, he would have skipped dinner altogether; but then again if anything was going to happen, he would rather face it and have it out once and for all.


Chapter 33