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

“Mine happened when I was a lot older than you were. I’d always had girlfriends in high school. I thought I was into chicks, but as it turns out I’m not.”


“Thank God,” said Dale giving Dominic a peck on the cheek.


“I think I was about twenty-five. I worked for a feed store, trucking hay and wheat and stuff to farmers all over the place. One day I had to stop at a petrol station to refuel. I filled the truck up, paid for it and then went to leave. It wasn’t til I had the engine going that I realised I needed to take a leak. It was good in a way because I would have had to move the truck anyway to free up the petrol bowser.”


Chapter 36