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

“Can you give it a bit more accelerator?” he asked. “Please?”


The driver looked at him in the rear-view mirror and grunted, and when Dale craned his neck to look at the speedometer he saw that the driver had ignored him completely.


He tried to distract himself from his catastrophic thoughts by looking out of the window. The scenery raced by, though not fast enough for his liking. Streets of houses soon gave way to paddocks and swathes of bushland. Cows stood grazing on grass that had been turned a dull yellow by the summer sun, their inertia producing a frown on Dale’s face.


Chapter 40