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

It didn’t take long for him to discover that there really was a body there. Joseph gasped, a barely audible sound, as Dale stared wide-eyed at the shoe and the piece of fabric of a pair of trousers. At least it wasn’t navy blue. Dominic always wore navy blue overalls.


Dale moved to the other end of the shallow grave and dropped to his knees. He began removing the dirt with his bare hands, clawing at it until the tips of his fingers began to bleed. In his desperation to see who it was that rested in the soil he scraped the back of his hand on a large stone. The resultant slash was immediately filled with blood, which was soon soaked up by the dirt that became crusted over the wound. He barely noticed it.


Finally he uncovered an eyebrow, a brown caterpillar against the stark background of grey-white skin. He gently brushed the dirt from the rest of the face.


“It’s Tom,” he said looking up at Joseph. “Help me get him out.”


Chapter 41