Matthew is not a happy man. On the eve of his 40th birthday, he stands naked before a full-length mirror and assesses what he sees reflected within. Sure, his body is toned and well-maintained. His job is physical and defined muscles are a result of the manual labour. He is handsome. But what good are these things when they house an empty heart? The most upsetting thought is that the older he gets, the less chance he has of ever finding someone to fill that void.<br><br>He runs into the night, fuelled by negative thoughts and looking to end his loneliness -- permanently. But he trips and falls. There is an explosion of pain and then ... nothing.<br><br>He wakes in a place he doesn’t recognize. He lays chained to a bed, in a prison of gray stone patrolled by heavily muscled guards. He is Nowhere, a mysterious place of erotic fantasy.

Nowhere

The following morning he was awoken by the sound of the stocks being opened. He looked up at Kell groggily and bid him a good morning.


Once freed Matthew tried to stand but stumbled. In his time spent bent forward in the stocks his legs had locked in place. Fortunately, Kell caught him and even though he felt weak and somewhat giddy, it felt good to have Kell’s arms around him.


“Did you see anything?” Kell asked.


“Yes, I did,” Matthew replied. “The right hand door is the one we want. Have you got a key for it?”


“I don’t know. I’ll have to check. It’s too dangerous now.” He looked over his shoulder at the Great Hall. “The men will be coming down for breakfast.”


Kell helped Matthew down the two steps to the floor of the hall then held his hand as they walked together to the men’s corridor. 


Chapter 17