Deep in the Woods

Chapter 3

I am escorted through the padlocked door and into a long hallway. My eyes dart around fearfully as I take in the corridor lined with cells. I hesitate for a long second before I follow the tug of my chain towards the cells, as I walk past the first few I notice that they are empty, although I spot scratches lining the walls in almost all of them, I shudder as my mouth goes dry. But I can't stop. I know there is a shock rod aimed at me and I will only be forced to move again. As we walk past more and more cells I pick up the telltale signs of a struggle in each but I try my best to avoid thinking about it.

Suddenly the men in front of me stop and I stumble in attempt to pull up quickly enough. A key is extracted from one of my captors pockets and inserted into the closest cell lock, twisting through the mechanisms before releasing the door. It is then yanked open and I'm roughly shoved inside, closely followed by just one of the men, the others stand guard outside, I catch the eye of one of them who, in response taps his shock rod against his leg, a reminder. I avoid eye contact and let my eyes slide over the space, concrete floor, no window, barred door, my prison. "Get on with it Mike" One of the guards instructs impatiently as my eyes flick to the man in front of me. He glares at me as he reaches inside his short pocket, pulling out a length of white fabric. I watch him, confused as moves towards me. Then my brain clicks. It's a gag. Oh hell no. I back away from him, my eyes hardening. He keeps advancing and I feel panic indulge my body.

I leap at him, headbutting him in the stomach and sending him flying against the door, which snaps shut, lock clicking. I continue my pursuit as he struggles to his feet, clearly disorientated. I headbutt him again and he falls, but this time he doesn't get up. I retreat to a corner. Watching the two panicked guards outside the door as they try to force the door open. I then realise that I am trapped, my only way out is the door. At that moment the door gives way and the two men burst into the cell, I leap at the door zigzagging through the first man's legs and head for the seconds, but he is prepared and slams his legs together, crushing the breath out of me as he and his partner secure my arms and legs.

They grab the abandoned gag from the floor and wrench it into my mouth, ripping through my lips and teeth as it slides to the back of my mouth. I wretch as it is tied tightly around my head and attempt to free my limbs, thrashing against the men. But they don't budge and instead, I receive a kick to the stomach before they flip me over onto my face. I gasp against the fabric trying to gain my breath but a knee is planted into my back, pinning me to the ground and restricting my breathing even more as they fasten cuffs around my wrists, ankles and necks, making sure they pinch my skin in the process. I growl at them from the back of my throat, earning a slap across my face. I lay waiting for them to leave, anger courses through my veins and I restrain myself from struggling, pressing my stinging cheek to the cold stone and listen helplessly as they attach chains to the cuffs and link them to metal loops in the wall, straining my eyes in attempt to follow their movements but they disappear behind me, out of my line of sight. Suddenly the bearing weight from my back is gone and I gulp air back into my lungs, gasping around the gag.I hear the men retreat behind me, dragging their companion with them but lay motionless on the ground as I feel the warning weight of the shock rod touch my shoulder. Then that is gone too and the door clangs shut. I raise myself to my feet shakily and turn around, glaring through the bars at the two men as they lift the injured man, his limp arms secured around their shoulders as they leave the hallway.