Through a fog I walk. In the distance, the sound of a whip cracking and faint moans. Behind me, I hear manacles clicking shut and muffled screams. I start to run from the sounds in back of me, hand on the wall to my right. As, I slow to catch my breath, I find an opening. After catching my breath, I go through it.
With my hand on the wall, I move down another path. Within a few feet, the wall disappears and I feel metal bars. Hands start to grab at my boots, legs, skirt, arms and collar, trying to clutch at me to pull me towards those bars. With a small scream, I break into a frightened sprint and feel fingertips brushing against me as I pass. Soon, I no longer feel them and slow, again to catch my breath.
Cautiously, I reach out with both hands, trying to find some kind of solid, vertical surface, again. The fog seems denser here or could it be from all the running that it appears to be? I can feel walls on both sides. With my hands on them, I move on. I jump as I hear that whip crack, for it is louder now and it's followed by a small scream of pain?? I've come to 2 openings. I go to the left this time.
With my fingertips on the wall, I creep down the path. The sound of the whip has stopped and in the distance I hear chains rattling and squealing. I hear footsteps coming from somewhere, but where? My fingertips brush against chains that are hanging, some long and endless, others ending in manacles and collars. The footsteps are very close now. Fog is thinning a little.
Sensing that I made a wrong turn, I back up towards the way I came. The footsteps have stopped. I can smell leather, sweat and skin that I once touched and tasted.I'm thinking that it's a trick and keep inching backwards. Before I can take another step, hands grab me and pull me back. I try to break free but they hold on. Arms I once had wrapped around me, clutching me to his chest.
I stop my struggling, when I realize who is holding me thus. The fog thins more and I can see the arms wrapped around me. I know now that I am safe, for I dream of you so often, but seldom remember. With a small smile, I lean back into his chest with a contented sigh.
In a voice no louder than a breath, he says in my ear, "No escape, my Angel. But I'll give you a sporting chance. Run."
Ever obedient, I reply, "Yes, Master" and the chase begins.
