Will awoke scared and confused. He looked around trying to work out where he was. It wasn't the camp- that much he could be sure of. He tried to sit up, but the pain in his head made it near impossible, and so he had to be content with lying on the hard stone floor.

Footsteps echoed around the room. Will could hear them getting closer and closer. Suddenly they stopped and he could feel a presence right next to him. He twisted his head to see who was there and found himself staring up at Gisborne.

"Wakey wakey, scumbag." Gisborne hissed as he signaled to his men. Two of them dragged Will to his feet and marched him out of the room.

Shaking, Will decided that all he could do was wait. What for he did not know yet, but he was sure it would hurt. Sure enough the second they stopped moving, Will felt a fist being slammed into his already sore stomach and ribs. He doubled over in pain, trying his hardest not to scream out. Every time he moved they straightened him up and struck again, even harder than before.

Back in the cell, Much crawled out of the corner in which he had been hiding. He was in shock at how calm Will had been as they had lead him from the cell. If it had been himself, he would surely have fought against them, but no, Will had simply allowed himself to be lead away.

From the darkest depths of the dungeons he suddenly heard a cry of pain, followed by a cracking sound. This lasted at least an hour before silence fell. Some minutes later the cell door swung open and Will was thrown hard against the back wall. He hit his head as he landed and was knocked unconscious.

XxXxX

Hours later, Will came round to find Much standing over him, looking scared. He tried to move but pain coursed through his body. Every inch of his torso felt as though it were on fire. And the pain in his head was unbearable.

"Where... what... help" he couldn't think straight and everything came out in a jumble of words.

" We have been caught," as Will began to panic, Much placed a soothing hand on his head,"Calm down. Breath slower, deep breaths, that's it." the familiar sound of footsteps began to fill the dungeons and panic began to rise in Will's chest.

"Hey, lads, I'm not being funny but," Will gave a somewhat nervous laugh, it was Allan," glad to see I amuse you so much mate. You two have gotta get out of here. You have no idea what the Sheriff has planned for you." Will could feel Allan's eyes fixed on him, "especially you, Will." the door to the dungeons clanged and Allan jumped away from the cell.

Gisborne strode into view and yanked the manacles from Allan's grasp. Clicking his fingers in Allan's direction he pointed at Will and motioned the manacles. Allan hurried forward.

Seeing the look of betrayal in his friend's eyes made Allan close his, as he took the manacles back from Gisborne, and entered the cell. Ignoring Much's screams of "get off him" and "leave him alone," Allan placed the manacles tightly around Will's wrists and lead him away.

Will could here Much yelling all the way down the corridor. "Leave him alone. He's just a kid. Stop. Get off him." It was reassuring to know that Much was willing to sacrifice a lot for him. As the door closed behind them, Much could no longer be heard. Will took this opportunity to take in his surroundings.

In the fire a poker was heating up, next to it was a riding crop and various other objects clearly intended to inflict pain. He began shaking with fear as his mind began to race. He could see many possibilities as to what may happen to him, and he didn't like any of them.

The door flew open and everyone in the room snapped to attention. Will felt a hand on the top of his head, forcing him into a kneeling position. He raised his eyes and saw he was knelt before the Sheriff He began wriggling and struggling, desperate to escape the evil eyes that glared down on him.

"Well done Gisborne, it would appear you have caught one of Hood's inner circle."the Sheriff clapped Gisborne on the back as he circled Will, kicking him in the small of the back as he passed," now the question is, what to do with him?"

"Hang him M'Lord" Gisborne spoke without hesitation.

"No no Gisborne, you see if we hang him, we create a martyr for the people. What we need is something bigger, something..."

"Public?" Allan spoke without meaning to, "something like a public beating. To show the people what happens if they cross you."

"Genius. Gisborne your boy is a genius." the Sheriff exclaimed, raising his hands to the sky. "Prepare the prisoner. Send troops out to round up the villagers. Public beating one hour." the Sheriff cackled as he left the cell.

Will was dragged to his feet and marched towards an empty cell. One by one Gisborne and his men filed out, leaving him alone with Allan, who sat down next to the bars and looked in at Will.

"I am so sorry mate. I have no idea why I said anything. I didn't mean to, it just, well it kinda..."

"Kinda what? Kinda slipped out? Like your tongue kinda slipped into Djaq's mouth? Like you kinda slipped into bed with her? Knowing how I felt about her and yet you did it anyway." Will was angry now, shouting at Allan as loud as he could.

Allan jumped to his feet and grabbed Will by the throat, slamming him against the back wall of the cell. "So what I did kiss Djaq, so what if I slept with her. It's none of your business. I know you love her Will, but guess what she picked me. She didn't want you Will. You're far too young for her, too immature. She wanted a real man. She wanted me."

Tears began forming in Will's eyes. He tried to fight them off but to no avail, the tears began rolling down in cheeks. "You're wrong Allan. If I had got the chance to tell Djaq how I felt she would have been with me. I just know it."

Allan's grip around Will's throat tightened, and Will began gasping for air. A sadistic smile spread across Allan's face. "You know something Will? Djaq is the most amazing kisser I've ever been with, and in the sack, wow, she took my breath away at least four times that night. You have no idea how much I enjoyed sleeping with her. And after I thought of how I could rub it in, the next time I saw you." he squeezed tighter, and just for good measure, punched Will hard in the stomach

"So how does this measure up? All that time you've had to plan how you were going to rub it in. This must be pretty amazing Allan." Will shocked himself with the level of composure in his voice.

"This is far better than anything I could ever have imagined or even planned. I have total control over you. And there's nothing you can do about it. Face not even Robin knows you're here. He thinks you and Much have gone to visit your brother." realisation dawned on Will. Robin didn't know where they were, he didn't know they were in danger, he couldn't save them.

Allan saw the fear rise up behind Will's eyes and knew immediately that he had him. "Allan what's going to happen to me? After this thing?" Will mumbled.

"You are done for Will. Life as you know it is over. Once this afternoon is finished, Gisborne and the Sheriff will own you. Give up Will, you're finished." Allan released Will and watched him slide to the floor, gasping for air. He smirked and went back to his seat, knowing he had won.