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Chapter 2

"Horatio?" I said a little shakily.

His eyes were closed and his head was hanging down, chin on his chest. I scrutinised him intently, he was so still. Oh God, was he breathing? I couldn't see him breathing! Full-blown panic set in.

"Horatio!" I was screaming his name now and pulling at my cuff, oblivious to the damage I was doing to my wrist and hand. I had to get to him. Jerking against the chain as hard as I could, I belatedly realised the loop of the cuff and ridden up further than before. Examining my wrist, I found I'd rubbed the skin raw to the point of bleeding. I noted, with more than a little hysteria, that blood wasn't quite as good a lubricant as gun oil. Looking away and taking deep breaths, I calmed myself. Looking back, I grasped the cuff with my free hand, grimacing against the pain. I tucked my thumb to my palm and pulled. I felt the metal slide agonisingly over abused skin; I panicked a little when it seemed to get stuck at the knuckle. But I steeled myself and closing my eyes gave the cuff a vicious twist. It came loose falling away with a rattle of chain and a thud as it hit the floor.

I was free.

I scrambled across the floor to Horatio, calling his name. I knelt next to him and shook him none too gently. Getting no reaction, I put my hand to his neck. I was shaking so much that for a moment I missed the steady beat beneath my fingertips. When finally I did feel it, relief rushed over me so fast I felt light headed. I collapsed back on my haunches until it passed. Reaching out I touched his face. His skin was pale and clammy. Now that I was close to him I could see bruising to his left temple, going up into the hairline, and a little blood behind his ear. His cheek was bruised and covered with a graze flecked with what looked like gravel. It appeared as if his face had been slammed into the floor a couple of times which would explain his lapses of consciousness. I watched the steady rise and fall of his chest for a while, willing it not to stop and wishing he would wake up. I felt very alone and for the first time in a long time, helpless. I forced away the unwelcome memories that that thought evoked and focused on more practical things. I took the opportunity to check Horatio for other injuries and the wounds on his head seemed to be the worst of it. I looked at the cuts and scratches down his left side. None seemed too deep, although they were dirty, which reminded me of the bottle of water.

Still feeling a little dizzy, I climbed carefully to my feet and walked over to it. The bottle was full to the top and as I picked it up, some spilled over onto my hand and wrist. I almost dropped it when I felt the burning pain that the liquid caused as it touched my wounds. Switching the bottle to the other hand, I sniffed at the top. There was no odour, so cautiously I licked a drop from my hand and immediately spat it out. It was salt water. This was some bastard's idea of torture. This time I did vocalise my anger, screaming and flinging the bottle as hard as I could across the shack. It smacked the wall next to Horatio and showered him with water. He jerked suddenly upright shouting my name panic in his eyes.

I scrambled over to him "It's ok, I'm here, I'm here." I brushed his now damp hair out of his face and held him till he stopped shaking. His free arm came around my waist clinging to me. I drew back, "I'm sorry I scared you." I said softly.

He looked down at what was left of the bottle of water then back at me quizzically.

I sat back on my heels and sighed, "It was salt water." I said. I nearly missed the look of anger that crossed his face it was so quick. Then he was all calm and business again.

He looked back up at the chain securing him. "You know, if we could find something strong enough we might be able to lever that staple out."

I followed his gaze. I noticed his chain was newer than mine and the staple attaching it to the post wasn't hammered as far into the wood as mine had been.

I stood up and brushed off my hands, wincing a little as pain shot along my hand and wrist. Horatio followed suite, swaying a little. "Okay, I'll take a look around outside and see what I can find."

He glanced over at where I had been chained, then down at my wrist as if noticing for the first time I was free. He grabbed my elbow before I could go. "Wait." Gently, he turned it over examining the bloody scrapes. Wordlessly, he picked up what was left of the water and poured some of it over me. I flinched and tried to pull away; he held my hand firmly turning it over and flushing the scrapes clean of dirt. Letting go for a moment, he un-tucked his shirt and tore a strip off the bottom then wrapped it gently but firmly around my wrist and hand. He inspected his handiwork then looked up into my eyes and gave me a small smile "All done."

I'm not sure how long we stood there, eyes locked, smiling like idiots before I came to my senses. "I won't be long, stay awake." I added sternly. I patted his cheek then went to the door. Cautiously, I peeked out. There was no one in sight. I looked back once more at him. He cocked his head and I shook mine, warily I stepped outside.