AN: Thanks again to A Clue for your review! Just a couple chapters left! Thanks for reading! We'll check back in with the rest of the gang either next chapter or the following one.
Robin had lost track of time. He had awoken re-chained to the post, his physical agony rivaled by the emotional torment at the thought of being bait to trap his friends. He longed to move, to do something other than sit uselessly, helplessly in this tiny room. Days and nights ran together in a pain-filled continuum in his windowless cell. His shoulder throbbed constantly and every motion sent shocks of pain as his restraints pulled at his arms. The irregular beatings by Gisborne, sometimes accompanied by Vaisey continued, though now the physical beatings were accompanied by a knowing smirk. He couldn't be sure, but he thought they were coming more frequently, that he had less time to recover between sessions. Open wounds were bleeding longer and his torso was an array of half-healed and newly forming bruises. They repeated the sea water treatment a couple times and no matter how Robin steeled himself, he could not contain his screams.
Sometimes, someone continued to bring him water. It soothed his raw throat and he needed it like a man in the desert. They'd stopped bringing food though, and he wasn't sure when. His stomach was in knots and he felt weak. He felt himself fading in and out of consciousness. Was it only a couple hours? A day? More? Where were his men? Had they been caught, as his enemies were so sure they would be? Where was Marian? Something must have happened and he could only pray she was ok. It was so cold and so dark. Darkness had never bothered him before but the dim light from the fading torch barely allowed him to see his feet. He heard footsteps approaching which stirred him from his half awake limbo. The steps paused outside his door and he felt his heart start to pound.
Vaisey opened the door and walked into Robin's cell, examining the walls, appearing more interested in the moss growing on the bricks than the shirtless and bloodied man chained in the middle of the room. Robin was silent but even he wasn't sure if it was strategic or from exhaustion. Vaisey completed his silent circuit of the cell before striding to the center. He grabbed Robin's face, lifting his chin to force his gaze up, examining the extensive bruising on his face, the mottled discoloration around his swollen eye. The subtle smirk and sadistic gleam in his eyes made the hair on Robin's neck stand up. Still, Robin glared back. Wordlessly, Vaisey released Robin's face and turned to exit the room.
"Wait," Robin said hoarsely, how long had it been since he'd spoken? Screams and cries didn't count. "What do you really want? What does any of this accomplish?" He had hoped to sound commanding but even to his own ears it sounded pitiful. Vaisey paused to glance back over his shoulder. He was very much enjoying this little game for Hood's spirit. He felt he was winning. When he had the rest of the outlaws, he would have his very own Shah mat, checkmate. So he mere flashed a broader grin before turning back and walking out of the cell.
Robin watched the door close and listened to Vaisey's footsteps fade into the distance. He had a feeling of dread overwhelm him, unlike anything he'd felt since his return from the Holy Lands. He pulled again at his chains, tender muscles and dislocated shoulder protesting this voluntary strain. After a few moments of effort Robin slumped again, panting and weak. He could not repeat his chain breaking maneuver again, not with his shoulder like this and, when did he last eat? He was being to feel his muscles aching deeply, deeper than the physical abuse his body was under could cause. He closed his eyes and thought of his gang. Maybe it had not yet been five days. Maybe they sensed the trap. He couldn't help but let out a sob. And then a prayer.
