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CHAPTER FOUR

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Caliko watched as he untied her restraints and rubbed the numbness out of her wrists. She sat up and looked down at her leg. It was crudely cast in plaster, but she had to admit, other than the heavy feeling from the cast, it didn't hurt as much anymore. She watched as he went to a cupboard and pulled out a bowl and then handed it to her. She looked inside and saw it was half full of canned peaches. She dug into them, not waiting for the fork he tried to hand her. She licked the juices as they ran down her hand and enjoyed every mouthful. He went on to offer her bread and cup of water. She set down the bowl and bread and gulped big mouthfuls. Her thirst made her brave and she held out the now empty cup and asked for more. He quickly refilled it. She drank until her stomach could hold no more, handing him the cup to refill each time it was empty. Finally she had had her fill and for once in days, she felt her body start to come back to life.

She finished the bread and one last cup before finally looking at him. "So what do I have to do?"

He smiled at her. "Oh, like I said, its nothing much." He went to the door and opened it, peering outside for a moment before closing and locking it. Then he walked over to a curtained area of the room and drew back the curtain.

There sat a bed and a rocking chair. He walked over to the chair and picked up a pile of clothes. "Let me help you over here and then you can put these on and I will put these on and you can thank me for the food."

Caliko felt her eyes widen, what was this pervert up too? But she knew she was in no condition to set-up protest. So she nodded her head and allowed him to help her to the chair, where he handed her the clothes and then pulled the curtain behind him.

She looked down at what he had handed her. It looked like an older woman's nightgown. Sort of what she had seen her grandmother wearing when she had visited her over the summers. Caliko stomach plunged with unknown dread. She took off her clothes and pulled the musty nightgown over her head. "Okay, I have it on."

He pulled back the curtain and stood before her in zip-up, footed pajamas, holding a large book. He smiled that yellow smile at her and waddled over to the bed. 'I want you to tuck me in, kiss me on my forehead and read me stories, like my Grandmother used to, before…be…" His chin quivered. "Before the virus."

Caliko's shoulders fell. It was a strange request, but much better than what she had already started to conjure up in her mind.

He crawled into the bed and under the covers. She pulled the blanket up under his chin and then made herself lean over and kiss him on the forehead. Then she settled back into the chair and read to him.

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They had just finished changing back into their clothes when there was a loud knock on the door. He quickly moved Caliko back to the table and tied her down again. Then went and opened the door.

Two men, one dressed entirely in black and wearing a long cape lead the way, followed by his companion, who was dressed in what in all the world appeared to Caliko as chain mail and a sheathed sword.

"We have come to see the girl." The one with the sword said.

Caliko lifted her head and watched as he came over to her and peered down at her.

"As you can see your Highness, this one is a little banged up, but, sir, I think she will do." The pudgy boy said, looking over at the boy in the cape, who was still standing by the door.

"Yes, Francis, I agree. The leg should keep her from running. Jereth?"

Jereth, the one called "Highness." finally walked over to her and looked Caliko over. He ran a hand down her face and then whispered to Caliko. "You're beautiful." His head shot up, as if shaken out of a dream and looked at the others. "Yes, she will do perfectly." He turned and walked back out the door. "Just be sure not to let her get away like the others. Jacobi."