When Feliciano next woke, he felt cold. His skin felt as if it where shrinking around his body, and the air felt still and damp. He sucked in a heavy breath, trying to collect himself as previous events began to reoccur in his muddled mind. The air smelled like dirt. He couldn't see anything... Nothing at all.

His head slowly began to throb. This side of his face felt sore, and he felt aware of how tender it was. He let out a his as he fought to sit up. He felt his calves grate against the hard packed dirt floor, even colder than the air itself. He began to shiver, feeling the skin on his arms and legs prick as a light, cold breeze found its way into the pit.

"A-Antonio?" He whispered fearfully.

His stomach began to sink as he found that he was granted no response.

"Antonio? P-per favore..." He could hear his voice crack. He could feel tears already working their way from his eyes, prepared to slide down his cheeks.

He could feel his teeth chattering. He lay back down, gently. He could feel Antonio's presence just beside him, and he wanted to wake him up. But he knew the other needed his rest.

That was when he heard someone talking. Two of the men from before, he assumed. He held his breath, hoping they would pass by. But no. He heard two dull thuds. He felt his heart rate began to quicken. He could feel himself gritting his teeth. Feli knew he had to keep quiet. If they knew he was awake, who knew what they could do to him.

He bit his tongue as he felt someone kick his leg. He froze up a squeak escaped his throat.

There was a pause. He felt someone grow closer.

He tried to hold back a whimper as he was pulled to a sitting position by the ropes around his arms. He let out a gasp as he was forced to his knees, a calloused fist winding in his short auburn hair.

He felt another hand grab his chin, forcing his mouth shut. He was blind to whoever was looking at him. He shivered as someone pinched his nose, the other grabbing his chin, forcing his mouth open. He felt like a dog being picked for the fight. He struggled to pull away, only to have his hair gripped harder. He whimpered fearfully, gritting his teeth in an attempt to stay quiet.

"He's a pretty one." Someone stated blatantly. His face was twisted to the side, much like a dog or a slave being observed.

Someone else spoke. "Virgin?"

He felt himself freeze up as that word was spoken. Feliciano didn't know what these people where planning to do to him. He whimpered, once more trying to pull away. Thankfully, he was released. He let out a sigh of relief, slumping over his knees.

"I think so." The first replied.

Feliciano swallowed as they got closer.

As if on cue, a soft voice broke the near silence if the early morning air.

"L-leave him alone..." Antonio grunted.

Mere moments later, he heard a crack. Antonio let out a cry of pain.

Feliciano felt himself begin to cry.

Antonio shouted again.

"No! Lascialo stare! Ti prego, no!" Feliciano cried, trying to force himself in front of the two assailants.

He cried out as a force sent his face sailing into the dirt floor, he curled up, crying. His nose and cheek stung and throbbed, pain pulsing through his nerves. He could feel tears sliding past his blindfold, slicing away what little heat he still had.

Moments later, the noise ceased. Footsteps went back to the ladder. Feliciano whimpered. Antonio spoke weakly after a moment.

"Feli...?"

"... Si?"

"Did they... Did they hurt you? "

Feliciano bit his lip, fighting tears as fear and multiple other emotions fought his will to stay quiet,

"Mmhm..." He murmured in affirmation.

Antonio hissed in pain.

"Don't move..." Feliciano muttered softly.

"I can't either way."

"Mm..."

"Roma will be here soon, Feli."

"Si..."

Feliciano closed his eyes behind the blindfold.

'Please Romano... Please hurry...'