Page 20 of Caged
"Okay, and if you want, we can look online and see there as well. Everything they know will be online."
"I don't know how."
"I'll teach you. It's not hard. As soon as we eat, I'll show you to your room, then when you want, we can go shopping and get you some clothes and other things. I didn't know your sizes to get you everything you'll need."
"You don't have to buy me things." He really didn't want Marshall doing all this, but the truth was, he didn't have a choice. He didn't have money or any way of getting any. He made it through second grade. Who would hire him?
"Let me help you get on your feet and figure things out. I have the money. It's not a hardship, I promise. You can repay me by helping me paint and finish the basement while you're here." Marshall took a large bite of his burger.
"I guess I could do that if you show me what to do." His stomach tightened at all the things that he was going to have to figure out. It was becoming very clear how much he'd missed out on in life. He was completely out of his element and that wasn't going to change any time soon.
"I do need to at least go get your prescriptions filled. You're going to want to take your antibiotics and get the cream for your…" Marshall shrugged and shoved a fry in his mouth.
"Yeah." Heat worked its way up Danny's neck. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
"I didn't see it on you. Just heard what it caused." Marshall frowned. "How long did he have you wearing that?"
"I don't know really. I thought I was keeping track of time, but I was gone twelve years when I thought it was ten. The cage didn't happen until a while after the boys got there. Maybe a year after. So I guess I'd been in it a year."
Marshall set his food down and stared at him. "You had that on for a year? Shit, that had to be hell. How did you pee? What if you got hard?"
"I'd pee easy enough after some practice, and I didn't get hard except in my sleep. That only happened a couple of times before my body learned it was painful and it stopped happening. The first few weeks were bad, but after that, it just became a part of me." He hoped he wasn't being too blunt with Marshall, but it wasn't as if he could hide what had happened. If Marshall had questions, he'd answer them.
It was strange being able to have a conversation with someone. For twelve years he had to watch what he said, be careful not to speak out of line. Now, he had so many questions he wanted to ask. So many things he was curious about. And, in a way, he wanted to tell someone everything that happened to him. He wasn't ready to do that just yet, but somehow, he needed someone to know what had gone on in that house next door. Was that person Marshall? He wasn't sure, but when the time came to talk, he'd know.
"So you haven't had a hard-on in a year?"
"I'm not sure I can get them anymore. I never got them easily anyway. There were a few years where I got them often, but then they just slowed down. I'm guessing that was when I was going through puberty when I was about twelve or thirteen."
"Yeah, that would make sense. Damn. I can't imagine how tough that must have been. When I start to think about it, I realize all the things you missed out on. All that you had to face alone. You had to be terrified."
"At times, but most of it I didn't know better. It wasn't until I moved upstairs and started hearing the TV and reading the books he'd leave me that I was able to start to put things together. Most of my education came from those sources, and I'm not sure how correct they are."
"Probably a mix of truth and fiction, but it won't take long for you to figure it all out."
Danny sighed. "I hope so."
They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate, and he savored the food. He'd dreamed of McDonald's often, remembering it more than almost any other food. He patted his stomach, fuller than he'd been in years. He closed his eyes enjoying the feeling, but suddenly so tired he could hardly stay awake.
"Was it as good as you remember?"
"Better, but I think it's putting me to sleep."
"Fast food does that. Let me show you to your room. You can take a nap if you want. I'm just going to relax and play around on my computer for a bit." Marshall gathered the garbage and threw it away. "I can give you a full tour or just show you your room for now. Seriously, make yourself at home. The whole house. Not just your room."
"Thanks. I think for now I'll just see my room." He was so full he could hardly move. Maybe he'd overdone it. His stomach grumbled and cramped. "Maybe the bathroom too."
"Yep, follow me." Marshall led him down a short hallway. "The bathroom is all yours unless we have company. I have my own attached to my room. You can pick either guest room." He gestured to two doors. "My room is the last door at the end of the hallway, your bathroom is this door across the hall from the bedrooms."
"I'll take this one." He walked into the bedroom closest to Marshall's. If anything went wrong, if Larry came back, he wanted Marshall close. He reminded himself about the alarm and guns, but he still didn't feel like Larry was gone from his life. Maybe he never would be.
"There are towels and everything in the closet in the hall, clean sheets for your bed too when you need them. I'll grab your bag from the hospital so you have your stuff, then I'll let you relax. Don't hesitate to come find me if you can't sleep."
"Thanks." He looked around the room, taking in the large bed, the newer looking dresser, and nightstand. He was probably the first to stay here since Marshall bought the place. He ran his hand over the bed, wondering if he'd be able to sleep on such a comfortable looking bed.
"Here ya go." Marshall set the bag on the foot of the bed. "Let me know if you need anything." He turned to go then stopped. Turning around he smiled. "I'm glad you're here."
Danny grinned. "Me too. Thanks for offering."
