The realization that this is a rather oddly human shaped cage did not in fact bring me any kind of solace... Neither did remembering that two of the first things I did upon waking up were to groan loudly hoping Anna would come take care of me.
If anyone heard me, they don't seem to be doing anything about it. As the jostling hasn't stopped or changed so either, they didn't notice or just don't care. Outside of my cage I see what appears to be the back of a work van with rows of hooks that could easily have once held tools of any trade. Somehow seeing them empty is disconcerting as though the van has given its identity away to transport me. I am glad that there seems to be light coming in from somewhere behind me allowing me to get my bearings even if everything I see does not help the situation.
I must be more out of it than I thought because only as I attempt to push myself to sit up straighter do I notice I am in handcuffs. They are odd handcuffs looking vastly old with strange markings etched in spirals and diamond like crystals inset into them. I can't believe they gave me bedazzled handcuffs. Not bedazzled, Anna would correct me and explain to me once more what bedazzled actually means but still.
I miss my wife. For once I am glad, she was not home when I returned, what would have happened to her if she had been there when my attackers struck? I wonder why they grabbed me. I can't think of anyone who would have a grudge against me. I am just a pilot it isn't like I regularly get into altercations or even just interact with that many people.
I get jostled out of my thoughts of my wife by a bump that feels larger than the others have been. I feel myself pulled backwards towards what I assume is the front of the vehicle as we slow. The light dims as I hear what sounds like a garage door roll down. For the first time I hear voices and although I can't make out what they say they sound rather annoyed.
Suddenly my head feels clearer and I realize I should have been figuring out a way out this whole time. I take another look at the cuffs on my hands and know without a doubt I won't be getting them off. Even if I was still in my uniform with my handcuff key safely stowed in its Velcro home it would do me no good against a lock that looks as old as castles and knights.
Giving up on the handcuffs I try to get a better view of the cage door at my feet but am hampered by the narrowness of the cage itself. I scoot down folding my knees to my chest trying to get as close as I can to the door, but I already can tell it is futile. The door is securely fastened with a lock on the outside that I couldn't get to even if my hands are free.
I hear a noise outside the van doors and hurry to quietly push myself back into the position I woke up in. Slumping against the back wall I wait, watching to see who will come for me.
The back doors of the van creak open before me and I can see a group of men staring back at me as if I am some strange creature. I catch bits of their whispered comments to each other but nothing I overhear makes sense so I must not be hearing them right. It sounds as if they are talking about demons and witches which is complete nonsense... hopefully I wasn't just taken by a crazy cult who believes in that stuff...
At a stern word from one of the more serious looking men two climb into the van and walk towards my cage. One stops to tug on the lock making sure it is still secure I suppose while the other walks towards the end I lean on and bangs on the crate.
"Show me your wrists," He shouts his voice cracking just a bit, he sounds younger than the rest although it is hard to truly tell especially with the lack of light.
He bangs on the crate again when I don't react to his order and shouts "SHOW ME YOUR WRISTS" once more.
I hurry to comply this time lifting my wrists as my head rings with echoes of the clanging metal.
"Secure" The first guy calls out apparently satisfied I am still securely locked inside the cage.
"Secure!" The young one calls after using a flashlight to look over my lifted wrists. I gratefully let them drop back to my lap at his word; these cuffs are quite heavy.
"Alright, Push it out," The one who seems to be in charge calls from outside the van. I can't help but notice even in the dim light that he is standing a decent way back from the doors as though waiting for something to explode.
"Yes Sir!" the two in the van respond and both shift to the side near my head and begin pushing my cage towards the open door.
I tense expecting them to let the cage fall out the door as it nears the edge but am surprised when two men step up and grab the end by my feet keeping it level with the van floor. By the time the two in the van jump from the van and lift the corners under my butt there are a total of four men already holding my cage in the air. Apparently satisfied with the six men carrying me the leader issues his next order
"Alright you take it inside to the place."
They walk towards a door on the left side of the room, and I am surprised to find I am carried into what appears to be a regular house. The lights are still dim enough I can't be sure, but it really looks just like it might just be a hallway of any house.
Turning into a room with no lights the men drop my cage without warning.
"Oof," issues out of me without my consent as my body slams into the metal surrounding me.
The cage is hit and someone yells at me "Quiet! Profane!"
With that they leave slamming the door behind them and leaving me alone in complete darkness.