The whipping

"Tie them to the posts." the lead knight ordered.

Two guards grabbed Ann and dragged her to the post. She was chained facing it by her wrists. I was shackled by the wrists to the post next to her. The whip came down on us like a sharp snapping slash. I could feel my pulse beat erratically after the first lash. I heard a second slashing sound. I clenched my fists and with eyes shutter tight, I prepared for the worst. I felt the whip lash my back. I braced myself again and heard the whip crack leaving a deep thin burn.

I could see Ann's face twist with pain as the whip hit her. The fourth lash **** a light yelp from her. Blood surged out. She was **** back the whimpering sobs. I could tell she didn't want her torturer's to hear her scream. The knight plied the whip lengthwise across the middle of her back with an even louder and harsher slash. The cruel leather digging even deeper into her skin below her shoulders drove a shriek of agony from her.

I felt two more lashes sear into my fresh. Our backs split again and again by the hissing, slashing leather. I threw my head back and released a shrill tortured scream. Again the whip cracked and sliced Ann's bare skin. Ann screamed.

She gritted her teeth. The knight applied a terrible lash diatonically upon her back. I didn't bother to brace myself as swifter lashes tore into me, the pain so intense.

We both woke up in a dungeon afterwards. I must have passed out from the whipping.

"Are you okay?" Ann asked.

Well, no, I wasn't okay. It still hurt like hell. I was hoping that was all just some dream.

"How do we get back of here?" I asked.

"I was hoping you'd tell me." Ann replied. "Let's search around."

Search around? Was Ann hoping to find some secret tunnel leading directly out.