The knock on the door surprised Kelli. Curled up on the couch reading a book she sent a questioning look at Matt to see if he was expecting anyone. The clock on the wall of their apartment read 10:15pm. Matt turned to look at the clock too.

"Stay where you are, I'll get it." Matt stood up and walked to the door. Kelli put her book down. He seemed to hesitate before opening the door, almost as if he knew who it was and didn't want to answer. When he did open the door she could see two men, both dressed in warden uniforms. Was Matt being called in? This was supposed to be a day off.

He stood aside and invited them in. Neither said a word. Instead Matt turned to her, an oddly sad expression on his face. "Stand up Kelli."

What was going on? She got up off the couch. "Is something wrong? What is it, Matt?"

He took hold of her arm and roughly pushed her toward the wall. "Listen to me carefully. This is very important. I want you to put your hands on the wall, shoulder level." Confused, she did as he ordered. "Good. Now Kelli, I have to ask you not to say a word. No talking, not a sound. Nod if you understand."

Hands against the wall she turned to the side and studied his face. Something had him worried, almost scared judging by how well she knew him. She nodded her head in agreement.

"These wardens have come for you. I'm going to grant your request. From this moment on Kelli, your status is changed from resident staff to student. You must, and I can't stress this enough, you must do whatever these wardens tell you."

A chill ran down her back. This was the moment she dreaded, and the moment she wanted. Now she would know if she really had the inner strength to be owned. She started to ask Matt if she should pack any clothes but he put a finger to her lips as soon as she opened her mouth.

"No! Not one word. No questions. You will be told everything you need to know, when you need to know it. It's already begun; no turning back now. They are going to take you to the secure area. From now on you are subject to their rules. Remember that. I won't be there to help or comfort you.

"This is the last time we'll be together for a while. If you show good progress you may earn a visit some time in the future." He kissed her cheek. "I'm counting on you to do your best."

He turned away. "Gentlemen?" she heard him say, a simple dismissal as he handed her over. Her eyes were watering. She didn't want to leave him.

One of the wardens put his hand squarely on her back, pinning her to the wall. "Don't move," he ordered in a clipped command tone. He took hold of her right wrist and bent her arm behind her back. The other warden came up behind her.

There was a clicking sound of a ratchet, at the same time she felt something cool and metallic close around her right wrist, behind her back. The second guard pulled her left hand back and she heard the clicking followed by another bracelet closing on her left wrist. Oh my god, I'm being handcuffed , Kelli thought. She tried to pull her wrists apart but couldn't. Her only prior experience with handcuffs was seeing them on television.

"Hold still," the first warden told her again. Kelli let her hands drop to her back. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the second man kneel down next to her. The familiar ratchet sound reached her ears again as he fastened cuffs around her ankles. Kelli bit her lower lip, trying not to cry. She wasn't violent or dangerous, why were they doing this to her? She was a small woman; either one of the wardens was easily twice her size. Did they seriously consider her a threat?

And where would she go if she did manage to escape from their custody? When she and Matt had first arrived, and he had put the collar on her, he explained that she would not be permitted to leave without his consent, even though she wasn't a student. He even showed her the exits, and the guards. They didn't have to put her in chains and treat her like a criminal. She knew it was impossible to leave.

"For safety reasons we have to search you." The second man began to pat her down.

This is ridiculous , Kelli told herself, all I have on are cutoffs and a tank top. Where am I going to hide anything? It didn't take them long to determine there were no concealed weapons or whatever other contraband they were after.

The hand on her back finally released her so she could lean back from the wall. She turned her head to see Matt standing in a corner, out of the way of the wardens. The forlorn expression on his face was the last thing she saw before the blindfold went over her eyes.