Part 39 (2/2)
As we reached the top of the stairs I stopped their motion with a quick tug on the leashes. They stopped, slowly turning towards me. Their faces silently questioning me.
”You two look like you are about to get shot.”
Jane spoke quietly. ”I feel like I'm about to be shot.”
”Too much excitement for one day?”
She nodded glumly. I gently guided the naked women into the lunchroom instead of the office. The two guys were still sitting in the corner smoking. The white smoke hanging around their heads. I guided Christi and Jane to a side table away from the smokers.
I sat on the table, leaving them to stand in front of me. I unhooked the leashes from their collars, folding the leather up in my hands.
”What's the matter?” I asked them.
”I honestly don't know,” Jane spoke for both of them. Christi just stood awkwardly, s.h.i.+fting her weight from bare foot to bare foot.
”Was it the cruelty?”
”I guess. I know I should be used to it by now, and you did return them.”
”But it was unfair. I know. Kathleen was ... different.”
”Please. Can I speak freely? Will you punish me? I know you are in a weird mood.”
I nodded. I felt a bit drained myself. I was curious what was going through that pretty head. Sometimes I had to remind myself that this beautiful nude teenager actually did have a head on her shoulders. She was usually far more perceptive than I. That her captivity must be just about killing her.
”Kathleen didn't deserve that.”
”I know. She was doing everything she could to avoid pain. And I whipped her silly anyway. I let her off in the end.”
”I know. Why didn't you rape her?”
”I couldn't.”
”You couldn't?”
”No. She was. Different. She was willing, you know. She would have. To save herself any more pain. Or to save Nicole.”
”I see. You know if you want, that Christi or I will take care of you. I'm sure even Elizabeth or Amy would, as well. You didn't have to rape her.”
”I didn't.”
”You didn't have to torture her either.”
I nodded slowly. ”Jane. I know you can't understand this. I don't expect you to. I. Just wanted to. That's all. I knew that I was going to return her. She'll never remember it.”
”It just seems wrong. That's all.”
”I know it does, sweety. I know.”
”I just feel drained. I wish you hadn't made me hit that poor girl. She was in such pain. She was screaming. And crying. She couldn't even beg, she hurt that much. I wish you'd done it yourself.”
I took a deep breath. ”She's fine now.”
”What if I'm not?”
”You'll be alright. Try not to think about it. Christi? You feel the same way?”
She nodded. Tears were br.i.m.m.i.n.g in her eyes.
”How about if I let you two just relax in here while I deal with our office ladies?”
”I. I'd like that. If you'll let us,” Jane spoke softly.
”You promise not to move? To behave?”
She nodded.
”Do I have to tie you into the chairs?”
”Please no. You can if you want, of course. But we'll stay where you put us. We promise. Where would we go?”
”Alright. Sit here.” I indicated the chairs beside the table. I hopped down. The nude women slowly moved to the chair and lowered themselves into them. Both clasping their hands on the table.
”Wrists.”
The girls just raised their hands. Out towards the middle of the table. They didn't even seem to mind that they were going to wear cuffs again. Handcuffs were better than being tied up, hand and foot, to the chairs they were seated in. I slipped handcuffs over their slender wrists, connecting Christi's right hand to Jane's left. They were facing each other. They let their hands fall to the table with a soft jingle of chain.
”You want a snack? A drink?”
Christi's eyes lit up. ”Chips? Oh G.o.d. I'd do anything for a bag of sour cream and onion flavoured chips. I'd crawl for a bag of chips. Please. Please. Please?”
”Jane?”
”A m.u.f.fin, maybe. If there is any.”
Leaving the girls at the table, I walked over to the smokers. I wrinkled my nose at the smell as my time bubble intersected with the air around them. I hated the smell of smoke. I briefly entertained the idea of having the girls shove the smoker's lit cigarettes into less comfortable orifices. The smokers had some change strewn about the table. I freed the change from the time block and gathered it up. A couple of bucks. They were probably headed for the vending machines themselves in a few minutes.
I walked over to the machines. Bought a bag of Hostess chips for Christi. I turned to the girls. They were just whispering together.
”Janey?” She looked up. ”Blueberry, or chocolate chip?” I asked her. Betting that I knew the answer.
Her soft voice floated across the silent lunchroom. ”Chocolate chip. If you are giving me a choice.” She smiled. She looked beautiful when she smiled. I won the bet with myself.
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