Part 72 (1/2)

Taking in her tears, Christi rose from her chair. She spoke quietly.

”It's time to go, for you. Isn't it?”

Sheila just nodded, her tears falling from her eyes uncontrollably. She just let them drip down her face.

Elizabeth and Amy rose and walked over to Sheila. Despite their handcuffs, they pressed their nude bodies to Sheila, hugging her as best they could.

I listened as Elizabeth whispered to her.

”I really didn't know you as well as I wish that I did. You are a brave and wonderful girl. I know you won't remember me, but I only want the best for you. I know what you are going back to, and I hate it. Be strong. For me.”

She kissed her cheek. Amy, tears gently falling down her face, kissed Sheila as well.

As soon as the naked women finished, Christi enveloped Sheila in a huge embrace, pressing her clothes into Sheila's nudity. They separated, and looked at one another, tears falling down their cheeks.

”Thanks. For everything,” Sheila whispered. ”I couldn't have done this without you.”

Christi choked, only able to cry. They kissed lightly on the lips and separated. Finally, Christi managed a few words. ”I'm going to miss you.”

Sheila kissed her once more and the girls separated. Sheila approached me, unable to even see, she was crying so hard. The other girls looked on helplessly. I took her hand gently and spoke to her.

”Do you want to say good bye to Jane?”

She nodded silently through her tears.

I guided her slowly to the dining room. Jane was stretched out in the suns.h.i.+ne of the window, her black evening dress looking odd on her, but stunning nevertheless. As we entered, she looked up. She was almost immediately on her feet, running towards Sheila. Instinctively she knew. The tears, the look on both mine and Sheila's face.

The girls hugged, Sheila crying into Jane's shoulder. I watched them rock one another. Jane struggled with her emotions, but she was unable to stop a single tear from tracking down her face.

”I'm sorry,” she whispered to Sheila. ”I should be happy for you, but I'm going to miss you.”

The girls pulled back a bit, looking into one another's eyes.

”You were like a sister to me,” Sheila whispered. ”You helped me so much. Adjusting to this. You were there for me. I wish I could give you back a tenth of what you gave to me.”

”You just did,” Jane whispered as she gently kissed Sheila.

She pulled back and held the crying naked woman by her arm. ”Now you listen to me. I know what you are going back to. I know it won't be easy. But he's going to help you. Okay?” She shot me a look, making sure that I knew she'd never forgive me if I didn't help this girl. Truthfully, I was her only hope, and I was painfully aware of it. ”You just have to hold on for a day or so. You're strong. You can do it. I promise. You promise me, that you'll hold on.”

Sheila dumbly nodded. Her promises wouldn't mean much, but I had a strange feeling that she would do exactly what she'd promised despite not remembering it. She was a strong girl. Considering what she'd gone through already in her real life, perhaps the strongest out of any of us.

”Take care of yourself,” Jane spoke softly with tears now rolling slowly down her cheeks. Sheila wiped at the tears while ignoring her own.

”I will.” They hugged once more, both girls looking reluctant to release the embrace.

Sheila presented herself back to me. Jane just stood and watched. Sheila bent as though to fall to her bare knees, but I stopped her with a touch. I touched her small hand and took it in mine. I slowly guided her out of the room. She turned and whispered a last good-bye to Jane as we left the dining room, throwing herself into renewed sobs. She silently cried all the way up the stairs until we were outside the master bedroom. She stood in the hallway, looking at me through blurry eyes.

Her voice was surprisingly strong as she spoke.

”You won't keep me?”

She s.h.i.+vered and threw a fearful glance towards the doorway across the hallway. If I didn't relent, she knew where she'd be in a few moments. Dressed in her maid's uniform, three sizes too small, and bound. About to be kicked and tortured and raped for hours by her old master.

”I'm sorry Sheila. I truly am. I can't. I so much wish I could. I don't want to send you back into that.”

”I. I understand,” she whispered. She moved forward and embraced me, pressing her soft body into mine. She began to cry again, but she struggled and managed to get control. She tilted her blonde head and let her lips gently touch mine. Visions of her bare body making gentle love to me out in the gra.s.s flew through my mind.

”Thank you for giving me so much,” she whispered.

I took a deep breath, ”I'm going to miss you.”

”Me too. Maybe look me up once you've freed me. Ease up on the punishments, and maybe ...” her voice trailed off. She resumed after a quick pause. ”I'm going to miss you too.” Her eyes teared up again at the words, but she managed to control them again.

I took another deep breath and began to collapse her time bubble. She gasped as the tingling overtook her bare body. She whispered one last quick ”Thank-you,” before she winked out of existence.

I knew exactly what state she was in behind the closed door of the business room. I didn't think that I could handle checking on her. She'd be right where I'd found her. Bound, carrying that tray for Mayer, and about to be abused. Yet again. My heart ached, but I had no choice.

I turned away from the door, fighting off my own tears and slowly walked back downstairs.

Chapter 121.

As I entered the library, all three girls looked up halting their quiet conversation. Amy had taken the remaining library chair, and the other two girls were in their usual spots.

Elizabeth spoke quietly, ”I feel like were being taken to a firing squad. Please, can't you tell us what is happening? With us?”

Her face was tear streaked, and frightened. I considered, and then spoke to them.

”Girls. You know what is happening. I've told you. I'm letting you all go. And I'm giving you all a chance to do one last thing on this timeline. For yourselves. Not for me. Sheila had some fun outside. She hadn't been out in months. I'm not going to hurt you. You can relax.”

Elizabeth considered for a moment. ”Does it hurt?”

”Hurt?”

”Yeah, when you sent her ... us ... back?”

”Not at all. You shouldn't feel a thing. Maybe a slight tingle as time slows and then stops for you.”

She didn't look convinced. ”I guess we don't have a choice anyway. Probably easier than having your b.r.e.a.s.t.s whipped.”

I smiled. ”You got it.” I turned to Amy. ”Amy? You ready?”

She took a deep breath, and looked like she fought off some b.u.t.terflies. She slowly nodded and climbed to her bare feet. She silently walked to the entranceway, a look of determination on her features. She didn't even turn as she walked out. She didn't look angry, just preoccupied.

I heard Elizabeth and Christi resume whatever their discussion was as the door softly closed behind me. Amy was waiting quietly in the hallway, unsure where we were going. She was twisting her wrists in her restraints, her face a mask. I motioned her up the stairs, and followed behind her as she climbed.