Out of breath, but laughing and giggling. Kayla and her friends stumbled off the dance floor and to a free booth. Around them, the rest of the club continued to bounce and surge in time with the beats of the DJ.

“I don’t know about you girls, but after that I need something to drink.” Her friend Madison said, flopping down onto the seat.

“Go ahead and order something for me.” Kayla told her. “I need to step outside for a bit.” She reached into her purse and fumbled for the cardboard packet of cigarettes and her lighter.

“No wonder you’re out of breath after one song.” A third girl, Betty teased. “Those things are bad for you, you know.”

Kayla waved her off and headed off in search of a place outside she could smoke. This place was super popular and tonight it was packed with people, including the smoking patio outside. Kayla didn’t really feel like jostling with all the people out there, fighting for enough space to stand a smoke a cigarette or two. She was considering giving up and heading back to the table when she spotted a glowing exit sign in the corner, away from the crowd. Based on what she’s seen coming in, it must lead out back, behind the club. Perfect.

Giving a quick glance around, Kayla eased the backdoor open and slipped out. Sure enough, she stepped out into a cramped, narrow alley. A light over the door lit the area immedaitely around it, but the rest was still quite dark.

Taking a cigarette from the pack, Kayla stuck it in her mouth. She fiddled with her lighter for a moment, getting a red coal glowing at the end. With a sigh of relief, she sucked in a lungful of the smoke, holding it a moment before blowing out a gray cloud.

While she was puffing away, Kayla heard footsteps, coming up the alleyway. She turned, tensing up a bit, ready to grab for the door if it proved dangerous. But a moment later, another woman came walking up the alleyway. She was short, dressed in a dark jacket with the hood thrown back. Her blonde hair was cut in a short, asymmetrical cut.

“Hey there!” The blonde said, cheerfully. “Pretty happening place tonight, right? I’m Carol, who are you?” She extended a hand.

“Kayla.” Kayla replied, taking the hand, a little uncertainly at first, but the other woman’s easygoing attitude quickly had her lower her guard. The two chatted on various, trivial topics for a bit, when Kayla finished her cigarette. Not quite ready to head back in, she started to fumble for another one. To her surprise, the other woman offered her a pack.

“Try one of these.” Carol said, smiling. She held up a lighter, so Kayla could get it going. Focused on the cigarette, Kayla didn’t notice Carol glancing back, over her shoulder and down the alleyway.

A second later, Kayla was grabbed from behind. Someone tall, burly and strong swung an arm around her chest and yanked back, pulling her tight against his broad chest. His other hand came up, clamping tight over her mouth to muffle her cry of alarm. The cigarette flew off, landing somewhere on the floor of the alleyway.

Kayla grunted, looking over at Carol. She thought Carol might try to help her, or go for help, or just run away from their strange attacker. She was shocked, and horrified when the other girl suddenly produced a roll of tape from her jacket and stepped forward. Bending down, she grabbed Kayla’s legs, lifting them up off the ground while Kayla’s other attacker held the rest of her weight easily. Despite Kayla kicking, Carol soon had the tape wound several times around her ankles. Moving up, she did the same with Kayla’s knees, further limiting her struggles.

After tearing off another strip of tape, Carol reached into her jacket for something she kept hidden. “Ready!” She said, and at that moment, her partner let go his grip on Kayla’s mouth. As the young woman opened her mouth to scream again, Carol reached up and stuffed a wad of cloth into Kayla’s mouth, pushing it past her teeth and deep inside.

“Little something from one of our previous captives.” Carol said, teasingly. Kayla groaned as she realized the mass in her mouth was a wadded up pair of worn panties. Before she could push it out with her tongue, Carol forced her mouth shut and pressed the tape tight over her lips. A few more strips sealed the gag inside.

With her cries silenced and legs taped together, it was easy enough for Kayla’s attackers to finish taping her up, crossing her hands behind her back and wrapping them, then winding several long bands around her arms and torso. They finished with a couple strips across her eyes, plunging her into darkness. The man kept hold of Kayla while his partner grabbed her tightly bound ankles, lifting them up off the ground. Helpless, Kayla felt herself being carried away, further down the alley.

A short distance away, she heard a van door being opened, followed by several loud, plaintive groans, what sounded like one or more other women with gags, grunting in distress. Kayla’s abductors lowered her onto the floor of the van. Beside her, she felt another person, her squirming body rubbing up against Kayla’s.

“That should be enough for tonight.” Carol said, standing over Kayla and the other captive women. “Let’s get over to Harry’s and sell...” She was cut off from finishing, though it sounded distressing enough to Kayla and the other prisoners. A voice called from further up the alley.

“Kayla!” Madison called. “Are you out here?”

“She must be. I distinctly remember seeing her go out this door. She can’t gave gone far.” Betty said. Kayla heard footsteps, coming up the alley towards her and her captors.

“ugh...” Carol groaned. “Not again...”