The Little Death 4

Ingrid unlocked the base of Sophia`s chair and spun her around so she was facing Luana. Somehow, it was what she had expected: the lower face of the Taiwanese (Luana had always insisted upon being from Taiwan, despite having become an American citizen) was covered by a black rubber mask, similar to Sophia`s. Except for that, she was stark naked, even lacking the panties she had worn when they had watched her through the window in the door. Sophia couldn`t help noticing that Luana`s pubic mound was completely bold and she wondered whether this was due to her race, had been done by her – or by their captors! She shuddered when she remembered Ingrid noting her untrimmed bush and the chair ached as she instinctively tried to close her thighs.

Luana had her ankles cuffed and obviously, her hands were tied behind her back. Greg stood beside her and it seemed that his hand on her upper arm was rather meant to give her support than to keep her from hopping away. Now, Sophia noticed more details about her co-captive: obviously, Luana was on the brink of total exhaustion. She also noticed the scent of sweat and other fluids and a cold shiver ran down her spine.

She gasped as she heard a metallic click. Bao had stepped beside her and tied a handcuff around her left wrist. Ingrid quickly removed the straps tying her to the chair and Bao took hold of her right arm and tied her hands behind her back before she could even think of trying to resist. Then, he cuffed her ankles, too, whilst Greg freed Luana`s wrists.

»Just write down your report and we will call it a day, Luana«, Ingrid said in a casual tone and Sophia saw the silent defiance in the Taiwanese`s eyes. However, she sat down on the chair and though she remained silent, Sophia could see that she was feeling relieved of being allowed to sit down. To her surprise, Luana then opened a folder and started to write down something. As if led by an invisible hand, Sophia stepped forward and looked over Luana`s shoulder.

In austere words that made the whole scene even more monstrous, Luana wrote about the effects of her latest ordeal. She described the stimulation by a vibrator and how it had affected her.

»The tingling was more intense than under normal conditions and I felt more sensitive in general, but by concentrating on non-stimulating things, I was able to keep control over myself.«

»Thank you, Luana! Now, let`s eat something!«

When Greg retied her wrists, Sophia exchanged a look with her former colleague. She could not get why she was able to write down such a report, as if she was cooperating. Luana had always been tough and she shuddered from the thought of how they had made the Asian work with them.

It was a bit difficult to walk with her ankles cuffed, but though Ingrid used the scarf still tied around Sophia`s neck like a leash, she adjusted to her slow speed and didn`t yank on the cloth. They went through the door Sophia had noticed earlier and the room behind it turned out to be a plain, but quite well equipped kitchen and also had a table surrounded by chairs. Sophia and Luana had to sit down and Greg accompanied them, letting his eyes wander over their bare breasts, but at least keeping his hands to himself. Bao and Ingrid meanwhile put some sandwiches and a few bottles of water to the table.

»It`s a bit frugal, but none of us is a great cook. Anyway, we are here for working and you have to admit that we are having the same as you!«

Bao and Greg now freed their right hands, but tied their left wrists to the chair. Then, they stepped behind their respective girl and unbuckled the masks.

»Sophia, you are new, so, you don`t know the rules: no talking unless I speak to you. You would not like the consequences of disobedience!«

She had spoken calmly, but when Sophia looked at Luana, the Asian slightly nodded and the expression in her eyes told her that Ingrid wasn`t just uttering empty threats. So, when the dreadful mask came off, she remained calm as Bao plucked the sodden pantyhose from her mouth. It turned out that Luana had been gagged with pantyhose, too, though hers was beige and not black. The two crumpled garments were draped over the backrest of the last chair and then, Ingrid invited them to eat.

Sophia greedily drank some water, but she definitely wasn`t hungry. She watched Luana devour some of the sandwiches.

»Well, she burnt some calories!«, she thought and had to oppress a hysteric giggle. At the same time, she felt horrified: if nothing happened, she would have to endure similar procedures!

Ingrid, who had taken off her lab coat, nibbled on a sandwich and looked at her two naked captives. Then, she said:

»Time for you to go to bed!«

Seeing that Luana did not protest, she also remained calm as again, the men stepped behind them. They now used different gags on them, large rubber balls that were sewn to a broad leather band. The balls were forced into their mouths and when the bands were buckled at their napes, the leather pressed on their lips. When she explored the ball in her mouth with her tongue, Sophia found it more convenient than her previous gags, but the size of the ball would prevent her from intelligible speech and the band would not allow her to work it from her mouth, even more as now, the buckles were secured by small padlocks.

Now, their wrists were untied from the chairs and they were led to a door in the wall Sophia hadn`t noticed yet. It was made of solid iron and had a door viewer in it. Inside was a chamber of barely four square meters, only equipped with a narrow bunk bed and a toilet. It looked like a prison cell – and that was exactly what it was.

»I know it`s a bit narrow, but you are big girls and will come to terms!«

The door was shut behind them and Sophia now realized it was dimly lit by a small lamp at the ceiling. Beside it, she noticed the red eye of a surveillance camera.

»Mhhrrmmmm!«

In a sudden rage, she slammed her fist against the iron door. Only now, she noticed that the door, just like the floor and the walls, was covered with thick rubber panels. It prevented her from hurting her hand, but the faint sound of her hit on the door felt quite dissuasive. She sank down and started to sob.

»Mph!«

It was Luana, looking at her calmly and holding a piece of toilet paper to her. She made no further attempt to soothe her, but Sophia managed to fight down her tears. Having wiped her eyes, she took the paper and cleared her nose. When she had thrown it into the toilet, Luana pointed at the bunk and Sophia sat down. She tried to speak through her gag, but Luana just shook her head. Sophia`s first reaction was to attack her co-captive, but then, she thought twice:

»She`s here longer than me, and she would sure do something if she could!«

To distract herself from her growing fear and frustration, Sophia looked at Luana. Like most Asians, her face didn`t show much of her feelings, but she was sure that Luana hadn`t given up or had been broken. Sophia felt almost a bit ashamed for having let herself go. She slid to the bunk`s side and patted on it, inviting Luana to sit beside her. After some hesitating, the Asian sat down.

»Mhhmm! Uuhmm! Ghhmmph!«

It sounded strange as Sophia tried to say something, just to make sure that they would sure get through this whole ordeal. She stopped with a grunt and Luana just nodded slightly, as if Sophia had said something coherent.

»We will soon be freed! Tomorrow morning, Lioba will see that I have disappeared and then, she will call the Police! Soon, everything will be over!«, Sophia tried to console herself.

***

»They seem to get on well together!«

The woman turned away from the door viewer and back to Ingrid who sitting at the table. Greg and Bao had left shortly after the Chinese had entered. She was wearing a black turtleneck pullover and tight jeans and had her black hair in a strict bun. Her slightly austere looks made her appear older than her 32 years, though she could be called quite attractive.

Ingrid had opened her laptop and was evaluating Luana`s latest report. The Asian sat beside her and asked:

»Anything of value? And, please«, she showed the hint of a smile«, keep the technical terms to a minimum!«

Ingrid smiled, too. The woman she only knew as Lan was no pharmacologist, but she was fast on the uptake and usually understood Ingrid`s explanations, though they had to communicate in English for Lan`s French was, just like Ingrid`s Chinese, only average.

»We are still stepping on the spot«, Ingrid admitted. Lan knew that the development of a drug was nothing for the impatient.

»Our current variant of LD causes a slight arousal and makes the user more respondent to outer stimulation. If we would sell it now, we could perhaps make some money, but we are still far away from being able to guarantee an orgasm, let alone to get the arousal to a level where it has to be – quenched immediately!«

Lan nodded and it seemed that she was imagining the effects of a potion that would work as desired. Ingrid doubted that Lan was thinking of sex parties; she was more interested in the political aspect, the reason why she and her superiors were financing Ingrid`s research. If anything could arouse the Chinese, it sure was power.

»Do you think that this new woman will be helpful?«

»Definitely as a control group, though we sure could do with more Guinea-pigs. Sophia`s also a good scientist, though I would give Luana the edge here. However, she might be useful in another way.«

The Chinese raised one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows.

»She`s the assistant of Professor Leduc who is also doing research on our subject. Maybe, he is closer to a breakthrough than we are.«

»And you are sure you can persuade her to cooperate with us?«

Now, it was Ingrid`s time to smile enigmatically.

»Maybe. But she could be helpful even if she refuses to cooperate.«

She explained her plan to Lan and when she had finished, the Chinese showed a fine smile and her eyes sparkled.

»It would allow us to combine our success with a little fun. Given the subject of your research, this seems quite befitting. I will put Feng and Kang on the job!«

When Lan was typing a message into her cell phone, Ingrid felt a shudder of joy and arousal. Getting praised by that woman not only flattered her vanity, it also meant that the flow of money would not dry up anytime soon.

***

Lioba had left the house on Saturday at 8 am, to get to the University where she thought she would meet Sophia at the laboratory. The little white van didn`t raise her attention in the slightest and even if she had noticed that two men left the car and headed straight to the house where her apartment was located, it wouldn`t have risen her suspicion, for the van had the logo of a delivery service on it and both men sported light grey overalls with the same logo.

Lioba lived in an old house in one of the better areas of Marseille which meant it still had a concierge, a woman responsible for keeping the house clean and to accept deliveries for absent customers. The elderly woman frowned when she saw the two Asians enter the building; she was one of those who quite often started a sentence with »I am not racist, but…«. The wrinkles at her forehead deepened when one of the men started to speak to her with an accent that made his words barely understandable. Finally, she had understood that they had a package for a Monsieur Davout. Said Monsieur Davout indeed lived at the house, but he was absent. It took the concierge some effort to explain that fact to the Chinese who had similar difficulties in making understandable that he needed a signature and could not just leave the package with her. Finally, they agreed upon her signing a note that they had tried to deliver his packet to him, but hadn`t found him at home.

The woman had been so busy in shouting at the Asian – like many people, she thought that foreigners would understand her French better if she just spoke loud enough – that she had not taken care of the second man who had feigned to check his cell phone. What this man had was indeed a cell phone, but instead of reading messages, he had taken photos of the keys hanging on a board behind the concierge`s desk. The camera was state of the art and when the two men had returned to their car, he had all he needed.

»Phew! Next time, you will fake the dumb foreigner!«, Kang sighed as they had left the street, only to stop at a nearby parking lot. His cousin Feng chuckled. They both were quite fluent in French and they were far from being ordinary delivery men.

In the back of their van, they had a machine like they could be found at every Mister Minute, but a slightly improved version. All Feng had to do was to scan the photos and a few minutes later, they had copies of the key to the back entrance and also to Lioba`s apartment.

Now, they changed into civilian clothes and went back to the street by foot. Here, Feng positioned himself close to the entrance so he could see if Lioba would come back: after all, they both knew that she would not meet Sophia and therefore perhaps be back soon. In the meantime, his cousin entered the house via the back entrance.

90 minutes later, Feng got a message from his cousin and went back to the van. Little later, Kang jumped on the passenger seat and put his backpack to his feet.

»Mission accomplished!«

Feng didn`t ask whether Kang had been careful; they both were professionals. His cousin rummaged through his backpack and with a grin, he asked:

»Black or white?«

»White«, Feng answered and reached to the right without looking since he had to keep his eyes on the road. His fingers felt something smooth and light and he brushed over a lacy trimming. He raised his hand so that he could have a look at his souvenir.

»It seems that this doctor prefers thongs to panties!«

He brought the garment to his nose. Lioba had definitely worn these before.

»Do you think she will miss them?«

»Probably«, Kang shrugged, »But soon, she will be too distracted to care about such little details!«

***

When Ingrid opened the cell`s door, both Sophia and Luana were already awake. Since the bunk was so narrow and the floor was upholstered, Luana had slept on the floor, ignoring Sophia`s muffled protests. To her surprise, she had found some sleep, but now, she was facing another problem and she was a bit relieved when Ingrid took only Luana outside, leaving her alone.

She had not dared to use the toilet as long as the other woman had been present and now, she took the opportunity to relieve herself. Then, she had to wait for another few minutes before the door was opened and Luana stepped in, still gagged and with her ankles cuffed.

Obviously, now Luana was given a few minutes of privacy whilst Sophia had to sit down for breakfast. She was ungagged and this time, she not only had some coffee, but also a sandwich and a banana. Greg and Bao were present, too and so, she decided not to try talking or denying food.

After breakfast, Ingrid handed her a toothbrush and pointed to the sink where she saw a glass containing toothbrush and also some soap and a washcloth. She cleaned her teeth, but though she felt sweaty, she did just wash her face, not wanting to give the two men too much of a show.

Greg now stepped behind her, letting his hands run over her body and enjoying her discomfort as he took her wrists and cuffed them in front of her whilst she felt his manhood press against her butt. Luana got her hands cuffed, too, and they were led to the adjacent lab.

Here, Ingrid handed them two pairs of Latex gloves and two transparent plastic aprons that hid nothing of their bodies and also felt quite uncomfortable on their naked skin.

To Sophia´s dismay, their work didn`t differ much from what she would have done if she had met with Lioba as she had planned originally: they had to analyze different substances and to study reactions under the microscope and, for most of the time, had to work on the computer. The only difference was that they were naked, bound and gagged and that all their conversation went over the computer`s chat function.

Ingrid also worked on her computer. Of course, she talked to them, but she had an eye on the chat and so, Sophia didn`t dare to use it for a conversation with her co-captive. Only when Ingrid left for a short trip to the bathroom, she typed:

»How long are you here?«

»8 days.«

Sophia`s eyes widened. More than a week, Luana was held captive, naked, bound and gagged. For more than a week, they had forced her to participate in the most humiliating experiments – and obviously, there had been no opportunity for an escape in all these days!

»I fear for my family«, Luana added, but before Sophia could react, Ingrid returned and they just found time to delete the conversation.

Though they were prisoners, Ingrid wasn`t especially mean and obviously, she held enough authority over the two henchmen so these didn`t take any liberties aside from looking at their nude bodies. So, with no chance of escaping and seeing no point in being defiant, Luana and Sophia concentrated on their work. More and more, Sophia even developed some professional ambition and she tried to get closer to the solution of their problem – though she knew about the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads: the practical tests of the results of their research.

»As long as we are getting some progress, Ingrid will leave us alone! Her main goal is to get LD work, not to torture us!«

So, Sophia followed an approach that Leduc had developed a few weeks ago. He had only told her and Lioba a few details and kept most of his knowledge to himself; after all, he wanted to have the lion`s share of the scientific praise for himself. However, since he needed them as his assistants, he had to tell them some of it and Sophia felt that it would enable them to get closer to isolate the ingredient of a specific plant that seemed to have the desired effect without noticeable side effects.

»If we had this ingredient, we could try to increase the effect or to combine it with ingredients we know about!«

In theory, that was easy – as easy as to say »just get two critical masses together and cause a chain reaction, then, you have a nuclear explosion«. The practice, however, was different. Sophia was good in her field and she was honest enough to admit that Luana was an even better scientist. Also, though she definitely didn`t want to praise her, Ingrid also knew what she was doing. And yet – Leduc was maybe a socially awkward nerd, but he had also more than 40 years of experience in pharmacology.

Nervously, Sophia licked over the ball filling her mouth. Ingrid was no fool and so, she would soon get to the same conclusion: to get further, they would need the works of Professor Leduc. She doubted that the blonde intended to kidnap the Professor, but maybe, she would think that it would help to forcefully recruit his other assistant for the team.

»Maybe, I should delete my current work, trying to cause at least a delay!«

It would maybe keep Lioba save, but on the other hand: maybe, Lioba would be able to reconstruct what had happened, call the Police and would thus be inaccessible for these criminals. In addition, Sophia considered it legitimate to think of Luana and herself first.

»In a few days, maybe hours, the Police will set us free! Time`s on our side! And as long as we are doing research, we don`t have to participate in any – practical studies!«

So, Sophia buried herself in her work, to be able to convince Ingrid that she was on the right way and would need nothing than a little more time. She looked at Luana who was just standing close, bent over the microscope. She cursed about the fact she could not involve the Taiwanese into her plan. But though they were building a team and therefore had the possibility to exchange via the chat, Ingrid would be able to read every word, too and the gags made even a whispered communication impossible.

»So!«

Ingrid hit her thighs and got up from her seat. It was one of her Germen mannerisms, but the signal was clear: they had all earned themselves a break. Only now, Sophia felt how tired she was. Her mouth was parched, her back ached and the plastic apron clung to her skin. Luana was in a similar condition and Sophia would have paid pure gold for a shower, even if Greg and Bao were watching.

»We really forgot about time«, Ingrid said, »it´s 6 pm already!«

They had worked for some ten hours, but if Sophia had met with Lioba, it would have been the same and she was sure that Luana also was used to long work shifts. But now, she also felt thirsty and a faint grumble in her stomach reminded her of her skipped meal the evening before.

»It`s Saturday, girls, you know what that means?«

Both Luana and Sophia stared at Ingrid who looked at them as if she expected them to give her an answer. Then, she continued:

»Oh, silly me, you haven`t been here last week and since it was Luana`s first day, she had some – difficulties in adjusting to the house rules. But today, we can follow an old German tradition!«

The two captives exchanged looks. What was Ingrid talking about? Would she put on a Dirndl and serve beer and sausages? They saw her whisper something towards her henchmen and the grin that appeared on Greg`s face made Sophia nervous. Ingrid turned back towards them whilst the two men left the room. For a moment, Sophia considered attacking the blonde, but Ingrid kept a distance of some two yards towards them and with their bound ankles, they would not be able to throw themselves upon her.

»The tradition I am referring to is to take a bath on Saturdays. As you know, the accommodations here are a bit limited. I mean, I would have invented you to use my shower, but my room`s in a mess. Besides«, she twinkled towards her captives, »I owe the two guys a little reward for having to hang around in the lab all day.«

»Mmhhmph! Nnnggg!«

Sophia vigorously shook her head at the thought of getting manhandled by the two criminals and Luana also seemed not to be keen on having that experience again. Ingrid laughed in a way that made Sophia`s blood curd. As on keyword, Greg and Bao entered, carrying a large plastic tub they placed beside a drain in the tiled floor. Greg put a hose to the next faucet and began to fill the tub whilst Ingrid raised her voice so her men could understand her, too:

»Now, I understand that you don`t want to get touched by these two. So, here`s the deal: you will wash each other!«

The men grumbled, obviously disappointed that they would once again only be allowed to look. Ingrid made a soothing gesture towards them and told the two girls that stood motionless.

»However, if I have the feeling that you are not showing enough effort, Greg and Bao will assist you – especially at places that are a bit difficult to reach.«

Sophia gulped. She looked at Luana who also looked strained, but forced herself to remain calm. She slightly nodded towards Sophia, as if she wanted to say:

»It`s okay, we will do whatever it takes to stay well and alive!«

Ingrid clapped her hands.

»Move it, girls! Take off these aprons and get to the tub! Sophia, I will take care of your glasses if you like!«

The two obeyed. Getting the clingy plastic from their skin felt good and besides, the transparent aprons hadn`t hidden anything from view. For a moment, Sophia hesitated handing her glasses to Ingrid, but she would need them – not only if they continued their work, but also if there was a chance of escaping. Slowly, they then approached the tub.

The lab had warm and cold water and so, the men had been able to prepare a hot bath. However, with their ankles bound, they could not just step inside. Greg seemed eager to help; he grabbed Sophia´s hips and lifted her up. She slightly squirmed and moaned with protest, but he just let his eyes wander over her naked body. Then, he lowered her inside the tub and made her sit down.

Sophia felt that the temperature was indeed convenient and she was just about to lean back when she realized that they had to share the bath when Greg now lifted Luana. As he looked at the Taiwanese, he grinned and asked:

»Is it because you are Chinese or because Sophia isn`t shaved that you smell different?«

Luana just glanced at him, but Sophia couldn`t help blushing all over and she covered her pubic mound with her hands. However, this turned out to be a bad idea, for she had to open her knees, allowing Greg to position Luana`s legs between them. When he pushed her down into a sitting position, Luana`s buttocks rested on Sophia`s insteps whilst the Asian`s feet were touching her hands that were still covering her middle.

Bao now took the hose and poured some more water over their heads. The two girls spluttered through their gags, though the water also felt refreshing. After a minute, the man turned off the water and handed a bottle of shampoo to Sophia.

Under the prying eyes of their captors, the girls washed their hair. Bao even handed them a brush and rinsed their heads.

»It isn`t as horrible as I have expected!«, Sophia thought when Ingrid said:

»There is still some hair left to be washed – a small, triangular shaped thatch!«

Sophia stared at the blonde. She knew what she was referring to and again, she tried to shield her middle with her hands. Ingrid shrugged.

»I am sure Greg will assist you!«

With a mew, Sophia shook her head. Then, she and Luana had to twist inside the narrow tub to get their entangled legs from each other, allowing Sophia to stand up. Looking despondently at her dripping thatch of pubic hair, she reached for the shampoo. However, Ingrid had different plans.

»Let Luana do it!«

»Mmhhmmmm?«

Two head spun around synchronously to stare at Ingrid and their moan of protest came in unison. Laughing, the blonde said:

»Either Luana – or Greg. It`s your choice!«

For a few seconds, nobody moved or made a sound and only the water dripping from Sophia`s body could be heard. Then, Luana reached for the shampoo bottle.

»Mhhm! Nnnggg!«

Sophia shook her head, but the Chinese took the bottle from her hands. Then, she nodded slightly, though she avoided looking at Sophia`s eyes.

Sophia stared at a point at the ceiling and bit down on the rubber ball in her mouth when she felt Luana`s fingers touch her. Having the fingers of another woman down there made her cringe, but she forced herself to remain calm and just panted from embarrassment.

Luana tried to keep the intimate touches to a minimum, but Ingrid forced her to be thoroughly and even told Sophia to open her thighs, forcing her to stand bow-legged, so Luana could wash her between her legs, too.

When the ordeal was finally over, Greg was allowed to rinse her pubic area and he playfully poked her clit and labia with the hose when doing so. Sophia felt her legs get wobbly and she more plopped than sank back into the tub. Her cheeks burned and she had tears in her eyes. And yet, she forced herself to grab Luana`s hand and press it.

»Thank you for sparing me getting touched by this man!«, her eyes said and Luana slightly nodded, as if she understood.

At least, the humiliating procedure meant that the rest of the washing couldn`t get worse. They assisted each other in soaping their backs and butts and even when they were told to wash each other`s boobs, they did so without protesting, denying their captors the fun of further degrading them.

Obviously, Ingrid wanted to give her henchmen at least a bone, for she then told them to towel the captives dry – one after the other so that each girl had to endure four hands all over her body whilst she had to stand with her hands on her head. The cleaning was completed by the men blow-drying their hair. Greg, who seemed to be more imaginative than he looked, at least when it came to being mean, also used the hair dryer on Sophia´s pubic hair and teased her with the brush, causing her to blush deep red again.

When they were taken from the tub, Sophia and Luana had to stand side by side, their hands once more folded upon their heads and their elbows arched back as far as they could. Now, Ingrid inspected them like she was an Officer mustering his troops and she even mockingly fell back into a hard German accent:

»Stand still, Fräuleins! Pull in your stomach, Sophia! Luana, show me your 32 B!«

The two captives stood motionless, only Sophia let out a fluttering breath when Ingrid reached out and encircled her nipples with her finger.

»Has it grown cold in here or are you happy to see me?«

After having been in the hot water, the air felt indeed a bit chilly and so, their nipples had hardened. Forced to stand with their chests thrust out, they were on full display. Ingrid leered at their boobs for a few more seconds; then, she once again clapped her hands.

»All right, we are not at the end of today`s schedule!«

***