The Little Death 18

Once the door had closed behind Ingrid, Luana was sure that this was the chance she and Sophia had been waiting for. It wasn`t as much a chance but a glimpse of it, just a weak flickering at the end of a long and creepy tunnel. But it was the only thing they, or rather she, could try to do.

Finally, their captors had made a mistake. Luana hadn`t faked when she had fought against getting tied to Sophia, but now, she no longer had to pretend that the mere presence of her co-captive disgusted her. The zip ties were inescapable without tools, as were the iron bands that held Sophia. But the scarf that bisected Sophia`s crotch was secured by simple knots: knots that were within the reach of Luana`s hands.

Of course, getting them undone wasn`t piece of cake. With her hands forced to the back of her neck and with her thumbs zip-tied, it was rather difficult to even grab the scarf, let alone pick on the tight knots. In addition, these ends were tied to the plastic ring around her neck and so, Luana couldn`t just try to pull.

The worst thing, however, was that her fingers were wedged between her own shoulders and neck and Sophia`s lap. Whenever Luana wriggled her fingers, she touched the other`s pubic hair or her hot, moist soft flesh. And, of course, Sophia reacted to it, too.

»Hold still, for the sake of our freedom, hold still!«

However, even if Luana hadn`t been thoroughly gagged and could have articulated her pleads, this would have been vain labor of love. Sophia was still under the influence of a double dose of LD and in addition, the three men had repeatedly teased her to the brink of orgasm, but denied her relief. And now, she had a soft cloth between her legs that constantly rubbed over her most sensitive spot whenever she or Luana moved.

First, Luana tried to hold against it, for whenever Sophia moved her pelvis, she was forced to join the movement, if she didn`t want to get choked by the cable binder around her neck. In addition, the constant up and down didn`t make it easier for her to pick on the knots that got even tighter by the pulling and by the moisture.

Luana let out a groan of frustration. Was this just a joke, the illusion of hope? Had some prankster god made her believe that she could loosen the knots, just to make her suffer even more?

She was drooling heavily, but since her lips were tightly sealed by the layers of tape, it ran down her throat. Luana fought her gag reflex, knowing that her saliva was mixed with the fluids from Sophia`s pantyhose, the taste of her feet, sweat and-

»Uuuhhhgggg!«

The cable binder pressed against her throat as she gulped involuntarily, shivering from disgust. But then, as she was about to just give up and sob, her eyes fell on the desk where the laptops were still placed. The cardboard was still leaning against one of the table`s legs and though she could only see the backside, Luana knew that it showed the members of her family.

»No! I saved my family and I won`t give up now!«

She bit down on her gag and took a few breaths through her nose to strengthen herself for what she had to do now. If she wanted to have a chance of working on the knots, Sophia had to hold still. And to make her do so, she had to – let off steam before.

Luana strained her leg muscles and pressed her head and shoulders against Sophia`s womb. She heard a surprised ache and she cringed when her fingers got buried even deeper in the other`s moist womanhood. But she persisted and moved forward, allowing Sophia to thrust her pelvis against her nape.

»Usually, the one in front doesn`t have to be that active!«

She pushed against Sophia`s womb once again and closed her eyes, concentrating on finding a rhythm together with her companion. Her thigh muscles already complained and she was sure that every second, they would be interrupted by Ingrid`s gleeful laughter, but she forced herself to continue. She managed to hook her fingers into the scarf and she moved up and down, up and down, trying to keep a constant pressure and friction on Sophia`s clit and labia whilst not pulling the cloth too tight.

Sophia had now adjusted to her and pushed forward whenever Luana slightly bowed. Her breathing had accelerated and was accompanied by high pitched sighs and deep groans. Then, her movements got faster. Luana nearly toppled over and feared she would be strangled by her co-captive`s arousal, but she leaned back, fighting to keep it going. Soon, soon-

Despite being gagged with two pairs of panties and 20 rounds of tape, Sophia let out a groan like a wounded animal. Luana felt her stiffen and spasm and she also mewed when a hot liquid spilled over her fingers and ran over her neck and down her back. Finally, Sophia collapsed in her bonds, allowing Luana to sink back, too. There were a few more twitches and then, Sophia was just panting heavily.

»Now, I hope that she`s satisfied long enough for me to get these knots undone!«

The slippery wetness hadn`t made her work easier, but at least, the exhausted Sophia now held still, more or less. Luana kept her eyes closed and ignored both the pain in her thumbs and the vile taste in her mouth as she picked on the scarf.

»It`s three knots! Just three! And the last one will come off if I just lean forward!«

The »just three« became Luana`s mantra, even as she was sure she had finally loosened the first knot. Her fingers started to become numb and she felt that also Sophia started to move again.

»Not yet, you greedy girl, no seconds until I am done here!«

»Oouuhmmph!«

Quite ungraciously, she dumped on the floor and it took Luana a few seconds to realize that she had indeed done it. The knots were loose and she was no longer tied to Sophia`s pubic area!

»Now, let`s get started!«

Too weakened to get to her feet, Luana squirmed over to the desk where she was able to sit up. Finally, a little bit of luck. The small pair of scissors Ingrid had used to cut off Sophia`s bustier and pantyhose was still there. Luana felt a wave of relief. The meticulous Lan had stowed her scissors after using it and only because Ingrid was a bit messy, she now got that chance.

It took her some more time to grab the scissors and it wasn`t easy to use them, but finally, her thumbs came free and she could lower her arms for the first time in what seemed like ages, but had in fact been perhaps an hour. Luana groaned with relief and then, she reached for her gag, but stopped in the middle of the move.

»No! First, I need the ability to move – and to fight, if necessary!«

She cut the zip tie that connected her big toes when she heard a faint sound from outside: the clacking of high heels on a concrete floor.

»Oh no, it`s Ingrid!«

For a second, she thought of waiting behind the door to stab the blonde with the scissors, but then, she had another idea. She staggered back towards Sophia who was looking at her with tearful eyes, barely able to stay on her legs.

»Mph!«

Luana brushed through the other`s disheveled hair, a quick gesture to tell her that she held no grudge against her. Then, she went back into the kneeling position, folded her hands behind her nape and leaned back against Sophia`s pubic mound. A second later, the door handle moved.

If Ingrid had intended to look impressive, she definitely had reached her goal. The tall blonde looked even taller in her high heeled black boots that went to her knees. She still sported her lab coat, but had left it deliberately open, so the neon light fell on her new attire.

She wore black fishnet stockings, held by garters that were attached to an equally black corset that reduced her slim tail to a wasp tail and emphasized her ample breasts that threated to pop out of it whenever the German breathed in. She looked at her victims and smiled. When she arched back her shoulders, the lab coat slid from her shoulders, revealing her naked arms. Luana, however, was a bit irritated about how the front panel of her panties reflected the light.

In one hand, Ingrid held a riding crop whilst the other showed something that would have looked ridiculous under other circumstances: a colorful feather duster. Ingrid ostentatiously cringed her nose as she sucked in air.

»Seems you indeed started without me! Well, mind if I join in?«

She approached, placed the top of the riding crop under Luana`s chin and forced her to look up to her.

»What is it, Luana, ready for the next round?«

Luana strained her arm muscles and let out a faint sound. She glanced at Ingrid and as she had hoped, the blonde bent forward.

»I can`t hear y-«

Luana`s »kiyaaah!« was muffled by her gag, but her hands darted forward and she hit both Ingrid`s carotid arteries at the same time. The German`s sentence was cut off and for a second, she stood petrified, her smile frozen on her lips. Then, her eyes twisted and she collapsed.

»Mph!«

Luana had rolled to the side to avoid getting buried by her opponent. Now, she came to her feet and looked down at Ingrid. She was knocked unconscious, but Luana knew that it wouldn`t be for long. She reached for her gag when a retching sound interrupted her.

It was Sophia, squirming in her bonds. Since the men had taken the high heels from her, she had to stand on the tips of her toes and obviously, she had either lost balance or simply could no longer stand it, for she was now hanging in her bonds, choked by her neck ring.

»Hhrrrrmm!«

Luana put her hands under Sophia`s armpits and lifted her up. The retching stopped, but Luana felt that the girl had lost all her strength and would collapse the moment she let her go. Hastily, she looked around and then, she quickly jumped for the desk and grabbed the small scissors.

The whole action had taken her just five seconds and so, she could assist Sophia in keeping upright with one hand whilst with the other, she worked on the screw that held the iron band around Sophia`s neck. It was secured by two screws, but at least, she would only have to remove one before she could bend open the ring.

»Oouuhmmm!«

Sophia weakly raised her head, looking at her with a mixture of gratefulness and fear. Luana tried to look assuring and sighed with relief when the screw finally began to turn. As soon as it went easier, she dropped the scissors and used her hand. As soon as the iron band came loose, she bent it open. When she let Sophia go, the girl staggered, but now, even if she fainted, she wouldn`t choke to death.

Luana looked at Ingrid who hadn`t moved yet. Her eyes fell on her buttocks that were parted by the narrow band that built the backside of her panties. However, she could admire her choice of underwear later: first, she needed to restrain the blonde.

Quickly, Luana opened the zippers of Ingrid`s boots and took them off. Then, she unclasped the stockings from the garters and peeled them down. They were long enough for a makeshift tie. So, she crossed the blonde`s wrists and tied them with one of the stockings. The other one, she used on her ankles and finally, she tied the ends together, putting Ingrid in a hogtie. Exhausted from the quick moves whist still thoroughly gagged, Luana had to sit down and catch breath, but her fingers already were picking on the tape sealing her lips.

Once she had a loose end, Luana quickly unwound the tape, ignoring the hair she ripped off with it. Then, she pulled the sodden pantyhose from her mouth, throwing it away and spitting out with disgust. She glanced at Sophia, feeling a bit guilty at her reaction, but the brunette hung from her arm ties, her head and upper body bent forward as if she had been crucified.

»Hold on!«, Luana croaked and forced herself back onto her feet. Ingrid hadn`t moved yet, but she nervously kept an eye on her whilst she used the scissors to free Sophia`s wrists and ankles. Finally, her friend sank to the floor, helplessly trying to sit up.

»Allow me!«

Luana removed the tape from Sophia`s mouth and for a second, she hesitated touching the panties that stuffed her mouth. But then, she thought that after her co-captive had literally squirted at her neck, she could stand a little saliva and so, she plucked first Ingrid`s and then her own sodden garment from the other`s mouth.

Sophia croaked, trying to say something. Quickly, Luana hugged her, but then, she looked at Ingrid who was beginning to move.

»We need to gag her!«, she thought. Looking around, she saw that the roll of duct tape was still lying on the desk. When she grabbed it, her eyes fell on a lump on the floor. It was the sodden pantyhose she had been gagged with.

»Revenge is a dish best served wet and bitter!«, she thought, picked the damp garment and bent over Ingrid whose eyelids were fluttering, indicating that she was regaining consciousness. Luana pinched her nose and when she parted her lips, she crammed the pantyhose into her mouth. Ingrid croaked, but Luana wound the tape around the lower half of her face, sitting down on the squirming blonde.

»Sophia, a hand!«

It was rather Sophia`s whole body, for the still weakened girl pressed herself against the fidgeting blonde, but it allowed Luana to further secure her by taping her fingers, too, using up what was left of the tape. Then, she grabbed the scissors and held them to Ingrid`s eyes.

»How beautiful will you look with some deep scars, Blondie?«

Ingrid shrieked and stopped squirming. For a terrible moment, Luana was tempted to mutilate her face anyway, but she was able to oppress that urge. She just stared at Ingrid, panting and with a sparkle in her eyes that made the other writhe with fear. Suddenly, a hand softly touched her shoulder.

»W-we better should g-go!«

Luana nodded and eased the grip on the scissors. Then, she got to her feet. Sophia was right, they would need to disappear before any of the men got suspicious. However, she didn`t intend to go naked.

»Let`s see if we can find something to get dressed!«

However, the only piece of clothing was Ingrid`s lab coat. There was, of course, her boots as well, but these would be rather an obstacle if they had to run fast. Luana looked at the two pieces of cloth lying on the floor. It was her own thong, wet with both her juices and Sophia`s saliva. In addition, Lan had cut the waistband as she had taken it from her. Beside it lay Ingrid`s pink panties who were intact.

Luana took a deep breath and then, she whispered:

»Have the coat!«

She grimaced as she put on the discarded panties. They were still damp with Sophia`s saliva. And before, Ingrid had worn them. But they would cover her middle and after she had put a knot into the waistband, they fit quite properly. Luana still was topless, but she would praise any God, even the Christian one, if the worst problem in the near future would be that a Policeman would see her boobs.

The coat reached to Sophia`s ankles and she looked a bit like a child playing doctor, but at least, she was covered. Luana grabbed the scissors and, after a moment of hesitation, she took the riding crop, too. Then, she approached Ingrid who mewed with alarm.

»Not so gleeful now, Bitch, eh?«

»Luana«, Sophia insisted, but the Taiwanese ignored her. She bent forward and cut the waistband of the panties.

»Latex! What did you have in mind, you naughty bitch?«

She brutally yanked them away, exposing Ingrid`s shaved middle. Then, Luana raised the riding crop high above her head, her face showing a diabolic grin. Ingrid shuddered and mewed and then, an increasing puddle showed that the blonde was wetting herself.

Luana let the crop swish through the air, but stopped before she hit Ingrid and just poked the whimpering and trembling woman`s pubic mound before dropping the crop.

»I am not like you!«, she hissed and turned around, heading for the door. It was there that Sophia reached her, again touching her shoulder.

»Luana-«

»What?«

Sophia shied back at her companion`s angry look and stammered:

»I-I just w-wanted t-to thank y-you!«

Luana`s expression softened and she pulled Sophia to the empty Lab. Then, she closed the door behind them.

»Don`t thank me before this is over!«

However, Sophia had more to say. Her voice broke and her eyes were wet with tears.

»I-I am sorry! I am so – so – weak!«

Now, Luana grabbed Sophia`s shoulders, tight but not rough.

»You are not weak, Sophia! We are both stronger than these bastards and in the end, we will prevail! But now, let`s find the way out!«

Sophia looked at her and suddenly, she bent forward, kissing Luana`s lips. The Taiwanese kissed her back, but then, she gently pushed her away a bit.

»Let`s get out of here!«

Sophia nodded, but then, she reached for Luana`s hand.

»I-it`s just, without m-my glasses, i-in the d-d-dark-«

»Maybe, I am indeed a little stronger than you!«, Luana mocked, but softened the blow by brushing over Sophia`s cheek. She also kept her friend´s hand close in her own and had to admit that the contact wasn`t unpleasant as they rushed through the lab and sneaked onto the empty corridor.

***

»Play it again, Mircalla!«

If Lioba found it strange that Isabelle used the pet name Mike had given her, she didn`t show. She pressed the »repeat« button and they heard the short call from Ingrid for the fourth or fifth time. However, this time, Isabelle told her to stop after just a few words had been spoken.

»There! Did you hear it? The faint sound in the background! I bet my ass it`s a ship`s horn!«

Of course, in a city located by the sea, that wasn`t a big hint, but suddenly, Lioba frowned.

»The men who assaulted us were Chinese!«

»Are you sure?«

Isabelle always had some difficulties to differ Asian ethnic groups, but Lioba smiled. It looked a bit masterful.

»I spent three years at Harvard where there are many Asians and for one year, one of my colleagues was a Taiwanese. Believe me, I recognize a Chinese if I see one. Besides, I had the doubtful honor of being visited by these gentlemen twice!«

Isabelle tried to put the two puzzle pieces together:

»So, Ingrid is working together with some Chinese – and they are hiding beside the sea. Well, that does not really narrow it down.«

Lioba took a sip from her now cold coffee and grimaced.

»Given the fact that they obviously have access to a well-equipped lab, they can`t be hiding in some garage or cellar. You do remember the lab at the University? That`s the size we are talking about, at least some 40 square meters, plus the room they need for themselves – and their captives!«

In Isabelle`s head, the three information »enough room for a lab«, »close to the sea« and »relatively secluded« began to form a Venn diagram. She had not lived in Marseille for long, but after a few seconds, she said one word:

»Fos!«

Lioba nodded.

»That sounds plausible!«

Fos was the sea harbor of Marseille and an important container terminal. Whilst the actual city, located some 50 kilometers from Marseille, was rather small, Fos was dominated by factories, office buildings and vast areas to store containers. Isabelle sighed.

»That`s still enough possibilities to keep all Policemen of Marseille occupied for three months – Mike! Are you still with us, or will you be the next who has to rush to my bathroom?«

When Isabelle noticed Lioba lowering her head, she regretted her remark. It hadn`t been meant rude, but just the rough humor that helped most Policemen to keep functioning when dealing with crime every day.

Mike looked up from the Polaroid photos he had lined up on the couch table. Each showed the head and upper body of a woman who was naked and gagged. Now, he turned his head towards Isabelle.

»Being a man, I only need to see naked boobs for the fraction of a second and then, I am able to reproduce the image in front of my inner eye for all eternity. However, I was checking backgrounds!«

His words reminded both girls that he also had memories of their breasts saved on his inner hard disk and they felt a little bashful. But after a second, both asked in unison:

»Backgrounds?«

Isabelle was thinking of a background check like they routinely did at the Police, but Mike just pointed at the photos and they bent over him to have a closer look.

»I was talking about literal backgrounds. Look at the walls!«

Now, Lioba and Isabelle each picked one of the Polaroids. When they had previously looked at the pictures, they had been occupied by the predicament of Sistine, Luana and Sophia and in addition, there could not much be seen of the walls behind the captives.

»Looks like ordinary concrete walls«, Lioba said. She scoffed:

»I have driven through the container terminal of Fos once. If they are really there, it would be a better hint if the walls were made from any other material!«

Mike got up from the couch and Isabelle complained:

»Will you now go full Sherlock and lecture us about the tiny evidence only you were able to see?«

Mike raised an eyebrow and grinned.

»Actually, I wanted to go to the bathroom. You may blame the photos, but I am just paying tribute to the coffee. If you haven`t figured it out before I return, I will of course tell you at once what I found out!«

»Drama Queen!«, Lioba hissed once the bathroom door had fallen shut behind him. Isabelle chuckled.

»So, he hasn`t developed this habit only lately?«

»I guess when he was born, he sent the afterbirth first, just to troll his mother!«

Isabelle burst out laughing and Lioba also giggled. When Mike returned, he wondered if these two laughing together was a good sign or rather a big red flag.

»Is this the laughter of triumph since you are as smart as me?«

»Enlighten us, Wizard of Ozzie!«, Isabelle remarked, causing Lioba who had just sipped from her coffee to swallow the wrong way. Mike patted her back and at the same time, he started to talk:

»As you may have noticed, the walls have different colors. One is beige and the other`s light green. In addition, these seem to be cellar rooms, for you can see a bit of a skylight on three of them!«

At first, Isabelle didn`t get what he was referring to. So, the pictures had been taken in two different rooms and it was no surprise that criminals hid in a cellar. A bit disappointed, she asked:

»You mean we can narrow it down to buildings with cellars?«

Suddenly, Lioba`s eyes sparkled.

»Of course! It`s the color! I mean, why should anyone paint the walls of a cellar room in pastel tones if it is only used to store old files or contains a heating system? You do it if there are regularly people in that cellar who want to have a bit of a homely atmosphere!«

»You mean-«, Isabelle began, but Lioba only had started:

»The criminals sure haven`t painted the walls! So, they have access to a building whose cellar has been used before – by people who didn`t want to stare at grey walls! Maybe, this has been a fitness room or a party cellar or something like that! So, we can narrow it down to buildings that are more than just warehouses or factory buildings – and that are secluded and also have some connection to China!«

Mike`s smile was a mixture of admiration and slight disappointment because Lioba had stolen his show whilst Isabelle nodded approvingly.

»Have you ever considered a career in criminal investigation?«

Lioba smiled and dropped a curtsey.

»That`s just applied logic! Who do you think was Ozzie`s math tutor in his final year?«

»He, I helped you through French and Latin in return!«, Mike protested. Isabelle felt an upcoming wave of jealousy as the two were sharing memories of their time at High School, but Lioba then said:

»If you excuse me now – I think now I have really earned a cigarette afterwards!«

To Isabelle`s surprise, Mike didn`t follow her to the balcony. Instead, he took her hand and pulled her closer.

»Belle-«, he began and her eyes widened. Did he really want to talk about where they were in their relationship? In the middle of an investigation and with his ex standing five yards apart?«

»Belle, this may disappoint you, but you are not the primary reason I am at Marseille – and neither is Lioba!«

»So?«

He took a deep breath and then, he continued:

»I know this sounds a bit like ›if I`d tell you, I`d have to kill you‹, but I can`t tell you yet! Believe me, I want to help you to find these girls and I will do what I can to do so, but you are not the only one I owe loyalty to!«

Isabelle noticed that the humorous expression had left Mike´s eyes, something that didn`t happen often. She gulped and then, she whispered:

»So, what do you want to do now? Leave me alone again?«

She cursed herself for having sounded so pleading, but when he put his other hand on her lower back, she didn`t shy back.

»I have to, but only until tomorrow at noon or so! You think you can endure it with Lioba until then?«

Isabelle scoffed.

»At least, this time, we don`t have to share the bed and don`t have to be naked – oh, stop imagining that! It was no picnic!«

»Especially for poor Lioba«, Mike agreed. »Of you two, you are the one who snores!«

»Rot in hell!«, Isabelle pouted whilst unable to oppress a smile, »I am purring!«

She only realized that Mike had kissed her lips and she had responded to it when he had withdrawn and once again looked serious.

»May I ask one small additional favor from you, Belle? Can you distract Lioba for a minute whilst I get to her handbag?«

Isabelle`s jaw dropped.

»You- you want to steal her panties?«

Mike grinned and placed a kiss on her forehead.

»What a naughty mind you have, Jolie Belle! I just need the key to her apartment. During the next days, I could need a place to retreat to!«

After some hesitation Isabelle nodded and went for the balcony, pretending to get Lioba a saucer she could use as an ashtray. Mike heard their indistinct talking as he rummaged through Lioba`s handbag and he smiled grimly.

»King and Country my ass!«, he thought.

***