How Heroes are created 7

BADUMM! BADUMM!

The dull throbbing echoed through Isabelle`s head, accompanying her slow awakening. She felt as if she was walking down an aisle filled with mud whilst she was forced to listen to someone banging a drum right beside her.

»Mhhmm?«

She felt pressure on her eyelids and tried to blink, but couldn`t. Drowsy, she tried to wipe her eyes, but her hands also refused to follow her thought. It was as if someone was holding her back.

BADUMM! BADUMM!

Still, there was the throbbing in her ears and at the same time, she felt a slight itching in her ear canals, as if someone was poking them with something soft. Isabelle once again tried to reach for her head and this time, the grip on her wrist felt slightly painful.

»Uuuhhmmm!«

In a sudden panic, she twitched, only to find out that also her legs refused to move. Isabelle raised her head, but could not sit up. She panted and it took her some time to realize she was once again bound, gagged and blindfolded.

Her arms were stretched downwards, pressing her shoulders against some hard edge, and her ankles were also held by unyielding ropes. She was lying on some table, but her head was embedded on a softer surface. When she moved her head around, she could also feel some equally soft padding around her.

BADUMM! BADUMM!

»Mhhmmph! Uuuhhmmm!«

Isabelle`s moaning was interrupted by the urge to retch as something tickled the back of her throat. Her tongue was blocked by some massive packing and whatever it was, it had fibres on it and it was very dense. Her lips were immovable and she also felt some pressure against her cheeks. The same tightness was around the upper part of her head and she still could not move her eyelids. As her brain came slowly back to live, she realized that whoever had kidnapped her had gagged and blindfolded her with tape.

Now, the memory of how the nurse had assaulted her came back. She had narcotized her, but at least, she didn`t feel the nausea that chloroform usually caused. Not that this was a great improvement.

Now that she knew that her situation had at least natural causes, Isabelle could calm down a bit and try to figure out how exactly she was trussed up. She seemed to have been tied upon a table, but still, she wondered what had happened to her head. There was something at the back of her head, warm and soft and it seemed to move slightly.

BADUMM! BADUMM!

Isabelle shook her head, but the strange throbbing didn`t go away. She now could feel that something like earphones had been shoved into her ear canals. Was this the »white noise« she had heard was used in sensory deprivation torture? She tried to shake off the plugs, but only pushed against something smooth and soft with her head. At the same time, she felt something brush over her shoulders.

»Mhhmm? Uuhhmmph!«

What kind of torture was this? She once more tried to sit up, only to feel the soft touches again and at the same time, the dull sound seemed to accelerate. Isabelle screamed into her gag.

Close, too close to her, Cordelia tried to cope with Isabelle`s reaction to waking up, only to find herself in her bound and gagged predicament. If only she had been able to tell the girl what was going on! The situation would still have been embarrassing, but at least, it would not have been so terrifying.

Cordelia saw Isabelle move her head around, push against her crotch and inner thighs. She didn`t do so on purpose and the touches weren`t painful, but Cordelia would have preferred not to have another woman`s head so close to her private parts. She saw the hose of the stethoscope twitch like a living snake and was very aware of the membrane shoved into her left bra cup. Cordelia had thought of trying to shake it off, but, strange enough, her own image in the mirror on the opposite wall had stopped her from doing so. The sight of her shaking her boobs was just too embarrassing. And yet, she could imagine how irritating it had to be for Isabelle to listen to Cordelia`s heartbeat.

»Listen to my heart!«, she thought involuntarily and looked down on Isabelle who seemed to calm down a bit, though rather from exhaustion than relaxation. The girl, clad only in her turquoise bikini bottom, was now covered with sweat and her chest heaved from her panting. Cordelia had always considered the petite Policewoman to be tough and seeing her in the state of a barely controlled panic sent a shiver down her spine. Her heartbeat accelerated and though Cordelia knew that this would irritate Isabelle even more, she could not control it.

»Mmmhhmph! Uuhhmmmm! Mph!«

Cordelia tried to communicate through her mouth packing, but it seemed that the faint moans didn`t get into Isabelle`s taped and plugged ears. Still, she squirmed unruly, as if she was suffering from a fever dream.

Tied as they were, Cordelia`s lower legs hung over the armrests of her chair and so, her heels touched Isabelle`s shoulders. She moved her feet, trying to send a soothing gesture to her co-captive. However, she found that she had only the option of either brush over her shoulders and armpits with her heels or to touch her breasts with her toes. The latter was out of question and so, she tried to caress the other`s skin by moving her heels a bit, hoping that Isabelle would not consider this another perfidy of her captors.

»Mike is around and now, he has got yet another reason to get here! Until then, we will have to remain calm and hope the best!«

***

The room to which Harun had brought Laila looked like the desperate attempt to turn a bunker room into something like a living room: there were carpets on the floor, mirrors to make the windowless chamber look bigger and also some sofas. On one end, Laila could see a long table and on it, plates with all sorts of food were arranged.

»I thought you might like a little snack!«

Harun still held her leash loosely and now, he made her approach the table. Laila could see all kinds of Arabic cuisine and then, the scent hit her nose. For days, she had only had the stale nutrition fluid and to her embarrassment, she felt drool shoot into her mouth. As Harun forced her to stay close to the food, a faint grumble from her empty stomach could be heard and she blushed slightly. Surprisingly gentle. Harun brushed through her hair.

»After all I know, you are not religious, but everything is halal«, he explained and took a small skewer. He dipped the meat on it into a bowl with sauce and held it to Laila´s face, so she could smell the fragrance of the peanut sauce and the grilled meat.

»Are you hungry?«

Laila knew that this was just the prelude to the next torture and so, she forced herself not to react as Harun slowly ate the snack. Then, he put the skewer away and dabbed his mouth with a white serviette before he said:

»So, are you a vegetarian, Laila?«

He held some fried vegetable, dipped into mint sauce, to her nose before also eating it. Laila was no vegetarian, but it was as if her sense of smelling had found a powerful ally in her hungry stomach. She gulped and again, there came a faint grumble from her tummy. Harun smiled down on her.

»You are invited to eat, Laila. And, if you are concerned, it won`t hurt any of your friends or your family if you do so!«

Laila looked at Harun`s face, trying to read what he had in mind. However, he sure would not be so plump to offer her some snacks in exchange for the names of her informants.

»So, given the fact that it has no negative effect on anyone outside this room if you are honest – are you hungry, Laila?«

It was a matter of pride, but this man was no fool. He knew that she had been barely fed during the last days and had also noticed the signs of hunger on her. In addition – if she wanted to persist, she needed all her strength. Slightly, she nodded.

»Well, then be my guest!«

He spoke Arabic and Laila frowned. Harun was a criminal and an asshole, but he was also a traditionalist – and hospitality was a virtue. He would not invite her to eat his food and then not give her some.

Harun now produced a tray that had ropes attached to two sides. He placed the tray in Laila`s hands that were tied to her belt so she could hold it. Then, he took the two ropes and knotted them behind her neck. Now, she would be able to hold the tray even if he loaded it with food.

»Allow me!«

He made her stand close to him and placed a plate on the tray. Then, he began to fill it with different snacks, from time to time asking her for her preferences or telling her that something was delicious. Laila staggered and the tray rattled. Harun grabbed her arm, not too gentle, but also not brutal.

»Before you can eat, there is one condition you have to accept, Laila!«

»Now, it comes!«, Laila thought. The mixture of delicious fragrances was driving her crazy and she knew that before long, she would faint if he would not allow her to eat.

»As I said, I want a woman to know her place. And in your case, this place is – right here!«

He went to one of the armchairs and sat down. Then, he slapped on his lap, as if to invite Laila to take place.

Laila stared at the man. She was very aware of her transparent bustier and the equally transparent trousers she was wearing. And now, he wanted her to sit on his lap! She wanted to shake her head, but at that moment, she felt a painful stitch in her stomach. This food looked as delicious as it smelled and it was so close!

»He is still wearing his jeans! If I do it, he sure won`t take – too many advantages!«

She noticed that she was already approaching him. Harun looked friendly and assisted her in sitting down so she did not spill anything from the tray. Laila could feel his manhood through the thin cloth of her trousers, but he did not wriggle his hips or do anything else to make her uncomfortable. Instead, he now unbuckled the strap of her gag.

Laila blushed from embarrassment, but she could not prevent some drool run over her chin when the gag came off her mouth. Harun chuckled.

»Almost like a hungry dog!«

She felt his hand between her breasts and she opened her mouth to protest as he opened her bustier.

»I don`t want you to spoil your clothes!«

Laila wanted to say something that showed him she was still unbroken, but then, he brought one of the skewers to her lips and she literally snapped for it. The rational part of her decided to call it a draw: Harun would feel like her master, but she would get her stomach filled.

The only problem was the other part of her; the one that told her that the plate of food was the price tag she had just put on her dignity.

***

The hotel room was plain and rather small, but at least, it had two single beds. Mike, used to resting whenever there was an opportunity, lay down on his bed whilst David looked at him.

»How can you be so calm?«

»Because, if I weren`t, I would have gotten a bullet between the eyes some years ago!«

He checked his revolver and David asked:

»Do you really think it might get that dangerous?«

Mike considered asking him if he would like to reconsider his idea of accompanying him, but he saw no reason to embarrass his new comrade. Instead, he said:

»If I take it with me and don`t have to draw it, I will be as glad as you. But if I leave it here and we could need it, that`s what us soldiers call ›FUBAR‹!«

David grinned wryly.

»I know the expression – but I have never before fired such a thing!«

Mike put the gun away. He was also not the best marksman in the world, but decided not to tell that to his only ally. After all, he did not intend to break into a high security area.

»Now, all I want to do is have a closer look at Belle`s room. But we don`t know how many employees of the spa are involved in her disappearance and so, I prefer to be prepared for the worst!«

He stowed a few things in his jacket and then handed David a small torch, a pocketknife and brass knuckles. David tested how the latter felt on his fist and punched into the air a few times.

»No gun for me?«

»Only after your first confirmed kill with your bare hands! Now, let`s go!«

Despite the drizzle, Mike decided to go by foot, for it allowed them to take a small path. After some 800 yards, they could see the spa. Some lights indicated that not everyone had gone to bed and they could see the silhouettes of people in their rooms. Mike counted the windows of the first floor. He had remembered Isabelle`s room when she had checked in. His original plan had been to perhaps surprise her with a night visit, but now, he knew at least were to go.

»What the-«

He had just found the right window when the light went on inside. The curtains were closed, but he could see the shadow of a person entering the room. For a moment, he thought that perhaps, she had come back, but then, he saw that whoever it was, this person was taller and most likely a man.

»When the cat is away, the mice will play!«

He turned towards David and whispered, though they still were some 60 yards away and could have pretended to be just two guys enjoying a walk in the rain:

»Get close to the main yard! Stay in the dark, but try to have an eye on the door! We will meet here in 20 minutes!«

He knew that David could not see the corridor of Isabelle`s room from the position he had sent him to, but he could see if someone would leave the house. Once the other man had left, Mike sneaked closer to the building. He knew that the dark and the rain would give him some protection, but he was relieved when he had reached the window without anyone noticing him.

About a minute later, the lights went out. Mike waited for another minute before he reached for one of the tools he had gotten from Bishop`s man. As he had said, a sanatorium was no high security area and so, he had no difficulties in opening the window. The gun in his hand, he climbed inside.

Having checked for noises from the corridor, Mike switched on the lights and examined the room. On the first sight, the room looked almost provocatively unspectacular, but then, he noticed a few details: Isabelle`s smaller suitcase was missing and in the cupboard, he also saw that only a few of her clothes were there. Also, the bathroom had been emptied of Isabelle`s personal belongings. It looked as if she had spontaneously left for a few days.

»I am willing to believe she left spontaneously, but maybe not on her own free will!«

On the inside of the bathroom door hung a linen sack with the spa`s emblem on it. It contained some dirty laundry; obviously, the guests could place it there for the service personnel and would get it back a few days later.

Mike rummaged through the sack and produced two pairs of panties, a white and a pale blue one.

»Lat time, it saved Belle´s live that I had her fragrance. And besides, I am sure that a lucky charm might be useful!«

He put them into his inner pocket, switched off the light and left the same way he had entered. Perhaps, the next morning, someone would notice that the window was only ajar, but he could not change that detail right now.

David was waiting for him and even in the dark, Mike could see that he was most eager to tell him something. Since his own trip had been rather disappointing, he told David to follow him to a small shelter at a bus stop where they were protected from the rain and could talk.

»So, what have you seen?«

»Just one of the orderlies, leaving with a laundry basket. He entered one of the side buildings and left it some minute later – without the basket! I tried to enter the building once he has left, but the door was locked!«

»Has anyone seen you?«, Mike asked, feeling a bit disappointed so far. David shook his head and continued:

»The shed was locked, but either this spa has got the smelliest laundry in the country or there are just the dustbins inside it!«

Now, Mike felt like electrified. He could see no reason why an orderly should put a basket full of laundry into the dustbin – except if the basket had contained something else. For example, a small black suitcase with the initials »I M« engraved into the lid.

David grinned when he noticed Mike´s reaction and added:

»By the way, the orderly is someone you already know. At least, you spoke to him this afternoon!«

Mike could indeed remember the blonde orderly who had seemed to be nervous when he had asked him about Isabelle. Obviously, he had had a good reason to be nervous.

»All right! So, this Tintin has obviously smuggled some of Belle´s clothes out of the house and thrown it away. I am sure if I will ask for her again by tomorrow, they will tell me that she has obviously left spontaneously.«

Two minutes later, the two men had reached the concrete shed in which the dustbins were stored. The lock was no match for Mike`s picklocks and he doubted that there was a video camera installed.

»Phew, you were right about the smell! And Belle told me that the food is delicious!«

The inside of the shed did not contain any secrets. They saw two blue containers for paper and four that were meant for garbage of all kinds. Mike only cursory investigated the containers and in the third, he found what he had been looking for: the edge of what seemed to be a suitcase. He was about to open it when he saw that David had crouched and was looking on something in his hand. Mike looked over his shoulder and saw his comrade was staring on a silver earring.

»Cordelia`s?«

He whispered, though the rain pattering on the corrugated iron roof caused enough noise that they could have talked normally. David nodded and when he answered, Mike noticed that he was oppressing his tears.

»It was at a small jewellery store at Edinburgh. Cordelia saw these earrings and fell in love immediately, but of course, she did not allow me to buy them for her. However, the next day, I went there alone and – well, she was less reluctant when I gave them to her, together with some flowers!«

Mike had to remind himself that David was a scholar at the University of Edinburgh and had limited experience with criminals. So, he decided to paint their current situations in brighter colours than perhaps were appropriate:

»I think that this is a good sign!«

David`s head spun around and he showed a wild expression. Mike added:

»If her earring`s here, the rest can`t be far away!«

Now, David stared at the dustbin and Mike grabbed his shoulder, pressing it firmly.

»I didn`t mean that close! During my military service, I was in Afghanistan for some weeks. I didn`t see much combat, but since then, I know the smell of dead bodies! It`s a smell you never forget – but it`s different from whatever is rotting inside this containers!«

He hoped that David would not put his finger on the fact that a corpse did not start to rot immediately. But Mike doubted that the men in the limousine had taken so much effort to kill Cordelia.

»She is somewhere around here and I doubt that two different groups of kidnappers use this spa as their hideout! So, if we find Belle, we will also find Cordelia! And the key to Belle is Tintin!«

Now, some laughter could be heard from outside and David quickly switched out his torch whilst Mike sneaked towards the door. He could see that some ten yards away, three people were standing and smoking, two nurses and one orderly. The man was huge and bulky and definitely not Tintin.

»So what? Shall we wait until they have disappeared or get straight towards them and confront them with what we found out?«

Mike put away the gun he had reflexively drawn and answered:

»We will wait! As long as we don`t know who`s not involved in the crime, I tend to consider all of them potential suspects!«

Actually, he doubted that the whole sanatorium, a well-reputed establishment since 1853, was just a cover for illegal activities. But it was possible that Tintin was not the only one involved in what he now was sure was a case of double kidnapping.

»Speaking of the devil!«, he murmured as a fourth person approached the little group. It was indeed Tintin, now wearing his private clothes. The others greeted him and the tall man offered him a cigarette, but Tintin refused and left after a few words.

»Don`t you want to go after him?«, David hissed, but Mike shook his head.

»If we storm out now, it might end in a shootout that would warn his accomplices!«

So, they waited until the other three people had finished their cigarette break and had returned inside. Quickly, Mike and David rushed towards the parking lot for the employees where they could just see the red rear lights of a car disappearing in the dark. David cursed, but Mike had drawn his smartphone and was checking something.

»Are you calling the Police now?«

Mike raised his hand and kept on checking his phone. Before David could get too impatient, he grunted:

»So, it is a lucky charm after all!« and patted the part of his jacket where the inner pocket was. Then, he turned towards David:

»Ready for some more criminal activities?«

He walked towards the path to their hotel fast pace and only when they had left the spa behind, he explained what he had found out:

»It was me who found this spa for Belle. I had no idea that this would turn out that way, the place has got a good reputation. And in addition, they have quite an informative homepage!«

Not slowing down, he told David that the spa had on their homepage a »Who we are«-section and on this, Tintin was also presented. Of course, his address was not part of his personal description, but now, they had his last name: Levasseur.

»So, I checked his name and look what I found!«

David had difficulties in seeing what was on the display as Mike still was walking. It looked like an obituary.

»It`s for an Annette Levasseur who died last year, aged 91. He is named among the surviving relatives!«

»So, his grand mother died! How does that help us?«

»Because«, Mike announced, »according to his profile on the spa´s homepage, Tintin`s hobby is to renovate the house he has inherited from his grandma, so he can live in it!«

They had reached the hotel and Mike told David to wait inside the car. Five minutes later, he returned, a grin on his face.

»I love it when a plan works out!«

»So do I – but I would love it even more if you`d stop treating me like an idiot sidekick!«

»Sorry, I am used to work on my own. Anyway, I was in the lobby and they had indeed an old phonebook. As I hoped, Grandmère Levasseur was still in it – together with her address! Now, let`s hope that her grandson went straight home!«

***

Samantha`s knees ached. Despite the risk of toppling over, she had to change the position or the pain in her legs would change from terrible to sheer hell. So, she slowly moved her upper body backwards. Manu mmphed and looked at her, obviously confused by her movements.

At the Lyceum, Samantha had stepped into her sister`s footsteps and taken ballet lessons. So, she could be called quite lithe and she arched her back, trying to lower her body towards the floor. She saw her breasts and blushed involuntarily as she noticed that her nipples were indeed hard and erect.

»I wonder what`s with Manu`s – ooops!«

When she tied to look at her companion`s boobs, she lost balance and landed on her bent arms. Luckily, she had been so low that she didn`t get hurt. However, since their legs were tied together right above the knees, this abrupt movement pulled hard on Manu`s legs, too.

»Hhrrmmm!«

The blonde screamed into her gag and Samantha prepared for the impact as Manu fell upon her. To her surprise, she suddenly squirmed and so, only their breasts collided quite heftily. Then, Manu was leaning over her, whimpering and squirming.

»Mhhmmph? Uuhmmph?«

Manu answered with another squeal and now, Samantha could see what had happened: whilst she was now lying on her back, Manu was held back by her own panties or rather the rope tied to them. All her weight now lasted on the crotch part of her underwear and obviously, the cloth was determined to find a way inside her before the seams tore.

»Our situation has not improved!«

Samantha felt how her own thong had tightened, for now, she was lying on the rope fixing it to the wall. But at least, she now could try to shorten the distance. However, each inch towards her relief would be one more to Manu`s discomfort.

»Mph! Mph!«

Samantha squirmed to change the position of her lower legs now buried under her. It seemed that the fact she no longer had to strain her thigh muscles had caused a slight slack in the belt. Suddenly, Samantha felt a glimpse of hope.

»If I can free my legs, perhaps, I can also work on our other bonds!«

She continued to squirm and shift her legs, trying to ignore the muffled protests of Manu who was helplessly dangling from her own panties that now bisected her crotch. Occasionally, her breasts touched Samantha`s and she was panting, wincing and grunting.

»I am trying to get us free, Manu! Tearing you a second vagina is just collateral damage!«

Progress was slow and Samantha was sweating all over, but that obviously helped and finally, her legs came free. Panting, she rested and tried to catch breath before she crawled towards the wall.

Manu had landed on her butt once the two girls were no longer connected. She had also managed to get closer to the other wall, but now, she paused, obviously trying to cope with the line of fire between her legs.

Samantha took three attempts, but finally, she stood on wobbly legs. Now, she could undo the knot that connected her panties to the eyelet in the wall. Leaned against the wall, she then waited until she was sure she could make it towards Manu. She sat down beside her, her fluttering fingers already reaching for Manu`s gag.

The two girls managed to free each other from their gags and they both sat there side by side, panting and unable to get to their feet until they had recovered a bit. Samantha finally breathed:

»S-sorry for – the f-f-front – wedgie!«

Manu tried to smile, but failed as she obviously still was suffering. Samantha could see that the panties were still pulled deep into her labia and with her hands still fixed to her neck collar, Manu had no chance of doing anything about it. Samantha took a deep breath.

»Y-you need help – down there?«

Manu blushed deeply, but, with tearful eyes, she nodded. Samantha had her own hands tied to her nape, too and so, she had to lie down between Manu`s thighs and to feel for the panties. The blonde gasped as her fingers touched her pubic hair, but she sat still and so, Samantha could pluck on the underwear and pull it from inside her friend`s vagina and cleft. She looked up to Manu and forced a smile on her lips.

»Better? For we don`t know well enough that I will also blow on the hurting spot!«

Manu uttered a few coughs that turned into a chuckle and then, both girls laughed with relief, though at the same time, tears ran down their cheeks. They sat side by side, the position of their arms making it look as if they were just relaxing. After a while, Manu asked:

»What now?«

It was the question Samantha had feared the most. They were no longer gagged and their position was now more convenient – and less intimate. However, their hands were still cuffed behind their necks, they were nearly naked and they were still locked inside the underground room.

»If your sister`s boyfriend would appear right now, I wouldn`t mind! I am beyond the point where I mind that he sees me like that!«, Manu sighed, trying to hide her fear. Samantha looked at her and laughed out loud.

»Oh, I know that he definitely wouldn`t mind seeing you like that!«

She kept her eyes on Manu, her heaving, sweat-clad breasts, her full lips, the way she looked at her, too. Manu let out a fluttering breath and then, their lips met. With their tied arms, they could not hug each other, but their fingers touched as they exchanged a long, passionate kiss. A kiss that was rudely interrupted by the opening of the door.

»You naughty, naughty girls!«

***

»There it is!«

Mike pointed at a small house that looked as if it was at least some 200 years old. A small scaffolding and several pallets with things from a hardware store gave evidence of Tintin`s attempts to renovate the building. David frowned.

»Looks like he is doing most of the work by himself! Is this the typical behaviour of a criminal?«

Mike had to admit that Tintin`s profile indeed was unconventional. According to the spa`s homepage, he was working there for four years now. Perhaps, he was in debt and so, he had accepted an offer from the kidnappers he couldn`t refuse.

Beside the house was a small carport that also looked as if he had been built by Tintin himself. It was occupied by a small car and in the house, they could see a light.

»You know Field Marshall von Moltke?«, Mike asked.

»March separately, strike united?«

Mike nodded and grinned. A minute later, David rang the door bell until he could hear approaching steps from inside.

»Who is it?«, an anxious voice asked.

»Police! Open up!«, David shouted, hoping his accent would not betray him. He heard fast steps, then, a scream and some rumbling. Little later, the light in the corridor went on and the door was opened. It was Mike. Trapped by Mike`s left arm around his neck, Tintin was struggling, but he stopped with a gasp as Mike held the revolver under his nose.

»He tried to leave via the back door! Seems that our Tintin has got something to hide!«

Tintin wanted to say something, but Mike just told David to close the front door behind him. Then, he said with a wolfish grin:

»The good news is that we are not from the Police. The bad news, however, is that we are not limited by things like human rights if we are not pleased with your answers!«

***