Minor Changes 6

Since it was a combination of her subject and her personal interest, Monica Block liked crime novels. Whilst she preferred the more elaborate ones, she sometimes also read simpler pulp novels, just to relax her brain. Now, a quite common trope of these seemed to come handy.

In some of these novels, the heroine got abducted and then, her abductor either fell in love or got seduced – and thus lacked being alert. Of course, these fictional heroines could do with a kiss or just listening to the criminal`s tragic back story. Monica, however, had to go deeper to blur her captor`s senses.

Touching herself whilst knowing that the blonde was watching had been embarrassing, but also a bit exciting, and so, Monica had been able to arouse herself. Then, as her moves had accelerated, the other`s hand had brushed over her own and then had touched it, finger over finger. Her captor was sensing every move of Monica, sensing how she pleasured herself. Monica had gasped, but managed to relax her muscles and to keep her thighs open, allowing Benita to feel what her right hand did. Her captor seemed satisfied, for shortly after Monica had reared up with a sigh, she had kissed Monica`s cheek and then cuddled against her. Though Monica was still blindfolded and had her ears plugged, she sensed that the blonde was now sleeping.

The sensory deprivation, and, to a certain degree, her forced climax helped Monica to concentrate on how she was restrained, and what she could do to escape. The time when she would be alone would be a chance, for the two women always disappeared for several hours. Of course, she would be handcuffed by then, but after all, she had a PhD and should be able to outsmart these thugs.

In the morning, she was fed and allowed to attend the toilet unchaperoned, though gagged and with her ankles cuffed. The blonde had bragged that she seemed to have »found the key to tame her«, and Monica had lowered her head, not having to feign that she was blushing all over. However, she had also thought that this was part of her plan.

She now was back in the cellar, tied spreadeagle to her bed and left in the dark. She still sported the gag she had worn during the night, and Benita had pulled the panties that had gagged her the day before over her head. They still smelled of their original possessor, but Monica focussed on her left hand she had kept loosely closed when she had been tied to the bed. In Benita`s bathroom, there had been a can with Nivea cream, and she had creamed her hands, also taking some with her.

Now, she was twisting her wrist and fingers, trying to get some on her wrist and the cuff encircling it. The cuffs were tight, but not brutally tight, and if she could create some slippery, she could perhaps pull her hand from the tie.

Monica knew that if her captors returned early, she would be punished severely, but she persisted.

***

When Benita had driven to the Residenz, Maya had followed her on her scooter, so she could do something if the young librarian had brought the nosy girl with him again. However, as he had turned out that he was alone, Maya decided to have a short look at the Hofmeisterstraße. She didn`t want to enter the house, just see if everything looked like she had left it.

However, when she passed the house, she could see it on the first view: all roller shutters were down, though she had definitely just closed the curtains of the bedroom. Of course, it was possible that they worked automatically, but now, it was bright daylight.

Maya checked her watch. It was half past eight, giving her more than an hour Benita would be at the library. So, she impatiently waited until two elderly women had finished chatting beside the entry; then, she quickly opened the door with her picklock and slipped into Marlene`s apartment.

The rooms were dark, and Maya was greeted by a stale, musty smell that seemed to come from the bedroom. There, she saw the crumpled and still damp bed sheets, the discarded pantyhose and ripped pieces of tape. On the floor, she saw Marlene`s vibrator, pointing at her like a pink finger and accusing her of having underestimated an enemy.

»So, these two bitches escaped!«

Maya looked around. It didn`t seem that they had had external help, and there was no evidence that the Police had been here. Maybe, they were just sitting at some Police Office, giving their report. Anyway, given the fact that these two were suspecting Benita, her colleague was in great danger.

She picked a bag from the kitchen and collected a few things from the bedroom. Her priorities were to get out herself, and then to make sure Benita would not be caught. However, if these two things were guaranteed, she would try to teach these two escape artists a lesson they would not forget!

***

»So, you are saying the woman Marcus is now meeting with is not the real Dr. Bloch?«, Zara asked whilst sipping from her coffee. She had quickly showered and dressed and was ready to leave, but she insisted on having a cup of Espresso before.

»And obviously, this impostor is working together with the Israelian woman!«, Marlene added. Zara looked up and asked:

»So, if we go there, there are maybe two criminals, of whom at least one has a gun. So, what shall we do? Throw a smoke grenade?«

Silvana and Marlene looked so puzzled Zara smiled and brushed through both their hair.

»Cheer up, I did not say that I am refusing to help you! The thing is, I am a little nervous, since my only backup is, well – you!«

Silvana jumped up.

»Are you calling me a coward?«

»No, I am just- Uuuhhmmmph!«

Marlene had also jumped up and grabbed a dishcloth she now pressed on Zara`s mouth and nose from behind. She pressed the girl`s head against her chest and walked backwards, so Zara slipped from her chair. Marlene let her go, and Zara landed on her backside. Panting, she stared at Marlene who smiled and said:

»At least, I know how to chloroform someone!«

Zara wiped her lips and then, she grinned.

»That was not that bad!«

Marlene curtseyed and Zara jumped up, looking at Silvana.

»All right, this would be helpful if we had chloroform – but unfortunately, we have to rely on what we have!«

She showed them the inner pocket of her jacket and both Marlene and Silvana stared at the handle of a gun.

»Just a little souvenir from my time in the Army! Now, let`s go! On the way, we can figure out the details of our plan!«

***

»Oouuhmmph!«

Monica panted, but at the same time, she felt relief, as with the help of the cream and some effort, she had finally been able to pull her hand from the cuff. Her wrist and thumb hurt, but now, she had one hand free!

She ripped the panties from her head and threw them to the floor. Then, she reached for the buckle of her gag, only to feel the little padlock there. So, the gag would stay on a while longer, but now, she had to concentrate on her other limbs anyway.

She had creamed her right wrist, too, and so, she managed to free her other hand, too. Now, however, her ankles were still cuffed to the bed, and the remnants of the Nivea had worn off. In addition, she could not squeeze her feet like she could her hands.

She managed to sit up and examine the bed`s frame. The two bedposts were connected by a horizontal bar, and when she looked closer, she saw it wasn`t welded, but screwed. Monica took a deep breath. She could reach the nut with two fingers, and perhaps, she would be able to loosen it.

Monica fell sweat run down her naked back as she tried to turn the nut to loosen the screw. Each moment, she feared the door would open, and her captors would look at her, their hands in their hips, telling her with a mixture of strictness and gleefulness that she needed to be taught a lesson.

»At least, I don`t want to be punished for nothing!«, Monica thought as she bit down on the ball in her mouth and once again worked on the nut.

***

»You are nor just an ordinary student, are you?«

Since there were only few busses on Sunday, and none of them had a car (Marlene had sold hers after moving to the inner city), they were walking to the Residenz that was less than a mile away. Both Silvana and Marlene panted slightly from Zara`s fast pace, but none of them wanted to show the weakness of complaining.

Zara sighed. By her decision to take these two with her, she had already dropped a part of her disguise.

»Let`s say I have an interest in a very special part of history!«, she dodged, »But be assured, I am no accomplice of the fake Dr. Bloch, nor of this other Israeli woman, though I now have an idea what is going on!«

»And will you let yourself down to tell us your idea?«, Silvana asked sarcastically. Zara, despite being six inches shorter, managed to look down on her.

»This is not yet a ›if I told you, I`d have to kill you‹-situation, but very close! So, how about that: I help you to get your friend back, and you let me do my business. Deal?«

Of course, none of the others were satisfied with that answer, but for the moment, they had no other choice. They were approaching the Residenz now, and since it was Sunday, the parking lot was crowded. On the one hand, this was reducing the risk of getting assaulted, but on the other, Silvana and Marlene nervously looked over their shoulders and examined every woman with black curls that resembled their attacker.

Most of the people were gathering around the main entrance, so, they were alone as they stood in front of the side wing`s door. Silvana`s eyes widened as Zara produced a plastic key that, after some difficulties, opened the door.

»Who are you?«, she whispered, but Zara just put her index finger to her mouth. They sneaked inside and carefully, Zara closed the door behind them. The thick walls blocked the noise from the crowd outside, and Marlene and Silvana shivered, since it was a bit chilly, despite the still warm late October weather.

Zara pointed at the corridor leading to the library. The passage was open, and no masked woman with a gun was waiting for them. Slowly, and repeatedly looking over their shoulders, they approached the door.

»Okay, operation begins!«

Zara stepped opposite to Silvana and brushed through her slightly dishevelled hair, arranging it a bit. Then, she opened the first two buttons of Silvana`s blouse. The blonde wanted to protest, but Zara just smiled and whispered:

»Distraction, you know?«

She nodded, gulping and with her heart beating. Zara`s plan was good, and her part was the least dangerous, but still, it would feel a bit awkward. She took a deep breath and nodded. Then, she opened the door a small gap.

Marcus, who had been more lying than sitting on his chair by the desk, trying to cope with his hangover, twitched as he heard the door and saw Silvana through the gap. She was waving her hand and whispered:

»Marcus? C-Can we talk?«

Under other circumstances, he would perhaps have wondered how she had gotten inside, but the whole morning, his mind was haunted by vague, yet vivid memories of him and Zara kissing. Maybe, it had just been a dream, but maybe, he had done something stupid when he had been drunk, and Zara and Silvana were friends. So, he shortly looked if he could see Dr. Bloch, but the blonde scholar seemed occupied somewhere in the more remote parts of the library. Then, he got up and went for the door.

Silvana grabbed his hand and puled him with her, not letting him time to say something. After a few yards, she slung her arms around him, got on the tips of her toes and kissed him.

»What – okay!«

Marcus was more than overwhelmed, and a part of him was sure he was still dreaming, but the dream was pleasant, and so, he kissed her back.

Followed by Marlene, Zara had sneaked inside. Now, she drew her gun, rushed to one of the shelves and pointed forward. Marlene could see that at the end of the long row of shelves, someone was sitting on a desk. From their position, they could only see her butt and parts of her back.

Zara made a gesture and went to the other side of the shelf to approach from the other side. Marlene took off her shoes and sneaked closer to the woman who had not seen her yet. In her hands, she held her balled-up scarf, and her hands felt cold and trembled slightly. She was sure that the woman would hear her heartbeat, but still, she seemed unaware of what was going on.

Three yards, two yards, one. Marlene took the scarf in her left, stepped behind the blonde who was just writing something down. Then, she pressed the scarf on her mouth and held her tight.

»Oouuhmmm!«

The woman flailed her arms, but now, Zara jumped forward and pointed at her forehead with the gun. After a chortle, she fell silent. Zara nodded towards Marlene who now stuffed the scarf into the woman`s mouth and grabbed her wrists to tie them with a piece of rope. Like that, they escorted their captive to the door where now, Silvana and Marcus were entering. The man`s jaw dropped as he saw the blonde scholar, her mouth stuffed with a coloured cloth whilst Zara was pushing a gun to her side.

»What the-«

»Wait a minute, and we will explain!«

Zara forced Benita to sit on the chair and bent her bound wrists over the backrest. She then grabbed her ankles from behind, crossed them behind the central foot and tied them, connecting the rope to Benita`s wrist ties. The blonde`s skirt slid up her thighs, and a startled Marcus couldn`t help staring at her white panties shining through her sheer pantyhose.

Zara loosened the blonde`s own scarf, pushed her gag deeper into her mouth and then tied the scarf between her lips. Then, she turned towards Marcus.

»This woman`s a criminal! We are here to find out what she has done to the real Dr. Monica Bloch!«

Benita moaned, and Marcus now looked at Silvana who now shied back from him, smiling wryly.

»What? We wanted you out of the line of fire!«

»Line of fire«, he sheepishly repeated, touching his lips that had just kissed Silvana`s. Shaking his head, he leaned against the wall. Then, he looked at Silvana and chuckled.

»So, this is what you mean when you say that you want to talk?«

Silvana blushed.

***

Maya frowned as she looked at her cell phone. She had just parked her scooter near the Residenz and could see the side wing where Benita currently was. Now, she had sent her a message. Maya took a deep breath. Had Benita come to a break-through?

She opened the messenger and though she was a disciplined and self-controlled woman, her jaw dropped. It was a picture showing Benita, but with a coloured cloth tied between her lips, keeping some packing inside. The message below simply read:

»Changing fake Monica Bloch for the real one!«

Reflexively, Maya looked around, but there was no sign that anyone of the many people around was watching her. As she looked closer at the photo, she could also see a bookshelf in the background. So, whoever her enemy was, they had taken Benita at the library, less than 100 yards away from where she was now.

»Okay, seems like this girl Benita has told me about was not just an ordinary student! At least, she overpowered Benita, and persuaded her to unlock her cell phone so she could use it!«

Both proved some skills, but on the other hand, Benita wasn`t a fighter. To be honest, if Maya had seen a chance of fulfilling her mission by sacrificing the blonde, she would have done so. After all, the Germans wouldn`t kill her. However, she still needed her help as a scholar.

Maya looked at the Residenz. The library was at the ground floor, but the windows were at a height that she would have to climb to get a look inside. Too risky with dozens of tourists around. In addition, she had no idea how many opponents were waiting inside. Was it just the girl, or had she persuaded the librarian to help her? And what was with Marlene and Silvana, who also were somehow involved in the plot?

She once again looked around; then, she phoned Benita`s number.

»Hello, Madame X!«

Maya rolled her eyes; so, Benita had saved her under her alias. On the other hand, it was better than if her opponents had her real name.

»Let me speak to my colleague!«, Maya responded, skipping preliminaries. The person on the other end was a woman, and Maya noticed an accent.

»I am afraid your colleague is a little tied up, but she is well and alive – and she will stay like that if you set free Monica asap!«

There was a moan in the background, but Maya had concentrated on the other`s accent. Following her intuition, she answered in Hebrew:

»What guarantees me that you will keep your part of the agreement?«

The woman seemed not the least surprised and answered her in Hebrew, too. Almost not daring to breathe, the others listened to the strange language, and even Benita had fallen silent. They had quickly briefed Marcus who still was coping with what was going on – and maybe with the fact that Zara and maybe also Silvana had only flirted with him to get something from him. He sat on the desk, staring at the bound and gagged woman, whilst Silvana and Marlene stood side by side and looked at the phoning Zara. For some reason, the negotiations seemed to be a bit complicated, for Zara kept talking in Hebrew for several minutes. Finally, she ended the call and sighed. Then, she reached for Benita`s handbag.

»What are you looking for?«, Silvana asked. They had searched the handbag already, only to find the real Monica`s ID card, but nothing that gave a hint of the blonde`s true identity. Zara let a key ring dangle.

»Her – colleague needs the car, to get Monica Bloch! She says she`s only got a scooter, and they want to make their getaway after the exchange!«

After a few seconds of looking at the others, she added:

»She also insists that one of us comes with her!«

Silently, they looked at each other. If they sent Zara, they would lose the only one capable of handling a gun. Marcus opened his mouth, but Marlene suddenly remembered how the other woman had left her and Silvana, and she didn`t want to add to Monica`s predicament by a man seeing her in the nude.

»I`ll go! Monica`s my old friend, after all!«

Silvana wanted to accompany her, but Marlene shook her head.

»We don`t have to give her too much leverage! If everything goes well, I`ll be back, together with Monica, within two hours!«

It was obvious that Marlene was feeling less confident than she pretended to be. Zara suddenly released Benita`s ankles from the chair`s foot. Then, ignoring her mews of protest, she opened the zipper of her skirt and pulled it down her legs. Then, she handed the garment to Marlene.

»Give it to Madame X – and tell her we will remove one piece of clothing every 30 minutes! Once she`s naked, we will continue with her fingers!«

Benita squealed, but Zara just retied her ankles. Silvana avoided looking at their captive, hoping that Zara was just bluffing – okay, she would not mind stripping the blonde, but she would draw a line when it came to mutilation! Marcus just silently shook his head. Silvana reached for his hand, but he stiffened. Obviously, he was still coping with the fact that she had only kissed him as a distraction.

»Okay, see you in two hours!«, Marlene said. Then, to overplay her fears, she let her eyes wander over Benita and added:

»Maybe, you will still have your bra and panties by my return!«

***

Marlene gulped as she approached Benita`s car where a woman with black curls was waiting. So, this was how their attacker looked like without a mask. There was nothing threatening on her now: she was of Marlene`s height, slender and her black clothes just looked casual now. As she approached, Marlene noticed that she had brought her scooter with her.

»Ah, Marlene! I hadn`t thought we would see again that soon!«

Her sunglasses hid Madame X`s eyes, so, Marlene couldn`t say whether she was impressed, angry or just joking. She forced herself not to show her emotions to the woman who had stripped, bound, gagged and humiliated her and just handed her the skirt, telling her Zara`s threat if they wouldn`t return on time. The woman just nodded. Then, to Marlene`s surprise, she handed her a helmet.

»Can you drive such a thing?«, she asked, pointing at the scooter. It was a small Vespa, and Marlene nodded. Madame X smiled and handed the keys to her, demanding those of the BMW in exchange.

»Just follow me! It`s just a few miles!«

Marlene frowned, but took the helmet and put it on whilst the Israeli entered the car. At least, this strange order prevented her from sitting next to the woman who had left her in such a humiliating predicament.

Maya started the car and slowly approached the barrier at the parking lot`s checkout. She had quickly decided that Marlene should take the scooter, for three reasons: first, it would not be left behind. Second, with both hands on the handle, Marlene would not be able to send messages to the others where she was heading to, even if she had a second cell phone.

The third reason was a bit cowardly, but if necessary, she could just kick on the gas and leave the small scooter behind, making her escape at least.

***

»They are leaving! Marlene`s following the car on a scooter, don`t ask me why!«

Zara had climbed on one of the window boards and had watched the encounter, her gun ready, though she would hardly have been able to hit Madame X over a distance of some 100 yards. Silvana and Marcus had remained by their hostage who was staring at them above her gag.

»How far do you think she will go?«, Marcus suddenly whispered, pointing at Zara with his chin. Silvana knew what he meant: when Zara had tied up Benita, she had taken off her shoes; the blonde had already had removed her suit jacket, and her scarf had been used to gag her. With her skirt now removed, she was only wearing her bra and panties, her pantyhose and a white silk blouse. So, if Marlene and the other criminal wouldn`t return within the next two and a half hours, and if Zara meant business-

»I don`t know! Meanwhile, I think you know her better than I do!«

Silvana noticed it had come out as an accusation, but Marcus just scoffed.

»Knowing her! I don`t think so!«

***

Monica`s frustration had been replaced by grim determination. She had managed to open the screw, bend the bar upwards and to free the cuffs from the posts. They were still tied to her ankles, but she now could move around in her prison. However, she soon found out that she hadn`t improved much.

Except for the strange panties that had hooded her and that she had reluctantly put on, she was still naked and gagged, but what was worse, the iron door was locked, and there was nothing she could use as a makeshift crowbar. There was the bed, and in a corner, there was still the camera, but when she had tried to pry open the door with the tripod, the aluminium had just bent and she had had no success.

The little toilet just offered a roll of toilet paper, a toothbrush and some paste. Monica looked around and found a plastic bottle that had contained orange juice.

With no other choice, she filled the bottle with water from the sink. It would be a bad club, but it would be better than nothing, and she would have the element of surprise.

»Once the door opens, I will attack, and before they even know what is going on, I will run up the stairs! Then, it`s just four or five yards to the door, and once I am on the street, I am free! Fuck it that people will see me naked, I will be free, and these thugs will go behind bars for a long time!«

A part of her even had to chuckle at this strange detail of her predicament: the constant humiliations had brought her to a point where the embarrassment of being seen almost in the nude by some neighbours wasn`t holding her back anymore.

The heavy padding kept out almost all noise, but now, as she was leaning against the door, she heard the sound of the upper door opening. Monica grabbed the bottle with both hands and raised it above her head as she positioned herself beside the door. A few seconds later, the handle moved and the iron door was pushed open.

»Mhhrrrmmmm!«

Screaming into her gag, Monica slammed the bottle down on the protruding head. She heard a scream, and then, a woman with dark brown curls stumbled onto the floor. Monica frowned, but she jumped onto the stairs and ran for the upper door.

In the frame, Maya was standing, and despite her surprise, she acted quickly. Still not quite sure what to do with her, she had led Marlene inside and told her to get down and free her friend. Now, there had been some commotion, and Monica was storming up the stairs.

Maya`s foot hit her chest, and Monica flew down again, landing on something soft.

»Ouch!«

Then, Marlene, her head still hurting from the attack and Monica landing on her, stared at the eyes of a woman she hadn`t seen for some ten years, but whom she recognized immediately.

»M-Moni?«

»Oouuhmm! Mmhhmph!«

She now realized that the blonde sported a leather mask tied over the lower half of her face. Except for a pair of panties, she was naked.

»What a stormy reunion!«

Maya was standing in the door, now holding her gun in her hand. She looked down at Monica and shook her head.

»Wow, the second escape artist within 24 hours! Call me impressed!«

Marlene was leaning on one arm, her other hand massaging her aching head. Like Monica, she was staring at the Israeli. Monica mumbled something through her gag, but now, Maya interrupted her:

»As you can guess from your friend being here, there have been a few turns of events! However, it seems that I have just figured out how I can get back the initiative and turn things to our benefit!«

She suddenly showed a cold smile and raised her gun.

»You know the drill, Marlene: strip!«

***

At the library, Zara had indeed used the scissors from the desk to cut off Benita`s blouse, revealing a white lacy bra, when the first 30 minutes had been over. Then, however, she had begun to check their captive`s laptop that was still switched on.

»Maybe, I`ll find out if this is really about what I think it is!«

She had refused to say more, and Silvana and Marcus had left her alone, both being relieved that the further stripping – and, more importantly, the cutting of fingers! – had been delayed. Marcus and Silvana had tried some small talk, but both had also watched their captive who was now slightly unruly shifting on her seat, Zara who was bent over the laptop, obviously having found some interesting files, and the clock telling them that now, some 90 minutes had passed. None of them wanted to remind Zara that by now, the blonde should be stripped down to her panties, but of course, their fear for Marlene grew with every minute that passed.

»Prt! Prt!«

The sound of the cell phone`s vibration alarm, announcing an incoming message, had the effect that a firecracker would have had. All four gasped, and Zara grabbed Benita`s phone. She frowned as she read the message. Then, she showed it to the others.

There was a picture, showing the heads of Marlene and what had to be the real Monica Bloch. The latter looked a bit dishevelled, and both showed a strained expression, but obviously, both women were okay. The message read:

»As you can see, the old friends are reunited! However, there`s too much commotion at the Residenz to do the exchange right now. The Residenz closes at 6 pm, so, let`s meet at 7! Please, leave Benita`s fingers intact! Madame X«

»Benita?«, Marcus asked and looked at the tied and gagged blonde in her underwear. The woman frowned, wondering why Maya had exposed her real first name. At least, she had thought of telling her captors not to mutilate her!

Zara sighed.

»I hate to admit it, but she`s right! Benita might raise some attention if she steps onto the yard like she is now, and in addition, I think I have found something to pass the time!«

She patted the laptop and then spoke to Benita:

»I heard that ›The Lost Library‹ is nominated for a price I Israel! ›Based on true events‹, as the cover says – but you and me know that Moses Arnstein took a few liberties in telling his ancestor`s story! A few minor changes, but they can mean a lot!«

***