The Land behind the Forest 5

»Oh!«

Vlad had not lied when he told her he had parked just a few yards away from the hotel, but he hadn’t mentioned that he had arrived by bike – a large, old fashioned model with a side wagon. Since Mike had been a great fan of motorcycles, Lioba had learned more than she had ever wanted to know about them, and she knew it was a Russian »Dnepr«, a contemporary model built more or less the same as the German BMW machines from the 1930ies. What also made her gasp was that the side wagon was occupied – by a teddy bear the size of a grown man, wearing a leather cap, goggles and a white scarf.

»That’s Igor«, Vlad introduced, and, obviously considering that the teddy bear required a little more context, he added:

»He belongs to my daughter – and she wants him to see some of the city!«

»Bună seara!«, Lioba said to the plush bear, dropping a curtsey, though she felt a wave of sadness rush through her when she heard that Vlad had a family. Of course, a man in his 30ies with a steady job and not looking bad was nothing to be left behind.

Vlad bent over the side wagon, rummaging around and producing a helmet he handed to her. It was bright pink, and Lioba took it. It looked as if it was not made for a child, and so, she asked:

»How old is your daughter?«

»Anna? She’s five, why?«

Then, he understood her question and added:

»The helmet belonged to my ex-wife! I kept it, in case I have a passenger!«

Lioba definitely liked the sound of the word »ex«, and she didn’t protest when he made her put on his jacket and stowing her handbag before he put on his own helmet. She quickly realized that, since Igor occupied the side wagon, she would have to sit behind Vlad. She knew what sight she would offer in her flimsy camisole, and indeed, someone behind her whistled when she mounted the passenger seat. Vlad started the engine, and she slung her arms around him. A cold breeze told her that the skirt of her camisole was fluttering in the wind, and she knew that everyone behind them had a good look at her panty-clad butt.

»Fuck it, in comparison to the bathtub, I have definitely improved!«

***

When they had arrived at Hermannstadt, Ligeia had given 2.000 Euro in cash to Sabrina and Milena, to rent a hotel room and have a nice dinner. For her, this was some pocket money, but the girls had not wasted it, nor had they idled around in the hours between separating from Ligeia and their job at Lioba’s room.

Some shops had been open on Sunday, and there had also been a flea market, allowing them to get some clothes. They had bought big suitcases, for 10 Euro each, that quickly filled with other things. Had they bought them from one person, he might have become suspicious, but they strolled over the market and so, after two hours, they decided that they had all they needed for the job in Weißendorf, though they lacked a few things, like chloroform or a taser.

Since they would soon leave the legal path anyway, Sabrina had also cracked a car. It was a dented Lada Niva that sounded as if it would collapse if they would try to drive faster than 80 km/h – but it would look unsuspicious in a Romanian village. Milena entered the car and held the credit card up.

»Another 10 Grand from Ligeia!«

Sabrina smiled. After their shopping tour, they still had some 1.500 Euro left, and they had changed half of it into Romanian currency. She started the Lada by pressing the right wires together, and after the car rolled on, she sighed:

»It feels good to spend the night with something other than licking Mistress’s pussy or getting spanked if I refuse!«

Milena’s smile was a bit forced, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she checked their route to Weißendorf, just some 25 miles, but on bad roads and in the midst of the night. In addition to Google Maps, they had a copy of a map Ligeia had given them. It showed the houses of Weißendorf, and several were marked with an »X«. These were not inhabited, though of course, they would have to check if some villagers had occupied the empty houses in the meantime.

They hadn’t bothered to rent a hotel in Hermannstadt, as they considered that it was a waste of money, and the earlier they had established a hideout in Weißendorf, the better. Milena looked at the backside of the copied map, noticing the chart they had drawn during a shopping break at a café. Now, it was too dark to read it, but Milena knew the few dozen words by heart, and to distract herself from her confusing thoughts about Ligeia, she imagined the chart.

It had two lines, one for Eileen, the other for Salome. The vertical columns were named »likes«, »dislikes« and »fears«, and Milena and Sabrina had filled the chart, based on their experience from having Eileen and Salome in their clutches, and from their assumptions. Milena built combinations of the different options, and now, her smile was real.

***

Vlad lived at a small flat in the suburbs, and it looked as if though he was a studied jurist, he hadn’t been the winner of his divorce. The rooms were, however, surprisingly clean for a man living alone, except for toys lying around everywhere.

»Every second weekend, Anna visits me!«

He had offered her his bathrobe, and Lioba now wore it as she sat on the couch, but she took care her pantyhose-clad legs were showing. Vlad apologized for not having anything stronger than beer, and so, he and Lioba each had a bottle. She raised hers.

»To my saviour!«

»We better wait until we have passed the ravine before we shout Hooray!«, he replied, but touched her bottle with his, and they drank. Actually, Lioba didn’t like beer very much, but it reminded her of her youth. Of her time with Mike. Her hand slightly trembled, and Vlad noticed it.

»Are you okay? I am sorry, but I only have some Aspirin in the house!«

Lioba smiled and shook her head.

»It’s nothing, it’s just – you do not happen to have a cigarette?«

They had stopped at the station to get the testament that was now lying on the table between them, but here, she had been too excited to think of getting to a shop. She felt a little embarrassed for exposing her addiction, but Vlad just went for a sideboard.

»That’s all I can offer! I would only ask you to go to the balcony!«

It was a small box of cigars, and Lioba shrugged and took one. He followed her on the small balcony and offered her fire. After a draw, Lioba coughed and took a long sip of her beer. Vlad chuckled.

»You know that you mustn’t inhale when smoking a cigar?«

Lioba wanted to tell him he was a fucking smartass but having had the sip of beer a little too hasty, a burp evaded when she opened her mouth. Lioba covered her mouth with her hand and felt her cheeks redden.

»Oops!«

Now, Vlad burst out laughing, ad Lioba, though she felt her lips tremble herself, poked his arm.

»Come on, it wasn’t that funny!«

Vlad managed to turn serious.

»Sorry, but I just had to think of when I first saw you this morning! My first image was ›Wow, what a posh Lady‹!«

Lioba took a wary puff from her cigar and blew the smoke in his face. They shared the cigar before they went inside again, and Lioba asked for a pair of socks, since her feet had grown cold on the balcony. She would have preferred putting her feet on his lap and asking for a tender massage, and she had a feeling that he wouldn’t have refused. However, she reminded herself, she was not here on a date. So, when he returned with a pair of woollen socks, she asked:

»You were not very eager to call the Police when you – rescued me! Is there another reason than luring me into your lair?«

»That’s how I usually hook up!«, he joked. Then, his smile disappeared and he explained:

»A lot has improved since the end of Ceausescu’s regime, and it is absolutely possible that you would be interviewed by a sensitive and competent Officer. But some of the others are still around, too – those who would be more occupied by the aspect that you were left in your underwear than by the actual crime. In addition-«

He hesitated, and Lioba sat up, looking interested at him.

»Before I – discovered you, I thought that this was an ordinary crime, so to say. That the mayor of Weißendorf, or someone else, has made a deal with my boss, to just not let you have what is yours and to share the profit! A crime, but nothing with real victims, just a loss of money for someone who isn’t dependent on it. But now, you were assaulted – and if foreigners operate that openly, especially outside Bucharest, there are usually also members of the Police involved. At least, they are paid to look the other way!«

Lioba crossed her legs, allowing the bathrobe to slide a little higher.

»So, it’s you and me against international crime and the rotten system!«

»And only one of us fits the role of tough agent and beautiful victim!«, Vlad stated and emptied his beer. Had he now tried to kiss Lioba, she wouldn’t have refused. Instead, Vlad rose and offered her to show her her room.

»It’s Anna’s room, actually. Last week, I bought her first real bed, so, no one has ever slept in it! If you don’t mind the Paw Patrol bed sheets, that is!«

At the door of the room, she thanked him once again, kissing his cheek. He held her in his arms for a few moments, but then, he withdrew.

»I wonder if he’s just shy, playing hard to get, or not interested in me!«, Lioba pondered when taking off her clothes. Vlad had told that he still had a few things of his ex that might fit her, but she would definitely not borrow that woman’s underwear.

When she was naked, she could hear him walk the corridor, and for a few moments, she waited if he would knock. Then, considering it wrong to sleep in Anna’s bed wearing nothing, she put on the camisole and cuddled into the bed, trying to find sleep.

In the adjacent room, Vlad was also lying in his bed, and through his fingers, he let run Lioba’s tiger thong like a rosary. A part of him demanded that he rose and went to the girl next door – and the rest of him sighed because this part of him wasn’t strong enough to prevail.

***

»Nice!«

Under other circumstances, Milena would have found less charming words for the abandoned house, but for their job, it was perfect. It was behind a hill, hiding it from the road, but it was close enough from Weißendorf that they could observe the village from there, and it had even some furniture left, including two bare mattresses that would do for a few days. The Lada now was hidden under an old tarpaulin, and Milena checked if they had access to the phone net whilst Sabrina tested the old water pump in front of the house.

»I just send a message to Ligeia that the eagle has landed – or better, the vampires!«

***

Since they had retired early, Eileen woke up early on Monday morning. She cursed and yawned at the same time when she saw it was 5:30 am. The bed beside her was empty, but before she could even think of being concerned, the door opened and the Black sneaked inside; obviously, she had been to the outhouse.

»These old beds are definitely convenient – but I still feel like I am 60!«

Eileen knew what she meant. Sitting in the car for so many hours hadn’t been a refreshment to their backs and limbs. She worked herself out of the bed and stretched. Then, she opened her still unpacked bag and began to rummage through it.

»How about killing three birds with one stone?«

»No massacres before I had my coffee«, Salome replied. Eileen produced the plastic bag that contained her walking shoes.

»How about a jogging round before coffee? It would help us to feel better, we could say that whoever wins the run gets access to the shower – and if someone sees us, we can say that this is the power of Transylvanian Spirit!«

It sounded like a plan, and so, Saloma also looked through her bag. Since they doubted that Aurica had a washing machine, they decided that their yesterday’s underwear would do, and they put on shorts and tight tank tops that left their bellies free.

»Let’s hope we don’t cause a heart attack on one of the old men, when they look out of their window and see two pairs of bouncing boobs!«

»I am sure that Aurica would make that part of her advertising campaign, too!«

They left a note, and a minute later, the girls started by some stretching in front of the house, watched by an old farmer who seemed rather appealed than close to a heart attack. Then, they started their run, following the route of their sightseeing the day before.

The hills were steeper as they had remembered, and so, both girls had sweaty spots at their cleavages and under their arms when they had reached the highest point of their route where they stopped to enjoy the indeed beautiful sunset. After a few minutes, Eileen wanted to finish the route, but Salome reached for her back pocket, producing her lighter and a single cigarette.

»Since I would have easily won otherwise, I am leaving you with a head start!«

Eileen shook her head.

»You know what you are doing to your poor, 26 years old lungs?«

»Until the day after tomorrow, I am still 25!«, Salome answered nonchalantly and lit her cigarette, and Eileen shrugged.

»Well, I know who of us will smell like roses at the breakfast, and who of tobacco and sweat!«

She waved and then continued her trip, not knowing that two pairs of eyes were watching her. Sabrina patted Milena’s arm, and the two carefully sneaked closer to the road. Eileen had already disappeared behind the next curve, but they had overheard their conversation, and they knew that in a few minutes, Salome would pass their hideout.

»Vampires striking on broad daylight!«, Sabrina hissed with a satisfied grin. Then, they quickly improvised their assault.

Salome finished her cigarette and took a few deep breaths.

»My birthday party will be insta coffee and a glass of homemade Schnapps!«, she thought, hoping that perhaps, Eileen had thought of a little present for her. Since her friend had won the race anyway, she decided for a light trot.

The stick between her legs came out of nowhere, and Salome staggered. Her fall was stopped, however, when a shadow jumped at her from the side, and something was thrown over her head. Before the girl could even think of making a sound, an arm was slung around her neck, and a hand was pressed over her mouth and nose, already covered by the cloth.

»Mhhrrrmmm!«

A third hand grabbed her arm, and something was pressed into her armpit. Salome could sense it was the barrel of a gun, and she ceased struggling. She once again gurgled, and the pressure around her throat was reduced a bit, and the hand silencing her gave her nose free, allowing her to breathe.

She heard the frightening sound of a cocked gun, and then, the cloth over her head was knotted at her nape. Then, another cloth was forced between her lips and knotted at the back of her head. Her other arm was grabbed, and the gagged and blindfolded girl was forced to follow her abductors. Whenever, she slowed down, staggered or tried to break free, the gun was pressed harder into her armpit, and in addition, a hand hit her buttocks.

After what the frightened girl guessed were some 300 yards, she was leaned against what felt like a wooden post, and then, her hands were tied behind it, with duct tape, and then enforced by a zip tie. She moaned as they then used more tape and a longer zip tie to force her elbows as close as the post allowed. Luckily, it was round, and the wood was smooth and had no splinters.

»Uuuhhmph!«

Salome bucked, or at least, she tried to when another zip tie was tightened around her bare legs, just below her knees. Then, she had to helplessly endure as her captors, who still hadn’t spoken a single word, took off her sneakers and socks. She mewed when a finger brushed over her sole, and she tried to shake the tickle attack off. The hand withdrew, but then, Salome felt a grip on the neckline of her tank top, followed by the sound of a blade cutting through cloth when it was cut off.

»Uuuhmmph! Nhhuugghh!«

The shoulder straps of her bra were cut, followed by the piece of cloth connecting the cups. Then, the garment was removed, exposing her thrust out boobs. Salome couldn’t help panting with fear, though she knew it would make her breasts heave even more, and she shuddered when the blade brushed over her belly.

Her shorts were cut off unceremoniously quick, and then, the blade sliced through the seams connecting the front and back panel of her fullback cotton panties, her »Dalmatian Panties«, as Eileen had called them, for they were white with small black polka dots.

Salome gasped when both seams were cut and the front panel fell, exposing her shaved pubic mound. Almost tenderly, the blade brushed over it; then, her captor seemed to get some glee from slowly pulling the garment from between her tied thighs. Salome now was naked – naked, bound, gagged and helpless.

The blade remained on her pubic mound, as if to remind her that every false move could be her last. Then, the cloth between her teeth was removed. Salome coughed, but she didn’t dare to speak or scream as she felt hands work on the knots of the cloth hooding her.

The cloth was removed, but only to the level of her upper lip, so Salome could breathe through her mouth, but she was still blindfolded and her nose was blocked by the cloth that was now pulled tight again. It forced her to keep her mouth open, and the touch of the cold steel at her middle told her not to struggle when now, something large was shoved into her mouth. When she touched it with her tongue, she knew it was her sweaty panties, and she retched as they were worked deep inside her oral cavity, allowing her captor to cram in her socks, too. Now, her mouth felt as if it would burst, her tongue was completely blocked, and her cheeks ballooned. The other captor now tied the cleave gag back between her lips, pulling the ends tight before knotting them off, and finally, a few strips of tape were plastered over her mouth. Then, the cloth hood was pulled down to her neck again before it was also knotted and further secured by a few rounds of tape around her neck.

Saloma now hyperventilated, whimpering whenever the air left her lungs. Still there was this terrible silence of her captors, and now, they would-

She squealed when a hand grabbed her ankle. The zip tie around her knees was cut, and then, she was forced to bend her leg, until her heel touched her buttock. It was fixed in that position by a rope that was cinched in between. Then, whilst Salome was balancing on her other leg, only too aware how available her most intimate parts now were, heard a sound: it was a humming, and whoever hummed was female.

Salome’s last year’s ordeal had told her that women could be mean and cruel, too, and so far, this woman and her companion had shown no sign of lenience or kindness. She could sense that the humming woman was doing something close to her lower leg, though she didn’t touch her. Then, she felt hands on her shoulders, and her ankle was grabbed, forcing Salome to slowly slide down the post she was tied to.

»Mhm? Uuhmmm! Nnnggg! Mmmrrrhhmm!«

When Salome had squatted so deep that her tied leg’s big toe could touch the ground, she felt something push between her buttocks, and she shook her head vigorously, screaming through her gag and trying to raise. The hands from her shoulders wandered to her boobs, clawing into them and using them as a handle to force her down.

»Nnngg!«

The thing now entered her rear. It felt hard and soft at the same time, and it seemed that it was lubed with something, for as the person grabbing her boobs released her grip before tightening it again, making Salome reflexively move up and down, it went back and forth with considerable ease, feeling irritating, but not hurting her.

She let out a groan and reared up as she was finally pushed down until the point where the intruder was fixed to the post stopped her, and now, the woman tied her other leg ankle to thigh, forcing her to keep the squatting position.

The hands from her breasts were withdrawn, and immediately, the impaled girl tired to raise her body, to escape the thing in her rear. However, after a few inches, with some two inches still inside her, a firm grip on her shoulder stopped her. Then, she felt something cold at the side of her neck, and then, there were vibrations and knocking sounds, drowning her screams of fear.

It was a large nail Milena was now hammering into the post, right above the girl’s right shoulder. Its purpose was to prevent her from raising more and maybe escape the plug in her rear. There had been an L-shaped hook close to the bottom of the post, maybe an old hinge, and Milena had pulled a thick rubber coating from the handle of a wheelbarrow over it and lubed it, so it wouldn’t hurt Salome physically.

She added a second nail on the other side, and they could see Salome push against them with her shoulders, trying to escape the butt plug. Gleefully watching the trembling and panting girl, Milena hammered two more nails into the post, this time close to Salome’s flanks. To these, she fixed a few feathers she had found in the abandoned chicken coop, and when Salome felt their touch, soft as a breeze, she whimpered and twitched. Milena smiled as she stepped back and admired her work. Sooner or later, Salome would have to lower her body, sinking down on the plug when the tension in her leg muscles became too much. And now, every move, every wriggle would become more entertaining, as they intended to keep the girl like that for a while.

Sabrina exchanged a high five with her accomplice before she took a photo, and they left the barn to send it to Ligeia. One down, one to go!

***

Protected by the entire Paw Patrol on her bed sheets, and also by several Disney Princesses looking down on her from their posters, Lioba had slept considerably well, and Vlad had to knock twice to wake her up.

»I put some of my ex wife’s clothes in the bath, so you can put them on when you have refreshed yourself! Breakfast’s in the kitchen!«

Lioba collected her underwear and disappeared in the bathroom. Some 15 minutes later, she checked her appearance in the mirror. The clothes of Vlad’s ex more or less fit, but they were not really what she was used to wear: a tight, knee-length pencil-skirt, and a white blouse that felt as if it had been starched. Either, Vlad’s ex was a very strict and conservative woman, or she had had a very good reason to leave these things behind. Nevertheless, Lioba still wore her camisole under the borrowed clothes, and she knew that once she had organized a new credit card, she would by a nice new dress.

At breakfast, Vlad surprised her with the best coffee she had enjoyed since she had entered Romania. To her surprise, he had placed Igor the teddy bear on the couch.

»With that skirt, you can hardly sit on the passenger seat of my bike! BTW, I have already called in sick at the notary!«

Their plan was that Vlad would drive Lioba to the airport where she could get her rented car. Luckily, the certificate from Hertz had not been among the things stolen from her handbag. Then, Lioba could attend the notary and see how the boss reacted to her not only appearing, but also having the correct testament.

»If you are not back here in one hour, I will call the Police!«, he promised. They got to the airport, and Lioba got her car without problems. Her ID card had been stolen together with her purse, but there had also been her passport in a side bag of her handbag, and thus, she could identify herself.

Now, at 9 am, she entered the notary where a secretary told her in broken German that Dr. Antoniu Petrescu would soon have time for her. Indeed, after a few minutes, she was invited into his office. An elderly man greeted her, and though he seemed friendly, Lioba could see that he wasn’t too pleased about her appearance, and when she produced the testament, he dabbed some sweat from his forehead.

»Well, it seems that your claims are justified, Dr. Karnstein«, he said after a long time of studying the testament. Then, he cleared his throat and asked:

»Have you already considered what to do with your heritage?«

Since it had to be documented by a notary if she sold the properties, it was a normal question. Petrescu however added that he knew about someone interested in the properties who was willing to pay »a price above the usual market value«.

»Above the usual value? What sum are we talking about?«, Lioba asked, leaning forward so he could notice she had left the last two buttons of her blouse open. Petrescu once again dabbed his forehead before he answered:

»The investor is willing to pay you 80.000 Euro!«

»That’s about the market value!«

Petrescu looked over his shoulder, as if he was expecting the answer from the door in his back. Then, he told her that he could talk to the investor who wished to keep his anonymity and see if he was willing to raise his offer.

»Maybe, I could get him to pay 90.000, maybe even 100.000! Anyway, that’s a very good offer, Dr. Karnstein! Six houses and a factory may seem like a fortune, but we are talking about rural Romania! Most people want to leave, they sell at any price, and of course, this lowers what one can expect from such an estate!«

Lioba pondered; then, she grabbed the testament, to Petrescu’s slight surprise, and rose from her seat. Already the door handle in her hand, she said:

»Thank you very much, Dr. Petrescu! Unfortunately, I have some errands to run, so, since you have to negotiate with the investor anyway, I think I will spend a visit to Weißendorf and also do some sightseeing! I will call you soon!«

She was out of the door before Petrescu could even raise from his seat. Again, he sweated when the door behind him slowly opened.

»That was quite surprising – but not in a positive way!«

Ligeia stepped inside the room, followed by Marvin who closed the door to the lobby. Petrescu loosened his tie and stammered:

»You heard it – she was – you told me she wouldn’t come anyway!«

Indeed, that had been what Ligeia had told him when she and her chauffeur had appeared at the notary, some 15 minutes before the official opening. The original plan had been that Petrescu would wait for one hour and then phone Lioba. If he wouldn’t reach her, he would be able to sell the property to Ligeia’s company – and get his share of the bribe.

According to Ligeia, this was a reasonable plan. Sabrina and Milena had told her how they had left Lioba, bound, gagged and blindfolded and without clothes. So, at that time of the day, she should either still squirm in her bonds, or, if she was a female Houdini or had been discovered by someone, tell her story to the Police. However, she had pranced inside the notary, fully dressed and presenting the testament that made her the legal heir.

»I must say that I am a bit disappointed, Dr. Petrescu! Actually, I am not sure whether I am still needing your services any longer!«

The notary gulped and shied back in his chair. When Ligeia drew something from her handbag, he gasped. With an expression of sheer contempt, she drew her cell phone.

»I think I will try to negotiate with Dr. Karnstein herself, and see if we can get to an agreement! If so, I will think about whether I still have need for your services! After all, there is more than one notary in this town!«

They had left his office for minutes before Petrescu realized that he was still alive and unharmed. Maybe, he had lost a considerable sum, but he was willing to sacrifice that to never again have to do business with that woman!

***

On the corridor, Ligeia lost her cool attitude as she stormed to the street, followed by Marvin. Glancing angrily, she hissed:

»What the hell happened? I think the girls know how to restrain someone! Did they get rusty when I played with them?«

The main issue, however, was why Lioba had behaved as if nothing had happened. Sure, she could be self-controlled, but getting back to business as usual after being stripped, bound and gagged was a bit too much for Ligeia’s suspension of disbelief. Anyway, she needed either the testament or Lioba to sign over the properties to her.

»Marvin, you drive to the hotel and see whether she gets there, and with whom! She must have some accomplice! But don’t act until I am there!«

The chauffeur obeyed, and Ligeia phoned Milena and Sabrina. The two girls had surprised her by not only already having gone to Weißendorf and establish a hideout, but also managed to get one of the girls into her clutches.

It was Milena who took the call, and she quickly reported what had happened at the notary. Then, she added:

»She said something about going to Weißendorf herself! I am not sure whether this was a Red Herring, but it seems that this bitch is curious and wants to know what this is all about! So, I would not be surprised if she would show up soon. At least, you have the advantage that you know how she looks, and not vice versa!«

Ligeia called a taxi and when she sat in the backseat, she opened the photo the girls had sent her from Salome. For a snapshot, it was remarkably good: she could see the sweat glister on the nude black girl’s body, and though she was tall and looked athletic, she now seemed vulnerable and helpless, and Ligeia could almost see the fear through the hood covering her head.

She leaned back and fought down to reach under her skirt with the taxi driver watching her in the mirror when a heavy tingle shot through her loins. Ligeia blew a kiss to the photo and then forced herself to put the phone back into her handbag.

Even if there were now a few troubles at the business front, she had still something to anticipate according to her private hobbies!

***