Penitence 7

In the minutes Gabriela needed to catch breath, Melissa had been able to analyse their bondage, trying to find out how they could escape.

The most obvious solution, picking on their bonds, wasn’t an option, as he had taped their fingers, and in addition, they were tied with zip ties. He hadn’t pulled these extremely tight, but even now, with their skin slippery from sweat, pulling the hand through the nooses was impossible. Their gags would also remain in place until they would either be found or be able to free their hands, as the vet wrap was tight and could not be rubbed off on the bed that now, after their struggles, looked terribly crumpled.

»Come on, think! Even that creep thought that we would get free!«

Crunching her belly muscles, Melissa sat up and looked around in the little room. She could see nothing that looked helpful. From the adjacent room, she could hear the TV, muffled for Sato had closed the door. She heard a grunt from her right side, and when she looked, she saw Gabriela fighting to get into a sitting position, too.

»Mph!«

»Uuhmm! Mmhhmm!«

Her belly started to cramp, and she thought of just sinking back and wait for things to come. If Sato hadn’t lied, rescue would come in less than two hours, and though it would be embarrassing to be found like that, she wouldn’t die from it.

However, what would it do to Gabriela?

Melissa would soon return to either her job on the ship, or return to the German Police, but the girl would have to work with colleagues who had seen her nearly naked. In addition, she would then not only be the sister of a criminal, but also the helpless damsel.

She moved her right leg, and Gabriela, whose left leg was tied to it, seemed to understand what she had in mind. Both girls shuffled and squirmed, and after some struggling, they could lower their legs to the floor and sit normally, relaxing their stomach muscles by bending forward.

»Mph. Uhhm!«

Melissa pointed at the door with her chin. She wasn’t sure what to find behind it, but if there was rescue, it was outside the bedroom. As a nuclear option, they could squirm to the door and mmph until maybe a neighbour heard them.

The door was just one yard away, but the problem was that her right and Gabriela’s left leg were fixed together, whilst their other legs were tied to their knees. Thus, they would have to balance not only on one leg, but also do so synchronously.

»Well, Gaby, I hope you didn’t skip ballet lessons at school!«

To get impetus, she began to sway her upper body back and forth, and Gabriela seemed to understand. They could not make out on which move to start, and so, Melissa just hoped that Gabriela would follow her as she threw herself forward to raise from the bed.

It worked well, too well, as they not only came to their feet, but fell towards the wall, and both girls grunted as their breasts cushioned their impact. Then, Melissa staggered, and she mewed as her bent elbow hit the door.

»Uff!«

The back of her head landed on the carpeted floor, and at the same time, something landed upon her and drove the air out of her lungs. Melissa gasped and wheezed, and then, she saw what had happened: by falling against it, she had opened the bedroom door and now, she was lying half in the bedroom, half in the living room. Since the doorframe was only three feet wide, Gabriela had landed upon her, pressing on her with her warm, nearly naked body.

The Portuguese started to squirm, and Melissa felt how her breasts, belly and loins grinded over hers. She protested through her gag when she realized that Gabriela only tried to get out of the doorframe. So, though it meant more rubbing and grinding, she also squirmed, and, inch after inch, they wormed forward until Gabriela could roll from Melissa’s body.

Again, they needed a longer pause to catch breath, and this time, it was Gabriela who spotted something, though she had problems in telling it to Melissa.

»Ghhmmm! Mhhmmph! Uuhhmm!«

She arched back, overstretching her head, so she could look at the kitchenette. Melissa, who did the same, saw everything upside down, and Gabriela rolled her eyes in frustration. Then, she at up and started to squirm. Melissa felt that she was trying to turn their position 180 degrees, and with their combined efforts, they managed to do so. Now, she could see the Holy Grail as well: A wooden block from which the handles of knifes protruded, only two yards in front of them.

Moving forward in their position was slow, but comparatively easy, and after a few minutes, they sat in front of the kitchen sink, panting and focussing the knives block that now seemed unreachable in a height of less than three feet.

There was only one solution: raising their legs in a synchronous move, hoping they could sweep it from the board. It was straining for the already exhausted girls, and after two failed efforts, their stomach muscles were aflame, as were their legs. When they rose their tied legs a third time, they knew it would be their last attempt.

»Uuuhhmmph!«

»Nnnnngggg!«

Their heels touched the edge of the board, and with one last effort, Melissa and Gabriela both stretched their feet and felt something move as gravity and exhaustion forced them to withdraw. With a rattle, the knives block landed on the floor, and the girls cheered through their gags before thy had to pant once more.

Sitting up was now easy, as they could lean against the small wall separating the kitchenette from the living room. They stared at the knives lying around, trying to figure out how to use them with their fingers still taped.

»Uhhmph!«

Like electrified, Gabriela stared at the wooden block. One knife had only come out half, and the sharp side was pointing upwards. Carefully, they pushed the block against the opposite wall to steady it; then, they raised their feet and placed the zip tie connecting their ankles on it. They pressed down, not daring to move around too much. Melissa would have accepted a small cut, but they didn’t want to risk that the block toppled over.

It was a tedious work, but finally, the plastic tie got cut, and now, the blade was between their feet, so sawing through the toe tie was even easier. Melissa heard some muffled gasps from Gabriela, and she hoped that she would be able to keep her tickling reflex under control.

They tenderly knocked their foreheads together as a sign of triumph as they were finally able to separate their toes. It wasn’t much, as their knees were still tied, but it was a beginning.

Accompanied by much eye-twisting and grunting, Melissa now did a difficult pantomime by pointing at the linoleum floor and the knife with her toes whilst thumping on it with her heel. Gabriela finally got her, and carefully, they grabbed the knife’s handle with their feet. Then, they rose their legs and slammed them down. The knife landed on the floor, but on the second attempt, they managed to ram the tip into the linoleum, so it stood upright.

One by one, and very carefully, they moved forward, the blade between their legs. Again, it was strenuous and excruciatingly slow, but in the end, they cut all the remining zip ties. For the first time in hours, they could move their legs separately!

The girls allowed themselves a »High Five« with their feet before they went on in freeing themselves. With nimble toes, Gabriela managed to peel the tape from Melissa’s right hand, allowing her to then free Gabriela’s fingers. Now, they could also use the scissors from the knives block, and a minute later, both girls sat side by side, trying to find an edge in the vet wrap.

Once the wraps and tape had come off, they exchanged a clumsy hug as they undid the knots of each other’s cleave gag. In a synchronous move, they spat out the sodden panties.

»Bluarch!«, Melissa croaked and licked her lips. Gabriela looked at her, suddenly trembling from an exhausted chuckle.

»What’s – so funny – young Lady?«, Melisaa breathed. Gabriela looked at her with a strange expression.

»A-actually – these pa-panties – acquire ha-hand – washing!«

Melissa stared at her with disbelief. Then, she couldn’t help giggling, and the two girls hugged as they got rid of some of their tension by laughing it off. Melissa shook her head when they suddenly heard the sound of a nearby church bell.

»It’s noon!«

If he had told the truth, Sato would now call Gabriela’s colleagues, and if they would arrive in a few minutes, they would see them, covered with sweat and only wearing panties.

Hastily, they put on the next clothes, those Sato had forced them to take off. Whilst Melissa was closing her skirt, Gabriela cursed when she looked at her cell phone.

»The Department! They have phoned me three minutes ago, and since I had put it on soundless, I didn’t accept the call! Now, they will send someone, and he sure is on his way!«

To Melissa’s surprise, she grabbed a big handbag from a hook and began to stuff seemingly randomly things in it. Then, she grabbed Melissa’s arm.

»Come!«

Not understanding what Gabriela was about, she slipped into her sandals and followed the Portuguese down to the street where she almost jogged to a side street.

»Gaby, what the-«

Gabriela pulled her close, and for a second, Melissa thought she wanted to kiss her. They could hear the sound of an approaching Police siren, and Gabriela panted:

»You do – whatever you want! I will go – to Ferrol!«

Melissa stared at her, and the girl continued:

»Right now, I am just the little Police girl, unable to do a man’s job, in need to be rescued, and with a brother who has taken the wrong path! Maybe, I can’t save Vasco this time, but at least, I can help to solve a crime before I get suspended!«

Melissa understood. If she chose the correct way and reported what had happened, they would perhaps remove her from the case completely, as she was biased, being the sister of one of the criminals involved. In any case, they would inform their Spanish colleagues who would take over the case, condemning Gabriela to be a mere bystander.

She felt her own guilt returning. Though others might see it otherwise, in her eyes, it had been partially her fault that Johanna had not been rescued. Melissa put her hand on Gabriela’s shoulder.

»If we know where the criminals’ hideout is, we can still call for reinforcements!«

Gabriela’s eyes sparkled.

»You – you mean you are coming with me?«

The  joy in the Portuguese’s voice made Melissa smile.

»If you forgive me the bad pun – I think we are tied together in this case!«

Gabriela hugged her, and they continued to sneak to where she had parked her car. Once they sat inside, Melissa looked down on herself and giggled.

»Seems that I missbuttoned my blouse!«

She went on correcting it and added:

»Gaby, do you have a feeling of unusual freedom around your chest?«

Gabriela scoffed.

»Okay, that’s pathetic!«

»I mean it literally! In the hurry, we confused our bras!«

Gabriela peeked through the neck opening of her T-Shirt.

»Oopsie!«

Melissa patted her friend’s knee.

»I think I can stand it until the first stop! Until then, since I don’t think that there are any precedents, let’s consider this a good omen!«

***

Johanna wasn’t sure how long the combined torture of the Tiger bench, getting tickled at both her feet and armpits and Carmen squeezing her nipples had lasted, for she had fainted two or three times, due to the pain and lack of oxygen. During these breaks, and since the five perspiring women in the cellar produced quite some heat, the ice had melted rather fast, and before she had lost consciousness a fourth time, now from exhausted relief, she had heard Carmen order:

»Enough for now! Clean her up and put her to rest!«

Cleaning up meant that she was cut loose, led to a grid in the floor and then hosed with cold water which had at least a refreshing effect and cooled her hurting legs, nipples and buttocks. Nevertheless, Johanna was unable to raise from the floor, and so, Inga and Miranda grabbed her arms, dragging her to a broader wooden bench where her wrists and ankles were locked with upholstered cuffs before Carmen grabbed a large wheel on the side of the contraption.

»The good old torture rack!«, she purred and slowly turned the wheel, so the distance between hand and foot locks increased slowly, inch after inch, whilst all that could be heard was the faint snapping of the mechanism and Johanna’s panting.

Carmen stopped when her arms and legs were stretched inconveniently, but not painfully.

»After all, I promised you a rest! However, you should not just chill around, but use the time to think about your sins!«

On an order in Spanish, Miranda started to unwind the tape from Johanna’s mouth whilst Inga brought a bottle with water.

»Are you thirsty, Johanna?«

With a groan, she nodded, though she could read from Carmen’s eyes that this wasn’t just a kind question. But she hadn’t had a drink for some twelve hours, and getting washed had only reminded her that the inside of her body desperately needed water, too.

»Now, here we have one and a half litre of fresh water, containing important minerals and cool enough to refresh, but not so cold you’d risk stomach cramps. And to prove to you it isn’t poisoned-!«

She opened the bottle and took a sip, sighing and licking her lips afterwards. The tape had come off Johanna’s mouth, but Miranda prevented her from spitting out the panties. Carmen poured some water over her lips, and when Johanna sensed the moisture, she felt even more thirsty.

»You will get the entire bottle if you agree to accept one simple rule: after you hurt me with words, you are not allowed to say a single word during the next three weeks! Do you agree, Johanna?«

Carmen moistened her fingers and rubbed over Johanna’s lips. She whimpered and nodded, now obsessed by finally being allowed to quench her thirst. Carmen made a gesture towards Kim who brought a silver tray. From it, Carmen picked a pair of black silk panties with lace trimming whilst Miranda took a plain pink cotton pair. They balled them in their hands and dabbed all over Johanna’s body before the old pair was plucked from her mouth. Johanna couldn’t even think of croaking something as the two now worked together to stuff the two pairs into her mouth. Johanna sensed that both pairs had been worn for more than just a day, and she retched.

Miranda stepped to the head end of the torture rack and took Johanna’s head between her hands. She hooked her thumbs into her mouth, preventing her from working the gag out, and forced her to look at the ceiling. Carmen held the opening of the bottle to her mouth and began to pour, so the panties got soaked. Johanna groaned and wheezed, but she had no other choice than to suck the water, filtered by the used panties, and as she had promised, Carmen made her drink the whole bottle. Then, a leather mask that covered her mouth and cupped her chin was buckled at her nape, and Carmen dismissed her three henchwomen. Once the door had closed behind them, she took a stool and sat beside Johanna, letting her finger run over her breasts.

»I read two of your books, you know! And though I wanted to hate them, I have to admit that they are quite good! Not brilliant, but quite good!«

Johanna didn’t react, as she was sure that this was just the prelude to the next perfidy.

»As a writer, you sure know all about tropes and clichés – though what I am doing now is rather a cliché, I’m afraid: the evil mastermind reveals her evil plan to the helpless heroine!«

Carmen giggled, and it sounded sweet and bright, making Johanna shiver.

»You know, when I was hooked to the needle, I could think of nothing but the next shot, and how to get it! Apart from that, I did literally no future planning – but since my therapy, I have improved on that, too! One could even call me a little obsessed!«

Again, she giggled, and her index finger encircled the tip of Johanna’s left breast.

»My therapist told me I need clear goals and a strong focus, and so, I focussed on my revenge on you, long before I even knew I would ever get a chance to get you into my clutches! The whole plan was ready years before you turned from the aspiring writer Joanne von Gröbern to a piece of meat, sold by White Slavers!«

Carmen sighed, and it sounded as if she was getting an orgasm from sheer anticipation. Her eyes sparkled, and her lips were moist as she continued, her voice barely audible:

»You might have wondered about the composition of my household – I mean, a Spanish right hand and administrator isn’t unusual, but haven’t you asked yourself why there are a girl from Sweden and one from South Korea, and no other servants around?«

Johanna had spent no thought at all about the ethnic background of her tormentors, but she understood that Carmen had a reason for telling her that.

»As I told you, my late husband sometimes bought women from White Slavers, only to set them free – and well, before they left this house, I had a talk with them! I told them that everything comes at a cost, and once, I would demand something from them, in exchange for their freedom and for their opportunity to start a new life!«

»Mph!«

Johanna wasn’t sure what to think about that. How could two women who had endured being kept bound and gagged by slavers accompany Carmen in doing the same, or even worse to her? Carmen seemed to have read her thoughts:

»Miranda and I go back to when I married Enrico, and she is as loyal to me as she was towards him! In Inga’s and Kim’s case, however, I had to be a little more elaborate in my persuasion! First of all, it may be that I exaggerated a bit when I told them my sob story about how you bullied me back then! Too bad you can’t tell them your version of the story!«

»Uuhhmmph!«

»Yes, that’s one of the main reasons why you will be kept gagged all the time! The other reason is the real evil masterplan! Something only Miranda is informed about, whilst the other two think that after these three weeks, I will just say ›I hope this taught you a lesson!‹ and will set you free again! They think this is just a temporary revenge, and that is why they are assisting me!«

Johanna’s eyes widened, and Carmen now bent over her, planting a kiss on her cheek before whispering into her ear:

»In three weeks, or maybe even earlier, as soon as I lose the fun in playing with you, I will make a phone call to an old acquaintance of mine! And whilst Inga and Kim will think that I pardoned you earlier, Miranda, you and I will know that you are starting a new life – in Africa!«

Though she knew it only stoked Carmen’s glee, Johanna screamed into her gag and thrashed in her unyielding bonds.

***

Sato had left the city, only stopped once at an automatic petrol station where he could pay with his credit card. There had been a food vending machine, and he had gotten some snacks and drinks for the trip. Babette mewed when he placed an ice cold Red Bull can in her cleavage.

»I thought you’d like some refreshment before I can let you have another drink!«

He had removed the can, but, as long as he could do so with one hand on the wheel, had rubbed it over her neck and forehead, so she could indeed get something from the cool beverage Sato forced himself to drink. He didn’t like energy drinks, but he knew that he needed to at least pass the border before he could get some rest.

However, he soon realized that »avoiding the highways« was synonymous to »follow bumpy roads, only to be interrupted by villages with narrow lanes every few miles«. At noon, when he had phoned the Police Department via a prepaid phone he threw out of the window afterwards, he still was in Portugal. Babette moaned, and since he no longer had cold drinks, he moistened a cloth and dabbed her face, neck and cleavage after removing her mask. They were alone on the road, so, it didn’t matter her gag was visible.

There was a small parking lot that had some trees providing shadow, and he stopped the car. He took off Babette’s sunglasses and peeled the tape from her eyes.

»I don’t think we need these for the moment!«

Babette cringed and mewed, and Sato told her to calm down. The girl looked pleadingly, and he shook his head.

»Look, if I ungag you now, I would always have to be prepared to gag you immediately if someone shows up! Besides, I am not in the mood of having a conversation!«

Babette rolled her eyes and shifted on the seat. Sato sighed.

»Bathroom?«

Babette nodded.

»Just peeing?«

Again, she nodded, and Sato left the car. After a last assuring look that there was no one around, he opened the side door, loosened Babette’s seat belt and helped her to get up. Since her legs were a bit wobbly, he leaned her against the car.

»Allow me!«

He opened the last three buttons of her light jacket, so he could gather the ends and knot it at her waist, exposing her panties. She mewed faintly when he removed the crotch rope next, tugging the loose ends into the waist rope. Then, he placed his hands on her hips and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties. Babette blushed, but he kept looking at her eyes as he peeled the garment down to her thigh tie. Grabbing her arm, he led her under a tree and then ostentatiously looked the other way.

Babette squatted and followed nature, sighing with relief. When she was finished, Sato adjusted her panties, again without staring at her middle. Then, he threaded the rope ends between her legs, which was a bit bothersome because of the thigh tie.

»I am usually not the greatest fan of thigh gaps, but now, it would be useful if you had one!«

Babette couldn’t help chuckling. This guy was weird! Sato retied her crotch rope, though not too tight, and led her back to the car and let her stretch her legs whilst he checked his route.

»These hills on the horizon should already be Spain! I just don’t like the look of these clouds above, they look like more than just a few drops!«

As on keyword, they saw a lightning in the distance, followed by a faint thunder. There would be a thunderstorm soon, and they were heading directly towards it.

»Well, that will at least bring some refreshment! Are you feeling a little better now?«

Babette nodded, and the slight gratefulness in her eyes made Sato feel guilty again. Silently, he made her sit back and fastened the seat belt, driving off moments later.

He had been right about the close border. On a rural road, and since both states were part of the EC, only a sign told them they had reached Spain. As if to say »Hello«, the thunderstorm broke loose a minute later, and Sato cursed as the windshield wiper turned out to be broken. In addition, the road was flooded with water all of a sudden, and with a resigning sigh, Sato drove to the side and stopped the car.

»Seems we are getting our break a little sooner than planned!«

Babette mewed questioningly when he bent over her, but Sato just lowered her backseat as far as he could, followed by his own.

»Shall I remove your shoes?«, he asked, and Babette nodded. When he loosened her sandals, he had to think of the last time he had touched a female foot, and somehow, his memories of Johanna didn’t help in staying distanced towards his captive.

»If you behave, I will also remove the thigh bond!«

Babette sighed with relief as she could move her legs more freely. She hoped that he would also free her from the crotch rope, but he just turned back onto his seat, and she didn’t want to thrust out her pelvis to remind him of it, for it could have sent the wrong signals.

The thunderstorm went on, and more and more the refreshment turned into the car getting cold. Sato had left a small gap of the window open, to prevent the windows from fogging, and he saw that Babette was trembling and rubbing her toes against each other.

The previous owner had left a folded military blanket on the backseat, and Sato took it, draping it over Babette. Then, as the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the thunderstorm anyway, he peeled the tape from Babette’s lips and pulled the panties from her mouth. She remained silent and just thanked him when he offered her some water. Having quenched her thirst, she asked:

»If you are not following Mr. Conradi’s orders – are you working for his wife?«

The confusion in his face didn’t look faked.

»Why should I do so?«

Babette gulped. She knew that she had to carefully use this opportunity to not only speak, but also to find out more about what he planned with her.

»You remember when you – caught me in the act of spying? You then – tied me to the couch and gagged me, and then, Mrs. Conradi came and said that – that she would take over!«

Sato nodded silently. It had been the last time he had seen Babette, after she had literally bumped into him the previous evening. In between, so much had happened to him, Johanna and the Conradis that he had just not cared about what had happened to the girl. Babette looked at him.

»Maybe, you don’t know it, but Mrs. Conradi – she – she tortured me! John saved me, and I – I thought that she sent you, to – to finish what she had begun then!«

Sato shook his head. He hadn’t known that Leonora Conradi had gone so far towards Babette. However, his real plans went into a similar direction, and as the girl asked what he had in mind with her then, his expression became stern. He reached for the sodden panties, and Babette promised to stop on the subject. For a while, they lay silent side by side, and then Sato noticed the girl was trembling.

»Are you still freezing?«

»Just my feet!«

Sato chuckled.

»Must be a female issue! Johanna also-«

He fell silent, and Babette cocked her head.

»Johanna?«

For a moment, he considered gagging he again, but he just shook his head.

»Please, don’t ask, Babette-San! At least, not now!«

He reached for her feet and grabbed her ankles. Babette protested, but he just began rubbing and massaging them, though the position was a bit inconvenient for both. After a while, her feet grew warm, and Babette sighed, followed by a chortle. Sato looked up, and she showed a wryly smile.

»Of all the men that bound and gagged me, you are the nicest!«

She giggled even more, considering how weird that compliment sounded. Sato, however, seemed rather sad, for he stopped the massage, packing her feet back under the blanket. She wondered if the ominous Johanna had to do with his reaction, and she urged to ask him more, but feared that he would gag her again if she did so.

»Thanks for the massage!«, she just breathed, and Sato bowed slightly. He tried to find a convenient position on his seat, pulling his jacket tighter around his body, as he was feeling the cold now, too. Babette cleared her throat.

»Sato?«

He turned towards her, and she continued:

»This blanket is quite big, and it keeps warm! So, if you don’t mind – I would be okay with it!«

With a sad smile, Sato slipped under the blanket that indeed did also cover him. He kicked off one of his shoes and pushed his foot over to Babette’s.

»If you need warmth!«

She said nothing, but gently rubbed her feet against his socked foot, and he had to oppress the urge to caress her cheek.

»This is not making things easier!«, he thought.

Sato was not endangered to fall in love with Babette, but she was becoming more than a pawn in his rescue plan, and it seemed that the girl had »dilemma« written all over her forehead.

***

Carmen groaned when the phone on her nightstand rang. She had withdrawn for a little siesta, anticipating the next session with her captive in the cellar. However, this was the phone whose numbers only a few people had, one of them the man whose image appeared on the display.

»Olá, Ben! I thought you were still in Brazil!«

»The whole job was cancelled, I will be in Spain the day after tomorrow! Will we see each other?«

Carmen had to oppress her disappointment. It meant that she had far less time to play with Johanna. However, since Ben was planned as the finale, she would have to play nice.

»I would be glad if we could do so – for I have got something that might interest you!«

They chatted for a while, and after that, Carmen’s disappointment had ceased. She would have less time with Johanna, but she would just have to make things more intense, to pack three weeks into two days.

***