The office of FutureHome Industries was deathly silent now, the departure of the thieves who’d come in Mr. Ryan’s wake signalled by the clatter of their stolen goods echoing through the corridors. Yet in the closet where they’d been imprisoned, Sakura Minamoto could not shake off the fear that she and Bethany were still in danger. For hours now, they’d been bound, gagged and menaced by one criminal after another, and astonishing as it seemed, it was still only Friday evening. With the office closed over the weekend, it would be Monday before anyone could reliably be expected to come to their aid, and the fear that some new intruder might try and take advantage of them, or they’d simply starve before rescue, seized her heart in an iron grip and refused to let go. They were certainly in no shape to defend themselves if such a threat came. The hours spend struggling against their bonds had achieved nothing but wearing them out, and the beautiful Japanese woman cast weary brown eyes towards her compatriot in bondage, soft, helpless groans seeping through the sponge filling her mouth and the roll’s worth of packing tape wrapped about her head. “Mmmmpppgghh, mmpppgghh…”

Bethany Shaw could barely muster an exhausted groan of her own before falling silent, her beautiful pale features left haggard by the night’s events, long blonde hair cascading down as she leant on her friend’s shoulder. Like Sakura, she’d fought hard to try and overcome her bondage with only exhaustion as her reward, both Mr. Ryan’s original work and the ruthless additions to their restraints given by the thieves holding fast. At their wrists, thighs, ankles and beneath their breasts, the ropes remained cinched tight about their lovely figures, hours of persistent straining and struggling not loosening them an inch. The cocoons of packing tape trapping their fists weren’t making that any easier, while they’d spent enough time so securely gagged to know screaming for help was a waste of breath.

In white satin blouses torn open to reveal their bras, mid-length pencil skirts and knee-high leather boots, the two secretaries were lovely enough to attract any man’s attention, welcome or not, and Sakura shuddered in fear as she recalled the obscene bargain offered by one of the thieves, the memory of the animal lust in his eyes enough to send fresh tears emerging in her own. Leather squeaked against leather, breaking the silence as she squirmed fitfully, too tired to muster a genuine effort, and Sakura felt despair take hold, sending fears of disastrous outcomes parading through her mind, each worse than the last. Maybe more thieves, ones with far less scruples, would break into the premises and find them helpless? Maybe Mr. Ryan, in a parting act of cruelty towards the women investigating him, had tipped off some human traffickers to some easy prizes fit for the taking? Then there were her coworkers to consider, and pale features reddened with embarrassment at the thought of their mocking laughter. Maybe it would have been better to keep her head down and stay silent when she noticed those first irregularities. It’s not like we were able to stop our corrupt boss, and at least I could have spared Bethany this…

Then beyond the closet door, the silence was shattered by an earth-shattering crash, and their heads snapped up at the sound, fear sending their hearts pounding a furious cadence at their breasts. Heavy footsteps followed, each appallingly loud and coming closer, and Sakura felt her blood turn to ice. “Mmmpppggghh…” Is this someone coming to rescue us? Dare we hope? “Mmmmppggghhh!” Bethany must have been thinking the same thing, for her blue eyes glanced nervously at the other woman, a shudder that had nothing to do with the cold night air coming over her. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped just outside the door, the world falling silent once again, save for the blood thundering in their ears and the creak of the ropes about their trembling bodies.

And then the door swung open, leaving Sakura half a moment to determine if her fears were realized…