by Robin Roseau
But it was progress, and Nan is going to be absolutely fine.
Threads
Gail gave birth to a healthy baby girl. They named her Promise. Mary and I babysit, thinking we’re 15-year-old teenagers, a couple of times a month. We both love it. Gail and Pandora are both very happy, both as parents and in their marriage. I couldn’t be happier for them. They’ve already decided they want one more, but they’ll wait a year or three.
Every few months, the five of us spend a weekend or long weekend together. Sometimes we stay home. A couple of times, we’ve gone somewhere. Maybe it’s weird, but I don’t care. It’s a nice reset from life, and both Pandora and Gail tell me they love me.
* * * *
I heard footsteps from around the corner. I silently dropped to the floor and crept closer. I needed to get to the corner before the owner of the footsteps saw me.
They came to a stop, and I came to a stop. And then I reached around with my hand.
And found someone’s ankle. I clasped tightly, and then I peeked. I saw sensible shoes and shapely legs. I smiled and then worked my way up until I was standing in front of Esmee. She was absolutely frozen. I forced her to tuck her gun into its holster before stepping behind her. I wrapped my other arm around her and then said, “I bet you think all I’m going to do is stun you and run. I’ll be gone before the stun wears off. But I learned a trick the first time I was here.”
I patted her with my left hand, renewing the stun, and then I began pulling her backwards. She was a small woman, after all, and dragging her off to jail wouldn’t be difficult.
It took a few minutes, but I didn’t see anyone. The jail wasn’t empty. Nina, Tara’s assistant, had her hand over her heart and was singing The Star-Spangled Banner. Esmee’s daughter, my fiancé, was painting a landscape. She was working through the motions, although her hands appeared empty, but as she dabbed at the canvas, paint appeared. I decided it was a trick of the headset.
I pushed Esmee the rest of the way into jail then pointed my laser pistol and shot her from point-blank range. She shuddered a moment then looked around. I waited to see what she would do.
She let out a loud meow and then began exploring the room on all floors, rubbing against Nina and Mary when she passed them. Nina scratched behind her ears for a moment, but then she moved on.
Excellent.
I stepped forward and freed Nina. Mary would stay in jail; I’d been the one to shoot her, after all.
* * * *
It was two games later that I felt a hand on my backside. I froze, stunned, and then a laughing, Dutch voice. “It’s time to return the favor.”
Esmee got caught trying to drag me to jail, and I had fun watching her mechanically walk away, headed for the jail.
Ten minutes later, deep in enemy territory, it was my own mother who shot me. She seemed quite pleased and kept up a running monologue as I walked myself to jail.
Esmee was still a kitty. Joy was reciting nursery rhymes. Mary was painting another landscape.
Someone stepped up to me and asked me to dance. “I’d love to.” I lifted my arms, and we began to tango, dancing around the room.
And then Mary turned, spun, and shot Mom.
Her timing was perfect. She shot Mom, and then she grabbed me, replacing my partner, and we danced together until she freed me from jail.
And then we turned. Mom gave a loud bark and began chasing after the cat.
“Think she’ll catch her?” Mary asked.
“No way. Esmee is way faster.”
“Let’s go win this game.”
* * * *
I fell in love with Mary’s mother. The woman was amazing, and her trip ended far too quickly. But we were already planning our own trip to Amsterdam.
Mom flew home but was back three weeks later. She already had the house on the market, and her things would arrive in another week.
Nan bought Mary’s house. Mom bought Nan’s. It’s a little further than five minutes, but it’s close. We used the same agent for each, a friend of Pandora’s, and everyone walked away happy.
Mom now works at RealSoft. She took over about half of Natasha’s duties, freeing Natasha to take a third of Tara’s.
I get to see my mother every day, and just the idea makes me tear up a little.
* * * *
Mary and I are discussing children. We’re in complete agreement, but we’re both still having a little too much fun, and we’re not ready yet.
Maybe in another two years.
Snippets
A woman leaned over me, brushing cheeks, and then whispering, “Will you dance with us?”
I smiled and was soon surrounded by several of the beautiful fey. I moved into one’s arms and said, “My name is Selena.”
“I am Evie,” said the fay. We came together, body to body, cheek to cheek, and then she stepped forward. “Do you find my kind alluring?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
The other fay danced with us, four of us in all. They touched and teased my senses, and the one before me spoke smoothly into my ear.
From time to time, I saw Mary, my mate, dancing in a similar style.
And then a voice said, “Mary is owned. Selena is owned.”
“You and your mate have become ours,” said the fay. “We shall dance, and then you will worship us.”
* * * *
I’d lost track of whose arms were wrapped around me, but she moved, and we danced. She smelled so good, but she wasn’t the one I sought tonight.
I was taken from her, and then two songs later, my new partner was taken from me, but immediately replaced with another.
The one I sought.
I took her in my arms and whispered into her ear, “You have half succumbed to others. You shall be mine.”
“We shall see.”
* * * *
I danced, and I swooned.
I danced, and she swooned.
We danced, and many of us succumbed to the magic of the night.
* * * *
I turned a slow circle, smiling. “Welcome.” And they applauded. “Wow. Easy crowd.” They laughed. “Welcome to the second annual week-long own-or-be-owned.” I turned. “God, we need someone from marketing to improve on that name.”
“Never let a programmer name anything,” Mary called back.
“Most of you were here a year ago. We’re missing a few, which is sad, but we’ve gained a few as well. Last year’s event was a weekend. As you can probably tell by the size of the checks you each wrote, this year is a week. I hope you aren’t expected anywhere on Monday.”
Yes, they laughed.
“After the success of last year’s event, we polled everyone who had come. We asked if they would come again, and then we asked about the type of event they wanted. And while people suggested we do something different, at the same time, they said we should do the exact same thing. And so, the planning committee decided. We are going to do something similar to last year’s event, but decidedly different. This is a science fiction event involving alien contact. It is, of course, an own or be owned event, and so that generates other similarities. I think everyone is expecting that.”
I turned again. “However, the story itself is quite different. There will be at least two factions, but there may be more, and there may be sub-factions. There may be politics. There may be intrigue and betrayal.” I smiled. “Each faction will have at least one infiltrator.” I laughed. “And you’re not going to remember a word I’m telling you. Really, I should just sit down.”
“Don’t stop now!” Nan called out.
“The planning committee has had far more time to plan, and we have far more time to play. So the story is going to be more complex. Whether you own or are owned will be influenced by your own actions, but we have also agreed there will be some amount of cheating.”
I looked around, wondering if anyone was going to complain. Instead, they were watching me raptly.
“No one is immune,” I said. “
Not me; not anyone. I do not know who will take what roles, who will play what part. It may be those decisions aren’t even finalized yet, and may happen while we’re all zoned out, being turned into space aliens or space pirates or space orphans. Oh, or maybe an intelligent space cat.”
“I’ll be the cat!” several people yelled.
“Five days from now, all of us will either own or be owned. Some of us may experience both. It is expected the last two days will simply be that of enjoying the roles we’ve fallen into.”
I walked around for a minute. No one said a word. I came to a stop, and I was intentionally looking directly at Tara, although that was only misdirection. I smiled. “Secure her in her chair.”
Tara looked up at me, then slowly, deliberately, moved her hands onto the armrests. The chair’s restraint system snapped into place. I smiled. “We will each receive an elaborate backstory. When we did this last year, it felt like years. I do not know the details, but I believe the same will happen this time. Tara, do you know why I had you secured early?”
“I bet you’re about to volunteer me for something.”
“The real event will start, and it will seem quite, well, seamless. Last year, we all came to awareness in our quarters, each at the same time, or about the same time, and that was when we began actually interacting with each other. Today, someone whose name won’t be mentioned is going to come to awareness several minutes later than the rest of us. She is going to come to awareness as she is being kidnapped. The kidnapping is real, within the game.” I leaned forward and patted Tara’s cheek. “Do enjoy.”
I stepped away and then asked, “Are there questions you want to ask that I won’t answer, and you wouldn’t remember asking, anyway? No?”
“I have one!”
“What is it, Nina?” I asked.
“I wasn’t here last year.”
“Correct.”
“Does that mean I have a particular handicap, or something?”
“Not that I’m aware.”
“What if I want to catch a particular person?”
“That kind of question will come up when we’re zoned out,” I said. “You won’t remember being asked, and I have no idea whether they’ll help you. They may decide to make sure that person catches you, or that you are both caught together by someone else. Those are the risks of this event. Are you suggesting you’re going to leave?”
“No way. I just wanted to know.”
“Good luck,” I said. “I know for a fact about a third of the people in the room are going after you. Have fun, everyone.”
They applauded. Evie stepped to me and whispered, “There’s no kidnapping.”
“I know.”
“Suggesting one like that is dangerous,” she continued.
“Someone might get upset?”
“No, it tends to give certain people ideas.”
I laughed and moved to my seat.
* * * *
My name was Selena Sleek, a member of the Minendi People, Caller of the Dead, and Daughter to our Queen.
I woke, and there was noise. And then, in the dark, hands. A bag over my head. I struggled, but they were many, and I was one.
I struggled, but they bound me. I struggled, but they stuffed me into a sack, and then they carried me away.
And in my head, a voice spoke. “Selena is taken. If she is not rescued, she will become Sacrifice.”
And beside me, a voice said, “I warned you.”
I was in trouble.
About the Author
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
Robin can be reached via email as [email protected]. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Run
Fox Play
Fox Mate
Fox Afield
Fox Revenge
Fox Dish
Fox Lost
Wolf Watch
Wolf Ways
Wolf Women
Fox Fate
Jaguar
Omega Born
Omega Life
Omega Choice (coming soon)
Fox Short Stories
Hunting Pups
Fox in the Water
Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)
Fox Opponent
A Foxy Valentine
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
Familiar
Kitty Cat
Poor Little Witch Girl
Seer
Seer: Thrall
Seer: Guardian
The Selected Series
Collected
Taken
Volunteer
Candidate
Recruited
Galatea
Beginnings
Lottery
Selected Roommate
The Games People Play Series
Stories that ask a simple question: do you want to play a game?
Do You Want to Play a Game?
My Soul to Play
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Win
The Five Kingdoms
Privateer
Searching the High Seas
The Pawn Series
Pawn
Bishop
Rook
Queen (Coming Soon)
Ressaline
Encircled (Claary)
Delegation (Allium)
Ambassador
Princess
Heir (Ahlianna)
Other Novels and Novellas
Anonymous Bidder
Blood Slave
A Charming Brew
Emergency Claus
Encircled
Fitting In
Fluid
Free to Love
Galatzi Trade
Galatzi World
Galatzi Joy
Galatzi Life
In Custody
Lace
Lost in the Words
Metabrain
Mind Wipe
Outside The Box
Red Paws Inn
Reluctant Host
Stark's Dell
Submission
Sugar Baby
Surprise
Team Building
More Team Building
The Interrogation
Tresjolie
Trust
White
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.
Snow Fox
Short Stories
Cooking for Love
Southern Night
Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)
More Team Building
Copyright 2019 by Robin Roseau
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
* * *
License Notes
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Table of Contents
More Team Building
Questions
Tame
Detective Mary
Party
Movie Night
Away
Distraction
Home
Plans
Feeling the Hooks
Some Decisions
Or Be Owned
Changes
Daughter
Family
Threads
Snippets
About the Author
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Short Stories
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
The Selected Series
The Games People Play Series
The Five Kingdoms
The Pawn Series
Ressaline
Other Novels and Novellas
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short Stories