by Hans Meijer
"Oh, I am! On the other hand it made me horny as hell."
Audrey was amused. "You mean that if they'd strung us up like that and whipped us the same way you'd have loved every stroke?"
"I wouldn't have voted for it, sweetheart. But if it had just happened…! Holy cow, it would have driven me up the wall. I'd have had to buy a girl just to find relief."
"Reid, that's horrible."
"Well, maybe. But that's why they all bid like crazy… they couldn't wait to get to the nearest whorehouse."
"You are also disgusting."
He was unperturbed. "You girls care to make a man happy?"
"I'll get into bed with you." Audrey conceded unblushingly. "But I'm damned if I'll let you whip me so's you can get a hard-on first."
Reid Hunter sighed mockingly. "You girls! No gratitude. How about you, Corey Gibson?"
The demand was sudden enough to catch her unawares. Corey was still unsure…! "Have I any say in the matter?" She asked doubtfully. "Don't notice any manacles on you, sweetheart."
"Maybe not. Sometimes they don't show."
"Mind you, if you two girls have got so used to being chained…?" His grin became benefiscent. "I can easily arrange some handcuffs."
"Oh, drop dead, Reid." Audrey laughed. "If you really go for that I'm sure Assef would pay for a girl. You could keep her chained to your bed:"
"Why not, Reid! You've done enough of his dirty work." Corey was still piqued from her first betrayal.
"Come, come, Corey! If it wasn't for me and Assef you'd now be bracing a harem."
"If it wasn't for you I'd never have left New York. Remember what I called you: Judas goat, that's what you did to me."
"Don't fret, darling." Audrey patted a quivering shoulder. "Assef would have got you one way or another. Don't blame Reid."
"Well… I suppose…"
Audrey spoke directly to the man. "The poor darling's still uncertain where she's at. I know where I'm at. But is she slave or free?"
Reid Hunter waved the demand aside. "Let's have lunch." He suggested. "And a drink or two. There's one or two things…"
It was glorious to be free. Corey could not deny exaltation. Even if Aslam claimed her it would be better than this savage place. She and Audrey Cotswold had bathed and chosen clothes in a frenzy of feminine happiness.
"I told you, Corey." The English girl admonished. "They were bound to find us. All its amounted to is a bad time in the cell and on the coffle. Now we're home free."
"Am I?"
"Honestly, I don't know." Audrey admitted reluctantly. "You look free to me…" She paused reflectively. "But I suppose if Assef's given orders…! It's his plane out there on the sand… don't suppose you want to run off in the trees?"
"I would rather than be a slave again."
"But, darling, you'd be picked up by someone… You'd end up on the block again. Or worse…! That's the hell of it, there's worse things than being a aslavegirl. Dammit?, look at me!"
"You're his number one. I'll be for whipping."
Audrey kissed her tenderly. "I love you, Corey Gibson. Leave things with me and Reid. We'll make out someway. In his way he's not a bad guy." Corey had responded. They had made love with a joyous abandon. Perhaps she really was free… perhaps…! Now, looking across the table at her insouciant host, it was hard to believe she was still a slave to anyone. She was listening attentively.
"I think you've forgotten poor old Assef had to be bailed out." Reid was reminding them. "I had the job. It cost too huge a sum to mention. As of right now Aslam's gunning for Abdul Nour. One day he'll nail the silly bastard." He shrugged at them apologetically. "Actually it was a damn good thing those traders snaffled you away from Amphala. You were Abdul's ace in the hole. Losing you weakened his hand."
"Can you get in touch with those two men…? Or one of them?" Corey asked with feigned indifference.
"She's in love with a great masculine hulk named Set Burdett." Audrey informed amusedly. "You'll have to forgive the poor child, it's her glands…"
"Probably retired to the Riviera or Brazil." Reid sighed.
"That coffle fetched a mint." He eyed Corey in mock concern. "If you're suffering, dear girl, I'll be happy to service you."
"You shouldn't take a chance, Reid." Corey told him with equal frankness. "I've been screwed all over half of Africa, thanks to you. Maybe you'd catch something."
They let it go at that. Reid continued. "That left us at square one, except for Assef's girl Friday and his latest slave who were somewhere in a wilderness on a long chain. We made enquiries…"
"And waited until we got to where handy to pick up." Audrey contributed tartly.
"Well, neither of us was Stanley or Livingstone, y'know! And the local constabulary couldn't have cared less." Reid shook an admonishing finger. "Like I said, you girls…! I'm not a bit sure that hike on the coffle wasn't the best thing in the world for yoy both…"
"It got Corey nicely screwed a couple of times and I lost five pounds."
"Don't keep harping in the irrelevant." Reid's rebuke was paternal. "I'm trying hard to bring you both up to date." He turned to Corey. "Your Dad's O.K. He and Assef have struck a deal. I'll admit that Aslam's possession of your delightful body was a factor in negotiations, but what's a hundred million or so between these tycoon types? The Planet Corporation Has survived its crisis and your Dad isn't on welfare."
"I'm grateful. Where am I?"
"In a town called Ben Sirah. I'm not sure just where it is myself. You're having dinner with me and Audrey."
"You know damn well what I mean."
"Corey, let it drop!" Audrey pleaded.
"Don't you think I'd love to!" Corey retorted. "Give me a bit of hope of freedom and I will."
They kept silent.
"O.K., you've said it better than words. I'm some sort of prisoner?"
"Assef wants you."
"Am I expected to go willingly to my dungeon?"
"Well, if you don't, the only ones to be embarrassed is me and Audrey."
"What about me? I suppose the hired help will tie me up and dump me in the plane. I'll wake up in Aslam's New York oubliette?"
"He hasn't got one of those. I'd thought that if the worst came to the worst you might like Audrey to… sort of… restrain?"
"You mean tie me or chain me?"
"Couldn't you just enjoy your dinner?" Reid was annoyed.
"Could you?"
"Hold it!" Audrey laughed at their acerbity. "Look, Reid, leave her to me. If Corey escapes I'll let you whip me the way you want. But she won't…! You've just got her riled…"
"She keeps harping…"
"So would you if you thought you were a prisoner for life and were going to get whipped every day."
"It's not that bad…"
"Are you sure?"
Reid Hunter waved a despairing hand. "I'm not sure. I'm not into this stuff." He focused on Audrey Cotswold. "You'd know better than anyone…"
"Alright, so I know!" Audrey had the bit in her teeth. "Aslam had me whipped day after day when he first had me. I was kidnapped and rebellious as hell. It all seemed so damn unfair. I was never free of chain or rope or straps or wire… He used everything…! He was the overlord, coming to view the aesthetic picture after his help had done their work on me." She made a moue of deprecation. "It took me a hell of a long time to realise it was me who was out of line. I was female and subject to these things. I'd never known that before. Once I caught sight of reality he didn't have to whip me any more… except for his own pleasure, of course. He still does that."
"He broke you, Audrey." Corey was bitter.
The English girl shrugged. "If you want to see it that way. But if you analyse it Assef simply made me understand my sex and his in relation to each other. I've been happy with him."
"Except when he whips you for fun?" Corey demanded.
"Dammit, Corey, Seth Burdett whipped you…!"
They looked at each other askance. Corey knew guilt. T
hese people were her friends. Audrey loved her. "I'm… I'm sorry." She stammered contritely. "I'll forget it for now. Do what you must later on. Let's have a lovely dinner. I think I'd like to get a little drunk."
That's what they did.
"Reid's position isn't easy." Audrey said reflectively as the two girls undressed for bed. "He's been more involved with Aslam than anyone knew. They like each other. If Aslam desires you, Reid doesn't see it as any different from him wanting to buy a block of Standard Oil."
"Gee, thanks!"
"Well, that's the way of it. Corey darling, haven't you got the message yet? Men do what they like with us girls. We can make a fuss to keep up appearances but it doesn't change a thing. We end up getting whipped or fucked or traded. We're a part of their possessions like the grand piano."
"Unless we fight…!"
"Don't be silly. We can't fight men and win. But if you enjoy getting yourself whipped, go ahead."
Corey stripped away panties and bra?. It felt good to be naked again. Naked was naturel. She longed for Seth Burdett.
"Darling, your whip marks have faded wonderfully, they're almost gone." Audrey tenderly fingered the satin skin of the girl who had shared her chain on the coffle.
"Gosh, you're beautiful!"
"So are you."
"Aslam wouldn't be bothered with us if we weren't. Any girl who's beautiful is lucky. Let's make love. Look, I'm naked too!"
They made love. They adored each other. Drunk with affection and alcohol, Corey remembered something.
"Weren't we supposed…?"
"You mean about making sure you didn't escape?" Audrey was herself besotted. "Do'you really want me…?"
"I expect you should." Corey was absurdly solemn. "I'm not to be trusted, am I? I mean, it's so easy to run away…"
Audrey giggled. "To find Seth Burdett and get yourself fucked? Y'know, Corey, you're absolutely wanton. Let's make love again?" They made love again.
"Feel better now?" It was a long time later. Audrey sounded amused. "Dammit?, you sexpot, you're a full time job."
"I feel wonderful. Think we could do that all night?"
"Corey, you're a disgrace to heterosexual relations… and I have to get some sleep."
The two girls giggled steadily in their search. A pair of handcuffs were belatedly sighted where Reid Hunter had thoughtfully placed them on the bedside table. They sparked debate.
"In front? They're harmless in front. Just a sort of insignia?" Corey wheedled.
"But they don't stop you going places."
"No, I suppose not." Corey grappled with what was obviously a major decision involving more than herself. "How about behind my back?" She giggled. "I'd feel awfully silly walking through the brush with no hands."
"Mmmmmm, but you could still walk. I expect you could run?"
"Gosh, I'd no idea things were this difficult." Corey wrinkled her brow in thought. "How about handcuffing me to you? I mean your wrist to my wrist?" "Too much like that damn coffle, darling."
"Huh, I suppose so. Hows'bout my wrist to the bed someplace?"
Corey possessed a slander ankle. They compromised by handcuffing it to the bedrail. Giggling, they fell asleep.
It was hours later in the dark when the gunshots brought them back to fear. Audrey was out of bed in seconds, she dragged on clothes and dashed through the door. From somewhere she had produced a revolver. Dazed and fearful, Corey Gibson watched her go. It was all too swift, too much a reversion to what she had wanted to forget. Apprehensively, Corey slid from beneath the covers and headed for her clothes. It took her an appreciable time to understand why she was suddenly flat on the floor with one foot oddly trapped. It was then she remembered the handcuff. It held her prisoner.
Corey Gibson was frightened. She was also angry. She struggled back on the bed and surveyed the metal band round her left ankle in a fury of frustration. To think she had allowed a few drinks and giggles to place herself in this predicament…! But Audrey was fun, it has been a laughing romp between two girls, that was all. Or was that all? Corey Gibson found it all too easy to look into her future and see nothing but a handcuff, a chain, a rope, and the threat of being whipped. She kicked fretfully at her bond, deliberately making it hurt.
But the sounds were still there, and Audrey had not returned. In frantic hope, Corey lifted the pillow atill warm from Audrey's head. But there was no key. Panting but methodically she stretched her nudity to the limits the handcuff would permit. Her questing fingers found nothing of any help. If the handcuff key was in the room it had to be on the dresser, and for her to reach the dresser she would have to move the bed. Standing on her free right foot, she began to tug and heave…
It was then the sounds became louder. There was one more shot, and another. Heavy footsteps thudded their way upstairs…
Everything was the same except Corey herself. Previously, when she had hung suspended before Abdul Nour's desk it had been by both wrists, her legs spread wide to present the guerilla with an excellent view of her vulva. Now, she hung by one wrist only, the other was handcuffed behind her back to its opposite ankle dragged up awkwardly from a bent knee. It was a hateful posture. It hurt. She was close to tears.
It was all too unkind. Audrey had vanished. Abdul had found her cuffed to the bed like a neat package awaiting delivery. Smugly he had freed her ankle and clipped both her wrists behind her back. Dragged to the waiting plane, she had beheld with horror the sprawled dead figure of Reid Hunter. There had been two other motionless bundles…
That was all! So simple to alter lives and rob a girl of freedom! Now, Miss Corey Gibson awaited her interview with Abdul Nour. If she was about to be offered employment she could guess what it would be.
"I trust you are comfortable, Miss Gibson?"
The Guerilla Leader loved the suavity which so ill matched the rest of him. With hostile eye, the suspended heiress watched him take the chair behind the desk. "You know I'm not." Corey siad flatly. "If you want to talk I'd be grateful to be untied:"
"I'm sure you would."
"At least allow my foot down on the floor?"
"No."
"This is a sort of torture. I'll be gasping all the time."
"Good!"
"But please…? I want to talk to you sensibly. Don't make me hang here like a puppet on a string. You can torture me afterwards… if that's what you've stolen me for."
He clapped gently. "Well said, my dear. I have your full attention. I have found these strained postures most helpful in interviewing young ladies of a certain social status. Without the help of the rope they have a tendency to quibble."
The suspended Corey longed to tell him to'Stow it? or'Dry up? or better still:?Drop dead!?. Instead, she said bleakly: "I hurt too much to quibble. Please… where's Audrey?"
"I'd like to know that myself. Miss Cotswold escaped my men. We are still searching."
Corey resigned herself to the misery of the rope. The Desert eyes were drinking in her strained nudity with avid pleasure. But Audrey was good news. Audrey would not abandon her. Unhappily, she asked: "What are you going to do with me now?"
"Subject you to imprisonment and mild tortures disigned to humble the proud white maiden."
"I'd have thought you and that damn coffle made me humble enough."
"Interspersed, of course, by sojourns in my army brothel."
So that was it! The thing she feared most. Corey wanted to moan in desolation. Instead, she offered: "You can still get a huge ransom for me?"
"Perhaps later, after I have relished your humilities. In a few months it may amuse me to accept a few million to return you to the U.S. with a belly full of my soldier's sperm."
The penalty of being female! No matter where a girl turned, it would be there waiting. Thrusting away a hateful vision, Corey asked: "Weren't we going to get married, or something?"
Abdoul Nour was engrossed in contemplation of the well exposed sex of the girl suspended for his pleasure. Corey's raised leg cuffed to her w
rist enabled an examination of her pubic lips at an unusual angle. She could not thwart the scorch of his regard. The regret in his voice was spurious. "I'm afraid I can no longer offer you the honour, my dear. I have lost Miss Cotswold as a hostage. I have sold Mr. Aslam back to his business. I understand he has dealt favourably with your father's crisis. If I now let you loose in Cairo you will promptly go home."
She could have wept. Everything went wrong. She would be someone's prisoner forever. Desperately, she pleaded: "Look, there's such a thing as a word of honour, a parole if you like. I'll give you mine. Send me to Cairo. I'll do what you want me to there. I'll fill the Press with the romance of Abdul Nour, and I'll come back here with me as your legal wife. Please…?"