Strange - Eight Unusual Sensual Tales

by Silver Lake

  And now, close to a full day later her mind was still full of the images. She longed to be consumed like that. To not care where or when passion overtook her. To have a man to please her every desire. And that sure as hell wasn't happening at home.

  So, she chose to leave town. Perhaps she could go south. She was young and pretty enough to get a job at one of the bars or even at a casino where the real money was earned. They didn’t ask awkward questions either or look into peoples’ pasts too closely. She could start afresh; finally find out who she was. She had very little money, but she could hitchhike if she had to. She’d done it before when she’d run away from home at fourteen. That had been dicey at times, but she got through more or less unscathed. Whatever else she was, Callie was a survivor.

  And here she was, on the road to her new life. She’d managed to hitch a lift out of the town and on to the central highway, but since then she’d had to walk. As time went on she began to wonder where she was going to sleep tonight. She didn’t relish staying in a field all night. Maybe she could find a motel or something along the road.

  The sound of an engine made her turn round, and she grinned with relief when she saw the old pickup truck trundling towards her. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to walk for much longer after all. She stuck out her thumb as it got nearer. The truck ploughed headlong and looked like it wasn’t going to stop, but to Callie’s relief it finally slowed and she hurried over to it.

  “Hi,” she said looking through the open window in the passenger side.

  The driver, a stringy, middle-aged man looked her up and down underneath the brim of his baseball cap. “Where you heading?” he croaked in a smoker’s voice.

  “Straight on,” Callie said, “as far as you can take me.”

  The man nodded. “I’m going as far as Brakesridge, that good enough for you?”

  “That’s great,” Callie replied, opening the door and climbing in. The cab smelt of cigarettes and stale sweat. “This is real good of you, mister.”

  “Name’s Grant,” the man replied as he started up the engine.

  “I’m Callie.” It felt good to be able to sit down and rest her tired feet.

  “What’s brings you out here?” Grant asked after they’d set off. “Ain’t you a little young to out here on your own?”

  “I had to get out of town quick,” Callie replied.

  “You knock over a liquor store?” Grant asked, barking a laugh. “Don’t matter none to me if you did.”

  Callie laughed at this. It was a pity that she hadn’t. She could’ve really done with the money. “Nothing like that. I got a boyfriend who’s pretty handy with his fists. I’ve just had enough. I’m trying to get to the Mexican border, see if I can get some work.”

  “Good for you, girl,” Grant replied. His eyes strayed to her slender bare legs, but snapped back to the front when he realized she’d seen him. She tried not to let it bother her. “Thanks,” she said.

  They carried on in silence for a while longer. Grant turned on the radio, and Callie drifted away on the country rock music that boomed out of it. She was just beginning to drift off to sleep when Grant suddenly spoke again.

  “You know, you don’t have to hitchhike,” he said, an edge of nervousness in his voice. “You can stay at my place if you want. It ain’t much, but it might do till you get yourself sorted again.”

  He gave her a hooded glance, and she began to feel uncomfortable. She knew that look very well from frisky truckers and cocky rednecks. She knew as well how to fend off unwanted advances. “Um, that’s really good of you Grant, but I want to get as far away from this place as I can. I meant it when I said I wanted a new life. It’s a whole new start for me.”

  “Well you’re gonna need money girl,” Grant said. “I can help with that.”

  “Oh, that’s real kind of you, but I couldn’t accept,” replied Callie, the good manners mom had instilled in her as a kid kicking in automatically. “I want to make my own way.”

  “It’s no trouble,” Grant said quickly. “I want to help. How does fifty bucks sound?”

  “That’s way too much,” Callie exclaimed, trying not to let temptation get the better of her. “You shouldn’t throw your money away like that.”

  “I want to help,” Grant repeated. Sweat was beading on his forehead. “Maybe you can help me in return.”

  Despite the midday heat, a chill went through Callie. Grant took one hand off the wheel and started fondling his crotch in his faded jeans. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea,” Callie said, sharpening her tone. “I’m not that kind of girl.”

  “The fuck you ain’t,” Grant said throatily. “You stand on the highway in next to nothing, all tits and ass. I know what you want.”

  “I think you should let me off now please,” Callie said in an icy tone. “I’ll walk.”

  For a moment something dark crossed his face, but he shook it off and sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Just trying to help ya. Frigid bitch. Fucking country tease."

  “Stop the truck,” she ordered again. “I want to get out.”

  “Okay, okay,” said Grant. “We’re stopping. Just relax.” He brought the vehicle to a juddering halt, and Callie, still glaring at him, clambered out. He slammed the door behind her and was off in a cloud of dust.

  Before long, he disappeared around a curve in the highway and Callie was all alone again. She looked around her. Corn fields spread out either side of her as far as the eye could see. The highway sliced through them disappearing in to infinity. She started walking again, but despite the rest in the truck, her feet still hurt like hell and she couldn’t go much further without stopping again.

  “Shit!” she spat.

  With the blade safely back in her pocket, she slumped down on the side of the road. The heat had lessened now, and the sky was slipping in to the oranges and pinks of early evening. Anxiety gnawed at the pit of her stomach. It would be dark soon, and she didn’t relish being out here on her own. She began to wish she’d stayed with Grant now. She even started to regret leaving Hank. She wondered how long it would take her to get back to town.

  Angrily, she banished those thoughts from her mind. This was her new life and there was no going back. She wasn’t going to be beaten by the first few obstacles that came her way. She looked down the highway, the way she’d come. There was bound to be more traffic at some point. She could hitch another lift and things would get back on track again. Grant was a prick, that was for sure, but not everyone was the same. There was sure to be a few good Samaritans about. Maybe one of them would come her way.

  Up above, the evening sky deepened to a dark bronze. She ignored the passing of the time, still hoping that someone would come along. Darkness began to close around her, and it was starting to get chilly. Callie began to shiver and she folded her arms to try and keep out the cold. From the depths of the corn fields something cried out. Callie jumped, and hoped very much it just the local wildlife of the non-threatening kind.

  She looked up and down the endless highway. “Come on,” she whispered to herself. “Please, somebody come.”

  She heard another sound, and suddenly became excited. It sounded like the rumble of an engine. A few moments later headlights appeared on the highway, coming from the direction she’d walked from. A sense of relief flooded through her, quickly followed by uncertainty. What if it was another Grant? Well, she’d have to deal with that if it came to it.

  She got to her feet as the vehicle came in to view. It was another pick-up truck, but much newer than Grant's. Huge, with an extended cab and still room for a full truck-bed. The kind of vehicle most folks in town would never be able to afford. The kind she'd associated with city folks playing at being sporty. But it was dusty enough to see in the poor light and clearly well-used. Not that she had a lot of other choices, so she stuck out her thumb, hoping to flag it down.

  Luckily the truck stopped, but Callie tried to hide her grimace when she saw there were no women inside. Instead, she could make out four m
en in the cab. The driver poked rolled down the window on his side, and poked his head out. He gave her a curious look.

  “Hi,” he said in a deep voice. “Are you out here on your own?”

  “I sure am, mister,” Callie said, trying to sound friendly. “There any chance of a ride?”

  A look of uncertainty crossed his face as he seemed to consider her request. He was younger than Grant, in his early twenties Callie guessed, with sharp lean features. In fact, he was quite handsome, with his sharp nose and firm jaw. He had a couple of days’ stubble on his chin which Callie found quite sexy, and his jet black hair reached down almost to his shoulders. His dark eyes seemed to glitter in the gloom, and he had a predatory, wolf-like quality to him.

  “Um, why are you out here so late?” he asked. “It’s dangerous for a girl to be out here alone.”

  “Tell me about it,” said Callie. “I’m leaving town for good. I just need a ride.”

  The man nodded. “We just came from there. We had to buy supplies. We don’t like the town either. Too much negative energy.” He seemed to fall in to a contemplative silence. Callie was aware again of how cold it had gotten.

  “So, um, how about that ride?” she prompted.

  His eyes widened a little in surprise, as if he’d only just noticed her. Callie started to wonder if he was stoned or something. The man next to him in the cab leaned forward and said something in a low voice. The driver turned and started talking to him. They were speaking too quietly for Callie to hear. She was beginning to feel irritated, and was just about to walk away from the truck, when the driver looked back at her.

  “We can take you back to ours for tonight,” he said, his eyes dipping shyly. “In the morning we can take you as far as we can.” The man had suddenly become very furtive and wouldn’t make eye-contact with her.

  Callie peered in to the interior of the truck, but couldn’t make out the faces of the other men. She sensed that a tension had settled over them, and she began to grow uneasy. Four men and one girl, it wasn’t hard to figure out how dangerous that combination could be, and there was definitely something very strange about this wolf man. Wolf man, that suited the driver perfectly she realized. He had a definite animalistic vibe to him.

  Darkness had settled completely now, and stars were poking through its velvet folds. The chill was biting at her legs. Despite her reservations, she didn’t want to be outside. Besides, she still had her switchblade hidden in her shoe. Maybe it would be enough of a deterrent if any of them got frisky. She smiled up at the driver. “Thanks, that’ll be great.”

  He nodded at her, a serious look on his face. She was still unsure she was doing the right thing but went round to the passenger door. One of the occupants inside opened it for her, and she clambered inside.

  Now she was in the cab, she could get a better view of the driver’s companions. All four of them were equally unusual. The guy who’d opened the door for her gave her a big grin. He looked about eighteen, slim, with cropped black hair. He had dark dusty skin and boyish, mischievous features. He reminded Callie of an animal too, but she couldn't quite place it. Something lithe and friendly.

  “Hi,” he said brightly. “My name’s Josh.”

  “I’m Callie,” replied the girl, relieved at her friendly reception. “Please to meet you.”

  She looked over to the others to greet them. The two men between Josh and the driver were less welcoming though. The guy next to Josh was big and muscled, his body straining against his tight t-shirt. His skin was as black as ebony and he was bald. His long face turned to regard her, and she shuddered as his eyes looked her over. For some reason, he reminded her of a majestic stallion.

  “Hi,” she said tentatively. “Who are you?”

  “Tad,” he replied in a gruff voice. He fell silent and looked back out of the windscreen.

  The man next to him was smaller but just as well-toned. He had spiky, corn blonde hair and distinctive, cat-like features. His green eyes glittered and his perfect white teeth almost dazzled her. “I’m Vin,” he said in a velvety voice. “Pleased to meet you darling.”

  He had something of the predator about him too, and Callie was put in mind of a tiger. “Hi Vin, this is real good of you,” she said.

  “Pleasure’s all ours,” he replied enigmatically.

  “I’m Kent,” the driver who made her think of a wolf said. “Our place ain’t far, you hungry?”

  “Sure am,” she said eagerly. Her stomach rumbled in sympathy.

  “Great, we’ll fix you some supper,” cut in Josh. “You’ll really like our place.”

  Callie salivated at the prospect, but she was still a little unnerved by the strange men. But it was too late now, and she could sorely do with a meal and a good night’s rest. And none of them seemed openly threatening. She relaxed a little, and looked out at the moon washed night.

  After about half an hour, Kent turned off the main road and down what appeared to be a dirt track. The truck bounced up and down quite violently, and Callie almost ended up in Josh’s lap. Something the young man seemed quite happy about. She tried to ignore the stirring attraction she felt for him and his friends.

  “Here we are,” Kent announced bringing the truck to a stop.

  Callie looked out at the ramshackle farmhouse they’d brought her to. It rose up like a brooding behemoth, framed in the moonlight. A shudder went down the girl’s back as she gazed up at it.

  “Come on Callie,” Josh said excitedly. “I can’t wait to show you inside.”

  The boy’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Callie couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe the house wasn’t so intimidating after all. “Okay Josh,” she said. “You lead the way.”

  They disembarked from the truck and walked round the back of the building to the kitchen door. A light shone through the window, and Callie caught the delicious smell of stew cooking. Her mouth watered.

  “We’re back,” Josh announced making sure he was first through the door. Without meaning to, Callie had slipped her hand in to his. “We brought a visitor!”

  “What do you mean you brought a visitor?” a man’s surly voice from inside demanded. “What the hell have you been up to now –” The voice stopped speaking as its owner caught sight of Callie.

  The girl’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up at this fifth man. He was tall and broad, wearing a checked shirt and faded jeans. His weather-browned skin seemed to glow with an inner radiance, and he had a strong, handsome face. His thick long hair was dark blonde, and his piercing blue eyes held her prisoner in their powerful gaze.

  “Hi,” she managed to say, before her throat constricted.

  The man held eye-contact with her for a few seconds longer, before his attention abruptly shifted to the others. Storm clouds had gathered on his face. “Who’s this?”

  “Callie meet Dylan,” Josh said, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Callie was hitchhiking on the road. We’re giving her a place to stay for the night. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Josh, the stew looks just about done,” said Kent giving him a sidelong glance. “Why don’t you serve up? I’ll explain the situation to Dylan.”

  “Yeah, I’m famished,” exclaimed Josh. “Callie take a seat,” he said pointing to the kitchen table. “Not there! Sit here, next to me. I’ll get the bowls.”

  Callie watched Kent and Dylan as they went in to another room. Kent was talking rapidly in a low voice. Dylan looked pissed.

  “Don’t worry about Dylan,” Vin said, a look of amusement in his tiger eyes. “He doesn’t like surprises.”

  “And you’re a very big surprise Cal,” Josh chimed in as he laid the table.

  “I hope I’m not putting you guys to too much trouble?” Callie asked, concerned and not a little frightened of Dylan, who seemed to her to be the head of this unusual household.

  “No trouble at all darlin’,” Vin purred. “You sit down and relax. We’ll look after you now.”

  Tad, saying nothing, watched her as she took
her place at the table. She couldn’t fail to see the smoky look of lust in his eyes. She felt an answering tingle between her legs, and heat rushed to her face.

  Presently, the meal was laid, and Callie tucked in heartily to her bowl of stew. After a little while, Kent and Dylan rejoined them. Dylan gave her an unfathomable look then started eating his meal.

  “This is very nice,” Callie said. “Did you make it Dylan?”

  “I do all the cooking,” Dylan said brusquely.

  “Well it’s very good,” the girl replied. Dylan said nothing, and a silence fell over the others as they ate. “So, do you guys live here alone?” Callie said, trying to make conversation and learn some more about the men.

  “Josh you forgot the water jug,” Dylan said. He got to his feet and headed to the work surface. “You must be thirsty as well Callie.”

  “Oh well, yes, now you come to mention it,” replied Callie, caught off-guard by the sudden change of topic.

  Dylan kept his back to her as he poured water in to a glass jug. When he returned to the table, he’d poured out a glass especially for her. “Here.”

  “Thanks,” said Callie. She took the glass and swallowed most of the water. The hot stew had made her thirsty. “So, you guys live here alone?”

  She stopped talking abruptly. Her head had suddenly begun spinning. All the men were watching her intently and her vision began to blur. The water, she realized belatedly. The bastard had drugged the water. She tried to get to her feet, but her limbs felt like lead weights. She felt herself slipping off her chair and then everything went black.

  *

  Consciousness returned and Callie opened her eyes groggily. She was lying down, looking up at a barn roof. Oil lamps cast shadowy light around her. She tried to get up, but found she’d been tied down to a bale of hay. For several terrible moments she couldn’t remember where she was or what had happened. Then the memory of the last few hours returned in a flood and she let out a little cry of distress.

  It was answered by a low animal growl. Terrified, Callie lifted her head and let out a shrill scream. She wasn’t alone in the barn. Bizarrely, five very different animals surrounded her. Nearest to her was a small brown monkey, along with a jet black horse flaring its nostrils at her, then she saw a huge tiger, a lean and frightening looking wolf and a majestic white lion.