Love Lies Dying

by Steve Gerlach

  The silence continued.

  The ropes stayed tight.

  Zoe didn’t stand up.

  Don’t lose it now!

  “But you’d be the best person to know what to do,” he said finally. “And when to do it. So I’m in your hands. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do.”

  The silence continued for a while longer.

  And the ropes began to loosen again.

  “I’m glad you said that, Johnny,” she said as she appeared from under the table. “You know I only want what’s best for you.”

  He nodded his head, “I do.”

  Damn!

  “And for me.”

  “I understand that now,” he smiled at her, reached up with his right hand and ran a finger around the leather strap that circled her left breast. “I really do. I’ll do anything you want, Zoe. You’re in control.”

  Her face beamed in excitement.

  What are you doing?

  I have to play it her way.

  No, you don’t!

  Yes, it’s the only way!

  You’re enjoying it!

  No, I’m not.

  “Really?” she asked.

  He was spellbound by her beauty once more.

  “Of course,” he replied.

  You are enjoying it!

  I have to play the game her way!

  She leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. Her breath was hard and fast, her lips soft and warm.

  So nice…

  “I knew you would, Johnny,” she said. “I just knew you would. You understand now, don’t you?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes, I do,” he whispered.

  Sadness flashed across her face, quickly followed by joy. She looked happier than he’d ever seen her.

  “I’m glad,” she said as she reached down underneath the table. “It’ll be so much easier for us now, Johnny.”

  She straightened up, her eyes falling to her hands.

  “And so much more fun.”

  She unbuckled the leather dog collar she was holding and connected the black leash to it.

  What?

  “You had your chance the easy way,” she said as her eyes met his once more. “But the hard way is so much more fun.”

  John’s eyes dropped to the dog collar. The leather was black and covered with large spiked polished studs. On one end of the collar was a large silver buckle with a padlock attached. The leash wrapped around a small hook at the side of the collar and its loops coiled around Zoe’s right arm.

  She reached out with the dog collar.

  John pulled back away from her, “Are you serious?”

  I’ve gone too far!

  I’ve pushed her too far!

  A crack appeared in her smile. For a moment, she looked as if she was unsure of herself. But then her resolve returned.

  “Johnny,” she replied. “Don’t fight it.”

  He had no choice. He wanted to yell at her, to scream, to talk sense into her, but he knew that wouldn’t help him get out of this situation and escape. He had to play her game, he kept reminding himself. He needed her to help him track down Fox. She was the only one who knew where he was, what he looked like, what he could do. He needed her – no matter what!

  He smiled at her.

  This is crazy!

  He leaned forward again, looked deep into her eyes.

  I can’t believe I’m doing this!

  Will it help?

  I don’t know…

  “Please put it on me,” he whispered.

  Her smile grew and she went to say something, but stopped herself. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and she bit down on her bottom lip.

  In total silence, she leaned forward and wrapped the dog collar around his neck.

  The leather was stiff and rough and cut into his throat as she tightened the buckle, but he didn’t complain. The padlock snapped loudly in place around the buckle and she tugged softly on the leash, testing it. John looked on passively, letting her do as she wished, his eyes cast low, concentrating on her belly button and the diamond that rested inside.

  “Good,” she said softly. John wasn’t sure whether she was talking to him or to herself. He lifted his eyes and stared at her, a small smile on his face.

  She took a step back and looked at him.

  “How does that feel?” she asked him.

  “Nice,” he lied.

  “Really?” she seemed unsure.

  “I like it,” he replied. “I could get used to it.”

  She smiled back at him again. She looked happier than ever.

  That’s it, pal, John told himself. Keep it nice and calm and play along with her. Look for an opening, a weakness. Eventually she’ll let something slip.

  Zoe tugged on the leash. John’s neck and head moved quickly towards her.

  “You ready?” she asked.

  “For anything, Zoe,” John replied.

  She leaned forward and reached under the table again. Within a few seconds, the ropes across his chest were loose and he was able to push them off with his right hand.

  He sat up.

  His head swam slightly as he did so, and the pain in his left arm continued a dull throb. He looked down at the stitches. They were holding nicely. He flexed his fingers again without any problem.

  Zoe walked down the side of the table and reached underneath it again, unravelling more of the leash as she did so.

  As John slowly bent his left arm at the elbow, testing to make sure the stitches wouldn’t break, Zoe undid the ropes around his hips and legs.

  She leaned forward and unbuckled the leather straps holding the long metal bar between his feet as well.

  When he was free, she turned to watch him as he gently tested his arm.

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “The fishing wire will hold. It’s strong stuff.”

  The pain in his arm grew stronger, but after almost two days of different types of pain, John knew he could put up with it.

  His left shoulder was sore now, but the gauze still covered the stab wound.

  He looked at her as he rotated his right shoulder, testing that out for any soreness too. It wasn’t as bad as it had been.

  She walked back towards him, letting the end of the leash run up his legs, over his groin and up his chest.

  “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “I’m feeling good,” he replied.

  She nodded, “Care to go for a walk?”

  Almost there, he told himself. Take it easy, play it carefully, and you’ll get out of this…

  He nodded his head, “That would be great.”

  She smiled again and reached back under the table.

  John heard the clatter of the metal before he saw it.

  He tilted his head and looked at Zoe.

  Her eyes met his and her face fell.

  “Only for a little while,” she pouted.

  John sighed deeply.

  “I promise,” she said. “Be good and I’ll take them off. I promise.”

  He nodded.

  Zoe stood back up with the handcuffs in her hands.

  She reached forward and began to place them around his wrists.

  Now’s your chance! Grab her!

  John thought about it, but didn’t act.

  Not yet.

  Not yet?

  I said, not yet!

  The metal teeth bit home around his bruised wrists once more. At least Zoe was careful to keep the cuffs away from the stitches near his left wrist.

  “Sorry,” she said.

  Without taking her eyes from him, she walked to his side and let some of the leash drop to the floor, creating a greater space between them.

  “Okay,” she said. “Climb down.”

  Slowly, more for his benefit than hers, John climbed from the table. His feet touched the floorboards and he stood on the floor, testing his legs, making sure he wasn’t about to topple. It felt strange to be standing again after almost two days, but quickly his
body adjusted and he steadied himself. He could keep silent about the pain in his arm and shoulders, his chest and back, if it meant he had a chance to escape.

  You have to!

  I know!

  And soon!

  I know!

  He smiled at her.

  She tugged on the leash, bringing him forward a couple of steps.

  “Come on,” she said. “You need to go for a walk.”

  She turned and pulled on the leash once more, dragging him forward as she marched down the side of the kitchenette, leading to the bathroom.

  He followed her.

  The stiff leather collar dug into the back of his neck, but he didn’t care. With her back turned to him, he had a good chance to look around. A chance to check out the church once more, without being tied to a chair or table. He tried to spot anything that may be of use to him.

  Anything!

  He tried desperately not to look at Zoe’s swinging red arse cheeks in front of him.

  It may be your only chance to look!

  His eyes scanned the kitchenette. Apart from the cutlery still scattered across the counter, there was nothing else he could use as a weapon.

  Grab one of the knives and use it?

  They’re not big enough to threaten her with.

  So use them to cut through the leather!

  When? And how? Where am I going to hide it? I’m naked!

  The phone was still sitting there too.

  If I could get to the phone and make a call…

  When?

  I don’t know when! But I’ve got to try.

  He turned his head the other way, glancing up at the lectern as they passed it. He saw the access hatch in the base of the cross on the wall. The door was shut.

  Probably locked again too. There’s nothing of use up there anyway.

  He turned his head further around as Zoe walked him past the lectern. He could see the large King James Bible again.

  Did I really read from that only two days ago? It seems like forever.

  And then his eyes focussed on the key ring.

  His key ring with all his keys.

  And the red key.

  Sitting on top of the Bible.

  His key to freedom.

  Damn!

  So close, and yet so out of reach.

  I’ve got to get that key!

  He almost stopped, but knew he couldn’t. The pull of the leash dragged him onwards, past the lectern and staircase.

  I have to get it!

  She stopped by the bathroom, opened the door, switched on the light and turned to face him once again.

  “Inside,” she said.

  John walked past her and into the bathroom.

  “You’d better use it,” she said, pointing to the toilet. “I don’t want you pissing on yourself like you did last night. I’m not cleaning that up again.”

  John nodded and walked over to the bowl.

  He didn’t think he needed to urinate, but once he stood there, he could feel the urge grow in his bladder. He didn’t want to wet himself again either.

  He pointed his cock to the bowl.

  He waited.

  But found he couldn’t go.

  He turned to face her.

  She was leaning against the bathroom door, staring at him intently, the leash loose in her right hand.

  “Do you mind?” he asked. “This is kind of a private moment.”

  Zoe smiled, “After all this time and you’re still shy?”

  She giggled as she stepped out of the bathroom and to the side of the door.

  “I’m just outside the door,” she said, “if you need me to help you with anything.”

  “Okay.”

  Go!

  John turned from the door and glanced around the bathroom. His eyes swept across the bath and shower, over the toilet and behind him to the sink and cabinet above it.

  Anything! Look for anything!

  He turned his head and stared at the window to his left. It was dark outside now. He couldn’t see anything.

  His eyes continued up the window. It was different from the others in the church. It was a newer window that wasn’t made of stained-glass, but of a frosted glass that was harder to see through.

  Makes sense, it’s a bathroom after all.

  His eyes travelled up the window and stopped on the latch.

  It was unlocked.

  Now was his chance. He could open the window and scramble through before she could stop him.

  What about the leash?

  Cut it with something?

  What?

  Should’ve grabbed one of those knives!

  Damn!

  There’s got to be something here, something in the cabinet, something to cut through the leather!

  Cut through the leather, open the window, and scramble out? All before she gets in here to stop me?

  You can do it!

  But what about Fox? Leave here now and she won’t be of any use. She won’t help me find him.

  Shit!

  I’ve got to get Fox.

  I know.

  So I can’t escape!

  I know.

  This game has got to stop!

  “You almost done?” she called from outside the door.

  “Ah, yeah,” he replied, looking down at his cock and willing it to work.

  “Men are meant to be quicker than women, you know,” she continued.

  He shook his cock with his handcuffed hands; the metal clanked loudly in the silence.

  After what seemed like an eternity, the urine began to flow and poured loudly into the bowl.

  Gotta wait it out, pal, he told himself. You’ve got to talk her around to your side. You need her help to get at Fox. Gotta talk her around to my game plan.

  Maybe I could get him on my own.

  Ahuh, yeah, sure, and where do you start? Huh?

  Redlingford, I’d go to his farmhouse.

  And if he’s not there?

  I don’t know.

  If he’s left and gone back home? What are you going to do?

  I don’t know.

  Good plan!

  Shut up!

  He shook his cock to remove the last few drops of piss, then turned to face the bathroom door.

  She was standing there, smiling at him.

  “Awesome,” she said. Her eyes were on his cock and her left hand was rubbing her groin. “There’s something about a man pissing. It’s so masculine and yet it’s coming from such a small roll of skin. Just hanging from your body. Out there in the open and so…exposed…so dangerously unprotected.”

  She raised her eyes to his. She was still fingering herself, her fingers spreading wide the lips of her vagina, her middle finger rubbing furiously.

  He looked back at her.

  “Intense, huh?” she said to him.

  “What is?”

  “What we’re doing together. Just you and me.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  She stepped into the bathroom, the light making the diamond in her belly button sparkle. She pulled her left hand away from between her legs.

  “Want to go to the edge?” she asked as she lifted her hand to her mouth and licked her fingers.

  “Zoe…” John began.

  She pouted, “Please? You can’t get me all horny and then not let me have any fun.”

  “We’ve had fun.”

  “I want more,” her hand returned to between her legs, massaging her folds.

  “What about Ricky?” John asked.

  Zoe sighed, “Help me and I’ll help you.” She took a step forward, closer to him. “Do this for me, Johnny, and I’ll do anything for you.”

  John stared at her.

  He had no other choice.

  He nodded.

  And Zoe smiled.

  Forty

  Smart move, pal. You should’ve taken your chance in the bathroom!

  Keep quiet.

  You should’ve escaped while you had the chance. That wi
ndow was unlocked!

  You told me not to. You said I had to get Fox!

  Now look at the mess you’re in.

  It’ll get better.

  Really?

  It has to.

  It was dark. And silent.

  Darker and more quiet than he had ever known.

  And he cursed himself for going along with Zoe.

  To the edge…

  But I had no choice!

  Ahuh, like you didn’t!

  I didn’t!

  You didn’t try to stop her.

  He breathed heavily through his nose – it was the only proof he had that he was still alive.

  His head and eyes were covered by blindfolds. He had a soft dark blindfold cutting across his nose and eyes and tied at the back of his head. He also had a black hood covering his whole head, which she had put over him and tied off around his throat, just above the dog collar. He could see nothing through the material.

  The hood was hot and smelt of stagnant breath and air.

  And all was dark.

  His ears were blocked with earplugs, pushed all the way in so he couldn’t hear anything other than his own breathing and thoughts.

  And his mouth and jaw were held open by a tight ball of wadding which made it impossible for him to close them. The cloth Zoe had shoved into his mouth was dipped in vinegar, making him want to vomit, but he controlled himself – he had to. He didn’t want to choke and die. If the wadding fell any further back into his mouth he could choke on it, and if vomit erupted from his stomach, it had nowhere to go.

  The vinegar stung the wound in his lip, making it tingle and then numb.

  His arms were spread above him, tied tightly by the wrists, and his legs were splayed below him, tied by the ankles. He was tilted at a slight angle, the middle of his back resting on cold hard wood and his head leaning on a small soft cushion. His groin burned with heat and his cock hung limp, pain still flowing along it and up his body.

  “We don’t go back from here, Johnny,” she had said as she walked him back from the bathroom. “We’ll never be the same after this.”

  He hadn’t known what she meant then.

  How could I?

  His eyes had been concentrating on the lectern as they passed it again. He had to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks. The red key and the key ring with his keys had to still be there on the Bible.

  They were.

  I’ve got to get to that key!

  But how?

  Zoe had dragged him to the middle of the church. She turned to face him and asked him a question.