This story was my rendition of a true account, meaning that it's "based on a true story," but adapted and shaped to fit my style of writing and plotline. The original - which can be found in the June 2004 section of Canuck's old TUG site - was written by a poster named "Matt," under the title "The Tickle Torture Game For A Punk Brother," but was never continued. Recently, a member here brought the issue up and requested that someone continue the story. This obviously meant that the continuation would be purely fictional. However, I felt that it would be best if the story was retold in a method better suited for fiction, while still keeping the general idea, situation, characters, etc. Thus, the names and general idea may be the same, but this fictionalized adaption is my own. As such, consider me as the "author" of this story. (Don't worry, this isn't considered plagiarism.

Also, on a more personal note, I've agreed to take on this project as a sort of evaluation of my writing abilities. I've been a writer since '03, when I've written a few short stories and the beginnings of a novel, all fantasy. However, it seems I've developed a rather severe case of writer's block sometime in '05, and I've suffered from it ever since. Save for one or two other, smaller pieces, this story is the first I've seriously written since the block struck me all those years back. In addition, this is my first venture into the literary realm of "quirky interests," regarding TUGs and tickling. Keeping this in mind, I would profoundly appreciate any constructive criticism on not only the TUG-ish elements, but also my writing style and interpretation of the original story. I'm aware that most TUGs are told in first person, but I'm more of a third-person kind of guy, and I wanna see how well it'll play out in the realm of TUGs. Comments and observations will not only help me as a writer, but will ensure that my future stories here will be as - if not more - enjoyable to read for all of you.
Finally, just a note on the contents of the story. At first, there won't be as much emphasis on TUGs as it does tickling (staying true to the original story), but I'll be sure to include more of a TUG-ish element in the later parts, so I apologize if it seems rather dull at first (or if some of you aren't crazy about tickle torture). And don't worry, there'll be nothing sexual or suggestive in that manner.
Well, that's all I really need to say. Sorry for the lengthy introduction, lol. I hope you enjoy the story!

~Dalekfire
***************
"Laughter By Numbers"
by Dalekfire
“Ugh! Do I really need to stay home tomorrow? It’s a Saturday, for Pete’s sake!†Matt wasn’t at all happy with the way things were looking out to be. It had always been the same story every time his parents were out for the day; they didn’t seem to think he was old enough to take care of himself. In fact, it seemed as if they never thought he was mature enough to do anything on his own – or at least, they never gave him the chance to prove otherwise. Still, he persisted. “I’m fifteen, ya know. I’m in highschool now. Stop treating me like a baby!â€
Matt’s mother rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed sigh. “We’ve been over this half a dozen times already, Matthew. Your father and I will be out all day tomorrow, and we don’t want to be worrying about where you are or what you’re doing, fifteen or not. Now, I want you to stay home and mind your sister. I left some money on the kitchen counter if you want to order some pizza for lunch.â€
“Pssh. I’d rather eat glass if that meant I don’t need to stay,†Matt grumbled under his breath, but his mother had already dismissed herself from the conversation, turning away to continue with preparations for the trip to her class reunion. Matt sighed, his mood dampened from another vain attempt at escaping from his house arrest. He sulked back to his bedroom, where he promptly flopped face-first onto his bed, resigned to moping about for the rest of the night.
In truth, he wasn’t all that irritated with the fact that he’d be stuck at home. It was late summer, after all, and being that school wouldn’t start for a few more weeks yet, there would be many other opportunities to get out of the house. What he really resented was the thought of being stuck with his older sister, Lisa, for a full day. The two didn’t get along at all most of the time, and those were on good days. They had always tried to stay out of each other’s hair for the most part, but when their paths crossed, it wasn’t uncommon for an argument or fight to break out. It was a simple matter of bad chemistry, and Matt hadn’t spared his sister any respite when it came to throwing dirt on her reputation or ruffling her pride.
Matt couldn’t help but smirk as he thought back on the stunt he had pulled on Lisa and her boyfriend a few weeks back. He had caught the couple making out in the back yard and discreetly recorded it all on his camcorder. After coming up with the ingenious idea, he had “accidentally†left the resulting tape on the benches at one of the popular roller-skating rinks in the area. It wasn’t long before every teenaged soul in town were gossiping to each other about it, the details getting more extravagant with each circulation of the story. It didn't help that Lisa was one of the more popular 18-year-olds in her Senior class. Needless to say, Lisa was beyond pissed…but oddly enough, she had refrained from confronting her brother with the issue. Still, Matt decided that laying low and avoiding his sister whenever possible was probably the best course of action, at least until school started again.
Matt yawned and glanced over at the digital clock beside his bed. The illuminated numbers that blinked back at him suggested that it was already late into the night, which accounted for his sudden tiredness. He pondered the idea of sneaking out of the house tomorrow, as he stripped off his t-shirt and tossed it to the floor, leaving him in a pair of grey sweatpants and white sports socks. Maybe he’d go and visit his friends for some fun at the arcade, or maybe see a movie or two. Or maybe he’d reveal his true feelings to his secret neighborhood crush, the stunning blonde angel, Carly.
“Yeah, and maybe pigs really can fly,†Matt snickered as he dwelled on the vision. He and Carly had been close friends since he could remember, despite their two-year age difference. But he had never been able to bring out his true feelings, afraid that she’d reject him, that the long friendship would be forever ruined. Still…what if?
He fell asleep still musing over the possibilities.
*****
Matt awoke with a start to an odd sensation he felt. Still lying on his stomach, he blinked a few times and groggily gazed around the room, affirming that it was still somewhat early morning by the deep blue hue that tinted everything in the room. He spied the bright numbers of his digital clock defiantly glowing amongst the shadows to confirm his suspicions, as it silently beaconed at him, like the repetitive blaring of a talking cockatiel, “Seven thirty-three! Seven thirty-three! Seven thirty-three!†Annoyed, Matt closed his eyes and again began drifting back to sleep, muttering an incoherent request to nobody in particular, “Mmm…just a few more hours…â€
Then he felt it again. His muscles tensed up as what felt like a fingernail trailed lazily along the spine of his bare back, an almost teasing gesture that couldn’t be a sheet or blanket. He subconsciously attempted to brush away whatever it was that was causing it – only to find that he couldn’t move his arms. He struggled a bit, bewildered, before realizing that both of his wrists were encircled by something heavy and metal, and connected closely together by a strong bond.
Then it dawned on him. He was handcuffed.
“What the he-- HEEEE!!!†Matt’s exclamation was cut short when he felt ten long, sharp fingernails bury into both sides of his ribcage and wiggle furiously, sending jolts of electricity all throughout his nervous system. He bucked and spasmed as his unseen tormenter continued with the ruthless assault. The sudden pressure he felt on his legs signaled that whoever it was had climbed onto and straddled him, further restricting his movements. Consequentially, his suffering continued for a few long, agonizing moments while he could do nothing but cackle helplessly, to the undeniable delight of his assailant.
But as suddenly as the tickling had started, it subsided, leaving poor Matt to shudder and squirm from the aftershock of the ordeal. He then heard a devious and distinctly feminine giggle drift over from behind him. There was no mistaking that giggle, as he had the displeasure of hearing it many times throughout his cursed childhood.
“Lisa!!†he shouted out, angry in tone, though hinting a bit of fear and confusion as well.
Lisa bopped him lightly on the back of his head. “Shh! Not so loud! You’ll wake the neighbors bellowing out like that, you buffoon!†A pause, then, “I guess that gives me the perfect excuse to do this, then!†And with that, Matt felt her quickly shove something small and cotton-y into his mouth, forcing it all in before he had a chance to react. He gagged and tried to spit whatever it was out, but his sister had been prepared; already she was smoothing out a large strip of duct-tape over his lips, effectively sealing the cloth inside of his mouth.
“Mmmph!!†Matt tried to protest, but the effort was fruitless. The thing trapped in his mouth absorbed and diffused whatever he struggled to say. He actually tried to reach up in attempt to pry off the tape, only to be reminded of the metal cuffs that securely held his wrists prisoner behind him.
“That’s muuuch better!†exclaimed his sister. “Just suck on that sock for a minute while I continue having my fun.†Matt’s disgusted moan was cut short as Lisa’s fingernails suddenly pounced onto his ribcage and resumed their malicious dancing along his very bare and very ticklish skin, extracting a new wave of now-muffled laughter from her helpless little brother. The new assault lasted for longer than a minute – much, much longer – and when it finally ended, Matt was left desperately sucking air through a pair of flared nostrils.
Lisa turned him over to his back and held up another, larger pair of handcuffs for him to see, before latching them onto his ankles. She examined his face for a few moments, almost pensively, before donning a more serious, accusing glare. “I hope that was as unpleasant as I think it was for you. And you know what, twerp? You deserve it. You deserve every bit of it.†She stated it as if she was sanctioning the actions, making it sound as righteous as anything can ever be. “But if you think this is over, you’ve got another thing coming. You’ve been such a little brat this summer. I don’t think there are any little brothers that exists in this world that can be as irritating, annoying, disgusting...and downright infuriating as you are!â€
Matt’s previous anger at his sister’s invading and subduing him completely melted away, as a new coat of fear and confusion now shone brightly on his face. Had he pushed Lisa too far? Was she really that mad at him? As much as he despised living with her, he actually felt her words sting a little.
Lisa’s surprising and sudden flux of anger was made clear when she continued. “And that stunt that you pulled with Jake and I the other week…how could anyone who ever had the right to call himself a brother do such a thing? You’re a monster!†Her eyes were on fire. Matt swore her eyes were literally on fire. “So guess what? You’re in for the longest day of your life. My friends and I are kidnapping you and teaching you a lesson for every rotten thing you’ve done this summer, you little punk!â€
Friends? Lisa’s friends are in on this? Matt “mmphed†in desperation as he resumed his struggles, but the cuffs on his wrists and ankles held fast. Lisa glared at him for a few more moments before producing a large padded sleep mask and secured it snuggly over Matt’s eyes, blocking all light from entering.
“Stay put while I call the troops, little brother. Don’t go anywhere!†Lisa giggled, her last remark dripping with sarcasm, as Matt felt her weight ease off his legs and the bed. From the tone of her voice, he knew that she was dead serious about getting her revenge, and there was nowhere he can go and nothing he can do to stop it. He was at her mercy for the rest of the day.
“You’re dead!â€
That was the last thing he heard before the echo of a closing door resonated throughout the cold, early morning air of his new prison.
*****
[To be continued...]