Matt & Max: Revenge at last!
Even though the photograph was a back view of someone, Aiden could be sure of certain things:
• It was his best mate, Jonny
• He was naked
• He was hanging with his feet some distance from the floor
The photo had been sent to his computer following a phone call (number withheld) from a land-line. Whoever had sent it was explaining the situation on screen and making their demands.
Following the receipt of a photo of Tom, heavily gagged and also possibly naked and one of Karl and JT, who also appeared to be naked and tied uncomfortably back to back, Aiden rang his brother.
“Alright, what do I have to do?
Following the incident where Max and Matt were tied together and photographed naked, they badly wanted their revenge.
However, there were problems:
• There were only two of them to take on Jonny, Aiden and Karl
• They were younger than their three enemies
• Even though Matt was quite “chunky”, his brother, Aiden, was built like a brick shit-house
• There was very little chance of capturing them all together
They had to weigh up the advantages:
• They could take down Jonny between them
• Karl was a total wimp and Max thought he knew where and how they could take him down
• Perhaps they didn’t need to take all their victims simultaneously
• Aiden had a weakness: his word was his bond and he was completely loyal
Now they had to plan:
• On Saturday JT’s dad, Jason Senior, had to go to a conference and might well need to stay over night
• Karl and JT intended to take advantage of JT’s father’s absence to “keep company”
• They could pick off Jonny and, with any luck, Tom, on their way to the youth club where they did voluntary work. They had nothing against Tom but he might just be a useful bargaining chip
• If they managed to capture JT and Tom, who were innocent, Aiden would probably agree to surrender himself in their places.
OK, that’s the theory. Let’s see how it worked out.
Max and Matt knew that, once they had located any of their quarry, they had to disable them immediately. They decided that a hood disabled someone very quickly and Matt decided that the textiles lessons in Design Technology hadn’t been such a waste of time after all.
He spent a day producing two very substantial double layered bags from an old leather coat he’d bought from a charity shop. No expense was too great for his brother! They had no external seams, he’d hidden them all inside. He’d double sewn the seams using very strong waxed thread. There was no way of undoing his work without the aid of a sharp object. Another line of stitching through both layers of leather formed a duct through which a thick, 25 millimetre-wide leather strap with a large buckle was threaded. Matt had punched several extra holes in it that were a bit larger than the rest.
“Why did you make two?” asked Max.
“Oh, I dunno. One for luck?” suggested Matt, asking whether Max had played his part in the plan so far.
Max produced two small padlocks. “One for luck?” Both boys gave high fives and Max tried on one of the hoods. Once Matt had fastened the strap round his mate’s neck, he had to agree that wearing that should incapacitate any of their targets. Having removed the hood Max also produced an assortment of cable ties that he’d bought cheap at the local market.
Matt had scoured the local charity shops for any large belts and Max had bought several rolls of packing tape. Matt had to hope that his dad wouldn’t miss his tow-rope and Max stole the new washing line that his mother had just bought and cut it into more convenient lengths. He’d think of a way of getting Karl blamed for it later.
Other than a good length of chain, what more could they want? Oh, yes a few neckerchiefs or bandanas: Matt had several and he nicked his brother’s as well, Max contributed a couple of football scarves, so did Karl!
Aiden was receiving his instructions. Matt was making it clear that, only if Aiden promised to surrender himself and make no resistance, would either of the innocent boys be freed and Jonny let down from the overhead beam, he would also have to do anything he was told without question. Aiden thought that was a bit much because his brother knew well that, once he had given his word, he could never go back on it. But Matt and Max wanted to make sure that Aiden suffered sufficiently to satisfy their thirst for revenge.
Aiden was told to turn on the web-cam so that they could see what he was doing. He had to go and get the long cable-ties that their father kept in the garage and to take the belt off of his trousers. He could also prepare some socks for stuffing in his mouth. Oh, and remove his clothes.
“Just as a favour you can wear those old white boxers that you haven’t used for some time.”
“Oh, come off it Matt, I’ve given my word. And in any case, they’re too small for me.
“In that case, you’d better not wriggle around too much so that you don’t pop out!”
“Please, Matt.”
“Poor Jonny, he must be in real pain by now. Remember you promised to do what you were told without question. Oh well . . .”
“Alright, alright, I’ll do it.”
Aiden stripped and found his old boxers and showed himself to the web-cam wearing them. The boxers were certainly none too long and rather too tight at the front. He only hoped that his package would be contained securely as long as he was standing.
“Alright, happy now? What next?”
Matt told Aiden to use the cable ties and fasten his ankles tightly together. Aiden did so. He also had to tie himself below the knees, above the knees and round his thighs. He probably tied himself much more tightly than his brother would have tied him. He had to make sure that Matt and Max saw the results of his work so far. Matt hadn’t finished yet; his next demand was for Aiden to fasten his arms tightly to his sides using his belt. Aiden tried to leave himself some slack.
“Ah, poor Tom, he really doesn’t deserve to have been kidnapped, you know. Much tighter than that, please, Big Brother.”
With some difficulty Aiden managed to tighten the belt by two notches. That pinched!
“Is that it now?”
“Oh, no. Roll those socks up ready for when we come and get you. Good. Well done, just put them on the table.” Fortunately Aiden could do that with little difficulty.
“OK, last thing: get another cable tie and pass your wrists through it in opposite directions then tighten it using your teeth. Well done, let’s have a look.” Aiden, who was tottering quite uncertainly on his feet by now, presented his wrists to the camera until his brother declared himself satisfied. He was already beginning to regret having been quite so conscientious about the way he had tied his legs.
“Now don’t go anywhere, I’m on my way round. Won’t be long. Oh, and stay in sight of the camera and don’t even think of shimming the cable ties! See you soon.”
Aiden didn’t know what to think about that because he hadn’t been able to recognise where his mates had been imprisoned from the photos. He didn’t have to wait long. After less than fifteen minutes, Matt arrived looking smug. He gave his brother’s bindings a careful examination, expressed himself satisfied with them, told Max that they were on their way and turned off the web cam.
That “on their way” phrase puzzled Aiden; how was Matt going to move him anywhere tied as he was?
Before he could find out, Matt had some adjustments to make. He ostentatiously produced a roll of packing tape and instructed his brother to open up while he stuffed the rolled socks into his mouth. Aiden was as good as his word and made no attempt to resist as Matt taped them firmly into place and added a few more turns for security. Matt’s next move was to re-fasten Aiden’s wrists behind his back so he cut the cable tie that Aiden had applied to himself and tried to force his arms behind him.
“Christ, that’s tight!” announced Matt as he couldn’t budge his brother’s arms. Aiden’s reply could not be understood but Matt loosened the belt by a notch before forcing his arms round a bit and cable tying his wrists behind him. A final tie between Aiden’s wrists and the belt round his arms pretty well immobilised him.
Matt had now left himself with a problem: how to get his brother downstairs. He certainly couldn’t carry him. He was going to enjoy this. He gathered up his brother’s discarded t-shirt and grabbed the belt binding his arms.
“Come on, Aiden, Walkies!” called Matt cheerfully and made his brother bunny-hop to the top of the stairs. On the command, “Sit!” Matt allowed Aiden to drop to the floor.
“This kid is going to beg for death before I’ve finished with him.” Aiden promised himself in an attempt at comforting himself in his pain. He really was now wishing he had not been as conscientious when tying himself.
Aiden was given the choice, “Either I can pull you downstairs by your ankles or you can go down on your bum stair by stair. What’s it to be?” The look that Matt received could have melted lead. Not only was it humiliating to be videoed while he struggled down the stairs but Aiden was not convinced that his outgrown boxers would protect his modesty in any adequate fashion. One thing he knew only too well, the shorts were certainly pinching his balls.
Just as Aiden’s feet reached the floor, Matt pulled him upright.
As he was led to the back door, Aiden changed his mind about Matt begging for death. How could he possibly beg for death if he’d already had his tongue cut out? That impractical thought didn’t really provide much comfort.
“Oh, stop making so much noise, Aiden. At least you’re not naked like Max & I were!”
“I might as bloody well be.” thought the larger boy as he frantically tried to draw his brother’s attention to his plight. Aiden kept wriggling and nodding towards his midriff.
“What’s up, Boy, need the bog?”
Aiden shook his head and kept on trying to indicate his discomfort by pulling on the back of his shorts.
“Oh, you think it would only be fair if you were naked too like we were?” Aiden desperately shook his head again. “Oh, your shorts are a bit uncomfortable are they?” Aiden changed from shaking to nodding and Matt gave his brother’s boxers a sharp tug.
After the initial fear that Matt would rip his boxers off him, Aiden realised that his brother had simply tried to do what he was asking him to do. With a quick look down to see that everything was still in place, Aiden became more co-operative again.
Matt twirled Aiden’s t-shirt between his hands and bound it tightly round his eyes. Aiden was left tottering on his back doorstep while Matt left him to do something that he was unable to identify by sound alone. As the newly emptied wheelie bin came near him, it was easier to identify by the smell.
When he realised what Matt had brought to the door, Aiden started to object. “Oh, poor JT, he wasn’t even there when you tied Max and me together. What a shame. He’s been tied to Max’s naked brother for ages now. Oh well, I’ll just call Max and tell him you won’t be coming”
I expect the violent head shaking and, “MMMmmmmm” sounds meant either, “No, Dear Brother, I’d be delighted to go”, or “OK then, you little fat bastard, get on with it.” But I’m not sure which.
“Alright then, as long as you’re sure, lie down and tuck your knees up.” So saying Matt helped his brother down to the floor.
With Aiden’s legs raised, Matt laid the bin on its back and shoved the open lid under his bum and a bit further. Following the inevitable vocal protest Matt instructed his brother to straighten his legs and start working his way into the bin. Matt took particular pleasure in assisting him. Aiden was commanded to curl up as near to the bottom of the bin as he could so that Matt could more easily right the bin again. With the bin upright once more, Matt locked the lid thus imprisoning his brother in a most uncomfortable crouching position.
Anyone seeing a blonde boy with a smirk on his face wheeling a dustbin down the road as quickly as he could might well have found it strange but not as strange as they would have found it if he’d tried making his brother bunny-hop all the way. Fortunately for Aiden their destination took only about fifteen minutes to reach.
Jason Toddman, JT’s dad, had taken what the Brits insisted upon calling his “hire car”, a strange little compact as far as they were both concerned, to the conference; not that he ever used the garage of their rented cottage in the first place. It was used as a store and, if JT had been of a more riotous nature, would have made a good riot room. The cottage was at the other end of the village where Matt and Aiden lived but Aiden had never been in the garage and so failed to identify where his friends had been imprisoned.
Following a very unpleasant and bumpy end to his journey the wheelie bin was unlocked and Aiden was decanted unceremoniously on the garage floor and his blindfold was removed. Looking around him, he surveyed the situation.
He very quickly saw that Tom had at least been granted the dignity of retaining his trousers unlike Jonny. Jonny’s wrists were still bound to the metal roof truss but at least now he was seated on Tom’s shoulders thus relieving the stress on his wrists and arms. Then he saw the other pair of captives tied back to back. Karl was naked but JT was wearing white Speedos for some reason. None of the boys looked particularly happy (with the possible exception of JT, but he was concerned for his friends). Having looked around, Aiden made a guess as to who the next naked prisoner was likely to be.
“Hallo, Aiden.” greeted Max smiling, “Welcome. You probably can’t wait to get ‘em off just like your mates or should I say, just like you left Matt and me. Unfortunately we have business first.” Aiden was too worried about his mates and about his own immediate prospects to feel relieved. Max cut the cable ties from Aiden’s feet and legs and told him to stand. He was so grateful that, if he wasn’t still gagged, he would have thanked Max profusely. Aiden struggled to his feet without assistance from Max or Matt and examined the red wheals on his legs.
“We’ve got a job for you; Tom wants to go.” said Max as he wrapped several layers of packing tape around Aiden’s head blindfolding him. Although Aiden couldn’t see what happened next, future events would enable him to put it in context. Matt yanked Tom out from under Jonny who immediately gave voice, in spite of the fact that he had been tape gagged since his photo had been posted, as his weight came down on his wrists and the roof truss started digging in. Tom, who had also been blindfolded, was laid face down and warned not to move. Aiden was manoeuvred into place and made to crouch down while Jonny was sat on his shoulders. As Aiden stood once more, Jonny felt the weight taken off his wrists. Matt then cut the ends from Aiden’s two remaining cable ties to prevent shimming. Matt and Max already had an informal bet on how long the muscular Aiden would be able to support his best friend.
Matt put it to Tom that, if he gave certain undertakings, he might be released. He had to promise not to return or arrange a rescue on the understanding that, if he did, the photos of him and his mates would be posted on the internet at the earliest opportunity. He had to go to his voluntary work and make his excuses for being late knowing that, if Max or Matt rang the club and found that he was not there, the same thing would happen. Aiden tried to show his support but couldn’t make himself understood through his gag and Tom couldn’t see him frantically nodding his head. “If you want to keep those shorts, Big Brother, you’d better shut up now.” Aiden chose the easy option.
“Right, Tom, I’m going to cut the tape and remove the socks from your mouth now. If you want to get out of here, I want to hear you make the promises we need.” Tom promised not to return or arrange for someone else to mount a rescue. His word was as reliable as Aiden’s but Max thought they still might check at the club later. Matt cut the cable ties from Tom’s wrists with a resultant sharp intake of breath as the circulation returned to Tom’s deprived hands. Tom was left to remove the hobbles and dress himself before leaving. He explained that of course he would keep his word but he didn’t give too much for the chances of longevity on the part of either Max or Matt. With that gently understated, and thus more menacing, threat Tom went away. Once outside it was obvious where he was and it didn’t take very long to get to where he needed to be.
“Sorry, Yank,” said Matt approaching JT, “we know you weren’t involved in our capture but, as we intend using your garage for the rest of the day, we can’t very easily free you. Sorry.” I don’t think he noticed JT’s satisfied reaction.
Earlier on Matt and Max laid their plans carefully. They had already secured Karl and his friend, JT, and now had Jonny and, hopefully, Tom to secure.
Jonny usually turned up earlier than Tom to help open up, prepare the refreshments and generally prepare for the day’s club activities. His easiest way to get where he needed to be was to take a short cut down a back lane, over a fence through a gap in the associated hedge, across some fallow farm land, over the fence on the far side and onto another back lane to the club hall.
Max and Matt hid behind the hedge as Jonny climbed the first fence. As soon as he dropped to the ground, Jonny hardly had time to see who was there before he was attacked and one of Matt’s Leather hoods was quickly strapped round his neck. Fortunately for the two assailants Jonny’s “informal” route was very little frequented and his protests weren’t overheard. Being unable to see, Jonny could offer little resistance to his attackers who quickly stripped him of his hoodie and cable tied his wrists, rather too tightly, behind him. While the prisoner lay face down on the floor with Matt pinning him firmly to the ground, Max explained the situation.
He suggested that Jonny stop shouting and resisting unless he wanted his trousers removed and his underpants stuffed in his mouth and taped in place. Jonny stopped struggling and fell silent. He knew he was beaten. Max explained that, in revenge for the way Matt and he had been treated the other week, they were going to do very much the same to him, Aiden and especially Karl. Max really owed Karl big time! It was obviously going to be unpleasant but just how unpleasant depended upon how cooperative Jonny chose to be now. Jonny indicated his understanding.
The two younger boys hauled Jonny to his feet and wrapped his hoodie round his shoulders before fastening it and raising the hood. The way to JT’s rented cottage was along the path that Jonny had just left so Matt lifted their rather slight prisoner while Max, from the other side of the fence prepared to receive him. Both kidnappers then put their arms round their prisoner’s waist and propelled him, as quickly as they could in the circumstances, along the path towards JT’s place. The path, being little used, was not the best and getting a reluctant, blindfolded and bound prisoner along it was not the easiest task Matt and Max had ever undertaken.
Eventually the trio arrived. The owners of the property had previously put a gate in their fence to allow access to the path for dog-walking purposes. Jonny was taken to the garage.
The two prisoners who had been secured earlier became vaguely aware of the arrival of a third one. Karl started yelling into his gag. Max pointed out that a naked, vulnerable prisoner was ill advised to make so much noise when not only could he suffer the dreaded clothes peg treatment but so could his innocent companion. Karl calmed down.
The abductors couldn’t spend much time on Jonny if they were to lie in wait for Tom but neither could they allow any of their prisoners the opportunity to help one another. The obvious tethering point was the roof truss so Matt quickly slung a length of Mrs. K’s clothes line over the metal rail, threaded the ends between Jonny’s arms and pulled up tight. Once secured by a few turns of rope, Jonny’s arms had been forced upwards and his torso forced more or less horizontal. Matt noticed how tightly they had fastened Jonny’s wrists and replaced the cable tie with a less tight one and cut the other free. That didn’t make Jonny’s posture any more comfortable or his predicament any more escapable but at least they could leave him like that for quite a while without his coming to any real harm. Yes, they were out for revenge but didn’t intend to cause any permanent damage to their victims ("except perhaps Karl", thought Max about his big brother).
Matt unlocked Jonny’s hood while Max prepared a gag by knotting the middle of one of the football scarves. The knot was forced into the victim’s mouth and the scarf was pulled tight and tied off at the back of his neck. The ends were then brought back round the front of Jonny’s head, pulled even tighter and knotted securely in his mouth. Matt then held the whole thing in place with much packing tape. He was taking no chances.
Having secured their latest prisoner and checked carefully on the other two, the young avengers went looking for Tom.
They had no way of knowing whether Tom had left for the club yet so they deliberately went there first and back-tracked because they knew that Tom would take the same trespassing short cut as Jonny. That way, if they encountered him in the open field, they could just walk on by and write off the opportunity. An uneventful trespass found them waiting by the hedge where they waylaid Jonny. It took all their determination to remain silent and stay still until they heard someone approaching and climbing the fence.
Tom got no better a sight of his attackers than Jonny had before the other hood was strapped round his neck and padlocked into place. Being a bit stronger, even if less fit than Jonny, Tom put up quite a fight even though it was obvious that, being unable to see, resistance was pointless.
Max and Matt even let go of Tom and watched him desperately trying to pull the hood apart. There was going to be no way of doing that with his bare hands. “OK, Tom, which direction are you taking?” asked Max tauntingly. Obviously Tom had no idea. The two younger boys took an arm each and brought Tom to be face down on the ground in a painful double arm lock with their feet against his neck. Max put it to him that, although they had nothing against him personally, they wanted him for an hour or so as bait for Aiden. He would then be allowed to go. Unless he made things difficult for them now.
Tom indicated his submission and Matt released his arm lock, fastened a cable tie round the wrist he was holding and locked Tom’s arm out again while Max repeated the operation on his other arm. Tom found his arms drawn together and Max threaded a third cable tie between the other two and pulled it tight. Matt decided that Tom was inconsiderate in wearing trackie bottoms because he’d have to go and get a belt from his bag which he did and pulled it tight round Tom’s upper arms and torso.
“Please stop yelling, Tom, it can’t hurt that much.” In fact, just as when he bound his big brother, when Matt applied all his strength to the operation, it could hurt quite a lot. It was the sort of restraint from which the subject would want to be free as soon as possible.
Tom was now considered to be helpless enough to have his hood removed so he got to breathe freely again for a few moments. Matt produced one of the bandanas from his bag and folded and rolled it into shape. Tom knew what was about to happen and wondered whether to resist, he might just be able to escape but he knew that Max was fast on his feet and could certainly bring him down especially as he was unable to use his hands or arms. He opened his mouth and Matt stuffed the cloth inside. The usual generous application of packing tape covered Tom’s face from his chin to his nose. That was followed by a scarf for “disguise” purposes. A quick application of tape over Tom’s eyes and a covering pair of dark glasses continued the disguise. Anyone passing would just think it was a hoodied-up youngster once Max’s hoodie had been draped around him, fastened and the hood raised.
The three boys then made their uneventful way to JT’s garage.