This is a repost. This was lost during the archival process. I'm just replacing it.
To read the whole series start here.
Mark lounged on the back porch reading a book. The tan lines were nearly invisible now after about two weeks of tanning, he was a dark brown and the summer had only just started. He was just starting to doze off when the back screen door opened.
"Hey Mark, did you hear?" Nancy said sitting in the chair next to him. She wore white shorts with a pink tank top and flip flops.
"Huh? Hear what?" Mark responded, unable to stop his gaze from sliding down over her legs.
"Mom has a dance recital in New York, and your Mom is going too." Nancy said with excitement.
"Oh yeah, Mom mentioned that. I just thought you'd be going."
"Me? Never, I hate her recitals, I always went because she never wanted to travel alone, but since your Mom is going, I get to stay at home."
"Great you can help me mow lawns." Mark smiled.
"Actually I got a job at the theater helping with costumes. They were so impressed with how I transformed Mom that they hired me to help out."
"That's cool. When do you start."
"Monday. I only work a few hours a day."
"So that's why you can't go with your Mom." Mark said.
"Yep, and why she asked your Mom to go. So what are we going to do while our parents are gone?"
"Sleep in, lounge around, play video games, work as little as possible." Mark said while placing his hands behind his head and propping his feet up on a small table.
"Speaking of which, you ready to get your butt kicked in Mario Kart?" Nancy said playfully jabbing Mark in the arm.
"Ha! You wish. Let's go."
The two friends began the first of many rounds of the racing game. Mark won every time. "Why do you always pick Princess Peach?" Nancy asked.
"I drive the best with her, always stick with what works. How many times have you won with Toad?"
"I can beat you, how about a little wager?" Nancy suggested with a smile.
"You have to be kidding, you have not won a single race." Mark said.
Nancy just raised her eyebrows.
"Fine, what do you want to wager?"
Nancy thought for a few seconds. "I've got it. The loser has to spend an afternoon inside the dog crate we have at our house."
"You have a dog crate, why? You don't own a dog." Mark said.
"We used to watch the neighbors dog and they moved away and left it. It's been collecting dust for months in the storage room. It's easily big enough to fit you."
Mark nodded. "Why are you so anxious to get locked inside a dog crate."
"Getting a little ahead of yourself there, aren't you?" Nancy said.
"Let's play."
"Alright, Princess Peach, prepare to lose." Nancy laughed.
"Very funny, Toad."
The stress of the bet must have cracked Mark's nerves because he made a basic mistake early on and was never able to recover only making more and more silly mistakes. He ended up taking dead last in the race. "Ha, I knew you'd crack under the pressure."
"Beginners, luck, double or nothing." Mark demanded.
"Hmm, double or nothing eh?" Nancy said tapping a finger against the side of her cheek.
"Alright, if I beat you again you have spend the afternoon in the cage naked." Nancy laughed.
"No way, our Mom's would kill us if they found out." Mark said.
"True. True. Ok, you have to wear my flesh colored unitard, that's as near to naked anyway."
"Fine. Let's play Toad."
"Anything you say Princess." Nancy smirked.
This time Mark was doing much better, but Nancy was keeping up easily, just before the finish line Mark's sweaty thumbs slipped off the control and he hit an obstacle allow Nancy to win. "Damn."
"Hurray!" Nancy said. "Come over to my house after our Mom's leave for the recital. They'll be gone by 10 o'clock and you'll spend the afternoon as my nearly naked doggy."
Mark shook his head, "I can't believe it."
"I'll tell you what, since I like you so much, I'll give you another chance."
Mark's head perked up. "And...".
"You win the next race, and we're even. If you lose three times in a row, you have to spend the afternoon in the dog crate dressed as you favorite racer."
Mark's eyes bulged. "What? You've been spending way too much time around your Mom."
"Sorry, it's the only thing I can think of to up the ante. Are you game?"
Mark paused for a long time before answering. He did not relish having to wear one of Nancy's unitards, but dressed as Princess Peach would be horrible beyond belief. Especially in front of Nancy despite all he had been through with the beautiful red head so far. "Fine, let's do it."
Nancy laughed, "You do look cute in pink."
Mark thought about the first time he'd worn the color when she tied him up in the bedroom, then the second time, tied to the lounge chair at her house. "There will be no third time." He muttered under his breath.
"What was that, Peach." Nancy snickered.
Mark ignored her as the race began. He played a strong race but Nancy knew something he had yet failed to admit. Pressure ruined his game. His hands were sweating, the controller bent under the strain of his grip. In the end, Nancy never beat him, he simply beat himself. Nancy was not even trying she came in behind many of the computer controlled opponents but Mark came in behind her.
Nancy stood up, deciding not to gloat. "Our moms are leaving tonight, be over at my house tomorrow after lunch. No later than one o'clock." Nancy left without another word.
Mark did not respond, his imagination of being dressed like Princess Peach while inside a dog crate was shutting down his mind. He simply stared at the television. That night he put on a brave face to wish his Mom a good trip.
"What's wrong with you, most teenagers would be thrilled to know they have the run of the house for an entire weekend."
"I guess I'm just tired from mowing lawns."
"Alright, now remember only Nancy is allowed in the house while I'm gone. The same goes for her house, as far as I know."
"Ok, that's fine, she's the only one who comes over anyway."
Sharon's intuition was obviously in full operation. "Did something happen between you and Nancy?"
"Other than her beating me in a video game, no." Mark responded sticking close to the truth.
The half-truth seemed to diffuse the situation and his Mom grabbed her bags and walked to the door. "I love you, see you Sunday night."
"Love you too, Mom." Mark shut the door and slumped down against it.
"I just can't do it." He whispered to the empty house.
* * *
Nancy woke up the next day and was done with her morning routine in record time. In solidarity with what Mark would have to wear she wore a pink shirt and a tennis skirt. She had no luck finding a Princess Peach costume so she was going to just settle for a pink leotard and tights, combined with a blond wig she borrowed from her work. "Peach must workout to keep her figure." Nancy laughed out loud.
By the time one o'clock rolled around Nancy had managed to drag the dog crate out of storage and had it prominently displayed in the living room. She placed several soft pillows inside and waited for Mark to arrive. Fifteen minutes passed, than thirty and she was beginning to get worried. At two o'clock she locked up her house and walked down to Mark's house.
Taped to the front door of the house was small folded piece of paper. The note inside read:
Dear Nancy,
I can't do it. I can't willingly allow myself to be put into such a costume. I'm sorry. I'm just going to hide from you until our parents come home. I know you probably hate me now for reneging on a bet but I can't do it.
Love,
Mark
P.S. If it's any consolation I'll be spending a much less comfortable weekend than you.
Nancy crumpled the note in her hand. She was angry, one because it was obvious Mark did not trust her. What did he expect her to do? "It's not like I'm inviting the high school over to humiliate you." Nancy said to the crumpled note in her fist.
Nancy knew where Mark was though, the postscript of his note told the secret. In their neighborhood the street drains were all connected to a canal that flowed behind the houses, there were two drainage tunnels which emptied into the canal, Mark often explored this labyrinth of tunnels as a kid. Nancy had not been down there in years but she still remembered exploring them with Mark. "He's not getting out of this that easy."
Nancy ran home and grabbed a flash light and a few other items. The cement floor of the canal was covered with a thin layer of mud and Nancy could easily see the tracks that began at Mark's house and led to the largest of the feeder tunnels. Leaving her light off she quietly entered the tunnel allowing her eyes to adjust to the gloom while looking for Mark's light source.
* * *
Mark settled himself onto his sleeping bag. He found a small space where three much smaller drainage tunnels combined into the larger tunnel that he had entered from. There was ancient graffiti on walls much of which had been written by himself and Nancy. It had been years since he had been down here. As long as it didn't rain he would be fine until Sunday, making occasional runs back to the house for food.
His flashlight would run for several hours and he had extra batteries if necessary. He brought several books and constant flow of water provided a pleasant background music. He used his imagination to turn it into a game. He was hiding out from the mafia who was trying to kidnap him. Of course he did not expect the mafia to find him so quickly.
"There you are you little pansy." Nancy said stepping into his light.
"How did you..." Mark began.
"Easy, just followed your tracks until I could see your flashlight. I'm so disappointed in you, Mark."
"Look Nancy, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It is just too embarrassing."
"You mean the same guy who destroyed an oak chair to save me, is too soft to handle a dog crate?" Nancy asked.
"It's not the crate, it's the costume." Mark responded.
"Well I couldn't find a Princess Peach costume, anyway but I did find a suitable replacement. That however is not the problem right now."
"What is the problem then?" Mark asked a bit confused.
"You reneging on a bet." Nancy had a bag slung over her shoulder and she opened it and removed two coils of rope. "Turn around Mark."
"What..."
"Turn around and put your hands behind your back," Nancy interrupted.
For reasons his adolescent brain could not fully comprehend Mark did as his beautiful friend asked. In the dim light of two flashlights he allowed Nancy to tie his hands and arms behind his back. When she was finished his arms were bound together behind him and forced into the small of his his back with more rope. With still more coils of rope, Nancy tied his ankles and knees and connected his ankles to his wrists so standing would be impossible. She then began to gather up the books and supplies he brought down into the street drains.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm leaving, and taking your stuff back to your house. Don't worry I'll be back to collect you shortly."
Mark watched as the light slowly disappeared down the tunnel until only his imagined phantasms and the gentle flow of the water remained to keep him company. Hours seemed to pass and all his efforts at escape failed. Nancy tied all the knots well out of his reach. Finally a meandering light began to appear from down the drain tunnel. After such a long time in the dark the bright light made her face shine like an angel.
"You are still tied," Nancy laughed. "Houdini would be disappointed."
Mark did not respond to the jibe.
Nancy pulled a plastic shopping back out of her satchel and tossed it next to him, then she grabbed a pair of scissors and approached him. Mark assumed she would cut the ropes, so he was surprised when she began to cut his shorts and shirt. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Shredding your clothes. Isn't it obvious?"
"Why?" Mark asked as she continued.
"I've locked up your house and hidden the key, only I know where it is."
"Ok, so..."
"The only clothes you have are what you are wearing and when I'm done, the only thing holding them on your body will be the ropes you are tied up with."
"I'll be naked, you can't leave me down here naked." Mark said with increasing nervousness especially after the fourth cut severed the waist band of his shorts and underwear.
"I have no intention of leaving you here. Whether or not you are naked is entirely up to you. In the bag next to you are some clothes, I'll loosen the knots and you can choose whether you exit this place clothed or naked."
"Either way, it's broad daylight outside, and someone will see me."
"First of all, the trees are so over grown around our neighborhood it's doubtful anyone will see you. Secondly, you should have thought about that before you decided to hide from me." Nancy pulled the largest pieces of his clothing away from his body and stuffed them into her bag. She then untied his hands and headed back down the tunnel leaving him one flashlight. "I'll be waiting at the entrance to this tunnel, don't take too long."
Mark quickly removed the last vestiges of the rope which still held him. When he stood up his clothes fell like confetti onto the concrete floor. Mark nervously peered into the plastic bag and saw a mass of shiny pink material, an ankle length, short sleeve, unitard. With a sigh, Mark took off his shoes and pulled the slick material over his body and threaded his arms into the small sleeves. "I always make it worse." He pulled his shoes back on and slowly marched back down the tunnel.
He saw Nancy waiting at the end of the tunnel. The sun was lower in the sky but there were hours of daylight left. Mark hesitated at the entrance.
"Come on out now, we have to get to my house quickly if you are going to keep your love of pink spandex a secret." Nancy laughed.
"You're being mean." Mark said still not moving.
"Here I'll make it easier for you." Nancy stepped into the tunnel and stepped behind him. "Put your arms behind you please."
"How is this going to make it easier?" Mark asked as rope was again tied around his wrists."
"You'll see." Nancy passed more rope around his waist and shoulders to keep his arms behind his back. She then tied a long tether to his waist rope and tugged him out of the drainage tunnel.
Mark bucked and resisted her the entire way, she had managed only to get him to the center of the canal about six feet from the entrance to the tunnel. "Let me go this is not better."
Nancy tied the tether to a tree root which had pushed its way through the cement floor of the canal. "I can leave you right here or you can stop resisting and get to my house faster. What's it going to be?"
"When did you turn into such a mean person."
"The same moment you tried to renege on a bet, I hate that."
Mark sighed again, "Alright I'll stop resisting. Let's hurry."
Mark had very little to worry about, Nancy pulled him down the canal until they were directly behind her house than they moved through the shadows of the trees until they entered the gate that led to her backyard. Anyone watching would have had to follow them to get longer than a second or two two see who it was. Once inside the house Nancy released Mark from the ropes. "Alright I'll get us a couple of glasses of water and then you have to start your stint in the dog crate."
"Fine, the sooner its over the better."
Nancy led Mark into the living room where the large dog crated waited. "Go ahead and get inside, I've added several pillows so you should be relatively comfortable." The crate was large enough so that Mark's back would just touch the top of the crate if he arched his back while on his hands and knees. It was short enough to force him to keep his knees tucked under him.
Nancy closed the door and patted the top of the crate. "Alright, I smell like stagnant water and sweat so I'm going to grab a shower."
Mark waited until he heard her ascend the stairs. He then tried to open the crate. Mark easily pushed open the latch and crawled out. Thinking quickly he went to the master bedroom and looked for some more masculine clothes. The best he could find was a pair of black spandex exercise shorts and a plain white T-shirt. Not perfect but much better than the pink unitard. Mark then grabbed some rope from where he had been untied upon entering Nancy's house and headed upstairs to the bathroom.
Nancy was humming to herself in the shower so she did not hear Mark enter. Nor did she hear him remove her clothes and the towels from the room. When she shut off the water Mark spoke. "I wouldn't move the shower curtain if I were you. Unless you want me to see you naked?"
"How did you get out?" Nancy said.
"I'm not a dog, it wasn't hard. But that is not important. Unless you want me to see you naked, you need to let me tie your arms behind your back."
"I'm naked right now," Nancy said from behind the opaque shower curtain.
"I'll give you some clothes then you must promise to let me tie your hands."
"If I refuse to promise." Nancy asked.
Mark pushed back a corner of the curtain with his foot.
"Alright, alright, I promise, give me the clothes."
Mark handed her the pink unitard he had been wearing until a few minutes ago.
Nancy sniffed but he could hear her pull the tight garment over her body. She then pulled the curtain back and held her hands out in front of her. "There, now be quick about it."
Mark realized he had not allowed her to dry off before donning the unitard and dark spots covered the unitard. Nancy was a vision in the shiny material and he had trouble not staring at her. "Patience, Nancy, and put your arms behind you please." Mark was not as accomplished at tying people up as Nancy, he ended up the victim more than the villain in these situations but when he was finished Nancy's struggles did not loosen the cinched loops holding her wrists together. "Ok, follow me."
Mark led Nancy with her hair still making dark spots on the sleeves of the unitard, down to the main floor into the living room where the dog crate was. "Alright get in, please."
"My arms are tied."
"I know, this way you won't be able to escape like I did."
Nancy slowly inched her way into the crate. When her body was all the way in Mark took a length of rope and tied her wrist ropes to top of the crate making it impossible for her to reach the latch. "There now, all nice and cozy."
"How long are you going to keep me like this." Nancy asked her green eyes blazing at Mark through the slats in the crate.
"I will release you after I've gone to my house and got a fresh change of clothes. They are still a little too girly." Mark said plucking the white T-shirt that fit a bit too snugly for his liking.
"How do I know you'll keep your promise, it wouldn't be the first time you backed out on a deal." Nancy argued.
The words stung, of course the truth often does. Mark did not respond at first, then remembered the ordeal in the canal. "I've paid for that mistake, I wore that unitard out in the broad daylight with my hands tied behind my back. I've learned my lesson, I should have followed through."
Nancy was silent for a while. "I'll wait you out."
Mark smiled. "Stubborn as always, I love that. I'm going to go take a shower now. I was down in the canal longer than you."
Mark enjoyed the hot water despite only having girly body washes to use for soap. He spent a long time just letting the heat flow over his body. When he finally shut the water off a slender hand entered behind the shower curtain holding a towel. "Here you go, you might want to dry off and wrap that around you."
"How did you get out?"
"You need to work on your knots." Nancy answered.
Mark wrapped the towel around his waist and pushed the curtain aside. Nancy still wore the unitard with an amused look on her face. "Now what do we do?"
"What do you mean? Can we call it even?"
Nancy shrugged. "Ok, that works. It's getting late anyway. The key to your house is under the door mat."
Mark shook his head. "Of course, so will I see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, but I have to work. Mom has this list of things I have to do."
"I was suppose to mow a lawn today so I'll mow while you work."