Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:57 pm

Good evening! So, as several people have asked for it, here's a sequel to Housemate Issues. Although it says F/FFFF on the description, this will become rather subject to change, as the last story did!


Lucy woke in a cold sweat, gripping her bed covers hard. Her room, cloaked in darkness, spun around her. She shut her eyes hard, desperately trying to control her breathing. Her throat was sore; she realized she must have been crying out.

"Lucy?" asked a voice at the door.

A light turned on in the room, her friend Alice quickly rushing into it, dressed in pink pyjamas. As always, her piercing blue eyes showed signs of great concern, her usually happy face, framed by short, blond hair, shrouded in doubt. She sat on the side of the bed, putting an arm around Lucy.

"Same dream as last night?" she asked.

"Y... yeah," whispered Lucy. "I'm back in that house, tied up on the bed. Cindy is there. She's..."

Lucy broke off. Her eyes glanced down to her wrists, where a small thin purple band was clearly visible round them, something Doctors had said she may always have. The only physical scars of her ordeal, thankfully. Mentally, however, it was a very different story.

It had been six months since Lucy had been imprisoned by her Housemates. Six months of sleepless nights, of constant fear of confinement. Lucy knew in her heart that her experience had broken her, and she wasn't sure if she could be put back together.

Her parents had helped her move out of that house the very next day, not saying a single word to the silent and awkward Olivia and Rebecca. Professors were called, contracts signed, and Lucy transferred Universities, allowing her to live closer to home with her best friend, Alice. Everything, from the house to the city was now a thing of the past. Yet, still, Lucy couldn't sleep.

"Urgh!" Lucy cried in frustration. "This is so pathetic!"

"No," said Alice. "You went through a horrible ordeal. There's nothing pathetic about this. You have PTSD."

"Well, I'm sick of it. I never used to be like this. Now, it's like I can't even walk out the front door!"

"It'll get better. In time. You can't expect to recover over night."

Lucy glanced at her reflection in the mirror opposite her, her long dark hair dishevelled over her face, wet from sweat. Suddenly, she was staring into a very different mirror, her arms held fast behind her, her legs and ankles bound together with scarves, her clothes covered in urine. She shuddered, closing her eyes tightly. Her teeth gritted. More than anything, more than her fear, her exhaustion and her terror, she was angry. Angry at the person who had done all this to her in the first place. Who's little idea of a prank had changed her beyond recognition.

Cindy Thompson. The still very much at large Cindy Thompson.

At first, Lucy had been worried that she was going to come after her. After all, she'd vanished without a trace. The Police remained baffled as to where Cindy could have run to, as was Olivia and Rebecca. It was as though the girl had disappeared into thin air. However, as time went on, it became clear that Cindy, wherever she was, was not thinking about Lucy. No doubt, she was trying to figure out how to stay out of jail.

"Thankyou, Alice," said Lucy. "I'll be okay now. Go back to bed."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. You got exams, don't you? Go back to bed."

Alice nodded, standing up.

"Let me know if you need me."

"Will do."

Lucy managed a smile at her friend, which vanished as soon as she left the room. She kept the light on.


Her head was swimming slightly when she awoke some time later, a deep ache behind her eyes. The feeling unnerved her slightly; it was how she'd felt after a very intense night of drinking on fresher's week. The same night Cindy and Rebecca had helped straighten her hair...

She forced herself to wake up some more, attempting to stretch. It was then she felt that something was wrong. For some reason, she couldn't move. Fighting now to regain conciousness, she began to feel her limbs were sticking out at odd angles. It was only when she could truly open her eyes that she saw the truth of her situation.

She was tied spread-eagled on the bed, her arms above, her feet below. The covers had been thrown off her, leaving her open to the cold of the room. She attempted to cry out, to find that tape had been applied across her mouth, her tongue feeling material stuffed in there. Panicking horribly, she began to thrash against her bonds, pulling and squirming as hard as she could. Her hands, tied with some thin rope, held fast, no matter how much she twisted. Her leg restraints seemed to only grow tighter the more she pulled on them. The bed creaked and protested, yet gave no sign of giving her up. She was, truly, stuck.

True fear, the like of which she'd only felt once before, entered her now. She forced herself to calm down; a panic attack, now, would not be a good idea with her mouth taped up. She contented with trying to make as much noise as possible.

"Comfortable?" asked a familiar voice.

Lucy turned her gaze towards the door. Cindy had changed slightly since her last appearance; she seemed thinner, dirtier, and even more on edge. It was her eyes that remained the same; still burning with hatred and intelligence, all of it directed at Lucy.

"Bet you thought you were never going to see me again?" she sniffed, walking into the room. "Sorry if you're head's a bit swimmy. Chloroform. Works a treat."

Lucy continued to struggle hopelessly, her limbs aching terribly. They had still not really fully recovered from her last confinement; her hands would get cold too easily, while her feet would ache after prolonged periods of standing on them. She knew she risked some serious damage if she kept this up, but she had to get away from the nutcase who now sat with her.

"You know better than to think you're getting away from me," laughed Cindy. "Now, I want to talk with you. Properly. So, if I take that gag out, you promise me not to scream. I'll make you pay if you do."

Lucy nodded. Her captor quickly peeled off the tape, taking some skin with it. Lucy winced in pain. She quickly spat out the material.

"What the hell is this?" she spat. "Let me go now, Cindy. I mean it. It's not like before. You're risking serious trouble doing this to..."

"Serious trouble. Don't make me laugh. I'm a fugitive from the law! How much more serious can it get??"

She grinned then. Oh God thought Lucy. She's totally lost it.

"Untie me, Cindy. Just... please!"

She lost all sense of control then, on the verge of seriously breaking down, pulling vigorously at her bonds. Cindy looked taken aback.

"My God, what happened to you? You look ridiculous!"

"What happened to me? You did! I can't sleep, I can't eat, I'm terrified of small spaces... I can't even watch a movie where someone gets tied up without feeling sick. I can't... I... Please..."

She did cry then, horribly. She couldn't seem to stop it. Cindy just gazed down at her, confused.

"Wow. Looks like what happened before got to you just as much as me."

"You... you have no idea. If this is some sort of revenge thing, trust me, you've already had it. L...listen."

Lucy forced herself to calm down.

"Listen. Untie me now and leave. I'll not tell anyone I saw you. You can go somewhere, anywhere. Start a new life. Just please don't leave me like this. Not again."

There was silence as the two girls regarded each other, with curiosity and hatred. Lucy despised herself for begging, but to be faced with one's greatest fear is never something a person will just take lightly.

"I'm going to untie you," said Cindy. "I just couldn't risk you running before I told you about the Game."

"What game?"

"The Game we're playing right now! Let me break it down for you."

She pulled out her phone and put it in Lucy's face. It was the clear picture of an unconscious Alice.

"Yes. I have your trouble making little friend. No, no, no. I don't want your threats or pleas. What I want from you is simple. I want your help in some Revenge."

Lucy felt like the bottom had dropped out of her stomach.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're going to help me get my own back. Rebecca and Olivia. I want them. I want all three of you. So, that's the deal. You find Rebecca and Olivia. You bring them to me. I let Alice go."

"What??? You're insane! No way..."

"Do you remember last time, Luce? That little drive we took. Just want you to remember that I mean business. Those girls screwed me over. The only thing keeping me going is the knowledge that all of you would have to deal with me again. Well, that day is here."

"You're barking. There's no way they'll... I don't even know where they are. Let her go. Now!"

Lucy began struggling again. She couldn't let this girl hurt Alice, the person who'd been there for her through all of this!

"Find them. Enlist solider boy's help. I don't care how you do it. But, in 24 hours, if you haven't called me to tell me you have them, I'm afraid it's bad news for Alice. Very bad indeed."

"What if they won't come? They hate me!"

"I doubt that. You spared them prison, after all. Something you'd never have done for me. But, it makes no difference. If they won't come... you might have to make them. Think about it."

"What? Kidnap them??? Are you insane?"

"You keep using that word. The answer is yes. You know it. So don't play me. Now then."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a knife, placing it in Lucy's hand.

"Should take you about half an hour to cut yourself out. I've left a number for you to call in your phone. Remember, I'm not playing around here. Do what I want, or Alice is gone for good. 24 hours, Lucy. Starting now."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving a petrified Lucy in her wake.

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby hafnermg » Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:33 am

hmmmm interesting seems Cindy has calmed down some and is thinking clearly. Dangerous combination in a crazy person. We even got a glimpse of the heart she has buried inside or im just reading too much into it. Nice start for the sequel!

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Mon Jan 20, 2014 3:29 pm

Alice felt her head spin horribly as she slowly opened her eyes. For a second, she couldn't remember where she was, or even what her name was. She had flashes of sitting in her living room with a cup of coffee, feeling worried about something. Then... blackness. She shifted slightly, wondering why her wrists were aching so much. Then, as though she was hit by a fast moving car, she realized what was going on.

She opened her eyes to find her wrists were tied behind her with thin, brown rope, encasing them so tightly she could barely move them. They were attached to her feet, all wrapped in a bundle over her bum. Her mouth was tightly gagged with a bit of cloth, so much so her tongue felt like it was being pushed right back into her mouth. She shivered slightly, realizing she was still in her pyjamas; pink shorts and a top.

She was lying in what appeared to be a run down, abandoned flat, left on a bundle of cloths in the corner of the room. The one window the room had was boarded up, where tiny rays of light were visible. They shined on her with the offer of an outside world. One that now existed without her.

Alice had always been a rather tall girl, rather slim and athletic from her long hours of dancing. Her hair, shoulder length, was brilliantly blond, while her piercing blue eyes where only slightly undercut by her pretty face. She was a very attractive girl, yet it had been her warm personality that had drawn her soldier boyfriend Matt towards her. And it had been her want to be a good friend that had driven him away.

She pulled on her bonds, hopelessly, moaning softly. They were tied with expert precision. No matter how she squirmed, twisted, pulled and pushed, they were not getting loose. It didn't take much thinking for her to realize who'd done this to her. Lucy's old friend, Cindy. The knowledge of what that girl had done to Lucy was enough to drive Alice to distraction. As always, she tried to calm herself. There had to be a way out. She just needed to find it.

She shifted slightly on the cloths, trying to see if there was anything remotely sharp. This building look unstable. Surely something could help her? She wiggled, trying to get into a better position, grunting with the effort. There did not seem to be anything. It seemed that, for the time being, Alice was stuck. She sighed softly, feeling tears in the corner of her eyes.


It seemed to take forever for Lucy to finally cut the rope attaching one of her hands to the bed frame. The knife seemed deliberately blunt; a final joke by Cindy. Eventually, sweating profusely, she managed it, quickly working at the knots tying the the other hand and her feet. Blood rushed back into her limbs, another painful reminder of her experiences 6 months prior. She brought her wrists up to her eyes, once again red and sore from bondage. The room darkened slightly as for a second she was overwhelmed.

"No!" she said aloud. She could not loose it now. Cindy had Alice, the one person who had always been there for her. There was no time to have a panic attack.

She raced downstairs, quickly checking all the rooms of the house. As she had expected, Alice was not there. Cindy had her somewhere, and Lucy was in no doubt that she would hurt her if she could. She wasn't even sure she could trust the 24 hour time window. Something had to be done. But what?

The police was not an option. They had failed to find Cindy thus far, and Lucy knew that Alice's safety depended on them not being involved. Which meant there was only one other option. Two people she had never wanted to see again.


The House looked exactly the same as it had done from the outside; run down and cheap. Lucy remembered her first day in the place, walking through the front door to be politely greeted by Cindy. How excited she'd felt! How relieved at how nice her housemates where. Now this house haunted her nightmares. The very sight of it made her shiver, as she gazed at it from behind the wheel of her car. But there was nothing for it. She knew that, if she was going to find them anywhere, it would be here. She just needed to make sure.

The doorbell was just as stiff as she remembered it, the door frame just as dirty. It looked like whomever had repaired the lock Matt had broken had not done a very good job. Lucy pulled her coat around herself, trying to stop her tremors.

"Who is it?" called out a voice Lucy recognized instantly. Olivia's voice.

"It's Lucy. Remember me?"

A pause.

"Lucy? For real? What the...?"

"Can I come in? I need to talk to you. It's urgent!"

"I... erm, OK."

The door opened. Olivia stood there, looking exactly the same as the day Lucy had last seen here. She stepped aside, revealing the hallway behind the door. Lucy shuddered. That, too, had not changed. She could see the entrance to what had been her room right at the end of it. The place she'd never wanted to see again.

The two girls walked in silence to the kitchen, Lucy sitting down in the uncomfortable hard chair. Olivia did likewise, her eyes appraising her old house mate. They lingered on the scars on her wrists, and looked away awkwardly. Lucy felt a surge of anger.

"Yes. You guys did that."

"I'm sorry."

"I... I know."

"No, I mean it. "I'm so damn sorry, Lucy. What we did to you... I haven't thought of nothing else for months."

"Ha, you and me both."

Olivia paused, searching for something to say.

"How have you...?"

"Don't bother. I haven't come here to make small talk with you. I need your help."

"What do you mean?"

Lucy took a deep breath.

"Cindy's back. She's got my friend Alice. I don't know what she plans to do to her, but it's bad. She wants me to bring her you. You and Becky. I... I don't know what to do!"

Lucy paused for breath. Olivia appraised her, looking confused.

"So Cindy has kidnapped Alice? That girl who helped us before?"

"Yes. She'll... I think she'll kill her!"

"Don't be so..."

"She was going to kill me."

"You don't know that. Cindy's crazy, but she's not a killer."

"That may be, but we need to help Alice."

"Alice? The same girl who would have been happy to see me go to prison?"

"The same girl who untied you and saved your sorry arse, more like."

Olivia stood up suddenly. Lucy winced, then did the same.

"Get out."

"What?"

"You heard me. Get out of here. I'm sorry for what I did to you, but I'm done with all of this."

"You owe me, Olivia!"

"I owe you nothing! Don't forget, I was the one who untied you in the first place."

"How could you not have done? You'd left me tied up so long I... I peed myself, for God's sake. Do you know what that can do to a person? Do you even care?"

"I don't care. Sorry Luce, but I'm not getting involved here. Get out of my house right now. Or I'm calling the police. I mean it."

Olivia's gaze was fierce, determined. Lucy stared blankly back. She'd expected her to say no to helping her, but not this reaction. Certainly not from Olivia, who had, basically, saved her the last time. Something was different here.

Lucy nodded, walking out of the room, deliberately avoiding looking into the bedroom across the hall. She silently left the house, hearing the door slam behind her, locks sliding into place. She hesitated slightly, before heading back to her car, taking her phone out as she did so.

"Hello? Matt? It's Lucy. I'm sorry... but I really need your help. I have to kidnap some people. Today."

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Thu Jan 23, 2014 10:25 am

"It's over."

Matt looked at her with sad eyes, no trace of laughter in his voice.

"You don't mean that!"

"I'm sorry, but what's the point? I'm away months and when I'm home, you're always with Lucy!"

Alice felt tears in the corner of her eyes.

"She's going through a hard time right now! She needs her friends!"

"I know, Alice! I'm the one who saved her, remember? But it's all the time. I never see you anymore. I'm sorry! I can't do this."

"No. Matt! MATT!"

Alice opened her eyes, still able to hear Matt's voice in the background. For a second, she was back on that park bench, feeling like the world had ended. Then, the pain hit her, and she remembered where she was.

Her back was killing her, her wrists nearing agony. She'd been stuck in that horrible position for hours, even though it felt like days. Now and again, she'd struggle pathetically, but to no avail. She was close to giving up.

"Lease you haven't weed yourself," said a voice. Alice looked up. Cindy Thompson stood over her, looking down with an amused expression on her face. Alice wiggled and moaned angrily.

"What's that? You have something to say? OK then, little troublemaker, let's hear it. No point in screaming. Ain't nobody going to hear you here. And if anyone did... well, let's just say you're better off if the people round here didn't find a young girl all trussed up, got it?"

Alice nodded. Cindy bent down and pulled the gag out of her mouth. She spat out the material, coughing and spluttering. At first, Alice wanted to give this girl hell, but thought better of it. She was crazy and would probably not hesitate to hurt her. She had to be clever about this. One thing she wouldn't do was beg.

"Do you have any water?"

"I'll get you some. How you doing?"

Alice squirmed slightly.

"How do you think I'm doing?"

"Yeaaaahh. Sorry about how tight that is. Can't risk you getting out."

"I understand, but do you have to make it... like this. Can't you at least untie my wrists from my legs? At least while you're here."

Alice forced herself to gaze into Cindy's eyes, unblinking. The girl hesitated, then nodded. She bent down, loosening the knots, releasing the bundle over Alice's bum. The captive was finally able to stretch out fully, after hours being in that horrible position. The relief was overwhelming, so much so she moaned slightly. She carefully rolled herself into a sitting position, wincing at the still very tight bonds around her wrists and ankles.

"Thanks, I guess."

Cindy nodded, sitting across from her. Alice regarded her curiously. She softly pulled on the rope binding her hands, seeing if it was any looser. No such luck.

"I have to say," said Cindy. "You've got more spunk than your best friend ever did."

"I'm just a little bit more used to... people," replied Alice.

"What? Hang on. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to you, is it?"

Alice said nothing. Cindy looked more curious than ever.

"That's not important," stated Alice. "I'm just a little curious as to why I'm here now." She pulled on her wrist bindings some more, wincing as the rope dug into her skin. It did not go unnoticed.

"I wouldn't bother. You're only going to end up hurting yourself."

"Well, can you loosen it a little bit, at least? My hands are damn well killing me."

Cindy hesitated.

"I dunno..."

"Come on. How am I going to get past you? I know all about you. You're tough. Me? Not so much."

Cindy grinned.

"I dunno. I'm impressed so far. But no, I'm not untying you. There's a reason you're here. And it's not just because of Lucy. Fact is, the way I see it, if you'd not turned up when you did last time, I wouldn't be on the run right now."

Alice felt a surge of anger.

"No. You'd probably be a murderer instead."

Cindy looked genuinely shocked.

"What? Don't be..."

Alice surged forward, pulling as hard as she could on the rope. She tried to push one hand through the loop, but it might as well have been glued in place. Her hands were tied palm to palm, the knots unreachable, the rope hard and coarse.

"You were going to kill Lucy! Don't deny it!"

"No I wasn't! I was only going to scare her! I wouldn't have actually hurt her."

"Pull the other one."

Alice relaxed for now, realizing she was getting nowhere fast. Cindy stood up, looking more curious than before.

"I'll get you some water. And some food. Try not to move about too much. You'll only hurt yourself."

With that, she walked out of the room, Alice trying to resist the urge to struggle furiously.


"What the hell???"

Matt had barely touched his pint, his knuckles white against the table. Lucy placed her scarred hand over his, trying to seem sympathetic.

"I need your help," she whispered.

"So, let me see if I've got this right?" said Matt, flinging her hand off his. "You want me to help you kidnap your old housemates, and deliver them to Cindy? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What else can I do? She'll kill her, Matt. She'll kill Alice! Maybe you don't care anymore, but you owe her..."

"Don't care? Who do you think you're talking to? It's not like I fell out of love with her, you know!"

"Then why...?"

"I guess she didn't tell you, did she?" Matt paused, looking awkward. "Always putting others before herself, that one. It's her greatest attribute. And weakness."

"I'm not following."

Matt said nothing, taking a big drink from his pint. Lucy held her breath, waiting.

"Do you really think she'll kill her?"

"I do, Matt. Which is why we've got to help her. Look, with you helping, maybe we can trap Cindy."

"And you're sure that those girls won't help us?"

"You kidding? Olivia made her feelings perfectly clear and Rebecca... she's the most selfish person I know."

"Oh, I remember." Another pause. "So what exactly where you planning here, Lucy? You think you'd get me to our old favourite pub and convince me to... to help you commit a serious crime? This is big, Lucy. I just think... I think you're better off getting the Police here."

Lucy nodded. There was sense to what Matt was saying, but she hesitated. The Police had no way of finding Cindy, and right now she felt she could trust nobody.

"Maybe," she replied. "But I can't risk it. I owe Alice, Matt. I can't just leave her out there with that crazy bitch. Please! I need you to help me."

Matt sighed.

"You owe her a damn sight more than you know," he said. "Ahhhh OK. But we do this my way. And if, at any point, things go sour, we call the Police. Got it?"

"Got it!"

Lucy took a deep breath. She could feel another panic attack coming on. She forced herself to think of calming things; her therapist had told her to do this. She pictured Matt, herself and Alice sitting in this same pub months before she even went to Uni, full of joy and hope for the future. Looking at the three of them now, she despaired. It was Cindy who'd done this. Cindy who'd ruined all of their lives.

"So, what do we do?"


Olivia looked at herself in the mirror, applying lipstick. Her tummy felt fluttery, and for the first time she was getting second thoughts. This was the first date she'd been on in a while. What if he didn't like her? What if he'd read the papers six months ago?

It was this thought that made her think of Lucy. She felt bad for what she'd said to her, but stuck to her guns. She refused to feel guilty about what had happened. Lucy had moved on, and so had she. Whatever had happened in the past was in the past.

She felt it before she heard it. Out of nowhere, a slight rush of wind against her face. Before she could turn round, a black bag was shoved over her eyes, blocking out any sight. She tried to make noise but felt herself knocked to the floor, knocking the wind out of her. Someone was sat on her back, grabbing both wrists, attempting to pin them behind her. She struggled and fought for all she was worth, but the person was much stronger. It was then a horrible thought entered her mind.

Cindy.

She heard the ripping of tape, felt it being applied roughly round her wrists. Quickly, she opened her mouth to scream her lungs out, and felt something against her back. Suddenly, every limb was on fire, a buzzing filling her limbs. It seemed to go on forever, before finally stopping. When it did, she felt her mind slipping away. Her head fell forward, and she knew no more.

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby Mister Mistoffelees » Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:31 pm

I get the feeling that this sequel is going to be even darker than its original. And a lot more complicated...
Welcome to Snowden! Enter at your own risk...

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:34 pm

Alice gritted her teeth as she continued to try and work her hands free, her fingers finding no knots to pick at, her wrists finding no slack. The tightness was reaching unbearable levels; she knew this wouldn't be doing her hands any good. She thought of Lucy's wrists, with their thin scars, and the way her hands always stayed cold. She shivered slightly.

"Here's some water," said Cindy's voice. The girl was back clutching a bottle. Alice opened her mouth and gulped down half of it gratefully. Already, she felt instantly better. Cindy sat down opposite her again, looking more curious than ever.

"What?" asked Alice.

"Nothing. It's just, I kind of expected you to be, urm..."

"Begging for my freedom?"

"Well, yeah."

"Get on off that, would you?" spat Alice. "I guess it's what you like the most. Tell me, how long have you enjoyed making people feel helpless?"

Cindy frowned.

"You think I'm enjoying this."

"Oh, of course you are. Lucy told me how you gloated when you did this to her. I mean... why the hell do you need to make it so tight? I can't move. This hurts! And you... you're sat there with a big smile on your face most of the time."

"You have a lot to say."

Cindy's look turned dangerous.

"Maybe. Guess you're going to have to gag me again."

"I might do!"

She stood up, towering over Alice. Her captive cringed slightly, fearing she'd gone too far.

"You see where you are, bitch? This is where I've been living for the past six months! Scared to even leave! Buildings that my aunt used to use. Derelict and abandoned, apart from the average junkie and weirdo! This has been my life! And it's all because of you! You and... and..."

"You did this to yourself!" shouted Alice. "And now you're paying the price!"

"I...I..."

All strength seemed to go out of her then. She collapsed on the floor, tears dripping down her face. Neither girl said anything for a long while, Alice softly struggling hopelessly against her bonds, Cindy sobbing softly. She no longer looked like the imposing figure that Alice had pictured for months. Now, she just looked like a scared young girl.

"Guess you're not used to honesty most of the time," said Alice. Cindy said nothing, her face still turned away from her.

"Look." Alice leaned forward. "Look. Listen to me. Why don't you just stop this? Let me go. Untie me now, and we'll walk out of here together. You need help, Cindy. Please listen to me."

Cindy wiped her face, finally getting her breathing under control.

"There it is," she said. "You're begging."

She walked over to Alice, who flinched slightly. Cindy ignored this, reaching down to the rope on her wrists. Alice felt her undoing some knots and almost cried with relief. She was letting her go!

She made to move her hands, and found them still bound tightly together. The rope, however, was looser, and she felt blood flow freely down to her finger tips. She sighed softly.

"There," said Cindy. "Least it's not so tight anymore. You still won't get out of it though, so just sit still."

Cindy rose once more, heading for the door.

"Can I ask you a question?" inquired Alice. "Are... are you going to...?"

"I don't know. I honestly do not."


"MMMMMMMPHHH"

The screams once again invaded Lucy's ear drums. She did her best to ignore them, her heart beating furiously in her chest. She heard Olivia thrash about some more, heard her cries and pleas. The girl must be terrified. After all, she'd been kidnapped.

And Lucy was the one who'd done it.

She stood outside Matt's van, in an abandoned field. The same abandoned field that Cindy had drove her to, months before. She knew why she'd picked this place. It was quiet, out of the way. Nobody was likely to see what was going on.

"She's awake, Luce." Matt walked over to her, looking grave. Lucy looked down at her watch. Nearly 10 hours had passed already. It was getting dark.

"Luce...?"

"I know. Oh God, what are we doing?"

"Hey, don't loose your nerve now! This was your idea!"

"I know." She swallowed slightly. "Too late to turn back now."

She opened the back of the van, stepping inside. Olivia was still squirming on the floor, her hands and feet tightly tied with duct tape, her face covered, her mouth gagged. She went limp at the noise, and Lucy could see she was physically shaking. She suddenly felt very sick.

Matt bent down and pulled Olivia into a sitting position. She didn't fight.

"Now then," he said in a deep voice. "I'm going to take the bag off your head. You're going to keep calm and have a conversation with us. Do you understand me?"

Olivia nodded vigorously. Matt quickly removed the bag, revealing her tear stained face. She blinked a few times, taking in the scene. Her eyes instantly found Lucy's. There was a look of confusion, relief and anger in them all at once. She thrashed.

"Gah deh taph orf!"

Matt pulled her gag off quickly.

"Ouch! Goddam it! What the hell is this? What the... untie me right this second you crazy bastards!"

"Calm down, Olivia, please!" said Lucy. "We need to talk..."

"To talk!" Olivia pulled on her bindings hard. "Let me go right now, Lucy, I mean it! I swear, I'll have you behind bars for this! This is criminal!"

"You'd know all about that," hissed Matt. "Sorry about the inconvenience, but Lucy's already tried talking to you. Seen as how you didn't want to know, we're having to resort to extreme measures. Alice's life is at stake!"

"We're sorry," added Lucy.

"Sorry! You, I... get this tape off me now! This is ridiculous! I told you, I want nothing more to do with any of this. Just..."

She forced herself to calm down.

"Let me go now and I'll pretend this ever happened."

Lucy swallowed some bile, and shook her head.

"Not yet."

"You have to let me go!" cried Olivia. "I'll be missed if you don't! I'm seeing someone tonight, and..."

"Just shut up!" Lucy found her voice a lot more screechy than usual. She bent down, putting her face in Olivia's.

"I'm sorry about this, I really am, but you wouldn't come by yourself, and I needed you. We've got to save Alice. You have to understand this."

"And what? You're just going to turn me over to her?" Real panic showed in Alice's eyes now. She started to look teary.

"Lucy, please don't do this. I know what I did to you was wrong, I do. I would do anything to take it back. Please, I'm begging you. Let me go."

"You're not going anywhere," said Matt. "Not until you help us."

"No! No!"

Olivia started to cry then, looking terrified.

"Look!" shouted Lucy. "Nobody's turning anyone over to Cindy, OK! We have a plan to get the bitch, but we needed you. We also need Rebecca."

"G...get the bitch? Are you insane! Just call the police!"

"We can't do that."

"Yes you can! You could have done this from the start! But no. You chose to commit a crime. Admit it, a part of you wanted to get your own back on me!"

"No." Lucy didn't know what to say. "Look, we're going to save Alice. You can either help us willingly, or not. Just know that I won't let anything happen to you." She could barley believe the words were coming out of her mouth. Olivia just stared at her, blankly.

"What happened to you?"

Lucy glanced at her scarred wrists.

"You know what."

Matt reached into his pocket, pulling out his taser.

"Where's Rebecca?" he asked.

"What? You're going to use that thing on me?"

"Already used it once," he replied. "No games. Rebecca isn't where we left her. Where is she?"

Olivia hesitated, thinking hard.

"OK," she said. "Let's make a deal. You untie me, and I'll help you." She moved her hands out from behind her. "Get this tape off. I promise. I'll tell you everything."

Lucy hesitated.

"I want to trust you."

"You've got no choice in that matter, it seems."

"And why's that?"

"Because I've no choice but to trust you."

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby The Wrapster » Mon Jan 27, 2014 7:47 am

Have enjoyed both stories to date! Fine writing!!

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 2:43 pm

Alice was getting cold. There was no heating in the building, and as the day drew to a close, she began to shiver.

"Cindy?" she asked.

"Yeah."

The girl was still sat opposite her, not saying anything.

"It's getting kind of... cold. I'm only in my pyjamas."

Cindy sighed.

"Sorry. No heating here. Welcome to the club."

Alice tried to suppress her shivering.

"Can I ask you something?" she said.

"If you must."

"Why did you never turn yourself in? Why live in places like this?"

"Because I'm not going to prison."

"But just think. If you had done. You might have faced time for a bit, but you'd have been out before too long. Your whole life ahead of you."

"You said it yourself, Alice," Cindy looked dead at her. "I was going to kill Lucy."

"I'm not sure you were," replied Alice. "Just like I'm not sure you want to hurt anyone now."

Cindy gazed at her captive, her hands still roughly bound behind her, her bare feet lashed together. She was shaking slightly from the cold, and her eyes looked scared, but also determined. She couldn't help admiring her a little bit.

"You know nothing," she stated, getting to her feet.

"You must be hungry by now. I'm starving. I'm going to see if I can find us some food."

"OK," said Alice. "Look. I know you ain't turning yourself in, I get that. I'm not going to fight you. But please. If anyone ever asked for anything, I'm asking for this. Don't leave me tied up and alone like this. What if someone comes in? I'd be helpless."

Her eyes, for the first time, showed tears.

"I can't trust you. If I let you go, you'll run out of here the instant I leave the room."

"I won't do. I promise."

"The answer is no." She paused. "I'm sorry."

She turned and walked out of the room, not once looking back at Alice.

Alice really did cry then. Softly, quietly, terrified of someone in the building hearing. Her initial tactic, of trying to remain strong, was slowly starting to ware thin.

It had been hours since she had woken up, and Cindy probably scared her more now than she had done before. Despite the two reaching common ground somewhat, nothing had changed. Cindy was going through with her plan, whatever it was. And Alice wasn't sure she could talk her out of it.

Her hands were now killing her, and she still twisted her wrists back and fourth, trying to find any slack in her ropes. She had hoped that the slightly looser wrist bindings would come undone, but they hadn't. She was still tied up, still scared, and more than anything, still cold.

It was around five minutes after Cindy had gone that Alice heard the door slam. She listened as hard as she could for the loud footsteps of Cindy, but these seemed quieter. A rattling breath filled the room. Alice bit her lip to stop herself making nose, struggling mightily against the rope. She had to escape!

A small, middle aged man walked into the room. He swayed slightly where he stood, as though not knowing where exactly he was. He was dressed in dirty clothes full of holes; obviously he'd come in off the street. His face was unshaven, his hair unkempt. In one hand, he carried a bin bag. It took him five seconds to take in the room, and for his dark little eyes to fall on Alice, dressed in pyjamas, still tied up on the floor. Alice realized just how revealing her clothes were.

She swallowed, not daring to say anything.

"Who done that to you?" asked the man, his voice stiff with drink.

"I... this..."

He grinned at her.

"Well, you got yourself in a pickle, no, girl?" He started laughing.

Alice took a deep breath.

"Please. I need your help. If you could just untie...?"

He coughed, loudly, walking closer to her. Alice shifted slightly.

"What's that? You want me to untie you? Wow, I have to admit, I didn't expect to find this up here tonight!" He cackled some more. Alice began to feel terrified.

"Please!" she said again. "It's not funny! I've been left here like this by a nutter. You have to help me!"

"Not sure I have to do anything, girl." His dark eyes were now looking her up and down. She started pulling on her bonds ferociously, tears spilling down her face.

"Oh God!"

"Hush now," he said, sitting down right near her. "Not going to hurt you. Just, you have to admit, finding a young girl tied up where you usually come to get high isn't exactly what you expect to happen. OK, OK, calm down! Let's have a look at you."

He studied her wrist bindings, chuckling softly. The rope was tightly wrapped around each wrist, both of them red and sore.

"Wow, you've hurt yourself here. Calm down."

She winced as she felt his fingers picking at knots.

"Christ, this is tight. How long you been like this?"

"All... all day."

"Well then, ain't you in a pickle."

He straightened up, walking away from her.

(WRITER'S NOTE: At this point, I pressed a random button and accidentally closed the webpage. Suffice to say, I was fuming, but I managed to find it all again, thank God).

"Erm... what are you doing?"

"I'm not getting involved. Got things to do. Besides, I find the whole situation quite funny."

"What?? No! Please, you have to help me!"

"Don't have to do anything, darling. Now, keep quiet."

Alice felt a growing pit of despair in her stomach. The man turned his back on her, fumbling about in his bag. The room was starting to get very dim. The sun was setting, she had been left alone with a nutcase, and she couldn't see an ending. She hoped that, somewhere out there, somebody was trying to help her.

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby Shanyalovestape » Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:37 pm

Alice is one tough nail .. !
Just your average,bondage-loving asian girl

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:20 am

Rebecca downed her drink, casting her eyes nervously around the bar. She knew she should be at home; she'd promised her parents she'd work much harder this term following her rather disappointing grades last year. Of course, none of it had actually been her fault; how could she be blamed if her housemates had gone mental? That type of crap would distract anyone from University work! Besides, her latest essay was not in until next week. She had plenty of time.

Her Course mates sat at the table behind her, already looking like they were settling in for a good night. Fourth week running, these guys sat there, seemingly unrelenting in their continuous partying.

"My type of people," thought Rebecca to herself.

She grinned at them, moving around the bar towards the bathroom, pulling out her phone as she did so. She noticed she had a message, unread from hours ago. Frowning, she opened it as she entered the bathroom, confused as to whom it was from.

"Becky. U will never guess who came round today! Call me! Olivia."

She moved towards the mirror, reaching into her make up bag. It was then she felt someone behind her. She turned quickly.

"You!"

"Hello, Rebecca."

Lucy stood there, her old housemate. She looked very nervous, constantly looking around the room.

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd sodded off to another Uni!"

"Trust me, this is the last place I want to be."

Lucy was looking her up and down. Rebecca was even more confused.

"Well, erm, what do you want? If I'm honest, I didn't think I'd see you again."

"I need to talk to you," said Lucy. "It's about Olivia."

"What about her?"

"Will you meet me outside in five minutes?"

Now Rebecca was even more confused.

"Why would I do that?"

"I need to talk to you about something. But not in here."

Rebecca frowned.

"I don't think so. Now, please go away."

She turned back around to face the mirror, applying her makeup. Lucy hesitated, then walked out of the room, her true fears realized.


"Hey, asswipe!" Matt sighed as Olivia's voice came through from the back of the van. "You said you were going to untie me. Come on already! I told you guys where to find Rebecca. Get this tape off me."

"Don't make me gag you again," he replied. "We're just making sure she's in there."

He glanced behind him at the struggling Olivia, still taped up on the floor. She shot him a filthy look.

"You know that you're going to be in serious trouble here, don't you? You and Lucy. Serious, serious trouble. I mean, what are you actually doing here? What's the plan?"

Matt didn't reply. Secretly, he agreed with everything Olivia had said

The passenger door opened, Lucy quickly jumping into the seat next to him.

"Guess she didn't take the bait?"

"No," replied Lucy. "It was a long shot, anyway."

"Well then," said Matt. "Plan B."

As one, they both turned to look at Olivia, who suddenly felt very unnerved.

"Erm, what's plan B?"

"You're going to call her and ask her to meet you outside," stated Lucy. "And we're going to get her there."

"Are you joking? No way! Look, untie me and let me go in and get her. There's no need for any of this. We'll both help you, I promise!"

"I don't think I can trust you," said Lucy matter of factly. She turned around.

"What the hell happened to you?" asked Olivia, struggling against her bonds.

Lucy turned, climbing back over the seat. Olivia felt a stab of fear.

"You're going to call her," Lucy stated quietly. "And you're going to do it now."

"And if I don't?" Olivia's voice suddenly sounded very squeaky.

Lucy didn't respond, but just gazed at her captive. Olivia suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"OK then, I'll call her! Then, you let me go. Promise me. Promise me you'll let me go."

"I promise."

Lucy turned away from Olivia, trying to suppress her tears. This whole day was absolute hell. She wasn't sure how much of this she could take. Matt caught her eye and beckoned her over.

"Lucy, are you sure about this?" he whispered. "This is going too far. We're not actually going to hurt this girl. I'm drawing the line at that."

"Of course not!"

"Good. Because you're starting to scare me."

A pause. "I'm starting to scare myself."


"Look," Alice said for what seemed like the hundredth time. "If you help me, I'll give you money! My mum will. She has lots of it!"

The man laughed.

"Stop moaning. Have you even tried to escape? Pretty sure you'd be able to."

"I can't!"

"Sure you can. Go on. Try."

He settled himself down, seemingly looking very comfortable. Alice bit her top lip, once again squirming in her tight bonds. Still nothing was budging, no matter how hard she tried. She saw the man watching her every move, and realized with horror he was enjoying it a little too much.

"Please," she said. "Just loosen it up a bit or something."

He shook his head, still smiling. She sighed. She was so desperate to be free, if not out of fear, out of how uncomfortable this was. She was still cold, very hungry, and aching all over.

"Look. This hurts. If you help me, I'll do anything."

"Hmmm, anything." He looked her up and down again, and saw her noticeable flinch.

"Save it, love. You're not my type. You're pretty and everything, but, I kind of gave up on women some time ago." He sighed. "If I'm honest, I kind of like the company."

"Well, untie me and I promise I won't go yet. I'll stick around for a bit!"

"Yeah right, pull the other one. Nobody sticks around here. Why would they? You seen the place." He sighed again. "Ah, okay then. You do look very uncomfortable."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a little knife. Stumbling over, moved behind her back. Alice felt him sawing at her ropes.

"Careful! You nearly cut me then!"

"Sorry. Your struggles have made them tight!"

The sawing continued, until at last Alice felt a bit of rope snap. Suddenly, the entire coil felt loose. She slipped her right hand free, using it to pull her left hand loose. Sighing heavily, she brought them before her eyes, rubbing them softly, wincing. They'd been held together for so long, she could scarcely believe they were free.

"Thankyou."

The man nodded, moving to cut the rope on her feet. When she was completely free, Alice stood up and stretched out, relishing freedom so long denied to her. The man stood up too, putting his knife away.

"Seriously, thankyou so much."

"Aye, whatever girl. Get yourself home. You don't need to stay here."

Alice hesitated. She wanted nothing more than to leave this horrible place, but something was holding her back.

"You sure?"

"Yes. Go..."

"What the hell is going on here?" screamed an angry voice. Alice and the man looked towards the door. Cindy stood there, a murderous look in her eyes, bags of food dropped on the floor.

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Sat Feb 01, 2014 4:29 pm

"Rebecca!" Olivia's voice sounded faint, as though far away. "Need to talk to you! Where are you?"

"What??!" The background noise of the pub was getting too ridiculous for Becky to even function.

"Need to talk...!"

"Hang on. I'll go outside."

Rebecca hung up her phone, quickly marching towards the doors. The night was cold, and she shivered slightly. Bouncers now stood outside the door, leering down at the people coming into the building. There was quite a crowd gathered around them.

Rebecca moved down the street, trying to find somewhere quiet. She opened her phone again, looking for Olivia's number.

It was then the van pulled up beside her. Quick as a flash, a hooded figure leapt out of the open doors, strong arms wrapping themselves around her and holding her tightly. Before she knew what was happening, she was in the van, it speeding off into the night.

"What the hell?" cried Rebecca, as the figure pulled some rope out of their pocket and started tying her hands together in front of her. "What's going on?"

She looked around. Olivia was sitting across from her, bound and gagged in duct tape. She looked very distressed.

"I'm really, truly sorry about this, guys," said a voice. Rebecca looked up, to see Lucy.

"What the hell? Get this guy to stop tying me up, will you?"

"I'm sorry I've had to do this, I really am, but neither of you would have helped me otherwise! Cindy has my friend Alice. She wants the three of us for her."

"I'm sorry, what? Ouch!"

Matt had finished tying the knots, pulling tightly on them.

"Sit back and keep quiet," he said. "Or I'll tie your feet as well."

He jumped up, taking Lucy's place in the driver's seat. Lucy went to join her other housemates.

"I didn't want to do this to you..."

"What the hell, Lucy? I can't move my hands. Let me go. Now!"

"I will! I promise. But we need to talk first."

Rebecca struggled against her bonds, but they held fast.

"You know, I always thought that you would go a bit loopy. I had no idea how much."

Lucy frowned.

"Just believe me when I tell you that nothing's going to happen to you. And that I'll face the consequences of this, when I'm done."

"Oh, you will. I'm going to make sure you bleed for this!"

Olivia was making frantic noises under her gag. Lucy leaned forward quickly, taking it off.

"Ouch! OK, I did what you wanted. I got her. Now, let me go!"

"You helped her?? What the hell?"

"I'm sorry," replied Olivia, turning to Rebecca. "I didn't have a choice."

"There's always a choice."

"No," said Lucy in a stern voice. "You're right. Matt, pull over."

Matt obliged. Lucy quickly bent down and cut Olivia's bindings. The girl sighed, rubbing her wrists.

"You can go if you want to," said Lucy. "Go and run to the police. A deal's a deal."

Olivia hesitated.

"What about Rebecca?"

"Her too."

Rebecca held her wrists out to Olivia.

"Untie me, quick!"

"But before you go," continued Lucy. "I want to tell you something."

She swallowed slightly.

"When I moved into that house, I was so excited, you wouldn't believe it. I'd been looking forward to Uni for so long. Then, you guys decided to tie me up and make me think you were going to really hurt me! What you guys did to me has broken me. I can't eat properly, can't sleep... I'm a mess. My parents don't know what to do. The only person who has truly been there for me throughout all of this is Alice. And it's cost her her boyfriend. And now, Cindy's got her. So yeah, maybe I did want to get my own back. Make you guys feel the way I felt, the way I've been feeling for six months. But this isn't right, I know that. This isn't me. I'm not some psycho. I'm... I'm just me!"

She took a deep breath.

"So, go if you want to. But I tell you this, I'm done being afraid. I'm going after Cindy, and I'm sorting this. When I know Alice is safe, you can do what you want with me. But you're free to go."

She motioned to the door. Neither girl moved.

"Lucy..." Olivia began.

"I don't need to hear that you're sorry. I just need to hear you'll help!"

"You got a funny way of asking for help!" spat Rebecca.

"And would you have helped me if I'd asked you? Olivia already made her feelings known."

Both girls looked at the floor.

"If you want to make this right," said Matt. "This is how you do it."

Olivia looked up.

"What's the plan then?"


Alice dared not move. Cindy towered over the pair of them, a murderous look in her eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me," she laughed. "Graham! Are you serious?"

"Thought I told you to stay away from my section," replied Graham in his watery voice.

"I am doing. You're in the wrong bit! This bit is mine!"

Graham looked around.

"Looks the same to me."

"We are in condemned flats. They all look the same, you cretin!"

She advanced on them.

"Now I'm going to have to deal with you, too!"

Graham pulled out his knife holding it in front of him.

"No, wait!" cried Alice. "Enough, already. Cindy, let him go. He's not done anything. He was only helping me."

"Don't be so sure he's innocent," stated Alice. "I know a thing or two about him that might just change your mind. Don't you move."

"Look!" Alice was thinking quickly. The way Graham and Cindy were sizing each other up was unsettling her. "Just leave him, Cindy. I'll come with you to another... bit of the building. You don't need to get involved here, Graham."

"Kind of think I do, lass."

"It was just a joke! We were just playing around. A dare. See if I could spend the night here, except Cindy tied me up to make sure I couldn't leave! We'll go!"

Alice started walking round towards the door.

"Thankyou for everything!"

Graham continued to hold the knife ahead of him, Cindy staring unblinking,

"Ah," he sighed. "What do I care about any of this? Go on then, you stupid children. Get out of here. Nah!!!"

Alice nodded, walking up right next to Cindy. Her captor grabbed her arm roughly, steering her out of the room, approaching a landing.

"You idiot!" she hissed. "I told you..."

"Oh come on. You couldn't seriously think I wasn't going to try anything. But thankyou for not hurting him."

Cindy laughed.

"You've just made this ten times worse. She led the way to a graffiti coloured door, barging through it. The place was just as dirty as the last one, with some old cables sticking out of the wall. Cindy threw Alice down onto the floor hard, reaching over and pulling out the cables. Alice carefully pulled herself to a sitting position.

"What now?"

"I'm going to have to tie you up again. Very inconvenient!"

"No! It hurts. You're not doing it to me again. I won't let you."

"Oh, you won't, will you?"

She advanced on Alice with the cords, Alice ready to defend herself any way she could. At that moment, the ringing of a phone cut through the air. Cindy stopped, reached into her pocket, and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Cindy. It's Lucy. I've got them both."

"OHHh, wow. You know, I never thought you could pull that off! Where are they now?"

"With me. Where do you want to do this?"

"Do what?"

"The exchange!"

"Ah, yes." Cindy grinned some more. "Well, I have a few places in mind. But there's something else I want for you as well."

"What?"

"50 grand. Or I'll kill Alice right now." She stared down at Alice, terror in her eyes.

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Mon Feb 03, 2014 3:12 pm

"Where the hell am I supposed to get that kind of money?"

"What's going on?" Matt leaned towards the phone, trying to hear the conversation. Olivia and Rebecca sat silently, watching intently.

"Alice has rich parents."

"Not that rich!" Lucy cried. "They can't afford 50 grand, and you know it! What do you want here, Cindy? Our old housemates, or money?! You can't have both."

"Can't I?"

Miles away, Cindy looked towards Alice, malice in her eyes.

"It seems you're not in a position to make threats, Lucy."

"Lucy!" shouted Alice. "I'm OK. I got..."

Cindy lifted up her knife, pointing it in Alice's direction.

"Another word. I dare you."

Alice shut her mouth, looking round the room for some kind of escape. There wasn't any.

"It seems to me that I need to get out of here once I've... spent some time with Rebecca and Olivia. Therefore, if you want Alice back, you're paying for it."

"She's asking for money," said Lucy. "A lot of it!"

"What the hell?"

"Ok, Ok," Lucy sighed. "I'll get you the money. Somehow. Where and when should we meet?"

"There's some condemned flats not far from where you and Alice live. Bring Olivia and Rebecca to those flats, along with the money. I'll be waiting there with further instructions. And if you try anything, anything at all, I swear. I won't hesitate. You have three hours."

She snapped the phone to, cutting the conversation short.

"Well?" inquired Matt. "How much?"

"50 grand. She wants bloody 50 grand!"

"50 grand!" Olivia screeched. "What the hell is she thinking?"

"She's not thinking clearly, that's the point." Lucy sighed again. "If you guys want out of here, now's the time."

Rebecca seemed to want to move, but something held her there. Lucy caught her eye.

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," she said. "But I don't like this. I seriously think it's time you called the police. You're going to have to get this money somehow, and how else by telling her parents? Maybe if you pay her, she'll, I dunno, just leave. Leave and never come back."

"Don't be stupid, Becky," said Olivia. "As usual, you think you can reason with this girl. You can't. We have to stop her."

"Agreed."

"So, what then? What do we do?"

Matt's voice was serious. Serene.

"I have a plan," said Lucy.


"Get over here, now!" spat Cindy. She lunged towards Alice, who moved out of the way.

"Please think about this! Look, I know things have been hard for you. But this does not have to go any further."

"It's going as far as I need it to! Stop rushing about!"

Alice continued to dodge away from Cindy, yet never quite managing to get near the door.

"Enough, already! This has gone far enough."

Cindy hissed, lunging forward suddenly and catching her arm. Alice struggled as Cindy tackled her to the ground, fighting back with all of her strength.

"Stop it! Ouch!"

Cindy moved her hands behind her once more, trying to wrap the cords around her wrist.

"Keep still! I'll end up breaking your hand at this rate!"

"Get off me!"

Cindy sat down completely on her, drawing her knife with one hand and holding it to her throat.

"Enough!"

Alice went limp.

Cindy quickly tied her hands together again, wrapping the cord around each wrist. They both looked sore.

"Why did you have to try to escape?" Cindy said.

She stood up, looking down at her captive. Alice winced, pulling herself into a sitting position. Every muscle in her arms ached, and it only felt worse now.

"Can you blame me?"

"I guess not."

Cindy looked unsure of what to do.

"So, Lucy called you then."

"She came through quite... brilliantly!"

"And what happens now?"

"Well, she comes..."

"What happens to me?"

Alice gritted her teeth, trying to ignore the severe pain in her wrists. The cords hurt so much she didn't even want to try and move her hands.

"Are you going to let me go?"

Cindy sat down across from her, motioning with her hands for her feet. Alice sighed, moving her legs out towards her captor. Cindy started to bind her feet together.

"Once Lucy gets here, I'll not need you anymore, no."

"So, are you letting me go?"

Cindy paused. "I..."

Alice did not need to ask anymore.

"You know," Cindy said. "It's funny. I actually kind of like you. I recon we could have been friends if we'd met under different circumstances."

She pulled hard on knot, finishing Alice's leg bindings once again. Alice winced, closing her eyes.

"If you hadn't done what you did to Lucy, chances are we would have been."

"Can I ask you something?" Cindy settled back down, surveying her prisoner.

"I guess."

"You hinted that something like this had happened to you before. What happened?"

"I was kidnapped. When I was 12. No big deal."

"Kidnapped by who?"

"My uncle. It's a long story, I don't want to get into it. He kept me in a hotel room for a few days. The police found me eventually and let me go."

"But why...?"

"He thought I was his daughter. He was insane. Kept saying we were going to run off and see the world together. Said he was sick of people keeping us apart. Said that I was going to be happy. Kind of hard to be happy when your uncle is leaving you tied to a chair for days on end."

"Wow. I had no idea."

"I haven't told anyone. Not even Matt."

Alice took a deep breath, looking Cindy dead in the eye.

"So that's why I wasn't so scared before. I've encountered people like you before."

Cindy looked offended.

"I'm not your uncle! I'm not insane! I'm just..."

"That's the thing. Even you don't know who you are, do you?"

"I'm just..."

"You like hurting people. You like being in control. I mean, do I even need to be tied up right now? No. You may like me, but you don't care about me. I'm just a pawn in your game. One that you're going to play regardless of everyone else."

"And what's the alternative?" Cindy looked ready to cry once more. "Let you go? Turn myself in. Let those girls get away with it?"

"Get away with what? What did they do, Cindy? What did Lucy do to you?"

Cindy did not reply. Alice looked downwards, not knowing what else to say. She wasn't sure there was anything more she could say.

"For what it's worth," whispered Cindy. "I'm kind of glad I met you."

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Wed Feb 05, 2014 3:04 pm

"Is this the place?" Matt peered at the derelict building over the top of the wheel. "It does not look very friendly."

The place was a crumbling old building, with evidence of intense squatting. Some people sat outside it at that moment, glaring slightly in the van's direction. Lucy tried to avoid their gaze.

"She has Alice in there? Oh my..."

"Bet she's been living there," said Rebecca. "She said to me that she knew places where nobody would think to look. Said her Aunt used to be some sort of criminal mastermind, til she got put away."

"Put away?" Lucy couldn't help being intrigued. "For what?"

"Get this. She organized the kidnap of this girl for a mystery employer who turned out to be her 12 year old son. Talk about mental. The whole family's warped!"

"Hang on, her 12 year old son? Seriously?" Matt frowned at Rebecca. "I think she might have been making this up."

"No! It's true. I looked up the girl they kidnapped online. Her name's Ann..."

"We're getting off topic!" said Olivia. "That guy over there is coming towards us."

The four of them looked out the window, to see a bearded man poorly dressed approaching them, staggering slightly as he walked. Matt tensed, reaching into his pocket for his taser, alert for anything. The man gestured for him to roll down the window.

"You kids shouldn't be in this neighbourhood, son."

"We're looking for... some friends of ours. Two girls."

"Two girls round your age?"

"Yes!" Lucy leaned forward. "Have you seen them?"

"Maybe. Might have seen some girls like that. What's it worth?"

"How's about you cut the crap and tell us?" Matt's voice had gone very quiet. A hush fell over the van.

"You're not very polite."

"No. I'm not."

The man's eyes bulged. He looked angry.

"Look," said Lucy. "Please! Our friends... we need to find them!"

"I ask again, what's it worth?"

"You know what, I've had it."

Very suddenly, Matt opened the car door, jumping out and grabbing the man. He forced one hand behind his back, holding him against door.

"Where are they?" he spat.

"Get off me! Ouch!"

"Where are they??"

"Matt!" exclaimed Lucy. "What are you...?"

"All day I've watched things be completely out of my control. Not anymore. You're going to tell me where they are, right now!"

"OK, OK! Top floor, damn it! Top floor!"

"Guys!" Olivia was tapping Lucy's shoulder hard. She followed her gaze back to the building, where a large number of men were rushing forward.

"Matt! Get back in the van! Now!"

Matt saw the onslaught and quickly obeyed, pushing the man off him and jumping back into the car.

"I'm sorry I helped her now!" spat the man. "You kids come into our home and tie each other up, and think it's funny? What the hell is up with you?"

"Drive, Matt!" shouted Lucy.

Matt didn't need telling twice. He put his foot down on the accelerator pedal, quickly moving away from the crowd.

"Damn it!"

"We'll never get in there now," said Olivia. "Why the hell did you do that?"

"I wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face."

"Yeah, except now we're not getting anywhere near the place!"

"Which is what Cindy wanted," realized Lucy. "She knew we wouldn't just go barging in. She's making it on her terms."

"So what do we do?" Matt's voice was full of menace. "Call her? Put her back in control? It was your idea to try and sneak in, Lucy. You got any other bright ideas?"

"Just one. I go back and go in there alone."

"What??" said all three of them at once.

"Listen, we know Cindy's in there with Alice. All four of us will never get in there. I'll go in, find Alice, and get her out of there. You call the police."

"You're kidding!" exclaimed Matt. "No way I'm letting you do that. You're no match for Cindy, or anyone in there for that matter!"

"I'm not dragging the rest of you in there. I got you all into this. I'm going in."

"Lucy, you're crazy!" shouted Olivia. "You don't know what you'll find in there!"

"My friend. It's time I helped her for a change." Lucy took a deep breath. She was terrified, but her determination burned brighter. She was done being too scared to face her fears. Her friend needed her, and she was going to help her.


"Sounds like there's a bit of commotion out there," said Cindy. "Can hear a lot of noise. We should probably try to keep a lower profile."

"We should get out of here," replied Alice. "Look, I know you can't let me go, but we should not stay here. Ow," she added softly.

"Is it your hands?" inquired Cindy.

"Ye... No. No, I'm fine."

"You don't need to lie to me, you know," said Alice.

"OK then. Yes, my hands are bloody killing me. But you don't care, so I'm not wasting my time."

Alice turned away, not knowing where to look. This nightmare seemed to be never ending.

"Your Uncle," said Cindy, as though from far away. "Do you ever talk to him?"

"No. Not seen him since I was 12. Kind of puts a dampener on things when your uncle ties you up for days."

"I used to spend a lot of time at my aunts," said Cindy. "Play with my little cousin, Henry. She was a hard woman. I used to want to be like her. Until she got herself arrested, anyway."

There was a sudden noise outside the room. Alice quickly snapped her head towards the door. Cindy put her finger to her lips, then quickly stood up to investigate.

"Looks like there's a lot of running about going on out there," whispered Cindy. "Something's got everyone riled up."

"Untie me, Cindy. I don't like the sound of this."

Cindy bent down and quickly released her feet, helping her stand up.

"My hands," said Alice.

"No. You're still my prisoner. Not risking you running off."

She steered her bound captive through the door, out into the corridor. There was a lot of noise coming from the lower levels, but nobody to be seen.

"Looks like whatever plan you had in bringing me here is backfiring," said Alice. "Maybe you should just..."

"Oy!"

Both girls looked up to see Graham standing above them, looking haggard and very angry.

"You two caused a lot of trouble round here. People are on the war path! One of your friends just assaulted me!"

"What??" both girls said at once.

"Who did?" cried Alice.

"Big beefy bloke. In a van."

"Matt?"

"So, looks like Lucy turned to soldier boy after all. Knew she would." Cindy grinned. "I was kind of hoping she'd do that." She turned to Graham. "How can we get out of here without attracting too much attention."

"Why should I help you? And why do you have her tied up again? Can't say I'm liking this, at all."

"Graham!" called out another voice. A large crowd of about five men came down the stairs, fixing their eyes on the girls. "Well then, what's this?"

Cindy slowly started backing away. For the first time, she seemed weary.

"When I say now, run!" she whispered to Alice.

"This is none of your business," she called up to the men.

"Oh, I think this is my business. You committing a crime or something? You girl. What's happening here?"

"Careful," Cindy breathed to her. "You can't trust these guys."

Alice did not need telling twice; the men were shooting her hungry looks.

"Erm, just a game."

"A game, eh. Can we play?"

"Sod off," said Cindy, standing in front of her. "She's my property, not yours."

Alice slowly started to back away, looking behind her. Her hands were still tied tightly. She did not want to have to run quick, but prepared herself all the same.

"Run," said Cindy without turning round. "Now!"

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby hafnermg » Fri Feb 07, 2014 2:11 pm

hmmm so Cindy might not actually be crazy she is just really lost. And the end there shows the heart inside Cindy again. Im starting to think Cindy could actualy be a great friend and person once she finds her way again. Great update!

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Fri Feb 07, 2014 4:15 pm

Thankyou hafnermg :) One of the main reasons I wanted to start writing on here was to get some general feedback. I'm not spending as much time editing the sections as I usually would, as I want to get them out quickly, but I'm really enjoying it all the same. New part coming soon. Busy weekend (sorry!).

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:49 am

Six Months Ago...

"Hi," said Lucy, nervously approaching the tall girl in the kitchen busy unpacking her things. "I'm Lucy. Guess we're housemates."

"Hello," replied the girl, a smile on her face. "Yeah, I know. I read you were going to live with us. I'm Cindy." She motioned behind her, to the other girl unpacking her things. "That's Becky."

"Rebecca," grinned the girl. "My brothers call me Becky, and it don't half annoy me!" She walked forward and also shook Lucy's hand. Lucy sat down at the table, searching for something to say.

"So, are we supposed to have another girl in here as well?"

"Yeah, she's not here yet," replied Cindy, joining her. "Bet you're feeling well nervous! I remember I was when I first started."

"A little," laughed Lucy. "More excited than nervous though. Been looking forward to this for ages! Didn't sleep a wink last night!"

"Me neither!" exclaimed Rebecca. "Can't wait to get started! Heard loads of good things about Fresher's Week!"

Lucy couldn't help smiling. She'd heard plenty of good things too. She breathed a small sigh of relief. It looked like these girls were going to be nice enough to live with.

"You're going to love it," said Cindy. "I remember doing it all last year. You meet loads of cool people, and drink prices are great!"

"Good thing we have someone who knows the city!" said Rebecca. "Place is like a maze."

"Don't worry," Cindy stated. "I'll make sure you guys are OK. Ain't nothing going to happen to you while I'm around."

Lucy smiled and turned away from her. That was why she didn't notice the look Cindy gave her, just for a second. A look of pure, unadulterated contempt.

It was two weeks later that Lucy stepped off the bus, feeling very tired from her long day. Lectures were in full swing, essays had already been assigned, and the fun of Fresher's Week seemed like a memory. And Lucy was loving all of it. She reached into her pocket, quickly sending a text to her friend, Alice, asking her if she wanted to call her later. Although the girls had discussed going out, she wanted to have a night off!

On reflection, maybe Lucy should have known something was wrong when she put the key in the lock and opened the door. The house seemed very quiet... too quiet. She knew that her housemates had to have been back by now, so she didn't understand why there was no sign of them. Frowning, she walked further into the hallway, and heard a door slam. Cindy was standing just outside the kitchen, smiling at her.

"What...?"

Suddenly, hands grabbed her from behind, twisting her wrists behind her back.

"What the hell?"

Cindy rushed forward, putting her hand over Lucy's mouth and forcing a bit of material inside it. The girl stared back at her, horrified.

"Don't scream, or we'll make you pay! Becky... tie the bitch up."

Lucy's eyes widened in horror. She felt four pairs of hands grab her wrists roughly, attaching them together with scarf like material. She was then dragged into the kitchen by all three girls, forced into one of the uncomfortable chairs. If this was a prank, she was not enjoying herself!

Cindy and Rebecca quickly wrapped more scarves around her, attaching her to the chair. Lucy finally managed to spit out the material, glaring at the girls.

"What the hell? Guys, this isn't funny!"

"Shush. We're kidnaping you!" laughed Cindy. "Don't be an idiot and you won't get hurt!"

And thus, Lucy's torment had begun. Six months of fear, of flashbacks to her humiliation and capture. She'd thought it over. She'd thought it done. But like with many stories these days, there will always be a continuation somewhere down the line.

NOW

Lucy walked quickly down the street, trying to avoid the gaze of anyone who glanced in her direction. She pulled her hood over her head, trying to hide how young she really was. These people looked ready to snap at any young person they might see.

She forced herself to breath calmly, feeling just as scared as ever. Every fiber of her being wanted to turn back. To rejoin Matt and the others in the van, calling the police and letting them handle it. But, what if Cindy anticipated this? What if she got away with Alice, and did something horrible to her? Lucy couldn't let that happen. She was used to being afraid; she'd felt like it for months, ever since she'd moved into that house and been treated so horribly. It was time to finally let it go. Time to become someone new.

The staircase was horribly dirty, full of old vandalism and rubbish. Now and again, she could feel eyes glaring at her, looking her up and down, fixing on her bum and legs from the floor. She consolidated herself with the fact that, while they were looking, they hadn't sprung up and tried to grab her. Clearly, the crowd who had lunged at the van before was only a small number of the people living here.

It was up two flights that she heard fast moving footsteps heading her way. She paused, uncertain, shrinking back around a corner on the stairs. Whoever it was hopefully had nothing to do with her, but she wasn't taking any chances.

It was then she saw her friend Alice rushing down towards her, her hands still harshly tied behind her. She was filthy, still in her pajamas, with a look of terror in her eyes. Her bare feet were black, with a thin line around each ankle where she'd clearly been tied up. Lucy didn't hesitate, rushing out to meet her friend.

"Alice!"

"Lucy! Oh my God!"

She almost fell into Lucy, out of breath. Lucy sat her down on the steps, hugging her tightly.

"Oh God, Alice. I thought..."

"Lucy, there's no time, we need to get out of here!"

She leaned away from the hug, looking determined. She gestured with her bound hands.

"Untie me!"

Lucy nodded, studying her bonds. Her hands were crossed with thick, black cord, roughly tied. The knots, at least, were able to be undone. She started picking at them.

"Quick! Get me out of this. They're coming!"

"Who?"

"Shush!"

Both girls looked up. More footsteps were coming down the stairs now, and the sound of male voices.

"Leave it!" whispered Alice. "We need to get out of here, now! Just help me walk!"

Lucy nodded, pulling her friend to her feet. The two quickly started heading back down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. Alice pulled on her bindings to see if they were any looser, but with no such luck.

"Who the hell are these people?" Lucy quietly asked as they ran.

"I dunno," Alice hissed. "They said they were angry at Cindy for bringing this here. Said they were going to make her pay!"

"Careful! We're nearly at the door."

They turned the last corner on the stairs, to find a small gathering had assembled around the entrance, looking up towards them. Both girls did not need telling this gathering had been waiting for them. They paused, silently rushing back up the way they came.

"In here, quick!" said Lucy, pushing open a door to a flat. The girls rushed in, vaulting into the bathroom and closing the door softly.

"Do you reckon they saw us?" asked Alice.

"I dunno," replied Lucy. "I don't think so."

The two could barley dare to move, listening with all their might to see if the crowd had come into the flat. Alice continued to softly struggle against her hand bindings. After a few minutes, Lucy felt she could breath again.

"Lucy," whispered Alice, frustrated. "Could you please, urm... help me?"

Lucy nodded, once again turning her attention to Alice's hands. After a few more minutes, she got the cord off. Alice sighed mightily, rubbing her wrists and wincing.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"No, I mean thankyou for coming for me."

"You did the same for me. I'm... I'm so sorry she dragged you into this, Alice. This was always between me and Cindy."

"I don't think so, Luce." Alice fixed her friend with an intense stare. "I just think Cindy really, truly needs help." She paused. "Those men... do you think they'll hurt her?"

"I dunno," replied Lucy. "But we can't stay to find out. We need to get out of here! Matt's outside with Olivia and Rebecca. They're going to call the police as soon as I've got you out."

"It might be too late by then! The police never come here. I've heard of this place."

"Well what?" said Lucy. "What do you want us to do? Help her? In case you haven't noticed, there's only two of us. We're no match for them!"

"We shouldn't leave her, either!"

"Alice! She brought you here and left you tied up! She tortured me! She deserves what's coming to her!"

Alice opened her mouth and closed it.

"Do you truly believe that?"

"I... I dunno!" Lucy felt like tearing down walls. "I dunno what I believe!"

"Well, I'll tell you what I believe. I know you, Lucy! You're the type of girl who always puts others before herself. Well, now, you need to do that one more time. We'll get her out of here and get her help. Proper help."

Lucy gazed at her friend, filthy and bearing the marks of long confinement. She remembered her deep hatred for Cindy, and how she had, essentially, been the cause of all of this. If not for her, Lucy and Alice might have been sat in a pub somewhere now, meeting up and having a good catch up about everyone. Matt might have even asked Alice to marry him; he'd been hinting for weeks. And yet, here Alice sat, asking Lucy forget everything. To help her save Cindy. As usual, Alice always knew exactly what to say.

"I know, we can't leave her here. But what can we do?"

"She held me up on the top floor. That's where I last saw her."

"Then I guess that's where we need to go. You going to be okay to walk."

"Yes." Alice stood up, swaying slightly but looking determined. "I'll be fine!"

Re: Housemate Issues 2: Revenge F/FFFF

Postby angim350 » Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:27 pm

Cindy pulled against the rope wrapped around her wrists, wincing slightly as it dug into her skin. Her shoulders ached from the position she'd been forced into; her arms were spread as though she was about to hug someone, each hand bound to a bit of piping. Graham and a few others stood across from her, glaring. She forced herself to meet their gaze.

"Can't find the brats anywhere," said a voice as another man entered the room.

"Don't matter," replied Graham. "Let em go. It's this one we should have a problem with."

He approached Cindy, staggering slightly.

"We let you have a home here! And you bring your mates round and think it's okay! This is our house!"

"Screw you," said Cindy.

"Screw me! We don't bother anyone, do we guys." The others nodded their agreement. "We leave the outside world alone. We stay here because we have nowhere else. And you... you bring down trouble on us!"

"Oh please," replied Cindy. "You bring down trouble on yourself. All kinds of crazy stuff goes on here. Most of the building is happy to close their eyes to it."

"You kidnapped some chick and brought her here," said another one of them, a slightly younger, more dangerous looking individual. "You think I want the cops sniffing round here?"

"And what, exactly, are you planning to do it about it?" Cindy surveyed each of them in turn. "I'm not scared of you."

"You should be," spat Graham.

"Why? Untie me and let's see who'll win. I'll drop the lot of you."

The young man suddenly lunged forward, grabbing her face.

"You should have known better," he hissed. "Than to bring your problems round here."

Cindy absently pulled on her bindings, but they held fast. She felt her heart beating faster, and took a deep breath. She would not let any of these men see her fear. For she was afraid. And not just of them. For the first time, she was truly petrified of herself.

The young man turned to Graham.

"If we let those other brats get away, they'll bring the police. We need to find them too. I say we search every inch of this place."

"Hang on, Bradley."

"What? You want to just let them go? After what that boy did to you?"

"Look, her I understand. But the others? I think that gal I was talking to before... she weren't here by choice. Just let em get off. They won't bother us."

"Don't be an idiot," said Bradley. "Now, let's go tear this place apart! Stay here if you want to, Graham. Make sure this bitch doesn't move."

With that, the group marched out of the room, leaving Graham gazing at Cindy. She returned his stare, her fingers trying to find a knot to pick at.

"You're a funny lass," said Graham. "Nowt I can do for those friends of yours. That Bradley... you don't cross him."

"He's a little man with a big voice," sighed Cindy. "Look, how's about me and you come to some sort of deal?"

"Shut your mouth. You've got this coming to you. Something's broken in you girl."

"Maybe. But come on, you're a smart man. You know I come from a wealthy background. You want money? I'll get you money. All you got to do is let me go."

"Yeah, OK. You got money. Which is why you've been living here for the past few weeks. Don't think I'm an idiot, girl."

He swayed slightly where he stood. Cindy sighed.

"I think you might actually be very clever. If you didn't drink yourself half to death, that is."

Graham spat, walking forward, when suddenly he paused in his tracks, and fell to the floor hard, knocked out cold. Behind him stood Lucy, holding a bit of piping in his hand, Alice leaning on the wall next to her looking white. Cindy felt that her mouth was open, and closed it quickly. Lucy walked forwards, still holding the weapon, her eyes never leaving Cindy's.

"Well, I didn't expect that," said Cindy.

Lucy's look was one of hatred, a shocking thing to see on her otherwise kind face. She straightened herself up.

"By all rights, I should leave you here," she whispered.

"I wouldn't blame you if you did."

"What you did to me... what you've done to Alice... you're a sick person, Cindy."

"And yet, you came back for me. Which clearly means that you're here to help me. How commendable of you. Perfect as always, Lucy."

"I'm not perfect," she continued. "Not by a long shot. The things I've done over the past few hours... it's proven to me we are all a little crazy. If pushed far enough."

"Lucy!" cried Alice. "Hurry up and untie her, will you? They might come back at any second!"

"She's right," said Cindy, trying to hide a slight desperation in her voice.

"And how do I know you won't just turn on us if I help you?" asked Lucy. "How do I know you won't tie us up again?"

"At the moment, my only interest is getting out of here."

"And then what? You seriously expect us to believe you'll just let us go?"

"Frankly, no. But I will. I'm tired of this game."

Lucy hesitated, still unsure. A small part of her seriously wanted to leave Cindy, tied up to those pipes. But there was a larger part of her that had been awoken by Alice. The girl who couldn't in good conscience do that. She looked down at her scarred wrists, still slightly bruised from her earlier confinement.

"I want you to promise me that you won't run either. You need to pay for what you've done here."

Cindy, for the first time, looked scared.

"I promise."

Lucy nodded, quickly running forward and untying the knots around Cindy's arms. The girl quickly stepped away, rubbing her wrists. She towered over Lucy, but the girl didn't back down.

"Looks like you've finally grown some balls," she laughed. "I'm impressed!"

"Guys!" hissed Alice. "I think they're coming back up!"

Cindy and Lucy rushed over to the door, hearing the tell tale signs of feet on the stairs. Alice swayed slightly, Cindy holding out a hand to steady her.

"Don't touch her!" spat Lucy.

"I'm just giving her a hand..."

"It's... it's okay, guys, I'm fine." Alice tried to steady herself.

"You're not fine!" exclaimed Lucy. "You look exhausted."

"We need to move!" said Cindy. "Alice, I'm sorry, but pull yourself together or I'm carrying you."

"We need to... get down to another flat," breathed Alice. "Now!"

"Okay! Let's go!"


Olivia continued to rub her wrists slightly, trying to peel off the sticky residue from the duct tape. They were still red and sore from her bondage. She looked up to see Matt watching her intently.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Say it like you mean it," she replied.

"Just making conversation." He looked away awkwardly. "For what it's worth, I am sorry about what we did to the both of you today. We should never have done it."

"No," said Olivia. "But we should never have helped Cindy tie up Lucy in the first place. I should have agreed to help Lucy from the start. Guess we all suck."

She couldn't help smiling at Matt, who shot her a slight grin back.

"This is crap!" cried Rebecca. "She's been far too long. I say we call the police!"

"I agree," said Olivia. "Something's obviously gone wrong."

Matt hesitated.

"What's the problem?" demanded Rebecca. "You think we're going to rat on you guys, don't you?"

"No. I don't want to risk Alice's safety. For what it's worth, we intend to come clean about what we did."

"Pull the other one."

"Becky," said Olivia. "Shut up. Matt, I know what you mean, but I'm seriously worried now. If Cindy or someone else has gotten Lucy, we need to help her."

Matt sighed.

"I agree."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.

"We need some backup."