The Last War of Summer - Part 7
A very brief discussion ensued but Matthew and Paul, to whom my scheme particularly appealed, vigorously supported me. The others wondered whether my brother would agree to our terms. If they were refused we still had our six captives and they were not in a position to negotiate but I was confident that Chris would give way - he was much gentler than the others suspected and had a well developed sense of right and wrong. The plan was adopted unanimously.
There was no point in addressing our hostages - they had heard all we had to say although their gags precluded them from participation in our debate. One by one we freed their ankles and helped them to crawl through the entrance "tunnel" on their knees, their hands still tied behind their backs and with their gags and blindfolds in place. Once outside each one was spun around a few times to help to disorientate them and they were lead off the relatively short distance to our tents. Robert and David preceded them, and broke out some additional ropes from our store. These were thrown over the lower boughs of the surrounding trees. As each prisoner arrived his ankles were tied together, his wrists were then untied and immediately lashed in front of him. One of the ropes previously mentioned was tied to the lashing on their wrists, hauled taut until they were almost on tip toe, brought down and tied off to their bound ankles. It was our favourite "interrogation" position.
When our four original captives were thus trussed we removed their blindfolds, unfastened the feet of our two remaining prisoners and lead them out of the tents. The look on Mike's face plainly showed he was shocked when he saw how many of his team (including his henchman, Peter) we had caught and this was reflected in the look of surprise the others showed at the sight of their leader, still with his arms tightly bound behind his back. A few moments sufficed to string our remaining two captives up like their compatriots and then we stood back to admire our work and congratulate ourselves on our victory.
We had agreed that Ken and Colin, would look after the prisoners while the rest of us would form our delegation. We needed a white flag. Another staff was fetched from the tents but only three of us had white shirts. Stuart's was of course missing and Mark's was being used to gag him. No doubt the latter would have loaned us his like a shot but it was obviously more use where it was and under the circumstances I donated my white tee shirt to complete the signal leaving me shirtless. I was a scrawny boy and this was accentuated by my blue gym shorts, too large for me, drooping on my spare frame. I hitched them up and made the best of it. Mike and John watched our activities curiously - they hadn't been party to our discussions and were therefore in the dark as to what we proposed. All our prisoners had of course remained securely gagged so there could be no discussion between them.
We moved out en masse as quietly as we could and within a few minutes were standing on the edge of the enemy camp. The time limit was fast approaching but the oil lamps were still lit and the clearing was now occupied by Roger, Andrew and Graham (another occasional). My worst fears were justified - James was lying, stripped to his shorts, gagged and staked out as Paul had been earlier. Roger was just stretching as he concluded a "tickle torture" session and the sweat gleamed on James's chest and hair. The gag was preventing him giving any secrets away just yet, however. There was no sign of Chris who presumably was still scouting around in the hope of tracking some of us down. As we stepped out from the bushes James's eyes seemed to stand out on stalks and Roger's mouth fell open. For a moment he was speechless. Before he had time to recover himself David spoke up. "We need to talk. There is only 10 minutes left to run and we are holding most of your team prisoner. To save your pals undue suffering we have a proposal but it would be best if Chris were here to hear it too. Do you know where he is and can you fetch him?" Roger looked from one to the other of us, said simply, "Yes," took out a whistle and blew three loud, long blasts. We waited and 5 minutes later my brother appeared through the bushes on the other side of the clearing. He took us all in at a glance, saw our white flag of truce and asked Roger what was going on. The latter replied, "It appears we are receiving a delegation. They claim to have most of the others captive but want to offer some kind of trade."
Chris chuckled, then said, "OK, let's hear what you have to say".
David, our elected spokesman, reminded them that the time was about to expire (there was now only a couple of minutes to run) and that under the rules we were the victors having most prisoners. He reminded them that, by prior agreement James must be freed but that we had the right to hang on to ours for the remainder of the night. The others nodded their assent. David then explained that we were prepared to exchange all our hostages if Chris would deliver himself into our hands instead. The four boys looked blankly at us for a few seconds and then began an animated conversation amongst themselves. Finally Chris spoke. "How do we know you are telling the truth and are not making up a tale about holding the others?"
"Since the game is officially over, we will be more than happy to take you all, under our flag of truce to inspect the merchandise," David told them. "If you do not agree to our terms, we will have to keep them all and they are in for an uncomfortable night". We glanced down at James, still tightly bound but lying quietly and agreed they could keep him until the surrender terms had been agreed. James squirmed in his bonds at our feet. Evidently he had something to add to the debate but his captors had made a good job of his gag so his contribution was unintelligible. I felt this would be a very small recompense for his part in my humiliation a few weeks ago...
Richard
UK
Wednesday, November 14th 2001 - 12:21:00 AM
The Last War of Summer - Part 8
"Well OK," said Roger, "We will come and inspect the goods and then we can discuss the matter further." James tried to struggle in his bonds but the stakes had been so positioned that he had virtually no movement and he gave it up and glared at us over his gag as we all trooped off leaving him on his own.
A short stroll with no fear of attack brought us all to our own camp. When Roger spotted our guests strung up and glaring at us over their gags he could not contain himself and burst out laughing. Andrew and Graham seemed to take their cue from him and were soon almost hysterical. All they received in reply were angry looks from their compatriots. Roger became the spokesman for the opposition - Mike and Peter, the usual leaders, were in no position to negotiate. "We accept your victory and I am more than happy to release James to you. However I don't feel I can hand Chris over without his own wholehearted acceptance of your proposal." He looked enquiringly at Chris.
My brother looked again at our bound prisoners and turned back to the rest of us. "I must say you have done well against all the odds, and I feel really bad when I say I shall have to decline your invitation, especially as it condemns these lads to a night of suffering!" His response really disappointed me and I felt my colour rise with my anger - I had thought my brother was more gallant. Chris saw my reaction and turned to me saying softly "You don't understand Titch, I am on a curfew and must be home by 10.30 latest. You know what would happen if I break it!" This was something I hadn't anticipated and I could see no way round it. My disappointment was enormous - I thought my revenge was slipping through my fingers.
"I'll tell you what I will do if it makes you feel better," Chris went on. "I will give you my word to return tomorrow morning immediately after breakfast and you can have your revenge if you agree to set these lads free now." This was a total surprise and my mates were nodding approvingly. "Very well, I will accept your offer on one condition - that Mike remains our hostage until you return tomorrow. I suspect he was deeply involved in planning your treachery today in any case so he deserves not to be let off with the others and we have the right to hold them all!" I brightened considerably as a thought struck me. "Anyway, we will have all night to work out what to do with you." Chris groaned, then laughed out loud. "Let's release these boys and then I had better be off home." My mates removed our prisoners' gags and then untied them from their uncomfortable positions. Last was Mike. Before we untied his hands he asked us, quite good naturedly, "Do I get a say in any of this?"
"No, not at all!" we all responded in unison. "Oh, fair enough," Mike grinned as we untied his hands. We gave him a few minutes to rub his wrists and enjoy a little freedom then instructed him to turn around with his hands behind his back. In a few moments Mike was a bound prisoner once more. Before leaving us, Chris took me on one side and said, "Well done, Titch, you did well today and you deserve your victory. I give you my word I will be back first thing tomorrow to take my punishment. Don't be too hard on Mike tonight or your brother tomorrow!" He grinned at me and once more ruffled my hair, laughing as I pulled away and glared angrily at him. Chris took his leave and accompanied by the other boys who were returning home left the battle field by a different path while we returned to Mike's patrol hut, our one remaining prisoner being guarded in our midst by a couple of boys. Our paraffin stoves were quickly lit to get our supper ready while Mike was given a log to sit on though his ankles were left free. All at once we realised we had completely ignored James, still staked out and gagged a few yards away.
I removed his gag and he at once complained that we should have released him before going for our parley. I told him to stop moaning or I would put the gag back and leave him where he was for the rest of the evening. This had the desired effect but I took my time untying him, leaving his wrists until last.
We enjoyed a hilarious supper and Mike was liberated before we ate. He tried hard to negotiate his way out of what was coming to him shortly, complaining that he had not been consulted in any of the earlier discussions. We reminded him that, as a prisoner at the time limit his freedom was forfeit to us by the agreement reached before the game started but he was simply being held to ensure Chris's co-operation. Since he had helped to plan Chris's game of treason he could hardly complain if the schemes backfired on him. He shrugged good naturedly, grinned and said, "I guess you are right and I am in for an uncomfortable night but boy, had we plans for you if this had turned out differently!" I could imagine but preferred not to enquire further.
Supper finished we pointed out that Mike's gear would have to be moved to our own tents. We were not going to trust our hostage to the care of his closest buddies! Mike accepted our offer of hospitality (he could hardly refuse) and made a move to collect his gear. David stopped him and said "That's all right, we'll do that for you. We must look after our guest. Turn around and put your hands behind your back". Mike groaned but did as he was told and once more his hands were tied. He grinned over his shoulder at us while we were completing the lashing of his wrists and chuckled, "Well at least I get out of washing up!"
When all was ready we helped Mike to his feet and escorted him back to our own tents. We agreed that Mike would join Stuart, James and me in one of the tents with the other five boys making a tight squeeze in the other. We prepared Mike's sleeping bag for him and then sat about in the warm night air laughing at Mike's predicament and chatting about the day's events. Despite his bound wrists, Mike joined in with the general mirth and said he felt I had got off quite lightly. Since I was usually one of the early victims in these games and often spent the whole afternoon tied up the others agreed with him and exchanged sinister glances but I told them to forget any schemes they might have - I felt I had been dealt with far more severely by my brother than any of the others, which Ken vigorously agreed with (he had seen the fight and how I had been carried through the woods).
At last we decided to turn in. Most of us removed our tee shirts in view of the heat and Mike asked if he could do the same. Naturally we agreed, Stuart untied him to allow him to undress, and then retied his hands making sure that while they were secure they were not too tight. Then we helped him settle into his sleeping bag and made him as comfortable as possible with his bound hands. The chatter continued for some time but I became aware that Mike had fallen silent and looking at him in the bright moonlight I was amazed to see he was fast asleep. "OK guys," I said, "Be as gentle as possible and untie his hands without waking him". We had all decided earlier we would give him his freedom but hadn't expected him to drift off to sleep before we told him! With Mike at liberty I stared up at the roof of the tent and went over the day's events in my mind, and at last drifted off into a deep, contented sleep.
I was woken by the bright, early morning light streaming through the open flap of the tent and looked blearily at Mike sound asleep next to me and blissfully unaware of his freedom. Something was nagging at my brain that all was not right but in my dozy state I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I tried to roll over onto my back intending to make the most of a lie in and found I couldn't. Suddenly, I was fully awake with the realisation that MY hands were tightly bound behind my back! I struggled to sit up and in doing so Stuart and James both woke up. They saw me struggling and simply collapsed in giggles. "Guys, this isn't fair!" I protested, "What did I do to deserve this?" which produced nothing more than my two friends rolling about, incoherent with laughter. When they finally had controlled themselves James said, "We listened to Mike last night and agreed with all he said! After we had set him free you fell asleep blissfully unaware of your surroundings. We decided you might as well take his place and we were sooo gentle with you, you didn't know anything about it. We have been checking on you periodically throughout the night to make sure you were OK but you never stirred once!"
There was a noise outside the tent and David and Robert crept in and sat down on the end of our sleeping bags. They grinned at my mates and said, "You did it then?"
"Yeah, no sweat!" Stuart and James replied while everyone laughed. "He's been like it all night and knew nothing until he woke up a few minutes ago!"
Their laughter woke Mike who blinked, yawned, stretched and sat up. Suddenly he held his unbound hands in front of him and stared uncomprehendingly. "How come my hands are free?" he asked at last and the others explained that we had always intended to free him but he went to sleep before we could tell him. "In any case, we had Richard to take your place" Stuart laughed. Mike looked across at me and suddenly realised my hands were tied behind my back. "They didn't keep you like that did they?" he enquired. I nodded glumly but explained that I had no more idea that my hands were bound than he did that he was free! "Come on guys, untie me," I pleaded. "If Chris keeps his word he will be here soon and we've got lots to do before then". Reluctantly they agreed and in a few moments my hands were free once more.
Not a moment too soon - we heard footsteps outside and suddenly my brother was calling out to us. Mike began to shout in reply but I pushed him down and clamped a hand over his mouth. "Not a sound, Mike," I hissed, "I don't want you telling everyone, we were soft on you last night, at least not yet. Get a gag on him Stuart, quick!" Mike didn't try to resist but as Stuart approached with the cloths and I removed my hand he shook his head vigorously and held up his hand. "Wait for a moment," he pleaded in a whisper. "I wanted to say thanks for setting me free last night. I was really worried about being kept tied up all night but was so tired I just drifted off to sleep. I was really surprised to find my hands free this morning. Are you going to tie me up again now?"
"Afraid so, Mike. I was just as surprised to find myself tied up this morning but I am not having you shout your mouth off about it so you are going to have to be gagged as well. Anyway, it should do wonders for my standing with you older boys in the troop if they think we kept you not only tied up but gagged as well last night!" Mike grinned. "Don't fool yourself - you are still a scrawny little kid and we still have the stakes ready for you. We can take you any time, and you know it!" I blushed slightly - his words were of course true. "Well maybe, but its time to cut out the talk. Open wide while Stuart gets your gag fastened! We will let you go shortly after my brother is properly secure in your place but we can't do that until we have shown our hostage to the troop!"
Richard
UK
Thursday, November 15th 2001 - 12:35:54 AM
The Last War of Summer - Part 9
Mike was completely co-operative, stretching his jaws wide while Stuart stuffed one of his cloths into Mike's mouth, then he secured it in place with a second forced between our captive's teeth and tied it off behind his neck. Mike relaxed and let out a sigh then suddenly started mmmpppfhing and pointing at his tee shirt.
"Sorry old chum, there's no time now, roll over and put your hands behind your back." Mike obeyed, his wrists were crossed and tightly bound and in a few moments he was a prisoner once more. We helped Mike up and escorted him out of the tent. The other boys were just emerging from theirs and Chris was squatting on the ground outside. He was dressed like the rest of us (except Mike!) in blue gym shorts and tee shirt.
"Hi little brother," he called as I lead the others out of the tent. Then he caught sight of Mike and his eyes widened. "Good heavens, you didn't keep him gagged all night did you?" Unable to speak for himself Mike began vigorously to shake his head but a savage kick on the ankle from James stopped him. All the other boys were in on our scheme and knew that Mike had in fact been freed but Robert spoke up and said, "Well, we couldn't have him keep us awake all night with his moaning, could we?" I simply looked sheepish while my brother was aghast.
We escorted our hostage back to the other base where our pals were already up and busy. They were shocked at Mike's gag, jumping to the same conclusion as Chris, but we didn't choose to enlighten them. Our bound friend was pushed down onto his log and Robert and David stepped forward and promptly tied his ankles. The stoves had already been lit and within a few minutes we were all enjoying hot coffee and laughing and joking about yesterday's proceedings. My brother was less outgoing than usual but this was perhaps not surprising. He looked across at Mike and said, "Don't you think you ought to let him have a drink too?"
I looked at our prisoner and poor Mike was looking very forlorn - everyone seemed to have forgotten he was there, trussed up and gagged. I immediately went across, knelt behind him and made to untie his gag. In this position I bent closer and whispered "Mike, I'm going to take your gag off. Please don't say anything, at least for the time being!" My bound friend nodded his head and I freed his mouth. As I finished he turned his head and whispered, "I don't think you know how much I appreciate what you did last night. Your secret is safe, for the present at least," and he winked at me.
Ken brought a steaming mug of coffee and helped Mike drink it since his hands were still tied behind him.
Breakfast out of the way we all turned our attentions towards my big brother. "Looks like it's pay back time," I gloated with a gleam in my eye. Chris looked at Peter and Roger, Mike's doughty lieutenants and said, "You're not going to let this scrawny little squirt get away with this, are you?"
Peter and Roger glanced at each other and the former replied, "Afraid so, Chris. We all gave our word yesterday and I don't think we have much choice in the matter. We were quite sure our little plan would result in victory and I guess we wouldn't have let your brother off lightly in those circumstances!"
"I guess not," Chris responded.
"Let's cut the talk and get on with it," I interrupted. "The sooner we have you trussed the sooner we can let him go." I jerked my thumb at Mike. Stuart had thoughtfully replaced his gag but he nodded his assent energetically and tried to grin at us through his gag - the effect was gruesome!
Chris realised he had few supporters this morning, said "OK", turned round and crossed his wrists behind his back.
"Not so fast, big brother. Take your shirt off first," I instructed. Chris glanced at me surprised, realised I was serious and carefully removing his tee shirt stood before us in only his shorts. I was struck by the fact that they were clearly too small for him but that soon they would be passed on to me for whom they would be once more too large!
"OK guys, tie his hands". Chris once more turned, obligingly crossed his wrists behind his back and waited patiently for my mates to tie his hands which they did with an energy and enthusiasm which took him by surprise. As they finished I watched him struggle briefly and his whole demeanour change as he realised he was not going to be able to free himself. We pushed him down next to Mike and I told my mates to gag him. They quickly produced some cloths but I stopped them with the words, "Not like that!" I pulled out the wooden peg used on me yesterday.
Chris looked at me with pleading eyes and said, "you wouldn't, would you?" I made no reply but simply nodded with a smile on my face. Most of the group did not know how I had been silenced yesterday but Ken and Colin had made their indignation known during our discussions yesterday evening and immediately stepped forward. Wrapping the peg in a cloth they approached Chris who, unlike me, accepted his fate resignedly and opened his jaws to receive the gag. It was quickly tied in place, another boy stepped forward and tied his ankles and Chris was at our mercy.
I now stepped behind Mike and whispered, "OK pal, freedom time," and removed his gag. He didn't say a word as James untied his ankles and I freed his wrists, but sat for a few moments rubbing the circulation back. Then he whispered, "Thanks Richard, I won't forget!"
With Chris now having effectively taken Mike's place the others crowded round asking what my plans were. We had discussed this at some length before turning in last night and Matthew had been very keen to stake him out and subject him to the same torture that had been inflicted on his brother I did point out that in my experience he was not very ticklish but after a short debate I agreed to go along with the plan. We told the others who laughingly approved but we would need to move the stakes (carefully positioned for James and me) since Chris was much taller. Four boys set to, to remove some from where they had been hammered into the dirt while Chris watched with a rueful expression on his face.
Meanwhile, Peter and Roger approached from either side, grabbed my arms and pulled me to one side of the group. For a moment I was afraid they had some evil plan affecting my welfare in mind, but Peter spoke quietly. "Mike told us about last night!" I showed my indignation. "Don't worry," he reassured me, "the secret is quite safe. All the others believe you kept him trussed and gagged and they won't hear the truth from us. However, we just wanted to tell you we think it was really generous of you to free him, particularly as we had some carefully laid plans for you and your mates and I doubt we would have been so forgiving." They saw my look of surprise and laughed. "Don't think we are going soft - next time you should fear for your skin, but today we are yours to command and will assist in humiliating your brother in any way we can!"
A shout of triumph told us the workmen had finished extracting four stakes and Roger shot off to fetch the mallet. On a flat piece of ground he drove one of the pegs back into the earth and we all turned towards Chris. He looked pleadingly at Peter and Roger and said something which came out as an Mmmpppfh but the two boys laughed at him. Many hands grabbed him and dragged him over to lie on the ground. His ankles were untied, his legs seized by our enthusiastic assistants and within a moment one of his feet had been lashed to the protruding stake. He was given no chance to struggle (almost an impossibility since he was now lying on his bound hands), his legs were stretched far apart and Roger happily wielded his hammer as he drove the second stake in. Within moments his other leg was immobilised. It only remained to secure his wrists. As Paul freed his hands his arms were grabbed, he was pushed back on the ground, stretched out, the stakes were hammered home and his wrists lashed to them. Chris rolled his eyes in desperation and lay still.
We spent a few minutes in jubilant triumph over my helpless brother then left him to struggle ineffectually while we made a start on clearing the camp site since some of our fathers were coming later that afternoon to collect our bulky gear. All would have to be ready by then but we would have lots of time for entertaining Chris.
It took us an hour to stow all our gear sorting it into neat piles for collection and then we returned to our prisoner. He had clearly been struggling although we had allowed him precious little movement and was already hot, sweaty and dishevelled. "We had better give him a drink," I said. I knelt down beside him, raised his head with one hand and began to untie his gag. As I did so I spoke softly to him, "A bit uncomfortable isn't it?" Chris looked sorrowful and nodded his agreement. "Don't worry, we'll give you something a little softer to chew on when you've had your drink. Do you know what Matthew has in mind for you?" Chris shook his head. "Well, he was really upset at Paul being tortured yesterday. A bit unreasonable really because we all accept the rules of engagement and have been interrogated at one time or another but he is very protective towards his little brother. I thought you were like that once but I guess I was wrong. Anyway, prepare yourself well - Matthew means business!" I was speaking in jest really so was a little shocked by the colour draining out of his face - perhaps my brother was more ticklish than I believed...
Richard
UK
Thursday, November 15th 2001 - 12:42:28 AM
The Last War of Summer - Conclusion
The water arrived and Chris drank gratefully. Then he looked at Peter and Roger and pleaded with them to help him. I was not sure whether he was putting on an act for our benefit or genuinely worried but unfortunately he was wasting his time. "Sorry Chum, not this time," said Peter. "We have given our word not to interfere and you would not wish us to break our solemn promise. Besides, your brother is a Tiger. You saw what they did to Mike last night and rumours are spreading that the gag was only the half of it. I'll tell you truly, it made my flesh creep!" Chris subsided on the ground and groaned - realisation was dawning that he had walked right into this situation with his eyes open and had no chance of escape or rescue.
"We had better put his gag back," David suggested. He had already brought the cloths out since we had agreed together to relieve Chris of the wooden peg. Our prisoner realised that any resistance would be futile and co-operated fully as his mouth was bound. With the gag in place we stood back and looked at him. Chris was already tense with anticipation of the coming assault. We had removed his trainers and socks and he lay there dressed only in his (short) shorts, the skin on his ribs taught and his back arched. Beads of sweat were already showing on his forehead - almost I felt sorry for him.
We had agreed to let Matthew and Paul have the first go and they launched their attack simultaneously, Paul tickling the bare soles of his feet while Matthew did the same to his ribs. Chris tried to writhe in his bonds to avoid the searching fingers but I knew from experience this was impossible - the stakes allowed him no freedom whatsoever. Soon he was giggling and mmmpppfhing into his gag while tears rolled down his cheeks. Our team kept it up for five minutes and then stopped. Chris seemed to collapse as he relaxed his taut muscles and gasped through his gag. "That was just a little demonstration," Matthew told him. "We'll give you a few minutes rest and then get on with the real session."
Once more the water bottle was fetched and Chris drank. He had given up pleading for mercy when we freed his mouth and was philosophical when his gag was replaced. We now arranged teams to take it in turn tickling him, each bout lasting for 10 minutes. Between each bout we gave him five minutes rest to catch his breath and have a drink if he wished.
After four more sessions we finally told him the tickling was finished. Poor Chris relaxed, let his head sink to the ground and closed his eyes. He was covered in sweat and his face was tear stained. His hair was lank, caked in the dirt and dust he had stirred up in his futile struggle to avoid his torturers. I looked at him and now really did feel sorry for him but was not going to let this divert me from my final plan.
We had prepared some sandwiches for an early lunch so while the food was brought out I untied Chris's gag once more. He had expected me to free him but I waited until everyone was gathered round our victim. "I expect you're hungry Chris." He nodded. "Well, before we let you up I need you to agree to one more thing." A look of deep concern passed over his face. "When we leave here you are to go as I was made to last time, that is with your hands tied behind your back as our prisoner until we reach home." I could see Chris thinking over the indignities that were poured on me that day and in a moment he replied "Never!"
"OK, suit yourself. The alternative is that we leave you where you are, securely gagged, until the oldies come to collect our gear. I'm sure they will release you. You will look faintly ridiculous in nothing but your shorts and when they ask you how you got into this situation what are you going to tell them? That you volunteered for it?" Everybody laughed. "Put his gag back and give him some time to think about it."
David knelt with the cloth but Chris shook his head violently, "What will you do when we reach home? I can't let Mum and Dad see me like this!"
You'll just have to trust me," I said. "My mates here will act as your escort and perhaps they will do a better job of protecting you than they did me."
Chris groaned and suddenly gave way. "It doesn't seem like I have much choice really," he said.
"No, you haven't," I grinned and we began untying his wrists. "Don't think you are getting any chances to play tricks on us. Sit up, lean forward and put your hands behind your back." With his ankles still lashed to their stakes he had no choice but to comply, Robert moved behind him, crossed his wrists and in a few moments his hands were tied. Only now did we free his ankles, then it was back to the log while we fed him some lunch his hands tied behind him all the while. When we had done eating the rest of the group started to clean up and complete the packing while I tied Chris's ankles to keep him out of mischief. While I worked on the knots Chris said softly, "You won't really show me up in front of Mum and Dad will you?"
I retorted angrily, "I gave you my word, Chris. Don't you trust me or do you think I am going to betray you like you did us yesterday? Ask Mike how we treated him last night!"
Chris looked perplexed; "Yesterday was different. I wasn't the only one involved in the conspiracy against you and your mates, or even the ring leader, but what do you mean about Mike?"
I hung my head slightly and said softly, "We only put the gag on him when you woke us up this morning. We untied his hands after we went to bed although he didn't know until this morning because he went to sleep before we could set him free. We never intended to keep him tied up all night."
Chris looked surprised, and then more gently said, "You're a big softy really, aren't you, kiddo? And you have a generous nature. You stopped them torturing me just in time too - another two minutes and I am certain I would have peed myself. I'll put my trust in you, but can I have my shirt back before we leave for home?"
I'll think about it," I grinned and joined the others doing the final packing.
At last our clearing up was complete. We were all tired from the excitement but gathered around our prisoner one more time. "Well, time for home Chris. Are you all ready?" he nodded but said nothing. "OK, so long as you promise no tricks you can have your shirt." He was subdued now and gave his word straight away. Mike untied his hands and I handed over his spotlessly clean tee shirt and watched as he put it on. " I suppose there is no point in begging for mercy at this stage?" he enquired. "None what so ever, " I replied.
Mike pulled Chris's arms behind his back then looked at me. "Perhaps you would like to do the honours this time, Richard?" he asked, so I stepped behind Chris, pulled his arms behind him and crossed his wrists. I took extra care pulling the loops of rope tight, managing to extract a couple of very satisfying yelps from my captive and when I had finished with the rope cinched off and knotted well out of his reach I stood back and admired my efforts. I felt I had excelled myself! Chris struggled for a few moments, working his bonds to test for any weakness but almost immediately gave it up. I was confident he would not be able to free himself.
Robert, David and James would accompany me and my brother home so we said our farewells, untied Chris's ankles, helped him up and started home. As soon as we were out of sight I said, "Look, I don't see any reason for going past the beach which will be crowded. We'll take the long way home. We are most unlikely to meet anyone that way." Chris looked gratefully at me but said nothing.
Our journey was uneventful. We strolled along in a leisurely fashion, sometimes discussing the events of the previous day, sometimes making wild and extravagant plans for our next game (alas, some way in the future - the vacation was drawing to an end and school was about to restart) and occasionally making fun of poor Chris who bore it manfully and never once complained about being trussed up. We met no one. About a mile from home our path entered a grove of Olive trees and here I called a halt for a few minutes. I ordered Chris to turn round and he did so, but peering over his shoulder said, "What are you going to do now?"
I'm going to untie you, stupid. Hold still." I had made the knots very tight and it took a few minutes to work them loose. All the while Chris stood patiently. When I had finished he turned to face me, rubbing his by now very tender wrists and said, "Thank you Richard, but why now?"
"I gave you my word to free you before we got home - I am just keeping it." Chris smiled gratefully down at me, ruffled my hair once more and said, "Race you home!" He was off like the wind - he knew I had no chance catching him and we arrived at the back door hot, sweaty and out of breath.
Chris was still filthy from his exertions that morning. Our parents were shocked by his dishevelled appearance, hoped we had enjoyed our weekend but wondered what on earth we had been doing. Both of us were always honest with our parents but on this occasion they received an evasive reply. They never pressed their case - I believe they suspected at least some of our nefarious deeds but they had the tact not to enquire too closely preferring to remain ignorant so long as we always returned in one piece. We both had bruises on our wrists (and I on my ankles too) but we were careful to conceal these until they vanished a few days later.
Richard
UK