mister_aimless
TMF Poster
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2005
- Messages
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Enjoy!
Your Turn
Susan walked slowly towards the town square. The sidewalks were swept and the streets were clean. Mike walked next to her. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze blew through the trees surrounding the village. Susan wore her favorite torn capri jeans and sandals with a pink t-shirt. Her husband walked slowly with her, hand in hand in his button down shirt. Susan's brown pony tail fluttered in the breeze. The town was quiet but people were still going about their normal business. The buildings had almost all white siding exteriors and dark shingled roofs.
"Think it us our turn?" Susan asked.
"Maybe," said Mike with a sense of apprehension, "we have not been picked yet."
The shops and housing lining the streets were bustling. The smell of fresh bread filled their noses as they passed the bakery. Ollie stood outside his grocery store next to the fruit stand, carefully arranging the apples and pears. The wooden fence that ringed the town, twice as tall as a man, hid the sun until just a few moments ago.
As they approached the square, Susan saw other couples walking toward what they called The Stone, a large marble sphere in front of the mayor's house and the court house. Martha, the tall olive skinned librarian, stood next to Elaine, who sunny blonde hair and freckled face highlighted the apprehension in her eyes. As the women took their places shoulder to shoulder with their husbands behind them, Susan became flush with worry. All the women were dolled up tried to smile.
It was the this way every Wednesday, without fail. Susan took her place next to a short dark woman from around the house around the corner, he husband taking his place behind her. Lillian, the second grade teacher fussed with her black hair. There were a handful of other women, accompanied by their significant others, that Susan did not recognize. All in all, there were eleven women standing in the square.
The bell tolled in the morning sun. The women and men looked up at the mayor's house as two robed figures emerged from the tall imposing doorway and made their way down the marble stairs. The walked slowly and deliberately, their robes fluttering around their feet. Mike tightened his grip slightly on Susan's shoulders. She took her husband's hand briefly. Susan looked on as they approached.
Several heads appeared in the windows. The house and stores along the streets leading to the town center became observation points for the townspeople. The sign over the gate to their community swung in the breeze. "Welcome to Wellspring. Keep the hope alive!". The white buildings and trimmed vegetation were in stark contrast to the figures who moved menacingly towards them.
The two robed figures stopped in front of the group. One of them pulled a rolled up paper from the sleeves of their robes. The hood slid back, revealing a older woman with gray streaks in her brown hair. Her face was icy but not threatening. Her companion pulled out several cloths from under the robes. His hood flipped back with the flick of his hand. The woman unrolled the paper while the man began blindfolding each woman.
"You all know why you are here. This is the Offering. One of you will be chosen as per our custom, to meet with the Elder...."
Susan stood motionless as the tall man in the dark robes began to blindfold her. As darkness shrouded her she gasped at the sudden black all around her.
"Such is the price of his protection from the Great Scourge beyond the gates. You must submit to him. You will not be harmed in any way. But you must accept his rules or be cast out."
The thought of being cast out sent shivers down Susan's back. Unpleasant memories trickled into her mind, the woman's cold voice little comfort. She began to call roll.
"Elaine Robertson"
"Here," was the meek reply.
The list went on. Susan's pulse quickened as they read her name.
"Present," she answered.
After roll call, her hand was forced open, palm up. The shuffling she could hear was probably the man ensuring they maintained this position. A few moments later, she felt something cold and hard placed in her palm.
They said don't close your hand, Susan reminded herself.
"Now Men of Wellspring, remove your wive's blindfolds as a symbol of your commitment to our Elder," the woman commanded. Mike gently removed the blindfold and Susan began to panic.
Don't look down, its the rule. Don't look down, its the rule...Susan struggled to maintain her composure.
The man took his place next to the woman. He stared straight ahead with a blank look in his eye. The women all stood, palms out, awaiting the next command.
"Women of Wellspring, see what chance has brought you. Look to your hand." The woman was equally distant, cold and detached.
Susan saw in her hand a smooth black stone that glistened in the sun. Her eyes caught the hands of the other women. They had white stones.
"Susan Wilson, step foward!" commanded the woman. Susan took a deep breath and took one step forward. She never felt so alone before in her life. Staring into the eyes of the robed couple in front of her was like looking at a wall of pure ice.
"The ceremony is complete!" the woman announced,"See you all next week."
Elaine whispered to Susan as Susan felt tears welling in her eyes and terror in her stomach, "You will be just fine hun. Just do what they say." Elaine walked off with her husband. Mike took a few steps back. He resigned himself to the reality that Susan was chosen.
The man and the woman changed demeanor almost as soon as everyone cleared the square.
"My you look wonderful Susan," the woman said taking her by the arm as the man took the rock from her, "the Elder will be most pleased.
"Come with us now Susan," the man said as he walked with her towards the mayor's house, "The Elder is most anxious for the offering. He will be quite happy when he sees its a new girl."
Susan bit her lip as her apprehension grew. Being chosen was an honor, she remembered the rules stating, you must not refuse. Only 24, Susan came here for safety. She wondered how safe she cod be. The man and the woman were not rough but did not leave her room to move but forwards up the steps. No one she or Mike knew had ever been in the Mayor's house. She turned one last time to see Mike, who waited by The Stone. The last she saw of him he blew her a kiss. The doors closed with a thud.
The man and woman led her through the heavy wooden doors. The foyer was bright, with an enormous light in the ceiling shining down on various statues and paintings. Susan felt like she was in a museum. Their footsteps echoed as they walked past display cabinets with antique swords and rifles. Paintings lined the walls of landscapes and natural beauty.
"Now listen honey you must do what we tell you," said the woman as they rounded the corner and went down a dimly lit stairwell, "after all you knew living here that this was a possibility."
Susan's impending sense of dread only grew as they walked down the stairs and through the hallway. Yes, the letter in the mail said she was eligible this month and she knew the Offering was the price of protection.
The man opened a door at the end of the hall. He seemed even larger in this confined space. Susan was sometimes teased about being short and this man's size made her feel even smaller. The door opened with a creak.
"In you go my dear, please sit down," said the woman as she gestured at a bed in the middle of the room. Susan sat on the red sheet covering the bed. The dark wooden bed was in the middle of the room. The room was not as bright as the foyer and main hall of the house but she could see boxes on the shelves.
"What are those boxes for?" Susan asked as the door was shut behind her. The man and woman looked kindly on her. Susan sat uneasy even though the bed was quite comfy.
"Now darling you must let us proceed with the Offering," said the man, "please lie on the bed and do not fight us.". The woman nodded in agreement. Susan slowly laid on the bed.
Then the man pulled out leather strapped cuffs from under the bed while the woman did the same on the opposite side. She had a clear run at the door. Freedom was a few feet away. She did not dare though; the fear of being expelled was to great. No one is allowed to talk about the Offering. No one would or could tell her what expect once she walked through the doors of the Mayor's house.
"Please lie down sweetie," said the woman.
Reluctantly, Susan laid down on the be and the two went to work. After placing a pillow under her head, the two began wrapping the cuffs around her wrists and ankles.
"Not too tight love?" asked the man as he secured her ankles a few inches apart to the bed frame.
"No no its fine but is this really necessary?" Susan soon found herself stretched over the bed. Her arms were out to her sides and the ankles stuck to the foot of the bed. She had little room to wiggle or squirm. She still had all her clothes on but she was still could not shake this impending sense of dread.
"Oh absolutely lovely," the woman said, "Can't have you wandering off now can we? This is the offering after all. You'll be just fine!" She turned to the man. He slid a soft pillow under Susan's head gently.
"Yes it is time to go," the man agreed," he will be here soon."
The couple began to walk towards the door. Susan tugged at her bonds and begged them.
"See you later dear," the woman said,"remember the rules: what happens in here stays in here.". They turned their backs to Susan as the opened the door.
"Wait what will happen now? Who are you people?" Susan's voice steadily raised until they both disappeared behind the closing door. There she was, alone, helpless, and scared. She pulled at the leather cuffs but they were firmly fastened to the bed. All she could see were the gray stone walls with shelves with several small boxes on them. There was a single light on the ceiling making the room dimly lit and felt like a dungeon cell. Thoughts raced through Susan's head. What was the Elder going to do? All the other women in Wellspring she had seen be selected seemed okay when she saw them the next day. No one ever talked about The Offering; it was just part of Springwell.
She laid there on the comfortable bed pillow trying to determine how long they had been gone. Was it five minutes? She lost track of time running through how this Offering would play out a d how it would effect her.
The door opened with a creak. In stepped a man, tall with close cropped hair and slightly greying goatee around his mouth. He close the door behind him quickly. He stood for a moment eying Susan as she began to struggle. The look of glee on his face was not reassuring in the slightest. He was not very tall but thickly built. Susan had never seen him before.
"Who are you? What are you going to do to me? Why am I tied up? What is going on?" Susan desperately rattled off questions as he moved to her left side. He sat on the edge of the bed. He smiled.
"Susan Wilson," he said calmly, "not sure if we have met before. I am The Elder. I understand you are new to Springwell. Welcome!"
Susan and Mike came to Springwell to escape the terror of outside its comforting walls. "Yes, yes I am. Please do not hurt me!" She shifted uncomfortably.
"I will not hurt you darlin'," he said firmly, "but you were selected for the Offering and this is the price of safety." He stroked her hair, making Susan flinch.
"What is the price of safety? What do you do to the women in this town?" she said in a panic as she turned her head away from him while touched her hair.
"We all need a little laughter in our lives Susan," he said, "especially in these trying times.". He looked down triumphantly at her and Susan felt all the more helpless and alone.
"What the hell are you talking about? Please let me go!" she pleaded.
"I am just going to make you laugh," he said with a mischievous smirk. With that he began to run a wiggling finger down het side. Susan gasped.
"Please please don't tickle me!" Susan felt terror through her. Being tickled was bad enough but being tickled while helpless was pure torment. He playfully dragged his fingers across her tummy and she bit her lip trying not to smile.
"Ooh ticklish are we?" The Elder asked? He poked gently at her left under arm as Susan tried to stifle her giggles.
"Yes yes I am please no no no!"
Mike stood up and opened a box behind him on a shelf. He pulled out a white oven timer. He wound it and it began to click. "You're mine to tickle and torment for the next sixty minutes."
Susan looked in shock and horror. Was safety worth this? Could she bear it? What would Mike think? She started to speak but the Elder began unstrapping her sandals. Susan begged and tried in vain to pull away. The timer ticked away. He was gentle and dropped them on the floor. Susan pointed and flexed her feet and curled her toes. He sighed watching her struggle. He gently ran a nail up and down her right foot. Susan curled her toes tightly and burst out laughing. The sensations shot through her legs and no wiggling brought her respite.
"Oh wow you are ticklish!" he said.
"Yes I am but please!" Susan shrieked. The Elder retrieved from a box a white feather. He waved it threateningly at Susan who braced herself for the inevitable onslaught.
He took his position in front of her captive feet. He slid the feather slowly back and forth between Susan's toes. She arched her back and giggled softly. Then he dragged it up and down her soles. These soft slow tickles made Susan gasp and giggle, drawing in breath and forcibly exhaling with each stroke. Up and down her arches and under her toes the feather went. Susan tried tune out the incessant ticking of the timer. The tickling did not make her laugh but was slowly driving her crazy. The sensations were overwhelming and he was unpredictable.
He suddenly stopped tickling with the feather. Susan tried to catch her breath and looked down at her feet.
He then began to tickle both feet with his hands, all ten fingers digging into her soft soles. Susan collapsed into cackling fits of laughter. This was hard tickling and she felt unprepared. Her laughs filled the room as he dug in under her toes then down her arches and scratched her heels. He said nothing as Susan rocked her head side to side as her hair began sticking to her face. He tickled away, oblivious to her begging and pleading.
He stopped as suddenly as he started. Susan panted, sweat beading on her head. She relaxed her tense body and went limp. Still the timer ticked away...tick...tick..tick.
He reached into another box after putting the feather away and produced an old fashioned feather duster. He stood over Susan.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" he asked.
"No please stop it I will do anything just please do not tickle me any-" she was cut off as he playfully lightly dusted her face. She turned her face to the left and right trying to escape the maddening itch it produced. When he dusted her neck she felt shivers down her spine and gasped.
He then began lifting her shirt up, exposing her tummy and ribs with one hand.
"Stop no no no more please!"
"Susan dearest the Offering is the price of admission," he said solemnly. He began brushing her stomach and sides back and forth, back and forth. He smiled as Susan smiled at the maddening light tickles of his new toy. He made lazy circles around her belly button and across her waist. Susan giggled as she shifted around, pulling her tummy taut, and arched her back to escape the tickling. Susan pleaded for mercy but he just dusted up one side, across her chest, then down the other side over and over again.
He then began dusting her exposed calves protruding from under her capris jeans. Susan clenched her teeth trying to tune out her torment. How long has it been? He moved to her feet again and slowly dusted her sensitive soles. The duster hit all the spots simultaneously and Susan began to laugh. He dusted up her left foot, then back and forth under her toes. He switched to the right foot, dusting left to right, then right to left, then down her right foot. Susan flexed her feet and tried to pull away but the man and the woman both did their job of tying her down well.
The man put the duster on the shelf and Susan relished her momentary respite. Before she could speak he began spidering his nails across her tummy and laughter erupted from Susan. Susan twisted side to side as he tickled up and down each side alternating up and down with each hand. Her small size made it easy for him to reach everywhere. He poked at her ribs and tickled up and down her tummy. Susan felt tears welling up in her eyes as the timer ticked on and on through her laughter. She shrieked when he dragged his nails along the waist of her jeans. Susan felt drops of sweat running down her cheeks as tears beaded in her brown eyes. He was oblivious to her pleas to stop as he poked at her belly button. His finger tips and nails danced over her tummy for what seemed forever.
He slowed his tickling down and stopped. Susan went limp gasping for breath. Her body was wracked and was exhausted. "For a first timer, you are doing great!" he said with the same evil smile.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why?" Susan demanded as he turned around to the shelf of horrors. Susan listened to the ticking from the timer waiting for the buzz. It was not coming fast enough. The Elder was so indifferent and so detached while he was tormenting her with his tickling.
"Because you said when you came here that you would submit when called upon," he said matter-of-factly, "It was in the charter.". He knelt in front of her captive feet and nibbled on the toes of her left foot, making Susan giggle.
"Please please no more! Please I cannot take it!" Susan pleaded. He nibbled some more on her toes eliciting gasps from Susan and new sensations as she writhed and squirmed. She was surprised to see him stop suddenly and sit next to her on the bed. He stroked her moist hair and Susan turned her face away as best she could.
"When your time is up Susan this encounter is over. Luck of the draw after that." he said as he stroked her flush cheek. He looked at her jeans and saw the holes at her knee and mid-thigh. He gently wiggled his finger into the hole and Susan felt the laughter welling up inside her. He soon tickled both knees, his nails scratching above her kneecaps. Susan broke out in laughter once again. He switched from gentle to hard tickles and back again. Susan gasped as he snaked a finger into her jeans to tickle her exposed thigh. Susan tightened her whole body and went soft again as he teased her legs. The tickling sensations shot though her legs. She pleading for someone, anyone, to help. She was not prepared for when he tickled her tummy at the same time. She shrieked and descended into cackles as the Elder tickled and teased her with his fingertips. Susan felt faint and could not beg through her laughter anymore.
DING!
The timer echoed in the room. The Elder stopped immediately. "Thank you Susan," he said as he got up and gently put her sandals back on, "You have been lovely and cannot wait for the next session."
Susan was so out of breath and exhausted she could not muster an answer. As quickly as he entered, he left, closing the door behind him. Susan was once again alone. She waited.
The man and woman came back into the room and began unbinding Susan. She was almost too weak to move. As they got her up and they began walking up the stairs, they talked. Susan did not answer. She was still in shock.
"He said you were splendid," said the man. They still wore their dark ominous robes.
"Especially for a newcomer," said the woman, "I remember my first time too. It was exhausting!"
As they walked through the house to the large wooden doors the two continued to prattle on about keeping what happened a secret and not to say anything to anyone. Susan barely heard them. Their footsteps echoed in the hall as they approached the exit.
"Take care darlin," said the woman showing her out, "Don't forget about the town hall meeting tonight."
Susan nodded meekly. The doors shut behind her with a clang and she was in the warming sun. Across the street she saw Mike. Had he waited the whole time? She walked slowly toward him as the women who were in line for the Offering before could seen pushing their strollers, carrying groceries, or delivering mail. She met Mike with a hug of relief and they turned together toward home, Susan leaning on Mike for support. This was the new normal, Susan thought. She rested her head on his shoulder as the guards on the wall kept their guard.
FINIS
Your Turn
Susan walked slowly towards the town square. The sidewalks were swept and the streets were clean. Mike walked next to her. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze blew through the trees surrounding the village. Susan wore her favorite torn capri jeans and sandals with a pink t-shirt. Her husband walked slowly with her, hand in hand in his button down shirt. Susan's brown pony tail fluttered in the breeze. The town was quiet but people were still going about their normal business. The buildings had almost all white siding exteriors and dark shingled roofs.
"Think it us our turn?" Susan asked.
"Maybe," said Mike with a sense of apprehension, "we have not been picked yet."
The shops and housing lining the streets were bustling. The smell of fresh bread filled their noses as they passed the bakery. Ollie stood outside his grocery store next to the fruit stand, carefully arranging the apples and pears. The wooden fence that ringed the town, twice as tall as a man, hid the sun until just a few moments ago.
As they approached the square, Susan saw other couples walking toward what they called The Stone, a large marble sphere in front of the mayor's house and the court house. Martha, the tall olive skinned librarian, stood next to Elaine, who sunny blonde hair and freckled face highlighted the apprehension in her eyes. As the women took their places shoulder to shoulder with their husbands behind them, Susan became flush with worry. All the women were dolled up tried to smile.
It was the this way every Wednesday, without fail. Susan took her place next to a short dark woman from around the house around the corner, he husband taking his place behind her. Lillian, the second grade teacher fussed with her black hair. There were a handful of other women, accompanied by their significant others, that Susan did not recognize. All in all, there were eleven women standing in the square.
The bell tolled in the morning sun. The women and men looked up at the mayor's house as two robed figures emerged from the tall imposing doorway and made their way down the marble stairs. The walked slowly and deliberately, their robes fluttering around their feet. Mike tightened his grip slightly on Susan's shoulders. She took her husband's hand briefly. Susan looked on as they approached.
Several heads appeared in the windows. The house and stores along the streets leading to the town center became observation points for the townspeople. The sign over the gate to their community swung in the breeze. "Welcome to Wellspring. Keep the hope alive!". The white buildings and trimmed vegetation were in stark contrast to the figures who moved menacingly towards them.
The two robed figures stopped in front of the group. One of them pulled a rolled up paper from the sleeves of their robes. The hood slid back, revealing a older woman with gray streaks in her brown hair. Her face was icy but not threatening. Her companion pulled out several cloths from under the robes. His hood flipped back with the flick of his hand. The woman unrolled the paper while the man began blindfolding each woman.
"You all know why you are here. This is the Offering. One of you will be chosen as per our custom, to meet with the Elder...."
Susan stood motionless as the tall man in the dark robes began to blindfold her. As darkness shrouded her she gasped at the sudden black all around her.
"Such is the price of his protection from the Great Scourge beyond the gates. You must submit to him. You will not be harmed in any way. But you must accept his rules or be cast out."
The thought of being cast out sent shivers down Susan's back. Unpleasant memories trickled into her mind, the woman's cold voice little comfort. She began to call roll.
"Elaine Robertson"
"Here," was the meek reply.
The list went on. Susan's pulse quickened as they read her name.
"Present," she answered.
After roll call, her hand was forced open, palm up. The shuffling she could hear was probably the man ensuring they maintained this position. A few moments later, she felt something cold and hard placed in her palm.
They said don't close your hand, Susan reminded herself.
"Now Men of Wellspring, remove your wive's blindfolds as a symbol of your commitment to our Elder," the woman commanded. Mike gently removed the blindfold and Susan began to panic.
Don't look down, its the rule. Don't look down, its the rule...Susan struggled to maintain her composure.
The man took his place next to the woman. He stared straight ahead with a blank look in his eye. The women all stood, palms out, awaiting the next command.
"Women of Wellspring, see what chance has brought you. Look to your hand." The woman was equally distant, cold and detached.
Susan saw in her hand a smooth black stone that glistened in the sun. Her eyes caught the hands of the other women. They had white stones.
"Susan Wilson, step foward!" commanded the woman. Susan took a deep breath and took one step forward. She never felt so alone before in her life. Staring into the eyes of the robed couple in front of her was like looking at a wall of pure ice.
"The ceremony is complete!" the woman announced,"See you all next week."
Elaine whispered to Susan as Susan felt tears welling in her eyes and terror in her stomach, "You will be just fine hun. Just do what they say." Elaine walked off with her husband. Mike took a few steps back. He resigned himself to the reality that Susan was chosen.
The man and the woman changed demeanor almost as soon as everyone cleared the square.
"My you look wonderful Susan," the woman said taking her by the arm as the man took the rock from her, "the Elder will be most pleased.
"Come with us now Susan," the man said as he walked with her towards the mayor's house, "The Elder is most anxious for the offering. He will be quite happy when he sees its a new girl."
Susan bit her lip as her apprehension grew. Being chosen was an honor, she remembered the rules stating, you must not refuse. Only 24, Susan came here for safety. She wondered how safe she cod be. The man and the woman were not rough but did not leave her room to move but forwards up the steps. No one she or Mike knew had ever been in the Mayor's house. She turned one last time to see Mike, who waited by The Stone. The last she saw of him he blew her a kiss. The doors closed with a thud.
The man and woman led her through the heavy wooden doors. The foyer was bright, with an enormous light in the ceiling shining down on various statues and paintings. Susan felt like she was in a museum. Their footsteps echoed as they walked past display cabinets with antique swords and rifles. Paintings lined the walls of landscapes and natural beauty.
"Now listen honey you must do what we tell you," said the woman as they rounded the corner and went down a dimly lit stairwell, "after all you knew living here that this was a possibility."
Susan's impending sense of dread only grew as they walked down the stairs and through the hallway. Yes, the letter in the mail said she was eligible this month and she knew the Offering was the price of protection.
The man opened a door at the end of the hall. He seemed even larger in this confined space. Susan was sometimes teased about being short and this man's size made her feel even smaller. The door opened with a creak.
"In you go my dear, please sit down," said the woman as she gestured at a bed in the middle of the room. Susan sat on the red sheet covering the bed. The dark wooden bed was in the middle of the room. The room was not as bright as the foyer and main hall of the house but she could see boxes on the shelves.
"What are those boxes for?" Susan asked as the door was shut behind her. The man and woman looked kindly on her. Susan sat uneasy even though the bed was quite comfy.
"Now darling you must let us proceed with the Offering," said the man, "please lie on the bed and do not fight us.". The woman nodded in agreement. Susan slowly laid on the bed.
Then the man pulled out leather strapped cuffs from under the bed while the woman did the same on the opposite side. She had a clear run at the door. Freedom was a few feet away. She did not dare though; the fear of being expelled was to great. No one is allowed to talk about the Offering. No one would or could tell her what expect once she walked through the doors of the Mayor's house.
"Please lie down sweetie," said the woman.
Reluctantly, Susan laid down on the be and the two went to work. After placing a pillow under her head, the two began wrapping the cuffs around her wrists and ankles.
"Not too tight love?" asked the man as he secured her ankles a few inches apart to the bed frame.
"No no its fine but is this really necessary?" Susan soon found herself stretched over the bed. Her arms were out to her sides and the ankles stuck to the foot of the bed. She had little room to wiggle or squirm. She still had all her clothes on but she was still could not shake this impending sense of dread.
"Oh absolutely lovely," the woman said, "Can't have you wandering off now can we? This is the offering after all. You'll be just fine!" She turned to the man. He slid a soft pillow under Susan's head gently.
"Yes it is time to go," the man agreed," he will be here soon."
The couple began to walk towards the door. Susan tugged at her bonds and begged them.
"See you later dear," the woman said,"remember the rules: what happens in here stays in here.". They turned their backs to Susan as the opened the door.
"Wait what will happen now? Who are you people?" Susan's voice steadily raised until they both disappeared behind the closing door. There she was, alone, helpless, and scared. She pulled at the leather cuffs but they were firmly fastened to the bed. All she could see were the gray stone walls with shelves with several small boxes on them. There was a single light on the ceiling making the room dimly lit and felt like a dungeon cell. Thoughts raced through Susan's head. What was the Elder going to do? All the other women in Wellspring she had seen be selected seemed okay when she saw them the next day. No one ever talked about The Offering; it was just part of Springwell.
She laid there on the comfortable bed pillow trying to determine how long they had been gone. Was it five minutes? She lost track of time running through how this Offering would play out a d how it would effect her.
The door opened with a creak. In stepped a man, tall with close cropped hair and slightly greying goatee around his mouth. He close the door behind him quickly. He stood for a moment eying Susan as she began to struggle. The look of glee on his face was not reassuring in the slightest. He was not very tall but thickly built. Susan had never seen him before.
"Who are you? What are you going to do to me? Why am I tied up? What is going on?" Susan desperately rattled off questions as he moved to her left side. He sat on the edge of the bed. He smiled.
"Susan Wilson," he said calmly, "not sure if we have met before. I am The Elder. I understand you are new to Springwell. Welcome!"
Susan and Mike came to Springwell to escape the terror of outside its comforting walls. "Yes, yes I am. Please do not hurt me!" She shifted uncomfortably.
"I will not hurt you darlin'," he said firmly, "but you were selected for the Offering and this is the price of safety." He stroked her hair, making Susan flinch.
"What is the price of safety? What do you do to the women in this town?" she said in a panic as she turned her head away from him while touched her hair.
"We all need a little laughter in our lives Susan," he said, "especially in these trying times.". He looked down triumphantly at her and Susan felt all the more helpless and alone.
"What the hell are you talking about? Please let me go!" she pleaded.
"I am just going to make you laugh," he said with a mischievous smirk. With that he began to run a wiggling finger down het side. Susan gasped.
"Please please don't tickle me!" Susan felt terror through her. Being tickled was bad enough but being tickled while helpless was pure torment. He playfully dragged his fingers across her tummy and she bit her lip trying not to smile.
"Ooh ticklish are we?" The Elder asked? He poked gently at her left under arm as Susan tried to stifle her giggles.
"Yes yes I am please no no no!"
Mike stood up and opened a box behind him on a shelf. He pulled out a white oven timer. He wound it and it began to click. "You're mine to tickle and torment for the next sixty minutes."
Susan looked in shock and horror. Was safety worth this? Could she bear it? What would Mike think? She started to speak but the Elder began unstrapping her sandals. Susan begged and tried in vain to pull away. The timer ticked away. He was gentle and dropped them on the floor. Susan pointed and flexed her feet and curled her toes. He sighed watching her struggle. He gently ran a nail up and down her right foot. Susan curled her toes tightly and burst out laughing. The sensations shot through her legs and no wiggling brought her respite.
"Oh wow you are ticklish!" he said.
"Yes I am but please!" Susan shrieked. The Elder retrieved from a box a white feather. He waved it threateningly at Susan who braced herself for the inevitable onslaught.
He took his position in front of her captive feet. He slid the feather slowly back and forth between Susan's toes. She arched her back and giggled softly. Then he dragged it up and down her soles. These soft slow tickles made Susan gasp and giggle, drawing in breath and forcibly exhaling with each stroke. Up and down her arches and under her toes the feather went. Susan tried tune out the incessant ticking of the timer. The tickling did not make her laugh but was slowly driving her crazy. The sensations were overwhelming and he was unpredictable.
He suddenly stopped tickling with the feather. Susan tried to catch her breath and looked down at her feet.
He then began to tickle both feet with his hands, all ten fingers digging into her soft soles. Susan collapsed into cackling fits of laughter. This was hard tickling and she felt unprepared. Her laughs filled the room as he dug in under her toes then down her arches and scratched her heels. He said nothing as Susan rocked her head side to side as her hair began sticking to her face. He tickled away, oblivious to her begging and pleading.
He stopped as suddenly as he started. Susan panted, sweat beading on her head. She relaxed her tense body and went limp. Still the timer ticked away...tick...tick..tick.
He reached into another box after putting the feather away and produced an old fashioned feather duster. He stood over Susan.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" he asked.
"No please stop it I will do anything just please do not tickle me any-" she was cut off as he playfully lightly dusted her face. She turned her face to the left and right trying to escape the maddening itch it produced. When he dusted her neck she felt shivers down her spine and gasped.
He then began lifting her shirt up, exposing her tummy and ribs with one hand.
"Stop no no no more please!"
"Susan dearest the Offering is the price of admission," he said solemnly. He began brushing her stomach and sides back and forth, back and forth. He smiled as Susan smiled at the maddening light tickles of his new toy. He made lazy circles around her belly button and across her waist. Susan giggled as she shifted around, pulling her tummy taut, and arched her back to escape the tickling. Susan pleaded for mercy but he just dusted up one side, across her chest, then down the other side over and over again.
He then began dusting her exposed calves protruding from under her capris jeans. Susan clenched her teeth trying to tune out her torment. How long has it been? He moved to her feet again and slowly dusted her sensitive soles. The duster hit all the spots simultaneously and Susan began to laugh. He dusted up her left foot, then back and forth under her toes. He switched to the right foot, dusting left to right, then right to left, then down her right foot. Susan flexed her feet and tried to pull away but the man and the woman both did their job of tying her down well.
The man put the duster on the shelf and Susan relished her momentary respite. Before she could speak he began spidering his nails across her tummy and laughter erupted from Susan. Susan twisted side to side as he tickled up and down each side alternating up and down with each hand. Her small size made it easy for him to reach everywhere. He poked at her ribs and tickled up and down her tummy. Susan felt tears welling up in her eyes as the timer ticked on and on through her laughter. She shrieked when he dragged his nails along the waist of her jeans. Susan felt drops of sweat running down her cheeks as tears beaded in her brown eyes. He was oblivious to her pleas to stop as he poked at her belly button. His finger tips and nails danced over her tummy for what seemed forever.
He slowed his tickling down and stopped. Susan went limp gasping for breath. Her body was wracked and was exhausted. "For a first timer, you are doing great!" he said with the same evil smile.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why?" Susan demanded as he turned around to the shelf of horrors. Susan listened to the ticking from the timer waiting for the buzz. It was not coming fast enough. The Elder was so indifferent and so detached while he was tormenting her with his tickling.
"Because you said when you came here that you would submit when called upon," he said matter-of-factly, "It was in the charter.". He knelt in front of her captive feet and nibbled on the toes of her left foot, making Susan giggle.
"Please please no more! Please I cannot take it!" Susan pleaded. He nibbled some more on her toes eliciting gasps from Susan and new sensations as she writhed and squirmed. She was surprised to see him stop suddenly and sit next to her on the bed. He stroked her moist hair and Susan turned her face away as best she could.
"When your time is up Susan this encounter is over. Luck of the draw after that." he said as he stroked her flush cheek. He looked at her jeans and saw the holes at her knee and mid-thigh. He gently wiggled his finger into the hole and Susan felt the laughter welling up inside her. He soon tickled both knees, his nails scratching above her kneecaps. Susan broke out in laughter once again. He switched from gentle to hard tickles and back again. Susan gasped as he snaked a finger into her jeans to tickle her exposed thigh. Susan tightened her whole body and went soft again as he teased her legs. The tickling sensations shot though her legs. She pleading for someone, anyone, to help. She was not prepared for when he tickled her tummy at the same time. She shrieked and descended into cackles as the Elder tickled and teased her with his fingertips. Susan felt faint and could not beg through her laughter anymore.
DING!
The timer echoed in the room. The Elder stopped immediately. "Thank you Susan," he said as he got up and gently put her sandals back on, "You have been lovely and cannot wait for the next session."
Susan was so out of breath and exhausted she could not muster an answer. As quickly as he entered, he left, closing the door behind him. Susan was once again alone. She waited.
The man and woman came back into the room and began unbinding Susan. She was almost too weak to move. As they got her up and they began walking up the stairs, they talked. Susan did not answer. She was still in shock.
"He said you were splendid," said the man. They still wore their dark ominous robes.
"Especially for a newcomer," said the woman, "I remember my first time too. It was exhausting!"
As they walked through the house to the large wooden doors the two continued to prattle on about keeping what happened a secret and not to say anything to anyone. Susan barely heard them. Their footsteps echoed in the hall as they approached the exit.
"Take care darlin," said the woman showing her out, "Don't forget about the town hall meeting tonight."
Susan nodded meekly. The doors shut behind her with a clang and she was in the warming sun. Across the street she saw Mike. Had he waited the whole time? She walked slowly toward him as the women who were in line for the Offering before could seen pushing their strollers, carrying groceries, or delivering mail. She met Mike with a hug of relief and they turned together toward home, Susan leaning on Mike for support. This was the new normal, Susan thought. She rested her head on his shoulder as the guards on the wall kept their guard.
FINIS
