Page 67 of Hello, Listener
“What’s it look like?” His tone stays the same. “What would a surprise be without a blind fold?”Touché.“Don’t take it off. That’s for me to do later.” He winks before I slide it over my eyes. Alan waits to start the car until the mask is comfortably covering my eyes. My perception goes dark, and that’s when I hear the ignition start.
It’s almost funny how trusting Thalia is right now. The car slightly shakes while she sits in the passenger seat with her knee bouncing in anticipation.I can’t wait to witness the look on your face when you see what I have in store for you.
“Are you excited?” I ask with humor in my voice. I keep my eyes focused on the road in front of me.I know I am.
“A little bit and a little nervous,” she admits. Like a natural habit, she turns her head to face me when she talks.
“Nervous?” She reluctantly nods her head. “You’re with me, remember. Nothing to be worried about.”You should be nervous, Listener. You should be running away from me, but you’ve fallen for my act. Stupid girl, you should have ran away from me that night after we went to the diner. You should have looked the other way when I caught your gaze at The Neon Rose. I thought I was a measly insect caught in your web, but it is you who has fallen into mine.My hands grip the steering wheel until I can see my knuckles whiten.Her lips turn up into a smile and she does her best to keep her attention ahead.
“Not one for surprises, are you?” She shakes her head while still trying to maintain the act that she isn’t full of unknowing anxiety.I can see right through you.
“Where are you taking me?” She slides her clammy palms up and down her naked thighs.
“What would a surprise be if I told you?” Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the wide beam that forms on her lips while she continues to face the uncertain path in front of her.
I study her frail body becoming tense when she hears the soft sound of gravel under the wheels. She stops moving her palms down her exposed skin and fidgets with the loose cotton of her shorts. Without any words, she questions my next move. She turns her head to face me again when she feels the engine turn off.
“We’re here,” I announce playfully as I remove the keys from the ignition. Her hands grip the door handle as if she’s trying to keep herself inside. I move my warm hand on the smooth skin of her upper thigh, now covered in goosebumps.
“Don’t worry, Thalia. You’re safe with me. I’ll hold your hand and guide you inside.” Her tight grip loosens, and I watch as the muscles in her arms relax. “Good girl.”
She releases her tight shoulders and automatically rests against the back of the chair.It’s amazing how one phrase makes her practically melt.She becomes putty at my words.
Slowly, I get out of my seat and gently shut the car door.I love knowing how the anticipation of tonight eats away at her.She startles when I slowly pull on her handle, but willingly reaches for my hand, and I bring her into my chest.If you were smart, you would start running.
“You’re alright. Just a few more steps.” My voice is an escort towards the small storage unit that will soon be her hell on earth.
“I hope you didn’t go through a lot of trouble in setting up this… whateverthisis.” Her laughter is loud in the small concrete space.You have no fucking idea.
“For you, it was worth it.”Her sneer is like red paint spread across her face, and I can’t wait to see how she looks when it dramatically changes shape.“Stay right here. I just need to unlock the door.”Thalia agrees and does her best to keep balance after I let go of her hand.
I slide the small key in the space in the padlock, and I push up the large, red roll-up door to the storage unit. The body in the middle of the room is still strapped to the metal chair like the perfect gift I've prepared for my guest. Jace sits in the same position I left him in earlier. His body has slumped down a little, but he’s still secured to the chair.Perfect.
“Okay, ready?” Thalia’s head turns like a confused dog while she listens for my footsteps on the concrete floor. I move towards her and guide her by grabbing her shoulders, leading her further inside.
“As I’ll ever be, I guess. Where the hell did you take me that has a door that you have to slide up?”So many fucking questions.
“It’s just a space I rented for this occasion. I thought we could do a bit of role-playing.” I bend down so my lips just barely touch the tip of her ear. My mouth widens at the redness forming in her cheeks.You have no fucking idea what awaits you.
“Are you going to take off my mask?” Youkeep trying to act so innocent with that sweet voice of yours, but I know who you really are.
“Not yet.” I kiss the top of her head and lead her to the empty seat next to our guest. Reluctantly, she sits down once her skin touches the cold, metal chair. Immediately, she comments on his smell.Fuck.
“Oh, shit. What the hell is that?!” Her nose turns up in disgust.Nothing, just the rotting corpse of your dead best friend.
“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably just a dead animal outside or something.”Or something.“Have you ever been tied up before?” I ask with my lips still next to her ear.
“Once or twice.” She smirks flirtatiously, and my body fills with rage and jealousy. I bite my lip until I can taste copper to help contain my anger. At this point, it’s the only thing that urges me to keep playing this part in our uncomfortable foreplay.Hold it back, play the part.
“Really, Listener?” I pause. “This time, it might be a little different.”
I peer down at her breasts, and I survey how they move up and down. Her rapid heartbeat is almost noticeable as it vibrates in her chest under her skin.
“Oh, Thalia. This is going to be so much fun. Sit still in this chair for me.” She conquers without saying a word. The souls of my shoes resound again through the unit as I walk back to the table behind us. I survey the tools in front of me, and I grab three zip ties. My heart nearly stops when I turn around to scrutinize her in her clueless state in her metal chair.So willing to obey me, unknowing, and so fucking trusting.It beats faster as I walk up close and kneel behind her.I’m doing this. I’m really fucking doing this.Gently, I grab both of her wrists and run the smooth surface of the plastic zip tie up her skin from her small wrists up to her forearm. Her arms shudder at my touch.
“If this is too tight, let me know.” I fixate my view at the back of her head as she nods again, wrapping the zip tie around both wrists and securing them in place. “Comfortable?” I ask, trying to sound like I care.I can’t let myself stress about how you feel if Iwant to break you like you broke me.My uncertain thoughts are pushed to the back of my mind when I hear her soft voice.
“Yes,” her hushed tone is relaxed under the feel of my fingertips.
