Escape From The Wolf's Lair

Part Four

“Ah! I’m sorry sir!” Hana yelped as Lenix swung down his flogger, striking her backside yet again for the umpteenth time.

“Master! How many more times must I discipline you before you remember to call me ‘Master’!” Lenix’s voice boomed through the dungeon, a mix of frustration and fury lacing his words. Hana's body was a canvas of red lines from the flogging she had endured, her eyes glazed with a mix of pain and exhaustion.

“I’m sorry Master! I’ll do better!” Hana’s voice was a desperate wail, each word punctuated by another strike from the flogger. Her body jerked with the impact, her limbs straining against the leather bonds that held her in place.

I could only watch in silent despair from my chained perch as Hana’s body danced under Lenix’s cruel tutelage. She was bound to the St. Andrew’s cross, her wrists and ankles stretched taut, leaving her vulnerable to his every whim. The dim light of the dungeon cast eerie shadows across her sweat-slicked skin, each line of pain etched into her features as she endured blow after blow.

“You know, when I first purchased you I thought I was getting one hell of a deal, I figured I could use your fame to lure all those eager pretty little submissive fangirls of yours to use those services you warned them about and I’d never have to attend one of Fox’s stupid little auctions again.”

Hana whimpered, her eyes squeezed shut against the pain, her body trembling uncontrollably as Lenix paused, the flogger hanging loosely from his hand. “But how can I trust you to help me convince all those followers of yours when you can’t even remember to call me Master? Seriously, how did you gain such a following when you’ve got sawdust for brains!?”

Lenix was a monster, that much was very clear by now and it didn’t matter how good of a vagician he was, his cruelty knew no bounds. Two weeks had passed since he had returned from his business trip, and it felt like an eternity of pain and humiliation. It had been the morning after that return that he had revealed his plans and ever since then Hana had done a convincing job that she was the world's poorest submissive. Each failure to perform earned her a brutal punishment, and each punishment was a knife to my heart.

Staring at her tear stricken face I didn’t know just how much longer she would be able to keep up the façade, she had to be close to her breaking point. Every morning after we’d been given our breakfast and our outfits for the day, Lenix would come down and put Hana through her paces for a couple hours while I was forced to watch. Inevitably Lenix would grow frustrated and punish her, and each time the punishments grew more severe.

Once he was done with her, she’d be shoved back into her cell, then I’d be leashed and forced to follow him wherever he went for a majority of the day. In his office, in his gym, sometimes even in the grand dining room. I’d be there whenever he grew an itch that needed to be scratched, I’d been used on more surfaces than I could count and in every way imaginable. His sadistic streak was insatiable and he reveled in my submission, but by not fighting him I for the most part avoided his wrath.

My subterfuge also garnered me a few privileges, like being allowed to walk around without constantly being bound, although Lenix still enjoyed keeping me in bondage occasionally. I was more often than not allowed to be unrestrained minus my leash, which when not in his hand was always tethered to something. Another perk was all the information I was gathering from my time with him and his staff.

His staff were few in number, but they were well trained. Most never spared me so much as a glance, their eyes averted as they moved about the manor. Their cold indifference was almost a balm to my bruised soul. I studied them closely, noticing their routines, their quiet whispers, and the way they interacted with each other. They had a silent understanding that spoke of long-standing loyalty to Lenix… that or most likely it was fear.

It wouldn't be long before I'd collate all the data I’d gathered and I’d start forming a plan to escape. It wouldn’t be easy though, Lenix’s security was tight, the staff was sharp and the estate was vast. But with each day that passed, I found myself slipping into the rhythm of the manor’s life, observing the subtle cues of the staff and the nuances of the building’s layout.

For now though, I needed to focus on maintaining my composure and keeping Hana’s spirits up. If I didn’t, if Hana broke, soon other poor gullible souls would end up just like us. That was what kept me going through every depraved act Lenix demanded, every moment of pain and degradation. It was the promise of eventual escape and the hope that we could warn others of the monster lurking in the shadows of opulence that kept me from giving in too much to my own body’s dark desires.

“I’m sorry Master, I will do better!” Hana’s voice was a desperate plea as the flogger swung down again, the leather kissing her skin with a sickening sound. Her body jerked, and a fresh tear streaked down her cheek, shimmering in the flickering candlelight of the dungeon.

“Ugh, I think I’ve had enough of this,” Lenix sighed, tossing the flogger aside. He walked over to Hana, who was hanging limply from the St. Andrew’s cross, her breaths shallow and quick. “You’re really testing my patience, pet,” he murmured, stroking her face with a gentle touch that seemed to jar with the violence he’d just inflicted.

Hana’s eyes fluttered open, looking up at him with a mix of fear and hope. “I-I’ll do better, Master,” she gasped out, her voice hoarse from screaming.

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Lenix said, his tone devoid of emotion as he reached up and began to unbuckle the leather cuffs that held Hana to the cross. His movements were methodical, almost gentle, as if he were handling a fine piece of artwork instead of a broken person.

With each snap of the buckles, Hana’s body fell a little more, the tension in her limbs giving way to gravity. Her legs trembled as she tried to stand, her body no longer able to support her weight. “Master, please,” she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper.

“Be silent,” Lenix barked as he unbuckled the last cuff, releasing Hana’s limp form from the cross. She crumpled to the ground, her legs unable to hold her weight after the relentless punishment. I watched, heart aching, as he hauled her up by the arm and began to drag her towards the cell that had become her new home.

Her body was a tapestry of pain, each mark telling a story of agony. Her eyes searched for mine, desperate for some form of comfort, but all I could offer was a sad, silent nod of encouragement. She knew what was coming, and so did I. This wasn’t the first time she had been punished for forgetting to call him ‘Master’.

“I’ll be back for your exercise this evening on the treadmill,” Lenix said to Hana as he dumped her on her bed like a ragdoll. “See that you’re ready.” With a dismissive gesture, he turned on his heel and strode out of her cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind him.

Lenix stood there looking frustrated for a moment before he turned and strode towards me, pulling out a leash from the pocket of his pants. My heart skipped a beat as the cold metal clasp snapped open, a sound that had come to symbolize so much more than just a change in my physical state. It was the sound of my will being stripped away, of my freedom being taken from me all over again.

He approached me, the leash trailing behind him like a serpent in the grass. With a quick movement, he unclipped my wrist cuffs that held my arms behind my back from the pillar I’d been chained to. Leading me towards the dungeon’s exit, it looked like I’d be stuck with my wrists cuffed behind my back today.

“Your friend better learn to play her role soon,” Lenix said, his voice a mix of irritation and amusement. “I didn’t spend all that money for you to be the only one who knows how to behave around here.” His footsteps echoed on the cold stone as we ascended the narrow staircase that led out of the dungeon.

“Yes Master, I’m sure she’ll get better,” I murmured, hiding the searing anger I wanted to let out as we climbed the narrow staircase, my eyes on the cold stone beneath my newest pair of high heeled sandals. Cyan and silver was my outfit’s color for the day. My coin-belt jingled with each step, taking a deep breath in and out, I steeled myself for another day of servitude.

Lenix led me through the manor’s grand hallways, the opulent décor contrasting with the dungeon’s cold embrace. The marble hallways echoed our steps, the chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished wood and demented art that adorned the walls. It was like walking through a museum, but instead of artifacts, it was a prison of wealth and depravity.

After making our way up to the second floor, Lenix opened the heavy oak door to his expansive study. The room was all high ceilings, dark bookshelves, and a large mahogany desk that dominated the space. It smelled of leather and cigar smoke, the walls were lined with rare tomes and a number of the life-size statues of his former slaves in painful bondage.

He led me over to his desk, the leather chair squeaking as he sat down heavily. His gaze fell on His large windows overlooking the sprawling gardens, the mid-morning sun casting a serene glow over the meticulously manicured hedges. For a few moments, he sat in contemplative silence, as if the beauty outside could somehow purify the depravity within. (Pffff yeah right) I remained standing, my wrists cuffed behind my back, the leash taut in his grip.

Without warning, he swiveled around, the chair’s leather creaking under his weight. “Come here,” he said, his voice a low growl, and I could see the moment an idea struck him as he turned to me and beckoned me forward. When I stepped forward he reached behind me, unlinked my cuffs, then re-cuffed them in front, and unclipped my leash. The sudden release of tension in my arms was almost as unsettling as the anticipation of what he had in store.

“Go to your plinth-,” Lenix said, pointing to the small circular platform in the corner of the room. “-and perform for me.” It was a command I had grown accustomed to over the past week, one that sent a tremor of shame and resentment through me. Yet, I knew the price of disobedience was far greater than the humiliation I felt and obeyed heading towards the polished circular wooden platform.

During the previous week, Lenix had grown tired of my stationary servitude and on a whim insisted for a more interactive form of entertainment. He had a small, gleaming plinth installed in the corner of his study, and from that moment on, my days had been filled with the rhythmic clinking of coin-belts and the strain of my muscles as I learned to dance for his pleasure. Belly dance was his latest obsession, a form of art that was as alien to me as the opulent surroundings of his estate.

My morning exercises had diverted from Lenix’s unique and sometimes torturous routines to watching tutorial videos and attempting to replicate the graceful movements of professional belly dancers. Now, I was expected to perform on command, at first I’d found the task degrading and on some level I still did, but I had also learned to appreciate the art form.

Dancing was something I’d always wanted to learn back when my primary role in life was defending women from their abusive and infidelity-prone husbands. Now, as I stepped onto the plinth, it felt like a twisted mockery of my past life. The coin-belt was heavier than usual, each coin a constant reminder of my status here, but I had to push those thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand.

As an energetic melody of a traditional belly dance track filled the air, I took a deep breath and raised my cuffed wrists high above my head, allowing the rings to clink together in time with the music. My hips began to sway in a hypnotic rhythm, each undulation a jingling seductive invitation to the monster seated before me. The coin-belt shimmered and clanked with every move, I tried my best to picture myself alone in the room, dancing for no one but myself.

“You’re improving, I’ll give you that,” Lenix said, his voice breaking my concentration as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving me. I bit back a retort, knowing it would only lead to a punishment. Instead, I focused on the music, the heavy beats of the drum echoing through my body and guiding my movements.

“Hmm… slave dance your way over to the bar and bring me a whiskey,” Lenix said, interrupting my dance, his eyes never leaving my body.

I complied without missing a beat, my hips continuing their sinuous movements as I made my way over to the ornate mahogany bar. The coin-belt chimed with every step, the sound a melodic symphony to my ears. As I leaned over to grab the bottle, my breasts spilled out of my sheer bustier, and I felt his gaze burn into my skin.

Continuing to shake my hips, I poured a healthy amount of whiskey into a tumbler, then made my way over to his desk. All the while doing my best not to spill a drop of the amber liquid. Once I reached him, I offered the glass with a slight bow of my head, trying to ignore the way his eyes raked over my exposed flesh.

Lenix took the glass from my trembling hand, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he took a sip. “Very good,” he murmured, the whiskey glinting in the sunlight as he swirled the remaining liquid. “Now, I want to see if you can keep that rhythm while you dance for me on my desk.”

Surprise flickered through me, but I knew better than to question his commands. With a deep breath, I climbed onto the massive mahogany desk, feeling the cool, smooth wood under my hands and knees. My heart pounded in my chest as I stood up, the high heels of my sandals digging into the polished surface, the precariousness of my situation adding a thrill to the fear coursing through me.

The desk was a monolith in the room, which was usually cluttered with paperwork and various devices of his sadistic pleasures. Today however it was thankfully devoid of anything that I could trip or knock over. Taking another deep breath, I started to dance again, my movements more careful now as I had to balance on the slick surface.

My dance was slower now, more deliberate, each step and shimmy a silent protest against the leather cuffs that held me. The coin-belt’s jingling was almost soothing in the tense silence, the only other sounds being the crackling of the fireplace and the occasional tick of an antique clock on the mantle.

Lenix leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with a mix of lust and amusement as I began to sway my hips slowly on the desk. I started by just jutting my hips side to side, giving a deliberate flick at the end of each move. It was a subtle yet seductive motion that seemed to draw him in closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched my performance. The music grew louder, the beat resonating in the air and pulsing through me, urging my body to move more dramatically.

As the rhythm picked up, so did the intensity of my dance. I bent at my knees, keeping them tightly together as my hips began to gyrate in wider circles. The coin-belt grew louder with each movement, the jingling a melodic soundtrack to my forced performance.

Lenix’s eyes grew darker, his breathing heavier as he watched my body move in time with the music. Intensifying the dance I started to do a series of squats, keeping my knees tightly together as if protecting my core from the very essence of his perversion. Each dip brought my face closer to the desk’s edge, my breasts jiggling with the effort, the coin-belt chiming a tune of submission. I felt his gaze on me like a physical touch, a slithering snake of unwanted desire that coiled around my body, tightening its grip with each passing moment.

Despite knowing what could happen next, the same horror that had unfolded countless times before, I turned around, stretched out my bound wrists and started to rapidly wiggle my ass. The coin-belt grew louder, each metallic frenzied clinking that drowned out the music and echoed through the room, a symphony of my degradation. Lenix’s eyes were glued to the hypnotic motion, his breathing growing more ragged as he set his whiskey down, his hand absently tracing the outline of his cock through his trousers.

I was about to turn around and arch my back in a series of dramatic chest lifts when I felt strong hands wrap around my waist, yanking me off the desk and onto his lap. I squeaked loudly from the suddenness of the movement, my heart racing as I sat across his thighs. His grip was firm, his fingers digging into my flesh, leaving little doubt as to who was in charge.

“You certainly have a talent for this,” Lenix murmured, his hot breath against my neck as he pulled me closer, his grip on my waist tightening. His hands slid up to my breasts, squeezing them roughly as he leaned back into his chair, his erection pressing into my thighs.

His hot breath on my skin soon evolved into sharp nibbles on the sensitive flesh of my neck, his teeth grazing my collarbone, sending a shiver down my spine. For a moment I lost myself daydreaming of a world where this would be a gentle caress from a lover rather than the predatory hunger of a sadist. But the illusion was shattered when Lenix sunk his teeth into my neck just below my collar with a sudden, brutal force, so hard that I thought he would break the skin.

I yelped and started squirming, trying to pull away from the pain, but his arms were like steel bands around me, keeping me in place. His teeth released me with an audible pop, and I could feel the wetness of his saliva and the heat of his tongue as he trailed it up to my ear.

“I could just devour you right here,” Lenix murmured into my ear, his words a dark promise that sent a shiver down my spine. I knew what was coming, but I didn’t dare struggle. Instead, I took a deep, shaky breath and closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

But then, to my relief, the sound of a knock on the door pierced the heavy silence. It was three sharp raps that was quickly followed by the door swinging open. Charles, Lenix’s head butler, stepped into the room, his ever stoic expression unchanged despite the scene unfolding before him.

“Charles! What is it?” Lenix barked, his grip on my waist loosening slightly as he turned his attention to the intrusion.

“I apologize for the interruption, Sir,” Charles said, his voice as calm as ever. “You have an urgent video call from the board that cannot wait.”

“Ugh! Fine, just give me a moment,” Lenix growled, his frustration palpable. “Slave, give me your wrists,” he ordered, and I complied, allowing him to unlink the cuffs that had been in front and secure them behind my back once more, “Good, now on your knees and get under the desk.”

I groaned internally, my body still thrumming with fear and adrenaline from his previous touch. The coin-belt grew silent as I climbed off his lap and onto the floor, dropping into a graceful kneel. The leather of the chair squeaked as he stood, and I felt the warmth of his hand as he helped me to shuffle underneath the desk.

Grinning at me like a predator eyeing its prey, Lenix unbuckled his pants with a flourish, the sound of the leather belt unclasping sending a chill down my spine. Sitting back down he rolled his chair closer to the desk, the wheels gliding almost silently across the plush carpet, bringing him to the edge. The anticipation was almost unbearable as I knelt under the desk, my breaths shallow and quick, the smell of his expensive cologne and the faint hint of sweat mingling with the scent of the aged wood.

Seeing my view was made up entirely of nothing but Lenix’s hard cock, I felt a mix of revulsion and dread. I knew what was expected of me, and opened my mouth to comply, a strong hand reached under gripping me by my hair, guiding me closer to his erection. My eyes squeezed shut as I took him in, feeling the warm, pulsing flesh fill my mouth.

“Good girl,” Lenix murmured, the sound of his voice muffled by the wood above my head. “Now, no moving, just keep it in there until I tell you to. If you’re a good slave, maybe I won’t be too harsh with you tonight. On tomorrow night’s hunt however, you’ll get exactly more of what I know you’ve been craving, a good hard fuck when I catch you.”

‘If you catch me,’ I thought to myself, not allowing myself to lose all hope.

The taste of him filled my mouth, a bitter and all too familiar intrusion, but I remained still as he had commanded. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as I knelt there, my knees pressing into the plush carpet of his desk’s area rug. The top of my head pressing against the cool wood of the desk as I remained bent forward. The leather of the chair creaked in front of me, and I could feel him adjusting his position, his thighs flexing against my shoulders as he settled in for his call.

Above me, I heard the quiet rustle of papers and the sound of drawers being pulled open. It was Charles, no doubt, setting up a laptop and webcam with swift, efficient movements that spoke of long practice in the art of not disturbing his master during his moments of leisure. The muted click of the laptop’s lid echoed in the tense silence, followed by the soft beeps of the device coming to life.

Lenix cleared his throat, and I felt his hand pat the top of my head, a gesture that I had learned over the past week to interpret as the signal to begin. Slowly, I started to bob my head, my mouth moving up and down his shaft in a slow deliberate rhythm. The taste of him was bitter on my tongue, but I pushed away the revulsion and focused on the task at hand. I had to keep him satisfied, if not, the consequences were always dire.

Above me, I heard the muffled sound of a video call connecting, followed by a few beeps and a polite greeting. “Ah, Mr. Lenix,” a male voice said, sounding slightly tinny through the laptop’s speakers. “Thank you for making time for us today.”

Lenix grunted in response, his hand still gripping my hair, guiding my movements. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until I was done with my vacation. I’ve kept an eye on our numbers while I’ve been away, so there had better be a good reason for this.” His voice was firm but held a hint of irritation at being disturbed.

The voice on the other end of the line, which I assumed belonged to one of Lenix’s business associates, replied, “I understand your frustration, Mr. Lenix, but the situation is quite serious. It’s true that our numbers are superb and the company is more successful than ever, but we’ve had some… unsavory allegations made against you. A reporter from The Financial Herald has come forward with some rather damning claims.”

Lenix’s hand stilled in my hair, and his grip tightened just enough to remind me of my place. “What kind of allegations?” he asked, his tone cold and controlled.

“The journalist claims to have information regarding your… personal life that could be quite damaging to your public image,” the voice explained, a slight waver hinting at their own discomfort with the subject matter. “You are the face of this company, and if these allegations were to gain traction things could sour quickly. Which is why the board and I believe the best course of action is to invite her over to your estate for an exclusive, in-depth interview. We’ve already set a date for two days from now.”

“YOU WHAT?!” Lenix roared, his fist slamming onto the desk so hard that I felt the vibration in my knees. My head bumped painfully into the wooden surface, and I nearly bit down on his cock in surprise.

“Now, now Mr. Lenix,” the voice on the other end of the call said soothingly, “it’s all under control. We’ve assured her that you are quite the philanthropist and that this will be an opportunity for her to see the charitable side of you. She’s eager for the story, so let’s clear up whatever misunderstanding she has.”

Lenix took a deep, measured breath before responding, his voice laced with a syrupy sweetness that made my stomach churn. “Ah, well now’s not the best time, really,” he began, his thumb stroking my cheek as he spoke. “You see, the estate is undergoing some rather extensive renovations. It’s why I’ve been gone a little longer than expected. The place is a veritable construction zone. Wouldn’t want Miss Nosey to get hurt, now would we?”

“Oh, pish posh,” the voice on the line said dismissively. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, the journalist is quite keen on seeing your estate. She said it’ll add that personal touch to the article, I’ve already sent her the specifics. She’ll be arriving on the scheduled date, I’ll email you the details.”

Lenix’s grip on my hair tightened, and I could almost hear his teeth grind together in frustration. “Fine,” he spat, his voice low and dangerously calm. “But if she writes one word of anything other than what we’ve agreed upon, I’ll make sure she never writes again.”

The call ended with a curt click, the sudden silence in the room as oppressive as the heavy weight of his hand on my head. For a moment, I didn’t dare move, unsure if he had forgotten about me or if his foul mood had just taken a turn for the worse. But then, with a sigh, he released me, his cock slipping out of my mouth with a wet pop.

“Stay put, slave, I need to go find Charles.”

The moment the door shut behind him, I sprang into action. My knees popped as I shuffled out from under the desk, the coin-belt chiming softly as it swung against my thighs. My eyes darted around the room as I stood up wondering how I could take Lenix’s absence as an opportunity.

Looking out of his windows, the maze was sprawling with tall, leafy hedges ‘perfect!’ I thought. This might be the only chance I’d get to take a closer look for the exit in the maze, turning around I awkwardly placed my ass onto the edge of Lenix’s desk then swung my legs up and over, taking care not to knock over any of his papers or devices. Once I was on my knees, I carefully stood up on my tippy toes, balancing precariously in my heels.

The added height from the desk gave me a new vantage point, and as my eyes scanned the horizon, after a few moments I spotted it… a small gap in the border of hedges just barely visible from my new vantage point. It was directly north of the largest circular garden in the middle of the maze. I hadn’t yet found my way to that particular sanctuary during the last two hunts, but at least now I had a marker to look for. The gap was barely noticeable, a mere sliver of daylight peeking through the dense foliage, but it was enough to set my heart racing with hope.

Suddenly, the door to the study swung open with a thud, making me jump and nearly lose my balance. My heart pounded in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears like a drumline. Thinking quickly, I composed myself and started to gyrate my hips, the coin-belt jingling as if I had been dancing the whole time. I spun around to face the door, a seductive smile playing on my lips, my hands still cuffed lifted high behind my back as I arched my chest forward.

“Look Charles I don’t care how you-“ Lenix’s voice trailed off as he took in the sight of me now dancing atop his desk, my hips moving sending a melodious tune of jingling coins absent the music that had been playing before the call.

I watched his expression shift from irritation to something more akin to amusement, his eyes traveling up and down my body before settling on my face. “Slave, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, now is not the time for a private performance. However, I must admit that seeing you so… eager, is quite arousing, maybe later I will indulge you,” he said with a smirk.

I breathed a sigh of relief, my quick thinking had saved me from another no doubt torturous punishment.

“Sir…” Charles’s voice was a polite yet urgent interruption, cutting through the tension in the room.

“Right, Charles, escort Taylor back to her cell in the dungeon, then get back here at once,” Lenix said, his eyes never leaving me. I felt his gaze on me like a hot brand, even as Charles helped me down from the desk.

With a click, Charles attached a leash to my collar, and I felt hope blossom inside my chest. During my quick walk back through the estate I did my best to hide my excitement, I needed to tell Hana everything I’d seen and heard. She had to know about the potential escape route, about the journalist coming to the estate. It could be our way out if we played our cards right.

“Walk faster slave, your master is worked up as it is,” Charles muttered sternly, giving the leash a tug as we moved down the narrow staircase into the hidden bowels of the Lenix estate. “Also I shouldn’t have to tell you to keep anything you might have heard to yourself. No need to give your little friend false hope.”

“Yes sir,” I replied demurely.

The weight of his words hit me like a brick, but I kept my head held high, the coins on my belt jingling with each step down the stairwell. Despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm me, I couldn’t let him see the excitement that was bubbling up inside. The journalist’s visit was unlikely to yield any fruit in terms of rescue, but it was the knowledge of where the exit in the maze lay that truly gave me hope.

Lenix was too crafty for whatever the journalist would be allowed to witness, he’d likely have the place scrubbed clean of any sign of our occupation as well as any other previous slave’s existence. Which considering all the art, sculptures and décor that were more than a little… explicit, would be an impressive feat to pull off.

Our cells came into view, the dim light from the bulbs in our cells barely illuminating the area. My excitement and hidden cheer evaporated however when I saw Hana. She was slumped against the bars on her bed, her eyes red and swollen. She had draped herself under the comforter of her bed, and she didn’t move as we approached.

“Now remember what we talked about,” Charles said as he unlocked my cell door, his voice as stiff as the posture that had no doubt served him so well in his years of servitude. He stepped aside, and I slinked in, my body aching from all the dancing. I waited until he’d closed the cell door then as usual turned around and presented my cuffed wrists through the slot in the cell door.

A moment later, I heard the metallic snick of the lock and my wrists were free. With a fake sigh I sauntered over to my bed and sat down, my heart racing like a wild horse in my chest. I waited for what felt like an eternity for the sound of Charles’ footsteps to fade away up the stairs and the dungeon door to shut with a heavy finality off in the distance. The silence was deafening.

As quickly and quietly as I could, I crept over to the cell wall closest to where Hana was sitting, my heels clicking softly against the cold stone floor. “Hey, Hana,” I whispered, keeping my voice low so it wouldn’t carry beyond our small, shared space. She jumped then looked up, her eyes bloodshot and haunted, but there was a flicker of life in them when she saw me.

“Hey Taylor, you’re back already?” I found it very concerning that she hadn’t noticed I’d returned, usually she was eager to hear about any information that could lead to our escape. But today she was lost in a daze, her thoughts elsewhere, either that or she was just tired of it all.

“Hey, I’ve got some good news,” I whispered urgently, kneeling beside the cell wall.

Her eyes searched mine for any sign of a lie, and when she found none, she set up a little straighter, curiosity piquing through her despair. “What… what is it?”

I relayed the information about the journalist and the gap in the hedge maze, my words a hushed whisper in the damp, cold air of the dungeon. Hana’s eyes grew wide with hope, the sliver of life returning to her face as she took in every detail. She leaned closer, her breathing quickening.

“Really? You saw the exit?” Hana’s voice was barely a breath, but it held a spark of hope that had been dimming day by day. I nodded, keeping my voice to the faintest murmur.

“Yea, Lenix left me in his office alone after a video conference with whatever board sees over his company,” I whispered back, the hope In her eyes spurring me on, “While he was gone I climbed up onto his desk, and I saw a small gap in the hedge from his window. It’s right behind the maze, straight towards the back of the estate from the fountain side entrance.”

Hana’s face fell, the light in her eyes dimming as she processed the information. “But that’s opposite the same entrance they’ve been forcing me to use… I’ll never get that far during a hunt.” Her voice was small, hollowed out by despair.

Thinking about it I realized she was right, it had been three weeks, three hunts, and every single time we had been forced into the labyrinth from the same spot. Each time I’d been pushed through the same archway on the right side of the driveway, and she the left. Getting through the maze was already next to impossible with all the traps and obstacles, but to find her way all the way from the opposite side? It was a despairing thought.

“Hey, we can’t give up, maybe I could cause a-“ I was interrupted as Hana’s eyes met mine with a fierce determination I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“No… you have the best chance,” Hana cut me off, her voice firm despite the shaky breaths she took. “You’re quicker on your feet and more… adaptable. You’ve got to find that gap during the next hunt. Maybe once you get out, you can send help back for me.”

I was floored by Hana’s words. The thought of leaving her behind was unbearable, but I knew she was right. My chances of making it through the maze from the start were greater than hers, especially given how much closer my gate was to the potential escape route. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “Okay… I’ll do my best,” I murmured, trying to inject a little more confidence into my voice than I truly felt.

“I promise, Hana,” I said, my voice a hoarse whisper filled with determination. “I’ll find that gap and get us out of here.” I reached out, placing a hand through the bars and waited. After a moment of hesitation, she stood up and shuffled over, her own hand reaching out to meet mine. Our fingers intertwined, and she squeezed my hand with all the strength she could muster, giving me a nod filled with more belief than I felt myself.

After an awkward through-the-cell-bars hug we both returned to our own beds, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. Two days. That was the amount of time until the journalist arrived, as for how many days it would be until the next hunt I couldn’t say for sure, but we had to be patient. We had to wait for the perfect opportunity, and I’d need to be ready.

The rest of the day went by at a snail’s pace, each tick of the unseen clock echoing through the dungeon like a taunt. No evening exercises were called for, which was both a relief and a source of anxiety. Without the distraction, our thoughts were consumed by the journalist’s impending visit and the tantalizing hope of escape. Hana and I lay on our beds, our bodies exhausted from the week’s trials, yet our minds racing with plans and possibilities. The silence between us grew heavier with every passing moment.

Eventually, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the oppressive silence of the dungeon. It was Charles, carrying a tray laden with two plates of food. He set it down outside our cell doors, his expression unreadable. The scent of roast chicken and steamed vegetables filled the air, a contrast to the usual stale odor of the dungeon. It was a meal fit for royalty, not for slaves like us.

“Master Lenix wasn’t hungry, so it was either toss it to the dogs, or feed it to his other… pets,” Charles said as he slid the tray through the opening in the cell door.

Not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth, we dug in. The food was surprisingly good, and for a brief moment, it was almost like we weren’t in a dungeon waiting for our next round of abuse. The tender chicken melted in our mouths, and the vegetables were perfectly seasoned, miles better than the usual nutritious slop we were fed. We ate in silence, the clinking of our forks on the plates the only sound in the damp space. It was a rare moment of peace, one we both knew was fleeting.

After we’d finished, we lay in our beds, listening to the near silence that surrounded us. The occasional drip of water from the leaky pipe above and a clock I’d still yet to locate were the only sounds that pierced the darkness. We didn’t speak, both lost in our own thoughts about what the journalist’s visit could mean for us if anything. I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to drift into a restless sleep, filled with visions of the maze and the distant promise of freedom.

---

When I woke the next morning, it was to the same dull silence that had filled the dungeon the night before. The only indication of the time was the faint light seeping through a few frosted windows running along the ceiling on the opposite side of the room. The previous evening’s hope felt like a distant memory as I pushed myself into a sitting position, my body aching from the night’s tension. I glanced over at Hana’s cell, expecting to see her doing her morning stretches preparing for whatever torture Lenix might bring, but she was still lying in bed, her chest rising and falling in a deep slumber.

As it turned out it would have been a waste anyway. The day passed by without incident, no exercises, no new humiliating outfits. Just two meals, breakfast and dinner, delivered by Charles who was as tight-lipped as ever. The silence from above was eerie, as if the very walls of the estate were holding their breath in anticipation of something momentous.

It was late at night when the first and only event of the day occurred. The heavy tread of footsteps echoed down the stairs, shattering the stillness of the dungeon. My heart thudded in my chest, and I sat bolt upright in my bed, my eyes blurry with sleep. The cell door swung open, and the soft glow of a flashlight pierced the darkness.

With a jerk, I was torn from my bed, the cold stone floor of the dungeon biting into my knees. The flashlight’s beam danced over the cell bars, and I could make out the silhouette of Lenix, his face a mask of cold determination. He didn’t bother with words as he dragged me out by the collar, the leather biting into my skin. My eyes searched the darkness for any sign of Hana, but she was lost to the shadows of her own cell, no doubt listening intently to what was happening.

The firmness of his grip sent shivers down my spine as he led me to a pillar in the center of the dungeon. My heart hammered in my chest like a drum announcing a battle charge. Lenix attached my collar to the pillar with a metallic clank, the sound resonating through the empty space. There were no dramatics or speeches tonight, just the coldness of his touch as he positioned me, face down and ass up.

He wasn't in me for longer than a few moments, his rough hands gripping my hips as he thrust in and out. There was something almost… mechanical about it. No passion, no pleasure, not even his unique brand of vile cruelty, just a quick release of tension. When he was done, he pulled out with a wet slap, and I felt his warm cum dribble down my inner thighs. The silence was deafening as he unclipped my collar from the pillar, the clank of the metal ring against the stone echoing through the dungeon.

Lenix didn’t bother to say anything as he dragged me back to my cell, once there he threw me onto the bed, and for a moment, I was afraid he wasn’t done, but the cell door slammed shut with a final clang. I lay there, panting, my body feeling used and discarded. The dull ache between my legs was a reminder of his possession. I felt dirty, violated, but also oddly… relieved. There had been no pain this time, no cruel games. Just a quick, almost impersonal, claiming of what he owned and then… then he was gone.

It took me a while to fall back asleep, but I eventually managed it, slipping off into a world where Lenix and his sadistic games didn’t exist. When morning came, it was more of the same from the previous day. No exercises, no games, just a lingering feeling of unease. I tried to keep Hana’s spirit up, whispering words of encouragement through the bars and re-sharing what little information I had gleaned from my brief moments of freedom in Lenix’s office.

The journalist's visit was all I could think about as we sat in our cells, waiting for any clue of how the interview was unfolding. I imagined her up there, a sharp, investigative type with piercing eyes that could see right through Lenix’s façade. Was she already there, prowling the halls, her eyes scanning for any signs of wrong doings? Or had Lenix managed to convince her that the whispers of his depravities were just that, whispers in the wind?

Whatever was going on, all I knew was by the time evening crept into the windows I was starving. Charles had yet to have made an appearance all day, and the hunger pangs were starting to gnaw at my stomach like a pack of wild animals. I could only assume Lenix did not want to risk our discovery by allowing Charles to bring us food while the journalist was still on the premises.

‘He probably sent most of his staff away as well,’ I thought to myself. The less witnesses to our existence the better, especially if he was really worried about this journalist poking around. The anticipation was suffocating, like the air in the dungeon had thickened into a heavy, unbreathable paste.

Finally, the sound of the distant hidden door opening echoed through the dungeon, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. Looking over to Hana I saw her quickly turn over and feign being asleep, deciding that was a good idea I did the same, curling up under the covers of my own bed. As footsteps neared the bottom of the stairway, the sound of raised voices echoed down the corridor, growing clearer as they approached.

“Mr. Lenix, I implore you, this is a bad idea,” Charles’ voice was tight with frustration. “Most of your security staff are absent due to the journalist’s visit, most of your security cameras were taken down so as not to look suspicious and most importantly… 80% of the maze’s traps were disabled for the tour you gave her. It’s a miracle she didn't suspect anything, but taking them on a hunt now? It’s too risky.”

“I do not care Charles, besides, I still have my little spy in the sky. Also do not forget no slave has ever even made it to the central garden, let alone the exit,” Lenix’s voice was cold, and the smugness in his tone was like nails on a chalkboard. “And even if by some miracle either of them did manage to get out of the maze, they’d be lost in the forest for days. And let us not forget the delightful little surprise in their collars from our friends at the resort.”

“But sir-“

“THAT’S ENOUGH! THANKS TO MY BOARD I HAD TO SIT AND PANDER TO EVERY SLANDEROUS IDIOTIC QUESTION THAT STUPID SLUT OF A JOURNALIST THREW AT ME FOR THE WHOLE AFTERNOON!” Lenix’s voice boomed through the dungeon, cutting Charles off mid-sentence. “Now I want a hunt damn It and a hunt is what I’ll have!”

“Yes sir,” I heard Charles murmur, his voice tinged with defeat.

The sound of their footsteps resumed, growing louder and more purposeful as they approached our cells. With a jolt of dread, I felt the floor vibrate as Lenix brought a cane down with a loud clang against the bars of Hana’s cell, shattering the silence like a gunshot in the night. “Time to wake up, my little beauties,” he sneered, the echo of his voice bouncing off the stone walls, “It’s time for a hunt!”

My eyes snapped open to the familiar sound of jingling metal. A small bag fell to the floor of my cell, the contents shifting with a clink as it landed. I sat up, feigning just waking up, and watched as another bag was dropped into Hana’s cell. My heart hammered in my chest, the bags no doubt contained yet another version of the dancer costume that had become my everyday attire.

“Ensure they’re dressed appropriately, Charles,” Lenix said, his voice dripping with anticipation as he turned to leave. “I’ll be –“ At that moment, my stomach, which had been quietly protesting the lack of food all day, decided to make its presence known with a loud, guttural growl that seemed to resonate off the very walls of the dungeon.

Lenix froze, his eyes narrowing as he looked back over his shoulder at me. “Are you hungry, my dear?” His question was laced with sarcasm, but the tension in his voice was unmistakable.

“Ye- yes sir… we haven’t eaten since yesterday,” I murmured.

Stepping close to the cell Lenix reached through the bars, lifted my chin with his hand, “I tell you what slave, give me a good hunt tonight and I’ll see to it you both receive an extra delicious meal afterwards,” His words were like a knife to my stomach, twisting the hunger into a mix of anger and desperation, he wasn’t even going to feed us before throwing us into his twisted game? The audacity of the man was maddening.

“Yes sir,” I murmured, keeping the anger and desperation from my voice. He stepped away, seemingly satisfied with my response.

“Charles, like I said, get them dressed, then take them to their gates yada yada you know the drill,” Lenix’s words trailed off as he turned to leave, the sound of his footsteps fading into the distance. As soon as he was out of earshot, I didn’t wait for Charles’s order and started stripping off the outfit I’d been given two days ago and tossed the flimsy material next to the heels I’d placed by the cell door.

With shaky hands, I pulled on tonight’s outfit which was a shade of cherry red that seemed to taunt the very essence of my dignity. The fabric was as sheer as always, leaving my body almost completely exposed to the cool air of the dungeon. The gold embroidery which lined the edges of the fabric glinted in the dim light, adding a macabre touch of elegance to the otherwise degrading costume. Done, I watched as Hana finished dressing, her body moved stiffly with the effort of maintaining her composure as she too donned a revealing and very bright ensemble.

The outfit she had been given was a garish assault on the eyes, a neon orange that would burn through the shadows like a flame. The outfit was made up of mostly material, comprising a strapless bustier, micro lace shorts, a garter belt, and stockings that stopped just short of her upper thighs. The brightness of the material was a cruel joke, no doubt meant to be a beacon in the otherwise impenetrable blackness of the night outside.

With both of us fully dressed now I stood up and turned to wait for Charles, feeling the air pierce through the sheer fabric of my costume. It was then that he beckoned me forward and made a twirling motion with his finger, a gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. In the past, we had always been allowed our hands free during the hunts, which given the perilous height of the heels we normally wore, was as much a boon as it was a necessity.

“Turn around slave and place your wrists through the slot,” Charles huffed in annoyance at having to articulate the instructions. I complied, hesitating for only a moment before turning around and placing my arms behind me through the gap in the bars. The feel of the resort’s thick heavy leather cuffs encircling my wrists made my nerves skyrocket. I could only hope that they’d be removed once I was positioned at my gate, because if they weren’t… escape would take on a whole new level of complexity.

A few minutes passed by as Charles let us out and helped us each into a new pair of high heels. The ones I was given were platform mules, much like the ones I’d worn before, but with an alarmingly thin heel that looked as if it would snap under the slightest pressure. Hana’s were a matching set, though her heels were slightly thicker, offering a marginally better balance. The special ankle cuffs had also been locked on, ensuring no matter how hard we tried, we’d be unable to remove our perilous footwear.

We were then led up the narrow staircase that spiraled from the dungeon’s depths and into the much warmer halls of the estate. My heart hammered in my chest with every step, each one echoing through the corridor like the toll of a doomsday bell. As we walked I quickly noted that the statues that had once lined the walls were now covered with thick velvet sheets, their lifeless forms obscured from view. The once opulent tapestries had been replaced with plain, unassuming drapes, clearly done in a hurry.

Soon enough, we were approaching the main entrance. The large double doors stood closed, keeping the outside world at bay. The grandeur of the foyer was also absent of its usual opulent décor, replaced with an almost clinical emptiness that was eerily unsettling. Opening the front doors Charles led us out into the cool air of the courtyard.

The grandiose fountain that once featured sculptures of bound women, a testament to Lenix’s perverse taste, had been transformed. The fountain was now obscured by a large blue tarp that was stretched tautly over their forms. A hastily erected scaffolding surrounded it, hiding its true nature from prying eyes.

In my new perilously high heels I paid extra close attention to my footing as we descended the steps from the mansion’s entrance. The gravel soon crunched beneath the plastic soles, replacing the usual click-clack of my heels. The night was cool, and while I enjoyed the feeling now, I knew eventually it would begin to bite into my bare skin, a small price to pay for the chance at freedom.

A decent walk down the gravel drive led us to the hedge maze entrances, and I was mildly surprised when instead of shuffling off to the left gate, where Hana was usually deposited first. We instead drifted to the right where the large iron gate stood wide open, a gaping maw beckoning to swallow me up. The anticipation grew with each step until finally, I was pushed through the opening, the cold metal clanging shut behind me.

Turning around I quickly approached the gate hoping to catch Charles’s attention before he disappeared from view with Hana. “Wait, please! Mr. Charles sir,” I called out, my voice echoing faintly in the still night.

With a huff, Charles stopped in his tracks and turned to face me. “What is it?” he barked, his impatience palpable.

“Please, Mr. Charles,” I begged, trying to keep the tremor from my voice. “Could you at least remove the leather cuffs? These heels are so unstable, and with my arms bound, I might fall and hurt myself.”

For the first time ever, a small grin appeared on Charles’ face as he looked at me. It was a knowing smirk, one that sent a shiver down my spine. “Ah, yes, even if you don’t know you two have been given a small handicap tonight,” he said, his eyes gleaming in the evening light. “Which is why to ensure a… fair hunt, you two will remain bound at the wrists.” He paused, his expression one of amusement, before continuing, “Your master may not think it’s necessary, but I do, so I’m afraid you’ll just have to deal with it.”

My heart sank and looking around at the darkening sky I couldn’t help but wonder even if I managed to escape the maze, just how I was supposed to find my way through acres upon acres of dark woods with my hands bound behind my back. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the panic rising in my chest, and focused on the task at hand.

‘No, you can’t think like that,’ I scolded myself, pushing aside the despair. ‘You have to focus on the plan, on reaching the exit and finding help.’

With a new sense of determination, I turned around to face the inner gate of the maze, the leather cuffs biting into my wrists. If what I’d overheard Charles and Lenix arguing about before were true, I’d never get a better chance than tonight to escape. The journalist’s visit had thrown their usual security into disarray, and I was going to take full advantage of it.

For the next fifteen minutes, I leaned against the outer gate, waiting for the inner gate’s automatic lock to disengage. Standing there, I dared not look behind me and across the driveway where the other gate lay, where Hana would be waiting in her neon orange outfit, equally anxious. Because if I did, if I had to look at her sorrowful face, I might not be able to go through with leaving her behind.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity the inner gate’s automatic lock buzzed, and with a click, the door swung open. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest like a wild beast desperate to break free from its cage. The moment the gate was wide enough to fit through I stepped through, and the thinner spikes of my heels immediately started sinking into the path of the maze.

Adjusting my walk, I placed my full weight onto my toes, a balancing act that was surprisingly easier than I had anticipated. Each step was calculated, my heels digging into the soft dirt as I moved through the maze, doing my best to maintain a sense of direction and make my way closer to the back of the estate where the central garden lay. The leather cuffs bit into my wrists with each movement, throwing off my balance slightly. I could feel the tension in my shoulders as I held my arms tightly against my back, the muscles screaming for relief, but I knew that resting in would only slow me down.

The maze was eerily quiet, and just like I’d overheard earlier, the traps that were usually scattered throughout the maze were few and far between. The ones that remained were mostly found near dead ends that Lenix would have known better than to lead the journalist to. The realization of this gave me a sliver of hope, a glimmer in the otherwise bleak night. If he really had cleared most of the maze for his tour, then the path to the central garden was likely to take less time to reach!

I moved swiftly but cautiously, keeping the silhouette of the top of the estate in view in the sloping landscape. The moon had begun making its way into the night’s sky, casting just enough light through the maze to keep me from stumbling in the dark. The air was crisp and cool, and the rustling of leaves was the only sound that accompanied my cautious steps. Each turn was met with either a new dead end or a continuation of the path. Despite making several wrong turns, I managed to navigate the maze with a surprising sense of direction, as if the universe itself was guiding me towards the central garden.

When at last the back of the estate stood but a few hedgerows away, I could almost feel the warmth of the central garden’s light. The journey had been fraught with tension, each step a silent battle with the thick leather cuffs that bound my wrists, the precariousness of the high heels I wore, and the ever-present fear of being caught. Yet, as I turned and headed directly away from the estate, the path grew more familiar, the turns more predictable and soon enough, I turned a corner, and there sat an archway leading to the large open area of the central garden.

Approaching the archway with caution, I peeked my head around the corner, my heart thundering in my chest like a stampede of wild horses. The garden was eerily quiet, the moon casting long shadows over the carefully manicured lawn and the ornate fountain that stood proudly at its center. My eyes darted around the space, searching for any sign of movement, any hint of Lenix’s presence that might indicate an unexpected twist to this night’s hunt.

To my relief, the garden was devoid of the sadistic monster that was my current master. Taking a more thorough look, I noticed that like everywhere else, there were a number of sculptures covered with tarps, their forms hidden from the outside world. It was clear that Lenix had gone to great lengths to keep his depravity a secret, especially in light of the journalist’s visit. The sight of the covered statues was eerie, as if the garden itself was holding its breath, waiting for the impending storm to pass.

There were also a good number of empty plinths scattered around the garden, waiting to host their own epitaph to another broken soul. Schooling my thoughts, I realized I needed to get moving before I became a permanent part of the décor myself. I took a moment to scan the area, my eyes darting from bench to fountain and back again one last time before stepping out into the courtyard.

I hadn’t taken more than half a dozen steps into the courtyard when the bone-chilling sound of Lenix’s drone pierced the air. My heart skipped a beat as the whirring grew louder, the robotic eye searching the maze for any sign of us. Panic surged through me like a wildfire, but I remained still, my breath coming in shallow gasps. My eyes frantically searched the area for any semblance of cover.

A stroke of luck presented itself in the form of a tarp that had come partially free from its sculpture. I dashed over to it, my heels sinking into the soft earth, and with a surge of adrenaline, managed to duck under and grab the ends of the tarp with my bound hands. Crouching down, I held the tarp to the ground shielding my body from sight.

My heart hammered against my ribcage as the drone’s buzz grew closer, the wind from its blades causing the leaves below it to dance. I held my breath, my eyes squeezed shut, willing it to pass me by. The sound grew louder, and for a moment I was sure it had detected me. But then, ever so slowly, it started to recede. I didn’t dare move an inch until the buzz had completely disappeared into the night, the silence so profound it was almost deafening.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I cautiously emerged from under the tarp, my legs feeling wobbly from the rush of adrenaline. I took a moment to compose myself, looking around to ensure the coast was clear before making my way to the archway that led away from the estate at the back of the diamond shaped central garden. Giving the area one last look I took a deep breath, the crisp night air filling my lungs, and began the trek in the direction I was sure the exit would be.

But fate had other plans. As I rounded the first corner of the new path, my toe caught on something unseen and I yelped, my balance giving way. I felt a sharp pull at my ankle as I tumbled towards the ground, my thinly covered breasts taking the brunt of the fall. Looking back, I realized I had tripped over a tripwire, a sadistic trap that Lenix had left uncovered.

I was about to curse up a storm when I felt a pair of hands latch onto me, one slithering around my torso and the other clamping down over my mouth silencing my scream of horror.

‘No, no, no, NOOOO!!’ my mind screamed as the hands tightened their grip, ‘No! I was so close!’

That’s when something happened that I didn’t expect. The hands dragged me swiftly towards the base of the nearest hedge, and before I could even process what was happening, I was under it, pulled into a small alcove that had been dug out and my body collided with a warm, firm form. The scream lodged in my throat continued to be muffled by a gloved hand that tightened the more I struggled.

I knew right away that whoever was holding me tightly wasn’t Lenix, in fact as I squirmed it became apparent they weren’t even male. The body underneath me was smaller, softer, and the scent was faintly sweet, like flowers. My eyes grew wide with surprise as the hand holding my jaw turned my head to face my new captor.

Dressed head to toe in black was a woman wearing a ski mask, and she seemed to be… laughing. Growing scared all over again I renewed my struggles, but she was much stronger than she looked and she held me down with surprising ease. I tried to make out any distinguishing features, but the mask and the darkness of the night combined with the atmosphere of the hole we were laying in made it impossible to discern anything.

“You need to ugh! Stop it! Come on Taylor, you need to calm down before you attract attention!” At the sound of my name, I froze. The voice was… familiar, but I just couldn’t quite pin it down. The hand over my mouth lifted slightly, allowing me to gasp in a lungful of cold night air. “Sorry,” she murmured, the warmth of her breath brushing against my cheek, “but we need to keep quiet.”

“…Who are you?” I whispered harshly, my eyes searching the darkness for any clue to this mysterious savior’s identity.

A soft chuckle reverberated in the confined space as the woman in black removed her hand from my waist and reached up to pull down her mask revealing…

“Bunny?…BUNNY!” Twisting around I buried my face into her neck, nuzzling my face into her shoulder since I couldn’t wrap my arms around her. “Shhhh, look I’m ecstatic to see you too, but you need to keep it down, okay?” she whispered, wrapping her arms around me in a gentle hug.

“How… how are you here?? How did you find me?” I stuttered, my voice a mix of shock and relief.

“Hey as much as I’d like to play twenty questions, because I’m sure you’re full of them, there’s something I need to take care of first…”

Bunny’s words were barely above a whisper, but they were firm as one of her hands reached around behind me to a spot I couldn’t see. I watched in confusion as she pulled out a roll of aluminum foil, the silver glinting faintly in the moonlight. I couldn’t fathom what she could possibly need that for, but the look in her eyes told me she had a plan.

“Lift your chin up,” Bunny instructed in a hushed tone, her eyes focused on the task at hand. I complied, feeling the cool touch of the foil against my skin as she began to wrap it around the tight collar that had become a symbol of my enslavement. Her movements were quick and precise, hinting at a purpose behind this peculiar action as she wrapped layer after layer of the reflective material around the leather. “Lacie was right by the way, these damn things have GPS trackers in them,” she murmured to herself. “This should jam the signal until we get out of here and I can get you to a locksmith to get this thing off properly.”

My heart raced with hope as she worked, her nimble fingers weaving a metallic cocoon of protection around the leather. The bond between us, forged in the holding cells of the resort, well let’s just say I couldn’t have ever dared hoped I’d see her again… much less be rescued by her.

“I still can’t believe you’re here… Thank you, Bunny,” I whispered, my eyes brimming with tears of relief and gratitude. She finished wrapping the foil around my neck and gave it a gentle tug to ensure it was secure.

“Hey, there was no way I was going to let that monster keep you,” Bunny whispered, her voice filled with determination. “Now, we need to get out of here before…”

“WAIT!” I hissed urgently, my eyes darting in the direction of Lenix’s estate. “We can’t leave without Hana!”

“What are you talking about? Hana is here? I only saw you being dragged away by that asshole… Damn, that complicates things, is she out here being hunted too-“ Bunny’s question was cut off as a woman’s scream sounded off somewhere in the distance.

“That’s her, we have to find her,” I urged, my voice a mix of fear and hope.

“Okay… Okay okay okay, let’s go get her, I’ve been wanting to give that bastard some payback for a long time anyway.” Bunny whispered, her voice a mix of anger and determination. Reaching up she lifted the brush of the hedge that we were hiding under and peered out into the maze. “Looks like the coast is clear for now, but we need to move fast.” She left the sentence hanging, the implication clear.

Bunny climbed out first, her movements silent as a cat, and as she did she grabbed a small satchel that had been laying beside us. Underneath where the small satchel had been sat a small shovel, and everything clicked into place. This was how she had made the hole we were hiding in. The thought of her digging this made me wonder just how long she had been here.

I had little time to contemplate that before her hand reached back under the bush and helped me out from our hiding place. Helping me to my feet, I couldn’t help but notice the appreciative glance she gave my body. “Weren’t you wearing that the last time I saw you?”

“Yeah I think Lenix gained a fetish, however, I don’t really think that’s important right now.” I grumbled, turning around and stretching my arms out behind me so she could see the leather cuffs that bound my wrists. “ Do you think you can get these things off me?”

“Yeah, yeah I think I’ve got some bolt cutters in here,” Bunny whispered, her eyes scanning the satchel she had brought with her. But when she pulled out the tool, the metal link in my cuffs proved to be too strong for them to bite through. I could see the frustration in her eyes as she tested their strength, and the grim reality of my situation sank back in. “Damn, what are these things made of?” she murmured.

“How did you get your collar off when you escaped? Furthermore how did you escape… Never mind later,” I whispered urgently, my eyes searching the darkness for any sign of trouble.

“I didn’t,” Bunny replied, her voice a mix of amusement and irritation as she tucked the bolt cutters back into the satchel bag. “The idiot that bought me didn’t bother to bind me after he had had his fun and passed out after bringing me back to his villa, I grabbed his keys, his wallet and took his car and went on the run. It didn’t take me long to figure out there was a GPS in the collar I couldn’t get off.”

Her words painted a picture of her own daring escape, one filled with fear and determination. I felt a surge of admiration for her, and hope swelled within me that together we might stand a chance of freeing Hana and ourselves from this twisted nightmare.

“What do you mean, you didn’t get yours off?” I whispered, trying to keep the panic from my voice as we ducked back into the maze.

“Those damned things,” Bunny gestured at the collar encased in aluminum foil around my neck, “Are made like Fort Knox. It took me a week to get mine off, and until I figured out the aluminum foil trick I had the resort’s goons tracking me down wherever I went. You’re lucky I found you when I did,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice. “Even if you had managed to get outside this labyrinthian hellhole, he’d have found you faster than a shark on a chum trail, especially in those woods while you’re wearing…those.”

Looking down at my heels and the ridiculous outfit I was in, I couldn’t argue with her logic. “What’s the plan?” I asked, my voice low and urgent.

“Which entrance did Hana start from?” Bunny asked urgently as she rummaged through her bag. To my astonishment, she pulled out a small tablet, the screen lighting up with a highly detailed map of the maze.

“Where did you get a map?” I whispered in astonishment, staring at the glowing screen in Bunny’s hands.

“Later,” she hissed, her eyes scanning the display with a furrowed brow. “Come on Taylor, which entrance did Hana go through?”

Her urgency brought my mind back to the task at hand, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts. “The left gate,” I murmured.

“Alright, let’s go,” Bunny said, her voice filled with determination as she slung the satchel over her shoulder and took off in the direction of the left gate. I stumbled after her, my heels digging into the soft earth with each step, my heart racing not just from the pain but from the sudden turn of events.

We moved as swiftly and silently as we could, sticking to the shadows as we navigated the twisting paths of the maze. The leather cuffs around my wrists dug into my skin, but I ignored the discomfort, focusing instead on the growing sense of urgency as we made our way to the south side of the maze. The high-heels weren’t helping either but I managed to keep up with Bunny, her movements swift and sure even in the dim light of the moon.

Soon enough I could hear the faint sound of crying, which grew louder and more desperate with each step we took towards the south side of the grounds. The whimpers grew clearer, intermingling with the grunts and heavy breathing of male exertion, sending chills down my spine. I knew we were getting closer to Hana, and the horror of her situation hit me like a sledgehammer.

As we approached the corner that would lead us to the source of the noises, Bunny suddenly held out a hand, stopping me dead in my tracks. Her grip was firm and urgent, and I could see the tension in her shoulders as she listened intently to the scene unfolding before us. Then, without a word of warning, she reached into her satchel and pulled out a stun gun, the metallic click as she armed it echoing through the night.

“Wait here, I’ll take care of this,” Bunny whispered, her eyes narrowed with a fiery resolve as she shouldered the satchel. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” Before I could ask what she meant, she fingered the stun gun and rounded the corner with a silent grace that belied the fury in her heart.

The seconds that followed stretched into an eternity, my eyes straining to pierce the darkness beyond the hedge. The only sounds were the distant rustle of leaves in the wind and the thudding of my own pulse in my ears. And then, suddenly, the night was shattered by a surprised grunt, followed by a sickening thump. My blood ran cold as I recognized the sound of a body hitting the ground.

“What the fuck! You! What are you doing he-“ Lenix’s outrage was cut off by the sound of a heavy impact of leather on flesh then by the righteous sound of the stun gun discharging.

ZZZZZZZZT!

The unmistakable sound of the stun gun pierced the silence, and I felt a strange mix of relief and fear for what was happening just out of my line of sight. The grunt of surprise was definitely Lenix’s, followed by a thud as his body hit the ground. Unable to stay still any longer, I peeked around the corner of the hedge, my heart racing as I saw the shadowy half naked figure of my captor crumpled on the path, twitching slightly from the electric shock.

Looking past Lenix’s prone form, I found Bunny crouching over Hana, who was curled into a ball, her once pristine lingerie torn and shredded, leaving little to the imagination. Her body trembled with sobs as she crouched in the fetal position, trying to cover herself. The sight of her in such distress was almost too much to bear, but the fierce look on Bunny’s face told me she had taken care of the situation.

With a sudden flood of anger surging through me, I stomped over to where Lenix lay, my bound arms behind me and my body shaking with rage. He groaned and tried to roll away, his eyes fluttering open to meet my gaze, but I was faster. I brought my foot down hard, aiming for the one spot I knew would cause the most pain and deliver the most satisfaction.

My heel connected with a sickening sound, and Lenix’s eyes bulged as he let out a high-pitched scream that seemed to echo through the very fabric of the maze. The sound of his agony was music to my ears, a sweet symphony of retribution. I kicked him again, the force of my blow making him curl into a fetal position on the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Taylor we need to go… NOW,” Bunny whispered urgently, her eyes darting to the twitching form of Lenix on the ground. Her voice was a mix of concern and excitement, and I could feel the adrenaline pumping through her. But my rage had taken over, and I couldn’t just leave him like that.

With one final, vicious kick to Lenix’s crotch, I turned and followed her back into the shadows of the maze. Each step felt like a declaration of freedom, the earthy scent of the damp ground and the cool breeze caressing my exposed skin like a promise of what lay ahead. Voices sounded in the distance—Charles and whatever few security staff were left on patrol had surely heard the commotion. The urgency to escape grew stronger with each passing second.

When we reached the central garden once again, I watched as Bunny’s eyes darted around, searching for any signs of danger. She paused, her hand on the archway, and then spun back to us. “Hold on, you see that archway over there, the one with the ivy?”

Bunny pointed to the archway off to the left instead of the one leading directly away from the estate, “Take two rights, two lefts and another right and you’ll be at the exit, that…” bunny said pointing to the central archway, “leads to nowhere but a dead end, I’ll be right behind you guys in a minute. I just have to do something quick.”

Without waiting for a response, she dashed off into the darkness, leaving Hana and I to stare at each other in confusion and fear. Hana’s eyes were wide with shock, her breathing rapid and shallow. I knew we had to move, to trust that Bunny had a plan, but the idea of venturing out into the wild beyond the maze without her was terrifying. I leaned over to help support Hana as best as I could, but with both of our arms still cuffed behind our backs, it was a clumsy, awkward gesture.

“Come on Hana,” I whispered, trying to infuse strength into my voice as I leaned into her. She was shaking uncontrollably, her eyes still glazed over with fear. “We have to trust her. She’s got a plan.”

Then to my surprise Hana straightened up a bit, her eyes focusing on me, “You go first, Taylor,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I’ll follow.”

Nodding in silent understanding, I took the lead, guiding Hana through the garden as quickly as our bound wrists and heels would allow. The path beyond was fraught with the anticipation of finally tasting freedom. We stumbled and swayed together, our hearts racing in sync with every crunch of earth beneath our feet. Two rights, two lefts, and another right later, we found ourselves standing before the exit, the gap in the hedgerows looming like a gateway to salvation.

Turning around, I had been about to ask Hana if she thought we should wait for Bunny, but the words froze in my throat as I caught sight of a red-orange glow off in the distance. The light grew brighter, and a hint of smoke began to drift towards us. My eyes widened with realization—Bunny had set the place on fire. The flames grew higher, painting the night sky with a macabre beauty that seemed almost poetic given the hellish reality of our existence here.

Quick thumping footsteps soon followed the glow, and out of the shadows, emerged Bunny, her eyes wild with excitement and her hair disheveled. She had a smear of dirt on her face, and the smell of burnt fabric clung to her, but she was beaming.

“Heh, told you heh, I had a plan,” Bunny panted as she caught up to us, the glow of the burning estate lighting up her smug grin. “Still think it was all bullshit Hana?!" Bunny laughed, referring back to the conversation we’d had in the cells of the resort.

To my joy, a grin split across Hana’s face, and she nodded, “I take it back, I take it all back,” she murmured, her voice still shaking slightly with the aftermath of her ordeal. “I should’ve never doubted you, not for a second,” she added, her eyes shining with admiration for the woman who had saved us both.

“Alright, let’s go. There’s an ATV waiting at the bottom of the ravine, just down the hill.”

Bunny’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, and she gestured to a narrow, winding path that led away from the maze and into the darkness. I could feel the excitement building within me, the promise of escape so close I could almost taste it. We descended the hill with caution, our high-heeled steps echoing through the night air, the growing fire at our backs serving as a grim reminder of the horrors we were leaving behind.

As we reached the base of the hill, the faint rumble of an engine sounded as a pair of headlights turned on, revealing a deluxe 4 seater ATV nestled in the shadows. A brunette wearing hiking gear and a baseball cap stepped out of the ATV’s interior, her eyes widening in recognition as she spotted us.

“Well I’ll be damned, you were telling the truth, but I thought you said there was only one?” The brunette’s voice was filled with astonishment and a hint of excitement.

“Lenix must have had her packed away or something. Because I only saw Taylor here being dragged behind him at the resort-“

“He did, I was sedated and packed inside of some kind of crate,” Hana murmured, her voice still shaky as she looked at the brunette. “But we need to get out of here before-.”

“First things first I need to wrap that collar with this,” Bunny said, pulling out the roll of aluminum foil from her satchel.

At Hana’s look of confusion I spoke up, “The collars from the resort, they have GPS trackers in them, the foil blocks the signal so they can’t find us until we can get them off completely.”

Hana’s eyes widened in understanding as Bunny deftly started wrapping the foil around her collar like she had done to mine earlier. The brunette from the ATV stepped closer, her gaze flicking between the three of us. As Bunny worked, I eyed the woman a little more closely wondering, just who she was.

“If you don’t mind, who exactly are you?” I asked the brunette, the curiosity burning through the adrenaline that was coursing through my veins. She chuckled, a sound that was surprisingly warm given the circumstances.

“She’s a journalist, I hired her to help me break into this place,” Bunny said, her eyes never leaving her task of wrapping the aluminum foil around Hana’s collar. “Her name is Lena.”

“Wait then that was that you who was here to do the story on Lenix?” I asked, finally understanding the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.

“That was all my idea, Lacie and I spent months living here under that asshole’s rule. The plan was to use Lena’s job as a cover to get him to take down most of his security and send most of his staff away to avoid suspicion, which worked wonderfully thank you,” Bunny smiled smugly as she finished wrapping Hana’s collar. “I told Lena to be as obnoxious as she could, with her questioning I figured it would irritate Lenix enough into needing to work out his anger he’d go through with a hunt. While I couldn’t be sure, I figured you might have at some point gotten a glimpse of the exit. I know I did, but I never reached it.”

“So while I was doing the fake interview today, Bunny here, snuck in through the back and dug herself a little hiding spot to wait for you,” Lena explained, her eyes scrutinizing Bunny as she packed away the foil, “I still say you got lucky, what would you have done if she hadn’t been put out on one of these ‘hunts’… you know what nevermind, we need to go anyway.”

Following Lena’s line of sight, we could see the once-distant glow of the fire now raging brilliantly up the hill. The maze was likely engulfed in flames, turning the night into a fiery spectacle that seemed to dance and flicker in the sky. Even from our vantage point, the acrid smell of burning foliage stung our nostrils. The realization that the maze we had just escaped from was now likely a wall of fire filled me with a mix of terror and a strange sense of triumph.

“It’s going to be a bumpy ride out of here, so until we can get those cuffs off, one of you should sit in front where the harness is more secure and one of you should sit in the back with Bunny.” Lena said heading back towards the ATV.

“Can I sit in front?” Hana whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes were still filled with the horror of what had just transpired, and I could see she needed some semblance of control.

I nodded and Bunny helped her into the front of the ATV, securing her with the harness before turning to me. “You’re up next,” she said with a smirk. Despite the pain in my wrists and the ache in my body, I managed to climb into the back, my legs shaking as I settled onto the bench seat behind Lena.

Looking around the back of the ATV, I noticed there weren’t any seatbelts—only a set of sturdy handholds. My stomach lurched at the thought of a potential fall, the pain from my bound wrists still fresh in my memory. But before I could voice my concern, Bunny hopped in with the agility of a cat, settling in next to me with surprising grace.

Despite the tenseness of the situation, I felt my cheeks warm as Bunny’s arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me snugly against her side. She noticed my hesitation and gave me a reassuring squeeze before gripping one of the sturdy handholds with her free hand. The engine of the ATV revved loudly, sending vibrations through my body that only served to heighten my anxiety.

As we tore off through the dense underbrush, the branches of the trees slapped against the frame of the ATV, sending a spray of leaves and dirt into the night air. The engine’s roar grew louder, drowning out the sound of the flames that raged in our wake. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat in time with the jolts from the uneven terrain beneath us. The wind whipped through my hair and stung my face, but I didn’t dare close my eyes—the thrill of freedom was too potent to miss a second of it.

After a while and despite the jostling ride, I found myself resting my head against Bunny’s shoulder, the warmth of her body against mine a comforting presence in the chaos. Her arms were tight around me, one hand holding onto the handhold, the other gripping me tightly. The safety of her hold seeped into my skin, offering a reassurance that I hadn’t felt in weeks.

“What are we gonna do once we get out of here…?” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the roar of the engine.

Bunny leaned in closer, her breath warm against my ear, “We’ll need to lay low, at least until we can find a place to settle down where we won’t be found,” she murmured, her voice a soothing balm to my racing thoughts. “Once word reaches the resort that you two have escaped as well, they’ll be looking for us everywhere.”

“How are we gonna survive?” I asked, the fear of our precarious future weighing heavily on my shoulders.

Bunny’s voice was steady as she murmured in my ear, “Don’t worry, Taylor. I have plenty of cash right now, you remember what I told you about my uncle, and what I planned to do when I escaped? Well let’s just say I got my inheritance, good old Lena here ain’t doing all this for free.”

Lena chuckled up front, her eyes never leaving the treacherous path ahead, “You three, don’t need to worry. I’ll get you to a safe distance before you’re on your own."

Sighing a breath of relief, I laid my head back on Bunny’s shoulder. The warmth of her body and the steady beat of her heart was the most comforting thing I had felt in what felt like an eternity. Then, to my surprise, I felt her warm, gentle breath against the top of my head, sending a shiver down my spine. Her lips pressed softly to my hairline, a silent promise of protection and solidarity that seemed to ground me amidst the chaos of our escape.

“What about Lacie?” I finally asked, my voice barely carrying over the engine’s roar. I hadn’t forgotten our friend, lost somewhere in this twisted new world. “Did you manage to find out what happened to her?”

A sad look flashed across Bunny’s face, and she took a moment before responding, “Lacie’s an ocean away by now, and from what I could see, she’s probably in a much better place, and she’s safe, which is the most important thing.”

“Well again, thank you. Thanks for coming back for us… I-,” looking into Bunny’s eyes I trailed off, the depth of gratitude in my gaze unmistakable. Her pupils dilated, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fade away. Without thinking, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers in a gentle, tentative kiss. It was a moment of pure instinct, a silent declaration of thanks and a bond formed through shared suffering and hope.

Bunny froze for a moment, surprise flickering in her eyes before she returned the kiss, her mouth moving against mine with a softness that belied the fierceness of her spirit. The world outside the ATV ceased to exist, and for a brief moment, we were no longer prisoners on the run but two souls finding solace in each other’s company. The warmth of her touch spread through me, filling me with a feeling that washed away the fear and pain that had been my constant companion.

“Oy! Knock it off you two, now’s not the time for that!” Lena’s voice brought us back to reality, the sound of her laughter cutting through the intimate silence that had enveloped us.

Breaking the kiss, I looked over at Hana who was rolling her eyes and shaking her head slightly. She leaned over the side of the ATV to shout over the engine, “As soon as we’re safe, I’ve got my own plans. I’ve got enough money to find my own way, besides, I don’t plan to sit and watch you two suck face all the time,” she said with a forced chuckle, the strain of the recent events etched on her features despite the attempted levity.

“You know, I really wasn’t expecting that,” Bunny whispered in my ear, her tone a mix of amusement and affection as her fingers started caressing my side, sending shivers down my spine. “But hey, if you’re looking for a partner in crime, just remember I’m no bottom.”

“I think I’d be okay with that,” I replied, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice. The wind and the engine’s roar had turned our conversation into a series of shouted whispers. “But let’s get out of here first.”

With that, I laid my head back into her shoulder, and we focused on the bumpy ride ahead. The flaming maze grew smaller in the distance, the heat of the fire now replaced by the chilly embrace of the night air. Each moment that passed felt like a mile gained in our race to freedom.

I didn’t know where this road might lead us, but in that moment, with the wind in my hair and the roar of the ATV’s engine in my ears, I felt a sense of exhilaration I hadn’t felt since before my capture. Whatever happened next, I was just glad I wouldn’t be going through it alone…

And more than that, I was just grateful we’d managed to escape the wolf’s lair…

~FIN~