Anne spent the next seven days hung up as she spent them after the rodeo. Honor students were granted the privilege of feeding her, spooning paste into her mouth and letting her lick the utensil; they gathered around to watch her caress it with her tongue and made girlish jokes.
Or squeezing water for her out of a drinking bottle in spurts, like a man discharging himself. Some were more skilled at this than others - plainly the result of practice - but she thanked and complimented each of her young masters and kissed their hands when they were done.
They stroked her lacerated skin. Anne loved the touch of their soft hands across it, especially the sensation when they lingered on a recent mark still rough from the lash.
And seniors were allowed to practice garroting her.
Eugenie asked the school nurse to observe and make sure they did not accidentally terminate their victim. A thin wizened woman of indeterminate age in a white uniform, she had worked for a renderer, performed a number of executions, and knew how far one could go before the point of no return.
The girls brought their own garrotes. Anne was surprised to see how many owned one and wondered how they used them. On each other in the dormitory, she supposed; one girl on her knees submitting to another's control while classmates watched. What fun.
First up was a small dark girl from the Middle East with a loop of steel wire; she said it belonged to her grandfather, a chieftain who used it to execute prisoners after a battle. The nurse only allowed her to make it snug; any more would leave marks.
Next was a large plump sophomore with one of soft padded leather; Anne wondered if their garrotes corresponded to their body types. No, of course not, but it was amusing to think so.
It resembled the kind made by her lover Edward, who tested his new creations on her. The student stepped behind Anne and slipped it over her head.
She watched it descend below her face to be secured on her neck. The nurse gave the go-ahead and the girl tightened it, constricting her breath as the audience below the stage watched.
She tried to speak and could not; her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She saw the nurse approach her closely, observing her. Her breasts swelled and her womb began to exude its liquor. Tighter, the woman said.
When she regained consciousness a minute later, a dozen students were on the stage staring at her. The nurse congratulated the plump girl.
