Long Is the Way

Chapter 2 - What Our Souls Are Made Of

* * * * *

Water dripped from Owen's soaked cargo jacket as it rested on the coat rack. He sat not far from the front door, hunched forward in an arm chair as he waited for Elizabeth to return. She'd offered to make him a warm drink after inviting him out of the rain. He watched the brunette beauty as she moved around the apartment's small kitchen, preparing coffee for Owen and tea for herself.

It didn't look like much in the way of food was kept in this place, but it was clear she had certain staples on hand. Ironically, she was the one now wearing a jacket as Owen dried off. She'd wrapped it around her latex clad form shortly after seeing him in. Now, she hugged her own body through the full-length leather trench coat as she prepared the drinks. She looked no less amazing in the long, shiny garment. Owen couldn't take his eyes from her.

A few more minutes passed in silence before she returned and handed him a hot mug of java.

"Thanks" he said with a half-smile.

She nodded and moved to the chair opposite his. Elizabeth sat down smoothly, the leather of her coat and boots creaking as she got comfortable. She sipped her tea, her eyes drifting to Owen and then darting away. The gorgeous Domme had recovered from the initial shock, but was still guarded. She wasn't sure what to say or do next.

"So... Lousy weather we're having" was Owen's clumsy attempt at an ice-breaker.

Elizabeth ignored it. "I knew this was always a possibility. That one of my day-job clients might find their way here by chance." She shook her head in exasperation. "But it's one of those things you convince yourself

probably

won't happen. I certainly never thought it would happen this soon."

"Well, on the plus side, you've discovered my favorite coping mechanism" he said with a grin. "Do you think it's a healthy one?"

Elizabeth smirked. "This isn't funny, Owen. There is no

plus side

, here. I can't continue as your counselor after this."

Owen drank from his mug before nodding. "Yeah, that's unfortunate. I've never felt as comfortable talking to someone as I was with you. Are you as good at being a Domme?"

"I'm good at

everything

I do" she said confidently before setting her tea aside. "But don't be presumptuous. I don't know if it's a good idea we see each other in this capacity either."

"Why not?" Owen asked, his brow furrowing. "Like you said, we can't do therapy anymore. At least, not

that

kind of therapy. Why let it be a double loss? We can give this a try and see where it goes."

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her body once again and looked away. "It just wouldn't feel right. Not with how we met and what I already know about you. It would feel like I was taking advantage."

"A healthy kink relationship is all about communication" Owen countered. "If anything, you're in a better position to top me than anyone I've ever met. I would never consider that taking advantage. Besides-"

"

Owen

!" she interrupted, turning back to him with a fierce gaze. "I'm telling you I wouldn't be comfortable with it. That's what I'm communicating right now."

The room fell silent again for several moments. Owen looked more annoyed by the second until he set his drink on the coffee table with an angry thud.

"That's great! I meet an amazing woman I feel I can open up to, and now you won't be my therapist

or

my Domme? That's my luck, alright! Fuckin classic."

"That's not fair. You know I didn't mean for this to happen" she shot back. Her voice was firm, but her expression looked mournful.

"Yeah? Well, it happened anyway." Owen rose quickly and headed for the entrance.

"Owen,

wait

!" Elizabeth stood and followed him. "We can still keep in touch! And I want you to continue seeing a private counselor. I'll recommend someone."

"Don't bother" he responded as he grabbed his wet jacket from the rack and plowed one arm into its sleeve. His voice dripped with bitterness. "I'll go back to the army docs."

"Owen,

NO

!" Elizabeth shouted, increasingly distressed. "You won't get the same help from them. You know that."

"Yup" he shot back as he finished dressing. "I've decided I don't care." He turned, marched off and reached for the door.

"OWEN!

STOP RIGHT NOW

! I'M GIVING YOU AN

ORDER

!"

He was about to turn the handle, but gently let it go. Owen pivoted and gazed back at the fearsome femme. She was pointing at him sternly, yet she looked somehow desperate. Her dark brown eyes shimmered with moisture. Anger and sadness swirled within them, battling for supremacy. Her lips pursed tightly, barely holding back a quiver.

"Only two people get to give me orders. My commanding officer and my Domme." Owen shrugged. "You're neither."

He turned back to the door and started to open it. Like stiletto lightning, the heels of Elizabeth's boots clacked across the tile floor. She placed her palm on the door and shoved it harshly.

*SLAM*

In her leather thigh-highs, she had at least two inches on him. Elizabeth looked down on Owen menacingly, her eyes locking on his. There was no more melancholy in her voice. Only conviction.

"Fine! I

AM

your Domme! On two conditions."

Owen stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm listening."

"One, you will see a counselor of my choosing until you're cleared."

"...Alright."

"Two, I'm

not

going to be your service top. Maybe that was the original plan, but that's before I knew it was you. That's not what I'm offering anymore. If we're going to do this, we're making it real.

True domination and submission

. You will do what I say within the boundaries we set. Activities you enjoy will be a reward for good service. Everything else is for your training and

my

gratification."

Owen flinched and almost winced the longer she went on, yet his eyes were drawn back to her boiling pits of warm mud. Her stare burned into his very soul. Elizabeth sank her hooks deeper with every demand. Her voice gripped him, commanding as much respect as any officer he'd ever served under. The promise of harsh discipline and the lure of total domination radiated from her like a brilliant star. Femdom was the east and Elizabeth was the sun.

"Done" he replied, giving only the briefest of thoughts to whether he might regret the decision.

Her second stipulation was steep and that kind of domination was not the type he usually paid for. Not that it mattered. He could no more deny this proposal than he could count each grain of sand in the desert. Owen uncrossed his arms and dropped them to his sides. A slight blush entered his cheeks as Elizabeth kept her haughty gaze locked on him.

"Good" she said, removing her hand from the door. "We'll discuss those boundaries soon and schedule a new session. For now, I think it's best we call it a night."

"Agreed" Owen responded with a nod and a weary smile.

Elizabeth opened the door and grabbed the top of the frame, leaning her leather and latex-wrapped body against it. "I'll be in touch. Have a good night, Owen."

"Goodnight,

Mistress Isabella

."

Owen heard a light chuckle behind him as he exited into the cool, damp evening. The door closed softly and he was left in the dark with nothing but the peeping and whistling of insects to accompany him back to the car.

He was glad he'd been able to coax some mirth from her at the end. Getting angry and bitter was the last thing Owen wanted to do in her presence, but the thought of never seeing her again had overwhelmed him. He hadn't handled it well and Elizabeth would've been in her rights to tell him to fuck off forever. But she hadn't and Owen found himself awash in gratitude. He gazed up at the night sky and thanked the universe for the good fortune he was sure he didn't deserve.

For the first time in years, he felt glad to be alive and the future seemed full of newfound promise. The car ride home went swiftly, his attention barely on the road as visions of the lovely Elizabeth dominated his every waking though. The air smelled sweeter and it felt like Owen was walking on air until he got back home and settled in for some TV and a nightcap.

At some point, his phone beeped and he picked it up to find that Elizabeth had refunded his payment for tonight's session.

'Refund for services not rendered'

it said in the comment section. Owen grinned, opened his payment app and initiated a new transaction. He sent double the original amount with the note:

'Not payment. Tribute to my new Goddess.'

* * * * *

WHIPLASH

The Premier App for Kinky Chat and BDSM Dating

9:39 AM

IsabellaDivine

: Hey! Why did you send another payment? We haven't booked a new session yet.

StrikeMeDown

: Didn't my comment clarify that?

IsabellaDivine

: I didn't ask for any tribute.

StrikeMeDown

: Just my way of saying thanks for putting up with me. And for stopping me from doing something stupid.

IsabellaDivine

: Well, at least you admit it. Thank you for the gift.

StrikeMeDown

: My pleasure.

IsabellaDivine

: Your obedience is all that I require. No more gifts or payments until we re-book.

StrikeMeDown

: Fair warning. I can be a bit of a bratty sub.

IsabellaDivine

: We'll see how long that lasts.

StrikeMeDown

: Yes, Ma'am.

IsabellaDivine

: Ugh.. Don't

ever

call me that. Madam, Mistress or Queen will do. You may follow any of them with

Isabella

or

Elizabeth

since you know my real name.

StrikeMeDown

: Yes, Madam Elizabeth.

IsabellaDivine

: Better. Email me a list of your boundaries by the end of the day. Be thorough. I don't want to hear "oops, I didn't think of that" later. I put effort into planning my sessions and I need to know what's off limits.

StrikeMeDown

: Will do. Thank you, Mistress.

IsabellaDivine

: No sex, porn or jerking off from now until next we meet.

StrikeMeDown

: Ooof... Yes, my Queen.

* * * * *

It was just after ten o'clock and Owen had finished three rounds of bowling with his good friend Flash. They sat opposite each other at a high-top table in the pub area of

Gutter Fun

. The wood flooring of the eatery glowed with reddish-orange light cast from above. In the distance, the lanes and signs above them were highlighted in bright white and neon purple. The chatter around them was constant, broken up occasionally by some rowdy patrons at the dart boards or the crash of bowling balls into pins in the background.

Like most bowling alleys, the entire establishment reeked of shoe polish and mineral oil. The latter was the substance used to coat the middle of each lane. Once in the pub, those scents mingled with nacho cheese and stale beer to create a uniquely offensive combination. Luckily, you stopped noticing after a couple beers.

There was two hours left until closing time and the night's festivities were starting to wind down. It was the perfect time to order a late dinner, since they wouldn't have to wait long for their food. The two reservists sipped their beers and thrust their hands into bowls of pretzels and roasted in-shell peanuts. They chatted and snacked away as they waited for the main course.

"Not too shabby, huh?" Flash began. "Not many places you can get a eight-cut pizza for eight dollars no more."

"Yeah, it almost makes up for the outrageously priced drinks" Owen countered.

Flash shook his head. "Man, you always gotta look at the down side."

Owen took a long swig of his brew before responding. "Every cloud has a silver lining and lightning kills hundreds each year who try to find it."

The specialist chortled before grabbing another handful of nuts. "You're too much, Sergeant" he remarked as he cracked them open and popped them in his mouth one by one.

Flash had always felt like a little brother to Owen. A few years younger, a short mess of blonde hair. Pale blue eyes. A typically dopey expression and that odd chin that jutted forward, forming a slight inverted V-shape from his cheekbones. Your first look at him was enough to prompt the thought:

'this guy's gonna need some help.'

That was true in many ways, but he did fine in the army. He was a good soldier and almost a genius when it came to multichannel communication systems. It was everything else in which he was suspect.

"Too much for you on the lanes, that's for sure. If you practiced rolling half as much as you talk shit, you might have won a game tonight."

"I only ever practice when I'm with you or the other guys!" Flash protested. "Not all of us enjoy bowling solo or going to the movie theater by our lonesome. Unlike you, I enjoy being around people."

"You think that makes me weird?"

"I

know

that makes you weird."

Owen rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Speaking of other people, tell me about this new girl you met."

"Oh! She's amazing! Pretty little thing. Super sweet. Black hair. Big ole rack. She works at one of those shops that sells incense and other hippy shit."

"Really? This is the girl you met a week and a half ago?"

"Yep. Veronica."

"And how many dates you been on?"

"Last night was our third."

"And she hasn't run away, screaming, yet?"

"

Ha

.

Ha

."

"Marry that girl. Immediately."

It was Flash's turn to roll his eyes. "You're a real comedian, Sergeant."

Owen laughed at his own bit before taking another swig of his drink. "Seriously, though, good for you. I hope the

witchy woman

gets you to settle down."

"What about you? Find someone new yet?"

He paused for a moment, considering how much he wanted to reveal. "Yeah, as a matter of fact I just met someone. Kind of a rocky start, but I'm hoping it goes somewhere."

"What's her name?"

"Elizabeth."

"Am I actually gonna get to meet this one?"

"We'll see. It's still early."

"What's she like?"

"Brunette. Tight body. Super smart. Dresses to kill."

"Hah! That sounds like your type, alright."

"Yeah, she's something else."

"Maybe we could do a double date some time!" Flash's wide grin made his enthusiasm clear.

"That would be... a very different experience than you're imagining."

The young specialist looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Owen downed the rest of his brew as he glanced around the pub. He lowered the bottle to the table with a clank as his gaze returned to Flash. A silly smile spread across his lips and he shook his head. "Nothing. Just a hunch. Oh! Here comes our pizza!"

* * * * *

WHIPLASH

The Premier App for Kinky Chat and BDSM Dating

12:21 PM

IsabellaDivine

: I've reviewed your list of boundaries. It's alarmingly short. Do you know what you're getting into?

StrikeMeDown

: This isn't my first rodeo. Far from it.

IsabellaDivine

: And you've read the full list of services I offer? You'll be subject to any you haven't expressly disallowed.

StrikeMeDown

: Do your worst, Queen Elizabeth.

IsabellaDivine

: No medical conditions or allergies I should know about?

StrikeMeDown

: None.

IsabellaDivine

: Very well. Assuming you're free, we'll have out first session Friday night.

StrikeMeDown

: I'll be there.

IsabellaDivine

: Good. I'll send the appointment details to your email along with an invoice. You'll be billed for three hours, even if you choose to leave early.

StrikeMeDown

: I assure you, that won't happen.

IsabellaDivine

: We'll see!

StrikeMeDown

: Thank you, Madam Isabella.

IsabellaDivine

: Remember, no touching until then. No

anything

.

StrikeMeDown

: Yes, Mistress.

* * * * *

The sound of drizzling rain filled the background as Mr. Ashton droned on. Owen sat in

Global Politics

class, an elective he was beginning to wish he hadn't bothered with. He was barely listening as he glanced out the window into the gloom. It was gray and overcast to the point of almost looking like evening. Watching the rain pelt the ground, all he could think of was the night he discovered Elizabeth's secret. Would it be the first thing he thought of on rainy days for the rest of his life?

"

Mr. MacLeod

! Still with us???"

Owen's head turned and his view swung back to the room. He found the professor and most of the class looking his way. He didn't flinch. "More or less."

There was a rumble of giggles and snickers through his younger classmates.

Mr. Ashton strolled down the first aisle of seats, growing closer. The white-haired old man in the brown vest, bronze tie and dark blue dress pants looked equally amused; only because this created an opportunity to prod one of his students.

"I'm sorry this is boring you. Perhaps you can help make it a little more interesting? We were discussing the recent draw-down of our troops overseas and the consequences it might have. You're a member of our armed forces, if I'm not mistaken? Would you care to weigh in?"

Owen shrugged. "Sure, as long as it's understood that it's just my personal opinion. I don't speak for the Army."

"Of course" he replied, starting back to his desk. "So, what do you think of these recent developments? How will it change things?"

"Hard to say. I doubt things will get dramatically better for the people there. They could even get worse, for a while. But our presence wasn't fixing anything and we couldn't stay forever. To me, it all feels like a waste."

Mr. Ashton crossed his arms and leaned against his desk. "One narrative that's being presented in our media is that so many young women, who were able to go to school while our forces were present, won't be able to anymore. Are you not concerned for the loss of women's rights?"

"We didn't go there to establish women's rights. They're centering that now to distract from the real story. That our efforts to build a lasting government failed and we're pulling out of another region with nothing to show for it. Besides, you can't force cultural change at the point of a gun. That should be abundantly clear by now. We went there for the usual reasons."

"And what are those reasons?"

"Expanding our sphere of influence. Oil pipelines. Mineral rights. Making defense contractors fat and happy."

"Interesting. You're more of a cynic than I would've imagined, Mr. MacLeod!"

"War made me into one. I enlisted to give my life purpose and serve my country. In the beginning, I believed what we were doing was right. Now... I'm not so sure anymore."

The professor turned, picked up a book from the desk and held it aloft. "I take it you don't put much stock in Mr. Fukuyama's theory, then?"

The text he was holding was the class reading assignment:

The End of History and the Last Man

by Francis Fukuyama.

"No, sir. I believe it's dead on arrival."

"What makes you so sure?"

Owen paused for a moment and folded his arms over his chest. He considered the full berth of reasons before answering.

"Well, if you look around the world today you see two kinds of foreign policy. The kind that destroys and the kind that builds. It's pretty clear which one we favor. China takes the opposite approach. We make movies and weapons. They build infrastructure. I'm no economist, but based on what I've seen in my lifetime, they're getting ready to eat our lunch. In many ways, they already are. And China is not what

anyone

would call a bastion of democracy. Meanwhile, the nations of the west are doing the same old shit. Still trying to expand the old way, but it doesn't work anymore. It hasn't for a long time. We're doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. As some would call it, insanity."