Annika, Mia, Chris and Richard had left the old pastoral centre, leaving what remained of Christianity in this town, and the thin man, behind them as they found a narrow alley jutting downhill between houses and walked until some distance was put between them and the centre. No one said anything as they looked around for dangers and Mia held Annika's hand tightly. Annika felt sick with fear. Her breathing was fast and she tried to control her anxiety as she followed the boys. Chris always had a way out, she thought. That usually dispelled her worries but being trapped in this kooky town with no yacht and being stalked by a bony pale man who barely looked human was fraying her rationality. An older woman hanging washing in a yard paused to stare directly at Annika and she gulped, averting her eyes. She wondered if even an elderly woman, possibly a grandmother, could be some kind of demonic informant - or whether paranoia was overwhelming her.
Chris had stopped just before the alley intersected with a street. "The problem is, we don't know who we need to avoid," he said, peering out.
"I think we just assume everyone," Annika said. "Where does that leave us?"
Richard was looking at his GPS on his phone. "I think we cross here and perhaps keep on heading towards the dock then go left. I noticed some boat sheds earlier. That could be a good hideout?"
Everyone agreed to this and when the small laneway emptied, they crossed, re-entering the cramped alley and continuing to walk down the hill until coming to the small intersecting path Richard had mentioned. They walked until coming to a six foot cast iron fence that blocked their way. "We can climb it," Chris said, shaking it to test sturdiness. They tossed their bags over first and agreed the girls would go last so they could be lifted over. The boys climbed over and Annika insisted that Mia went first. No one noticed the faces in the windows in the buildings above them.
Annika held Mia steady as she started to scale the fence. "I haven't climbed a fence since I was eight," Mia said, nervous. "I broke my wrist in four places. I still have scars." She took her hand off the fence to show Annika, who laughed despite the situation.
"Put your hand back on the fence or you'll break more bones, silly!" Annika smiled, helping boost Mia up and letting her hands linger on her ass. She badly wanted to put her hands up her dress and find her pussy but it wasn't the time - or place - for that. Mia awkwardly stepped over the spiked top of the fence, flashing her panties a little and the boys watched her closely, helping her as they grabbed around her small waist. Mia smiled down at Annika fondly but then the smile died on her face, becoming a look of horror. Annika didn't notice the men behind her but screamed in alarm as a black hood was thrown over her head and numerous strong arms took her roughly from behind. Something hard hit her skull and she lost consciousness, hearing her friends shout as she went under.
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Annika woke up, her eyes still closed, her head pulsating. She became aware that she was lying on a hard steel surface and she could feel something tight around her chest. She felt cool air on bare skin - she was naked. The air smelled damp, limey. Her mouth was dry and she felt nauseous, kind of hungover, she opened her eyes a slit and was dazzled by overhead white lights. She ran her tongue over her teeth, trying to move a little and realising she was tied to a table. Then a deep resonant voice spoke.
"I was waiting for you to wake up, Annika."
How did he know her name? Annika opened her eyes wide and squinted against the lights. She was in a square room with bluestone walls, dark except for the round fluorescent light above the steel medical table. Plasticised marine rope tied her onto the table around her torso, her bare breasts above the binds. Her bare legs were spread open, in stirrups. She gasped in terror, her vulnerability apparent to her. She looked to the shadowy corner, where a tall shape stood and asked, "Who are you?"
