Feedback and constructive criticism are very much appreciated and encouraged.
This story contains graphic scenes, language, and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words, and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racism, racial language, violence, rape, or violence against women. Any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above.
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Chapter 3 - Dan's Reaction
The evening subway ride back to the bus terminal was much less crowded, and this time I had been able to find a quiet seat easily. Replaying the conversation with Mandy and the brief introduction to Victor over in my mind, I thought about the private club party she had invited me to, trying to make out how I felt about her invitation, imagining what kind of things might go on in a place like that. It wasn't that I was a prude sexually by any stretch, but I didn't know if my definition of wild would match a club like that.
Mandy had never mentioned working at a club before, let alone a private members-only club. She had used the term BDSM, so naturally, unlike the secret whispers many people would have used, it had taken a moment to register what she had said. Was this what she was into now?
Even more, how would Dan feel about the idea?
I sighed, thinking about what his reaction would be. He was certainly more reserved than I was, even a bit too timid about experimenting sexually in any way, not that I minded for the most part. In the past, I had tried to initiate a little experimenting in the bedroom with Dan, mostly just blindfolds, feathers, and the like. The cheap and playful things you find in novelty shops in a mall, but he hadn't been into that at all. I couldn't deny that I was just a little curious about Mandy's invitation, but I couldn't ever imagine Dan agreeing to go to anything like that, breasts on display or not.
As I exited the subway, I walked up the steps from the platform to the bus station, finding a small crowd waiting for their buses to arrive and to be taken to their various destinations. Most were dressed casually, with a few dedicated late-working executives thrown in, finally heading home for the weekend. Most were men, but there were a few women or families with children among the small crowd, the younger ones asleep in their parent's arms or in strollers being rocked gently, soothing them as they slept.
Purchasing my ticket, I took a seat on a nearby bench, scanning the other travelers while waiting for my departure time. I had an uncomfortable sense that they somehow knew of Mandy's invitation and were judging me as one of those people who did things that you would never confess to in public, condemning me while making themselves feel superior for supposedly being more chaste. I had known other girls who had done a walk of shame after some random pick-up encounter had lost its appeal in the light of a new day. As I imagined their eyes staring at me, it felt like this was my walk.
Thankfully I only had to wait a few minutes for my departure. However, as I stood up, I was embarrassed at how many people seemed to be getting onto the same bus, continuing to follow me on my imaginary walk of shame.
Fortunately, I got a window seat in the back with no one else sitting very near, leaving me alone with my thoughts of the evening. As the bus pulled out of the station, I hunched down in my seat far as I could, trying to blend into the seat's fabric out of sight as I stared through the window at the scenery, slowly changing from a cityscape to a more rural view.
As the city was left behind us in the distance, I contemplated searching the Internet for BDSM parties but quickly decided against it since I also used my phone for work, figuring it better to wait until I was home and could use my personal computer.
I thought again about Victor and the odd yet comforting feeling that seemed to radiate from him. I wondered briefly what it would be like to have sex with someone like that. His personality had seemed so different from Dan's. They both had some similar features, but there was something more sensual and intense about Victor. I shook my head, banishing those forming images from my mind, focusing instead on the conversation with Mandy.
There was no mistaking that she had changed in some way since I had seen her last. She had always been fond of revealing her curves, but her clothes were more provocative tonight, especially the choker design; I had never seen her wear anything like that before during all our time together as friends.
Her interaction with Victor was unlike the Mandy I had known as well. Perhaps nothing would have looked out of place to a stranger, but as her friend, there was something oddly different in her mannerism toward him that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Usually, she was the life of the party, flirting and laughing, but when he had joined us, she seemed more reserved than I could ever remember seeing her.
As the bus continued its journey across the interstate, I found myself dozing off to sleep, lulled by the hypnotic sound of the engine and road noise. Drifting off, I again heard the soulful moaning of the same wolf in my head, his howls seeming just a little bit nearer.
***
I arrived home just after eleven, welcoming the quiet silence after the atmosphere of the big city. Drawing a bath for myself, I texted Dan, knowing he would still be awake, anxious, unable to sleep until he knew I had returned home.
"I'm home."
