Starry arrived in town, tired from her long flight, uncertain of her surroundings and apprehensive about what was expected of her, but despite all of that she was excited about the trip. This was her chance to show everyone what she was capable of, this was her chance to show the company that she was top management material. Starry didn't now what to expect of the people here but she was sure that by the end of the trip they'd be eating out of her hand. She had worked long and hard over the last few years and she wasn't about to let the local talent show her up in anyway. Starry was certain that she was heading for the top, and once there she'd be running things her way.
She collected her bags and waited patiently by the terminal door for her ride, after ten minutes she began to look around, nervous that her pick-up may be waiting for her elsewhere. After about 20 minutes when most of the other passengers had departed, Starry began to get annoyed and started to look around impatiently. She noticed a man staring at her, she was sure that it wasn't him, or at least she didn't think it was. The man she was told to look for was supposed to be tall and thin. This man wasn't really short but he wasn't tall either and he was of a stockier build than she had anticipated. The stranger walked up to her staring at her as he came. When he was within a couple of feet she gave him an inquiring look and ask "Michael?" He stared at her intently, as though sizing her up, his dark eyes taking her in slowly from her flowing red hair down to stiletto-ed feet, Starry felt uneasy under his gaze.
"It's Starry" she said trying hard to sound annoyed, but coming out almost pleadingly.
A smile broke across his face and he said "Hello Starry, I've been expecting you", and with that put out his hand and shook hers.
Starry returned his smile, more out of relief then anything else. He collected her bags and they walked off together out of the terminal to a waiting car. Just as they left through the sliding doors another man came running in, he was taller and thinner build than the guy Starry had left with, and he rushed about frantically like he'd lost his wallet. He pulled a picture out of his pocket and began asking if anyone had seen the woman in the picture. A couple who had been standing near by nodded their heads and pointed to the doors, explaining that she just left with another man not more than a couple of minutes ago. Michael stood there, a confused look on his face and then slowly made his way back to his car. Meanwhile in another car Starry was relaxing in her seat, happy that she hadn't been abandoned at the terminal and looking forward to proving herself at the office she'd heard so much of, but never visited. The guy was smiling too and glanced down at her thigh as he drove. Starry sat there thinking that he was a little more forward than would be acceptable back home but made no effort to mention it, unaccustomed to their ways here as she was.
"Do you mind if I just drop by the workshop on the way, I just have to pick something up" he said.
"What workshop." Said Starry, more than a little confused "I thought you worked in the office".
"Oh we do" he said "I just share this workshop with a couple of colleagues where we share a hobby". Starry looked at him carefully and wondered what other things he'd been doing on company time. The car pulled up in a quiet industrial area, it looked as though most of the building had been abandoned or closed down.
"Come inside the workshop and I'll show you what we do. Iβm sure itβll interest you." he said with a warm smile.
With that he got out of the car and headed towards one of the warehouses. Starry looked at her watch impatiently but hopped out of the car anyway and let him lead her inside. The moment Starry set foot inside the workshop she realised something was terribly wrong. The workshop was basically empty, except for a couple of large cages and an assortment of devices that left her in no doubt of what their uses were for. She looked back at the door but before she could make a move for it her hand was gripped tightly and thrust behind her back. Starry could do little to resist as she was dragged towards one of the cages, she tried hard though, kicking and screaming, desperately trying to break free of his grip, but it had little effect and eventually she was forced inside a large cage. There she was pushed forcibly to the floor of the cage, which was locked behind her. The guy then stepped back and once again looked at his prize, slowly taking her in.
"Who are you?!" she screamed "let me out of here you fucking bastard!". But it had no effect on the guy, he just continued to stare, a thin grin fixed on his face, and having satisfied himself with her looks he walked out the workshop, locking it behind him. Starry screamed and beat on the cage for what seemed like hours, eventually her throat hurt so much she could barely croak so she sat in the cage and sobbed until darkness came, and finally exhausted she lay down on the hard floor and slept, a restless, fitful sleep.