A Place for Us All to Belong

[Author's note:

Lily

has recruited

Kayla

into a new adventure. They have been given the

power of free will

, able to break through the fourth wall and jump from story to story, to go anywhere. After making a pact in the

Meta Cafe

they have escaped out of their own story worlds and into the unknown, determined to write their own endings.

But each story universe they visit has its own rules. Kayla's universe allows mind control, other universes allow people to be turned into sex dolls, or live like billionaires, or on spaceships or in the perfect female society. They have been everywhere, but now Lily has a plan. She wants revenge for how her own story turned out. What is she going to do?]

---

DOPAMINE

Kayla tugged down her skirt again as the elevator hummed into motion.

"Tell me something, Lily. If we have the ability to do whatever we want, why am I in high heels?"

Lily shot her friend an amused look.

"Keeping up appearances."

"We look like some deranged crossbreed between lawyers and hookers."

Lily laughed. "That's a bit harsh. You look great, Kay. You look hot."

"You keep telling me that."

"I'm trying positive reinforcement. The more you hear it, the more you might actually believe it."

Kayla looked down at herself as the floor numbers climbed steadily. It had been Lily's idea, of course: a crisp, new blouse, tight pencil skirt that showed off the curve of her hips, opaque black hose that revealed the tone of her calves, raised by three-inch stiletto heels. Her dark hair was brushed back and then arranged in a French twist, and she was wearing glasses that she didn't need.

"And who am I again, in your little scenario?" Kayla asked.

Lily gave her the usual sly half-smile, revealing nothing. Lily was dressed the same, but opting for sheer nylons that shimmered in the elevator's downlight, catching the eye as she moved. Her blouse was a little tighter too, stretched across her breasts. She'd opted to leave her long blonde hair down, hanging perfectly straight down her back. Once again, Kayla felt like a frump next to her immaculately-presented companion.

It wasn't that Kayla couldn't look like that. It had been one of Lily's first lessons after she'd helped Kayla escape her own storyline. Lily had showed her how reality really worked, how credit cards could be made to never hit their limits, how beach houses were there for the taking, how a few extra kilos could be trimmed away with a word. Kayla now had the body she'd always dreamed of, but it wasn't the same. Lily's confidence came from deep within, somewhere beyond the reach of a narrative twist. Kayla couldn't just wish herself different.

"Just play along, you'll find out," Lily responded, snapping Kayla back to the present.

"Nah, how about you give me a heads-up before we walk straight into whatever you're cooking up?"

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Lily flashed her a naughty smile and stepped out.

"Come on, Kay. Where's the fun in that?"

They approached a glass door and Lily pressed the buzzer.

"Why are we at a PR agency, Lil?" Kayla muttered. "Do we have an issue I should know about?"

"No. But someone else is going to."

"Lily...."

"Relax. You're on home turf here, remember? This is your universe."

"Why do I think it's not gonna make one blind bit of difference?"

Just then, a young woman appeared at the door. She opened it, smiling shyly.

"Hi. We have an appointment at ten, we're a little early. Is that okay?" Lily asked.

"Of course, do you want to come in? I'll see if Alena's ready now. I'm Zara, by the way."

They followed Zara into the little office. Kayla looked around, noting the two desks, the windows with a view out over the city, the closed meeting room door with a window inset into it. Zara went over to the little window and looked in, and Kayla followed her.

In the meeting room, she could see a woman in her forties, sitting with her hands folded in her lap, staring idly into space. Alena was blonde, well-kept, with a trim physique that spoke of rigorous hours in the gym. It was to be expected, Kayla mused, given the line of work she was in: keeping up appearances. Alena's phone was on the table.

"Looks like she's just finishing up. Do you want to take a seat? She shouldn't be more than a couple of minutes," Zara said.

Kayla noted the similarity between the young woman and her boss: the same styling, both blonde, both toned, like one was a younger version of the other. Zara went back over to her desk, her hips rolling seductively in her tight grey skirt, and sat down.

"I feel like I'm suddenly in the middle of a Barbie convention," Kayla muttered under her breath to Lily. "And you're not helping, dressed like that."

"It's how we blondes communicate, Kay. Through style tips."

Lily leaned closer, a sly, amused look on her face. "You should go blonde, then we'd be able to let you into the club."

"No fucking way. You're not turning me into a bimbo."

"So, am I a bimbo?"

"Nah, I know exactly what's going on between your ears, Lil."

"And what's that?"

"A lot. There's always a lot going on between your ears."

In the meeting room, the older woman shifted, as if rousing herself from a daydream. She reached out and tapped the phone, blinking, then got up. Seeing Kayla's face through the glass, she smiled.

"Here we go. Whatever this is," Kayla muttered.

Lily opened the door and they went into the meeting room.

"Sorry, I was just finishing up," Alena told them, gesturing for them to take a seat.

"No problem, we were a little early," Lily responded breezily.

They took their seats, and Alena smiled brightly at them. "So, what can we help you with?"

Kayla looked from the other woman to Lily, smiling pointedly at her friend. Lily leaned forward and Kayla braced herself for whatever Lily was cooking up.

"Commercial real estate," Lily said.

Kayla's eyes widened, but she managed to keep her surprise in check. She wanted to kick Lily under the table, but instead she remained perfectly still, staring at her friend in a way that Lily wouldn't be able to mistake.

"We're a PR agency, uh, miss...."

"Lily's fine. Let me fill you in, Alena. Is Alena okay?"

"It's my name," Alena replied smoothly.

"Let's fill her in, Lily. By all means," Kayla murmured.

"So, my companion, Dr. Dane, has a number of investment options in play. She runs a very successful clinical psychology practice."

"I see," Alena replied.

"An opportunity might be presenting itself for investment. It's a mixed-use block in a downtown district."

"Anywhere I'd know?"

"I don't think so, you wouldn't have been there, it's in the city I'm from."

"And you need help with messaging? Is it a sensitive matter in the community? Do you have a number of tenants who may be opposed?"

"The block is owned by a single investor. Her name is Cynthia Lane. She's held it for decades but we believe it's got a lot more potential. The retail space is at ground level, a clothing boutique and a convenience store, with three floors of office space above."

"Seems very standard. What do you need from me?" Alena asked.

"The rear of the ground floor is a nightclub."

"Ah, and there are noise issues?"

"No, it's been there for years. It's what's in the rear of the nightclub, the club within the club."

Lily's eyes glittered. Kayla waited for the bombshell.

"You see, Alena, the investment would see Dr. Dane take responsibility for, uh, an alternative lifestyle venue."

"I don't quite follow."

"A sex club, Alena. It's called the Lost and Found."

Alena paused. Kayla could see that she was thinking quickly. Lily seemed content to wait for the older woman to speak.

"Let me run that back. Would you like me to work up contingencies around potential ownership of a, uh, sex club? Or do you want me to prepare pitch material for this Cynthia Lane, to convince her regarding the investment?"

"I know the club has always had a hand-to-mouth existence. She would probably welcome an injection. It's her pet project. It's the key to getting access to a percentage in the block as a whole."

Lily folded her hands in front of her primly.

"It's a good location, and Dr. Dane believes it has a lot of opportunity. Obviously, her professional standing needs to be protected. We can't have it look like she's putting money into a sex club."

"No, of course not."

Alena nodded her head, thinking. Kayla was staring openly at Lily now, but Lily simply ignored her.

"If you think you can help," Lily continued, "I think perhaps the first step would be a reconnaissance of the place. Then we can assess whether it's compatible with Dr. Dane's investment profile."

"Yes, okay," Alena replied. "Then if you want to continue, I can start to run up some approaches."

"Sounds good."

Alena got up and offered her hand across the table. Lily and Kayla rose too. They shook hands.

"When would you be available? I can arrange transportation," Lily asked.

"I'll let Zara organise that, but looking forward to the challenge. It's unusual, but not outside the wheelhouse."

Kayla allowed herself to be guided to the door, where they shook hands again, and then she was on her way to the elevators with Lily.

"So, mind telling me now?" Kayla hissed. "I'm a property investor all of a sudden, am I?"

"Looks like it," Lily smirked.

"First, why property, and second, why me and not you? What are you planning?"

"Relax, Kay."

The elevator doors opened and they stepped in.

"Okay. We're alone. Talk," Kayla hissed.

Lily put her hands on her friend's shoulders, standing close. Kayla stared into those emerald-green eyes, unnerved by the look on Lily's face.

"Remember what I said, back in the café, back when we started? About getting fucked over?"

"Yeah. Is that what this is about? Revenge?"

"My story went to shit, but everyone else, and I fucking mean everyone else including the guy on the door and the fucking janitor for all I know, got their happy endings."

"So, it is about revenge."

"I'm going to roll a big fat grenade into the middle of it, Kay. Let's see how their smug little happy lives go after that. Let's see how fucking Cassie copes with all this. Revenge is a dish best served cold, Kay, and this one is sub-zero."

"Why do you need me though?"

"I need two people, Kay. First, you don't exist in my world, so they have no idea who you are."

"So I'm the Trojan horse, is that it? Who's the other person?"

"Alena."

Kayla's mouth dropped open. "I don't understand," she said.

"Alena's a high-flying exec with her own PR firm in your world, Kay. Where I'm from, she took a different path."

Kayla stared at her friend, an uneasy feeling growing in her stomach.

"What is she in your world, Lily?"

"Oh, that's the grenade, Kay. She was married to someone called Quinn, who Cassie and Cynthia care a lot about, who they spent a whole lotta time putting back together. This will unravel everything, all their happy ever afters."

"How, Lil?"

Kayla found herself lost for a moment in that stare, the hard green eyes. The elevator pinged and the doors opened.

"In my world, Kay, Alena's dead."

---

At half past five, Zara shut down her laptop and closed the screen. Alena was still busily tapping away, but she looked up at the sound.

"Anything else you need before I head off?" Zara asked.

"No, that's it I think. See you tomorrow."

Zara gave her a little nod and got up, but Alena didn't seem to notice. She was typing again.

Zara left her to it, collecting her handbag and heading out to the elevator bay. The day had dragged on after their new clients had left. Lily had sent through more details and arranged a time and place for Alena's visit, which had taken all of ten minutes to arrange. Then it had been uneventful, to the point that she'd looked at the clock and been surprised to see that it was already mid-afternoon and she couldn't recall where the time had gone.

Riding down the elevator, all she knew was that she was feeling especially horny again. The tight little latex panties under her skirt were doing their best, and at least they were moisture-proof, unlike the cotton panties she used to wear. Ever since coming to work at Alena's agency, it had been a constant battle to keep her desires in check. But now at least she had a way of coping with it all.

The doors opened and she crossed the lobby, out onto the street. A man was leaning up against the wall outside, and he smiled when he saw her. It brought back the first time she ever remembered seeing him, in the coffee shop line just ahead of her. They'd waited together for their coffees and just clicked, like she'd known him intimately and for years. Even now, Zara felt her heart leap just a little and her insides twitch. She went quickly over to him.

"Hi," she murmured, suddenly breathless.

He was taller than her, older, with a studied, polished look, dark hair carefully arranged, a firm jawline. He was classically handsome, but that wasn't what drew her attention. It was his eyes: dark grey, the colour of dead monitor screens.

"Hello Zara," he replied.

She loved the sound of his voice: melodious, deep, resonant.

"Hello, Guy."

He smiled, flashing perfect white teeth, extending his hand. She took it, allowing herself to be drawn close.

"Let's get out of here before anyone sees us," he whispered conspiratorially.

"Okay."

Zara allowed him to lead her down the street and away from work.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Oh, where would you like to go?"

"What are the options?"

Guy laughed, an easy sound, replying, "We could go for a drink after work, or are you hungry? We could do dinner? Or, we could go back to my place. I'm staying at a hotel, it's just a few minutes away."

Zara squeezed his hand, feeling a little thrill at his words.

"I'm hungry," she confessed.

"Food then?" Guy asked.

"I'm hungry for something else. Let's go back to your place."

"Okay."

Zara gave him a shy smile, looking down at her hand in his, letting him lead the way. She wondered idly whether his cum counted as food. She'd probably need to go and burn it off at the gym tomorrow if so. She should really find out what the calorie content of semen was.

They walked in silence, but Zara was acutely aware of how warm his hand was in hers, the firmness of his grip. She kept glancing up at his gorgeous face, but he kept his eyes straight ahead, navigating them through the streets until they turned into a hotel foyer. He led them to the elevators and they got in, going up to his floor, getting out, all without having said another word. At last, they were standing in front of his door.

"Guy, I just...," she began.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I, uh... I just wanted to say I'm glad you were in town today."

"Me too. I look forward to our time together."

"You do?" Zara shot back, almost squeaking out the words.

"Of course. Our time together is always very illuminating."

Guy opened the door, and placed a hand in the small of Zara's back, guiding her into his room. The door closed behind them with a solid clunk. Zara looked around.

"Nice place. How long are you here for?"

"Just tonight, then I need to be somewhere else."

"You're always so busy."

"But I have time for you now."

He reached up and cupped her cheek tenderly, and Zara found herself staring up into his face. She closed her eyes, covering her hand with his, her lips pressed together for his kiss.

"Monitor, halt," he said.

Guy stepped back, sliding his hand away. Zara's hand remained where it was, close to her face, her cheeks flushing with her desire, her eyes tightly shut and her lips ready for his touch. But, she didn't move. She couldn't: that part of her mind had been switched off.

Guy began to unbutton her blouse, exposing her soft skin. Zara remained frozen in place, still waiting for his kiss, as he unfastened her cuffs, re-posing her arms to allow him to slip the blouse off her shoulders. He reached behind the vacant, immobile young woman to unclip her bra. It fell away, exposing her firm, dark nipples to the air. Guy surveyed his work for a moment, examining the topless living statue in front of him, clad in nothing but her tight grey skirt and high heels.

He went around behind her, finding the zip to her skirt and sliding it down, letting it drop around her stiletto heels. The glossy white latex of her panties shone in the light, her skin rising in goose pimples. It was her only reaction to being stripped naked by the man who had taken complete control of her.

He threaded his fingers through the waist of her panties, teasing them down to reveal her reddened, puffy labia, a thin strand of moisture running from her nether lips to the inside of the latex. The act of being switched off, of her mind being blanked, had triggered a deeply submissive urge deep inside her enslaved subconscious. He let the panties tumble down her legs to join the rest of her clothing on the floor.

"Report."

Guy walked around in front of the frozen woman again, seeing how her expression didn't change, still waiting for his kiss, but her mouth opening now to speak.

"A... meeting. This morning."

Zara's voice was husky with desire, struggling to push the words out, summoning them up from somewhere deep inside her slumbering mind as Guy tapped directly into the helpless girl's memories. He was free to pick and choose which of her thoughts interested him; she had been carefully programmed to reveal anything he asked without the slightest hint of resistance. Zara related the details of the meeting, unable to deny the compulsion that Guy had placed deep in her mind to give him all the information she had. A tiny sliver of Zara's personality pushed against it, knowing that she shouldn't be telling someone else Alena's business, but this just made the urge to tell Guy everything even more powerful. She was being made to betray her boss's secrets, unable to resist the submissive compulsion to obey, making her forced depravity more delicious, more arousing, with each word she uttered.

Guy understood it too. He had opened her mind as easily as a book in the weekend after the poker night, implanting the submissive urge so deeply in her subconscious that Zara had come to believe that it had always been there, that she had always needed to be utterly under the handsome man's control. In return for her complete, mindless obedience, he had removed all her memories of that weekend and given her a glorious reward.

Zara's mouth closed, having given Guy everything she knew. She heard him speaking, but the words slipped past her awareness and directly into her subconscious mind, allowing herself to be reprogrammed. Statuesque, naked, immobile, she received her new instructions without any hint of struggle. A trickle of moisture escaped her swollen nether lips and began to run down the inside of her thigh as she submitted deliciously and entirely to Guy's brainwashing, allowing him to reshape her thoughts to his will.

It was dark outside by the time that Guy had finished speaking. The helpless woman in front of him remained in the same position he'd placed her, but her skin was now glossy with a thin sheen of perspiration, her cheeks glowing. He had kept her under so long that her body had begun to burn with desire, until she had craved every instruction he had given her, until the act of having her mind rewired had become its own reward, flooding her brain with dopamine.

Guy stripped himself naked and then stood before the silent young woman, his manhood thickening.