Come For A Visit Stay For Life Ch 12

Come for a Visit, Stay for a Life

Chapter 12

A few days ago Mildred and Sandy were enjoying a glass of wine as they finished dinner preparations. Brian was due back any minute from his one day vacation in town and they were both anxious to find out how it went. When six o'clock came and went without Brian appearing they began to be concerned. A few minutes later Mildred used her phone to call the cell phone Sandy had lent to Brian for the day. There was no answer and it went to message.

"You better have a good reason for being late Brian," Mildred recorded. Call me as soon as you get this. We can come get you if there is a problem and there better be a problem."

Mildred's next move was to use an app on her phone that was linked to Brian's collar. Unfortunately, it did not show his location anywhere in town. When she zoomed out to a larger area it yielded the same negative result. Very strange. The collars were tamper proof and the cell network covered the entire island of Aurora. It was possible that he was somewhere that interfered with the signal.

Another hour passed and they decided to head into town to physically track down their missing man. The town of Dawn was not large by North American standards and it did not take long for them to retrace Brian's route by talking to the shopkeepers and local residents who they knew. They eventually found the little restaurant and pub where he was last seen. However, Sandy's bike was not found despite a careful search of every street and roadway. The result of this activity was the sending out of a general alarm much like an Amber Alert over the entire cell phone network and by word of mouth. A missing person was an unheard of event on Aurora but there was still an emergency notification network in place for other circumstances.

Mildred and Sandy had little to do once the alert went out and they spent their time pondering the possibilities of what happened to Brian. The first that came to mind was that he had decided to escape. This seemed unlikely given his behavior over the past few weeks but it was worth considering. While they knew this was futile, it was possible that Brian did not. There were only two ways off the island: One was by the seaplane that was the island's physical link to the rest of the world. The other was by one of the small boats used for visiting one of the nearby islands in their small archipelago. Those boats only had small motors and a very limited range, none could possibly travel the 800 or so miles to the nearest shipping lanes. Stealing one for escape would just be an elaborate way of killing yourself. Still, checking to see if one was missing would be a good idea.

Aurora only had two locations where boats were kept and these were located in the towns of Dawn and Eos at opposite ends of the island. It would be easy enough to check the docks at Dawn but unless they wanted to travel to Eos, they would need to wait while someone in that town checked for them. By the time all possible areas on Aurora were searched and the docks in both towns inventoried for missing boats, three days had passed since Brian disappeared. Women used boats from both docks all the time for reasons ranging from fishing to transportation to one of the archipelago's uninhabited islands. There were boats away from the docks at both towns but every boat had been noted and logged by the dock keepers. There were none that were not accounted for.

"What do you think is our next move Millie?" Sandy asked.

Millie thought for a moment and responded, "Rhonda and the plane are due back this evening. I think we get one of the portable transceivers and get her to take us up for a survey of the other islands and the open sea."

"You don't think Brian could have somehow gotten to one of the other islands by swimming do you?"

"No, that would not be possible. They are too far away and even a skilled long distance swimmer would not be able to handle the distance and the currents. No, I don't think he swam anywhere but since we have exhausted all the possibilities here, we need to look elsewhere. If that collar has not been destroyed, we should get a ping from it using the portable transceiver."

Rhonda was back late in the afternoon and by the time the plane was unloaded, checked over and refueled, it was too close to nightfall to start an aerial search. However, a plan was made for the two women to join Rhonda the next day at first light.

Two hours into the flight and they had not had any response from Brian's collar. They had flown over all the islands and started a circular search of the open sea.

"How long will one of those collars work in salt water?" Sandy asked.

"They are supposed to be waterproof," Mildred answered, "but I guess if they were submerged for too long the salt might get inside, especially if someone had damaged it trying to get it off."

"Brian has been gone for 4 days now. Is it still worth looking for him in the ocean? If he tried to swim he would have drowned days ago."

Rhonda decided to add her opinion. "You may be right. This is likely a waste of fuel and time. If the guy was stupid enough to try escape by swimming we should just say good riddance and go home."

"But, " Sandy said, "what if leaving wasn't his idea? What if he was kidnapped? There are women here that hate men and we know there are some that don't think male servants should be allowed no matter how obedient and well trained."

"We don't have any evidence of that." Mildred answered. "If someone on Aurora was holding him, we would have heard about it or found him by now. If someone had just ended him, the collar would still show up on our scans."

"But," Sandy continued, "what if someone took him to one of the islands? No one lives on any of them and aside from Artemis, where we won Brian, there is no cell coverage on any of the other islands."

"Our pings from up here would locate him if he were anywhere else." Rhonda answered.

"Yes, I know that but what if someone was able to block the signals from his collar someway?"

Rhonda answered: "It is possible but short of doing a ground search on every island, I don't see how we could find him. Such a search could take weeks."

"I have a compromise solution," Mildred said, "let's do a low level flyby over every island and look for any sign for where a person could be. If we find something we can come back by boat for a closer look."

The search continued without any positive results for another two hours. Finally, the last island in the small archipelago came into view.

"Ladies, this is the farthest island from base. We only have a few minutes for a low and fast flyby before we need to go back to Aurora. If we don't see anything here, I suggest we declare Brian to be a dead subject. I don't see anywhere else to look and so far no sign that anyone has been to any of theses islands."

Rhonda tilted the wings of the seaplane and curved into a declining loop designed to circle the island at tree top level. Two thirds of their way around the island, Mildred spotted impressions in the sand just above the tide line that might have been faint skid marks left from dragging something into the tree line from the ocean.

"You two see that?" She asked.

"I could be where someone dragged a boat ashore." Rhonda answered. "It is hard to tell, those marks in the sand could be from a sea turtle laying eggs."

"Stay on course and make one more circle." Mildred ordered. "If it was made by dragging a boat, I might be able to see something inside the tree line now that I know what to look for. If I do see something worth checking out, I don't want to alert anyone, so don't do anything different this second time around."

As they came around the island again, all eyes were fixed on the spot where the impressions disappeared into the foliage.

"There!" Sandy shouted, "See it? About three feet into the undergrowth. Doesn't that look like part of an outboard motor prop?"

"Yep." Rhonda replied. "I think you are right. Want me to circle back and double check?"

"No." Mildred answered before Sandy could speak. "Just fly on like we did not see anything. While we were doing the second circle I was thinking about what to do if we found a boat and I have a plan depending upon your thoughts Rhonda."

Neither Rhonda or Sandy had anything to say so Mildred continued.

"Rhonda, when we reach the end this second pass, up past that last little bay, can you slow down enough and go low enough to the surface to allow me to jump from the pontoon into the water without breaking my neck or landing the plane?"

"No problem flying low and slow. The wind is coming right at us but what the hell are you going to do?"

"I plan to sneak up on whoever left that boat there and see what is going on. I want you two to head back to base and come back with some help. I know it is too late today but at first light tomorrow. This may be nothing and I may just be getting my ass wet. In any event, there is no time to discuss this. You both know me and my background. I can handle myself and my hope is that whoever is there will just think we flew off and that they are alone."

Sandy started to object but Mildred interrupted her. "This is not open for discussion Sandy. You know that I have the skills to handle myself. The only person who has a veto is Rhonda. She's flying the plane. Rhonda, are we a go?"

"It's your ass sugar. Go ahead and get it wet. I'll come back at first light to pick up you or the pieces."

"If you are going to do this, best get ready. I'm going to slow and count to ten. When I say ten, you better jump because by the time you can think eleven, I'm heading up and away."

Mildred hit the water feet first. It was more of a shock than she remembered from back in her days as a Marine but not all that unpleasant. In fact it was exhilarating. It was an easy swim to shore and she made it just as the plane became a bird sized object in the distant sky. On shore she quickly moved in land and finding a sunny spot, removed her clothing and spread them on branches to dry while she rested hidden in a concealed positing a few feet away.

Two hours later with the sun low in the sky, her clothes dry and her body rested she carefully began to work her way back to where they spotted the prop. The prop was indeed part of an outboard motor connected to one of Aurora's island hopping boats. There had been some effort made to conceal it from being spotted but apparently the wind had blown away some of the foliage covering the motor's lower unit. A lucky break.

From the boat it was no problem to follow a lightly traveled path leading into the island's interior. All of the islands in Aurora's archipelago had some sort of shelter constructed on them for the use of visiting citizens or for those fisher-women who might need shelter from an unexpected storm. There was an established landing for such visits but whoever landed this boat either did not know where it was or wanted to hide their visit from detection. Mildred's senses were already alerted by this and she maintained stealth mode as she moved on.

It was nearly dark by the time she came to the shelter. It was larger than she had remembered it and there was a dim light coming from a gap in the window curtains. Someone was inside. Softly as a baby's kiss she crept towards the thin line of light and slowly eased her head to look inside. There was not much to see. The room was the shelter's emergency food storage pantry and it contained the expected boxes of rations, first aid equipment and other supplies. The door between it and the next room was partially open and she could hear voices coming from that direction. Female voices. It was not what she expected but also not unanticipated. Mildred decided to wait and listen.

It was not possible for her to make out anything other than a word or two from time to time. At one point she thought she heard someone say Brian's name and then some laughter. Then the conversation stopped and she heard a door open and close. It was time to move inside.

It was not hard for Mildred to remove the screen and pull herself up over the sill and into the room. She did this without a sound, her Marine training once again paying dividends. Staying low she made her way into the next room and pressing her ear to the wall tried to listen.

Brian was now tied face down partially on the table with his legs spread and each ankle tied off but dangling. The table had been raised and his ass was now at counter top height about three feet off the floor. Valarie was writing something across his cheeks with what felt like a magic marker. He could hear the hissing sound or a propane torch and smell something hot and metallic.

Valarie turned to Annie and asked, "What do you think?"

In black marker Valarie had written across the top of the crack in his buttocks:

The soul of a man ~ destroyed by Lilith's power ~ now fit to serve her

"Girl, you do have a way with words." Annie answered after reading them aloud. "A very cool haiku. Now let's make sure it will be remembered."

On the nearby table Annie had set up a propane torch. There were wooden dowels with a six inch length of copper wire attached to each, the wire glowing red within the torch flame.

"I think we will need to trace each letter twice. You have the better hand Val, so you do the branding and I'll apply the ice cubes to his skin between letters. When you are finished we can disconnect the Scopolamine drip and give him something to make him sleep. However, I want him to feel and remember every letter.'

Annie walked to the front of the table and knelt down to look into Brian's face. "You have been listening haven't you?"

"Yes Mistress."

"Good. Did you hear the beautiful words that Valarie has chosen for your body"

"Yes Mistress."

"Very good. Now Brian, you also need to remember why this is necessary and why it is important for you to remember all that we have taught you. This last lesson is going to be painful but the pain will help you to remember what you have learned. You want us to help you remember all that you have learned, don't you Brian?

"Yes Mistress, I want to remember."

"Excellent Brian, now ask both of us nicely to help you remember."

"Please Mistress Valarie and Mistress Annie, please help me to remember."

"We will Brian, now be brave because the pain will help you remember."

Annie smiled with satisfaction and gave Valarie the sign to get started. As the first hot copper wire branded the first letter into his skin, Brian gave a muffled sob. As the second wire began the next letter the sob became a cry. With the third letter the cry transformed itself into a scream.

Mildred listening at the door was jolted by the scream. She had recognized the voices of the two women but unable to see, did not understand what was going on until Brian screamed. Still not understanding anything more than Brian was suddenly in great pain she decided to act.

As yet another scream erupted from Brian's lip, she silently opened the door and slipped into the room. Brain lay strapped to the table with four red welts rising from the black writing on skin. Annie and Valarie both stood behind him with their backs to her and intent upon their handiwork. Mildred looked for something to use as a weapon but nothing useful was within reach. Still, she knew that her entire body was likely more than enough weapon should these two give her any trouble. Of the two she suspected that if there was to be resistance, Annie would be the one to bring it and she already had a plan for that.

Drawing a deep breath and using her voice of authority Mildred spoke in a loud and firm voice: "Stop! Not one more move by either of you."

Both women were startled. Valarie jumped and turned, dropping the hot wire she was holding which fortunately fell to the floor instead of landing on Brian's ass. Annie also jerked around but had the presence of mind to throw the rag filled with ice in the direction the command had come from as she turned. It would have been a good response had not Mildred already made her next move.

Before Annie could react further Mildred, moving forward and laterally closed the distance between them, grabbing Annie's arm and spinning her around bending it sharply upwards into the center of her back while using her other arm to force her neck and body backwards into a firmly restrained hold. Valarie however, decided it was time to be a hero. Grabbing a hot wire from the stand near the torch she moved forward aiming for Mildred's face.

Kicking Annie at the back of he knees collapsed her to the floor leaving Mildred free to rotate around, dodging the hot wire and bringing her elbow full circle into the side of Valarie's head. It was not the full blow she would have liked to deliver but it served to buy her enough time to launch a well placed kick into the woman's stomach driving the air from her lungs and her body to the floor next to Annie.

"Listen better this time you two. I'm tired of being nice. Stay down. Don't try to get up. When you can, I want you both to sit on your hands and face me. Anything else will earn you a kick in the teeth or worse. You both know me and you know what I can do. Annie, you can talk, let me hear a yes."

"Yes."

"Good. Now Valarie, I know you don't feel like talking just yet so nod if you agree."

Valarie nodded.

"Also good. See ladies, we are making progress. Now take another minute or two and then I want to see you sitting on those hands."

When the two women were both properly positioned, Mildred moved to the table, turned off the torch and pushed everything off to the far side and as far out of reach as possible to discourage any thoughts of future heroics. She then turned her attention to Brian who was still softly sobbing and squirming in his restraints. She picked up the wet cloth from where it had landed and gathered up a handful of ice from the floor. She placed the cloth across the welts on Brian's buttocks and carefully spread the ice on top.

"There Brian, that should help for a bit. I'll get you released and some better care in a few minutes. Do you recognize me?"

"I can't see you but you sound like Millie."

"That's right Brian, it's me Millie and I came to bring you home. Now stay quiet while I take care of things."

Mildred having not taken her eyes off the two women on the floor, was now ready to have a little chat with them.

"First, don't say a word unless I ask you to. Right now it is taking all of my self control not to smash every tooth out of both of your mouths and break your arms in two or three places, The only thing stopping me from doing so is that it would likely get me labeled a sadistic a nut job just like you two bitches. However, should a few teeth hit the floor in the course of a struggle it might be seen as an unintended result of me having to fight off two attackers. So ladies, if you are feeling froggy, please leap!"

Mildred turned her back to them and waited while listening carefully for any sound of movement.

"I see we understand each other." Mildred continued. "However, understanding is not trust so I am going to need something more from you. Valarie, I want you to undo those straps from Brian's legs and use one to tie Annie's arms behind her back. Use the other one to do her legs."

When this was done she instructed her to undo the other straps from Brian's upper body and place them on the table. Mildred used two of those straps to restrain Valarie's arms and legs and remaining straps to attach the two women back to back on the floor with their heads at opposite ends.

"That should keep you out of trouble and your teeth in your mouths for now." Mildred said.

With a reasonable expectation that she was now free from any surprises, Mildred turned her attention to Brian. While he was no longer restrained, he had not moved from his face down position on the table. The IVs containing the drugs being dripped into his body were still attached.