[Author's notes: I'd like to thank Inkstaine for her help in editing this story. She helped with chapters 1 & 2 as well, but because I am dense, and lack the ability to follow simple instructions, I failed to give her proper credit. So, please join me and thanking her for her valuable support.
Everyone depicted in this story is above the legal age of consent.
Enjoy the story. Comments and criticisms are welcome.]
Tuesday
Sara lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. It was now 7:30. In the quiet peace of the morning, in early darkness, the indistinct shapes that made up the contours of the room could easily be mistaken for her own things. She could almost convince herself that she was home, that she was about to begin an ordinary Tuesday with all of the ordinary stresses and concerns that seem so minuscule and remote now. Yet there was a warm body in her bed, snuggled close to her own. A pale face framed in black curls nuzzling her neck. A soft had tightly holding her own. Charlotte's hand had never been far from her. Early during the night it sought Sara out. Each time she turned or shifted, the hand soon returned to its new found refuge.
Sara's gaze went to the girl, to the ceiling, and back to the girl again.
That girl is your ticket home,
Michael had said.
Home. Can I do this? She's a church girl. A virgin. Straight as the come. Even if I can, could I live with myself after? At least she's hot,
said the voice. Sara squeezed her eyes shut until she forced the image of Charlotte standing naked in front of the door - afraid and alone and so very, very exposed - from her mind. Charlotte shifted, let out a gentle sigh and squeezed her hand.
Maybe I can talk him out of it. He can take it out in trade, me for her. My god, she's just a kid! But a hot kid,
the voice reminded her.
Sara ignored the voice in her head, opting instead to let go the hand in question and slide out from underneath the sheets. She didn't glance at the cameras as she crossed the room, naked as the day she was born, to begin her morning routine in the bathroom. After washing the sleep from her eyes, she crept back into the bedroom, where Charlotte still slept. Sara took a pillow from the bed, removed the case, and laid it on the floor. She then sat on it, hooked her feet under the bed frame, and started doing sit ups. She counted under her breath as quietly as she could, until she hit the count of one hundred and fifty. She took a minute to catch her breath before she sat up, rolled onto her stomach, and started counting out push-ups. She paused at the top of number forty-eight and blew damp hair from her face. "I think I have enough people watching me as it is," she said.
Charlotte laughed, her head poking through the sheets at the foot of the bed. "I can barely do ten, at least the right way," she said. "You make it look so easy."
"It is easy. You just push against the ground."
More laughter. "It is not!" Her eyes darted to the video cameras. "Aren't you worried that he's going to see you?"
Sara sat up and brought her knees to her chest. "Sorry I woke you up, I didn't mean to. But to answer your question, I guess I just don't care. Maybe you should try it. It's liberating," she said with a shrug.
"Oh no, Sara," said Charlotte, shaking her head furiously. "I could never...it's too embarrassing! No one has ever seen me naked except my mom and sisters Well, until yesterday. Now you have, and I guess he has too." She drew the sheet around her face so that only a few stray curls managed to escape.
Sara wiped her brow. "Charlotte, you're going to have to come out from under those sheets, and sooner rather than later. Are you going to be able to handle that?" she asked.
Charlotte chewed her lip. After a long minute, she said, "Papa always says that nakedness is a sin. He says that people who willfully commit sins will go to hell. Last night I was trying to get away, so I thought it would be okay to be naked until I found some clothes. Now, I don't know if I can just choose to be naked in front of a man that isn't my husband."
Sara stood, put her hands on her hips, and looked down at her. "Look at me," she said.
Charlotte's eyes darted about the room, resting upon anything that wasn't Sara's body. She stared at the floor, then at Sara's feet, and then she took in the entire scope of Sara's body, accepting the other woman's state.
"Do you think I'm going to go to hell because I'm not wearing any clothes right now?" Sara asked.
A pause. Then Charlotte shook her head.
"Take my hand," said Sara.
Charlotte took the offered hand and let Sara pull her out of bed. The two girls stood faced each other. Charlotte's face blossomed to bright red. Still holding Charlotte's hand, Sara led her to the closet. "The good news is you won't be completely naked. The bad news is you won't exactly be modest, either."
After a moment spent perusing the closet, the dismay on Charlotte's face was plain. "I can't wear this!" she said, holding up a black lace catsuit. "It doesn't cover my bosom or my
forbidden
place!"
"Your what?"
"You know," Charlotte said, pointing to the black forest between her legs.
Sara rubbed her temples. "Why do you call it your forbidden place, Charlotte? Is it like the Forbidden Palace or something?"
"Momma says that no one can see or touch my forbidden place until I'm married."
"What about the doctor?"