Shelly waited a little way down the path for Ashley to catch up. "I've been looking for you all evening, Ashley," she said, and began walking deeper into the garden.
"This isn't another bet of yours, is it?" Ashley asked, but Shelly didn't answer. There were no other guests from the party in sight, and no light other than the moon bleeding through the canopy and the fading glow of the manor in the distance. An unearthly scream tore through the night air and Ashley was overcome by a wave of déjà vu, suddenly reminded of the Island. She rushed up to Shelly and took her arm.
The garden became more wild as they went deeper, and Shelly showed no intention of slowing. When Ashley was thoroughly lost she asked, "So where are we going? I thought maybe you just wanted to fuck." Shelly tried hard to break Ashley of her swearing, so maybe this would get an answer.
"Emily is in trouble, and you may be able to help. You may be her last chance."
"What? I thought Hannah saved her."
"She rescued Emily from immediate danger, but her recovery has proven to be... difficult." Shelly was obviously worried, which sent a chill down Ashley's spine.
"Shit. Does Hannah know? Why me? Was it the same thing that attacked me?"
Shelly stopped and looked at Ashley, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. "So many questions, child. The thing that dominated Emily was different, but similar - the creator of the force that attacked you, at least in part. As for Hannah, we'll decide what to tell her after tonight. Keep your wits about you and do exactly what I say." For once she wasn't smiling.
They continued a little farther and reached a shed. The mansion was far out of sight, and the noise from the party had been swallowed up by the garden's growth. The shed was padlocked, but slid open at Shelly's touch. It was pitch black inside, and Ashley hesitated before following. Shelly took Ashley's hand and led her down some unseen stairs, spiraling down blindly. A heavy, earthy smell enveloped them, and Ashley shivered in the cool, wet air. The only sound was the rustle of their gowns. What was this place?
As they circled down Ashley's eyes adjusted and eventually caught a glimmer of light ahead. The final turn of stairs ended at a stone arch. Every inch of the arch, floor, walls, and ceiling were engraved with the same style of silvery runes that Ashley had seen on the perimeter of the compound on the Island. She shivered again, but this time not from the cold: the last time she had passed such runes she had - nearly? - been raped, mind and body, by some otherworldly creature she still, thankfully, couldn't remember.
Ashley balked. "Shelly, no... I don't want to go in there." Her hand trembled and gripped Shelly's, fingers intertwined.
"Your friend's life depends on you, child. Your fear is justified, but I'll be with you." Shelly gave Ashley a warm smile and kissed her gently on the lips.
But Ashley's legs refused to budge, even as Shelly drew her forward. "No, you do it, whatever needs to be done."
"I've already done what I can." Shelly paused and her blue eyes bored into Ashley. "It's not a choice."
Fucking Shelly. "I thought you loved me."
"I love Emily, too, and I'm not going to let her die because you're afraid."
Ashley nodded and steeled herself. For Emily she'd do it. She took a step forward and was nearly sucked through the arch. The glow of the runes brightened as she passed through and then faded again, but were quiescent when Shelly followed.
A short corridor brought them to a wooden door with heavy iron bindings that opened silently at Shelly's touch and revealed a small room with a few chairs and a few doors. A waiting room? The walls bore more silvery engravings in elaborate patterns that glistened in waves of light. Some mens clothing was folded on a table - a tuxedo. Shelly turned her back to Ashley and presented her zipper, which Ashley pulled down, and then vice versa. The air was cold, and Ashley reluctantly slid out of her gown and shoes. Her skin immediately broke out in goosebumps and her nipples hardened. She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to squelch the shivering, half from cold, half from fear. Shelly looked just as cold, but her lines and curves were beautiful in the silver light. She kept her blonde hair up, as she often wore it anyway, but removed every other fancy accoutrement. Ashley removed her simple jewelry and, reluctantly, her tiara. In short order they were both naked and shivering.
"This is more like it," Ashley muttered, and Shelly laughed.
Shelly rubbed her hands over her firm breasts nipples to warm her nipples. "We'll be hot enough soon." She stepped to one of the doors and ponderously pulled it open. As soon as it cracked Ashley heard the sound of heavy breathing and Dr. Wilcox mumbling softly. They stepped into a dimly lit room and Shelly pulled the door shut behind them.
The walls were similarly engraved, and the runes burned brightly. A large contraption stood in the center of the room, like a gynecologist's exam table. Emily was strapped to it naked, every limb immobilized and spread; her curly blonde hair was poking out wildly around the leather straps holding down her head. She was breathing loudly, struggling vainly in the bindings. Dr. Wilcox stood near the center of the room, naked, erect, and focused on Emily. When they entered, Dr. Wilcox gave them his attention.
"She's ready. Ashley, thank you for coming."
"It wasn't a choice. Sir."
