Alex
Light.
Intense
light.
As I came around, I was deeply disoriented. Almost like waking up in the middle of a REM cycle.
Where am I? What day is it?
Looking about, I realized I was strapped to some kind of bed in what appeared to be a medical facility. The room was nondescript and large enough for women, but the bed I lay in was obviously sized for men.
I was alone. Without windows and only a single closed door, I had no sense of time.
No IVs or other medical paraphernalia were evident on my body, but there was a cart with medical effects next to my bed. Other diagnostic machines sat dormant nearby, and I spied what looked like a closed circuit camera directed at my position.
My gym clothes were torn - wait - the gym...there was something... I remember trying to set up some stupid competition between those two women at the gym, hoping to redirect their desire for me into aggression towards each other while I made my escape. I thought it worked, too.
But then, how am I here? Let's see...they had gotten into a heated shoving match and Beth helped me...oh shit!
Beth.
It started to come back. She helped me toward my car, but as soon as we left the building she grabbed me. The back seat of her car had restraints, and... there was a sharp pain in my arm. Some kind of injection?
That was all I could remember, until now.
I tried testing the strength of the straps holding me - they weren't budging at all. The door unlatched and began to open.
A huge woman entered; she must have been at least a couple feet taller than Elise. I expected a white lab coat or scrubs, but she wore neither. Instead, she had on a gray pantsuit and high heels. She was well into her middle age and one of those women that could legitimately be called 'big boned', as she didn't appear fat - truly fat women didn't really exist anymore. Her attitude was strictly business as she set the men's duffle bag she carried on a small table in the corner and proceeded to make several marks on her clipboard.
"Ah, you are awake." Her accent sounded east European.
She paused for a minute, seemingly expecting a response, but given nothing, she continued.
"Your name is Alex?"
My blank stare continued.
"I am Olya. I will be explaining your role to you for tonight."
I snorted, "You can't be serious. Why would you think I'll cooperate with you?"
Unfazed, she said, "Your compliance will not be in question once I administer the proper medication."
As she completed her sentence, she reached to a hook next to the door and removed a key that was well beyond my reach. Unlocking a drawer in the medical cart next to my bed, she removed a syringe and pharmaceutical bottle and proceeded to load the hypodermic.
I thrashed against the bands holding me, but her huge hand ruthlessly clamped my upper arm to the bed frame, stilling my motion so she could inject me.
A flash of heat followed, but otherwise I felt nothing.
Dropping the needle into the sharps container on the cart, she stood back up.
"Now then, while the drug takes effect, allow me to explain your situation to you.
"Your life, as you know it, is over. You are now the chattels of the Matriarchy. Soon, you will be sent to reside within one of our compounds and will live out your days among us, contributing to our society."
The deadpan with which she delivered this news shocked me almost as much as the words themselves did. Terror washed over me.
"However, as a new addition to our stables, it's customary to auction you to the highest bidder for a temporary period of service to recoup the cost of...acquiring you. Following this, you'll be returned and sent to your new mistresses to serve."
I wanted to rant and rave, to threaten that 'they'd never get away with this', as in some cheesy action movie. But this wasn't fiction, and something told me that not only did they have connections sufficient for the typically interested parties to turn a blind eye, but they had indeed been getting away with this for some time. Further, anything I told them about people coming to find me they would only use against me. Weighing all this, I maintained my silence.
Still, I started thinking about the chance of rescue, and had to admit it was bleak. Why hadn't I left word where I was going? Stupid! El was resourceful and determined though. I started to feel better just thinking that she was out there for me. Having seen what my woman could be like when I was threatened, I could almost feel pity for my captors.
"Now then, to tonight's events. But first, let's have a little test to make sure you are properly conditioned, shall we?"
Unlocking the restraints with another key on the ring she grabbed previously, she moved back and allowed me to a moment to sit up and free myself.
"Stand up and remove your clothes," she instructed in an authoritative tone.
"Are you insa-"
I had only gotten part of my incredulous remark out when my body reacted. Almost as if it had defected, it ignored every command I sent it to stay seated. Seeing how pointless my attempts to disobey were, I gave up and let it happen.
I stripped right there in front of her, burning with shame. At least I was able to turn around as I did. It seemed as long as I didn't try to actively counter her order, the drug allowed my freedom. The whole thing was sickening. Where the hell had they gotten a drug like this? The implications were mind-blowing.
She nodded sharply and moved to pick up the bag she had carried in, "This is your attire for the evening. You will put this on when I leave the room.
"Someone will be visiting you within twenty minutes to take you to the showcase. While there, tonight's bidders will be given the opportunity to evaluate you prior to the start of the auction."
Any sense of indifference or aloofness that she may have had in her bearing until then disappeared, and the intensity of her glare increased ten-fold.
"Tonight's event is a prestigious affair in our community. You will comport yourself with dignity, class, and charm for the duration. You will be respectful of and attempt to obey all women who address you, referring to them always with the honorific 'Mistress', or by whatever title they nominate to you. Order of precedence for your obeisance will always be designated by the first Matriarchy member you meet upon reporting to a new location.