The Fire Within (for Why & I)

[BLACK BART]

“Please Miss, Could you spare two bits for a cup of coffee?”

The words grated on the final, marginal amount of self-respect I thought I had left, but it was this or starve, and the temperature of the air told me the night was going to be unbearable.

But instead of the hoped for change all I received was a scathing reply accompanied with a disdainful look.

“There’s a soup kitchen a few blocks down on Damning Street for the likes of you.”

What could I do?

I hung my head and shuffled off in my rags, even the slight promise of food and warmth outweighing the impulse to throw a retort at the haughty figure that swayed away from me.

Food, warmth, a place to crawl into and sleep for the night, my life was reduced to the very bleak basics, my feet and hands numb from the cold as I searched with desperate eyes for the promised safe haven.

Searched as I leaned against the cold exterior of the decrepit buildings, each block deeper into the slums reinforcing the growing belief and doubt that I would find the promised soup kitchen and find instead my own end. It had always been like this for me, I once had a bright and shining future, and as I stumbled down a short flight of steps and fell against the rough face of an ancient door I closed my eyes and reflected on the mistakes made to bring me here.

Rash decisions made in the false belief that I was invincible and gifted, a belief I no longer held as the cold crept into my body and disabled it, my weight settling against the door as my legs failed me and I prepared myself to die. Prepare? Did I pray? No, I had discarded that belief as well a long time ago, at the same time my career had come down around my shoulders, along with my promised marriage to a beautiful and quite wealthy socialite.

A sound came to my ears and I realized with a start it was my own voice, laughing at the irony of it all, and how I could remember her face as she stormed out of my apartment, but not her name.

My voice grew louder and my shoulders, my body began to shake and somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it was the final stages of hypothermia I was now in and what would come next.

Suddenly the surface behind me shifted, the ancient door opening and I felt myself falling backwards past it, too numb and cold to stop my descent or even care as my head hit a solid surface and my world went black.

Hours later to my surprise I woke, a pounding headache, blurred vision, but awake. And a second surprise was discovered as I lifted myself off the floor and stood shaking in the dark, the room around me wasn’t warm, but it was much warmer then I would have thought it should be, considering the subzero temperatures outside.

“Fire, what I would give for a roaring fire right now.” I mumbled thru bloody and swollen lips and held my hands out in front of me to explore in the dark, then turned in disbelief as the smell of ancient and now burning dust came to my nostrils.

“How could this be?” I mumbled again and moved towards the source of my disbelief as the well of the sudden new source of heat. “There was no fire a minute ago.”

But there was now. The heavy cast iron door hung open, and inside the ancient boiler system a fire raged, growing brighter by the second and warming the air around as well as illuminating the room I stood in.

Maybe it was the fatigue, perhaps the numbing cold I had escaped from, but for once I didn’t try to understand what had happened and analyze it, only accept it as the chill left my body and I began to move curiously about the immense room. The fire inside the boiler had reached a blazing white level, the heat washing over and through my tired body, the light chasing away the dark corners and revealing the high brick walls and vacant interior.

“At least I’ll have a warm place to starve in” I joked as I found not even a hint of a water faucet or source of life sustaining water. And then the heat and the fatigue hit me at once and I curled up in a ball on the floor, to let normal sleep overtake me, actually looking forward to waking in the morning.

Hours later I did wake up, the hardness of the floor and the stiffness of my body forgotten as my ears focused on another surprise, the sound of dripping water. I couldn’t understand. I was tired last night, but was I so exhausted I had missed the sink, the faucet that gleam brightly AND the cup that dangled from the hook on the wall?

And once again I forgot to question and simply accepted, drawing a full cup of water and then slowly pouring it out to watch it gleam in the light from the boiler, then drawing a second and slowly savoring the taste and feel of it swallow by swallow as it rolled down my throat. A second, then a third cup and I felt my stomach swell and stretch, then threaten to revolt as the life giving liquid moved in my stomach, then settled with a satisfied gurgle.

This time I strolled around the room on legs that weren’t shaky, my vision clear and steady as I inventoried the room and once again was impressed by the sheer size of it, the girth and width impressing me and making me realize the size of the rooms above and wonder how many floors the basement had once supported.

How many times had I made the trip around that room and found no clues I wasn’t sure, only realizing I had gone from an endless wander to an energetic pacing, and my mind had now focused on the reason for my pacing.

I had warmth. I had water. And I had a place to sleep. But I lacked any reason to live or to wish to stay living. And despite the sudden reversal in my fortune I needed something to focus on, something to keep me wanting to wake up morning after morning, some reason to…live.

A routine quickly developed. Sleep, wake, and drink, pace, and then sleep again. How many times this happened I lost track of, having nothing to mark with or mark on. The walls stared back at me, dull, lifeless and unresponsive to my babbling; yet with each strength restoring slumber period the feeling that I wasn’t entirely alone grew. Aloof yet watching my every move I sensed the paranoia growing in me and knew it wasn’t entirely due to being in the basement alone. Curiosity returned to me along with the fledgling beginning of strength and I began to reason the events that brought me to this place and the ones that had occurred since my arrival. The advent of heat and the just as mysterious appearance of the sink, the never ending source of light and warmth that emanated from the open jaws of the boiler, the pureness of the water and how it alone sustained me, even rebuilt my body slowly with each draught.

Looking backwards I would have reflected on the one thing that had never entered my mind to do, the one obvious response after entering a building and spending time in it, that response being? To leave…it was if my mind had become conditioned, to stay close to the source of warmth and water, to be near to those life giving and health restoring elements for fear of losing them…

I had accepted my new home and as my strength and wits slowly returned began to wonder if there were ways I could improve on it and bring others into it as well…

Little did I know the cost of making wishes and having them… granted.

 

[Why]

The man, more dead than alive, more lost than found, fell through the rotten door into my world my trap, my place. His body rolled against mine; he was blighted by the bitter cold, eaten by the ice of winter and the callous, unfeeling neglect of his own kind; he is not long for this world. His belly was empty and his spirit weak.

Aren’t they always?

He had given up.

His dreams and ideals smashed like a mirror, the shards falling, cutting into his soul. This left an opening, a festering wound of hate. The world had hurt him, so he now hated it. It was killing him so he loathed it. She had laughed at him so he despised her. All this was a sweetmeat so very much to my taste

I licked my wide lips, slack jowls wobbling. My arm withered by age unimaginable curled round his form. I dragged him to me. His body resisted for a moment, then toppled over, his right arm slapped the cold floor. Again I pulled and he moved ending up on his right side, left arm bent above his head, its mate trapped under his body’s weight. Eyes rolled back in his head only the blood shot whites visible. Jaw slack; the untrimmed mass of beard a symbol he no longer cared. He was no longer fighting and thus was wide open.

Body and soul.

I pressed my flaccid breasts, domed stomach and thin thighs to his back. I warmed him slowly, inching the warmth through the layers of his filth encrusted clothing. He thought in the mists of his delirium I am the ancient cast iron system, the furnace that warmed the room and the building above. It will serve for now. Let him believe what he wished for now, Yes, I do warm the room, but with fire from a deeper, darker place than the basement.

His body twitched, his mind tried to mark the passage of time. Here there is no time, only what I wish. This is my place. I watched as he became aware, see his mind register the interior of my world. What does he see; the basement of course, its high brick walls and vacant interior. But even this is yet too much for him to accept, exhaustion took his body away from his mind and he curled against me. I am the warmth.

I embraced him; my clawed hands ran over his form, pinched the warming flesh of his body as I measured its use to me.

He craved water, liquid to keep him alive, he needed to feed. In his delirium he found a sink and water faucet. I in my world, my reality what really is, I held his cracked lips to my withered breast.

He took of me.

I watched him struggle to his feet, in his madness he addressed the walls, cursed those that drove him to this hell. I laughed softly as I sat cross legged, my matt of grey hair hanging round me, an obscene parody of a bride’s veil. He paced round me, speaking of his hate. It flowed; a river of life, of blood, thick and rich. I lapped it up. I savored the depth of his emotion. He was half way there.

Each time I held him close to my breast as he fed I whispered to him. I told him that this was his world as well. Here he was safe. Here others could not harm him. Here no law but his ruled. His strength returned and so did his curiosity. He wanted to know more. I shushed him and told him in good time all will be made known

Then as always happened the thought entered his head. I saw it as he settled down to rest. A small part of his soul was urging him to flee. It must be dealt with, calmed. He mumbled and rolled in his now fitful sleep onto his back. I moved and sat aside him, rubbing my wizened mons against his manhood.

The urge to flee is replaced by lust. He moaned and thrust in his sleep not knowing the reason why. Soon I would take him inside my darkness and lean on his chest. He will not be able to breathe; he will spurt his seed deep into my depths and become my tool.

And all he wished for will be granted.

For a price of course.

 

[BLACK BART]

Safety>>>>No fear or worries...no needs to plague me.....no demands made on me or my conscience....the love of a woman who truly cared for me coming to me as I rested and in my sleep kissing my worn and haggard body and taking away the pain.


Warmth>>>>>>>it flowed into and over me reaching deeper than I ever thought possible, driving away the bone chilling cold and the shivers that racked my entire being...Her tender and soft, full lips gave me strength as they trailed over my skin, putting a burning fire in the veins that I cried out from and then cried FOR, begging for it to return as does an addict on his final trip...

Strength slowly returning>>>>>>Muscles swelling in my arms, chest and thighs.... and yes between those thighs as well, my manhood so long before forgotten returning and rising to demand it's needs as well...A swollen and rock hard erection greeted me, my own seed pulsing from it and the satisfaction of being able to do such a simple thing, such a NEEDFUL thing....


Awareness>>>>>who I am............where I am..........(alive)...and why

And ANGER

It was their fault I had fallen this far....

and they would soon pay...and pay dearly for it, with more than just money, possessions and life itself.

I laughed and prowled the room, restless once again, to be somebody, to make my MARK on the world, one tiny piece of it at a time.

But it was too cold outside. Even for a MAN such as I had been reborn to be.

With that rebirth came greater knowledge and with that wisdom...patience. I would call them to me, one at a time as they turned their backs on me, and I would return each spiteful wrong they reaped.... thrice fold in return.

"Come Janine.... come look for your long lost beau...in your self serving pity walk down the same path I have and meet your judge"

And with those marks greatness was going to return and I would be ruler of it all.

I would bet my life and soul on it.

 

[Why]

Yes…you are getting stronger…Yes you are mine

I stood behind my toy, my instrument… mine….what was now mine… My thin, aged arms reached round his torso. I felt the strengthening and firming of his muscles. My callused fingers ran down his flat belly, curling round the length of his manhood. I felt more than heard him groan. I laughed, harsh, brittle, victorous.

His anger and hate I fed upon. Drank deeply of it. To me it was a rich red wine, kissed by the heat of his passion.

He was ready.

"Come Janine.... come look for your long lost beau...in your self serving pity walk down the same path I have and meet your judge"

As I heard the words I clung harder to his back. I was part of him, the Hag riding his shoulders, riding his manhood, sucking sweetly at his soul.

But I wanted more as he wanted more. I wanted sweetmeats, dainty strips carved with care off the souls of others. I wanted to feel the confection slip down my throat. He could partake as well. I would straddle him, grinding my hips and feed him small portions of our “game”. What he and I have hunted.

But to hunt he needed things of power in this world. I inched my legs up round his waist, locking my bony heels round him and urged him forward. A piggy back ride up the stairs that had now appeared in the basement. Up to the next floor where he would find gifts, things he needed to perform his vengeance.

 

[Guest]

Janine

The meeting had gone on longer than expected and the parking garage was deserted as I flicked the remote and heard the familiar click as the locks sprung open. Gratefully I slid into the luxurious interior and slipped in a CD of Bach’s violin concerto.

For a few seconds I leant my head back on the upholstered rest and closed my eyes, letting the music sweep over me. I had just closed a great deal with a cosmetic company and we now had a hugely lucrative advertising contract. Silently I punched the air in triumph and out loud I said. “Way to go, Janine. You did it!”

I turned the key in the ignition and my Saab purred into action. Outside the streets were slick with rain and the colours of the neon lights reflected of the puddles. I was tired beyond tired and just wanted a long soak in my tub and bed. I remembered a short cut and decided to take it even though it would take me through some of the meanest streets in town.

I didn’t hurry and let the Bach flow over and around me. I let my mind wander aimlessly and found it dwelling on Jesse I wondered vaguely what had become of him. He had called several times, each time leaving a whining message. If there is one thing I can’t abide it’s a whiner and he was one. I smiled to myself, I was well out of that relationship but – oh – the sex had been good hadn’t it, Janine?

I remembered the experimental and adventurous sessions we’d had. He was a buck, all right and I’d only stayed with him as long as I had because he was so good in the sack.. I put my hand up to my auburn hair and, pulling the band off my ponytail, I let it cascade down onto my shoulders. The memory of Jesse’s body and the way he used it excited me once more. I sighed and turned my attention back to the rain-slicked road.

The car started to halt and the engine, usually so smooth, coughed once or twice, I gave the accelerator some tentative pressure but it didn’t help. The engine gave one more gasp and died on me. “Damn!” I hit the steering wheel in frustration.

Suddenly I realized where I was. The street was poorly lit and deserted. Damp newspapers and food wrappers blew along the sidewalks and graffiti covered the boarded buildings. “Shit! I don’t like the look of this.” I muttered trying to start the car but it was futile. I reached for my cell phone to call the automobile service…..dead! Just my luck.

I peered through the gloom looking for a public ‘phone or an all night convenience store then I saw it, a light over an old ornate door – perhaps they’d let me use the ‘phone there.

 

[BLACK BART]

Events. They began to occur. Marking time and making it move forward.

I walked the wooden steps and opened the door, somehow not surprised as they led to a main floor and the lobby of a once grand hotel.

Now the furnishings stood under layers of dust planted there over the years. The once rich leather and tapestry smells coming to my nostrils as mold and dried out fabric, the brilliant shines of the fine woods of the floor and main desk completely dulled by debris and uncaring hands that had rubbed against them.

But still there was promise. Somehow I knew with the arrival of others the grandeur was sure to return, that with them the power would be restored...

"Feed me" The thought intruded into my mind and I paused in my explorations, knowing it was no mistake that I had "heard" the words or thier intent.

"I will"

A promise to an unseen host but one I was quite aware of now, and one I dearly wanted to please for her hospitality.

The thought lodged itself in my mind and barely seconds after the sound of a fist pounding on the front door came to my ears...

****************************************************

"Come IN"

I called out for the third time and moved to the heavy door, grasping the ornate knob firmly and pulling on it with my weight behind the tug.

The door flung open..a soaked and chilled body hurtled through it and into my arms...and a all to familiar face looked up at me through a mass of tousled and wet hair.

Irony....the word came to mind as I smirked and helped the shook up woman to her feet...

"Hello Janine"

 

[Guest]

I was taken by surprise when the door flew open and I was propelled in to the dingy interior. I lost my balance and fell to my knees tearing my hose and grazing both knees. Strong hands helped me up and I was looking up into Jesse – of all people’s – dark eyes.

“Hello, Janine.” He smiled but his eyes were cold and he didn’t seem at all surprised to see me. I was speechless and just stared open mouthed unable to believe this turn of events. Jesse was holding me before him at arm’s length.

“Look at you! What a mess and you’re usually so well turned out.” There was a sarcastic edge to his voice.

I looked down at my muddied skirt and soaked Gucci boots, I was indeed a mess. I started to stammer,

“My car broke down. I would never have come this way if I’d known. I was looking for a ‘phone, is there one I can use? What are you doing here? You look awful too.” He did. His eyes were sunken and dull; his usually neat hair was ruffled and unkempt and his clothes were dirty and creased, little more than rags.

“Oh, I’ve had a run of bad luck, but you knew that, it’s all right now. I’m going to be ok now. So are you.” He added mysteriously.

“….the ‘phone?” I prompted ignoring him knowing he was alluding to the unanswered messages on my answering machine but he was guiding me deeper into the gloom his arm around me towards the ‘phone, I hoped

 

[BLACK BART]

Jesse

I led her, dirty, water logged and shaken down the hall. Not towards the telephone she had fixated in her mind, not towards the help she needed at the end of that phone line, but towards salvation.

My salvation…

I opened a door and motioned for her to walk in. Then closed it and let my eyes grow used to the gloom inside as she did the same.

“It’s dark in here” Janine pointed out and slid out of her jacket.

I took it and grinned, admiring how the wet blouse she wore clung to her skin and accented every lush curve.

“It usually is with no lights working and no windows.”

She turned and gave me a glimpse of full breasts trying to escape the confines of a Victoria Secret brassiere, and the memories of those mounds and the pleasure they used to give me flooded back.

“Phone? Is there a phone in here? she questioned, eyes wide and vulnerable, flitting from my face and then around the room.

“No, no phone in here, or anywhere in the hotel.” I supplied and grinned.

“Then why did you say there was one and bring me in here?”

I laughed then and lifted my hand to touch her cheek like the old days and was startled to see her flinch.

“I never did” I corrected, “You assumed and followed. There was a day when you used to hunger for me to touch you remember?”

“I remember” She admitted and then to my chagrin added, “But it’s NOT the old days, anymore. So why did you bring me here if there was no phone?”

I nodded and turned, taking the knob of the heavy oak door in my hand and opening it, knowing she wouldn’t step near me.

“You’re right Janine, it’s not the old days where we cared for one another, or acted like it while it was convenient. It’s the present. Where I hold the key to this door and you’re my “guest” until I’m done playing with you.”

I closed the door laughing, her startled eyes and open mouth fresh in my mind as I locked the door and pocketed the key, hearing her fists pound on the door as I began to whistle and walk away with her jacket in my hands.

The song I whistled?

“Oh What a Beautiful Morning”

 

[Guest]

The bastard locked the door and left me in the gloomy room. I threw myself at the door and hammered on it so hard my fists hurt. The door was heavy oak and my thumping on it was muffled and useless, I knew.

I sank to the floor and tried to figure out what was happening. I was shivering with cold and my teeth chattered. How on earth had I stumbled in to Jesse, of all people, in this dump? My car, recently serviced, should not have broken down. I hit the floor with my hand – Damn! I had to get out of here.

I knew it was useless but I tried the door, locked, of course but I still rattled it and kicked the door, hurting my foot this time. I hammered some more, this time using my shoe until the heel snapped off. I looked around, my eyes used to the dark now. It had been a bedroom once, probably quite luxurious but now the four-poster bed was stripped to it’s ticking covered mattress and the curtains were moth eaten and ripped. Other bits of furniture stood around, dusty and neglected.

I limped over and sat on the bed. Exhaustion swept over me and I started to weep. What did Jesse want? Money? Sex? Had he finally flipped? I lay down on my side on the dusty bed and curled into a shivering ball. The last thing I remembered was the sound of laughter far off in the building, I must have fallen asleep.

 

[BLACK BART]

With each fist reverberating off the solid wood door a wave of Janine's anger and frustration followed...rippling down the hallway.... off the walls...and into my own body.

Not just into my ears in the form of sound waves but into my eyes in every color of the rainbow, into my skin with varying levels of hot and cold and combining to feed something deep inside.

It was as if it were a living animal were breathing and uncoiling for the very first time, my body shivering and then sweating from the excitement it created, flashes of pleasure hammering away at my mind and body filling me with raw emotion and power.

Power...power that was healing me and my surroundings, the faded and peeling paint on the walls returning to it's once magnificent glory, the thin and stinking carpet under my feet rippling and swelling until it once again spoke of luxury and wealth...the broken or dim lights overhead shining as if they were only days old...

I began to understand now. The thing I had felt below in the basement...the entity...it had fed off of me as I now fed off of Janine...drawing from me what it needed to live and changing the building around me in order that I might live as well.

A favor I was about to return...

I laughed...as if I were an inmate in an asylum, the crazy sounds of it echoing off and down the hallways, the irony of it all flooding into my mind.

This might be an asylum...but here and now I was the caretaker...and I held all the keys.

If the thing downstairs could draw enough energy from me when I was near dead...I could do as well...and much, much better. And better. For Janine was a strong and healthy young specimen, one that I knew exactly how she would react and one I was going to milk for all she was worth.

Around me everything moved...the entire floor metamorphosing to a glory it hadn’t seen in fifty long, hard years…and I walked inside that greatness touching and feeling it all, reveling in it as if I were it’s king…How much time passed I didn’t know, or care…all that mattered were the plans forming inside my head and how to carry them out and to gain from the suffering and pain of the ones that once tormented me.

And Janine would be the very first…

I found myself standing in front of the door I had barred her behind and turned the heavy key beneath the now gleaming brass knob then stepped into the plush settings of the room to eye the sleeping woman I had captured so easily.

“Wake up Janine…it’s time to face your punishment for the crimes you’ve committed.”

 

[Guest]

Jesse’s familiar voice broke through my troubled sleep and I opened my eyes. The room was brilliantly lit by sumptuous chandeliers and I no longer lay on a bare mattress but my cheek lay on silk.

I sat up and slowly realized what Jesse was saying from his position by the heavy door. My broken shoe lay at his feet where I had tossed it in my rage. As I started to remember what had happened my anger surged again. I stood, smoothing down my rumpled skirt.

“Crimes? Don’t be so ridiculous. Hand me my shoe and I’ll get going.” But he just stood there smiling. I walked towards him and as I reached where he stood he kicked my shoe across the room.

“You’re not going anywhere, dear Janine.” He smirked. “Now, get those clothes off, they’re still damp. We don’t want you to get sick, do we?” I stepped back, who did he think he was?

“Certainly not.” I sputtered. I retrieved my shoe and returned to the door but he stepped to bar my way. “Move!” I demanded. “I’m not staying here a minute longer.”

“If you won’t take them off then I will.” Jesse said ignoring me.

He grabbed my arms and forced me to my knees. He was incredibly strong and, even though I fought, he ripped my blouse off easily followed by my bra. I covered myself involuntarily and he pulled me to my feet. I staggered as he wrenched my skirt off leaving me standing in my torn hose and panties, my arms crossed protectively across my breasts. It was an unnecessary gesture because Jesse had loved my breasts and knew them well.

The cool air brought goosebmps to my skin and hardened my nipples. I tried to reason with him. “Jesse, please. Don’t do this. I don’t know what you think I’ve done to you but what ever it is, I’m sorry.”

“It’s too little too late.” He smiled “Put your arms down so that I can see those tits.” It wasn’t a loving request but a harsh command. I did as he demanded hoping to placate him, may be some sex would soften his attitude. I smiled and tried to look like I wanted him even though it stuck in my craw.

He didn’t smile back but grasped a handful of my hair and dragged me with him out of the room and down the sumptuous corridor. I cried out in pain, now I was seriously scared. What had this maniac planned?

 

[BLACK BART]

It was pure pleasure to feel Janine's supple body struggle in my arms, her voice telling me of the growing terror she felt and was giving in to. It was even a greater pleasure to feel my own strength multiplying as I dragged her half nude body down the restored hallway and to the basement door.

"Scream my little sexy girlfriend" I taunted her, letting my voice cackle as if I were a lunatic and feeling a fresh surge of power flow into me as Janine twisted and turned in my grasp.

"Please let me go Jesse, this isn't like YOU. Just let me go and I'll do whatever you want!"

"As you wish my slutty minx." I returned and released my handful of hair...

"Noooooo...."

Janine cried out as she overbalanced on the edge of the step, her arms flailing the air for balance as she slowly lost the contest and fell over backwards.

"Be careful what you wish for Janine..."

I warned her solemnly as I knelt beside her shaken and bruised form on the cool concrete floor.

"You may not know how to deal with what you wished for if you get it."

Again I pushed my hand into her hair and used it to half drag, half life the shaken woman to her feet and propell her towards the heavy timbers overhead.

"Hold your wrists over your head Janine" I growled at my pale faced and trembling guest.

"Please Jesse...I'll do what ever youuu"

"You will anyways."

I cut her plea off and tied her wrists together with a suddenly convenient length of rope, then tossed it over the beam and pulled the slack out of it.

And then Janine did scream...as her body was pulled taut and her heels lifted off the floor..her head pitched back and her breasts bounced magnificently under the confines of her tiny bra.

"NOoooooo!"

And once again I laughed as if possessed...my hands tearing the remaining scraps of cloth off her erotic body until she hung nude before me...

Twisting her hair in one hand I pinned her head and forced my lips over hers, my free hand dropping between her thighs to begin fondling her carefully shaved sex...

"Oh yesssss" I mocked her as she twisted away from my violent kiss.

"Now spread those golden thighs or I'll tie your legs open and take you as you dangle in midair..."

Behind me I could feel the heat of the boiler grow hotter and hotter and I knew the demon that lived within was feeding off Janine's terror as I was...and my own pleasure in that horror...

"Or perhaps you'd enjoy that....?" I taunted, groping her body with my greedy hands.

 

[Guest]

As we struggled Jesse suddenly let go of the hank of hair he was twisting and I felt myself teetering at the top of the steep stairs. Darkness yawned beneath me and I fell head first down with Jesse’s laughter ringing in my ears.

I lost conscience for a few minutes and woke to find Jesse kneeling beside me but it was not comfort he was offering. He hissed into my ear. ”Be careful what you wish for, you may not know how to deal with it once you get it” With that he grasped my hair once more and used it to haul me to my feet.

He dragged m across the concrete floor towards the huge furnace that was roaring, the fire making leaping shadows on the dark walls. "Hold your wrists over your head Janine" Jesse demanded. I looked above me and saw a huge beam with several sturdy hooks protruding.

I begged him, pleading that I would do anything if he would let me go but he grabbed my wrists in a steel-like grip and, before I knew it, he had tied them together. I watched in horror as he threw the length over the beam and hauled me up so that my
toes barely touched the floor.

I screamed with the agony in my arms and back but he just laughed that crazy laugh and grabbed my hair. He kissed me roughly, forcibly, and groped me between my legs. I twisted away, revolted, but he was laughing again.

“Open your legs or I’ll tie them apart and take you as you hang in mid-air.” I felt his hands exploring my body again and kicked out at him catching a heavy blow in the crotch. He doubled up and, at the same time, the furnace gave a loud roar and flames licked around the closed door.

Jesse was groaning and bent over nursing is bruised manhood. Maybe now he’d realise I meant business and see reason but he was only more furious. He stood up and reached for some electrical wire left from some repairs. He wound it round his hand leaving a length of about five feet.

Too my horror he slashed at me catching me across the back. The wire cut into my flesh and he made my body twist and turn as he beat me. The agony in my arms and shoulders and the cutting swipes of the wire made me scream until I was hoarse.

“Jesse, please. Let me down.” I sobbed between beatings. I could feel blood trickling down over my stomach and legs from where he had opened wounds. My back, too, was raw.

After what seemed like hours, he stopped ranting and lashing me by which time I was barely conscious.

I felt him loosen my bound wrists with one hand and hold me up in his other arm. He seemed to find the strength from somewhere to just lift me up with one arm and toss me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. The pain in my wrenched shoulders, which were nearly dislocated, was intolerable but I still managed to beat my fists on Jesse’s broad back.

Somewhere I still held the faint hope of escaping tbis madman.

 

[BLACK BART]

With each scream of pain, each howl of anger and fear, Jesse grew...

As did the fire within the boiler beside them.

As the blood mixed with her own sweat and ran down her trim figure Jesse felt his own blood boil.

His LUST to possess the woman who once meant so much to him doubling and then doubling again.

His groin burned. Not with the fresh pain he should have felt after being nailed square.

But from the need to HAVE her.

A need he tended to quickly. Tossing her over his shoulder and laughing as she beat at him helplessly. Forcing his hand between her bare and unprotected thighs to force his fingers against and into her sex.

A few short steps and he moved her to a platform he had willed into existence. Then pressed her numb and still weak body onto its surface to fondle and taunt her.

"You can make this so easy for yourself Janine. Just admit your crimes and give yourself to me. I can make you a goddess and you will have everything you desire...and I'll have you."

The tortured woman rolled. Trying to pull her tortured and pained flesh from the surface she was now on, her eyes blazing at the man who had done this to her. And now offered a deal as if she were the one who had hurt him.

"You're crazy Jesse...You've whipped and scarred me for life, and think you're a GOD?"

He laughed. Then pressed his hands to her maimed and torn flesh and Janine swelled her lungs in order to scream at the coming pain...

Only it didn't come.

As Jesse's hands traveled over her flesh the bleeding welts smoothed, then disappeared under his almost tender ministrations.

She felt it on her back. As if cool, healing water was pouring over the would be scars...the pain simply gone.

And as she looked to where he now stroked her, over her full breasts...down her flat stomach...the same was happening.

Gone were the welts, the blood...and the pain.

As if nothing happened.

His hand moved to her vulva. One finger sliding between the lips of her sex...and the final tiny bit of pain left her body, turning to warmth she knew all too well.

Janine was being aroused...her body responding to his touch and moistening in ready response.

Her eyes and face told him she couldn't believe.

Wouldn't...

He wasn't a god...Just a crazy, bitter LITTLE man.

No sooner had the words slipped from her lips and he held her by the throat.

His free hand moving over her body again. The welts, blood and many open cuts returning in a blazing wall of pain as he laughed at her.

"LITTLE?" He mocked her scornfully and dropped his tattered jeans.

His cock dropped from his boxers...the magnificent length of it dangling between his thighs twitching as if it had a life of it's own.

One that began to swell and raise its single eye towards her sex...

Jesse slapped Janine then. Driving back onto the surface and her pained back, taking the opportunity to grab her trim ankles and spread them in opposite directions.

To place his cock at the V of those muscled thighs and force it rudely into her dry sex.

Raping her with its full, unbelievable length and still swelling girth.

He seemed, after all, not to be so little...and as he forced himself into and tore her tender flesh...he appeared to be a god...after all.

For wasn't Lucifer...a god?

Jesse laughed at her painful screams and bit into her flesh...each and every wave of her suffering making him grow.

In his power. And the size of his cock.

 

[Guest]

Janine was barely conscious as Jesse carried her to the platform and threw her down unceremoniously but the searing pain as her body came in contact with the surface woke her. She writhed in agony trying to avoid the pain.

She knew he was there to hurt her for some perceived “sin” - he had totally lost it. He was mad. She saw him reach for her and prepared to scream from the pain she knew would follow but to her astonishment she felt relief, a warm comfort flow over where ever Jesse’s hands touched her torn flesh.

As she watched, open-mouthed, the wounds disappeared, healed, where he stroked, then she saw him reach for her sex and braced herself but, instead of pain, a rush of arousal shot through her and she arched, moaning. Deep in her was denial, he wasn’t a god – this was some trick he was playing and she wrenched away from Jesse’s hands.

“You think you’re God! You’re not! You’re just a bitter twisted little man.“ She spat at him.

The words were barely out of her lips and his hand gripped her throat. He swept a hand over her flawless body and the welts appeared once more, with them, the pain. Through the haze of her agony she heard him laugh manically.

“Little?” And he dropped his trousers revealing an enormous cock, which, even though she sobbed with pain, made her eyes widen. She watched as it rose like a charmed snake.

Jesse shoved her back to lie on the slab and opened her bruised thighs wide. The one eyed monster seemed to know its target and pointed to her swollen vulva. Jesse thrust his hips in one swift motion and the huge organ ripped into her making her almost blackout.

Unbelievably, his cock seemed to grow even bigger inside her filling her painfully and still he fucked her. He towered over her and, for one moment, Janine thought him god-like. The harder he drove into her the weaker she became and the more beautiful Jesse looked. Through tear-swollen eyes she watched her torturer grow handsome before her.

He gripped her hips, pulling her to his own hips so that his cock was buried deep in her. He grunted and leaned in to bite her but she was so weak by now she could barely scream. With an inhuman howl Jesse, who now did resemble a god, gave a shudder and orgasmed deep inside the broken body.

She was so limp that she might have been dead. Jesse slowly pulled his still-hard cock from her and looked down dispassionately.

“I haven’t done with you yet, Janine. Don’t die on me now.” And he leant down to kiss her tenderly.

Almost immediately her eyes opened and she responded hungrily drawing strength from his lips. Her broken body healed once more as the kiss lengthened and she became more animated.

Jesse pulled away and looked down admiringly at her beautiful body. Not a scar, not a bruise was visible, in fact she glowed.
He stood up beside her, a muscled, gorgeous man, and threw his head back. The howl of triumph echoed through the hotel, he was Master – god – he ruled! Janine sat up and looked around as if for the first time.

“Where are we, Jesse. I think I’ve been asleep and had the strangest dream.” She put her naked legs over the edge of the platform and looked at the glowing furnace.

Jesse smiled and held out a hand. “We’re going to help one another, Janny. You and I, but we need to meet more people.” His smile seemed genuine but little did Janine know what was in store for her as she took his hand.

 

[Pywakit]

Chloe

(OOC: Chloe's an independent-minded photographer for a magazine. Her parents are Japanese, but she's lived her whole life in the states and hopes some day to make enough money to visit Japan. She's got shoulder length black hair, brown eyes, and is probably a bit too brave for her own good.)

I shivered as I got back into my Saturn and closed the door. The heater was still running and welcome, but I had to admit my shiver was a product of more than just the bitter cold. This was the worst part of town, and despite the fact that the cold had driven everyone off the streets it still felt spooky out there, especially this late at night and alone. Yet I was getting some really kick-ass photos of the run-down buildings here; the boarded up movie theater photo I just took would look great next to some photo of a glittery fancy megaplex cinema from downtown.

I smiled as I started the car. My editor, David, had expressly forbidden me to do this photo shoot. He had liked my idea enough… "A photo essay contrasting the current glitz of downtown with the ruins of the city's old business quarter? Not a bad idea, Chloe!" he'd said, but when I told him I wanted to do both parts of the shoot on my own, to avoid drawing a big crowd, he'd predictably balked. "Listen, Chloe, I don't like the idea of you wandering around that slum alone. What would the boss say if he found out I let a delicate little angel like you wander around that part of the city alone? Nah, I'll get Ted to do the shoot. Great idea, though!"

Fuck him. This was the last time he'd take one of my ideas and claim it as his own. I wasn't sure if he was a misogynist (she was the only woman on the art staff), a racist (she was also the only Asian on staff), or just an asshole, but I'd be damned if I was gonna let him hold me back this time. So I left work early to get the photos of downtown, and it had taken a bit longer than I planned. And now, here she was, well past midnight, driving around the worst part of town taking pictures of buildings that only remained upright out of a combination of shameful pride and support from whatever run-down structure was holding it up to the left or right. I set her camera down on the empty passenger seat and wished again I'd remembered to grab my coat. The black pants and the pale blue blouse simply weren't cutting it for the trips outside.

"One more," I said to herself as I pulled up and stopped at a red light, "One more photo and I’m done for the night." I glanced into the rear-view mirror, brushed back that stubborn lock of black hair behind my ear, and then saw a light go on in the mirror.

"What the hell?" I muttered. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the light was coming from the front window of an old, run-down hotel. And parked a half-block up the street was a really nice-looking Saab. Way too nice to belong to someone who lived here.

Curious, I pulled a u-turn and drove slowly back to investigate. I picked up my camera as I pulled up next to the Saab and looked it over. A wisp of steam or smoke still curled up from the hood, and I realized someone had probably broken down. In the worst part of town. On the coldest night of the year. Whoever had broken down was probably hiding in that old hotel… yes… the door was actually ajar. Had it been ajar a moment ago?

No matter. I pulled up behind the Saab, grabbed my camera and purse, checked for the hundredth time that night to make sure the pepper spray was on top and in easy reach, and then got out of the car.

The cold hit me again, taking my breath away. I pulled my flimsy windbreaker tight over my chest and shuddered as I ran up to the old hotel. I thought I caught a glimpse of movement through the grimy lit window. I reached the door and knocked.

"Hello? Anyone in there? Do you need help with your car?"

 

[BLACK BART]

Jesse laughed again as he helped his Princess off the platform.

And the fire grew brighter within the ancient boiler...

HIS Princess he told himself again as her long legs uncrossed and her bare feet met the floor.

He was a God and that made her a Goddess...

For as long as she belonged to Him...

Jesse was reveling in the power he now possessed.

Basking in it.

But he was no fool.

For as the power poured into his body and made him stronger he KNEW where it came from...as well as WHAT else was drawing a portion of it from him...

The evil that was trapped inside the boiler.

Already he could read its thoughts...

Feel It’s Hungers...and the impatience it felt about escaping the confines of the ancient cast iron prison...Only it wasn’t strong enough…yet.

Oh yes.... Jesse knew. For the moment he was still bound to the evil...as was Janine bound to him...

Each feeding off another...and growing stronger with each passing hour.

"We have a GUEST" Jesse announced and looked to the woman who stood beside him admiring her flawless body...head to toe she was all curves…all perfection…and all HIS.

"But we are not dressed as our "station" requires..."

How good it felt to be a god...and to have an erotic and perfect goddess at his side...

And to have the power to do as he wished.

"With your perfect skin it would be such a waste to hide it all" Jesse mused and then smiled, as his wish became reality...

Janine gasped and then smiled… her hands running over the black silk that crisscrossed her upper body and left her shoulders bare before tapering to her trim waist....she now wore a floor length gown and it was obvious she wore nothing under the way it caressed her rounded buttocks without a flaw or ripple...and she laughed in glee as she pirouetted for Jesse's benefit and the skirt lifted due to the slits at each leg...

"You are indeed A Goddess" Jesse complimented watching his prize...and then frowned

"You do not like the dress?"

Janine pouted with full lush lips, her hands running over the bodice of it and making the swells of her breasts sway provocatively under the "X's" of the fabric.

“Or is it me?”

"Oh no my dear...it is like you...perfection...but still? It is lacking one tiny detail..."

With a grin Jesse winked and at Janine's throat a narrow band of leather appeared...

A choker studded with gleaming diamonds...

"To accentuate your beauty my dear...and to remind you that not only are you A goddess...you are MY goddess..."

And as Jesse gave her the gentle yet deadly serious reminder he too was dressed...a fine suit of dark cloth that showed his wide shoulders and lean waist...complete with a blood red rose in his lapel...

"Choose your shoes my dear...you always had impeccable taste in fine leather...And then we shall go greet our new...GUEST"

 

[Guest]

Janine looked in amazement at the closet that opened before her. Elegant shoes were laid out on wall-to-wall shelves and, as the open-mouthed woman looked, on Jesse pulled yet more shelves out.

After browsing – her mouth actually watering – she chose a pair of 3’ heeled sandals with fine straps crisscrossing her elegant feet that echoed the design of her equally elegant dress.

The two of them looked as if they’d just stepped from a copy of Vogue. Jesse checked Janine; her hair was up in an elegant Gibson girl with just a few seductive strands of hair escaping, she did look delicious. She would be useful to lure future male “guests”, he thought, smiling to himself.

Janine was gazing at Jesse. He looked so good, why had she not seen this in him before? In this moment of perfection she forgot about the pain he had inflicted on her as if it was a distant nightmare. All she could think of was this beautiful man before her.

The furnace gave a cough as the heat expanded the metal and she started, at that very moment a voice in the distance – somewhere above them in the hotel called out.

“Hello? Anyone in there, do you need help with your car?"

Jesse grinned, “Our guest has discovered your car, it worked. Go accept her “help”.” It was an order given tersely with no smile. Janine obeyed woodenly. As she left him, Jesse called out. “Bring her to the main lounge, make her a drink and I’ll join you there.

The “guest” turned out to be an attractive, petite Oriental girl of about Janine’s age. She grasped an expensive looking camera and a cheap purse. Janine pasted her most gracious smile on her face and moved forward.

“You must be frozen!”. She purred taking the girls elbow and feeling the inexpensive, thin fabric over the firm flesh. She felt an inexplicable feeling of arousal and pushed it aside briskly. “Come with me and get warmed up.” The girl protested mildly but allowed herself to be guided into an unexpectedly rich lounge. How odd, she thought, from the outside this place looked derelict.

Her hostess was busying herself at the bar, chattering away. “My name is Janine, by the way. What would you like to drink……..?.” She said and turned , waiting.

“Oh! I’m sorry, my name’s Chloe. A Scotch would be lovely, please. Straight up – no ice.” And they both laughed. Jesse appeared in the doorway, silently appraising the two women.

 

[Pywakit]

Chloe

I looked around the room as I waited for Janine to finish mixing the drink, enjoying the feeling of warmth seeping back into my bones. I still couldn't get over how nice the place looked inside.

"So what's the story with this place, Janine?" I asked. "I mean, it all looks pretty swank for something in this part of town. How do you keep lowlives form breaking in here?"

Janine smiled mysteriously. "Let's just say our security is quite good."

I looked around again. "I suppose it'd have to be. Anyway, I assume that was your car out front? And that you don't need help?"

Janine only shook her head as she finished mixing the drink.

"Well... um... that's good. Listen, I don't wanna be a bother then. I don't know what kind of place this is... but it's obviously none of my business and I think I should just be going." I stood up, but Janine grabbed my arm by the elbow. Her touch was warm, yet shockingly firm.

"Surely not before your drink, Chloe?" she said as she offered me the scotch. I'm not sure why I asked for it in the first place, but it did look tempting.

"Well... I'm on the road, but I suppose a few sips won't hurt," I replied as I took the glass from her hand.

 

[BLACK BART]

Jesse

"Indeed"

Jesse took the moment to step forward and accept a glass for himself.

"So Chloe...you're a photographer and have a kind heart...Are you currently on a job...or freelancing?"

"I'm following up on an idea or two...

Jesse looked past thier new guest to meet Janine's eyes...and smiled an understanding smile...

"How would you like the story of your lifetime Chloe...the ressurection of a once glorious hotel in the middle of slum town...an exclusive that only you will take part in?"

He took his glass from Janine and leaned forward to kiss her gently on the lips...

Then turned his attention to thier new guest.

"It's a once in a lifetime chance..."

 

[Guest]

Janine hitched herself up onto a bar stool and spun round to watch Jesse as he courted the “guest”. She appraised the petit girl and liked what she saw; she knew Jesse was impressed too.

As she looked on, half listening to the two converse, Janine thought back over the past few hours – or was it days? She had lost count of the time and reality and yet she didn’t care.

Her boss would start to wonder where she’d gone after snagging such a great account but he had dozens of eager up-and-comers to pick it up in her absence. After a few days he’s call the cops and place a “missing persons” with them and then she’d be freed once more. In the meantime she’d enjoy the ride.

Jesse had turned out to be a real hunk and this visitor looked delicious to her bi eyes. She salivated as she imagined playing with her, perhaps Jesse too. Janine took a sip of her Scotch to hide her feral smile.

 

[Pywakit]

Chloe

"How would you like the story of your lifetime Chloe...the resurrection of a once glorious hotel in the middle of slum town...an exclusive that only you will take part in?" The man who spoke had seemed to appear out of the shadows, but his question quickly sunk in. I looked around at the swanky interior... I would have never guessed from outside that anything this spectacular had been hidden within. I took a sip of the scotch and coughed.

“Ooof. This stuff’s pretty strong,” I said as I looked around. “Wow. This must have cost a fortune to refurbish! How’d you get all this done without anyone catching on to what you were up to? It’s amazing! So who are your clients and guests going to be? I’m sure no one nearby can afford a place like this, and are you sure the people with the deep pockets will want to come all the way down here?” I took another sip, and giggled slightly at the feeling of the strong drink as it seemed to slither throughout my entire body. “What I’m saying is, hell yeah I’d like to take part in this exclusive resurrection!” I stood up to shake the man’s hand, and staggered a bit as my head spun. “Oof... strong stuff indeed,” I said as I caught my balance. “My name’s Chloe, by the way.” Steady again, I held out my hand to shake his.

 

[BLACK BART]

"It's going to be a pleasure Chloe"

Jesse smiled and accepted the hand, wrapping his free hand possesively arounf Janine's waist and pulling her close...

"Isn't it my love?"

The touch of his hand to Chloe's was pure bliss...the energy possessed was like a sweet wine...and Jesse found he could draw from it at will...and pass it to his lover...

And smiled as he felt Janine tremble from the rush of energy he was stealing from thier guest.


"I'm enjoying myself already dearest

Janine replied with a laugh, her eyes flashing from the humor of the inside joke...or was it from the prospects of what she was going to do with Chloe?

Jesse could hardly wait to find out...

Chloe would provide a source of energy as well as a way to draw more naive victims to them...

And Jesse knew the perfect ploy...

"The people will "flock" in...once you've taken some photo's of the unfinished floors above...and then the finished below...and we present them as a charitable institution..."

He smiled and bent to kiss Janine, letting his tongue wander in her mouth for long seconds before breaking...and explaining.

"We'll send the photos to select people...the richest and most egotistict...they'll fight over the opportunity to be photographed and donate to such a noble cause...giving them the fame they crave...and the chance to throw the fact they are supporters of this grand renovation."

Only they would be donating more than money Jesse knew...and smiled at the thought...

"You and your photographs along with such a sweet story will be the success of it all Chloe"

Jesse promised and carressed Janine's ass...

"And we'll bask in the pleasure of it all coming together."

 

[Guest]

Janine watched Chloe as she stumbled, reaching out to grasp Jesse’s offered hand. She was already feeling the effect of the drink plus the “little extra” Jesse had slipped in unseen.

Janine knew what Jesse expected of her, they had often discussed his desire to see her with another woman during their time as lovers but the occasion never arose. Now here it was! After initially denying it, Janine had come to desire the same and it excited her to imagine seducing this nubile young girl.

She returned Jesse’s kiss and accepted his hands as they fondled her. Jesse buttered up the photographer, flattering her until her flawless skin flushed – or was that the drink? Janine smiled – a cat-like smile – and sat on one of the couches, slipping off her elegant shoes and curling up. She patted the seat beside her.

“Come and sit here, Chloe, while Jesse freshens your drink.”

Chloe tottered over giggling at her unsteadiness.

“Ooops!” She laughed and collapsed onto the couch, her head landing in Janine’s lap.

“No need for that now.” Janine said smiling at Jesse as he held the drink out to the unconscious girl.

“Let’s get her downstairs.” He said. “I’m not sure how long that drug lasts and I want her on the bed and conscious for you.”

“Won’t she need to be cuffed?” Asked Janine.

“Not for an hour or so. When she comes round she’ll be helpless, aware of everything but with no use in her muscles, paralysed.”Jesse said gathering the sleeping girl in his arms

Between them they easily carried the limp girl to the basement where, earlier, Janine had been secured. She only had a vague feeling of dread as they entered but her desire for Chloe soon replaced it.

The platform was now set up as a large bed and they laid Chloe on it. Cuffs were at the ready for wrists and ankles to be attached to rings designed to spread-eagle a person.

Jesse used a blade to cut every stitch of her clothing cut from her and Janine was pleased to notice she was neatly shaven with a trim little V on her mons.

“Now we just have to wait for Sleeping Beauty to wake up.” Said Jesse taking a bottle of Scotch from a hidden cupboard and pouring two glasses. He handed one to Janine and held his out to her.

“Here’s to Chloe! May she bring us both long life and much pleasure.”

 

[Pywakit]

Chloe

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but whatever it was, I hoped it would never end. I felt like I was floating along on a current, a wonderful, warm river, flowing through a pastoral landscape. Flowers bloomed along the banks and birds called in the air. Although I was on my back, floating down the river, my skin didn’t feel cold, or even wet. It was almost as if the river was made of cloud, and it was somehow holding me aloft. Before long, the river seemed to pick up speed. I was floating down a rapid now, over waterfalls and through spray after spray of misty plummets, yet I felt no fear or pain, only a delicious sense of being carried along. On one level, none of it made any sense. I could remember talking to those two strange people in the hotel... what were their names? Jesse? Janine? It was so hard to remember.

Now I had reached the sea, and I floated along its surface idly and softly. I felt soft breezes wash over my body, rustling almost like the feeling of cloth slithering over my skin. And then... suddenly... I felt weight return... a cold draft over my body...

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open. I was laying on a bed, I could feel the mattress under me. I tried to sit up, but my body didn’t move. Panic began to well up inside me, and when I realized I was naked the panic exploded. I tried to scream, to cover myself, but still my traitorous body ignored me. I could feel everything... the mattress, the cool air on my nipples, my breath washing over my lips in even, regular intakes, yet I couldn’t do anything more than move my eyes. And as I moved them to the left, I saw them sitting at the edge of the bed. Jesse and Janine, drinks in their hands, watching me. And finally, the panic gave way to pure and gutwrenching fear.