The Games Players – America – Part 1

Washington State

One of the things that is nice about having a daughter who is under school age is we can take long holidays out of season – which is why Janna and I had flown into Seattle yesterday with her, and rented a mobile home for a week. I’d always wanted to see something of America – but we didn’t want to do California, or Florida, or those sorts of places.

So we were spending two weeks on the road – driving with the intention of ending up at Dallas for our flight home. A well-earned break – but we also wanted to keep our hand in different, unexplored locations.

So one of the first things we did was stop at a store – well several stores – and picked up enough supplies so we could do some visits during our first week. We were both aware that it was more difficult – and more dangerous – in the US to do what we love doing.

What do I mean by that? Well, let’s start with the obvious – guns and the fact most families are perceived by us as having one. So if we go into a home, we need to make sure that very real risk is reduced, either by making sure the younger members of the family were secured first, or making it very clear when we start that we know where any guns are.

There’s also the police issues – they are also armed, so we need to make sure we can get in and out as quietly as possible. And in addition, there are cultural issues – I mean, come on, we’re British. That might work to our advantage, it might not.

It also mean we would not have time to do the sort of research we normally would – but somehow, that added to the excitement of it. Remember, we had our daughter with us – so it was impossible for both of us to do a visit and play our games at the same time!

And so it was, as we drove south of Seattle, we stopped off in a small town and went for a walk.

As we did, we saw a young family walk past – husband, wife, three girls and a young boy holding his mother’s hand. They were just looking in windows, and then went into a small restaurant, so we took Tammy in with us and took a nearby table, listening to the conversation. As Janna looked at me, I slowly nodded, as she said it was all right if I did the first one.

So she took Tammy back to the RV, and I walked behind them as they went into a side street, and then walked into a white single storey building. I nodded, and then went back to where we were staying…

The next day, I was watching as the husband drove off and along the road. I was wearing a blue jacket over a denim shirt, jeans and trainers, and with a baseball cap on my head – but as I walked quickly over, I removed the cap and pulled the stocking down over my head, before I quietly let myself in through the front door.

Closing it noiselessly, I heard footsteps at the back of the house, and the sound of a television in a nearby room. Looking carefully in, I smiled as I saw the three girls watching television. All three were wearing grey and white striped dresses – the two oldest girls also had on white leggings, while the youngest was wearing grey ones. All three were also wearing brown Ugg boots.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and walked in, taking off the rucksack I was wearing as I said “hello girls – are you ready for a surprise game?”

The oldest girl looked at me, a white bow in her blonde hair, and said “who are you?”

“Good question,” I said as I smiled under the stocking, “I am the Masked Marvel, and today your mom had asked me to come and do a very special magic trick with all of you. Now, who are you?”

“I’m April,” she said, “and this is May.” I looked at the second girl, who was wearing a white cardigan over her dress, as she nodded and said “you’re a magician?”

“Of sorts,” I said as I looked at the youngest girl. She was wearing a grey cardigan, and her darker hair was in bunches.

“Holly,” she said with a lips.

“And how old are you all?”

“I’m six – they are nine and seven.”

“Thank you Holly – so, the thing is, your mom wants you all to see this special trick and feel what it is like, before she joins you to play.” Putting my rucksack down, I took out a skein of rope and shook it free, doubling it over as April said “what is that for?”

“I can use just this rope to make sure you stay exactly where you are, and cannot move,” I said with a smile. “It’s a dare as well – and brave girls will love it. Can I show on one of you?”

“You can do it to me,” May said, the other girls watching as I came behind her and draped the rope round her arms, pulling it tight as her arms were forced against her sides. As I did this, I looked at the other two girls. Holly was biting her lower lip, but April seemed to be excited at what was happening.

“Wow – what else are you going to do,” May said, April and Holly watching as I came round and tied the rope round her wrists as well.

“Can you bend your legs and put your hands down on them,” I said, May nodding as I took the rope between her legs and tied them together below her knees, and then round her ankles.

“Can you move,” Holly whispered, May twisting from side to side before she said “no – and it doesn’t hurt either.”

“I told you – so, do you two want to be the same.”

Both April and Holly nodded, but April said “will you let me take care of my sister, Mister Masked Marvel?” I nodded as Holly said “thank you,” then sat next to her sister as I gave April the rope, watching as she copied me.

“Did you enjoy doing that,” I asked as she tied the rope between Holly’s ankles.

“Yeah – do me now..”

And so, a few minutes later, all three girls were sitting with their backs to a couch, trussed and looking at each other.

“So there’s my trick – but if you want, I can do one more thing which will show your mom just how much you are enjoying this.”

“Will Mom really be the same as us?”

“Well, I guarantee it – but if you like, I may get her to get drinks for all of you before the final part of the trick. Can I do it to May first?”

As she nodded, I took a roll of clear tape and tore a strip off, and then pressed it down on her lips. She nodded to show she was all right, and then I helped the other two to have their voices muffled as well.

That was when the door opened, and the lady of the house came in. Holding her hand was the younger boy, who was wearing a grey sweatshirt, jeans and brown shoes.

“Mommy, why are the girls like that?”

“I don’t know, Bobby – but they are smiling. Who did this to you girls?”

“I did – I am the Masked Marvel, and I am here to do the magic trick you booked me to do to the family. Don’t they look good like that?”

She turned and looked at me, as Bobby gripped his mother’s legs. “He’s scary Mommy,” he said quietly, “I don’t want to be like them.”

He was starting to cry, as Holly said “lhhtmththlk.” I walked over and peeled the tape from her mouth, as she said “Bobby, it’s all right – I was scared as well, so April did this to me. I promise you; he won’t hurt you – will he Mom?”

Their mother shook her head as she said “Bobby, we’ll all play together – look, if I do it, will you be scared? You know I won’t hurt you.”

Bobby looked at his mother, and then nodded as he sat next to Holly. I handed his mother the rope, and said “do what I did to the others. Go gently, but make sure it is tight.”

“Just keep thinking I am hugging you,” she said as she put the rope over his arms, while I re-gagged Holly. I then said “will you let your mom put the tape over your mouth as well?” As he nodded, I tore a strip of clear tape and handed it to his mother, who gently pressed it over his mouth. I said “now, I did promise them you would fetch them a drink Mom, and then you would join them. So why don’t you come with me, and we can take care of that?”

“Sure,” she said quietly as she stood up, “you four stay there?”

“Whchcnhmhfmhm,” April said, the others nodding as I escorted her out of the room. She was wearing a dark grey long top, with the tops of her jeans tucked into knee length baggy black boots, the same shade of blonde hair as April and May.

“Listen very carefully,” I whispered as we left the room, “you have already guessed I am here to rob you – and the children all think this is a game you have agreed they can play. What do you think would happen if you told them the truth?”

She looked at me, and then slowly nodded as she said “I get it – and I understand. They seem almost – happy to be playing this game.”

“And you bringing back some cartons will help with that – but before then, do you have a gun in the house?” She shook her head, and I smiled as I said “why don’t we find your valuables, nice and calmly…”

The family were pleased to see her come back, putting four juice cartons down and putting the straws in as I peeled the clear tape away from their mouths. Both of us helped them both to have a drink, before she said “well, The Masked Marvel is bow going to make me just like you.”

“Thanks. Masked Marvel,” April said as I found more rope, and made sure their mother was just like them – arms forced against her sides, wrists tied together on er thighs, legs secured below her knees, and her ankles. But for her, I used white micropore tape to cover her mouth, the children opening their eyes wide when they saw.

“Oh wow,” Holly said, “do that to us as well.”

Which is why I left all five of them bound and gagged, leaving a box of chocolates that I said were the reward for who got free first, and left them to have fun….

Oregon

On the drive to our next stop that night, Steve told me what had happened. I was proud of him for coping as he did – and glad they did not have a gun in that house. It was going to be my turn, and I have to admit, although we carry starting pistols I was not sure how I would react of a real gun was pointed at me.

We drove over the border into Oregon, admiring the change in the landscapes as we went along, and stopped in another small town for a meal at a diner. Because we are so used to the joys of motorway services in the UK, the fact it was a much more family friendly business, and a far better choice of food, was a wonderful thing.

Even if the portions were too big by far – the joy of doggy bags was growing on us.

As we were eating, a smartly dressed man came in with his family, and took a seat in another both. When our waitress brought more iced water for us, Steve asked who it was, and she told us he owned the diner and a number of other businesses in the town.

We looked at them – he was tall, broad shouldered, his wife and two children with blonde hair. Tammy then started giggling, as Steve asked what his name was – and then when we went back to the RV, we did a quick goggle search which revealed an article in a local paper about their home life – Donald Burns, his wife Amelia, and their children Alice and Lewis.

So the next day, I watched from a distance as Alice and Lewis got off a yellow bus and walked up to the house. Alice was wearing a denim jacket over a red dress, and Lewis a grey jacket and shorts with a blue top under the jacket.

They both walked into the house, and then I walked along the road. I was casually dressed – jeans, jumper, trainers, and a small rucksack over my back which I slipped off and carried in my hand as I went up the side of the house. Pausing for a moment to add the stocking mask and put on some gloves, before I peeked into the kitchen through the rear window.

I could see Amelia Burns with her back to the window, wearing a red, white and grey tartan print dress with shoulder straps. She was barefoot, and seemed to be doing something on the work surface. Taking a deep breath, I drew the starting pistol from my rucksack and opened the door.

She turned as she heard me, with her long blonde hair hanging loose, her eyes wide as she whispered “oh shit…”

“Stay calm,” I said as I closed the door, “I honestly do not want anyone here to be hurt or upset, and the key to that is you remaining calm, Mrs Burns. Just do as I say, all will be well. Are you and the children the only people home at the moment?”

She looked at me, and then nodded as she whispered “yes…”

“Good – this is what I want you to do. We’re going to play a game – you, me and the children. A game of Robbers – one you and your husband arranged as a surprise. If you go along with that, I find everyone stays calm and we have no problems. Will you do that for me?”

Amelia slowly nodded, as I said “good – now, please come over here. If I start with you, you can then help the children to play along as well.” As she slowly walked over, I put my rucksack down, the starting pistol next to it, and took a roll of white tape from the inside.

“Now, turn round, and put your hands behind your back.”

“I have your word; the children will be unhurt?”

“You have my word,” I said as I taped her wrists together behind her back, and then took the tape down over her hands. I then wrapped the tape round her waist, so that her hands were held against her back, and round her upper arms and chest.

“Now – I suggest we start with your daughter – Alice is her name, yes?” Amelia nodded as I said “so, you tell her this is a game, and you want her to play.” I then picked up the bag and pistol as we walked down the corridor, and up the stairs to the bedrooms.

I knocked on a door as Amelia said “Alice, can I come in? There’s something I would like you to do.”

“Sure Mom,” a young girl said, and I opened the door to let Amelia walk in front of me. Alice had removed her jacket and shoes, and as she looked at us she said “mom, who is this lady?”

“Your dad and I have asked her to come and play a game with all of us,” Amelia said with a smile, “a game of Robbers. Now, the good news is that I want you to play – and the even better news is it means you don’t have to do any assignments until later.”

“Really?” Alice had long blonde hair like her mother, as she said “well, what do I have to do?”

“Well,” Amelia said, “at first, be like me. So why don’t you let this lady use some tape to make you like me?”

“Okay,” the young girl said as she came over and turned round, allowing me to tape her wrists and hands together, and then wind the tape round her waist as well. “What will happen after that mom?”

“We will get Lewis playing as well, and then the lady will keep us all together in my bedroom – won’t you?”

“Of course,” I said as I used more of the tape to secure Alice’s arms to her sides – and that was when I heard a young boy say “Step away from my family.”

“Lewis – where did you get that,” Amelia said as she turned round – and I saw the boy of the house standing there, pointing a very real pistol at me.

“I got it from Pop’s desk,” Lewis said, “I don’t want this robber to hurt you, so step away – or I will use this?”

As you can imagine, I just looked at him for a few minutes, seeing my past flash before my eyes – he was scared, his hands were shaking, and I’ had to do something.

“You’re Lewis, right,” I finally said, “what makes you think I am hurting your mother and sister?”

“You’re wearing a mask, and you’ve tied up Mom and Alice – so you’re robbing us, and I’m going to stop you,” he said quietly. He had short fair hair, and was looking at all of us in turn.

“You’re right – I am wearing a mask, Lewis, and I have made sure your mom and sister cannot move their hands or arms – because this is all part of the game organised by your mom and pop. Isn’t that right, Mrs Burns?”

“that’s right,” Amelia said as she fixed her eyes on Lewis, “and I have to say, you were very brave to say the robber had to stop Lewis. But this really is a game we have arranged – and I think you need to do what the lady says as part of the game. We’re not hurt – are we Alice?”

“No Mom – it’s quite nice actually, and you were very brave Lewis,” his sister said, “but it’s time for you to play as well.”

He looked at me as I said “Please, Lewis, we don’t want anyone to get really hurt – put the gun down on your sister’s bed, and you can play as well.”

“All right – because Mom says it is just a game,” he said as he slowly put the gun down, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you Lewis – please, come and join us, and I will make sure you are the same as your mother and sister.”

“Okay,” he said as he slowly put the gun down, and came over to allow me to tape his wrists, hands and arms in the same way as the others. When I was done, I said “all right – let’s all go through to your parent’s bedroom, and I’ll make sure you stay on the bed while your mom tells me where her valuables are. She’ll join you there then.”

“It does feel nice,” Lewis said to Alice as we walked to the master bedroom, and I helped them both to sit on the bed, before I taped their ankles and legs together. As I did, Amelia said “I think the lady needs to make sure you cannot call for help while we talk – so be brave, and pucker your lips for her.”

“Okay Mom,” Lewis said as I helped them both to lie on the bed, and then tore a length of the tape free from the roll, pressing it firmly down over his mouth and covering the lower half of his face from ear to ear. He watched as I did the same thing to Alice, before I said “now, just lie still while your mom and I play out the next part of the game. She’ll join you after that.”

“Hkhhh,” they both said as I looked at Amelia. “Good – I’m going to put your valuables in my rucksack, Mrs Burns, so tell me where to look.” We then searched the bedroom as I put her jewellery, money and other valuables into the rucksack, the two children watching quietly as I did so.

“Good,” I eventually said, “can you two let your mother lie between you?”

They both nodded as they moved to the sides of the bed, and Amelia sat on the foot, watching as I taped her ankles and legs together. She then pushed herself back, kissing her children on the foreheads before she rested her head on the pillows, and I gagged her with the tape.

“Now, I am going to wait downstairs with the bag,” I said quietly as I switched on the bedside radio. “Wait an hour, and then see who can get free first. There will be drinks and snacks waiting downstairs, all right?”

“Whlwwehhhtt,” Amelia said, the other two nodding as they rested their heads on her chest. I smiled and walked out of the room, down the stairs, made sure the snacks and drinks I promised were in the front room, and then hightailed it out of there…

Nevada

When Janna told me about the young boy and the gun, I was so proud of her for the way she handled it – and so scared that something tragic may have happened. I made sure she and Tammy spent the next day together while I did the driving, heading south and east until we crossed the state border into Nevada.

And no – Las Vegas was never ever on the bucket list. Not the place to take a toddler, right? So we stuck to the more rural areas, and it was there we noticed a farmhouse with the American flag flying proudly – and Trump signs on the roadside.

Now, whatever I may feel about the Orange One, that doesn’t affect what I decide to do or what Janna decides to do – what did was when we pulled in to refuel, and we saw this blonde-haired woman wearing a sleeveless top with the Stars and Stripes printed on it, jeans and sandals. She had three kids with her – a boy and two girls. One of the girls and the boy looked like they were about eleven years old – possibly twins – the boy wearing a red t-shirt with Uncle Sam skull and crossbones on the front, checked shorts and flip flops, the girl a white t-shirt with an American flag heart on it, and short red checked shorts with her own flip-flops. They both had dark hair, while the younger girl had blonde hair – but similar clothes to her sister.

What really annoyed me and Janna, however, was that they were harassing a couple of other families, jeering at them and telling them to “go back where they came from.” We looked at each other, and thought they needed a lesson in humility, so we paid and followed them right back to that farmhouse.

They obviously did not have much other than a bad attitude – but as Janna said to me, just for once, do what we really do…

When I let myself into the house, I was wearing black – including the stocking pulled down over my head, and the gloves on my hand. Janna had taken Tammy into town where we had seen a soft play area – but I was determined.

Slowly, I walked up the stairs, and listened at the door of one room.

“Did you see the way they looked at us?”

“Yeah – I’ll be back in a minute.”

Standing back, I saw the older girl come out, red and white ribbons in her hair – but today, I was not being the Games Player, so I grabbed her from behind, my gloved hand over her mouth as I pressed the starting pistol against her back, and frog marched her back into the room.

The boy stared at me, as I growled “not a sound kid – or I hurt your sister. Lie face down on the bed, hands on your head.”

“Dwhhthshssthdd,” the girl mumbled into my hand as he stared at her.

“Now, kid.”

I watched as he slowly walked over and lay down, before I said to the girl “if I take my hand away, are you going to scream and shout?” She shook her head, so I took my hand away as she said “please, don’t hurt me or Todd.”

“Why not? I hear you like to harass others who are not like you- I’m bigger and stronger than you.”

“Cass, please – don’t make him angry,” Todd said as he turned his head.

“Smart move – now shut up,” I said as I slipped my rucksack off, and took some rope out, pulling Cass’s hands behind her back and binding them tightly together with rope. She was starting to cry, as I said “not a sound, got it?”

“Yes…”

“Good – now lie down next to your brother on your stomach.” I watched as she lay on the bed, and then took Todd’s hands behind his back, crossing his wrists before I bound them tightly together with more rope.

I then took more rope, and crossed and bound their ankles tightly together as Todd said “why are you doing this?”

“I’m doing what Trump wants – taking what I want and not caring who gets hurt.”

“That’s not what Mommy and Poppa say,” Cass said as I pulled the rope between her ankles.

“Well, they are wrong – his message is clear to me. Greed is good, and I want what you have.” I finished binding Todd’s ankles, before I pulled his ankles back and tied them to his wrists.

Doing the same to Cass, I then rolled them onto their sides as I went to the door and found a pair of white sports socks.

“Please, don’t do that -we’ll be quiet, I promise,” Todd said as I came over and folded the socks into two pads.

“I know you both will,” was my only reply before I pushed the socks into their mouths, then found the white tape in my rucksack and covered their mouths with strips. “Don’t struggle – you’ll make yourself sick, and that’s not a good idea.”

It actually felt – liberating to not seek to keep the kids calm, they both looked suitably frightened as I left them there, and went to the next bedroom. It had “Martha’s room” on a sign on the door, so I opened the door and went in. The younger girl was sitting on a chair at a table, with a set of headphones on and she was humming to herself.

So I went straight in – putting my gloved hand over her mouth and pulling her head back so that she was looking up at me.

“Hi Martha,” I said quietly, “I’m going to tie you up and gag you. I already have done this to your brother and sister, and now it’s your turn. Nod if you understand.”

“Phlssnhhh…”

“Oh yes – after all, I need to stop anyone who gets in my way, like the President said.” I showed her the white tape, and said “I’m going to take my hand away – don’t make a sound, little girl, just keep those lips closed.”

She whimpered – and I had to steel myself to be the big bad robber as I took my hand away, peeled lengths of tape from the roll, and pressed them down over her mouth. I then took her hands behind the back of the chair and used rope to secure her wrists together, then to the chair support.

Turning her round, I saw the fear in her eyes as I knelt down and bound her bare ankles together. “Don’t cry or struggle – if you struggle, you’ll puke, and if you puke you’ll choke.”

“Hwhthtnmhmmh.”

“I’ll take you to her when I’m done,” I said as I pulled her ankles back and tied them to the seat support, then turned her round as I said “listen to the music, stay still.” She was petrified – but I left her there and checked on her brothers and sisters, before I went to the master bedroom.

Their mother was asleep on her bed – until I put my gloved hand over her mouth and she opened her eyes wide, staring at me.

“Hi – don’t make a sound, you Trump lover you. I’m here to live out his teaching that we should take what we want, and not worry about who gets hurt.”

“Btthshrhhttt…”

“Then you don’t mind proving that” I said with a cruel smile on my lips. “Are you going to take my lesson?”

There was genuine fear in my eyes, as I said “your kids are tied up and gagged as well – to keep them out of the way. I’m going to take my hand away, and I want you to roll over, put your hands behind your back.”

She nodded slowly, so I took my hand away, as she said “You deserve to be shot.”

“For what – doing what he asked us to do, taking control, making sure we get what we want?”

“But that’s our dream – OW.” The shout was because she had rolled over and I was starting to bind her wrists tightly together with the rope – and yes, I had pulled it very tight.

“That does not make it right – it’s a basic human need to help those who need help,” I said as I pulled the rope between her arms, and then tied the ends off. I then crossed her ankles and lashed them together with rope as well, the rope digging into her flesh.

“If you’ve hurt my babies…”

“Oh they’ll be fine – I just stopped hem moving or talking.” I pulled her bound ankles back and tied them to her wrists – I wasn’t going to waste time with more ropes, not on her.

“You bastard…”

“Why – for taking what I want and believe is mine? Isn’t that your American dream – to be best?”

She stared at me as I said this, and then fell silent as I pushed a pair of her panties into her mouth, and taped it over – then took what little jewellery she had, before I left and carried young Martha in, tied to her chair.

“There – see if you can help her now,” I said as I left them. Did I feel good doing this to them? Strangely, I didn’t exactly feel bad…

Arizona

I have to admit, it took me a couple of days to calm down after Steve described his visit – it was so unlike him. I mean, I was angry as well at what happened there, but…

As we drove further into the heartlands, it was obvious the support for – him – was getting stronger but we both had to let go of whatever we felt about them and what they supported. It was upsetting for us, and also I have to admit a bit of a distraction from our holiday and what we wanted to do.

So when Steve asked about if anyone had been catching my eye as we drove into the town, I had to admit I was wondering what would happen if I just went in and was serious – and then I saw two people coming out of a jewellery store.

The older woman had long blonde hair, a grey jacket over a lilac blue dress with a deep neckline and a ruffed knee length skirt, as well as black heels. The other girl had darker hair, but was quite obviously her daughter. She was wearing a purple t-shirt under a grey jacket, her short skirt the same shade of grey, and flat black slippers.

They kissed each other on the cheek as walked in different directions, the mother heading off with a slip case under her arm.

“Conservative family, may be worth a visit,” I said quietly, “follow her daughter and I’ll get some supplies together…”

A short while later, I got out of the SUV in front of a large single storey house, which was built as if it was an old western ranch house, as Steve drove off. I was wearing a black sweater and leggings, the legs tucked into short black boots, as I looked round and then walked quickly round to the back of the house, pulling on my leather gloves as I did so. There was a large yard out back, but no sign of anyone, so I pulled the stocking down and let myself in.

I could hear someone talking as I went into the hallway, so I walked slowly down and listened for a moment.

“Yeah – I know, next time we meet up you can show me what happened.

“I’m just glad you and the rest of the family are all right – I’ll call you soon Arwen, bye for now.”

Well, the end of a conversation is always a good time to start, so I opened the door and looked at her as she turned round.

“What the – who are you?”

“Well, you see, your parents have hired me to…” I stopped as she shook her head, and said “you’re serious – you were going to tell me my parents have arranged a game of hostages and they want me to play first?”

Looking at her, I said “yeah – you are a bit old for that. What’s your name?”

“Mary – fourteen and loving it,” she said as she stood there. “So I take it this is a robbery?”

“Yes it is – so I need you to do what I tell you, and then we’ll be just fine.”

“Hey – are you British? Are you one of those Games Players?”

“Yes – why?”

Mary laughed as she said “Arwen will never believe this?”

“Who is Arwen?”

“My older cousin – she was in a robbery at her home a few weeks ago. Two masked and very polite men tied her, her mother and sister up, and gagged them before they robbed them.”

I had heard of two such men, as I said “well, where is your mother?”

“She won’t be back for a while – so you going to tie me up?”

“I am,” I said as I slipped off my rucksack. “Have you ever been tied up before?”

“For a laugh – so hands behind my back?”

I nodded as she turned and put her hands behind her back, crossing her wrists as I took rope from my rucksack and then using it to bind them together. “When dies your father get home?”

“Him – hmm how about the twelfth of never?”

“And that’s a long long time,” I replied as I pulled the rope between her wrists and then tied the ends off. Mary twisted her hands, and hen said “tight, comfortable – and certainly the tightest I have ever had. Not bad…”

“Sit on the bed, and I’ll secure your ankles,” I said, Mary sitting down and watching as I took more rope from my rucksack, and then secured her ankles snugly together. As I tied the rope off, I looked up and said “no problem so far?”

“No – why?”

“Because it’s time to show you what happens if we do this right,” I said as I took more rope, and passed it round her legs below her knees. “Oh my – I mean, I saw the films, but…”

“Hmmm?”

“It does feel kinda nice,” Mary said as I tied the rope off and she twisted her legs round. “So come on – that shtick really works?”

“You would be surprised,” I said as I looked at her, “parents will do anything if they think it will protect their young ones.”

“Fair enough – but surely the kids don’t always go along with it?”

My thoughts went back to a few days ago, before I said “true – and there have been times we have been honest with some to make sure other, younger children do not feel so scared. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“Nah – so it tends to be boyfriends who tie me up. I’ll have to tell them how to do this- my hands tied the same way as my ankles and legs?”

“That’s right – but it’s still not enough.” Mary watched as I took the longer rope out of my rucksack, doubled it over, and then wrapped it round her and pulled it tight under her chest.

“Ah…. Ah….”

“Feels different, right?”

“Oh yes,” Mary said quietly as I took the rope round her chest and forced her arms against her sides, before securing the ends – just as we both heard a car pull up. Looking out of her window, I smiled and said “your mother is home – and she is going to have to play along as well.”

“She’s going to be a bit different you know?”

“Well, let’s see,” I said as we heard the door open and close, and then a voice call out “Mary?”

“In my room Mom – come on up,” Mary said as I stood by the door, hearing the footsteps and then seeing the door open.

“How do you feel about – MARY! WHAT HAPPENED!”

“Well, Mom, it turns out Uncle Dudley and the others are not the only ones going to be robbed by a masked intruder,” Mary said, almost matter of factly.

“Oh god – I need to call the police, I need to…”

“Mom?”

The older woman looked at her as she said “Mom, meet the intruder. Intruder, this is my Mom, Chris.”

She slowly turned round and looked at me as I said “hello – please, don’t call the police or make any more noise. I’m just going to tie you up and take your valuables – then leave you and Mary to get free

“If you can?”

“No… Please…”

“MOM!”

I saw Chris look at her daughter as Mary said “Mom, calm down – seriously, I thought I was the kid here. I know it looks tight – actually, it is tight – but I’m fine, and you will be fine too. Let her do the same to you.”

Chris looked at the fourteen-year-old, and then nodded as I said “give me your jacket and your purse, and then put your hands behind your back.”

“Breath Mom,” Mary said as I took the jacket and purse, putting them on the bed next to her daughter before I took rope and secured Chris’ wrists together behind her back. She looked over her shoulder, and said “how can you be so calm.”

“Not the first time I’ve been tied up Mom – and it’s not the first for you wither.”

“What do you mean?”

“Uncle Dudley spilled the beans when I was over a few weeks back, before they were robbed,” Mary said, Chris shaking her head as I tied the ropes off, and then gasping as I tied the ropes round her upper body.

“See – it’s tight, but it’s not so bad. Look – can you leave us together?”

“I can – if you both accept I will make it as difficult as possible for you both to get free.”

“Goes with the time, I guess,” Mary said as I pulled the ropes tighter and then tied them off behind Chris’ back.

“Okay – so what now?”

“We go to your bedroom, and you tell me where you keep your valuables – that way, minimal mess.”

“And how does Mary get through?”

I watched Mary as she pushed herself onto her feet, stood for a moment, and then started to jump out of the room.

“Bright kid?”

Chris just nodded as I picked up my rucksack and we followed her down the corridor, and into her mother’s bedroom, before she sat down on the bed and said “you’d better tell her where to look Mom – we can talk about all this later.”

“Okay,” Chris said as we spent a pleasant half hour with me taking her valuables, and Mary watching. I then sat her mother on the bed as I said “can you lie on your side, facing the middle?”

“Sure,” Mary said as she did that, and Chris sat down as I stook more ropes, and secured her ankles together, as well as her legs below her knees.

“Mary says you live alone?”

“Yeah – we’ll get out of this though.”

“Somehow, Mom, I don’t think we will get out of this that easily,” Mary said as she watched me working. Chris just nodded before I stood up and helped her to lie on her side – and then pulled her bound ankles back, and secured them to the ropes round her chest.

“No – it’s not going to be that easy,” she said as she watched me walk round and hogtie Mary in the same way, “but it does feel – comfortable. That can’t be right.”

“Why not? Mom, Uncle Dudley did this to you, as well.”

“Yeah – I’ll tell you about them later,” Chris said as I rolled up a white scarf, and then used it as a cleave gag on her.

“Arwen said that was done to her and her mother as well – hope it’s clean.”

“Naturally,” I said as I cleave gagged Mary, pulling back the corners of her mouth as she said “Hsnnthshbhdhfhr.”

“Nhhhchnthkths,”

“Good – and thank you both,” I said as I left them in the room. It was good to do it without any problems – and also without playing a game in that way…

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