The Emerald Chronicles

Chapter 2

By Alexandra and Jen

It had been two weeks since my run in with Lou and Udo, and I'd learned my lessons from that encounter. I had taken the time to add a small utility belt, a compartmented belt, to my own outift. At the moment, I had some money, a spare handcuff key, some cuffs, a can of mace, and a flashlight on it, and a few other items.

Now, once more I was moving through the shadows of the city, seeking evil doers, and fully expecting to find them. I was two hours into my patrol, when I once more heard the sound of breaking glass, which was quickly followed by an alarm going off. I moved to the corner, taking a moment to peek around it. I saw a storefront, a jewelry shop in fact, with a smashed front window. There were no cars on the street, and no lookouts, so I moved quickly, but cautiously, to the window. As I approached it, I heard more breaking glass, which was probably display cases.

Peeking inside, I saw a lone villian, a woman. She was wearing a dark blue cotton bodystocking, with matching gloves and tights. She, like me, was a blonde, and stood over 6' tall in her heels. However, she was unaware of me, as I slipped into the store, and moved towards her, even with the sounds of cruching glass under my own boots. Her own noise, as she stuffed jewels into a sack, and the alarm, masked any I was making.

I was nearly to her when she stiffened and started to turn. I quickly closed the distance, striking at her neck. However, her turn took her neck away from the blow, and I merely hit her on the shoulder, spinning her back, and out of reach.

"Wh-ah damnit!" She hopped up quickly, but looked hurt. Still, she droped her sack and stood ready, eyeing me warily.

"It's not nice to steal." I quipped, taking a step back myself, and keeping a close eye on her.

"Oh, you meddling...it's not nice to interrupt, either." She looked at me, then the window, then the cases, probably deciding whether to try and fight me or flee.

"How about you put the jewelry back, and head home, and we'll forget all about you being here, and not bring the cops in." I said to her After all she was a fellow woman, I thought I'd give her a break.

She clenched and unclenched her hands. "Oh, that's right neighborly of you, sister" she replied in a fake Southern accent. "How about you turn around and close your eyes? I'm in a rush, you know." She then took a handful of jewelry and glass in her left hand and grinned at me.

As I stood ready, I said "Well, maybe you shoulda used an ATM, then. Not like you can spend that."

"An...ha! Very funny. Who are you, The Comedienne? It just so happens I don't intend to spend this. They don't call me The Collector for nothing, but I guess I can part with a few baubles." She then tossed her handful at my face in a quite predictable move, and then lept at me, her arms outstretched.

I went under the handful, and the Collector, and with a graceful tackle, I took her legs out, and then flipped her hard to the floor. She tried to grab my arm, to roll me off her, but before she could, I rolled her onto her stomach, straddling her. She grabbed my right forearm with both of hers, and, with my left, I pulled a set of cuffs from my belt.

I gasped. "Let go of my arm!" I said, pretending to try and free it. In the meantime, though, I had secured one cuff of my pair of handcuffs to the nearly display cases leg. Then I reached over, and clicked the other side shut on her left wrist.

She howled in rage, thrashing, but, within moments, I'd pulled her right arm wide, and repeated the process on another display case leg, leaving her face down on the floor, arms wide apart and cuffed.

Then I smiled at her, found the phone, called the police and waited for them. After turning her over to them, I continued my patrol. I went about a block, then slipped into an alley, using it to shift to a different part of town to check. I passed many garbage cans, and litter, as I went deeper into the alley, which was narrowing a bit. As I walked, I felt a hand on my ankle.

I pulled it free, and looked down, and saw a bum. He looked at my leg, then up it, and I knelt down by him. "Is there something I can help you with?" I asked.

At the sound of my voice his eyes moved to my face where they roamed somewhat hazily. He grinned, revealing his fairly toothless mouth. "Hehehe" he said, then coughed "I giss you can." He lifted an open hand, palm up, just in front of his body, clearly hoping for a handout. His eyes, meanwhile, settled lower once more, they were possibly even closed, or perhaps they were drawn to the crotch of my suit, nicely displayed as I crouched.

I smiled. I pulled a $10 from the small cache of money I had secured in a compartment on my belt, and dropped it into his hand. "There you go" I said as I stood.

The sight of a bill completely distracted him from any unpure thoughts. As I stood and walked on, his croaking "Thank you, thanks, missy" followed me, to which I called back a cheery "You're welcome." After a while, I came to a junction and turned left down another squalid alley.

Not too long after I turned, I came across another bum. He was standing, and not nerely so miserable as the first. He looked fairly fit, leaning against the left wall, although his rags were tattered enough, and he looked up as I approached. I saw a white grin, as he took my admittedly great body and awesome outfit in, then he said "Evening."

"Hi" I said cheerfully. "How are you tonight?"

Now that I was up closer, I could see that he was younger than the first bum, and looked to be intact. He was leaning against a door, and directly across from another. "Purty good. Better now's I see you. A genuine superheroine in my alley! Wass' your name, sweetheart?" He grinned at me again.

"I'm Emerald. Has anyone been hassling you or your friends lately?"

"Emerald..." the fellow's voice was cheerful enough, if a bit loud and slightly grating. "...well, 'smatter of fact, yah." He looked both ways, and leaned toward me conspiratorially, and I leaned forward, closer to him.

He got his face quite close to mine, although his voice was still uncomfortably loud. He sort of waggled a finger at me, emphasizing that what he said was important. "It's been kind of rough for us guys here...hassled alla time." His hand goes from waggling to resting on my
shoulder as he continued. "You wanna help us, maybe?"

"Who has been hassling you, and how can I help?"

He stared into my face, apparently making a decision. "OK, you oughtta see Joel." Keeping one hand on my shoulder, he swung the other around to bang on the door he was leaning against. "Joel! Joel!" A voice from within said "What?"

"There's a heroine out here namea Emerald, wants to help us with the guys that're hassling us." After he said that there was silence from other side of the door for a time, during which I waited quietly, looking at the door.

Finally I heard some movement, then the sound of a bolt sliding. The door opened a crack, and a face peered out from the blackness, looked me up and down, and grinned at the man standing with me. "Ok, then, c'mon in."

I walked in carefully. The room beyond the door was darker than the alley, and just as shabby. As I came in, Joel said to me, with a grin as he backed up "Emerald - nice to make your - nice to meet ya."

I said "How can I help you?", while I started to look about.

Just then, the man I met in the alley, his hand still on my shoulder, spun me. I did a half turn, propelled by his hand, ending up facing the door. As he stepped off to my left, I could see two men to my front right, where they had been hiding behind the door. One slammed it shut, throwing a bolt to lock it, the other rushed me, slamming into my belly.

I was suprised by the sudden attack, and staggered backwards as the charger hits me. "Unhhh" I said, as I grunted with the impact. Outside stepped back in, grabbing my left forearm. Charger stayed in front of me, standing straighter up. He said "Those cops you know, always hassling the ordinary guy." I could also see Doorman rushing towards the fray.

I said "I'm not a cop." even as I snapped my knee up, and into Chargers groin. His eyes bulged, he let go of me, staggered back and collpased, wheezing in pain.

Holder, in the mean time, had gripped my left forearm with both hands, holding tightly. "Course you're not." he said. Just then, from behind me Joel said "You're way too juicy for a cop". His hands slid around my ribcage from each side and over my breasts teasingly, as Doorman rushed closer.

I gasped in suprise at the groping by Joel. "Hey, stop that!" I said, but couldn't do anything to make him with one arm held. I decided to try and free it, and so I struck at the inside of Holder's wrist. He managed to shift, and take the blow full on the arm, but he still felt it pretty good.

"Damnit that hurt! Grab her!" he said, his voice showing some alarm. I brought back my arm for another blow, but just then Doorman reached me, and grabbed my free arm before I could strike again.

Then, Joel moved his lips near my ear. He said "Oh, I don't think so." before moving them away from my ear. His hands stayed where they were, centered over each breast and he started a kneading, pulling motion which I easily felt through my top.

I gaspsed in shock, as I felt Joel's fingers start to cause a reaction in my nipples. I hesitated a moment, which let Holder and Door start to move away from me, pulling my arms away from my body. However, I quickly recovered, and snapped a kick out, aiming at Holder's knee. He desperately shifted, barely avoiding my kick, and then he and Doorman continued to pull my arms wide.

Joel, meanwhile, was squeezing ecstatically, and had felt the slight hardening of my nipples against his palms. "Oh, this is very nice, don't you agree dear? I'll bet this is better." he said. Then his hands slid higher up me, before pushing inside the low cut top. He cupped my breasts directly, his fingers now working without even cloth between them and my nipples, which he rolled between them, as his hands squeezed my breasts.

I was shocked, and gasping at Joel's boldness, as my arms were now widely pulled out to my sides, so that I looked like the letter T. However, I wasn't a superheroine for nothing. "Ohhhh" I moaned, rolling my head slightly, as if lost in ectasy, then a moment later a slammed my head back, hard, hoping to break Joel's nose.

I felt an impact, not with his nose, but with part of his head. His hands moved off my breasts, and out of my costume. But a moment later he chuckled and said. "Oh, a live one! Don't you know how to behave, girl?" Then I felt a very light sting as his hand slapped my left butt cheek, at the sight of which Holder chuckled appreciatively.

"Let me go now" I said, forcefully "and I won't have to hurt you."

"Oh, what if I want you to?" That comment got a guffaw from Doorman. "But maybe we can find something else to do." A moment later I felt Joel's hands as they slid between my legs. One searched a moment, then tore open the velcro fasteners of my croctch guard, then the other moved inside the gap to glide along the centerline of my panties.

Now I was mad. I growled, then, while relying on the grips on my wrists, I used my slight ability to fly to lift my legs about three inches off the floor. While the men gasped, startled, I swung my legs forward, and then back, into Joel. His hands left me, and I heard a grunt, then a crash, so I must have sent him flying. "Now let go of me!" I growled, locking eyes with Holder, trying to intimidate him, as my feet again hit the floor.

"Shit! Do something!" Holder cried out in panic, and Doorman did. He grabbed my arm tighter, then lauched a side kick into my belly. However, I am very tough, and my position had already tightened my belly muscles, so the kick just sorta bounced off me, not fazing me at all. I then tugged my arm, hoping to free it from Door while he was off balance. The tug was strong, and pulled Doorman off balance, as I had hoped. But, before I could do more, Holder kicked the back of my knee, and I fell forward, onto my knees. Door fell into me, his grip loosening, and Holder shifted behind me, pulling the arm he held with him. I was now leaning forward slightly, Door kinda partly draped on me.

I reached for Doorman, to deal with him first. He seemed scared, and released my arm, draping himself onto my torso, trying to wrap his arms around me in a quasi hug. I grinned, and grabbed his hair, pulling hard, and using it to get him off of me.

He grabbed at my hand, but he wasn't strong enough. Even as he cursed "Damn! Ow!" I lifted and tossed him hard, into a wall. Holder had pulled my other arm behind me fully now, and I felt him kick me in the side. But, for all I felt, it might as well been a lovetap. I easily rolse back to my feet, saying to him "Last chance to surrender, pal."

I could Doorman rolling up from where he hit the wall. He was clutching at his scalp, but wasn't yet of the fight. Holder held on, either from stubbornness or fear of letting go. "Oh?" he replied to me "Then...then you'd better hurry and do so."

I chuckled, as I kept an eye on Doorman. Then, without looking back, I swung my free arm down, past the outside of my leg, and stuck his hard, right over the knee. He yelped in pain, and his grip grew weaker. Door was looking my way, ready to move back in and then I heard Joel's voice. "No you don't!" he said, as I felt his hand slide back to my panties.

I tried to reach back, once more, to grab Holder and use some pressure to get him off me. However, my hand hit Joel's leg, as I felt his fingers slide under the panties, touching my nether lips quite rudely. Holder tightened his grip again, muttering something I didn't quite pick up. Door had finally let go of his scalp and was glaring at me, perhaps about to make a move of some sort.

I glaresed back at Door. At the same time, I slid my hand up Joel's leg, towards his crotch. He saw my intent, and squirmed to avoid the grab and squeeze I had planned. His movements, and focus on my hand, kept his own from doing anything else in my panties. I heard him hiss "Her breasts, fool!" to which Door responded instantly. He covered the small distance between us in an instant, both hands crudely gripping my breasts through my boustier, but he kept out of knee range, and was watching for any blow from my free arm.

I feinted a grab at Joel's crotch again, then snapped my arm up to my belt, to grab one of the useful items there. In the meantime, Joel's hands kept moving. One of them partly pulled my panties down...though my partly spread legs kept them from going too far down. His other hand's index finger was gliding along my lips. Holder was content to hold, while Door kept squeezing my breasts.

I squirmed a little, as I felt my fingers passing over the money compartent, then over the cuff holder, then they found a small compartment that holds a small canister of mace.

Door saw my hand move, and he tensed up, ready to leap back should I strike at him, and his worry caused him to stop pawing at my breasts. Joel, however, had plenty of enthusiasm. He had pulled my panties as far down as he could get them and his other hand was now roaming over my crotch.

I gasped a little, at the touches, my fingers trembling for a moment. This caused me, unknown to me, to open both the cuff and mace comparments. Door, seeing I wasn't about to slam him into a wall, started pawing once more. Holder had pulled my arm futher back, so it was nearly touching my back. Then, I felt Joel's finger push into me, as he said, in alarm "Watch it guys! She has some mace!"

Upon hearing this Door again looked to my arm, reluctantly letting my breasts go as he shifted to grab at my arm with both hands. The finger entering me had startled me, and I hestiated for a moment. I felt Joel's free hand pawing at my belt, then, a moment later, a felt cold metal, and heard a click as a cuff closed arounf the wrist that Holder held.

I gasped loudly, desperately shifting my free arm, to bring it to my front, snapping a kick towards Door at the same time.

Joel chuckled and doubled the number of fingertips he was gliding over my lips, moving them back and forth now. Door caught my free arm, as my kick slammed into his thigh. He held on, barely, but the grin was weak and there was a grimace on his face.

Holder, meanwhile, surprised me by releasing my arm, shifting to my side, and grabbing at the boustier. He tugged it down, just enough so that my firm breasts were exposed. I tried, again, to kick at Door, but my panties had fallen further, hampering my kicks. I also tried to bring my now released arm forward. However, it didn't rise, and I realized then that the second loop of the cuffs was secured to my own belt. Holder grabbed my breasts, fingers starting to work on the nipples, as Door held on, weakly to my arm, as I tried to shift the mace canister into position to use on him. Joel simply keept touching me, probably enjoying the feel of me against his fingers.

I felt a brief moment of panic at the dual feel my breast being exposed and grabbed and the cuff closing on my wrist. However, I recovered quickly. Timing my move perfectly, I tugged my arm back from Door's grip, faking bringing the mace towards him. He lept back, as I expected, and I swung my arm back, towards where I thought Joel's face would be and fired the cannister. A curse told me I was right, and I felt his fingers leave my crotch. I then dropped the mace, hand darting behind me, fingers seeking the handcuff key I keep in a small area sewn into the inside of my belt.

Door had yet to react to the changed circumstances, and Holder seem oblivious to them. One of his hands pawed at my exposed breast, and the other was holding the back of my neck. I wiggled a little, as I reached for my key, which caused my panties to slide further down my legs.

I could hear Joel's cursing somewhere behind me, and then I heard him say "Damn it grab her other arm!" The sounds of those words gave my own movements an increased celerity. I found the key, and carefully slipped it into my gloved fingers. I then brought the key up, slipped it into the lock, and unlocked the cuff.

Holder, in the meantime, had sorta listened to Joel. He had shifted more to my front, his hand had left my neck, and he pulled down more of my boustier, exposing both of my firm, perky, breasts. But, that left him exposed to my counter. First, my now free arm whipped out, the cuffs still attached to it, as I'd only unlocked the cuff that was secured to my belt. The cuffs, which I was using like a short, metal, whip, snapped hard into his leg. He yelped loudly, looking at me. Then, my other arm came up, as I ripped the handcuff key across his hand. It didn't hurt him much, but the dual attack suprised him, and he took a step back, which meant that none of the three had a hold on me.

Door reacted first, leaping at me, and grabbing for my boustier, where it was bunched under my breasts. I had to maneavuer, so I reached down with my left hand, and tore the panties from my legs. My enhanced strength easily ripped them from me, so I could safely move. Door missed his grab, then his fist hit my jaw. It didn't hurt much, and he was too close now to get out of the way when I graabed him. Dropping the panties, and taking a step back, I lifted him, then tossed him at Holder, who barely got out of the way. I then lept forward, spinning to face Joel and Holder. I redid my crotch fastener as I took in the room. Joel had fled to a back door, which he had opened and was moving through. Holder was following him, and Door was starting to get slowly up.

However, I put an end to that rising attempt. I stepped forward and booted him pretty hard on the side of the head. The blow knocked him out cold, and took him out of any more fray. In the meantime, Holder had followed Joel, and closed the door behind him. I took a few moments to fix my costume, ensure Door was out, and unlock the other end of the cuff. I then resecured the cuffs, key, and mace on my belt, and moved to the new door.

I tried to open it, but it was locked. So, I slammed a side kick into it. It shuddered but did not shatter. A second kick brought it down, though, and I entered another alley, desiring to find Holder and Joel. Moving down the alley, I soon came to a three way alley intersection, with no sign of either of them. Glancing about, noticing a sleeping bum to the right, I headed left, figuring if they'd passed him, he woulda woken up.

After a little while I reached a cross-alley. Here, there were no clues as the alley's to the left & right were both dim & unappealing . Forward, the "main" alley reached a street perhaps 20 yards ahead which I decided to walk to, looking for side doors in the alley along the way. I saw a few, but none open, so, rousing a bum, I handed him some money, and asked if anyone had been past here, then described both of my quarries.

He accepted the money very gladly, eyes bright, and assured me that he knew them. "Frankie and Joel, sure, I seen 'em. They hang out over there, little brown hut with uhh, kinda blue trim?" He pointed back they way I came, assuring me that he hasn't seem them in this alley tonight.

"Yeah, that's them. Do you know where they might go if they weren't at the hut." I smile, prettily, and say "I've got something to give Joel, and he's not home." I end that with a pout.

The bum was focusing a little better now, and smiled to show off a few teeth. "Yeah sure you really look his type." he said, with a trace of sarcasm, there. He looked at the money before tucking it away and saying "Yeah, sure they hang out at the Pit." He then told me that The Pit was a bar, really as I found out more of a sleazy dive, and wasn't far from here. Being quite mad still, I headed that way.

I followed his directions easily enought, walking through a few smelly, and twisty, alleys. Soon, I could see the Pit. It was well named, the building looking as it it had four walls and not much else. The windows were filthy and opaque with no way to see through them, and there were two doors, on the front and rear sides of the freestanding, fairly large building. From within, I could hear with a heavy beat, perhaps a latin one. From what little you could determine on the outside of the building, it offered cheap booze and cheap women every night.

I slipped around to the back of the place, where I saw that the back door didn't look like it got much use on a day to day basis, though, it did seem it saw a fair amount of traffic. I thought that perhaps it could lead into a separate area but I wasn't certain. In any event, ready for trouble, I gave it a try. It stuck for a moment but I got it open fairly quietly. Inside I saw a dingy hallway with doors on either side, two on each side. Ahead is a curtain from behind which light spilled, and the music is much louder now. I decided to check the doors as I came to them.

The first on the right had a sign saying "keep out" in paint that had run a little. On the left was another sign, which simply said "Stores". I noted light under the right hand door, but I checked the store room first, quickly learning that it was locked. I then turned to the door with the keep out sign. I slowly swung the door open, and peeked within.

Inside, I saw a man behind a desk. However, he wasn't looking up, as he was passed out, no doubt from the bottle tipped over next to him. Other than him, the room contained very little, just a desk, garbage can, and filing cabinet next to the man. One of the useless windows was behind him with a wardrobe near the door.

I closed the door and then moved up the hall to the next two doors, which, with casual glances, I determined were bathrooms. So, I walked past them, to the curtain, so I could peek through it. The music got louder, naturally, as I got close to the curtain, and I could also hear some cheering now. I moved the curtain a bit out of my way, and peeked into the main room. Like many small bars, it was filled with smoke, and there was the refelction of neon beer signs, too. I couldn't see the whole room, but I could see at least 10 men, as well as a stage. On the stage was a woman, she was a dancer - an exotic dancer to be precise. There were quite a few bills on the stage, so she must have been good. As I scanned, I saw no sign of Joel, but I did spot Frankie off to the right, a bottle of beer in one hand.

As I saw him, I flared with anger, and strode through the curtain, moving towards the right angling at his back. I walked with a quick, confident stride, pushing past anyone who got in my way, and acting as if I owned the place. My appearance immediately took all the attention away from the stage. The cheering and muttering stopped, as the men stared at me; however, the dancer kept moving, lost in her own world. Frankie did have his back to me, but turned as he noticed the strange looks on those near him. I picked up my pace, to reach him, as I was still a good distance away, having to move around the stage & the chaotic tables & chairs.

"Hey, lookie here." a big fellow stepped in front of me as I saw Frankie leaping up looking alarmed, as well he should. The big guy before me had a drunken smirk and he looked down my body. Without pausing, my fist struck forward, hitting him in the solar plexus. He fell, gasping, and I stepped over him, pointing at Frankie, and yelling "Don't move!"

Frankie froze then spoke. "Well, darling, back for more?" He looked to his right, with a fake-bravado grin, and mentioned loudly - "She's the one, I had that tit in my hand half an hour ago! She liked it, too." Other men looked from him to me, some stunned, some hazy, some grinning. One whooped "Show us!"

I ignored them, tossing a table aside as I closed on Frankie. He was looing worried now, his eyes following the table's movements. He stammered a "You know..uh, she doesn't have any panties on. She wants it, guys!" He backed up, but too slow. I grabbed him, lifted him, and slammed him hard into the wall. "Where is Joel?" I growled at him.

Frankie looked back at me, worried but not terrified. "I dunno." he said then added in a louder voice "The four of us almost had her, it was something to see!"

I had had enough of him. I slammed him into the wall again, then lifted him, and threw him into the table I had tossed aside. He hit it hard, probably hurt a bit, and groaned, rolling slightly, and barely moving. I took a few steps into the room, noting the dancer had left the stage, and then posed with my hands on my hips and my legs shoulder length apart.

"Gentlemen" I said, "I am looking for Joel. If any of you know where he is, I'd be happy if you told me."

The faces looking back were hostile, some didn't meet my gaze, but others glared back firmly. From one side I heard "We could make you happier than that."

I glanced about, dropping my pose, arms now at my side. "I have no quarrel with any of you. Joel's the only one I have a quarrel with. Do any of you know where he is?" I asked in a clear, but forceful, tone.

"No quarrel...hu huh huh." another comment, though I couldn't spot the speaker. Someone more bold, who I could see, spoke up. "You came in here, stopped the show - maybe we do know where you can find Joel. What can you give us in return?"

"I didn't mean to stop your show, my apologies. As for your question" I looked at him "if you know, you'd tell me, since you don't, you must not. Thank you for your time." I started to head for the door.

The man who spoke moved toward the door as well, with two other men. "Not so fast, Greenie. Sorry's very nice, but you still scared away Sherry. All us guys..." he waved around the room "...were countin on a little show, and you stole that. You think you can leave us with no show?" Another man dared to speak "Sounds like Frankie got a show though." which raised quite a few chuckles, all around.

I chuckled as well. "All Frankie got was a couple broken bones." I looked at the two blocking my way. "Now, if you'd please move, I would appreciate it." I kept moving as I spoke.

The two who were blocking the door held their ground at first, then parted as I got closer. I could get to the door by slipping between them.

"Thank you" I said, to them, and walked to the door, expecting them to try and jump me and ready to counter it. They didn't try it, but, as I walked past them, one of them reached out and copped a feel of my bottom.

I spun, angrily. "Who did that?" I hissed.

The two look back at me, with the rest of the crowd nearby, watching with great interest. They both smiled, one a little more than the other, looking very pleased with himself. "Did what?" he asked with a sly grin. Others in the crowd muttered "I didn't see nothin' what's she on about?"

I grinned back at the pleased looking one. "It took guts" I said, then darted in, grabbed him, and pulled him close. I then kissed him hard, darting my tongue into his mouth, and then, at the top of the kiss kneed him in the nuts. Tossing him back into the bar, I said "And that was your show." I then spun back to the door.

I saw a lot of startled faces, then some transform to grins, and even chuckles. I turned, and found the path clear as even the first speaker was snorting at my victim's misfortune. I got to the door, then turned, paused, and said "Are you all sure no one knows where Joel is?"

Some of the men were getting beyond their amusement, and it's only a matter of time before they start looking for new entertainment again - but a couple nod, and one said "Really, we don't. Frankie thought maybe he'd come here separately." The man shrugs, as one or two others look his way disapprovingly.

I walked over to him. "Did Frankie say why he wanted to come here? Or give any hint on where Joel might be?" I walked over to his table, leaning over it, one hand on the table, bent at the waist.

He looked briefly at the others around, then shruged again. "Just came here to boast, did Frankie. I guess he just figured Joel would show up, I don't know." The man looked back fairly confident, although I noted his eyes were quick enough to slip from mine and move down my form.

I frowned, as I was hoping to find out where Joel might run too. I pushed up from the table, grunting a thanks to the man, and I bumped into someone who was standing very close behind me He didn't move, seeming to appreciate the contact. The man at the table kept looking up at me as I hovered there, between the table and the standing man. I thrn turned to face the man behind me, pushing him back a step or two. I said "Excuse me" as I did so. I could feel the backs of my thighs against the table behind me, and could see I was now face-to-face with one of the many men of the crowd. He was flanked by two more, all three grinning oddly, and we were all surrounded by the remainder of the room's occupants, watching intently. The man didn't move, as someone else in the crowd said "Now you know everything we know, isn't it time you paid your bill?"

I grinned. "Why don't you put my bill on my tab. Now, if you'll excuse me" I said to the one right in front of me "I need to be going." I had tensed my legs, and rested my left hand against the edge of the table, ready to use it to push off with if need be.

However, the ones ahead of did't budge, and the voice - I caught glimpses of the short man it belonged to - continued. "Tabs are for repeat customers. We ain't never seen you before, might never again. You'll hafta give us something now, make this all worth our while."

"Something worth your while, hmm?" I said, acting as if I was pondering. Then, moving with alacrity, I grabbed the one right in front of me, with my right hand. As his eyes widened, I lifted him, and threw him as far as I could across the room, where he crashed into the floor, out of action. "How's that?" I said.

However, the intimidation factor of the toss and throw had been wrecked, for one of his hands had caught the top edge of my boustier, partly tearing it open. As a result, my right breast was nearly completely exposed. As they hooted and hollered, I hopped onto a table, to better survey the room.

As I did, the men hooted and hollered more loudly, with a couple even waving bills at me. Just then, there was a flash of light and I could see the bartender waving a camera. "One for the wall, boys!" There was much cheering, and several men turned to look at him.

I hopped down from the table, to head for the door. A hand clutched at my boot as I moved, but I shrugged it away, passing two men as they turned sluggishly back towards me. There was only one man between me and the door. He looked as tough as he was big, and was plenty of both, and he eyed me icily. "What, not even a dance for us, bitch?" He then flexed and partially crouched, ready to move if need be.

"What language! Does your mother know you talk like that?" I quipped, as I moved towards him confidently. "I've provided you with enough entertainment as it is..now move out of my way."

"You bringing mothers into it? You oughta watch yourself, and flashing one little tit isn't much entertainment. Next time you'll dance." So saying, he moved aside fluidly, impressive for someone so large, and left me just enougy space to get by.

"Aw, man, we gonna just let her go?" came from another man somewhere to the right.

I nodded a thanks to him, and slipped past, watching him carefully, expecting a move from him. But he let me by without trying anything. From somewhere in the room, I heard "Man, we coulda done her."

I pushed the door open, the cooler, fresher air of outside on my face as I began to step out, but a hard jerk on my ponytail took me by suprise and I fell onto my bottom. The big man started to haul me back into the Pit by my ponytail as I tried to regain my feet. I saw one man close and lock the main door, as I heard "It's party time boys!" After a couple seconds, I was well into the room, and he started to pull me to my feel by the ponytail.

I was mad now. "Why don't people ever learn??" I asked myself. Then, bracing for the pain, I let my body go limp, as I turned my head, hoping to see his ankle, so I could dislocate it or break it with a strike.

However, the plan didn't work. While I did go limp, he managed to actually lifting my dead weight right up, with only an extra grunt to indicate he was working at it. So I was hanging like a sack from my ponytail, my head up at the level of his chest or thereabouts. "Yeah." said a man from the crowd, as he stepped up and grabbed my still exposed right breast.

I ignored the groper, for the moment, and, instead, reached for my belt, planning on grabbing my one charge taser.

I kept rising with my dangling toes just scraping the floor now. Another man, from my left side, followed the first's example, and groped my left breast through the suit with one hand. His other was playing with the top of the boustier, debating, perhaps, if he should tug it down. The big one was straining more, and shifted one hand from my hair to my left thigh. I could feel his massive hand grabbing the muscles there and lifting.

However, the three men blocked anyone in the crowd from seeing what I was doing. I got the taser free, pressed it to Big's leg, and hit the trigger. He stiffened, his hands clutching more tightly, and I felt the shock, surprisingly painful, conducted to my leg through his hand. Then he was toppling, dropping me, and the hands left my breasts, convulsively. However, my own left leg felt fuzzy, and, surpised, I fell to my knees.

I slammed the now useless taser into the knee of one of the gropers, and I heard angry yells from the crowd. I took a kick to the back, then found the edge of a table. As I started to pull myself up, another foot hit me in the ribs, and, as I got to my feet, I could see the men rush me 'en masse. My back was to the table, my left arm on it, holding me up. Three men were around me, punching. Two mised, one hit my cheek.

I grunted, then braced my right arm as well onto the table. I then hauled myself onto it, planning to use my arms to swing me to the other side of it. However, right as I got onto the table, a chair slammed into my back. The chair shattered with the force of the blow, and I was sorta sitting on the table now.

Taking a quick look around, I saw the man was bringing the partially-split chair back for another swing. One of the men in front landed a nice hook across my chin while I look around. The woman, the stripper, was also in front of me behind the nearest man. I was a little dazed by the punch, but, decided to watch the chairman. If he swung at me again, I'd catch the chair, and, otherwise, I'd slide off the table.

I had to twist around a fair bit to do that, but I managed to stop the chair, catching it with both hands as it hurtled toward my head. The man directly in front of me took advantage of the opportunity, though, bringing a smashing uppercut against the side of my head, then following through with his whole body. He tipped me backwards as he leapt onto me, partly between my legs, partly on top of me, with a hand on my jaw trying to push my head through the table as I fell back underneath him.

So, I was on my back on the table, both arms to my left, holding chairman's chair, a man on top of me holding my head against the table, my legs splayed out on either side of his, and at least one other man in the area, as well as the stripper down near my feet.

I shook my head, to clear it somewhat, then decided to roll to my left, hoping to take myself, and the one on top of me, off the table, and into the legs of chairman.

But I was too slow. Before I could roll, a female voice said "Get her feet!" Then, I felt two hands grab each ankle, and pull my legs apart, with the one at my right foot trying to tear the boot away.
The man on top of me was holding my hair with his hand, and jerking his whole body to bring my head up a couple of inches, then down against the tabletop again. My arms were still off to one side, Chair twisting his weapon out of my hands.

"S..stop it" I said, partially panicked. I tried to bring my hands up, to use against the one over me, as I felt the right boot torn away, and the left one start to come loose. But my right arm was pinned against my body, fairly awkwardly by Top, who said "Oh, now that's music to our ears! Keep doing whatever you're doing boys."

I heard a boot hit the floor, then a male voice to my right said "Well, cute toes on this little bitch." Then, as I felt my left boot slide off my foot, another hand touched my right, and as I gasped, the woman said "Not as cute as mine."

I struck with my left hand, connecting with Top's right shoulder, but it wasn't a good punch, and he just grunted and slammed my head down again, harder. "Get her, damn you!" he shouted. In response, Chair dropped his splintered sticks and moved to my head, trying to catch my arm. Meanwhile, at my feet, my gasp had been noted. The woman said "Hey, let's try this." There was nothing for a moment, then fingernails scittered down the sole of my right foot.

I giggled a little, and squrimed, while throwing whatever punches I could at Top and Chair. I did land a blow into Chair's gut, and he retreated.

But, again I heard the woman's voice. "Hey, that worked. You try it like this." Again the fingernails scittered, down and then up again. A moment later the same thing, with thicker fingers & no nails, happened to my left foot, then my right again. My squirming made Top bear down on me more, and kept him from pounding my head again.

I kept giggling, secretly thankful they are only using fingers. As I tried to grab Top, I said, in what I hoped was a stong voice "S..stop this now!"

At the command, their laughter joined my giggles. Top spits out "Oh, big girl! Who does she think she is, ordering us around! All you heroines are alike. Must be the uniform!" He grinned at that, face close above mine, and supporting himself with his right arm over my chest and partly on my neck. His left went to the boustier, pulling it down, revealing both my breasts. My left hand pressed against his shoulder, trying to get him off me, but I wasn't having much luck, between the tickling and the bad angle.

Again I heard the woman "Todd, take over." Her fingers left my right foot, then I heard a zipper being pulled. A moment later male fingers, probably Todd, started brushing in circles on my right sole, while Left kept scittering up and down the left.

I continued to giggle, and I realized that I needed to try a new tactic. My heart was racing and my eyes were wide, but, I then suddenly snapped my head up, into Top's as hard as I could. I was rewarded with a horrible crunching sound, and Top's head flew back. His eyes glazed over, then he flopped down on me again, out cold.

I felt Todd & Left increasing their movements, but suddenly Todd stopped. Before I could do anything though, a worse sensation hit me. It seemed that the girl had somehow gotten a feather, and she began to ply it mercilessly on all along my right foot.

I was laughing quite hard now, as I tried to push Top off of me, first with my left hand, then with both of them, my breath starting to come in gasps. I barely even felt Left's tickling now, with the way the feather was being used on me.

My efforts partly dislodged Top, freeing my right arm, and letting me see better. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Chair was getting closer again, as he was no longer doubled over. However, to my horror, I saw the girl let Todd take over the right feather. Then she handed one to Left, and he also began to use it in a twitching, circular movement. Then she ducked out of my sight.

I was laughing even harder, breathing rapidly, as I kept pushing Top, trying to get him all the way off of me. "P...p..please s..s..s..top that!" I shrieked, between giggles. I made progress, too, Top's body sliding to the left side of the table.

Todd spoke "Well, you've learned some manners!"

Left added "I guess the feathers are great teachers, huh?"

Chair moved in quickly, seeing that I had almost freed my arms and torso. He reached my head, and was trying to catch both hands. Then I saw her again. She had popped up between my legs. With a deft move, she undid the velcro crotch fasteners, then grinned, and lifted a third feather for me to see.

My eyes grew wide, and, with a burst of adrenline I tossed Top off me, then lunged for her. "N...no!" I shouted, hoping I could reach her before Chair grabbed me, and, in the back of my mind, wondering where the last one was. Top fairly flew to the left, and I bent forward. My legs were already pushed up in the air somewhat by Left & Todd, and I bent sharply at the waist, reaching for her and coming tantalizingly close before Chair flung his arms around me, hugging me tightly from behind. His left hand was conveniently, for him, over my right breast, and he squeezed tightly - managing to hold me just away from the woman as she smiled devilishly, and dipped the feather between my legs. It flicked from one inner thigh to the other, very high, then there's another flash, and the bartender is visible behind her, leaning in to get a shot of my body, and what's happening to it.

I gasped loudly, my struggles weakening as the three feathers took a toll on me. "N..no" I stammered, partly collapsing against Chair. "You have too s..s...stop."

"What do you suppose happens to someone if you just keep tickling them never letting up?" That was the bartender, and from the grins the others like the idea.

The Woman spoke "Ooh, I don't think she could stand that let's find out."

Chair held me strongly, his fingers having found my nipples, and the pinching on them adding to the tickling sensations I was feeling already. In the meantime, though, the girl wasn't done. She kept the feather moving and then glided the fingertips of her left hand my my hip, and up my right side, and then scrabbled quickly against my ribs. As she did that, she said "Ohh, we don't HAVE to stop, not till morning at least. I don't know if there will be anything left of you by then, though."

I gasped at her threat. I tried to fight my way back up but the tickling, and struggle had me gasping, and Chair pulled me back down onto the table, arms now held over my head. "Y..you can..can't. P..p...please, stop...let me go." I whimpered. However, in the back of my mind, I was planning for escape. 'If all they have is feathers, and if they don't secure me with restraints, maybe I can get a chance.' I thought.

The woman paused for less than a second, before bringing the feather to bear on my ribs, while mockinginly saying. "Let you go! After you interrupted my act? Well, no interruptions this time!" Her comments got a chuckle from the easily-amused Left and Todd. Left kept his feather moving, but Todd had stopped, and held my leg pinned under one arm, while the other was doing something else.

I squirmed and laughed, under the assault by the two feathers. "I'..I'm s..sorry..for interupting..your act..." I stammered. I also pulled on my arms, and thought that, with a moment to collect myself, I could tear free of Chair's grasp.

"Oh, you're sorry alright. Todd, gimme that." She reached back, and Todd handed her his feather. "Now then." she said as she scrambled onto the table, straddling my waist and kneeling above me, a feather held in each hand. "You've got her good? OK." She leaned down, and used both feathers at once, one on each armpit.

I heard Todd say "Oh, I like this outfit, Delilah. Or should I say, Officer Delilah?" He snickered, and she smirked.

I was laughing louder and my squirms and struggles were increasing. My legs thrashed, trying to break grips. My hands closed, reflexively, about Chairs arms, squeezing as I thrashed, and inadvertantly I pulled upon them fairly hard. "P..please...no more" I wheeze out.

Chair was hanging on tenaciously as I squirmed, but I caught a glimpse of his sweating face, grimacing a little - I must have been hurting him somewhat. Delilah was having a great time. "No more? But our little doll hasn't wet herself yet, has she?"

Left replies "Ya know, I think maybe she's a little...you know." His feather scuttled up my leg, then back to my foot.

Todd says. "Ok, wait a sec." The others pause, the absence of tickling almost as intense as the tickling itself. "What'll you do for us if we let you go, babe?" Todd asked as he fairly gently lowered my leg, or at least bent it at the knee, with my thigh up on the table.

"I'll...I'll..."I stammered out, as I try and catch my breath, over empahsizing the gasping, in order to make them think the tickling had adled my brain. They waited, listening, and looking. Then there's another flash from Bartender.

"Damn it!" Delilah cursed and covered her eyes with one hand, blinking and shaking her head to clear the spots. This was my chance, and I heaved forward. I didn't manage to sit up, but I didn swing the startled Chair forward so that he flopped over at the waist, landing on me, and letting go of my arms. He also bumped Delilah, but I didn't see if that had much effect. Left just hung on, suprised, but Todd forced my leg quickly down the rest of the way, slapped my calf against the table leg, and I heard a metallic click as a band clamped around my right ankle.

I gasped a little, but couldn't worry about that at the moment.
I brought my arms up, even as I heard the click that told me the other cuff had been secured to the table leg. My palms slammed down over Chair's ears. He howled, then clutched the side of his head, and rolled off the table, and me, in pain. Delilah was still astride me, and looking angrier. She slapped my cheeks, left then right, which I barely felt. Left ws pushing my other leg down, and Todd had released my cuffed leg.

I felt a little scared as the cuff closed fully on my right ankle, and the table leg, and realized that they intend to cuff her other leg. I tried to grab her by the throat, but she barely avoided my grab, nearly falling off the table. In the meantime, however, the team of Left and Todd had secured my other ankle, even as Todd said "You only have the two? Damn."

I slapped a punch at Delilah's jaw, embarassed and angry at how I must look with breasts and crotch explosed, feet bare, toes wiggling, legs quite spread. My blow hit her, she fell, most of what was left of my outfit going with her. Bartender took another picture, Left was looking cofused, Todd was rooting in a bag.

I sat up, lunging forward, hoping to grab Left, and then lay him out with a blow to the jaw. His hands flailed out to intercept mine, and he managed to interfere. I grabbed his left wrist, but couldn't get to his jaw. Todd had turned back to me, and was crouching between my legs. "Just keep her there." he said, and then there's a buzzing, followed by a very unwelcome intrusion as a vibrator was placed against my nether lips. Bartender, meanwhile, apparently fearing the tide had turned, made tracks for the back door and quickly disappeared from the room.

I gasped as I felt the buzzing, and decided I would use Left as a weapon, and push him into Todd to knock him away. Left was scared, now, though, and struggled. I quickly grabbed both his wrists, and started to shift him. At the same time I growled "You shoulda let me go earlier."

Todd was still cocky, though. "Oh, but then you would have missed this!" He cranked up the vibrator and placed it directly over my clitoris, grinning to himself, as he brought his other hand up, to trace my lips from front to back.

I moaned softly, trying to fight the clitoral sensations. I was trying to push Left into Todd, but to my suprise was having a hard time moving him. It should have been easy, but all I was doing was basically holding his hands in the air. I also tried to close my legs, in an atteptt to break the legs of the table, so far, to no avail.

"She likes it...hey Mikey" came from between my legs, as Todd glided the vibrator slightly up and down, varying the sensation and toying with me. He kept a finger circling my lips as well.

I did feel the growing sensations, as I started to moisten. My breathing grew slightly more rapid, as I tried to fight what I was feeling. I kept straining with my legs. But I was increasingly frustrated with Left. My left hand and his right, my right and his left. I wasn't making any progress, which I should have been able to easily do. He was deflecting all my attempts to strike, or move, him - and he didn't look quite as worried as before. Todd, meanwhile, wasn't worried at all. He could see my responses, and kept moving the buzzing toy and his own circling finger, which was moving easier now.

I moaned slightly more loudly, unconciously licking my lips. I didn't know why I was less effective now, but the sensations were becoming harder to ignore. So, even as I felt Todd's finger leave me lips, I came up with a desperate plan. I would push against Left, then fall back onto the table, bringing my arms over my head, and tossing him over me.

However, in my stragely weakened state, I wasn't quite stong enough to pull off the move. Even though he was suprised, he didn't go all the way off it. He landed to my left, stunned for a momment, with both my arms and his own over my head. Just then I felt a second, smaller, vibrator start to tease my vaginal lips, which elicited a loud gasp from me.

I heard Todd chuckle as he heard me gasp, but then I rolled Left off the table, and lunged up at Todd. He seemed unworried. He let one toy, a large purple one, press against my clit. The other, a slim and silver one, he held near my opening, and said "Stay back, girlie, or we'll have to get closer."

I again gasped some more, then lunged at him. "Y..you'll...get closer...anyway...may as well..try." I stammered out.

"Maybe I would have." he said, as I lunged, and I managed to get both hands into his hair. He jerked a little pressing more firmly against my clitoris and then his other hand jerked forward more forecefully, sending the silver vibrator several inches into me. To my left, Left was rising. I gasped loudly, eyes widening, as it entered me. It felt good, but, I had to fight, so pulled as hard as I could on Todd's hair. I manged to pull him forward, leading him by the hair, and bringing a shrill yell from him. He gave another last push, then let go of the silver intruder. His right hand grabbed one of mine, and was trying to disentangle it from his hair. His left hand left my clitoris for a moment, then pressed to it forcefully again. "Let go or maybe these'll both go in." Left was now up again, staggering slightly.

I ignored his threat. His right hand was wrapped with my left, so I let go of his hair with my right, and reached down. I plucked the thin, distracting, silver toy from me, then slapped him across the side of the head with it. He gasped in suprise, dropped the purple one, and tried to step back, though, I held onto his right wrist so he couldn't get far. I then thrust the toy, like a knife, into his solar plexus. He fell, gasping for breath, and out of action. Left was still staggering, so I dropped the toy, and reached behind me for my handcuff key.

I found the key, and freed my ankles quickly. Off to the left, Left was getting sick on the floor. I looked up, and saw Todd rushing me. I rolled right, and he slammed into the table, as I hit the floor. It collapsed under his weight, and the table and he went down in a tangle. I rolled over, and a quick blow laid Todd out for the count.

Looking about, I saw the Pit was pretty torn up, and, with the exception of the sick Left, no one was awake and theatenning. Looking at myself, I frowned. "Can't go home like this." Then I saw Delilah's bag, and walked over to it, after rembering what Todd has said, and, indeed, inside there was a police outfit. I stripped off my own costume, or it's remenants, and stood naked for a moment, then dressed in this one - or what there was of it.

The top was a very tight blouse, which didn't conceal much, especially as the top three buttons were missing. The skirt was very much shorter than I prefered in my pantiless state. My own leggings were in place, still, and soon my feet were covered by a pair of very high heels. I then slipped my own belt on, and attached a waistpouch to it that I found in her bag. My gloves, and, impulsively, the silver toy, went into it. Then, I headed out onto the street muttering "Great, now all I have to do is go about 8 blocks, through gang turf, looking like a cop from a porno."

I slid out of the Pit, heart still racing pretty quickly. As I moved onto the dark street, I started to calm down. The wind gusted, seding goosebumps along my naked bottom. "That was close" I muttered. As I moved, I thought about how I must look. The nearly sheer white blouse, tight on me, highlighting braless breasts, the very short skirt, with nothing under it, my own belt and leggings, and the annoying high
heeled shoes.

The first block went by fast, then I noticed a marking on the wall, and shuddered. I'd just enetered K9 territory. They are a small but mean gang who travelled in small packs, and each pack always had a dog with them. But, I had no choice but to move through thier turf were I to get home. The fact it was mostly alley's didn't make me happy, either, in fact I was a bit nervous. I was walking much slower than normal, as well, due to the heels of my new outfit. I'd gone a couple blocks, and the only person I'd seen was a beggar wrapped in rags, who was quite asleep.

A little while after that, I heard voices ahead. Two men turned the corner from a smaller, darker alley, and stopped short when they saw me. I was about 45 feet from them. One started to dart back, but the other caught his arm and pointed my way, saying something I couldn't hear to the other one.

I walked calmly forward. 'I can handle two, if I have to' I thought to myself.

The bolder one had convinced the other to hang around, and they coasted forward to intercept me. Bold spoke up. "Hey baby, looking nice! Oooh, real nice. How much?" They were average sized, scruffy, non descript, and ogling me openly. They were wearing jeans, and t-shirts, one had a jacket as well. Both also wore a harsh looking studded collar, which is the colors, so to speak, of the K9s.

I looked from one to another, feeling nervous, for K9s rarely travel in twos. But, hiding the nervousness, I asked, boldly "Did you just proposition me?" I also indicated the badge, however fake it was, that was part of Delilah's Policewoman outfit.

They laughed, and Bold said "Good one. Ooh, yes officer. Are you gonna have to interrogate us now?" As they chuckled, thier eyes kept flitting from blouse to skirt.

"No, just head home" I told them, and moved to press past them.

"What, not good enough for you? Come on, how much?" Bold said, as Timid stepped to the side to check out my ass. "Oh yeah, we can pay, you know." Bold added, as he moved into my path, obviously not wanting to let me pass.

I sighed, then, without warning, struck Bold in the solar plexus. His eyes widened, his breath "whoofed" out, and he fell to the alley floor. I looked at Timid. "Take off." I said. He backed off two steps, "All right, you're one crazy bitch." I strode past him, as he cowered, and a quick glance back showed me he was checking on his pal. The ease of my victory helped dispel my nervousness somewhat.

I went another block, and then crossed an intersection with another small, dingy side-alley. Sticking to the straight and less-narrow, I moved on, breathing a little more freely. For a second I though I saw movement down the side alley, but a glance in that direction revealed nothing. So, I continued on, passing two more passed-out lost souls. Here the alley hit a T-intersection. I gauged that either should be about as direct a path to my goal. From the left, a mangy dog raced out, angling across the alley, and I took a step back from the dog. It stopped, snarled with legs widespread, then ran down the alley to the right, so I decided to go left.

After I turned left, I picked up my pace to as fast as I could go in my short skirt and high heels, and it wasn't all that fast. I'd walked for a bit, when I sensed someone behind me. I turned, and looked back into the alley. The alley was dark, but I could see at least two figures. They kept to the sides of the alley, and I couldn't make out details, or exact numbers. They were about 100 feet back.

I decided to play it agressive. I waited for a moment, then posed, with hands on hips. "Alright. I know you're there, and you know I know. How about you come out and tell me what you want."

The figures don't move for a moment, then they seem to dislodge from the walls, walking my way. There were 3. One held a bat, which he tapped loudly on the ground as he walked. Another had a chain of some sort, I could hear it clinking back and forth as he toyed with it. The third spoke "What we want? Just our due. Can't have girls working our turf without payin the tax, can we? It's bad business."

I shook my head. "I'm not that kinda girl, even though it looks that way, but I'm willing to pay a reasonable tax, just to be nice."

They continued to approach, the three of them spread out to fill the alley. "Yeah, I'll say it looks that way. What are you gonna tell us, that you're really a cop?" The two to either side guffawed at the leader's crack.

I chuckled. "No, I'm not a cop, either. My washer broke, it's all I had left." I said. I could now see that all three were big men, and looked pretty hardened. The leader and the chain-man had scars that I saw as they passed a dim door-light, and all three wore K9 collars.

"Aww, ain't that the saddest thing? And you're here lookin' for a laundromat, right?" Without waiting for a reply, he continued "Well, just what's 'reasonable tax', since you're so nice, Officer ____". He left the blank for me to fill in, with a mocking tone on the "Officer".

"Something like that." I replied. I didn't reply to his mocking, simply saying "You tell me, it's your tax." By now, they were about 20 feet away.

"Perhaps you should let us see what you've got under the hood, there, it's not like you're hiding it now, anyway!"

"Nope, that's not a tax, that's a peep show. If you want that, go visit Delilah at the Pit." I then dropped the pose, which I had been holding, and brought my arms to my sides, and my legs closer together to be more able to fight if need be.

The leader looked stern. "It's a tax 'cause that's what I call it. We all seen Delilah plenty of times but you're new. Fresh."

I shook my head. I hoped I sounded more confident than I felt as I said "Well, it's not reasonable, so you can take a hike." I pointed back down the alley the way they came.

"Well now ain't that just unfriendly. And here we wanted to let you off easy, we bein' nice, just like you." The man with the bat stopped tapping it, and hefted it. The man with the chain shook it once or twice, grinning rabidly, while the leader made a motion of cracking his knuckles. They had now closed to about 10 feet from me.

"Yes, well I'd like to let you off easy, as well, so, again, I'll give you a chance to walk away, peacefully." I marked where they were, so I could better defend any initial attack.

The leader smirks. "How generous. You shoulda flashed us when you had the chance." He raised his fist, still clutched in the other hand, into the air - and immediately I heard a sharp "go" from a distance behind me, followed by a demonic barking and snarling.

I decided that I couldn't worry, for the moment, about the snarling, and, instead moved forward, then, darted at bat, driving a fist at his belly. He made a small leap back, keeping out of my reach. Then a small club grazed my arm from behind, and I heard Bold say "Watch it, I tell you she punches like one of them superbitches." I now had Bat in front of me, Chain to my front right, Leader to front left, and Bold, who had sounded amazingly like a dog, behind me.

I moved in at Bat, launching a fake blow, followed by a real one. He swung, fooled by my feint, but the bat swing prevented the real blow from landing. Leader closed in on me, and Bold jabbed me in the back with his club. I pressed on Bat, avoiding a swing from him, and hitting hum a glancing blow along his ribs. "Fuck man!" he said, angry, and maybe a little scared. Chain was closing in, and my moves caused a Bold strike to miss. Then Leader punched me in the side of the head, and he had on a nasty pair of brass knuckles, and he was quite strong.

I grunted with the impact of the hit, and again feinted a punch, then brought my leg up, and drove a heel into Bat's leg. The spike heel hit him above the knee, and he cursed and fell back and down. However, my recovery from the move, in these cursed hells, was too slow. Before I got my leg down, Bold grabbed my hair and pulled back, Chain kicked me in the side, and Leader punched me in the belly, then darted back.

I grunted once, then twice, as the foot, then fist hit me. "Uhhh", then "Ow", came from my lips, as I felt the pain from my hair. I drove my elbow back towards Bold, who avoided it. He even tried to catch it with one hand, unsuccessfully. I managed to get my footing back again despite Bold's efforts, tugging at my hair and tilting my back. Still, I was very exposed, the blouse doing all it could to hold me in, but the gangers didn't gawk, instead they kept pounding. The pointed, steel-tipped toe of one of Leader's boots hit me just below the belt, and then Chain lashed out with his chain, whipping several coils around my right arm and jerking it painfully.

I grunted again, feeling nervous at the lack of manuever room, and at the impact of the blows. I felt the chain wrap around my arm and pull it out to my side, and I moved with it, bringing my fist up,and into Leader, with Chain's pull to give it extra oommph. I was braced for the pain the hold on my hair would cause, and for the fact it would slow me down. Leader partly blocked my attack, taking a solid blow on his left arm, and his face showed the pain of the hit. However, he caught my left arm, even as I hit him. "Got the bitch, now come on!" he shouted.

I was now being tugged back by my hair, with my right arm being pulled out to my side, and my left arm held out to my front. Just then, I was distracted from the pain in my hair, and right arm, by the sound of another chain, and then something low, strong, and furry pushed against the back of my right leg. A moment later my attention was drawn to my skirt, rising up in the heat of combat - as a cold snout pushed roughly up between my legs from behind. A glance to the right showed Timid, holding the end of a dog's chain, standing just out of reach.

I felt a tinge of fear as Leader grabbed my wrist. I tried to fight the fear down, then felt it rise again as I felt the snout. My eyes widened, as I saw Timid, then, desperately, I stood on one leg, and kicked back at Bold. "Let go of me!" I yelled at them, the words echoing in the alley. But my kick brushed past Bold, as I misjudged where he was standing.

The other two kept pulling, Leader improving his grip now. Chain was pulling fairly straight out, but he'd also incorporated a strong twisting force, tending to rotate my right arm counter-clockwise - I'd have to bend forward or feel quite a bit of pain. My kick did, at least, glance off the dog's back, causing the snout to leave my skirt. With a snarl, the cur bit at the back of my kicking leg, teeth catching in the legging on that side. Bold, meanwhile, was up to something and at least the pull on my hair had diminshed.

I felt myself get pulled lower, bending, my bottom rising. "N..no" I thought 'Mustn't let them win'. Feeling the weaker grip on my hair, and the inexorable pressure on my arms, I decided to gamble. I desperately focused, then launched myself forward into flight, hoping to slam Leader and Chain into the alley wall.

The change in force confused the men, who were put off balance as I started to advance into the center of the alley. The dog paid no attention, staying firm and what was left of that legging tore off in its teeth as I flew away. Bold, meanwhile, had let go of my hair, and he and Timid are staring amazed, and walking in pursuit.

The men were starting to recover from thier shock now, though they were unable to prevent any forward movement from me. The dog lept at me, it's teeth tearing the other legging off me. Then we hit the wall, with a decent impact. Leadder and Chain both lost thier grips, and I took off, running, down the alley, as fast as the heels would let me. I was trying to catch my breath, and my heart was racing.

I heard yelling and barking from behind as the gang gave chase. I wasn't able to manage my best speed, and the pitifully short flight was exhausting. I saw a small door on either side of the alley here, both dilapedated wooden things, probably locked but not necessarily an obstacle. I hit the right door hard, and it splintered with a crack, letting me past it. The crack was answered by a shriek, and a shape bounded up. No, two shapes. This was a large, single-room dwelling, and a poor, young couple were already here. The woman is cowering with a sheet before her, but the man has snatched up something thin, a pipe perhaps, and charged at me. So, I ducked back into the alley, and raced at the left door.

I ran headlong into the other, carrying it off its hinges and plunging into another room, similar to the first, but unoccupied. My pursuers were right on my heels as I picked myself up from the ruins of the door. There were more doors to the left and straight ahead, and I moved left, kicking my heels off as I did.

The heels flew away and I covered the remaining ground to the door. I heaved against it and it opened away from me but only a few inches, before jamming against something very heavy. I heard footsteps behind me in the room, and angry voices in the alley. I spun, back to the door, facing into the room. I could see a couch, two chairs, and a tiny table. I could also see Leader and Chain coming in at me.

The two paused, grinning. "Here, chicky, chicky." Chain had his weapon once more, and the glint from Leader's knuckles was ominous. There's a shriek from the street, then Bold entered the room, with a grinning glance back. He stopped to pick up a heel, and said "Aww, Cinderella, you dropped your slipper."

I felt my heart rate increasing once more, as I saw Chain, Leader, and Bold. However, I also noted that Timid, Bat, and the dog weren't here. As Leader and Chain grinned, I moved, lunging forward. My head slammed into Leader's belly. He made a 'gack' sound, and doubled over, and I shoved him into Chain. I then pressed past him, racing at the other door.

I had only gone two steps beyond Leader when Dog leapt past the startled Bold, sailing through the air and smacking into me, teeth clamped high on my right arm. My left leg twisted, and I staggered to the right, smashing into the couch and toppling. With Dog's momentum propelling me, I tipped right over, knees landing on the remains of cushions, and torso flopping over the back of the couch, so that I was basically kneeling on the couch, with my head and upper torso off the back, and Dog now behind it. From the alley I heard another shriek, some scuffling, then two men's laughter.

I cried out in pain at the bite, though my skin had not been broken. In anger I slammed dog against the wall. He let go with a snarl, but not before tearing the blouse, and in fact the top button of the few it had popped open, exposing me more than is fit and proper even for a porno-cop.

Chain struck now, his weapon wrapping around my neck and tightening. Bold, meanwhile, landed partially on me, and was fumbling at my back. Dog was also still in action, staring me in the face and preparing to leap up again.

I gasped as I felt the chain, but Dog was the greater threat. I reached for it's neck, near the collar, to grab and slam it again, hopefully knocking it out. At the same time, I started to squrim, trying to loosen Chain's chain. I was also feeling weaker for some reason.

The chain had tightened enough that it was getting harder to breathe. I grabbed at Dog, but he sprang away, then back in at me. And, unnoticed by me, I'd popped out of the blouse compltely, and Bold had pushed my skirt up to my waist.

I heard him say "Oh!" as I grabbed for Dog's collar again. I just barely caught it on two fingers, and managed to bring them in to make a fist when I heard another scream from the alley through the ongoing laughter and low shouts of encouragement.

I closed my fist solidly around Dog's collar, as he bucked and leapt trying to escape. Then, abruptly, Bold used one of the toys I had taken from the Pit. My eyes bulged as he slammed the smaller silver one inside me rudely.

I gasped, then tried to grab Dog's collar with my other hand, using the collar's flailing chain as a guide point. I was hoping to grab him, and toss him back into Bold. In the meantime, though, with both arms going after Dog, I could do nothing about Chain and Bold.

Chain managed to tighten even more, now hauling back on the chain with a force that threatened to lift me off the couch. Bold simply turned on the toy which had been thrust fully inside, then, shifting his weight to pin both my legs down, he fumbles with the other, seeking to run it over my clitoris I assumed. He said, "Man, get a load of this slut! No panties, and she carries two of these vibrators. She was begging for us!" Chain gave a forced laugh after he finished speaking.

I finally latched onto Dog with my other hand. My vision was dimming, but with a bit of sparkling as well. I tried to toss my head back, but Chain simply took up the slack, and held it back. I flipped dog back behind me, barely feeling Bold's toy, focusing on trying to get some air.

Dog must have hit Bold at least a little, as he stopped messing with the toy. Chain wasn't letting up, though, as my hands went to the chain and try to free myself. I was weaker still, my fingers felt somewhat clumsy, and no match for the heavy chain, as I felt mixed surges of anger and fear.

I heard Bold yell "Shit, man you don't need to do that yet! What's wrong with this?" Then he punched me in the right kidney, followed by the left. The pain was pretty strong, but Chain relaxed his grip, holding me still but allowing me to breath. "And this?" Bold said, as I felt my right leg grasped, then a rattle, and then a clasp as the ankle was cuffed to the front-right leg of the couch.

I didn't have much time to appreciate that as Bold dragged Dog forward, and the latter quite enthusiastically began lapping at the sole of my right foot.

I gasped air in greedily, trying to regain focus, only to have Dog's licking cause me to start to giggle. Chain shifted to hold me down with a knee, and let the chain loosen more, pulling it away from my neck, and I took in more air, hoping that my brain would start to work again.

I heard Leader again, from my left. "That's it, that's it!" He stepped forward and grabbed my left arm, pulling it roughly. I was too weak to prevent him as he pulled it down the back of the couch, and it and my shackled right ankle had me somewhat immobilized. I was shaking my head from side to side, and giggling at the licks.

I panted, huge gasps bringing me back from the brink of unconsciousness. Dog continued his work, and I became aware again of the silver vibrator still miraculously inside me, Bold playfully scratching the sole of my left foot. "Oh, now, that's better!" Chain seemed unconvinced, but Bold was having fun. Leader spoke again. "Toss me a couple of those, hey?" Dog's tongue keeps sliding up my sole, occasionally catching around my toes, and when it did that, I gasped, not giggled.

My eyes were closed, as I was trying to regain focus, through the distractions. Then, without warning, I shot my right arm at Leader as hard as I could. However, it simply bounced off him, ineffictively.
Chain began to fondle my bottom. Bold paused then I heard a clank. The clank came from the sound of a pair of handcuffs Bold had tossed to Lader who picked them up. He then deftly chained my left arm to a leg of the couch, effectively stretching me out over the old furniture, butt up.

Outside, I could still hear occasional wails, but not much more.
Bold happily returned to tormenting my left foot, following dog's lead but using his hands, not his tongue, and the vibrator played its own part in adding to the sensations I was experiencing.

I squrimed and giggled under the assault on my feet. My mind was swimming, and I gasped, through the giggles, as the cuff closed around my left wrist. While it would be hard, I decided to place my right hand against the back bottom of the couch, then to plant my legs well enough to lift the couch and slam it into leader. My intial attempt was partly successful, both my feeting being planted on the floor, the left with Bold still holding the ankle, which also prevented him and Dog from continuing thier tickling. I hadn't yet been able to shift the couch at all, though.

Chain scuttled over the couch to my head-side, next to Leader. Leader was trying to catch my right arm, while Bold was attempting once more to lift my leg. "Come on, lift her up again!" he said.

I next decided to deal with the vibtator. I focused on it, then tightened my vaginal muscles. A squeeze, then a shift, and another squeeze, and then it popped out, clattering along the floor. "Shit!" yelled Bold.

Before I could do more, Chain had two hands on my ponytail and was pulling like he wanted a souvenir. I was pulled forward, feet leaving the floor, and both Bold and Dog dove in with gusto to resume their gentle, persistent assault. Leader got a hand on my right wrist, but I wrenched it free. I heard Bold say "That looks like more fun." Then his fingertips left my sole, replaced quickly by his tongue. However, Chain's pulling pulled the couch forward a little, and it started to tip over slightly.

I started to giggle again, then a thought came to me. I focused on my cuffed left wrist, and pulled it as hard as I could, hoping that the old couch leg will give way. I also slipped my weight slightly forward, hoping to tip the couch further over.

The tickling had grown pretty intense, and my toes were curling and writhing. I was thankful, though, that the licking was focused on my soles, and not on my much more sensitive toes. I yanked my left arm. The couch leg didn't give, though I heard a creak over the other noises. I then shifted, and the couch tipped more - but now Bold's two hands on my ankle kept me from traveling further. Leader grabbed my wrist again, and this time held on.

I found myself laughing a little harder, from the tongues, but, gave the leg another yank, as hard as I could. It creaked, and bent towards me. I could see it was fastened by a pretty impressive bolt, but it looked like the bolt would pull right out of the couch's wood with some more force and determination.

Leader then spoke up from the right, where he was holding my arm fast and drawing it to the back-right leg of the couch. "Stop squirming so much, girlie, and we'll go easy on you. You've shown you can fight, relax now, or we'll have to get really rough." Chain chuckled at that, his expression showing he was hoping I wouldn't relax.

I kept pulling on the left leg, though, beyond that I did my best to stop squirming, the tickling making it harder. "H..how about you tell me the difference between the easy and hard choices" I stammered.

"Why now, the Easy way is you stop struggling, and we let the two members at your feet finish what they're doing. Then we let you go, and we'll even give you a trinket to remember us by!" His voice got much colder. "The hard way is we stop this fooling around and start smashing, and eventually we leave you chained here."

I took a moment to think. I decided that, with time, I could break free, and could find them another night, so I nodded my head. "Alright, you win, I yield." I said. My sentence was ended by a sharp gasp, as Bold took a toe into his mouth, briefly sucking it.

Chain muttered "Damn" at the surrender, then said "Man, can't we just..."

Leader was adamant, however. "No, we will not. That's very sensible, Miss....may I ask your name? I'm Rex, by the way."

"I..my name...is Emerald."

"Emerald. Wwhat a pretty name for a pretty lady. I must say it's a pleasure to hear we won't have to mar that beauty. In fact, you look all the prettier with that expression on your face." At that cue, Bold sucked my toe in again, flicking his tongue over it. That brought another gasp from me, as Dog just kept lapping happily, from toes to heel.

Rex relaxed somewhat, although he didn't let go of my wrist. He watched my face, while his henchman, and his dog, flicker up and down my feet. Bold began to work from toe to toe, punctuated by fluttering licks up and down my foot. Dog keeps going happily. I was gasping more than laughing now, the licks on my sensitive toes starting to arouse me.
"H..how much longer" I asked, breathlessly.

"Ahh, they seem to find your feet delicious, Emerald. It's just those two, though, and they'll tire, surely you can outlast them? After all, you're obviously a superheroine, although I must compliment you on your costume." For a moment he looked at the door, nodded, then smiled at me. "Your trinket should be here in a few minutes, then you can go."

"I...it's not my normal...costume...ahh...what sort
of...ohhh...trinket?"

"Oh, you should consider keeping this one. Your little gift? What do you think the K9's might give as a memento, dear Emerald?"

"I..it doesn't flatter me....though..thanks...ahhh...for the fashion advice." I gasped out.

He and Chain both chuckled. "Are you kidding? A body like yours, you look made for it."

Chain added "That's not all she's made for." which brought another chuckle from both. Dog and Bold accelerated, and Bold was using one hand now to work my sole while he nibbled and licked my toes.

My eyes were closed, my gasps louder now, and occassionally mixed with soft moans. My lips were slightly wet, as my arousal began to grow. Then it got worse, for Dog's long tongue started focusing on my toes. My moans stayed soft, but increased in frequency, and I licked my lips, briefly.

I heard Rex say "Oh, give her back her toy." I felt a tremble as I heard the words, then relief as I felt it dropped into the pouch at my waist. Chain still held my ponytail, Rex my right wrist.

Chain said "Man, are you sure we can't, you know, I mean look at her!"

I moaned slighlty louder..."Ohh...p..please...stop...you've won...."

"Well, of course! But we agreed, we'll continue until those two are finished. You'll just have to stick by your word, Emerald - and I'll stick by mine."

I blushed, emabrassed by my gasping and moaning, and also because I knew how good of a view of me Bold had. But, all I could do was lay helpless, unable to resist, as my moans amused the gangers.

Rex said "You know, I don't hear that lovely giggling anymore, but somehow this is much better. Think we can up those moans a little, boys?" At that, Bold redoubled his efforts - and even Dog seemed to gain enthusiasm.

"N..no...please" I begged, even as the more eager licking and sucking caused my moans to grow louder.

"'Please', you hear that boys? You know, those superheroines are always polite. How's it going back there?" I just heard a "mmm-hmm" from Bold, although one of his hands was sliding up from my ankle, running along my calf towards my knee.

Rex then said "You're back. Well, you'd better give her the souvenir, then, and I guess we're almost finished here." Chain groaned, but Bold kept working, and I felt some hope.

I felt another presence, then someone was leaning over me. "Here you go, chickie." said a voice, then there were hands at your throat, and something is being fastened there. I had expected that, so, it didn't phase me. However, he then shifted, and started nuzzling the back of my neck, and Bold and Dog hadn't slown at all.

"H...hey...that was...wasn't....part of the deal..." I gasped, "t...two you said....not three." I could feel the new man's clothing brush my legs as he nibbled.

"Ohh, but you look like you're having so much fun, we hate to stop. Hell, we thought you'd appreciate the bonus." The third man breathed heavily, then flicked my ear with his tongue. One of his hands ran down my spine and over a buttock, pressing lightly.

"I..I don't" I said, as sharply as I could, my eyes flashing angrily. Then, looking at Rex, I said, between moans "A..are you going back...on your word?"

He was immediately conciliatory. "Of course, of course, it's your choice." He made a motion, and the man withdrew. "Now, then, I said you could go once you have your ahh, parting gift, so I believe we shall part ways now. Do make sure to go straight home, will you?"

I nodded. "I will" I said, hoping that it would be true. The unknown man took hold of Dog, who actually whined as he was pulled back.

Rex speaks again, indicating the cuffs "Now, do you have a key for these things?"

I nodded, as I started to try and catch my breath.

I could hear them talking. "Man, wish I had a camera."

"No kidding!"

Then Rex said "Well, hurry off, then. If you're still in our territory in ten minutes, well just don't be." My arm and hair are released, and the men left my line of sight. "Don't forget your shoes, darling!"

I gasped for breath for a couple minutes. I then managed to get to my key and uncuff myself. I looked down at myself, and fixed the limted clothes I had, and then fixed the belt as well, resecuring everything. Then still barefoot, I tried to snap the clasp of the collar to remove it. However, I didn't feel a clasp. Unlike the collars worn by the gang members, mine was strictly chain, not studded leather. It seems they have clamped a link closed, completing the chain. Strong as I am, without tools I couldn't not pry open the link. I frowned, but, I could handle it at home. I slipped back into the heels, and with both anger, and nervousness, slipped into the alley again.

I headed to the right, walking somewhat hesitantly, and looking about nervously. After a few moments, though, I started to gather speed. I made the best time I could, feeling all the way as if I were bing watched. After a while, I found an intersection. I went left, and was pretty sure I was about halfway home.

After a while, I reached another intersection, a four way one, all four ways leading into more featureless alleys. I was pretty sure the main road was to the right, but I didn't want to be seen on it, so I kept going straight. Not long after that, from behind me someone called "Time, Emerald."

I fought the urge to look back, and kept walking forward as briskly as I could. I soon came to another intesection, this one having K9 griffiti proiminent on it..probably meaning it was on the outskirts of thier territory. I kept moving ahead, looking around, and feeling less nervous.

I heard a bark behind me, as I traveled straight on. Soon, though, I saw a small road ahead down the long alley. I was pretty sure that the road was the end of K9 territory. However, I heard footsteps behind me, and with a quick look back, saw 5 men, and a dog, at the last intersection I had passed. One yelled "Hiya Emerald." I didn't reply to them, instead, I simply kept walking.

"Not so polite anymore. Come on." I heard, then the footsteps suddenly become much louder, and quicker. I was only about 50 feet from the road, and they had been further back than that. I picked up my pace, almost losing a heel, but making it to the street. Looking back, I saw them ducking into a building, which I mentally marked for a later visit. Then, I heard a suprised grunt, and a male voice said "Well, well."

I looked to my left and saw a parked police car. Two officers were outside of the car, one on either side. The one on the passenger side spoke first.

"And what might you be up to, as if we can't guess. Visiting a sick mother, right?" His partner laughed, but the speaker looked more sharply at me. "Wait a minute..." he said.

I cut him off "N..no officer. I...I'm just heading home. If you'll excuse me..." I started to walk away, hoping they would let me, but then I heard "Now you just wait, 'Ma'am'. We just have a couple of questions. I'm sure we won't be long."

I turned back, slowly, feeling anger flowing a bit. "Can't they wait? I haven't had that good of a night, and I just want to get home."

"Oh, I'm sure you haven't. What's the matter, no customers? I can't believe none of the K9 boys were interested." the driver said. His partner was looking me over intently and sternly. They did glance down the alley I came from, and kept their hands near their belts, which proved that they weren't total idiots.

The passenger said "I don't recognize you. New to the game, Ma'am?"

My reply was angry "I am not a hooker. I know I look like one, but I'm not!"

"Oh, my mistake, of course! You're just an honest, law-abiding citizen, out for a stroll in K9 territory, in a skirt like that." They had approached me, stopping just out of reach.

I tapped my foot, impatiently. "Yes, I am. As I said, I have not had a good night. Now, perhaps, if you wanted to harrass someone, you should harrass a K9."

"Gee, what an idea. From your jewelry, I'd say that's an excellent idea. Come on, you must know the drill. To the car, and assume the position."

I was shocked, and livid "They put this on me. Now, unless you have a charge, I'm going home."

Driver then said "Even if you're not a hooker, which is not likely, where do you get off impersonating an officer?"

Before I could speak, and seeing my glare, the other said "I hope you thanked them for the gift. Come on, you work for them, right?"

"No, I don't." I replied, adding "I'm not a ganger, or a criminal."

"Come on, what do you take us for? You're marked by the K9's, and you're wearing...sort of...a police uniform. That badge, at least, looks suspiciously real. Now, I insist, step up to the car and place your hands on it." The driver checked around to make sure nobody was about to pop up, while the speaker glared, with his hand on his holster.

"Yes, the K9's marked me with this innane collar. As for the badge, it's a costume prop." I took it off, and tossed it to the passenger.

He caught it handily, glancing at it briefly. "Yes, it's not real. It's realistic, which is all that is necessary. Your name?" The driver interjected at this point "You know, the statute against impersonation leaves plenty of discretion to the officer on the scene. Your lack of cooperation is hardly disposing us to let you off easily."

I was livid now, if they hadn't been cops, well, they'd be in serious pain. Instead, I growled and said "Look, Officer, I'm going home now. I've had a bad night, and you surely have better things to do with your time than bother me. Now, why don't you go roust some bad guys." Then, I turned, and walked away.

I heard a rubbing sound, probably a pistol coming out of a holster, then one yelled "Stop! Stop now, in the name of the law". The other, rather than using cliches, strod after me. "No more warnings."

However, I didn't stop. Within two steps, I launched myself into the air. I heard thier expressions of suprise, and they tried to follow me in the cruiser, but I easily lost them. After a while, I landed, and walked home, where I locked the door, took a long shower, and slept for about a half day.