While standing behind her he reached over to the wall and took down one more special set of cuffs, slipping them into his back pocket. “At this point I’d be escorting you out to the bus that’ll take you to prison. How about we go sit down for a few minutes? You do still owe me a secret, remember?” At her side he took hold of her arm, above the elbow. “C’mon, you can reveal all.”
Collecting a Debt
Her first step towards the door brought her up short when the leg irons grabbed hold of her ankles. She stumbled and almost fell. Fortunately his grip on her arm kept her upright. “Steady, take it slow,” he warned her. “You have to take shorter steps. Work with your limits. Don’t try to fight the chains.”
“I see what you mean. It’s sort of like wearing a really tight skirt and way too high heels.” She tried again, this time deliberately taking a short step that didn’t pull tight the leg chain. “Okay, that was better. Not very likely I’m going to overpower you and make a run for it, is it? I’m not sure I could even make it up the stairs.”
“I’ll have to take your word on the tight skirt. Yeah, that’s why they’re called restraints. Most machines are designed to make a difficult task easier. These do the opposite, make something as simple as walking a slow and complicated effort. You’re doing fine, take your time.” Still holding onto her arm he led her through the open doorway into the small living room area. “Here, you sit down on the sofa. I’ll help you.”
While he kept her steady she sat down. He watched her closely, still puzzled as to why she hadn’t asked him to release her right away. He pulled over a chair and sat down facing her. She sat up straight, legs close together and feet on the floor. He noticed for the first time, with the leg irons on she couldn’t cross her legs.
“There is one more part to this I didn’t mention before. See, if you really were a high risk, and in a bus seat, I’d use a pair of these,” he held up the set of cuffs he’d taken from the wall, “to keep you from causing any trouble.”
What she saw dangling from his hand was another pair of oversize cuffs, like the ones around her ankles, but instead of a chain these were joined together with a large hinge. Their purpose was obvious. Locked on her ankles she couldn’t walk at all. Leaning forward to keep her balance she stretched out her legs toward him. “Since I’m in this far I suppose I might as well go all the way. Well then, officer, better make sure I behave.”
He looked at her again, not quite sure what to make of her last remark. Reaching down he closed the oversized hinged cuffs around her ankles, immobilizing her. Like the others he used a key to double lock them. When he finished she drew her legs back, planting both feet firmly on the floor. “It seems I won’t be going for a stroll anytime soon.”
She struggled a bit more, more to prove to herself she was securely imprisoned by the restraints that actually trying to break free. “I have to admit these chains do a good job. I’ve never felt more helpless than right now.” She looked up at him. “I don’t have a clue as to how I can make a daring escape trussed up like this. What happens next?”
He leaned forward in his chair, facing her. He was so close their feet were almost touching. Tilting his head to one side he studied the woman in front of him. “That is the question, isn’t it?” He took his time before continuing. “I suppose if this was your unlucky day, I would, as the saying goes, have my way with you.”
She froze, afraid to speak. Was he serious? And if so, what could she do? That brought up a more complicated question, what did she want him to do? Finally she asked, “Is that what you planned?”
He smiled. “Still have an open mind? A sudden turn, isn’t it? For just a moment there, you felt what a real prisoner feels: fear, helplessness, trapped and no escape. Is it what you expected?”
Frowning she snapped back, “Do you always answer a question with another question?”
Just as quickly he replied, “And do you always change the subject when asked a difficult question? You can relax. No, I’m not going to attack you. I’ll share one more secret. To be completely honest, you are extremely attractive wearing those, umm, accessories. You are quite the temptation. I find it’s very difficult keeping my hands off you. But don’t worry, you’re safe.”
Behind her back she explored the cuff on her left wrist, using the fingers of her right hand. Slipping two fingers under the bow she tried to pull the cuff open, but it didn’t budge. She wasn’t going to get out of them on her own. “If I ask, will you unlock these things and let me go?”
He stood up but didn’t answer right away. Towering over her she had to lean back to look up at him. “The easiest way to answer that is for you to actually ask me. Remember though, you wanted me to show you how those cuffs work. You’re halfway there now, but there’s more than just being bound hand and foot. To really understand what being restrained is like you have to experience that moment when you are trapped, a prisoner with no way to get them off. You ask to be released, I refuse. At that point the world shifts around you. Suddenly you’ve lost that last little bit of control.”
That was when the realization struck as to how extremely vulnerable she was. He was twice her size, far stronger, and she couldn’t make a move to defend herself. Trying not to shake she lowered her head. Barely whispering she said, “What…What are you going to do to me?”