The Picture: The First One is Free Author: Lord Douche douchemeup@hotmail.com Alyssa stared up at the painting, tapping her foot and frowning in distaste. The artwork was of excellent quality, as was the frame it sat in... but she didn't care for the content one bit. How anyone could paint such a scene, and then attempt to sell it for actual money, was beyond her. "Is a special painting, you know," noted the art dealer in his nasal version of English. She suppressed a grunt, not wanting to talk to the unsavoury little man standing behind her. "Is that so?" Alyssa said haughtily, turning to look down at the art dealer. She wanted nothing more than to leave the stifling art gallery and get away from this man. Ever since she had entered the cluttered building, she had felt his eyes roving over her body like the caress of his dirty hands. He grinned up at her, flashing a mouth of foul teeth. She forced a smile to cross her face, her eyes stony. "Yes, yes, very special! One of a kind," he babbled excitedly, pushing past her to look closer, his head deliberately brushing against the concealed mound of her breast. She tried not to identify the scent he left in the air as he moved. "The artist, he say is very special painting," he said, gesturing to the picture. Alyssa rolled her eyes, thankful for a chance to express her disgust; albeit secretively. "How interesting," she said, making a weak attempt to feign interest as her eyes marked out the exit to the building. This guy gave her the creeps. "You know... this girl look like you," he said, gesturing to the naked young woman in the painting. His eyes fell upon her chest, as if to compare the woman's bare breast to her own. Alyssa shuddered in revulsion, feeling a strong urge to take a bath. Besides, her breasts were bigger. "I give you good price," he said, still grinning. She tried not to breathe in as she shook her head. "Half price for you only," he told her, his fingers itching to count her money. He glanced again at the picture, and she had a sick image of what would feature in his dreams tonight. "I... Not at the moment. Perhaps... later," she told him, edging away from him slowly. "One time offer only," he said, winking at her conspiratorially. "I don't even like the painting," she admitted desperately. The seemingly genuine happiness he had been broadcasting to her disappeared, his face turning into a scowl. "I see," he said, then surprisingly, turned away and returned to the other side of the gallery. Alyssa let out a sigh of relief, heading for the outside. One hand pushed apart the curtain holding out the sunlight as she slid out, walking into the oppressive heat like it was a concrete wall. She winced, pulling the veil that lay around her neck up to cover her eyes. These people are so primitive, she thought critically as her hidden eyes gazed over the slow-moving crowd before her. Her ears were assaulted by innumerable sellers advertising their wares, their foreign sing-song words fighting to be heard over the hum of the crowd. "Shit," she muttered angrily, realising her guide had left without her. Dirty little troll, she thought, glaring at the nearest person. Pausing a moment to get her bearings, she pushed her way into the crowd, holding her handbag tight in both hands. She knew the way back to the hotel... it wasn't far. "Yes, I came this way," Alyssa told herself confidently, recognising the seller at the corner of the street she was in. Then there was a man selling fish... she walked a bit further and spotted the fishmonger. "Excellent," she said, joining the flow of people. Underneath the fabric that covered her body, she was sweating profusely. Her sandals were gritty with sand that had stuck to her moist feet. She licked her lips thirstily, thinking of the cool fountain inside the hotel foyer. Entering the next crossroads, she halted as the world seemed to spin around her. "Uh," she grunted, putting a hand to her head. "I need a drink," she told herself, looking up to find that she didn't recognise any of the roads. "Wait... I came that..." she started, turning and knocking into a fast-moving passer-by. Her sentence half complete, she toppled over in surprise to find herself suddenly in a shifting sea of dirty feet. Hastily she righted herself, brushing sand from her clothes. "Watch it," she snapped angrily, but the person had already disappeared into the crowd. Alyssa glanced around, now totally lost. None of these corners looked familiar anymore. "Shit," she cursed, heading for a nearby stall. "Excuse me," she said loudly. "Do you speak English?" The stall owner paused in his yelling to look at her quizzically. He babbled something in a foreign language and offered her a handful of necklaces. She groaned in annoyance, walking away from the disappointed seller to the next stall. "Excuse me," she called, when the world spun again. Alyssa grunted, swaying as her balance wavered. She felt someone jostle her and then someone yanked violently on her handbag, tearing it from her fingers. "Hey!" she yelled in surprise, fighting back her nausea to launch herself after the thief. "Come back with that!" she yelled futilely, shoving her way through the crowd. The thief darted between two stalls, Alyssa following close behind. It was like stepping into another world. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of the city streets was gone, replaced by a quiet rumble and the sound of running feet. "Come back!" she screamed desperately, dashing down the small alley, her sandals slapping against the soft soles of her feet with each frantic step. Alyssa stopped at an intersection, panting as she spun around desperately in an attempt to locate the thief. All the alleys looked the same, and every direction was empty. Then she realised that she had no idea where she was, or which way she had come in. She glanced down, trying to sort her footsteps from the myriad of others. "FUCK!" she screamed, fighting not to cry. She would just find someone who could speak English. Then she could find the hotel again, and all would be well. Her passport lay safely on her bed, so she was not stuck in the country without her bag. Resolutely, she stepped down the alley in front of her, cursing whoever designed this city. She took two steps and the world spun again. "Damn it!" Alyssa yelled, shaking her head. "Stop this!" She looked up after a minute of feeling ill and jumped back from the man standing directly in front of her. He was tall and dressed in a blue robe, a black veil covering all but his eyes. He watched her in silence, blocking the alley. "Do you speak English?" she asked hesitantly, backing away. Where did he come from? When he did not respond, she turned to go the other way and froze. There was another man standing behind her... almost identical. She spun around, her eyes widening as she saw each direction was blocked by a blue-robed man. Fear stabbed through her heart as she glanced around, verifying that she wasn't dreaming. "C...Can you help me? I... I'm lost," she stammered helplessly, her eyes darting between the four silent figures. "Come with us," one said in a low voice, and turned away. As he walked away, the three others moved forwards, herding Alyssa down the alley. She had little choice but to follow them. Down through the back-alleys they led her, the sounds of the crowded market echoing down the alleys that they passed. The alleys seemed like a maze to Alyssa, the silent figures leading her unerringly between the buildings. She grew increasingly frantic as they walked, becoming less and less certain that they had her best interests at heart. As they passed through a crossroads, Alyssa darted off left, leaving the four men behind her. The sounds of the crowd grew louder as she ran, taking random turns. She had to be getting close! Abruptly one of the men stepped out in front of her. Unable to stop, she ploughed into him, sending them both sprawling. She felt a tinge of satisfaction at his painful grunt as they landed in a tangle of clothing, Alyssa finding herself beside him. Swiftly he grabbed her and rolled over, pinning her in the sand. "Help me!" she screamed, kicking and struggling. "If you won't come willingly..." the man said, produced a heavy black bag from within the blue robe. She smelt something sharp as he slid the bag over her head, her nostrils burning as she fought against his weight on top of her. She felt him pick her up as her muscles grew sluggish, carrying her through the alleys. "Let me... go," she moaned, slipping into unconsciousness. Alyssa awoke suddenly, her eyes springing open to darkness. She sat up blindly, feeling the air blow across her naked skin as she moved. Her heart thundered in her throat as she felt a cool metal chain rub against her breast. Shakily she traced it upwards with one hand to touch the collar encircling her throat. She whimpered softly as she followed the chain across the hard mat she lay on to a ring in the floor, her hand touching cold stone around it. She let go of the chain shakily and leant forward, her pulse racing as she felt the shackles around each ankle. "Hello?" she whispered into the darkness. The silence was absolute, swallowing up her voice. Breathing shallowly, she rolled over onto all fours and began blindly moving away from the mat, but the chain was too short, allowing her to move only a short distance across the stone floor. Her exploration cut short, Alyssa returned to the relative softness of the mat to wait. What else could she do? She began to loose her sense of time as the minutes dragged on in silence. She had no idea how long she lay on the mat, the forcing herself not to scream into the darkness. She refused to give her captors the satisfaction of her tears. Her sensitive ears heard the sound of footsteps moments before light flooded the small room that was her prison. She clamped shut her dark-adjusted eyes as pain lanced through her head, shutting out the silhouette of a tall figure standing over her. "What do you want?" she asked shakily, blindly trying to look at the figure. Instead of a response, she felt rough hands catch her hair, holding her still as a blindfold was tied across her eyes and adjusted, shutting out the painful light. Alyssa fought back a whimper as a rough hand caught her chin, squeezing her cheeks until she opened her jaw. She stuck her tongue out futilely, half expecting her captor to rape her face. Instead she tasted something wooden. Surprised, her captor was able to easily put the wooden ball into her mouth, pulling the chain that intersected it around and clipping it behind her neck. She whimpered around the gag as her arms were tied together with rope behind her back, the knots digging painfully into her skin. The thin chain tethering her to the ground was released and used as a leash to tug her violently to her feet. "Follow me," a rough male voice commanded, tugging on the chain. She followed him slowly, her hobbled feet shuffling against the stone. Where is he taking me? Alyssa wondered fearfully. Her blinded eyes roamed the emptiness inside the blindfold, expecting at any moment to walk into a wall or fall down a flight of stairs. Somehow she doubted her captor would prevent either from occurring. She bumped into him as he stopped moving suddenly. He pulled on her chain, forcing her down onto her knees. There was a click as the chain was locked onto the cold floor and left her in the darkness. She sat perfectly still, fighting not to cry. Her heart pounded in her throat, her naked body slick with sweat despite the cool air that blew leisurely across her skin. Alyssa heard footsteps behind her, unlike her guides' silent movements. She whimpered as they approached, growing louder every moment. "Hey, bitch!" a male voice snarled at her. Quivering in fear, she felt him draw near to her, his hot breath on her face as he licked her cheek. She drew away in revulsion. "Stay still," he said, slapping her naked behind painfully. She sobbed in terror as his rough hands forced her onto her back, his tongue darting across her skin. She flinched as he ran his tongue around her exposed nipple, the soft bud expanding with blood. He slid around until he lay between her legs, parting them with his hands. She squirmed in shame as his tongue darted between the brown curls of her pubic hair, running along the soft skin that hid underneath. Alyssa could not resist as he carefully licked her to arousal, her body responding despite her predicament. Then she realised what was bothering her so much. Her hobbled feet were rubbing against his naked skin. "Mm-mm," she screamed, fighting now. She knew what he was doing now, and refused to sit quietly. "Time for the fun part," he said, ending her pleasure abruptly. She felt him crawling up over her, positioning his erect member at her entrance. She could feel his heat against her skin, hungry for her body. "Mm-mm!" she screamed in horror, feeling him plunge forwards. He slammed into her quickly, her moist vagina stretching to accept his sudden size. Alyssa squirmed weakly, tears soaking her blindfold as he began to pound into her, driving her buttocks into the stone with each stroke. She could feel his hot breath on her face, making her cringe in disgust. He smelt worse than the art dealer! Her rapist came quickly, filling her with his seed. He pulled out, leaving her a sobbing wreck on the cold stone floor. "She is perfect," said a soft, feminine voice from nearby. Alyssa curled into a ball, crying softly. How could another woman just stand and watch her violation! The guard returned and led her off after the unknown woman, following the heels clicking against the stone rhythmically. Her words kept running through Alyssa's disturbed mind. Perfect... perfect... perfect for what? "Here she is, Master," the woman said. "Ah, yes," said a new voice, deep and masculine. There was a rustle of clothing as the man approached. "Behave, bitch, or you'll get a visit from the guards again," the woman whispered nastily in Alyssa's ear. She whimpered fearfully, suppressing the urge to run. She could hear him humming thoughtfully as he circling around her; she imagined him sizing her up for innumerable torments. An involuntary shudder ran through her. Expecting at any moment to be groped, Alyssa was surprised when he ran his hands through her hair. "Remove her gag," he commanded. Alyssa felt the woman's cool hands behind her head. "Remember the guards," she whispered, tugging the wooden ball free. Alyssa fought the urge to spit the taste of wood from her mouth, keeping her jaw firmly shut. "Yes..." the man said happily, running a finger across her wet lips. "Perfect!" There was a rustle of clothing again as he moved. "Not here," the woman protested nervously. "He'll be here any second." "Ah, but I want them free for this," he said. Alyssa could hear the sounds of their passionate kissing... could she make a run for it whilst they were busy? Her fingers were already working on the rope binding her wrists, desperately pulling at the slight slack in the rope. "I knew you would see it my way," the man said, the sounds of their kissing ending abruptly as he took up Alyssa's leash. "Come on," he snapped, tugging at the accursed chain. Reluctantly Alyssa followed him, halting her work on the ropes as she shuffled after him. Suddenly a sharp yank on the chain brought her to her knees, wrenching a gasp from her throat. "Stay put," said the man, releasing the chain. Alyssa leant back, pressing against something hard and wooden. Excitedly she resumed working on the knots, hoping her hands were kept from view. "Ah, you have arrived," the man said happily. "Is everything prepared?" asked another male voice, nasal and irritating. I'm going to be sold, Alyssa thought, her heart sinking. She worked harder on the rope. "Yes, everything you requested." He tugged sharply on Alyssa's chain. "Our star is ready." She heard the sounds of a chair being moved, and then suddenly the blindfold was tugged from her eyes. "Not a word," the woman whispered from above. Alyssa found herself crouched next to a long wooden couch, the woman perched behind her with the leash in one hand. She was dressed in blue and orange robes, her firm breasts exposed to the air. The male voice was a short, weaselly man with a thick moustache and excessive clothing. As Alyssa watched he let his pants fall down, exposing his already engorged member. "Time to get to work," the man said, grabbing a handful of her hair. The woman grabbed the base of his cock as he guided her towards him. "Open up," he commanded. Alyssa sobbed as she complied; oral sex was better than the alternative. His hand shifted in her hair, and suddenly he thrust forwards, driving himself down the back of her throat. Gagging, Alyssa squirmed in his grasp and halted her work on the ropes. "Excellent," said the nasal voice as he withdrew from her mouth. Alyssa glanced in his direction, her eyes widening. It was the art dealer! He was sitting behind an easel, brush in hand. Alyssa blinked in surprise. He was an artist? "How much will this be?" asked the man, driving himself down her throat again. "Oh, first one is free," the art dealer said. Thoughtfully he put the first stroke of paint onto the canvas, his brow creased with concentration. "I'm sure there will be many more," he said confidently. Then the dealer looked directly at Alyssa, smiling knowingly. And like the closing of a lid, everything fell into place. It's not possible, Alyssa screamed around the cock pushing down into her throat once again, futilely tugging at the rope that bound her wrists. Each touch of the brush against the plain white canvas was another nail in her coffin. The picture at the gallery... ...was of her. 10-11-2003