Hello everyone!! I hope this message finds you all well. I know I am. Anyway, I must credit WallyWest for the idea behind this one. It's an Alex Morgan and Hope Solo tickle fiction told from the perspective of one Julie Johnston and the account she gives. Any and all feedback is welcome as usually. And I do apologize for the length of the story, I suggest curling up on the couch for this one lol. Enjoy!!
It was my first time inside a police station. And as for television adaptations, there were next to no similarities. They fed you visuals of dimly lit interrogation rooms and holding cells, but the honest truth is, this place didn’t look half bad. There wasn’t a single bulb out of order, each functioning, gleaming with the thousand watt potential that made even the most minuscule specs of debris noticeable on the cream colored floor. In fact had it not been for the circumstances that put me in this position, I’d have felt rather welcome. It’s no wonder crime rates had spiked over the past ten years; with three square meals to boot I’d have be inclined to commit a fault myself if it mean spending some time in here. You see, the life of a female soccer player just starting out wasn’t exactly the lap of luxury I’d been made to believe.
Sure I got paid a decent wage, for a woman anyway. But my salary was nothing compared to the superstar duo Alex Morgan and Hope Solo. Their careers had seemingly skyrocketed for no apparent reason leaving the rest of us eating dust. Perhaps that’s why we did what we did.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of stiff rubber boots stomping the ground. The door to my room is swung open by a tall portly man looking to be in his mid-fifties. His badge read “Franks”. He held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, and a tape recorder in the other. I had no idea those primitive things were still in circulation and it caught me off guard to seen one now.
“Evening Miss Johnston is it?” He asks slamming the door behind him.
I nod my head in compliance almost shamefully, “Yes sir… Julie Johnston.”
My words are barely above a whisper as nerves begin to settle in. Even pre-game jitters didn't compare to the sweaty palmed pulsating feeling that was rushing over me like the Holy Ghost himself.
“Now I’m sure you know why you’re here?” He asks taking a seat directly in front of me.
The coffee smelled stale and I’m glad he hadn’t brought me a cup, because I likely would have puked out a lung trying to down it.
“Y-Yes S-Sir.” I stutter. It’s an embarrassing adolescent trait I’d overcome years ago, but I suppose in the presence of authority it was sneakily making a comeback.
“Well, just to reiterate, Mrs. Jones, neighbor to Carli Lloyd another women’s baseball teammate err other…”
“Soccer, sir. W-we play soccer.” I’m quick to correct.
“Yes right.” He huffs as his eyes strain to read the poorly written document.
I didn’t blame him for struggling to read it. Even a chicken would have lifted a wing to disavow from such horrid penmanship. Still he pressed on, in the name of the law.
“It says here, there were reports of blaring music, drunkenness, sexual intercourse on public display, in short, a disturbance of the peace. But that’s not what’s got me concerned. There were also raised voices, ruckus laughter and high pitched screams, like someone was being… tortured.”
I stare down at my feet which had since taken to shuffling on their own volition. All of what he said was true, and I had been a part of it. Half of me wanted to cry in shame, knowing my parents had raised a better daughter, the other half felt obliged to protect the lives of the defendants.
“Miss Johnston, everybody seemed to hightail it out of there except for you. You willingly turned yourself in. That tells me your moral compass is pointed in the right direction. Now, if you would be so kind as to regale me with the accounts of that evening I’d be most appreciative.” He says tapping his fingers on the table.
“Am I in trouble?”
“Nobody’s accusing you of anything. But refusal to cooperate won’t look good on your part.” He explains.
I nodded my head in agreement, and stared down at my twiddling thumbs, “I suppose for any of this to make sense you should hear this story from when it first started. For the events leading up to the night are just as pivotal as the night itself.”
The Sargent abandons his prefect posture for a slouched position that sees his belly bulge over his gear belt. I suppose he sensed a whopper of a story coming on so he sipped his coffee sparingly wanting to make sure it didn’t run out.
… I was a rookie, but it didn’t take veteran eyes to see that there was tension as thick as the matted green surface we practiced on, between Alex Morgan and Captain Lloyd. Lloyd really hated her guts. Maybe it was her perfect smile and the set of straight pearly white teeth behind it. Maybe it was the way her golden blonde locks flowed in perfect harmony as she glided down the field. Or perhaps it was the soft glow that seemed to always radiate like angelic purity off her peach colored complexion. In any case, Alex Morgan was a hot commodity, and although she wasn’t captain of the team, she received just as much if not more recondition. Her friendship with veteran Hope Solo didn’t help matters either.
From the minute I’d arrived it was apparent Hope held herself pretty high. Self-assured and egotistical were just some of the ways she was described. The others, well let’s just say they’re too explicit. But I suppose she had every right to be. Next to Alex she held the most awards and accolades, and was the best at her craft as far as I could tell. During practices, no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get one ball past her. Of course all of this would be put to the test during our first game against Belgium. They were a relatively easy adversary and we were expected to crush them by at least three goals.
Game time was a different beast all together. Fortunately Alex and Captain Lloyd had put aside their squabbles electing to focus on the game instead of each other. And for the better half of the game, things were going smoothly. Team U.S.A looked like a well-oiled machine. The ball was being passed about, we were each getting some playing time, and even I almost scored a goal. Hope as per usual made sure Belgium remained scoreless, picking off and defending balls like she was a chastity belt. Then the inevitable happened.
Perhaps the deafening roar of the crowd got inside her head, or the fact that one more goal would put her over the one hundred mark in her career, but when I fielded the ball to Alex on the next play, it never left her feet.
Her relentless drive and determination had earned her the nickname, “Baby Horse” and rightfully so as she blazed downfield weaving past Belgian players with elegance and grace. Oh boy did she make it look easy. I felt like more of a spectator at this point, content to watch her wizarding feet cradle the ball. Unfortunately, not everyone felt as I did.
Carli was wide open in our opposition’s corner begging for the ball. I watched Alex look up, acknowledge her presence and carry on trucking past bedazzled Belgians. Needless to say, she scored. I watched happily as Belgium’s goalie whiffed to the right of what was a ball sailing by at the speed of light. Of course the crowd went wild.
Fans emptied their seats in an unrestrained jovial applaud, those who wore Alex’s jersey tugged at it in appreciation of the American superstar. I was relatively new to all this, so her applause was my applause. We were a team after all.
Shortly after that a stern exchange of words was had between Alex and Carli. You could have been deaf and still understood they weren’t pleasant. But Hope was there to break them apart, rushing from her goal post to play sheriff.
“Don’t you go getting involved in that shit ya here?” I remember the coach yelling at me from the sidelines.
Coach Ellis and her staff had put together quite an effective team, on paper at least. We won games, which was what mattered most to her. No wins, no endorsements, no endorsements, no money, but even a blind man could have seen the structural integrity of the team was hanging by a thread. Still, she made no mention of it so long as we kept piling on the points.
By the time the referee had called a halt to the action, we had already surpassed analysts’ expectations by scoring not three, but five points to their zero. A mild celebration ensued.
We knew we had won in obliterating style, but beating a twenty second ranked team wasn’t exactly something to write home about. Still our fans lingered for minutes after the game begging Alex and Hope for autographs and pictures while the rest of us retreated to the locker room.
The stale scent of sweat is an odor you don’t soon get accustomed to so I was quick to shower, change and head out. Out on field which was now just an empty plane of grass stood Alex and Hope still gloating, only this time to sports writers salivating over their every word. As I stuck my hand down my jean pocket I felt just my leg and realized in my haste I’d forgotten my phone.
There’s no mistaking the sound of disgruntled voices as I walked in on Carli having a powwow with a couple of my other teammates. I pretended to pay them no mind, but couldn’t help overhear a vengeful plot in the making.
“Hey, new girl!” Carli called out.
I couldn’t believe that she was giving me the time of day. On the field it was expected of her, but after that I was basically a nobody.
“Yes?” I said, taking precaution in my steps towards the group.
“You want in on this?” She asked with a raised brow.
It’s all eyes on me as I’m instantly put on the spot. Having been shunned by my teammates throughout camp and preseason it was a welcome change to be acknowledged and I quickly nodded my head in agreement, even without fully understanding what it was they were scheming.
“It’s time those cocky bitches get what’s coming to them!” Carli said pounding her fist.
Like a judge, her hammering hand meant the meeting was adjourned and the girls broke apart and returned to their lockers.
“You come here.” She said to me.
Being the youngest of the group had its advantages; I was on the cusp of my prime while a majority of my teammates were staring down the end of theirs. However as the youngest I’d also been selected to do the dirty work. As per Carli’s request I found myself at the door of a kinky sex shop on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t the most comforting atmosphere but neither was sharing a communal shower with twenty other women glancing enviously at my body. Still I would take the latter in a heartbeat.
The inside smelled strong of incents, and possibly marijuana, not that I’d ever had a run in with the substance before. I suppose I can thank my good looks because no sooner had I started to investigate, that a man stepped into my line of sight, gliding in as if his shoes had baby power sprinkled on their soles.
“Can I help you find anything?” He asked in a chipper tone.
He was a scrawny man. Even I likely outweighed him by twenty pounds in my thighs alone.
“I need everything on this list.” I said passing him a small piece of paper.
It was embarrassing to watch him look over the list with wonder in his eyes as I started to doubt the entire ordeal. But having already invested in time and gas, I didn’t want to back down now.
I waited patiently as he walked about. His oversized black shirt looked almost like a cape as he shuffled past an isle full of lubricants. He disappeared from sight leaving me alone. And while I’m happy to be the only customer, I insure that by flipping the sign on the door from “open” to “closed”.
Jimmy, my attendant returned with a shopping basket full of naughty goodies and rang each one up uttering each item under his breath. I could only imagine what he assumed a girl like me was going to do with baby oil, leather restraints and sensually stimulating implements. And even I wasn’t too sure. It was relieving to watch him place each item in a darkly tinted discreet plastic bag and we exchange smiles before I head out, flipping the sign back to, “open”.
Carli’s palatial home boasted ten bedrooms and seven bathrooms over two stories worth of solid white cement. A pool big enough for ten sat towards one end of the house and on the other was a driveway that housed her carousel of luxury sedans. With her own miniature soccer field for a back yard it was no wonder how she’d earned the distinguished honor of captain. And I was just brimming with enthusiasm to be a guest in her home.
I was among the first to arrive, not out of necessity, but out of sheer excitement. In high school my stern parents had forbidden me from going to any party that wasn’t a Chuck E. Cheese affair. And I suppose for that I was thankful looking back in retrospect.
I dressed modestly for a poolside party, weary not to outdo any of my counterparts least I be targeted as their next victim. Light blue jean shorts and a baby blue crop top proved to be the perfect balance as none of my teammates looked on me with disdain. Inside the house was a modern day J. Gatsby soiree of athletic proportions.
Endless bottles of liquor sat side by side across a long black bar with two bartenders eagerly waiting to serve. What was once a dining hall had been transformed into a dance floor complete with a professional lighting system and Disk Jockey already scratching vinyl on his turntable. I’m caught off guard by Carli and a few of my teammates already downing shots of vodka presumably for courage.
“Isn’t this great?” She shouted over the music.
Failing to find the words I merely nodded my head in agreement. I fancied myself a modern woman yes, but not to this magnitude of wealth.
“Here, drink this.” Carli said as she pressed a shot glass full of vodka firmly into my hand.
Now I’d never had alcohol before that night, and as an athlete I felt the practice unnecessary. But to be polite I downed the substance. The vile drink burned my throat like a harsh winter cold on an eight mile run. And as much as I tried to hide my disgust I couldn’t help but wince in pain.
“Someone’s a lightweight!” Carli teased. “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it.” She said patting me on the back.
I’m escorted upstairs where the real party would soon be taking place. Down a narrow corridor in a secluded section of the house we came upon a room with no windows, lit simply by candle light. A king sized mattress, its frame already lined with leather restraints is center stage.
“This looks intense.” I said with my hands in my pockets.
“That it does.” Carli said as she pushed me towards the bed, “But just to be sure… we need to test it out.” She sat on the bed and patted
the mattress.
I hesitate, stopping to wonder if somewhere between now and then I’d crossed any one of them in some way.
“Umm… I don’t know…”
But Carli placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and shook her head, “Don’t be scared… We’re not going to hurt you. Besides… it’s just for a little bit.”
I cautiously laid flat on my back letting the cool crisp sheets send shivers up my spine, and let my arms lie limp at my sides. Carli was gentle in taking my wrists and stretching them above my head, fastening them just enough to render me restrained. My feet came next as she daintily clasped each one of my ankles into the straps securing them in similar fashion, “Now try and wiggle free.” She instructed.
I dis as commanded, tugging at the restraints with every fiber in my body, but they were resilient to my efforts, leaving me just as helpless as I started, “I can’t.” I said plainly.
“Good. That’s the idea.” Carli said running a single finger across my exposed midsection.
“Wh-What are you doing?!” I questioned in befuddlement, staring at her with curious eyes.
“Just testing my skills.” She replied seductively.
“Skills? Wh-WHAA-HA-HA!” I screamed as her fingers ran down on my belly.
“Oh we got a live one ladies!” She giggled to the others.
Soon the other two joined in, one at my feet and Carli and the other on my upper body. This was tickling taken to a whole new level. If this was what was in store for Hope and Alex, they had my sympathy.
As their fingers dished out torment, my vocals sang out in melodic fits of laughter. And I could not remember a time having ever been tickled quite like this.
Carli was quick to find and exploit my freshly shaved underarms still radiantly smooth courtesy of my moisturizer. Her razor sharp nails felt like a trail of ants frolicking about my arms in no particular direction.
“My goodness new girl you’re ridiculously ticklish aren’t you?” She giggled alongside me.
Unable to respond I nodded my head in compliance as strings of forced laughter implode the sound barriers of the room, “WHA-HA-HA! GOOO-GA-HA-HA! TEE-HEE-HEE!”
In no time flat I’m short of breath, all my conditioning as an athlete, of no use to me now. And Carli, ever considerate of others whose names aren’t Hope and Alex, called off her minions.
I stared up at her in awestruck silence, my mouth gaping as I gasped for air.
“There, there, little one. It’s alright. It’s over.” She reassured, stroking strands of my golden blonde hair away from my face.
She’s quick to release me of my bonds, giving me a minute to recuperate, “Did you know you were THAT ticklish?” She finally asks.
“No.” I shake my head, “I’d never been tickled like that before.” I confess.
“Just wait till those two bitches get here. They’re in for the tickle of their lives.” Carli raves...
It’s at this point in the story I pause. Not because I was having trouble recollecting, but because Sergeant Franks was looking at me like I was some sort of loon.
“Tickling?”
“Yes sir.”
“Tickling?”
“Uh-hu.”
He stares down curiously at his empty cup probably questioning whether his fellow deputies hadn’t traced it with hallucinogens for a cheap gag. And the fact that my intoxication report read .08 didn’t exactly bode well for the validity of my story.
“Look it, I’m trying to help you Miss Johnston, but in order for me to do that I need the truth.”
“I swear to you I’m not lying.”
There was nothing I could say to sway his firmly rooted distrust. And given the peculiarity of what I was suggesting, I didn’t blame him for keeping a vacant stare. But I had to make him believe.
“Look.” I say standing to my feet.
It’s with great trepidation that I lift my shirt to unveil a pair of pink abrasions right below my rib cage. It proves to be enough as he motions me to lower it and carry on with my story.
... By the time they were done with me the floor was already a sea of girls in skimpy attire and muscle filled hunks dancing away; the thumping music like a rhythmic heartbeat pumping life into the party.
One electric song after another shook the house with mad vibrations; even setting off a car with a sensitive alarm, still no Hope or Alex. I remained in the shadows, choosing not to mingle, not to converse, feeling every bit out of place as a fish out of water. For all my longing to partake in such festivities, there was still a part of me that walked on the side of caution. Just like the vodka, the atmosphere would take some getting used to. And just as the DJ was about to blast yet another horrendous piece of dubstep something happens that makes the room stop on a dime. They arrive.
Fashionably late no doubt the pair walked in, strutting and dripping of swagger and confidence, the American flag disgraced into a string bikini they both pulled off flawlessly. For thirty four years of age Hope’s body would put most teenage girls to shame as her toned abs glisten, presumably wet from having already taken a dip in the pool. Not too far behind is Alex, whose farer skin tone lights up the dance floor, her slender body, just as enviable. It takes almost a minute before anyone’s attention is reverted, and the DJ helps move things along with another monotonous beat.
Carli is quick to greet her guests, baring the most forged smile I’d ever seen. And it was a wonder Hope and Alex didn’t see past the disguise as they welcome their captain with open arms. Weaving past the masses they reach the bar, where it was the server’s turn to ante up.
Having earlier given him specific instructions to spike their drinks I watch as he nervously preps and pours their margaritas. The inebriating toxin was but a coated residue located on the tips of their decorative paper umbrellas. Five seconds was all that was required for the toxin to spread, and we could only cross our fingers the girls wouldn’t ditch them immediately. We held our collective breaths and counted down the seconds, 5… 4… 3… 2… But just as time was about to expire they removed the decorations tossing them carelessly to the floor.
As the party wore on and our unsuspecting victims downed their glasses, four seconds proved to be enough as their usually snappy and agile dance moves turned into a discombobulated disaster.
I was the first to come to their aid, “You two alright?” I asked over the blaring music.
Hope lowered her head and struggled to respond amidst the grogginess that had seemingly overridden her focus, “I… think I… need to lie down.” She said cradling her head in her hands.
Alex concurred with her friend, having suffered similar delusions and I guide them with caution up the steps. Carli is quick to rush towards me,
“Hope? Alex are you alright?” She queries with fabricated concern.
They respond in unison with slow zombie like head shakes as we continue our ascend. I take Alex, while Carli takes Hope. They’re not as light as they look, but we manage to get them to the room without dropping them to the ground.
There they welcome the soft plushness of Carli’s king sized mattress, succumbing to slumber the second their heads crash onto the pillows, “Excellent.” Carli giggles with glee.
Her minions made fast work of their flaccid bodies securing their limbs to their respective restraints, “All done Miss Lloyd.”
“Good. Come now. Let’s let them sleep. They’re going to need all the rest they can get before we have our way with their scrumptious little bodies.”
The party showed no signs of slowing down, with the droves of people present content to linger on the lawn and about the grounds of the first floor. I tried my best to enjoy myself, casually sipping liquor and munching on piping hot layers of cheesy pizza, but not even the deafening music could drown out my conscience.
Upstairs we were harboring two women against their wills, even if they weren’t privy to their situation thanks to being unwittingly inebriated. Still, it was a struggle to reach in my pocket and call the police, fearing failure would grant me a slot right beside them.
Ten more songs went by before I saw Carli again, “It’s time!” She yells into my ear.
I abandon my pizza and shuffle up the stairs inches behind her with her minions close at hand. Every candle in the room is already lit as I enter. And mounds of melted wax lead me to believe they’d been lit shortly after my exit. At the very least Alex and Hope would have the comfort of their lavender scent to help transition them from tranquil serenity to torturous screams.
Our timing couldn’t have been more perfect as Hope is the first to stir stretching her arms and legs outward. In simultaneous fashion Alex comes to life stretching her body, letting out a long deep yawn. As I watch from the corner of the room I note just how oblivious they still are to their situation, baring charismatic smiles similar to children waking up in a warm bed on Christmas morning. But my nerves were still unsettled knowing their childish demeanors wouldn’t last.
“Wake up! Wake up!” Carli screeches loud and strong.
Her vocals could land her a position as a human defibrillator as even I’m startled by her scratchy high pitch, and I’m already awake. Hope and Alex shake their heads of what I can only guess are the toxins wearing off, but it isn’t until they try to bring down their arms that their awareness increases tenfold.
“What’s going on here?!” Alex cries out nervously.
“Hey! Why are we tied up?” Hope says shaking her fists.
Carli, wanting to spare them anymore confusion is quick to unsheathe herself of the shadows, bringing them both to momentary silence.
“Well, well, well look who we have here… if it isn’t team U.S.A’s two biggest hotshots, all tied up and can’t do nothing.”
Hope had always been the more courageous of the two so it’s no surprise that she’s the first to open her mouth, “Carli what the hell man?! Is this some sort of sick joke?”
“Nice to see you too Hope. You seem a bit tense if I may say so.”
“Well Gee, I’m sorry I guess I don’t respond well to being tied up!”
“I’d watch my tone if I was you Mrs. Solo.”
“Hell no! You let us go right now sick weirdo!”
“Sick? Weirdo? You still don’t know when to shut up do you? That’ll change.”
“Dammit Carli! What’s this even about?”
“Could you possibly be so dense that you don’t already know?”
“Just cut the shit already damn!”
“My, my, my, just… look at you. It must be… killing you, to be in such a position. Then again, this IS how you enjoy spending your evenings isn’t it… on your back? Ha-ha!”
“We’re not laughing Carli.”
“Oh, just you wait; they’ll be plenty to laugh about shortly.”
I’d never seen Alex so recluse, on her face, a fear stricken look of worry as she lays mute, unable to muster a word. But then again, Hope was doing enough talking for the both of them.
“Carli cut the crap! What’s this all about you twisted freak?”
I knew the more Hope spoke and the more venom she spewed, the harder Carli would enforce her will. Had I not been so frozen in fear myself I might have motioned her to stop, but Carli was exhibiting a side I knew I didn’t want to mess with.
Alright, alright. I suppose I’ve kept you in suspense long enough. The truth is Mrs. Solo, we’re sick of you two.” Carli says crossing her arms.
“Sick of us?!” Hope says straining her neck to the limits of her confinement.
“For years you two have been hogging the spotlight, stealing our thunder, playing the game like you’re untouchable. That ends tonight, right here.”
Hope shrugs her shoulders to the best of her ability, “Hey Einstein, who gives a shit as long as we’re winning!?” She boasts.
“We do. This is a team sport remember? Or have you forgotten that?”
“There are only two reasons this, “team” keeps winning, and you’re looking at them.” Hope says turning to Alex who is still lying speechless in shock.
“There she goes again! Can you believe the balls on this one?! Even at our mercy she continues to mock us!” Carli says riling up the others.
Hope responds with renewed vigor, possibly wanting to reassure her frightened friend, “Your mercy? Ha! You know as well as I that if you so much as harm a hair on my head, you’ll be in big trouble. You can’t hurt us.”
Carli nods her head in agreement, “You’re right Hope. I can’t harm you. But then, that was never my intention. But there must be retribution because you two… need a dose of humility.”
Alex finally summoning the will to speak ekes out her first words, “Wh-what are you going to do to us?” Her voice is soft; it lacks conviction, but it reeks of fear.
“There she is!” Carli giggles in delight, “So happy you could join us.”
Hope, obviously annoyed by the entire façade reiterates her friend’s question with more bravado, “What the FUCK are you going to do with us?”
Carli flinches back, “Such naughty language, but I suppose it’s time to get on with it. I’m going to make you laugh your pretty little heads off. Now tell me ladies, are either of you… ticklish?” She asks flexing her fingers.
Replaying those words in my head, the idea seemed arbitrary. How could an innocent childish pastime possibly prove to be an effective technique? Then I replay my brief encounter with Carli’s sharp nails, and if one minute was unbearable to me, what might an hour of relentless tickling be like to them? Or two if she so willed it. Yet, as expected Carli is met with doubt as Hope shakes her head in disbelief. Even timid Alex looks my way and smiles as if to say, “You can’t be serious.”
“If you touch us you’re dead!” Hope warns with a stern facial expression.
“Oh how I love empty threats. Don’t you ladies love empty threats?”
I maintained my position, basically guarding the door, casually peeking out to make sure we weren’t disturbed by unwanted guests. The party below, still thumping, would be ample noise to blanket the screams about to be unleashed. I leaned against the wall and watched as Carli straddled Hope and another slender brunette straddled Alex. I could tell by the look in Hope’s eyes she was barely intimidated, perhaps like me she’d not been tickled in while. But if history was any indication, she’d soon be begging for mercy.
They struck with no verbal warning, nor a tease. Their fingers simultaneously plunging into eight rows of exposed ribs. It didn’t take long to evoke snickers from Alex, her will had been teetering since the moment she’d woke up. Unsurprisingly Hope’s resiliency helped her keep a straight face, but that didn’t last long as Carli simply dug deeper. And before long the two, who had previously made light of the ordeal were gone, Hope’s stern words replaced with streams of laughter flowing freely like a happy songbird.
I’d never seen two individuals thrash with the intenseness Hope and Alex did. Even I hadn’t rocked about as much during my short time in the restraints, but perhaps Carli had been saving her best for them. It almost tickled me just to watch; still I looked on only ever taking split second breaks to peek through a slit in door, at an empty narrow corridor.
It had only been a couple of minutes, but Hope and Alex’s ribs were already showing signs of abuse in the form of bright pink abrasions, “Not so tough now are you?!” Carli said running her thumbs up and down Hope’s sides.
“FUUCKAH-HA-HA-HA YOU B-BITCH-CHA-HA-HA! YOU’LL… NEVER… GET AWAAY-YA-HA-HA!” She cried out.
Alex on the other hand was a little less optimistic, “PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE ST-STOOOP! I’M SOOO SOORRY-YEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!” Giggled the dirty blonde.
Carli’s hands were fast, scurrying up and down Hope’s body like a squirrel climbing a tree, leaving no inch of her bronzed upper body untouched. She giggled watching Hope yank endlessly at her restraints in a blend of frustration and induced hysteria. But if what the packaging had said was true, Hope would require superhuman strength to even pop a single seam in the lining of the leather fabric.
“How does it feel to be helpless?” Carli finally asks.
It was a question that need not go answered, as every person in the room, especially myself already knew, being helpless sucked. Yet Carli persisted, when Hope elected to laugh instead of respond.
Who amongst us could blame Hope? She was being tickled after all, and as anyone who’d ever been in a similar spot can attest to, it’s very hard to answer, when all you want to do is laugh.
“How does it feel to be helpless?” Carli asked again, only this time she slowed her tickling to light fingertip traces.
Hope and Alex already appeared to be spent as their bodies expanded and contracted. Their mouths were two gaping holes attempting to suck as much precious oxygen as humanly possible, “That’s to be expected.” I remember telling myself. What I didn’t see coming was Alex speaking first.
“It… sucks! Now we’ve learned our lesson... Carli please… let us go.” She said through strained vocals.
“Oh you’d like that wouldn’t you? But see, I’m not thoroughly convinced you have.”
At this Hope finally spoke her two cents, “God damn you Carli! Enough is enough! This is crazy!”
A simple head nod is all Carli gave towards her counterpart; a signal to resume the torture; only this time they nestle their hands into the hollows of Alex and Hope’s underarms.
The two ticklees stared deeply into each other’s eyes as if by some way diverting their attention would lessen the sensations about to envelop their bodies. It was worth a shot, after all what did they have to lose by trying? But to their misfortune Carli’s methods deemed insurmountable to overcome, were just that… insurmountable.
Their faces melt from solemn concern to giddy grins in a matter of seconds. By the count of five they’re wailing away, howling at the moon and the stars and begging for mercy between breaths. Two women, who I’d come to admire, and almost idolize for their dominance and supremacy had never looked less threatening.
Hope Solo had been a recipient of endless awards and accolades and Alex Morgan hadn’t trailed too far behind in that department herself. But such dividends proved irrelevant in this moment, as the untouchables suddenly became touchable.
It was ever apparent that with the party dwindling down and our guests slowly calling it a night I could pay less attention to the door and more attention on Carli’s relentless assault. Her fingers moved with fluidity and grace as they scaled Hope’s arms like tiny spiders intricately weaving their webs.
Alex’s tormentor seemed a little less skilled in the art and had taken to gentle touches of the superstar’s delicate skin. Yet while her strokes weren’t as rough or rambunctious they proved just as effective as the star forward giggled jovially and threw back her head.
“PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE STOP! PLEASE ST-STOOP-AH-HA!”
A culmination of hot candles and our captive’s constant movement had heightened the temperature of the room to a degree, so much so that despite my stillness even I had started to sweat. I say even I because from my vantage point I could tell Hope and Alex were already starting to perspire regardless of their skimpy attire.
By now the two probably regretted wearing string bikinis, as nothing but their bare necessities were left a mystery, leaving all that tender flesh ripe for Carli’s hands.
“How do you feel now Hope? You’re not so bad anymore are you?”
To punctuate her statement she lowered her hands towards Hope’s midsection and dug with dough kneading like techniques into the goalie’s slender figure.
“WHA-HA-HA! CARLIII-YEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!”
Her torso seemed to have been a tickler’s goldmine as with simple pokes and prods Carli made her jump at will, the metal clanking of her restraints a constant reminder of her captivity.
Poor Alex was as well suffering similar misfortunes as her torturer’s dainty fingers pitter pattered down on her stomach like rain on a window pane. The last time I’d seen her smiling that bright she was passing up the opportunity to share the ball with Carli, a decision I’m sure she was regretting in this very instance.
Carli looked to her assistant, and the way her fingers gently went about caressing Alex’s skin, and she’s fast to call her out on it, “Crystal! What are you doing? Tickle her!” She exclaimed.
But I suppose her drive and determination led to her believe that if there was a job to be done right, she should do it herself, and dismounting from Hope, she pushed Crystal away, “Pay attention!” She instructs.
I watch with heightened interest as Alex shakes her head feverously at Carli’s ten wiggling fingers inching closer to her abdominals. Of course she tugs at her restraints. It’s vanity, or perhaps a hope still glimmering somewhere in her head telling her to keep trying, that she’s almost loose; but unless by some divine intervention, her attempts are futile.
“Carli pleeease don’t!”
“Like that’s going to work!” Carli says rolling her eyes.
She struck hard and fast, rocking Alex’s stomach with a ferociousness that saw her flesh ripple and her back arch dangerously fast. Had she not been in peek physical condition she likely would have pulled a muscle.
“WHA-HA-HEEEE-HEE-HEE! OH SH-SHIT-TA-HA-HA! SOMEONE HEEELP-PA-HA-HA!”
Alex had turned to look at me, but wanting to dodge her glance I instead focused on a few candles that had since ceased to glow; perhaps by their own volition, or the off chance that our two victims were again hording. Only this time it wasn’t the spotlight, but precious air.
“You think you’re sooo much better than us?!”
There was saliva dribbling down Alex’s face as she took in heavy gulps of air, her body in a state of shellshock from the preceding onslaught, her sapphire eyes stagnant, fixated on a corner of the room. And it took Carli’s roaring vocals to snap her out of her stupor.
“ANSWER ME BITCH!”
Alex mumbled a few words. I couldn’t discern what is said, but Carli’s smile made it evident, they’re the right ones.
“Say it again, so they can all hear!”
Alex lifts her head and scans the room before belting out, “No I’m not!”
There’s a collective nod amongst us. And then I sneeze. I mention this, because were it not for that untimely discharge the night may have passed with me going unnoticed. But this is no longer the case as Carli’s vision locks with mine, a cold hypnotic stare I fall entranced to.
“Hey new girl, you want in on this?”
She ushers me over, and before I can even respond, my feet seemingly under their own direction shuffle forward till I’m at the foot of the bed staring blankly at Carli.
“Get her feet.” She instructs.
I knelt at the feet of Alex Morgan, a pair of feet with a hundred goals racked up between them and nervously placed my fingers at the tips of her toes. Up until that moment we’d never even exchanged handshakes, yet here I was gripping the warm toes of her million dollar feet.
“Julie please…”
Her words formed a lump in my throat. I knew that by proceeding, I’d break whatever fragile tether held us together, but with Carli looking on I felt compelled to continue.
I’d never truly tickled anyone before, at least not to this degree. Sure there was the occasional family outing where I’d play “tickle monster” with my nieces and nephews, but it never exceeded beyond the playful innocence it was intended to be.
My timid fingers don’t know how to start, so I do the first thing that comes to mind and scribble circles on Alex’s big toes.
As expected, her soles reflexively scrunched in an effort to suppress the sensations, so I clamped down on her toes as a preventative measure. Peeling them back effortlessly my army of livid fingers advanced towards her tightly stretched arches.
“JUULIEEE-HEE-HEE-HEE! WH-HYYY-YEE-HEE! OH GOD STOOP-PA-HA!”
Hope just watched in stunned silence, but to be fair, there wasn’t much else she could have done anyway. And I could only imagine what physiological damage that must have had on a woman of such authoritative prowess; to watch her dear friend suffer so, mere inches away unable to do anything about it.
“Hey you’re pretty good at this new girl!”
I took Carli’s comment with a grain of salt, choosing not to deviate from Alex’s chunky feet. They were soft as freshly baked bread feels when it’s still warm off the oven’s heat, but with a smoothly polished texture that of porcelain; making it easy for my fingers to maintain impetuous vitality.
Short strokes of my fingernails across the depths of her arches kept her unnerved as the insufferable sensations had her tugging at her confines with reckless abandon.
“JUUULIEEE PLEEEASE-SA-HA-HA-HA!”
And just like that, in the short time that had elapsed, she’d said my name thrice in as many months.
“Oh now you know my name?”
There’s insolence in my voice that of which rivals my usually unobtrusive behavior, as if possessed by some unseen entity I totter between them. The timid girl who’d arrived at the party was slowly fading, venturing into something beyond the mundane monotony that was my life.
Her toes were next; long pointy, tender appendages dabbed in a glimmering hue of crimson red. And she wiggled them freely for a moment, while I let her catch her breath.
Just as I was about to inflict more torment, the uncharacteristically quiet Hope finally spoke up sharply in defense of her friend.
“Leave her alone!”
“What’s the matter Hope? Feeling neglected? Maybe I should give YOUR feet some attention!” Carli suggests.
She knelt alongside me, becoming eye level to Hope’s tender looking feet.
“Carli no! Carli please! You don’t want to… DO THAA-HA-HA-HA!”
As her vocals cracked and erupted into insane babbles and incoherence, I went to work on Alex’s toes scraping their in-betweens evoking similar vocal discharges. Together their laughter echoed the confines of the room; of this I’m most certain.
Carli’s fingers scaled Hopes soles with utmost aptitude, perusing every inch of her delicate size nines with an unmatched vigor.
Now the bed was really shaking; rocking and becoming a mess of sweaty sheets, with two once pristine visions of beauty, now disheveled, lost in the translations of unrestrained hysteria.
The persistence of time saw our victims slowly accept their fates as the pertinence with which they once held in great abundance had been chipped down to fear in its rawest form.
“Do you like this?” Carli teased, straining her voice above the laughter.
“NAW-WA-HA-HA-HA! PLEEASE ST-STOP! CARLI COM’ON MAN-NA-HA-HA!” Hope replied jovially.
There’s a break in the action so that we can lather their feet with baby oil, much to their protests.
“What’s that? What’s that? Oh shit no! Carli no!”
“Julie please… not that! Not that!”
As if their feet weren’t smooth enough, the thin coat of slick residue made our nails and the stimulation they stir that much more heightened. And the proof of that was never more evident than in the cataclysmic frolics which saw them buck like undomesticated animals.
“JUUULIEEEE-YEE-HEE-HEE! GOD NOO-HO-HO-HO! WHYYY-YEE-HEE-HEE!”
“YOOOOU BITCH-CHA-HA-HA-HA! CARLI-EEE PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE!”
Their cries only seemed to fuel our fingers to work harder, dig deeper and impose our wills on two women who had spent their lives imposing theirs.
We deviate from their feet and slink up the bed almost simultaneously as if our two minds were now working as one.
Alex and Hope, exasperated, short of breath and lost for words between themselves shake their heads collectively in discrepancy as our hands inch closer to their meaty thighs.
“Oh don’t be scared… this won’t hurt one… bit!” Carli says punctuating her words with a swift thrust of fingers to flesh.
I did likewise, massaging Alex’s right thigh as if gripping handlebars for dear life. Her face scrunched up in a tense expression of madness evoked giggles out of me, as I found her antics ridiculously cute.
“OH GAAAWD-DA-HA-HA! NOT THERE! NOT THEE-REE-HEE-HEE! PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE! WHATEVER YOU WAAANT-TA-HA-HA!”
Alex’s plead had spared the pair, as for the moment Carli ushered me to cease and desist. And it’s with a hint of discontent that I pull my hands away to let them deliberate.
“Finally, we’re getting somewhere! Finally you’re beginning to understand! At least one of you has SOME brains!”
Alex knew her window of opportunity was small, and thus wasted no time saying what she needed to say.
“Please Carli… I’ll… WE’LL do whatever you ask! Just please… let us go.”
Mike Tyson couldn’t have knocked the grin off Carli’s face as she gobbled up every word being fed to her.
“I’ll let you go… under these conditions…”
“We’ll do anything you ask…”
“For starters, we’d like an apology. An apology for every time the two of you, have ever belittled us, shunned us on the field, made us feel
insignificant…”
Alex lifts her head, straining to make eye contact with every girl in the room while giving her acknowledgments.
“Ladies… we’re sorry. Sorry for… everything. I guess our heads… got a little big… we, we wouldn’t be where we are today… without you.”
“Hope. I need to hear it from you as well.”
“Sorry.”
The star goalie lacked any sort of empathy in her solitary word; saying it with an icy cold breath. I’d anticipated Carli to exhibit anger towards this, but she bottled her aggression in favor of a more diplomatic approach.
“After the heartfelt words of your friend, “sorry” is all you can come up with? For a woman of your caliber, that’s very… disappointing.”
“I said it, now let us go!”
“I’m sorry Hope… I’m just not convinced. And until I am, poor little Alex here, and her precious little body will be ruthlessly tickled.”
Hope tugged at her restraints angrily which caused her hands to turn a shade of purple. And I would venture to say that a good portion of that anger had to have shifted onto her own shoulders, as her shortcoming in humility was the flaw keeping them enchained.
“Leave her out of this…”
“Ready Julie?”
Dread that spoke a thousand words marked her face as I calmly examined her body, agonizing over where I wanted to strike first.
“Please… don’t…” Alex spoke tenderly.
Earlier those words would have pierced my soul, gnawed at my conscious and made me hesitant, earlier. But to hold precedence over a
person, well that is an intoxicating feeling, a feeling I had since been blinded by.
With an insatiable lust I plunged my fingers into her midsection, ravaging every inch of her slender figure with a profusion of pokes and prods all in a quick sporadic fashion.
The rewards of my efforts were the joys of watching her squirm about the bed and hopelessly pull on her confines.
“WHAA-HA-HA! JUUULIEE-HEE-HEE! PLEEE-HEE-HEE-ASE STOP-PA-HA!”
“You’re asking the wrooong person Miss Morgan.” Carli interjects.
“HOOOOPE! PLEEE-HEE-HEE-ASE! MAKE… THEM… STOOOP-PA-HA-HA!”
I glossed over her baby smooth skin with gentle caresses that brought about goosebumps as my attention diverted to Hope who was still watching the proceedings with a blank stare.
“Well?” I finally ask.
I had Alex at a low coo, frantically sucking down air, waiting, just as the rest of us for the words that would spare her anymore punishment. But a defiant Hope simply bit down on her lip.
“Silence will do your friend no favors.” Carli assured, resting her hands on Alex’s arches. “But have it your way.”
Much to Alex’s dismay who’d taken to shaking her head in protest, we strike again.
“WWWHHHYYY HOPE? WHA-HA-HA-HEEY! PLEEEEEASE! DON’T… LET THEM… DOOO-HOO-HOO THISSS-SA-HA-HA!”
Forgoing an explorative approach I instead nestled a single finger, my index finger into the depths of her navel, wiggling it about like an earthworm seeking refuge from the elements. And a casual glance towards the foot of the bed was Carli aggressively raking her feet with all ten fingernails in a rapid descending motion.
Seconds became minutes; Alex’s once peach like complexion now flush red from fits of unrestrained laughter. Her dirty blonde hair, no longer neatly tucked behind her ears lay in shambles atop her head.
“Alright I’ll say it!” Hope finally says in a demoralizing tone.
We stopped in synchronized succession leaving Alex dilapidated in a mess of sweat and tears. And stepping away I left Carli and Hope to come to terms.
“Wise decision; had my apprentice here had but another minute, precious Alex may have pissed her cute little underwear.”
“Look, I’m sorry alright. I’m sorry for being such a hot head, and I promise I’ll work on that. You guys deserve better from your goalie.”
“Anything… else?”
“Carli you have my word… that so long as you’re captain we will NEVER undermine your authority.”
“Good. Very good. But how can I trust that this little, altercation, will stay between us gals?”
“Carli we swear our lips are sealed.”
Just as honest stares were exchanged the loud blaring wails of sirens approaching shook things up dramatically…
***
At this, Sargent Frank finally smiles. Perhaps the inclusion of his troopers in the story gave him a sense of pride or perhaps he’s just relieved that my story was coming to a close. The latter was more likely.
“What happened then?”
“Well, they drugged Alex and Hope, and despite my best efforts, Carli refused to let me aid in their escape; said she didn’t want my imprisonment on her conscious.”
“Do you have any idea where they may have gone?”
“She told me nothing.”
He lets out a long sigh of grief.
“Hmm. Well Miss Johnston while we don’t hold tickling as a crime in these parts, you still aided in the harboring of two women against their wills, and that by law is punishable. Your “captain” is delusional to think THAT would go unpunished.”
You could almost hear the sound of my heart hitting the floor with a resounding thud. And as much as I wanted to kneel at his feet and plead for grace, I knew justice was being served. Still, that didn’t stop a small trickle of tears from escaping my now bloodshot eyes.
It was hard getting used to the new uniform and the stares of salivating, overly masculine women waiting to take me as their bride.
Fortunately for my safety I was placed in solitary confinement where now all I had to worry about were four padded white walls, slowly… closing in on me.
The Last Confession of Julie Johnston
It was my first time inside a police station. And as for television adaptations, there were next to no similarities. They fed you visuals of dimly lit interrogation rooms and holding cells, but the honest truth is, this place didn’t look half bad. There wasn’t a single bulb out of order, each functioning, gleaming with the thousand watt potential that made even the most minuscule specs of debris noticeable on the cream colored floor. In fact had it not been for the circumstances that put me in this position, I’d have felt rather welcome. It’s no wonder crime rates had spiked over the past ten years; with three square meals to boot I’d have be inclined to commit a fault myself if it mean spending some time in here. You see, the life of a female soccer player just starting out wasn’t exactly the lap of luxury I’d been made to believe.
Sure I got paid a decent wage, for a woman anyway. But my salary was nothing compared to the superstar duo Alex Morgan and Hope Solo. Their careers had seemingly skyrocketed for no apparent reason leaving the rest of us eating dust. Perhaps that’s why we did what we did.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of stiff rubber boots stomping the ground. The door to my room is swung open by a tall portly man looking to be in his mid-fifties. His badge read “Franks”. He held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, and a tape recorder in the other. I had no idea those primitive things were still in circulation and it caught me off guard to seen one now.
“Evening Miss Johnston is it?” He asks slamming the door behind him.
I nod my head in compliance almost shamefully, “Yes sir… Julie Johnston.”
My words are barely above a whisper as nerves begin to settle in. Even pre-game jitters didn't compare to the sweaty palmed pulsating feeling that was rushing over me like the Holy Ghost himself.
“Now I’m sure you know why you’re here?” He asks taking a seat directly in front of me.
The coffee smelled stale and I’m glad he hadn’t brought me a cup, because I likely would have puked out a lung trying to down it.
“Y-Yes S-Sir.” I stutter. It’s an embarrassing adolescent trait I’d overcome years ago, but I suppose in the presence of authority it was sneakily making a comeback.
“Well, just to reiterate, Mrs. Jones, neighbor to Carli Lloyd another women’s baseball teammate err other…”
“Soccer, sir. W-we play soccer.” I’m quick to correct.
“Yes right.” He huffs as his eyes strain to read the poorly written document.
I didn’t blame him for struggling to read it. Even a chicken would have lifted a wing to disavow from such horrid penmanship. Still he pressed on, in the name of the law.
“It says here, there were reports of blaring music, drunkenness, sexual intercourse on public display, in short, a disturbance of the peace. But that’s not what’s got me concerned. There were also raised voices, ruckus laughter and high pitched screams, like someone was being… tortured.”
I stare down at my feet which had since taken to shuffling on their own volition. All of what he said was true, and I had been a part of it. Half of me wanted to cry in shame, knowing my parents had raised a better daughter, the other half felt obliged to protect the lives of the defendants.
“Miss Johnston, everybody seemed to hightail it out of there except for you. You willingly turned yourself in. That tells me your moral compass is pointed in the right direction. Now, if you would be so kind as to regale me with the accounts of that evening I’d be most appreciative.” He says tapping his fingers on the table.
“Am I in trouble?”
“Nobody’s accusing you of anything. But refusal to cooperate won’t look good on your part.” He explains.
I nodded my head in agreement, and stared down at my twiddling thumbs, “I suppose for any of this to make sense you should hear this story from when it first started. For the events leading up to the night are just as pivotal as the night itself.”
The Sargent abandons his prefect posture for a slouched position that sees his belly bulge over his gear belt. I suppose he sensed a whopper of a story coming on so he sipped his coffee sparingly wanting to make sure it didn’t run out.
***
… I was a rookie, but it didn’t take veteran eyes to see that there was tension as thick as the matted green surface we practiced on, between Alex Morgan and Captain Lloyd. Lloyd really hated her guts. Maybe it was her perfect smile and the set of straight pearly white teeth behind it. Maybe it was the way her golden blonde locks flowed in perfect harmony as she glided down the field. Or perhaps it was the soft glow that seemed to always radiate like angelic purity off her peach colored complexion. In any case, Alex Morgan was a hot commodity, and although she wasn’t captain of the team, she received just as much if not more recondition. Her friendship with veteran Hope Solo didn’t help matters either.
From the minute I’d arrived it was apparent Hope held herself pretty high. Self-assured and egotistical were just some of the ways she was described. The others, well let’s just say they’re too explicit. But I suppose she had every right to be. Next to Alex she held the most awards and accolades, and was the best at her craft as far as I could tell. During practices, no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t get one ball past her. Of course all of this would be put to the test during our first game against Belgium. They were a relatively easy adversary and we were expected to crush them by at least three goals.
Game time was a different beast all together. Fortunately Alex and Captain Lloyd had put aside their squabbles electing to focus on the game instead of each other. And for the better half of the game, things were going smoothly. Team U.S.A looked like a well-oiled machine. The ball was being passed about, we were each getting some playing time, and even I almost scored a goal. Hope as per usual made sure Belgium remained scoreless, picking off and defending balls like she was a chastity belt. Then the inevitable happened.
Perhaps the deafening roar of the crowd got inside her head, or the fact that one more goal would put her over the one hundred mark in her career, but when I fielded the ball to Alex on the next play, it never left her feet.
Her relentless drive and determination had earned her the nickname, “Baby Horse” and rightfully so as she blazed downfield weaving past Belgian players with elegance and grace. Oh boy did she make it look easy. I felt like more of a spectator at this point, content to watch her wizarding feet cradle the ball. Unfortunately, not everyone felt as I did.
Carli was wide open in our opposition’s corner begging for the ball. I watched Alex look up, acknowledge her presence and carry on trucking past bedazzled Belgians. Needless to say, she scored. I watched happily as Belgium’s goalie whiffed to the right of what was a ball sailing by at the speed of light. Of course the crowd went wild.
Fans emptied their seats in an unrestrained jovial applaud, those who wore Alex’s jersey tugged at it in appreciation of the American superstar. I was relatively new to all this, so her applause was my applause. We were a team after all.
Shortly after that a stern exchange of words was had between Alex and Carli. You could have been deaf and still understood they weren’t pleasant. But Hope was there to break them apart, rushing from her goal post to play sheriff.
“Don’t you go getting involved in that shit ya here?” I remember the coach yelling at me from the sidelines.
Coach Ellis and her staff had put together quite an effective team, on paper at least. We won games, which was what mattered most to her. No wins, no endorsements, no endorsements, no money, but even a blind man could have seen the structural integrity of the team was hanging by a thread. Still, she made no mention of it so long as we kept piling on the points.
By the time the referee had called a halt to the action, we had already surpassed analysts’ expectations by scoring not three, but five points to their zero. A mild celebration ensued.
We knew we had won in obliterating style, but beating a twenty second ranked team wasn’t exactly something to write home about. Still our fans lingered for minutes after the game begging Alex and Hope for autographs and pictures while the rest of us retreated to the locker room.
The stale scent of sweat is an odor you don’t soon get accustomed to so I was quick to shower, change and head out. Out on field which was now just an empty plane of grass stood Alex and Hope still gloating, only this time to sports writers salivating over their every word. As I stuck my hand down my jean pocket I felt just my leg and realized in my haste I’d forgotten my phone.
There’s no mistaking the sound of disgruntled voices as I walked in on Carli having a powwow with a couple of my other teammates. I pretended to pay them no mind, but couldn’t help overhear a vengeful plot in the making.
“Hey, new girl!” Carli called out.
I couldn’t believe that she was giving me the time of day. On the field it was expected of her, but after that I was basically a nobody.
“Yes?” I said, taking precaution in my steps towards the group.
“You want in on this?” She asked with a raised brow.
It’s all eyes on me as I’m instantly put on the spot. Having been shunned by my teammates throughout camp and preseason it was a welcome change to be acknowledged and I quickly nodded my head in agreement, even without fully understanding what it was they were scheming.
“It’s time those cocky bitches get what’s coming to them!” Carli said pounding her fist.
Like a judge, her hammering hand meant the meeting was adjourned and the girls broke apart and returned to their lockers.
“You come here.” She said to me.
Being the youngest of the group had its advantages; I was on the cusp of my prime while a majority of my teammates were staring down the end of theirs. However as the youngest I’d also been selected to do the dirty work. As per Carli’s request I found myself at the door of a kinky sex shop on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t the most comforting atmosphere but neither was sharing a communal shower with twenty other women glancing enviously at my body. Still I would take the latter in a heartbeat.
The inside smelled strong of incents, and possibly marijuana, not that I’d ever had a run in with the substance before. I suppose I can thank my good looks because no sooner had I started to investigate, that a man stepped into my line of sight, gliding in as if his shoes had baby power sprinkled on their soles.
“Can I help you find anything?” He asked in a chipper tone.
He was a scrawny man. Even I likely outweighed him by twenty pounds in my thighs alone.
“I need everything on this list.” I said passing him a small piece of paper.
It was embarrassing to watch him look over the list with wonder in his eyes as I started to doubt the entire ordeal. But having already invested in time and gas, I didn’t want to back down now.
I waited patiently as he walked about. His oversized black shirt looked almost like a cape as he shuffled past an isle full of lubricants. He disappeared from sight leaving me alone. And while I’m happy to be the only customer, I insure that by flipping the sign on the door from “open” to “closed”.
Jimmy, my attendant returned with a shopping basket full of naughty goodies and rang each one up uttering each item under his breath. I could only imagine what he assumed a girl like me was going to do with baby oil, leather restraints and sensually stimulating implements. And even I wasn’t too sure. It was relieving to watch him place each item in a darkly tinted discreet plastic bag and we exchange smiles before I head out, flipping the sign back to, “open”.
***
Carli’s palatial home boasted ten bedrooms and seven bathrooms over two stories worth of solid white cement. A pool big enough for ten sat towards one end of the house and on the other was a driveway that housed her carousel of luxury sedans. With her own miniature soccer field for a back yard it was no wonder how she’d earned the distinguished honor of captain. And I was just brimming with enthusiasm to be a guest in her home.
I was among the first to arrive, not out of necessity, but out of sheer excitement. In high school my stern parents had forbidden me from going to any party that wasn’t a Chuck E. Cheese affair. And I suppose for that I was thankful looking back in retrospect.
I dressed modestly for a poolside party, weary not to outdo any of my counterparts least I be targeted as their next victim. Light blue jean shorts and a baby blue crop top proved to be the perfect balance as none of my teammates looked on me with disdain. Inside the house was a modern day J. Gatsby soiree of athletic proportions.
Endless bottles of liquor sat side by side across a long black bar with two bartenders eagerly waiting to serve. What was once a dining hall had been transformed into a dance floor complete with a professional lighting system and Disk Jockey already scratching vinyl on his turntable. I’m caught off guard by Carli and a few of my teammates already downing shots of vodka presumably for courage.
“Isn’t this great?” She shouted over the music.
Failing to find the words I merely nodded my head in agreement. I fancied myself a modern woman yes, but not to this magnitude of wealth.
“Here, drink this.” Carli said as she pressed a shot glass full of vodka firmly into my hand.
Now I’d never had alcohol before that night, and as an athlete I felt the practice unnecessary. But to be polite I downed the substance. The vile drink burned my throat like a harsh winter cold on an eight mile run. And as much as I tried to hide my disgust I couldn’t help but wince in pain.
“Someone’s a lightweight!” Carli teased. “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it.” She said patting me on the back.
I’m escorted upstairs where the real party would soon be taking place. Down a narrow corridor in a secluded section of the house we came upon a room with no windows, lit simply by candle light. A king sized mattress, its frame already lined with leather restraints is center stage.
“This looks intense.” I said with my hands in my pockets.
“That it does.” Carli said as she pushed me towards the bed, “But just to be sure… we need to test it out.” She sat on the bed and patted
the mattress.
I hesitate, stopping to wonder if somewhere between now and then I’d crossed any one of them in some way.
“Umm… I don’t know…”
But Carli placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and shook her head, “Don’t be scared… We’re not going to hurt you. Besides… it’s just for a little bit.”
I cautiously laid flat on my back letting the cool crisp sheets send shivers up my spine, and let my arms lie limp at my sides. Carli was gentle in taking my wrists and stretching them above my head, fastening them just enough to render me restrained. My feet came next as she daintily clasped each one of my ankles into the straps securing them in similar fashion, “Now try and wiggle free.” She instructed.
I dis as commanded, tugging at the restraints with every fiber in my body, but they were resilient to my efforts, leaving me just as helpless as I started, “I can’t.” I said plainly.
“Good. That’s the idea.” Carli said running a single finger across my exposed midsection.
“Wh-What are you doing?!” I questioned in befuddlement, staring at her with curious eyes.
“Just testing my skills.” She replied seductively.
“Skills? Wh-WHAA-HA-HA!” I screamed as her fingers ran down on my belly.
“Oh we got a live one ladies!” She giggled to the others.
Soon the other two joined in, one at my feet and Carli and the other on my upper body. This was tickling taken to a whole new level. If this was what was in store for Hope and Alex, they had my sympathy.
As their fingers dished out torment, my vocals sang out in melodic fits of laughter. And I could not remember a time having ever been tickled quite like this.
Carli was quick to find and exploit my freshly shaved underarms still radiantly smooth courtesy of my moisturizer. Her razor sharp nails felt like a trail of ants frolicking about my arms in no particular direction.
“My goodness new girl you’re ridiculously ticklish aren’t you?” She giggled alongside me.
Unable to respond I nodded my head in compliance as strings of forced laughter implode the sound barriers of the room, “WHA-HA-HA! GOOO-GA-HA-HA! TEE-HEE-HEE!”
In no time flat I’m short of breath, all my conditioning as an athlete, of no use to me now. And Carli, ever considerate of others whose names aren’t Hope and Alex, called off her minions.
I stared up at her in awestruck silence, my mouth gaping as I gasped for air.
“There, there, little one. It’s alright. It’s over.” She reassured, stroking strands of my golden blonde hair away from my face.
She’s quick to release me of my bonds, giving me a minute to recuperate, “Did you know you were THAT ticklish?” She finally asks.
“No.” I shake my head, “I’d never been tickled like that before.” I confess.
“Just wait till those two bitches get here. They’re in for the tickle of their lives.” Carli raves...
***
It’s at this point in the story I pause. Not because I was having trouble recollecting, but because Sergeant Franks was looking at me like I was some sort of loon.
“Tickling?”
“Yes sir.”
“Tickling?”
“Uh-hu.”
He stares down curiously at his empty cup probably questioning whether his fellow deputies hadn’t traced it with hallucinogens for a cheap gag. And the fact that my intoxication report read .08 didn’t exactly bode well for the validity of my story.
“Look it, I’m trying to help you Miss Johnston, but in order for me to do that I need the truth.”
“I swear to you I’m not lying.”
There was nothing I could say to sway his firmly rooted distrust. And given the peculiarity of what I was suggesting, I didn’t blame him for keeping a vacant stare. But I had to make him believe.
“Look.” I say standing to my feet.
It’s with great trepidation that I lift my shirt to unveil a pair of pink abrasions right below my rib cage. It proves to be enough as he motions me to lower it and carry on with my story.
***
... By the time they were done with me the floor was already a sea of girls in skimpy attire and muscle filled hunks dancing away; the thumping music like a rhythmic heartbeat pumping life into the party.
One electric song after another shook the house with mad vibrations; even setting off a car with a sensitive alarm, still no Hope or Alex. I remained in the shadows, choosing not to mingle, not to converse, feeling every bit out of place as a fish out of water. For all my longing to partake in such festivities, there was still a part of me that walked on the side of caution. Just like the vodka, the atmosphere would take some getting used to. And just as the DJ was about to blast yet another horrendous piece of dubstep something happens that makes the room stop on a dime. They arrive.
Fashionably late no doubt the pair walked in, strutting and dripping of swagger and confidence, the American flag disgraced into a string bikini they both pulled off flawlessly. For thirty four years of age Hope’s body would put most teenage girls to shame as her toned abs glisten, presumably wet from having already taken a dip in the pool. Not too far behind is Alex, whose farer skin tone lights up the dance floor, her slender body, just as enviable. It takes almost a minute before anyone’s attention is reverted, and the DJ helps move things along with another monotonous beat.
Carli is quick to greet her guests, baring the most forged smile I’d ever seen. And it was a wonder Hope and Alex didn’t see past the disguise as they welcome their captain with open arms. Weaving past the masses they reach the bar, where it was the server’s turn to ante up.
Having earlier given him specific instructions to spike their drinks I watch as he nervously preps and pours their margaritas. The inebriating toxin was but a coated residue located on the tips of their decorative paper umbrellas. Five seconds was all that was required for the toxin to spread, and we could only cross our fingers the girls wouldn’t ditch them immediately. We held our collective breaths and counted down the seconds, 5… 4… 3… 2… But just as time was about to expire they removed the decorations tossing them carelessly to the floor.
As the party wore on and our unsuspecting victims downed their glasses, four seconds proved to be enough as their usually snappy and agile dance moves turned into a discombobulated disaster.
I was the first to come to their aid, “You two alright?” I asked over the blaring music.
Hope lowered her head and struggled to respond amidst the grogginess that had seemingly overridden her focus, “I… think I… need to lie down.” She said cradling her head in her hands.
Alex concurred with her friend, having suffered similar delusions and I guide them with caution up the steps. Carli is quick to rush towards me,
“Hope? Alex are you alright?” She queries with fabricated concern.
They respond in unison with slow zombie like head shakes as we continue our ascend. I take Alex, while Carli takes Hope. They’re not as light as they look, but we manage to get them to the room without dropping them to the ground.
There they welcome the soft plushness of Carli’s king sized mattress, succumbing to slumber the second their heads crash onto the pillows, “Excellent.” Carli giggles with glee.
Her minions made fast work of their flaccid bodies securing their limbs to their respective restraints, “All done Miss Lloyd.”
“Good. Come now. Let’s let them sleep. They’re going to need all the rest they can get before we have our way with their scrumptious little bodies.”
The party showed no signs of slowing down, with the droves of people present content to linger on the lawn and about the grounds of the first floor. I tried my best to enjoy myself, casually sipping liquor and munching on piping hot layers of cheesy pizza, but not even the deafening music could drown out my conscience.
Upstairs we were harboring two women against their wills, even if they weren’t privy to their situation thanks to being unwittingly inebriated. Still, it was a struggle to reach in my pocket and call the police, fearing failure would grant me a slot right beside them.
Ten more songs went by before I saw Carli again, “It’s time!” She yells into my ear.
I abandon my pizza and shuffle up the stairs inches behind her with her minions close at hand. Every candle in the room is already lit as I enter. And mounds of melted wax lead me to believe they’d been lit shortly after my exit. At the very least Alex and Hope would have the comfort of their lavender scent to help transition them from tranquil serenity to torturous screams.
Our timing couldn’t have been more perfect as Hope is the first to stir stretching her arms and legs outward. In simultaneous fashion Alex comes to life stretching her body, letting out a long deep yawn. As I watch from the corner of the room I note just how oblivious they still are to their situation, baring charismatic smiles similar to children waking up in a warm bed on Christmas morning. But my nerves were still unsettled knowing their childish demeanors wouldn’t last.
“Wake up! Wake up!” Carli screeches loud and strong.
Her vocals could land her a position as a human defibrillator as even I’m startled by her scratchy high pitch, and I’m already awake. Hope and Alex shake their heads of what I can only guess are the toxins wearing off, but it isn’t until they try to bring down their arms that their awareness increases tenfold.
“What’s going on here?!” Alex cries out nervously.
“Hey! Why are we tied up?” Hope says shaking her fists.
Carli, wanting to spare them anymore confusion is quick to unsheathe herself of the shadows, bringing them both to momentary silence.
“Well, well, well look who we have here… if it isn’t team U.S.A’s two biggest hotshots, all tied up and can’t do nothing.”
Hope had always been the more courageous of the two so it’s no surprise that she’s the first to open her mouth, “Carli what the hell man?! Is this some sort of sick joke?”
“Nice to see you too Hope. You seem a bit tense if I may say so.”
“Well Gee, I’m sorry I guess I don’t respond well to being tied up!”
“I’d watch my tone if I was you Mrs. Solo.”
“Hell no! You let us go right now sick weirdo!”
“Sick? Weirdo? You still don’t know when to shut up do you? That’ll change.”
“Dammit Carli! What’s this even about?”
“Could you possibly be so dense that you don’t already know?”
“Just cut the shit already damn!”
“My, my, my, just… look at you. It must be… killing you, to be in such a position. Then again, this IS how you enjoy spending your evenings isn’t it… on your back? Ha-ha!”
“We’re not laughing Carli.”
“Oh, just you wait; they’ll be plenty to laugh about shortly.”
I’d never seen Alex so recluse, on her face, a fear stricken look of worry as she lays mute, unable to muster a word. But then again, Hope was doing enough talking for the both of them.
“Carli cut the crap! What’s this all about you twisted freak?”
I knew the more Hope spoke and the more venom she spewed, the harder Carli would enforce her will. Had I not been so frozen in fear myself I might have motioned her to stop, but Carli was exhibiting a side I knew I didn’t want to mess with.
Alright, alright. I suppose I’ve kept you in suspense long enough. The truth is Mrs. Solo, we’re sick of you two.” Carli says crossing her arms.
“Sick of us?!” Hope says straining her neck to the limits of her confinement.
“For years you two have been hogging the spotlight, stealing our thunder, playing the game like you’re untouchable. That ends tonight, right here.”
Hope shrugs her shoulders to the best of her ability, “Hey Einstein, who gives a shit as long as we’re winning!?” She boasts.
“We do. This is a team sport remember? Or have you forgotten that?”
“There are only two reasons this, “team” keeps winning, and you’re looking at them.” Hope says turning to Alex who is still lying speechless in shock.
“There she goes again! Can you believe the balls on this one?! Even at our mercy she continues to mock us!” Carli says riling up the others.
Hope responds with renewed vigor, possibly wanting to reassure her frightened friend, “Your mercy? Ha! You know as well as I that if you so much as harm a hair on my head, you’ll be in big trouble. You can’t hurt us.”
Carli nods her head in agreement, “You’re right Hope. I can’t harm you. But then, that was never my intention. But there must be retribution because you two… need a dose of humility.”
Alex finally summoning the will to speak ekes out her first words, “Wh-what are you going to do to us?” Her voice is soft; it lacks conviction, but it reeks of fear.
“There she is!” Carli giggles in delight, “So happy you could join us.”
Hope, obviously annoyed by the entire façade reiterates her friend’s question with more bravado, “What the FUCK are you going to do with us?”
Carli flinches back, “Such naughty language, but I suppose it’s time to get on with it. I’m going to make you laugh your pretty little heads off. Now tell me ladies, are either of you… ticklish?” She asks flexing her fingers.
Replaying those words in my head, the idea seemed arbitrary. How could an innocent childish pastime possibly prove to be an effective technique? Then I replay my brief encounter with Carli’s sharp nails, and if one minute was unbearable to me, what might an hour of relentless tickling be like to them? Or two if she so willed it. Yet, as expected Carli is met with doubt as Hope shakes her head in disbelief. Even timid Alex looks my way and smiles as if to say, “You can’t be serious.”
“If you touch us you’re dead!” Hope warns with a stern facial expression.
“Oh how I love empty threats. Don’t you ladies love empty threats?”
I maintained my position, basically guarding the door, casually peeking out to make sure we weren’t disturbed by unwanted guests. The party below, still thumping, would be ample noise to blanket the screams about to be unleashed. I leaned against the wall and watched as Carli straddled Hope and another slender brunette straddled Alex. I could tell by the look in Hope’s eyes she was barely intimidated, perhaps like me she’d not been tickled in while. But if history was any indication, she’d soon be begging for mercy.
They struck with no verbal warning, nor a tease. Their fingers simultaneously plunging into eight rows of exposed ribs. It didn’t take long to evoke snickers from Alex, her will had been teetering since the moment she’d woke up. Unsurprisingly Hope’s resiliency helped her keep a straight face, but that didn’t last long as Carli simply dug deeper. And before long the two, who had previously made light of the ordeal were gone, Hope’s stern words replaced with streams of laughter flowing freely like a happy songbird.
I’d never seen two individuals thrash with the intenseness Hope and Alex did. Even I hadn’t rocked about as much during my short time in the restraints, but perhaps Carli had been saving her best for them. It almost tickled me just to watch; still I looked on only ever taking split second breaks to peek through a slit in door, at an empty narrow corridor.
It had only been a couple of minutes, but Hope and Alex’s ribs were already showing signs of abuse in the form of bright pink abrasions, “Not so tough now are you?!” Carli said running her thumbs up and down Hope’s sides.
“FUUCKAH-HA-HA-HA YOU B-BITCH-CHA-HA-HA! YOU’LL… NEVER… GET AWAAY-YA-HA-HA!” She cried out.
Alex on the other hand was a little less optimistic, “PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE ST-STOOOP! I’M SOOO SOORRY-YEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!” Giggled the dirty blonde.
Carli’s hands were fast, scurrying up and down Hope’s body like a squirrel climbing a tree, leaving no inch of her bronzed upper body untouched. She giggled watching Hope yank endlessly at her restraints in a blend of frustration and induced hysteria. But if what the packaging had said was true, Hope would require superhuman strength to even pop a single seam in the lining of the leather fabric.
“How does it feel to be helpless?” Carli finally asks.
It was a question that need not go answered, as every person in the room, especially myself already knew, being helpless sucked. Yet Carli persisted, when Hope elected to laugh instead of respond.
Who amongst us could blame Hope? She was being tickled after all, and as anyone who’d ever been in a similar spot can attest to, it’s very hard to answer, when all you want to do is laugh.
“How does it feel to be helpless?” Carli asked again, only this time she slowed her tickling to light fingertip traces.
Hope and Alex already appeared to be spent as their bodies expanded and contracted. Their mouths were two gaping holes attempting to suck as much precious oxygen as humanly possible, “That’s to be expected.” I remember telling myself. What I didn’t see coming was Alex speaking first.
“It… sucks! Now we’ve learned our lesson... Carli please… let us go.” She said through strained vocals.
“Oh you’d like that wouldn’t you? But see, I’m not thoroughly convinced you have.”
At this Hope finally spoke her two cents, “God damn you Carli! Enough is enough! This is crazy!”
A simple head nod is all Carli gave towards her counterpart; a signal to resume the torture; only this time they nestle their hands into the hollows of Alex and Hope’s underarms.
The two ticklees stared deeply into each other’s eyes as if by some way diverting their attention would lessen the sensations about to envelop their bodies. It was worth a shot, after all what did they have to lose by trying? But to their misfortune Carli’s methods deemed insurmountable to overcome, were just that… insurmountable.
Their faces melt from solemn concern to giddy grins in a matter of seconds. By the count of five they’re wailing away, howling at the moon and the stars and begging for mercy between breaths. Two women, who I’d come to admire, and almost idolize for their dominance and supremacy had never looked less threatening.
Hope Solo had been a recipient of endless awards and accolades and Alex Morgan hadn’t trailed too far behind in that department herself. But such dividends proved irrelevant in this moment, as the untouchables suddenly became touchable.
It was ever apparent that with the party dwindling down and our guests slowly calling it a night I could pay less attention to the door and more attention on Carli’s relentless assault. Her fingers moved with fluidity and grace as they scaled Hope’s arms like tiny spiders intricately weaving their webs.
Alex’s tormentor seemed a little less skilled in the art and had taken to gentle touches of the superstar’s delicate skin. Yet while her strokes weren’t as rough or rambunctious they proved just as effective as the star forward giggled jovially and threw back her head.
“PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE STOP! PLEASE ST-STOOP-AH-HA!”
A culmination of hot candles and our captive’s constant movement had heightened the temperature of the room to a degree, so much so that despite my stillness even I had started to sweat. I say even I because from my vantage point I could tell Hope and Alex were already starting to perspire regardless of their skimpy attire.
By now the two probably regretted wearing string bikinis, as nothing but their bare necessities were left a mystery, leaving all that tender flesh ripe for Carli’s hands.
“How do you feel now Hope? You’re not so bad anymore are you?”
To punctuate her statement she lowered her hands towards Hope’s midsection and dug with dough kneading like techniques into the goalie’s slender figure.
“WHA-HA-HA! CARLIII-YEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!”
Her torso seemed to have been a tickler’s goldmine as with simple pokes and prods Carli made her jump at will, the metal clanking of her restraints a constant reminder of her captivity.
Poor Alex was as well suffering similar misfortunes as her torturer’s dainty fingers pitter pattered down on her stomach like rain on a window pane. The last time I’d seen her smiling that bright she was passing up the opportunity to share the ball with Carli, a decision I’m sure she was regretting in this very instance.
Carli looked to her assistant, and the way her fingers gently went about caressing Alex’s skin, and she’s fast to call her out on it, “Crystal! What are you doing? Tickle her!” She exclaimed.
But I suppose her drive and determination led to her believe that if there was a job to be done right, she should do it herself, and dismounting from Hope, she pushed Crystal away, “Pay attention!” She instructs.
I watch with heightened interest as Alex shakes her head feverously at Carli’s ten wiggling fingers inching closer to her abdominals. Of course she tugs at her restraints. It’s vanity, or perhaps a hope still glimmering somewhere in her head telling her to keep trying, that she’s almost loose; but unless by some divine intervention, her attempts are futile.
“Carli pleeease don’t!”
“Like that’s going to work!” Carli says rolling her eyes.
She struck hard and fast, rocking Alex’s stomach with a ferociousness that saw her flesh ripple and her back arch dangerously fast. Had she not been in peek physical condition she likely would have pulled a muscle.
“WHA-HA-HEEEE-HEE-HEE! OH SH-SHIT-TA-HA-HA! SOMEONE HEEELP-PA-HA-HA!”
Alex had turned to look at me, but wanting to dodge her glance I instead focused on a few candles that had since ceased to glow; perhaps by their own volition, or the off chance that our two victims were again hording. Only this time it wasn’t the spotlight, but precious air.
“You think you’re sooo much better than us?!”
There was saliva dribbling down Alex’s face as she took in heavy gulps of air, her body in a state of shellshock from the preceding onslaught, her sapphire eyes stagnant, fixated on a corner of the room. And it took Carli’s roaring vocals to snap her out of her stupor.
“ANSWER ME BITCH!”
Alex mumbled a few words. I couldn’t discern what is said, but Carli’s smile made it evident, they’re the right ones.
“Say it again, so they can all hear!”
Alex lifts her head and scans the room before belting out, “No I’m not!”
There’s a collective nod amongst us. And then I sneeze. I mention this, because were it not for that untimely discharge the night may have passed with me going unnoticed. But this is no longer the case as Carli’s vision locks with mine, a cold hypnotic stare I fall entranced to.
“Hey new girl, you want in on this?”
She ushers me over, and before I can even respond, my feet seemingly under their own direction shuffle forward till I’m at the foot of the bed staring blankly at Carli.
“Get her feet.” She instructs.
I knelt at the feet of Alex Morgan, a pair of feet with a hundred goals racked up between them and nervously placed my fingers at the tips of her toes. Up until that moment we’d never even exchanged handshakes, yet here I was gripping the warm toes of her million dollar feet.
“Julie please…”
Her words formed a lump in my throat. I knew that by proceeding, I’d break whatever fragile tether held us together, but with Carli looking on I felt compelled to continue.
I’d never truly tickled anyone before, at least not to this degree. Sure there was the occasional family outing where I’d play “tickle monster” with my nieces and nephews, but it never exceeded beyond the playful innocence it was intended to be.
My timid fingers don’t know how to start, so I do the first thing that comes to mind and scribble circles on Alex’s big toes.
As expected, her soles reflexively scrunched in an effort to suppress the sensations, so I clamped down on her toes as a preventative measure. Peeling them back effortlessly my army of livid fingers advanced towards her tightly stretched arches.
“JUULIEEE-HEE-HEE-HEE! WH-HYYY-YEE-HEE! OH GOD STOOP-PA-HA!”
Hope just watched in stunned silence, but to be fair, there wasn’t much else she could have done anyway. And I could only imagine what physiological damage that must have had on a woman of such authoritative prowess; to watch her dear friend suffer so, mere inches away unable to do anything about it.
“Hey you’re pretty good at this new girl!”
I took Carli’s comment with a grain of salt, choosing not to deviate from Alex’s chunky feet. They were soft as freshly baked bread feels when it’s still warm off the oven’s heat, but with a smoothly polished texture that of porcelain; making it easy for my fingers to maintain impetuous vitality.
Short strokes of my fingernails across the depths of her arches kept her unnerved as the insufferable sensations had her tugging at her confines with reckless abandon.
“JUUULIEEE PLEEEASE-SA-HA-HA-HA!”
And just like that, in the short time that had elapsed, she’d said my name thrice in as many months.
“Oh now you know my name?”
There’s insolence in my voice that of which rivals my usually unobtrusive behavior, as if possessed by some unseen entity I totter between them. The timid girl who’d arrived at the party was slowly fading, venturing into something beyond the mundane monotony that was my life.
Her toes were next; long pointy, tender appendages dabbed in a glimmering hue of crimson red. And she wiggled them freely for a moment, while I let her catch her breath.
Just as I was about to inflict more torment, the uncharacteristically quiet Hope finally spoke up sharply in defense of her friend.
“Leave her alone!”
“What’s the matter Hope? Feeling neglected? Maybe I should give YOUR feet some attention!” Carli suggests.
She knelt alongside me, becoming eye level to Hope’s tender looking feet.
“Carli no! Carli please! You don’t want to… DO THAA-HA-HA-HA!”
As her vocals cracked and erupted into insane babbles and incoherence, I went to work on Alex’s toes scraping their in-betweens evoking similar vocal discharges. Together their laughter echoed the confines of the room; of this I’m most certain.
Carli’s fingers scaled Hopes soles with utmost aptitude, perusing every inch of her delicate size nines with an unmatched vigor.
Now the bed was really shaking; rocking and becoming a mess of sweaty sheets, with two once pristine visions of beauty, now disheveled, lost in the translations of unrestrained hysteria.
The persistence of time saw our victims slowly accept their fates as the pertinence with which they once held in great abundance had been chipped down to fear in its rawest form.
“Do you like this?” Carli teased, straining her voice above the laughter.
“NAW-WA-HA-HA-HA! PLEEASE ST-STOP! CARLI COM’ON MAN-NA-HA-HA!” Hope replied jovially.
There’s a break in the action so that we can lather their feet with baby oil, much to their protests.
“What’s that? What’s that? Oh shit no! Carli no!”
“Julie please… not that! Not that!”
As if their feet weren’t smooth enough, the thin coat of slick residue made our nails and the stimulation they stir that much more heightened. And the proof of that was never more evident than in the cataclysmic frolics which saw them buck like undomesticated animals.
“JUUULIEEEE-YEE-HEE-HEE! GOD NOO-HO-HO-HO! WHYYY-YEE-HEE-HEE!”
“YOOOOU BITCH-CHA-HA-HA-HA! CARLI-EEE PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE!”
Their cries only seemed to fuel our fingers to work harder, dig deeper and impose our wills on two women who had spent their lives imposing theirs.
We deviate from their feet and slink up the bed almost simultaneously as if our two minds were now working as one.
Alex and Hope, exasperated, short of breath and lost for words between themselves shake their heads collectively in discrepancy as our hands inch closer to their meaty thighs.
“Oh don’t be scared… this won’t hurt one… bit!” Carli says punctuating her words with a swift thrust of fingers to flesh.
I did likewise, massaging Alex’s right thigh as if gripping handlebars for dear life. Her face scrunched up in a tense expression of madness evoked giggles out of me, as I found her antics ridiculously cute.
“OH GAAAWD-DA-HA-HA! NOT THERE! NOT THEE-REE-HEE-HEE! PLEE-HEE-HEE-ASE! WHATEVER YOU WAAANT-TA-HA-HA!”
Alex’s plead had spared the pair, as for the moment Carli ushered me to cease and desist. And it’s with a hint of discontent that I pull my hands away to let them deliberate.
“Finally, we’re getting somewhere! Finally you’re beginning to understand! At least one of you has SOME brains!”
Alex knew her window of opportunity was small, and thus wasted no time saying what she needed to say.
“Please Carli… I’ll… WE’LL do whatever you ask! Just please… let us go.”
Mike Tyson couldn’t have knocked the grin off Carli’s face as she gobbled up every word being fed to her.
“I’ll let you go… under these conditions…”
“We’ll do anything you ask…”
“For starters, we’d like an apology. An apology for every time the two of you, have ever belittled us, shunned us on the field, made us feel
insignificant…”
Alex lifts her head, straining to make eye contact with every girl in the room while giving her acknowledgments.
“Ladies… we’re sorry. Sorry for… everything. I guess our heads… got a little big… we, we wouldn’t be where we are today… without you.”
“Hope. I need to hear it from you as well.”
“Sorry.”
The star goalie lacked any sort of empathy in her solitary word; saying it with an icy cold breath. I’d anticipated Carli to exhibit anger towards this, but she bottled her aggression in favor of a more diplomatic approach.
“After the heartfelt words of your friend, “sorry” is all you can come up with? For a woman of your caliber, that’s very… disappointing.”
“I said it, now let us go!”
“I’m sorry Hope… I’m just not convinced. And until I am, poor little Alex here, and her precious little body will be ruthlessly tickled.”
Hope tugged at her restraints angrily which caused her hands to turn a shade of purple. And I would venture to say that a good portion of that anger had to have shifted onto her own shoulders, as her shortcoming in humility was the flaw keeping them enchained.
“Leave her out of this…”
“Ready Julie?”
Dread that spoke a thousand words marked her face as I calmly examined her body, agonizing over where I wanted to strike first.
“Please… don’t…” Alex spoke tenderly.
Earlier those words would have pierced my soul, gnawed at my conscious and made me hesitant, earlier. But to hold precedence over a
person, well that is an intoxicating feeling, a feeling I had since been blinded by.
With an insatiable lust I plunged my fingers into her midsection, ravaging every inch of her slender figure with a profusion of pokes and prods all in a quick sporadic fashion.
The rewards of my efforts were the joys of watching her squirm about the bed and hopelessly pull on her confines.
“WHAA-HA-HA! JUUULIEE-HEE-HEE! PLEEE-HEE-HEE-ASE STOP-PA-HA!”
“You’re asking the wrooong person Miss Morgan.” Carli interjects.
“HOOOOPE! PLEEE-HEE-HEE-ASE! MAKE… THEM… STOOOP-PA-HA-HA!”
I glossed over her baby smooth skin with gentle caresses that brought about goosebumps as my attention diverted to Hope who was still watching the proceedings with a blank stare.
“Well?” I finally ask.
I had Alex at a low coo, frantically sucking down air, waiting, just as the rest of us for the words that would spare her anymore punishment. But a defiant Hope simply bit down on her lip.
“Silence will do your friend no favors.” Carli assured, resting her hands on Alex’s arches. “But have it your way.”
Much to Alex’s dismay who’d taken to shaking her head in protest, we strike again.
“WWWHHHYYY HOPE? WHA-HA-HA-HEEY! PLEEEEEASE! DON’T… LET THEM… DOOO-HOO-HOO THISSS-SA-HA-HA!”
Forgoing an explorative approach I instead nestled a single finger, my index finger into the depths of her navel, wiggling it about like an earthworm seeking refuge from the elements. And a casual glance towards the foot of the bed was Carli aggressively raking her feet with all ten fingernails in a rapid descending motion.
Seconds became minutes; Alex’s once peach like complexion now flush red from fits of unrestrained laughter. Her dirty blonde hair, no longer neatly tucked behind her ears lay in shambles atop her head.
“Alright I’ll say it!” Hope finally says in a demoralizing tone.
We stopped in synchronized succession leaving Alex dilapidated in a mess of sweat and tears. And stepping away I left Carli and Hope to come to terms.
“Wise decision; had my apprentice here had but another minute, precious Alex may have pissed her cute little underwear.”
“Look, I’m sorry alright. I’m sorry for being such a hot head, and I promise I’ll work on that. You guys deserve better from your goalie.”
“Anything… else?”
“Carli you have my word… that so long as you’re captain we will NEVER undermine your authority.”
“Good. Very good. But how can I trust that this little, altercation, will stay between us gals?”
“Carli we swear our lips are sealed.”
Just as honest stares were exchanged the loud blaring wails of sirens approaching shook things up dramatically…
***
At this, Sargent Frank finally smiles. Perhaps the inclusion of his troopers in the story gave him a sense of pride or perhaps he’s just relieved that my story was coming to a close. The latter was more likely.
“What happened then?”
“Well, they drugged Alex and Hope, and despite my best efforts, Carli refused to let me aid in their escape; said she didn’t want my imprisonment on her conscious.”
“Do you have any idea where they may have gone?”
“She told me nothing.”
He lets out a long sigh of grief.
“Hmm. Well Miss Johnston while we don’t hold tickling as a crime in these parts, you still aided in the harboring of two women against their wills, and that by law is punishable. Your “captain” is delusional to think THAT would go unpunished.”
You could almost hear the sound of my heart hitting the floor with a resounding thud. And as much as I wanted to kneel at his feet and plead for grace, I knew justice was being served. Still, that didn’t stop a small trickle of tears from escaping my now bloodshot eyes.
***
It was hard getting used to the new uniform and the stares of salivating, overly masculine women waiting to take me as their bride.
Fortunately for my safety I was placed in solitary confinement where now all I had to worry about were four padded white walls, slowly… closing in on me.
