An Escape Room

"Um, do you know how much this will cost?" asked Amy after they got off the bus. She wasn't very good at mental accounting.

"Oh don't worry about money," her roommate answered dismissively, but this only made Amy more interested. Toni quickly added, "it's all been payed for, by one of Kat's uncles. There's some family tensions, so don't ask too many questions."

"Oh, I'll keep that in mind, thanks," responded Amy awkwardly, making a mental note to never mention it again.

The two of them didn't have far to walk before reaching their destination. It was a squat building, barely two stories, but wide like a warehouse. In the parking lot, Kat stood with two of her other friends. The olive-skinned woman wore a suede long-coat that was probably a little too warm for the weather. She was mid conversation with Sarah who wore an elaborate blouse and bow-tie worth of any magician.

"Well speak of the devil," welcomed Kat, with the lilt that remained of her british accent. "Sarah was just telling me you already got a bit of practise escaping from straitjackets. It's simply marvelous to have you helping us."

Jane's smile was both genuine delight and an attempt to cover up the awkwardness she felt.

"You sound totally awesome," interjected the final waiting woman excitedly, "I'm Crystal B. T. dubs." She wore a tight minidress that matched her fire-engine red heels and lipstick. Her platinum blonde hair blonde mostly contained into two wavy pigtails with only a few strands dangling mischievously out of place. She wasn't the usual sort Kat would hang out with, but who was Amy to tell the fiery woman who to invite on her own birthday.

"I'm glad both of you could make it on such short notice," added Sarah, "I hope you had enough time to get ready."

Amy would have liked more time to find some underwear that made her feel less like a trollop, but Toni nodded and said, "we did, thank you. Shall we go in."

The lobby was empty aside from the male receptionist that nervously confirmed their appointment. Another employee, a tall blonde dressed smartly in business casual, joined them within a few minutes and introduced herself as Anya. This swedish model led the group to their escape room while going over the rules. It was standard fair for most escape rooms until she got to the specifics of the scenario. "You've chosen to escape from the asteroid mine, our most elaborate experience. Everyone will have to work together to succeed. To help with the immersion, we've provided some costumes. We ask that keep your underwear on underneath." As they reached a series of doors, Anya explained, "these are the change rooms. Put your clothing and belongings in the provided lockers. We'll set you up with the costume and props through those hatches. There will be a card with directions; please follow it exactly or you may make the puzzle impossible." She opened one of changing rooms and pointed to a door on its opposite wall. "The set is through there, when you're ready."

The guests had no questions, so Anya left them. While they wandered off, Amy giddily said to Toni, "set makes it sound like some sci-fi movie."

"Yeah," laughed her roommate, "that's kinda exciting. I can't wait to start." She stepped into her chosen changing room and added, "don't take too long," before closing the door behind her.

Indeed enthusiastic, Amy hurried into her own changing room, but wasn't so eager to strip to her underwear. She removed her clothes as slowly as possible, hoping her costume would arrive before she finished, but it didn't. And after she put her clothes in the locker, she was **** to stand nearly naked in the cold room. The young woman wrapped her arms around her scantily clad body, shackled by the fear that someone would enter and see her scandalous underwear. The rusty squeak of her hatch being opened almost made her jump out of her tiny panties. Fortunately, the hatch was designed so nobody could actually see in. It reminded Amy of those high security prison cells, which was probably the point she realized.

The small metal box she'd been provided with did not have a costume inside, much to Amy's chagrin. There must be a second box, the cute coed told herself. This one seemed to only contain shackles and the instructions for putting them on. Not wanting to make her friends wait, Amy nervously picked up the laminated card and began following it's directions. The first step was to lock a steel collar around her neck so that it's attached chain hung down her back. Next came the handcuffs. These were different from any Amy had seen before; there was no chain between the steel bracelets. Instead, it was one solid piece, though with a few strange keyholes. There was also a finger-sized hole through the device's frame, which the instructions told her to thread her collar's chain through before locking manacles around her wrists.

I can't unlock this, realized the adventurous student with a surge in her heartbeat as the last latch clicked into place. She was locked in with no way to turn back, and it was oddly thrilling. The cold steel tickled her trapped arms, making her feel equally enslaved and rebellious. Amy was eager to see how this ever present touch of steel would make her feel throughout the scenario and how it would complicate her ability to solve puzzles.

Before that however, she'd have to finish shackling herself. The enthralled student layed her ankle cuffs across the floor and following the provided instructions, knelt over it. Threading her soon to be ankle shackles through the end of her collars chain (that was itself threaded through her handcuffs) was difficult but doable. Being able to lock the metal bands around her legs was an odd reward; though quiet, the resulting click echoed through her mind with menacing permanence.

When the task was finished, Amy stood and quickly discovered the chain threaded through her handcuffs was a little short. It made her unconsciously present her scantily clad breasts as she arched her back slightly to be more comfortable. And even then, it still pulled up on the chain between her ankles effectively shortening it. The bound student would have to squat or kneel to spread her legs the full two feet her hobble chain allowed. Oh well, she'd have to endure some shortness in the chains; it wasn't like these shackles were custom made for her.

Amy waited for a good minute, testing the limits of her bonds and expecting the second half of her costume to arrive. The playful voices of her friends could be heard outside, making Amy excited to join them, especially when Toni called out for her by name.

The underwear-clad coed began to suspect that maybe the rest of her outfit was through the door. As cautiously as her jiggling chains would allow, she stepped out of changing room. Beyond was an empty hall with the exit doors of the other chambers and a neon sign saying "Asteroid Mine this way" above a left turn. Amy was sure to keep the door to her change room wide open in case she needed to retreat before walking towards the sign. Her friends could be heard around the corner, so Amy carefully padded up to it. She slowly peaked around the corner still hopeful to find the second half of her costume, but was immediately mortified. All four of the other woman were fully-clothed in matching orange coveralls.

Amy pulled back and made a quiet dash back to her changing room only to discover that the door had somehow closed itself. She turned around to try the knob with her cuffed hands and saw a shadow nearing the corner she'd just been at; somebody was coming.