Initiation Game

Charlotte sat in the car with her driver Kyle. It had been a long day at work and she was ready to go home to her high-rise apartment, pour some champagne, and curl up with her book. She briefly checked her makeup in her reflection of the window before calling to Kyle in the front. "Could you take me home, please?"

"Of course, Miss," Kyle said. Charlotte smiled at his manners. Kyle was younger than her by two years and had just gotten out of college as a 22-year-old man. He was surprisingly respectful and well-mannered. Charlotte remembered when he first arrived with barely a resume and **** for a first job. If it wasn't for that, she would have thought he had been a professional driver all through his school years.

Kyle turned back and handed her a phone. "Oh, I almost forgot. Someone called the car phone for you."

Charlotte rolled her eyes and reached for it. Buying a car phone was supposed to keep people from knowing her real number. She shrugged and took the phone from Kyle, dialing the number for whoever had called. "Hello? Whom might this be?"

The voice that answered was disguised by voice changer. "No need for pleasantries, Ms. Charlotte. All that matters is that we know who you are."

She rolled her eyes. Creepy stalkers were a dime a dozen ever since she got to her new position in the company. "Okay, and with that, I'm hanging up."

"You do that, and your crime goes all over the internet," the voice said.

Charlotte scoffed. "What crime? I have no record."

Her phone ringed, letting her know she received a message. Opening it, she saw a video of herself working on a computer at her company. The video showed the screen clearly, revealing that she was taking money from the company account and placing it into one under her name.

"You're right," the voice said. "You have no record. But you will once this video goes out."

"Shit!" Charlotte whispered. "I have a good reason for doing that! I swear!"

"Maybe, maybe not. I don't really care," the voice said. "In any case, you won't have to worry about this seeing the light of day. As long as you follow my commands."

"Commands?! Nobody commands me!" Charlotte shouted into the phone.

"I guess that's going to change," the voice said. "Or do you want to lose your job?"

Charlotte groaned. She couldn't afford to lose her job. Not only did she love her lifestyle, but she had personal obligations. Not many other jobs would allow her to care for the people in her life like this one.

"Fine," Charlotte spat. "What do I have to do?"

"Tell your driver to take you to a few payphones around the city," the voice said. "If you do it fast and under the cover of night, you'll be able to do these without issue."

"That's it?" Charlotte asked.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot," the voice said. "No clothes."

Charlotte's jaw dropped. "W-What?!"

"Take off your clothes and throw them out the window," the voice said. "No getting dressed either. Stay naked until the job is done. And if you have so much as a sock on, the deal is off."

The call turned to static as another message sprang up. It was a map of the city with various spots highlighted. Charlotte sank in her seat and covered her face in shame. Being naked in public was her worst nightmare. But then, losing her job...

"Kyle?"

"Yes, Miss?"

She handed him the phone. "Drive to these locations. The closest one first."

"Um, okay," he said. "Anything else?"

She grimaced as she put the window down and began to slip off her jacket. "Don't turn around."