Mindy takes the collar

Mindy lowered her head. A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she said, "Alright... I'll wear the collar."

Mrs. Winthrop took a step back, "Then come forward, Mindy."

Mindy broke away from the fragile cast, emerging with a weird sensation of freedom as she cast away the dried husk in shattered pieces. The stiff material peel away from her skin, leaving her once again bare for the others to see. Clear of the debris, the young maid stepped forward, eyes cast toward the ground.

Mrs. Winthrop fastened the collar around the blonde's neck. The clasp made it resemble a sort of mini belt. Winthrop spoke as she attached it, "Now, from here on out, you are nothing more than a pet of the estate. Like any pet, you will do as commanded or face swift punishment. You will not speak unless spoken to, you will not stray from your assigned duties and you will always wear this collar so everyone will know your standing. Is that clear, Mindy?"

Mindy nodded.

"Then say, 'Yes Mistress'."

"Yes, mistress..." Mindy's cheeks flushed as soon as she uttered the words. Her prior experience to anything like this was through things she'd stumbled upon on the Internet and it was both frightening and exciting to her at the same time. She didn't know if this was legal, but she also didn't want to lose her job after the first day or so.

Mrs. Winthrop turned to Annette, show stood a little uneasy. The young maid was not used to seeing this side of the elder woman and was going through her own mixed feelings about it. Winthrop addressed her, "Annette, take our pet down to the kennels."

"Yes, Mrs. Winthrop..."

The head maid did not wait for an acknowledgement and instead walked over to gather her things, piling them up in her arms. "When you're done, come join me in the showers."

There was a mischievous tone to the last order which made a smile curl up on the lithe brunette's lips. She then turned her attention toward Mindy, who stood there silently, giving the other girl a desperate look.

The silent plea for help went unanswered. Annette silently guided gathered her own things and beckoned Mindy to follow. Mindy was led to a tunnel underground. Had Annette been in a talkative mood, she would have explained that all the structures on the estate were interconnected through underground tunnels to help staff move in and out without having to suffer from the outside weather. Instead, Mindy's fear grew with thoughts of dungeons and sewers and maybe even some ghosts.

To put her mind out of the dark mood, she concentrated on the naked rump of her guide. She watched it undulate with each step, glimmering in the dimly lit tunnel from the sweaty sheen that had not been toweled off yet. She would, no doubt, be building that sweat up some more before making use of the showers with Mrs. Winthrop. Mindy's mind wandered to the two in that sensual embrace, bodies entwined, slick with their combined juices.

She couldn't tell if it was from her daydreaming or her lack of sleep but she had to be poked by Annette to return her focus on the situation. "We're here."

Mindy looked around the room she had absent minded-ly entered. It was more like a jail cell than a kennel. The space was minimal, about the size of a broom closet. The walls were stone, like out of an old sword and sorcery movie. There was even a place on the wall with chains hanging down.

Mindy turned to her co-worker, grasping at her in panic, "Annette! You can't leave me here like this! This is inhumane!"

Annette looked on with sympathy but shook her head, "I cannot lose my job either, Mindy... you'll get through this and if you do well, they'll let you back to the way you were. Just try and get some rest... Mrs. Winthrop will be even more upset if you are not attentive when she gets back." Annette sucked in her lower lip before adding, "I'll try to keep her occupied as long as I can..."

Annette left the room, closing it up behind her. Mindy let out a sigh as she stood alone in the chamber, wearing nothing but a band around her neck. A thunk echoed outside the door, "What was that?!"

"Just locking up the door so you don't wander around..."

Mindy's eyes widened, "WHAT?!"

"Just stay put... Mrs. Winthrop will return for you later..."

"Nooo! Let me out now!!! ANNEEETTTTE!!!" Mindy hammered on the door, then clasped the hand and tried to push and pull it loose. She was a panicked frenzy of a prisoner for a good ten minutes before the exhaustion of the events of the day finally overtook her. She crawled over to the makeshift bed which was nothing more than a pile of pillows and blankets. In the bundle of warmth, the girl curled up and let herself fall asleep.