Of course

The ride back to Kelly's and Annie's place was tense. Nobody said anything which just made it feel even more foreboding. When they arrived Annie jumped out and ran for the door, but then she hesitated.

Instead she unlocked it and looked back at Pete, "Be a gentleman and go first, would you?"

"Fine." Pete opened the door and walked in. The was a pair of unfamiliar shoes by the entrance but otherwise nothing seemed out of place. Annie insisted he go upstairs first too so he went all the way up. The door to Kelly's room was shut. He turned to them, "Should I knock or...?"

"Kelly is that you?" A voice called from inside the room. The door opened and Pete saw a woman standing there. She was around his age, short with with red hair and freckles. She was smiling at first, while chewing some gum, but then she saw how Annie and Kelly were dressed and looked scared, "Kelly...what's going on?"

Kelly tried to lift her hands up, but the chains prevented her, "Leanne...it's ok. I can explain."

Strangely, Leanne seemed comforted alright, "Oh you can? Excellent."

Kelly frowned, obviously no explanation came to mind, "Um...we're just trying out costumes...for Halloween."

"In March?" Leanne asked, "That's so early. Wow you two are really ahead of the game. Oh, I should introduce myself to your friends, hi! I'm Leanne."

Wait...she really believed that? Was this girl just that dumb or what...Pete shrugged and held out his hand, "Hi. I'm Pete. I'm wearing a costume too, the most handsome man on the planet."

He heard Annie snort behind him, but to his surprise Leanne just blushed, "Really? Wow. What a great costume, you look fantastic."

Kelly pushed passed him, "Hey Leanne...where'd you get that gum?"

"Oh sorry, was it special? I found it on your bed." Right, Pete thought, the bed where Kelly had left the magic items.

Kelly turned to face him and Annie, "Gulli-gum. Bascially she'll believe anything you tell her right now. Wears off a few hours after she stops chewing," She turned back to Leanne, "Leanne, why don't you spit that gum out. That one is really high in sugar."

"Oh really? Ok, sure." Leanne went back into the room and spat it into a kleenex and threw it out. She came back into the hall, "So where were you? You said you were going to be home today."

Kelly sighed, "Sorry. Something came up...I had to go. Annie really needed me. I'm sorry for not being here."

Leanne just smiled, "Well if she really needed you of course I understand. It really means a lot that you are letting me crash here, after what he did I just couldn't stay."

"Of course," Kelly said, "Why don't we go to my room and talk about it," She turned to face Pete and Annie, "See you later guys."

"Not so fast!" Annie said, "We're taking the stuff in your room. Go ahead Pete, take it." Pete looked at Kelly. Obviously he was stronger than her, and at a clear advantage given her bondage, but he wasn't about to shove her aside.

"No, I'll keep it. Try to steal it and you'll find out just what I learnt." Kelly winked at them, "Let's go Leanne." They entered her room and shut the door.

"Dammit!" Annie groaned.

Pete suddenly felt awkward being here. Maybe he should leave. He looked at Annie, "So...I'm going to go."

Annie shook her head, "No way. You're going to help me. Come to my room." She turned and walked to her room in a way that left no room for argument. He supposed if there was some way he could help he should do it. With a sigh he followed her and closed the door behind him.

To his surprise she was waiting for him on her knees, the tube of lipstick in her hands, "Ok, let's get this over with." She said, slowly applying it to her lips.