"For you to make a run for it"

Taken faily aback, Liz spent a moment attempting to understand the other woman's statement. Did she mean that this was the time most new arrivals attempted a foolish escape? The Mistress lifted Liz up by the collar of her "jacket," helping her to her feet. Liz's expression was quite quizzical as she yet tried to make sense of the domineering woman's game. Was this woman trying to help her somehow? Perhaps a spy advising her the coast was clear to flee?

The mysterious woman raised an eyebrow, expectant. "Run," she reminded her in an even tone. Suspecting a trick and of no mind to follow strange commands, the befuddled pirate hesitated. "Run!" said the woman this time it was a command and punctuated by a loud but not quite painful whip-crack across Liz's lovely arse.

The pirate obeyed in part. For while she was oft rash and certainly passionate, Liz had never been the sort to gallop blindly through an unknown structure, especially now since her straitjacket would make even a simple tumble painful. She stepped lively to the room's exit yet slowed her pace to better survey the hallway.

"Oh alright," The Mistress conceded. "If you really want to, you can stay here and amuse me." She simultaneously informed Liz how she would be amused and further encouraged her hesitant victim. The three strikes across Liz's bare stern were unnaturally fast. Surprised by the sudden pain, Liz let out an uncharacteristically girly scream. She stumbled out into the hallway.

Spurred on like a fresh pony, the bound pirate trotted down the hallway. She didn't run full steam, but the distant yet persistent click clack of The Mistress walking after her combined with the crack of the long, single-tail whip disturbing the air immediately behind her behind caused her to move quite briskly. The doors around her were all closed, and she knew trying the kobs would result in many a punishment to her already smarting posterior. The hallway took a left turn and she followed it, leaning daringly to corner with speed. Forward of her new orientation, she saw curtains dangling in her path. Quick, with only a pinch of cautious, the fleeing pirate stepped through the curtains. She half expected to encounter some other demonic creature beyond but was only greeted by another set of curtains. Could this be a sort of cloth vestibule?

An idea occurred to the devious vagabond; she could wait until this woman got close, then jump out and rush past her. She listened to the approaching footfalls of heeled boots, but they abruptly halted. Guessing the devil woman had somehow discovered her plan, Liz decided anew to run through the second set of curtains. However a tentative step forward revealed a brick wall behind that set of lush fabric. Her hide zone had been effectively turned into a dead end, with a fair emphasis on dead as the approaching Whip-stress seemed intent on delivering a fair amount of trouble. She turned around and prepared to face her armed punisher. Come out on the right hand side and jump to the left when the bitch strikes Liz thought to herself. Wait for her to start the strike, wait for it, wait for it, she repeated in her mind.

But the Mistress wasn't waiting for her on the other side of the curtains nor was the plane white hallway. In its place Liz saw a circular brick passageway bending to her left and right. "Well bugger me bloomin'" Liz mumbled in amazement as she looked at the impossibility.

The ruddy brown bricks felt cold to her bare feet. On the ground at her feet there was a note that read.

Impressive, isn't it? But don't let it slow you down my rapscallion. I do so hate catching my prey too easily

Sincerely: the Mistress you serve

In front of her was a sign that said "red team" with an arrow pointing to her left. To her right was a low fence. And beyond it another sign that indicated "blue team" was located further to the right.

She peered down the curved passageway to her left. It was the obvious choice because clambering over the fence would slow her down with no present benefit. Then again, The Mistress would likely think similarly. Going right was unpredictable and therefore perhaps more clever.