Craig confronts Lily’s kidnapper

Previously: Craig’s girlfriend, Lily, was kidnapped by the villainous Randy using a magical ring that can mind-control women. She fought her programming long enough to give a tip that led him back to her. He hopes to distract Randy long enough for Red to rescue her.

Craig

The Lambda Epsilon house was eerily silent. There were lights, but no life. Red prowled toward the building, slinking along like a cat. She paused to peek in a window before disappearing around the corner.

Craig checked the front door handle, hoping for a lucky break, but it was locked.

He’s been careful not to be found before now. I can’t count on him to make any mistakes.

Steadying himself, Craig rang the doorbell. A mousey college-age girl answered, her face unnaturally serene. The door was cracked open just enough to reveal a dimly lit central staircase and hallways branching off from the open central area.

“Can I help you?” She asked.

“I’m here to see the guy in charge. I know he’s controlling the women here.”

“I-I can’t do that.” She stumbled over her words, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Craig threw his weight into the door, flinging it open. He pushed past the stunned girl, then whirled back to confront her.

“Where is he?” he shouted, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. Craig stiffened, straightening up to his full height to try to intimidate the poor girl.

“The fuck is going on down there?”

Against his will, Craig’s body froze. That voice. Suddenly, he was back to being kicked into the pavement, watching Lily get taken away. He squeezed his eyes closed and took a deep breath to steady himself before turning.

A broad figure loomed at the top of the stairs. He wore a deep purple robe and leaned casually against one of the bannisters.

“I’m so sorry, master,” the girl pleaded. “He **** his way in.”

“Don’t worry your little head. The men are talking now. Go back to your room,” Randy instructed.

Craig sized up his foe as the door girl made her way down an empty hallway. There was no sign of the telltale purple glow he remembered the ring giving off, and no visible jewelry on his fingers. His robe was open, revealing a hairy chest, but no chains. His robe did have a bulging pocket that Craig eyed suspiciously.

“Where’s Lily?” Craig demanded.

“Lily… Lily… where have I heard that name before?” Randy responded mockingly. “Oh! You mean glassdoll?”

Craig’s lips pulled back in a snarl. He couldn’t contain his anger in front of the man responsible for trapping his love inside the prison of her own body.

“Her name is Lily,” he said, trying to keep his voice from trembling.

“Maybe it was. But I own her now. She’s called whatever I choose to call her. Why don’t I bring her out, and we can see what name she responds to?”

No, I need to buy Red more time. Distract him.

“I’ll buy her,” Craig offered, forcing out the revolting words. “How much do you want for her?”

“So you concede my ownership? That’s a good start. You’re logical, I appreciate that. But I don’t need your money.”

“I’ve researched your ring. I know its Persian roots. If you let me examine it, I could help you use it better. Just give Lily back.”

Randy barked out a derisive laugh. He casually flexed his bulky muscles as he adjusted his robe.

“First of all, I’m not stupid enough to ever let another man near my ring. Second, this isn’t a negotiation. Only equals can bargain. I’m the alpha. That being said, you’re a smart guy. You know what they’ve taken from us. Pledge your loyalty, and I’ll find a place for you in my service. In time, I’ll reward you with her. Serve me well, and you could even earn a superior model.”

Randy’s sunglasses obscured his eyes, but his posture was open. Underneath the bravado, there was a hint of loneliness in his voice, but Craig had no sympathy for Lily’s tormentor.

“She’s not yours to give!” Craig shouted, his hands clenched into fists. “I’m leaving with Lily. There is no superior model.”

Randy sighed and shook his head. He muttered, “I thought you were smarter,” to himself.

After a moment, he composed himself, putting on a self-important smirk.

“Look at you,” he said, his voice booming from the top of the stairs. “Trembling with feminine emotionality. I give you a chance to be on the right side of history, and you can’t bring yourself to be logical. This is your fault, really. If you were strong enough to keep your female in line, she wouldn’t have been flaunting her disgusting, masculine body at the gym. Simps like you are complicit with their reversal of the natural order, and I’m left with the task of reeducation.”

Asshole loves to hear himself talk.

“So what? You listened to a podcast, and now you think you have all the answers?”

“You still don’t get it. My authority is proof I’m right. By following the obvious laws of nature, I’m guaranteed success. You submit so easily. In a just world, you should have been born a girl. You spent your whole life placating and appeasing. Where did that bring you? Here, at my feet, where you belong.”

Randy was beaming with a smug smile. Craig gritted his teeth, trying desperately to think of a counterargument.

“You say you won,” Craig spat back. “But I know you tried to hide her from me. I’m here because you failed.”

Randy’s previously placid face broke out in a snarl.

“I’ve got better things to do than monitor my cam whores. The bitch who’s supposed to be handling IT security failed. Not me.”

For the first time since he entered the house, Craig grinned.

“No. Lily gave me a clue. I don’t have to be afraid of you. You brag about power, but even after months, you still can’t control her.”

Craig stepped forward, approaching the staircase. He saw Randy narrow his eyes before thrusting his hand into the pocket of his robe.

“Your ring won’t save you now-“

Craig’s words caught in his throat as Randy’s hand withdrew a gun from the pocket, flipped the safety, and pointed it down the stairs with his finger on the trigger.

“Did I interrupt you?” Randy asked with mock sincerity. “Go on, I think you were saying something about how I don’t have any power over you.”

Craig’s stomach lurched into his throat. His legs trembled uncontrollably like branches in a storm. The dark circle of the gun barrel filled his entire vision.

“You’re bluffing,” he squeaked out. “You wouldn’t **** me.”

“****?” Randy scoffed. “Of course not. I’m going to ‘self defense’ you.”

Craig broke out in a cold sweat.

“B-but t-that’s a lie. That’s illegal.”

Craig watched the barrel swing down slightly-

BANG!

Craig flinched, his arms flailing helplessly to ward off his impending ****. A moment later, his brain recognized the sound of wood at his feet splintering from the bullet’s impact.

“Illegal?” Randy laughed. “You think the law will protect you? The law is to protect me from scum like you. A cursory investigation will discover that you were cyber-stalking your ex. She made no effort to contact you, yet you broke in. You were emotional and turned violent when she refused to leave with you. Good thing there was a good guy with a gun. I’m sure I can find a few females willing to corroborate the story.”

Craig blinked. The pressure that had been weighing him down evaporated. His hands unclenched. His formerly racing thoughts fled, leaving one immutible truth.

I’m going to die here.

With new clarity of purpose, Craig stared up at his oncoming ****. His lips pressed together in a firm line.

I said I’d do anything to keep them safe. Now it’s time to prove it. As long as they get away, that’s enough.

“Like, what’s going on?”

Craig’s teeth ground together in response to the shrill falsetto before realizing where the voice must have come from. Both men turned their heads to see the figure on the second floor in white lingerie. Craig would have recognized the form anywhere: the deep tan with pale tan lines, the wide-shouldered frame, the thighs corded with muscle.

But something in her posture felt off. Stiff.

Is that really her?