RF Arousal Ch 8

“Oh jeez,” Riley mutters.

“What kind of basement is this?” Hana demands shrilly.

“It’s locked,” Adella says, touching the door. “I don’t think we can get out.”

“I don’t want to get out with her out there,” Hana says.

“Shhh,” Riley cuts in.

They listen.

“I dropped my phone,” she whispers.

“I have mine.” Adella takes it out and shows them the screen. No service. That’s no surprise down here.

“If this is a **** basement, I’m never coming to America again,” Hana promises.

“It’s not a **** basement,” Riley assures her. A **** basement wouldn’t have all these safety warnings on the walls about PPE and chemicals and stuff. “Come on.” She starts down toward the gloom. “Turn on your light.”

It’s pitch black down there, and a phone light just creates blinding glare on glass and metal. Everything’s shiny, and there’s a chemical smell in the air, but also body odor and sweat.

“What in the world?” Riley mutters, pressing her face against a big window. Adella shines the light through, and they all peer at the sophisticated machinery on the other side. A sweaty hand smacks into the glass, and Riley jumps with a squawk.

The woman in the room is still wearing her shirt and a white lab coat, but nothing below. Like the woman on the surface, she’s hung and hard. Her eyes blaze with that same crazed light. It doesn’t seem like she can get out of there.

“Maybe it is a **** basement,” Riley admits.

“I changed my mind. We need to go,” Hana replies.

“Guys. Listen,” Adella warns.

Bare feet slap against the metal floor.

“Oh shit,” Riley says, and they all turn. Adella’s light shows shiny gray bodies and outstretched hands as several women come around the corner at a run. Suddenly, the narrow corridor is full of their smell and their breathing.

“Fuck me!” Hana yelps, leaping backward.

A door hisses open, and an arm shoots out, grabbing Riley and yanking her through. Adella kicks a naked woman away and dives after Riley, pushing Hana. They tumble to the cold floor, and the door hisses shut just in time.

Adella’s phone is on the floor in the hallway outside, and the glow is visible through frosted glass, along with moving shapes. Riley blinks stars from her eyes and sits up, ready to freak out, but nobody’s grabbing her now.

“Everyone OK?” Hana is asking.

Riley’s eyes adjust. A blonde about her mother’s age kneels in front of her.

Adella looks incredulous. “Annette? What are you doing down here?”

“Hiding,” the blonde replies tightly. It’s the voice of someone who is barely in control.

“Who are these chicks?” Hana hisses.

Annette looks pained. “My employees.”

“These people work for FUTA?” Riley asks.

“Not exactly.”

“Why are we in the dark?”

“Because I thought it might give me a chance to get out.” Annette sighs and sits against the wall. “Stay down where they can’t see you.”