The Secret Balcony

Skyler recovered her senses and got to her feet. She did her best to repress the distinct sensation of unwanted exposure. This time it would be her moment, and she was going to go straight to the final humiliation her boss had tasked her with.

With as much silence as possible, she ascended the stairs. Her senses were on high, listening for any noise, her eyes scanning for any booby trap. When she reached the top, she realised she’d held her breath and allowed herself a momentary gasp.

Hoping against hope that her information was correct, Skyler crept through the right-hand corridor, ignoring the other staircase. When she approached the corner, she edged a glance around it.

There she was. About ten or fifteen feet away was Roxanne on the secret balcony that overlooked the living room. That was the place she’d seen on her website, where she’d tossed Katie onto the sofa below. Plus, there were cameras looking straight down into the living room.

She observed Roxanne for a few seconds. The Punk Princess fiddled with a whole length of rope of some kind, and a strange machine encased in blue plastic on a small table next to her.

Skyler shuddered at the thought. She didn’t know what any of that stuff was, but all she knew is it was meant to relieve her of the last of her dignity.

With no other plans, Skyler stepped out in full view of Roxanne, looking braver than she actually felt.

“Hey!” She called. “That’s the end of the line. Now where are you going to go?”

Roxanne looked up in shock.

The two women stood opposite each other as if it were high noon. Each dared the other to make the first move.

Roxanne picked up the length of rope. It appeared to be another lasso, but with no gun this time.

“Don’t come any closer,” said Roxanne. “I’ve… got the high ground.”

Skyler ignored the reference. “Oh no, you don’t.”

“Try me.”

Roxanne began to swing the lasso around in circles. Skyler didn’t even try to wonder where a girl in Hazelville would have picked up that skill. But she didn’t care.

Skyler charged and Roxanne prepared to throw.