The mugger

Jamie didn't make it to the end of the block before something happened.

She passed by a small, dingy alley. As she did so, a hand grabbed her upper arm and pulled her into the alley.

"Hey!" Jamie said, trying to pull herself away from the strong arm that was holding her tightly. She couldn't break away from it, and tottering unsteadily on her high heels, she was dragged deep into the alley, until she and her attacker were both out of sight of the street.

Only when they were deep in the alley did the hand let go of her arm. Jamie turned to face the owner of the hand, anger rising up within her. He was a large man, a good eight inches taller than her, and close to 100 pounds heavier. The anger Jamie was feeling turned to fear when she saw the large knife in his other hand.

"You be good, and nothing bad will happen to you," the man said. "Understand?"

Jamie nodded.

"Good. Drop your purse and that bag at my feet."

Jamie did so. "That's some nice jewelry you got," the man said, referring to the earrings and bracelet Jamie wore. "Give them to me."

Jamie took off her jewelry and gave it to the man.

"Now, take your clothes off."

Jamie was startled by this request. "What? Why?"

"I like to make sure my victims can't call the cops until I've had the chance to get away. So I make them strip and tie them up. And then I take their clothes. Especially yours, which look to be worth something." Even Jamie's t-shirt was probably worth more than everything the man wore, her shoes were top of the line Jimmy Choos, and her La Perla thong cost over $300.

"But," Jamie said.

"No buts," the man said. "Get naked, or I will do it for you."

Slowly, reluctantly, Jamie took off her shoes, then her t-shirt. When she caught the way the man's eyes devoured her breasts, she wished she'd worn a bra. It would at least have kept his eyes off her breasts for a few seconds more.

"Keep going."

Not having any choice, Jamie took off her jeans and her thong. She watched as the man gathered up her clothes and started stuffing them into her bag.

"Do you have to tie me up?" she said. "Could you just leave me here like this? I promise, if you do, I'll give you time to get away before I go for help."