The sissy games

Part 69; please believe me

Could it be that their memories weren't wiped this time? Or was something else going on? Alex hoped for the second option. He leaned in and whispered,

"What did the headmistress say to you that made you so scared?"

They kept silent, but Alex wasn't going to give up.

"Please tell me. We're friends, I won't tell anyone."

Finally, Max gave in.

"Yesterday, the girls put lipstick on us, remember? Just after you and those girls walked out, she said she wouldn't forget it, and that we should be careful."

That bitch, Alex thought. It wasn't enough to make his life a living hell — now she wanted to drag his friends into it too.

Max continued, "When school was over, me and Roy tried to wash it off with water, but it didn't work. We had to go home with those lips."

"Welcome to my life," Alex muttered.

"I've never felt so embarrassed before. People laughed at me, and girls in the bus were giggling and taking pictures," Max said bitterly.

Alex felt guilty but knew he couldn't have prevented it.

"I'm sorry, guys."

"You better buy us drinks next time," Roy said, annoyed.

Then Max looked at him, confused. "But Alex... one day you suddenly act like you want to be a girl. Have you always felt that way?"

For him, it really was sudden — every punishment Alex had suffered before had been wiped from Max's memory.

"I don't want to be a girl," Alex said firmly.

"What about that whole speech yesterday then?" both Roy and Max asked, confused.

Alex hesitated. He could tell them the truth. Maybe they would believe him, especially after what they'd gone through. But if he did, the Lady might punish him worse than ever before. Still... maybe honesty was the only way to win their trust.

"I've been forced to wear all this. Forced to do those things. Just like what happened to you two yesterday."

"Really? But why?"

"I don't know."

"Why don't you go to the police?"

"Because they're watching me," Alex whispered.

Silence hung between them until Max finally said, "Play along for now. I'll think of something these next few days."

Alex knew Max wouldn't find a real solution. The police might be an option, but they wouldn't believe a single word. Still, it was comforting to have their support alongside Ember's.

The lesson ended, and the next began with more laughing and teasing from classmates. At lunch, they sat together with Ember, though Roy and Max still suspected her of being a spy, so the talk stayed light.

Just before the afternoon lessons started, the headmistress walked past their table. A few steps beyond, she suddenly turned back, smiling.

"How are you boys and girls doing?" she asked.

"Great, ma'am," Max said, forcing a smile.

"Good to hear. What a beautiful outfit and stunning eye makeup you're wearing today, Alexis," she said with a grin.

"Thank you..." Alex mumbled, barely able to speak.

"Do you boys like how Alexis looks too?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes, she looks beautiful," they both answered quickly, fear in their voices after the warning from yesterday.

"Lovely. Take care now," she said, leaving them behind.

"I never knew how evil she really is," Roy muttered as he watched her walk away.

"I'm glad you guys finally see it," Alex said quietly.

The bell rang, and they sat through the final lessons until school was over.

Before Alex could leave for the facility, Max stopped him.

"Can I talk to you alone for a moment?"

"Sure," Alex said, as Ember nodded and went ahead to wait for him.

"I need to know... is Ember the spy?"

"No, she isn't. We're just good friends."

"Oh, okay. But does she know about all this?"

"She does, but... it's complicated," Alex admitted.

"Okay..." Max said, clearly confused. Then he added, "I'm going to try to help you. But I have so many more questions. Can you call me tonight?"

"No. I didn't tell you yet, but I'm being held somewhere too."

"What? No way. Now you're just messing with me," Max said, shocked.

"You have to believe me. I can't call, can't use a computer... except for school, I'm cut off from the outside world."

"Sorry, Alex, but I don't know what to believe anymore. I believe you're being forced into this girly stuff, sure. But being locked away somewhere and only allowed to go to school? That's insane."

"Please, you have to believe me. I wish I could explain everything, but I need to go before they get suspicious. Write down your questions and I'll answer them next time, okay?"

And with that, Alex turned and left with Ember, leaving Max standing there, confused and doubtful.

Back at the facility, Alex laid out the clothes he had to wear. After that, he and Ember played some games in their room, chatted, and eventually had dinner together. The whole time, Alex thought about telling Ember what had happened with Max and Roy, and how Max wanted to help. But inside the facility, he didn't dare say a word. For now he was just happy to be in his room with Ember, they finally shared a room. But the fun slowly faded when Ember brought up a serious matter:

"I got a hint for the next game," she said. "They told me to be alert for when to run."

"Run?" Alex frowned. "I wonder what crazy game they've come up with this time."

That evening, Alex prepared himself for another round of the sissy games. Waiting for it to start, he couldn't stop thinking about Max. Would Max believe him? Or would the Lady erase his memory again?

Doubt gnawed at him. Telling the truth might have been a mistake.

The light turned green, and the same voice as always boomed through the speakers with its now-iconic phrase:

"Welcome to the 153rd Sissy Games!"

The crowd roared with excitement.

"Today, the boys must make it to the end. But can they resist the beauty of a girl? Or do they secretly want to become one? My guess—every single one of them does!" the voice laughed.

The boys stood in a line. Across from them were eight doorways, each topped with a giant female face.

The timer counted down.

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... GO!

They all ran. Everyone wanted to reach the finish, to make the top 4, to survive another round.

It was a head-to-head sprint. But then...