Steam

Chapter 5

R led Victoria back through the dingy corridor she had entered through. Where was he taking her? What was he going to do with her? Would she ever see Eliza again? Or her parents? What about Thomas? Oh her beloved Thomas, how she wished to be in his arms, instead of this petrifying place. She did not know where she was, or who she was being led away by. R, was just a stranger in a mask, taking her. Somewhere. Where? Would she ever live to tell anybody where? She didn't know just yet.

They came to about the eighth door down on the left, and he produced a key from under his top hat. Victoria's heart was clawing at her chest. What was behind this door? Her palms were sweating and it felt like there was a impossibly tangled dead weight in her stomach. He twisted the wrought iron key in the lock and pushed the door open gently. Her stomach flicked at the snap of the latch. She followed sheepishly in.

The room, again, was dim, and it smelt like expensive spices. She walked forward, slowly. There was a huge four poster bed in the centre. The sheets were a deep plum silk, and the frame a beautiful oak. The room was small, and hot. She felt herself begin to sweat, and she had only been in there a matter of minutes. A large leather chest sat to the left of the bed. She was simply in awe of what situation she found herself in yet again.

"Turn around" A husky voice ordered.

She spun around, caught unaware, and stared wide-eyed at the gentleman before her.He stood with his cane, and top hat slightly cocked upon his head.

"Take off your dress. Now"

She wasn't entirely sure what she just heard. A masked stranger had just ordered her to undress. She didn't quite know how to respond. The knot in her stomach tightened.

"You heard me, you little whore. Take off your dress. Now"

She was not about to argue with the tall, masked stranger. She estimated he was around six foot and rather well built; she didn't stand a chance. Though the little voice in her head told her not to, she began to unlace her corset. Her fingers were sweaty and she struggled to loosen the laces. "Hurry up" R barked.

She eventually managed to get it loose enough where she was able to slip it off. She breathed a sigh of relief; the whale bones had at last loosened their hold on her ribs. She saw a slight smirk from R, but it soon turned to a menacing stare. His eyes said, "Hurry up, before I come over there and do it myself..."

She tugged her skirts down, and the bustle; she let them fall to the floor. She stood, simply in her boots and underwear, in front of the masked stranger.

"Boots too. And don't take your time, whore" he hissed. She scrambled to undo the laces on her boots, and kicked each one off. Again, she stood before him, in simply her underwear. Just white bloomers and a bra.

"Good girl. Now sit on the bed. Quickly"

She did as she was told. She was positively terrified. Her hands quivered and her legs were shaking with fear. She had absolutely no idea what was happening.

"Take off that bra" he ordered her. He grinned and removed his top hat. The dim light threw creepy shadows across his face. He peeled off his jacket, leaving him in his waistcoat and shirt.

Again, she followed his orders. She was almost unable to undo the clasps; her hands were hot, sweaty and trembling. She tossed it across the room, and it landed lifelessly on top of the rest of her clothes. Her breasts glistened with sweat in the orange-y glow of the room. Perfectly round and pert. R licked his lips.

"Now, I want you to stroke your breasts, all the way around and on the nipple. Do it"

She didn't understand why, but she did so anyway. It felt good, even though she was terror-stricken to the core. Her slender fingers brushed gently across each nipple, and she caressed each breast, gently as if they were a new born child.