Title: Hide and Seek (Parts 1-2 of 9) "Hello." Tara's voice slurred as she spoke into the handset of the AT&T phone that sat on her bedside table. Moments earlier she had been welcoming in her day off by sleeping soundly through the early morning hours. The irritation in her voice was covered only slightly by her groggy stupor. A stern, monotone voice replied, "Tara, what I am about to tell you is no joke. It is very real and deadly serious. You are to listen to what I say without interruption or Wayne will suffer because of it. Do you understand?" Her mind could not grasp the statement it had just heard. "What...wha...who is this?" "Tara, what this is, is a chance for you to save your husband a lot of pain by cooperation. Who I am is of no concern of yours. All you need to know is that I have your husband here with me. He is ok and is in no immediate danger. That will remain true as long as you cooperate. Are you ready to listen, yet?" "What have you done to my husband . . . who do you think you are. Let him go! I'm calling the police..." In the background Tara her husband voice as it cried out in pain. "Wayne!! What's going on??" The voice picked up again, "Tara, that sound was Wayne in a state of, shall we say, mild discomfort. You will not be calling anyone - not the police, no family or friends - or your husband will be hurting a lot more in the near future." "Ok, ok . . . I'm sorry just please don't hurt him again. I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt him any more." "Good, that's better, Tara. Now that you are ready to listen, let me tell you what is about to happen. First, again I have your husband and will continue to hold him until our little game is over. Second, I expect your full cooperation at all times. Any deviation for the task that you have to do will result in Wayne's being tortured. Third, you will be under observation the whole time. If you attempt to make any contact with anyone not involved in the game, I will end the game and you will never see your husband again. Are you clear on all of those details? I want a simple yes or no from you." "Yes" "Good. Then here is how this game is going to work. I will provide you with clues on where Wayne and I are. You must guess your husband's location. Each time you guess incorrectly I will provide you with one more clue. However, to earn the next clue, you will have to complete a challenge that I assign to you. Once completed you will get another clue and be able to guess again. We keep playing until he is found. Do you understand?" "I think so. But what kind of tasks will I have to do?" "The tasks will be whatever I decide. No limits and no promises, other than to say that the longer the game goes on the more challenging the tasks will become. Now, are you ready for your first clue?" "Yes sir, I am." "Here it is: 'landmark'." "That's not fair. You haven't told me anything. Are their any boundaries? I don't know what city or state it's in. Is it even in the country?" "Sorry, no explanation of the clues. They are what they are. Just keep playing and pay attention and as the game goes along they will point you right to us. The better you are at solving the riddle, the sooner this will all end. So, what is your guess?" "I don't know.... a landmark.... I don't know.... All I can think of is the Statue of Liberty." "I am so sorry. We are not at the Statue of Liberty. But that was a good start for you. Now, to earn another clue, you must complete my first task for you. Go outside and look on the windshield of your car. You will find an envelope containing the directions to the location of your first challenge. Follow the directions of the individual that greets you there. Tell that person nothing about this game. He/She knows only what is needed to fulfill his/her role. Once you have completed the task at that location, I will contact you with your next clue. You have one hour to arrive at the assigned location. Goodbye." The line went dead. Tara slipped on her robe as she sprang from the bed and on shaky legs stumbled her way out of the bed and down the stairs to the front door. When she opened the door she saw the promised package under the driver's side wiper of her blue Volkswagen Jetta. Her eyes scanned the document and realized her destination was in the Buckhead region of metro-Atlanta. From her suburban home, it was easily a 40-minute drive. But it was Atlanta. Traffic was always un-predictable. Any hint of bad luck and her trip could be over the allotted hour in an instant. She had to hurry. 52 minutes later, Tara pulled into the parking lot of Headshots Studio. The owner of the establishment opened the door as she approached. "You must be Tara." She pensively nodded in acknowledgment. "Great my name is Michael Romeo. I'm set up and ready to get going. Someone must really want some portraits of you. The studio is all yours. Just go into the back there. Angie, my stylist is waiting for you. She's got all the outfits you'll be wearing. Take your time getting ready and I'll be out here when you're done." Michael directed Tara to the rear. As she entered the back room, he locked the front door and closed the blinds. Michael's assistant was a young redhead. She was actually rather plain looking with an average build. Aside from her brilliant red hair, there was little to make her stand out in any crowd. Tara smirked at the irony of such a woman in charge of styling at such an exclusive studio. Angie went right to work on Tara. She had left the house in such a rush earlier, that her hair and make-up went untouched after her long sleep. As Angie pampered Tara from head to toe, she finally had a moment to contemplate her situation. She had gone to sleep the night before with so few troubles. Her life with Wayne was not perfect, but their relationship was fulfilling. As far as she knew, they had no enemies. Who could want to do this to them? For that question, she had no answer. She did not know what their tormentor wanted out of this game. The unknown was terrifying. What she did know is that she was about to be posing for a photographer. Michael had said there were outfits to be worn. That meant changing clothes, which meant she was likely posing for several portraits. But why would someone want pictures of her? "There, all done honey." Angie had completed her work while Tara had sat lost in thought. Tara's long brown hair flowed smoothly down her neck and came to rest just below her shoulders. Her face sparkled from the heavy make-up her stylist had applied. It was much more than Tara would have worn on her own. She had the appearance of a woman very much trying to attract the attention of a man - any man. "Let's get you dressed." Angie took Tara by the hand over to the clothing rack. For the first time, Tara felt uncomfortable about the photo shoot. The outfits, such as they were, were all lingerie. A dozen combinations covered nearly all the spectrum of intimate wear. From a simple plain chemise to lace teddies to leather and satin bustiers, every style was present. The frozen bride stared at the rack while Angie went to work. Tara's shirt slid quickly over her head and soon afterward her bra fell to the floor. In quick order, Angie removed the clothing below Tara's waist and she stood naked, and still motionless. At 35, Tara could still turn a man's head without trying. No, she didn't have the same body that she did at 18. What woman does - especially after giving birth to three children? But she was still a striking woman. Her frame concealed the few extra pounds to the point of making them meaningless. Her large d-cup breasts still swelled proudly out for her compact torso. Even her rounded ass still maintained a desirable apple shape. No she wasn't 18 -- she was 35. That meant her sensuality didn't begin with her skin and jump out after men. It meant that her appeal resided deep within. She had a comfort and confidence in her own person that radiated from her clear brown eyes. Tara was the kind of woman that men of all ages still craved. Her charms were all the more compelling because of how unaware she was of her own beauty. She may not have understood why anyone would want pictures of her, but most any man who met her did. "You are a beautiful creature there, aren't you," commented Angie as she grabbed the first outfit. Tara was indeed a beautiful creature "There, you're all ready now." Angie completed dressing Tara in the first outfit. Tara had been decorated in a white beaded lace halter teddy. She looked every bit like a new bride offering herself to her new man on their wedding night. "Wow, baby you look delicious," came Michael's compliment as Tara entered the shooting area. A bed was centered on the stage between the strong studio lights. Michael directed Tara to the bed. He set to adjusting the lighting and his cameras, while Angie make some final touch-ups to Tara's hair and make-up. "Just relax and follow my lead. Your benefactor for the evening told me to make sure you looked like you were enjoying yourself." For the next two hours, Tara posed in hundreds of positions and went through the entire rack of revealing outfits. When the last shuddered closed, not much of Tara's body was left to the imagination. It had technically been covered the whole time. But the intense lights and high-resolution of the camera peered through the sheer lingerie shot after shot. As Tara returned to the rear to gather her clothing, she discovered her sandals were gone. Angie appeared with her new footwear. Tara was given a pair of red stiletto heeled mules. "We were told to replace your shoes with these when you left." Handing the 4-inch heels to Tara, Angie parted with a "good luck." Tara returned to the front to find Michael waiting. He handed her a CD-ROM of her pictures and disposable cell phone. She was ushered out the door and Michael returned inside without saying a word and locked the door. Part 2 Tara stumbled on the elevated footwear at the startling sound of her new phone ringing. "Hello," her hesitant voice cracked into the handset. "Very well done, my pet. Now that you are all dolled-up, are you ready for your next clue?" "Yes sir, what is it?" "Your next clue is: 'west'. Give me your answer when ready." After a quick moment to consider landmarks out west, she narrowed her choice down to one, "I guess the Golden Gate Bridge." There was a brief pause over the connection. It lifted Tara's spirits until the voice crushed them with his answer, "Oooooooo, I'm so sorry we are not at the Golden Gate Bridge, baby. Looks like you are going to need another clue. Go to your car and again, you will find an envelope containing the directions to your next stop. Go to the back door and ask for Rita. Follow her instructions to the letter and you will receive your next hint." Once at her car, Tara opened the second envelope. The directions kept her inside the I-285 perimeter that surrounds metro-Atlanta and she only had to drive a few miles. Her blue Jetta arrived at the back entrance of the location of her new challenge. She had never been there but the shower of neon lights lining the roof and the establishments' name, 'Doll House,' left no doubt about its line of business. Tara felt her throat tighten and her stomach begin floating in a sea of nerves as she clumsily rang the buzzer at the back door. A large mid-aged woman with an unfiltered Marlboro smoldering between her yellowed teeth greeted the sheltered wife. "Hi, I'm Tara and was told to meet a Rita here." "In flesh dearie," the cumbersome woman barked and pulled Tara inside the dark club. "So I hear you want to dance here tonight. Ever danced before?" Tara shook her head no and followed in Rita's shadow down to the dressing room for the girls. "Well, shit. We don't take amateurs here and certainly no rookies. Well, I guess someone knows someone or some shit like that to get you in here tonight." Rita stopped in the center of the well-lit room and grabbed Tara by the arms. "Let me take a look at you and see what we've got to work with." Rita's hands began roaming over Tara's face and neck, "I'm guessing your few years on the downside of 30. Gettin' to be a little old for this work, aren't ya, dearie...." Rita chuckled. Her hands drifted lower to Tara's shoulders. She spun the smaller woman around in a quick circle. "Still looks like you've got a shape to you...I need to see your goodies so take off your clothes." Tara hesitated at the order, "Fuck, little missy. How you gonna dance tonight, if your shy about showing your precious shit back here. Now, get out those clothes, or go home and quit wastin' my time" Tears formed in Tara's eyes as her resolve slowly formed. Just as Rita as ready to discard her project, Tara reached to remove her t-shirt. The rest of her clothing followed in short order. Tara stood naked except for her new shoes, ready for inspection. "There we are suga'. That wasn't so bad. Now, let me see hear." The matron's thick, rough hands locked onto the tender flesh of the younger woman's breasts. "Not bad. You got some nice titties on you still. They look and feel real. Are they?" Tara nodded. "Great, a lot of men like big naturals like these. Turn around and let me see your caboose . . . .Not bad, not bad at all." Rita's fondling of Tara's body continued with her club-like thumbs pulling apart the cheeks of Tara's full, Latina ass. "Bend over for me, dearie." Rita's left hand encouraged Tara to comply with the order. She bent over at the waist. "Keep going on, just reach down and grab yo' ankles for me." Rita urged. Tara's hands grasped her ankles and exposed the pussy to her mentor's view. With both hands now pulling apart the folds of Tara's intimate curves, Rita gave a final critique of the new dancer. "Well, all the parts is here and still in pretty good shape for ya age. I think we can make this work." Rita released Tara and allowed her to stand. "Just 'member, you're giving up about 10-years to every other workin' girl here. Some of the mongers like older pussy, some don't. You gotta go find the ones that do to make yo' shit tonight. Come on, let's get you dressed." Rita led Tara in the back storage room where the club's spare costumes were kept. She fumbled through several options before deciding on an outfit. "Let's play up the whole momma and teachy thing. You're my new naughty school teacher." So Rita began handing Tara a complete ensemble. The lingerie consisted of the typical stripper fare of stockings, g-string, open-cupped bra and the stripper's wallet - a garter. On top, she worn a long straight skirt that any school teach might have chosen. Of course, this one was secured with a Velcro strip and not buttons and a zipper. She covered her breasts with a plain white blouse. The outfit was completed with some conservative large, framed glasses, a wooden-ruler, and prop apple. The ladies spent the next several minutes creating a routine for the rookie dancer to follow. "Just 'member, be confident. You're the only one who knows your bustin' yo' cherry. There's a bunch of sharks and deadbeats out there. If you look scared, they'll eat you alive. Rumor is you need a c-note to get outta here. Don't you worry 'bout that at all. Just don't freeze or fall on your ass too many times and that kind of money is easy. They'll all be drunk anyway. So just stick your tits and ass in their faces, they'll cough up enough money for ya to be gone in no time. Got any more questions?" Tara did, but none that mattered. She was scared senseless by the task in front of her. But it had to done. Wayne's screams from earlier in the day still echoed in her head. Whatever embarrassment lay in front of her, she simply had to push through it. "Well, just sit tight. Your number starts in about 10 minutes. What stage name ya want?" "I don't know. You pick one for me." Rita gave it a second's thought, "Well, let's just call you, 'Sassy,' cuz that's what you need to be in a few minutes... I'm headin' out front. When you hear your song and DJ introduce you, you be ready. Jump out on that stage like you own it and you'll be fine." Tara listened from just off stage as the seasoned performer on stage went through her act. The nervous bride had never even been in a strip club before. She peered through the curtains to watch the sensuous moves of the expert dancer on the stage. She was following a tall-leggy blond with breasts that had been well augmented by the surgeon's knife. Doubts and insecurities crept into her mind as she observed the youthful performer on stage. But she simply had to lock those thoughts deep into her and focus on her new route and Rita's advice. "Like I own the stage. I own the stage," Tara repeated to herself in barely audible tones as cheers came up from the crowd. The dancer was finished. Just then the pulsing beat of Tara's first number began to play. The DJ prepared the crowd for Tara's appearance. "Boys, you remember that teacher you had in school...Y'all know the one all the guys talked about in the halls. The one that always seemed to keep one of your friends after school for extra work.... well, get ready to see her again.... the Doll House is here to bring that memory to life.... Give it up for our own freaky teacher, Saaaaaasssssssyyyyy!!" Cheers and shouts rang out in anticipation of Tara's grand unveiling. Nerves nearly overwhelmed the frightened woman, but her determination won out. Tara sprang out on to the stage and into the floodlights. The bright lights of the stage blocked her vision of most of the room. Only the men directly next to the railing were visible through the glare. She was relieved that at. While there were easily over 200 men in the room, she felt as if only a small handful could see her. The initial spring in her step faltered as the realization that she of what she was about to do rushed back over her. Tara was a faithful wife and a godly Christian woman. Other than her husband, she had not used her body to entice a man in 20 years. Now her husband's very life depended on her ability to do it. A moral crisis raging in her tender mind now compounded those familiar doubts and fears. The crowd noise lessened. Her hesitation had lowered the excitement in the room. The impatient men were about to turn against the rookie. The change of atmosphere in the smoky room broke Tara from her conflict. Once again, her resolve stiffened and the housewife slipped into the role of dancer. She drifted quickly into the flow of the music and allowed the rhythm to stream through her body. Tara's movements loosened and she started going through the routine Rita had given her. Her dance took her on a quick trip along the railing that protected the stage. She playfully pulled the wooden ruler from her skirt and tapped the knuckles of the men's hands that reached out for her A second trip across the stage brought the opening of her blouse. Each released button brought more of her olive skin into the sight of the hungry men. Tara left the shirt hanging open. When she completed the second circuit, she danced her way to the center of the stage. She faced the curtain and playfully looked back at the crowd over her right shoulder. She paused and smiled at the crowd for a moment before bending at the waist. With her legs straight she reached all the way to the ground and placed her apple and ruler on the stage. Standing up straight again, her hands went to the sides of the long-straight skirt covering her stocking- covered legs. Each hand grabbed the small tabs at the top of the Velcro strap. A sharp tug and the Tara's ass and white stockings were the crowd's to ogle. Tara tossed the skirt to the back of the stage. She again bent at the waist to retrieve her props. The full bend stretched the back of her legs and caused the cheeks of her ass to part. Only a small, thin string hid any of her charms from the onlookers. The second song of Tara's set started. The crowd's energy had returned. Tara used the opportunity to fish for her first tips of the night. Her eyes scanned the railing for men who looked willing to part with some cash. The first taker was a man who looked like he might be on his first trip to a club. Tara danced her way over to the young man. She knelt over in his direction. The movements opened the sides of her white blouse. With the opened-cupped bra surrounding the lower half of her breasts, the young man got the first view of her ripe tits on the evening. He gratefully slipped a single into Tara's garter. Several other men soon joined in the game. Tara managed to clear roughly $20 dollars on her first attempt. It was time to remove more clothing. The meek bride returned to center stage and again faced away from the crowd. A quick shake of the shoulders and the white blouse drifted to the floor. While her exposed hips kept in sync with her music, Tara's right hand moved to the center of her back and deftly released the clasp that held her revealing brassiere in place. The garment joined the blouse on the stage as Tara bent forward again. Now exposed from the waist up, she continued to dance with her back to the crowd. Momentary glimpses of her full bosom filled the lustful eyes of the men willing her on as she swayed in time to her accompaniment. Tara then spun around to face the crowd and covered the tips of her chest with her arms. The crossed limbs pressed the pliable flesh against her body and accentuated the seductive curves. Tara returned to the edge of the stage and found another eager man to tease. She danced in front of him until he reached for a tip. Once the money was extended, she lowered her arms and gave the crowd their first full-view of her torso. The men erupted in cheers when the impressive, natural breasts sprang out of the confines of her arms. They bounced and swayed freely in a way the no artificial breast can. Rita had been right. Despite her relatively advanced age in the club, the sight the large, unaltered mammories brought a rush of onlookers to the edge of the stage. Money was extended all along the railing. Another trip around the block netted Tara another $40 dollars. Her total climbed to $60. She had one more important piece of clothing to remove. Her third song started. Tara again returned to center stage. This time she faced the crowd. The thumb on each hand slipped delicately inside the narrow band of her miniscule panties. Tara was covered in sweat from the exertion at this point. Adrenaline filled her muscles and veins. The rush of 200 men cheering her on had covered the normally reserved woman awash in sexual tension. Her hands eagerly pushed the tiny garment to her knees. The panties fell to the floor. Tara raised them to her left-hand with one foot and playfully tossed them into the crowd. She was covered in only a pair of white-fishnet stockings. Her entire body was on display to the crowd. Getting back to the railing, Tara followed the lead of the dancer that she had seen earlier. She crawled on hands and knees. With each movement of her legs she greatly exaggerated the sway of her flared hips. Once at the edge, Tara sat back on her ass and offered her legs to the crowd. She kept them crossed at the start. But as more money gathered in her line of sight, Tara uncrossed her ankles. Hands groped the sides of her thighs as they stuffed more cash into the elastic band surrounding it. Tara's legs continued their journey apart and more hungry eyes peered in to take in her most cherished sight. Ten minutes ago, the bride was fearful of rejection and morally conflicted. But in that moment, there was no fear or remorse as her knees and thighs opened to the bright floodlights of the stage. Another round of cheers went up from the men when the legs finished their journey. The stage manager trained the full force of the club's spotlights onto the opened and offered pussy. Singles rained in around Tara. Her hands slid down her sweat-covered stomach to her folds. The fingers of her hands pulled back the delicate lips of her vagina. The bright pink skin of her tender slit was opened for the strangers to take in. Each man clearly saw the moisture forming in her cunt and the small trail of excitement beginning to seep onto her thighs. Tara ground her hips against an imaginary penis while the last song of her faded out. She lay on the stage for a long moment as the cheers continued. Her ego soaked in the praise of her horny suitors. However, reality slowly broke through the fog and the Christian woman soon came to her self. Tara sprang to her feet and quickly gathered the money the lay around her. She darted off-stage without even pausing to gather her discarded clothing or props. Rita met Tara as she ran behind the curtain. "Whoa there, honey. You did it. Here give me your money and let me count it." The naked woman emptied her hands and garters to into house mom's hands. Rita's count came to $212. "Well, sweetie looks like you've got plenty here. You're good with me. Rest up for a minute and let me know when you're ready to get dressed. I've got some shit for you to take with you." Tara sat stone-faced and stared into the dressing-room mirror in front of her. Her body was still wet with her own perspiration. She could feel the moisture between her own legs. How could she have done that? How could she have enjoyed it? And she did enjoy it. There was no denying that. Tara ate up the catcalls and propositions she had been showered in over the last few minutes. The exposure and danger had made her feel alive in a way she had not known in years. That realization scared Tara even more as she contemplated the immediate future. She was about to get another tasks to do. The voice on the phone had promised each one would be harder than the one before. Tara's concern now was not so much if she could go through with it, but if she would enjoy it too much. In time, Tara gathered herself and found Rita. Her clothes were returned to her minus her panties. The simple cotton panties she had worn from the house that morning were gone. In their place, she was given a lacy-trimmed pair of Brazilian-cut panties that framed perfectly the smooth curve of her ass. Rita handed Tara and plain manila folder and ushered her out the back door. Again, there was an envelope on the windshield of her Jetta. Just then the phone rang again. It was time for the contest to move forward.