Storiesonline.net
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                              10% Book One
                          by John Wales & Wires

Copyright© John Wales 2007


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Description: Two young sisters flee an abusive home and end up in the clutches of an evil woman. This woman stumbles upon a secret that will put society on its ear or destroy it.

Codes: FF ff Ff ScFi ESP paranormal rom teen cons lolita inc sis les
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Preface


Hello everybody. This story is four books long. Only one is being posted now. It even has a good ending.

Wires ripped apart the story and rearranged it more logically in my opinion. He then did a lot of editing. The old fart retired recently and I just did the same thing. I'm also better looking and two years younger. He went back to work to keep active. In his spare time he is working on the story. He has three more books in his possession. If you want to read them then get him moving. A cattle prod works because he likes electrical equipment.

I edited the story this last time and found a few more mistakes. No doubt there are a few more. It's as if they breed. If anybody thinks they can do better then they can edit the chapters and send them to me with their name in the file name. I will repost. Now the new editor gets a chance to see how good they are. Most would not like the replies considering the types of email I get. Some are nice then point out our or my mistakes. These are fine. Half just point out mistakes. This latter group really makes me want to write more.

I've departed from my usual way of writing a story by making the main characters female. I may have touched on my feminine side to write this book. Wires may have too but I doubt if he shaved his legs. The experiment was fun and I think we all learned something from this work.

One final request if you don't mind. I reply to all my email. I like to give a first name not some term a computer nerd would use. Us old folks that were born in the first have of the preceding century are sometimes that way.



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Chapter 1


Gordon Colins III looked at the paperwork in his hands. There was very little that was new to him. "Father, the board cannot seriously consider bringing this woman into the corporation."

"I'm afraid it's more than just to consider."

"Why? She's a bull dyke with an overwhelming conception of her own worth. She'll disrupt whatever department she is placed in."

"I'm afraid she wishes to locate here in Toronto."

"Father, my own experiments will suffer. The offer is for a senior researcher. That means she will be at all the meetings. She will be seducing the entire staff, at least the female ones."

Gordon Colins II chuckled to himself. His son spent much of his own time doing the same thing and perhaps he was more afraid of the competition this new addition would bring. "Gordon, even if she is disruptive she has been instrumental in developing nearly four and a half billion dollars in new products. The corporation wants to cash in on her track record."

"I know she's bright. Her IQ is reported to be above 200. I am concerned that a person with an intelligence that high has more of a chance of being unstable. I keep track of people in my field. This woman has killed men and has nearly killed three woman. This was done with her own body for the most part. She shot one woman. There has been numerous incidents where she has lost her temper and severely beaten people she works with. She was a suspect in the shootings of two people that opposed her. We don't need her kind of attitude and actions in the corporation and especially here."

Gordon's father sat back and said in a quieter voice, "The company did an extensive investigation of the woman. Their findings more or less substantiate what you have said. The fact remains that she should produce at least a few billion dollars or more in products before she retires. The people that are paying your salary want that money."

"They're going to lose money with all the disruption this woman brings."

"That will be true in the short term. There are benefits for you in this situation."

"I know that, father. I may not be as bright as that woman but I'm close."

"Then I don't have to explain to you that you'll be able to get rid of some of your old staff and hire some—fresh new faces. If she takes the fifth floor, you will have to vacate one small lab. The budget for the remodelling can accommodate the renovations you've wanted for the last few years."

"I could use some new faces but I'm afraid that her status may sway the board to give her what staff she wants, even if they're already attached to me."

"That won't be allowed to happen, Gordon."

The board of directors at Stethbridge Pharmaceuticals came to an agreement with Sheila Knox. She would get a million dollars a year and a fixed percentage of any drug products she produced. This royalty would climb to two million dollars a year if she could work her magic as she had done previously. At present, she was getting three and a half million in royalty cheques each year from previous accomplishments. This figure was forecast to rise to nearly five million within a few years.

Unfortunately, Gordon Colins II had a serious heart attack and decided to retire. His word to his son that his staff would not be poached could not be kept. Many of the younger and more attractive researchers and lab assistants found their way to the fifth floor.

Gordon was not inept by any means, but he was ruled by his hormones on occasion. The more Gordon III tried to hold on to some of the women, the more they slipped away.

Sheila and Gordon fought everywhere they could. The board meetings were acrimonious. The chair could not control the two people. Both were very valuable to the company and both were pulling in money. Sheila had resurrected a previously abandoned product that was showing great promise as a psychotherapeutic drug. She was now working through the animal testing of a cardiovascular drug. At each success, Sheila would crow and Gordon would attack. His usual rant was that Sheila was not producing any income for the corporation.



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Chapter 2


Sheila Knox swayed down the hall of the Jamieson Clinic, past many open doorways. She knew people followed her with their eyes. All but the male eyes were welcome. A familiar and very pretty secretary let her in to see Lucy Maddison, the president of this small company.

Lucy and Sheila hugged even before the door closed. In only seconds they were kissing like the lovers they were. Lucy pulled back and said with a smile on her face, "Hello, Lover, how are you?"

Sheila didn't like all this familiarity but some people had to be allowed to get closer to her, or at least appear to be. "I'm fine Lucy. I miss you."

"You might, but you always have enough substitutes to take my place."

"You have Lily as your secretary and if I rememberer right she is very talented at keeping you occupied."

"Oh, she is. We live together along with Nancy Jacobus and Nancy Paddock."

"You must be well pleased with your situation."

"Indeed, I am. At the school, I was just one of the girls, but here I have more responsibilities and much more latitude to work."

"That work is what I came to talk to you about."

"Have a seat. Would you like Lily to bring in something to drink?" The smile Lucy gave suggested something much more stimulating that Lily would partake in.

"No, thank you. If I started that, I'd be here for hours and get nothing done. I wanted to talk about Abicore-L. Our own tests found two subjects with brain lesions. I came to you instead of using the phone."

"Could the problem be a coincidence?"

"I don't know. I just know if my projects fail, my position in Stethbridge would weaken."

"What would you like me to do? I could falsify some data but that may be caught later."

"No, I don't like doing that unless there is a particular goal to be reached. You have forty nine volunteers remaining after that car accident. I just want them monitored more. Look for anything odd. Perhaps we can turn this sows ear into a way of seeing how some lesions are formed."

"I can do that, but will Stethbridge pay us for this extra work? You kept telling us about the bottom line."

"I'll see that they do. If the drug is no good we'll have to drop it. We have to look very professional so we can get more contracts. My reports of our company let Stethbridge think we're the best."

Before they parted, Lucy said, "I found another possible recruit for the school. Her name is Teresa and she's bright and pretty if a little old. The only detrimental attribute is that she's submissive. She could be good for your bed or one of those you farm out."

"Do you have a picture and some data?"

Lucy smiled and brought up the file of the young woman. There had been a thorough medical and many opportunities to take photographs. Sheila looked through the hundreds of intimate photographs and quickly read the reports but not everything was there.

"She is a pretty young lady. Have you sampled her yet?"

Lucy had another big smile and said, "No, she's a gift to you. Her psych evaluation says that she's at least bi or better."

"Then she is even more interesting."

"Her medical report says she has completed her menses three days ago."

"What are her current duties?"

"Clerical at the moment. We can go downstairs to look for some old records and Lily can call me away."

"Let's try it."

They walked down the hall and took an elevator to the records section. Lucy did as she said she would and got other people out so Teresa and Sheila could have some privacy.

I eyed the girl up and down as she had walked into the room and did so even to her face. The woman was twenty three and fairly good looking. She kept herself in shape but there was evidence of her tummy getting the best of her. The phonographs had been good but didn't do her justice.

The young woman blushed under the frank scrutiny but had a small smile that I noticed. I knew that smile well and reached out to cup the woman's left cheek and said, "Thanks for helping me find the documents, Teresa." As I said this, I inhaled to detect any of the scent I knew so well. At the same time, I pushed out my chest to give Teresa a focus.

Teresa was flustered but looked at the upper portion of the designer dress I was wearing. Her eyes were on my breasts long enough for me to feel my nipples start to get erect. Teresa saw this as if it were magic. It was a few moments before Teresa looked at my face and blushed even more for being caught.

"You're welcome, Miss Knox. If you need me for anything, anything at all, just ask."

I moved closer and said, "I may ask you now. You see, I find you quite attractive."

The clerk breathed deeply but didn't take her eyes off of mine. With no sign of any aversion, I reached out again and cupped the other side of her pretty face with my free hand. The clerk leaned into the caress and I knew.

"Kiss me, Teresa. I want to taste your lips."

Teresa eagerly moved closer. I didn't allow myself to be kissed but rather took the woman aggressively and kissed her like I owned her. Teresa seemed to melt into the form I bent her into. Only a few moments later, I was exploring the younger woman's body as if it belonged to me.

She has good breasts. Not too big to have started to sag yet. When my hand went down to feel the Teresa's ass I also knew she was flabby and needed to be exercised.

My hand pulled up the back of Teresa's skirt and then slipped inside the panties. My finger questing for that small hole in the back. Teresa jumped at this touch but didn't try to get away. I held her too tightly anyway.

I pulled my lips away from Teresa's and whispered, "Take your panties off for me." My tone of voice told Teresa that this was an order, not a request. Teresa removed them almost instantly and I knew she may be worth the effort. She's quick to respond. With a little training and she would be a beauty.

Only a few seconds later, I had Teresa sitting on her desk with her skirt pulled up. Her pussy was on display for me to see or touch. I looked at that portion of the woman's anatomy. I knew it must look like I was at the grocery store and choosing what tomatoes to purchase.

My left hand cradled the back of Teresa's neck as I moved in to kiss my newest conquest. My right hand claimed its prize and I found the woman leaking copiously. In only a few strokes, my fingers were inside her. She was fairly tight and from the way she moved around, quite responsive.

I rubbed the woman's clit until she shook and had her release. I backed up and put my wet fingers into Teresa's mouth. She sucked avidly at my fingers and one of her hands came up to hold my wrist so she could do a proper job. Her tongue caressed each finger and especially where they joined to my hand. When there was only saliva on my hand, I said, "Are you married?"

"No."

"The proper reply is 'no, Mistress'."

Teresa smiled. "No, Mistress," she said.

I said, "Are you seeing a man?"

Teresa seemed to worry then said, "I won't after this, Mistress."

I was very strong from my exercising regimens and my passion for karate. There were many times when this strength was useful to put a man or a woman in their place. This time I pulled Teresa to me with a brutal force and kissed her lips. When I pulled back, I said, "Come to my house tonight at eight."

"I'll be there, Mistress."

I released the woman and said, "I don't think there's any need to bring panties, Child. Wear a skirt. I'll provide everything you might need."

I liked submissive women on occasion and even dominant women that I had to break until they found their correct place and that was usually between my legs.

Once out of the building I got into the Mercedes and played back the last conversation of the recording. Teresa was very hot and I wanted to try her out. Perhaps with some training and positive stimulation, she would make a good slut.

It wasn't time to go home, yet. There was lots to do at the lab. I had no trouble getting through security. They smiled at me as if their demeanor would get them into my panties. It would be a frosty day in hell before that happened.

The walls around the elevator in the lobby allowed me to see the reflection of those that were watching my ass. "Eat your hearts out," I thought.

The fifth floor had my labs and office. I waited for the elevator to arrive while I looked at the reflections. When the doors opened I saw a pretty young thing leaning against the back wall. She looked shell shocked. Her clothing was not on right. When the air came my way, I could detect the scent of recent sex. She was one of Gordy's assistants.

Before the woman could get out of the elevator I put my hand up like a cop and the young woman stopped. My hand moved forward between her breasts and pushed her gently back. She stared into my eyes as if she was not thinking. The best analogy would be like a small animal as a cobra hypnotically stared it down.

Names were easy. I knew that anybody with half of a brain could remember people's names even if the people themselves were useless.

I closed the elevator and sent it to the fifth floor without any comment from Liana. I led Liana to my office and without going through the labs. When we entered, I appraised the girl carefully. She was young and pretty and just what Gordy or I would like. The woman still looked to be in shock so I took the woman to my private washroom and said, "Liana, have a shower now. When you're dry, we'll have a talk just among us girls."

The woman finally spoke but it was not that coherent. "I have to return for some samples."

"You are in no condition to do that. Now strip and wash. That's an order."

I closed the door to the washroom then logged into my private computer. A camera showed Liana waiting for a few minutes before she decided to do what to do. Another window opened in my left most LCD panel. Two windows opened to show Liana in them. She was a beautiful girl. The second of four panels came alive and I directed one of the recordings from another camera to it. I had seven of them in Gordy Boy's lab and office.

I shrunk the windows and opened the recordings from the other cameras to the screens. A simple macro I made had each of the recordings go back an hour. Another key combination had the seven movies proceed at double the normal speed. It took only a short time for me to see how Gordy called Liana into his office.

Gordy Boy had something in his hand and I saw that it was a handkerchief. When Liana entered, Gordy said, "Close the door please." When the Liana had her back turned, Gordy put the cloth to his face and brought something out in his other hand and sprayed the air behind the girl's head.

Liana turned and by then the coward had retreated and gave a phony sneeze. The girl said, "What is it you would like to talk about, Sir?"

"I find your attitude disruptive to my team."

"I told you in the cafeteria that I'm happily married. Just because I work here, does not allow you to take all my rights away. I have no intention of going to bed with — you." Liana put her hand to her head as if she had a headache.

Gordy used his sickly sweet voice to say, "Are you feeling faint, my dear? Please sit down before you fall."

Liana looked around and saw the leather couch and managed to sit in it before she fell over to one side. She said in a sleepy and drugged voice, "Whhatt—"

Gordy, the perfect gentleman, stayed in his seat and looked at his wristwatch. I could hear the recorded sound of the fan in his office pick up speed and take the contaminated air out. In three minutes he opened the bottom drawer of his desk and took out a rubber syringe that were used for a douche in the old days. Then he took out a tube of something. They were both placed on his desk.

He finally got up and approached Liana. He shook her shoulder and said, "Liana, wake up Dear." He waited only a few seconds before the despicable man started taking Liana's clothing off. This made me angry but I also liked what was being exposed. I took a quick look at the left screen and saw that Liana was just standing under the water and not doing anything.

When Gordy unwrapped his prize, he moved the couch the girl was on away from the wall. He was strong and physically fit. When it was in the centre of the room he picked Liana up and laid her unresponsive body over the back of the couch with her legs toward the wall and her cute bum exposed.

He left her and went to the desk and took the tube and squeezed some of the contents around the poor girl's anus. The defiler then got the syringe and worked it into Liana's rectum before squeezing the rubber bulb.

I knew now what he was doing. In the first part of the previous century, medication was mostly given rectally instead of orally. In most cases the drugs were absorbed much quicker than if taken into the stomach. Marilyn Monroe had died of a drug overdose introduced this way. I also figure the suicide was greatly assisted by a few men considering the bruising on her body. The enema had lots of advantages.

I had to think of what Gordy Boy was introducing. He was no doubt going to take the girl so it had to be something to cloud the mind. The current favourite was one of the many date rape drugs.

Gordy got some paper towels and cleaned up his equipment and put it away then cleaned up the girl. I could see the hideous bulge in the pervert's pants. He had to want to put more than a drug into her rectum. I studied the technique as if this were a maze and the foolish rats were allowed to wander about.

Liana must not have been as cooperative as some of the other women Gordy took before. Gordy's office was soundproof just like mine. He could have raped her with force instead of drugs and knowing Gordy that was why his office was prepared that way.

When the girl was clean, Gordy removed his clothes. The vain bastard even admired himself when he saw his reflection in the mirror.

He got behind Liana and squatted. He used his hands to check out her charms and I thought he might have a taste but he didn't. He just stood up and worked his cock into poor Liana. He then pulled out as if reluctant to do so. He cleaned himself off before putting on a condom. He was not afraid of disease apparently, just leaving evidence behind. When the obscene man moved forward, it looked like he had shifted to Liana's other opening. He pushed in hard and then thrust vigorously then slowed down to make it last.

I wondered at Liana's objections of having sex with Lover Boy. He was a man and I would not put up with it. He had a long string of successes. I knew this for a fact because I had recorded many of them. I, too, found lovers in the building but most of mine had been my own staff. Gordy tried to get women from anywhere he could.

Liana had been transferred to Gordy's group only a few weeks ago, so this is why he had not had her before this. Liana had not responded yet. She was still unconscious from the vapour he put into the air. The heavy dose of tranquilliser would destroy all short term memory and some of the varieties even removed some memories that preceded the drugs ingestion.

Lover Boy pulled out of his unconscious lover and looked down at her with what I considered to be disdain. His full condom was put into the toilet and then he came back and picked up the helpless girl and took her to his en suite. It was only a moment later that Gordy Baby was giving Liana an enema.

Liana started to wake up but didn't react. Gordy was ruthless in what he did and how he did it. He seemed to get off on the pain but the women he chose were all mindless.

When she was clean, Gordy put on another prophylactic and pushed forcefully into her ass once more. The poor woman was in pain but said nothing. I'd rip his throat out if I could. When he finished emptying into the condom the second time, he pulled her up and said, "You will not remember what happened. If you had just bent a little then this would not have had to happen this way. We could have had some nice fun and that would have been that."

Gordy stared at Liana but she was too groggy to reply. I knew that when she recovered she would not remember anything of this and she could not testify against him in court.

"Get cleaned up and dressed then get out of here and get back to work."

Liana didn't reply but worked very slowly to comply. I knew that the girl had to be concentrating hard to make her body do what she wanted.

I looked at the monitor showing my own en suite and saw that Liana was again in a non responsive mode. I assumed I had to be a good Samaritan or something similar.

I walked into the bathroom. The girl looked at me with some fear but didn't try to hide her charms. I said, "I'm just going to take care of you."

It took a moment but she said, " — thanks."

Liana was still too slow and I wanted to get a sample of the blood before it was metabolised in her body. Evidence was always good and especially since I could not admit to having a camera in Lover Boys's office. I helped her dress and I had to give her some of my silk panties. Some people just needed a lot more help than others.

I could have kicked myself because I could not bring Liana to the lab. I felt that I was getting as foolish as the trained apes around me. I left and got a syringe then returned and took twenty CCs of the woman's blood.

One of the assistants looked to be doing nothing much and I said, "There is a drug in this blood. Find out what it is for me, Liza."

The girl said, "Yes, Miss Knox."

She was a nice girl that I had fun with in my own office. I had no men working for me and I had worked hard to get rid to those that were here from before. They could do good work when they were motivated but I didn't like them around.

I went back to Liana and found her still dazed. Leaving her to her own devices would have been best but now I may have another way of accessing Gordy. Besides, if Liana drove home the way she was, there would be a good chance she would be in an accident and no good for my purposes.

When it came to quitting time, I saw that the girl had not recovered much. I sent Liana in a cab to my place. I thought that I would get a chance to check her responses. I had to stay a bit longer to complete some work for tomorrow.

I sent word ahead to prepare for Liana. When I made it home later, I stopped outside the gates around my property and pushed the long sequence of numbers to open them. People could have stolen the device from my car but there was no way they could simply use it to get in. I drove in and stopped, waiting to be sure the gates closed properly and nobody else drove in while they were closing. A green light on the control flashed, signalling to me that the gate was secure. I knew the gate was now locked.

I'm too attractive and have too much money in a house that is possibly too extravagant. I needed precautions against the predators that I knew were out there. I looked over the house, then left and right to see if anything was amiss. A person in my position could not be trusting. I pulled up to the carriage house.

From the carriage house, I walked through the causeway to the house proper. I had to use an electronic combination here to get into the house. Metal keys were simply not effective enough.

When I came through the doors, I saw the housekeeper and others hurrying down the stairs. Some were my guests, staff, or the students going to my school. They stood in a line and I went down the row trying to be nice to them. I had to show some interest and enthusiasm so they would remain loyal to me.

I had two guests staying with me now and there would soon be two more. I had made a lot of money from Oprenza but other drugs brought me some serious money too. Over the years I had used my money to invest. Most of the returns were ploughed back into the companies. The house contained a small private school. The students knew very well how to please me and each other. The writeoffs were good at tax time. One of the outbuildings held a well equipped lab for my ongoing research.

Kelly was in the middle of the row. I hugged and kissed her and the girl responded beautifully to the caress, like a well trained dog.

"Kelly, did you take care of Liana for me?"

"Yes, Ma'am. It looks like Rohypnol.

Liana was next in line. "Liana, Honey, I want you to stay with Kelly for a while longer. She's a nurse. Colins gave you a drug and we have to find out what we can do about it."

Liana still looked dazed but said, "I guess I can, if you think I should."

"That's fine, child. I want you to phone your husband and make up an excuse for why you're here. If the drug is persistent you may be here a few days."

"I'll do that if you say so."

I finished with the rest of the group before I talked more privately with Kelly in another room. "I want you to push Liana to find out what she will do and not do. If Liana remains under the influence of this drug, I have some uses for her. I want some pictures to make sure she will continue to help."

She smiled and said, "I'll see to it."

I had to smile myself. I knew how Kelly worked and she could be a demanding mistress if she chose to be. "Push the woman hard."

Kelly had a big smile and said, "This may be fun."

"Remember that this is going to be recorded so make sure it looks like she is instigating some of the sex."

"Yes, Ma'am."

I went out and called Liana over. "Listen carefully, child. I'm the one that will take care of you. I want you to go with Kelly again. She will put you through a series of tests that will help you recover. Do what Kelly wants. That is my order."

It took a while but she said, "Ok."

After we sat down to eat I sampled some of the food. I knew the cook had made a nice meal as usual. Across from me was a delicious looking redhead student of about fifteen though she had claimed to be eighteen. The girl looked up at me over her fork and smiled. I just had to smile back. Kelly had found this girl and performed the tests to find out what diseases the she might have carried. The report on Patricia had come back favourable and it would soon be time for her.

"How do you like the squab, Patricia?"

"I've never tasted this before but its perfect."

"I think our cook has done a fine job too. How are your studies going?"

"I didn't like classical music before but it's kinda growing on me. The same with discussing politics. It's not bad but it takes a long time to learn. The more I understand the more interesting it is."

"That's the way of life, my dear. You have to acquire a great deal of trivia to fill in the gaps when more interesting topics don't work."

"Do people really talk about politics?"

"They sure do, my dear. Politics, religion, sex and taxes are important fields to study."

"Sex may be interesting to talk about."

I had to smile at her poor attempt at seduction. The girl was learning. "That's good to hear. People can't enjoy their bodies all the time. They need to rest and recharge. That's the time to talk of other matters. It's more than a pretty body that will attract a lover. Many women have neglected this and suffered for it later."

"My friends wouldn't talk about Mozart."

"You aren't living with your friends, Patricia. You have a chance to move up in the world and this requires some effort on your part. Our discussion now is a case in point. We both express our desires and stimulate our thinking processes. Our brains are one of our most powerful sexual organs. Conversation can also be a form of combat which is stimulating too. This is why I have you doing exercises. Soon you will learn karate. You never know when this knowledge might come in handy."

"Do you know how to fight, ma'am?"

"I sure do. I fight at work in what you would call office politics. This gains me more power and more money. On the streets I have been harassed physically and this is where the ability to fight is important."

"Did something happen to you?"

I had to smile as I remembered. In a way, it still frightened me and this incident helped form the woman I was now. "I started work for a company in the United States. It was in a large city. The company was very progressive but lacked room to grow. The parking lot, though, was not very big and I had to use a public one nearby. One day, during winter, I left work and I was accosted by two young men. These men thought more with their hormones than most. They wished to rob me but they also made comments about my body. I had no doubt about what they wanted along with my money."

Patricia said breathlessly, "What happened?"

"I took off my coat to show them what they were after. This freed me from the heavy garment and my purse. I kicked the closer man between his legs then moved in and punched the second man in the throat."

Patricia's eyes were big and gleaming now. She said, "Did they hurt you?"

"Not in the least. The one I kicked, vomited on my shoe. He was not able to bother women after that, I'm sure." I had to smile at Patricia's expression and added as if it were unimportant, "The other one died soon after from a crushed trachea."

Patricia's expression was priceless. When she gathered her wits she whispered, "What happened then?"

"The men had chosen me partially because my parking spot was not within range of the security cameras. The fact that they had weapons and some property robbed from some other victim got the surviving one arrested."

"What about you? How did you feel? You killed a man!"

"I think I protected the women of this world a little bit. The incident got me a preferential parking spot in the company parking lot, though." I said the last part with a big smile.

"But you killed a man?"

"I did what I had to do. If I hadn't protected myself, it could have been me that had gotten killed. I felt it was them or me. I didn't try to kill him, but I knew that it was possible he might die."

"I still don't know if I could have done that," said Patricia.

"Let me ask you straight out. Would you prefer that I had been killed, instead?"

Patricia gasped, "No, that's not what I meant at all."

"I know, dear. That wasn't the only one. There was another years later, but let me simply state that the police didn't know it was me. I'm prepared to protect myself and I will do so vigorously. I have had women want me and I've had to be forceful with them too."

"Women?"

"Women are sexual animals too. They are not always meek and attempt to engage in sex after seducing their lover. Some were prepared to use force, and believe me, there are some strong women out there. That's why I had to learn to use a pistol. Karate is only so effective. A gun in the hand of an antagonist beats a student of martial arts all the time. It's only in the movies and books that the opposite is purported to happen."

Patricia had wide eyes when she asked, "Did you ever kill a woman?"

"I've come close a few times but they recovered. I didn't mind them propositioning me. It was the fact that they tried to force me that made me react as I did."

The students and guests at the table had not heard any of this story before, but none of them found the need to ask questions. When dessert was finished, I wiped my lips and placed the napkin on the table. I said to Patricia, "I think you have studying to do. Your mind needs to grow to match your new station in life."

Patricia smiled and said, "I'll work harder now, Ma'am."

"You do that, child."

Janice, the person in charge of security came to me and said, "Ma'am, there's a woman at the back gate."

"Teresa?"

"She claims that's her name."

"Allow her to come in, please, and show her to my office."

Teresa was shown in and was escorted upstairs to my office. This set of rooms was attached to my bedroom. Teresa looked around at the books in wonder. I said, "Hello Teresa. Do you like my home?"

"It's the most beautiful home I have ever been in. I had no idea you were so wealthy."

"My wealth was generated from the sweat of my own brow. My parents were only comfortable, not wealthy. Come and have a seat and tell me what you know about the company you work for."

"Jamieson Clinic?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Ah, what is it that you want to know?"

"How much do you like your job? Do you like those you work with? I'm always on the lookout for bright young ladies to help me run my businesses. Usually this can't be done without some investment on my part. Most have to be educated. This home is not only a school but has a laboratory that will allow me to experiment. I'm afraid my skills are not put to maximum use at Stethbridge."

"What could I do for you?"

"I want to find that out. I like you just the way you are, but I need people with training to assist me to in earning more wealth. If you agree, you will have to take a few more tests."

"I just started at Jamieson Clinic. They've treated me very nice. That doesn't mean I can't take your tests as long as it doesn't interfere with my work."

"That's so nice of you to say that." I stood up and extended my hand. Teresa accepted it and stood up. When she had gained her feet I moved closer to the young woman and caressed her cheek. The way she closed her eyes and groaned said that she was as good as mine.

I kissed her passionately and any reservations she may have had fled. Her breasts pressed into mine. I moved my chest so my own nipples would be stimulated as well as making her more responsive. The leakage started to flow from my opening and I felt a quiver like I did when I made a new conquest.

My left hand went up her back to hold her neck in place as my right hand went down and under her skirt. She had followed my orders and was bare.

Teresa groaned harder at this intimate touch. Her cheeks were clinched but after one tap she relaxed and I was able to touch her rosebud. In a few seconds I went further and found some of her secretions and brought them up. It took only a few trips before my finger wiggled in. Teresa groaned louder and seemed to sag as if she had finally capitulated to me.

My finger entered her more and I used it like a convenient handle to pull Teresa closer to me. When she pushed herself at me, one of her legs came up as if to rub herself on me.

My left hand grasped her hair and I pulled her gently back. With her lips far enough away I brought my teeth down to her neck and bit her lightly. She began to shake. I licked the area and kissed it. This is the way dogs showed dominance and it seems to work for people too.

I played on one side of her neck and then moved her hair to force her head where I wanted. I went for her throat. I licked and kissed then put my teeth over it as if thinking of taking her life. From the way Teresa was acting, I don't think she really cared at the point. The shaking intensified and I moved the finger in her rectum until the trembles peaked and then subsided. Teresa had to be supported until she recovered.

I pulled her hair painfully back and whispered, "Follow me, child."

My finger slowly released her then my left hand slowly untangled from her hair. When I was sure she wouldn't fall, I turned and walked to the door to my bedroom. I put some sway into my hips as I moved and I was sure she was watching.

I opened the door wide and walked to the night table and used a tissue and a moist wipe to clean my finger. Teresa was even more awed in this room. It had been two large rooms until I had it converted. There were mirrors on most walls and even on the high ceiling. Cameras were behind some and microphones were all over. It was fun to relive the occasional debasement of a young girl or even an older one.

Teresa had not come far and I said in a stern voice, "Come here." The appellation of slut or slave was understood. Teresa hurried and stopped a metre from me. I just stared at her until she got red. Finally she said, "Yes — "

"I'm your mistress now, child," I said interrupting her. "I will look out for your interests and take care of your needs."

Teresa looked a little shocked and I gave her time to assimilate my words. Finally she said, "Thank you — Mistress."

"Take off your clothing. I want to see how beautiful you are."

She gave me a smile and said, "Yes, Mistress."

Teresa simply threw her clothing to one side. At all times she tried to look into my eyes to see if I found fault with her. When she finally shed her bra, I saw that she had almost flawless skin. Her pubic patch had recently been trimmed. It looked good but I liked the bald look.

She stood and I used a hand gesture to get her to turn around. She had a fair figure but was still a little overweight. Muscle tone had to be developed.

When I finished surveying my new property, I reached behind my back and undid the clasps and ran down the zipper. I put my clothing on a rack for that purpose. When everything was removed other than my high heals I used another gesture to get Teresa to come closer.

When she did, I claimed her similar to last time. One hand went to the hair on the back of her head. I kissed her again. I moved all over her head moving her face and neck to where I wanted it. When Teresa sounded like she was ready I pushed her down to her knees.

She knew what this meant and she moved closer to pay homage to my hairless pussy. Her tongue slipped in forcefully enough to part my lips. Her nose hit the top of my crevice and went up over my pubic bone. Her tongue had quested for my clit and found it immediately.

That special shiver started and I held my slut's head for balance. She was the one that had to push to satisfy me. She must have had some experience because she knew just what to do. I assisted the child by widening my stance so she could delve deeper. I would not succumb to the amount of homage she could give me. When she tired, I said, "Get on your hands and knees on the bed. I'm going to take you like a male."

The girl had a wide smile and did as I asked. I found my weapon of choice and put it on. Teresa's eyes were big enough to match the bludgeon I now wore.

By the time I climbed on the bed with a tube of lubricant. I saw that Teresa was worried. I caressed her like a favoured pet for a while and she relaxed. My hand rubbed her opening and found her very wet but perhaps not wet enough. Some lubricant went on and in her and more on my phallus. I entered the girl as if she were a virgin and this was her first time. Ever so slowly she accepted me until I struck her cervix.

"How do you feel, dear?"

"Full, very full."

"I will make you happy, child. You will enjoy yourself here. I will take care of you like I am now doing."

I moved back and forth in short strokes, the same way I had entered her. Teresa groaned but most of the exclamation was in euphoria and not distress.

In only moments, my new toy was not feeling any discomfort. One of my hands held her hair as if she were my filly and I was the stallion. My other hand caressed her attractive body.

My phallus was not tight and when I pulled back it moved within my own passage too. When I pushed forward it entered both of us. The feeling was exquisite for both of us because my filly was gyrating to get the most pleasure even with the pain of her hair being pulled.

After a few moments of this thrusting that went faster and faster, I began to tap my filly's haunches. I began lightly and then began to hit harder and harder. My filly reacted beautifully to this treatment and exclaimed her love of me. How cute she was. I would work her up to a much larger phallus until few men would want her. She would have no recourse but to stay mine. By then of course she would be my mare. If only I could breed her and the rest of my toys, I would be happy.

She bucked and called out, "Oh! God! Its happening! Oh! Oh! Oh yes, there—more—yes, like that! Oh! Oh! Ahhhh! Yes!"

My filly was responsive and I loved that. My own orgasm would take time to arrive but the feeling now was exquisite. My toy collapsed as far as I would let her and I continued for my own enjoyment. The phallus inside me only allowed short strokes but it could still work.

Moments later my slut was pleading for mercy but I thrust into her through the contractions of her orgasm and past them. She was gasping from the intensity. I was not going to show weakness. My own orgasm was so, so close. When it started on the home stretch, my filly regained her stamina and carried me to completion.

The explosion came like flashbulbs at the finish of a race and I plunged continuously because I was not competing against others but to do my best.

Teresa slept with me that night. She had a talented tongue that brought me off twice more. I used a vibrator on both of her openings and I was happy to see that this was too much for her and she blacked out.



-------

Chapter 3


Kimberley Compton stood rigidly waiting for an attack and not really prepared to do anything about it. She reached for her glasses that held her hearing aids in place in an unconscious reaction to this stressful situation.

Sandy Donaldson pointed her finger at Kimberly and said, "You come near my boyfriend and I am going destroy your face."

The two girls beside Sandy seemed to back their friend up. Kimberley said, "He came to see me about his math. I didn't go looking for him."

"You know he's mine. You go near him and you're going to regret it." Sandy saw how her actions and words were frightening Kimberly. She moved in and grabbed the girls hair with her left hand and drew her right back to strike Kimberley's face.

Sandy's head suddenly jerked to the side. Her eyes got big and her mouth opened in surprise. She turned and saw Piper standing there.

Unnoticed because everybody was looking at Sandy or Kimberly, Piper had thrown her soccer ball at the girls face as hard as she could. The ball struck solidly and left a bright red mark was all ready forming.

Piper moved in quickly and slapped the girl on the other side of her face, then gave a vicious kick that landed between her legs. Sandy fell to the floor with her hands holding her crotch, crying in pain. The grade six girl yelled, "Does anybody else want to pick on my sister?" Everybody was stunned. Still nobody volunteered.

Piper looked at Barb, Sandy's accomplice in most of her bullying, "You were with that pile of shit on the floor. You were going to help. I could break your nose and then kick your face. I could do the rest of you after that," she added.

Another girl growled and charged. Piper was young but very protective of her older sister. The girl spread her arms wide to grapple with her, but Piper drove her foot into the girl's abdomen. The two girls went down but Piper that got right back up. She looked right and left for new enemies and then kicked the fallen girl.

Piper went back to Barb and challenged her. "Do you want to fight me?"

"I didn't do anything to you."

"The three of you were picking on my sister. Touch her again and I won't be as nice. Now answer the question."

"Your sister was trying to steal Sandy's boyfriend."

Piper moved in and kicked the girl in the shin and she fell to the floor with her friends. The girl was in grade 8 but started to cry at the treatment she was getting. Piper kicked her ribs and the crying intensified. Piper said, "Do you want to fight me or my sister? Answer me or I'll keep kicking you."

Through sobs the girl said, "I won't do anything to either of you."

"If you do, I'll be looking for you."

Kimberly had her mouth open from the first of the attack and didn't know what to do. She watched her younger sister go over to the other girls and get the comments she was after, even from Sandy.

Sandy was the worse because of the power behind the kicks. She had gotten Piper's full fury. The other girls were hurt, but would recover a lot faster.

Kimberly and Piper left school. One girl looked to be the average grade eight girl. This meant she was a little overweight and suffering from acne and self doubt. She said to her diminutive sister, "Thanks Piper. She was going to punch me."

"I know. She could see how afraid you were and she was going to make points with her gang."

"How do you know that?"

"The teachers say I'm smart. I also look around to see what's around me. Your head is usually in the clouds. Were you thinking of Chad again?"

"I don't think of him all the time. Just some of the time," she said a little defensively. "I just think a lot."

"Maybe you do, but you were daydreaming. I can't look out for you forever."

"I never asked you to."

"I know that, but you need somebody to watch out for you. I worry that you'll just walk out into traffic one day."

"I wouldn't do that."

"You might, and that's what bothers me."

After supper that night, Mark Compton, the father of the two girls and their two older brothers got up to answer the phone. After ten minutes, he yelled out, "Piper, Kimberley. Come here!"

Only Kimberley was able to come. She had been watching television and Piper was out exercising on her bike and unable to hear the call.

Mark yelled at his older daughter, "What happened at school today?"

"Nancy — " a slap stung her face and then another one.

Mark was furious, "Three girls were hurt and it was all your fault. Wait until your sister gets home and I'll teach both of you how to behave."

Kimberly said through sobs, "They were going to beat me up. Piper protected me — "

"Shut-up. I'll take care of this when your sister gets home."

When her father went out on the porch to wait, Kimberly ran to her mother and told her everything that happened. The mother only said, "We did not raise our girls to fight. The Lord knows we tried our best. Jesus wants us to get along."

"But Daddy is going to beat us."

"The bible says that we are not to spare the rod but that it's an adults duty to administer punishment."

Twenty minutes later, Piper came home, saw her father and from his looks she knew something was seriously wrong.

Even before she could stop her bike completely, Mark grabbed his daughter's arm and said, "What did you do at school today?"

"I — "

He yelled, "Get in the house!" The neighbour next door heard the yell and looked out her window. She saw the man painfully half carrying the poor girl into the house. In moments she heard the screams of one girl then the other. The woman quickly dialed 9-1-1.

Three days later the two girls went to school. They tried to act nonchalant but it was difficult with the bruising and the makeup.

A half hour after classes started for the day, a phone call went out to the Compton home. When that got no results, another call went out to where the mother of the two girls worked.

The two girls put up with a lot of stares and questions during the day. Three girls and their friends had some snickers because they suspected what had happened.

The mother was not able to come to the school until three thirty and by then most of the students had gone home.

Two teachers asked the mother, "What happened to the girls?"

"What did they tell you?"

Piper's teacher said, "You tell us, Mrs Compton."

"I don't have to tell you anything. My children should go to a Christian school where they would get a better education."

"It doesn't look like the girls were educated with fists on school property."

"That's beside the point."

"The point is that we, by law, must call in the police and the Children's Aid Society if we suspect that there is abuse."

"My daughters are not abused."

"The evidence before our eyes says something different. We take care of our students. I am not going to let this drop. If I did, then I would be failing my students and get fired as well."

Mrs Compton broke down and cried. She fished some tissue from her purse and the teachers offered more. Finally the woman said, "Their father disciplined them for fighting. Some busybody called the police and the Children's Aid was called."

"What caused all this?"

There was an extended pause and the mother said, "My daughters beat up three girls."

"Who are the girls?"

The mother mentioned Sandy Donaldson and her friends. This brought on more questions. Finally one teacher asked, "Your daughters would not say anything to us. When we asked, we saw that they were deeply afraid to answer. Will you allow them to answer freely? I'm sure that if you don't say so then they won't talk."

"I don't want them airing their mistakes like this."

The other teacher said, "I'm going to call the police if I don't get any answers from the girls. I'm not threatening, I'm telling you what will happen."

The mother didn't like the challenge and blurted out, "Tell the teachers what happened."

It was Piper that asked, "What about what Daddy said?"

"You can talk this time."

The two girls looked at each other. Kimberly was still unsure so Piper told them what happened and then their fathers response. This was the same as was in the police report.

The two teachers stared at Piper then looked at her mother. The woman shrank and turned red in shame. Piper's teacher said, "So the girls father heard one side of the story and beat the girls without hearing what they had to say?" There was another extended silence but the mother didn't respond in any way.

Piper's teacher said, "Piper is the brightest child in my class. She is inquisitive, respectful and even thoughtful of her fellow students. According to the last test she had, we think she is well above normal but maybe not quite at genius level. It would be a loss to society for her to be warped by an abusive home life. I'm going to keep an eye on both of these girls. If they come in bruised or even frightened, I will get to the bottom of it. If the police have to be called, I will be very happy to do so."

The teacher turned to the girls and said, "Your father gave you specific orders not to talk outside the family. I want you to know that I will listen closely to anything you wish to tell me."

-------

Two months later, just before Christmas, Kimberly went into her sister's room and sat on the bed. Piper was reading a book and looked up at her sister's arrival.

"What's up, Kim?"

"I feel so odd."

With real concern she asked, "Are you sick?"

"It's not that, or not exactly. Part of it's because I'm getting my period."

Piper needlessly said, "I haven't had mine yet."

"I know, Piper. It's just that I feel fat and kinda funny."

"I read about that. I think Mom feels that way, too, but she never talks about it. It's as if it's some kind of big secret."

Kimberly looked around and whispered, "I think both of them are crazy. All they do is talk about religion and then go to meetings. You're lucky. You put up a fuss and they don't take you much any more. They take me, though."

Piper reached over and put her hand on top of her sister's and said, "They beat me and called me names. You could do the same but you're always afraid. Just face the fact that you'll have to take some pain but it will get out of a lot more."

"I'm not strong like you. I should be the one looking out for you but you make sure I don't get in trouble."

Piper gave a small smile and said, "That's what sisters are for."

Kimberly smiled at this then looked out the window for a while. Eventually she said, "Piper, do—do you ever—you know"

"I don't know what you mean."

Kimberly straightened out and said quickly, "I have some chores to do."

"Kim!"

Kimberley stopped quickly. She usually did what Piper said because the advice was usually good. "Yes?"

"Was that about — sex?"

"Kinda."

"Sit down, Kim. We can talk about everything and this is no exception."

"You don't even have your period yet."

"I don't have to, to feel that way. I went over to Karen's house and used their computer to learn about sex."

"You did!"

"Yes, and I found out a lot. Lots of the things Dad talked about from the bible were cleared up, at least a bit."

"What did you find out?"

"I started with my body and looked at the pictures. Karen already looked but she is such a baby and just wanted to look at the pictures. She had some magazines that showed girls showing themselves. There were men putting their things into them and — other stuff."

"What other stuff, Piper? Remember, we can talk."

Piper came to a decision and said, "We saw pictures of girls kissing other girls down there."

"On their vaginas?"

"Yeah, but the outside part has different names."

Kimberley said, "I heard of girls doing that to other girls and even girls and guys kissing each other that way. Kelsey said that it feels really good."

"It sure does."

Kimberley caught this immediately and said, "How do you know?"

Piper was caught in a Freudian slip and said, "I heard about it."

"Oh, come on, Piper, tell me about it."

It took a moment for Piper to say, "You can't tell anybody about this. If you do, my life will be ruined."

"I won't tell a soul."

Piper thought some more and said, "Karen wanted to see what I looked like and I guess I wanted to see her. We used mirrors but it wasn't very good. I got her to lay down and I looked at her. She liked me looking. When it was my turn, she looked a lot and put her finger into me."

"No!"

"Yes."

"What was it like, I mean with somebody else?"

"I did it to myself, but it was a lot more fun when Karen did it. We sorta did it a lot. We looked at the pictures in the book and — and even kissed each other down there."

"No!"

"Yes, we did, and it was so much fun. It felt so good. You wouldn't believe how good it feels. Since then we do it a lot."

"Aren't you afraid of getting caught by her older sister or her parents?"

"Sure, but we wait until the house is empty and we to do it down in the basement and take a shower when we finish. The air smells funny after."

Kimberley was quiet for a few minutes. Her hands were caressing her legs but not going near her mons. Piper saw this and said, "I have some of the pictures if you want to look at them."

"What if Dad comes home?"

"Do it in the bathroom. If the fan is on, the smell will go outside. You can take a shower too. Once, I had to use that spray Mom uses after Dad uses the bathroom."

This brought a big smile to Kimberly. She said, "Yeah, I know about that. Let me see the book."

Piper pulled out the bottom drawer of her chest of drawers. Under the cabinet was some extra pieces of wood that had been glued in. There were two magazines there. One was Penthouse but the other had the word 'Lesbian' in large print on the cover.

Piper picked out the Penthouse and the two girls went through the publication page by page. Piper read some of the letters and Kimberly could not help rubbing herself.

Piper noticed and said, "We better put this away and go to the bathroom."

"Yeah, I need to go bad and not for number one or number two."

"I need to do number three."

"Me too."

The magazine was put away and the drawer put back in place. The two girls ran to the bathroom but Kimberley stopped first. "I'll wait for you."

"You're an old worrywart. Go in there and take your clothes off."

"But you'll see me."

"I'm your sister, Kim. Now get in there and take off your clothes. I'll wash your back."

"But I thought I — "

"I'll take care of the details." She picked up her sister's hand and took her into the bathroom. Piper started taking off her clothes first and she was half done by the time Kimberley started.

Piper sat on the edge of the sink after crawling up from the toilet. She picked her legs up and put her heels near her butt then casually played with her mons and then her clit.

Kimberley looked at this in amazement until Piper said, "Get your clothes off, Sis. I want to start sometime today."

Kimberley felt a tingle when she looked at her sister. She could not really take her eyes off what Piper was doing right in front of her. Piper could see that her sister was interested and used her finger more creatively to get that feeling. It was fun to watch Kim's reaction as new ideas were tested out.

Piper watched her sister and saw how interested Kim was in what was happening. She put her finger into her hole as far as she could and Kim's eyes seemed to bulge. In just a second she started to swallow because she didn't know what else to do. Kim was such a Sweetheart even if she was two years older. She didn't have the drive to succeed and needed to be constantly pushed. She was as smart as anybody else in her class too.

I used my other hand to spread apart my lips so Kim could see better. I liked doing this but the sink was uncomfortable. Finally I had enough and put my legs over the edge and pushed myself toward Kim so the handles wouldn't scrape me.

There was no use talking to Kim so I just started to undress her. She usually did exactly what I said and this time was no different. When I got her jeans down I got her to step out of them and then I went back to her panties. There was a wet spot on them and I smiled. I began to pull them down in a teasing way and Kim started to shake. The crotch was stuck in her lips and came out with a string of something. The smell was much stronger now. She smelt different but not bad at all.

This made me smile more because Karen was the same way. Karen didn't have the black hairs Kim had and it wasn't as heavy and they reminded me of a man with a beard in a funny sort of way. Kim stepped out of her panties and I stood up. At least she had her top off.

"Turn around, Kim." Kim made me smile even more because she had goo-goo eyes through her glasses. Kim had her hearing aids on and she had to hear me but she was just not listening. I walked behind her and found the catch of her bra. I was short but I could still see Kim's eyes in the bathroom mirror. She helped me get the bra off but she was looing at my eyes in the mirror.

When I dropped the bra to the floor I looked at Kim's boobies. They were bigger than Karen's or mine. Kim had bigger nipples that now stuck out like mine were. I used the reflection to move my hands to her nipples and I had to get behind Kim to do this. I felt both of them and they were hard like rubber. After some experimentation, I knew Karen liked me to not be too gentle so I pinched Kim's but not too hard. I heard Kim moan, "Ahhhh," and this made me feel happy.

Kim was sweet and started to shake when I was just playing with her nips. I didn't want her to fall so I pushed her forward and used both my hands to push her head down on the sink. Her arms went out to support herself. It was harder to get to her nips though.

My belly was pushing on Kim's bum and this reminded me of another picture I saw where a man pushed his thing into the woman. Too bad I didn't have one of them.

It only took a few minutes for Kim to shake harder, harder than ever before. "Ohhhhh, yessss! More. Pinch them harder." When I did she said, "Harder, twist them."

I did what she wanted and she made all those nice sounds that Karen made. Kim seemed to lose all her bones and I let go of her nips and hold her legs to keep her up.

When she recovered I found that my hands were at her pussy. I didn't have to ask and used my knees to push one of her legs further out so I had more room.

My right hand now petted Kim's pussy. The hair was still soft but longer. I kinda liked it. My other hand found her slit and a finger worked its way in. There was lots of slippery stuff there.

Kim jumped a bit when I found her button. Hers was bigger than ours. I traced my fingers around it. Kim was different than Karen's. Some things were thicker or just bigger. Her hole was almost the same size as mine. When I wiggled my finger in I felt Kim wiggle a lot. I knew she wanted my finger there.

It was hard to do this while bent over Kim's back but not impossible. One finger went in and out while a finger on my other hand found her button and rubbed it.

She started to make such nice noises again and this made me work even harder. My hands were getting sore but I kept it up a bit more. Just when I was going to stop, Kim started to shake and groan. This inspired me to keep it up and Kim said with another groan, "Ohhhh. Ohhhhh. Yes, more, don't stop." It was when I gently pinched her button that Kim screamed, "Ohhhh." It hurt my ears in the small room. Her bum went back and forth real quick and I had to be fasst to stay in place.

My hand got all wet and I thought Kim may be bleeding but I continued to frig her until she sagged to the floor to get away from my fingers. I got this way at times myself. I looked at my fingers and saw that there was no blood and it didn't smell of pee.

When Kim's eyes fluttered open she smiled but also had a worried look. I knew she was probably feeling guilty. Karen also felt guilty for a while until I convinced her that it was alright.

"Kim?"

"Yes."

"Did you like that?" I only got a nod of her head. "Tell me in words."

"I liked that, Piper."

"Are you feeling bad now?"

"A little."

"I read lots of stuff and what we did is natural. Lots of girls do this and much more. When we get big, we can find a husband. What we did was just fun."

It took a while but Kim said, "It was fun. It's — it's just that Dad talks about women and men that do this sort of thing."

"Don't you know that Dad is crazy. I talked to Anna next door. She's old enough to know and she says that Dad and even Mom are wrapped up with religion and it's warped their lives. She says that it's fools like them that cause wars."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now I want to have some fun. You can play with my button if you want."

Kim scrambled up and I had to find a place to lay down on the shower mat. Before Kim started I said, "You better turn on the fan."

"Ok."

Kim found some baby oil and put it on her hands. She went right for my mons. She was rougher than Karen but this was ok with me. She must be doing what she did with herself. It felt good but she didn't want to put her finger into me. She played with my button for five minutes before she got down to get a close look at me. When her face was close, I could see her smelling me. I just had to reach out and hold her hair. She came closer without me pulling too hard.

Kim's nose was rubbing my button then I felt her tongue come out. This was a lot better. I brought my knees up to my boobies to give Kim more room and she went back to using her tongue.

"That's it Kim. Lick me there. I love it."

Kim did this for a while then started to suck on my button. I said, "Ohhhhh, I love that. Put your finger in."

She slipped one in and it felt so good. She had a bigger finger than me. When I got close, I just had to hold onto Kim's hair with both hands. I guess I was loud and the explosion was bigger than ever before.

I slowly released her hair and when she pulled back to look at me, she had a smile on her face. She said, "Was I good?"

"You were great, Kim. I love you."

It took a moment but Kim said with a whisper, "I love you too, Piper."

We had lots of fun in the next few months. We went over to Karen's house and the three of us fooled around a lot. When we weren't doing that, we were using Karen's computer to find pictures on the 'net. We also found a lot of places with stories. They were fun until we found in the stories that the men had things eight to ten inches long. We had to check and found this was twenty five centimetres long. We figured girls would be a lot safer for us.

Kim was the first to want to use a candle and we searched for good ones for the next few weeks. We found a lot of neat things to use but we liked lips and fingers the best. There were some nice things for sale on the net so we saved our money to buy them. Kim and I didn't get much money but we got some.

Karen's parents got her a new computer but Dad wouldn't allow us to take her old one, even if it was free. With Karen's help we sold it for a hundred dollars and put the money aside for when we needed it. We had plans to go to Toronto and find a store that would sell us what we wanted. There was no way Dad would take us but we might be able to use the bus.

The 'net was a great way to find the stores that sold what we wanted and we made a game of finding ways to get to all of them. Toronto was a real big city and we had to be careful that we didn't get lost. Karen got us one of her dad's maps and we searched it.

Karen's parents were nice people and didn't talk about the bible at all. They even helped us pick how to get to where we wanted to go but we had to say that the places were educational.

Kim and I never went camping though our older brothers did. With all the stuff we were going to get we would need big packs. We would camp out on somebody's grass for the night.

Our daydreaming came to an end because we knew that Mom and Dad would never let us go or even take us.

When it began to get warm, we tried to stay in a tent in Karen's back yard but Mom and especially Dad would not allow this. It was hard enough getting over to Karen's house at all.

One Saturday late in April we were in Karen's basement. We were doing what we liked best. Karen was sitting on Kim's mouth and I was playing with my sister. She was really juicy and some of the liquid ran down and over her bum hole. This reminded me of some of the stories and I got the baby oil and lubricated my finger and worked it into Kim's bum

She went wild. She didn't push Karen off, just sucked on her a lot faster. She liked this. For the rest of the day we put candles and broomsticks in both of our holes and it felt great but Kim loved it the most. She was the loudest too. She took her glasses off that held her hearing aids so the plastic wouldn't hurt us. This meant that she couldn't hear and she had a problem with knowing how loud she could be without bringing people running to see what was happening.

That Sunday we had to all go to church. When we came back, we changed and Kim gave me that look that said she wanted to suck my brains out through my hole.

"Piper, I want to play."

"The family will hear."

"We will be quiet. Its warm out and we can open the windows too."

I felt a tingle below my belly and said, "We can try it but you have to be quiet. You know how you get."

"Thanks."

We opened the windows in her room and then got towels, baby oil, and some toys. Then I climbed on top of Kim. I put my hole over her mouth. She has to have a pillow at each end so I could reach all of her. Her legs wrapped around my head.

I just had a beautiful cum when I was suddenly thrown through the air and fell to the ground hard. When I looked up I saw Dad's back. He was punching Kim hard and then bringing his fist back and doing it again and again. She couldn't get away.

I wanted to stop him but Dad never listened except with his fists or his feet. He was going to kill Kim if I didn't do something. I looked all over the room and I didn't see anything that would help. I got up and stumbled out.

Dad turned to see me and yelled something but I ran out the open door. Mom was there with her mouth open like a fish. I ran by Mom and I was sure Dad asked her to catch me but she didn't do anything.

I got to my room and looked frantically for a weapon. All I had was my tennis racket and I remembered how I used one other time to protect Kim. When I ran back into the hallway, Mom tried to reached for me but I swung the racket at her and she quickly backed away.

Dad was screaming at Kim as he tightened his hands around her neck. I knew she was going to die if I didn't do something fast. Dad had his legs spread and I just grabbed the handle of the racket with two hands and drove the end of the handle between his legs. I brought it back for another when he simply fell over onto the floor.

I must have gone crazy then because I used the tennis racket to beat his face for all the times he had beaten us. Mom tried to stop me and I beat her too for all the times she let us be beaten. She finally got me out of the room and locked the door so I couldn't get back in.

I beat on the door until the racket broke and then I just cried. Eventually I was picked up and taken to my room and a sheet was wrapped around me. A lot of strange people came and a woman took me away.

My thinking was confused and I couldn't understand anything. When I remembered Kim I screamed her name until the woman said, "Kim is getting better, Honey."

"Daddy was going to kill her."

"She's safe now and so are you."

A doctor gave me a shot and that was all I remembered for a while. The next few days were crazy. I was asked all sorts of questions. My mind was so mixed up that all I could do was tell the truth. I was able to tell of all the times Daddy beat us and the people always wrote that kind of information down.

I got to see Kim. She was still in the hospital. Her face was black and blue. She could not talk right because her neck was bruised too. She said, "Did you tell them what we were doing?"

I was worried about this myself but I learned that they couldn't do anything to us. "I was hurt too, just not my body. My mind was cloudy. I told the truth because they could catch me in a lie. I talked to the lady that's watching out for us. She said it didn't matter. She said lots of girls do that when they grow up."

"I think they're going to put me in jail."

"Stop thinking like that, Kim. We can't even be spanked for doing that."

"Dad is going to really beat us when we get home."

I had to smile. "No, he won't."

"Why?"

"Dad's in the hospital and he's in worse shape than you. When he gets better they're going to throw him in jail for punching and kicking us."

"He'll still get us!"

"We are not going home again."

Kim was stunned. "Where are we going to live?"

I said kindly as I could, "They found a family that will look out for us. We can even go back to our old school if we want."

"What about our clothes and things?"

"They'll buy us new stuff. I want to go home before Dad gets out of the hospital and get our money. When Dad gets home he'll break all of that stuff up and burn it."

A few minutes later Mrs Newcome came in. She had given me time to say hello before she had another talk. Kim learned that she was not in trouble. I could be, it depended on what the grownups did about how Dad beat us and how I beat him.

I phoned Karen that night but there was little I could talk about besides the fight. The next day I took a bus to my neighbourhood and used the key hidden under the mat by our back door.

It was odd to be in the house this way because it was my home but not my home. Dad was at the hospital and Mom was with him. Both Ron and Jim were in school so I was safe.

I went to my room and found it the same as I had left it. Kim's was splattered with blood and I was glad that some was Dad's. I dug out the old pack that Jim would wasn't going to use again and stuffed it with my clothes. I had to work at it because there was a lot of clothes to pack.

Ron had outgrown his pack and got a new one. I took his old one and filled it with stuff I thought Kim could use. I also went around and found all the toys we used and put them in a bag to dump away from the house.

With nobody to bother me, I decided to check Dad's and Mom's bedroom. I never went in here unless it was to help Mom do something. I found some of our pictures as well as our birth certificates. I felt they may come in handy later so I took them.

While looking in a drawer on Dad's side of the bed I found some magazines. They were just like the ones Kim and I had. Some were of girls making love to other girls but also men doing it to men and boys doing it to boys. This only made Dad appear more crazy than I all ready thought he was because he hit us for doing something that he liked to see in a book.

In another drawer I found a small box. When I opened it I found it full of money. I wondered what it was for until I saw the two hunting magazines under the box. I remembered Dad talking about buying another rifle even though we had lots in the house. Even Jim and Ron had rifles while Kim and I didn't even get an allowance. The boys did though and that was what made me hate Dad even more.

I took all the money and when I counted it I found that there was almost five hundred dollars. I went back to the bedside table and ripped out a picture of one man fucking another man and put this in the box for Dad to find. If I ever saw him again we would both know about the way he acted.

Before I left the house, I put two of Dad's magazines in the kitchen and under the jar that held the shopping money.

I wrote a note and I said:

Hello Mom. I came back and got my clothes when you were out. This is still my house legally I guess. When I was searching around I found some magazines on Dad's side of the bed. He beat Kim and me because we were doing what he liked to see. I think he's kinda sick. I left a few out so you can see them.

When we were punched and kicked, you always sided with Dad. I never asked you why you did that. Do you think that was right?"

I hope Jim and Ron grow up the way your daughters should have. I may like to visit them one day but I don't want to see you or Dad ever again.

I lugged all of the packs over to Karen's house and waited for her to get home. I wasn't hungry because I went back home when I needed something to eat or drink.

Karen came home and we both sorta cried together. An hour later Karen's mother came home. She asked a lot of questions but didn't ask what Kim and I were doing when we were caught. She was nice and drove me across the city and helped me take the bags into the house I was staying at.

Kim got out of the hospital a week later but the children's services put her with another family even after saying they wouldn't do that.

We saw each other at school and we talked on the phone but it wasn't the same anymore. I complained to Mrs Newcome but I could tell she was lying. They didn't want us together.

Dad went to court and both Kim and I testified. Dad had to go to some type of course, he had to pay a fine and he had to give up all his guns. Best of all, we didn't ever have to go back. I think it was the guns that hurt Dad the most. When he left court, he just glared at us. Mom, Ron, and Jim glared, too.

Kim and I had our birthdays but it was sad, not happy. A lot of our old friends didn't show up. Kim was able to come to mine and I could go to hers but everything felt different. This was kinda good but it brought out a lot of sadness because we weren't together all the time.

We both passed our classes and we were very glad to get out of school for awhile. Next year Kim was going to high school and I had to stay behind. I figured it would be better just go to a new school.

Summer tried to be good but I didn't have my sister. She found a job and was working hard to make money. I was the one that saved all of it and hid it in my teddy bear. We had seven hundred and forty three dollars when our birthday money was added.

I heard my foster parents talking on the phone to the school and heard that Mom and Dad were not done with us. They wanted us to go to a Christian school.

That night I got on the net and searched. The schools sounded great but the information coming from the former students told of harsh treatment to make some students like me reform.

I spent the next few days doing more research and told Kim what was happening. I couldn't trust Mrs Newcome to tell me the truth so I asked my foster parents. The matter apparently was going to go to the courts and Kim and I were not going to be invited to have our say.

On August 30th, we each sneaked out of our houses and took the last city bus to the Greyhound station. We bought two tickets for Toronto and got on. A lot of other people were on the bus and we couldn't sit together for a while.

This was so exciting. The bus stopped downtown and we got off. The packs felt even heavier then before but we had gone over them carefully. Even though Ron and Jim went camping without me, it didn't mean that I didn't listen.

We had planned on coming here a long time ago to buy toys but now it was more serious. Kim wanted to rent a hotel room but I found us a dark alley. It smelt of pee and other things. Kim had another girl's identification and tried to get a job by saying she was sixteen. It didn't work.

We both had long knives and sometimes we brought them out and people left us alone or at least went to find another way of getting us or what we had. I had to stab one man but he wasn't hurt bad. From then on the others knew we were willing to fight.

We learned a lot by the end of September. We made friends and some were real friends. They told us what to do when something bad happened but especially how to hide what was valuable. I already figured that out and only claimed less than five dollars at any time.

Men came and asked us for sex. It would be easy money but we weren't interested. Girls asked us too but they smelled bad and I was afraid of getting a disease.

One man in a long black car pulled up to us. When the window rolled down a man in the back said, "Hello girls. I understand you are looking for a job. I need a babysitter for Joan. She's only three."

I did the talking and said, "Thanks, but we're not interested."

"Let your older friend decide for herself."

Kim quickly said, "We're not interested, Mister. Now leave us alone."

The car drove off but turned a corner to the right and we quickly crossed the road and headed to the left. There were perverts everywhere and some wouldn't take no for an answer.



-------

Chapter 4


When I came home that night, I inspected the staff and the students. At the end I found two newcomers. Neither were exceptional beauties but they were pretty. I wanted to put my best foot forward so I was extra polite to everybody.

When I got to the end of the line I stood in front of the girl with an acne problem. Her hair was freshly cleaned and I detected a hearing aid in the right ear. "Hello, dear. My name is Sheila Knox. What might yours be?"

"I'm Leslie Strek."

"Hello, Leslie. How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen, ma'am."

"Hmmm, you look even younger. Do you know that this house is also a school for girls?"

"I was told that, ma'am."

"From time to time we bring in some worthy girls and test them. Some of those are able to gain a scholarship and attend our school. I'm afraid that only a few make it. Would you like to try?"

The face broke into a smile and the girl said, "I would, ma'am."

"That's nice to hear. We'll talk later. I have somebody else to talk to for a few moments."

I moved over and stood in front of a much younger child and I had to reevaluate her age. She was small but her eyes and body movement suggested one that was a bit older.

"Hello, young lady. What might your name be?"

"Rachael Strek. I'm fourteen though I'm very small for my age. My sister Leslie and I have been on the streets for seven weeks now. We have an abusive father and a mother that always sides with her husband even when he's wrong. If you have a position open for us we would be happy to take any tests."

"My, you almost read my mind. In any case, it takes quite a while to fully assess you and in the meantime you can stay here at the school. Our limit though is ten and we already have nine full-time students."

The younger girl said matter-of-factly, "We stay as a pair for protection but if you find a spot for my sister then it's ok with me."

The other girl blurted out, "No, Piper. I'm not leaving you, ever."

We all sat down for another nice meal. The students had been taught table manners as a course in school. The two newcomers were quite worried and tried to copy what they saw the rest of us do. They were hungry or at least wanted to fit in and have someplace to stay. I knew where each of them would fit.

We discussed politics while the dishes were removed. The two new ones stayed quiet and there was no need to belittle them in this setting. The girls were sent to their studies and I was left with the strays.

I said, "Well, girls, you've seen a partial glimpse to the way we work here. We act as ladies at all times. Women are the underdogs of our civilisation and this means that we have to try much harder to gain our rightful place. To do this means we have to work harder than most other students. Those that graduate are offered some very well paying jobs. I'm fairly wealthy but I can't afford to train young ladies so they can be mediocre. Those that stay here have to want to excel in everything they do."

The younger one asked, "What do you do?" I noticed that the older girl was nervous as if this question would get them removed from the property.

"I'm an executive in a large drug company. I also own many other smaller companies. The girls I train take over these businesses and run them for me. I usually give them a portion of the company so they will work even harder for both of us."

"Is that what they call profit sharing or does this portion stay with the manager after they retire or die?"

"My, you are knowledgeable. I think that is a very admirable trait. To answer your question, I own the companies and they share a portion of the profits. Does that answer your question?"

"It does. Thank you for answering my juvenile questions."

"I don't think the question was juvenile at all. I want to add some additional facts. Our population is small so each student can get individual training. Most of the students are aimed at managerial positions. The ones that do well are further subsidised by being sent to a university to increase their knowledge. We are offering each of you a chance to be set for life. You would get a good paying and challenging job. I ask for your loyalty and your utmost to learn all you can."

The younger girl said sweetly, "Do you have a list of the rules as well as what you expect your students to learn?"

"I certainly do. I can get some printed for you tomorrow. Tonight though you have to take some tests. One of you will start an extensive run of medical tests. They are quite detailed and this means that body fluids have to be taken as well as intimate examinations. The other one will begin something much more tiring. It will test your knowledge, your intelligence, your interests and your strengths. This way we can tailor the appropriate courses for each of you."

"You said that only a few make it."

"That's true. Some are not motivated enough to succeed. If you wish, think of us as a team playing a sport. The team will lose if the players are not doing their hardest to win."

"What if we try the hardest but can't score any goals?"

"Then that person has to be evaluated to see if they benefit the team in other ways. Not everybody can score goals. Some have to protect the net and others attack the opposing team."

"So we could be dropped from the team if a new player comes along that can play better?"

"That is the way the business community works but they also carry a lot of deadwood. I do not expect to be immune to this. I just want to keep it to a minimum."

"So if both of us are accepted then one girl has to drop out?"

"You are a very perceptive child. The answer is yes but not right away. The other girl may see her position challenged and work harder. The two of you may prove to be not up to the challenge and have to leave."

"Would the girl be thrown onto the streets?"

"I'm a hard woman but I don't throw away my investments like that. I would find them a job in one of my companies even if it is shifting stock."

Much later that night, Piper slipped out of her bed and went across the floor to Kimberley. Kimberley woke instantly because of their time on the streets.

Piper said, "We have to talk."

"About what?"

"This place for a start. Did you notice that there are no men around or even boys?"

"Who needs them?"

"Kim, usually I have something worth listening to. Why don't you listen?"

"This is a great place and I want to stay if I can."

"What was the medical examination like?"

Kimberly didn't speak for a while and Piper was quick enough to detect this. "What happened and you better tell me all of it."

There was more thinking going on then Kimberley said, "The medical checked everything and I mean everything. They gave me lots of tests about my hearing and a lot more have to be done she said. They put something up my bum and asked me questions about how I liked to stick things up there."

Piper thought this odd and figured there was no way to find this out. It had to be a way of getting Kim to talk by already assuming that she had admitted part of it.

Kim continued, "I sorta told them about the candles and the broomsticks."

"Go on."

"She put a thing up my vagina and asked more questions. She talked real nice and her finger touched my button a few times. She had to move around a lot and I sorta had a cum there. She cuddled me after and said it was alright. I told her more about us and then I ended up telling her about Dad and what we did."

Piper was surprised at this revelation and thought about it a lot more. She said, "They did that to you to get you to talk, Kim."

"No, they didn't. Kelly is a real nice lady."

"Kim, the house has no men because everybody here is a lesbian."

"No, they're not."

"They are. Trust me on this."

It took a while for Kim to say, "What are we going to do? This is the first safe place we have found."

"It's safe from men but not from women. Kelly seduced you and you didn't even know it."

"What if she did? I don't mind if she did that to me. I might even like to do something nice to her too. You would too."

"Maybe I would, but I don't want to be pushed in any way. They push too hard and I'm going to go."

"I don't want to go."

"That's alright Kim. You can stay if you want but I am not going to take them pushing sex on me. I'll tell you one thing. You studied in school but here it has to be a passion. If you don't try super hard, they will throw you out."

"Miss Knox wouldn't do that."

"Damn right she would. She probably likes your body and mine too. I saw her looks and they say she's hungry. She controls everything here and we have to come to some sort of deal. I can do some things to stay here but there's a limit."

The next day was stressful with more exams. I was preoccupied with what could be happening to my sister but rationalised it that the worst that could happen would be that the girl had sex with Kelly or some other woman.

My responses to the questions I was asked, reflected my heightened suspicions. I came right out and asked, "Are bisexual or lesbian students more welcome in this school than heterosexual ones?"

"Why do you as that?"

"You wanted me to answer questions plainly and I have done so. You haven't done the same. Will you answer the question or not?"

"It's my job to ask questions not answer yours."

"Then the answer is you are all lesbians and you don't want to answer. Why don't you give me Miss Knoxs' phone number and I'll talk to her?"

"I can't do that."

"Then stay away from questions dealing with my sexual identity and my past until I get a chance to talk to Miss Knox." The women questioner seemed more than happy to do this.

During the noon meal, I had a chance to study the rest of the students. Some were old enough to be in grade twelve. All of them would be in highschool normally. They were all pretty but not necessarily beautiful. Their clothing was a school uniform that always had a short skirt. Everything about the uniform said wealth.

The students all talked like ladies and not the way the kids talked in the cafeteria at school. The teachers lead by example. There was a lot of smiling and laughter so they must be happy. None of them looked to be like those women on the streets that were hungry for girls. These looked well fed and not in need of another meal yet. It was not much of a difference but it was significant mentally.

The nurse, Kelly, tried to draw out Kim and I assisted. Kim needed to be accepted and she needed to learn to respond the same way the others did. Those around the table politely listened to Kim as if they cared. This is what set this house of lesbians apart. Perhaps this place would not be a bad place to live.

That afternoon my own medical started. Kelly acted professionally and didn't happen to accidentally hit my button. She looked up all my holes and her questions had nothing to do with sex. It was only near supper time that the implications of this sunk in. From then on I was looking for tiny cameras and microphones.

When Miss Knox came home we were required to get in line. This may be a bit odd but then again she was paying for everything. Miss Knox was beautiful and very intelligent. She also must have been informed because she looked at me three times before she got to me.

"Hello, young lady. I hear you have some questions for me."

"I do, ma'am. Some of them could have been answered by the list of rules. I just wondered how many of them are unwritten."

"Again, you surprise me. You are much brighter than your charts indicate. I see we are going to have to find some different tests to evaluate you correctly. After supper we can have a private meeting and I will see if I can satisfy you."

This was an odd way of saying it but I replied, "That's very good of you, ma'am."

There was a small discussion after the meal then Miss Knox asked me, "Would you like to have our chat now?"

"Sure, if you have the time."

We climbed the steps and I was led into a very large office. There were lots of old books and there were also three computers and some very nice art. It was like a museum I visited once but this was nicer.

Miss Knox said, "Please take a seat and we can begin." When I sat, she asked, "What is bothering you, child?"

"I'm twelve and fairly bright. I have had sex with my sister and with one other girl. I've never had sex with a boy and have been kissed only by adult relatives so far. I am saying this to let you know that I like sex with girls."

"Many people are like that, child. I heard from your own lips how your parents were abusive. Your sister provided more details. What did you wish to know?"

"Am I going to be seduced or peer pressure added to make me participate in sex?"

"No, child. That will never happen."

"I am not sure how you mean that. I am sure that liking girls counts for something when a decision is made about whether my sister and I get to stay."

Miss Knox sat back and then said, "You are bright and I'm not going to lie to you. I only like the company of other women. Those in my employ are either like me or nearly so. We form a type of family. We share the wealth generated as well as the social interaction. Some of that social stimulation is of course heightened by love between the members."

"So, sex strengthens the family?"

"That is true."

"What if I want to wait?"

"Then you will not be pushed. Your sister may not want the same things you want. You may find it more lonely than it should be if you don't take part in the love we all share."

"I can work harder to graduate. Social interaction doesn't have to be sex and I do have my sister. I am not against having sex with a woman if we love each other but I'm not going to jump into her bed for some fun."

"I respect your choice. The others will not bother you. You remind me a lot of myself when I was young. I worked very hard for recognition that only came when I did something exemplary."

"I want my sister to succeed and this means that I usually have to guide her. She is not stupid by any means but she is lazy. She likes sex and I think that you might get more from her if you promise more if she pushes her own boundaries."

"I will look into that and talk to the counsellor. Perhaps this will work with your sister. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?"

"I am worried about the person that may be kicked out if my sister and I manage to gain a position."

"That is very commendable but don't let it bother you."

"But it does bother me. I also have a partial solution."

Miss Knox smiled more than she should and said, "And what might that be?"

"I don't know how much money you can spend on the school but you can expand if half your students go to work for half of a day while the rest study. They may not learn that much about history that way but I imagine you want them to learn about business more."

"Now that is a very good idea. I have been doing that already but only to those that were near graduation. I can possibly handle more students if I follow through with your proposal. You may make a very good business woman one day."

"Thank you, ma'am."

The next day I went back to taking mental tests. I was pushed hard but I think I pushed myself harder to do the best I could. After the tests, the examiner took data about my past. She didn't want to hear my real name. She pretended that I had not said it. I was encouraged to fabricate a story for the records. I had to find Kim so we could make this as seamless as possible. The woman was like Kim. She could hear when we spoke to her but suddenly went deaf when we talked to each other about making the story believable.

Though nobody said anything, I knew we were on probation. When the tests were over we went to class. Most times there were only one to three students which allowed us to learn quickly. I think I pushed Kim harder than the teacher pushed us.

I told her in private, "If we don't work extra hard we are going back to the streets. Act like Miss Knox. She had to work very hard when she was young. That was the only way for her to succeed."

"I'll try, Piper, but its hard."

"Everything worth gaining is a hard. If you don't have to work for it then it isn't worth much." I didn't tell her that our conversation was probably monitored and there was simply no reason to do this.



-------

Chapter 5


Lucy Maddison looked at the report and said, "Shit!" It was not a ladylike exclamation but it presented her feelings adequately.

Nancy Paddock said, "We have to tell Sheila."

"I know but we just can't phone Stethbridge or even use Sheila's cell. You better use your cell and invite Sheila to a birthday party."

"Ok."

Two hours later, Sheila phoned Lucy. "Hello, Honey. What's so important?"

"Can we talk?"

"Yes we can, Dear."

"We got our first case of possible brain lesions. He, of course, is one of the test subjects using AB463R. He was rushed to the hospital complaining of severe pain to his brain."

"Where are the results?"

"I can courier them over or send you an encrypted file with everything."

"Tell me the important points first."

"It's a male, age 24. He suffers from Down's syndrome and his long term prognosis was that he would be lucky to reach 28."

More and more details came out until Sheila said, "I want to see the subject for myself."

"He's slated to come in tomorrow but he may still be in the hospital. You can wear one of our lab coats or carry one of our identifications and make your own assessment."

That night I hurried home to read the report. There was the usual line up of students including the two new ones in school uniforms. One was ripe and ready to pluck but the other was a different matter. She would have to be slowly seduced and presented with the outward signs of love.

That night one of the students had to go to bed with me. I was worried and needed some way to relax. I knew I was a sociopath. Pretending to have a conscience was all I could do.

I juggled her appointments so I could be in hospital at the right time. When I strode into the correct room I saw an old woman of sixty seven sitting beside the bed. The report and photos explained the setting.

I smiled and extended my hand. "Hello, Mrs Appleton. I'm a specialist assigned to Sam's case. My name is Sheila Knox."

The woman looked worn out. "Hello, Sheila. What do you know about his headaches?"

"Nothing much yet. That's why I'm here."

"Of course. Forgive me. My husband has problems too and it gets hectic some times."

"That's no problem. What can you tell me about what happened to Sam the day preceding his headache?"

"Matthew, Sam's father, suffered a heart attack. I had to run to the hospital to see what I could do. I left Sam with his cousin Nick. Just before I left, I gave him the pill and recorded the time in the chart. Nick is older than Sam but still irresponsible. When I came home I found Sam moaning on the floor while Nick was talking on the phone. The pain was so intense that I got Nick to drive us here. I followed procedures and contacted the clinic."

"So you have no idea what brought the bout on?"

"None whatsoever."

I was not a medical doctor but I was concerned with how the effects of the drug was effecting one of my test subjects. I did all the tests a doctor would do and a few more. Blood samples were collected.

Mrs Appleton left to see her husband when the tests started. When the last sample of blood was taken, Sam woke up and looked at his nurse. He gave the usual look of a person suffering from Down's Syndrome.

I was going to leave now and Sam said, "Why are you going, Sh — Sheila?"

I was exasperated, especially at those that were so inferior. "I'm finished my tests, Sam. I have other work to do."

Sam looked down and started to cry. I was not swayed by pity but had to ask because of professionalism, "What's wrong, Sam?"

"My head hurts and you think I'm stupid. I can't help it."

"I don't think that at all."

"You're lying. I know you hate stupid people. You think we should all die."

I was stunned. "Where did you get an idea like that?"

"I don't know but I know that you hate me."

Something odd was going on. The subject may not have been asleep when I mentioned my name. I hoped my facial characteristics could have given me away but I schooled herself to not react that way. An idea occurred to me. "What am I thinking about now?"

"A funny blue monkey with stripes on its face."

I was astonished and never this much. My mind went into overdrive and I realised that I had to try to keep my real feelings buried deep. I had to do some quick remedial work so I was not seen as only interested in the subject because of his condition.

"That was very good, Sam. What now?"

Sam smiled and said, "Me Tarzan." His hands came up to cradle his head.

I was prepared for tis but it still shocked me. "Very good, Sam." My current excitement was the hardest thing I ever tried to control.

I sat on the bed so I would not appear to be dominant though that was the way I usually chose. When Sam looked at my breasts the way every man did, I recorded the information.

Sam got tired quickly. A nurse came in and I urged her to get a sedative for Sam. I wanted him awake but I had to have time to think on this development. At the moment I was thinking that the developing lesion had done something to a portion of the brain to bring on true mental telepathy.

The sedative had already been prescribed if needed and Sam drifted off to sleep. I stayed close so that Sam would not divulge his new ability to the world.

I went hunting Mrs Appleton and found her with her husband. Matthew the husband and father was pallid. It looked like he was ready to die and this fit my plans very well.

I waited to be noticed and now acted like my opposite. I tried to be very carrying when asking how Matthew was doing.

"He isn't doing much better. I don't know what I can do."

"Two of your menfolk would be too much for a person thirty years younger. You must have an iron constitution."

"I don't feel that strong. I'm run ragged."

"I came here to offer some help."

"What can you do?"

"I work for a company that supplied the drug Sam was using. I could claim that I want to check on his condition much more vigorously. This would require he be transferred to another facility that has a round-the-clock monitoring. If I phrase the request adequately, there would be no cost to you."

Mrs Appleton thought of the words and looked at her husband. "Will Sam get better?"

"I expect him to if he is monitored better. We both know that we are just postponing the inevitable. Unfortunately, people with problems like what Sam has are usually with us for just a short time."

"Yes, I'm aware of that. When would you need to know?"

"If I take Sam now, I would have performed a fait accompli in a manner of speaking. I have to work fast to ensure that my company will show enough interest to underwrite the costs."

"Now?"

"What better time? Your husband needs you and you can't be in two places at once. Sam will get much better care than he would any other place."

"Let me think about it, please."

I had to act concerned. I went over to Matthew and moved some hair off of his face though I detested even touching a male. I fiddled with whatever I could to show that I was trying her best.

Finally Mrs Appleton said, "Sheila, I'd like to try this. If Sam is too much of a burden then I'll take him back."

I was immensely relieved but I could not appear that way. "I don't think Sam will be a problem. He woke up after I completed the tests. We even joked a bit. The headache had not gone but it had considerably lessened."

Arrangements were made. Papers would have to be signed and then arrangements made for a man to enter my home.

I had to set aside all my appointments as I contacted my lawyer to make up the form. Luckily there were some similar forms already in existence.

A room had to be prepared for Sam. This would disrupt the household but the secret had to be kept.

Kelly was brought into service and picked up the form from the lawyer's office. She hurried up to the room occupied by Sam. I took the woman far from the room even though Sam was asleep.

"Kelly, I stumbled on something utterly fantastic. The man we're going to help is telepathic."

"What?"

"You heard me. I don't know how this happened but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth."

"He can actually read minds?"

"He can read mine. I have to bury everything I don't want him to know under a lot of surface thoughts."

"If he can read my mind, he will know I hate men."

"He already knows too much about me. We could hire some temps but then they would know as well."

Kelly said, "What about the teachers or the students?"

"Most of them don't like men either."

"Some of the girls are more hetro, or could be."

"That's true."

"The two new girls. They hate their father but not necessarily all men. They could do some of the work."

"That's a good idea. I think they can even be trusted. They want to stay bad enough that they will not divulge the secret. The older one is not useful for anything. She can be the primary care giver. I can claim it's part of the training."

The two of us went back to Sam's room while thinking kind thoughts for all men. I went to find Mrs Appleton and in a few moments the papers were signed. The Appleton doctor was summoned and he facilitated the removal of Sam from the hospital. He was also going to provide a copy of all his records concerning Sam after he got a waiver to do so.

Sam woke up when he was being transferred to a wheelchair. I stayed very close to keep the secret from leaking out. Sam was transferred to the Mercedes. Kelly sat in the back with him while still thinking happy thoughts.

Sam's mother kissed her son and explained what was happening and why it was happening.

Sam said, "It's ok, Mom. I'm big now. I can do this."

"You certainly are, Sam, and I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

I wanted to plan but had to content myself with flooding my mind with the work I would like to do at my office. I had to change that to something less violent.

Kelly though had less of a problem because she just remembered how this man's mother loved him and how he loved the woman back.

Part way home Sam said, "My Mom's the best."

Kelly put out her hand and put it on top of Sam's and said, "Yes, she is. Too bad all of us don't have great mothers."

Janice, the head of security, met the car as it pulled up to the front of the house. She had been only partially briefed but the two Compton sisters were told to be present.

Kelly and I assisted Kimberly with her new charge though the girl was dumfounded as to why she had this duty. She had only been a student for three weeks. She was the second youngest and she figured somebody older should get this job.

Sam walked unsteadily. He gawked at the house then at the people and finally at the interior of the house.

He needlessly said, "This house is big."

I was quick to reply, "Yes, and you get to have a room of your very own here."

"Do I get a TV?"

"Sure you do. What's better than TV though is talking to interesting people."

"TV is better."

"It might be in some cases, Sam."

Sam was introduced to everybody. Since it was only a matter of time before everybody found out, Sheila added, "Sam is staying with us for a few reasons. His father had a heart attack and his mother has her hands full. I agreed to take in Sam for her.

"Another reason is that I found that Sam has a gift. I think all of you are loyal to the school so I'm going to tell you that Sam recently learned to read minds."

Nobody said anything. In a moment it was Sam that said, "I can read minds. Want me to show you?"

It was Kelly that moved out after I pushed her. "Can you try me first, Sam?"

"Sure." He paused a moment and said, "You're scared of me. I won't hurt you. I'm big but I don't hurt anybody except when I fall on them. I didn't mean to hurt Uncle Frank."

"That's ok, Sam. Try again."

"You're thinking of a teddy bear."

Kelly was shocked and finally said, "You're right, Sam. Try it again."

Sam almost instantly said, "A pretty cloud in the sky. It's up high."

"You're right again, Sam. Let's try some of the other girls?"

Kimberly was pulled out and she uncertainly said, "Hi Sam. Can you guess what I'm thinking?"

"You want to eat." This was a sort of catharsis and everybody laughed. Sam started calling people by their names and just gave small details. Sam used a lot of arm and hand gestures so he was assisted to sit on the floor and then the rest sat too.

Sam was the centre of attention now and he liked the position. The girls, and even the women, became more comfortable with the young man. He was uncoordinated and thin. Those that had been in the school for as little as a year could easily out wrestle him.

After the meal, I invented a few 'games'. Since Kimberly would be the primary caregiver, she was chosen to think of different colours while Sam told her what they were. At each success, she stepped back a step until Sam was not as quick. At fifty metres, Sam sounded to be just guessing.

Another game had him think of something the girls had to think of but hide. This was a difficult conception and it appeared that you almost had to think at Sam for him to pick up the information if you were more than three metres away. A frightened woman could hide the target information much easier but Sam was hesitant to try.

Another game involved looking at a magazine. Sam would say what the pictures were of but had difficulty understanding the thoughts when the girls were reading.

When Sam got tired the games stopped. The girls were more comfortable with him being in the house. In the past I had kept up a constant harangue of males and it was now being eroded slowly.

Sam sat in his room. I was sitting nearby. I said, "Sam, do you remember when you first got your headache?"

"Yeah, sorta. Why?"

"I'm — "

"You're trying to find out how you can do it."

"That's right, Sam."

"It's probably going to hurt your head."

"It might, but I want to learn."

Sam concentrated and said, "I don't remember much."

"Ok, who were you with?"

"Nick."

"Good, he was on the phone your mother said. Did the headache come on slowly or did it just hit you?"

"Oh, it hit me hard."

"Did you fall before the headache. Did something hit your head?"

"Noooo."

"Did you feel sick?"

"A little — maybe. I ate one of Nick's candies. It didn't taste good."

This was interesting. "What did the candy look like?"

"It was wrapped in shiny paper. The candy was small and tasted sour. I spit some of it out and had to take a drink."

"Was the shiny paper really aluminum foil?"

"I think so."

Sam was given a bath with the aid of the housekeeper and Kimberly. Before he went to bed, he phoned home. I was present to intercept the call if Sam wandered into a dangerous area. His mother sounded relieved that Sam was doing so well.

The next day, Sam's clothing was fetched. I took a sick day which I had never done before. I still kept in touch with work by telephone though. Many more tests were devised and even the students were encouraged to devise additional tests. This made the bizarre situation much more plausible.

I phoned the hospital and got in touch with Sam's mother. I said, "I was talking with Sam and found he consumed a foil wrapped bitter substance. Sam believed it to be candy but spit most of it out. Apparently it had come from his cousin Nick's pocket."

"Oh, my god. I'm going to kill that boy."

"I'm afraid I want to do the same thing. How can I get a hold of him?"

"I can give you his phone number but it is more likely he will come over to my home."

"That's probably true. Perhaps you could mention finding something foil wrapped. It wouldn't take long for him to retrieve it."

"I don't imagine it would."

By mid afternoon a BMW pulled up outside the Appleton home. The doorbell rang but it was me that answered the door.

I said, "Come in, Nick. I've been waiting for you."

"Where's Aunt Bea?"

"She had to leave for the hospital. Matthew isn't doing well."

"I'll go see her then."

"I'm the one that set this meeting up."

"What meeting?"

"Do you want me to talk on the front steps about what you lost?"

"You have it?"

I just turned around and walked into the house. After a moment, Nick followed. "Where is it?"

"Tell me what kind of drug it is."

"Who said it was a drug?"

"Let's not waste time. I'm not a cop. I don't care what you sell and to whom. All I want to know is what gave your cousin for his headache?"

"I didn't give him anything."

"What did he try to eat?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I want to know. Unlike most people I have no conscience. I would as soon see you dead or in jail. I can manage both. I want the name of the drug and I want it now."

Nick was fairly large and said, "Are you going to shoot me?"

I didn't need any further invitation. I lunged forward and struck Nick many times. All of them were designed to convey the maximum pain with the least amount of damage. I had promised Mrs Appleton not to hurt him too much.

Nick woke up and found himself tied. I was sitting in a comfortable chair with an electric kettle on the table beside me. A plume of water vapour was seen coming from the container.

"What are you doing? Get me out of here." When I didn't respond, he added, "I'll call the cops."

I casually stood and straightened out my slacks and then picked up the kettle. She walked over Nick and poured a small amount on his leg.

Nick screamed in pain and I just looked at him as if he were a rat that was supposed to respond to a given stimulus. A second dollop of nearly boiling water found Nick blubbering, "I'll tell you! I'll tell you!"

I poured some more that just missed Nick's crotch but still managed to scald him with the splatter.

Nick expressed even more energetically his willingness to cooperate.

"Nick, child. Tell me what I want to know."

"It was speed."

"Well, I won't ask you about its purity but I want a sample of the same material Sam ingested."

"I've got some in my jacket. Let me get it for you."

"Thank you, Nick. I'm quite capable of fetching the substance if its there."

I found the drugs in the lining and went to get a knife. Nick was positive he was going to be the target and I didn't allay his fears. I stabbed the jacket and the knife struck the floor and just missed Nick's abdomen. Nick wet himself this time.

I said, "Which are which?"

Nick was crying now and explained how he identified each of the drugs. I then said, "These are all from the same batch as the one your cousin consumed?"

"Yes, I only buy from one place."

"Did you purchase these at the same time?"

"Yes, it was a week before that retard took one of them."

"Such language. Perhaps I should wash out your mouth with boiling water?"

"No, he's a nice guy, only slow."

"He's nice for a male. Now I want to tell you something. In my past I have had occasion to kill some people. Some the police consider self defence. I'm sure that if I found you near me without my permission, I could kill you. Besides my ability to use my hands and feet I have to tell you that I am more than a fair shot. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, I won't bother you."

"See that you don't. I wasn't lying when I said I have no conscience. I would as soon kill you so there would be no further problems but I promised your aunt."

"I won't bother you."

"See that you don't."

I put the kettle away and left the house. It would be quite possible that when Mrs Appleton got home she would find an unwanted guest and some of his wares spread around his trussed up form.

Sam was busy doing experiments with the girls and he was happy to do so. Even those women that hated men found the young man more of a child than a threat.

Sam had blood samples taken every eight hours in case the effects were chemical in nature. By the third day it was found that his range was decreasing. In eight days it was completely gone.

In desperation, I gave him some of the speed but the effect didn't materialise. It did not take long for me to draw an inference to AB463R and the amphetamines.

On Friday night, I started up his regimen once more. He took the tablet of Abicore-L. A half hour later I fed him a small amount of the amphetamine.

Sam went into excruciating pain once more but all I did was monitor him and have him placed in his bed. The next day a debilitated Sam had his ability back. When the pain in his mind subsided, he was tested again and found that his range had increased but this could have been attributed to the original tests only starting a day after his initial ingestion of the drug combo.

The testing continued. Sam became a pet of the girls and they took him out to be exercised. It was young Piper that was the most vocal to have him live a normal life. She also helped all she could in tabulating the data. I saw her as a potential researcher one day. But now a girl's conscience would be detrimental to finding the answers quickly.

-------

Piper sat in a chair in Sam's room along with three other girls. One of them was Kimberley. Sam was worn-out listening to the girls 'testing' him.

Piper suspicion that there were microphones in the room approached certainty. She thought to Sam, "Sam I want you to just listen for a minute. Don't say anything, just nod or shake your head. Is that ok?"

Sam said vocally, "Sure," then felt embarrassed and said, "Sorry."

"No problem, Sam, I want to play a different kind of game but it has to be our secret."

Sam eagerly nodded his head and smiled.

"I want to play a trick on the girls. It's going to be fun. Your part is easy. We're supposed to have a secret and we try to hide it. Your job is to find out what it is. I want you to not do this as good as you can. You can say you have a feeling but don't understand."

Sam looked at her quizzically and Piper intuitively said, "Just do this for me and I will give you — a big kiss."

Sam smiled widely and Piper knew she was getting her first ally.

-------

After Sam got his third dose of medication, I approached Sheila Knox and said, "Miss Knox, I have no scientific basis for this idea but I believe that Sam understands us better. He speaks to us using almost proper grammar. He may get this information from the minds of the people he reads but it's also possible that his own mind is improving."

"You may be right. I was focussed on his telepathy and not his intelligence. What do you suggest we do to measure this phenomenon?"

"Kimberley could teach Sam something from a book that she doesn't understand. Better yet would be to have Sam read but this skill is not very well developed yet. A third way would be to have the instruction by television where Sam can't read the mind of the person. To test the transfer of information mentally, we just have Sam asked to do something that is in the brain of another."

"I like your ideas and perhaps with a few changes they could be put in a more scientific format."

"Thank you, ma'am. This is fun even if it's hard work."

"I wish my other students worked as hard as you do."

"Thank you for the compliment, ma'am."

I hurried out and went to my room. School had been severely disrupted since Sam arrived. I hadn't had time to get adjusted to the school routine in the first place any way. I liked the school but I considered it a trip through a minefield.

The internet drew me because of all the information. There were a lot of sites concerning ESP but none of them apparently had anything but minor successes. Usually a person guessed right or wrong more often to indicate an ability.

I kept my own notes and posted the results along with graphs in the school. I had been investigating two projects. Sam took up the majority of the time but a smaller amount was devoted to understanding Miss Knox. The woman was a nut but still functioning. Her brain power, ability and expectations contained a force that could break out one day and destroy everybody. I had to understand what was happening and perhaps find a way to protect Kimberly and myself.

Sam always had girls around him or at least the ones that were not as frightened any more. I used Kim to test out her experiments thus giving me more time to think and plan.

Sam had followed through and kept part of his abilities hidden. I paid up at least a couple times a day and Sam was happy with the bargain.

Knox made up her own experiments and the school carried them out. She was restricted in the amount of time she could devote to the school and by Sam's ability. She thought about some of her problems and considered some form of secure communications. A possible solution was to have a pair of encrypted cell phones. Anybody intercepting the message would not know what the information was about. Only microphones near the cell phones would be of any use and Sheila used a bug detector quite often. Sheila bought two of the units. One was given to Janice to relay important matters.

Sam's ability started to fade once more. Sheila ordered the drug combo administered sooner to keep the ability near full power. The severity of the pain was not as great and Sam seemed to gain in strength. His intelligence increased. IQ tests were given frequently and it was easy to see that the young man was improving.

Sam was at the school for four weeks and there was enough data to plot a trend. Sam's intelligence should have increased by just over 65%. His IQ had been near 60 and now he should reach the average at near 100. CAT scans of his brain were common to see what was happening. The brain lesions had increased and Sheila worked hard to find a way of controlling this.

One day Mrs Appleton came to Sheila's home and said, "I had no idea that you were shouldering this responsibility on your own. I can still take care of my son."

"You're a strong woman Mrs Appleton. I know you can. I wish to help but I also have an ulterior motive."

"What is that, Dear?"

"This is a school. I wish to show the young ladies that they have to step beyond themselves to help the community. The students like Sam and Sam fits in. Have you noticed that he is much more alert and his conversations are more what you would find with anybody else. He is only lacking in an education and I have chosen to let whatever years he has left on this earth a happy time."

"Do you think it was the Abicore-L drug?"

"I believe that is part of the answer but only part. He's in a rich environment with no less than a dozen enquiring minds to urge him on."

"If you think it is right for him to stay then I will allow it but I wish to assist in his education."

"Thank you, Mrs Appleton, but as you can see, I am fairly wealthy already and the school is a form of write-off for my taxes."

Mrs Appleton spoke to Piper and Kimberley about her son and found the two girls had taken care of him until he grew intelligent enough to manage on his own.

Sam's mother insisted on taking Sam to see his relatives to show what he was now like. She said with a wide smile, "Nick has moved on for some reason. I untied him but only after giving him a good talking to. We suspect he has moved out to Alberta."

Sheila gave a calculated smile and said, "I'm sorry for frightening him so much that your carpet was soiled."

"Think nothing of it. I should have asked for a video of the encounter but I'm afraid I couldn't handle it."

"Not everybody can deal with violence."

"I don't see how you could do that. If I were to just meet you, I would think you wouldn't harm a fly, never mind threaten Nick."

"Violence is abhorrent to me but in some cases it's the only solution."

Mrs Appleton drove Sam out of the main gate but Sheila managed to get Piper and Kimberley to go with him. Sam was now smart enough to know how to keep his mouth shut but she felt that he may need to brag and this could get everyone in trouble. He had the intelligence to work well but not the data to draw from to make the proper decisions.

The car returned only thirty minutes later and Sheila went down to meet it. Mrs Appleton was flustered. Kimberley and Piper were helping Sam into the house. Sheila wanted to ask the girls but had to ask Sam's mother instead. "What happened. Did he take ill?"

"I don't really know. The closer we got to home the more Sam reacted. It was like someone was screaming at him. His hands were over his ears and his head was almost between his knees. It was the younger girl that insisted that we return. The odd thing about this was that Sam seemed to recover the further we got away from town."

Sheila said, "Perhaps he developed a fondness for the school and was worried about leaving."

"But he seemed happy to see his father and his other relatives so he could show off."

"Then it may be something he's coming down with or it could be just the way the car moved. Sometimes a certain odour will trigger such responses."

"I do hope this isn't permanent."

"I do, too. Our school functions seven days a week but I'm sure we could make arrangements for Sam's family to visit. I just ask that we have a bit of notice."

"Thank you. I'll try that."

Hardly had Mrs Appleton left than Sheila summoned Piper and Kimberly. "I want to thank you two for quick thinking in getting Sam back. What do you suspect was the cause of this episode?"

I gave a small smile but it was Kimberley that said, "I know it was the thoughts of all the people. Sam managed to push his thoughts into my mind and I absolutely know what it's like now to communicate telepathically."

"Now this is very interesting. So Sam, in times of stress, can push his thoughts into other minds. Did his mother get this message too?"

Kimberley said, "She must have. I doubt very much if she would believe for a second that she was receiving a mental communication though."

"I believe you're right, Kimberley. Now I want you two to go back and help Sam and try to get him to communicate with you. Find out if he can be selective by speaking to just one of you. This development presents even more possibilities."

Sam understood the request after he recovered. It took a week to speak to just one person and longer again to talk to half of a group. Apparently his mind had to keep track of those he wished to speak to. Talking with his voice and saying one thing while transmitting a separate conversation to others was beyond him but it may be beyond most people.

Sheila had a great many plans and they hinged on research. None of the other patients taking Abicore-L expressed any untold abilities.

Brain lesions were found and could not be hushed up. Sheila did her best to lay in a stockpile of the drug and even went so far to make some amphetamines of various kinds. Some of this product as well as a synthetic form of mescaline was produced in her lab. This was sold to drug wholesalers across Canada. The money was useful for expanding her power base but now had to be directed to research.

The students were given money as an additional inducement to stay but it also included a bonus system that a company would have. The girls purchased gifts for each other and then for the staff and teachers. Sheila liked the gifts but felt them all to be useless and a waste of money.

Sam's health was deteriorating slowly. His own brain was the cause. Doctors had to be called and these made house-calls. The equipment though was in the hospitals.

Sheila worked with tranquillisers to block out the mental voices and even went so far as to stop dispensing Abicore-L. The brain lesions were more prominent now.

When Sam returned, everybody including Sam knew that the end was not that distant. Sheila experimented with the mechanism of getting Abicore-L across the boundary and into the brain. There were a lot of drugs that could do this but Sheila had no benchmark to go by.

By February, Sam uncovered another talent. He liked girls enough for him to want to see them. This lead to him developing the talent to see through two layers of cloth.

Sheila didn't like the thoughts of this but saw the chance for making a breakthrough much more rewarding. It was already stated that Sheila had no conscience anyway.

It was little Piper that stood behind a sheet of plywood with no clothes on that encouraged Sam to look harder. It worked better when the little vixen played with her pussy to encourage him.

Even if the girls' virtues were sullied, they did things to get Sam to see them. This soon degraded to outright exhibitionism and then it got worse because the girls made love to each other all at Piper's instigation.

Piper was called into the office.

When I stood in front of Knox, I smiled and said, "Yes, ma'am." I was worried because there were only a few reasons to come here. Some I had made provision for some but others could not be predicted.

"I just called you in here to express my appreciation for the way you have been taking care of Sam and also your efforts to draw out his abilities. I have to admit that this kind of sex and in this instance was not seen by me."

"Thank you, ma'am. I try very hard and hope to approach your position one day."

"You may very well make it but I doubt if you are ruthless enough to get there."

"That may be so and you could think of me working under an impediment. Not everybody that succeeds has to do what you did but we should all be prepared if push comes to shove."

Sheila liked her own words coming back to her and said, "I'm giving you added responsibilities. I have an encrypted phone for you. Nobody will be able understand what is said even if they intercept the signal. Only Janice, the head of security, and myself have these units. I want you to have one of these devices."

"Thank you, ma'am, but what are the responsibilities?"

"Sam will not live much longer. I wish to find other patients and treat them with the drug. This is the only way I can further this research."

"What of the brain lesions and other problems?"

"How do you know of these? They were never mentioned openly."

"You thought of them and Sam picked this information up. He told me and I asked him to not repeat it further." This was the truth but more knew of this than just me.

"Then my trust in you has been justified. To answer your question, most people born with Down's Syndrome die before age five. If some have their minds opened sooner they will at least die knowing what is happening to them. Can you imagine what it is like to have an IQ of between 50 and 60?"

"No, ma'am. I do see logistical problems in taking care of these people. We're your front line troops in a way. We have to delve into the effects of the drug for you and then manage those you bring in. Are we to be nurses, researchers, or students? My suggestion is to find a few more people like Kelly so that they can do what they do best. Most of us could not function in society very well because of our age."

"You have a persuasive argument and I see that you've been planning for this conversation for a while."

"I have, ma'am. It's obvious that you need more people to experiment on. It is also obvious that you have to spend more time on this project. This infers that you quit your job." I didn't like the idea of promoting cancer just to learn but the world I've found was not a nice place. I had to act like Knox so that I had an idea what was coming. I could not pull out now because she was the kind of person that would kill me to keep me quiet and she has enough money to find me.

"You're very perceptive. There are difficulties in quitting. This has to be planned."

"You can't just quit?"

"You know a lot of facts but working in business is like working on another world. I have to worry about cash flow as well as my standing in the community when or if this discovery goes public."

"So you are in the process of quitting. Will the patients all be young?"

"I don't have a ready supply. I'll have to have normal people to see where this leads."

"What about animals like dogs?"

"We found that Abicore-L didn't work on animals."

"I don't know how well it worked on people but you have a new method. Is it worth the time? The cost would not be as great. Animals have the benefit of not talking."

"I like your thinking, Piper."

"Could we get dogs? They would suit this property and not raise eyebrows."

"I'll see about building a pen tomorrow. When I find some subjects, I will talk to you. I want you to go see Janice. She'll provide the phone I talked about."

I was petrified after leaving the office. Knox was a scary woman. Sam figured he got his problems from the drug but he also got hope and a chance to be normal. Even though he knew he was dying, he was not angry at Knox.

Janice gave me the phone. This particular unit had to cost thousands of dollars. It had a fingerprint receptor so only I could use it. There were solar cells on it to pick up a charge if it was in the light and it even played games. Janice assisted in getting my fingerprints recognised and then gave me a long lecture on what constituted proper reasons to use the phone. She took one good breath and then told me to study the book that came with the device so I would know how to use it properly.

Sam had read my mind enough to trust me and he liked the idea of being kissed. I told him about the probable network of cameras and microphones. He jumped at the chance to prove it one way or another and found them hidden in the walls. Usually all he did was trace back the wiring. I wanted to make a layout of the house and put this data down but it was too risky.

There were a lot of doors we could not go beyond and Sam said there was even a secret passage. Many areas of the house proved to be unmonitored and I had to assume there was a lot of people that had to assess what happened in the pictures.

Once I knew all that Sam could tell me about the house, I had to tie him to me a lot tighter, the same way Knox did. I took the sweetie to an area with no cameras and only some microphones.

Sam said mentally, "Why are we here?"

"Read my mind, Sam."

"You really want to do that to me?"

"Sure. I like to learn and there are no other guys around to practice on."

"Miss Knox won't like that. She hates all guys, even me. She's afraid of us one minute and looking for us to praise her the next. Your right though because she really doesn't have a conscience."

"Are you trying to get out of this, Sam?"

"Well, a little but most of me wants to try. Nobody ever touched me there before. My mother might have but I can't remember."

"Do you want to risk it? I won't tell."

There was a pause when I heard nothing mentally then Sam said, "I'd like to, Piper. Would you be my girlfriend then?"

"I can but we can't let anybody know. They can see love and that is alright but nothing about sex. They would use that against us. I don't think Knox will kick me out and that is because I get results. I also know too much for her to let me go."

"Your mind tells me that she might kill you?"

"You're the one reading her mind. You said she sees herself as the wealthiest person alive and ruling the world from behind the politicians."

"You're right, she would kill. She was thinking of my cousin Nick one day and she would have killed him like a bug."

"I knew that and I can't read minds. I just have to plan a lot."

"Would you take me with you?"

"Sam, I'd love to but Knox says you are only going to be able to function for three to five more months then three months more in the hospital."

There was a rather long pause and Sam reluctantly said, "I know. She wants to cure me but she doesn't see any hope, even if she brings the best doctors in."

I got Sam to lower his pants and then his shorts. His cock was sticking out and curved up. This was different than what I saw in the pictures. I said, "Show me how you do it and I'll try then."

"Are you sure?"

"Sam, I'm beside you and you are almost naked. Now get to work. I want to see it spurt."

Sam put his hand to his cock and it started to shrink. I didn't have to be a mindreader to know he was having second or third thoughts. I reached out and held his hairy sack. It was kinda ticklish to me and Sam even jumped.

I said to Sam with a mental laugh, "I won't hurt your baby."

Sam saw the levity to this and he started to get hard again. Soon he was giving me feedback to what I was doing. Some of my touches were too delicate and others just right. It didn't take long to see the technique Sam was using and I took over. I didn't know how big he was compared to other men but he was big in my hand.

"Yeah, just like that. Slow and take long strokes."

I tried it and then changed to another way when Sam flooded my head with the feelings flowing through him. I felt his love for me. His cock shot four times and I felt even more love. I had to push him back against the wall and in a moment he recovered.

Sam said, "I do love you, Piper. I just wish I had the time to show it."

I cleaned up the mess and flushed it down a toilet after pretending to pee. Almost every room had at least some microphones and cameras. We walked back into view later with a magazine open in my hands. Sam used his voice to tell me what I was supposed to be seeing. At the same time he was trying to send me visual data of what he saw when his senses quested through the walls.

A week later a cute little black girl came to us. She had the same problem as Sam and had a screwed up chromosome 21. Kelly took the girl and I didn't get to see who brought her.

The next morning Knox, Kelly, and the little girl were gone. I didn't act differently around Sam but I saw that he was upset. After breakfast I found Sam standing where he could not be seen but the microphones were close.

I said verbally, "Hi Sam. Let's do some exercises?"

"Ok but I don't feel good. I think it might be the flu."

Mentally he said, "The little girl died early this morning. I tried to say hi to her but her mind was pretty bad. At least she had a chance to be like me and see the real world even if it was only for a while."

My mind was jumbled. I didn't live in a world where people I met died. Sam tried to cover for me by saying whatever popped into his mind.

I could not sleep that night. Kimberley had decided that she liked sex a lot and took up with the rest of the girls. A few weeks ago, Knox had used a plastic cock on her to take her virginity. Since she was the new meat in town Knox went back for more every day until Kim was really stretched.

Sam said that Knox wanted to show that she had the biggest cock and any man that got Kim would not measure up. Because of all this I had to sleep alone most of the time. I missed how close Kim and I were but we were destined to part at some time.

The next morning, Sam said only to me, "I learned more."

"Tell me."

"People will see your face."

"Ok, we'll have to wait until later."

When I went to the bathroom I heard, "Look down, Honey, and I'll talk."

"Ok, Sam."

"The drug killed the girl. The girl came from an agency. Sheila used her connections to get the girl transferred to the Jamieson Clinic. The clinic sent the girl here. Lots of people die young that have what I have."

There was a long pause and I waited. Sam then said, "One of the doctors that saw me just filled out a death certificate. Since the girl was going to die young, her death was not supposed to arouse suspicions. There won't be any autopsy."

"That woman is evil."

"I know she is but I am not held back by all of your ideas on saving everybody. Hell, if I had my way, I would not let anybody like me survive."

"I think you read Knox's mind too much."

"No, I don't, and that's the way Knox is going to dispose of my body. She doesn't want an autopsy. She wants my head though and plans to steal it from the undertaker."

"How disgusting."

"It's ok with me. I'll be dead and won't need it. Besides, she may learn something."

"That's so sick."

"Maybe a little but she's going to get the ceramics kiln altered to burn bodies if she needs it. She thinks it will stink too much and the neighbours will complain. She is going to tell a contractor that she is making parts out of plastics and wants it all burnt so there is no pollution. As a backup plan she says that she had organic samples and small quantities of drugs that need to be safely disposed of."



-------

Chapter 6


"That fuck'n dyke ran roughshod over the board. I wish Dad were here because I could say, 'I told you so.'"

Carl Jenkins put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Gordon, you're smarter than she is. She's goading you for some reason. Think of what it is and counteract it."

"She sees me as her rival. It's almost like two male dogs even if she is a bitch."

"I saw that long ago and so did you. What's her newest plan? It has to be to get higher in the company."

"What if she just wants to get rid of me?"

"Between you and me, I think she'd quit if she didn't have anybody to fight."

"I'd rather see her go."

"I would too but I think you like the challenge."

"What!"

"You heard me. You're a competitor just the same as she is. You've done better work since she arrived and I think it's not just to show us that you are better but to show Knox."

"That's bullshit."

"Maybe it is but it's what I think."

Sheila listened to the recording later and commended the two males in seeing the obvious. Again to herself she said, "The props are set and all I need now is for the actors to remember their lines."

That night instead of going home, Sheila met Liana in a cosy restaurant. Sheila said, "You look beautiful tonight. Your husband is a lucky man."

"I think so too but he loves that television better." Both women had a laugh at the husband's expense.

They had a few glasses of wine and some hors d'oeuvres while talking about minor matters.

Liana finally said, "What is it you would like to talk about Sheila?" It was hard to talk to this woman by her first name.

"To be blunt, I want to work even harder to get Lover Boy fired."

"I'd love to help but he's taken more steps to guard his experiments. After the last few times, he went into a rage. He has too many friends and relatives on the board."

"You're right, but when I rub their noses in the excrement they'll have to do something."

"I don't want to get fired, Sheila."

"You won't be. I know what he did and it will be possible to get around his protection."

"What if I get caught?"

"I'll find you a better job at more pay. Just remember what Lover Boy did to your bum."

-------

Sam was depressed one morning and I said across the breakfast table, "What's wrong, Sweetie?"

Sam didn't look my way but he did bring his head up. "Two boys came in last night. They're not dead but they should be. One's curled up into a ball and doesn't move. I can hardly reach his mind. The connections in their heads are destroyed. The other one is yelling and screaming. His mind is jumbled. They had to wrap him up so he won't hurt himself."

"How do you know?"

"I talked to Janice when she came out for a snack. She tried to hide her thoughts like Miss Knox does and I didn't let on. She tried to trick me but I didn't fall for her trap."

"What did she do?"

"She had a picture in her head of a girl having sex with her. She hid her thoughts behind this. It was hard but I didn't get hard or anything. I even talked properly."

"That's good or you wouldn't get to meet anybody. You better eat. You're attracting looks."

"Thanks, but there's more."

"What did you find?"

"Miss Knox has always made illegal drugs and sold them to people. Some hurt them. She heard about a new drug three years ago and got some sent here. She made lots of it so she can get richer. She's angry that she has to stop this so she can work on the stuff she gave me."

"She's already rich."

"She thinks she needs every penny. Some of the people that work for Janice are bad people. They use the drugs that are made. Miss Knox uses them to do the 'dirty work' and they don't care."

"What dirty work?"

"They cut up the dead people and take them away."

This made me cringe but it made sense.

When Sam went back to eating, he said, "The clinic is getting more people but now they won't all have what I got. Miss Knox wants to try this out on normal people."

"How does she expect to get away with this?"

"The people were like you and Kim. They ran away from home. The newcomers have not been on the street long enough to learn all the ropes and make a lot of friends. They're going to be sent from all the big cities. One guy that used to buy her stuff is going to get the people and send them to Miss Knox."

"What are we going to do?"

"You're the smart one. How am I supposed to know. Almost everything I saw in the last few months is completely new to me."

"I could get away and call the police but I doubt if I would be believed. If they did come then Knox would come to either me or Kim and she would do things that would make us talk."

Sam said, "All I can suggest is to learn all you can. You're smart but you don't know enough yet. You need to get away and you need money and lots of it."

"How am I going to get money?"

"You could rob a bank but maybe you can get the money Miss Knox has. I can give you the numbers she uses to get her money out of the bank."

"You're going to get lucky, Mister." Sam said nothing but I felt his excitement and so did some of the others and they looked at him.

Rather than go directly to Sam's room, I went outside in the snow to see the construction of the kennels. It was been a metal barn and beside it was a large chain link enclosure on an even larger concrete pad. The building was also supposed to be heated in case people were going to be stationed there. I didn't go near the workers. I knew I was being watched.

The property was large and the house was very big. The walls surrounding the property were fifty two double paces from the house at the closest place but her paces in the snow were not very great. The driveway went around the house and this was cleared of snow.

The contractors had finished making the alterations to the ceramics kiln. Sheila had made a minor point of saying to the staff and students that she was having the work done to get rid of biological samples from her lab.

The back wall had another gate and a nearby building. This was off-limits and said to be just a place for security. Sam said there was a big basement and a tunnel to get to the basement of the main house.

The next building was large too and this was the garage. Above it was the lab that we were not allowed to enter. Sam said that there was a basement here too and this is where the test subjects were now staying. A similar tunnel linked to the main house.

In between were tennis, badminton, volleyball and a large swimming pool that was covered all year long. The pool room had some bicycles for the girls to keep in shape. The basement of the main house had a gym and an exercise room. Everybody was expected to put in a minimum number of hours in exercises and in karate instruction. The mats had been the scene of many all-girl orgies that brought in the house and the security staff as well as the teachers. Usually when parties formed the sex happened on a large scale. Most of the time, it was the young people simply letting off steam.

Piper went to her computer and worked on her diary. It was a given that the diary was read by others though Sheila said that this would not happen. She wrote in about her observations and added what she was going to ask the woman of the house.

I got ready for my economics class. The math was beyond grade seven level by at least three years. Working in this class was difficult. Not only did I have to master the mathematics but also learn what the class was teaching.

Sam sent his love mentally and I returned it the same way. It had to be short because of the concentration necessary.

During exercise class, Sam showed up and got on the treadmill. He liked watching the girls exercise and the girls didn't mind even if they knew he could see through their clothing.

Kelly showed up and came to Sam and said, "Hi Sam, we have a new test. Will you let me have your arm?"

"You going to stick me?"

"I'm sorry, but yes."

He just put out his arm. I got off of my bike and came over to look what was happening. I said, "How do you find the vein?"

"I'll show you."

Kelly taught both of them how to make an injection. I said to both of them with wide eyes, "Can I do this next time? I want to learn."

Sam said, "It's alright with me."

Kelly said, "I'll check to find out."

I then said, "What was this injection for?"

Sam and I studied Kelly as she said, "This one is to see if we can dull Sam's ability to pick up other people. He will have to go into public someday."

"That's good. I hear his father is getting better and we can try a short trip to test it out during the man's birthday. If that happens you are going to have to go too."

Kelly thought and then said, "I think you're right."

When Kelly left, I said, "Did she tell the truth?"

"She didn't try to hide anything."

"I don't trust her."

"She is actually more sympathetic than you think. She knows about some of the deaths. She sees them as necessary to learn but she does not want to see anybody hurt. People are all crazy you know."

"I already figured that."

Later that afternoon, it was my turn to do some experiments on Sam. The young man's ability to detect those around him had greatly diminished but still worked. They still tried to trick him but his ability allowed him to detect the traps and prepare for them.

I sat in a chair out of view of the camera and slipped into the bathroom quietly. Sam listened to my instructions and said verbally, "I need to go to the bathroom." A moment later he was in the bathroom and closed the door. He took off his clothes and hurried into the shower.

There was no cameras in this enclosure. Sam stood up in front of me and said, "I'm ready, Honey."

"Good, because I'm horny."

"Are you going to play with yourself this time?"

"Yes. It's more fun."

"I like when you do that. I shoot lots more."

I started to run my hand up and down Sam's cock while the other hand reached under her skirt and played with my pussy. I had done this at least thirty times now and never tired of it. This time I felt that extra tingle.

"Sam?"

"Uh? Yes, Honey."

"I am going to give you a very difficult job to do."

"Later, ok?"

"No."

"Ok."

"Now keep your mind closed. I'm going to make you extra happy and I don't want everybody to hear us with their ears or their minds."

"I'll try but what are you going to do?"

"I want to taste this sausage of yours."

"What!"

"Are you going to try hard?"

"Are you sure?"

"Read my mind and see."

"Oh, yeah. You're extra tingly. I'll try to do what you want but it's going to be difficult."

"Ok but no hands. I don't want to choke."

"Ok."

I moved forward while moving my hand in my panties quickly. The head of Sam's cock went into my mouth. I tasted only skin which was ok. I could also feel what Sam felt and I had to get him to cut back even more. This time I only used my mouth and in less than half a minute the feeling of intense pleasure rushed through each of us.

We found ourselves in the bottom of the tub. Sam pulled me close and kissed me gently. "I love you with all my heart and I just wish I had enough time to be here with you."

I was overcome with his emotions. we both knew that he was not going to be able to live too much longer.

I was the one to get up and found some semen on my face. I wiped it off with my finger and looked at it then at a morose lover. I showed my finger and put it into her mouth and sucked it off. I said to Sam, "I love you too. That stuff tastes tangy. I may have to go back for more."

"For you, I'll make a lot."

-------

I had lots of data that had been harvested from Sheila's mind. There was no real safe place and my memory was not that good. Slips of paper were cut to just fit within a book and I used a pen to write down in small characters what I was told. The book was used to transfer the pages to the library where Sam said there were no cameras. The notes were then hid in a small gap under a bookcase.

There was no record kept of those that died. This had to be memorised. If Knox found the notes, she would see that I was just a sneaky competitor and perhaps see me as a kindred spirit. Comments about deaths, would look like a chance to blackmail or to give them to the authorities. Both of these would be fatal.

The fact that Knox was running a drug empire hurt too. The new drug was supposed to be very good but also addicting. The money coming in was fantastic but Sheila wanted the power it brought with the people she sold the drugs too.

Knox spent long hours on her work for Stethbridge. She was working very diligently on some variants of Abicore-L. On her own initiative she had written a program and had it sent to a data processing facility. She got back a list of six possible substances.

Stethbridge was going to pull the plug on the project and Sheila wanted all the information she could get before that happened. Before the next board meeting she spent lavishly to produce the six possibilities. Her people had done the impossible in just four weeks and Sheila had a kilo of each compound.

During the next board meeting Sheila brought up what she had done and why. The cost was considerable. People jumped on her and Gordon Colins III was the most vocal.

Sheila didn't back down and read what her orders had been in relation to the compound AB463R. She shifted her defence to an attack after she was attacked personally. This was important because she was recording what was being said.

Sheila said, "You called me a bulldyke one time too many. At least I'm not banging all my employees whenever the chance comes instead of doing some honest work. If you had been doing your job perhaps your projects wouldn't have failed so miserably."

"It was sabotage," he yelled at her with a red face.

"You're not able to face reality I see."

There were lots of short statements that were cut off by the other. Sheila commented that 'Lover Boy' thought with his dick and what he screwed best was his work. By then Sheila was close to him and pointing a finger at has face and his deficient genitals. Her words were inflammatory but still moderated. Her gestures and body language said a lot more that could not be recorded on the device in her purse.

The end came when Gordon Colins III pulled his hand back and slapped Sheila as hard as he could. She had seen it coming and went with the blow. She fell against the table and then to the floor. Gordon pulled back his foot but reconsidered and put it down.

Sheila theatrically got to her knees then her feet and said, "Now you did it 'Lover Boy'. This company has to fire you now."

"Like hell they will."

Sheila stalked out of the room but had a small smile as she did so. She went to everybody she had to go to and made her complaint known.

Later that day, Carl Jenkins came to see her. He said, "So this is what you were up to. Not bad, I think but Gordon is a good researcher."

"I have no comment to make on that. The fact is he started to make a personal attack on me then on my methods. In the end he physically assaulted me. I want justice."

"I'm sending both of you home for a few days to cool off. When you come back, we can talk this over with cooler heads."

"I have work to do."

"We are cancelling AB463R."

"It shows promise."

"It gives brain lesions in fifteen percent of the cases. That figure may go higher with time."

"What about my other work?"

"You have good managers that can look after them."

"Are you treating me any differently than Gordy?"

"Not in the least. He is out to cool off too."

Sheila tidied up and cleaned up all incriminating evidence that remained. The recordings of her labs and office would be transmitted by laser in the same way as the images and sound from Gordy's domain. A small bug in Jenkins' office would help in her planning.

Sheila drove directly to her lawyers. They had been prepared before hand. A copy of her recording was made and they listened to it all and made comments.

One lawyer said, "You did this very well. You sounded conciliatory or just defending your honour while Mr Colins does not. Your later comments are understandable when you are hurling back invective in retaliation for what was thrown at you. Our team will go over this a few more times to make sure we get everything."

Sheila came home happy. She was so happy that she gave orders that AB463S or the new Abicore-M be used on three street people.

Sam knew about this almost immediately but outwardly tried to remain calm. His headaches had returned and now the medication didn't help as much.

When Piper came into the room, she picked up the front of her skirt. She had no panties and only a little hair. Sam forgot his headache and said, "Hello, Piper. How are you doing?"

"Fine, what about you? You look worse."

"The same I guess."

"You want to do some tests?"

"I'm sick of them. I get tested all the time and for a break I have to study."

"Can you sense the painting on the other side of the wall?"

There was a short pause and he said, "The same as usual. It's blurry from here."

"Then get closer until it comes in clear."

Sam did as he was asked but the pain got worse when he stood. I said, "Are you ok, Sweetie?"

"I'm always better with you here."

Sam moved forward and out of camera range. As soon as he was out, I was in front of him and undoing his zipper. I sucked him in quickly. Sam was always quick the first time and it was only a minute before I got a protein supplement.

When Sam recovered, he said, "I can see it clearly from here."

"That's good, Sam."

"Any improvement?"

"No, but you're due for another treatment. You weren't as strong at this portion of the last cycle."

"So I'm getting stronger?"

"Yes. I talked to Miss Knox and she mentioned that she would like you to miss one or two treatments but I don't know when this will happen."

"Why? I'm doing good."

Sam quickly did up his pants and I said, "Remember, you wanted to see your father and your relatives. It's better the first time for you to not rely on strattera to block their minds." Just then Kimberley came in. She knocked first though.

When she was in she said, "Hi guys. We got a treat. She — Miss Knox is going to be home for a few days."

I smiled and said, "And you want to have some fun?"

"Well, yeah. Why don't you join us. It's a blast."

"It probably is but I'm not where I am without a lot of work and even more dedication."

"Piper, you're the same place as me. We're in school."

"I'm here to get an education. It's a lot different. One day I'll get a unit to manage and move up from there."

Kimberley soon left and Sam quickly said, "They got her to ask again. They find your body too delectable to let waste."

"Sounds like you want a taste again?"

"That's a drug I can be happily addicted to."

"We can get a chance in two hours but we can have a quick taste now."

"That I won't refuse." Sam said aloud, "I can try to see the room above."

"You pervert, that's a bedroom."

"It gives me incentive to try harder."

"Ok, then do it."

"I have to lie down."

Sam quickly got on his back and again out of range of the camera. Piper soon squatted over his mouth and in a few seconds had his zipper down once more. It took longer this time but both came violently.

That night I was summoned again. I sat in a chair across from Sheila. The woman said, "Sam is quite taken with you."

"Yes, I know."

The response was quick and Sheila paused. I said, "To get the maximum cooperation I need to invest some of myself. Sam consistently gives better results with me. In fact, he does up to ten percent better. It's because he wants to please me."

"You know he's dying?"

"I'm well aware of that. I'm doing this to learn more. When he dies I will be hurt but my investment is not enough to give me too much of a problem."

"You don't go on many excursions with the rest."

"There's little to learn. My time's better spent here."

Sheila played with her pen then said, "Are you interested in taking on another subject?"

I tried to make my eyes light up in fake happiness. "Sure, but not unless I can see my other project to completion."

"That is very commendable. Your studies will suffer but you're learning to manage and that's important too."

"Would you tell me about the new project?"

"This is a young lady of nineteen. At the moment she's very belligerent and resentful of her treatment."

"I assume this subject would like to leave. I don't think I could stop her by myself."

"There's no need. She will be sedated or restrained. You can be her friend and do the tests."

Sam had hinted of this a few weeks ago but he knew of no sane survivors to date. Piper said, "To get her cooperation I'll need her in restraints and I will fight in front of her to make her conditions better. She will show some loyalty to me then and cooperate more."

"This woman likes other women. How close would you come?"

"That depends on many factors. She has to be clean to even contemplate this."

"Her preliminary test looks good but more exhaustive tests will be made. How do you expect to hide this plan from her?"

"I posted my findings on blocking Sam. He gained in strength the longer he took the drug. This woman I assume has only had the drug once."

"That's right."

"I should be able to hide from her mind for a week or two. How much authority do I have in this situation? I need to learn but I don't want to be just the person that conducts the tests."

"What do you mean?"

"You're a manager and have some authority where you work. I wish the same thing but under your authority. This way I can work as I feel best. You can assess me on how well I do."

"I like that idea. Shall we fill out a contract?"

"This is good practice but I can only go by what you suggest. Could you assist me in this procedure while still taking the position of employer?"

"I think I can do that."

The next few hours drew us together as the two of us worked on what a contract had to say and what had to be left in a grey area. Sam had found some free time and tried his best to monitor Sheila and transfer the knowledge to me.

Sheila asked, "What do you want for a budget."

"A million dollars a year and this increases ten percent per year and based on the number of subjects."

Sheila was slightly shocked. "That's quite a sum of money. How did you come to this figure?"

"Are you my confidante or my employer now."

"Your friend."

I smiled and said, "My employer has stumbled on a fantastic discovery. There are some bugs but they will be removed in time. She'll use this discovery to become the richest person on the face of the planet. I want to share that dream and some of that power. If I come in with a low budgetary figure she will see my project as unimportant. A million dollars is not that much money these days though still substantial. In years to come I'll get more money each time. If I started small my increases would be small. I should be able to come in under budget on this which should get me some praise from my employer and perhaps a more challenging project next time."

Sheila looked at me. Sam sent to me from a distance, "She thinks you have balls just like she does."

"What else should I do?"

"Just wait. She's not sure how to handle this. Besides, her mind moves lightning quick."

Sheila finally said, "What about your salary?"

Piper smiled again and said, "What ever you want but it's usually based on my budget."

Sheila rarely laughed but did so now and even slapped the desk with unladylike gusto. "You will go far in this world, child."

Janice was summoned to the office and Piper was escorted outside to the Building usually off-limits. Sam said this building had fourteen women in it usually. They had all shown up when the orgies were happening but never all of them at one time.

We went down some concrete steps into the basement and through a small maze of doors and hallways. Eventually we stopped at a steel door. Janice said, "Put your hand on the glass plate. We'll record your pattern."

I put my hand on it and was told to push. This procedure was done fifteen times until the pattern was recorded with variations. The next time I put my hand on the glass, the door slid into the wall.

The two of us went in and the door automatically closed behind us. Janice handed Piper a swipe card and said, "This is yours. Don't ever lose it. If you do then report it immediately. It's your only way of getting in and out of here."

Piper made a face and said, "I'm up to the manager level even if my project is minor. I'm not stupid. You use a device that reads palm prints and there is a swipe card for access. There are cameras here and microphones. For all I know, there may be x-rays. I didn't see any red emergency buttons and this means that others are watching this location. On another topic, this room is under the garage. What's the purpose of coming the round about way?"

Janice didn't say anything but she did listen to her earphone. There was a wait of two minutes then she said, "This is the only secure access point. There is surveillance all through this facility. Anything else?"

"There has to be an emergency exit point. It would be monitored but I want to know where it is so I can get out if there's trouble." There was only a short wait but a door hidden behind some panelling appeared. Behind that were steps going up.

"Thanks Janice. Does this place have knockout gas or tasers?"

"No."

"I'd feel more comfortable if there were."

I used the swipe card but stayed back in case of an attack. Janice chuckled but said nothing. Inside was another set of four doors and a desk with a computer on it. Janice typed in a code and the cameras in the room showed their image on the screen. With five images, the screen showed four with an additional one in the middle.

There was a distraught looking woman in there wearing a straight jacket and nothing else. She was not pretty but rather plain looking. Her red hair was scattered all over. At the moment she was in the corner of a padded room with her legs tucked up close to her.

The two looked at the scenes and Janice showed how to manipulate the surveillance to enlarge only one screen and still zoom in.

Janice said, "Anything more you want?"

"My name is Piper, Janice. I'm not your enemy."

"I know that."

"You act neutral as if you're hiding behind your job."

"I'm not."

"Will you open the door please, Janice?"

When the door opened, the smell hit Piper but she disregarded it. The girl got to her feet with difficulty but stayed with her back to the corner.

I said in a quiet voice, "Hi. I'm P — "

"Piper, I know. You're my jailor."

"You're right, but I'm just a junior jailor third class. Can we talk without theatrics?"

"Sure, as long as you let me out."

I said to Janice but her eyes stayed on the woman. "Is there a shower facility here?"

"Down the hall."

The woman just looked at me and walked forward. Janice was going to get in the way but my hand stopped the movement.

The woman led the way because she picked the information out of Janice's mind. Without being asked, I started to remove the buckles from the vest. The woman looked at Janice and at me intently but didn't do anything when the jacket was removed. She entered the shower area and spent half an hour cleaning herself and her long red hair.

While the woman washed, I said, "Hi. I never got your name." When no reply came she continued, "I'm sorry you're here. You can read my mind to see that it's the truth." I then said, "You fell into the clutches of a mad woman bent on getting fantastically powerful. I fell into her clutches too but it was before she discovered the drug. This room and all the rest have cameras and microphones in the walls and ceilings. There is a fourteen woman security contingent. Some of them are very nasty. This property has walls all around it.

"There is one more person here that can read minds. He's twenty four. His name is Sam. He can also push his thoughts into another mind but this came after a few weeks. He also has this neat ability to know what is on the other side of a barrier. It all started when he wanted to see some pussy."

The woman looked directly at me but she could not detect anything and said so.

I said, "You're just one of a few guinea pigs. You survived but others didn't, only about ten percent survive taking the drug and remain sane. If you look into my mind again you will see that I'm petrified of Knox. I have a tiger by the tail and I can't let go until I have a good plan."

I closed off my thoughts for a second and the woman quickly looked at me. "Sam taught me that. I want to get out of this situation alive. Knox is rich and I wouldn't get far. If we work together perhaps we can escape together. The choice is yours."

"My name is Tiffany Lish."

"Hi Tiffany. I'm sorry you're here. I have to say one thing and think another so listen but you have to go by what you hear more often than not."

"Well, I'm sorry too. How do I get out of here?"

"We have to run some tests. Freedom can come when you show that you're not a threat."

"How am I a threat?"

"You could tell the police."

"They wouldn't believe me."

"When you read their minds, they will try very hard to believe you. If they didn't, others would. I'm talking government types here."

"Yeah, I guess they would. What happens next?"

"I'll see about getting you some clothes first. Then we talk more. You have been given a fantastic gift but I'm afraid that it probably wears off. We're testing that now. Sam will miss his next — "

Janice moved quickly and I said to her, "Tiffany can read minds. I can't hide my thoughts from her. Ever since I met her she has been sorting through my memories. I can't keep her out. She knows more about me than my mother ever did."

"That's not right."

"Janice, we entered a new millennia when Sam took the second drug. You have to change with it or it will swamp us. If you ride the wave well enough you can go even higher. If you fail, you'll drown."

"I hate smart kids."

"I don't particularly like crotchety old women."

"Who's old?"

"I'm twelve. You're as old as the hills."

"You need your butt paddled."

"My father did that and then he started punching and kicking me so I guess you're right, Janice."

Janice gave a look that said she was sorry but no words came forth.

Tiffany said, "Come, come, children. Learn to get along. Who's going to get me some clothes"

When Tiffany finished, she was handed some clothing. I said to Tiffany, "This is no good. We'll get you some clothes like we wear later."

"I never went to a private school before."

"Well you don't just yet. I have to sort of — get you to act like a student first. The estate has good security and you would only represent a small additional risk. It's a lot better than the accommodations down here. To fit in, though, you are going to have to really study. This is not for fun."

"Why should I? You just want to run tests."

"You have to be seen as loyal. If you don't make it then you are not given any more drug and soon you are just a crazy girl claiming that she used to read minds. If you're loyal and hardworking you get a great job. You make all kinds of money. Miss Knox needs all sorts of people to help her. You could walk by a politician and find out his deepest and darkest secrets then he will vote the way she wants." I added, "Agree with this and think greed. Knox can understand this. Don't think as if you have a conscience and don't mention Knox being crazy."

"Sounds like a lot of money to be made here."

"Oh, there is. If you knew the insides of a company then you could tell of a stock split or a merger. Maybe you could be a triple 'O' seven, not just a double."

"That might be fun. When do I eat. Room service won't get a tip from me."

Food came and the three of us ate together. Janice sat further away so she had more of a chance if she were jumped. Tiffany asked all her questions and I helped guide them for our audience. Tiffany could not appear to be beaten too quickly but just be swayed in our direction.

We did the same tests that we gave Sam and this time I had Tiffany help tabulate the results. This would make her more of an assistant and less of a prisoner. Books came later along with some bedding that would go on the padded floor. Later I would get her a bed like the rest of us.

When we were about to leave, Tiffany said, "Are you coming back tomorrow?"

"Read my mind. We're sisters in a way."

I got a smile and she said, "Goodnight, Janice. Goodnight, Piper."

Janice gave a "Humppp," while I gave a proper response.

I reported directly to Knox without being summoned. She let me in and said, "You did very well."

"Thank you. With mind readers, you have to tell the truth and only try to hide the most important facts. One of the books I read talked of voters listening to a liar and a thief and voting him in again. There must be lots of conflicts within my brain but she took the ideas I presented."

"Do you recommend she join the school?"

"I have to come up with a suitable cover story that Tiffany will accept. If she does, then I don't see why not. You have security and they may just have to work a little harder."

"What if she needs a watchdog?"

"You can put somebody with her."

"Then I choose you."

"Me!"

"You are her patron in a way."

"I cannot sponsor her. I can only give my opinion. If she does not work out it is not my fault. She was forced into a strange situation and she may be inherently unstable. She was a runaway like Kim and I were."

"Kimberley has found friends that accept her. She does not use her own bed."

"She needs her own desk and computer. She needs her own bed even if it's just a way for her to get away from the rest. I hope you will not be getting rid of students if you find one new one. I know that over time you're going to find a lot more."

"You still amaze me with your perception. There are unused rooms that could be converted to dormitories with no problem."

"That takes a load off of my mind. I noticed that the kennel is nearing completion. I'm asking to take care of the dogs. I would like Kim to be my assistant. If Tiffany works out I want her to help too. A dog shows a great deal of loyalty and Tiffany may pick up the same trait by working with them."

"I suppose you wish to be the alpha of the pack?"

"I do."

"Why?"

"My father kept a hunting dog once. I found it beneficial to be part of a pack but I have to be the dominant one. The most telling is," I waited a few seconds and added, "I like puppies."

"Well, I like dogs too but have no time. I can't promise you anything because you haven't proved yourself on your new project."

"I'll work hard, ma'am."

"What of your budget?"

"This will be far less, a mere half million, but I pay for the food."

The older woman thought for a split second and laughed again. "One day you'll make your mark on the world."

-------

After meeting with the tiger, I went to see Sam. He was waiting for me. This time I gave him all the information I could. It took time to transfer thoughts this way. Sam said that just reading a mind meant skimming until the right facts were found then diving in to examine them. Sam did this now while we tried to carry on a simple verbal conversation. In the end I gave him a hug. We both liked this and it was seen enough on the cameras to not be unusual.

Sam said, "You want me to meet Tiffany?"

"If I don't do it then Knox will make it happen. You can pretend to go gaga over her. I will indicate that this is a way of controlling Tiffany through you. In the meantime she gets to learn what you have learned up until now."

"I'll do it if you want, Honey."

I gave a smile and then said, "You better go play with that wiener for a while to show them that you're not finding a hidden place for your semen."

"I was saving it for you but you're right. I'll think of you though."

"You better."

I went to bed and found Kim in hers. This was unusual but I somehow felt that she had her period early. I cleaned up and got in bed behind her and just held her. Just because she found a lot of fun with the others didn't mean that I loved her less. Kim liked me here because she wiggled to get a bit closer.

When the alarm went off I had to go to my bed and shut it off. Kim hadn't moved but that wasn't unusual. I pulled back the sheets to let the cool air onto her skin.

"It's cold."

"Time to get up sleepy head."

I looked across her and found her curled into a ball to keep warm. Her panties showed something in them. For a second I thought that her pad had shifted but then I realised that it had to be a butt plug. I'd never seen one but it could be nothing else. It looked like Sheila and maybe the rest wanted to show their dominance in more ways than sticking a large dildo into Kim's vagina.

When Kim didn't move I said loudly so she could hear, "Kim, get up."

"Alright you meanie."

The way Kim got up quickly reminded me that she was a girl with passive tendencies. It might just be that the rest were getting off on this. Kim might like it too but I would have to wait for the time to find out.

Kim walked a bit funny but I could almost feel her pleasure. I was sure now she liked her present circumstance in this house. She was well fucked and, more important, she found her niche where she was wanted. I felt happy for her and a little sad too.

As I came down the steps I thought about Sam until he responded. I was closer than I was yesterday so he was losing his ability.

After breakfast, I tested Sam and documented his ability against some of our now standard tests. I was given the real answers directly from Sam but I put in lower scores as usual for the record.

I thought of Tiffany and called out to her mentally and hoped she could pick me up. This was also a test. I went to housekeeping and got some sheets and pillows and went to security. They had no trouble letting me go through and I was surprised that I was not getting an escort. I had a problem with the palm print reader because of my burden.

Tiffany looked sad but brightened when she actually saw my face. I dumped the clothes in the clean room she had been staying in and simply hugged the woman. She hugged me back fiercely until she felt my pain.

"Sorry," she said.

"Big hugs are nice too."

When we parted, I got her to help me make a bed on the padded floor. She immediately saw that there were two pillows and they were side by side. I let her see an image of us sleeping together.

"You want to sleep with me?"

"Why not. When we get you prepared you're going to go into the main house. Miss Knox wants us to be roomies."

"She wants to keep an eye on me."

"If your roles were reversed, wouldn't you do the same? Fight my idea and then concede in a minute."

"I wouldn't take anybody in the first place. It isn't right."

I said, "It has always been right if you're powerful enough. In your case, you just have to learn to accept what you can't change."

"I still wouldn't lock anybody up in a jail."

"My parents did that to me a lot until they found I didn't care and started hitting me instead."

"Your parents were a lot like mine."

I sat on the padding now and Tiffany followed suit. I hugged a pillow as Tiffany talked about her early life. When she started to sniffle, I scooted over and held her. More words and ideas came out and she talked about how she was raped not once but twice. Her parents figured it was her fault the second time and that hurt Tiffany even more.

We talked for a few hours. I got my own story in but only hit the high and the low points. I guess I had a few sniffles too and Tiffany pulled the sheet over and wiped my eyes.

She smiled, "If you're going to start spreading snot make sure you use your side of the sheet."

"I'm not going to make a mess."

I had to go and get more supplies and it was odd not to say goodbye verbally because we could still communicate for a while after parting. I relied on Tiffany to know what I was doing simply by letting her read my mind.

I came back with some blankets, snacks, and some bottled water. On the top of the pile was a box of tissues inside an empty garbage pail.

When I put my load down, we started back with what made us what we were. This time we could use the tissues. I was a little startled when Tiffany tensed up.

I said, "What's wrong?"

"Somebody's coming."

"You've got to watch that. They'll see your reaction with the cameras and measure how far away the person was and get an idea of your range. If you have to, say it's a vague feeling and only be specific when the person is three metres away. That's what we've been doing. Then Knox will figure she's safe if she's further away." Tiffany gave me a squeeze to let me know she understood.

It was actually two women from security. They had trays with our food on it. It must be past lunchtime if this happened.

One woman of about forty said, "Here you go girls. I hope you two move to the house so I don't have to deliver food all the time."

I said, "I hope so to. Thanks for bringing it for us."

Tiffany cheerfully said, "Thanks for the time and effort. I'd talk all day and forget about food."

Both of the women smiled and left. I heard the main door close though so I knew that Knox wasn't ready to let Tiffany move up in station yet.

Tiffany put her mouth close to my ear and whispered. "They want your cute little body."

I said, "I've only had sex with my friend and my sister when I was younger. Now I love Sam but not like a husband. He's more of a brother that's sick and needs some care. I had two brothers, both of them real jerks. Sam is the brother I always wanted, he really cares about me. I look at his wiener and see it as a nice toy that gets real juicy."

For the next part of the day we just lazed around and had girl talk. Tiffany teased me by talking about her sexual exploits but was mean and cut out the juiciest parts.

I fought back by describing Karen in Orillia. I started by describing the girl and then went into the details that you wouldn't see if you just glanced at her. My mind was closed off to Tiffany now so she had to rely on words alone. I went on to talk about what she was like inside. It took fifteen minutes to let Tiffany pick out Karen in a crowd if they ever met.

Our usual sexual encounter was mentioned next and I went into excruciating detail as I talked about kissing her lips and the textures I found. My lips had gone over all of Karen's body so I described all the high and the low points.

Tiffany was rubbing her pussy and I ignored this and talked about the soft fuzz around Karen's lower lips. Tiffany had her hands inside her panties by the time I mentioned the feel of her inner lips on my tongue. I went on to say how I gently pinched Karen's nipple as I tasted the sweet liquid I found inside my lover.

Tiffany had enough and took off her panties and kicked them away. She got under one of the blankets I brought and really went to work. I continued with my detailed description of Karen's button and all the parts I found when her flower opened for me.

I didn't get a chance to finish before Tiffany shook and arched from her own manipulation. I got closer to her and sat near her head and petted her and moved the hair out of the way. On impulse I bent over and kissed her lips and her arms came up to hold me gently as she returned the kiss.

I said verbally after a minute, "Do you feel better, Baby?"

Tiffany smiled and in a baby voice said, "Yes, Mommy. It was exciting. Tell me more."

"Only if you're going to be a good girl?"

"Ok, Mommy."

"Well, Karen has a cute bum and as I said before a beautiful bum hole. Sometimes I would get her to lay on the side of the bed so I could kneel on the floor and get to most of the important parts. When her parents were out and the windows closed, she would go all out and scream when I licked her just right.

"We used baby oil so I could wiggle my finger into her bum. She loved that. When she started to cum I moved my fingers in her bum very fast. If it wasn't for her legs I'd be deaf by now. The windows must have shook.

"Sometimes I had her kneel at the edge of the bed when we needed to be quieter. It was as if she could control her bum because it always opened for me when I tried. We had this nice candle and I would make it slippery and put it in. Karen's head would go back and forth and soon her back would arch. She was always able to scream into her mattress. She squeezed the candle hard and I could feel the contractions in her pussy."

Tiffany had gone back to playing with her own pussy and when it came time for her next explosion she reached up with one hand and pulled our lips together. I kissed her hard and demanding while picturing Karen's hairless pussy and the way she looked when she came with my fingers in her.

Tiffany's explosion came and her back arched high and stayed up for a moment until she fell back almost lifeless to the padding. Our kiss didn't end and she pulled me around so I was on top of her.

I guess I was horny too and just forgot about who I was with or where we were. Tiffany had my panties off soon enough and then had me turned around. When her lips and tongue worked on me I had to remove the blanket to find what she had.

Tiffany was very wet as was the sheet under her. She smelt of woman but something was added. I only had Karen and Kim to go by but Tiffany was older. I forgot about the smell and the taste as I attacked her clit with my lips. Tiffany had rolled her tongue and was fucking me with it.

My fingers entered Tiffany but it was hard to do much in this position. I could get four fingers in easily so she must have had lots of lovers. It was when I folded my thumb between my fingers that my hand slowly worked its way into her. Tiffany abandoned my pussy and I just hung on for dear life. I knew enough to continue thrusting into her but her back arched so high that I slid down her legs and my hand was pulled out of her.

I was horny as hell but I waited for Tiffany to recover and look at me. I took my hand and formed it in the right shape and began to lick it. Tiffany just closed her eyes and groaned. I could feel her trying to talk to me mentally but it wasn't clear enough yet.

When Tiffany was able she sat up and looked at me. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"It comes natural. My hands are small like the rest of me. It just slipped right in."

"Well you're a natural all right and I love what you did to me. You used your mind on me and only used words and images. That hasn't happen to me since I was young."

"Next time I think I'll tie you down so I don't get thrown by your bucking around."

"Ohhhh, you like to tie people up do you?"

"I've never tried it. Do you like ropes?"

"I didn't think I did but I may with you. I can read your mind and know you love me and won't hurt me. I can let myself go then."

"It might be fun for me to read minds too."

"It's too late for me to choose but now that I know I would want to continue."

"Do you mean that truly?"

"Yes, why do you ask? Wouldn't anyone?"

"It's just the thing I wanted to hear. If you want to continue you have to get the drugs from Miss Knox. She's the only one. That means that you would never leave because you would want to continue."

She looked at me and said, "Yes, I see what you mean. If I got the chance to leave, I wouldn't do it if I lost my ability. That doesn't mean I'm an addict."

"No, maybe not that kind of an addict but there are other kinds that have a mental dependency. I can help you get more of the drug but I want you to think about the implications."

"You mean how some get brain lesions and lots die. Not everybody gets the lesions and not all of those that do get cancer. I could still lead a full life as long as I'm able to use this power for my own purposes some times."

"I just want you to think like an alcoholic. The next drink is important but you have to try to resist it. You don't have to get blurry eyed drunk. I want you to have a life where you can have the occasional drink with friends and not go on a bender."

"I'll think about it while I munch on you a bit more. You didn't get off."

"I'm going to like tying you up."

It took very little time for the both of us to get my clothes off. Tiffany wasn't into foreplay and I didn't need it. Once her lips met mine, my hands went into her hair and put her where I wanted her. I sent out my feelings like I did to Sam and I tried to pick up Tiffany's the way Sam tried to feed me his emotions and sensations.

We seemed to suddenly fit together like the way Sam and I did and the orgasm came and it came hard. I felt like a chip of wood going down the Niagara. I was tossed one way then another while a current of electricity went through my body.

When I came back to my senses I felt that my hands were still in Tiffany's hair. I was going to let her go but I felt her contentment to just be where she was. From her actions she must have had another cum herself.

I moved my hand and I felt her pain but she didn't mind it. I could feel that it was reassuring to her. It was then that I wondered how we were doing this. Was Tiffany pushing her thoughts into me or was I extracting her feelings from her? The communications with Sam could have opened my mind. It didn't take me long to see why Tiffany would want to continue this form of communications. Perhaps one day my own ability would grow unless I took the drug. That was a risk and one I didn't want to take.

I took my hands from Tiffany's hair and felt her regret. I turned around and flipped her over on her back before straddling her abdomen. Now I reattached my hands and kissed her passionately. I could feel her need for guidance and even acceptance of it. In some ways this was what Kim might feel and I wondered if all women were this way, well, except for Knox.

The rest of the afternoon was a girl only fuckfest. I was dominant and even theatrical but I treated Tiffany like a lover. Later we had to take a shower together to clean up. The sheets and the padding were soaked. Tiffany tended to spurt out her juices which reminded me of how Sam would shoot into my mouth. It felt good to be a receptacle for their juices and I rationalised this as my own type of submission coming to the forefront.

I tidied up Tiffany as if she were my baby and we dressed. After an almost motherly kiss I took the dirty laundry away. I searched for Knox but she was gone.

Sam's presence was felt and I went to see him. I gave him a hug and even a kiss and said, "Hi Sam. How are you?"

"So you were sampling some prime pussy all afternoon. Should I be jealous?"

"Not really. Tiffany needed love and I gave her some. I want to get her up here so you can meet her. Think what it might be like to have two mind readers meet. No barriers."

"She might not like me because I'm stupid."

"Sam, you're not stupid."

"Well, I'm mongoloid."

"Sam, you can't help the way you are. Accept it. You've changed dramatically in the last few months. I see your mind when you send your thoughts to me. That's beautiful enough to attract a woman."

"Really?"

"Yes. Tiffany likes women because she was hurt by men. Maybe you can show her one man that cares for her."

Sam gave me a smile and I kissed him.

Though it was risky I felt compelled to relieve the pressure in Sam's testicles. He learned to not thrash around or even call out mentally. There was a hint of a taste that reminded me of Tiffany. This was ok with me because I liked or even loved both of them.



-------

Chapter 7


Knox didn't come home until the next day. I had slept in the dungeon with Tiffany but sleep didn't come easy. Somebody kept running their lips down my body and attaching themselves to my clit. I had to retaliate and usually got Tiffany to shoot.

When I was summoned to see Knox the next morning she seemed to be busy with paperwork. I just stood like a soldier awaiting orders from her commanding officer.

She didn't even look up when she said, "So you seduced her?"

"It appeared to be the easiest thing to do."

"The tests came back that she has chlamydia."

I wracked my mind about this disease. Many people had it and it was contagious. I figured it could be cured but I was stupid not to wait for the next medical report on Tiffany. I tried to think of a way to use this situation to my advantage but I came up short.

Knox said with an angry tone of voice, "Not only did you have unprotected sex with the woman but you kissed Sam. He may now have this disease too. The addition of antibiotics may skew the experiments."

In my own defence I said, "Preliminary tests said that Tiffany was clean."

"You should have waited for the second series of tests to be completed."

"I'm still twelve and got horny. I had a job to do and I wanted it done quickly. My objective was to make friends with the woman and I think I did that. Antibiotics should cure or prevent the disease from forming in Sam or myself. I only see this as a small problem. My talks with Tiffany shows that she wants to continue with the regimen because of the power it gives her. If she is not lying then she is not about to leave. If she is this cooperative then she could be used to extract data now."

"She could run at the first opportunity."

"Give her the antibiotics only. She'll revert back to her former self. We can all observe her and see if she really misses the effect of the drug. Then you have to assess her to find if she wants the drug more than a limited amount of freedom."

"I've already come to that conclusion. The antibiotics will be administered later. I want Sam to go with us to pick out some pups."

"I'd like to make a few suggestions."

"What are they?"

"Set up a double blind and bring Tiffany to see the dogs before she is fully off the drug. If she tries to run you will be able to intercept her. This will tell you whether she wants more drug or more freedom.

"If she passes take Sam and Tiffany off their medications. Bring some dogs to the house. Let Sam and Tiffany play with them while still under the last influence of the drug. We will learn something I'm sure. You suggested before that Sam should go to his father's birthday when the effects have worn off. In six to nine days we should find that he is probably not exhibiting any effects. At that time we take him or them to a kennel so he can pick out the dogs. One of the dogs should tie Tiffany to us even if only slightly."

"This double blind is a good idea. But you can't go see her after coming up with this idea."

"Then I have been called away. Perhaps some dogs could be loaned to somebody you know. Tiffany can make her decision tomorrow."

"She will know that you set this trap up the next time you see her."

"She knows that she will be tested all the time. She knows I'm aggressive but fair or at least I hope she does."

The plan for Tiffany was a simple trap and I had discussed these ploys with her already. She didn't strike me as stupid but like all of us she could be foolish. I'd like to warn her but I saw no method. All I could do is send a message saying I could not visit for a few days. This had to be simple so it would not be dissected for hidden messages.

My other suggestions were nebulous so Knox had to chose her own methods if she wished to follow any of them. Sam and I were called to Kelly's office and we received some azithromycin. We were told that usually one dose was enough.

I went back to studying for the next three days. When I returned to Tiffany I called out, "Smile when you see me and then read my mind and show anger." This was repeated at least twenty times until I came to the door to Tiffany's area. Then I added, "Don't admit to reading my mind, until I'm close to you." She was very ladylike and asked, "What happened to you, Piper. I missed you."

"There was a minor infection to cure."

"Why didn't you send a message?"

"I did send a message."

She looked into my thoughts and then blew up. "Maybe you did but you tried to trap me." She came across as very angry and I even stepped back half of a step."

She said, "How could you do such a thing? I thought we were friends."

"Miss Knox has to be sure of your motives. It was an easy test. I seem to be on the outs with her myself. I was not told if you looked like you were going to run."

She hotly said, "I didn't try to run."

"Then you passed the first test. Were you told about your infection?"

"I'm clean now but don't believe me. Talk to your Miss Knox."

"In fact I have to. Not because of your word but there may be restrictions I have to follow."

"So I'm not clean enough for you?"

"I said I have to check for restrictions. What's so hard to understand?"

Tiffany seemed to cool down and in a milder voice said, "I thought you were my friend and a friend doesn't try to trap people."

"You told me once that your friend left you with her boyfriend and came back to check. You joked about that."

"This is different."

"Yes, it is. This is much more serious. You want access to a drug that will change the world. The rewards are enormous and the risks are as well. We just have to be sure. If you were in our shoes, you would do the same thing."

"I would not."

I stared at her and now blocked my mind. In a moment her shoulder's slumped and then she started to cry. I moved in and she held me to her. I barely came to her chin but I supported her. In a moment I moved her to her room and set her down on the pads.

"Are you feeling a bit better now?"

"A little."

I used the corner of a sheet to wipe her eyes and said, "You had to pass a test to even start. I warned you when I was here before. You didn't strike me as a foolish woman. So I risked a small easy test for you to pass."

Tiffany took the sheet corner from me and wiped her eyes better. "Why didn't I get the message."

"I can only think that Miss Knox wished some conflict now. You can read my mind to see that I wasn't to blame."

"Why would she do that?"

"Since you would find the truth, she knew you would side more with me."

"I don't like her for doing that."

"There had to be a test."

One of security opened the main door and walked to our room. She gave a weak smile and said to me, "Miss Lish is to be instructed in how to act in the main house so she will not upset the students. She will be introduced tomorrow morning."

I asked, "Do you know about Tiffany's medical?"

"I wasn't given that information."

When meal time arrived, only one tray came and that was for Tiffany so I took the hint and went to the main house to eat and look for Knox. She was conveniently away. Kelly was nowhere to be found.

Sam was coming down from his ESP high and I was careful to make sure I mentioned his faked abilities so he would not be caught.

Sam was happy to see me but somehow deflated because his abilities were leaving. I said, "This is only a medical test. Is your thinking deteriorating?"

"Not that I know of."

"You don't sound that way. Just do more tests until you get to zero or nearly so."

I brought Tiffany to the house the next morning. She already had a school uniform. The students clustered around her like flies on meat but I might be being mean by saying that. Sam was nearby but not in this crowd. When he and Tiffany met it was like everybody else ceased to exist.

This could be dangerous and I brought Sam close so the distance to communicate wouldn't be beyond their faked range. The two just looked at one another and I actually put Tiffany's hand in his. There must be an awful lot of communication going on but I wasn't part of it.

The rest of the students just looked at them until they understood what must be happening. I introduced the students to Tiffany and said that she was like Sam in that she could read minds.

It was nearly a half hour for the two to look around and I started the introductions again. Tiffany's hand was still in Sam's.

Knox made an entrance and Tiffany was polite. Knox took the girl aside and brought her to her office. I called out my warnings about range and traps and I hope Tiffany was able to follow the guidelines for the faked results.

I turned to Sam. He was following Tiffany with his eyes until she disappeared. I asked, "What do you think of her?" It took a while and a slap on his belly to get him to respond.

"She's wonderful. I don't really know what to say. She's the first person I knew so well. It isn't love I feel but it's close. It's as if we knew each other for a hundred years and then met again after a long vacation."

"How good is your range?"

"I can feel her but not read her thoughts. I can still hear her easy. Even at my current power. I could understand her thoughts at maybe a hundred metres. When she learns to transmit it will get better."

"Did she read how to transmit?"

"Yes, I offered this to her and also how I can visualise something on the other side of a barrier."

"Neat."

"Yes it is."

School was nearly cancelled as tests were done on Tiffany and then on her and Sam together. Sam was used to faking the results and Tiffany was a fast learner.

Two days later Kelly, Tiffany, Sam, and I went to visit his family. The father was having a big birthday bash. The strattera was ready but not needed by either of the two.

Sam's family was amazed at the change in him. Some had visited and talked on the phone but now he was in his natural setting. Those that hadn't had time to see him were more shocked than simply amazed.

Sheila was paranoid but still trusted Sam enough not to talk. Kelly was openly his nurse and had orders to sedate him if there was trouble. Tiffany was listed as a fellow sufferer and this allowed her to be sedated more logically if the need arose. There were two cars nearby with two people in each with orders to apprehend Tiffany if she made a break for it. They were outside Sam and Tiffany's stated range.

Tiffany stayed close to Sam and Sam held her hand. This was seen as cute. The family knew of Sam's neuromuscular problems that were leading him to an early death. They were concerned as were the rest of us but it was inevitable.

Matthew, the father, stood with a glass of mineral water and asked, "Piper, I doubt if you're one of the people in the study. Why did you come to this party with strangers?"

"I was Sam's number one girlfriend until Tiffany arrived. I got pushed down to number two pretty quick."

There was quiet around me then Matthew laughed. "I can see that you care for him. Are you one of the students at Miss Knoxs' school?"

"Guilty, I'm afraid. I'm learning business and I was trusted with some important projects. I have to treat each of the projects as if I were within a large corporation. When Sam came to us, my sister and I were asked to help and I took on the responsibility."

"You're so young for such a job."

"I'm twelve. I'm told my IQ is actually a hundred and sixty. My mind is in a very small body. I'm also one of those people that just have to learn. One day I'll be almost as important as Miss Knox is now."

"That would be quite an accomplishment."

"It gives me a goal to work hard at to get to."

The party was much nicer than the ones we had in Knox' place. I felt threatened all the time there. It was as if Knox could suddenly reach critical mass and we'd all die.

We were nursing plans to escape but a lot of goals had to be achieved first. Sam — well, Sam had to be of no use to Knox so he was out of the question because we couldn't take him with us. He had difficulty walking sometimes and we couldn't care for him the way he needed.

We needed money and information. Sam and I had been gathering this for a long time. We planned on siphoning off some of Knox' money into our own off shore bank accounts. We were even told that we could get a debt card drawn on one of those bank accounts and use it in any ATM. We could go to any bank and use their facilities to draw cash from those same accounts for a point five percent charge.

Knox changed her passwords all the time. Since her IQ was so high it was obvious that she had a great memory. We considered siphoning off some cash but embezzlement was not my forte. It would be better to do it all at once just before we made a break for it.

Tiffany could drive and we were simply going to take a car. There were lots of sets of keys around though none were in the hands of the students. Sam told us where they were and we just had to hope that they would be available when we needed them.

Tiffany was from Edmonton and it was logical that she would want to go back. Knox would know this and search that city extensively. We had to pick other areas and chose Montreal. It was better to hide in a large city.

Paperwork was necessary but we could only hope to purchase that from some criminals someplace. All this hinged on getting enough money to get started. Tiffany told us all she learned on the streets and I could add only a little. I was not about to live in alleys but I would be content to try to blend in with the great unwashed majority of the country. Tiffany could be called my older sister.

Kim was happy where she was. I couldn't leave her behind but she may not come willingly. The best plan we had was to slowly clue her in to what Knox was really like just before we left. I'd like to take the rest of the girls but there were too many of them. None of them knew much about how Knox really was even if they had seen her angry. They wouldn't want to leave their comfortable niche. The time to start this part of the plan would be when we had an idea when our escape would happen.

Sam had picked up the names of a lot of her enemies. Some were former friends and some were former partners of hers. She dealt with crime figures to sell her dope. The last group found both students and now subjects for her experiments. Some of those she cheated but they didn't know it. She was currently screwing Stethbridge. To put some spice to it she was trying to screw her major competitor in the company. From what Sam said he was just a male version of Knox.

We had the chance to pick up enough data on those people that we could tip them off to some ways to get even with her. This would cause a great diversion when we left. She might have so many court cases to fight off that she wouldn't have too much time left to look for us.

Sam went to show Tiffany his room and he came back very happy and Tiffany holding him even closer. His parents saw the glow and I was sure they knew the reason.

We left the party after only two hours. Sam was losing his balance and had to be supported on two sides. Still, he was happy and so were his parents.

We visited the Humane Society on the way home just to allow Sam to meet some of the animals. Knox was not going to allow a mutt to come onto her property. Sam and Tiffany studied the dogs a great deal and I was the one that wanted Kelly to supposedly buy me a doggie. Tiffany didn't have any of the ability now but Sam still had a tiny bit.

That night Sam and Tiffany were given the drug. Both were given a new cocktail using focalin. This replaced the amphetamine that helped the Abicore break through the brain barrier. This time it was Abicore-M instead of Abicore-L that was used.

I stayed up with both of them as they went through their pains. Sam's were not harsh and only lasted a short time. Tiffany's troubles were less than Sam had suffered before so this was an improvement.

The next day we began the experiments. The results were not good and it was easy to see the reason. Sam and Tiffany were usually focussed on each other. Knox had them separated enough to leave the property to test their range. I knew it must be hard for them to be apart this way. I also felt very sorry for Tiffany. There would be a gaping hole ripped out of her life in the next few months.

Tiffany left her bed in my room and went to live in Sam's. Kim had been moved out and placed in a larger room with two other girls. I was alone again and it hurt.

Dogs were brought and put in the kennels. Tiffany and Sam made reports to Knox of what they saw in the dogs. Knox stayed at the far end of the gym doing needless tasks to keep herself out of what she felt was their maximum range.

Sam said, "Dogs don't think like us. In fact it took a half hour to even find a way to read them. They think of only the present. They use images but also sounds and smells. We stink but a dog accepts us anyway."

Tiffany said, "When I was young the next door neighbours had a dog. It was a nice dog but it was treated like a baby. I think it was neurotic. We have to find out more about dogs before we get some."

Knox said, "Why do you say that?"

"You want to experiment on them. That means you have to have a starting point. The tests you give us won't work on the dogs. Sam and I are the best people to find a way of evaluating them. We studied what the trainer thought but we could only get her surface thoughts. We can't just vacuum all the facts up. We need time to retrieve and store what we find. We could talk to experts if we get a day or so and we can check the net or books. I think the animals have to live in a natural environment some of the time and in a situation where they can be mentally and physically stimulated."

Knox said, "That will take too long and be too costly."

"You're doing ground breaking work and the mentality of dogs is just a facet of that. You would never submit a paper that was done quickly."

"I don't want to publish this information."

"At some time in the future the secret is bound to emerge, even if it takes a century. When this happens your work will be shown to the world."

"What would I care? I'll be long dead."

"It's up to you. I'm only pointing out what will probably happen. I'd like to do some research too and if it's done right you'll learn some concrete facts instead of inconsistent figures and vague ideas."

Knox said, "Your speech and diction have improved."

"Piper has been teaching me how to present a plan. I even practised this presentation in front of her to make sure I got my points across."

"You might make something of yourself yet."

We studied the behaviour of dogs on the net and made notes. Late the next day we visited some dog breeders and asked questions. I asked most of the questions while Sam and Tiffany fished for better answers. It took only a few people to show how little was actually known about animals.

At the end of the day we purchased thirty Jack Russell Terriers of about the same age from two different breeders.

Our bedroom changed to the small barn and kennel. A portion of the barn had been sectioned off so the entire building would not have to be heated. The three of us took up residence with the five month old dogs. I was restricted to what I could do but Sam and Tiffany spent a good portion of their time in bed. They did work though and typed up their reports on the dogs. I got invited to bed by both of them. It was fun but I felt like an outsider.

I busied myself teaching the dogs to behave and take measurements like temperature. Blood samples had to be taken. I was the one to do this and the dogs had to learn how to cooperate.

It was only three days later that all but one of the dogs were given the drug. The last had to be a control. They were to be given the drugs at four day intervals. Sam and Tiffany had to leave because the animals were in pain. I was the one that stayed with them but I wasn't alone now.

Twenty of the dogs died outright and six went catatonic. Surprisingly the last three that had the drug appeared sane. A day later Sam declared that those three were developing some mental powers.

Some of the security people came and took the dead and catatonic dogs away. Sam stayed far from them.

Later Sam whispered, "Those people are going to put the dogs in a fire and burn them all up."

I had expected this. The bodies couldn't be buried just anywhere. "Are they going to kill the dogs that can't move?"

"Yes."

"Then what they're doing is good. Some people get buried and some get all burnt up. When they burn them then there is no need to have a piece of ground to hold the body."

"I heard of that. The dead ones go into the fire and get all burnt up."

This made me shiver and Sam saw and felt my feelings. I eventually said, "There's nothing we can do. If we try to stop it we will die too."

It took a while to get over the thoughts of death. The dogs I had only just met and I liked them. People that I never knew was worse simply because they were people and not dogs.

I tried to focus on my responsibilities to avoid what I knew. The dogs were a good choice because they needed me. The dogs were just juveniles and barely housebroken at this stage. With Sam and Tiffany's help I was able to construct images the way a dog could understand. In very little time I had them doing what I asked. Words were used with the images and the lone dog learned from her fellows what the commands asked of her were.

Knox was interested in this experiment because I had no telepathy but I was still able to teach the dogs to complete a task.

Their intelligence didn't improve fast and Knox had them treated with dosages of drug every three days instead of four to see if they improved quickly like Tiffany had. I was the one that had to stay with the dogs and I was the one to inflict pain on them. This hurt my standing as the pack leader. I tried to make up for it in kindness but I couldn't do too much.

We continued with human testing too and the results were not as good as they were before.

Knox brought me in and said, "I reviewed the current results with your two human subjects. They're not performing as they should. What do you plan to do about it?"

I knew what she meant because I had trouble communicating with Tiffany and Sam. They were simply wrapped up with themselves. "I'll talk to them."

"Didn't you already do that?"

"Yes."

"Settle the problem or I'll do it."

"Yes, ma'am."

I talked to the two and I hoped I got through. The day after Sam came to me and said, "Ahh, I guess we didn't listen enough. I found out that Miss Knox is going to segregate us. What are we going to do? I love Tiff."

"I warned you of this but the two of you didn't listen. I'm the kid and I have to act like the mommy."

"You were never in love the way we are."

"You're right. How about I lay down the law to you and Tiffany. I have to be harsh but you still get some time together. I still have to keep you two separated."

"We figured something like that."

Later the two were together as planned and I layed into them the way my mother did to me. I separated the two and sent them off to study in different areas. To enforce my orders I claimed to get Tiffany transferred to another business where she would start a regular job. This shocked both of them. Tiffany went out to check on the dogs to make sure she was further away. I learned later that we had narrowly avoided disaster.

I got Tiffany back in my bed but she was constantly horny. Knox had also increased the frequency of Tiffany's medications to see if the new three day cycle would increase her abilities. It did work because when I was sucking Tiffany's button I heard her call out what she wanted done. She was not using her voice either.

Sam was having more problems. Some was the anger that he could not control. Now he had to be helped almost everywhere and usually he was placed in a wheelchair for his own protection. Tiffany and I would take him out to see the dogs and while there we would make him happy that he was a man.

In mid April we were in the kennel when I sensed someone coming but we weren't doing anything naughty. Before the door opened I knew that it was Kim and a second later I knew she had a message for me from Knox. I had got feelings before but never this strong. Sam and Tiffany were happy to see that I was learning the ropes after being a laggard for so long. I was nowhere near what they had been after they had received their first dose of the drug. I was happy for what I got though.

Knox had me in her room again. She stood imperious this time instead of sitting on her throne. "Sam will be with us at best two more months. I plan on doing some field testing. In the mean time I have acquired five more people in need of your help."

"Are they like Tiffany?"

"Very much so. They come from a wide range of backgrounds. Four of the five are female and the other is about five years old."

I felt sick but I had to put on my happy face. I knew that the four girls were not much older. I had no idea how Knox would get her hands on children this young or how she was going to avoid the law. A glimpse came to me of the mob taking children of drug addicts as pay for their debts and to acquire more drugs. There was even some paperwork signed by the parents to protect Knox.

"Will there be any legal entanglements if the boy or the other four are seen in public?"

"You assume all of them are children?"

"You test in groups."

"You're right. The oldest is twelve."

"The same age as me."

"Yes. Do you see a problem?"

"A few concerns only. I have to be the dominant one of the group to keep order. There may be some difficulty if I have to fight to keep my position."

"Your dogs do that to set positions within the pack."

"That may be a good way of thinking about this. I'll bring them into my pack and they'll find their place. I assume they come from disadvantaged homes so they know of gangs which is almost identical to a pack."

"That might very well work. You amaze me at times, Piper."

"I look to see what you might do."

"I don't need flattery."

"I gave you none. I stated a fact. One day I'll have a house like this and a position like you have now."

"I think you will."

We discussed the five and I looked at pictures of them. There were a few pages of notes written about each of them. More images came from Knox to fill in the gaps. These five had been the survivors of a group of fifty children. The rest had been euthanised. I saw this as a mercy considering what they had become. Knox even had the gall to dissect their little brains to see what was happening.

Knox said, "Is there something wrong?"

"Sorry. My stomach is a little upset."

"Go see Kelly after you leave."

"Yes, ma'am."

We discussed a budget again. Knox saw this as our private joke. I spent very little money on Tiffany and this almost entirely went for some clothing and accessories. The kennel got some additional furniture, a desk top computer and a lap top.

I got a considerable increase in pay simply because I could tell what Knox was thinking. I could use every cent when I finally got away from this maniac. The first purchases made from my budget would be some stuffed animals. This meant somebody had to go out and get them.

Out of the blue, Knox said, "I have another job for your people when they prove themselves."

"What is that?"

"I have hundreds of employees. I want reports on each of them. I want to know who is loyal and who is not."

This shook me. I had to be ultra cautious now because the way to prove what Knox wanted was to have a second group do the same tests and she would compare the reports. This would expose my web of lies. The old statement of who was going to watch the watchers could be answered by having a second group. "That can be done but you have to understand that everybody shifts around. They are loyal when happy and not as loyal when unhappy with you and your orders. This means that there has to be a lot of sampling of every employee to get an accurate report."

"I meant those that want me hurt or worse."

"Those we can find much easier."

Tiffany was going to start this work by being given a job at the clinic Knox owned but she would hardly be there. Knox had left Stethbridge because she had pushed them into firing her. She had immediately started proceedings to sue. Tiffany would find a way to meet Gordon Colins and find out the man's plans. If possible she was to get a job at Stethbridge and find out what Carl Jenkins had planed because both were named in the suit.

During this process Tiffany was to monitor the employees at the clinic to find any ringers.

I dreaded telling Tiffany that she had to leave. She had found a precarious perch here where there was danger all around. She had found love too but perhaps this assignment would mean that she would not be hurt as much when Sam left us.

After I left Knox I went to see Kelly because I knew that Knox would follow up. I got a visual check and then something to neutralise the acid in my stomach. When I got to my room I logged in and received a stripped down synopsis of the five children. Knox had a lot more data that she would not like to see get spread around. I was even more determined now to get a copy of all of her data and see if I could destroy what she had. This woman was the most evil person I had ever heard of. Hitler had his good points when compared to her.

I had not been given orders to tell Tiffany but she was in my care even though her IQ was now equalling mine. I went to the kennel and took Sam and Tiffany for a walk with the three dogs running ahead of us.

Tiffany just started to cry and the two of them clutched each other. We only walked a short distance because Sam was not fast. The dogs knew something was wrong and then they knew something was very wrong. Sam sat on the bench and the dogs jumped up and started to lick him. This time his anger didn't flare and he just petted the dogs.

Instead of talking about our problems, he said, "You're reading minds like we do. I knew this was happening but I don't know what's doing it."

Tiffany said, "Piper thinks it is because her mind is just becoming used to talking like this. I have my own ideas."

I said eagerly, "What do you think?"

Tiffany smiled and said, "I know you like my pussy. From your memory I know I have a special taste. Sam had something similar but not quite the same. I think some of the drug we are given is secreted and you have slowly been given the drug or something similar. You have the benefit of having no pains. Your strength is not as much as it should be. I think you should take the drug directly if possible."

Sam and I focussed on Tiffany and she gave us a lot more details to support her argument. The fact that she was given more drugs than needed made sure that lots of the surplus was secreted. I had heard how a human body sometimes modified a drug and this was the chemical that actually did the work.

I said, "You might be right. I feel like you do about continuing to read minds. I want this to go on."

"My pussy will not be here." She left unsaid that Sam would not be here either.

Sam put on a phony smile and said, "Those five new people could give you something or at least the girls can. I'm not too sure about the two younger girls."

Tiffany added, "Those girls will give their secretions or be encouraged to." She turned to me and said, "You're going to have to continue and take the drug. You're the one most likely to defeat the monster. If your intelligence increases you will be even more likely to win."

I said in defence, "I do that to you two out of love, not to gain."

"I know that, Honey, but you have to adapt to survive."

I had to do some more thinking and said, "If I start on the girls then the rest will consider it open season and start taking them to bed. If I try to keep them safe then the rest will think I am trying to hog them to myself. Knox would love to sample some fresh young pussy."

"Yes, and she will gain what you have found."

"I don't want that."

"That would be a catastrophe. That woman with the ability to read minds is like the devil walking the earth."

"She has to be just waiting until she perfects the drug. She will use it on herself then."

Sam said, "That could be in as little as six months but she thinks it may stretch to as much as three years."

"What can we do?"

"Killing her would be best."

I said, "Killing!"

"Are you going soft on us? She kills with no remorse. If we get away she will find us and kill us. She has no pity. You can run but she will find you if it takes twenty years."

"I could take all of her money."

"That would only slow her down. She would borrow if she has to. She has money coming in from her royalties. You can take that but soon another cheque will come in. She has money in investments that could easily be sold. She can easily go back to manufacturing illegal drugs to finance her search."

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Nothing new. You run far and fast and take all the money you can. Get her enemies to go after her and supply them with enough data to make her life hell."

"I now have five children to watch. One is just five. The mob made deals with their mothers or fathers and Knox experimented on them. I have to do something for them."

"What can you do? You can't involve the police or the authorities. You have to leave them. They survived this far and they will only get more of the drug. Even if you took them that monster would just make some more of them."

"I saw the pictures and I feel for them. They're just children."

"Is that your talent?"

"I don't think so."

Tiffany said, "This goes back to the fact that you have to get a supply of the drug. I can't help if I can't read minds. You're the same way. We need to find our own source of the drug because it will run out one day."

"Knox has lots of the drugs but she is looking for more variants. She has to make them here at her lab. That's a high security area. She also has her safe with the drugs that she has more or less passed on."

"We are still using those drugs and they can work with you too. The risk of insanity in your case will be very minor I think. Brain lesions I am not sure about but I suspect that they will be less too. I'm smarter now but no doctor. The mind seems to sort of reform itself or maybe the word realign is better. When it happens incorrectly it's the reason for the problems."

Nothing had been resolved but I felt better because I was on my way to learning about our monster on an all new level. The loss of two friends would hurt though only one would die.



-------

Chapter 8


Sheila Knox drove into the parking spot next to her lawyer's car. There was more talk concerning the explosive interchange when Carl Jenkins and two members of the Stethbridge board of directors demanded Sheila's resignation. This interchange had been recorded too.

Beside her was Margaretta. She was the one carrying the briefcase and the money it contained.

An hour and a half later the two got into Sheila's car and drove east to get on the 404 to head north to make the delivery.

I started the CD player and tied to relax. The damned lawyers were almost as bad as the fools at Stethbridge. They wanted affidavits for everything. At least traffic was not that heavy. Margaretta was watchful in the seat beside me. Her job was to protect both me and my property though she could suck a clit with the best. Too bad she was one of those that were addicts.

Later I took the exit to 16th Avenue. I drove down the major street for only a few blocks when a cube van smashed into my side of the car. We were pushed sideways. I slammed on the brakes but a parked car was just too close. I pushed the brake harder and we hit. The air bags suddenly exploded and we came to a stop. Somebody was going to pay now.

Margaretta was out the door and left the briefcase on the floor. I could not get out because the truck was only a door thickness away. I climbed over the console and got out. I looked around for somebody to hit and found Margaretta giving a kick to a tall well built man. Something was wrong.

From the front of the car we hit, came a real bruiser. He looked like a football player. He moved well and had a smile on his face as he looked at me. In his hand was a small baseball bat used by youngsters. This was serious and somebody wanted me hurt or killed.

The man got close before he brought the small bat back to hit me on the body. I was scared as I ever been and tried to play the part I developed years ago. I tried to act like a poor frightened woman that didn't know what to do. The man only smiled more as he swung the bat with only a portion of his power. He only wanted to hurt me.

I bent away from the swing and brought my foot out and connected with the man's scrotum. His swing had gone wild and I had to move in quick or get very hurt. I jumped in the air and gave a kick to his face but the man was good and moved out of the way.

He backed up a step and gave me an even bigger smile. He said, "Oh, you want to dance. Let's see if you know the steps."

"A big man with a big stick is a small man at heart."

He didn't take the insult and just moved in. This time he used the bat and tried a leg sweep. I drove the heal of my shoe into his leg with all my might. His leg stopped and he tried to make a grab for me. I slashed at his eyes with my finger tips but his face pulled back.

I moved in but the bat was making its return trip. I stopped it with my hand and felt the pain. It had not gathered too much speed yet but it was enough to push me to my right. My left foot came out and connected solidly with his side but it was like hitting a tree.

I yanked on the bat but I could not get it out of his grip. He pulled me forward with just his hand and prepared to punch me with his other. I now pushed the bat at him and it struck his stomach with no effect. The fist came and I deflected it with my arm and drove my fingertips at his throat. I connected but he jerked back and took the bat with him.

Both of my arms hurt and the man looked at his hand that had rubbed his throat and saw some blood.

"Not bad for a bitch."

"Come and get some more, little man with a stick."

"You got your wish."

He now crouched and moved in. I could see he was very wary of me now. I looked for weapons and saw none. Margaretta was not finished with her man and I could not take the time to see how well she was doing.

I moved away from the car and felt an obstruction near my foot. Making a quick movement of my hand was enough to make my opponent tense and I took this opportunity to see some pieces of concrete near my feet.

Margaretta gave a yell and my opponent took his eyes off me. I bent down and picked up two pieces of concrete. By the time he looked back at me I was winding up to throw one piece at his head. When I threw it he got the bat in the way and my weapon slid down the bat and hit his hand. My second projectile was shifted and I tried to get it off before he came at me.

Margaretta gave another yell but my opponent kept his eyes on me. I saw movement to my side. Margaretta had a wooden pole and she was charging my opponent. I finished my throw considering what he might do with a second opponent coming at him.

Margaretta came closer and the bat shifted to deflect the wooden pole and I released the rock. I gambled that he would bring his head down and he did. The concrete connected but the projectile wasn't that big. I raced in now but the bat had succeeded in deflecting the pole and the swing carried on towards me.

Margaretta moved in with her body and kicked the man in the nuts but he was quick and his leg took most of the force. I pushed the small bat up and got in and gave him a solid kick to the chest but he was big.

The man staggered back and then looked around. He had time to give me a smile before he retreated. I wanted to go after him but he was just too big to take. A car pulled up and the door opened for him long enough for him to dive in. The car took off with a cloud of smoke from the tires.

I heard the sirens now and saw Margaretta's opponent getting up. I raced in and in mid kick shifted to the man's sternum. I wanted to kill him like the rest but I wanted answers more.

The man flew over backwards and I got close to him and put my heal on his lower abdomen and pushed. The man's eyes got big. He couldn't breathe yet but I wanted to give him pain.

The man eventually started to breathe but didn't talk before the police car pulled up. I gave one final push and backed away.

The police didn't have their guns out but had their batons. Their other hand was on their holster.

The police were males and inept. It took valuable time for them to give the report of the car to the dispatcher.

It was three hours later that we left the police station. They had one known felon that talked of trying to save a stranger that was attacked by two women. The police had a description though. Soon enough I found a picture of the little man with the stick.

They would not give me any information on who it was but they assured me that they would find him. This job was too professionally done. They didn't try to kill or I would simply be shot. I could guess to who sent them but it would be a guess. I didn't get where I was without making some enemies along the way.

When I got out of the station I found the two cars I called for. I got in one and asked for a gun and one was handed to me. Let them come now and they would see what happened.

-------

Twenty three kilometres away, Gordon Colins III slammed the phone down. "Those fuckin' incompetents. They can't take care of one woman."

I paid seven thousand dollars to put the woman in the hospital. If a mistake happened and she died the cost would be the same. Now one of the toughs was angry at me because the situation didn't go as planned.

So there were two women instead of one but there were two men and both were supposed to be good. They must spend all their time in front of their mirrors primping themselves.

This meant that a better class of thug had to be found that could do the job. Maybe it would be better to finish the dyke slut instead.



-------

Chapter 9


Sam and Tiffany spent the next day together. The threat to separate them had lost its effect. I was happy for them but still sad about what was happening and going to happen.

It did precipitate a portion of our own plans. Knox was very concerned about the drugs the lab next to her home produced. There were three computers linked together and then to the 'net. Since Stethbridge was the real owner of the drug I wanted them to know but I had to be subtle. Colins, her principle antagonist would be the one to get the information but he would have to dig for it if he truly wanted it.

My voice sounded too young to be taken seriously so Tiffany was going to start the ball rolling. A herd of lawyers could descend on the house and I hoped to gather enough of the drugs to keep us going until we found a way to make our own.

We had pieced together the formulae for all seven of the major possibilities. With a lot of digging we searched the minds of the women working in the lab so we too knew the procedures on how to make the drugs. These women were also the ones that made the illegal drugs that were sold to the underworld. At present this work was discontinued so that the various forms of Abicore could be studied.

We had no specific plan on how to get a supply of the drugs for Tiffany and maybe me. We were ok for the short term. We just happened to know the combination to the safe that contained her secrets.

-------

Janice found me with Sam and Tiffany and simply said, "Your people are here."

"Ok."

I turned to Sam and Tiffany and said, "I'd really like for you two to come with me but if the same thing happened to you two happened to the other seven we would be in trouble."

Sam said, "It won't happen the same way but I think I would still love them."

Tiffany said, "I think the same."

Janice and I walked outside to the security building. On the way I said, "What condition are they in?"

Janice just continued so I stopped and waited. It took a moment for Janice to see me not beside her. "What do you want?"

"I want some answers to some simple questions so I can do my job."

"What do you want to know?"

"Are the kids sedated?"

"Only one."

"Have they been beaten?"

"They look rough but they don't look like they were abused."

"Are they dirty?"

"Yes."

"Are they hungry?"

"I got some food sent to them."

"Good. What can you tell me that I didn't ask?"

"The one that is sedated is a little wildcat I hear. You're going to have your work cut out with her. The boy is a little darling and so is the youngest girl. I — we better hurry up."

"Wait."

"What now?"

"I want my pack of attack pups."

"What for?"

"The children were traumatised. The dogs will help them get over their problems better."

"You're one smart young lady. Lets get them."

It took ten minutes to get clean clothes and another ten to get the dogs. The dogs were very obedient because they knew their place within the pack. Sam had said that dogs had some ESP abilities even before we gave them drugs. They looked up to me and wagged their tails when I came. I was their leader because I demanded this of them. They were not upset at my position and to tell the truth I was told they were happy with their place in life.

We trouped through the security section to the main door. This one opened automatically because we had our hands full. Knox would be upset at the lack of security her people were showing. Along the way I found from Janice's mind that something had happened to Knox and she was royally pissed off. I could not get too much more.

The dogs rushed through the last door and down the hallway to one door but they had to smell the rest to make sure. I had to dump my clothing to use my card. Before I swiped the card, I stopped then gently knocked on the door. I waited a few seconds because I could feel a lot of fear on the other side.

I pushed the door open slowly while thinking calming thoughts. I gave a mental command for the dogs to stay. We found what looked like WWII refugees except they didn't have any belongings other than one girl having a dirty teddy bear.

I could feel them nibbling around my mind and I just let them look for a bit. Their mental search lasted only until I said to them, "Hi. I'm sorry for what happened to you. There was nothing I could have done but I can do something about your future. As you found out, my name is Piper and this nice lady with me is Janice."

I thought to my pack, "Enter."

Four terriers came in and wagged their tails at the five people. The children immediately focussed on the animals.

I said, "This is my pack. They're like you. Three can read my mind and they can read yours too. They're all smart and getting smarter. Again, this is just like all of you."

All five looked like they were drugged. Their fear was coming down but it didn't disappear completely. I said firmly but kindly, "Bobby, come here and pet Sparky. He's a boy and I think he likes you."

Bobby didn't move but I didn't really expect him too. I went to Bobby and crouched low and called Sparky. Bobby couldn't get away because he was pressed into the crowd. The dog detected something wrong but still came. I petted the dog and touched Bobby the same way. I stayed at this for a minute then used both hands to pull the boy to me. He cried and struggled weakly but not too hard.

With the child in my arms, I just hugged him until he quieted. I thought to the child of how I saw him after he was cleaned up and happy. In a minute he put his arm around me and I hummed a meaningless tune to him.

When the stiffness went out of his body I said, "Well, big boy, we got to have a shower." He tensed but might have done so if I said anything that minutely changed this tableau.

It was difficult but I picked the boy up and said quietly to the rest, "We're going down the hall to use the bathroom and have a shower. You can come and see if you want or just stay here."

Bobby started to whimper when we left the rest but I just started to hum to him again. Once in the bathroom I was able to get him out of his dirty clothes. I got out of mine and got into the shower area and turned the water on. I washed his curly hair and dark face. When I got down to his feet, I started all over again.

When we came out, I used the towel to dry his dark skin and played peek-a-boo with the towel and I got my first smile. Janice had brought the clothes that were the closest to his size but they were made for a girl.

We walked back hand in hand. My clothes were still in the bathroom. A naked authority figure was less effective but easier for the children to take. When I sat Bobby down in a nearby corner I called Sparky over and he sniffed Bobby all over. The boy didn't mind this but he didn't appreciate the wet nose. Bobby giggled and this was enough for Sparky because he went to work to give the boy a thorough nose job.

I laid Bobby down because I knew he was tired. Sparky laid right beside him and the boy cuddled the dog to him.

I next focussed on the youngest girl. Her records showed that she was six and had a birthday a month ago. I could see that she was European by descent. I said, "Hi, Joy." The girl just looked at me. The fear had gone down some but rose when I called her name. "This other dog here is Sniffer. She is always using her nose to find things." I moved closer and called Sniffer over. Sniffer was the lone unimproved dog. She came hesitantly. Again I petted Sniffer as I petted Joy. Joy finally reached out after moving her teddy to the other hand and petted the dog. The dog dutifully sniffed all over the girl's hand and even gave a quick lick. Joy pulled her hand back quickly then put it back to its previous task.

I carried Joy to the shower. I cast my thoughts to her and she relaxed just a bit. Sniffer came with us and watched at the doorway. Joy took more work because she had longer hair. She hugged my neck so I carried her back to the room and Janice and I helped her dress. Janice treated the girl as if she were her own and I could feel the maternal juices flowing in her body.

I sat Joy on the floor further from the rest but beside Bobby. She didn't mind this. Sniffer was there in a flash and the two cuddled when I laid her down.

Missy was seven with a birthday coming in late May. She was Vietnamese and about the same size as Joy. I introduced her to Dancer but the dog was not dancing around as she would when she was happy but I hoped she would soon.

She came docilely to me and I hugged her and she hugged me back. Then she started to cry and I just stayed to let her vent her emotions.

When she slowed down I said quietly, "Let's get cleaned up."

We walked down the hall hand in hand. She let me remove all her clothes and then wash her. When I ran my hand through her crease to get any paper and other debris out she gave a sigh and a shiver. I cleaned her more in this area and she bent her legs and spread them further apart.

She was unstable and I hugged her one handed and slowly withdrew my hand. When she stood up again I continued with the rest of her. I towelled her dry then did myself quickly.

We walked back the same way we went but Missy stood closer to me. Bobby was asleep but not Sparky. I put the girl down on the other side of Sparky and he took the abuse like any good dog. Again I ran my hands over Missy's head which seemed to calm her. I petted both heads and then Missy petted Dancer. Her tail beat a constant rhythm on the padded floor.

The next was a light skinned girl that looked to come from the east. Her features were Slavic. Her age was stated as eleven but she looked at least a year older.

She also looked determined to fight me so I just sat and said, "I'm not your enemy, Dina. I came to get you cleaned and fed. We have to find a place where I hope you will be happy. Look in my mind and see for yourself. I won't try to hide anything from you."

She didn't try to look or I would have felt something but after five minutes of patients she decided to investigate. She stayed there for ten minutes like a person going through a museum.

When she pulled out I said, "Let's go have a shower and change."

She said belligerently, "I can go myself." Her voice had an accent and I liked the sound of it. I even got a small smile but it stopped abruptly. She changed herself and washed herself but I demanded to do her hair. It was a stand off for a few minutes until she gave in. She sat on the floor and I did her hair and at the same time caressed her scalp. I knew she enjoyed it so I did much more than was necessary.

After we were rinsed, she was not averse to me drying her but she made sure she dried me. I got her to lay down on the other side of Misty and called Turbo. This dog was usually full of energy but calmed at my request.

The last one was my age. She was bigger than me both in height and weight. She looked the typical butch but I kept my thoughts hidden as good as I could. She was almost asleep anyway. Her name was Tatum. Her ancestry looked to be Caucasian.

Janice and I got Tatum down the hall together and I washed the girl just like the rest. On the way back, Janice simply picked her up. We dressed her in the clothes we brought and they actually fit her the best. I put the girl beside Dina.

The stuffed animals had not been delivered yet but Janice assured me that they would arrive soon. One of the women in security came down with the animals and she had to peek into the room and I saw her smile. I didn't see how some apparently warm hearted women could work for a cold hearted monster. Then again, some in security did Knox' dirty work with no problem.

I took the stuffed animals and gave them symbolically to each of the five. Only two were awake and they only gave me a weak smile. They held the toys close.

I whispered a request to Janice and she left me alone with my charges. In a while she came back with some fruit juice containers, water and some pieces of fruit. In her pocket were a comb and two kinds of brushes. I got a book on finance and I was happy.

Joy awoke first and looked frightened at the strange surroundings. She saw her old friend and a puppy in her arms. There was a warm human body behind her and a furry one in front. I gave her a smile from my reclining position and sat up.

"Come here, Joy. I'll show you the bathroom."

She held both stuffed animals and we hurried to the toilet and I helped her to sit. She sighed contentedly as the pressure was relieved. I cleaned her up and we walked back hand in hand but had a stuffed animal between us.

I got her to sit near the platter and I fed her tidbits of food. I knew what she liked best but tried to save some for the rest. All the time I was talking girl talk to her and she relaxed more.

She could not talk to me mentally so she asked out loud, "Why am I here?"

"You were chosen for a special gift. You can now read my mind. Soon you will be able to push your thoughts into my head so I can hear you. In all the world there are only a few people that were offered what you were given."

"What about my Mommy? I want to go home."

"Some people talked to your Mommy and asked if she would allow you to come here and she agreed."

"But I want to go home. I miss my sisters."

"You'll have to get bigger before you can go home. You have to learn like you do in school. Did you know that you're in a school now?"

"No."

"Well you are. I'm going to be your big sister when you're here. Is that ok?"

"What about my sisters?"

"They'll still be your sisters but I'll be your big sister here."

"Ok."

"Good. I have a sister here but she's bigger than me. Her name's Kim."

I opened a bottle of apple juice for her before I had to help Dina get up. She had been awake when I gave her the animal. She gave it a secret hug but left it as she arose.

I could feel her full bladder and said, "You look like you're going to explode." I just pointed the way to the washroom and she hurried out.

When Dina came back she sat near the food and I handed her some grapes. She said, "I can get my own."

I kept my hand out and said, "These are from me." It took her a minute to decide. My arm was getting tired by then. I was forming thoughts that would be demeaning to some but I tried to make them friendly. It was the old iron hand in a velvet glove.

She finally accepted the offer and took the fruit. I looked at her but I kept my mind blocked so she couldn't read me. She finally said, "Thanks."

"You're welcome, Dina. Please help yourself to the food and drink."

I moved Joy around and started to do her hair. She liked this treatment. Her hair was nearly dry and it needed to be wet and allowed to dry in place.

When she was done, I said, "Your next, Dina."

"I can — "

"Sit in front of me, Dina. I'm going to do your hair like Joy's."

She had to think and she made a face but complied. I treated her to the same amount of love that I gave Joy and I could feel the contentment she felt. I was actually happy because I liked the feel of her hair in my hands. When I finished with the comb and brush I simply used my hand to pet her and then pulled her down so she could lay on the pad and rest her head on my leg.

Joy was watching and she quickly took my other leg. I petted both of them and played with their ear lobes for while. My hands continued and I rubbed their neck and face. I could feel their sensations and my own as well. Like the dogs I formed images of what I wanted and the girls understood and moved. They were rewarded by me running my fingers up the back of their necks and to the crown of their heads.

When my legs started going to sleep I had to move them. I stood up and got Dina's stuffed animal and handed it to her. She just pulled it to her chest and gave me a smile.

Tatum woke up later and she was still groggy. She looked around the room and saw me and the food and drink. Her eyes returned to me. She got up and stretched. This was a simian gesture of how large she was. It also caused me to close my mind to her.

She walked over to the food and I knew she meant to bypass me. I took a plastic bottle of water and held it out to her. She tried to push around me to get a similar bottle. My other hand came out and rested on the floor and blocked her.

"Here's your water, Tatum." I spoke slightly louder than normal and just tried to show some authority.

The girl put her hand out to push my hand aside. I dropped the water and grabbed her wrist. I was in a poor position but she was slow because of the sedation. This all had to be done right. She had belonged to a gang but I surmised that gang mentality was not much different than a pack.

I twisted her arm but could not do much. My other hand came to my first and it assisted in twisting more. At the same time I tried to get to my feet. Tatum had stopped her quest for the drink. She was stunned and angry. I was the one she could now focus her anger on and vent it.

We had been taught some karate moves by our instructors. Tatum's arm was twisted more so she was bent forward. My foot lashed out and struck one of her ankles. She was massive but she did fall. I followed her down then loosened my grip so her arm could rotate the way she wanted but I still continued to hold it.

Tatum was big and a nasty character. She would give me problems unless I put her in her place. Being nice was not going to work, especially in the world she had been raised in.

She hit the mat on the floor with her face and one arm. As quick as I could I moved over and brought her arm with me. I sat on her ass with her arm in front of me. My other hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of her hair. I didn't waste any time in pulling her head back painfully.

Tatum started to struggle more efficiently as adrenaline rushed into her bloodstream. She tried to dislodge me and I only pushed up her arm and pulled back on her hair.

She came to the conclusion that she could not win and said, "Let me up."

"I like it here sitting on you. Do you object?"

"Get off me!"

"I might make you my footrest or maybe my cushion."

She yelled now, "Get off of me." I replied by causing her more pain.

She struggled more and then called for the others to help her but nobody did. In fact the dogs were around me and protecting me.

I just stayed where I was and Tatum's demands changed slowly to requests. It was not until she was polite that I released some of the pressure.

I said, "You're a big girl but not too big for me to take. I don't want a fight every time we meet. You're just going to have to admit that I will be the leader here."

"Never!"

I pulled back on her arm and pulled her hair harder than ever. She struggled a bit then started to cry. I was not going to be kind and suffer for it later.

Dina said, "Let her go. You're hurting her."

"Stay out of this, Dina. I'm only going to warn you this once."

My look said I was going to do worse to her and she settled down. It was a few minutes later that Tatum started to mumble and then I waited for her to finally admit, "Ok, ok, you win. You're the boss."

I didn't release her and in a few seconds I said, "I don't believe you mean it."

"I won't fight you."

"I still don't believe you. You came from a rough neighbourhood. You'll say anything until you get to your feet again. Then I'll have to hurt you a lot more."

"I won't fight you. I mean it. I won't."

I formed my thoughts and let her pick them up. "I'll think about your offer. You see I know the front part of your mind will lie to get what you want but the back part will come to power once you get up. You'll wait a while and attack me when you think I'm at my weakest. I'll rip out your throat then. All this work and all I'll have for it is a piece of fresh meat that I'm going to have to bury."

"I won't hurt you, I promise."

"You have to fear me and you aren't doing that yet."

"You're the boss. I won't do anything."

I quickly pulled her wrist closer to her bum and then pushed her hair to the mat. I bent over her and took a large part of her ear and bit it painfully. "You belong to me. You're mine. I can kill you if I want and I can get away with it. Now look into my mind and see if what I'm saying is true."

I stopped the interference I was turning on and off and felt Tatum look in my brain. I showed Knox as top dog and me as one of her lieutenants. I showed how ruthless Knox really was and how I had to be just as hard to survive. Another set of images showed me killing Tatum and her body going into the ceramic kiln in the back of the house. Knox was angry at the loss but understood my reasoning for killing Tatum. Another set of images showed Knox, then me, then Tatum. Below that were the rest and the dogs.

I could feel Tatum capitulate then and she seemed to deflate. I stayed only a few more seconds then got up. Instead of waiting for an attack, I sat as if nothing happened. When Tatum looked at me I licked my lips like a dog and tasted blood. It wasn't mine. My eyes bored into her and she looked down. She had to roll over and it was difficult for her to even sit up.

When she managed to sit she rubbed her sore arm but her eyes stayed in front of her. I tossed a water bottle to her and she didn't look at me when she opened it. Even when she drank, she turned her head so she would not look at me. She was beaten now but not deep down. There was still going to be problems.

The rest of the children had awoken and were standing while staring at me. One by one they took their place on the floor. Missy was the last standing. I said in an authoritative tone, "Missy, come here."

The girl looked around for support and found none. She came over and knelt down in front of me so she was not that much taller now. I simply reached into the platter and popped a grape into her mouth.

"I am not angry at you. You simply belong to me now and I like you near me."

The girl chewed the food and then swallowed. I gave a smile now and put another grape into her mouth. After the fifth piece of fruit I got her to sit near me.

Bobby and Tatum were near their old positions and the dogs were close to me too for my protection. "Bobby come here and get something to eat."

The boy got up uncertainly but came and sat like Misty had. I gave him a smile first and fed him grapes and then gave him some apple juice. When he relaxed, I pulled him into my lap and I began to run my fingers up the back of his neck like I did Dina and Joy. The boy liked the tactile contact and the closeness.

Bobby settled down so he was more comfortable and I caressed his neck and ear with my fingers. My legs were sore from his weight and I moved him off of me but still close.

I stretched out my legs then stood and stretched better. Everybody's eyes were on me for direction. I just walked around where I was sitting as if to soften my seat then I sat back down.

"Sparky, come." The dog came over and I said, "Sit." He didn't need this verbal command but I wanted the rest to witness what happened. Sparky got his head stroked for a while and I could feel his pleasure at the contact.

I did this to Sniffer, Dancer and Turbo as well. The dogs and the children were all near me while Tatum was by herself. I just looked at her but she only once peaked at me.

I got up and stretched then moved outside my pack and sat with them at my back. I called in a low but clear voice, "Tatum, come here."

I knew for a fact that she didn't want to come but she got up and stood before me. I said, "Lay down here."

Tatum got down and I moved her body the way I wanted so she was laying on her back and her head was on my thigh close to my abdomen. I looked at her and she averted her eyes. I began to move her hair away from her face. I was gentle with Tatum and then asked Bobby for some pieces of pineapple. I ate the first then put one to Tatum's lips. She instinctively opened.

I fed her four more pieces and got her to lick my fingers clean then I said in a whisper, "You're a good girl."

Soon the comb and brush were passed to me and I worked on Tatum. She got the scalp message and she seemed to thaw out a little more.

Bobby had to go to the bathroom and I said calmly, "Dina, take Bobby to the bathroom. He needs to go."

Since the boy was holding his little pecker, it was easy to see this without having to have the cameras figure I was reading minds.

When the two came back I had everybody sit in front of me as I sat on the floor. Each person looked at my opening at least a few times but I didn't try to cover up.

I said, "Late last year our patron, Miss Sheila Knox, came across a discovery that will shake everybody on this planet." I felt that they did not understand well so I went into detail. "She worked for a large company that made drugs. She was in charge of finding out about one particular substance.

"Some people are born to be intelligent and some are not. The drug Miss Knox was testing might make some of the people feel more awake. There was a possibility of increasing how well the brain held memories. It was hoped to do more nice things but it just didn't work well.

"A young man by the name of Sam Appleton mistakenly took another drug with his pill. He got sick and had a very bad headache. He suffers from something called Down's Syndrome. Usually those people die young and are not normally very smart. Sam began to get smart and he began to read minds like all of you can do.

"We took Sam in and helped him understand his gift. We recently went to a party and his family was amazed at how smart he had become. He also has the ability to push his ideas into somebody's head so they can understand them. This is neat.

"Sam can also close his eyes and imagine what is on the other side of the wall. When we look, it's easy to see that he is always right. It's like Superman's x-ray vision except that he can't see very far with it.

"In the next few weeks, you're going to probably find that you can push out your thoughts. You may also be able to know what's behind a wall.

"One nice lady by the name of Tiffany Lish was given this drug. She is just learning how to push her thoughts. She has not been able to see behind a wall yet."

I bent forward as if I was whispering a secret and said in a low voice, "When the two met, they stared at each other for a long time. They were reading each others thoughts. At the end of a half hour, they were in love."

There was a long pause and then I started again. "All of you were given this drug. It hurt when you got it and each time after it hurts though not as bad. Sam and Tiffany hardly have any pain now.

"Miss Knox wants you to learn what's taught in school but also learn how to use the gift you are being given. She owns many businesses so she's rich. I'm learning to run a business as well. This is called a project in our case. She gave me a lot of money and I'm going to use it to put food in your tummies and clothes on your backs.

"I'll use some of the money to pay for the rooms that you will live in. I will use more of the money to buy you computers, beds, sheets, and toys. If you have troubles you will talk to me. If you want something you will come to me. If you do something bad, I will be the one to punish you but I will also be the one to watch out for all of you. I'll be your big sister even though I'm not very big.

"Now I'm going to open my mind and you can search inside for the facts you want to know."

Without a pause I said, "I have something to tell you first. We're all in danger here. This means not just Sam and Tiffany but each of you as well. When you're tested, you will have to tell some fibs. We have to appear weaker than we are. I will talk later to each of you so I can explain myself easier. Now take your look."

They didn't take that long and perhaps their abilities weren't all that strong yet. The dogs eventually needed to go outside so I got dressed and led all of my pack out to get some fresh air. Most of them had not been outside for a while. The day was nice but a little cool.

The dogs did their thing where they were supposed to and then ran around like the young dogs they are. When I got close to the kennel I went in alone to find the two lovers holding each other.

Tiffany asked, "How did it go?"

"A little rough but we're over that part now. Why don't you put up your blocks and come out and meet my pack."

"I'd love to meet your — pack."

The two came out but there was no mental communication other than a brief greeting. I got some dog toys and the kids exercised the dogs or was it the dogs that exercised the kids? I almost felt like a young mother.

Tiffany must have felt like a mother too because she cuddled all of them including Tatum. The youngest had the most energy but eventually all of them slowed down.

We sat in the grass and caught some sun. Dina asked, "What if I want to go home to my family?"

I said in an apologetic voice, "Each of your parents signed some documents. They agreed to transfer all of their rights to Miss Knox. This means that she's your mother now. I'll tell you right now that she wants to continue with the experiments involving each of you. She's very strict about some things. You will stay where she wants you to stay for as long as she wants. When you're trained enough, she plans on giving each of you some jobs. You will get paid for doing this."

Bobby said, "Me too?"

"Yes, all of you. What you will be doing is to get near an important person and read their mind. You will then tell Miss Knox what you found out. Many people have done bad things in their lives. She will pick out what bad things to find out more about. When she has enough evidence, she will talk to that person and get them to do things for her. This is like giving her money in a way."

Dina said, "That's illegal."

"You're absolutely right. When you get older, you will find that those people who are very powerful follow their own set of rules. They may even write their own laws. She only has a little power right now but she will become the most powerful person on this planet if she gets your help."

Missy said, "How much money will we get?"

The girl missed the point but I ignored it for now and said, "Enough to make you happy but not enough to let you decide to quit, because you can not quit, ever."

Tatum said, "Why?"

"Tatum, Honey, I know you're bright. Think on your own why this would be the case."

In a moment she said, "You mean we will have to do this forever?"

"You're a valuable tool. You're also a tool that she will not allow to be used against her. You'll work until you die. If she finds better people that can work better than you she might not need you anymore. But she can't let you go free. You'll know too much."

Tatum said, "Your mind said the drug only works as long as you're taking it."

"That's right, but you will keep your good memory and keep your high intelligence and you will simply know too much and that could get you killed."

She asked, "What about you?"

"I'll be one of the first to go."

Bobby said, "I won't let them."

"Shhhh, Bobby. They probably can hear what we are talking about even out here."

"I still won't let them."

"We're a pack and that means we protect our own, we hunt on our own and we survive on our own. We're weak now but we can become strong if we get the chance."

We did some tests for Knox but also for our own purposes. Sam opened his screen slowly and greeted the kids one at a time. I could almost see the love grow but it was not the same as it was between him and Tiffany. The girls all loved him because he was a male and he loved them because they were female but that was very minor.

Tiffany risked the same attachment as Sam but her love didn't get to be the same that she felt for Sam.

Tiffany and Sam eventually lowered their shields and the final amount of data flowed between them. The children were only partially developed but they got to see what they could become in a few months. Their traumatic experiences and their previous living environment would hamper them.

I went to the house and brought out a meal. The rest of the girls wanted to meet the newcomers but I wanted to do this later and go to them one at a time.

The testing that afternoon was done as games. We used the tricks we developed earlier for the tests. Instead of the distance we could detect somebody, it was where we could read their thoughts. Sam did his tricks with his playing cards where the children had a hand close to them and he said what each card was. The kids had to try this but they weren't able to get more than chance results.

The kids took to the dogs after they learned how to form their thoughts. Sniffer was the only one that could not hear mental commands. If it wasn't so dangerous I would like to get the drug for her too.

The housekeeper was summoned and she took the measurements for each of the kids. Some clothing could be altered but most had to be made to order. It was going to take a while to get these garments made. I didn't want my kids to wear ill fitting clothes and I didn't want them using their old clothing even if it was washed. I had to make a break from their past.

I slept with the pack in the kennel that night. Sam and Tiffany had to go to the house to get a decent bed.

Clothes came the next day except for the smallest three. During the day we taught the dogs new tricks and even Sniffer learned by watching the other three.

Tiffany was taken away to start her job and we were all down because of this. Sam was the worse but he tried to be cheerful for our sakes. The only thing cheering us up was what Tiffany would do in the next few days. Perhaps the police would come, but if they showed up I would get the kids to the wall and over it. Money would only be a matter of getting to a computer and the internet.

I watched the gate when I could but nobody came and I had to relax. Gradually over the course of the day I gave Tatum orders but they involved her giving orders to others. I might have less problems with her if she had some power of her own. I actually saw her smile a few times.

At midday, I went in and placed my preliminary and hopefully misleading data into the system. I was careful to stay near the truth because I found that they had been tested before they found their way to me.

Nobody in the house was suspicious of anything odd happening. They weren't running all over the place because they found out that somebody got into the lab computers.

Knox was not home but a package of white shirts and one small black tie had arrived. The pants to match the skirts was going to come in later as well as some smaller skirts. I busied myself with the small matters and tried to forget the major upheaval that was to arrive.

The rest of the clothing came in before supper and I had the housekeeper help me alter the clothing so it would fit as well as possible. The pack looked immaculate when done and I even got a camera to take their pictures.

Kim was the first to come out and she liked what she saw in Dina and Tatum and possibly Missy too. My sister was measuring everybody for what she could do to them sexually. Her desire wasn't as strong as some and I guess it was part of everybody's psychic makeup.

We all went in and had supper. We lined up when Knox came and I was proud that my kids didn't shake in fear though they were afraid. Knox had some visible bruises and I knew she had been in a fight. She had thought was going to get beaten severely if not crippled. Gordy Boy Colins, as she called him, was uppermost on her list of suspects. There was no indication that the lab computers had been penetrated.

I could not find out anything about Tiffany but I wasn't worried. Sam was as far from Sheila as possible and he told us that Sheila simply didn't know much.

Tiffany called Sam that night and gave the code word that said that she had got a message to Colins and talked to him over the phone. She gave hints but told him to look for himself.

I was wearing myself our waiting for the walls to be scaled. The best I could do would be to pretend that nothing special was going on. My pack, both human and canine, knew I was upset and it bothered them to a degree. I tried my best to hide it.

We did all the testing we were supposed to do and Knox was satisfied. She went with the same four day cycle for the children that she had with Tiffany. She wanted a strong ability and she didn't care how much damage she had to do to get it.

Bobby was the new man about the house and he went everywhere. The girls spoiled him and so did the staff. Joy had her own fan club and she had lots of older sisters to take care of her. She got her own share of spoiling and she was fairly happy for the first time in her life. I was afraid the pack would think my fears unfounded and embrace Knox if she would let them.

I knew all I needed to move money about the system but there were other facets of business I had to know. In between I exercised and practised karate as hard as I could. The instructor even taught me how to use a knife the way a soldier would use one. Knox' brush with an attacker made her push the instructor to teach me all she could. I was still too small and too weak to do much but I got up all the time and fought again.

Tiffany came back the next week to get her pill but she only stayed one night with Sam. He was getting worse and worse. He shook now and he usually had his hands on something to try to hide the fact.

Tiffany couldn't understand the problem with no reaction to her phone calls. Colins had enough data to get into the computer. Nobody had come to confront Knox on this.

Tiffany left on Sunday and before leaving she handed me her new cell phone and the number of an even newer one that she was using. She said, "This way we can communicate without using the monster's equipment. You can tell me how Sam is doing while I'm away."

"I'll do that. We're no nearer to getting the drug though."

"Even if we come up empty handed I have another possibility."

"What is it?"

"There is one bank account that pays all the bills associated with the lab. I still have the number to access the account. When the cops show up you phone me and I'll milk the account dry. We'll have enough money to start our own lab."

"I hope you made a lot of accounts so they can't trace them back to you."

"Don't worry. I talked to a good accountant and I learned how he would do it if he had a mind too. He had a few extra tricks that I'll try."



-------

Chapter 10


Gordon Colins III said, "Is this all you got?"

"Mr. Colins, I was paid to get into the system, not manufacture data for you. All the data files are encrypted and I have no way of defeating this even with a thousand computers."

"What can you tell me?"

"The person that owns these computers is paranoid. There is no other explanation. There was nothing to find. I took complete scans of all three hard drives. They were scrubbed daily. Most people would do that once a month. This person also had some good software that I had not come across before and it was very advanced. Even with the password to enter the system it took a week to just begin to siphon off the data. I worked eighteen hours a day during this time. It was a challenge to me and I worked hard."

"Ok, you worked hard. What about what you did find?"

I spent more time in those computers than I did in my own. I tried to build a program within their machines that would record all that was done on the keyboard but it proved impossible because of their system security. One time I got into the machine. It must have been a surge by lightning but I'm not sure. Three programs had been running in one computer. The temp files suffered a CRC errors. The power didn't go out and the computer didn't fail but the temp files were corrupt. New files were automatically made by the programs. I was able to salvage those damaged files before they were wiped just a few minutes later. I figured they were onto me but I was mistaken I guess, because I could get right back in again. In fact, I'm still there with a program to try to find something else."

"What are the files you found?"

"Two are spreadsheets with lab expenses. The last is a partial file from Word Perfect. I could only get some of the data. Due to its importance I printed off what I found and here it is."

The young man with acne gave me five sheets of paper. The first four were what he could recover. There were a lot of seemingly random characters with some sections that could be read. The last sheet had everything decipherable put together with some words in red that logically would go in place of the damaged area.

Once I started reading, I had to go over it again and again. "Who has seen this."

"You and me. I would not trust that data to anybody else, not even my mother."

"Do you know what this means?"

"That the world is going to change very quickly. By the way, I sent sealed envelopes to lawyers. In the event of me not phoning them once a month the letters they have will be mailed."

"What are you talking about?"

"Mr Colins, you're a very intelligent man. I had time to assess this information for a while. I could possibly end up very dead. I just want you to know that I am sticking with my deal. I won't say anything providing I get paid what we agreed to. If I stay alive you will not be bothered."

"What about your activities in her computers now?"

"I figure that's worth billions and I'll be happy to charge you fifty thousand a day until I get kicked out. You pay me daily and I give you what I find the same way."

"You could cheat me."

"This discovery is worth billions. I'm worried about staying alive. In fact, I wish you never came to me. I can use the fifty grand for my present work but not for what I stumbled on."

"What about the spreadsheet?"

The man handed a DVD to me and said, "Everything I found is on that disk including how to get into the computer. I more than earned my money but a deal is a deal. I'll pull out my probe now if you want."

"No! No! You've got a deal. Fifty thousand a day but I get every single file you get."

The kid was paid and left, I went over the sheets of paper again and again. The red linked the areas and the undamaged areas were just too consistent. That fuckin' dyke had stumbled on a way of promoting telepathy. The range of one individual able to converse with a hundred percent accuracy was over twenty metres was fantastic. They could take the information from a person's mind at three metres and the person would never know.

One area of the file was damaged more than the rest could only mean some form of clairvoyance. This would rock the world for sure. Governments would pay billions for the secret and billions more for me to not sell the secret to others. Selling it would be problematical. Like the hacker said, people would kill for just a fraction of this or just to keep it a secret.

I picked up the phone five times and put it down again. There was nobody I could trust with this secret. This meant that I had to get my hands dirty and do some of this myself. I needed some real men though. They had to grab that bitch for me and I had to get her to a private area where I could wring all the information out of her. The drugs I could get easy enough. Too bad the last team was so inept.

Two days later, I came out of a meeting with Julian Carstairs. He was a man I could respect. He was former military and claimed he could do everything to make this grab work right. The cost was high and I had to sell stock to get enough cash.

Carstairs had a group of ex-military people. Most were on call and all were mercenaries in one way or another. Most picked up their vocation and joined the military but a few were in gangs. All of them increased their skills over the years. Some of the group were not combat personnel but techs. These comprised most of the people who operated complex military equipment. Others were able to wring a fantastic amount of information out of a computer. A few had been arrested for this until they learned to hide their tracks better. What was good was that I only had to pay for the people that were needed and for only as long as needed. If we needed more they would be available.



-------

Chapter 11


The pack gained in strength as Sam weakened. I did my best to show that he was still contributing so that he would not be taken away. Tiffany came back to give her reports personally. This allowed her to get her pill and spend some time with Sam. Sam kept us up to date on what was in Knox' mind and this included the passwords to her various accounts.

I was the one to dispense the drug though Kelly was the more logical one. A collection was started where I shaved the pills destined for my pack. Since this included the dogs, I could get the equivalent of two pills every three days.

Bobby could not take the pills well so I would break them up into his food and this also allowed me to substitute the shavings I had acquired.

It didn't seem right but I seduced Dina one night. She had an aversion for girl-girl sex but I got her hormones to overrule her preferences. It wasn't that much longer that I found that she secreted the same substance that Tiffany did.

Tatum was a far easier conquest. Misty knew exactly what was happening and she came over for her share. It was a calculated decision that had me making the little girl happy. It was not long after that Joy and even Bobby had to be included because it was a pack activity. I drew the line at the dogs but they reacted sexually whenever we did.

I tried to get Kim to participate in pack activities which included some sex. This was the time I started to explain to her about the network of cameras and microphones.

"So what. If they are there it's her house."

Sam said, "The devices are there. I'm the one that can see them."

"Ok, so they're there. What about it?"

Kim liked where she was now. She had a submissive streak and the rest of the girls gave her a very good chance to indulge herself in it. She was just a sexual toy used for the girls to get off.

Tiffany had a lot of sex when growing up and used this trade to make a living. She gave her talks about her past but then flavoured her summations by saying how Kim was just being used.

With the opposition Kim was putting up, I knew I had to go very slow if I wanted to convince Kim that Knox was a monster. Tatum and Dina were given the job of trying to convince Kim of the truth without being blatant about it.

Kim stopped coming around because when she did she found her beliefs being challenged. In desperation I got the girls to seduce Kim more often and supply her with the nectar that would open her mind. I was really afraid for her.

My pack had been formed for three weeks when I was able to take two of them out at a time to see the world. I was most concerned with Tatum and Dina but they only thought about it. They knew that there were people around to make sure they did what they were supposed to.

The other three were less of a problem and security went with us and acted more like nannies. On some of these occasions I got Kim to go with us and she didn't seem to mind.

When we came back after one of these jaunts I saw some of the girls crying and I knew what the cause was. It was difficult to get the answer the regular way so I could react.

Sam had finally collapsed and could not get up. Kelly had him taken to the hospital. I hid and made a call to Tiffany. In a moment she phoned the house stating that she felt odd and asked about Sam. With that information she could go to the hospital.

I had responsibilities but I dumped them on Tatum and caught a cab and also headed to the hospital.

Sam was in intensive care. Tiffany got in as his wife and I had to be his sister. Sam was unconscious. We looked in his mind and found it dimming more than usual. Tiffany and I said nothing verbally but we were crying inside and out.

Tiffany's thoughts were jumbled more than usual and it wasn't just from grief. She was carrying Sam's child.

Sam could sense we were here because his disjointed thoughts were about the two of us. This explained how I had seen images of him holding a baby that could never happen now.

It was not long after this that Sam's parents arrived. Tiffany told Sam over and over that they were here until he opened his eyes. He was dazed for a while.

His mother hugged her son and cried but when she pulled away later she turned to Tiffany. "Are you carrying Sam's child?"

"Yes."

I read the woman's mind though I was still not as good as my pack. The mother knew Sam was dying. She was relieved that there would be a child to carry on but also worried about that the baby would suffer from Down's Syndrome.

The father had to be brought into the picture. Sam had two older sisters so it wasn't a matter of the line continuing so much but more of a worry that he would have to support the child when his health and that of his wife was failing.

He was worried about his son but had come to terms with it. It hurt him especially hard when his son had made so many strides to having a normal life.

I stayed a few hours and then had to go. There was nothing anybody could do to help.

I took a taxi back and felt apprehensive. When I looked behind me I saw nothing but cars but I tried to memorise them. The driver took an alternate route at my urging and some of the cars followed. Soon I was left with one car and the feeling I was being followed!

Working through the ramifications I knew that it had to be something to do with the lab computers. This would mean that anybody leaving the house could be followed. If they got enough data it was possible they knew that Sam was with us for months.

I was suddenly struck by the fact that the clinic had Sam's name as a subject and Sam was with us. Stethbridge may have this information too. Colins would find this information easily.

I took out my phone and called Tiffany. It was a few minutes before she answered. "What's wrong?"

"Got a tail. Sam will be watched and possibly taken. Maybe you too."

There was a rather long pause and she said, "I'll take care of this, Piper."

"Remember, it has to be logical. That's why I had to only call you."

"Ok, let me get to work."

I made it safely to the property. My apprehension didn't extend to harm directed to me. When I got out at the house I found Janice and two of her people. She was armed.

She quickly said, "Were you followed?"

I had to think fast. If I was, I should not know about it. "Not that I know. Why?"

"Tiff gave us a call. She found somebody in the hospital trying to find out about Sam."

"Shit! Do you think somebody knows something?"

"I have no idea. Tiff was not able to get close enough and not for long enough to find out much."

"What are they after?"

"We have no idea. Miss Knox is all in a dither."

An image flashed into my mind that showed her killing everybody to hide the secret and the fact that she had killed so many during testing. This was not a vision, just a possibility, but I still shuddered. I would have to be on the lookout for it and try to find a way around it.

The pack was upset when I returned to them. I saw that Kim was here too. Tatum was at the front and said, "How's Sam, Piper?"

"He's in rough shape. Perhaps he'll recover a bit. He always has."

"I hope so. Is there anything we can do?"

"I'm afraid not. The only thing we can do is carry on. I have something to tell the group. There was somebody spying on us at the hospital. This means that we have to be on the lookout."

"Lookout for spies?"

"Yes, and people that may be interested in us because of our abilities. It all depends on how much they know and how much they will be able to find out. If they learn about us they will never let us rest."

The pack knew from many talks just what this meant. No expense would be too great to find the secret.

The school was distraught. Even though most didn't like men, Sam was different. Knox had tried to paint men a uniform black when she had talked about them but most could see that she wasn't right.

I tried to carry on so the pack stayed in a routine. The dogs needed this and so did the people. We exercised more diligently just to forget our problems.

Tiffany came to the house regularly to talk about the new developments. She told us, "Sam became lucid but only for short stretches of time. He told his mother about how he feels about me — and my condition."

I thought, "Is Sam still watched?"

"Yes, but the monster has her druggies watching the watchers."

We talked more about Sam but much of it was as if he were already dead. I knew Tiffany was taking this harder than any of the rest of us and I tried to give her some support.

When we were alone, Tiffany said, "Knox is looking for spies under her bed. She's not thinking of getting rid of witnesses thankfully. I think it's time to hit the lab account."

I had to think about this. It was true. Knox had an external enemy to blame and the account was almost seven million dollars. This was the account used to buy what was needed to manufacture illegal drugs. Only some of the money could be ploughed into legitimate businesses.

Knox had seen the profits in selling drugs even before she graduated from university. She had talked in front of the right man and eventually somebody had mentioned the fact that a lot of money could be made.

Knox had dived in and produced lots of drugs but made sure her buyer provided the lab she needed. It took only one year to purchase this property. She had four full time assistants that produced what she wanted. They would still be doing it except that they were Knox's eyes and hands as they did research for her as she worked on Albicore.

For twenty some years she had been making and selling drugs. When the people she sold to died from one cause or another she just sold to somebody else. Very few people knew of her lucrative sideline. If the police came she was a respected researcher trying to alleviate the problems of mankind. They couldn't bitch because she had a long string of successes behind her.

With a lot of digging Sam and Tiffany had found out that Knox had made a little over a billion dollars in her lifetime. Some was put into her businesses before the governments started to crack down hard on this sort of activity. The businesses had grown over time and they in turn contributed to her wealth.

She owned stocks and bonds as well as real estate. She also had in excess of $723,455,000. This was just the portion in cash. When 7 million was seen in the lab account we knew it was just chicken feed.

I worked through the possible repercussions but saw nothing more than a woman that was going to be very angry. We might catch some of her flack but it wouldn't be for this embezzlement.

"Go ahead. You know she will be trying to trace the money. I'd like to trace this back to her enemies."

"Colins may have an offshore account or two. I don't know much about it but I'll see if that's the case. I can try to funnel the money that way. If not, I can work the way we planned. From what I read in Colins' mind, he's almost as bad as the monster."

"Good. We can use all the help we can get."

"Sam likes this idea and wishes he could be around when she finds out she has been given a tiny nip."

"I wish he could see that too."

After Tiffany left, I thought a lot harder about Knox's reaction and knew that this was a good time to begin talking to Kim about her employer and one of her lovers.

Kim was actually studying when I found her in the house. She was a little upset and grumpy because her treatment by some of the others.

"Come on, Kim. It's nice outside. Let's walk the dogs."

She looked at me and wondered at what I wanted but said, "Ok, let me get a jacket."

We walked to the kennel and found the dogs ready. They were not locked in because they behaved themselves most of the time. I didn't have to say anything and the dogs lead us in the rounds that was just inside the walls.

Kim finally couldn't take it any more and asked, "What did you want to talk about that you couldn't in the house?"

"It's my old rant about Knox. I see signs that she's getting even more irrational."

"If you were attacked by two men you'd act that way too."

"It's two different situations. Yes, it is good to analyse your mistakes and prepare for the next confrontation but haven't you seen how bad she is. She yells at us for the least reason."

"She's worried and so would you be if this happened to you."

"I'm saying that she's losing it, that's all. Just watch out for the signs and hide when the time comes. The least little thing could set her off. Last time it was when Bobby farted at the table."

Kim smiled at the memory and said, "He does that a lot."

"Maybe he does but he's only five. You have to cut him some slack. He never asked to get into this program. He was bought like some livestock from a farmer."

Kim was quiet now. She had listened to everybody that had been in the system and all but Sam had been given the drug against their will. I knew for a fact that many more had been processed but had not come here. This meant a lot of people had died or gone insane. It frightened me because if Knox was doing independent studies she could readily see that our scores were much lower than they should be.

Kim said, "We need to experiment. We can't find out any other way."

"We could get volunteers." When Kim didn't reply I said, "What if she wanted to experiment on us?"

"She wouldn't do that."

"What makes you think that way?"

"Well — well she loves us."

"I love you. She doesn't love anybody. She's smart and hides this fact so she can get cooperation and loyalty."

"She's not that way."

I said, "You talked to the kids. Some had been sold with their brothers and sisters. Those people have not come this way. I figured out that some people are not affected by the drug. Some people go crazy and some die. The remainder can read minds."

"You can't learn without experiments."

"What if Knox took me and gave me the drug? If I died I would be disposed of. If I went crazy, I would be given an injection to kill me and then disposed of."

"She doesn't do that?"

"Ah, but she does. She's the boss and her gang of goons will do the dirty work."

"People would notice."

"Haven't you noticed that she's very rich. If she wants something to happen, it will."

"You're paranoid."

"Not really. Knox is paranoid. I just see some things because I'm looking for them. I asked you a question. What if Knox took me and gave me the drug?"

Kim was quiet and I could read that she was worried. This thought had gone through her mind before and she could not simply discount it.

She said, "I'd rather take the drug instead of you. I'm not smart like you. That way I could get smarter."

"Kimmy, I love you. You're my only sister and all the family I have. I don't tell you everything to do. There's no need to be angry. The drug kills. Some immediately and some take time, like Sam. I don't want you hurt. You're smarter than most of the people on this planet. Your IQ is 107. That sort of thing changes and you're getting a good education and a better memory. I bet your IQ has gone up."

"I'd still take the drug."

I dug deeper into her mind and saw that she wasn't as happy as I thought. The girls were using Kim and she was taking it but she was having enough and couldn't get out of the relationship. Her submissive tendencies had led her into a role and the others wouldn't let her change. They liked to have a submissive but Kim only liked this on occasion. What she really wanted was to feel loved and wanted.

"Kim, I want you to come back and live with me."

"I can't."

I knew she liked the idea but didn't see a way to make this work. "Yes you can. Tomorrow you move your things out here. We can use your help."

"I'd live in a kennel. The girls would laugh at me."

"The girls laugh at me behind my back too. I need you, Kimmy. I love you and want you with me."

"Oh, Piper, I love you to, but I just can't."

It turned out that she could because the next day I moved her property out to the kennel. We had bunk beds three high but it was the only way to handle the seven of us.

After supper I was called to see Knox. I was worried about her finding out that I fiddled with the scores. I was also worried she may have found out what I was planing against her. In fact, I was worried about nearly everything.

I stood at ease but she had her block up and this worried me because she must know that I could read minds. "Yes, Miss Knox?"

She kept writing and then yelled at me. "What did you think you were doing?"

I almost fainted. I barely got out, "About what, Miss Knox?"

"You're turning everybody against me."

Shit, she knew, but at least she was still talking instead of sending her goons. My only choice was to play innocent and hope. "Anything I told the children was for their own good. I didn't lie and they don't bother you."

"What about the staff?"

I relaxed a little. She was paranoid but I could deal with that. "Miss Knox, I am not playing office politics. My job is to learn and I'm doing the best I can. You gave me the job of investigating the staff and I found nobody that is more than just pissed off at you once in a while. All I can add to your understanding is that you have been under a lot of strain recently. You need to relax."

"How can I relax? If I did that for even a minute this house of cards would come tumbling down about my ears."

"Your own attitude is feeding the problem. You yell at people more often. You just did this to me. It's normal for people to avoid you until you calm down. The fact is that you haven't calmed down for weeks."

Knox jumped to her feet and stalked around the desk. Her features took on the form of a snarl and she slapped me across the face with a full swing. Dad had done this. I had been too shocked to move. I thought all this from the floor because that was where I was ended up. My face hurt like hell and my adrenaline was running. She could kill me easily if she wanted to.

She didn't come any closer but she started to hurl invectives at me. I just got to my feet by using the desk. I stood unsteadily and she continued. Her hands moved but they didn't come back for a slap again.

It felt like hours later that she kicked me out of her office. She reminded me of Dad a lot now, except he hit harder and hurt me a lot worse.

There were people around but not near. They saw me and then seemed to shy away as if I was carrying the plague. I went to Kelly who was at least a little sympathetic. She treated my face and I saw it was going to be black and blue. She could have broken my neck with that blow.

Kelly didn't ask any questions and just gave me some pills for the pain and looked for any additional damage.

When I was about to leave, she said, "She didn't mean it."

I guess my anger got the better of me and I said, "She did. She's paranoid and sees plots within plots. She's driving people away because she's so worried. She sees people distancing themselves from her and her mind comes to the conclusion that it's a conspiracy against her."

"I don't know what to do, Piper. I don't want anybody hurt.

I tried to think calmly and said, "She needs a trank to calm her down."

"We can all use some of those once in a while."

Later in the day I was called back to Knox' office. I had been beaten before and I could take another if necessary. I was just afraid Knox may not know when to quit and I'd find myself cut up and fed to her ceramic kiln.

I stood in front of the woman and didn't cower. You couldn't show fear in front of this woman. She was like a shark then and went for the blood instinctively.

Knox had her mental shield up again and I had no way of knowing what this was about.

She simply came out and said, "There are two more subjects to add to your menagerie."

"I'll need their files."

"You can access them from your computer."

I could see that she was holding herself in check but she was still angry and worried. I was now interested in staying around and waiting for her to explode. "Is there anything else?"

She was taken back by my own curt manner but recovered and said, "No. The instructions are in the files."

I nodded politely because it was hard to say something polite. I turned and went to the room I kept in the house.

The two were youong women about Tiffany's age. One was nineteen and the other twenty one. I looked at their images. They both had the look of a hard life and I wondered if this was from drug or alcohol abuse. Other possibilities were abusive relationships or prostitution.

There was never any mention to how many had died to get these few but I would find out soon enough.

Amanda was like Tatum had been. She was now drugged. The other woman was Jess. She wasn't quite as bad.

I looked through the text and found that both had been the property of a pimp and had simply been sold to others until Knox had picked up their ownership. How I hated that woman but the world was a harsh place and others were even worse.

Both women had drug dependencies which would complicate what I had to do. A note stated that each of them had no detectable STDs. When I took another look at the photos I knew I would have to wait and get them checked again.

Since the children came I had worked out where any new additions would go. The only suitable place was my gang though inside it was my pack. The two women were older than me and stronger. They would want to do as they wanted or perhaps take over the alpha position. For all of our sakes I could not allow this to happen.

This meant that I had to be the dominant one. I could play this by ear but I would have to prepare for the worse. I didn't have to go on the 'net to find examples of dominance. All I had to do was copy some of Knox' ideas. Since she would be watching by cameras, then she might appreciate the style.

The house was full of 'toys' to keep the students and instructors happy. I got a large bag and put a few articles in it. I looked at the rest of the equipment for a long while and then reached in and took more than I thought I would need. The report that they were both aggressive made the choices simpler than I thought. I then went to the kitchen and got water and food as well as some clothing for the two women.

Once outside the main house I whistled loudly and in a moment I had four dogs racing toward me. I gave them a pat then showed pictures of two strangers that might fit into the pack. They didn't like this but there was nothing I could do about it.

We walked to the security building and I let myself in. The dogs followed. Sparky leaned against the door and closed it for me.

Janice was not around but one of the women said, "You can go. You know the way."

This was suspicious and made me think that Knox had a hand in this. The first meeting was usually difficult. Perhaps this was a way for Knox to hurt me without her having to raise her hand.

I went cautiously now. It was as if this were a test and I was walking into a potential trap. I opened the two security doors and they closed behind me. I had to wait a bit and relax. My mind had its shield up and I tried to understand those within the room. This was difficult because the shield and the telepathy were linked.

There was anger and a lot of hostility in the room. I put down my bag and took out a leather leash. It was fairly heavy and I folded it once so it looked like an officer's swagger stick. It might even be useful for more than just a prop.

I unlocked and pushed the door open quickly. The women had not been held captive long but they looked a mess. I said nothing as I looked them over slowly. One was only partially awake but the other one jumped to her feet to protect herself if necessary.

Amanda's mind was not functioning well and I was not sure if it was the sedation or not. Jess' mind was more focussed. She had a lot of fear when I entered but it was quickly replaced with anger.

She blurted out, "Who the fuck are you?"

I was looking at Amanda at the moment and continued to study this women with my eyes while my mind stayed on Jess. I said nothing to show that I was not going to respond to her.

"Pack, come." The pack entered the room and spread out on both sides of me. The hair on the back of Sparky's neck said that he was prepared for a fight.

I finally looked at Jess and she yelled, "I asked who you were."

Instead of answering her question I said, "Your pimp sold the two of you. Eventually you were bought by my employer. She owns you now. I'm the one that will be taking care of both of you."

"Where are my friends?"

"We are going to have to come to an understanding. I am the leader of my gang. We have to have — "

"I said, where are my friends."

"I have no idea. You're mine now."

"Like hell I am."

"Didn't your pimp own you?"

"Nobody ever owned me."

"Your pimp thought otherwise. You even went where you were told. You knew you were just property. You did what you had to do to survive and the same is true now."

This was too much for Jess and she advanced on me. She didn't hear or see the dogs growl. She brought back her hand and telegraphed her move. The leash was already behind my back and it swung around much quicker. The end connected with one of her breasts and then hit the other. I doubted that her clothing absorbed much of the force.

The pain didn't register but I figured it might not. My body had moved with the leash and my right foot came up with the turn. Her hand missed me completely. I straightened my leg out and my foot struck her sternum.

The woman's eyes bulged. The dogs jumped on her now and began to rip into her body. She fell to the floor while still unable to breathe. The dogs used this to their advantage and bit her arms. All she could do was to try and protect her head and face.

The dogs worried her flesh for a moment until I called them off. She was bleeding in many areas and her clothing was ripped. I knew the four dogs could have killed her. She didn't know how to fight and was working on sheer bravado.

Jess finally peaked out through her bleeding arms and saw me. She was worried and her fear was higher than it had been before I came into the room. She was crying now and trying to put some distance between herself and the dogs.

I said, "You tried to hurt your leader. This cannot go unpunished."

She looked at me not quite understanding. I didn't like to hurt people but it was a necessary tool sometimes. I brought the leash back and whipped it across her back. She cried loud in shock as much as in pain. Amanda looked at me. She was more awake but not ready to do anything yet.

After five lashes I said, "You belong to me now." Another lash was used to punctuate this thought. "I own you."

Amanda finally got up and came at me. The dogs and I were ready and I managed to kick her in the crotch. She fell to the floor and the dogs went after her too. I pulled them off and went back to hitting Jess and then telling her what I wanted her to believe. There was no sense doing this to Amanda yet because she was too drugged to understand.

I had worked up a sweat and I was not proud of what I had done. Amanda had barfed but had not moved otherwise. Jess was curled into a ball with her arms protecting her head.

I felt nothing but pain and fear coming from her but she wasn't beaten yet and I didn't want to do this a second time. I kicked her in the stomach but not hard.

She finally looked at me and I said quietly, "Take your clothes off."

She didn't respond until I hit her three more times. She sobbed and had a difficult time getting out of her clothes. She didn't bother to stand and did what she could while sitting. She looked like shit. She was bleeding from many places. There were red welts all over her. Snot and saliva covered her face along with some blood. Her hair looked like it had gone through a tornado.

"Turn over. Put your head to the mat and your ass in the air."

A portion of her wanted to ask why but she could only think of one reason. At the moment she could see no way to escape and just complied.

I went into the hall and fetched the bag. The bag was set down behind Jess and I searched through the contents until I came out with some lube and a good sized vibrator. Jess saw this and her eyes went big. She started to move away and I slapped her butt and said, "Stay! Bad girl."

She stopped but didn't move back into the same position. This didn't matter much anyway. The tube was squeezed onto the vibrator and then it was set to one side. I used my left hand to hold her still and slowly worked the end of the tool into her vagina. It was a fairly tight fit.

I was also disgusted with myself because I felt partially thrilled about what I was doing. Some of it was my degrading of another human and another part was my forming of a sexual toy much like what had happened to Kim.

There was no turning back. I pushed in and moved the vibrator around until she loosened up then I worked it further in. "You belong to me, Slut. I own you. I can sell you again." She moaned but the pain was more mental. She took most of the length until the end hit her cervix.

I was near Jess' left side and reached out and took a good handful of hair and began to move the vibrator faster. Somehow I didn't see it coming but Jess moved forward and spit out the vibrator. She attacked me then.

She was in a poor position and I was able to use my right fist to hit her jaw. She was stunned for just a second which allowed me to get to my feet and use them on her body. The dogs had resumed their attack and I had to pull them off.

She was bleeding heavily now and had no clothes left to protect her. There were bindings in the bag and I used them to tie her hands behind her back. Once she was secured I used the leash again while telling her, "Bad, girl!"

She looked at me and I could still see some resentment. I quickly pushed her on her back and started to slap her face and breasts. Her crying intensified and I sort of lost it and moved my teeth to her neck.

I bit her windpipe and then removed my shield. "I can kill you now. Are you going to be mine or dead meat?" I punctuated this by biting harder. She was petrified with fright and I could sense her bladder releasing. I shook my head cause more pain without biting harder. I growled.

Jess' mind kept telling me that she was mine. She would be my bitch. She would do anything for me. I just stayed long enough for this surrender to sink into her own mind.

When I stopped I stood over her and looked down as I licked the blood off of my lips. She saw the red fluid and knew it was hers. I pictured images in my mind where she would be further degraded and even killed unless she did what I wanted. Her mind was telling me that I was the leader and she would not try to take my place.

I ordered, "Back in position, Girl." I gave her some time to turn over and she managed to get back. I got the vibrator again and went back to work. My left hand was wrapped tightly into her hair and this caused her a lot of pain.

I moved until my right hand got tired and then moved to the other side for a while. Jess' crying had settled down to some quiet sobs by now.

After she was quiet for a while, I said, "Good, girl." Soon I started the vibrator working and made sure I got her clit stimulated. In the end I had to get a better vibrator and more lube. She had a small cum and I let her relax for a minute then did it again. But always I was the one dominating her and she had no choice but to take it.

Amanda watched all this with fear. She had not moved from the pile of puke in front of her face.

When Jess finished her last cum, I got up and walked over to Amanda. "Get your ass up, Slut!"

She didn't move but part of it was because she could not control her body. Taking a calculated chance I removed the bindings from Jess. She didn't move except to bring her arms in front of her.

"Jess! Stand."

She had difficulty getting up but she managed it. I said, "Jess, position Amanda's ass for me."

I just waited while thinking of the torture I would inflict on her even if I had no intention of doing it.

Jess jumped to Amanda as if she was eager to do what I commanded. Jess pulled down Amanda's jeans and then removed them completely. Amanda was almost boneless and Jess had to hold her in position so she didn't collapse.

I raped Amanda too but she was in no condition to cum. I presented her with images that showed her surrendering and then finding safety and a place within the pack. I also showed her beaten unmercifully and her body buried.

When I stopped, I said, "Good, Jess. Good, girl."

I removed my own clothing and between Jess and I got Amanda into the shower. I cleaned her as I would my dog which is what I wanted her to think. I then did Jess and finally myself. We dried and went into another room with no scent of stomach acid and urine. Here, I handed out food and drink. Amanda had to be happy with liquids. Jess took nothing unless I handed it to her.

Jess was losing her abject fear. She was not ready to pee herself again. When she did something I wanted, I rewarded her with, "Good, girl." She could not read my thoughts because I kept my block up.

When she was calm enough I said, "Tell me about your life. No lies and no self delusions."

"I'm nineteen — Mistress. I have two sisters and a brother. My family disowned me. I've been living on my own for three years. Usually I can stay at a friend's house. I was never good at school. I've worked as a waitress or a clerk in a store. I needed money to eat and a man would pimp for me."

"Eat or have money for drugs, Jess?"

Jess hung her head and said, "More for drugs."

"My name is Piper. I'm your leader. Do you know why you were beaten?"

"Not really. I can't think very well most of the time."

"An honest answer. There are only two places for you. Either you die or enter my gang. The gang will offer you some security and a niche. You will have duties and responsibilities but the gang will have responsibilities toward you. The gang or pack cannot have divided loyalties. I am the best one to lead. If you left you would die. If you stayed without accepting completely accepting me as your leader you would disrupt the pack. I do not want either so I decided that you had to be forced into your new life. I think you may be happier in this new life than with your old one."

Jess hung her head. She wasn't sure of anything right now and had lots of misgivings about doing what a young person like me would order.

I said, "I'm almost thirteen. I'm smart. I care for my pack. I give them goals and they work toward achieving them. You are going to be expected to exercise daily. You are going to go to our school and learn. This doesn't mean daydreaming or just putting in time, it means real study."

After a pause, she said, "I can do that."

"Good. You must have noticed that you can read people's minds."

"I thought I was going crazy."

"No, it's true. I'm going to measure your talent. And you will help me measure others. My employer is experimenting with an odd molecule. It gives the ability to read minds. There are a lot of similar molecules made and these are tested on you and others. Though all of them are similar, they are not the same. A few do not work at all. Some cause brain lesions that may lead to cancer of the brain. So far, those that survived the first dosage have a fair chance of surviving."

Jess was very upset. "Could I have these brain lesions?"

"It takes time for them to develop. One young man is dying now but he's a special case. You should live for at least five years or until you would normally die. There is nothing pressing at the moment to worry about apart from cooperating with me."

"Can you read minds?"

"Not yet."

"I can't read you."

"I talk to others about my mind and eventually learned how to block my thoughts. You will be taught this later."

"When can we get out?"

"We can get out of this area when Amanda comes to her senses. She has to understand her place within the pack and within the school. After that we can go to the surface and walk around. If you show enough promise, you will be allowed to go out into the rest of the world."

I fed Jess more food but also tried to make it less structured. We had a few chuckles but I was the one that put food into her mouth. When she had to go to the bathroom I said, "You know where the bathroom is. When you come back, use your ripped blouse to clean up the urine and puke in the other room. Clean the area as good as you can. I have new clothing for both of you."

"Thank you — Piper."

"The pack provides for its members."

Jess did what I asked of her and I spent my time studying Amanda. She was calmer now but her mind wasn't easy to read. It could be that she had an odd mind or perhaps it was the way her brain was. I could piece out that she had gone through what she considered an initiation. When she worked for her pimp, she had served female clients too. She preferred males but the ones she ran into were not usually nice people.

Since she was close, I saw that she wanted a standard family with two children and a husband but there were so many inconsistencies and problems in her life, as she was living it, that she wouldn't be able accomplish even this small goal.

She loved some of the women she worked with but they were usually just as disturbed as she was. Her pimp had sold five women and apparently only these two had survived. They were taken some place and given the drugs individually.

There was no sign of the failures but Amanda had bloomed sooner than usual or the people doing this were tardy because she was able to read the mind of a person that had just finished injecting a lethal drug into an unresponsive body. The bodies were to be taken away for disposal like others had been before.

I was not finished with Amanda by any means when Jess came back and assumed a slave pose. When I read her thoughts I saw that she had taken part in slave play with her customers and thought it would please me.

I said, "Good, girl. Come here."

Jess wasn't sure of me because she couldn't get past my block but she came closer. With my hands I got her positioned on the floor so she was laying on my thigh. Like the children, I used my hands to massage her scalp and ears. She was in pain still but this sort of contact she liked. She vaguely remembered her mother doing this for her when she was young.

With Jess calm and at least temporarily happy, I had an easier time entering her brain. Jess had a similar upbringing to me. Her parents were abusive but hers were alcoholics.

Her relationship with males was unsatisfactory so she drifted to girls her own age. These girls suffered in similar ways and knew what to do to boost each other's confidence.

Jess' mind was full of contradictions. She wanted a standard family, respect and a place in the community but she also wanted to be the dominant of the pair. Another portion of her wanted to be submissive. This reminded me a lot of Kim.

Amanda had drifted off to sleep and I got Jess to lay on her back so she could have a nap too. I bent over to kiss her forehead and she reached for my hand and held it to her. This was comforting for her and in a while she drifted off.

It was easier to search their minds with them asleep. All the people I could read were sick in one way or another. I guess I was the same. These two had been hurt and warped. I was afraid of how they might hurt the pack. They were older and more set in their ways. If they chose to gang up on Tatum, the girl would stand no chance. A leader of a pack would not often worry about who was second in command but I did.

I got up and used the facilities and then checked the other room. Jess had done a good job or as good as she could considering what she had to work with.

I dug into the bag and removed the clothes for Amanda and Jess. I laid them near each of the girls.

I woke Jess by caressing her face. She was startled but then remembered where she was and what had happened. She gave me a small smile. "Hello, Jess. Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yes — Piper."

"That's good. I have to leave you now, though." Jess got very excited and wanted to sit up. I kept her in position. "Don't worry, Sweetie. I am not going to abandon you or Amanda. You belong to me and I have to look out for you."

"Ok, Piper."

"Good. I'm going to get some food and bring it back. I'll eat with the two of you and then I have to do some other work. I'll try to come back tonight to see the two of you. Tomorrow we will see how Amanda is getting along and possibly we can go meet the pack and look around the school."

"Could I come with you? I can help."

"I'm sure you could but I want you to stay here and watch Amanda."

Jess hung her head and tried to use body language to show how sad she was at this decision.

Mealtime had not started yet but I was able to get enough food for the three of us. I sent the dogs back to the kennel and they dutifully left. When I came back, the smell awoke Amanda. Jess had put on her clothes and she looked a lot better. A naked Amanda looked good too.

"Hello, Amanda. It's time to eat."

"I'm not hungry." I checked her mind and found she wasn't trying to be nasty. She was just not hungry. She didn't harbour too much animosity at me for kicking her then raping her. Both have happened many times before.

I left with the empties and sought out the pack.

"We have two new members. They are as old as Tiffany. They had a hard life and I don't want to make it any harder right now. They are older and logic would say that they are smarter."

I could read Tatum's worry and said, "Tatum, you're my right hand girl. I want you to keep that position. I may find a left hand girl if there is a dominance problem."

Kim said nothing but she was planning how she could make some new friends. I had my doubts if Amanda and Jess would be empathic enough to treat Kim the way she needed to be treated. Simply reading minds may not be enough.

Joy said, "What are they like?"

"I'll open my mind in a minute so you can see. Jess wanted to be boss and we had a fight. She's ok with me being the leader now. Amanda tried to fight me. She was sedated and not able to fight well. I did some things to make them accept me as their leader."

The pack looked through my mind and I think the dogs were doing the same thing. I praised the dogs for how they fought and the three that could read my mind wagged their tails.

Bobby said, "Did they like that?"

I read his mind and saw that he was asking about the vibrator. "Jess had to be taught her place and that did it. Later I made her cum once and this sort of helped make her feel good. Amanda didn't like or hate it. I just did it to her so she saw me as her leader."

When the pack learned enough I had them go back to studying while I checked the figures for the latest set of tests. I could see no problems and sent the results in.



-------

Chapter 12


Late the next day, I emerged with Jess and Amanda. We were alone except for the dogs and I wanted it that way. I took them for a tour of the grounds. The property was beautiful but I happened to know that evil lurked here.

The pack was waiting and I indicated that Bobby and Joy come over first. Jess liked Joy and she was surprised and then delighted that the girl participated in sex games. It was a second later that they saw that Bobby was the same.

Amanda was completely over her sedation but she acted moody. But finding that you were sold, experimented on, and one of the few survivors might make anybody think oddly.

Missy and Dina came next. Again Jess saw them as sexual partners. Missy was even more so because of her slight stature and pretty oriental features.

Kim and Tatum came last. Here the two girls looked on the young women as something nice to fondle. There was a long sort of talk going on between all four and I was afraid there may be some kind of bonding going on.

When they cut back I looked and found that the four were measuring each other up. Tatum had enlisted Kim's aid to hold onto her position.

After the group settled down I said, "Miss Knox wants some preliminary tests done. We better get at it."

The two newcomers had learned a lot from Bobby and Joy because the children could not protect their thoughts as well as the rest of us could. They now had a glimpse of who was behind all this. There was some hesitancy from Amanda at first, but she went with the flow.

The two had been tested twice before so I had to provide some accurate figures. Variations could be attributed to many factors.

We fetched a meal so that the pack could integrate the two new members before the staff and students got at them. During this time I spoke in my mind and I saw that everybody but Kim was 'hearing' me with their minds. I hoped that this would change in the next week. The effect took a while to manifest itself.

"Amanda and Jess have learned something about what we are doing but more importantly the danger we face."

Amanda said, "Danger! Hell! That woman's a murderer. She killed my friends. She's killed lots of people and is going to kill more."

Bobby said, "My brother's not dead."

Amanda just looked at the boy and said, "Face it, kid. That woman killed your brother. If they survived they would be here with us."

Bobby looked from one to the other of us. We had not lied to him but we had sheltered him from the worst of the truth.

I said, "I'm sorry, Bobby. This may be true but I know some people survive and aren't changed. They're sent to other places to live." This was a euphemism for sold into slavery someplace. I could not be as selective as Sam or Tiffany but tried to be and said, "And what did this accomplish? Amanda, you're upset and with good reason, but think before you express your ideas."

"Why should I?"

"Are you challenging me? We can settle this now and I won't be as nice this time." I made the image of us digging a hole and throwing a body into it. I was almost angry enough to do something like that.

Amanda looked around and saw she had no support. Even the dogs were showing their teeth at her. I looked into her mind. She didn't want to get me angry but she had to have a way of working off her own anger first.

I was angry but had no way to express it without hurting the weakest. "Eat your meal. We have some laps to do." There were groans but I think one sigh.

We did work hard. Tiffany and I had enough in our heads to provide both money and some guidance. The rest would have to have discipline and strength. Most had street smarts but some were just too young to understand.

I was not sure of Amanda or Jess. They either came with us or they stayed but I was damned sure that neither would get any extra Abicore. Leaving them may be best but if any government or large company that got hold of them, they would follow us until we died or they got the secret from somewhere else.

Tiffany phoned the house to give reports on Sam and on the people watching them. Knox had wanted to just kill them but somebody suggested following the men and see where they led. She would not be able to pass the code word this way so I simply phoned her.

She was still worried about Knox but she planned on making the series of transactions that night. She didn't use the name Colins but she obliquely said that he had a suitable bank account. She told me about Sam but I got her to tell me about herself and the baby she now carried. This topic seemed to relax her and I was happy that she had found love even if it was snatched from her.

A second medical report had come back about Amanda and Jess. They had lots of problems but no bad diseases. Kim was due to find her mind expanded any day. The pack made sure she got the fluids she would need.

It was kinky but I saw Bobbie humping away at Kim. She seemed to love the boy but I figured she loved the rest of the pack too. Kim got the go-ahead to take Jess to bed.

Amanda was not going to participate. She was always angry but I guess the thoughts she picked up of all that sex was too much for her. It was too much for me too and I lost myself in the group.

Later that day I started speaking more against Knox but only where it was safe to do so. I told Amanda and Jess but I was actually talking to Kim too. Like a self-help group, I had the individuals talk about who disappeared with them and who was not seen again. Most of us knew about the dogs that died during the testing though most of this was hearsay because they had not been present. The rest of the school knew though.

Tiffany gave me a quick phone call and dropped the prearranged code words and got off the line. She didn't sound happy, only extremely worried. Part of this problem was that she was now followed and Knox put a tail on the tail.

We had a lot of money by now and I suppose I should have been happy but I wasn't. Sam was dying and Knox was still killing people.

Kim had a low level headache for five days. She complained to me and wanted to go to Kelly but I forbade it. Her submissive streak lasted long enough for her to take me aside one morning and say, "I'm hearing voices in my head. What's happening?"

"Sam and Tiffany had sex with me. Over enough time I started hearing voices. I had no major headache. We figure that all the surplus drug that Knox gives the gang is excreted through sexual or other fluids. I got enough to read minds and the same is happening to you."

"What?"

"You're a smart girl. Think!"

In a moment I said, "I didn't put any of the drug in your food or drink."

"How did you know that?"

"Think!"

It took her longer and I don't think it was just that she had a normal IQ. Kim was always cautious.

"Am I going to get a tumour?"

"I have no idea. Not all people get brain lesions."

She stared at me for a few minutes and I lowered my shield to her. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"You wouldn't believe me about Knox. This was the only way you might face it. I was worried you would see her with a bloody knife in her hand and you would think she could do no wrong."

Kim thought, "That can't be so."

"Accept it, Kim. I love you and I know that you hide the facts when they don't suit you."

"I do not."

"You do and did you notice that you heard what I thought?"

This time she took her time and said, "I guess I did."

"Think to me. It's safer."

"But Miss Knox is not bad."

"Do you believe that I love you?"

"Sure."

"Do I love you more than you think Knox loves you?"

"That's not fair. She is always busy making money for us."

"Answer the question."

I had to drag the answer out of her then I said, "I love you more. Do you think I would lie to you about this? Think carefully."

"You could be mistaken."

"You have one hardhead. Sam and Tiffany said that Knox is a monster. Sam is on his deathbed. Do you want his final words to make you finally see?"

"She's not that bad. She helps us."

"She kills people with her drugs and she kills the survivors that are insane. The ones that are not insane are sold. Can you guess what kind of people buy other people?"

Kim cried for a while and I sent the pack to her one at a time. She could put together the truth from the information she got from each person.

There was another truth. I went to the house and found Kelly.

She looked up when I entered her office. "Hi, Piper. How are you?"

"You medical people with your continual work."

It took a moment to see that I was pulling her leg then she asked, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm worried about Amanda."

"What's wrong with her?"

"Sam was angry for no reason and I see the same symptoms in Amanda." I was scanning Kelly and she was not holding this information back.

"I'll have a look."

The pack was called away for a medical and Amanda was the only one not to return. Kelly told me, "Amanda had to go to get a MRI."

"Do you have any suspicions?"

"Not really. All I saw was that she was irritable."

I walked through the house near to Knox' door. She was home and angry so I assumed she did not find the money missing yet. By the time I got to the door leading outside, one of the security people stopped me.

"Hi, Piper. Miss Knox wants to talk to you."

"Thanks Rachel."

The woman was happy I remembered her name and actually I didn't cheat. My memory was a lot better and I could focus on a problem a lot better. It just occurred to me that Knox might have seen me on one of her surveillance cameras.

I went upstairs and was admitted right away. Before I could greet her, she said, "I have four more subjects." Her shield was up but her anger was not sustaining it like it was before. I got a glimpse of what she intended and I had to hide my reaction.

"There must be something special about them. You're not continuing."

"They're males."

I acted shocked now. There was more but I could not get it. "That could give me some problems. What are their ages?"

"15, 14 and two are 12"

I was in trouble. I couldn't refuse because somebody else would do the testing and my secret would come out. "We're going to have to be issued birth control pills. It takes time for them to take effect. I'm going to have to meet the boys one at a time." Knox had no visible reaction to my words.

"So you can dominate them?"

"Do you want them running free on this property? The boys won't consider what I say important enough to be guided. Our contract may have to be modified to give me a way to avoid what I think will happen."

"What do you think will happen?"

"The girls here like other girls but some will want to try the boys. It may not be the boys' fault. Some of the girls may chase them. Males think that they are genetically empowered to lead because they are bigger and stronger. The testing has to be done a certain way or the results are in doubt. The boys will try to work on their own. They don't have the scientific method down yet but will think they can manage just fine."

"Are you saying that you don't want this project any more?"

"I said that males will give me problems. I want this understood ahead of time. You have had a lot on your mind recently and I don't want you to hold me responsible for matters I have no control over."

"Do you want a larger budget or a better salary?"

"Money has nothing to do with it. My budget is more than adequate."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to be the woman I met at the end of last summer. You aren't that woman anymore. I'm worried about you and I'm worried about myself."

"I have been under a lot of strain."

"I'm saying that you act with poor regard to what is in your best interests when you are stressed. The woman of last October would give you a piece of her mind for acting the way you have been."

Knox found her chair and sat down. Five minutes had to have passed before she said, "The boys aren't the usual boys you find. These ones are male prostitutes. They were freelancing so there was no pimp to deal with. The boys should be interested in each other. That will lessen one of your concerns. I'm quite sure you can overcome their resistance. They use illicit drugs. This is another avenue you may use to control them."

Yes, the way she used drugs to control the goon squad. "What about STDs?"

"They were checked more than any other subjects. They're clean."

"Is there one you would consider dominant?"

"The boys are more of what you would call sissies. You can control them but the lessons have to be repeated because they'll forget."

"I'll do what I can."

"I knew I could count on you."

I spent my time studying the profiles then ordering another set of bunks as well as an additional refrigerator. Desks and computers as well as chairs had to come. The partition in the barn would have to be moved so we could have more room but I hoped to leave before this became acute.

The pack was warned about the newest members and there were some interest in this even if the boys seemed to prefer men. I gave the rules and one was that vaginal intercourse was not going to happen until they had been on the pill at least one cycle after their last period. Hopefully we would not be here by then.

Nicholas was the second youngest. He was a few months younger than me but still larger than I was. The profile did not give much information but I had to start somewhere.

My plan had to show each boy that he was at a disadvantage. Hopefully he would capitulate and there would be no problems other than maintaining their perception of where they would be in the pack.

I set up an area for the interview in the building that housed security. The women wore a type of uniform and Knox assisted by some of them sporting some weapons taken from the armoury. The door to the office would stay open so more of the security people could be seen as they walked down the hallway. The goon squad was easy to pick out by their usual actions and their arrogance. These would be useful props if any of the boys decided to read their minds.

Nicholas had long blonde hair. He looked cute but more of a girl type cute. His clothing said male slut. He must have made some good money because his clothing was good. All of the boys were young and I wondered how they got all their experience so early in life.

I took a page from Knox and was working on some documents when the boy was escorted in. The guard, Natalie, was one of those with a good shield. She stayed beside the boy but said nothing. A peek said that she was happy to play this part. Natalie was chuckling at the boy's discomfiture. The boy was not good at reading minds yet and had a ham fisted approach that let me easily know that he was peeking. I pictured the boy's face and body and us whipping him. He pulled out of my mind quickly.

I put my pen down and looked up. I had an angry look on my face when I looked at him and this time pictured me peeling narrow sections of skin from his body the way an apple was peeled.

"Nicholas, I am going to tell you the situation and then your options." He was not prepared to speak so I continued. "Miss Sheila Knox has been conducting some experiments. She needs subjects. She is doing the world a favour by sweeping the streets and rounding up all the undesirables. You were caught in her broom.

"You were given a gift and now it's up to me to develop that gift. I'm slightly older than you but much more experienced in this. I am in charge of ten others now but that will raise to fourteen. We have the structure of a gang or what I like to call my pack. I am the leader. Unlike a pack, I'm the one to say who does what.

"Your choices are fairly simple. You join the pack. Since most of the pack members read minds better than you they will know if you are planning anything detrimental to the pack. If you are, I will have you killed. The term killed is not the euphemism, you would actually die.

"Your other choice is to not join the pack, in which case somebody else will put you to death.

"Tell me, Nicholas. Have you ever been in a gang?"

"A little."

"Do you think it's possible that I will have you killed if you threaten the security of our pack and that of the school?"

I opened my mind and showed him the images that I had constructed for this set of meetings. The fact that we might flee for our lives later made most of what I felt actually what I portrayed. The portion with Knox going through her records and informing somebody in her goon squad to clean out some of the failed experiments was not a hard image to form. Nicholas didn't answer when I closed my mind.

"Tell me the answer, Nicholas."

"I think you would kill me."

"Would I do it for fun or revenge?"

"No, just to protect the pack."

"Good. The obvious choice is to join. The chances of sneaking off are just about nil. The pack would sense this and probably kill you. Do you have any questions?"

His mind was confused and I think I frightened him a lot more than he had been when he had been kidnapped and then given the drug.

"There are some simple rules to start. You will work hard to learn. You will work to further the aims of the pack. The pack will protect you. There are some that are younger then you in the pack. If you hurt them you are hurting the pack. Need I explain more about that?"

"No, I understand."

Jess was outside the room and came in when I stopped. She stood at a ease in a military fashion. "Jess, take this recruit. Clean him and issue him a temporary uniform. He's to be questioned and a detailed record of his background made."

"Yes, ma'am."

I casually looked at Nicholas and said, "Go with this woman. She's higher in the pack than you."

The boy said nothing but his mind was tortured with the stress of the situation. Only after the boy got beyond his probable range did I sit back and relax.

Natalie said, "That was fun. You'd make a good actress."

"I'm not so sure I was acting."

Anthony was the youngest. His birthday had just passed. He had an acne problem as well as one of a poor self image. His parents hadn't managed to pass on the basics of how to work within society and the boy had not picked up much on his own. He thought that his ass and his mouth were his principal assets in life.

I layed down the law to him and the boy started to cry. Natalie let him fall into a heap on the floor. He still got the full treatment. Tatum came in and took the boy away.

William was the fourteen-year-old. He put on a bolder front when I gave him my lecture. He was not as convinced. Caitlin was the first member of the goon squad to pass after I finished explaining facts to William.

I casually said, "Natalie, Caitlin just passed. Will you call her?"

She didn't answer but I could see the odd look in her face. William didn't know what to make of this but stayed in place. When the two women came back I said, "Thank you Natalie." I looked at Caitlin. I had not spoken to her much but I now said, "Hello, Caitlin. I have a problem which you may be able to help me with."

"What is it?"

"William needs to know that we are not putting on an act. Would you demonstrate how serious we are?"

"You want me to beat him?"

"Yes, but try not to kill him."

The woman didn't particularly like males and cocky males were near the top of her list. She didn't start out with a soft touch but bent over and kicked out with her foot and connected with William's abdomen.

The boy had no chance at all and went down only to be kicked again. She continued in a business-like but not particularly energetic way. The boy was no threat but she did like her work. Natalie looked at me in horror after a while.

"Thank you, Caitlin."

Caitlin didn't stop and I had to jump up. She had landed a few more kicks by the time I got to her. I pushed her away and she turned quickly to attack me. I crouched ready for an attack. It never came. She remembered her purpose and simply said, "Was that good enough?"

"You liked that too much. A weapon or a soldier has to be controlled. You would be far more efficient if you took command of your emotions. Now please wait here while our next subject arrives."

She didn't look pleased with this or with me but I had little room to manoeuvre.

Natalie brought in Brandon. The boy had a chance to see William. This shocked him. He looked at Caitlin and read her mind. The more he read the more she smiled and showed him more. Natalie had to support the boy.

I began my speech. It was quicker than usual and Brandon believed every word I said and every thought I let him see.

Jess had come back with Nicholas. I had Brandon support William with Nicholas' help. The three went to the kennel to get cleaned up and changed.

I said to Caitlin, "You actually did a great job. Your facial expressions frightened the shit out of him."

"I'm glad to help."

"Thank you, Caitlin."

After the woman left I told Natalie, "Thanks for your help, too. We have four frightened boys who will take a while before they need a refresher course."

"I hope the boy wasn't hurt too much."

"Me too, but if there are problems we'll take him to Kelley."

I went back to the kennel after waiting an hour. After looking at the pack, I said, "We run."

The boys didn't fare well and William could hardly walk. We left him on the grass as we went around the perimeter of the property twice. After the first circuit, Joy and Bobby stayed with William.

The boys were given the facts of life interspersed with exercise. I was not giving the boys a chance to group together either. Tatum liked Brandon because he was the oldest and perhaps biggest. Dina took William by default. There could have been some squabbling but Kim knew that she was not up to challenging Dina. Kim got Nicholas and little Missy got Anthony.

We had all been shy but after joining a group of mind readers, the shyness faded to nothing. Everybody knew all the intimate facts about the rest. They learned about Knox and her plans but my plans about the escape and about the money were deeply buried in my mind.

The dogs, whether male or female, gravitated to the boys for some reason and I figured it was something relating to our caveman past.

The boys had a craving for drugs as did Tatum. The craving was not as intense because there was so much support. When the hunger got too strong there was exercise or sex. This didn't fill the void as well but did help. The ache was manageable and there were other members to lean on.

Tiffany came to the house with a large amount of trepidation but Knox was not any more aggressive than usual. Tiffany saw me later and said, "She doesn't know yet. Sam was doing better today and he is still tickled pink. I think this kind of excitement pleases him. What pleases him more is that the men watching him actually were sent by Colins."

"Why is he happy?"

"He's bored. He knows he's dying and wants to go to Valhalla he says."

"What does he mean?"

"He wants to go out fighting if he can. He doesn't want this lingering death. I thought to talk him out of it but I can see his point. It's easy when we're so close. The Monster is tired of waiting and suffering from stress so she's going to nab a few of the people and question them."

"That could precipitate a big fight and they may go after you."

"I think the Monster wants to test me against those guys. She figures because I can read minds I can do anything."

"She is possibly putting you in a stressful position so you will develop whatever extra talents you have."

"I don't understand how Sam does that. I can work from inside his mind but it doesn't work when I try it."

"I can't help you there. I can't read minds as good as you so I don't know what's behind a barrier.

"Maybe my talent is in another form."

"I hope it develops soon. Maybe you can stretch like the rubber man in the comics."

"I'd hope for something better like Storm."

"That would be cool. Did the doctors give you any news?"

"They don't know what happened to him and only the Monster's specialist is allowed near. His family doctor was told to leave him alone."

"Did you spread out the money like we planned?"

"I followed orders and split it up the way we thought. We lost $56,000 but we also gained some time. She paid a bill out of the account just before I got to it."

"I'm not the boss, Tiffany."

"You're smart and I don't mind taking orders. It's better than having to give the orders."

"Anyway, that's still a lot of money."

"It sure is, but surprisingly it doesn't mean much to me or to you."

"I'm focussed on staying alive. Did you manage to rent the house and get some vehicles?"

"I bought two used vans. I guessed we'd need the room. The house was harder because of the time it takes. I should have one in a few days. Have you decided where to go?"

"I wanted to hide in a large city but I have responsibilities that I can't dodge. I have to take the pack with me. I don't know exactly what it is but it would be like leaving my family in a burning house."

"You're not alone with those feelings. So are we going where we can hide in the woods?"

"A farm is best for the short term. We have many races in our pack and we can't claim that they are brothers and sisters. Home schooling might work but society will stick their noses in. We have to buy paperwork so we can go to a regular school. You, Jess, and Amanda could be the mothers."

"Do I look like the mother of a fifteen year-old?"

"We may buy some mothers if we need them. I found that when I am with the pack it's as if we start to vibrate in sync. It's eerie but we can think clearer as if we are using all of our minds. Sex is even better."

"What about getting pregnant?"

"The guys know those areas are off limits. They came to us after wanting to be with men. Now they seem to like girls, or at least the girls in the pack. The girls go after the guys but they don't last as long before the batteries run down."

Tiffany smiled. I knew she liked the idea of joining in but Sam's problems prevented this. I felt the same way and didn't take part in the sex the way the rest did.

Tiffany was introduced to the group. She kept part of her shield up to protect our secrets. A normal group of guys would have tried to get close to get lucky or stay away because they were not interested in hetro sex. I was proud when they consulted the rest of the pack and welcomed Tiffany as a member. Since I was watching the dynamics I saw Tiffany visibly relax for the first time in weeks.

Tiffany stayed to have a meal with us and talked to the pack about pushing out her thoughts. Tatum actually managed this and she was on top of the world because of what the pack thought of her accomplishment. It was three hours later that Dina succeeded as well. I tried but could not do it.

These events had to be put into the records. I explained how they came about and gave Tiffany full credit for instigating it. Perhaps this would persuade Knox would keep her around more so she could share with us.

Our abilities were increasing all the time but some were near their peak. Kim and I had a long way to go yet but we were still increasing. Kim and I shared the guys and girls after they got their medication. It took about three hours for the Abicore to get into the blood and then into the semen or the fluid from the Bartholin's glands and from inside the vagina.

Kim and I kept the guys and the girls happy the first few times and they could please themselves later. This pulled the pack together. As an experiment, Kim's bum was used by all four. This seemed to work but not as well as I wanted.

We ran for exercise and the joy of it. Our usual path was just inside the walls of the property. Each trip was near half of a kilometre. The third time around I passed the back gate and noticed a van there. Other properties were not that close and they would not be so gauche as to park on the street.

I was leading as I should but as soon as we went by the gate, I pulled the pack over to the wall.

"Tatum, Dina, walk back the way we came as if tired. When you get as close as you can to that car I want you two to try to find out who is there and why."

The rest of us tried from here but there were no thoughts. I did have a feeling of unease again. I took the pack around the security building and to the other side of the gate without being seen. We linked up to Tatum and Dina but they were not able to get anything specific though they knew somebody was there.

Knox gave me an encrypted phone that I used only once. Now it would be twice.

"Yes."

"Piper here. We found a strange cargo van near the back gate. The pack can't get a reading but we suspect that somebody is there."

She quickly came to a decision and said, "Thanks. We'll take care of it."

We returned to our routine. I saw two cars leave the garage and leave by the main gate. We weren't lucky enough to see what happened or if anything happened but the van wasn't there when we returned the next time.



-------

Chapter 13


Sheila fumed for the second time today. First, a spy managed to get away because another one was monitoring the front gate. Then the problem with the supplies. The newest type of Abicore was unstable. This could be remedied by the addition of some stabilisers. To top it off the two supply houses Sheila dealt with had run out of diethyl ether. Another supplier had what was needed but the stupid laws didn't allow quantities of ether to be sold without papers.

Sheila had been working in the lab most of the time and the assistants were just that. She knew that they didn't have an original thought in their heads.

All this necessitated a trip across Toronto where she would show her credentials. They could not be faxed and the new supplier could not phone the other suppliers to find out the truth. No, they had to have the buyer present to show what the chemical was to be used for.

With the danger involved in getting the chemical there had to be an escort. There was no truck available and one had to be rented which meant someone had to get it. All this took time because everybody had to be told exactly what to do.

One car left with some people to get a truck. An hour and a half later they finally called to report that they were near the supplier. The rest of us left in two cars. There were two lab assistants and five security people with me. This time we were going armed.

I didn't like having so many people in the car with me but the trip wasn't that long.

The manager came out and was all apologetic. "Hello, Miss Knox. I'm sorry for dragging you out here but I have to follow the laws."

"Yes, I know all about them. They are easily worked around for the dishonest person. It's the honest person that's inconvenienced."

"I have some forms for you to fill out. I have to make a photocopy of your permit and then we can start loading what you want."

The questions were foolish but I had to play the game with the morons that ran this world. When I got real power I'd euthanise the majority of the imbeciles.

The manager quickly looked at the paperwork and said, "Thank you for your business, Miss Knox. Would you like to be billed?"

"The other suppliers allow me to directly transfer money to their accounts. I'd prefer this method but a bill would work if that's what you want."

"May I talk to the owner? It will take less than a minute."

"Go right ahead."

The man came back with a smile and gave the name and account number. Elizabeth got on the net and went to our bank to access our account. I saw her brows wrinkle and her fingers work quickly. Something was wrong. I hurried over and looked at the screen. Something was wrong because the balance was zero.

Elizabeth got up and I sat down and went through the procedure once more. The account was right but the bank had made a six point eight million dollar mistake. I was going to sue those fools. The money wasn't theirs to lose or misplace.

I had to go through the procedures three more times but the result was the same. I accessed another account in another bank and paid the pittance the supplier wanted for their products.

It was only when I stood up that I considered another possibility. The more I thought about it the more I knew that I had been robbed. I could barely hold myself in check.

The ether and other materials were placed in the rental truck at the loading dock. The happy fool wished me a good day. I'd kick his balls to his chin if I could get away with it.

I hurried out to the car and got in. The people with me were slow. I had to get home to check on my finances.

The parking lot had few cars and I started to pull out. Some drunk across from me moved out of his parking spot and drove toward me. I tried to reverse but there was concrete behind the tires. The moron or drunk didn't see my car. He screeched to a halt with a stupid look on his face but not before hitting my bumper and inflating the air bags. This fool would pay.

The drunk picked up a bottle and drank something from it. This one, I'd rip apart but I had to go through the courts and the guy would get away with a slap on the wrists."

I shoved the door open and I got out. It would be so satisfying to just drive my fingers into his eyes.

Before I could close the door, I saw people dressed in black and carrying guns. It all made sense now.

I yelled, "We're under attack!"

I ducked down and opened the door. I wasn't sure I was going to make it. A gun shot rang out quickly followed by more. My hand went under the seat and found my gun. I pulled it out and then reached in and pulled out a plastic container of clips.

Before I got outside the car again, there must have been at least a dozen shots fired. I saw one man fire a gun but there was no noise. I aimed at his head and fired. He was flung backwards.

I wasn't going to stand up. It was security's job to protect me. I moved back and looked for a flanking manouevre. One man was working his way around us and I lay down on the asphalt and shot the man's legs three times before he fell then I pumped two more shots into him.

A sudden pain in my leg made me stop. I reached down and found a furrow in my flesh. I didn't have time to worry about this right now. I looked for the person that shot me. Fighting in the parking lot was out, a concrete block building was better.

I was wearing a silk sash around my waist. I removed it and wrapped it over the wound to cut the blood loss. There was nothing to use to make it tight and I had to rely on my hands alone.

Bullets were hitting the cars around me as well as my own. Why hadn't I bought an armoured car like the diplomats have?

I saw two of my people dead as I worked my way to the building I had just come from. A blackened face appeared at one of the window and I shot a three round burst. The building may not be as safe as I thought. I looked for more faces but none appeared.

Security was using a lot of bullets needlessly. They went to their fallen compatriots and recovered ammunition and guns. The shooting slowly decreased. Security began to bandage our wounded, leaving me alone. I was the one that was paying them. I should get first treatment. My head hurt and I'd happily kill the asshole that did this to me with my bare hands.

-------

I woke up with a start. The wide doors and electronic equipment meant I was in the hospital. At least I was alive. My leg hurt even through the drugged haze my mind was in.

I took better stock of myself and saw a bag of blood. My head hurt and I put my hand up and felt a bandage and a painful area. I don't remember being hit there. My hands were sore and I saw smaller bandages on them. I wanted to sleep but I fought this and even managed to move to a more comfortable position. There was no call button that I could see and I was not about to yell like a common plebeian.

It was a half hour later that a nurse came in. I caught sight of a uniform outside the door.

The nurse looked old and experienced. "Oh, you're awake. Dr. Randall would like to see you."

"Where's my doctor?"

"When your people admitted you they tried to call Dr. Goldman. Apparently she's on vacation."

"A fine time for her to leave."

"They got a hold of her and she's flying back."

"She better."

The nurse looked at me with those myopic eyes and said nothing. I said, "Are my lawyers in the hall?"

"There are four of them but the police won't let them through."

The nurse finished checking the drips and was about to leave. I said, "Will you hold the door open for a moment? I'd like to exercise my rights of free speech."

The woman didn't seem to understand but few did. She held the door open and I saw Maggie Stine. "Maggie, I am asking you to attend to me now. If they plan on holding me for any reason at all, get me out. Don't let the police push you around."

Maggie didn't move but she said, "You aren't under arrest. They just want to find out what happened. Your people refuse to talk without you allowing it."

The cop tried to close the door and Maggie yelled at him. "You do that and I'll have your badge. You are interfering with a client lawyer discussion.

The cop defended himself. "I'm here for her protection."

"Protection doesn't mean preventing my client from talking to her lawyer."

"I have my orders."

"Is Miss Knox under arrest?"

"No."

With those words, Maggie rushed forward and the cop sought to stop her but she got by the obstruction and into the room. Two others had followed in her wake. The cop was livid and ordered the women out but they just sat on the bed and ignored him. He soon left and Maggie closed the door.

Maggie said, "What happened?"

"Do you have a bug detector?"

"Not with me. There are layer—client privileges in effect here."

"That's not good enough. What I can say is that I am working on a new cancer drug. I needed some materials that my two current suppliers were out of. Another supplier needed me to be there to sign for the material. We attempted to leave the premises after I completed the transaction and we came under attack by people dressed in black and with black makeup on their faces. I feared for my life and those of my staff. We fought them off. I was apparently shot a few times. I woke up here."

"Do you suspect who is behind this?"

There was no sense her knowing too much so I said, "I have no idea."



-------

Chapter 14


We were eating our meal in the main house when the pack detected something wrong. We stopped eating but that was odd so I ordered them to continue eating but to monitor the situation.

Some beepers went off and two of the staff left. They didn't come back. "Bobby, go to the bathroom and try to find out what happened as you go."

"Yes, Piper."

The boy wiped his lips. He had just finished his desert and he would not mind leaving.

"Kim, go to another bathroom."

"Yes, Piper."

Kim found the answer first. "Piper. Knox has come under some armed attack. They are requesting a backup. Security is leaving now. The teachers and regular staff are on alert."

"Return." This may be our chance to leave but we only had one driver and that was Jess. Brandon claimed to know how to drive but he had very little experience.

"Pack, spread out casually until you can realistically say that you know what is going on then tell the rest when you are close. Remember, hide our true range."

The official word came back with Jess. She said verbally, "Piper, Miss Knox is in danger. People are shooting at her."

"Oh, my god. What are we going to do?" I paused theatrically and said, "An armed attack on Miss Knox could be anybody. We have to guard the house. Take the dogs to the walls and put them on top. They can patrol from that position. They can jump down and warn us or bark. Break out the bows and arm yourselves. They will probably ram the gates so park a car to block anybody getting up the driveway. Park them sideways across the gates."

"Yes, Piper."

The gang broke up because each one of us knew what to do by this time. The security building was vacant but I knew that cameras were still recording. The armoury had not been secured and I figured somebody was going to get shit. I took pistols and ammunition and handed it to Brandon and Tatum. They went to Jess to give him a pistol. She had the keys to a car and she drove this to the back gate to block it. Another car took William and Dina to the front. A second car for each was stationed fifty metres from the gates for protection. The one by the gate was only used to block the drives.

The teachers were running around and some tried to stop us but we just ignored them. Inspiration struck and I got the students to gather all the important computers and put them in the crematorium. This included all those that had any data on them relating to our research. I could not get in the safes logically so I left them and their contents.

I had no intention of destroying the computers, but Knox will learn of how I prepared for this contingency and I might get something as a reward.

Kim was posted at the crematorium. She hated the place because she had finally accepted that a lot of people had gone in and came out as gas and dust with a few lumps of burnt bone.

Rounds were made so it looked good but it was also training for us. Perhaps we were in luck and the Monster would die. I called Tiffany but had to watch what I said. We could not escape now anyway. Sam was still hanging on and we couldn't leave him. If Knox died, we could simply walk away. If she lived then we could work harder to get her enemies some data they could use to finish the job.

Bobby, Joy, and Missy brought water to those stationed near the cars. I rotated the crews so nobody had any position longer than an hour. The dogs were told to continue their patrols but I brought one down while the rest patrolled. The top of the wall was not very wide.

This was all a game to us but as such we treated the game seriously. This was practice for what we may one day face and I wanted the least number of casualties.

We were prepared to take this preparedness through the night but security returned in small numbers until we could put the cars back. The guns had not been fired but we cleaned each of them anyway for practice. Then they were put back where they belonged.

Knox had been wounded but not killed. Three security people were killed and one more looked to be in serious condition. One of the lab assistants had died and it looked bad for the other one. One of the security people was wounded but not seriously enough to be hospitalised. All of us visited her so we could search through her memories to find out what happened.

She didn't like this happening until we used our voices to ask. She told us what she saw and then it was ok. As with most humans, she saw the events in her mind differently than what we did when we viewed the data.

The attackers had not got away unscathed. Seven had died and at least four more were wounded. There was not enough data to go by but the attackers could have acted more rationally. The only reason I could see for their actions was that they were planning on capturing Knox. They hadn't been prepared for her strong defence. They tried to push their way through by force but they failed here also. The only alternative was to withdraw but they didn't seem to want to do that. They must have had strong motivation.

Television was frowned upon at school but used for news and important events. Knox would be really pissed to find out how her face was plastered in news reports that came from other countries. She was famous as a researcher and a person that was instrumental in developing some important drugs.

This presented another way of attacking Knox. I called Tiffany but she didn't answer. The pack and I worked on an information packet that Tiffany could send anonymously that would cause Knox the most harm.

That night we didn't have the jitters but we were excited. The excitement had to be released and this meant sex. The pack wanted an orgy and that's what it got. With all of us linked the way we were the strengths of our orgasms increased. The sexual atmosphere was almost tangible.

The boys tried hard to hold back like a long distance runner. The girls wanted an intense coupling. We might have got something in between. Kim and I went after semen and vaginal secretions but it was not mechanical. We were wrapped up in the orgy and received as much as we gave.

We slept on the floor with the mattresses pulled together. It was so much better sleeping while touching skin than being in a bed. When we woke up we were happy and smiled at each other. There was strong love here but not what I expected to find when I found a mate. What I had now was different.

Tiffany phoned and it was hard to understand her. She was crying uncontrollably. I managed to get her location and called a taxi so we could bring her back. I took Tatum and Brandon and left Dina in charge. It was not hard to speculate on the cause of Tiffany's actions.

Tiffany lived in an apartment now. When we got close to her it was almost like being hit by a blast of heat. Tiffany opened the door for us and we held each other tightly as we searched her mind for the details.

We stood like this for a half hour then we laid down on the bed to cry more. We knew the details but Tiffany had to explain what she saw and felt.

It was hard for her to face her memories but she tried the best she could. "The man came into the hospital room dressed in whites. He tried to act so innocent but he wasn't. He wanted Sam and he wanted me if he could get me. He looked at me funny. I think he knew that I was onto him."

She shivered at the memory and went on. "He said that Sam had to go for tests and I could go with him if I wanted. Sam pulled himself together because he could see the danger. He actually told me to go along with the plan.

"I was scared more than I have ever been in my whole life. I didn't know what to do but Sam did. My mind would just not work. Another man came in dressed the same. They pretended to be orderlies. They moved Sam to a smaller bed and then they pushed him down the hallway. I looked and looked as we went but I could not see the people that were supposed to be watching Sam.

"We came to the elevator and Sam's voice came the clearest ever to me." Tiffany started to cry. Tears ran down her face. "Sam told me to say I forgot something at the nurses station. I couldn't read his mind. He had me blocked. He never did that to me. I didn't want to go but he made me. I told the men the fib and hurried away because they could bring out their guns.

"I only got half way when the elevator doors closed. I heard Sam say as clear as could be, 'Goodbye my love. I will always love you. Remember that part of me is in our daughter.' I could not go on and ran back and pushed the button. The elevators wouldn't come. From the basement I felt Sam's mind grow and grow. He was gathering some type of power. He aimed it at the two men and then let it go. The power was too much for Sam. I felt him expand until he was as big as a house and then start to fade."

Tiffany broke down now and cried great wracking sobs. The rest of us did too. The pack was in pain and we did what we could to fix it.

We stayed with Tiffany that night. We learned a bit more about the hospital. Knox had two people protecting Sam but the opposition had seen them and knocked them out. We talked about Sam and cried. I somehow knew that this was the best thing to do. The next morning we went to see Sam's parents. They had no idea what had happened except that two men had tried to kidnap their son and they had mysteriously died when their son had. The coroner had Sam and it would be a sure bet that he would not release the body for a while.

The fact that two kidnappers died in the basement of a hospital and Knox had been in a gun battle in another meant that there would be a big investigation.

I asked Tiffany, "What did you tell Knox?"

"That Sam was worried about me and our child. I didn't know what he had planned. The cops learned nothing since it was all a mystery to me."

"I'm going to be asked too."

Knox had already prepared for Sam's funeral and she made sure he would be cremated to hide any evidence of her actions. Sam's parents had gone along with this because Sam had wanted it this way.

Sam's parents wanted Tiffany to stay with them. Part of it was to help but another part was to keep Sam's baby near them. They had heard that Sam was sure the child was a girl and the parents were pleased. Both had a small nagging worry that the baby would have the same malady as her father. To tell the truth, so did I.

We had not heard from or about Amanda for a while now and I tried to contact her. Kelly said on the phone, "I was told she checked herself out of the hospital." Kelly knew a lot and she didn't like what Knox did. Knox usually told her what she wanted us to know.

I got the name of the hospital and found out that Kelly was right. I also knew that Knox would not let Amanda run free even if the drug had worn off by now.

We all had our suspicions and began to worry. She was pack even though she was sick. Because of our suspicions it was easy to release some additional information about Knox. Some was to a crime figure she had robbed. The newspapers learned how Knox had brushes with the law from time to time and we listed what Knox told us. The papers would have to dig if they wanted more. We could not give out too much because she would get suspicious. What we spread could have been found out by an investigator.

We went back to the school and integrated Tiffany into the pack. There was some sex but Tiffany was just held and cherished. Knox was still in the hospital. Security told us that she was answering police questions or talking to lawyers most of the time. She could come to the school but the police would come here or drag her down to the station if she were mobile.

The pack could go to the hospital to score points but that would put us even more in the public notice. Some of us were runaways and some may just be reported as missing.

When the shift change came for the security detail I was there to meet them. I was specifically looking for the goon squad. Caitlin appeared but she knew nothing about Amanda though others might. Two of the goon squad had died in the attack on Knox but there were three more people to investigate.

We were in a lot better position to leave now but we could not go without saying goodbye to Sam and giving some support to his parents. I didn't trust Tiffany behind the wheel of one of the vans until she got hold of herself. Amanda still bothered me and I wanted to take her with us if she were still alive.

We exercised and trained hard but the preparations for battle had distanced us more from the teachers and students. We had not responded to their orders and they figured we were in trouble when Knox came back. I took half of the pack out and found suitable clothing for the funeral. The second half went later. The dogs got very upset when we were all gone. We missed them too. They were like missing pieces of a puzzle when we all left.

The shopping also allowed us to find other clothing that would blend in with the general population. Our school clothing was excellent but not for being inconspicuous. Knox liked to see us strut our stuff.

I had hedged my bets and taken the pack and got people in security to show us the tricks of the trade. This would look like good contingency planning for Knox but it was for our own benefit. One of the things I learned was that there were sensors all over the property and it would be difficult for any to approach the house without an alarm being given.

Knox came home in an entourage of four cars. We were there and trying to look like troops. She just gave us a look and entered the house. Her shield was up because she knew that most of us could read minds.

It was not long after that I was summoned to Knox's office. Instead of a pat on the back she snarled, "What right did you have to take the weapons"

I snarled back, "By the same god damned right that you shot and killed people trying to kill you. They tried to kidnap Sam and Tiffany. The school was a logical target. I have no plans of being shot or kidnapped while you were away on a vacation. We had to defend ourselves and I was damned sure I was going to do so."

She was about to explode I could see but she began to laugh instead then held her bandaged head. "I guess you had a right. You could have got in trouble."

"I would be in a lot more trouble if I were captured and slowly dying from the drugs they pumped into me to get all the information they could. I hope you heard that I placed the computers in the kiln."

"That was a good idea. I wish more people would take the initiative like that."

"They would, but you slap them down when somebody tries."

Her face went back to the snarl. She deserved the verbal slap for all the damage she had done.

"How dare you lecture me! I'm the one supporting you and your menagerie."

"You remind me of the common people on the street. You talk first and last but don't bother to think. I work for you. I get money but I perform a service that you want done. You choose to forget that when it suits your argument. You're an arrogant woman that was too rich for too long. You treat people like shit but still expect to get the best from them. If you don't like the truth, then fire me. I'll go back to being a student with no duties other than learn some academic subjects."

"You wouldn't leave your pack."

"You sure don't want a leaderless pack. Your testing would degrade. The pack has been set and you won't find it easy to raise a new leader to replace me or to bring in another to take my place."

"I could still do that."

"In time, perhaps, but you still have nobody to replace me. You can't take the job."

"Why can't I?"

"You have no time for this and you could no more empathise with the pack than you could fly."

"I could kick you and your sister out of the school."

"You're using idle and half formed threats. I want to stay with the pack. I want stable leadership. You're the best to run the school and the testing but you need a rest without stress. Others can take some of the load."

"And what do you want?"

"A pat on the back when I deserve it, not a slap on the face."

Knox considered my words and said, "Perhaps I shouldn't have struck you."

"Perhaps?"

"You're right, I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

"Your apology is accepted. Is there anything I can do to make the school safer?"

"I'll think on that matter. Tell me what you know about Sam."

"I talked to Tiffany. What she told me was entirely new to me. Sam indicated that he didn't want to waste away in the hospital. Ever since he learned that he and Tiffany were watched he must have planned to do something. The fact that he was protecting his family made the choice easy. I believe that he expended all the energy his body could provide and he simply burnt out."

"Can you replicate this feat?"

"Not yet. Sam was an adult and had a lot more experience. He also had more than normal motivation in this case. Perhaps what he did was only possible by him. The individual members of the pack may not have this ability at all or have something all together different."

"Any ideas?"

"Comic books have super heros. Some characters are implausible but some might bloom. Only time will tell."

"See what you can find out."

"The pack and I feel that the school is threatened. This might be a nervous reaction from recent events or something else."

"What are they after?"

"Logic says that they want what's in your mind."

"Why do you say that?"

"I talked to security and the attack looked poorly handled but the people appeared to be professional. They may have only started shooting because your security forced them into that position. Why else would they kidnap a dying man?"

"I came to the same conclusion. You seem to be much more intelligent now."

I was frightened of this. I had to use my smarts to get ahead but not to the point that she would think I was using the drug, even if it was second hand. "The pack does a lot of thinking individually and as a group. Dreams of the pack are linked as I put in my reports. I study the facts before I send them to you."

"Your pack deserves much more investigation I think. Have your thoughts on pack members leaving changed?"

"No, but we feel for Amanda."

Knox was shocked but her shield only stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"She was not firmly held by the pack. We feel that she is dead."

I could see Knox thinking hard. "You're right. You must have read the minds of all of security and know that the defectives are not allowed to live. She would be a threat to the entire school. The drug and her own unbalanced mind contributed to her increasingly violent behaviour. I would think that a pack mentality would agree with me."

The woman looked like a woman caught red handed. "You're right. The weak are tolerated if there is a chance they will recover. There is a much stronger social context to protect all of our members, even to the point of foolishness. The pack has not established a lot of customs yet but they are forming. I suggest you talk to them to get their feelings. Your actions may cause more harm than you intend."

"Like removing you as the leader?"

"They're comfortable with me and you would have a lot of trouble finding a replacement."

"It sounds like you have learned a lot about office politics already."

"I know next to nothing. I just want to learn without having to watch my back."

"You'll always have to watch your back."

I reported what I learned to the pack. Joy was able to find out what happened to Amanda. She had been given a lethal injection but she was violently insane. This made it better but not the same. What I said about pack mentality was right. We were forming close bonds to each other. Our inter pack dynamics was nothing like wolves or dogs though vaguely similar. the pack could see reality better and thus make choices that were the best for us.

There were still secrets within our group. Tiffany and I were still the only ones that knew of the embezzled money and the actual plans for our escape. Others had their hidden areas too. We came to an agreement where this area was sacrosanct and others would not peer within. Because I was more intelligent to start with I was able to hide mine as well. The pact had access to the drug and this made their minds improve but they didn't have an upbringing where they studied and worked as I had.

The police came to the school and only the oldest students showed themselves. Knox and the survivors were questioned on ground that had been covered long ago. I scored more points by stationing Tatum nearby to read the detectives' minds. This was a good excuse to convince Knox to allow herself to receive the pushed thoughts. This worked only after I spent a long time explaining the shield and how it could work one way. It did, but only from a weak telepath.

Tatum read the cops minds and Knox' too. She pushed the data to us but only the interesting tidbits. The rest we would get later.

Knox mind was such that she did not use much of it on her visitors. She spent a considerable amount of time thinking of what to do about the research. An interesting development was that Knox wanted two new lab assistants to replace the two that died. Another of the assistants was slated to move up the corporate ladder and fill a vacancy.

Usually people from the lab stayed there because of their past work in making illegal drugs. Knox had manufactured billions of dollars in drugs when the street price was considered. Since we had vetted this person as loyal, Knox was not worried about letting her get further away.

We had gone through the staff at Knox' request. It was good practice for us and we could sort the people that were possibly or potentially sympathetic to us. Part of the animosity shown towards us was because everybody knew that they were naked to our thoughts. Knox offered to allow everybody to learn how to shield their thoughts. We had to teach this and we had to do it truthfully. New recruits, though weak, would dig for information but not be able to gather any. If they did, then our lies would be exposed. Knox' house of cards was unstable but the one I built was even more uncertain.

Lawyers came even more frequently then the police. Stethbridge was implicated in the attacks. Knox pushed this even though it was not really true. The net effect was that the company was very anxious to placate the woman, her lawyers and the police. If they settled their dispute quickly then it would show that Stethbridge had no wish to have sent people after her.

Knox was pushing for thirty million but figured twenty would be the amount she would get. Without the attacks, she would only expect three to four million because her name had been damaged. I had to hand it to the woman. She was smart and resourceful.

Sam's body was finally released. The coroner had found that all three brains had been turned to mush. From the minds of the police, we found that there were hundreds of theories. Some were correct but others dealt with an alien weapon or a new invention. Knox liked this because it lead away from the truth. I figured she wanted to get her hands on Sam's skull long enough to study the brain herself. I knew that Sam would not be adverse to this.

We went to the viewing. Sam looked almost happy with the smile the undertaker put on his face. The line including Sam's parents and siblings along with Tiffany. Sam's mother presented Tiffany as her daughter-in-law and this comforted both of them.

We all went to show our respects, including four extremely well trained dogs. The police were nearby taking pictures but there were others as well. Some might have been hired by Colins but they could also be from the newspapers or the crime figure who we had informed was screwed by Knox.

The funeral the next day was even worse for all of us. The pallbearers were escorted by the entire pack to the vehicle that would take the body to the crematorium.

This would be the last we would see of Sam and tears flowed even faster. Sparky, Sniffer, Dancer, and Turbo had their own grief to express. They howled in unison that seemed to come from one throat. It sent shivers up and down my spine and vibrated in my brain.

The whole funeral possession came to a stop at this and it took a while for everybody to get over what had happened. The human members of the pack were the same way and we could communicate with the dogs.

After the funeral there was a large meal. The relatives tried to be a little jovial to lighten the mood. The dogs were a common topic because of the final send off and how they were so well behaved. The fact that all four howled in unison was appropriate in a way but detrimental to our security.

The dogs behaved like grieving friends though dogs would not do this for long. Ours were different because of the intelligence of three of them.

School was different for the last week. Knox knew that she was threatened even without her paranoia. She got security and the pack to help scan all of her important documents to digitise them. The ones in the house were done first. Some powerful encryption software was used and the information was to be placed on DVDs.

Knox searched for data repositories and found some that were almost secure enough for her. They had nearly as many safeguards as Knox now used. There was even triple redundancy in case of file corruption but Knox was going to have DVD backups and wanted the data stored on one drive so it could be removed easily and that area scrubbed.

One company in British Columbia met her specifications more than the rest. The encrypted images of the digitised pages were sent there to be stored. This was done by the internet but she could also access them with her digitised phone. It was one that was almost the same as the one she gave me.

When the stored files were checked, the originals in paper were destroyed. This entire process took a long time because Knox had to go to safe-deposit boxes and recover documents that she had considered safe enough before.

Documents could be converted to text or saved in word processor, spreadsheet, or database format. All of her history that had been put on the computer was saved on DVD and in the data repository. She had the option of running an application on the distant site to show her work but this she considered too risky and only encrypted files were sent.

Research on the drug would be backed up as usual once a week. It was also sent off to the data repository.

Knox spent an agonising time gathering, processing, transmitting and then destroying. The only sensitive data that she had was the current research and this only meant that a copy was saved on two computers that were not connected to the internet. The rest of the computers got new hard drives because the old ones were incinerated to destroy the data.

In all, there would be one point three terabytes put into storage. She was not concerned with people finding the files because it would take a least a century to break the encryption with a determined effort. I had managed to find those passwords though Knox tried her best to keep it from us.

Her DVD's were in her safe waiting to be placed in bank vaults but she was too busy processing more information to do this just yet.

Before the digitising actually started, I had volunteered some of the pack to work in the lab. Knox tried to see my angle but no major threat was perceived. The pack was a lot more conscientious and security minded than the students.

My plan was to allow the pack a chance to see how a lab worked. One day we would have to duplicate all this. We were not addicted to the various types of Abicore, it was just that we wanted to continue to enjoy our enhanced mental powers and our shared link to each other.

Tiffany wanted to live with us but Knox wanted to use her. Knox went so far as to send Tatum and Brandon to gather data with Tiffany. This hurt the pack but there was nothing we could do about it. Knox could smell Stethbridge blood and was not going to leave until she made her kill.

Knox figured Colins was behind the attacks and also the theft of the money from the lab account. Tatum and Brandon were to see what they could find out. This was exciting for them but I saw the dangers. Those we were dealing with were not amateurs.



-------

Chapter 15


Colins fumed. He knew the board was composed of spineless jellyfish. Knox makes some unfounded accusations and they buckle under like whipped dogs. It wasn't just the money, it was because Knox would be the recipient of it.

The company had been falling apart as Knox ripped into the carcass. Productivity had fallen. He glossed over his own preoccupations with ways to find out what Knox had discovered. The hacker had found nothing even remotely important but had received five days pay for it. He had suddenly been evicted from the system and now was unable to get back in. He would not get paid any more unless he did.

Carstairs had looked so good a month ago but now it was easy to see that lots of it was just bravado. The fool had underestimated Knox and her people. He knew that the woman was paranoid but went ahead with a poorly planned and executed kidnap attempt. Then he had the gall to screw up getting a man on his death bed. This had almost exposed the secret.

So far nobody but the hacker knew about the telepathy. If the man didn't take precautions then I would be the only one to know. The hacker was certainly perceptive.

Carstairs now wanted blood. Well, blood and money. This became a personal matter for him. I had no trouble keeping him on the job but he wanted to kill instead of kidnap. I had to promise to let him kill the woman after I got all the information from her.

I drove downtown and parked in the public lot and walked a block in the warm weather to the restaurant. Carstairs was as prompt as usual and was sitting in a booth already. When he saw my face, he put some money on the table and left.

Outside the establishment we walked down the street. He said, "What did you find, Mr Colins?"

"Nothing new. I can't find who sent me the information. Knox has a twisted mind and much more wealth than I ever thought. We can get her for conflict of interest but the board would rather put this matter behind them."

"We should take somebody from the school. They have to know something that's going on."

"Be my guest but I want to be at all the questioning. I have things to find out too."

"What things."

"We talked about this before. Your job was simply to procure Knox and place her in a safe house until I got my questions answered."

"Remember, I get her after you're done."

I said, "I won't forget."

"We can find some people at the clinic she owns."

"That could be easier but I'm not sure. The children in the school would not know much of anything. The adults might. Did your eavesdropping devices find out anything?"

"Nothing pertinent other than all the women seemed to be lesbian."

"I thought the school was that way too until we saw the boys. What did you make of the dogs?"

"Now, they're special. The terriers are usually smart but these dogs are too young to know much but appear more intelligent than usual. Is that what you are after?"

"That's my business but the answer is no."

"I wish I could question those dogs."

"What about the bugs you tried to get to the school?"

"The best we can do is plant them on the people and vehicles that come and go. When they get to that woman's house, everybody is scanned. None of our devices so far have made it past this point."

"What about parabolic mics and lasers bouncing off the windows?"

Too far for the mics and we need a receiving terminal for the laser. So far the receivers have just been too far away to be useful. We have to change positions to monitor every window and many cases we have to change the transmitters too. We're going to have to go in and place the devices manually."

"That's dangerous."

"I know that. That woman is rich and paranoid. This means her defences are going to be strong. Her security force was cut down to ten but only somebody very rich or somebody with lots to hide would keep that many on staff."

I asked, "Did you manage to trace any of them?"

"Just three. One is ex-military but all three had problems with their lesbian tendencies, with drugs, or authority. Or any combination of the three. They found a sort of sanctuary with Knox. The rest are probably the same. Hell, this reminds me of Greek poet Sappho and the women she gathered on the island of Lesbos."

"What about the kids?"

"Haven't found anything yet. They could be runaways, legitimate students, or girls that had lesbian tendencies that were directed to her place."

"Maybe we can get the authorities to go in and investigate for us."

"I had plans of doing just that but the people going would be ours. We could go in as police."

"That seems like the best idea."

"It would be costly in lives. So far you have paid me one point three million. I will not renege on our contract but I do not see taking the school with less than thirty people. This will cost you nearly the same sum and this will not include bonuses and money for incarcerated or dead men's families. Is what you want worth all this?"

"I think so."

Carstairs slowed down until I had to turn and look at him. He asked seriously, "Have you found anything relating to what killed the team at the hospital?"

"Nothing at all."

"Miss Knox and you work for a large pharmaceutical company as managers but each of you have a long history of research. If it is some chemical weapon I want to know what I can use to protect our men."

"Mr Carstairs, I have no idea what caused," there were too many people around and I had to wait, "the deaths of your people. I cannot even guess. I would think it was some hand weapon except the hospital tapes show nobody leaving the elevator."

"Miss Lish may know more. It was reported that she broke down when Mr Appleton was taken away."

"I thought of that. Knox is sending an escort with the young woman when she leaves the grounds."

"I've seen them. They look quite proficient."

Carstairs said, "So the logical move now is to go acquire this woman? The school will be too costly to take."

"I agree. Do you have any idea what this young woman is doing? I cannot see Knox doing anything from the goodness of her heart."

"We can monitor her for a while. We'll have to do this anyway. I don't want any more deaths, even if it is the opposition that suffers them. It brings on too much publicity."

"How long will this take?"

"As long or as short as you want. It takes few people to do this sort of surveillance. If we go into an unknown situation we will bring in extra people. Both routes are expensive. I can possibly shoulder a portion of the costs if I get an equal portion of the rewards."

"Thanks for the offer but I have enough funds for this enterprise."

-------

Kim and Dina approached the formerly verboten area and pushed a bell. This area was over the garage.

Miss Lage unlocked and opened the door. "Hello, ladies. Won't you come in?"

Kim smiled and said, "Thank you Miss Lage. Do you need us today?"

"Are you sure you still want to work in a smelly place like this?"

Dina took over and said, "It smells funny but we're getting used to it. We just want to help out."

"Well, you can finish off what you started yesterday. There's still a lot of equipment that has to be scrupulously cleaned."

"We'll do our best. We're a little slow but we will speed up in time."

"That's alright dear. Slow and sure is the better way to go. We don't like mistakes and accidents. Contamination is a real big no-no."

The two girls went to work. They studied the lab and the equipment diligently but concentrated on the menial tasks they were given. There were just two lab assistants left but there was work for four. They listened intently to everything that was said, especially about safety.

The two lab assistants kept up a shield that faded to only half by the end of the day. At no time was the shield formidable enough to stop the two girls from seeing behind it.

The newest form of Abicore was being synthesised. They learned that it was little different than the last method but the temperature had to be just four degrees higher and the pressure was now up to three atmospheres instead of two.

It took the two girls a few days to record all the various methods that had been used to make the various incarnations of Abicore. Structural formulas were now seen as something very important. Learning from experts was a lot easier than from a book.

The various types of Abicore had different effects. One did absolutely nothing but make a headache. Some brought out a stronger effect than others but also had stronger and very undesirable side effects. Usually this involved cramps and other types of pain but some produced rectal bleeding. So far seven variants had been tested. If they didn't work as well as Knox wanted then more variants would have to be developed and tested.

The girls knew that their lives meant nothing to Knox. This sort of research should have taken decades and with many labs doing just a portion of the work. The fact that all the subjects were already exposed to previous versions of the drug didn't invalidate the results in Knox mind.

When the drug was made in small lots, it was tried on the pack using them as nothing more than lab rats. More batches were made and then stored in a large vault. The girls knew that when they left they would need to take as much of this as possible as well as some of the equipment. Some instruments could be purchased later but it was possible to trace them.

-------

I was the liaison with security. This usually meant talking to Janice. This woman had developed a good shield but not up to what Knox could construct.

I asked, "How was my suggestion taken?"

"Well, she thought about it. There must have been some conflict because it took ten seconds. You can do this if you want. She says it comes out of your budget if you do it."

I had to smile now. The budget Knox gave me was large and I would only spend a small fraction of it even if I stayed. "Ok, we can do that."

A lumber truck arrived the next day and the pack assisted in taking the lumber to the construction sites. With saws, hammers, nails, and a shovel we constructed a small platform beside one of the walls. A plank made a ramp and the dogs could now run up the plank and patrol the walls without getting hurt by jumping down. This allowed them to gain the top of the wall without any additional human intervention. More ramps were put up but all of them were hidden where possible.

My reasoning for the construction was to show that we were active in our security. The ramp was decorated with vines to hide its unsightliness. It gave us an emergency method to leave the grounds but security could easily catch us with their cars and guns.

I talked to Janice twice before going to Knox to make a request. She said, "What's your real reason for wanting to know how to shoot?"

"Defence. I think the same reasons that drove you to learn are compelling me to get at least a basic understanding of the process. You asked us to experiment and try to find new opportunities to learn more. We may find a talent this way. Even if we don't, it's a good way of stretching our minds and bodies."

Knox thought it over and said, "All of you use the bow, even the little black boy. Isn't that enough?"

"When men climb over the walls and race to the house, you might want somebody here with more than a bow and a knife."

This pause was short and she said, "Go see Janice. We can try your people out and see who shows talent."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You will have to pay for this."

"How so?"

I have been giving some thought to what the human mind could possibly do, as you know. I want you to experiment with pain to see if it can be controlled. Fire is good. Perhaps this form of energy could be controlled."

"Yes, ma'am."

Knox was pushing to learn what skills besides telepathy could be developed. So far none of us could detect anything much beyond a sheet of paper even when we had Sam's thoughts to guide us.

My own skills had strengthened as had Kim's. We were not as strong as the rest but there was hope that we might improve. Kim and I could communicate well enough to be understood at one and a half kilometres. This was twice as far as anybody else. We could only communicate with the rest at three hundred and twenty metres. Accessing an unimproved human's mind was still limited to ten metres for the pack and less for Kim and I.

None of the talents came out until Joy picked up an old rusty nail and said, "I can see fire when I hold this."

Missy was nearby and looked within her friend's mind. The images were not that clear but the image of molten metal being poured was seen. This wasn't seen for what it was until the pack talked about this at the noon meal.

The older members got excited first and then the younger ones saw the reasons for the excitement. This was something that had to be told to Knox. Her paranoia and growing insanity bothered me a great deal. She could be composed and nearly stable one day and yelling and screaming the next. I couldn't read her very well but Dina could do better. The woman felt threatened by the pack simply because she could not manipulate it the way she did those around her. Her anger at the pack lasted longer as the days passed and the threats seemed to fade back.

After the meal, the pack waited for Knox to finish and the rest to go about their business. Blurting out facts over a meal was not the right protocol in Knox' mind.

The women said from a distance of three metres, "What is it, Piper?"

"Joy and I need to talk to you in private."

She said nothing but pointed upstairs. When we entered her office she asked angrily, "What is this about?"

"We found a new talent."

"What?"

"Joy picked up an old nail from the soil near the main wall this morning. She felt the image of fire. The pack reports that they see molten metal in her mind."

"Let me see this."

Joy handed the nail over and Knox investigated it. She said nothing then took a ring off of her hand and handed the ring to Joy. "What do you see?"

Joy was frightened of the woman and she took a long time. Knox was starting to get pissed. Finally Joy said, "I see fire again." There was a pause of two minutes until she added, "A woman with grey hair is changing the metal into a ring."

"What does she look like?"

Joy described the woman as best she could then added, "She is sitting in a wheelchair."

This fact seemed to shock Knox. In a moment Joy said, "A pretty woman with white hair bought this ring. She is tall and thin with a very nice dress. She has a nice meal with another pretty lady and gives her the ring. They kiss and hug." In surprise, Joy said, "That lady was you."

We went through more jewellery but the pieces that had gone through too many hands were not clear. The nail had not been influenced by many people and it was actually a workman that made the forms for the footings under the wall that had left the nail. We figured this was forty years ago.

If Knox had not been so busy we would not have left but the next day she was back with some antiques that Joy had to touch and talk about. A beautiful Chinese vase had a base made of very old material but the majority of it was only a few hundred years old. The disparity was not explained to us but Joy could read the information from the woman's mind.

A security detail took us to a museum and Joy was able to talk about the exhibits. She was tired by the time we got home and one of the security people had to carry her through the museum.

The month of June came and almost finished. It looked like the threat of attack had diminished. Knox had learned the hard way that if she yelled at Joy she could do less than she normally would be able to. We found another new talent but this one stayed hidden.

Bobby's intelligence had grown. We all seemed to share the power of our combined intellects so Bobby was much better than boys twice his age. He ran up the ramp leading to the top of the wall but slipped on a wet area from a recent rain. He fell over two metres but wasn't hurt. William had seen what happened and quickly but discretely informed the rest of us. Bobby had slowed down and hit the ground much gentler than he should have. We didn't want to duplicate the experiment here but we made plans to do so when we were safe.

Tiffany, Brandon, and Tatum were gathering information for Knox. Presently they were concentrating on Stethbridge. They were being hammered where they had the most fears. The twenty million dollar settlement was to be inked as soon as the new agreement was typed out.

The three tried their best to locate Stethbridge employees and find out more information. The team worked to find locations where the quarry would come to them. Colins saw them one time and left immediately. It was as if he knew that his secrets were not safe with them around.

The agreement with Stethbridge was signed and the money was transferred immediately. Knox was happy as she should be but she was still ultra cautious. She, like the rest of us, figured that Colins knew too much about us.

We gave hints to the newspapers and they were happy to print what they could substantiate. This meant that Knox and Stethbridge were highly embarrassed about what had happened. It showed that Stethbridge was at least partially guilty of attacking Knox and that Knox was a greedy, selfish woman. This brought out more insanity and even more paranoia. The latter was directed at us even though we did our best to project innocence. I talked to Janice and Kelly about my troubles with Knox in the hopes that the women would see on the hidden cameras that I wasn't doing anything against her.

There were enough details formalised that I knew it was time to leave. We had a rented safe house, two full sized vans and a small truck. My idea was to give so much grief to Knox that she would not have time to chase us down. To make this plan really work we had to hit her as hard we could.

She now had $737,217,000 in cash and various types of other liquid assets. On top of this she had a few lines of credit that added up to a measly three million dollars. Her businesses had a few million in reserve for a rainy day. If we could push her into bankruptcy we would have a longer time to hide and pull the blankets over our heads.

Knox monitored her various brokers on a rotating basis. On the sixth of July, I was going to start converting everything I could get into cash. These assets would be mainly stocks and bonds and other investment instruments. My typed reasoning to the brokers was going to state that the money was for a major purchase. Since they had no way of getting in touch with Knox, I felt safe in starting this long overdue task.

We had the chance to steal small amounts of drugs from the lab but we were scrupulously honest. We were being monitored and had to be. Selected pieces of equipment had to be taken and put into a rental truck. To do this we had to get security and Knox out of the house. This could be partially accomplished because Knox was required to be a witness at the case of the man that had originally been part of the first attack on her. We could start this process while she was attending this hearing.

It was Canada Day, July first, and four days before the court date. The pack began to feel that something was wrong. It took a good half hour to deduce that it only concerned Tiffany, Tatum, and Brandon. I used the cell phone to call Tiffany and there was no reply. Knox was not home so I went to Janice.

"The pack feels something has happened to Tiffany, Tatum, and Brandon. You have a team watching them."

Janice was a professional and immediately called one cell phone then another with no response. "Something is wrong," she agreed.

I was very worried and said, "Where were they last?"

"They were in Thornhill last. One of Miss Knox' old business associates has suddenly become antagonistic to her cause and she wants to find out the particulars."

"Will you send someone to check? There's a very bad feeling about this."

"I will do that."

I took out the encrypted cell phone I was given and called Knox in front of Janice.

"Yes!"

"We have a bad feeling about Tiffany and her group. Janice is going to investigate. Some force can be aimed at you too."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Is Janice there?"

"Yes."

"Put her on."

I could hear both sides of the conversation mentally. Knox was worried and security would be alerted.

The feeling about Tiffany and her group was not clear, only that they were in a lot of danger. I was given the phone back and I returned to the pack. I felt shame in what had happened because the person in Thornhill was one of those people we had sent information to. They could have found some people to kidnap some of Knox' people to find out what was happening.

It was an agonising hour later that I learned that Tiffany's car had been found abandoned. There had been a tracker in it but nobody had informed us of what was happening. William had to get close to somebody in security to read their thoughts.

An hour later Janice came to me and said, "We found Tiffany's car. Miss Knox wishes you to bring Joy to see what she can see of what happened."

"We'll be there in four minutes."

I ran out and found Joy the hard way because it was expected. Joy came running to me and I got her ready to go. She was excited as any six year-old could be. We were hustled into a car with Janice. She had the strongest shield other than Knox and security didn't like us peering into their minds. The same thing held true for the rest of the school but some were less antagonistic than others. The younger ones thought it was neat.

The pack was nearby and wished us luck. We got part way down the driveway when I said excitedly, "Janice, stop!"

The woman put on the brakes and said, "Why?"

"I want the dogs."

The woman took only a few seconds to say, "Ok, but not all of them."

I turned to Joy and said, "Call Sparky and Dancer."

"Ok."

It was only a minute later that two dogs raced to us as if their tails were on fire. They just jumped into the back seat of the car. The windows were rolled down and we had two faces out sniffing the air and getting cool. Janice wanted the air turned on but it was not that warm.

The closer we got to Thornhill the more pain I felt. I had forgotten about all the people trying to push their way into my head. Joy was in worse shape.

"Joy is feeling bad. Do you have any strattera?"

Janice reached into her pocket and brought out the bottle. Joy was small and needed half a tablet but it would be checked later. I gave one to her and said, "Take this, Honey."

"What about you?"

"I forgot to bring some of our own." Tiffany had found some for us in preparation for our escape. There was nothing I could do about this now but try to appear as if nothing was bothering me.

Tiffany's car was near a sign that said Doncrest Market. We stopped further down the street in an available parking spot and walked back. The pill had not effected Joy much yet and we were both confused by all the thoughts.

The car had two security people near it and Janice made three. Their uniforms stood out as did the ones Joy and I wore. Knox was not around. I tried to scan for her but it was like trying to listen to one voice in a large sporting event. It hurt to even try. When I thought of Tiffany and the rest I forced myself to search through the oceans of thoughts but I couldn't find them. They may even be near but I couldn't distinguish them from others.

Joy had to hold me up then she said, "Let me try." She scanned and I stayed out of her head. When she stopped the scan, she put her hands to her ears as if to hold the world at bay.

When Joy recovered, she went to the car and put her hand on it and concentrated. Her eyes closed in a moment and we waited. It was at least ten minutes later that Joy seemed to sag and I was there to hold her up.

It was an anxious few minutes more for her to say, "Four men with guns came up to this car when the guys were sitting in it. They ordered them out and into another car. One man drove the car here."

Janice asked, "Can you tell us where they were taken to?"

"I can't find them."

"Can you tell us where the car was parked or anything about the men?"

"The men are soldiers, or were. I can't tell what they thought, just the way they moved."

"Did they have a uniform?"

Janice was very worried because one of Knox' fear was that a government agency would discover us and what she had done to all those people to make a few telepaths.

Joy said, "They were all different like they tried to be all different."

"Let's get back in the car and we'll go to where they were supposed to be."

When we got back in the car, Janice asked, "What's wrong with you, Piper?"

"A bit of hay fever I think and maybe something about my period. I'm new to those birth control pills we've been getting."

"You better talk to Kelly."

We left the downtown area. Thornhill had been swallowed up by the town of Markham and the city of Vaughan. This was just a bit north of Toronto. The residents still refereed to their old town when they spoke. An outlaying area was sparsely populated and easier on Joy and me but now I had to pretend to be still having problems with my period.

Joy's talent didn't encompass a wide area when she had a view. The background was in a haze or a fog. We drove all over one area until Joy said, "Here! Here! They were here."

Janice and our escort stopped and Joy was able to definitely say where Tiffany's car had been. We were in a commercial area with an alley and ample parking spaces for people to pull up and threaten Tiffany.

Janice said, "The house she was supposed to watch is blocks away."

I said, "Perhaps the person left the house and came here."

"Maybe he was doing business here." She looked at Joy and said, "See if you can find your people or anything of value."

Joy and I could function a little better here simply because there were fewer people near us. I couldn't detect Tiffany and in a minute Joy confirmed this. "I can't find them." She was worried and apologetic.

We patrolled from the car as we drove slowly up and down the streets. Thornhill was not very large but there were simply millions of people living within twenty kilometres and they were almost all to the south of us.

We picked up food at a take-out and ate in the car. Janice got on her own encrypted phone and I sensed excitement and so did Joy. When Janice finished the call she said, "We may have a lead."

I knew it was Colins now but said, "Tell me, Janice."

Janice felt smug and this was the way I liked her. "Miss Knox suspected one man and had him followed. He left work early. He met with somebody and handed over a briefcase. It was probably a payment but we aren't sure. The two took a second car without a tracking unit on it and headed north. The car headed west to King City and stopped at an isolated farmhouse. It's only about twenty kilometres from here."

I knew there was more but it was difficult to reach with Janice, so I asked Joy, "What's she hiding?"

"She has to take us back and then go in with all of the security team."

"That sounds great."

"It is, but they don't want us along. Janice has her orders."

I said to Janice, "Let's get going."

"We're going home to get armed. You two are staying there."

"We can help. Joy can contact our people in the farmhouse."

"I can't help you."

We drove home and I worked on Janice's mind all the time but then had to sit back and let Joy dig out what I could not. She found little that was new.

The house was in turmoil when we returned. Pistols were seen and some had silencers being fitted on and then removed. The rifles I saw being checked had not come from the armoury. I didn't know where they came from.

There were kevlar vests much like those I saw the American's using in Iraq. Binoculars and monoculars were out to be used when it got dark.

Some olive drab boxes came out but I couldn't tell what was in them. Some of the security force was happy to get a chance to fight but half would rather stay here. The teachers were given the responsibility of watching the house. William was sent to check on the armoury and it was secured this time. He went past our bows and saw that they had not been locked up.

Knox never came close to us and in fact stayed far away and relayed orders through Janice. We were to just stay here and help guard the property. This sounded fishy so I sent Bobby and Joy running toward the main gate to listen in to any thoughts as Knox passed. There were always some last minuted checks and the kids got into position long before the cars left.

No sooner had the cars passed the gate that Joy cried out, "She's going to kill them. The Monster's going to kill them!"

The two children came running to me but I had them walk and think straight. This would be faster. Bobby was out of breath and said, "She thinks Tatum and Brandon have outlived their usefulness. Tiffany is somebody that can lead the police or the government back here to us."

Joy said, "She hates us and you especially. You are a threat to her. You can talk and you fight her. She doesn't like that. She will kill all of us as soon as she can."

Jess said, "We've got to go. If we stay here and we're dead meat."

"I agree. Lets see if there's any more information."

Bobby and Joy were quizzed until Joy remembered that Knox was not planning to attack until it was dark. This would keep her own loses to a minimum.

"Now is the time to make a break for it. Get the bows and knives. We round up everybody here on the grass. Then we herd them into the locked rooms under the lab. Make sure they don't have cell phones. We have a few hours, lets make them count." I had to make images with my mind and now everybody had a clear idea of what to do.

I got my bow and strung it quickly. I had pictured someday using it to kill but that didn't make me any less nervous. I had to pee but put it off until I came to three teachers. Nicolas and Dancer were my backup and the boy was even more nervous than me. Dancer was excited but looked surprisingly calm.

The teachers didn't see me and I released my arrow so it came very near to one of them and stuck in the wall. They turned quickly to me and I said as I pointed another arrow at them, "Bobby and Joy went to the gate and overheard Knox thoughts. She wants to kill the three of us because we are a threat. She wants to get rid of the rest of us too. This may or may not mean the students, staff, and teachers. We are leaving and I want you people put someplace safe so we can get away."

One woman said, "She wouldn't do that. She's under a lot of stress. She didn't mean it."

"I'm under a lot of stress. Get outside now or I will start shooting. I will not aim to miss next time." I called out with my voice, "Dancer, move them along or rip them apart." Only one attack was enough to get the women moving.

There was only one more teacher besides the first three that took care of the house. They were moved outside and Jess came with some rope and we tied them together in a coffle. Kim and I ran to the lab while the rest were guarded and I pushed the button. The bows were beside the door and we only had our knives.

The peep hole was used and the door was unlocked. We rushed in and the older woman fell to the floor. Kim aimed her bow at her and I grabbed my own bow and released an arrow at the second woman. There was a lot of questions but we pushed them out the door to the lab and we propped the door open so it wouldn't lock.

Three of the remaining six students had graduated and the rest of the students were with the others. There was enough mental communications between us to know what to do to head off an escapee.

I had to give a little speech because their lives were in danger as much as ours.

"Knox makes a drug that alters peoples minds. Many of the people have died or gone crazy. The ceramics kiln is used to get rid of the bodies. Ask the lab people. They know this for a fact though they don't know how to get out of this situation.

"Knox wants to kill Tiffany, Tatum, and Brandon because she thinks others will come here and find out about all her crimes. In a week or so she will start killing off the pack. All of you are in danger as potential witnesses.

"We have some things to do before we try to rescue our people. I can't have any of you warning Knox or security. I'm going to put you into the holding cells."

One teacher said belligerently, "What holding cells. There's no such thing."

"Just head for the security building and I'll show you what doesn't exist." The woman wanted to fight or try to run. "The lives of my pack are more important to me than yours is. I respected most of you and thought you were my friends. The pack comes first though. Now let's go or I'll get the dogs to hurry you up."

The people were put into the large room with the other doors to the smaller rooms still opened. They were searched again but we found nothing that could be used against us or for them to escape. My advice to talk to the lab assistants had not produced any results. The ignorant may well die because of this.

We had gathered enough data to open the armoury and carried the equipment to the front then we went looking for the hidden armoury. It made sense that it was well hidden and it was Sparky that found it by the scent of gun oil. Security here was just the fact that it was difficult to find and then open.

Jess brought around the school bus and we loaded the weapons into it. Some rifles had to be searched for on the net to find some of the pertinent points. I broke into Knox office and went to the large floor model safe. It was easy to open with the combination.

Inside was literally a gold mine. There were gold coins, American and Canadian cash, some of the drugs not in the lab safe, legitimate paperwork and some not so legitimate. I found another drug, only listed as a code, that was what Knox used to control her goon squad. There were phony passports in Knox' name as well as for some of her people. There was a black book of phone numbers as well as what looked like payments of some kind. There were a lot of DVDs that covered what Knox was hiding all along. This was a copy of what she had destroyed to keep out of the hands of her enemies.

I fired up Knox laptop and accessed the data repository in British Columbia. With a long series of codes I deleted the entire amount. If I was lucky, the files would be refreshed before Knox gained access and everything would be irrefutably destroyed. When this was in operation I changed the password to gain even more time. The DVDs in our possession may be the only copy in existence though I wasn't sure. This went into Knox personal luggage.

The computer was then used to reach all the banks Knox had accounts in. The money in all of them was transferred to my accounts. There was almost three quarters of a billion dollars so this would take too much time without my use of a USB key with the data on it so it could be pasted to the appropriate line.

After milking the hidden accounts I used the information on the key to remove all the money from the accounts to her legitimate businesses then went after her lines of credit where I siphoned off more millions. The last account was the school's. I was sad about this but it was the only way to remove the resources Knox could use to find us.

The Canadian Revenue Service would get the file we had assembled on Knox. There was only a little proof but there was enough for them to scent blood and follow the other leads I was sending them.

The final thing I took from here was the hard drive from her computer. I had heard of tracing lap tops so I would avoid the risk completely.

Anthony went to the lab and removed the hard drives from the computers while Dina packaged all of the drugs that had been in the safe.

We had done all this in an hour and I had to credit the dogs because they hurried most of the people along. The equipment we needed could be carried in the bus. Luckily it was light but it had to be packed right or it could get damaged. Some of the containers of chemicals were not as light. Most of the machinery could be undone with a wrench but some had conduit. William did the honours here and maybe he would be an electrician some day.

The bus was soon full of equipment. I saw that the youngsters had loaded some kibble and food supplies for us. After we fled the school, two of us sat with our uniforms while the rest changed. When we got out of traffic, the rest of us got rid of the uniforms.

There was a half hour before Knox would start her attack even though it would not be full dark. I figured we had more time if she waited to gain her best advantage.

King City was not that far north of Toronto and the traffic had thinned out. Jess was very nervous because she had never driven a bus before. We sent soothing thoughts to her and she relaxed a little.

-------

Sheila Knox was excited and, to be truthful, happy because some of the stress she had felt in the last few months was going to be relieved. Perhaps if she were lucky she could kill that little worm Colins.

Natalia drove up in the last car and got out. She looked worried but similarly excited. She was a good woman that didn't mind getting her hands dirty to do a good job.

"We're ready, Miss Knox."

"Good, I want to get this over with," said Knox.

I got in the car but let Natalia drive. This way I could use my gun if I needed to. I hated this drab pant suit I was wearing but it would match my surroundings much better than what I usually wore. Behind us were two more rentals. It was best to not have any way of anybody linking me to what would happen.

We drove close to the house which was pinpointed on the map I had. It was still bright out so we spent the time investigating the area. My own cars were shuttled to town and the people driven back in the rentals.

When the scouting was done I went to see the farmhouse. It was on a small rise. It was not the typical structure of wood but of fieldstone. I scanned the property with the field glasses. "Janice, have you thought of any improvements to my plan?"

"Only a few minor points. It gets dark about half past eight. I think we can move in at sunset and that is a half hour earlier. The longer we wait, the longer they have to get information. There is a farm road that leads to a small road that eventually goes to the house. I think it was an alternate escape route but we can use it. It was disguised fairly well and this was done years ago."

"So you think this is more than just a simple rental property but a position they have used for years?"

"I think so."

"Do you think there will be sensors?"

"There may be but we won't use the roads very much until they know we're here."

"You don't think we can take them completely by surprise?"

"If they're the same group that attacked us before then they are professional."

"We only have eleven people?"

"There are three cars and from the looks of it, there will be from five to seven combatants in the house, counting Colins."

"If we can, I want to take Colins myself. I know it's irrational but I want him to see me when I kill him."

"I'll pass that idea to the rest."

-------

Tiffany said, "I told you, I don't know what you're talking about."

Colins brought back his hand and slapped the young woman with the back of it. The ring made another rivulet of blood appear. She was a tough one.

I looked down at the woman. She never cried but tears came to her eyes from the pain. It was actually fun to break her down a little at a time but I couldn't wait for days to have her break. I had spent two hours questioning all three and everyone of them should have cried for their mothers and answered all of my questions.

The other female surged to get out of her chair but fell back because of the way she was strapped in. She said defiantly, "Big man. You have to hit women while they're tied up."

I replied, "I'm capable of hitting them when they aren't tied up young lady. Perhaps you have forgotten your own face when we talked last?"

"You're a sadist. You worry about your inadequacies and then overcompensate by hurting others."

"Are you admitting to being a psychiatrist or a mind reader? I know Knox is doing experiments."

"Anybody with half a brain could see how you act and deduce the same. You're a sick puppy that needs an extended stay in some nut house."

"I hold your life in my hands."

"You're a coward. You'd never kill anybody unless you knew for a fact that you could get away with it."

"Are you prepared to gamble on your feelings?"

"Why not? I'm a realist."

"Realists die too."

"Those others that took us could kill but not you."

"Perhaps later we will see. I can still cause you a lot of delightful pain."

"That you can do. No wonder no woman would stay with you for more than a week."

"And how did you come by that piece of information? Did you read minds?"

"You're pathetic. Any woman that was not as warped as you are could see that."

This was getting me nowhere. It was going to get dark soon and I hated to drive at night. I had to end this now. The small leather case was in my briefcase. I opened the briefcase, removed the other one and opened it slowly. The people in the room were certainly interested.

I asked the older woman, "Do you know what this is?"

"Something you think will make me talk."

The words came out slurred which made me happy but it also surprised me. Then again, the woman was certainly bright. "Why, you're absolutely right. This is something we have been tinkering with for a while. It's a anaesthetic induction agent. It's success rate is nearly eighty percent."

From the other chair, Brandon said, "He's a fraud. His stuff is no more effective than sodium pentothal."

I said, "We used to use thiopental or what you people call sodium pentothal. We have made some improvements over the years but it has some undesirable side effects. This is your last chance."

The woman seemed to know that I was lying and said, "Use it. You're going to anyway."

"Well, if you insist." I filled the hypodermic and flicked it to get rid of bubbles. There was no sense being unprofessional. The girl could not move very much but she stayed still. Perhaps she knew that this would hurt more if I had to poke her a few times to get to a vein.

When I finished, I put the hypodermic away and said, "Well, we have a while to let the drug do its magic. Tell me more about your employer. She's a fascinating person."

"She is a sociopath, the same way you are. You two would make a good match as a husband and wife team."

"I would never marry that woman but she is beautiful despite her age. Too bad she doesn't spread her legs for men."

"It was men like you that turned her off all males."

"And how do you know this?"

"She told us."

Tatum said, "Watch it Tiffany. He's trying to get you to relax so he can ask questions under the influence of the drug."

"I know. He's a sick individual."

Brandon added, "He'd like to fuck you too."

"I'll say under the drug that I have AIDS."

"That might work. Lets give him a red hearing for the drugs he's after?"

Tatum said, "That's a great idea. They found the strattera but they don't know what it is."

Tiffany said, "I'm feeling woozy."

"Don't worry, we will be here for you and help you through this."

Brandon added, "Yes, we'll help."

The three poked through Colins' mind to find out what he knew about the drug and then they did what he expected though they stalled for time. Brandon and Tatum cold have damaged this session but they outwardly remained uncommunicative. Tiffany acted very sleepy but listened to her two friends.

I asked in my calmest voice, "I'm sleepy, Tiffany. We can go home in a few minutes. Tell me about Sheila. She's not a nice person."

"She yells at us."

"Yes, I know. She hurt my feelings many times. Tell me more."

"I'd like to but there are people listening."

I jumped up and ran to the door. I opened it and saw nobody but I heard the sound of somebody hurrying away. Could the little cunt have been reading their minds?

I closed the door and said, "I chased the bad man away. He won't hurt you. Tell me about how Sheila gets you to read minds."

"It's a secret."

I was excited. I had not got even this far before. "Tell me, I won't tell anybody."

"We have a drug with us. It makes us have weird thoughts."

"Yes, we found it. What does it do?"

"You have to take LSD about ten times so you get stoned for at least a week. You then take the drug we had in between. One helps the other. It gets into your head and you can tell what people feel."

"Not what they think?"

"No, never, but Knox is working on this."

"The bad men said they didn't find any LSD on you."

"You don't need it often. Maybe four or five times a month."

"Can you read how that man that was on the other side of the door felt?"

"Not well. Too far away."

"What did he feel?"

"Jealously and he was horny."

"What am I thinking of now?"

"Excited."

"What about now?"

"Sad."

"Good, what about now?"

"Happy, excited. Mostly excited."

"How long does the drug last?"

"I'm getting weak now."

"When did you have it last?"

"I don't remember."

"This morning?"

"Yes."

-------

It was getting dark when we pulled into King City. We needed to know the area and had to stop at four places before we found a local map. As soon as we could we parked the bus in a plaza and called a taxi. There was some opposition when only Jess, William, Nicolas, and Dina were asked to go with us, along with the dogs. Kim had to stay with the rest but they wouldn't need supervision. They were all good kids.

The taxi driver was hesitant about the dogs until he was assured that they would stay on the floor. We had not started when the driver balked at taking us to 15th Sideroad and 7th Concession. It was getting dark and we were young. Jess did the talking until the man started to drive.

"Where are you guys heading?" The driver asked.

"My uncle lives there." The answer was short and the man wanted more info. Jess added before the man could ask more, "We're taking the dogs to him. He wants to start a breeding program. What do you think of the dogs?"

"They're certainly well behaved. They look young and well trained."

"They are all too young yet to breed but Sparky is getting in all the practice he can. The girls put up with him."

"He looks like a lucky dog to me."

"I think he is lucky too."

When we got to the intersection, Jess said, "Will you drive north on 7th? I want to get a feel for the place?"

"You mean you have not been here before?"

"Not since I was a very young girl. I loved the Oak Ridges moraine and I'm sure the dogs will like." The man was still worried but drove where we wanted. We all used our minds to try to find our friends. We had the location from Knox' mind but she didn't know the exact address then. It took ten minutes to get a feeling and then head down a smaller side road.

When the feeling got strong, Jess said, "This is good, right here."

"There's nothing here. Where are you going?"

"My uncle lives nearby and we can surprise him this way."

"It's getting dark."

"That's ok. Even if we were wrong the night is warm and we can walk."

"If this is what you want, OK."

Jess paid the man and gave him a tip. If any of this came to light I was sure our descriptions would be given to the police.

When the taxi left, we crossed the ditch and climbed a fence. The dogs found a way under in one spot. It was only a few minutes later that we contacted Tatum.

She said, "My god, I didn't think you would find us."

Jess said, "We executed the plan. Knox is going to kill all of you because she figures you've talked or will talk. She wants to kill us too just in case."

"Shit, they're nearby. Too far away to read their thoughts but we know that they're here."

"We didn't come with them. They'd kill us if they knew we were here."

"Get us out." Her fear was strong.

"How many people are in the house?"

"Colins and five others. They were sniffing to find out what Colins is up to but didn't find anything yet."

"If Knox gets close, give a warning. The best we can hope for is to have them kill each other."

"Colins drugged Tiff. She won't be able to run well."

"Is she talking?"

"We decided to give him tidbits. He already knew something so he only got confirmation."

We were getting closer. I didn't have the range the others had so I concentrated on the dogs. They fanned out and led the way. An image came back and I was given the image of one of Knox' security. We had pistols hidden in bags but I didn't want to shoot anybody.

The dogs shifted away from security while looking for a way past them. It was getting too dark to see well and this was the time Knox wanted to attack.

Knox' people shifted forward and I gave a warning. I was close enough this time to pick up the instructions to kill everybody in the house but leave Colins for Knox.

Brandon said, "Tiffany is under truth drugs. We got her to say that Knox is coming. Colins ran to give the information."

"Get on the floor if you can."

Gunshots were not heard but I was able to see flashes of light from the silenced weapons. I was close enough to know that Tiffany and her group had not been hit. The walls of they house were made of stone. Bullets were flying all over the place though. Powerful lights around the house went on.

Security was hit and I felt two cry out mentally in pain. There was no way to know how damaged they were. Two rifles opened on full auto. Soon security was using assault rifles too. The noise would bring the police except it may be thought to be fireworks. Toronto had a lot of this last year.

This area was level farmland and there was nothing to hide behind after we came out of the trees. An loud explosion went off with a flash of light. I had no idea what it was. I felt somebody in security feel excruciating pain then black out. Jess reported where she detected people and I tried to coordinate with the rest of the pack. It was only when we found Knox that I was able to fix everybody. The flashes from the guns helped locate everybody.

I pictured a square as the house and superimposed security nearby. I added our own positions and directed the pack to shift over to circle the house. Security was attempting the same thing and they were closer.

More explosions occurred and then a large one hit the main door of the house and blasted it in with an even stronger detonation. A moment later, three more similar explosions were heard. They were on the other side of the house so I had no idea what was hit.

Many assault rifles fired continuously. Some came from the windows of the house and others from the field. I saw a streak of fire then a detonation on the second story of the house. A small fire was started.

Brandon said, "They came for us. My bindings are being taken off."

Tatum added, "There's a secret way out and they are taking us with them."

I called out, "Find where it leads." William relayed the message for me. We continued on for a bit but then stopped and headed away from the house. The tunnel was long and led to a gully. The whole area was boulder shewn from the retreating glacier that had come through here the last time. It was a minute later that we got a more accurate fix where the tunnel led to.

We could feel Brandon and Tatum getting closer. Tiffany was being supported by somebody because she could not walk very well. We came to a large boulder in a gully and our friends were right behind it.

I said to the pack, "When they come out we have to shoot them. They're ready for a fight. Either we kill them or they kill us and take some of the pack away." It took a few seconds for everybody to agree.

I called in to the tunnel and asked, "How many with you?"

Tatum said, "Three, one is wounded. Three more are providing cover and then will follow."

"Do they have armour and night vision glasses?"

"Only one pair of glasses. The guy in the front is trying to deactivate a booby trap and open the door."

"Be ready to drop to the ground when you get the order." I then said directly to Tiffany, "Can you do this?"

"I'm groggy but I can walk. I just want them to think I can't do anything."

"Good girl. Always thinking."

A odd shaped portion of rock came out of the rock face and swung to one side on hinges. We could not see well but one man with something on his head came out first. He looked around but not behind him yet.

He turned to tell the others to follow but they were anxious and were already right on his heels. He saw Jess and brought up his gun almost in one thought. All of us fired at him at one time. He started to fall and we tracked to the wounded man who fell to the ground ready to shoot.

Tiffany burst into action and used her elbow to strike the man holding her. The man cried out and I knew this had to be Colins. He stepped back and brought up his gun but he was protected by the overhang.

I called out, "There are more of us than you two. We're not with Knox." Brandon and Tatum worked their way away from the two but the wounded man had his own gun out questing for targets.

The wounded man said, "How can we tell you're not lying?"

"We could shoot you now."

Colins said, "I'm not giving this one up. In a moment we'll have a dozen people from the house here to help us."

"There are three in the house. If we have to we will fire down the tunnel and let Knox come. She or her people may already have heard our shots. She wants prairie oysters and you're going to be the person supplying them."

"You're lying."

"We're talking about Sheila Knox. She's even crazier than you."

"How do you know who I am?"

"I've studied you and heard your voice before. Do you want to go into this discussion now?"

"How do I know you won't kill me?"

"I killed one man that was going to shoot one of us. We have not killed before and I don't want to do it again. Make up your mind. The shooting at the house is a lot less now."

"Take her, take her."

Tiffany was released and she hurried down the gully. William, bless his heart, ran into the gully and assisted her to get away. Thirty seconds after Tiffany was released, Colins said, "I want to go now."

"We have to wait a few minutes. Tiffany is none too stable. I don't want you and the other three running us down."

"Knox will be coming this way soon."

"I have pickets out. There's been enough death tonight."

Brandon and Tatum circled around the boulder and ran off with Dancer as a guide. In a moment Nicolas and Dina followed with Turbo. The three men were now racing up the tunnel. Jess and I ran with Sparky and Sniffer.

We raced in the direction the pack had run and where the mercenaries were headed. We were tired from the run. The land was not even and had boulders all over. The dogs could see better and guided us around most of the trouble spots. We still fell a lot but it was better than going slow.

We came on another farm and Brandon directed us to a metal barn. "This way. There are some cars."

Everybody was out of breath and they had not got here much sooner than we had. Jess was passed some keys and we got in a van of some sort. Tatum and Brandon opened the doors of the barn and we drove out and past a house. A man came out to see what was going on but couldn't do anything if he wanted to.

Tiffany started to cry before we left the farm lane. Tatum was there to help her and she cried right along. Brandon tried to act macho but it only took a few seconds before he joined the other two. We were pack and crying was ok.

We pulled up beside the bus and got everybody into it. Jess got in the driver's seat. Highway 400 was close and we got on it and headed north to Newmarket.

Tiffany had recovered by the time we got to the fairly secluded home. The keys were under a planter as the real estate agent promised. We worked like mad people to remove everything from the back of the bus and into the garage. Inside the garage were two vans. One was a full sized one with lots of seats and the other was a minivan.

In less than thirty minutes we had everything out of the bus. Jess got into the driver's seat and I said to her, "Be careful. Remember the plan. If you want, I'll go with you."

"No, I can do this better on my own. I'll see you in the morning."

All of us wished Jess goodbye. We had to get rid of the bus and it had to be far from our new home.

When the bus pulled out, I got everybody settled down. The three that had been kidnapped were in worse shape than the others and it took half an hour before I could shift the topic to sex. The easiest way to do this was go up to Kim and start removing her clothes. It was not long till the rest joined in.

I remembered shooting the man and so did everybody else, even if they weren't there. I tried my damnedest to hide my feelings but the rest couldn't do this as well. I think we over compensated a bit. The orgasms came slowly and not as intense as they had before.

Some cried later but some of us were able to sleep. These were the youngest ones. They were just tired and I think they didn't understand what had just happened to the same degree the rest of us did.

Jess came back just after 1:00 AM and I let her in. She was bursting to cry too. I got her to sit and we cried together.

There was nothing on the news about the gun battle. We went out in small groups but basically stayed away from others. I worked on our finances and shifted the money to some additional accounts.

Jess and I went back to the Knox estate. The property was darker than usual. Security came out around midnight as they usually did and we waited near the gate. What I learned was astonishing. Knox was shot three times and in intensive care. It was a tossup whether she would live or not. We had to wait two more hours for the second patrol to find out that the gun battle had been hidden. Four of the security people were dead and three more wounded.

When we left, I knew that the students had left. Maybe they would be found if Knox recovered. There was certainly very few people that could do her bidding now.

Jess and I drove home with a world of weight removed from our shoulders and possibly a decent life ahead of us.


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The End
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Posted:  2007-12-25
Last Modified: 2008-01-22 / 10:32:32 am
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