Page 28 of A Light in the Darkness

One guard, and the customer, with his black suit and an embarrassed grin on his face.

“Sorry about that,” the customer says, running a hand through his slicked back hair anxiously. “I never would have guessed she had a heart problem. I just love how tight her pussy got when I shocked her.”

“She wasn’t listed as having a heart problem.” Natalia frowns, looking up at him as if we’ve ceased to matter right now. She sighs, clearly irritated about something, and then glances down at the computer screen before her. “Tell you what? She’s probably still warm, if you wanna pay for another fifteen?”

The man licks his lips in thought, and I find myself staring at him as he contemplates the offer.

“Will you comp the cables for it?”

“Sure.” Natalia shrugs, unbothered.

“Add it to my tab.” The man says, turning to go back to whatever hell he just emerged from.

“Necrophilia?” Kent asks, his voice much lighter than mine could be right now. He almost sounds intrigued.

Natalia shrugs, clicking around on the computer as she processes his payment. “It’s a niche kink, but you never know until you try it. At least we’ll get one last use from 1847 before we dispose of her.”

John murmurs his agreement, and I think I must be the crazy one because everyone else is doing a damn good job acting like that isn’t the most horrifying thing they’ve ever heard. “And you’re paying the upcharge for a private room?”

“Yes,” we say in unison.

Can’t have cameras watching what we’re about to do. The cells are monitored and recorded, but private rooms allow discretion—for a hefty fee.

“Thank you, sir.” Natalia hands Kent’s card back to him and takes mine, processing the payment I blindly agreed to. “Here you are, Mr. Boudreaux.” She hands my card back to me, and thenbends down to grab something from below her desk, offering us a view of her tits pushed together in the red top she’s wearing.

The menus.

She gives one to Kent and the other to me, grinning at John when she says, “The usual, sir?”

“Yes.” John agrees easily.

I take my time surveying my options for Natalia’s benefit, as if I hadn’t already memorized every face in these pages. They’ve haunted me all week, keeping me from sleep, and I suspect even if we save them all, I won’t sleep for at least another week.

Kent sighs, glancing up to see Natalia watching him. “Areyouon the menu, sweetheart?”

Natalia manages a smile. “I’m not, but there is a very nice selection. Inmate 1724 is a fan favorite.”

Kent glances down, checking to see if the suggestion is to his taste. “But everything has a price, right? Name yours.”

Natalia laughs shrilly, and I can’t tell if she appreciates being propositioned or not. “I don’t have a price because I am not on the menu.”

“Mm.” Kent agrees. “So, what if I order off menu? I prefer to dine al fresco, anyway.”

Natalia shakes her head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“I’m afraid you’re wrong.” Kent says, his voice taking on a dangerous quality. “Call your master and we’ll see just how much you’re worth to him.”

Natalia’s eyes widen and her face flushes as she casts a quick glance around, as if her masters could be lurking. “I…”

“Or we could make a more direct deal. Cut out the middleman?”

“Sir, I…”

“Tick Tock, Natalia. You know my time is money, and I know yours is, too.”

Her eyes glance up at me, and then turn back to Kent. “And what did you have in mind, sir?”

Kent grins, picking up a pen from the desk and writing a figure on it that makes Natalia’s eyes widen again. She glances at his receipt, no doubt thinking about what he ordered off the a la carte menu and wondering whether it’s worth it. I’m sure Natalia is trying to decide if a little temporary torture is worth the chance to pay whatever debt is keeping her a hostage here.