Maria Miller walked arm in arm with Clark Campbell up the brick path to his house. Well, house may be a bit of an understatement. I’ve never seen a mansion like this. While they were driving here, Maria had tried—and failed—to keep track of where they were going, eyeing the street signs and noting the turns. But she quickly lost her sense of direction and never saw any of the few Collegeville landmarks she knew. Wherever this is, it’s not a neighborhood that college students know about.

 

The snowy evening gave the mansion an almost palatial aura. “You have a beautiful home.”

 

Clark looked over at her and chuckled. “You haven’t even seen the inside yet.”

 

“I didn’t know professors could afford mansions.” She smiled at him. He was about an inch shorter than her—more when she was in her heels.

 

He chuckled again. “Oh, you know. I’ve got some side gigs.”

 

Maria raised an eyebrow. “What kind of side gigs?”

 

“You don’t want to hear about that,” he closed his eyes and shook his head. “Boring stuff.”

 

“I don’t find you boring at all.” Maria smiled.

 

She has the prettiest blue eyes, Clark thought. He blushed, then hoped Maria wouldn’t notice in the dark. “Thank you very much.”

 

They climbed up the stairs of the mansion’s large patio and found themselves in front of the grand wooden doors to the estate. There was a small keypad next to the door, a touch of modern on this rather classical and grandiose abode. Clark bent over and started entering the code. It was hard to tell, but it almost seemed as if he were trying to hide the numbers from Maria. She counted eight beeps in total. That’s a hell of a password.

 

The keypad beeped in affirmation and there was a loud click as the doors unlocked and began to swing open. The wood groaned as the large hinges sprung into motion. A rush of warm air washed over Maria as the doors opened, a welcome feeling given the snowy night.

 

“Please,” he gestured towards the large foyer. “After you.”

 

She smiled and delicately crossed the crossed the threshold onto the polished marble floor. The foyer of Campbell’s mansion stretched before her with towering columns and the soft glow of chandeliers overhead. Maria’s heels echoed in the expansive space, giving her an immediate sense of the estate’s vastness.

 

“Incredible,” Maria whispered under her breath.

 

“It’s comfortable,” Clark smiled. “May I take your coat?”

 

“Yes, thank you.” Maria stood still as Clark peeled off her camelhair coat, leaving her in her low-cut black dress that fell to her mid-thigh.

 

He disappeared into a room adjacent to the foyer before quickly reappearing. “I must show you my wine collection. This way, please.”

 

He crossed the foyer and walked underneath an arched entrance into a separate room. Maria followed, eyeing the immense paintings on the walls.

 

As she crossed under the arch, the floor transitioned from marble to hardwood. Three of the four walls were wood paneled, while the fourth wall was essentially a giant wine rack, filled from floor to ceiling with hundreds of wine bottles.

 

Dear god, Maria thought. I don’t even want to know how much money all that wine is worth.

 

“Please, have a seat,” he said, gesturing to one of the fine leather chairs in the room. She walked over and sat down as Clark paced back and forth searching for the perfect wine. “No, not the Chateau Montrose St Estephe; the tannins are too overwhelming. Oh, perhaps the Chateau Palmer Margaux—2019?”

 

“Sounds lovely.”

 

He walked over to the bar cart and pulled out two wine glasses. He then picked up a corkscrew and quickly opened the bottle. It happened so quickly it almost looked like sleight of hand. He pocketed the cork before filling up both of their glasses with the red liquid. Before he picked them up, he walked over to his record player and, after perusing his vinyl collection for a few seconds, pulled one out and smiled. He delicately removed the record from its sleeve and placed it on the turntable. After gently lowering the needle, a soft hiss filled the room. Then the soft croon of a saxophone began to weave through the air.

 

Clark walked back over to the bar cart to the sound of smooth jazz. He picked up both glasses and walked over to where Maria sat. There was a matching chair right next to her. He handed one of the glasses to Maria and then used his newly freed hand to unbutton his tweed blazer and run his hand through his thinning brown hair. “Cheers,” he said as he sat down.

 

“Cheers,” Maria smiled back. She lifted the wine up to her nose, tried to resist making a funny face as she smelt the tannins, and took a small sip. Gross.

 

“It’s delicious,” she said.

 

“I knew you’d like it,” he said, lifting his own glass up to his nose. “Maria, you strike me as an incredibly mature… woman for your age. Tell me, have you ever traveled outside of the country?”

 

Maria waited a second before answering, remembering the instructions Orlov had given her earlier that day. “No,” she replied. “But I’ve always wanted to.”

 

“Really?” he raised an eyebrow. “You seem so worldly.”

 

“Maybe it’s just the dress,” she laughed.

 

He laughed too. He took another sip from his glass, and, although he tried to disguise it, Maria caught him looking up and down her long legs.

 

He set his glass down on the small side table between their chairs. “Do you like jazz?” he asked.

 

Maria racked her brain once more. Orlov had fed her a line for this question too. “Of course. I love Thelonius Monk. ‘Brilliant Corners’ is a masterpiece.”

 

“Really?” his eyes widened. “He’s my favorite too! ‘Brilliant Corners’ is great, although I prefer ‘Monk’s Dream.’”

 

“Wow,” she said, trying to sound astonished. “We have so much in common!”

 

“Yes,” he said, picking up his glass once more. “It really is incredible.” This time she caught him staring at her chest.

 

I’ve got to get out of here, she thought. He’s going to make a move soon. I can feel it.

 

Maria took another small sip from her glass and set it back down. “Would you mind showing me the bathroom?”

 

“There’s one right off the foyer,” he said, pointing to the archway they had walked through earlier.

 

“Thanks, I’ll be right back.”

 

She stood up and walked—slowly, she tried to remind herself to walk slowly—out of the room to the foyer. The rug that muffled her heels gave way to hardwood which eventually transitioned to the marble of the foyer. She turned right and found a door slightly ajar. After peeking in and confirming it was the bathroom, she quickly stepped in, shut the door, and locked it.

 

“I’m alone,” she said. “In the bathroom.”

 

A quick burst of static crackled in her left ear before she heard Orlov’s melodic voice come through: “It sounds like the evening is going smoothly, 232. You’ve done very well with your lines.”

 

“Too well,” Maria whispered. “I don’t want to stay much longer.”

 

“No problem,” Orlov cooed. “Finish your glass of wine, give him your number, and make up some excuse to get out of there.”

 

Maria felt herself relax. “Okay, I can do that.” She looked at herself in the large, bronze-framed mirror. Her long blonde hair cascaded elegantly down her shoulders. Her blue eyes looked alert but welcoming. She placed her hands down on the marble sink. “Hey, what does this guy do for a living again?”

 

There was a brief pause, then the static came on again. “He’s a computer science professor at the University of Monroe. You know this.”

 

She took a step towards the toilet. When she got close, the toilet cover automatically swung open. “I don’t know many professors that could afford a mansion like this.”

 

“You heard him say that he had ‘side gigs,’” Orlov said. Maria could detect something off in his voice, but she couldn’t tell what. Orlov continued, “It’s your job to find out what exactly he does on the side. That’s the whole point of this operation. But don’t be pushy.”

 

“Got it,” Maria whispered. “And just in case something goes wrong—I don’t know, in case he plans on murdering me or something… you guys would back me up, right?”

 

“Of course,” said Orlov. “Our car is just a block away.”

 

“Good,” said Maria, looking at herself in the mirror again. The black dress fit her slim, athletic frame perfectly. “I’m going to go back out, then. Wish me luck—this wine sucks.”

 

“The things we do for our country,” Orlova teased. “Good luck, 232.”

 

The static in her left ear ceased. She looked herself in the eye, breathed deeply, and walked out of the bathroom.

 

“Everything alright?” Clark asked as she walked back into the wine room.

 

“All good,” she raised her handbag. “Just wanted to freshen up.”

 

“You look stunning,” he breathed. Maria noticed that his glass of wine was full again.

 

She did her best to smile. “You’re too sweet.” She took her seat again. She reached for her glass, hesitated for a moment, then picked it up. He could have drugged me while I was in the bathroom. I’d be fucked. She watched as he took another large gulp from his glass. At least Orlov and the twins are close by. I’ll whisper the code word if things get dicey.

 

“Maria, I’ve been meaning to ask,” he said, putting his glass down again. “There are so many students on campus you could be hanging out with tonight. Why come home with an old man like me?”

 

Maria pointed to the wall of wine. “How many college students have that in their dorm?”

 

He looked disappointed. “So, it’s money, then?”

 

“Not just money, no,” said Maria, sitting up straight. “Maturity, stability, culture. Qualities that the men’s lacrosse team doesn’t have in ample supply.”

 

Clark picked up his glass and leaned forward in his chair. His cheeks were growing redder by the minute. He looked like he was thinking intensely about something. He took another gulp of his French red before clearing his throat.

 

“Do you like to be told what to do?”

 

Maria nearly coughed up her wine. “Excuse me—um, what do you mean?”

 

“You’re right,” he said, almost whispering now. “I do have lots of experience. Wine—certainly. Computer science—definitely. I’ve been getting good experience in business lately, too. But I also have experience in other things… more personal things… things that a woman like yourself might be more interested in.”

 

Maria stared at him, not quite sure what to say.

 

He shifted in his seat. “I don’t mean to be too forward… the wine… I may have drunk too much… but it’s very good, isn’t it?”

 

“It’s delicious.” Maria’s mouth was dry. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

 

“Yes, it is.” He picked up his glass and took another sip. “But I… I still haven’t, uh, heard your thoughts on my… offer?”

 

“Your offer,” Maria repeated.

 

“Yes,” he whispered, leaning forward. His next words were almost inaudible: “I’ll be very gentle.”  

 

She could feel herself beginning to sweat. To give herself time to think, she reached for her wine glass and picked it up slowly. Then she heard the static coming through her left ear.

 

“Say yes,” Orlov ordered. “Just keep playing along.”

 

Maria took a long sip from her glass. This wasn’t the deal. I’m just going to give him my number and leave.

 

She cleared her throat. “I’m really sorry, Clark. I’ve got a sorority thing tonight. I need to head out soon.”

 

“Oh,” he fell back into his chair, defeated. “You didn’t say anything about being in a sorority.”

 

The static came through again: “What are you doing? You’re disobeying orders!”

 

“Didn’t I?” Maria scrunched up her forehead. “Sorry, too much wine, I guess.”

 

“Are you sure you can’t stay just a bit longer?”

 

“I’m sorry, I’m going to be pretty late as it is.”

 

She heard Orlov’s voice cut through the static: “We’re going to have to activate it. Boris, get ready.”

 

What does he mean, “activate it”? She stood up and held out her hand. “It’s been a wonderful evening.”

 

Clark eyed her hand but did not raise his own. “I thought we were having such a great time.”

 

Orlov again: “Dial lucidity way down, but keep her in alert mode.”

 

“We did have a great time. I’m looking forward to our friendship.”

 

“Friendship?” Clark groaned. He looked up at her beautiful blue eyes. He could stare at them all night. Her cute button nose, her pretty lips, her whole face was magnetic. She was the most gorgeous girl he had seen in a long time—certainly the most gorgeous girl he had ever brought home.

 

As he was staring at her face, he noticed a quick, subtle change. All of a sudden, her bright eyes drooped slightly. She had been smiling as she held out her hand, but her smile was replaced with a neutral expression. She had been staring into his eyes, but now she looked unfocused. And then just as quickly as it happened, her neutral expression was replaced with a goofy smile.

 

“I’m… just… kidding…” she said slowly, letting her arm fall limply to her side. “I’d be happy to stay.”

 

“Really?” his eyes lit up as he sat up straight. “You don’t have a sorority thing?”

 

“No,” she said, slowly turning around and sitting back down. “That was a joke.”

 

“You got me good,” he laughed. “I need some more wine after that.” He picked up his glass and prepared to stand up.

 

Before he was able to get off the loveseat, Maria reached out and put her hand on his leg. “Clark,” she said, staring up at him with her blue eyes. “I want to take you up on your offer. From earlier.”

 

“My offer?” he spit out, flustered. “Oh, no, that was also just a joke. Don’t worry about that.”

 

“I don’t think it was.”  She began gently rubbing his thigh. He could feel the color rushing to his cheeks. She was smiling. Clark thought that her eyes looked slightly dazed, but he quickly attributed that to the wine.

 

He coughed into his right hand. “Well, then. Um. Ok. Maybe something stronger?” He gestured towards the bar cart.

 

“Whatever you want,” she said.

 

“I’ll be right back,” he said, standing up. As he did so, Maria kept her hand in place, letting it slid up his thigh until it lightly brushed against his crotch. “Oops!” she giggled, slowly pulling her hand away.

Clark could feel his face getting redder and his cock getting harder. He quickly shuffled over to his bar cart and pulled out his bottle of Glendronach 18. He poured two rocks glasses with two fingers, neat, picked the glasses up, and returned to where they were sitting.

 

“Cheers,” he said. They clinked. Maria downed her glass in one gulp.

 

“Jesus,” he stared, wide-eyed. “I’ve never seen a woman drink scotch like that.”

 

“You haven’t met a woman like me.” She sat the glass down with a slight burp.

 

“You’re incredible,” he breathed. Then, emboldened, he shot the whole glass back.

 

After wiping away the tears and stifling the coughs, Clark felt mostly warm. And then he felt the real warmth he had been waiting for—the confidence that needed to course through his veins for the next part. It’s a lot easier when you pay them, he thought. No need for manners.

 

It seemed like Maria could sense his discomfort. “You seem tense,” she said, standing up. She took a step towards him before kneeling in front of him. “I can help with that.”

 

She placed her two hands on both of his knees and then gently pressed them up his thighs. When she reached his crotch, her hands went to his belt.

 

“Oh my…” was all Clark managed to blurt out before his belt was off. His pants button was quickly taken care of before she began to delicately unzip his pants.  Then she reached her right hand into his boxers. It didn’t take her long to wrap her fingers around his throbbing cock. She gently pulled his seven inches from out of his boxers, letting his length spring free. Clark was grateful that the Viagra he had taken earlier at the wine bar had kicked in already.

 

“Oh my indeed,” she whispered as she started stroking his dick. It throbbed in her nimble pale hand. She gripped it firmly but not too tight. And she was smiling at him. He almost didn’t notice that she was smiling at him. He wasn’t sure whether to look at her or not. And then the next thing he knew she was kissing the tip of his cock. Then licking it. From the tip down his shaft to the top of his balls. Then she slid her wet tongue all the way back up.

 

“Dear god,” Clark whispered, gripping his armrests. Her tongue swirled around his girth for the full length of his penis. All the while, she continued to grip his dick firmly and stroke it up and down. He looked down again. She was staring at him. He could see her smiling still. Then she parted her lips and took the full head of his cock into her mouth.

 

He groaned as he felt the wetness of Maria’s mouth. Her tongue gently flicked his tip before she dropped her head and began swallowing the rest of his length. His penis throbbed as her tongue wrapped around his girth. Finally, her lips touched his groin; his entire dick was in her mouth, his tip probing her throat. Then she slowly lifted her head up, sliding her lips up his length until his head popped out of her mouth. She giggled as she wiped away some saliva with her left hand.

 

It was a brief intermission. She quickly got back to work, bobbing her head up and down his shaft as she used her left hand to caress his balls. Clark moaned as he let his head fall back against the top of the couch, staring up at his enameled ceiling. Her mouth enveloped him, her soft lips sliding back and forth as her greedy tongue twisted and twirled around his cock. He could feel his lower body get tense, could feel the inevitable orgasm coming.

 

“Stop!” he yelled.

 

Maria pulled his penis out of her mouth with a pop. She looked up at him with those drunk eyes. “Something wrong?” she smiled.

 

“No… I just don’t want to come yet.” His hard dick almost whacked her in the face as he stood up. “I’ve got something to show you.”

 

He walked past their chairs towards the wall of wine. Maria wiped her mouth with her left arm and stood up.

 

Clark ran his fingers along the bottles of wine until he suddenly stopped. “Yes, this should be it.”

 

He wrapped his fingers around the bottle and pulled. But the bottle moved only slightly. Then, a few feet away from him, part of the wine shelf swung open, revealing a hidden door.

 

He turned back to her, grinning. “Right this way, Maria.”

 

Clark was surprised to see her giggle. Usually, his escorts acted nervous. Some downright refused to go in. But Maria giggled. Who is this girl?

 

Maria took a step into the hidden room. “It’s dark in here,” she said. “I can’t see.”

 

“Here, one second,” Clark said, stepping in and feeling the wall to his right. “There it is.”

 

Clark flipped a switch, illuminating the room with a warm yellow light. Every surface was painted black. On the wall opposite them was a large rack adorned with several types of restraints: handcuffs, shackles, arm and wrist restraints, ropes, leather gags. A leather sling hung from one corner, while an assortment of paddles were piled up in another. In the center of the room sat a black leather spanking bench. It had metal rings at each of its four corners.

 

“I know it’s quite… elaborate,” Clark said as he took a few more steps into the dungeon. He searched her face for any signs of hesitancy.

 

“I love it.” Maria walked to the center of the room and slid her hand along the black leather of the spanking bench. “I should have known you would go all out.”

 

Clark wasn’t sure whether it was just the scotch or Maria’s unexpected enthusiasm, but he was beginning to feel bolder by the minute. “Come here,” he said as he walked over to the rack, his dick bouncing freely with every step. He ran his fingers over the several gags he had hanging up before he settled on the classic red ball. He pulled it off the rack and turned around to face Maria.

 

“Open,” he ordered.

 

Maria bit her lip gently. “One thing before you put that on.”

 

“Yes?” he asked, holding the ball gag in his two hands.

 

“You said you’d be very gentle earlier. I don’t want you to be gentle.”

 

“No?” he raised an eyebrow. “Good.”

 

With that, Maria slowly opened her mouth. Clark stepped behind her as he fitted the ball gag into place and buckled the leather behind her neck. He turned her around to face him. She looked so sexy with her mouth spread around the red silicone ball. Her cute lips, the slightest bit of her teeth peeking out, gripping the ball gag.

 

He reached out and touched her pale shoulders. Her black dress was held up by small black straps. He slid his fingers under these and pulled them down over her shoulders and arms. He stopped when her arms were free and the top of her dress hung just below her chest, revealing her black strapless bra. In one swift motion, he pulled the cups of Maria’s bra down, her pale white tits bouncing out to greet him. He leaned over and took one of her small pink nipples into his mouth. Tonguing it before giving it a little nibble. Maria moaned through the ball gag. He lifted his hands up and took both of her breasts into his hands, kneading them as he continued to bite her nipple. His dick was at full mast once again.

 

After a minute of playing with her tits, he released her breasts and pulled his head away from her nipple. After standing up, he pointed towards the spanking bench. “Get on.”

 

Maria, half naked, walked soundlessly over to the black leather bench. She braced herself on the main body of the bench while lifting her left leg onto one of the black leather leg rests that jutted out. When her left leg was stable, she lifted her right leg and put it on the other leg rest.

 

Clark stood behind her and put his palm on her upper back, gently bending her over the bench. Then he walked around to where her head lay and began cuffing each of her wrists to the metal loops of the bench. When her wrists were secured, her walked back and did the same to her ankles. Maria was now completely bent over spanking bench, each of her limbs tied down.

 

Clark took a second to savor the sight. Her feet still in her heels, her ass raised up high, her pale white skin standing out in contrast to the black leather of the bench. He reached down to the hem of her dress and gently lifted it up the back of her thighs and over her ass, pushing her dress up past her waist. A lacy black thong sat between her tight ass cheeks. He reached out and took each cheek into his hands, groping, kneading, massaging. He could feel his cock throbbing. He wasn’t sure how much more foreplay he could handle.

 

He quickly released her ass and ran over to the corner. He picked up a wooden paddle (made from old wine barrels, of course) and shuffled back to the bench. Without warning, he raised the paddle and brought it down quickly across Maria’s right ass cheek. Maria let out a stifled cry, clearly surprised by the sudden contact with her rear.

 

Clark didn’t hesitate for a second. He quickly lifted the paddle up and swung it down against her left ass cheek. She let out another gagged scream. He continued this for at least two minutes, watching her tight ass cheeks ripple against the wood of his paddle, watching Maria jerk against her restraints as he brought the paddle down over and over again.

 

When he felt like his dick was about to explode, he dropped his pants and boxers and began stroking his dick with his left hand. Then he lifted his left hand to her vulva, pushed the lacey fabric of her thong to the side, and felt her slit. She’s wet. What a little whore. Without further ado, he took a step closer and positioned his dick at her entrance. Keeping her underwear to the side, he slowly pushed in. Her lips parted easily, offering no resistance to his penetration. She was wet but still quite tight. Clark groaned as she took his full length.

 

After he felt his groin run up against her ass, he slowly pulled back until just his tip was inside her. Then he abruptly thrusted forward. The sound of his crotch slapping against her ass cheeks echoed through the dungeon. He now began his thrusting in earnest. Maria let out a stifled cry with each impact, although Clark couldn’t tell whether she was expressing pain or pleasure.

 

Let’s make it less ambiguous, Clark thought. He raised the wooden paddle, which had been in his right hand the whole time, and quickly brought it down against her right ass cheek. He timed it perfectly with his thrust. He had a lot of practice. So many women he had brought into this room. So many women he had strapped to this very bench. So many women had taken his money and never returned another one of his calls.

 

Maria let out a louder gagged scream this time, obviously surprised by the sudden spanking. Clark continued to bring it down, left and right, left and right—perfectly synchronized with his dick—in and out, in and out. She was shaking now. Clark turned to his left and looked at the full-length mirror on the wall. He could see Maria’s hands tensed up against her wrist restraints. He could see her feet curled up as they pulled back against the leather cuffs. Could see her tits jiggle back and forth as he rammed into her.

 

He could feel himself getting close now. Her ass was bright red. He tossed the wooden panel to the side and bent over her, felt his stomach on the small of her pack, smelt her long blonde hair. It smelled like lavender. Her pussy was so wet, so tight, he couldn’t last much longer. He gave her a few more thrusts before his dick started spasming and he filled her with his cum.

 

He lay on her for a few more minutes, allowing his dick to soften within her. He was breathing heavily. If I keep seeing this girl, I’m going to need to start working out. For her part, Maria was breathing heavily too. He had felt her body relax as soon as the spankings ceased. Clark waited another minute before standing up and pulling his flaccid penis out of her.

 

He took a second to get his bearings before turning around and walking back to the rack. He leisurely perused his assortment of leather goods before smiling and pulling one off the hook. He turned around and walked back to the bench. He could see his cum starting to leak out of her pussy. He walked past her ass until he was in front of her face.

 

She looked up at him with her bright blue eyes. Unlike most of the girls that he brought in here, she didn’t look scared. She wasn’t crying. In fact, she looked like she wanted more.

 

“Just hang out here for a second,” he said, before lifting the leather blindfold up to her eyes. “I should be able to go again in an hour.” He covered her eyes and then buckled the leather straps behind her blonde hair. “I need another glass of wine after that.” He knelt down, kissed her forehead, and walked out of the dungeon.

 

*****

 

Laurel pulled up to Bean and Vine, one of the many coffee shops littered around Collegeville. Dj99 had asked that that they meet here specifically. When Laurel had asked whether they should meet at a specific table, or whether dj99 would be wearing anything distinct, they had answered, “I’ll initiate, not the other way around.”

 

Laurel opened her car door and stepped out into the cold morning air. She had decided to dress down for the occasion, foregoing her usual blazer and blouse for a blue UMon sweatshirt and jeans. She pulled out her smartphone, paid for the maximum time of parking allowed, and walked into the coffee shop.

 

Bean and Vine was expansive, designed to fit as many overcaffeinated college kids as possible. Laurel quickly scanned the cafe, looking over every one of the patrons before realizing she knew nothing about what dj99 looked like.

 

She walked slowly to the front counter, looking to her left and right, trying to see if anyone was paying special attention to her. Instead, all the kids in the coffee shop were glued to their laptops and books. Fucking nerds.

 

There were about three people in line, and Laurel took the opportunity to peruse the twenty or so espresso drinks the cafe offered, most of which she had never heard of. As she was doing so, she caught eyes with a tall man in dark suit who was standing to the side waiting for his order. He looked her up and down, and he didn’t smile.

 

Shit, I figured dj99 was a woman. The line was moving quickly. Laurel settled on a flat white and pulled out her wallet. She quickly looked to the right. The man was still staring.

 

Suddenly she found herself at the front of the line. The barista at the register was short with shoulder-length black hair. Her bangs fell to just above her blue eyes. She was wearing bright red lipstick and a black turtleneck sweater.

 

“What can I get for you today?” she asked as Laurel took another step towards the counter.

 

“A flat white please. 12 oz. Whole milk is fine.”

 

“One flat white, okay,” the barista said, typing the order into the system. “Can I get a name for that?”

 

“Laurel.” She looked back at the man in the suit. He was smiling at her now.

 

“Laurel… that’s a pretty name,” said the barista as she typed it in. “My name’s Daria. Daria Jones.”

 

Laurel’s head snapped back. “Daria… Jones?”

 

“Yup,” the barista smiled. “Your receipt.” She held up a folded piece of paper.

 

“Thank you,” Laurel said, slowly grabbing the paper. The barista quickly looked away before yelling “Next customer!”

 

As Laurel walked away from counter she quickly noticed that the man in the suit was gone. She turned to face the wall and slowly unraveled the piece of paper. She strained her eyes to read the chicken scratch handwriting.

 

“BACK ALLEY. 10.”

 

Laurel quickly folded the piece of paper back up and slipped it into her pocket.

 

Then she turned around and waited for her order.