"Yeah, just like the last two broads," his buddy said, licking his lower lip and scratching his groin.

"Naw, better," Rick said. "This one's hot like an iron. That's what Brad said a couple of nights ago. That's why Karen's so uptight about her and wants her out of the way."

Out of the way? What was going on here? Why was she so important. Something was behind all of this, something more than a woman's simple jealousy.

"Let's take 'er down to the basement now," Jack said, unable to wait any longer.

"Okay, baby. You try anything and we're gonna beat the livin' shit outta you, hear? Ain't no one gonna come runnin' and save you."

Camey felt thoroughly defeated. She sensed that at least for the time being she'd better cooperate. Maybe when Karen got here she could convince that crazy lady to let her go.

Reluctantly she followed Rick as he led the way down the narrow wooden stairs to the basement. The dampness and chill made her flesh pucker up into goosepimples. When her feet touched the cold cement floor Camey stopped what were they going to do to her, fuck her? She was sure there'd be some kind of sexual abuse. Surely she should be begging them to spare her, doing something to defend herself.

But Camey realized a kind of anxiety, a strange sort of curiosity and excitement was mixing with her growing terror. She wanted them to humiliate her, degrade her, fuck her wildly. It was a new, odd part of her mind awakening to this situation, taking her over now and guiding her words, her thoughts, her deeds.

"Karen didn't like you messin' around in her territory," Rick began, flipping on an overhead light.

The bare white bulb glared menacingly. Camey covered her eyes with one hand and backed away from the two approaching men. The backs of her legs brushed against an old desk.

"No, NO!" she screamed, protectively covering her face as she saw Rick raise one hand high above his head.