Penelope checked the street to ensure that no one was watching her, at least specifically. It was still daylight, so the chances of her remaining completely unobserved were slim. People in general have little to no recall when there is nothing to set the event apart from the ordinary. She memorized the code to the door, and quickly entered it upon reaching the stoop. The familiar buzz beckoned her inside, and as she quickly removed the small magnetic probe from the side of the box, she slipped through and into the hallway.
There was no one at all on the first floor, so Penelope quickly and silently climbed to the second floor to Samantha's apartment. The floor was split in two, so only one other apartment to contend with while she picked the lock to the place. The small layout map of the apartment gave her exactly where to listen to ensure that the shower was indeed running. It was. At least she'd be clean; to begin with. Surprisingly, Samantha had only a single lock on her door, and no deadbolt; unusual for Manhattan. The standard single cylinder lock took all of twenty seconds for Penelope to pick. To her dismay, she found a security chain fastened across the opening as the door cracked. Reaching into her bag, she removed a U-shaped tool and, slipping the hook-end through the chain, easy slid the hasp back, until she heard the chain fall harmlessly against the frame.
She silently closed and relocked the door, careful to remove the set screw from the lock knob, and remove it. She couldn't very well have her prey escaping on her. Penelope quickly drew what shades remained open, shielding what was about to happen from prying eyes. The shower was still running, and this made her next task that much easier. Naked, Samantha would feel defenseless unless she had been trained to ignore that, which Penelope had been assured, she hadn't. Samantha's movements in the shower assured Penelope that she was not close to finishing, and she could smell the distinct fragrance of Moonlight Path. For a moment, she paused, thinking how much she loved that scent.
One thing the Arabs insisted on, was that the merchandise not be damaged in any way. For this reason, Penelope had to come with a way to immobilize Samantha, without hurting her. There was a moment of hesitation, after coming this far, conscience finally reared its head, and Penelope thought for a moment she could just go out the way she had come, and none would be the wiser. Of course, the Arab man that had so frightened her in the night, and left her an offer she would be unwise to refuse, might find those actions punishable. What horrible fate might await her, should she disappoint them. No, she had to go through with it.
The small aerosol container of Halothane was easy to obtain, the black market being so diverse. The bathroom was small, so the amount of gas in the can was just enough to anesthetize Samantha for a long enough period of time to bind and gag her, and move her to the living room. Penelope's heart was racing as she slipped the transparent plastic tube through the crack at the bottom of the door. Once the can was activated, it stayed open, so there could be no backing down. She shook her head, and pressed the twin bars on the top of the can, allowing the aerosolized gas to fill the bathroom.
Thirty seconds later, the water shut off, and she heard the shower curtain rings slide quickly to the side. She knew by now that Samantha was feeling the effects of the gas, but she had to allow it to take her down. The small respirator that she brought with her would be good for dispersing gas, but not so well in higher concentrations. There was some struggling and she heard Samantha's feet slip against the tile floor, and hand trying to turn the doorknob, which she held firmly from the other side. A shadow cast across the crack at the base of the doorway, and then a small knock, as Samantha's head came to rest against the door.
Quickly, Penelope opened the door, and caught Samantha as she continued to fall. Penelope could understand why the men had wanted this girl. In her nakedness, she absolutely exquisite. Trying not to pay that any mind, she dragged the woman out of the bath and into the carpeted living room. Reaching for her bag, she pulled out the elaborate hood-gag that she had purchased form an online S&M catalog. She loved the name, The Silencer, because it prevented the wearer from making any sound, and yet allowed them to breath. It all looked very complicated, and involved several tubes that traced down the outside of the hood. It had better work, especially for what it cost.
Once the hood was in place, and Penelope watched for her ease of breathing, the binding of her arms and legs began. Taking no chances, Penelope wrapped Samantha's arms and legs to excess, allowing for very little movement, and certainly no possibility of escape. Now all that remained was to wait until the anesthetic wore off, and that didn't take very long at all. At first there some involuntary jerking of the arms, and then the struggling started in earnest. She could hear the faintest moans, but knew that her prey was screaming with all her might.
Samantha was quite athletic, and Penelope was enjoying her flexing and tensing as she came to terms with her situation. Finally, having had enough, and worried that she might stroke out, Penelope opened an ear cover, and whispered to her. "Please, stop struggling. You'll only hurt yourself. I know you're frightened, but no harm will come to you if you just calm yourself." Without thinking, Penelope allowed her hands to caress the naked torso, thinking it might help calm the girl. In fact, it had the opposite effect, and Samantha's struggling renewed. It wasn't enough to call attention to her movements, but Penelope allowed her to calm.
Now it was only a matter of waiting. She pulled out her phone, and texted the number that was given. Once signaled, they would arrive at the residence within one hour. She carefully replaced the lock knob and prepared to hand over her prize.
Mari approached Edim Alshaer, as she rested on her cot, obviously distressed. Although they could not communicate verbally, Mari did her best to console her friend. "I know you cannot understand me, Mari, but they are coming for me. I am leaving." Edim Alshaer motioned with her hands, and Mari knew to what she spoke. She crawled into bed with her, holding her as she mourned. There they rested until the harem mistress came for her.
"I am to dress you, Edim Alshaer. Marga is here, and is ready to collect you." Although her English was broken, it was certainly understandable. Over her arm, was draped an abaya, the same drab, black cloth, that she had become so accustomed to seeing about the palace. She was really leaving. For the first time in months, her body was covered, and it felt strange, and not entirely pleasant. She had grown so used to the freedom of nakedness, that the material felt like an encumbrance to her. A pair of woven sandals were also placed on her feet, and to anyone unaware, she would appear completely innocuous.
It was difficult saying goodbye to Mari, but knowing she would return one day was a comfort. There was a commotion at the front of the courtyard, and a tall dark woman entered. Unlike Asha, she was dressed in western clothing, with only a hijab to distinguish her. Once in the courtyard, she allowed the turquoise scarf to fall about her shoulders revealing a short western hairstyle. She was older than Asha, but every bit as beautiful, her long thin features elegant and refined. "I was hoping to catch a glimpse of my cousin's little mouse, but I see she has already been gift wrapped." Speaking in remarkable English.
Marga approached and slowly unwrapped Edim Alshaer's hijab, allowing the cloth to slither free from her smoothly shaved head. "Well, you are lovely, and I especially like this." Marga ran her slim fingers over her head, their silky smoothness catching on the moist perspiration the hijab induced. Edim Alshaer bowed gratefully, and Marga caught her as she rose, her chin held firmly in her hand. "What fun we shall have, you and I." Marga smiled, turning to leave. There was no delay in her step and Edim Alshaer was prodded to keep up, quickly having her hijab reapplied. In one quick motion, Marga brought the bright blue scarf over her head, and allowed it to fall perfectly into place.
Outside the harem, a black Mercedes limousine awaited, and Edim Alshaer followed her new mistress inside. For a few moments, there was silence. Then as if picking up on a conversation that was interrupted, Marga began. "Edim Alshaer, I mean, I get it, but it's a little obvious, yes?" She looked expectantly at her new servant. "So, all kidding aside. What's your name?" Not knowing what to do, Edim Alshaer fumbled with her robes, her fingers shaking. "It's okay, relax."
