Harm's Done

By DeLoris Spires

Prologue

Playing sex games was dangerous.

To put it plainly, Martin Drake loved playing with danger. His enjoyment lay chiefly in observing others in the final moment of total loss of control through erotic stimulation. With that in mind, he chose his playmates carefully. Knowing when it came to sexual behavior, there were no limits to what a person might find erotically stimulating, he carefully, deliberately studied his victims weaknesses.

All that summer, the select few spent Friday night's at his home exploring their budding sexuality while he watched in silence. They squirmed, blushing, stammering, and sweating aplenty watching X-rated movies he'd confiscated from an underground wholesaler who, during daylight hours, he'd personally put out of business. After all, being sheriff meant keeping the town believing he was a law abiding, God-fearing man. The misconception protected him. Who would dare question his motives? Wasn't he volunteering his own free time keeping their youngsters entertained and safe?

There was a slim possibility a parent or someone from the department could drop by. However, once he'd removed his uniform and specifically let them know he was taking a break, he'd conditioned the entire police staff, from the lowliest employee to the assistant sheriff, that unless all hell broke loose, he was not to be disturbed. They knew he worked hard and cherished his privacy. That meant his home was off limits. As for the rest of the town, they were cocooned in cozy houses, doors unlocked, windows up letting in soft summer breezes because he made it his business to keep them safe. He'd lulled them into believing nothing could shatter their perfect world.

Actually, everything was perfect. With one exception -- Ora Dell Peacock. Innocent, soft and wickedly sensual, she turned up her nose whenever her friends approached her about joining the Friday night festivities. Her prissy refusals incited his rage. No one snubbed him.

She became his personal challenge. He watched her. He stored information, piecing together the daily routines, the quiet whispers overheard from his playmates until he knew her weakness. She was head over heels in lust with Jackie Wilder. And, as far as Jackie was concerned, she didn't exist. The cocksure high school senior had other tails to wag. He spent weekends shacked up with Babs Ellis in a run down mill house across town. Everyone knew. Including Ora Dell.

In the end, he used the one thing Ora Dell would never turn down. He invited Jackie and Babs to his home. It was necessary, but risky. Unlike the others, Babs' reputation was in tatters. No self-respecting Springleaf citizen would be caught dead associating with her. No matter. His little puppets were no longer self-respecting citizens. They had no choice but to accept his decisions.

Ora Dell Wilder joined the Friday Night festivities the next Friday night.

   DeLoris Spires 2002