Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Title: Broken Girl
Author: Airimis (m_19yr_old@hotmail.com)
Keyword: Mf, cons, slow, submissive, sub, unfinished

   (Please email me and let me know where you want this story to go.)

   CHAPTER 1

   I was having lunch in the mall.  It wasn't far from where I worked, but
my boss had given me the rest of the day off and I thought I'd relax.  I
like people.  I wasn't waiting for anyone in particular, being near the
city, the mall always had a flow of them.  But it was never long before I
found someone, started talking, and they would open up to me.

   I had my I-Pad with the newspaper pulled up and coffee in hand.  The
local news seemed a good conversation starter.  It was mostly used as
camouflage while I looked over the top of it at people.  I noticed several
potential targets.  (I know it sounds unfeeling, but it was left over
terminology from when my Aunt and I had read body language as a game on a
regular basis.)

   One couple was having a disagreement.  I could see it in the way that
the woman moved that she was mad.  The man with her was the dominant in the
relationship and I could tell that there was something that she wanted from
him.  He was either uncaring, or putting up a good outer appearance that he
was undisturbed that she was distressed.  I figured either would be
approachable alone.  Both would probably tell me what the issue was in
their own words as long as they could get someone to agree with them. 
Approaching them as a couple wouldn't work for me unless I made some kind
of appeal to both of them at once.  I could say I was taking a survey for
counseling or something lame.  They would probably jump to get their issue
heard by a third party.

   I saw a teenager working one of the food shops.  I had already talked to
her today when I ordered.  In the space of her preparing my sandwich I had
gotten her name, that she had a boyfriend that she was unhappy with, had
another job lined up to start next week, and that she liked "Downtown
Abby". The show and it's view points were known to me and would be all I
needed to get more information from her.  All of it perfectly useless
information and harmless by itself, and all of it gathered in the space of
a few minutes to a perfect stranger.  I filed away the information in my
brain for a later time if I were to talk to her again.

   I saw another teenager waiting on the second floor by the rail.  She was
probably sixteen.  I her clothes were modest, and in good condition.  She
was typing away on her cell phone and kept looking around.  I could tell
that she was nervous around new people and waiting for someone to arrive.
She had a heart pendant around her neck but no rings or bracelets.  The
pendant would probably mean something special to her and would be my way in
if I could get her talking about it.

   Younger people were easier to work with.  They accepted people at face
value, and usually weren't skilled at hiding much.  I'm not a pedophile or
anything and I don't do this looking for sex or looking for sexual
partners. I just like getting to know people.  If I find an interesting
person, I might keep a friendship with them for a while just to see what
kind of person that they are.

   I was about to get up and approach the couple having an argument just
for a challenge.  Going after couples usually was hit or miss because I
would have to handle two people at once.  Then I saw her, or them I should
say.

   There was a man, mid-forties in dirty coveralls, dark beard, and a
hunting cap walking with a little girl following behind him.  I took note
of the work boots and the dark attitude he had.  He didn't make way for
anyone.  He walked like no one else had a right to be in his way.  He
didn't look at people or acknowledge them as he passed them.

   The little girl was who caught my attention.  She followed the man. 
Where he had black curly hair, she had dirty blonde straight hair that went
down past her shoulder.  She was thin, almost too thin.  She looked about
twelve, maybe thirteen, but her chest had just started to develop by the
look of it.  She wore a plain pink t-shirt and jeans.  She walked just a
few feet behind him.  She didn't look around at the shops or people.  She
just kept quietly following him.  I stared at her for a minute.  I guess
she felt me staring, even though there were at least thirty people in the
busy food court, and looked over at me.

   Our eyes met and all I saw was sadness.  I've never read that much
hopeless in anyone before.  It showed in the way she stood, her eyes, her
blank expression, even the sad steps her feet took as she followed behind
the man.

   For a moment, I thought about my options as they walked past the food
court.  And then my better half told me that I needed to know more. 
Whatever was troubling this girl was none of my business, but I wouldn't
know anything if I didn't try.

   I got up and tailed them through the mall.  I got no feeling of bonding
between them.  She followed him out of obedience.  When he did look back to
make sure she was still there, there was no love in his eyes.  "Keep up,"
he growled at her.

   My initial feeling about him was that I didn't like him.  Now I was
starting to really hate him.  There weren't many people that I honestly
hated because I looked at the person underneath and I judged them by what I
saw there.

   They entered an apparel store for teens.  She followed him without
saying a word.  I entered as well, but kept my distance.  The man didn't
seem to notice anyone and looked annoyed just to be there.  I was a short
distance away, but within ear shot.  I had no idea what I was doing, but I
knew something was very wrong.

   "What size bra do you need?" he barked at her loud enough so that
several around could hear him.  There weren't many people around and I
could see the little girl flush with embarrassment.  A few people around
looked, but quickly turned away upon seeing the gruff man and the girl.

   She mumbled something that I could hear.

   The man grabbed her upper arm with his big hand and shook her sharply.
"Speak up, Mandy.  I'm supposed to be at work."

   I had to restrain myself from punching the guy right there.  Even if I
didn't know anything about reading people, no one should never handle a
child like that.

   "A training bra," she squeaked.  "They said I needed one in gym class."

   He let her go and walked over to the display.  He picked one up and
handed it to her.  "Here.  Is that all?"

   She nodded quickly.

   They walked through the store toward the cashier.  I heard him mutter as
he passed me.  "Twenty-eight bucks," he said shaking his head.

   Mandy, as I had learned her name now, cringe with fear hearing him
mention the money.  She silently followed him, though.  She tried her best
to wrap it in her hands so that no one would see the item.  I'm sure she
felt embarrassed enough after his announcing their purchase to half the
store, but to have to carry it through the store only made it worse.  She
kept her eyes down and tried not to look at anyone.

   He made her present it to the cashier and he paid for it with a look of
disgust at Mandy.  The cashier rung them up fast and put her lone clothing
article in a bag.  She handed held it out to the man, but he eyed it like
it was dirty to him.  Mandy reached across and took the bag.  "Thank you,"
she said in a quiet voice.

   The man didn't say anything and led the way out.  Mandy followed
obediently.  I made my exit moments after them and watched from a distance.


   I still had no idea what to do.  I had seen depressed, sad, and other
emotions before.  This was the first time that I had ever known someone so
young to present the appearance of complete hopelessness before.  There was
absolutely no joy in anything about her.  I also knew people.  There was
something very wrong for her to be like this and all my instincts said that
the man with her, presumably her father, was the reason.

   An opportunity came just as I was thinking what I could possibly do as
they were heading for the side exit that lead out to the parking lot.  I
knew that once they got into a car, they were as good as gone.

   I worked at a 911 call center and knew exactly how effective the police
were in cases like these.  Unless there was a confession or witness to
abuse, they would do nothing.

   He stopped at the bathrooms near the exit of the mall.  He told her to
wait next to the outside doors and he would be back in a minute.  She only
nodded and walked over to the glass doors.  When he went in the restroom,
she chanced looking at her surroundings, but looked down in the bag like
she was sad that she had gotten the piece of material that signified her
growing up.

   I knew that I only had a few minutes.  I looked around nervously.  There
wasn't anyone immediately around and I only spotted one camera pointed at
the doors.  I kept my back to it as I approached the young girl.

   "Mandy?" I said in a soft warm tone.

   She looked up fearful, but stayed against the wall.

   "Mandy," I said knowing it was important that she thought I knew her
even though she had no idea who I was.  "I know something bad is happening
to you and I want to help," I said as I tried to seem as non-threatening as
I could.  "But the only way I can help you if you come with me right now."
I held out my hand palm up to her.  I was still a few feet from her.  "You
don't have long to decide."

   She looked at me uneasily but didn't scream or run so that was a good
sign.

   But she still hadn't said anything or moved toward me.  I was running
out of time.  "Your Dad hurts you, doesn't he?" I chanced.  If he came out,
I would have to either run or face him.  Beating him to a pulp wouldn't be
the worst thing I could go to jail for.

   She hesitated, but then nodded with sadness in her eyes.

   "I want to help you, but I can't unless you come with me right now,
Mandy," I kept my movements slow and easy, but I glanced at the restroom
door and knew that I was going to have to walk away in just moments.

   As I was looking away, I felt a small hand take mine.  I looked back at
her and a small tear rolled down her cheek.  She said nodded again to me
and I saw the first sign in her eyes that there might be hope there after
all.  It was heartbreaking but I had to hurry.  I stood and opened the door
heading out into the parking lot.  I walked her quickly to my car.  I
didn't pull her or drag her.  I didn't even have a grip on her hand.  It
was more like she had a grip on mine and wouldn't let me go.

   She rode silently in the passenger seat as I pulled out of the parking
lot and onto the highway.  I didn't look back to see if there were any
cameras or if he had come out of the mall looking for his girl.

   "My name is Greg," I said in soft voice looking over at the girl.  She
was cautious and kept watching every move my hands made.  I had a good idea
why.  "Will you talk to me?"

   She looked uncomfortable.  "What am I supposed to say?" she said
fearfully.

   And almost did a double take looking at her.  She was almost trembling
in fear.  "I'm not going to hurt you," I tried to reassure her, but she
still looked as if she were waiting for me to lash out at her.

   I didn't know where I was going.  I knew that taking her to my home was
going to be a huge mistake.  My thought was that if I could get her to tell
me what was going on, we could go to the police station and relay it to
them.  I could try to tell them that I was a concerned citizen at the mall.
I had never done anything like this before, but teachers and counselors
went to the police all the time when children were being hurt.  Was this
any different?

   I pulled off the highway and into a McDonald's parking lot.  I turned
off the engine and turned to the shaking girl.  I'm guessing that it had
set in that she was now in a stranger's car and everything familiar was
gone.

   I figured I'd start with the basics to get her to calm down.  "What are
you afraid of Mandy?"

   "Are you going to rape me and kill me?" she asked quietly.

   "No," I said carefully shaking my head as to not make any sudden moves.
"I'm not going to hurt you.  Is that what you thought when you came with
me?"

   She nodded yes.

   "Then why come with me?" I asked.  She was young, but seemed
intelligent.

   "Because I can't live with him anymore," she said with a tear
appearing.. "Anything has to be better than him, even you."

   I hoped I was a much better than him, but I didn't let it break my mood.
I pulled out my cell phone and set it quickly for voice recording.  She
didn't look interested in it but only looked at me.  She still had a look
of sadness and hopelessness to her.  "Will you tell me how he hurts you?" I
asked putting my most trustful appearance on.  I figured if I got a
recording of her saying it, then maybe the police or whoever might not have
to coax it out of her.

   She closed her eyes and put her head down.  "He said he'd kill me if I
told anyone."

   "I'm not going to hurt you no matter what you say, and I'm not taking
you back to him," I said and was telling the truth.  I had several thoughts
about how to get her into police and social services custody, but I wasn't
to taking her back to him.  She thought it was worth risking rape and death
to get away from him so it had to be serious.  "Please," I coaxed.

   "He hurts me," was what she volunteered.  She finally gave up and looked
completely defeated and humiliated.  "Daddy rapes me," she said.  "He makes
me sleep in his bed because he says that he should never have to go far for
a fuck." She stopped there, though.

   "Have you ever told anyone else?" I asked.  I knew that I hopefully had
enough to go to the cops with but wanted more to her story than just that.

   "Only once.  Daddy's mean and he'd take the belt to me worse if I ever
talked about it.  He doesn't let me have friends or do stuff with other
kids," she said.

   "If I take you to the police, will you tell one of them?" I asked and
her eyes went wide with panic.

   "No!  You can't!  I won't!" she was immediately scared to death.  "Dad
is friends with the police chief!  He'll just take me back!  I tried it
once before," she said and suddenly stopped herself from talking.

   I could tell there was more.  "What happened when you told him?"

   She looked defeated once more.  I didn't know what was causing the
shifts of emotion in her, other than the idea of going back to her father
and being punished.  "He took me back to my house....and Dad let him rape
me," she said.

   Oh my God, I gasped in horror.  No wonder she didn't want to go to the
police.  I gulped back the lump forming in my throat.  I was at a loss for
words.  I touched my cell phone and turned the recording feature off.  I
knew I had enough evidence.  I didn't know what to do with it now, though.

   I guess my silence lasted a little too long for Mandy.  "Please don't
make me go back.  I'll do whatever you say.  I'll be good for you.  Just
don't take me back." she begged looking up over at me.

   I had no idea what I was getting into, but tear filled pleading eyes
pulled at my heart.  "Okay.  I promise that I won't take you back," I said.

   "Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!" she said as a few tears escaped her
eyes and she wiped them away.  "I'll be very good for you," she promised
kind of bowed her head and looked at her lap.  "You won't be sorry," she
whispered to me, but it looked as if she was giving part of herself up,
too.

   A twinge of worry hit me in the way she said the last statement.  She
trusted me now just like I had wanted her to in the beginning.  I had no
idea that her situation was so dire.  I also thought it would be as simple
as a trip to the police station when I started.

   CHAPTER 2

   I wanted to reach over and try to comfort her as she tried hard to
compose herself again.  My hand even came over halfway to her, only to be
stopped when she looked at it in mid-air.  I knew so many things must be
going through her head, and one of them was that I wanted her for sex as
well.

   She gave me a small nod of approval and I wiped a few of her tears away
from her cheek.

   "It's going to be okay.  I'm not going to hurt you," I said
comfortingly.

   After a few minutes, she shook her head, clearing her tears and wiped
her eyes one final time.  When she looked up at me, her gaze was no longer
hollow and empty.  She didn't look unhappy, but it looked like she was
trying to smile.

   I figured if I could help her trust me more, then maybe I could figure
out how to help her.  Showing her that she was not a prisoner would at
least be a start.

   "Are you hungry?" I said since were in the parking lot already of the
fast food place.  I could see her retreat a little, but I didn't know why
as she looked at the sign with the golden arches.

   She didn't answer but just looked at me.

   "What?  What's wrong?" I asked not understanding.

   "That costs money," she said.

   I smiled.  "It's okay.  I'll take care of it."

   "Okay," she said uneasily and looked at me wearily.

   As we got out of the car, I was nervously aware that we were in public.
She could run, scream, or tell anyone that I had just taken her from her
father.  I knew it would help her trust me if I showed that I felt secure
with her.  We walked side by side across the parking lot.

   "So what do I call you?" she asked.  "Sir?"

   Wow.  I still had a lot to learn about what she'd been through.  "How
about since we're going to be in public, Greg or Uncle?" I said making sure
no one was close enough to hear the conversation.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said but unfortunately the Uncle part came off
sounding like a `sir' anyway.  I guessed her father made her call him
`sir'.

   I reached for the door first and held it open for her and she just stood
there and looked at me.  It took her a second to realize that I wanted her
to go first and she looked uncomfortable.  "It's okay," I assured her.

   She looked down like she was out of place and then went in front of me.
I stood there holding the door as her action reminded me of something I
hadn't considered before.  Could she possibly be a submissive?  Could her
father have been that much of a monster to make her like that?  I had read
about them and could even pick out traits in people that made them dominant
and submissive.  But I had read books of that kind of life style where it
was taken very strictly.  My mouth dropped open for a moment.  It couldn't
be.  She was a kid, just barely a teenager.  She couldn't know or
understand how that worked, could she?

   I shook my head and put back on my warm smile as I followed her inside.
There were a few in line ahead of us as I glanced casually at the menu
items on electronic screens attached to the ceiling.  "What would you
like?" She looked up at the menu briefly.

   "Just a hamburger," she said softly and looked back down like she was
regretting getting anything.

   "What?" I said tilting my head trying to catch her eyes.  "It's alright.
Money isn't an issue."

   With the mention of money I could see her lips tighten uncomfortably. 
"Please don't make me choose, Uncle," she said quietly.

   I still didn't understand but I could tell she was afraid of something.
I bent down until I was eye level with her, which almost took me to a knee
with her four foot height.  "Are you hungry?"

   She nodded slightly.

   "Do you like burgers?"

   Still, only a small nod from her.

   "Do you like French fries?" I asked patiently.

   She gave the same response.

   "Is there anything you don't like on a hamburger?"

   She shook her head no, but still only a little.

   I figured I'd change my tactics.  Somehow in the car she could talk, but
in public she had gone silent as a mouse.  "Would you like a soda or shake
and what kind?" This would make her at least say something.

   After a moment of her realizing that she would have to speak she
swallowed and said, "Chocolate shake please, Uncle." Her phrasing of Uncle
still felt like it had the underlying meaning of `sir'.

   I felt pain again for this child who had lived under a tyrant that
seemed to scare her even when he wasn't around.  "Okay.  Is there anything
else you would like?"

   She shook her small head no again causing her blonde hair to move over
her shoulders lightly.

   "Okay," I said and tried to give her a comforting look to tell her that
things were okay.  As I stood up and turned so she could no longer see my
face, I knew that things were definitely not `okay'.

   I placed the order when we got up to the cashier for her a supersized
meal and myself some chicken strips and a drink.  I placed my order for
show.  I wasn't really hungry, but I knew that if Mandy saw me eating then
it might help her relax.  I asked if she wanted anything else.  She didn't
look at the cashier or myself and shook her head slightly no again.  I paid
the young brunette cashier took the receipt to wait for our food.

   I guided Mandy to a booth away from the other patrons.  She offered no
resistance and said nothing.  As we got seated she looked at the table
between us and didn't offer her eyes to me.  "What is it?"

   "You're spending your money on me," she said softly.

   "Yes," I stated.  "Because I want to.  I wouldn't offer if I didn't."

   That got her to look me in the eye.  "Thank you, Uncle," she said but
her face still had a hint of remorse.  She looked back down at the table.

   Her hands were down at her sides.  It wasn't any behavior I had ever
known in a child.  My mind pulled up the word `submissive' again and I
thought about testing my theory.

   "How old are you, Mandy?" I asked.

   "Fourteen," she said.

   Immediate answer and nothing more.  Most children are proud of their age
and if given the chance, they will give details of how much longer before
their next birthday.  Not with Mandy.

   "Do you like sports?"

   "No," she said in her quiet voice.  No hand movements.  No shaking of
the head.  No readable body language.  I started to get more worried about
her.

   At that moment, they called for our order.  I slipped out and got our
tray with the food and drinks.  She waited in the booth, but watched me the
whole way.  I set the tray on the table between us and got seated.  I
waited for a moment as she looked at the food that was still steaming with
heat off the fresh fries and I could see hunger in her eyes.  She didn't
reach for it.  She didn't make any move or bring her hands up at all.

   After a few seconds, I knew what she was waiting for, even if I hated
thinking it was true.  "You may eat," I said.

   "Thank you, Uncle," she said and I got a little smile out of her and she
reached for her food.

   I got my items in front of me and pondered Mandy as she ate quietly. 
She ate slowly and chewed every bite.  Her shake was drunk with much care.
She would only take a small sip of it as to conserve it.  She was really
very lovely.  Her face was slightly round with small lips.  Her skin was
clear and soft looking in need of sunshine.  She could probably tan
beautifully.  Her hair was straight and kept simple in the front and long
in the back.  Her arms and shoulders were small.  She didn't have much
muscle and couldn't have weighed seventy pounds wet.  She had no cuteness
of personality that was usually found in kids.  There was no playful
attitude.  She was very serious about everything.  I wondered if there was
a way I could help her get that back.

   I nibbled on my chicken strips and tried to make it seem as if I weren't
analyzing her, which I was.  I was watching every move, look, and facial
gesture to figure her out.  My ability to read people was good, but from
her, I just kept getting nothing of her personality.  It was like it was
dead or stamped out by the bastard who made her call him father.

   I also went through a quick replay of everything about the car ride and
interaction at the mall.  Everything, even her confession in the car had
been prompted.  The only things that I could really see as voluntary was
when she first took my hand at the mall and when she embraced me in the car
when she believe that I wasn't going to send her home.  The possibility of
her being groomed this way disturbed me greatly.

   I did my best not to let my thoughts show.  A few times she looked at me
with a questioning expression.  I really wanted her to ask what was on her
mind.  It would be a sign that she wasn't as I feared, but she kept quiet
and went back to eating when she saw that I noticed her.  I figured I could
give her an invitation.  "You can talk if you like, Mandy.  I won't get
mad."

   She looked at me and I could see that she thought over this new
possibility.  "What would you like me to talk about, Uncle?"

   I sighed.  I wondered if her father had buried her free will under years
of abuse or if he had broken it and she didn't have one anymore.  I figured
I would try something that was normal.  "How about school?  Do you have any
friends?"

   Her face was all business.  She looked up at me when she talked, but no
real feelings came through.  "I get good grades.  I'm in eighth grade this
year.  My teacher is nice."

   I still gathered that it was all factual information.  Nothing that
noted any type of personality, likes or dislikes.  I tilted my head as if
to ask for more as I looked in her eyes.  She hadn't answered my second
question.

   "No, I'm not supposed to have any friends," she said sadly and went back
to eating.

   Sad, I thought, but kept my warm appearance.  I had tons of questions
for her but I didn't want to chance anyone over hearing.  I wondered if she
had a choice to answer them if I asked.  If she were really raised as a
submissive, then she would not have the ability to say no.  I tried to not
let my mind wander in that line of thinking.

   I let her eat and that she did.  She finished off every scrap and
savored the milk shake.  I didn't eat all of mine, but made my nibbling
last as long as she ate.  She gathered her trash in front of her and looked
to me expectantly.  It looked like she wanted to talk or ask something but
she wouldn't open her mouth.

   "Yes?" I finally said hoping she would show some initiative.

   "May I clear away my trash and go to the bathroom, Uncle?" she said. 
Her voice was small and soft.  I knew no one but I could hear her.

   "You may," I said giving her permission mainly because I didn't know
what else to say.  I wasn't comfortable with this type of relationship. 
She quickly picked up her wrappers and cup disposing of them on the way to
the restroom.  I thought about what was quickly happening.

   I got up and disposed of my own trash.  I saw her come out of the
bathroom and walk back to the table while I was putting the tray with other
used trays across the room.  Her head suddenly whipped around in panic as
she searched for me.  She found me in seconds, but I could see the worry in
her eyes and her mouth open ready to cry when she spotted me.  She took a
breath to compose herself and walked over to me as calm as she could.  I
could see she resisted the urge to run to me.  "Are you okay?"

   "Yes, Uncle," she said as the relief was still washing over her.

   "Shall we go?" I made a gesture to the door for her.

   She walked toward it, but looked over her shoulder once to make sure I
was still following her.

   I unlocked her car door and held it open for her to get in.  I thought
of it as sweet for a second, but then I figured it could be seen as a
gesture to control her.  I didn't like that thought.  I kicked myself
mentally thinking that I was going to have to pay attention to little
things like that.  I didn't want her to feel that I was controlling her.

   When I got into the driver's seat, I realized, I still didn't have a
plan.  I started the engine and turned on the air conditioner to battle the
warm St.  Louis humidity.  I didn't figure I'd have much luck with coming
up with a plan after a minute there as the air turned cooler.  "Are there
any relatives that you trust or would like to stay with?"

   "No, Uncle," she said.

   I have a lot of patience, but the `uncle' was really sounding like `sir'
to me.

   "Why do you want to get rid of me?  I can be good.  I'm good at sex and
I'll make sure you enjoy it," she pleaded.

   Her words shocked me.  I gathered a few things at once from them.  I was
cautious again.  "First, Mandy, I don't want to get rid of you.  I just
think that you might be better with someone who'll keep you safe and
protect you.  If you won't talk to the police, I was just thinking that a
relative might be better.  And second, I'm not helping you to get sex."

   She looked hurt.  I didn't know what I could have said to hurt her.  I
didn't know what else to do, but if anything, she looked more fragile after
I said it.  "Is there anywhere you would like to go?  I will take you
anywhere you like.  I just want you safe," I said.

   "Am I safe with you?" she asked simply and I paused.  "Can't I stay with
you?  Unless you don't want me, either," she said dejectedly.

   I almost laughed out loud.  How do I get myself into situations like
these?  I just wanted to help her.  Taking her to my place was all I needed
to put the nail in the coffin for kidnapping charges.  Considering her
state, I don't think anyone would think twice about pressing sexual abuse
charges on me as well.

   She saw me start to shake my head no and she reached down and unbuttoned
her pants.  Suddenly she had my full attention.  "What are you doing?" I
asked as she unzipped them nervously.  I felt my breath catch as the top of
her light blue small panties came into view.  "Stop!" I said louder than
intended as I looked around frantically to see if anyone was watching.

   She halted immediately but looked at me intently.  "I can be good for
you.  I'll show you," she said desperately.

   "No," I said as I put the car in gear and started moving.  I definitely
didn't need anyone accidently seeing her like this.  "Button and zip your
pants, Mandy," I said pulling out of the parking lot.

   She obeyed, but I could see that she was about to cry.  "Please don't
send me away," she begged.  "I'll do whatever you want."

   "Okay.  You can stay with me," I gave in as she pulled on my
heartstrings.  I knew this was crossing the line.  As I turned on the
highway heading out of the city toward my town, I understood that now I was
an actual kidnapper.

   CHAPTER 3

   The entire twenty minute drive to my home was spent in a silent war
inside my head.  Mandy didn't say anything at all after she was properly
dressed again.  I had several different directions I was being pulled in. I
wanted to help her.  I could see that she needed help desperately.  I
didn't know if I could help her.  I had always wanted a family, but the
right woman never came along.  I loved children and had wanted to be a
father.  A selfish part of me said that this could be my chance.

   Another part of me had a freeze frame moment of time of her jeans
unzipped and the top of her panties visible in my mind.  It argued that she
was willing.  Would it hurt her if I was careful?  It wasn't like she was a
virgin and I wouldn't be corrupting her if something did happen, right?

   That side scared me.  I had never thought of a sex with someone so
young. A sixteen or seventeen-years-old maybe, but they were more mature
and usually wanted sex of their own accord.  I liked young looking women,
but had never even thought of someone young like this, definitely not ever
a fourteen-year-old!

   As we approached my street in the small town outside of the city I
needed to make sure we couldn't just drive to the police station.  "Is
there any way I can convince you to go to the police?"

   She looked at me and bowed her head sadly.  I guess it still came off as
I didn't want her.  Another thought occurred to me, if she responded to
instruction so well, could I order her to talk to the police?  I quickly
shot that one down.  Commanding her and ordering her around would make me
as bad as her father.  She could end up worse because if she did end up
back with him somehow, she wouldn't be safe at all.  Would he make good on
his threat to hurt her or kill her?  State laws were screwy when it came to
taking custody away from parents and many times children were left at the
mercy of bad ones even when there was proof of abuse.  I knew that from
where I worked.  Also the image of her picture in the news paper with the
headline "Accidental Child Death" and I knew if I let that happen then I
would never forgive myself.

   We pulled into the drive way of my house.  It wasn't huge, but it was a
three bedroom place and it was mine.  The neighbors were nice, but kept to
themselves mostly.  I got out of the car and walked around to Mandy's door.
She stayed in the passenger seat seeming helpless.  She only watched me get
out and come around the car.  I opened the door for her and gestured for
her to get out.  "Come on, this is it," I told her pointing at the normal
one story brown and white house.

   She followed me silently up the steps.  I unlocked the front door and
held it open for her.  Again she hesitated before figuring out that I
wanted her to enter first.  Then she dipped her head again and went inside.
I quickly glanced around, but didn't see anyone watching us enter the
house.

   I don't know if I would be relieved or panicked if the police showed up
at my door.  In one way, Mandy might be safe with them.  The other, I would
most certainly go to jail, a place I had never been in all my twenty-five
years of life.  That didn't really appeal to me.

   I showed her around the house.  I showed her the kitchen, bathroom, one
bedroom that was an office and the other that was a exercise room with my
treadmill, weight bench and a few other items work working out.

   My cat, Abby, emerged from her hiding spot behind the couch.  She was a
small gray stripped tabby cat.  Mandy jumped and clutched my arm in
surprise when Abby meowed at her.  I guess she didn't see my cat sneak up
on her.

   She clutched me tighter as the friendly cat approached her.

   "It's okay," I said kneeling down to say greet to my house mate with a
scratch behind the ear.  "She friendly," I told Mandy.

   "She'll scratch me," Mandy said getting behind me.

   I didn't understand but as I picked up my small cat and turned to face
Mandy, she really was scared and stepped back against the wall.  Abby
purred and enjoyed the attention as she looked at Mandy curiously.  "Pet
her.  She won't bite." The cat was de-clawed and I had never seen her act
aggressively to anything except the cat toys that I occasionally bought
her.

   Mandy closed her eyes for a second and stepped forward.  She slowly put
her hand out and gave my feline friend one soft stroke from the top of her
cat head down her body.  Abby seemed to enjoy it and leaned into it.  Mandy
pulled her hand back quickly still scared.

   I thought petting the cat would make her feel better but I suddenly
realized I had TOLD her to pet the cat.  She had done it because I told her
to do it and not out of wanting to.  I put the cat on the sofa and turned
to Mandy.  "Are you allergic to cats?"

   She shook her head no.

   "Is this going to be a problem with staying here?" I asked suddenly
thinking that moving the exercise room for a few days while Mandy was over.

   She looked up at me and shook her head no again.

   Dang, we're back to this again.  There has to be a girl inside of this
scared beautiful exterior.

   It was afternoon, but nowhere near bed time.  I explained to her that
she was welcome to use the computer, internet, watch television, or play
any of the games that were there.  I saw her look at my two book shelves in
the living room just a little too long.

   "You're welcome to read any of them that you like," I offered.  That got
me a small smile and she started looking through titles.  "You are free to
roam the house.  I'm going to watch some television and you can join me if
you like," I said.

   She looked through the books for about fifteen minutes as I surfed the
local news channels.  I was looking for anything that said missing girl or
had my picture in big letters that said `KIDNAPPER'.  Surprising to me, I
didn't see anything that even hinted to her being missing.

   I went to the kitchen and got a glass of ice water.  I turned to see
Mandy standing there watching me, but silent.  "Would you like something to
drink?" I asked after a few moments of waiting to see if she would ask.

   She nodded.

   "Okay.  You are welcome to anything in the refrigerator or freezer
except for alcohol," I told her and opened the refrigerator door.  I kept
several sports drinks, flavored waters, orange juice, and even my weakness,
strawberry milk in there.  In the back were two bottles of flavored vodka,
my drink of choice.  "Do you need any help?" I asked as she stepped up to
the refrigerator.

   She hesitated and looked around.  "Cups?"

   I smiled.  Finally I got to hear her voice again.  I reached over and
showed her the cabinet with the cups and most of the other normally used
dishes above the counter.  I handed her a glass and exited wondering how
well she would do without someone directing her.

   I heard her pour a drink, the refrigerator door close again, but that
was it.  After a minute, she came back to the living room to join me again
without her drink.

   "So what do you think of the place?" I asked as she sat down on the sofa
with me.

   "It's nice," she said nodding her head.

   Abby jumped up on my lap and started nuzzling my hand.  I saw Mandy
stiffen up but, but didn't cringe away.

   "I need to know some things about you, Mandy.  If I were to ask you
about the things that happened to you, would you tell me?" I asked now that
we were both comfortable.  The television was still on, but the sound was
low and it was reporting on the upcoming weather for the next week.

   She looked down at her lap.  "If you tell me to I will," she said.

   I read enough cues to understand that she didn't want to.  I wanted to
know what was going on with her, but not against her will.  "How about we
do it this way, if you want to tell me something, you can.  I will never
get mad at you or blame you for anything that happened.  I just want you to
be honest with me.  When you're ready to talk, I'm here."

   She looked back at me and nodded her small nod.

   "I do need to ask.  What happened to your mother?" I asked.  It was a
question that had plagued me.  Who would leave their daughter to a man like
that?

   "I don't know.  I never knew her.  Daddy told me that she was a
prostitute who left me with him after I was born," she answered.  I felt
bad for her.  "He said that sex was all she was ever good at.  He says I'm
just like her and that's all I'll ever be good for," she said with some
pain.

   My heart broke for her once again.  She said the words and looked
ashamed of them, but looked like she believed them.  It was like a child
saying that they were going to grow up to be a doctor or lawyer.  She had
said it like she had already accepted that sex was the only thing she could
be used for in this world.

   "I don't believe that's true," I said.  "I think you can be anything you
want.  I will try to help you do whatever you want, okay?"

   She looked at me, but didn't really respond.  I guess my words didn't
sink in.  I tried to change the subject and handed her the remote control.
"Would you like to watch something?"

   She shook her head no but said, "Can I read one of your books?"

   I smiled and gave her the sweeping gesture toward the book shelves on
the side of the room.  "Anything you like." I was happy to at least see
that there was something underneath.  I wanted to know more about this
girl, but so far my people skills were failing me.  She just didn't give
away much of what was underneath.

   I let her read for the next few hours as I watched news after boring
news of the local headlines.  I still never saw anything related to Mandy
or myself.  She had been gone at least six hours before I gave up.  There
were two possibilities, either the police had enough to figure out who and
where I was and were closing in on my house or her father never reported
it.

   I honestly expected to be awaken by a police raid in the middle of the
night and taken away in handcuffs.  But it wouldn't help tomorrow by
staying up all night worrying about it.  I might as well get one more
night's sleep in my own bed before sharing a jail cell.

   Mandy had asked me if she could go to the bathroom once, but mostly
stayed interested in her book.  Abby rubbed up on her and she had carefully
petted her a few times.  Other than that, she was quiet as a mouse.  I was
testing her.  I wondered if I gave her enough silence that she would talk
to me on her own.  I found out that she could stay absorbed in the book
longer than my interest could be in the television.

   It was getting to be about nine and I was getting tired.  Usually I went
to bed around ten because my shift started early.  I told her that I would
find her something to sleep in.  I went to my room and started pulling
clothes out.  I found some soft shorts with a draw string.  They would be
baggy on her small body, but at least the elastic band and drawstring would
hold them up.  I also picked out a long t-shirt that would be comfortable.
A thought hit me about underwear and I completely forgot about her training
bra being in the bag in the car.

   If she were going to be staying with me, we would have to do some
shopping tomorrow.  I figured at least we could get her a few sets of
clothes.  She couldn't wear the same thing every day.

   I took the folded clothes out to her.  "Do you want to get a shower
tonight or tomorrow?"

   She looked at the clothes for a moment before taking them.  I guess they
weren't her colors.  "Tomorrow?" she said almost more as a question than a
statement.

   "Okay.  Get changed and I'll get the bed ready," I said.

   She put her book on the table as she collected the clothes and went to
the bathroom.

   My sofa folded out into a bed.  I figured that would be where she could
sleep for the time being.  If I wasn't arrested in the next few days, I
figured the exercise room could easily be converted into a bedroom for her.
I didn't know how long her stay with me would really last.  I pulled out
the bed and started putting a few extra pillows I had on it and a blanket
from the closet.  I was almost done by the time that she walked back into
the living room holding her clothes neatly folded.

   She looked incredibly petite and small in my clothes.  Her hair was
pulled back and in a ponytail now.  She must have had a rubber band on her.
The effect of the clothes and hair made her look...sexy.  I didn't want to
admit it, but dressed like that, the small curves of her developing chest,
the leanness of her legs in the black shorts, and the way that my t-shirt
neck was just a little too big for her and leaning to one side showing the
curve of her neck was breathtaking.

   I tried to hide my lustful look as I walked over and took her stack of
clothes to the laundry area.  I looked down so to not look like I was
staring at her body and even her small feet and toes were cute.

   I sat the clothes on the washer and noticed the slight color of light
blue material sticking out from between the shirt and folded jeans.  I
quickly lifted it and seen her panties folded there, too.  My erection that
I had been trying to fight ever since seeing her panties in the car came to
life thinking of her only covered in the soft shorts.

   No, I told myself and then headed back into the living room.  I came
back to see her adjusting the blanket.  She pulled it down and stood there
beside the bed.

   "How would you like me, Uncle?" she said simply.

   My breath caught because I had a feeling of exactly what she meant.  I
tried to play dumb.  "I want you to go to bed.  We have a few things we
need to do tomorrow.  I'll call out of work in the morning and then we need
to get more clothes for you."

   "But what about me?" she said a little confused as I reached over and
turned off the light in the room.  The hall light still shone brightly in
the room and I could see her standing there.

   "You can use the bathroom or get a drink as you wish.  But you need
sleep," I said trying to avoid the subject that I was sure she was talking
about.

   "What about sex?" she said seeming to not understand.  "I need to know
how you want me."

   My heart and dick leapt at the same time.  I was fighting a war within
myself.  She was so attractive and I found her very sexy in the dim light
dressed like that.  I didn't want to take advantage of her, though.  She
was still just a kid, wasn't she?  I shook my head slightly.  "No, I don't
think we'll be doing that," I said, but even as it came out, it sounded
weak as my lust for her swam in my head.

   She looked hurt.  "But I have to.  If not, then I don't belong here.  I
thought you wanted me to stay with you?"

   Part of me shouted inside that she didn't belong here and I shouldn't
even be considering this.  "Can't you stay here without sex?"

   She shook her head no.  "It's who I am.  That's what I'm supposed to do.
Please, I really want to be yours." I saw a look in her eyes that said she
was serious but still hiding something.

   She saw my hesitation and walked over close to me.  She slowly lifted
the bottom of her shirt revealing the smooth skin of her stomach and was up
to the bottom of her breast in the light of the hall when I reached out and
stopped her.  Her skin was soft, softer than I remembered anyone's being.
She watched me carefully.  "Tell me what to do," she said simply.

   I thought for a moment.  I didn't want her running off in the middle of
the night.  If she found someone else bad, then she could be hurt or worse.
If she was found by someone good, then it would probably be a one way trip
back to her father's clutches.  I thought about her words.

   "Lay down on the bed," I told her.  She turned immediately and went to
the bed.  I moved with her as she pulled back the sheet and reclined on the
bed.  I leaned over her and kissed her softly on the cheek.  Her eyes
closed reflexively and she didn't see as I reached over her and took hold
of the blanket.  As I straightened up, I pulled the blanket and sheet over
her tempting body.

   She opened her eyes and looked at me pleadingly.  "But I want to stay. I
don't want you to get rid of me."

   "I want you to stay, but we're not having sex," I said as my conscious
won out over my raging hormones.  "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

   She reached out put her hand over the tent in my shorts.  "You want me.
I can tell in the way you look at me.  I want to be yours." She squeezed my
erect member and I had to stop my knees from bucking.  With every last
moral fiber I had left, I pulled her hand off my shorts and told her good
night as I walked uncomfortably to my bedroom.

   CHAPTER 4

   I heard her soft crying from my bedroom.  I wasn't sure what to do.  I
admitted to myself that I did indeed desire her.  I didn't know how badly
until she was dressed like that and talking about sex so openly.  After a
few minutes, she went silent.  I had armed the security system when I
locked the front door.  I would know it immediately if she ran away.  A
selfish thought went through my head that if she did run away, then I
wouldn't be responsible for her, but I chided myself for even the thought.
I wanted to help her.  Her running into the night could only make things
much worse.



   I usually slept in total darkness.  The bedroom door was closed because
the hall light was on and I woke to movement on the bed.  I groggily opened
my eyes and felt a small hand in my shorts squeezing my dick.  It took a
moment to realize that Mandy had joined me in the bed.  I looked over and
she had the blanket pulled back and was naked beside me in the dim light
from the door being cracked.

   Her eyes and facial expression was serious.  She looked worried when she
saw that I was awake.  I reached down and took hold of her wrist that was
stroking my shaft.  I started to pull her off and she resisted by gripping
my erect dick tighter.  "No," she insisted, "I don't want to go back."

   "Stop," I told her with authority contrary to my solid rod that pulsed
in her grip.

   "Please," she pleaded and kept trying to rub the bulge in my shorts. 
"You don't understand," she said as I took hold of both of her wrists and
pulled her hands up.  She looked desperately into my eyes.  "I need you to
LOVE me!" she confessed and froze with tears sprouting from her eyes.

   I exhaled a breath because for an instant, I understood.  Her eyes,
face, voice, and even tears told me she was telling the truth.  That was
the secret that she didn't want to say in the living room.  I let go of her
wrists and pulled her to me.  She started crying painfully into my chest as
I held her.  There was much more pain underneath the surface and it seemed
she couldn't stop once she started letting it out.  I just hugged her
softly as her sorrow vented.  Admitting her vulnerability had been so hard
for her.

   I thought I had finally figured at least this part of her out.  Her
father had alienated her from everyone.  He had made her depend on him
alone for any emotional comfort.  And with that in place, only gave her
only abuse and taught her strict obedience.  Her mind linked sex to love.
For her, they were probably both the same thing.  Every child needs to feel
loved.  She had chosen me over her father, but needed to believe that I
loved her in the only way that made sense to her.

   I felt pain for her that she had grown in her short life to believe this
way.  I rubbed her back carefully and tried to comfort her even though I
was very aware that even though it was dim in the room, she was still very
naked.

   Her sobs quieted after a few minutes, I felt her hand on my deflated
penis.  This time I didn't stop her or pull away.  She pulled back and
looked up at me unsure.  I wanted to ask if she was sure, but I knew that
question was redundant at this point.  "Are you on birth control," I asked
consenting.

   She nodded but looked lost.  "The shot.  Daddy said that it would do any
good for me to get pregnant." She sat up a little straighter.  "What do you
want me to do, Uncle?" she asked submissively.

   Maybe I could use this to learn more about her?  "What gives you the
most pleasure?" I asked patiently.

   She shook her head no.

   I guess she didn't understand.  "What do you like?  What position is
good for you?"

   "I don't get pleasure.  My job is to make you cum," she said
matter-of-factly.

   "You don't get any pleasure at all?" I asked.  "You've never had an
orgasm?"

   She looked down meekly and shook her head no.

   "Well," I said quickly forming a plan.  "Then I know what I want," I
said tilting my head to the side to get her to look up at me.  "Tonight, I
want to just get to know you.  Will you let me do that?"

   She nodded, but I didn't think she knew what I meant.  I also didn't
know if she were ever allowed to reject advances.  She may never have been
given the choice before.

   I rolled her on her back.  Her small budding breasts melted back into
her body and they were just small swellings topped with light pink caps. 
Her stomach was flat to the top of her mound puffing out.  She was bare of
pubic hair.  I thought that was interesting given her age.  Maybe he
insisted that she shave it or wax?  Her outer lips looked larger than they
should on a girl her size.  I could see the effect of the abuse on her. 
Instead of shy pale skin on the outside, her skin along her slit looked
pink and puffy.  The entrance to her vagina was indented slightly which
only comes from repeated use.  Her legs were smooth, creamy white, and had
the tone of soft muscle that is only present in youth.  My gaze came back
to her face, which was expectant, patient, with blue eyes watching me.  She
had a content look on her face.  She didn't look scared or nervous.  It
looked like this was really what she wanted and that being naked in front
of an adult male was normal.

   I noticed the absence of lust.  She was calm where a normal teenage
getting ready for sex would be aroused.  That was one of the first things
that was going to I would try for.

   I watched her very carefully.  I propped myself up beside her on one arm
and started running my hand down from her hairline and ear.  She didn't
tense up at the touch of a new man which I found slightly disturbing.  I
felt the skin at the curve of her neck and traced her collarbone.

   She closed her eyes for a moment enjoying the sensation.

   I smiled and continued.  I ran my finger tips across the top of her
chest above her small breasts.  No reaction.  I went lower across the top
of her breasts slowly.  I could feel the firm pads below her soft skin as
they rose, but didn't see a reaction from her.  I traced between her
breasts to the underside of the left one lightly.  She inhaled slightly
deeper on her breath, a good sign.  I worked in circles around her breast
slowly toward the center.  I could tell that the underside was sensitive
for her, but the sides and top weren't.

   As I approached her light areolas, they were already flushed with blood
and slightly puffing out.  They weren't when I put her on her back, so
something had changed for her.  I carefully touched her.  I could see her
tense up as I barely put her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.  Just
from her reaction, I could see that they had been a center for pain and
abuse.  I didn't grip or squeeze.  I had the information that I wanted.  I
would have to be especially careful there and try to figure out how to make
her nipples something for pleasure and not pain.

   I ran my fingers down her stomach, stopping at her cute belly button
that sunk in just barely.  I ran my hand over to her side that and rubbed
carefully there as I saw her bite her bottom lip tentatively.  I wasn't
sure if this meant that there had been a place of abuse or just sensitive,
but it was a definite reaction from her.  I went from there down her leg.
First the outside, getting no reaction down to the knee, and then back
upward on the front of her leg to the top.  Still I got nothing from her. I
slid my hand inward and she parted her legs obediently, but there weren't
any feelings behind it.  It was done as an expectant motion.  I looked down
briefly and noticed there were bruises on the inside of her legs within
inches of her pussy.  The bruises were faded, but four or five inches in
diameter on each side.  I was afraid to ask what had happened to cause
damage to such an intimate area.

   She noticed my interest in the blue and yellow marks and looked
embarrassed.  "I'm sorry-" she said like it was her fault or something.

   "Oh my god, no!" I said leaning close to her face.  She looked away
quickly and I brought my hand to her cheek motioning her to look back at
me. "No, Mandy.  Don't ever be sorry.  You are gorgeous." I saw a small
spark in her eye, but she suppressed everything but a sigh to the
compliment.

   I took note of how she responded unable to take the positive praise, but
I was being honest.  I couldn't remember seeing a sexier girl ever!  She
had the youth in body, but the spirit that usually drove a girl like that
seemed to be missing.  Her body was truly beautiful.  "Do you want me to
keep going?"

   She nodded looking me in the eye.  I skipped the upper thighs to avoid
the discolorations.  I knew there, at least for the moment, wouldn't be a
source of pleasure.  I started at the top of her mound and palmed it
softly. I tried to keep my eyes on her face for her reactions as I rested
my hand on her.  My hand seemed far too big as it covered the entire pubic
area of her small body.  My finger tips touched just the outside of her
slit.  I used the outside of my hand to gently massage her cotton soft
skin. It molded easily in my hand.  I caught her silent sigh that she tried
to hide from my gentle touch.

   Next I ran my fingers down along the outside of her soft lips.  Her legs
widened slightly.  I didn't take this as an invitation because she might
have thought it was an expectation of what she was supposed to do.  She
tried to keep every signal of pleasure a secret.  I didn't know if it was
because she was ashamed of it or if pleasure had been used against her.  In
any case, her pleasure was what I was most interested in and if she wasn't
going to tell me willingly what she found pleasurable, I would find out for
myself.

   My middle finger dipped carefully into her vaginal opening.  There was
an indentation that was impossible to miss.  I knew this didn't happen
naturally in girls.  It was an obvious sign of major sexual experience.  I
felt her warmth and...MOISTURE!  She was wet and lubricating!  I didn't
expect that all.  I didn't even know if a girl as young as her could get
wet like that.  After her emotional breakdown, I didn't think it was
possible, but she was.  My finger slid into her warm channel easily up to
my second knuckle.  She was lubricated, soft, and burning hot.  It was like
my finger had found a small heater inside her.

   I hadn't ever touched a girl as young as her.  In high school, I had one
experience that was close with a virgin girl.

   I felt inside her opening carefully.  I with her small body, I thought
she might be tight but I found that wasn't the case.  I found that she had
been stretched for sex with an adult.  She didn't show any reaction as I
explored her entrance.  There was no sign of pain, distress, or
nervousness. It was like this was a normal experience for her.  Also, there
was no arousal reaction, either.  I felt her a little deeper.  I estimated
and felt where the g-spot typically was and got no reaction out of her.  I
experimentally extended my finger and barely grazed her cervix.  I still
didn't get any reaction from her.  She didn't seem to get any pleasure from
inside her vagina.  I wondered if she could have an orgasm from
intercourse.

   I withdrew from her vagina and slid my lubricated middle finger up her
slit.  I found her clit hood swollen and I stroked it gently.  This
reaction she couldn't hide.  I felt her tense and press her pelvis up
higher.  She pressed her lips together tightly, but her face had tension
and finally, arousal.  "Did he touch you here much?" I asked still slowly
circling her clit hood with gentle strokes.

   "Only when he wanted to hurt me or hear me scream," she admitted
carefully.

   "So he never touched you like this?" I asked continuing as I felt her
clit swelling after just a few seconds of attention.

   She shook her head no and kept watching me.  It was possible that she
thought I was going to hurt her, too.  I smiled warmly watching her change.
Her breath started getting deeper and rhythmical.  Her hands that had not
moved since she rolled onto her back moved over her stomach.  After just a
minute, her nipples were swollen and erect, which I thought was very sexy.
The body that she had been careful to control was coming alive in front of
me.  Her legs straightened out slowly and I could see her feet starting to
point downward as her climax was building.

   She moaned softly as I felt her clit poke out from beneath the hood.  I
used my finger and carefully stroked it side to side gliding over it
gently.

   I was smiling, loving the wonder of young sexuality.  There was nothing
like it.  The passion, the drive, the intensity of watching a girl truly
wrapped in pleasure was the most exquisite site ever.  "Do you like what
I'm doing?"

   "Yes," she said in a soft moan.

   "Do you want me to keep going?" I asked just for my own piece of mind. I
didn't want to make her do anything against her will.  I still was coming
to grips that a girl this size, this young, and who had been through what
she had could get pleasure from a stranger touching her.

   "Yes, Sir," she said and I noted that she slipped on the title.  It was
as I had thought.  I hoped that it was what she wanted and not just what
she had been groomed to say.

   In all honestly, I was as excited as she was.  My erection was a steel
rod tenting my shorts with a wet spot of pre-cum in the front.  I desired
her.  I wanted her.  I wanted to push myself deep within her and fill her.
But that would have to wait for a while, I told myself as I got back to the
matter at hand: her well being.

   "You want to make me happy?" I asked as she continued to climb higher. I
felt her moments away from a very powerful orgasm.

   "Yes, Sir," she moaned as she flexed her hips in a fucking motion.

   "You asked me what I wanted you to do." I taunted her on the edge of her
pleasure.

   "Anything, Sir.  Anything for you!" she pleaded.

   I got right up next to her ear and whispered, "Cum for me," and then
vibrated middle finger directly on her clit.

   She let out a loud groan as she came hard.  Her back arched.  Her feet
stuck straight out from her with her toes curled with her eyes closed
wrapped in ecstasy.  I used my hand to try to massage her.  My middle
finger stayed giving attention to her clit, but my fingers were rubbing her
lips and the skin on the outside while I used my palm and thumb to try to
massage her mound.  I wanted to milk her orgasm to the last drop.

   "I love you and I will never hurt you," I told her sincerely.  I knew it
wasn't exactly true.  It was true that I would protect her and I did care
about her, but I knew in my heart that it wasn't love, at least not what
she wanted.  I also knew what she needed and what she needed to hear.  It
might come back to bite me in the ass, but she needed to believe that
someone in the world truly loved her.

   Her orgasm faded after about thirty seconds and I watched her whole body
relax at once.  I withdrew my finger from inside her and gently massaged
the outside of her warm soft skin for a few moments more.  Aftershocks went
through her as her breathing started coming back under her control.  She
looked over at me and I could see the color in her cheeks and her blue eyes
sparking with life and wonder.

   "Thank you, Uncle," she said with a tear in her eye.

   "Was that the first time for you?" I asked actually curious.

   She nodded smiling.  I could see pleasure still washing over her as she
relaxed more.  "How can I make you happy, Uncle?" she asked as her
breathing was almost back to normal.

   "Come over here and keep me warm," I said seeing the content emotion in
her face.

   She slid into my arms putting one arm around me and laying her head
against my chest.  I felt the emotion in her content sigh as she snuggled
in close.  I draped just the sheet over the both of us until she cooled
off. I felt her breasts press against my shirt and longed to feel her
against my skin.  She was so small and petite against me.

   "I love you, Uncle," she whispered softly with her eyes closed.

   I reached up and brushed a stray hair from the front of her fore head to
the side.

   Within minutes, she was asleep laying on my arm.  I could see a faint
smile on her lips.  I rolled onto my back and she moved with me molding the
front of her body onto my side.  Her knee was partially over my thigh which
pressed her hot mound against me.  I could feel the heat of her through my
shorts.  I was still rock hard.  I knew I wasn't going to have sex with her
tonight.  I wanted to so bad, though.

   I sighed as I thought about how things had turned out so far today.  I
was now a kidnapper.  I had touched and masturbated a fourteen-year-old.  I
would most likely be arrested and thrown in jail at any moment for the most
of the good years of my life.  I had a girl who called me uncle, but might
as well be saying sir or master.

   I looked down at her beautiful face and looked at how the sheet
conformed to the curves of her sensual body.  She was by far the sexiest
person (young or old) that I had ever seen in my life.  And at least for
now, she was happy and felt loved.  I had watched at least a least some
life come back into her deep blue eyes that were void and empty when I
first saw her in the mall.  I decided whatever happened to me from that
point on was worth her being happy.

   I fell asleep, probably from lack of blood flow since it was claimed by
another part of my body at the moment, feeling content and hoping that the
St.  Louis police department took their time getting to my house.

   CHAPTER 5

   I awoke in the morning just a few minutes before my alarm went off.  I
looked over and it showed three minutes until five.  I reached over and
turned it off, not needing it.  I looked over across the bed at my sleeping
companion.  She was twisted in the sheet, having tossed the blanket off
sometime in the night.  She looked so small and helpless.

   I reminded myself that she was still only fourteen.  She should be
playing video games, watching movies with friends, and riding bikes around
the park.  She shouldn't be naked in a man's bed.  She definitely shouldn't
be used as a daily fuck toy by her father.

   There was softness in her face and skin.  I noticed an unfamiliar odor
of young girl in the room.  Even though I had brought her to orgasm last
night, the faint smell of it could be detected.  I had to pull my eyes away
from the curves of her body and exposed shoulder that I knew was attached
to two lovely hidden small breasts.

   I slipped out of the bed, pulling some clothes from the dresser quietly
and headed for the shower.  I chose a shower because if not my morning wood
was going to convince me to devour the beautiful girl.

   I closed the door softly so as to not wake Mandy.  It was still early
even though this was the time I usually got up on week days.  I started the
shower and within minutes I was under the hot water stroking my erection. I
went slow wanting to enjoy it.  I thought about every flash of skin that
she had blessed me with.  The flash of panties in the car, the look on her
face when she asked for sex in the living room, her body in the dim light
of my room as she opened herself to me, and the feel of warmth inside her
lovely cunt were swimming in my mind.  The head of my penis was dark
purple, harder than I remember ever being when there was a knock on the
bathroom door.

   I halted mid stroke.  "Yes?" I said trying to keep my voice steady.

   I heard the door open over the sound of the shower.  "Uncle, I need to
use the bathroom."

   "Okay," I said and I pulled my hands from my erection and turned toward
the wall.  I heard her walk in and lift the lid on the toilet seat.  The
shower curtain wasn't a solid color and even though it blurred images it
gave everything a blue tint, I could see her form and I knew she could see
mine.  I grabbed the wash cloth and started to wash myself.  My erection
was not deterred.  If anything, knowing that Mandy was only a few feet from
me made my need intensify.

   I heard her flush and wash her hands.  I gave her a moment to leave and
then turned around to make sure that she had left only to find her still
standing in the bathroom facing the shower.  Through the shower curtain, I
could see that she was still naked.

   Then she walked back over to the shower and pulled the curtain aside.  A
quick thought hit me to hide my erection, but at that same moment, I didn't
want to miss a glimpse of her sexy body if she afforded me one.  She looked
at me and saw my dick standing at full attention.  Then she looked back up
into my eyes as she stepped into the shower.

   My will power was at its lowest.  She was lovely.  Last night I had seen
her in the darkness and shadows.  In the light, her skin looked soft and
warm.  There was a slight bruise on her arm from where her father had
shaken her the day before that I hadn't noticed before.  The bruises on her
inner thighs weren't quiet as noticeable in without shadows on them, but
she was exquisite.  Her hair was free, but still a little messed up from
sleep.  Her face was soft with eyes a soft shade of blue.  Her lips were
pale and small with cheeks that had no chubbiness to them.

   "Did you mean what you said last night?" she asked as she lowered her
head looking at my feet, but I knew she could see my dick pointing at her
mere inches away from her.  "Do you love me?"

   Guilt went through me.  The night before, I had said the words in a
moment of passion for her and wanted to enhance her experience.  I knew it
wasn't true at the time.  "Yes," I said knowing that I was still lying to
her.  Telling her no would only hurt her.  I didn't like lying, but I
thought that she needed to hear it.  I quickly justified to myself that I
wanted to protect her and that protective feeling could be described as
love, couldn't it?

   "Then I am yours now," she said solemnly still looking down.  "I am for
your pleasure and will be whatever you want me to be," she declared
reaching over taking my dick in her hand.

   It went too fast.  I was still reeling from what she said when she
leaned over and enveloped the head of my dick in her warm small mouth.  I
moaned out loud as I reached for the bar on the side of the shower to keep
myself up right.  I didn't have the will power to stop her or even voice a
small protest as she expertly sucked my dick.  One of her heads held my
shaft as her head made small bobbing movements on the end of it and her
other hand started squeezing my balls.  Her finger tip began rubbing just
below them, which seemed to be an instant pleasure button I didn't even
know about.

   I moaned again putting one hand down on her shoulder to help steady
myself.  "Mandy....I'm gonna cum.  Please, be..." was all I got out.  I was
on the verge of cumming before she came in, but she was pure heaven.  I
started cumming and I attempted not to grip her shoulder as my body was
shaken with pleasure.  My moan echoed through the house as Mandy kept her
lips sealed tightly around the swollen head of my dick as she continued to
suck.  I knew that I was filling her mouth with white hot seed, but she
didn't flinch.  She continued pumping my dick with her hand and sucking up
and down on the head not missing a beat.  I felt what must have been four
or five large spurts go into her and she never stopped or paused.  I had
never felt anything so wonderful.  I leaned back against the shower wall
and she moved with me, not stopping her movements.

   I was still breathing hard and my dick was starting to soften.  She
continued to work on it, even though I knew it was done.  She continued to
suck on it and use her tongue on the underside even as it shrunk.  For a
moment, I thought she was trying to get me hard again because she continued
to work on it.  It felt wonderful in the bliss of my release.

   Then, as I was soft I realized that she was on her knees in the shower
with me, it hit me that her eyes were still down submissively.  "Mandy,
stop," I said.  She did and put her hands down at her sides and kept her
head bowed.  I suddenly was overcome with guilt.  "Stand up," I said softly
and she obeyed, but kept her head down.

   I needed to think, but I couldn't face her.  "Get a shower and get
clean," I told her and got out of the shower before she could see my tears
of guilt.

   I toweled and got dressed absentmindedly as I chided myself.  "How could
I have been so stupid?" I thought as I looked in the bedroom mirror.  For
just a few seconds, I thought she was getting enjoyment out of everything
and I let myself go with her.  She did it because that is what she thought
I wanted her to.  That's why she stayed down on her knees.  She was waiting
for me to tell her to stop.  If it was by her choice, she could have
stopped by her own will.  I knew that now I really had taken advantage of
her.

   I heard the shower turn off and knew that I needed to face her and what
I'd done.  I made the bed quickly and had just sat down on it when she came
into the room wrapped my fluffy dark blue towel.  Her hair was damp, but
down and she was covered from the top of her breasts down to mid thigh, but
was still a sexy site.  She looked at me expectantly, but didn't come more
than a step into the room.

   I chucked and shook my head.  I was never going to get use to this. 
"Yes, Mandy?"

   "Do you wish me to wear clothes, Uncle?" she asked looking like she was
lost.

   "Don't you usually wear them around the house?" I asked like it was a
stupid question.

   "No," she said as she bowed her head and dropped the towel off her body
to the floor.

   I was stunned once again.  I hadn't meant it like that!  I rushed to
her, grabbing the towel, and put over the front of her.  "I'm sorry.  I
meant, yes.  You are supposed to wear clothes.  Stay here," I said as I
rushed to the laundry area and grabbed her clothes from the day before.

   I brought them back to her and then left the bedroom for her to get
dressed.  After I had closed the door to the room, I realized that joking
around with her wasn't going to be possible for a while.  She took
everything I said seriously.  Also, I still little idea what her normal
home life consisted of.  I as went to the kitchen to start coffee, I
wondered how she could manage not being allowed to wear clothes at home.

   I called work and told them that I was sick and going to need a day or
two.  I worked at a 911 call center, but it was a good crew and they said
it would be okay.  I pulled out some eggs and the fixings for omelets by
the time that Mandy came stepped into the kitchen.  I still felt guilty and
didn't look her in the eye when I saw her standing there watching me.

   "Did I do something wrong, Uncle?" she said nervously.

   "No.  Not at all," I said trying to hide my shame.  She was just a girl.
She couldn't have known.  "Have a seat while I make breakfast," I said
gesturing at the table.

   "I can help," she offered.  "I usually do the cooking."

   I bet she did, along with a lot of other things no fourteen-year-old
should ever have to do.  "I've got it.  Thank you, though," I said.

   As I cracked the eggs, I figured I'd get a few answers.  "In the
bathroom, why did you say what you said?" I asked keeping my back to her.
Guilt still made me hesitant about facing her.

   "Daddy made me say it every once in a while.  He said it was important
that I know my place.  He called me his little slut," she said and stopped
there.

   "And he didn't let you wear clothes?" I asked but I was pretty sure of
the answer.

   "No.  He said they just got in the way so when it was just us in the
house or one of his friends, he didn't allow me to wear clothes," she said,
but I could hear in her voice that she didn't like it.

   "His friends?" I asked as I caught that detail and tried to hide the
anger in my voice.

   She hesitated, but only for a split second.  "Some of his friends were
allowed to play with me," she said.

   I turned with a heavy heart and look as the poor girl sat and looked
down at the kitchen table.  I knew she wasn't talking about "Chutes and
Ladders" or "Crazy Eights".  "Play" was a term used between a submissive
and a dominant when they were role playing.  That bastard had let his
others abuse with his own daughter!

   Mandy just sat there unmoving.  She didn't cry or look around.  She just
sat there waiting.  I wondered how she had survived all these years.  I
swallowed and turned back to the grill and poured the eggs.  I was scared
to ask how many men had taken advantage of her.  I didn't like this.  I
didn't want to be another man just to control her.  "Did you want to do
what you did in the bathroom?"

   "Yes.  I'm yours," she said as if that explained everything.

   I still felt the guilt of it and her answer didn't help any.  "But did
you want to?" I said.  Part of me wanted thought that if she said yes and
meant it that I would have really taken advantage of her.

   She looked over at me.  "I don't understand, Uncle.  If it makes you
feel good, then I want to do it.  It looked like that was what you wanted.
Was I wrong?"

   She wasn't the only one who didn't understand.  I was a little lost
myself, too.  I didn't have an answer for her that I wanted to say out
loud. I did want her to do it, but I would have never asked her to.  "No,
you weren't wrong," I told her.  It wouldn't help her to think that she had
done anything wrong.  "Do you like eggs and bacon?" I said getting off
subject as I turned the omelets one last time.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said.

   "Will you help me?" I said uncomfortably.  "There are plates and cups in
that cabinet.  Set the table, please," I instructed as I pointed at one of
the upper cabinets.

   She moved quickly to obey.  I made two plates up and told her to pour
juice for me while I was getting the last of the food ready.  I told her
that she could have juice or milk.  I smiled when I saw her go for the
strawberry milk.  Maybe we had more in common than I realized.

   She sat and waited for permission to start eating again.

   It was time to start trying to give her to a life of normalcy.  "From
now on, you don't have to wait for permission to eat.  If I put food in
front of you, you are allowed to eat when you feel like it, okay?" I
explained.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said carefully eating a piece of bacon.

   I sighed.  "And that's another thing.  You don't have to say uncle like
you say sir."

   She looked up at me for a moment puzzled.  "Yes..." she halted herself.
"Okay." Then she went back to quietly eating.  She seemed skilled at
staying quiet.  Even when she ate, her silverware didn't clink together and
she set her cup on the table with care not to make any noise.

   After a few minutes of silent eating, I figured she wasn't going to
talk. "I'm going to check the news this morning and then I thought we would
like to go clothes shopping for you."

   "I'll clean while you're out, Un.." she said catching herself.

   My house really wasn't that dirty, but I guess it was what she would
normally do.  "I'll be honest with you, I don't know how we are going to
continue like this," I said to her.  "If the police are looking for you,
it's just a matter of time before they find you....and me," I added.

   "But how?  We didn't call them," she said looking concerned.

   "Cameras are everywhere, Sweetheart.  If they pull the ones from the
mall, they could have seen what car you got into.  If someone saw you in
McDonalds, then they could call in and describe who they saw you with," I
admitted.  I actually was surprised that they weren't beating on the door
already.

   "What will happen if they come?" she asked.

   "I imagine they will ask you tons of questions.  They will ask you about
me and what I did with you," I said uncomfortably.  I wouldn't be able to
hide anything.  And I didn't want her to, either.  "When that happens, I
want you to be completely honest with them.  Don't lie about anything," I
emphasized.  "I want you to tell them all about your father and what he did
to you.  Everything."

   She cringed.  "But what if they don't believe me?  What if they send me
back to him after I tell?"

   I had an idea, not a great one, but one none the less.  The more people
knew, the harder it would be to hide.  "I think I know a way that they for
sure won't send you back, but you'll have to do something for me."

   She nodded.

   "I'll set it up before I leave, but I'll need your help," I said patting
myself on the back for a stroke of brilliance.

   We finished breakfast quickly.  I went to the office and started pulling
up missing persons and children in the area on the computer.  I even did a
search for missing children with the first name Mandy.  There weren't any
reports that even sounded like her.  I found this as very odd.  "Mandy," I
called out.

   In seconds she appeared at the doorway.  "Yes, Uncle," she responded
promptly.

   I didn't like the title, but dismissed it.  "What is your full name?"

   "Amanda Dawn Hardin," she said.

   I typed it in and a few variations of it, but the only hit I got on
searches of it was a newspaper article of top students on the honor roll at
a school a few towns over.  No missing children.  No amber alerts. 
Nothing.

   "Thank you," I said and she left quickly.

   I just realized I didn't know what she was doing.  I left her eating her
breakfast, but she should have been done several minutes ago.  I went back
to the kitchen to find her filling the sink with soapy water to wash
dishes.

   "Amanda," I said using her real name for the first time.  She paused
stacking dishes and looked over at me.  "You don't have to do that.  I'll
take care of it."

   "I can do this.  Please let me, Uncle," she said.

   I guess the title would be harder to break than just simply telling her.
I also saw her need to be useful.  She probably needed at least some part
of life to be her normal routine.  Who knew how long he had been treating
her like a slave in her own home?  I wasn't going to do that, but maybe
little things like this would make her feel more at ease.  "Okay.  If you
need anything, I'll be in the office."

   I left her.  I didn't want her to feel that I was watching over her or
worse ruling over her.  At the very least it was some initiative on her
part.  That was something anyway.

   After a few more searches coming up empty and even going so far to
access the police sites and paging through twenty five pages and pictures
of missing young girls, I gave up.  I also felt bad for many of the faces
that I saw.  I knew that many of them would never be found.  If they were
found, who knew what nightmare they would be put through at the hands of
their abductors?  Each one looked sweet and innocent in the pictures
submitted by their loved ones.  I tried to put it out of my head that I had
abducted a sweet child like one of them.

   I pulled up social services sites and started writing down email
addresses to workers there.  I had about a dozen addresses to offices all
over the St.  Louis area.  There would be no way a local cop could hide a
story like this.  I uploaded the voice recording that I had from Amanda the
day before to my computer.  I also set up the web cam for recording as
well. My idea was simple.  I called her into the office and explained it to
her.

   I showed her the controls for the webcam recorder.  It would only record
and store it on the computer for now.  My plan was to send it and the audio
recording to the dozen offices if the police did arrest me.  That way there
would be no doubt that her story would be heard.

   I explained, "You look here," pointed to the camera, "and talk clearly.
I know it might be hard, but I want you to tell the camera what your dad
did to you.  I want you to tell as much as you can.  How it happened, how
long it's been going on, and how he threatened you if you ever told."

   I could see she was nervous about this.  She looked at her image on the
screen but didn't answer. I knew that I would feel bad for this later but
it would help her in the end.  "I'm ordering you to do this, Amanda," I
said in a commanding tone.  She immediately looked back at me in fear.  It
was the first time I had given her a command on purpose.  "You will be
honest and make this video to the best of your ability.  Do you
understand?"

   "Yes, sir," she said obediently.

   I didn't like doing it, but if she was to stay out of her father's
hands, I needed her testimony.  Any hear-say could be dismissed.  If a
dozen offices had her confession, there would be no way she would be able
to go back to him.  "I'm going to go to the store for a while and that'll
give you some privacy.  Will you do this while I'm gone?"

   She nodded, but didn't look happy about it.

   I don't know why I asked her the last question.  I knew she would do it,
willingly or not after I told her to.  I felt bad for giving her a command
against her will.  I pulled her to me and gave her a quick hug as I sat in
the office chair that put me almost at her height.  "I'm sorry, but I need
this.  Please do this for me," I said softer.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said more naturally.

   I got up after showing her the buttons for turning on and off the
recording.  I had taken a quick peek the night before at her clothes when I
had taken them to the laundry room and remembered her sizes.

   "Are there any colors or styles that you like," I asked not knowing a
thing about girls clothing.

   She thought about it for a moment.  "Yellow, blue, pink?" she offered.
"Nothing red," and then quickly added, "unless you like red." She looked
uncertain.

   I smiled reassuringly.  "That sounds fine.  I'll be back soon.  Please
stay inside and don't open the door for anyone," I instructed her.

   As I locked the door and headed out to the car, I looked up and down the
block.  No mysterious white vans watching the house.  No swat team ready to
take me down.  The fear of the police was real but so far, I hadn't seen
any sign of them.

   I pulled out of the driveway and headed for the highway.  There was a
perfectly fine Wal-Mart in town that I could find all that I was looking
for, but I didn't want to run into anyone I knew buying little girl clothes
and have to explain it.  Up the road about fifteen miles was another one
with the exact same selections that seemed a wiser choice.

   On the highway, another thought of panic hit me.  What if something were
to happen to me?  What if I was in an accident and died?  No one knew to
look for her in the house.  How long would she stay there?  Would she think
that I had abandoned her?  I had never been responsible for any life other
than my cat.  Now I had Amanda to think about.  I guessed this is what
parents felt all the time.  No wonder they all got gray hair and worry
lines so young.

   CHAPTER 6

   I had never paid attention to teenager's apparel.  There seemed to be no
limits on how slutty some of their clothes could be.  Also, I had never
noticed how expensive it could quickly get.  I didn't usually use credit
cards, but I had one for emergency expenses.  I picked seven outfits.  Some
jeans, some shorts and even a denim skirt.  I grabbed socks, underwear, and
three more modest training bras for her.  My eyes for a locked on to one of
the more flashy ones and an image of her in the black lace bra came to
mind, but I quickly shot it down.

   She was not my slave, I reminded myself.  No matter how much she thought
she might be, I wasn't going to take advantage of her like that.

   I went to the hygiene isle and thought of other concerns.  I picked up
the basics, tooth brush, female hair brush, other toiletries, but then came
to the women's pads and tampon part of the isle and realized that I didn't
know much about her.

   I looked around making sure there wasn't anyone nearby and used my cell
phone to call the house.  It rang twice and then I heard my answering
machine pick up.  I hoped that she would be able to hear it.

   "Mandy, if you can hear this, please pick up the phone.  It's Greg," I
said.  A few seconds later I heard the click of the receiver.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said.

   I smiled hearing her voice.  For a moment, I wondered if perhaps she had
left or if the police had raided the house.  I didn't realize the relief
until it hit me that I wanted her to be on the other end of the line.  "I'm
at the store and I needed to know," I looked around again making sure the
coast was clear, "what kind of pads do you use?"

   "Oh," she said and paused for a moment.  She told me the brand of tampon
and size.  I found it while we were on the phone and put them in the cart.

   "I'm going to bring home sandwiches for lunch.  Is there anything you
would like?"

   "Um, meatball sub with Swiss?" she said, but it came out more like she
was asking my permission.

   "Sure.  I'll be home in a while," I said.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said and waited.

   We said goodbye quickly, but I realized we were going to have to work on
our phone conversations, too.  I thought twice about it, but I grabbed a
box of condoms.  If the last twenty-four hours had shown me anything, it
was that my morals wouldn't make me keep my hands off this lovely girl.  I
needed to be prepared.

   I grabbed lunch and was on the highway heading home.  In my rear view
mirror I saw a police car coming up quickly.  I checked my speed, but knew
that if they were looking for my car, speeding wouldn't matter.  I held my
breath as he paused behind me for a few moments.  Then he moved over to the
passing lane and went around me and I realized that my greatest fear was
gone.

   When I got home, I found Amanda in the office talking.

   "...and that is what I want to make perfectly clear," she said to the
camera and then stopped the recording before turning to me in the doorway.

   She looked better, more relaxed.  A small smile was on her lips.  Her
eyes shown deep blue and she actually looked at me instead of down when I
entered the room.

   "Do you need more time?" I asked.  "I can leave and you can close the
door."

   "No, I'm fine," she said looking at me.

   I wondered what this new look meant.  It was definitely something.  "I
have clothes for you to check out and tell me if you like them.  Also, I
brought lunch.  Are you hungry?"

   She nodded and followed me out of the room.



   The afternoon was quiet.  She tried on the clothes in my bedroom.  She
didn't model them for me or come out in them, but took her time with them.
I cleared a dresser drawer for her.  I mentally added another item that
would have to be bought on credit when I bought her bed.

   Through the evening we talked some.  I found that she was quite the
house keeper.  She cleaned up after every meal.  We watched a movie in the
evening.  For a while, she read, but after an hour, she came over on the
sofa with me and snuggled up beside me, pulling my arm around her small
body.

   I liked this and it felt very comfortable.  She had a sweet fragrance
that was all her own.  She was warm and even though she didn't talk, it was
nice to just spend time with her.  We had been that way for an hour and the
movie was just about over when her hand moved over to the front of my
shorts.  She carefully pressed trying to find the outline of my dick.

   I had been having such a nice time and had almost convinced myself that
she was just a normal girl until that moment.  "Amanda," I said softly. 
"Please don't."

   "I'm sorry, Uncle," she said embarrassed and put her hand back in her
lap.  After a second she pulled away and started to get up.

   "No," I told her.  "You don't have to go.  You just can't do that." I
tried to reassure her that she had done nothing wrong. She tried to relax
back into the position next to me, but I could feel her uneasiness.  "It's
okay," I tried to assure her.

   Abby made an appearance and that is what finally broke the tension as
she curled up on my lap and meowed that she missed my attention.  Amanda
still seemed nervous about petting her, but made an attempt to pet Abby
twice.  Abby glanced at her, but still rolled onto her back in my lap
wanting attention.

   I made dinner, but she insisted that it was her job to clean up the
kitchen afterward.  She seemed to relax when she kept busy so I let her. 
Also, it allowed me to be in a different room so I didn't feel
uncomfortable with her.  Her advance on me had taken me by surprise.  I was
wrong in thinking that being a submissive meant that I would have to make
the advances on her.

   The evening went quickly.  I looked through the local news again and
still found no signs of a search for Amanda or myself.  It was dark and
getting around bed time again.  Amanda was curled up in the love seat with
her book quietly reading.  She made no noise other than a quiet page
flipping every now and then.  I had never known a child to be this quiet.

   She stood up and looked down submissively as she set her book on the
table beside her.  I understood what this meant by now.  "Yes, Amanda?"

   "May I use the bathroom, please, Uncle?" she asked without raising her
eyes.

   "Yes.  And you don't have to ask," I added.  "Just go next time."

   She crossed the room heading to the hallway, but didn't answer me.  I
hoped that when I had to go back to work in three days that I didn't come
home to find that she wet herself because I wasn't here to tell her to go.
I figured when I wasn't around she would probably take care of herself, but
if I was present she felt the need to ask.  Possibly her father had denied
her that freedom.  Actually, it seemed the he denied her every freedom.

   I glanced at the clock and turned off the television not finding what I
was looking for.  That would be another issue all together.  At least for
tonight, I didn't have to worry about police.  I figured that in a few
days, I would try get away from her and drive over to her father's house.
Maybe I would get an idea of what was going on that way.  If the cops are
there, they might be waiting for ransom demands or have the place under
watch to see if she was coming back.  I was nervous not knowing.

   I got up and started unfolding the bed from the sofa.  I dreaded the
thought of furniture shopping we were going to have to do the next day.  I
hated shopping.  Most of what was in my house was for functionality and not
aesthetics.  She would have to come with me.  I knew nothing of her tastes,
and every girl should be able to help choose her room.

   She walked back in the room and looked at me making her bed.  "Uncle,
may I sleep with you again?"

   I admit that the thought was very tempting.  I wanted her and I knew it,
which made the decision much easier.  "I would rather you slept in here. 
Young ladies sleep alone," I said trying to sound like a parent.

   "But I'm not a young lady.  I'm your sl...girl," she said after a slight
correction.

   I was curious to what she almost said, but I knew it couldn't be good so
I didn't ask.  "I still would rather you slept in here."

   She looked down at her feet.  "I'm....scared.  I've never really slept
alone before," she admitted.  "Please don't make me," she whispered.

   I didn't know if she was putting on an act for me or it if was real, but
I couldn't bring myself to say no to her.  "Teeth brushed and pajamas this
time.  You can read in there and I'll come to bed in a while, okay?" I said
as I shook my head and I tossed the pillow on the now useless bed.  "No
wonder I didn't have any kids, I would have been a push over for them," I
thought.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said and I could hear gratitude in her voice.  She
headed off for the bedroom.  I folded the sofa back up and put everything
back away.  I picked up her book off the end table and walked to the
bedroom.  I had something I wanted to do before I went to bed and I didn't
really want her to be present.

   The bedroom door was open.  The main light was off, but the reading lamp
on the side of the bed was on.  She was under the blanket and sheet lying
in the bed waiting.  The image of her in my bed was very sexy.  I
immediately had a flood of ideas of what I could do with her.  My hormones
reminded me that she would do anything I asked or even hinted at.  She had
proven in the shower.

   I walked over to her side of the bed and knelt down.

   "I want to make you happy, Uncle," she said.

   "And you do," I said smiling at her.  "Read and I'll come to bed in a
while."

   She looked unhappy for a second.  "I know you want me.  I'm here for
you. What's wrong?"

   I kissed her fore-head.  "You want me to love you, don't you?" I
offered.

   She nodded with a small smile.

   "I already do.  You don't have to earn it," I told completely honest.

   Her pretty face showed that she knew she was being denied but still
satisfied knowing that I cared about her.

   "Good night, Amanda," I said as I handed her the book.

   She leaned forward and kissed me on the lips pulling me to her for a few
seconds.  I didn't open my mouth, but I could feel the softness of her
lips. Until that point, I was strong in my resolve not to take advantage of
her again.  This kiss sent chills down my spine and made me inhale her
alluring scent.

   It could be so easy just to climb in bed with her.  She wouldn't resist.
I could make sure that she liked it, couldn't I?  She had been with other
men so it wasn't like I was corrupting her.  She was practically asking me
to have sex with her.  She was in my bed and declared herself to me several
times during the day.  And beyond anything, I cared about her.  I wanted
her to be happy, didn't I?  The last thought sobered me up and cleared the
fog of lust: I cared about her.  And then it hit me that I cared enough
about her NOT to take advantage of her.

   She released me from the kiss and looked at me expectantly.  I guess she
knew what kind of effect that it had on me.  She just didn't understand
what real caring meant, yet.  Maybe I could teach her?  "Sweet dreams," I
told her straightening up.

   She looked a little taken back, but composed.  She pulled her book up to
her chest.  "Good night, Uncle.  I'll be here," she said as an open
invitation.

   I walked from the room while I still could.  My will power was strong,
but not perfect.

   CHAPTER 7

   I went to the office and started working on the computer.  I pulled up
the recordings that Amanda had made during the day.  There seemed to be a
lot of them.  She could have made one long one, but it seemed that she had
stopped and restarted the recording several times.  It listed the times on
the files.  Some went as small as a few minutes and as long as a half hour.
From the look of them, she must have recorded the entire three hours I was
gone.

   I knew it was kind of an invasion of privacy, but I wanted to watch
them. I needed to know which ones to send and which ones wouldn't be of
use. Also, I wanted to know what had happened to her and how I could help
her.  I figured I would watch them in order.  I didn't expect there to be
this much to watch, though.  I knew I could only get through a few of them
tonight.

   Video Clip 1 -

   The picture focused on Amanda sitting in my office chair.  She looked at
the camera and then looked away.  "He told me I had to do this so I guess
here I go," she said and looked back at the camera.  "My name is Amanda
Hardin and I'm a slut," she said solidly.

   I was at a loss for words.

   "I've always been one.  I was born this way.  Dad always told me that I
was special that way and that although many girls wanted to be sluts and
pretended to be them, that only few were natural ones.  I see the way guys
look at me and they want to have sex with me because that's what I am.  I
know that Daddy was right.  Even Uncle Greg looks at me that way." I was
suddenly ashamed of myself.  "He's weird, though.  He hasn't actually had
sex with me, but I know that he wants it.  He made me orgasm for the first
time in my life last night," she paused to smile, "and that was weird, too.
I thought it was only my job to do that for men.  I think that's one of the
reason's he's special.

   "But Greg told me to start at the beginning," she didn't look happy
about talking but she continued.  "Daddy never let me wear clothes around
the house.  I use to run around in just panties, but at about six, he told
me not to wear them in the house anymore.  That's when he started using a
belt on me instead of his hand.  He would hit me for anything I did wrong.
He hit me sometimes when I didn't believe I was wrong, but I guess I
deserved it.  I was always costing him money or needed him to do stuff for
me.  I did chores and kept the house clean as best I could.  He liked to
touch between my legs and call me his little slut.  I didn't know what it
meant until later."

   "I always slept with him.  He use to call it our special time.  He would
play with his penis while I watched.  For a while I thought it was neat to
see him cum.  I thought it was special because he would be looking at me
when he did it.  Sometimes he would touch my face, chest, or legs.

   "When I was seven, he started rubbing between my legs when he would
masturbate.  I didn't like it that much, but I let him.  I remember when he
first pushed his finger up inside me.  It hurt, really bad," she paused and
with a look of pain on her face.  "I tried to tell him that he was hurting
me.  I started crying.  Then he slapped my face.  He told me that I was his
slut and to shut up and take it.  I kept quiet the best I could as he
pushed his finger deeper inside me.  He came staring at my pussy.  I hurt
more than I ever had before and when I looked down; his hand had blood on
it.  He even spanked me with a belt for making a mess on the bed," she
paused for a moment.

   "That was just the beginning...."

   Over the next twenty minutes I watched in horror as Amanda gave a
detailed account of how her innocents had been destroyed.  Although she
didn't know it, she described the lengths that he had gone through to
brainwash her into believing that she was a slut and that sex with men was
her only purpose in life.  She actually believed that what had happened to
her was normal for girls who were born sluts.  He made her believe that she
was different than other girls.  She seemed to be a natural submissive.  He
took full advantage of that and twisted her to what he wanted.

   The first video clip was her early years of just her and her father.  He
had started raping her at ten.  The way she told it, it just seemed to be
part of growing up as a slut.  By then, he had beat obedience into her.

   "....I learned by then that it was much better to just obey him and do
things.  Besides, I was his slut.  That's what I'm supposed to do," the
voice on the recording stopped and I saw her lean forward and click the
mouse.

   I paused.  If all of her recordings were this traumatic, I didn't know
if I could get through them.  It was hard to believe that she survived the
story that she told.  I decided I would try one more tonight.  I didn't
know if I had the heart to hear them all at once.  I selected a shorter
one. I didn't know how she broke them up, but it was getting late.  I
glanced at the doorway and the bedroom door was still shut.

   I clicked the start button.

   Video Clip 2 -

   "I guess one of the worst of my dad's friends was Zack," she said sadly.
"At first, Dad just made me do the normal stuff for him.  He would come
around.  Touch me," she looked down submissively, "play with me, and such.
He was always mean and would hurt me even when I was doing what he wanted.
I thought he just wanted to watch me cry, but he would always hurt me the
worst." She paused before looking back at the camera.  "And then something
changed.  He stopped coming by for sex and instead Dad told me that I was
staying the night at his house.  I didn't want to, but I knew better than
to argue.  Dad would just beat me and I would go anyway.  Besides, most men
were nicer to me when I acted like I wanted to do what they told me."

   "Zack came up to the door.  He didn't come in or anything.  He handed
Dad some money and then walked back to his car.  Dad just told me to obey
him and be nice.  I knew he meant to be a good slut for Zack and make him
happy.  He would usually just fuck me hard and make me cry.  But when most
of the guys tried to make me cry, they wanted to hear it and listen to me
cry or scream.  Zack would gag me so I couldn't make noise."

   "I hadn't ever stayed at anyone else's house before.  Dad didn't send
any clothes with me, and after I got there, I found I wasn't going to need
them.  Zack tied my hands to a rope from the ceiling.  Usually Daddy would
use leather cuffs so that it wouldn't leave marks.  He gagged me with this
thing that got bigger in my mouth.  I couldn't make a sound.  He started
off by fucking me.  He told me to squeeze his dick and I did.  I did the
best I could.  He kept pinching and twisting my nipples saying that I
wasn't really trying.  I screamed and screamed, but the sound wouldn't come
out.

   "He raped my ass next and told me to squeeze his dick there, too.  I
tried.  I really did.  Anything to make him stop hurting me!" her voice
rising wrapped up in her memory.  "After he came in my bottom, he said he
wanted to have some fun with me.  Usually with others, that just meant
having me walk around, kneeling, or sucking on them.

   "He brought out a dildo made of ice.  He had frozen it in the shape of a
large dick.  He told me that his deep freeze made it much colder than
regular ice.  He brushed it on my nipples and they already hurt.  Then he
used it on my pussy.  He started shoving it up inside like it was fucking
me.  It hurt, but what's worse was it was so cold.  I can usually make
myself wet when I want.  I do it so that sex doesn't hurt as much.  But the
cold made it so that I couldn't.  I tried, but I wouldn't get slippery.  He
fucked me harder with it," she said and I noticed that her eyes had
sprouted tears.  "After a little while of me struggling and trying to
scream, it broke but most of it was still inside me.  He yelled at me and
beat me.  I think it hurt worse inside because it was so cold that I felt
like I was freezing from the inside out.

   "He used a cord on me, that time.  Every time he hit my ass or legs with
it, I felt the ice move in me which made it worse.  I tried to keep still,
but I couldn't.  After he was tired, he took me down and pulled the gag out
so I could suck him.  He spit on me and in my hair.  I hated that part,
too. I didn't mind him calling me names.  I had heard them all before:
slut, cunt, whore, and others.  When he came in my mouth, he kicked me a
few times.  I just stayed on the floor.  I didn't know what to do.  He
didn't tell me what he wanted.  I gave up and just started crying.  I guess
that's what he wanted because he stopped soon after that.

   "He left me in the living room.  I slept on the couch, but he came in
several times during the night time to use me.  Almost every time, he would
bend me over the table or couch and twist my arms behind my back until I
screamed and squeezed his dick enough for him to be happy.  Those times, he
didn't fuck me.  He just put his dick in and made me squeeze it or move it
back and forth.  If I didn't do a good enough job, he would pinch nipples,
hit me, or twist my arms harder.  I thought he was going to break it.  By
the time he took me home the next day, I couldn't move my right arm.  Dad
said it was just dislocated and twisted it so it went back in.  It hurt and
I screamed, but it got better after a while." She brushed the tears away
from her eyes and the phone rang on the recording.  She suddenly looked
alarmed.  "Uncle didn't tell me about the phone.  I hope he's not mad," she
said as she leaned forward and clicked the mouse.

   The recording stopped there.

   I took a breath.  I realized that I had tears of my own in my eyes.  I
had a weight on my breaking heart.  I stared at the frozen image of Amanda.
I had no idea her life had been that hard.

   Then I heard a sound behind me.  I turned and found I was facing the
real life Amanda standing at the doorway in her night shirt.  I was so
wrapped up in the video, I hadn't heard her approach.  I was suddenly
embarrassed.  It was like I had been caught reading her diary, but this was
so much more personal.

   She looked at the image of herself on the screen and then lowered her
head.  "Are you ready to come to bed, Uncle?" She asked softly.

   "Yes," I said quickly.  I wasn't in the mood to watch any more of her
videos tonight.  Also, I felt regret for her catching me watching them.  I
turned and shut the computer down.  I rose from the chair and walked over
to her.

   Her head stayed down submissively.  "Are you okay?" I asked.

   "I wasn't sure if you were going to watch them.  But I thought that if
you knew what happened to me, you wouldn't want me.  You would think of me
as worn out or used up.  I want to be a good for you." I felt nothing but
compassion for her.  After everything that happened and even after catching
me viewing her private moments, she was still worried about what I thought
of her.

   "Why would I think that about you, Mandy?" I asked.  I had never thought
of her like that, and even then, I didn't look at her that way.  She was
just an innocent girl who had survived the unthinkable.

   "Because Dad's friends thought that," she admitted.  "They would tell me
I was too old or too stretched out to be worth fucking.  Taylor is nine. 
Daddy started spending a lot of time at her house.  When he would come
back, he wouldn't want anything to do with me for a while.  I knew he'd
been playing with her.  Her dad and my dad are friends."

   I touched her chin to make her look up at me.  I shook my head to tell
her no, but no words came out.

   "I did my best for him, but he still found another girl he liked more,"
she choked out crying.  "Please let be yours.  I'll do everything I can to
make you happy," she said looking for acceptance in my eyes.

   I took a step closer to her.  I put my arms around her and held her
tight.  I finally found my voice.  "You don't have to worry.  I'll love you
no matter what, Amanda."

   She had her face against my shirt as she held me tight.  "And I can be
your girl?" she asked hopefully.  "Your slut?" she added in a whisper.

   I hesitated but only for a brief instant because of the word slut.  She
needed to know that I was accepting her as she thought of herself.  "Yes,"
I said and pain stabbed my heart as I lied to her.  I cared about her.  I
did not however want her to think she was mine or think she was a slut.  I
lied because I knew how much it meant to her to know that someone cared
about her.  She needed to feel like she mattered.  I gave her that, but at
great pain.

   We hugged for a few moments longer.  Then I took her hand, turned out
the light to the office, and headed for the bedroom.

   CHAPTER 8

   We both climbed into the bed and she turned off the lamp that had been
the only light in the room.

   We stayed in silence for a few minutes.  I had no illusions that she was
just going to fall asleep if I kept quiet.  "Please," was all that she said
softly.

   I knew that she had been waiting for me to get done on the computer. 
She had come looking for me.  I knew that for years it was expected for her
to perform in bed.  Her only reasoning why a man wouldn't have sex with her
was that he didn't want her.  I could hear the pleading in her voice that
she wanted that kind of love.

   I closed my eyes and prayed that God would be sympathetic in judging me.


   I reached over to her and found her waist.  My hands moved to the sides
of her shorts.  She lifted her bottom off the bed and I slid them and her
panties down her smooth small legs.  Her shirt came off just as easily as
my fingers traced the sides of her breasts.  For a moment, I wondered if I
could just make a repeat performance of last night's play.  "Can I ride
you, Uncle?" she asked softly.  "I need to feel you in me."

   I only nodded.  My moral restraint was gone for the moment.  It had
broken somewhere between her pleading voice and seeing how fragile she was.
I knew sex with her was wrong, but after what she had been through, I
wouldn't deny her anything that she truly wanted.

   She removed my shirt with very little effort and I lifted my hips when
she went for my shorts.  She sat up, straddling my left leg with hers.  She
rested herself on my leg and I felt her heat and moisture already there. 
Her hands began stroking my half hard dick as I heard her breathing
increase.  After a just a minute, she was unconsciously grinding herself on
my leg working hard to get me to full length, which didn't take long.  She
started at my cock hungrily.

   I had thought that she had never cum before during sex, but all the
signs pointed to a sexually starved girl.  She moved up on the bed above my
dick and positioned herself.  I brought my hands up on her sexy hips
automatically.  I didn't know what this was going to mean for her, but for
me it was one of the sexiest sights that I've ever witnessed.  Her small
body hovering for just a moment above my adult penis aimed at her beautiful
hairless pussy was breath taking.

   She stroked the head of my dick up and down her wet inner lips once and
then aimed it in her small opening.  She looked into my eyes and exhaled as
she sank down slowly.  My dick was enveloped easily by her, but it was
heaven to me.  It was a moment that probably ruined me for any other woman.
She slid down all the way to the hilt and I could feel the head of my dick
press against her rubbery cervix.  That seemed to increase pleasure for her
because I saw her eyes open wide and heard her inhale deeply as it pressed
against her.  For a moment, I thought I might be causing her pain.

   She looked me directly in the eye and then squeezed my hard member.  Her
muscles gripped my dick so tight that I thought the skin would be pulled
off if I moved.  It was so amazing that I let out a long moan and gripped
her hips tight.

   A look of contentment crossed her face.  It wasn't exactly arousal, but
peace and satisfaction.  She didn't look unhappy or scared for once.  She
pressed her lips together and began rhythmically squeezing and relaxing. 
Squeezing and relaxing.

   I had never been with a woman who did anything like this.  Sure, when a
girl would orgasm I could feel her spasm, but Amanda was a hundred times
better.  She didn't move up or down.  She just massaged my hard member with
her soft strong grip.  I looked at her with awe as she brought me higher
and higher in orgasmic pleasure but with so little actual movement.  After
several minutes, my orgasm was mounting.  I had been close just being
inside her, but her talent was beyond words.

   She lowered her head and eyes submissively.  "Please cum, Sir.  Fill me
up.  Do you feel my cunt?" as she said the word cunt she squeezed my dick
hard and held me in bliss for a moment before continuing.  "I'm your slut
and want to make you cum."

   Her words had a powerful effect on me.  I was hesitant to cum inside her
at first, but her voice had an effect on me that made me need to cum inside
her.  It made me want to possess her on a primal level.

   "I am yours.  Whenever and however you want.  I will fuck at the snap of
your fingers," she continued and saw that I was losing my self control.  I
started moaning and squeezing her small tits that were just barely big
enough to hold.  "Yes," she said feeling my sex drive take over.  "Yours,"
she moaned.  My hands roamed her body with a will of their own, cupping her
ass, gently squeezing her thigh, and my right hand landed on her small
slit.

   I slipped my finger inside her labia and found her swollen clit.  As my
orgasm approached quickly, I worked her clit with determination.  She
moaned and leaned forward breaking her tight squeezing rhythm.  When she
did that, it trapped my hand between us and mashed her clit against my
fingers.

   "Oh.....uncle.....please," was all she could mutter as her orgasm was on
the brink and mine was past the point of no return.  "Make me..." she said
but lost the rest of the request.

   "Oh Amanda!" I cried as my dick erupted to the spasms inside her.  My
hips thrust upward with each hard spurt of hot cum inside her.  Her body
was so light on top of mine that she was lifted off the bed like she
weighed nothing as each push of my hips pressed me against the soft tissue
at the end of her passage.

   Her orgasm crashed into her with the force of a tidal wave and she cried
out as well.  She embraced me with all her might as her small body endured
the intense pleasure.  I could feel every bit of her clinging to me, her
arms pulling mashing her small chest to mine, her legs holding me securely,
and her tight pussy clenching my dick impossibly tight as I deposited the
last of my liquid lust inside her.

   A moment of clarity struck me.  I knew that I would never be able to get
enough of Amanda.  Because this one experience no woman would ever be able
to measure up.  I suddenly understood how addictive she truly was.

   I held her afterward.  After a few minutes, my dick went soft after
being completely drained and slid out of her.  I felt our combine fluids
leaking out, but didn't pay any attention.

   She held me tight for a few minutes and I thought she was cuddling with
me.  Then I felt the first tear hit my chest.  After a minute, another fell
until she was silently crying.  I didn't know what to say or do.  I had no
idea why she was crying at all.  I didn't think I had hurt her.  She hadn't
said a word, but she held me tight.  I carefully tried to pull back from
her, but she wouldn't budge.  She held on to me fiercely as a few more
moist tears hit my chest.  I started rocking her back and forth.  I had no
words to say, but I put one arm around her back and stroked it gently.  My
other hand was on her side steadying her because she was actually on top of
me.  She reached down and moved my hand to her ass.  She went silent for a
moment to see my answer to this.

   I guessed that she wanted or needed me to touch her.  I cupped her
smooth backside and gently squeezed it.  Her hand came back up to my chest.
"Can you talk to me?  Can you tell me what's wrong?"

   I felt her calm herself with a deep breath.  "I've wanted someone like
you for so long," she choked out.  "And now, I don't ever want to let you
go."

   I definitely didn't feel worthy of being anything at that moment.  If
anything, with the cloud of lust clearing my head, I felt like I had
betrayed her.  I had taken her away from a life of being hurt and used as a
sex object just to have her believe she was my sex object.  Her statements
during sex had enhanced the moment, but reflecting on them I realized that
I was the monster!

   "At first, I hoped Daddy would be nice to me again, like when I was
little.  I didn't mind if we had sex as long as he loved me.  As I got
older, he got cold.  He watched the first time he made me have sex with one
of his friends.  I looked right at him, and I just wanted him to be proud
of me and love me, but he didn't.

   "I even had a fantasy that Daddy would give me to one of his nicer
friends.  He would take me away and love me.  I didn't care what I had to
do as long as they loved me," she continued.  She snuggled into me more. 
"And now I have you to love me.  I can finally be happy."

   She had lost me, "So why the tears now?"

   "Because you found me and saved me.  And," she hesitated not looking at
me, "because I love you," she said quietly.  "I want to stay with you.  I'm
just scared that I might mess up and lose you."

   It hurt me more than anything to hear her say that.  I felt that I had
just used her and did something unthinkable by normal standards and she was
confessing that she loved me for it.  I didn't want to hurt her so I hid my
self-contempt.  "I love you, Amanda," I lied to her.  There was no possible
way I could romantically love her like she wanted at that point.  We had
known each other for a little over two days.  You can't fall in love that
quickly.  I had feelings for her, protectiveness, desire, and a deep need
to try to help her be happy, but romantic love, I just didn't believe was
possible.  She was fourteen, broken, and in need.  What else was I going to
tell her?  "I am here for you.  I'm not going anywhere," I said trying to
comfort her.

   I didn't know what else to say.  I rubbed her back as she sighed
contently calming from her emotional burst.  We fell asleep soon after
wiped out by our sexual experience.

   CHAPTER 9

   In the light of day, things were a little different.  I was armed with a
little more knowledge and I hoped that prepared me better to work with
Amanda.  My alarm buzzed way before I was ready to wake up.  I turned it
off and forgot to unset it being the weekend.

   Amanda snored lightly unphased by my annoying piece of time telling
technology.  I smiled at her cute small form in my bed after I stood up. 
She looked so innocent and sweet.  Her hair spread out mess on the pillow.
She had rolled away from me some time during the night.  Her face looked
like a sleeping angel.  The rest of her was covered in a sheet.

   I figured it was just as well that I not see the rest of her.  I already
had morning wood going on but left over feelings from last night told me
that sex with her was out of the question.  It might be sex to me, but for
her, it meant so much more.  Every touch, look, and harsh word meant so
much in her mind.  I needed to be careful with her.

   I went to the bathroom and then started the shower after relieving
myself.  I was still trying to figure out how she saw sex as I washed.  At
first, I thought she had just taken it as abuse and pain.  Then I thought
she believed that it meant love and affection.  Now, after last night, I
wasn't sure of anything.

   My mind drifted to the memory of last night.  The things that she said,
the way she came on me and held me so tight.  After a few minutes, I was
hard again.  Being aroused, I figured I should take care of it myself as to
better control myself around Mandy.

   Like her sexual radar had gone off, I heard her knock on the bathroom
door.  She had horrible timing.  "Uncle, may I come in?"

   "Yes," I called out and grabbed the soap and a wash cloth.  I didn't
really see a reason to be modest at this point.  We were already familiar
with each other's bodies.

   "May I use the bathroom, Uncle?" she said standing just inside the door.
I could see her distortedly through the shower curtain.  She was still in
her birthday suit and I looked away quickly.

   "Yes, of course," I said.  I still wondered if I told her `no' would she
wet herself or finally disobey and go to the toilet without permission.  It
was a mean thought, but it did cross my mind.  As I washed, keeping my back
to her, that line of thinking continued.  How far did her obedience go? 
She had been horribly abused, yes, but I hadn't seen any marks on her
wrists or ankles from being bound.  How much would she endure before
refusing?  By the way she reacted the first night, I could tell she was
sensitive to abuse and pain.  I had to be missing something, but I couldn't
put my finger on it.

   I heard the toilet flush and the sink turn on and off quickly.  A few
moments later, I heard the shower curtain move and turned to see her
stepping in with me again.  I smiled at her amused.  "So you have to ask
permission to use the bathroom, but getting in the shower with me is okay?"
I said as she stopped under the water and looked at me.

   Her body was already starting to glisten with the shine of water running
over her shoulders and down her small curves.  She looked down, but smiled
with a small blush.  "You're hard."

   I smiled at her mentioning the obvious erection pointing away from her.
"So?" I said still keeping my good humor.

   "I'm the one who takes care of that," she said and looked up at me.

   I got serious because I knew she was, too.  I thought of yesterday's
shower.  "No," I said.

   Her expression turned to worry.

   "Sex isn't your job with me.  You don't have to do things like that.  I
want you to just be happy," I said facing her.  Unfortunately, looking at
the water flow over her sexy small body had my dick sending her the
opposite signal.

   "If you just let me-" she said taking a step toward me with her hand
reaching out for my engorged penis.

   "I said no," I said a little louder than intended.  It was loud because
most of me really wanted to tell her yes.  I was saying no to her and my
lust at the same time!

   She retracted her hand and bowed her head and waited.

   "Get your shower and get clean, okay?" I told her.

   "Yes, Uncle," she nodded and reached for the hanging wash cloth on the
side of the shower.

   I was just about done anyway.  I mentally kicked myself realizing that
somehow I had unknowingly got into the habit of commanding her.  She turned
her back to be immersing herself under the shower.  For a moment, I reached
out for her.  I wanted to tell her I was sorry for ordering her around and
that I didn't mean to sound so harsh, but then pulled back.  I was staring
at the soft skin of her back and her small compact ass cheeks.  I desired
her too much to touch her.  I doubted I would be able to stop myself if I
did feel the softness of her skin.

   We exchanged places, barely rubbing against each other as I moved under
the shower and rinsed the remaining soap off of my chest.

   I turned to see her watching me with sad eyes.  I guess it was worse for
her than I thought.  I stepped close to her, leaned down, and kissed her
soft small lips.  She opened her mouth when she felt my tongue on her
bottom lip.  I pulled back from her lips, but it was so arousing to know
that she knew how to kiss like that.  As I pulled back, her small smile had
returned.  I smiled hoping the token of affection would dissipate any
negative feelings from refusing her.  It looked like it did anyway.  I left
the shower and took my towel to the bedroom.

   I dried and dressed quickly.  My ability to resist her was far from
strong.  I didn't want to be in the bedroom when she emerged naked from the
bathroom.  The sexy little nymph was wearing me down.

   I dreaded the idea of losing my restraint with her.  I could envision
using her as she had offered.  And the sad part was that if I did it right,
she would adore me for it believing it was some twisted love.  I didn't
want that, not at all!  She was a beautiful innocent girl, I reminded
myself.  Unfortunately, since we had already crossed the line of
intercourse, her age wouldn't hold me back like it did before.  I was
confident that she could handle it, now.  If I were that way with her, I
wanted it to be real love.  That's what I believed should be between a
couple.

   I went to the kitchen and started making breakfast.  I was about half
done with scrambled eggs when she walked in drying her hair.  She was
dressed some of the new clothes that I bought her.  A white t-shirt and
blue jean shorts.  Her bare feet were cute on the linoleum.  I watched as
she flexed her toes.  Even that seemed cute.

   She noticed me watching her.  "Would you like me to paint them, Uncle?"
she asked finishing her hair.  I noticed that she was starting to relax.  I
hoped it was more of her personality coming out.

   "If you want to, I could think of a few colors that would suit you," I
offered.

   "For you, of course, Uncle," she said smiling.  Took the towel back to
the bathroom and then started setting the table for breakfast.

   We talked during breakfast and I informed her that we were going to buy
furniture so that she would have a bedroom.  She mentioned that she didn't
see a need for a bedroom since she was with me.  I tried to explain to her
that sleeping with me and sharing a bedroom with me was inappropriate.  She
listened, but didn't like the idea.  She said it was a waste of money and
that I shouldn't spend it on her.  She didn't argue out right, though.  She
ended up answering with, "Yes, Uncle."

   That still bothered me.  I wasn't exactly sure about taking her out in
public, yet.  We still didn't have the dynamic that a niece and uncle
should have.  Anyone around us more than a few minutes would catch that
something would be wrong.  I didn't know a way around it, though.  I wanted
her to feel like the room was hers, so the best way I thought to make it
happen was to let her have a say on the furniture.  That was also if I
could get her to voice her own opinion.  Most of the time, the only thing I
got from her was what she thought I wanted to hear.

   I checked the internet one more time for missing children in the area
and there was still no mention of her.  I started to seriously wonder if
her father had even reported her missing.

   In no time at all, we were dressed, she was very presentable (which
really means that she looked so damn sexy to me), and we were on our way to
one of the local furniture chains.

   "I need something from you, Amanda," I said in the car while we still
were a few minutes away.

   "Anything, Uncle," she said naturally.

   "You told me that you put on the act like other girls when you were at
school," I told her.  I didn't like this idea, but if not, anyone with
common sense would see right through us.  "I need you to act more like
other girls while we're out.  We have to act like we're related."

   "Yes, Uncle," she said but I had no idea if she understood.

   "You have to lay off calling me uncle after every phrase.  I need you to
walk with me and talk when it feels natural.  It can't look like you're
looking to me for permission for everything.  Understand?"

   "Yes, Unc-," she paused.  "Yes." I had asked her to stop with the title
before, but habits are hard to break.  Perhaps habits that are beat into
someone are harder.

   "And I want your actual opinion when I ask for it.  Okay?" I added.

   "Okay," she said.  It sounded like she still wanted to use her
traditional answer but was making a conscious effort to obey.  I didn't
like giving her orders, but this would be a test to see if we could be in
public without causing suspicion.

   I pulled into Carol House Furniture lot and hoped for a dimwitted
salesman just in case.  I didn't get my wish.

   As we walked in, a salesman named Mike met us at the door.  I think they
get paid on commission based on the level of friendliness he put on.  I
could see right through it of course, but it was his job, so I didn't
patronize him about it.  After shaking my hand, he extended his hand to
Amanda.

   "And you are?" he said with smile that knew she was the one he needed to
impress if he were to get a nice sale.

   She hesitated and even looked at me first.

   "This is my niece, Mandy," I said making the introduction.

   She shook his hand, but didn't speak to him.

   "She's shy," I said as I saw him stare at her for a moment.  "Can we see
the bedroom sets?"

   He led us through the store to that part of the showroom.  He made
pleasant conversation on the way and I told him that we were picking out
furniture for her room as a present.  I tried to keep things light, but
Amanda stayed silent.  On the way there, I realized how stupid I was for
not coming up with an alias for Amanda.  When her name and picture did go
on the news now this man could match her exactly.  I kicked myself, but
couldn't change it.  After we got to the area, I asked Mike if we could
walk around ourselves and told him we would find him when had questions. 
He didn't look too happy with being dismissed, but still left with a smile.


   After he was out of ear shot, I reached over and took Amanda's hand. 
"What happened?" I asked quietly and we started walking slowly.

   I could feel her naturally wanting to stay a pace behind me, but by
holding her hand I kept her at my side.  "I froze.  I'm sorry, Uncle.  I
get nervous around strange men."

   I looked around casually as if admiring the different pieces of
furniture around us, but really I was keeping an eye out for other people
who might over-hear.  "Why?"

   She took a breath.  "Because the ones that seem nice like that usually
aren't," she said but I could tell she was trying to not say so much in
public.

   "And he's not good, either," I said and I think that statement surprised
her because she slowed her pace for a moment and I moved her arm to get her
walking again.

   "Do you think he wants to have sex with me?" she whispered suddenly
worried and I could feel the tension in her hand go up a few levels.

   "No," I said but if he was a normal heterosexual male, he probably
thought that she was very attractive.  "He's being nice because he wants to
make a sale.  He probably doesn't care about us at all, but it is part of
his job.  You're safe," I said and squeezed her hand to reassure her.  And
then I added before I thought about it,"And besides, I would never let
anyone lay a hand on you."

   She leaned into me and I put my arm around her shoulders protectively.

   "So which bed has caught your eye?" I said looking around.

   It took about forty-five minutes to coax her opinion out of her.  She
didn't give it up without easily.  In the end, she got a dark brown queen
sized bed, night stand, and dresser to match.  She at first picked a twin
bed that was the cheapest one there.  I knew the price tag had everything
to do with her decision.  She finally admitted to wanting a big grown-up
bed.  She said the others that had a teen look to them were for immature
girls.

   I thought it was interesting that she was only fourteen and had emotions
that could be in some ways very needy like a small child, but responsibly
and sexually that could pass for an adult.

   After arranging a delivery time for the next day, I needed to go to
Wal-Mart to pick up a few items.  Fortunately, there was no sales staff
there who wanted to talk so other than keeping her hand in mine to remind
her that I wanted to walk with me, it started off well.  I asked several
times if there was anything she needed or wanted.  She said no each time. I
intentionally walked us through the teen clothing department and made her
look around.

   I told her that she needed to pick out at least one outfit on her own
and she couldn't choose it because of the price.  It crossed my mind about
the idea of punishments for her.  What would I do if she didn't listen? 
For the moment, she was very obedient, but I didn't know how long that
would last.  Would she develop like most adolescents and start pushing
boundaries with me?

   She chose a nice blouse and matching pink skirt.  When she brought it to
the kart, she still looked to me for approval and offered to change her
selection if I didn't like it.  I smiled and told her that she had good
tastes.  She rewarded me with a big smile.

   I need to pick up cat litter and cat food while I was there.  A very
disturbing thing happened as we went down the aisle, though.  I let go of
her hand just for a minute to get the two items that I needed.  When I
looked back, I knew something was terribly wrong.

   Amanda was just standing there ten feet down the aisle from me staring
at the pet accessories, more specifically, the collars and leashes.  The
entire day, she had been opening up little by little and I could see her
regress before my eyes.  I looked around cautiously as I walked over to
her.

   No one was close enough to hear as I whispered, "What is it?"

   She looked at me accusingly.  "Why haven't you given me a collar?"

   The question took me by surprise.  "What?  You don't need one."

   "Abby has a collar," she said hurt.  "Why don't I?"

   I glanced around checking the area again.  I knew only the basic rules
of dominate and submissive roles.  "Abby is my cat-"

   "And I'm supposed to be your girl," she said.  "Do I not rank as high as
your cat?"

   I reached out and took her hands trying to be caring.  "You are a
person. You rank far higher than my cat.  And I'm not going to put you in a
collar."

   "Yes, Uncle," she said coldly.  I understood the tone of her voice.  She
was hurt somehow but I didn't understand why.

   During the rest of the time in the store, she didn't say anything more
than "Yes, Uncle".  When I held her hand, I might as well been pulling her
by a leash.  There was no affection there like there had been all day.  I
tried talking to her several times, but all of her answers were simple and
unexpressive.  I understood that she was mad, but I didn't understand why.
I brought ice cream, popcorn, and soda, which was unusual for me.  I
figured that was normal food for teenagers.  I didn't get a reaction from
her at all.  I wanted to talk more about the collar discussion, but there
seemed to be people everywhere.  I didn't think it would wise if we were
over-heard.

   We went home and I got the same treatment there.  Her personality didn't
return.  She actually got worse.  The two of use packed up my exercise room
and moved the equipment out to the garage, which was a storage area anyway.
The treadmill got moved to my bedroom, but it was a tight fit.

   After we were done, I made lunch and we ate in silence.  I knew that she
was still upset and I wanted try to talk about it.  I kept quiet, though. I
figured by giving her some time to digest what I said might help her see
that I was right.  She didn't need a collar.

   Four hours later, I found that she was quite stubborn.  Submissive,
respectful, but held on to what she wanted.  I was still getting the cold
shoulder.  I didn't know what to do.  Essentially, I was a single parent
for the first time dealing with a teenager.

   After we had an equally quiet dinner I figured I had been patient enough
and decided I needed to do something.  I asked for her house address and
she gave it to me.  I also wrote down my address and my cell phone number
in case we were ever separated.  Then I went to the office to find some
answers.  I made a map to her father's house.  I wanted to see what was
going on with there.  Also, I did some research on what the significance of
a collar meant to a submissive.  I learned some, but was not about to put a
pet collar on her.  She was a young girl, and no person deserved to be
treated like that.  I already saw what effect that it had on her so far. 
Putting a collar on her would just reinforce the mentality.  Also, I wanted
her to think of herself as a normal person eventually.

   I went to the living room.  She was reading in the love seat, but when I
approached, she sat up and bowed her head.  "Stop that," I said losing a
little patience.  "Why are you doing this?"

   "I want to be your girl, Uncle," she said not looking up at me.  "How
can I be if you won't even give me the most basic thing?"

   "I'll be back soon.  Please stay inside.  Try to relax and enjoy
yourself," I said not wanting to answer her.  I pulled out of the driveway
angry.  I didn't want to lash out at her because I knew it wasn't her
fault. But I did know whose it was.

   CHAPTER 10

   The drive to her previous house took a while.  It was about a forty-five
minute drive.  The town wasn't very significant.  It was just another town
north of St.  Louis.  I hadn't been to it previously.  I cautiously drove
down her street once and glanced at the house.  It was about seven, but
there really wasn't much life on the street.  I parked across the street a
few houses down.  The driveway was empty.  The trash was full and on the
curb.  I looked carefully and didn't see any signs of life in the house.

   Actually, the house itself looked pretty depressing.  The outside was
brown, but needed a new coat of paint.  I could see that some of the blinds
had been removed from the windows and it looked barren and dark inside.  I
watched and waited for about fifteen minutes without knowing what else to
do.  There weren't any police vehicles.  I didn't see any unmarked cars
around the street and the houses were spaced out like a normal small town.

   I was angry.  I didn't know if I was angry at the bastard who had abused
his daughter and warped her mentality, Mandy resisting my efforts to help
her, or myself for giving in to my lust and desire for her.  But I stupidly
knew how I could relieve some of my anger.

   I had only seen the man on the first day.  I had the instinct to attack
him then.  Now, I was sure that when I started, I wouldn't stop until I was
sure he regretted what he did to her.  I exited the car and looked up and
down the street as I made my way to up the front walk of their house.  I
had never owned a gun.  I didn't know exactly how it would play out if he
had one on hand.  I was angry and wasn't thinking straight.  My anger had
been building on the drive and was now boiling over.

   I walked up the door glancing in the windows.  The ones I could see
through looked dark.  Without a car in the drive, there was a good chance
that he wasn't home, but I tried the door anyway.

   It opened and easily swung open.  I peered into dark eerie house.  I
walked through the hallway and passed several empty rooms.  For a moment, I
thought I might have the wrong house.  There were several holes in the
drywall that looked like someone had put their fist through.  The living
room had a sofa, but was bare otherwise.  I could see where television
cable wires stuck out from the wall.  The next room I passed could have
been a bedroom, but it was equally empty.  I moved into the kitchen almost
sure that I had the wrong house by now.  There was a kitchen table left,
but no chairs.  A big cardboard box sat on it all alone.

   My anger was on simmer because I thought it was stupid that I had gone
charging into the wrong house.  At least there wasn't anyone there so I
wouldn't have to explain my uninvited visit.  I curiously walked over to
the box and saw a note sitting on the top of it.

   Baby Slut,

   I wondered when you would grow up and run off on me.  Don't bother
trying to find me, I'm long gone.  I figured you'd be back with the fuzz so
I decided not to stick around.  I was done with you anyway.  I didn't
figure I needed any of your shit so here you go.

   Say hello to your mother for me while you're on the streets.

   Daddy



   I was torn.  I was still angry, but I felt a tremendous sadness for
Mandy.  He had just given up.  And his parting message held no love or
affection whatsoever.  I wished again that he was present so that I could
beat him, even if it would only make me feel better.

   I set the letter aside and opened the box.  There were several awards
from school: honor student, first place for a reading contest, and several
report cards with high marks.  Six photographs in all.  Three were her by
herself when she was much younger.  One was taken with her and the bastard.
She looked about three and was smiling.  The others were when she was
older, but I could see the obvious differences.  The joy that shined when
she was younger faded as she got older.  The last picture, when she looked
to be about eleven or twelve was of her naked on her knees.  She had a
penis in her mouth and was looking up at the owner who was just out of view
of the picture.  She wore a black dog collar as her only accessory.  She
looked complete destroyed in spirit.  My first instinct was to tear up the
picture, but I hesitated.  There would be no greater evidence against the
man.

   I dug further into the box.  I found the collar that was in the picture.
It had a tag on it that read "Slut Mandy".  I felt like I needed to wash my
hands in gasoline just to get rid of the feeling of the collar after I
picked it up.  I found some paperwork: Mandy's birth certificate, social
security card, along with a birthday card that looked to be years old. 
There were some porn DVDs, but I didn't know what to make of them.  I put
everything back into the box quickly.

   I carried it out and shut the door to the house behind me.  I was sure
now that no police would be looking for me.  He was on the run thinking
that the cops were looking for him.  I put the box in the trunk of my car
not knowing if I was going to show it to Amanda or not.  I didn't see how
most of it would help her.  In fact, I was sure that most of it could only
bring back bad memories, but I could use it if I needed to convince the
authorities that I was only trying to help her.

   As I pulled away from the curb, I realized that I wasn't angry anymore.
I was sad and worried about her now.  Two blocks away inspiration hit me. I
didn't know if it would really fix anything, but I figured it was a shot.
On the way back to my house, I stopped at a store.  It took about twenty
minutes of waiting and another forty-five minutes before they got me
checked out, but I thought it was going to be worth it.

   I arrived home just before nine o'clock.  I took my shoes off just
inside the door in the walkway and then entered the living room.  I had
another surprise waiting on me.  As I entered the room, I found Amanda on
her knees waiting beside the doorway with her head down submissively.

   I had never put her in this position before and didn't like this at all.
I realized after a moment that she was waiting on me to tell her what to
do. "Amanda, get up," I said.

   She stood, but kept her head and eyes down.  I knew that I had something
to talk to her about, but I could tell that she had something on her mind
for me.  "What is it, Amanda?"

   "I was bad and I deserve to be punished.  I shouldn't have talked to you
the way I did," she said softly.  "I'm ready for my punishment, Uncle."

   I should have guessed it before.  Punishment would be expected if she
thought I owned her.  I thought about it for a moment.  From what I read on
the internet about punishment for a submissive, it didn't have to be
severe, but taking it away completely sometimes created issues.  Also, she
was a teenage girl.  She needed boundaries, even if I would never be as
hard on her as her father.  I thought as she waited quietly.  "Tonight, you
will sleep in the living room, alone.  Your will go to bed and will not
watch television or read after that time." I know it wasn't the hardest
punishment, but it moved her out of my bed at least for the night. 
Tomorrow, she would have her own bed.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said, but I could see that it did seemed to matter for
her.

   "Is that all?" I asked.

   "Yes, Uncle.  The kitchen is clean and I didn't know what else to do, so
I waited for you."

   I smiled proudly.  Even upset at me she still needed approval.  "You did
a good job.  I'll look it over in a minute.  But first I have something for
you."

   She looked up at me and then saw the small wrapped box in my hand.

   It was about the size of my hand.  "Sit down," I said and we both sat on
the sofa.

   I handed her the box and she felt the weight of it in her hand.  She
looked at me for permission to open it and I nodded.  "I know you wanted me
to put a collar on you.  You want to show me that you're mine.  I don't
feel that is appropriate for a young lady."

   She got the wrapping open and turned the box over to the brand new
iPhone.  She looked at me amazed and confused.  I guess she hoped it would
be a collar.

   "This is my version of a collar for you," I said and that got her
immediate attention.  "I had this one specially activated for you.  It had
GPS on it that I can track from my phone or computer.  You will be required
to have it on you anytime you leave the house.  You will keep it on and
charged." As I was explaining I could see her face light up with the
realization that I had given her what she wanted.  "When I call or message,
you need to answer immediately," I warned.  I had rehearsed the speech in
the car.  I figured it needed to sound authoritative and commanding for her
to buy into the idea.  "It has a tracking feature that will lead me to ten
feet of you.  This is your collar, an invisible leash to me.  Do you
understand?"

   Her eyes were lit up with excitement like I had just given her a
Christmas present.  "Oh, yes Uncle!" She further opened the box find that I
had the phone already inside a slim pink case for her and when she turned
it on, it read "Amanda Travis" on the screen.  (I had to say it was for my
daughter since it was on my account.) Putting my last name with her first
name seemed to be the icing on the cake for her.  She broke out into a huge
smile and a few tears of joy sprang out, as well.

   She moved forward and hugged me tight.  "Thank you, Uncle!" she said and
then backed away tapping on the touch screen.  I guess technology and
teenagers go hand in hand because she didn't need any help operating it.

   "You can download whatever you like on it, but please watch the
spending. I have preloaded fifty dollars on that one so you can have some
fun on it.  But remember what I said, you are responsible for it.  You
wanted me to claim you.  Now I have.  Don't disappoint me."

   "I won't, Uncle," she said glowing.

   I gave her a quick hug and then went off to the kitchen to get a drink.
She toyed with her new phone until time for bed.  I was serious about
making her sleep in the living room.  I had already felt guilty about our
two previous nights and how quickly I had given in to her.  She got into
bed.  I saw the charging cord attached to her phone stretched into the bed
with her.  It was glowing on the empty pillow beside her, but I decided
that I would let it pass for now.  She had been excited when her name had
popped up with my last name and also that I was already in her contacts.

   I told her good night and allowed myself the pleasure of kissing her on
the lips.  I didn't mean it to go as long as it did, but as I hovered close
to her the moment before our lips touched, I smelled her young scent and it
had an arousing effect on me.  I kissed her deeply and brought my hand up
and caressed her neck before I realized what I was doing.  I pulled away
and told her sweet dreams.  She looked at me expectantly, probably because
of the mixed signals I was sending.

   I left the room for my bedroom before I could talk myself into another
sexual encounter with her.  I closed my bedroom door just to keep myself
from being tempted, but that did little to stop my imagination when I
climbed into my empty bed.  The last two nights it had been occupied by a
beautiful seductive girl who even now I longed for.  I knew it was wrong.
That was the only reason I had come up with the punishment that I did, to
protect myself.

   When she had gotten ready for bed, I could see her hesitation.  She
didn't want to sleep alone and it looked like she was waiting for me to
initiate something with her as well.

   I patted myself on the back for my returning moral compass, but I didn't
know how long would last.  I already wanted her.  How long could I last?

   CHAPTER 11

   The next day, the furniture was delivered for her room.  She busied
herself with getting her clothes arranged in her new dressers.  We went to
the store briefly for bedding.  She held her phone in her hand on the way
there in the car.  I didn't know if she kept it intentionally displayed for
me, but she clung to it even though she wasn't using it.

   We stopped by the book store and I let her purchase several books, too.
I figured since she seemed to enjoy reading that she should be able to read
something more along her own interests.  She picked out six of them and
thought I might disapprove, but I was happy to finally buy her something
that she might enjoy.

   The day passed quickly.  My mind was filled with conflicting ideas.  She
was starting to express herself in small ways.  I was torn about the idea
of showing her the contents of the box that her father had left for her.  I
had closed it and she didn't ask about it being in the car when we got home
that evening.  I thought that if she asked outright what was in it, I would
tell her the truth.  I thought she might deserve that much honesty, but I
didn't like the idea of causing her more pain.

   I told her that I was going to have to resume work the following day. 
She accepted it without question.  She seemed like she could be trusted to
stay by herself.  I started thinking about registering her for school and
started researching how I could go about it.

   I had made her bedroom as welcoming as I could think of.  The first
night she was to sleep in it, she knocked on my bedroom door and asked to
sleep with me.  I should have told her no, but I didn't.  She carefully
snuggled in the bed beside me.  After just a minute of silence, I felt her
hand on the front of my shorts searching for my half hard dick.  Feeling
the warmth of her body that close was enough to get me started.

   "Amanda, you don't have to do this," I offered.

   "I know," she said as her fingers found the fly of my shorts and I felt
the contact of her soft skin.

   I ached for her touch.  I knew it would be wrong of me to make her do
anything, but since she was willing, I gave into my own need as well.  Sex
with Amanda was like heroine.  I could feel myself become addicted to her.
I removed her clothes quickly.  My shorts were shed in less time as I
kissed her deeply.  She seemed so small, but knew exactly how to kiss to
make my breath quickly.  I broke our kiss for just a moment to catch a
breath and felt myself rolling on top of her small form.

   I had let her be in control all of the other times.  This was the first
time I put myself first.  I wanted her.  I yearned for the feel of her
body. She spread her legs for me looking into my eyes.

   I saw her smile, a rare thing with her.  "This is what you wanted,
wasn't it?"

   "Yes," she said sincerely.

   I slid up in the bed for position and the tip of my dick slid easily
into her.  She was hot, wet, and I didn't hesitate to penetrate her fully
this time.  I heard her release a content sigh as I filled her completely.
"Thank you, Uncle," she said as I started to thrust my hips back and forth
giving pleasure to us both.

   I didn't last long.  I did find that Amanda, when she relaxed was very
vocal in her love making.  It started out as soft moans, but as we were
joined together, she expressed herself more urgent pleas.  As she climaxed
her moans turned to a cry of ecstasy.  There were no tears this time, just
a contented sigh as I rolled to the side and she cuddled up to me.  She
fell asleep quickly with a smile on her face.

   The next few days went quickly.  I went back to work at the 911 call
center like normal.  The first day, I sent several texts to her during the
day and she responded within minutes telling me what she was up to.  When I
got home, I found that she made a very nice house keeper.  The house was
clean from top to bottom.  I told her to make a list of groceries that we
might need and to make sure she put stuff on the list that she wanted.  The
second day after coming home, we went shopping.  She kept her iPhone
proudly displayed on a clip on the outside of her jeans.  I guess it gave
her the security that she needed.

   I found that buying her a bed was almost useless.  Somehow each night,
she would ask to sleep with me and sex would develop, either by her choice
or mine on the third night.  I finally gave up the idea of resisting her.
At the end of the day, I found that my desire for her was as strong as her
persistence to please me.  At night and in the dim light of the bedroom, I
didn't have as much moral reservation about sex with the seductive girl.



   On the stormy Thursday evening, we were just cleaning up after dinner
when the doorbell rang unexpectedly.  After a quick look through the side
window, I opened the door to someone who I never thought would be on my
doorstep again.

   "Hi, Greg," Jennifer said.

   I gazed at her.  It had been almost six months since I had seen her
last. She looked like she had seen some rough times.  She had lost some
weight.  Her clothes didn't slow off her body like her usual style did
being simple with jeans and t-shirt, something that she almost never wore
when we went out.  Her soft voice spoke volumes that things had gone wrong
for her.

   We had dated for almost a year and a half staying at each other's place,
but never made the commitment and moved in together.  I had been thinking
about asking her to marry me and move in when she started seeing a guy
named Mark.  I had only seen him twice, but I didn't think too much of him.
I'm not someone who shares a girl so I told her to choose and she had went
with him.  I blamed myself for not being more aggressive asking her to move
in sooner, but after a while I had gotten over her or at least I thought I
had.

   "Jennifer?" I said taking a step forward onto the porch.  "Hi, what's
up?"

   "Greg, I know I have no right to ask anything from you, but I need
help," she said pleadingly.

   I was caught off guard to see her.  I felt old feelings for her wash
over me.  I looked behind me and saw Amanda standing behind me in the
living room watching us.  "Come in," I said gesturing her to get in out of
the weather.

   "Hello," Jennifer said seeing Amanda standing there.

   Amanda looked at me and didn't answer.

   "Jennifer, this is my niece, Mandy.  This is Jennifer.  She's a friend,"
I said unsure what kind of friend she really was at the moment.

   "Hi," Amanda said simply but stayed standing on the other side of the
living room.

   Jennifer turned back toward me.  "Can we talk?"

   I looked over at Amanda and she started to her bedroom.  "Thank you," I
said as she gave me a little smile.  I heard her door close.

   We sat down on the couch and Jennifer started.  "I'm sorry that I hurt
you.  I really didn't mean to.  It's just I didn't know where we were going
in our relationship and I got scared."

   We talked for about a half hour and caught up.  Mainly she talked and I
listened.  I was hurt when she first left me, but considering I had given
her the ultimatum and blamed myself for letting her get away, I wasn't
really mad at her anymore.

   I found out Mark didn't work out and she had lost her job because of
him. And then when she was lowest, he completely abandoned her.  She had
lost her apartment and spent the last three nights in her car.  Her family
was on the coast and she never been on good terms with them.  She had
always prided herself on her independence.  And that was how I knew she
really was desperate if she were coming to me.

   "So what I wanted to ask was if I could stay here for just a little
while," she said with desperation in her voice.  "Just until I get back on
my feet."

   I hadn't said much about how I was or told her anything about Amanda.  I
knew this was going to complicate things.  I was almost positive that she
would freak out if she found I was having sex with a teenage girl.  "Is
there anywhere else you might be able to stay?  One of your friends or
Carrie's place?" I asked Carrie use to be one of her best friends when we
were dating, but it was the only name that came to mind.

   Jen shook her head.  "Mark kind of messed up a lot of things," she said
looking at her lap.

   Part of me wanted to feel smug about the fact that she had realized what
a mistake she made by choosing him over me, but I couldn't take any
pleasure in seeing her like this.  I was silent for a moment.

   "I thought maybe of using your spare room for a while, but it seems that
it's occupied," Jennifer looked down the hall.  "Is she staying long?"

   I sighed.  "Yeah, she's going to be here a while.  She's living with me
now.  Her parents aren't the greatest and its better this way," I said not
wanting to get into too many details.

   "Could I just stay for a while?" She reaches over and takes my hand. 
"I've missed you." She paused.  "I didn't know anyone else I could turn to.
I've been calling and begging people for two days.  My so-called best
friend just told me that I `made my bed so now I have to lie in it'.  I
should have seen what he was doing to me and how he was making me push them
all away.....Push you away," she said and let it hang there for a moment.

   Under normal circumstances I would have yes, but this was far from
normal.  I also noted that the feeling in my hand was normal.  Before, when
I touched her or held her, it was electric.  Now, I felt nothing for her.
Perhaps the feelings were gone between us, at least for me.  But I couldn't
bring myself to kick her out in the rain, literally.

   "Okay," I said and she smiled for the first time since I opened the
door. "But I need you to be very careful around Mandy.  She's been through
some rough stuff and I'm trying to help her."

   Jennifer nodded understandingly.

   "Let me go talk to her about it," I stood up.  "Make yourself at home,"
I said and gestured for the kitchen to which she had helped me make many
meals when we were dating.  "There are some leftovers in the refrigerator
or you can get a shower if you like," I said noting how she looked like she
needed both.  Then I made my way to Amanda's room.



   "So what do you think?" I asked after I had explained that Jennifer was
a past girlfriend and that she really needed a place to stay.

   Amanda hadn't said anything and just kept silent for it all.  She looked
down as she opened her mouth.  "Do you want me to `be good' for her, too?"

   I almost missed her meaning, but then I quickly remember that her father
would tell her to `be good' to those he gave her to.  "No." That got her to
look up at me.  "You are not to have any kind of sex with her.  And when
she's around, you can't with me, either," I said.  I was a coward, I knew.
I didn't have the will power to tell her no, but having Jennifer around
would give me a good reason to resist her charms.

   "Will you be okay with her here for a little while?" I asked.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said without hesitation.

   I knew that answer.  It was the answer that she had been groomed to say
for who knew how many years.  I would be crazy to expect anything else from
her.  I wish I knew if that was her real opinion.

   I stood up and she rose with me and hugged me.  It was definitely out of
the ordinary and I put my arms around her.  "Can I still be your girl?" she
said quietly in a plea.

   "Yes," I said.  By now I had accepted it.  Whatever it was in her mind
that I needed to be, I would be.  I had already `claimed' her before so now
I had no hesitation when she asked for reassurance.  I tilt my head down
and kiss the top of her head.  "You're still my Angel.  But Jennifer can't
know it because she won't understand it.  You'll have to act like a regular
niece when she's around.  Can you do that for me?" I said.

   She nodded still pressed against me.  I patted her back and then pulled
back from her.  "I'm going to go check on her.  You can come out and visit
if you want," I said.

   "May I stay in here?" she asked carefully.

   I nodded and then went back to the living room.  I walk in just as
Jennifer walks through the front door with a suit case.  She and the case
are soaked from the down pour outside.

   I heat her up some food and while she took a shower.  When she comes
out, I'm lounging on the couch channel surfing trying to figure out how
this is going to go.

   Jennifer is in a long t-shirt and just a pair of panties underneath. 
Her long legs are still as sexy as I remember, but unlike before, when I
couldn't resist touching them, now I don't have that desire.f She is
pulling a brush through her dark hair.  It's a little longer than shoulder
length, not as long as Amanda's blonde hair, but fuller.  She sits down on
the couch beside me.  "I wondered if this was going to happen.  And I can
see it written on your face."

   I don't understand for a moment.  I hadn't given her any indication that
I wanted to start our relationship again.

   "You don't love me anymore," she said looking at me.

   I didn't want to hurt her.  "I...it was hard, but no.  I knew that I had
lost you and needed to move on."

   "Is there someone else?" she asked carefully.

   The idea to tell her that I was currently lost in a cute teenager who
had a bedroom down the hall was quickly dismissed.  "No.  None since you,
but I have changed a little."

   "I can see that.  You," she looked down the hallway, "a parent,
responsible," she looked back at me and reached out her hand to mine, "That
doesn't mean that we still aren't a good fit."

   I felt the warmth in her hand and felt all the memories that I had
beside her.  There was lot of love between us.  And if it weren't for
Mandy, I would be tempted to try again, but I didn't want to make things
any more complicated.  "Maybe," I said not wanting to hurt her.  "But it's
not a good time." I pulled my hand from hers and stood up.  "I'll help you
and you can stay here as long as you need, but I'm not ready to try again."

   She looked disappointed.

   I don't know if it where that she really wanted to try again or she just
needed the emotional support, but either way, I still needed to stay
unavailable.  Besides, I would be able to feel that I was completely with
her as long as I still had things going on with Amanda.  "Are you going to
be okay out here?" I asked as it was getting late and I had work in the
morning.

   "Yes," she said.  "I still remember where everything is."

   "Okay.  There's some food in the kitchen.  Amanda isn't enrolled in
school here and she's okay to stay here during the day.  I have work in the
morning.  She very well behaved and won't bother you."

   "Okay," Jennifer nodded and looked like she might cry.

   I couldn't stay and console her because I felt that if I were close to
her, we could easily end up in bed together and now was not the best time.
"Good night," I told her and by Amanda's room to tell her good night as
well.  She got up and gave me a kiss on the lips that lasted too long
before telling me good night.  I felt her claiming her territory.

   "And Uncle," she said before I left her room.  "If you want to come in
during the night," she lowered her head embarrassed, "That would be okay,
too."



   I had no intentions of taking her offer and went to bed praying that Jen
would only be here for a day or two.  I racked my brain for other places
that she could go, but couldn't come up with any.  Most of the friends I
had were my friends.  I didn't know many of her friends that I could
suggest.  I did know that the longer she was here, the more she would know
that Mandy wasn't normal.

   CHAPTER 12

   The next morning, I had a small surprise.  Amanda had set her clock to
rise before me and had a full breakfast waiting for me when I made my way
to the kitchen.

   "Good morning, Mandy," I said as I walked in.

   "Good morning, Uncle," she said as she set an omelet at my place on the
table.  She had already set the table.  She was dressed and I could see her
iPhone proudly on a clip on her jean waist.

   We both sat down and she watched me without touching her fork that was
sitting in front of her.  I nodded and indicated for her to start eating.
She only looked down.

   "You may eat," I whispered.

   "Thank you, Uncle," she said simply and started in on her plate.

   I contemplated taking another day off and taking Amanda out of the
house. I hoped that he didn't treat Jennifer the same way, but I had
already taken a few off and considering how my coworkers had already a few
theories about me having another woman in my life because of my texts and
phone calls home, I didn't want them to think anything else.  Amanda ate
quietly and looked at me occasionally.

   "Are you going to be okay while I'm at work?" I asked.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said simply.

   Of course, what other answer had I expected?  I didn't like what I was
about to do, but I didn't see a way around it.  "I don't want you to tell
her about your father, what he did to you, or," I lowered my voice so that
it didn't carry, "any of the sex stuff we've done.  Do you understand?"

   We locked eyes and she knew this was a direct command.  "Yes, Uncle,"
she said obediently.

   "You are welcome to the television, the books, even the computer to keep
yourself occupied until I get home," I said going back to my breakfast.

   "May I use the treadmill in your room?" she asked.

   "Sure," I said smiling.  It wasn't much, but it was something else new
about her.  She liked her exercise.

   I cleaned up and headed out to work.  Jennifer was still asleep in the
living room on the pull out bed when I went through.  It was still very
early and I didn't expect her to be up.  She did look so sexy there asleep.
I kept that to myself and didn't linger.  I knew it wouldn't be good to
stir up old feelings.

   When I came in from work that evening, Amanda met me at the door.  She
wasn't kneeling, thank goodness, but was standing next to the door, looking
down.  I put my hand to her neck and kissed her cheek like I had the
previous two days.

   "Good afternoon, Mandy," I said like everything was normal.  I had told
her that she didn't have to meet me there, but she had still done it each
day.

   "Good afternoon, Uncle," she said and looked up after I addressed her.

   "Did you have a good day?" I asked seeing Jennifer sitting uneasy on the
couch.

   "Yes.  What would you like for dinner?" she asked.  She had gotten into
the routine of asking if I wanted her to fix dinner each evening.  On both
occasions, I had fixed dinner and she helped where she could or just stayed
around me, but she had automatically cleaned up the kitchen afterwards. 
Actually, I had noticed that she had made her way through practically the
entire house.  Each room seemed dust free and clean.

   "What do you think about pizza?" I asked her.

   "I don't know if we have everything for it, but I can try to make you
one," she said quickly.

   I shook my head.  "I mean we can have one delivered," I said almost not
believe that she thought I wanted her to make a homemade one.  After she
said it, I found myself wondering what other things she knew how to cook.

   "If you want to," she said carefully so that it came out as a question
almost, but I saw a hint of anticipation.  I remembered that her father
didn't spend money so I was sure that included take-out food.

   I looked over and Jennifer was giving me a hard look from the couch. 
"Can you call a few of them and find out their specials?  You can use the
computer in the office," I said seeing it as a way to keep her busy.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said and headed toward the office, picking up the
cordless phone on her way.

   Jennifer looked annoyed as she watched Amanda leave.

   I knew her well enough to know when she needed to talk and when she was
upset.  "What?  You don't want pizza?" I feigned ignorance.

   "What's going on and it better be good," she demanded in an angry
whisper.

   "What do you mean?" I asked fishing for how much she knew.

   "What's wrong with that girl?  No one acts like that," she said keeping
her voice down.

   "You're going to have to be more specific," I said still trying to
figure out exactly how much I was going to have to cover.  Worst case, I
could tell her the truth, but if she figured out that I had been with
Amanda, the police could be a phone call away.  I didn't want to put it
past her.

   "What did she do wrong?" I asked like a concerned parent.

   Jennifer fumed.  "Nothing, but what teenager cleans for three hours when
the house is already clean?  She didn't eat lunch, but made sure that every
crumb was cleaned in the kitchen after I did.  She wouldn't accept food."
Her tone softened a little.  "She looked hungry and I could see that she
wanted to, but she just said no and kept cleaning." Then she looked hard
again.  "And what was with that welcome home crap?"

   "What do you mean?" I said gesturing at the door.  "I just kissed her on
the cheek."

   Jen looked annoyed.  "Not that.  She was there for fifteen minutes
waiting for you to get home with her head down.  I tried to talk to her,
but she wouldn't budge.  She'd just barely answered me and wouldn't move
from that spot."

   I took a deep breath to give me a second to think through a good story.
Unfortunately, nothing logical came to mind that would be believable. 
Jennifer was smart and that was one of the reasons that I had been with her
so long.  I changed tactics.  I looked toward the hallway to seem like I
was making sure that Amanda was still busy.  "Listen, Mandy has been
through a lot.  Her father was very....strict.  It was bad and I'm trying
to help out.  That's why I'm letting her stay here, so she can get away
from that."

   "Greg, there is strict but this seems way beyond that," she said and
then softened.  "Have you thought of getting her to a counselor or into
therapy or something?  I think something might be really wrong with her."

   Oh, that idea had crossed my mind a dozen times, but self-preservation
had stopped it cold.  "I thought about it, but for the moment, I'm still
getting her set up here.  I'm hoping that with some time, she'll relax.  I
think that a lot of this is being done because she wants me to be happy
with her," I said with the last part being true.  I was going to have to
talk to her about eating, though.  I didn't realize she hadn't been eating
unless I was present.

   Jennifer looked at me and seemed like she has finally calmed down.  "She
seems sweet, but it's just weird."

   "If she doesn't adjust, I'll talk to her about seeing someone," I said,
even though I could never do that.



   I went into the office and had a quiet talk with Amanda.  I told her
that I wanted her to eat regular meals even if I weren't with her.  I also
told her that she didn't need to meet me at the door from now on.

   She looked at me quizzically.  "But where am I supposed to be when you
arrive home?"

   "You can relax.  You don't have to wait on me like that," I told her.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said with a little disappointment in her tone.

   "Also, what did you tell her about yourself?" I ask.

   "Nothing.  You told me that I didn't have to obey her," she said.

   "Okay," I said with a mental sigh.  I should have made a better plan
last night.  "Okay.  If she asks you about your mother and dad, the only
thing that I want you to tell her is that you're my half-sister's daughter
and you don't want to talk about it.  Her name is Jenneece Hardin and your
dad is Randy Hardin."

   She nodded in obedience.

   "This is important." I figured I'd put it into terms that she would
definitely understand.  "Do you want to continue to be my girl?"

   "Yes, Uncle," she said with emotion.

   I lower my voice to a whisper.  "If Jennifer or anyone knows the truth,
you won't be able to stay."

   "I understand," she said solemnly.

   I lean down and kiss her fore-head tenderly.  "I love you and I want you
to stay with me," I say and mean it now.  I don't know exactly when it
happened, but sometime in the last few days, it had become true.  I hadn't
realized it fully until there was a threat that we could be separated.

   Her eyes glowed and she smiled an actual smile.  I saw a flicker of the
girl within her.  She didn't know what to say to that.

   "So what did you find for dinner," said changing the subject and
pointing to the computer.

   She was still glowing as she showed me what she found.  I asked her to
choose, but she wouldn't pick anything.  After going back and forth with
her, we placed an order for delivery.  I assumed Jennifer's taste hadn't
changed and guessed right.



   Jennifer asked if she could use my computer to work on her job and
apartment search while we waited on the delivery.  I turned on my favorite
show to catch up on a few episodes that I had missed.

   Amanda had started out in the love seat reading her book, but after ten
minutes, she moved over to my side.  She looked up at me for my approval.

   I smiled at her and put my arm around her as she cuddled to my side.  I
had missed having her close to me.

   She smiled at me.  It was wonderful to see her come out of her shell.  I
just pulled her closer and looked at the television.  As we sat there, I
could feel the warmth of her body, but there was more than that.  I could
feel the trust and security that she felt by my side.  I never wanted her
to feel afraid to be herself again.  I wanted nothing more than her
happiness.

   After a few minutes, I felt her sigh contently as I watched my show.  I
felt her turn a few times and look at me and then back to the show.  She
did it once more like she wanted to say something.

   "You can talk if you want to," I whisper to her.

   "Uncle," she whispers back.  "I'm just glad to be here."

   "You did an excellent job with the house," I told her just to watch her
glow from the praise.  "It looks immaculate."

   She blushed and it was cute against the light blue top she was in.  The
jeans weren't form fitting, but I noticed that she wore her iPhone still. I
remembered those legs and how creamy they were.  Then I chided myself.  I
had been doing so well nothing thinking of her that way.

   "What is it, Baby Girl?" I asked.  I could see that she liked the title.

   "I wanted to say thank you for letting me order the pizza," she said.

   I hugged her close.

   "I've never been allowed to choose much of anything," she said and I
could see that her face had changed to concern and not happiness.  She
looked unsure to say something.

   "Go on," I nodded.

   "It's...scary," she admitted.

   "What?" I asked carefully.  "I don't understand."

   "I'm scared of making choices.  I'm scared of picking the wrong thing
when you ask," she said looking like she was scared of telling me this. 
She wanted to say more.

   "Tell me what you want to say.  I won't get mad," I encouraged her
looking into her eyes.

   "Will you not make me choose anymore?" she asked looking at me for my
reaction.  "I know it's what you want and what you want me to be," she said
and I tried to hide the reaction to what I was hearing.  "But can you pick
things for me?  I really don't like to do it" she still sounded unsure of
herself.

   It was the exact the opposite of everything that I wanted for her.  I
tried to keep my face neutral while I thought of how to respond.

   "I'm sorry," she said quickly seeing my smile fade.  I wasn't mad at
her, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  "I take it back.  Please don't
be mad at me.  I'll do whatever you say..."

   I watched her trying to make things better.  "No," I stopped her.  She
immediately bowed her head waiting for me to say something.

   She looked innocent, scared, and younger somehow.

   "I'm sorry," I say softly and touch her chin for her to look up at me.

   She looked up at me cautiously.  She looked ready to cry.

   "I'm the one who's sorry.  I've been pushing you and I didn't consider
how it would make you feel," I said understanding.  "I'll try to think
things through from now on.  Do you forgive me?" I asked her sincerely.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said.

   I hugged her feeling bad that I had put her in that position.  I knew
that she uncomfortable making her own decisions and had been pushing her,
but never considered that it might be something that wasn't ready for.  I
also would never ignore a request from her.  It just completely conflicted
with what I wanted for her.  I wanted her to have a voice.  I wanted her to
be able to state her opinion without thinking there was going to be
punishment for it.

   "I'm sorry I'm not the girl that you want me to be," she said with
regret softly with my arms.

   "No, don't be," I said running my fingers through her hair.  "You're
perfect just the way you are," I paused knowing what she needed.  "You're
my angel and that's all I need." She needed claimed.

   She pressed herself into my chest more and relaxed as my hand stroked
her hair.

   The doorbell roke the silence.  We pulled apart from each other and she
stood up waiting to see if I would do what I said.

   I didn't like this, but it was what she was asking for.  I pulled my
wallet out and handed her some cash.  "Please go answer the door and tell
the delivery driver that he can keep the change," I said stepping into the
role that she asked me to.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said obediently and went to the door.

   I felt a sting of guilt and was glad that she wasn't looking at me.  I
had avoiding telling her what to do, and now she was asking me to do just
that.  I needed some time to think about it, but for the moment, I was
going to play my part.

   Amanda walked into the living room with the pizzas and I gestured toward
the kitchen.  She took them in there and after a few moments I could heard
the soft sound of plates coming from the room.



   I went and told Jennifer that pizza was here and then went to the
kitchen.

   When I came in, Amanda had three plates out, and three glasses.  Mine
had some soda already in it.  She stood waiting for me.

   I figured it was a test to see if I were serious about trying to change.
"Start with two slices of pizza and then you can get more if you like
afterward," I told her and felt horrible.  I went to the refrigerator and
got the soda bottle out and poured her a drink and then one for Jennifer.

   All week I had been pushing her to do what she wanted and at each turn,
she had always looked to me to see if I approved.

   "Yes, Uncle," she said and did exactly as I said, but seemed to have
relaxed and her movements were gracious as she was comfortable with this
role.

   It was my turn not to feel out of place.

   We ate in the living room.  I lead Amanda in and pointed at the love
seat when Jennifer headed into the kitchen.  "Thank you very much for the
pizza," Jennifer called out from the other room.

   A few minutes later, she joined us in the living room.  I turned on one
of the local channels and it was showing a crime drama that I sometimes
watched and I knew Jennifer use to keep up with.

   After a minute, she looked over at me and whispered, "Thank you." She
knew it was done for her benefit.  There was a little bit of chatter
between her and me, but Amanda stayed mostly silent except to ask
permission to get another slice of cheese pizza.

   My thoughts were still going over the new development.  After we ate,
Jennifer went back to my office.  I turned down the lights and I motioned
for Amanda to sit next to me on the sofa while we watched one more of the
crime drama shows.  She automatically sat against me and I put my arm
around her.  She snuggled in and I pulled a small fleece blanket over the
two of us.

   After a long silence I heard her small voice.  "Are you mad at me?"

   "No, Baby Girl," I said and kissed the side of her head.  And that was
all there was to be said.  I didn't know if her head was spinning as much
as mine was.  I just didn't know what else to say.

   We stayed like for a while, too long, in fact.  A long time later, I
noticed Jennifer in the dark hallway watching us.  Amanda had fallen asleep
beside me.  I had dozed a little, too.  My arm was around her and she was a
picture of peace and serenity.  Under the blanket, she had one hand on the
crotch of my pants where she had fallen asleep trying to give me a very
slow massage and I hadn't stopped her.

   She shook her head in disbelief.  "I never knew you would make such a
great dad," she said.  "Or Uncle" she corrected.

   Apparently the way that Amanda talked to me had been noticed.  I smiled
and then carefully moved.  "Amanda," I said softly.  "Amanda."

   She groggily opened her eyes and started to stretch.  It was very cute
and reminded me of how much of a child she still was.

   "Time for bed, Baby," I told.

   She nodded.  "Yes, Uncle," she said and then stood up once I pulled the
blanket off of her.  She stood up and I joined her.  She wrapped her arms
around me in a hug as she still had her eyes closed.  It didn't look like
she would have trouble going back to sleep.

   "Go get into pajamas and get into bed.  You can get a shower tomorrow,"
I told her making the instructions sound like a normal nighttime routine a
parent might have with a child.  She and I both knew better and only
Jennifer was in the dark.  Amanda knew I was giving her what she wanted. 
And I knew that I was going in the wrong direction with her.  "I'll be in
to check on you in a few minutes."

   "Yes, Uncle," she said nodding understanding it was a command, but I
could hear affection in her response.

   After Amanda left the room, Jennifer crossed the room to me.  "You two
really have a nice thing going, don't you?" she said.

   I smiled.  "We're still learning, but it's mostly good," I said tilting
my head side to side even though Jennifer had no idea what I really meant.

   "I never imagined you like this," she said and put her arms up on my
shoulders.

   "Like what?" I asked as I reflexively put my hands on her hips.

   "A loving dad," she said wistfully.  "My father and I were never close,"
she said looking away.  "But I can see that you're going to make a good
one."

   I knew that moment.  It was the moment that I was supposed to pull her
close, kiss her, and make all of her troubles disappear.  She would see
that I had been the right choice before and we could set right all that had
gone wrong.  I knew it was that exact moment to act.

   But there was nothing there for me.  I held her, was looking into her
eyes, the same ones that had I could have drowned in a year before, and
felt nothing.  This wasn't the girl I wanted to be with any longer and I
knew it.

   I stood there for a few more moments.  "I have to go and check on
Mandy," I said and pulled away from her.  The moment was passing and I, for
once, knew that I wouldn't regret it.

   "Sure.  I understand," she said with her voice saying that she really
did.  Then she let me go.

   I walked down the hall and didn't look back.  I knocked softly on
Amanda's door, but I didn't hear an answer.  I opened it slowly to see her
already in bed.  She was under the covers with only her head out.  She
opened her sweet blue eyes and looked at me.  They still looked drowsy and
I stepped in only enough to turn out her light.

   "Thank you, Uncle," she whispered and I had a feeling it was for more
than just turning out the light.

   I leaned down and went to kiss her cheek.  She turned slightly and our
lips met.  It was a gentle kiss and I felt her lips part and her tongue
graze my lips as I pulled back slowly.

   A smile was on her face.  "Thank you for everything," she said.

   "Good night, Mandy.  Sweet dreams," I said I as backed out of the door
seeing the content look on her face.
   CHAPTER 13