Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. George Douglas 16 At the Association's headquarters the Controller listened to a voice over the radio. "_Car approaching. Entering gate! Van rolling!_" The furniture van was by the gate as Kathy got out of the car and started to climb the steps to the house, while the car drove away. Suddenly there was a burst of gunfire from the main gate. Kathy froze for a moment and then she ran into the house. In the control room, a switch was thrown just as Kathy entered the house. There was a rumbling and noise as steel shutters rolled down over the doors and windows, shutting the house in darkness. While this was done the passageways were having the walls protected by sheets of armour-plate glass. Kathy crouched onto the ground with her hands covering her head. The noises outside and the sudden darkness had scared her. In the gymnasium, the alarm caused the three inside to look up in shock. "Quick, get dressed" Su told the two girls, "there's a quick entrance to the operations gallery from the janitor's cupboard." The three quickly ran in to the changing room and dressed. Su then showed the way to a cupboard door and opened it. She pulled on a coat hanger and the back opened. She ushered the two girls into the space before she entered and closed the door behind them. Lights came on to show a short corridor leading to a circular stairway. On Su's urging the two girls started to descend. At the bottom of the stairs there was another corridor; this one had other walkways branching off at intervals. Su explained that these led to other parts of the house. The gallery itself was directly beneath the gymnasium and occupied the same size in area. On one wall was a picture of two men on a horse and three words that Cathy couldn't read, they weren't French or German but something else. Sir Timothy was already in the room and was watching as a group of men were running over the grounds towards the house. Jameson and Sally were also in the room issuing commands. Sir Timothy spoke into a microphone. "Okay teams, the house is ready for them. Pull back to the secondary placements, we are going to let the house defences take care of them." A movement on a screen attracted Cathy's attention. She pointed to it and exclaimed, "That's Kathy! Why is she there?" "*What*? *Where*?" Sir Timothy's attention was pulled from his observation "why wasn't she taken to safety?" Sally spoke up, "The assigned man was injured in the first assault, and we've been too busy to get anyone else to her!" Sir Timothy checked her position. "Who's nearest?" he asked as, on another screen, three of the attacking men entered the house. "Nobody else is available sir! Sally can get there from here." Jameson informed him. "No!" Cathy's voice interrupted their thoughts, "It should be Jameson to do it!" Cathy turned to Su. "You did say he's had training?" Su nodded "I did. But Sally would be better for Kathy, would she not? Being a woman and all that!" Cathy shook her head. "No! This time it has to be Jameson!" Sir Timothy didn't hesitate. "You heard her, Jameson. Go and get Kathy. Use any force necessary to retrieve her safely." Jameson got up from his seat and went from the room. After he left Cathy spoke to Su. "Is he really any good?" Su nodded slightly. "Yes he is. Not up to my standard of course, but good." Cathy thought for a moment and then smiled slightly. "Su, could you follow Jameson and watch his back. If you can help him without Kathy seeing it would mean a lot." Su nodded and followed Jameson. - - - The noise of the three men pulled Kathy out of her position. She was going to approach them when she heard what they were saying. "Fuck this for a lark, it's too bloody easy!" One of them said. "That's your problem Jack. Always wants more dontcha!" The second man answered. "Who cares as long as we get some pootang to fuck!" Jake said. "Don't forget that other little cunt. We can't touch her!" The third man said as the walked along the darkened hallway. Kathy tried to hide under a side table, but found that she couldn't. A barrier was between her and the table. She ran to the other side of the hallway, but found the same thing. She was trapped and those men would see her soon. In fact her movements had attracted their attentions. "What's that?" the second man said. The third man produced a torch and shone it down the hallway. Its beam picked out Kathy almost immediately. "Get her!" The second man shouted and the three started to chase Kathy, who was trying to get to unobtainable doorways. An outstretched foot caused her to trip up and fall over, landing in a heap. The three men surrounded her. "Well, well. What do we have here?" A hand reached down and grabbed her hair. "Get up darling; let's have a look at you!" To Kathy this was her nightmare made flesh. The man in the park had been bad enough poking her with his fingers and things. But now she had three men in front of her, and since none of them had stopped that one from hurting her she didn't think they'd be of any help. "Aww such a nice little slut ain'tcha. Now what's your name slut?" the second man asked her while shaking her by the hair. "*KATHY* . . . My name's Kathy." But her reply gave her a slap across the face. "Look there's no use lying to us cunt! We know what Cathy looks like! You're not her! Now what's your real name?" Jake almost spat into her face he was so close to her. "*IT'S KATHY . . . KATHY WEBB*!" she cried out in agony. "You're Kathy Webb? Any relation to Joey Webb?" the third man asked. Kathy hadn't heard the name before and couldn't answer. The man holding her slapped her face again. "*I DON'T KNOW*!" she screamed out in her pain. Suddenly the man holding her had released his hold and had fallen to the floor. "I believe, gentlemen, that you should release Miss Webb immediately, or face the consequences." Jameson's voice came to Kathy's ears. Jake and the third man turned around. "Well look here. A fuckin' hero! Ready to die, hero?" Jake said cracking his knuckles. Jameson smiled, "Not today sir! Today I have work to do!" He ducked as the third man swung out at him. As he straightened up Jake moved in to strike. Jameson nimbly moved out of his way and delivered a kick to Jake's knee, causing it to buckle. The third man decided to attack Jameson from behind, however he didn't even feel the blow that came from the rear and which knocked him unconscious. By this time the second man was getting to his feet. "You fucking bastard! You don't know who you're dealing with!" he said, advancing on Jameson and lunging for him. Jameson easily dodged the attack and watched as the man ran into the wall with predicable results. The force of his action, along with the impact to the wall, caused the man to be knocked out. Jameson now turned his attention to Jake, who was still clutching at his leg. "I think, sir, that you will be better employed remaining where you are." Jameson told him. Jake looked up at Jameson with hatred in his eyes, "Who the fuck are you!" he snarled. "I sir? I'm the butler. You should be glad that the security team is otherwise engaged at present. And now if you'll excuse me I have to get Miss Kathy away from here." Jameson went to where Kathy was still lying on the ground. He knelt by the girl. "Miss Kathy? You're safe now. Will you come with me?" At his voice, being so close to her, Kathy looked up. She saw the three men, two unconscious and one holding his leg in agony, and then she was up and into Jameson's arms before he knew what was happening. "Oh Mr. Jameson you saved me, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed. Jameson wasn't sure what to do, but he got to his feet and held out his hand to her. Kathy not only took his hand she also laid claim to his arm as well, clutching him close to her as he led her away to an alcove where an unnoticed door opened for them and close behind them as they left the corridor. Jake clutched at his legs, wrapped up in his pain, "That fucking bastard! Just wait, once my leg's better I'll find him and . . ." He stopped muttering as he noticed Su emerging from the darkness. "Who the fuck are you?" He said. Su gave a very cold smile. "You enjoy beating up and hurting scared little girls, do you?" she asked. Like a fool Jake smiled and nodded his head. "Then I am happy to do this. . ." Jake was still screaming when she left via the same doorway that Jameson had used. - - - On their return to the operations gallery Kathy and Jameson was warmly greeted by both Sharon and Cathy. Kathy was bubbling away on how well Jameson had rescued her. "He stood up to them. He was marvellous! He got rid of two of them and left the other one in agony. You were right Sharon! He is a good man." She looked up at Jameson - she was still holding onto his arm. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you." she said and moved herself up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Really Miss Kathy, I was only doing my job. You don't have to do that!" he said, flustered, and was relieved when Sir Timothy spoke up. "Jameson? If we can have your attention back at this station please?" Jameson spoke softly to Kathy who reluctantly disengaged her hands from his arm and then walked to the seat he'd vacated a few minutes earlier. "{small}Well done{/small}!" Sir Timothy said quietly so that only Jameson could hear. "{small}Thank you Sir. But I'm sure that Sally would have been the better choice{/small}." Jameson said equally as quiet. "{small}Maybe. But Cathy was correct. You had to be the person to save that girl. We knew you could beat two of them and the result to Kathy has been immeasurable! Again, well done!{/small}" Su entered the room and watched as Kathy huddled with Cathy and Sharon. Her nervousness about Jameson had started fade and now she understood why Jameson was chosen and not Sally. She now understood why the girl was important to the Organisation. - - - On the screens in the gallery the remaining men had finally gained access to the house. Sally pressed a button and the front door closed behind them. "What the fuck . . ." One of the men said. "Okay you three start getting that door opened. The rest of you ransack the place, I don't want to see two sticks of furniture together. The men started to reach out to the visible furniture. Only to find that they couldn't touch it. "Hey chief! Somethin's wrong! It's not there!" "Don't be so daft! What do you mean? What's not there?" The man in charge sounded annoyed - He'd been told the wreck the house and virtually gut it of everything, and if he failed then he knew what would happen to him. "Now stop gabbing and start smashing!" "That's just it, chief. We can't get to it! There's something in the way." The leader walked to the man. "Don't play about look . . ." He went to smash a table but his hand was blocked by what felt like glass. He felt along the obstruction feeling the smoothness. Then realization hit him. "*Get that door open now!*" he shouted to the men by the front door. There was a click of a tannoy system sounded in the area. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm Sir Timothy and this is my property. Although I like having guests, I'm afraid that you have outstayed your welcome. The gas currently entering the house is designed to immobilise rather than kill. Thank you for your attention." "Bloody hell! Get those doors open *NOW*!" The chief wanted out of the house, but the barely audible hiss of gas could be heard and the effects were easy to follow. The men started to drop in their tracks. The last thing that the leader remembered was taking in a deep breath and pounding on the locked and unyielding doors of the house. . . - - - From the operations gallery Sir Timothy watched impassively as the people on the screen started to fall; he glanced at Cathy who was watching the action opened mouth. "It's alright Cathy, as I told them it's only an anaesthetic. They'll awake later. By which time we've got them photographed, identified and electronically tagged. After that we'll send them off to the nearest police station and let the law deal with them, no doubt they've already got a criminal record, so they'll be well known. But now we certainly know them." He turned his attention back to the screen pointing out the last man to fall, "Sally, I think we'd better deal with him first, he was acting as leader of those men. I think we'll find him interesting." Sally acknowledged his comments and started talking into a microphone. In the meantime Jameson pushed a button which started fans blowing in the building and released the doors, allowing a strong passage of air through the corridor to force the gas out of the house. He turned to the three girls again. "Kathy I have to apologise to you. We didn't mean for you to be in danger. I'm glad that Jameson was able to reach you in time. Please be assured that it will never happen again." He then looked at Cathy before speaking again. "I'm sure that Su will allow you to relax for the rest of today. I think class is dismissed." Jameson however spoke up. "I'm afraid not, Sir Timothy, Miss Kathy - that is Miss Webb, still has her missing maths lesson to go through." Kathy's mouth dropped and Sharon spoke up. "What? After all she's been through? That's not fair!" Cathy remained silent through this but just regarded Jameson. She saw a slight glint in his eyes and smiled slightly. Sir Timothy turned to Jameson, "I agree, it does seem a bit too much for the poor girl, I think she'd be better having a lie down." Cathy spoke up. "I don't!" she turned to Kathy. "If you start to think about what could happen it might be worse for you. You need to occupy your mind and doing sums could be the thing you need." She turned to Sir Timothy. "Can we talk please, Sir Timothy?" Sir Timothy regarded the young girl; he could tell she was still making plans. "Certainly Cathy, I have a small office just down the corridor." And, letting Su take the others away, Cathy went with Sir Timothy. - - - The cleanup team were busy with stretchers and plastic ties. DS Clark was invited to take part in this action by Scott, the team leader, "We're going to fingerprint and photograph all of these guys. Then we've got this subcutaneous tracking device so that if necessary we can trace them wherever they go; it's tied into a network of satellites in geo-stationary orbit we can pinpoint them to within 5 meters." Clark was astonished at this. "But how can you have all that? I mean the cost? The facilities?" Scott smiled at him, "Oh that's nothing; you should see the main setup. What we have here is just an iceberg and you know what they say about them?" At Clark's blank look Scott took pity on him. "You only see the top 10%, the rest remains unseen. Welcome to the sharp pointy bit!" Clark gave a small smile and looked at the number of sleeping bodies on the floor. "Is it always like this?" he asked Scott. "Oh you mean with all this? No mainly it's just boring work. Something's stirred them up though, ever since that kidnapping we've been busier than blue arsed flies." He reached down to pick up the apparent leader of the group; Clark gave a satisfied cry... "Well, well. John Williams!" Scott looked up, "You recognise him?" Clark nodded, "I certainly do, he's been arrested several times for ABH and GBH but the cases have always been dropped. There have been suggestions of intimidation but nothing ever proven." Scott nodded and then took out his PDA and started writing notes into it. Clark continued speaking, "His record is a bit like Ken Webb's, so I suppose he'll have Crimmonson for his lawyer, so that would explain his ability to remain outside the law." Scott saw that this disturbed Clark, "I wouldn't worry about that. Once they're released I think they're going to be punished, and believe me when I say they might not live to regret it!" Clark could see that Scott was serious and gave a small shudder. Then they started to search through the rest of the unconscious men for anyone else that Clark could identify. ---------------------- Sir Timothy offered Cathy a chair and sat behind a desk, Cathy was nervous at what she was thinking about proposing. Sir Timothy spoke first, "That was a risk you took." At her blank look he continued, "Sending Jameson after Kathy. What if she decided that he was going to attack her?" Cathy shook her head. "There was no danger of that! I knew that once Jameson had beaten the men she'd be happy to go with him. Anyway I had Su to back him up." Sir Timothy nodded; he'd already seen Su action with the third man, her fist hitting the back of that man's head had made is ache in sympathy. "It was lucky she was there." Cathy smiled. "Luck was nothing to do with it. I told her to follow him." Sir Timothy smiled at that. "Okay, so you knew what you were doing. Now what do you want to convince me to do?" Cathy hesitated, after all they'd spoken about this was difficult. "What's been said about Kathy?" she asked. Sir Timothy was the one to pause. He press some buttons on the computer on the desk, then he read the information there. "She's not being helpful. They know that she's been made to do some things, although she is still a virgin. However she still won't tell the doctors what's happened." He looked at her, "She's pretty scared that her mother would be hurt by this man or his friends." Cathy nodded, she was sure this was the case. "What I want to ask is . . . difficult." She paused trying to gain her courage. "I mean after all the fuss that Sharon and I made earlier I don't want to suggest it. But where you said it would be helpful it started me thinking. . ." Again she paused. Sir Timothy wanted to ask her to just speak out but restrained himself. Finally Cathy made the decision. "Can we leave the command thing in Kathy's computer, just to get her to talk I mean." She studied Sir Timothy's face closely. He was thinking about her words. He picked up a phone and spoke into it. "Connect me with Dr. Saunders immediately. . . Jessica it's Tim here ... I'm fine thanks, I'm calling about Kathy Webb . . . Yes that's right, what's the prognosis? . . . I see. Would it help if we manage to make her talk about it? . . . Well A suggestion's been made regarding hypnotic instructions . . . I see, it didn't work? . . . Ah well we were going to try another method. Would it cause any problems? . . . Can you get here in the next half hour? . . . Fine. I'll see you then." He hung up the phone and looked at Cathy. "Well from what I've been told if we can't get Kathy to talk there might be severe trauma from the repression. They've tried to hypnotise her but she won't go under. The bottom line is this, if we can get her to open up about what happened then there's a chance. But you realise that this is exactly against your objections earlier." Cathy nodded, "I know, but I can also see your view that the software could help people as long as it's used under supervision and with the subject's permission." Sir Timothy nodded slowly, "So you mean to tell her that we're going to hypnotise her and then control her?" Cathy shook her head, "No. what I'm suggesting is that we ask Kathy if she minds if we try to help her by hypnosis, we give her the choice. That's the main difference between what you tried earlier and what I'm proposing." "So you want to introduce the idea of free will into the program?" Sir Timothy asked with a grin. "Of course, that is what your organisation is trying to promote isn't it?" Cathy asked offhandedly. Sir Timothy nodded. "It is indeed, but I've never heard of asking a person if we can control them before?" Cathy shook her head, "But we're not going to be controlling her, once she's finished she'll be immune to the control, I'll make sure of that." Sir Timothy leant forward in his seat, "How will you do that?" he asked. Cathy blinked. "I don't know, but I do know that it won't work afterwards." Sir Timothy studied the young girl seated in front of him. `She's so self assured' he thought to himself, `almost as if she's aware of what she's capable of!' but then he nodded, "Alright young lady, if Kathy's amenable we'll try it. Do you want to ask her or shall I?" Cathy just looked at Sir Timothy for a few seconds before saying, "I think I'd better ask her, she might not want to if you ask her." Sir Timothy nodded and then went to get up but his computer bleeped and displayed a message. He read it and gave a quiet chuckle. At Cathy's enquiring look he said, "We've got a casualty of the attack, one of those three men who attacked Kathy is with the doctors. It seems that he's got broken legs and crushed testicles." Cathy gave a cold smile, "I suppose Su got a bit carried away with that man, I'll have to have a word with her." "Oh yes, which one?" Sir Timothy was interested in her answer. "Thanks, I think!" Cathy finished evenly. ---------------------- Kathy squirmed in her seat as Cathy started to explain what she wanted to do. "You mean that you're going to make me tell you about . . . that man." Cathy knelt in front of her friend, "No, we're not going to make you do anything you don't want to do. But Kay, if you keep silent about him it's going to gnaw at you for ever. You've got to tell somebody and we are your friends. If you want we can let you talk to that doctor on your own." "I don't want her to hear me, she'll only tell everybody," Kathy cried. Cathy hugged her friend to her. "No she won't, whatever you tell her has to remain with her. She isn't allowed to blab about your secrets to anyone," Cathy said quietly into her ear. Kathy pulled back and looked at her friend, "Will you stay with me?" she asked. "Do you trust me not to tell anyone," Cathy asked with a smile. "I'd trust you with my life." Kathy told her earnestly, which made Cathy uneasy. "If you could feel relaxed while you told me would that help you?" She asked, "You mean like an injection or something?" "No, if we could hypnotise you to make you relax would you let us?" Cathy pressed for an answer. "They've tried that at that other place, it didn't work. How do you know it'll work here?" Kathy looked downhearted. "Okay here's how it works. In the maths program there's a small addition that implants a suggestion into your mind. Do you mind if we let it work on you?" Cathy watched the girls' eyes. "Will it hurt?" Kathy said fearfully. Cathy smiled at her and shook her head. "No, you won't even notice its working. And once you've finished telling us it will never work again." "You promise?" "Cross my heart," said Cathy, her hands doing the motions as she spoke. Kathy looked around at Sharon and Sally who were both standing nearby both smiling nervously as Cathy had already warned them about what she was going to ask. Finally she made up her mind. "Okay then I'll do it, but Cathy please be with me." - Jessica Saunders was sceptical. When Sir Timothy had suggested this she thought that he was mad! She'd tried hypnosis on the patient Kathy Webb without success, the girl was too frightened to jeopardise her family by talking. It was a normal response to the threats that she'd been exposed to. If the girl could only realise that by releasing her anguish she would be helping herself. But then she wouldn't listen. Jessica tried to tell Sir Timothy that, but he was now advancing this procedure at the apparent suggestion of a 12 year old girl. Well she always did have her doubts about the stability of Sir Timothy, was this just another sign of his approaching breakdown? "Ah Jessica, so good of you to come here. I know you're always so busy." Sir Timothy had entered the room and approached the woman, who was sitting down in an armchair. "When you told me of your plans I couldn't really stay away. I might be needed to help the poor girl when this fails." Jessica said her face seeming cold. "I assure you Jessica that Kathy is aware of what we are trying and has agreed to it. In fact that was the only way in which she would be able to do this. It was part of the agreement." Sir Timothy informed her. "You and your ethics, they'll be the death of you, you know." Jessica said unfreezing slightly. "Oh it wasn't my idea, to tell you the truth I hadn't even thought of it." "So this is the idea of your wonder girl is it?" "Yes, Cathy Douglas she's the one! I know it. She has the bearing and presence. She's the one who's been taking control of her small group." "Her group?" Jessica was interested both in the words and Sir Timothy's stance. "Yes, Sharon, Kathy and Frank Webb. I think she's also won over Su Li," He went on to relate the story of the raid and Kathy's rescue. "And she suggested sending Jameson, a man, to help Kathy who's always been frightened of him." She thought for a moment, "Well it would be one way to get her to look at him, in fact that may be a turning point in itself." She then looked at Sir Timothy, "Would it be possible to have a word with her?" Sir Timothy chuckled, "In your professional capacity?" "Hell no, I'm wondering if she wants my job." She smiled this time and accepted the small glass of sherry that Sir Timothy handed her. "I'm afraid she's yet to make up her mind about her future, but I hope she's going to remain with us." Sir Timothy sat down and sipped at his drink. "So when do I start working with Kathy Webb?" Jessica regarded Sir Timothy as she said that. "Well she's halfway though the lesson, she should be ready for you and Cathy in about half-an-hour." Sir Timothy had consulted his watch. "Lesson? I thought she was being placed under hypnosis, what has a lesson to do with it?" Jessica was curious about that. "It was an experiment which failed earlier and was being shelved, Cathy persuaded us to take it out of mothballs before it even got smelly." Jessica laughed at his word, "It has a subliminal effect, as long as the subject completes the work assigned he or more accurately she, in this case, will be open to suggestions, suggestions that Cathy will be making. That was the other part of the agreement. Although you will be able to ask the main questions Cathy will be with you and will be a monitor of her reactions. If she starts to get too disturbed Cathy will pull her out and block any further treatment in that way." "But what if I can't get her to talk? Do we condemn Kathy Webb because we failed, that's what will happen if it doesn't work you know." Sir Timothy shook his head, "All I can ask is that you do succeed. For her sake at least!" ---------------------- Kathy was immersed in the sums. Like Sharon and Cathy she found that after a few minutes she was enjoying this subject, which struck her as strange as she never really understood some of the maths she'd been taught, but then she forgot about that and carried on with them. Quicker than she expected she completed the course and a small bell rang on the screen. But she just sat there as the screen blanked. She knew that this was strange but she didn't want to move, not just yet anyway. She noticed a door opening and Cathy entering the room along with the doctor that Kathy had been seeing earlier that day. A part of her was happy that Cathy was keeping her word although she knew that her friend would never let her down. "Kathy, turn around and face us please." This was spoken by Cathy. There didn't seem to be anything wrong in doing that so Kathy did. "Kathy, do you know where you are?" "Of course I do! I'm in the common room of the house." Kathy said. "Do you know this woman who is with me?" It was a daft question but Kathy couldn't make out why this was. "Yes, it's Doctor Saunders. She's been treating me." The woman nodded and then said something, but Kathy couldn't make out what she said, although her voice was loud enough. "Kathy, what is Doctor Saunders name?" Kathy thought back, she had been told the doctor's name but never wanted to use it . . . now what was it? `*Hello Kathy I'm Jessica Saunders ... Jessica ... Jessica *...' "It's Jessica." Kathy said. "That's right Kathy, now can you hear what Jessica is saying?" Kathy tried to concentrate but however much she tried she couldn't understand a word that Jessica said. "I know she's speaking but I cannot hear what she's saying." Kathy thought she should have been worried about that but was strangely calm. "It's okay Kathy, now listen to me carefully. Soon I'll let you hear Jessica's words, you will do your best to follow her instructions, you do know us and you know that we'll never do anything to cause harm to you or your parents. So there should be no reason not to tell us about that man." Kathy knew which man was meant; she wondered if she should listen to Cathy's about him after all he did say . . . what was it he said? `_Listen kid, if you do this I won't have to do anything about your mamma, will _I' But she was here with Daddy and all the men, so he wouldn't be able to do anything. It was so clear now! "No, there isn't any reason at all." Kathy's voice was clear and sounded relieved. "Very good Kathy. Now listen carefully. . . Should anything bother or cause you anxiety during this session tell me and I'll stop it, you understand this - I will not let you panic during this session!" Kathy nodded her head, she could hear Jessica saying something and Cathy replied so quietly that she couldn't be heard properly. And then she spoke again, "O.K. Kathy you will now be able to hear Jessica without any problems." "Kathy, do you understand what I'm saying?" Jessica asked. "Yes, Doctor Jessica I can hear you perfectly." Kathy replied normally, it was such a daft question as if she couldn't hear properly at all? Kathy thought to herself. "You don't have to call me Doctor, Kathy, Jessica will be just fine. How do you feel?" `_*How do I feel?*_' Thought Kathy to herself, it was strange she almost seemed to be two people. One was a scared little girl who needed a lot of attention, but the other one, herself she realised, was fine and could look after herself. She felt like laughing. And then she did. "I feel wonderful, free, unchained. I feel marvellous. Why do I feel like this?" she asked out loud. Jessica looked at Kathy, there was a change in the girl, she was different from the timid shy little girl who was in her office. This was the type of person that she should be. "You're under hypnosis Kathy, that's why your problems are not affecting you as they normally do." "So that's why I want to tell Cathy that I don't want my name changed and she can't make me!" There was an indignant sound from Cathy but she didn't say anything. Jessica smiled, "Yes, your subconscious is in full control of you at the moment, but don't worry we understand." "Yes but just wait until you're not hypnotised!" Cathy added quietly so that only Jessica could hear her, which got her an amused glance from Jessica who shook her head smiling. Unseen by Kathy, Jessica started a small tape recorder. "Now Kathy, There is a part of your life that you are worried about, it is causing you concern and you need to be able to talk about it or it will cause you problems later on, do you know what it is?" Jessica spoke softly to Kathy so as not to alarm her. "Yes, it's about Jason." Kathy's said. Jessica looked at Cathy who shrugged, "who's Jason?" "He's the park keeper. He's the one who stopped me one day and has been making me do things." Kathy said. "Do you like the things he makes you do?" Jessica asked; this was more information than she'd ever got from the girl in the past two sessions. "No way! He's disgusting!" "Why is he disgusting?" Jessica prompted, "Tell me what happened." Kathy thought about this, there wasn't any reason why she shouldn't tell. `_Just one word and I'll have to sort out your mother!_' But he couldn't, not now! He'd never get to her. "Okay," said Kathy, "this is how it happened." - - Kathy had been playing with some of her friends in the park when she noticed the time, it was nearly 4:30 and she had to be home at 5:00. She didn't look where she was running and the voice from behind her brought her to a sudden stop. "Oi! What're you doing? Get off there now!" She looked behind to find the park keeper bearing down on her, his face red with anger. "I'm sorry but what's wrong?" she asked. "What's wrong? What's wrong! I'll tell you what's wrong! We spent all day putting grass seed down in this patch and you've gone and walked all over it. Name?" he said taking out a notepad and pencil. "Kathy Webb," she said in a worried voice. "But why do you need to know that?" she asked. "Well I've got to report you to the authorities ain't I. Now address." "34 North Row. But honestly I didn't know that you'd been working here! There're no signs up." Kathy said. "North Row eh, I know that area. Now I've got to report you to the police for your vandalism." The man sounded angry with her. "But I didn't vandalise anything." Kathy protested. "Oh no, look at your footprints, all over the place. Come with me." The man reached out and grabbed her arm. He dragged her to some small buildings near the edge of the park. Once inside the building he took her deeper into another room where there were photographs on the wall, some were girls that Kathy recognised and was friendly with, but it was the way they were dressed, or rather weren't dressed that was frightening. "These girls also broke the law in my park. But they decided to do things for me instead of having their parents pick them up from the police station . . ." he gave a meaningful pause while watching Kathy intently. "What sort of things?" Kathy asked finally, hoping to be able to persuade him not to contact her parents. "Nothing much - just a little photographic session. Here and now, with something else in a couple of day's time." This didn't sound too bad to her and so she agreed. "Good. Now I've got a camera here. Just stand over there and smile. There's a good girl." The man started to shoot a few pictures. Then his face changed; "Right, now take off the top." Kathy just looked at him, "I'm not going to do that!" She said, the man just laughed and went to a desk. He took out a photograph album and opened it to the first page. "These girls decided that it was better to do what I asked them to do. Unlike the others who went crying with the policemen. Now which do you want to be?" He asked her. Kathy looked at the pictures of the children, some in vests and knickers others in just knickers and looking unhappy. "Is that what you want me to do?" she said pointing to the pictures. "Well yes, eventually. But let's build up to it alright?" The man looked at her and smiled, a smile that Kathy didn't like but she wanted to be out of there as quickly as possible. So she started to undo the buttons on her blouse as he started to take the pictures. Underneath her blouse was a training bra the man looked at her and said, "You don't really need that thing on in here, take it off." Kathy was too frightened to disobey him and reached behind to undo the bra. "Hold it. I'll help you." And she stood in shock as he reached behind her, pulling her close to his chest as he undid the hooks. She felt his hands touching her skin as he pulled the fabric away from her body. "There, that's better isn't it." He said returning to his camera and taking more pictures, "Turn around darling and lets see what you look like from all angles. That's nice you'd make a good photographic model you know." "Please mister, I've got to get home soon, my mum will worry." Kathy tried to plead with him. "As soon as I've taken all the pictures then you can go." He reassured her. "Now let's lose those trousers, and no tears. I want you to smile for the camera." Slowly she did as he told her until she was standing in her knickers, socks and shoes. She was so embarrassed that there was a blush all over her body. She dreaded his next words, but was relieve when all he said was. "That's it darling, you can get dressed now." She looked at the man. "You mean I can go now? There's nothing else?" But the man shook his head. "I told you that I'll see you in a couple of day's time, I've got to get these developed and see how they come out. Just remember that if you tell anyone you'll be in the police station for that vandalism earlier," he told her. "Let me help you dress." And before she could stop him he was holding her trousers open for her to step into. He pulled them up and fastened them, his hand fiddling about as he tried to do up the zip fly, she felt his hand touching her knickers briefly before he pulled the zip up. She wanted to tell him to leave her alone but it was too late for that. Next he had her training bra in his hands, he went behind her and placed it on her chest, doing up the hooks into the eyes, again his hands moved over her front touching her budding breasts quickly before he picked up her blouse. He was still touching her as he did up the buttons and then he started to tuck the bottom of the blouse into her trousers, although he was putting it inside her knickers. "You've got very soft skin, I suppose you like touching yourself when you're in bed," he whispered into her ear. "N...No I don't, mummy told me it was dirty," she said. "But mummy won't know, and you're not going to tell her about this are you? Because you know what will happen to you if you do." He was still whispering but there was a menace in his voice. "I won't tell anyone!" she swore and knew that she would keep her word; she didn't want to go to prison. "Good. Now run home and remember come back in a couple of days, and then we'll have more fun," the man told her while smacking her lightly on her behind. Kathy ran out of the building and out of the park, she couldn't wait to get home and have a shower, to wash that man out of her skin. But she also promised that she wouldn't return to the park again. . . - - Cathy's voice brought the girl back from her dazed memories, "Kathy do you want to rest for a moment?" but Kathy shook her head. "No I have to continue if I don't then I'll get scared again and won't be able to even look at myself - I know it." Jessica spoke up. "But Kathy we're asking you to relax for just a little while, remain in your state but away from your pain." Kathy considered this, `_*I can do that, it's nice here*_' "OK. I'm ready to relax. How do I do that?" There were a few mumbled words before Cathy spoke up. "Alright Kathy I want you to imagine a nice comfortable room, there's a fire burning away in the fireplace and a big fluffy armchair in front of it, I want you to sit in that armchair and just close your eyes until I call you back." Kathy was surprise to find herself in that room and the chair looked so inviting that she just had to sit in that chair. She ran into the armchair and snuggled down in front of the fire. Jessica switched off the recorder and then looked at Cathy, "You're very good at that. How long have you been doing it?" Cathy's eyes were shining a brilliant blue that seemed to come from inside the girl. "I've only just started - but she needs expert attention which is why you are here. I'm only guiding her, directing her attention and protecting her." "Protecting her? From what?" Jessica was interested in the young girl's answer "From herself." Cathy looked into Jessica's eyes. "Her inner daemons would consume her; I'm just keeping them at bay. She has more to tell us, but she does need to regain her strength." The blue of Cathy's eyes seemed to fade to normal. "Do you want something to drink? I could do with a Coke." Jessica could have done with something stronger but she would make do with whatever the children had available. Sally was already in the side room with an assortment of drinks including sherry for Jessica which she took with pleasure. Cathy looked at Jessica, "So what do you think so far?" "It's a classical story. Making the victim think it's her fault! She wanted to avoid getting into trouble with the police and so he makes her do what he wants." I wish I knew how many other girls he's been doing this to, they're going to need help as well." Jessica was quite worried about the others, Cathy could tell, in a way that was comforting. "Can we help Kathy?" This time it was a younger Cathy asking the question, not the self assured person. "Now she's talking I think there's a very good chance that she can be helped." Jessica was certain about that Cathy realised. "What do we need to do now?" Cathy asked. Jessica thought for a moment; normally this would be spread out over several sessions, not in one extended period. The patient would be given time to consider what had been revealed and to see how she had been forced to do things. "We need to talk to Kathy and get her to realise that what has happened is not her fault, get her to appreciate that this man was playing with her to get her to agree to do whatever he wanted." Jessica said. "Shouldn't we get her to tell us what happened later?" Jessica shook her head, "No. We should build up her confidence first, when she can step back from that first incident then we should move onto the next one." This was straight out of the text book for Jessica. Cathy nodded, "Okay then, let's go back in and talk to Kathy." She picked up a glass of water and carried it in with her. Kathy was sitting in the seat by the computer screen, but her eyes were closed. Cathy put the glass down on the desk top and then sat down facing Kathy. Jessica sat to one side, her hand on the record button of the tape recorder. In her dream world Kathy was watching the flames flicker in the fireplace, it was warm and comforting here, and then she heard her friend calling to her. "Kathy, do you want to continue?" She moved herself from the comfort of her armchair and was back in the common room, Cathy and Jessica were both watching her and she saw a glass of water near her, she was thirsty and wanted something to drink. "Hi Cathy, is that drink for me?" she asked. When Cathy told her it was she took the glass and drank it down. "Thanks; what do you want me to do now?" Jessica spoke up "First we have to talk about that first time, how do you feel about it?" Kathy's face was troubled. "I feel dirty and unclean, I didn't do anything wrong but he was going to report me anyway! I hate him and all men like him." Cathy then said, "What about Jameson?" Kathy looked down before answering, "I feel so ashamed about that, he is a good person - somehow I can feel that. But when I looked at him all I could see was Jason. I don't know why. Jameson is nothing like Jason, I suppose it was his name." She looked up at Cathy, "But I don't feel like that now. Ever since he came to my rescue I have seen what he's like." Cathy smiled at her friend, "Good, because I wouldn't want you to be frightened of my friends." Kathy shook her head, "Not like Jason's friends." Jessica looked worried, "Why what have they done to you?" Kathy shook her head, "Nothing yet! It's what I've been told by Rachael and Alison. Jason caught them some months ago! I've never seen them." Jessica was writing the names down on a notepad, "What are their surnames, we need to help them!" But Cathy stopped her. "Kathy, this is bigger than you know, we're going to have to stop this man. He's been lying to you to make you do what he wants." Kathy looked at her. "What do you mean lying? You mean he couldn't get me arrested?" Jessica shook her head, "No Kathy, in fact what he is doing is even worse. He should go to jail. But he's been making you think that it's your fault." Kathy considered this, she thought back to that day. In her new state of mind she could remember everything clearly. The ground wasn't protected from the birds, no netting was down. There was no sign of grass seed. The soil was compacted. She looked up at Cathy. "But he told me. . ." her voice changed "LISTEN GIRL YOU AGREED TO THIS YOU KNOW YOU DID, SO DON'T COME BLEATING TO ME IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT! YOU ASKED FOR THIS. IT'S ALL YOUR DOING!" Jessica sighed, for the subject - No she corrected herself - the victim to be able to reproduce the voice of her molester was frightening, but it was even worse to know that it was exactly the way that this girl had been spoken to. "No Kathy, You didn't ask for any such thing. He made you think you had. He worked on your fears to make you do whatever he wanted to do. And you're not the only one he's done this with. Please, we need to know what he's doing so that we can stop him. But you're going to have to be strong to do this." Jessica wanted to hold Kathy to protect her. "And then it will be over?" Kathy asked. "Yes!" was the reply from Cathy. "We'll get him and everyone who's been in with him." "Good." Kathy said. Jessica turned to Cathy, "I don't think I can make a promise like that, she'll have to be interviewed by the police, and then there's the court to consider. I don't think she or any of the girls involved would be able to give evidence." Cathy shook her head, "He's got all the evidence that the police need in that building. All we have to do is to go in there and grab it." At Jessica's look her zeal abated, "Isn't it?" "No, it has to be done legally, he could claim that the pictures are fakes, made up to make him look bad, he would have to be found in the process of taking pictures to get a conviction, and then perhaps we might get lucky." "So we'll have to resort to the original plan then." Cathy said cryptically but wouldn't say anything more to Jessica about it. "Kathy, we need to know more about what was done to you, so that we could have an idea about the type of person we're dealing with. But remember if you feel that you can't continue just tell me and I'll stop you. Alright." Cathy spoke gently to her friend. "If you want me to Cathy, but please hold my hand." She reached out and Cathy took the proffered hand and held it in hers. "I wasn't going to go near the park again, but a couple of days later mum told me there was a phone call for me. . ." ---------------------------------------------------------- To be continued. (Sorry!) WL.