This story is not yet finished, and thus subject to change.
--

Lucretia - darkness is beautiful
by brutus

Lazy Sunday. Or rather, lazy, hung-over Sunday. Nothing quite like it, 
eh? The sneaking headache, the apparent holes in the memory, the 
paranoia. It's a one of a kind experience, and I really don't enjoy it 
much. Guess nobody does. I do, however, enjoy the lazy sundays, even 
with the solid hangover to top it off. This particular sunday I spent 
in the garden. I was proud of my garden, and took pride in keeping it 
in top condition. Nothing would calm me as much as a few hours among 
roses and sunflowers. I kept a small hedge in the front, separating 
the garden from neighbours and the street, even though it was too low 
to ensure any kind of privacy. The backyard was a different story, 
however, with a tall and thick hedge ensuring privacy from all sides. 
It was so tall, that you had to be on the roof or in the normally 
abandoned lofts of the nearest neighbours to get a peak. It was 
wonderful to just lie there in the sun, oblivious to the rest of the 
world. 

The hangover was nearly gone, and I had dared to move to frontyard, 
mostly because the sun was gone in the back. Lazily I waited for the 
day to pass. Starting to feel good and quite satisfied with not having 
anything to do this day. 

It was at this moment that my new neighbours moved in. The furniture 
had arrived a few days earlier, but apart from the furniture removers, 
no one had appeared. Not until this moment, that is. 

I had to approve of the way they'd handled it. Nothing is more boring 
than moving; take it from me. I have done that quite a lot. So why not 
put it away? Let some firm handle the boring details instead, and use 
your energy on unpacking - that's the fun part of it anyway! 

Feeling better than I had all day, I dared approach my new neighbours 
as they unloaded the car with all the leftover stuff. I was a bit 
disappointed at first, seeing that they were quite a bit older than 
me, somewhere in their fifties. Then again, I wasn't very surprised. 
After all, I am the one who stands out in the neighbourhood, being a 
single 30 year old guy. It's a wealthy neighbourhood, somewhere in the 
upper mid-class; all houses, no appartments. Thus, most houses are 
occupied by retired couples and well-off families, usually with no 
more than one or two kids. 

My disappointment wore off quickly as I approached them. Their smiles 
were contagious and the energy radiating from them was filled me with 
an exhilarating feeling. Before we shook hands I knew I would like 
this couple. I've never been able to explain it, but sometimes such 
feelings just hit me. It's like I know exactly how a person is, even 
before meeting them. I'm rarely mistaken when that feeling hits me. I 
would enjoy the company of my new neighbours. I was sure of it.

The man, George, had a firm handshake, and up close his smile was even 
warmer. He had probably never lost a hair in his life, at least it 
looked like it was all in place, but whatever the original colour had 
been, nothing was left of it now. His head was full of silvery curls. 
He looked a bit tired, and I knew without asking that they had 
travelled far.

His wife, Evelyn, had a softer, femine handshake, but firm enough not 
to make me feel bad. I don't know why, maybe it's my up-bringing, but 
a really weak handshake makes a bad impression, whereas a firm 
handshake rarely makes any impression. Everything about Evelyn was 
soft. Her face gave an immediate impression of goodness. Her body was 
plump and round, and just made me want to hug this woman very hard. 
She wore a plain, white summer dress and a simple golden cross hung 
around her neck. Not being religous myself, I have no problems with 
whatever other people believe, as long as they don't push it on me. 
Something told me she would not do that. 

Their daughter showed up just as I was about to offer my help, 
stopping me mid-sentence. The events that happened next would change 
my life completely. They're still kind of blurry, but I'll try to give 
as good account of them as possible, since everything in this story is 
a consequence of the strange and confusing conversation between me and 
the young girl. 

She was a small girl, only about 5'5", but with fully developed 
womanly curves, accentuated by a simple black skirt and blouse. Her 
long hair was raven black, with an occasional light-brown streak. She 
was preoccupied with something the first few seconds as she came 
around the car, but froze the moment she noticed me. Cocking her head 
and breaking up in soft smile with her full lips, coloured dark mauve. 
I think it was at this point I noticed her dark, dark blue eyes. 
Mysterious eyes, accentuated by a set of unusually high cheekbones. 
There were something exotic about the girl. Mysterious and exotic. 

Totally stupified I managed a simple "Hello", or something like that. 
She didn't answer, just cocked her head further and looked at me with 
those fantastic eyes.

Her parents exchanged looks, but luckily they were only humoured by 
the situation. The moment seemed to last an eternity. It might have 
been anywhere between a second and a minute, but logic tells me it was 
probably closer to the former than the latter. It was her mother that 
broke the silence, suppressing a small laugh, introducing their 
daughter as Juliet. Adding, "you know, just as in the play by 
Shakespeare."

The power of speech returned to me, and I managed a small reply, 
cocking my head to match hers: "Hi Juliet. Your beautiful name suits 
you well."

The moment had passed, the magic spell broken. Shaking her head, she 
replied with a simple statement: "I prefer Lucrece." With that remark 
she turned around and started walking towards their new home.

Ignoring her mothers grimace, I probably managed the only answer that 
would intrigue her daughter. "At least you're faithful to 
Shakespearean characters with beautiful names and tragic destinies." 
Again she froze. I sensed surprise and a feeling of suspense in both 
the girl and her parents. As she turned around slowly, some strange 
energy forced my eyes towards her well-shaped body. The girls 
fascinating combination of youthful firmness and womanly maturity 
placed her in her late teens. Early twenties at most. Which of course 
meant that she was way too young and completely off limits for me. 
Destiny, however, seemed to think differently.

I had to concentrate not to stare at her well-shaped body. Instead I 
managed a direct stare into her eyes. Puzzled, she looked back at me. 
Once again cocking her head, and with her already familiar small, 
almost invisible, smile. "So you've  heard about Lucrece. Please tell 
me what you know."

I closed my eyes, thinking hard. Then the quote came to me: 

'Lucrece,' quoth he, 'this night I must enjoy thee : 
and if thou deny, then force must work my way,
For in thy bed I purpose to destroy thee : 
That done, some worthless slave of thine I'll slay,
And in thy dead arms do I mean to place him,
swearing I slew him as I saw you embrace him

Ignoring the gasp of both her parents, I opened my eyes and looked 
straight into a set of adoring dark blue eyes. The girl was shivering. 
She swallowed hard before saying anything. Closing her eyes, she said: 
"So it is true. I really would meet you when I came here. I just 
didn't expect you so soon." She seemed unable to stop shivering and 
something in her stance made me a bit uncomfortable. I realised that 
she was dead serious. 

Finally, she opened her eyes, stared deeply into mine and shocked us 
all: "Look into your heart and you will know we are destined for each 
other. Nothing you or I or anybody else does can change that." With 
that last statement, she took a brief look at her shocked parents, but 
chose to ignore them. Swallowing hard, trembling visibly, she 
continued: "You must make a choice now. Will you be my Collatine or 
will you be my Tarquin. Please make the right choice. Please, answer 
yes. My sweet, please marry me."

"Juliet, stop this nonsense immediately, it's not funny anymore!" her 
mother said sternly, giving her daughter an unapproving look. 

Lucrece ignored her. "Well? Will you?"

I'm still not sure what made me continue a game that apparantly was no 
game. A shiver went down my spine as I her words sunk in. My head felt 
heavy. Groggy. But in my grogginess, I knew that we were part of some 
larger scheme. My choice was important, but I didn't know why. My 
choice would be an important part of the puzzle. A puzzle I had 
somehow always known that I was a part of. 

I took a deep breath, and shook my head as it cleared. No, I was not 
about to continue this game. It had gone too far, the girl would have 
to be corrected. As I was about to give her my answer, to say no, I'm 
sorry but this game must stop now, I heard myself saying yes. Of 
course I would marry her. 

I was so surprised I nearly didn't catch her next comment. "I'm not 
kidding, you know. It's for real. You know?" she looked at me with 
misty eyes. 

Dead serious I answered her, my own sight blurry, my eyes mirroring 
hers. "I know. I'm not kidding either. I'll marry you. For real."

"Good." she said, turned around without another word, and ran inside. 
Looking at the closed door, my heart ached for her already. 

Long moments passed. The air higly charged with strange emotions. 
George broke the silence: "I didn't quite expect this, I have to admit 
that much." Laughingly he added, "I have to apologise for my daughters 
behaviour, she can be quite a handful sometimes. I'm not sure that you 
handled this the way I would prefer, but I expect that you two will 
sort this out eventually. I think it best that we go separate ways 
now, and you will get an opportunity to sort this out later. Ok?"

My head was clearing, but again I surprised myself with my answer: "I 
really doubt I could have handled it differently, but of course, I 
apologise if you think I was out of hand. We'll sort it out, don't 
doubt that, though it might not turn out the way you think. Your 
daughter was as serious with her question as I was with my answer. 
Already I ache for her return. Already I await our next meeting with 
great anticipation." 

Without waiting for a reply, I turned around and walked back to my own 
house. The surprised gasps of the two parents gave me a strange 
satisfaction. I really didn't know why at the time, because logic told 
me I would never fall for Lucrece. I knew, however, that I had already 
fallen for her, no matter how illogical that was. I knew that somehow 
we were meant for each other. 

Well inside the house I sat down, shivering. A big lump in my throat. 
My heart beating like crazy. What the Hell was happening to me? Was I 
going crazy? Was this the start of madness? 

To calm down, I needed some music. Without thinking I picked up my 
latest acquisition, a record by the strange Canadian band "Godspeed! 
You black emperor". For some reason, I thought the more than 20-minute 
long studio version of "Hung Over" was appropriate for this strange 
day. After that old man's initial speach about the beach at Coney 
Island, I was engulfed in the slow and achingly beautiful melody. 
Heartbeat slowed down to normal. Eyes closed, the world outside my 
musical sphere ceased to exist. There was nothing to worry about. I 
would sort this out. Of course I wasn't mad, I'd just been temporarily 
smitten by a beautiful girl. Hey, this sort of thing happens all the 
time, right? Sure it does.

Slowly, the music increased in intensity. Building up. Speeding up. 
Adding new instruments. I remembered the look in her eyes. Her magical 
look. Her strangely deep blue eyes. I'd never seen that colour before, 
not that particular shade. As Godspeed increased the intensity another 
step, I realised that I was trying to fool myself. I had been more 
than merely smitten. I had been another person. Or perhaps more 
precisely, some unconscious  part of me had temporarily taken control. 
Cause I had been totally unable to stop myself. Nevertheless, it had 
been me.

The mid-part crescendo was over, the music calmed down. I realised 
that my heartbeat had increased with the music, simply because it 
slowed down now. Trying to put the experience out of my mind, I 
concentrated about the music. Knowing it would increase in intensity 
once more, I tried to breath slowly. Calmly. It would be all right. 
Somehow, I knew it would be all right. 

With the massive ending crescendo of sound pouring into me, I relaxed 
completely. Once again in total balance. It would be all right.

                             ---ooOoo---

Friday. Already five days without seeing more than small glimpses of 
my new neighbours. Not even a glimpse of Lucrece though. I had thought 
a million times about just walking over and pay them a visit. Every 
time, I'd been stopped by an intuition telling me it would lead to 
disaster. It was imperative to meet Lucrece alone, without her 
parents. I knew the meeting was near. I could feel it. 

With a relaxing weekend ahead of me, I turned off the lights all over 
the house, lighting candles in the hall and living room. Candles have 
a soothing effect on me. Something about the live flickering flame 
just makes me relax. And this weekend I had turned down all 
invitations, which actually was kinda rare. A couple of friends did 
ask what was happening, or rather: who I was meeting. When I answered 
"my future wife", they actually laughed and bought my story about 
being too tired and simply needed a relaxing weekend by myself. 
Sometimes the lie is easier to believe than the truth. 

I still don't know why I had put on an old Sisters of Mercy record, 
but somehow dark synth music from the eighties seemed appropriate. It 
was turned real low, though. This night the music would not be at the 
centre of events. That would come later. 

Only seconds before the soft knock on the door I lit the candle below 
the masterpiece hanging in my living room, knowing it would make an 
impression. She would know it by sight. Just as she would immediately 
know it was the original. Less would disappoint me.

I didn't bother answering the door. Instead I sat down in my favourite 
chair, awaiting her arrival. The front door softly opened and closed, 
straining my ears I could hear her arrival just above the music, and 
looked at the door leading into the hallway with great anticipation. 

She was an angel. A fallen angel. Dressed in all black, her face 
painted white, with blood-red lips. Framed by her raven-black hair. 
Her smile soft, though. Soft and a nervous. She stopped in the doorway 
and just stood there, staring at me. Her hands folded, covered by long 
black gloves. She was so beautiful, my heart almost stopped beating. 

Somehow I had known exactly what to wear, though I had never before 
done so. Unable to speak, I stood up, knowing she had already noticed 
me wearing a long black skirt. It had a long split, all the way up to 
my hip. Underneath I wore black jeans. The black sweater really was 
too much in this warm weather, but I had felt this strange urge to 
dress up completely for my Lucrece. I had even coloured my hair pitch 
black. No make-up though. I never could bring myself to paint myself. 
I was already stretching beyond any previous limits with the hair and 
skirt. 

"I think I'm gonna faint", she whispered. I answered by shaking my 
head. She wasn't gonna faint. She was about to have the most wonderful 
night of her young life. Or rather -we- were about to spend the most 
wonderful night of -our- lives.

"You are so incredibly beautiful", she continued, still whispering. 

This time I answered her, hoping my voice would hold. "So are you, my 
sweet Lucrece." I swear, my voice had never been this melodious 
before. It had never before carried such a distinct tone, located 
somewhere between a deep bass and my normal baritone voice. 

As we softly embraced she stiffened, emitting a soft gasp. "Dali", she 
whispered. "I don't believe it." She hadn't even hesitated. Satisfied, 
I softly kissed her neck. "Lucrece", I said with my new melodious 
voice, "I believe we are perfect for each other."

"So do I", she whispered back. "So do I."

And then we kissed. Her body pressed against mine as our mouths 
touched. Softly at first, feeling each other. We were both shivering 
as the kiss deepened. Her tounge snaking its way inside my mouth. I 
responded to her lead, kissing her back, putting as much as possible 
into the kiss. Her warm body pressing towards mine made me hard. 
Feeling my hardness only made her press harder towards me. Kissing me 
even deeper. Her hands stroking my back. 

My hands started living their own lives. The right kept a firm grip 
around her waist, keeping her close. The left found its way towards 
her breasts, softly stroking what I believed to be perfect breasts. 
The breasts of my Lucrece. Her nipples hardened to my touch. Her 
breathing quickened even further. 

Knowing she was at least as horny as I was, I lead her towards the 
bedroom. She stopped in the doorway. "I can't." she whispered, almost 
crying. "It's too soon. We can't have intercourse before our wedding, 
and deep down you know it." And then she added, almost inaudibly, "I'm 
still a virgin."

For a brief moment I considered actually performing the act of Sextus 
Tarquinius from Shakespeares poem, raping Lucrece, thinking that this 
was a part of it all. But in some strange way, her words made sense. 
This was not simply a replay of that old poem. It was something far 
more complex than that. The intercourse would complete the wedding. 
That act would serve to validate it all. 

Suddenly I had a disturbing vision; midnight, full moon, a cold and 
empty stone church, candle-lights flickering in the draft in that old 
church, Lucrece and me, completing our marriage on the altar in front 
of the priest. 

Shivering, I considered my options. Perhaps it would be better after 
all, to fulfil her destiny as Shakespeare intended. I honestly didn't 
know. I would have to go by intuition alone on this. 

With no warning, I slapped her across the mouth with the back of my 
hand. Shocked, she took several steps back and bumped into the bed. 
With big eyes, she took a long look at the bed. I don't know what made 
her resign to her fate, the beautiful deep-red velvet covering, or 
perhaps more probably, the solid iron posts and railing. Straightening 
her back, she gave me a defiant look. A small trickle of blood running 
from the side of her mouth. "We will not... -can- not have intercourse 
before our wedding."

"Whatever makes you think that decision is up to you, and you alone, 
my sweet Lucrece." My voice suddenly carrying a hard, mean tone that 
had previously gone unnoticed. It was apparent, however, that she did 
notice it now. 

Her back was straight, but the rest of her shivering body gave her 
away. The girl was afraid. Could this be wrong, after all? Had she 
started something she would have to regret the rest of her life? She 
started talking, but her voice broke. With tears suddenly running down 
her face, she looked very much afraid indeed. A small frightened kid. 
I was, however, not going to stop now. Certain that this would enhance 
her experience beyond whatever she had anticipated, I picked up the 
rope that was already placed on the night table. 

She didn't resist as I tied her to the bed. Simply laid down, resigned 
to her fate. Giving herself to my, a total stranger's, care. She was 
still fully dressed. I was rough, perhaps too rough. Tied her up in an 
X, with hands and legs tied to each bed-post. I could see the strain 
on her, as the rope was digging into her flesh. Her chest rising in 
tune with her heavy, almost frantic breath. Looking at me with those 
large, beautiful eyes. Tears slowly running down her face. Whispering 
softly to me, words I had trouble distinguishing, but knew in my 
heart. "Please don't do this. This is not the way it's meant to be." 
Then looking at my hard, expressionless face, she closed her eyes and 
let out a big breath. In total resignation, she said: "Please be 
gentle."

She was still breathing heavily, but seemingly more in control of 
herself. Not knowing for sure what was going to happen, but crazy with 
anticipation. The girl was helpless as I sat down next to her. A light 
touch with my fingers. Slowly, I traced the outline of her body, 
applying only enough pressure to ensure she actually did feel it 
through the fabric of her dress. 

Her eyes closed, but still whispering. That final resignation, over 
and over again. "Please be gentle. Be gentle. Oh, please be gentle." 

For some reason it seemed right, I don't know why, but I leaned over, 
my face close to hers, and blew softly all over her face. Her tears 
were drying. She calmed down. A slow, deep and heavy breath now. I 
knew she was as excited as I am. I knew she both wanted and didn't 
want me to take her right now. Force must work my way.

Her smell was like nothing I've ever experienced. A dark mysterious 
musk, not at all like the sweet smell I expected. In all, not much 
about this girl was as expected. I was excited as I've never been. 
Wanting her. Every limb of me yearning for her. To be close, to touch 
her skin. To penetrate and enter her. 

Slowly I started unbuttoning the top of her dress. I didn't want to 
ruin the dress, but luckily the buttons went far enough, enabling me 
to expose her young, budding breasts. Shivering, I cupped her breasts, 
one fitting perfectly in each hand. Her flesh soft and warm. How could 
I possibly control myself? How could I possibly not take this girl. 
Lying there in my bed, helplessly tied down. 

As I softly rubbed her nipples, she started breathing in short gasps. 
Leaning over her breasts, the tip of my tounge touched her left breast 
as I kept stroking her right. The nipple suddenly in my mouth, my 
tounge swirling all over it. Gasping for breath, her body writhing. 
Pushing her pelvis up towards me. Straining against the ropes. Her 
whispering pleas consisting of one word only; "Please.... please... 
please.... oh please."

My hand snaked in under her dress. Cupping her pussy outside the 
panties. Gently locating her clit with my thumb, I started rubbing 
sofly, enjoying the sound of her gasps. Her short breath. Rubbing 
harder, I leaned over and felt her breath into my mouth. Her breath 
had the same musky taste and smell as I'd noticed before. With her 
eyes still closed, she nevertheless knew I was near. Feeling my breath 
in her mouth proved too much, and she closed the gap. Kissing me 
wildly, she started moaning into my mouth. 

It was so sexy, the way she came. Shivering, pushing her body against 
mine and her pelvis up against my hand as far as the ropes allowed, 
moaning deeply into my mouth as we kissed. 

As her orgasm resided, I knew I could go on and it would bring her to 
new heights. It was, however, impossible to ignore my own body. My own 
needs. Slowly I rose from the bed and started undressing. Lucrece 
still unable to move. Still breathing heavily. Opening her eyes, she 
froze as she saw me and started following my every move in silence. 

When I was naked before her, with my entire body yearning for her, I 
knew it would not happen today. She would get her will. She would 
remain a virgin until we were married, which now was our inescapable 
future. 

As I released her from her bonds, I silently groaned at the sight of 
her bruised wrists. I did not say anything, however, because it was as 
it was supposed to be. No more, no less. With anticipation of what was 
to come, I enjoyed the display of Lucrece undressing and joining me in 
bed. Then, the moment I had been waiting for. Our two naked bodies 
close. And in the end, what made this night so special, was the fact 
that we did not have intercourse after all.

                             ---ooOoo---

To be continued....

--
Copyright 2003 by brutus. Copies may be made and posted 
elsewhere, but all commercial rights are reserved.