This short story is an entry in the 2002 Soc.Sexuality.Spanking Summer Short Story Contest and is copyright by the author and commercial use is prohibited without permission. Personal/private copies are permitted only if complete including the copyright notice. The author would appreciate your comments
Category: Spooky
The Judas Steer
By
Tasha <halfhisage@earthlink.net>
Judas-steer: One used at slaughterhouses and so trained that he leads other cattle to slaughter. He is then returned to lead others.
The sickly yellow light, like jaundiced sunbeams, crept in where it could. There was the sound of timid footsteps down the long corridor. Oppressive silence and then the sharp smack of the tawse.
Sara couldn't help feeling empowered. She was the only one who traveled this twisted hallway again and again without suffering at its end. More unhurried feet as one by one, they obeyed his summons.
"Fairfax, Jessie."
Sara knew Jessie's punishment would be severe. She had done the same thing herself, years ago. She walked at Jessie's side, leading her to the dreaded room from which girls never emerged without tears.
Jessie was frightened and she hung back.
"You'll be okay," Sara whispered.
But Jessie didn't seem to hear.
At the end of the corridor, Jessie looked back as though confused as to why she'd wound up here. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as though chilled.
Jessie approached Mr Blake with hesitation, her head bowed as if in prayer.
"I'm sorry, sir, for disobeying the rule about going down to the river. Please punish me."
He smacked the tawse against his hand and she jumped. "You made it back safely, but you could have just as easily been swept away by the current."
"I know, sir. It was reckless and irresponsible of me."
"Coaxing the younger girls in your adventure is the most serious violation of the rules I've yet seen, young lady. Right. Skirt up. Panties down. Over the desk."
The girl obeyed, shuddering in anticipation. Sara winced as the tawse rose and fell, longing to hold the poor girl's hands, comfort her.
"You could have drowned. You could have let one of the younger girls drown. This is a lesson I want you to remember for a very long time."
His arm seemed tireless. "I do this because I care about you. I care about all my girls. But disobedience will not go unpunished, and disobedience this serious deserves equally serious punishment. You could have been killed."
"I'm sorry, sir," Jessie whimpered.
"Remember what happened to Sara Devlin. She ignored the warnings too. I won't let that happen again. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Sara blinked in confusion. What was he talking about? She was fine. The undertow had grabbed her for a moment, but she easily made it back to shore.
Unless. she walked between Jessie and Mr Blake, just as he was delivering the final stroke. She felt nothing. Nor did they see her.
When Jessie was reduced to quivering, plaintive weeping, Mr Blake allowed her up. She clung to him, sobbing, grateful and comforted.
Sara left without having to use the door. She went back the way she had come.
"Woodall, Anita."
Sara understood at last the chill they all seemed to feel in the hallway. She sat down on the floor and cried. But no one heard her.
The End
© Copyright Summer, 2002
Reviews
Abrat4you <abrat4you(at)aol(dot)com>
Wow...I love this one...the ending was wonderful...and I didn't even see it coming...I like that part best...well written...and easy to follow...great story!!!
Frank <sswitcher(at)yahoo(dot)com>
That's the trouble with ghosts - they have such a hard time letting go. You'd think little things like not having anyone hear or see her would have clued Sara in as to her status much sooner! Will her spirit now find rest, I wonder, or will she continue leading girls along that scary corridor to face their punishment.
Needy Wench <needywench(at)hotmail(dot)com>
Another excellent effort by Tasha! Not only did the girls at the school have chills walking down that hallway, I felt those chills myself! Such marvelous characterization and emotion packed into such a small space. Well done!
RCG <rcg1574(at)yahoo(dot)com>
Erotic then chilling. This story is well thought out and carefully composed. I might have been tempted to make Mr.Blake's reference more obscure - say 'Ms.Devlin' only - and let Sara's reaction be the surprise instead. All the same, well done.