The gate was hidden by a wild riot of colour. The orange blossomed creeper had abundantly claimed the wooden entrance for its home. Curious eyes peered through, trying to catch a glimpse of the hidden treasure that was behind the barrier. Curious golden eyes that belonged to a scruffy, long haired young woman. The man, who had limped past her every day for the past fortnight, had captured her attention, and her imagination. This was the gate where he disappeared into. The cause of the limp had sparked her imagination and he had been in every situation known to man. From saving the world Chuck Norris style, to being enfolded by burning hot metal from a car wreck. He was always dressed in a beige trench coat and had a permanent frown that framed his dark aviation sunshades. She admired the way his shoulder length dark curls hugged his collar. Her fingers itched to sink into that silk every time she saw him. The sun was still warm, causing her to flick at a droplet of perspiration that aimlessly wandered down her neck from beneath the tangled tresses of her hair. She moved branches and thick green leaves softly aside, trying not to make a noise as she searched for a gap in the wooden slates and foliage. Ahh, there was the garden hidden inside the walls. A movement caught her attention. Golden skin fired her blood as she saw the man whom she sought. He was digging. The smell of freshly turned earth flared her nostrils in appreciation as she watched the muscles rippling with energy of the fascinating man. His long hair was tied up at the nape, allowing her to trace his profile fully with her gaze. Her eyes traced over his nearly naked torso, especially his broad strong back. There was no denying that this man before her was very powerful. A sudden pause in his movements had her sucking her breath in. He turned in her direction and tilted his head in a listening gesture. She turned and fled. ***************************** She was huddled in a tight ball the next time he walked past her, leaving the alley which was his home. He paid her no mind but a brief almost hidden glance that left her feeling insecure. The urge to follow him was compelling but she resisted. Another need was tugging her towards the alley. She scampered towards the overgrown gate, her glances behind her shot with nerve wracking jitters. She needed to see the garden, she had to find a way over the wall or through the gate. Her long dirty limbs moved fast and brought her to the gate with minimum fuss. She searched through the foliage for a latch to open the entrance. Yes! There it was. She tugged at the well oiled deadbolt only to find a padlock holding it fast. She grinned to her herself. This was only a minor setback to what she was used to. Another foray through the leaves found a perfect foothold that she could use to hoist herself over the six foot gate. She did so with the ease of nineteen years experience. Her first effort had been when she was only four. She shook her head in rueful remembrance of the failure. As she perched on the top of the gate she cast a quick glance down the alley, confirming that she was alone, then dropped like a cat to the inner sanctum of the secret garden. Rich soil invaded her senses. She breathed deep with enjoyment for a moment, then moved to the door leading into the house. She tugged at the handle, dismayed that it was locked as well. Who in their right mind kept everything locked up so tight? She reached into her tatty jacket pocket and retrieved a pair of thin metal pins from within. She chuckled with soft mirth at how easily the lock clicked in release. Easing the door open a notch, she looked back at the gate. No one yet. If the man stayed true to his current schedule, it would be about two hours before he returned. The door creaked in protest at her unauthorized entry. She growled in response and looked at the interior of the room before her. It was bare. Frowning, she moved forwards down the white passage, feet softly whispering on the slate floors. Three doors opened from the passageway. She went through the first. A chair and a large brown desk with just a telephone on stood against the rear wall. The rest of the room was empty. Moving to the chair she searched in the drawers on the right hand side. Just paper with funny figures was stacked inside. Opening the next, she didn't hear the footsteps entering in the room. She felt them. Her sixth sense, developed from living on the street, prickled in warning of impending danger and she slammed the draw shut and sprinted to the window. Hard hands grabbed her from behind and threw her to the floor as her left arm was wrenched upwards across her back. She cried out in pain. A firm pressure against her neck sent her spinning into darkness. ************************ She awoke to a throbbing headache, a soft cloth pulled tightly across her eyes. She tried to move the blindfold by rubbing her cheek against her shoulder, to no avail. The ropes that bound her arms behind her back were not hurting, but were firm in their task of holding her captive in the chair. She realised the pickle she had landed herself in - again. ****************** He had seen her watching him, suspected her and had come back to check on the place. He waited, sitting on the floor in the corner of the empty bedroom noting her every move. Why was she here? He grimaced with distaste at what she might have seen in the desk. He had not been that careless before. "What were you looking for?" He asked, voice gruff and soft. The sudden sound had her spinning in his direction.. Licking her lips in a nervous gesture she took a breath to answer him. "Don't lie." His words sliced into her thoughts before she could voice anything. "I don't lie! WHO ARE YOU?" Her frown matched her indignant tone. Hmmm, feisty. Tied up and still spitting fire. His mouth displayed an unseen crooked smile. He waited. And waited. "Are you still there?" Her timid voice softly queried after moments of silence as her head tilted litening for a recognisable sound. "Hey!" She shouted. "Keep it down." He growled. "I didn't see anything. I'm just hungry." She pouted, her tone sullen yet pleading at the same time. He closed his eyes and took a deep sigh that seemed exra loud in the hollow room. He had no option but to expect the worst. Rising off the slate floor, he watched her head tilt in his direction, listening for every movement. Her tangled hair made his fingers itch to brush it straight. She still looked beautiful to him. "You have two choices here." He whispered in her ear from behind. Her head whipped round and slightly backwards, rapping against his cheek before he could move. She hadn't even heard him move across the room but she was determined not to show her fear. He grinned as he moved slightly away. She sure was going to be a challenge! "Alright, now you only have one option left." His lethal fingers pressed down on the sensitive spot in her neck and she slumped over, ropes holding fast. Her will to fight against the situation proved she could be a worthy addition to the Island. He leaned forward, closer and her personal fragrance filled his senses as he breathed in deep. A surge of lust hit him low and his grin turned into a grimace. He couldn't afford to get personal with those on the Island. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a burner phone and dialed the only saved number in it. "I need transport for one from the office." Not waiting for a reply from the contact on the other end, he ended the call and breathed in deep again, enjoying the discomfit of his arousal. It had been a long time since a woman had made an impact on him this way. Things were going to get interesting! =============================== Hi all. Reading through my old stories I found this five part short in my gallery. A rewrite was definitely in order as I am happy to share head-space with my old friends again. I hope you join me again!