Page 24 of Ash Storm

“There, too,” she said, pointing to Reka’s mound. Reka felt the color spread up her face. Aileen, Chloe, and she had treated themselves to a Brazilian waxing job just before the holidays, but Reka now wished she had the protection of the hair she’d removed.

Reka pulled some of the oil between her legs.

Suddenly, the woman pushed her finger inside Reka.

Reka cried out in pain and fear.

Moments later, the finger was removed.

The woman shook her head, then moved on to Chloe. Then to the next woman. Most of the time, she shook her head. Twice, however, she nodded, her lips stretching in a toothless grin.

And Reka finally understood what the old woman was doing.

She’s looking for virgins.

Finally, the women pulled white, gauzy dresses out of the suitcases they’d dragged in. Reka took the one handed to her. It looked like a wrap-around dress. She put it on, grateful at first to have anything to cover herself with. It was a few instants before she realized her mistake. The dress was made of a nearly translucent material, totally see-through around her breasts, with a slit on one side that opened up nearly to her waist the instant she moved.

It was worse than being naked.

It also left no doubt what their purpose here was.

The two women who’d been singled out as virgins were given a thick white armband to wear. All were left barefoot.

The women then collected all the leftover clothes at their feet, quickly stuffing everything into the now empty suitcases before turning around and leaving. It struck Reka that not once had they looked any of the captives in the eyes.

Tears rolled down Reka’s cheeks as her clothes disappeared. And though she knew the clothes didn’t matter, she felt like the women were taking away something important, something she’d never get back.

Feeling her strength ebb once more, she started to pray.