by Jon Athan
“You've got to be kidding me... I did what you asked and you want more? What the hell, Aiden? This isn't fair. You can't do this to me, you can't change the rules...”
“No, you can't change the rules. I said you had to eat all of it. I wanted you to enjoy your tea and crumpets. You can't tell me what I said or what I meant. Don't cry over spilt tea, Shawn, just finish your damn meal.”
Shawn frowned as tears streamed down his crimson cheeks. He protruded his tongue, then licked the dining table. He glided his tongue across the rivers of butter and the gravelly crumbs from the ceramic mug, like rubbing his tongue on bits of broken glass. His tongue was a brush, painting the table with blood. As he finished, Shawn leaned back in his seat. His bottom lip trembled and his tongue quivered. Aiden gazed at Shawn as he returned to his throne.
Aiden said, “Okay, now you're finished. You did a good job. I'm proud of you. For a second, I thought you'd fail. I thought it was game over. Of course, you were always a surprise. You used to fight guys twice your size. They'd beat the shit out of you for most of the fight, but you always found a way to turn it around. You always adapted to the circumstances. I saw that again today. I saw that old Shawn from high school.”
Shawn responded, “Please, tell me that was the last physical challenge. I think I'll die if there's another. Please, I can't...”
Aiden waved his hands and interrupted, “That was the last physical challenge, Shawn. We're moving on to the humiliation rounds. There might be a little bit of pain, but nothing severe like this. In fact, some people don't even consider it painful, but we'll get to that later. The good news: there are only two challenges left, then you're free from me and your past. The bad news: these challenges are very harsh and embarrassing.”
“What do I have to do?”
Aiden smirked and responded, “Well, we're taking it back to our junior year. One of the most embarrassing years of my pathetic life. We're going to need some wire or rope, a black marker, and a red ball gag. Fortunately, I brought the gag with me. Are you ready for the fourth challenge?”
Chapter Eight
The Fourth Challenge – The Walk of Shame
Droplets of blood dribbled from Shawn's bottom lip, plopping on the hardwood table with each plunge. Like a punished child, his eyes were swollen with tears and his jaw trembled uncontrollably. His body shuddered from the immense pain – he could not sit still if he tried. Aiden sat in silence, calm and indifferent. Like a common schoolyard bully, he was unperturbed by the pain he inflicted.
Aiden gave off an insouciant smirk and said, “My junior year was horrible. It was atrocious, really. I think it was around the time you bragged about losing your virginity, right? Yeah, I think it was our junior year. At least your year was good. You did good for yourself.”
Dejected and gloomy, Shawn demanded, “Get to the point.”
Aiden chuckled, then responded, “You're getting a little feisty. I don't like that. Control your temper. Anyway, our school held an annual event, a student tradition passed down for generations. Imagine that: bullying past down for years and years like some sort of knickknack. It paints a horrible portrait of humanity. It speaks volumes about our children, our parenting, and our school system. I'm talking about the walk of...”
“No,” Shawn immediately interrupted as he shook his head. “Please, Aiden, don't do this.”
Bug-eyed and filled with excitement, Aiden continued, “Yes. 'The Walk of Shame.' You strip a young man, like myself, down to his boxers, tie him up, gag his mouth, write some messages on his body, then force him to hop through the high school parking lot. That's entertainment to you little douchebags, isn't it? That's something you'd pass down to your kid, right? I bet little 'Shawn Junior' will have some fun with that.”
“No, I don't care about that. To be perfectly honest, I forgot about it until now. I never planned on passing it down to anyone. I wasn't even there when you were stripped, Aiden, you know that. You should be going after them on this one, not me. This is wrong.”
Aiden slammed his fist on the table and rebutted, “You nominated me, Shawn! You didn't strip me, but you told your punk friends about me. You told them I wouldn't fight back or rat them out. My name wasn't picked out of some hat, you picked me. You are the reason this happened to me, so you will be punished for it.”
Shawn nervously chuckled as tears trickled from his eyes. Aiden's words were honest and rational, but Shawn struggled to accept the responsibility. He despised his imprudent actions and Aiden's pragmatic approach. The man would not budge.
Shawn said, “I can't do this one, Aiden. It's not worth it. I'm... I'm 28 years old, man, if I get caught jumping through a high school parking lot in my underwear, I'll be locked up for years. I'll be marked as a sexual predator, too. And, if... if I blame you, the video will go live and my life is ruined. It's a lose-lose situation for me. I can't do it.”
Aiden clicked his tongue, then said, “Well, Shawn, I figured you'd notice the recurring theme by now. Maybe you took it too literal when I said these challenges would reflect your past bullying. I didn't mean they'd be exactly the same. To be blunt, I meant they'd be much worse, which would force you to reflect on your past bullying. You understand me?”
“Wha–What are you... What are you going to make me do this time? Huh? How can you make it worse?”
“It can always get worse, pal. We're going to strip you naked. No underwear, no socks, nothing. You'll be wearing a gag, though. A kinky gag. I picked it out myself. Anyway, I'm going to write on your body with a black marker, then tie you up...”
Shawn interrupted, “Naked? I can't do that. I told you, I'll get locked up...”
Aiden shut his eyes and sighed, bottling his irritation. He sniffled, then said, “I'm going to tie you up. Then, I'm dropping you off in front of the shopping mall right around closing hours. They should be closing around ten or eleven tonight, so there shouldn't be many people around, but just enough stragglers to embarrass you. You hop across the entrance, then hop back to the car. We drive home and the challenge ends. No severe pain, like I promised.”
Shawn gazed into Aiden's eyes, trying to pierce into his psyche and decipher the sincerity in his words. Aiden's eyes were somber, his mood was pensive. His body was motionless. He hardly took a breath – the wily man had mastered the poker face technique. Trust required frankness, but the truth was notably absent.
Shawn said, “You understand, if I get caught, one of us will spend time in prison, right? If I'm going to do this, I need you to promise something. If the plans are derailed, you're going to cancel the video, cancel the emails, and cancel this whole show, okay?”
Aiden leaned forward with his elbows on the table and his fingers on his round jaw. He said, “I understand. I wouldn't worry about it, though. I promise, you won't get caught. I won't get caught, either. As long as you follow my instructions, everything will go smoothly. I'll be there with you to make sure of that, so get rid of your worries.”
“Fine, let's get this over with.”
Aiden responded, “Very well. Should we prep you for this challenge at the mall or here at home?” Aiden stood from his seat and glanced around the kitchen. He continued, “I think we should do it here. There's more light and more space than a car. It'll be easier for both of us.”
Shawn sighed and scratched his eyebrow, slumping his head down towards his chest. He contemplated the conditions of the challenge as he tried to find the least humiliating path to completion. His mind was poisoned with pessimism, but his thoughts were clear. The more time he spent in public, the higher chance of mortification.
Shawn glanced up at Aiden and said, “We'll do it here. Honestly, I don't want to be seen with you in public any longer than I have to be. I don't want people to see you putting your hands on me or stripping me. I don't want any of that. We'll do it here.”
Aiden grinned and joked, “Well, I understand your anger. It must be so sad to face the consequences of your actions. What kind of world ar
e we living in today? Huh? I mean, being forced to face your past? Being forced to repent for your disgusting actions? It must be so horrible...” He chuckled, then said, “But, I digress. We can do it here, sure. Let me get the gag and a marker. You go ahead and drop those pants.”
***
The lucent moon illuminated the parking lot, dousing the area with its pearly glow. The parking lot lamps buzzed and flickered. The trunks of the street lamps were vandalized with graffiti by rowdy troublemakers. The luxury sedan jounced as it rolled over a parking bumper block. Aiden and Shawn swayed with the bouncing car.
Infuriated, Shawn said, “Watch where you're going.”
Aiden stopped the car, poorly parking the vehicle over the stone parking block. Aiden turned towards Shawn and smiled. He ran his eyes over Shawn's body, inspecting and praising his magnum opus like a sculptor with an inflated ego.
Shawn sat in the passenger seat, stripped down to his birthday suit. His muscles were lean and defined, his abs and chest were chiseled. Below his neck, his body was completely deprived of hair – forearms, chest, legs, genitals, and all.
Messages written in black marker were scrawled across his body. On his forehead, a message read: Faggot. The words written on his right arm read: Bitch. Nerd. Freak. On his left arm, the words read: Loser. Loner. Virgin. Crude images of male genitalia, feces, and other illegible scribbles were drawn on Shawn's chest and back.
Twisted rope was tightly tied around Shawn's arms, pinning his biceps to his ribs. With the same rope, his legs were tied at the thighs and shins. His wrists were also firmly tied together. The rope was pliable and durable. Despite his muscular build, Shawn would require more strength to snap the restraints.
Aiden said, “You remind me of... well, of me. I know you shave yourself on purpose, but I didn't have much body hair when I was younger, either. These messages are perfect, too. Exactly what was written on my body. Of course, you're a little more strapping than me, but... I guess everything can't be perfect, right?”
Shawn sniffled, fighting the tears building up in his eyes. He lifted his hands to his chest and pleaded, “Please, Aiden, let's stop this now. I... I learned my lesson. I mean, I got beat up, I stabbed myself, I... I even ate a cup for crying out loud! Please, let's end this already. I... I changed my mind. I can't do this. I won't do it.”
Aiden sighed as he turned towards the windshield. As gazed at the patrons scurrying in-and-out of the shopping mall, Aiden said, “You know, you really ruin my mood with all of your begging. It pisses me off. I was going to let a few things slide, but you just keep pushing me.” He pulled the red ball gag from his pocket and said, “I'm happy I brought this along. It should keep you from retreading the same lines over and over.”
Shawn leaned back and shouted, “Wait! Wait! Let's...”
The car bounced as the pair shuffled in their seats. Aiden leaned towards Shawn, wrapping the silicon strap around his head. He glowered as he shoved the ball into Shawn's mouth, then tightened the strap. Shawn's cries were immediately muffled by the vibrant red ball.
Aiden pinned Shawn's face to the passenger seat window and said, “Now, hold still. This will only hurt for a second. Some people actually find pleasure in this.” Shawn's eyes widened as Aiden retrieved the silver fib pen from his pocket. Aiden said, “You forgot about this, didn't you? You weren't there, but I'm sure you heard about your little friend sticking that pencil up my ass. Well, now it's your turn. Open up.”
Shawn's eyes widened as he hopelessly tried to squirm away from Aiden's powerful grip. He frantically shook his head and sobbed. His distorted bawling barely seeped from his gagged mouth. Aiden gritted his teeth, then jammed the sharp pen up Shawn's rectum. He pulled the pen out an inch, then plunged deeper with a second thrust.
Shawn immediately stopped his frenzied movements. His breath was pulled from his lungs with the ruthless penetration. A vein protruded down his brow and his jugulars bulged from his throat. His body trembled as the pain coursed through each of his limbs.
Aiden opened the passenger door and shouted, “Get out there, Shawn! Jump all the way across the entrance, then hop back! I'm watching you! Don't try to change anything, keep that pen clenched and don't fuck up!”
Shawn tumbled out of the vehicle. He staggered to his feet, hopping from side-to-side as he tried to find a suitable balance. He desperately panted, breathing heavily from his nose. His eyes glimmered from the tears as he gazed towards the swamped foyer of the shopping mall. The lingering patrons were barely departing from the closing mall.
There were four sets of sliding glass doors leading into the mall. There was a fountain fifteen meters from the entrance. Children and adolescents loitered around the fountain, splashing the pellucid waters and bantering amongst themselves. Shawn shuddered upon spotting the young kids and adults. Shawn glanced back at Aiden. Aiden eagerly nodded towards the foyer.
Reluctantly, Shawn hopped towards the mall with his hands by his crotch. Pain echoed through his body and blood dripped onto the floor with each hop. The moist ground plopped and squished with each bounce. The bottom of his feet were begrimed and sooty. Shawn bit down on the rubber ball, trying to clench his jaw like a man preparing for a punch in the face.
As he approached, a brunette woman wearing a blue sundress gasped and pointed towards Shawn. A dulcet orchestra of gasps, shrieks, and laughter erupted. Concerned parents yelled, teenagers guffawed, and children gasped with their puny hands covering their eyes.
In a muffled voice, Shawn said, “I... I'm sorry. I'm so... I'm so sorry.”
He bounced across the entrance at a snail's pace, struggling to keep his footing. He used the passing doors as milestones – only two left before the trip back. Tears streamed down his scarlet cheeks and gooey mucus dribbled from his nostrils. He couldn't help but hysterically sob.
Shawn glanced towards the fountain. To his utter dismay, he saw the teenagers recording him with their cellphones. His ignominious deed was captured for the world to see. He turned towards his getaway vehicle as he contemplated quitting the challenge. Aiden's arm dangled out of the window, his phone clenched in his hand.
Shawn shook his head and said, “Please, don't... Don't do this... Stop... Please, stop...”
Losing his focus and balance, Shawn tumbled to the floor. He grunted and groaned as his bare skin slid across the gravelly ground. The scrapes on his right arm and shoulder stung like salt being poured on a fresh wound. He grimaced from the temporary suffering. The mortification and physical pain were overwhelming.
Shawn quickly staggered to his feet. His eyes glistened upon spotting a shattered glass bottle beyond the final door. An escape route had presented itself. The shattered bottle of liquor was a beacon of hope in a void of despair. He slowly hopped towards the final door as he considered his next move.
Before he could reach the finish line, a man with a husky voice shouted, “Hey! Stop!”
Shawn stopped in place, teetering left-and-right. His breathing intensified as he slowly turned towards the voice. His head swayed and legs wobbled upon spotting the approaching man – the dreaded security guard.
The security guard stood six-two with a brawny physique – bulging biceps and a protuberant chest. He wore a short-sleeve navy button-up shirt, matching trousers, a utility belt and black insulated boots. His beach blonde hair was buzz cut and his face was shaved. His piercing blue eyes matched his austere demeanor. The embroidered nameplate dangling from his chest read: Daniel Davis, Riker's Mall Security.
Daniel beckoned to Shawn and said, “Come here.”
***
Shawn dreaded each determined step as he watched the guard with fearful eyes. Daniel approached with proud strides, walking with a strict posture. Daniel stopped a mere meter from Shawn. He shook his head as he examined Shawn's bizarre condition and outfit – or lack thereof. He sighed, then pulled the gag out of Shawn's mouth.
As Shawn panted, Daniel asked, “What the hell do you think you're doing? There are familie
s out here, there are kids out here. What could have possessed you to do something like this? Some sort of... of fraternity prank or something? Is this one of those dumb internet pranks? Huh? Don't give me none of that 'it's just a prank, bro' bullshit, either.”
Shawn shook his head and responded, “No, no, you have to listen to me...”
Daniel lifted his index finger to Shawn's face – silence. He sighed in blatant disappointment, clearly considering a warning over a punishment. His eyes widened upon spotting the blood streaming down Shawn's thigh. Shawn opened his mouth to explain, but struggled to form a single word. I was raped with a pen, Shawn considered blurting, but the pain and embarrassment choked him.
Daniel gripped the walkie-talkie on his chest and said, “Jamie, we've got a nude man out front. I'm going to bring him in, but I don't want anyone else to see him. Can you quickly bring me a rag or something to cover him up? The fire blanket should do.”
After ten seconds of silence, the radio buzzed and a man said, “Will do.”
Shawn said, “Wait, you have to listen to me. I... I think you need to call the cops. This is... This is worse than a prank. I'm being... I'm being tortured!”
Daniel examined the bruises and lacerations across Shawn's face. Shawn pleaded for help with glimmering puppy eyes and a quivering lip. Before Daniel could respond, Shawn's concentration was shattered by the sound of plodding footsteps. Shawn loudly swallowed the fear clogging his throat, then glanced over Daniel's shoulder.
Shawn's teeth chattered as he stuttered, “Sh–Shit...”
Aiden trudged towards the pair, smiling from ear-to-ear. He glanced around the foyer of the shopping mall. The mall patrons still watched from afar, giggling and chattering about the event. The gossip was circulating like a contagious disease. Aiden's smug smile only grew larger upon spotting the zestful audience.
As he spotted Aiden, Daniel asked, “Now, who the hell are you?” He pointed towards Shawn and asked, “Did you do this to him?”
