Welcoming Committee

Art walked in front of Becca to the big door of the concrete home and pushed it open.

Becca stepped inside behind him.

The door sealed shut.

A thin woman was waiting inside. Her hair was pulled back tight.

Becca laughed.

-A welcoming committee? You spoil me, Art.

The thin woman looked at Becca like she was reading a nutrition label on a can of soup.

-Strip her, Art said.

Becca blinked.

-Excuse me?

Shadows peeled off the wall behind the doctor.

Two women. Giants. Amazons built of slab muscle and silence. They wore white scrubs that looked ready to burst at the seams.

They moved in unison.

Becca took a step back. Her heel caught on the polished marble.

-Hey, wait. This wasn't in the---

One of the Amazons grabbed Becca’s arm. The grip was iron, absolute.

The other reached for the zipper of her dress.

-Art! Becca yelled. She looked at him.

Art was checking his watch.

-Protocol, babe. Outside clothes are contaminants.

They pulled the zipper down. The dress pooled on the floor.

Becca stood in her black lace lingerie. The expensive set she bought. It looked cheap now.

-Bra, the thin woman said.

The Amazon snapped the clasp. The black lace fell.

Becca tried to cover herself. Instinct.

The second Amazon pulled her hands down. Pinned them to her sides.

-Panties.

Gone.

Becca stood naked under the harsh lighting. She shivered. She felt small. Pale. Soft.

The thin woman walked a circle around her. She poked a gloved finger into Becca’s side. Lifted her chin. Checked her pupils.

-You like them thick, the thin woman said to Art.

She turned to the Amazons.

-Prep the suite.

Art looked at Becca. His eyes traveled down her shivering body.

-Yes, he said.

He walked away, deeper into the house.

Becca tried to follow him with her eyes, but the Amazons were already moving her, guiding her like livestock.

Becca looked down at the pile of clothes on the floor. The dress. The heels. The lace. A dead body.

-My shoes, she whispered.

-Walk, the Amazon said.

Becca walked. Barefoot on the cold marble.