Part 3
Dress Up
Two months later, Lena stood once more outside the steel doors of Abyss, her pulse quickening as the muffled bass thrummed against her chest. It had been not too long now since her own harrowing dance in the Stilettos of the Languished Arches, but the experience had left a mark deeper than any physical wound. Here she was, drawn back by an inexplicable force, the event having been too exotic, too strange, too kinky. The Hostess too seductive, too domineering.
The bouncer recognized her immediately, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he stepped aside to let her in. Inside, the club was just as she remembered - dark, smoky, and alive with the hypnotic rhythm of the music. Yet, there was an undercurrent of something new in the air, a palpable tension that set her nerves on edge.
The crowd writhed on the dance floor, but Lena's attention was drawn to the stage, where Evelyn stood like a queen surveying her kingdom. The hostess locked eyes with Lena, a sly smile playing on her crimson lips.
"Welcome back, my dear," Evelyn purred as Lena approached the stage. "I knew you couldn't resist."
Lena felt a chill run down her spine but held her ground. "What's different tonight?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Evelyn’s smile widened, her dark eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "Ah, you sense it, don't you? Tonight, we’ve added to our collection. The Stilettos of the Languished Arches are no longer our only prize."
She gestured towards the stage, and from the shadows, attendants emerged carrying what appeared to be latex garments - a dress, gloves, even a corset - presented on a coat hanger to the audience. But Lena knew better. Each piece was lined with the same dull knobs as the heels, hiding the spikes that would activate at the slightest misstep.
Evelyn sauntered closer, her voice a velvet whisper of seduction in Lena’s ear. Loud, into the microphone she spoke "Tonight, one of the patrons will dance in the full ensemble - in the Dress of the Painful Rhythm. A long sleeved latex dress, short latex gloves, and corset, all designed to keep our chosen one in perfect sync with the music. A true test of endurance and grace."
The crowd murmured in anticipation, their faces a mixture of curiosity and dread. Lena’s heart pounded in her chest as Evelyn's gaze bore into her.
"And who better to showcase our newest creation," Evelyn announced, her voice carrying over the crowd, "than our returning champion?"
The spotlight fell on Lena, and the crowd erupted in cheers and gasps. She felt trapped, understanding that dressing in her catsuit was a mute effort to not be on the Hostess’ hit-list, her mind racing with the implications of Evelyn’s words. Yet, something within her - a defiant spark - refused to back down.
Evelyn extended a hand, her eyes glinting with challenge. "Shall we?"
Lena took a deep breath and nodded, stepping onto the stage. The attendants moved swiftly, leading her behind the curtains, helping her removing her shoes and catsuit. The dress was handed to her and the attendants helped her with wolfish smiles, dressing her in the Dress of the Painful Rhythm. The dress was of flowing black latex, deceptively soft and slick with silicone oil to the touch, but Lena could feel the dull knobs pressing into her skin. They were situated in the small of her back, over her pert cheeks, on her stomach, under her breasts, on her breasts were several, on her back and shoulders. The rubber corset cinched tightly around her waist, exercising pressure on several of the nubs, each piece locking into place with a soft, ominous click. Needless to say, the Stilettos of the Languished Arches completed the Dress of the Painful Rhythm.
Evelyn stepped back, her smile one of wicked satisfaction. "Remember, every beat demands perfection. The spikes will awaken if you falter."
The music began, a haunting melody that quickly built into a relentless beat. Lena felt the familiar pressure beneath her feet, now joined by the pricks of the dress. She moved with the music, each step calculated, every movement precise.
At first, the ensemble felt manageable, the pressure of the nodules a constant reminder to stay in sync. But as the tempo increased, the strain on her body intensified. The dress constricted her movements, the gloves forced her hands into rigid poses, and the corset squeezed her lungs, making every breath a challenge.
The spikes activated with brutal precision whenever she misstepped - a sharp jab to her soles, a prickling sting across her arms and torso. Lena gritted her teeth, determined not to let the pain consume her.
The crowd watched in rapt silence, their eyes fixed on her every move. Evelyn circled the stage, her expression one of sadistic pleasure. "You're doing well, my dear," she taunted. "But the night is still young."
Minutes stretched into eternity as Lena danced, her body aching, her mind focused solely on the rhythm. The song pushed her to her limits, the spikes punishing her slightest mistake. Sweat poured down her face and flowed freely under the latex dress, her muscles screamed in protest, but she refused to stop.
The melody reached its climax, the beat a relentless force driving her forward. Lena’s vision blurred, her strength waning, but she pushed through the pain. With a final, triumphant note, the music ceased, and Lena stood on stage, her hand on her knees, gasping for breath.
The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing in her ears. Evelyn approached, her smile one of twisted pride.
"Congratulations, Lena," she said, extending her hand. "You've danced well yet again."
The attendants quickly removed the Dress of the Painful Rhythm behind the curtain, the dull knobs dormant and innocent as the garments were taken away. Lena stood, her body trembling from the ordeal, but a sense of triumph burned within her. She was less than excited when the attendants insisted on immediately forcing her latex catsuit back onto her sweat drenched body, but the alternative offer, to spend the night in the nude, was even less attractive.
Evelyn handed her the prize - another box of cash, a token of her victory. "You are truly remarkable, rubber kitten" she said, her voice dripping with admiration and something darker, her gaze lingering a bit too long on her heated, sweat slick rubberized body. "The Abyss will always welcome you back. You have earned your prize."
Lena nodded, taking an envelop with a hefty cash prize from Evelyn, her mind spinning with the events of the night. She had faced the Dress of the Painful Rhythm, and the experience had left a mark on her soul.
Later, as she left the club, the steel doors closed behind her, sealing the darkness within. Lena knew she had conquered the night again, and the lure of Abyss and its twisted challenges would always haunt her. The question lingered - when would she return?