“Dr. Zoe Parker,” I answered.
“Do you know where you are?” he asked.
“I’m in the Asher Enterprises building, top floor. I’m locked inside.”
“Can you tell me about the assault? Are you okay? Were you hurt?”
My mouth went a little dry and a flush of heat enveloped my face. I licked my lips and tried to figure out where to start.
“I came here for a business meeting with Grayson Asher, but when I refused his deal, he decided to hit me. I won’t be surprised if I have a bruise tomorrow,” I answered. I was mostly certain that I wouldn’t, but he didn’t need to know that. I just wanted Grayson to pay for what he did. “I think I’ll be okay, but I need help.”
“Where did he hit you?” the dispatcher pressed. I narrowed my eyes. What did that matter? Why did he need to know that?
“He hit my backside,” I answered softly.
“He spanked you then,” the man continued. He didn’t sound surprised or angry. Instead, he sounded curious.
“Yes. He spanked me.”
“Did he spank you with his hand?”
“Yes.” I blanched.
“Is that all he used?” the dispatcher continued.
“No. He used his belt,” I said, feeling warmth spread across my face. The man couldn’t see me, but I was dying a little bit on the inside in embarrassment all the same.
“How hard did he spank you? Does it hurt for you to sit?” he pressed.
“He spanked me pretty hard. I’m quite sore,” I answered, as I slid my free hand around to cup my bottom. I could feel the warmth through my skirt, and I chewed my lip. Was this normal? Did nine-one-one operators need this level of detail? Why wasn’t it enough to say that he’d spanked me and leave it at that?
“Did the spanking arouse you? Are you wet?” he pushed, and a quiet shamed cry escaped my lips before I rushed to hang up the phone. Maybe he was just some perverted old man and I’d just been unlucky to get him on the line. I sat there at the desk, trying to grapple with the weirdness of the whole thing. I stared at the phone for a while. Eventually, I built up enough nerve to try again.
I dialed and waited. The phone rang and then it did the same strange clicking sound again. I told myself that it was probably just weird reception this high up in a building. I waited and finally someone picked up on the other end. This time, it was a woman and I sighed happily. Good. This was good.
“Nine-one-one operator. What is your emergency?”
“My name is Dr. Zoe Parker. I’m in the penthouse of Asher Enterprises and I’ve been assaulted. I’m locked inside and I can’t get out. I need help,” I explained, giving all the pertinent information she would need to be able to send help.
“Who hurt you?”
“Grayson Asher,” I answered.
“Is he still there with you?”
“No. I’m alone and locked in his office. Top floor,” I replied with relief. This call seemed to be going better at least. The last guy must have just been a weird creepy fluke or something.
“Do you think he’s coming back?” the woman asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“Can you barricade the door?”
“I don’t think so. All of the furniture in here is pretty heavy,” I said softly, looking around the room. I could maybe move some of it, but it wouldn’t do much good with a sliding door. If anything, he’d just be able to push it out of the way and then that would probably just make him angry.
“What do you think will happen if he comes back?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He’d probably take me against my will.”