Island Getaway

It had been a long time coming, but the Crusaders sank back in their comfortable executive coach seats, and dreamed of their promotion to rugby’s Premier League.  From new club to top of the divisional table in ten years, a draw in their final game would guarantee a first season in the top flight at the expense of their more illustrious neighbours Carleton.  Carleton had been pre-season short favourites: they had the millionaire backing, and the high wages that could retain their top players.  However, it was Crusaders – the boys from the council estates – that were one step away from stardom.

Brett Thompson stared out of the window as the coach wound its way along the country lanes, heading back to the motorway for the trip back to Birmingham.  It would take a few hours to get from the coast to his home town and he slipped his iPod earphones into place as he nestled into the warmth of his seat.  Brett, a 22-year old centre with a chiselled torso that matched his rugged good looks, was the cast-iron nominee for the Player of the Year Award at next week’s London Rugby Gala.  He had already turned down two offers to join high profile premier league clubs, so that he could feel the high of taking his hometown club into the premier league.   Next to him was another man destined for international status next season: club captain Daniel Bretherton.  At 24, Daniel was an uncompromisingly tough second rower.  A natural leader, Daniel was the team’s pinup star with his surfer looks of blue eyes and blond hair.  He closed his eyes and sighed with contentment, dreaming of the weekend when their victory would come and promotion would be assured.  A victory over Carleton in their final game and the dream would become reality.  Defeat was unthinkable, compounded by the knowledge that Carleton would themselves be promoted instead of Crusaders.  Carleton had offered him a lucrative contract earlier in the season, but he had turned them down much to the disgust of Carleton’s millionaire owner David Carleton.  Daniel’s thoughts turned now to the coming match.  Thankfully, Crusaders were at home and they were favourites now to secure the win: with himself and Brett on the team, there was no way that defeat would occur.

The sudden braking of the coach opened the eyes of all the slumbering Crusaders team.  As the coach shuddered to a halt, the players peered out into the darkness of the country lane.  The peace and quiet contemplation of the coach was shattered in seconds, as the coach’s front door was pulled open and three masked invaders rushed to the front of the coach.  The shock of the invasion brought players to their feet before the lead invader produced a gun.  With a rough bark of “Sit down, now”, the quiet was shattered by the explosion of the coach’s rear windowscreen.  A single shot from the gun warned the Crusaders that the guns were very real.

“Do as you are told and no-one need be harmed,” shouted the leader.  His voice was harsh and menacing, and all of the players were taken aback at the shock of the situation.  “I want Thompson and Bretherton to walk slowly to the front of the coach.  Anybody got any wise ideas, and I’ll blow some fucking heads off, so everybody else stay still.”

The seconds that passed seemed to last an eternity.  As the words sank in and the reality of their situation began to hit home, the players sat in shocked silence at the events unfolding before them.

It was Daniel Bretherton who stood first.  Dressed in only his sleeveless t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and white socks, he held up both hands and started moving towards the invaders.  “I’m coming.  Just don’t shoot,” he stated, the calmness in his voice masking the inner turmoil of his mind.

“Move quickly,” shouted the leader, continuing to wave his gun menacingly over the heads of the frightened team.

“Thompson, out here now,” screamed the leader.

Brett was more scared than his captain and he felt his bottom lip quiver as he moved towards the aisle.  Dressed only in long shorts and his sleeveless t-shirt, the barefooted star player of the Crusaders team held up his arms in surrender and scuffled towards the front of the coach, his heart hammering in his chest.

Both players were pushed quickly down the steps of the coach and found themselves in front of a white van that was blocking the path of the coach down the country lane.  Dragged by two thugs in combat gear, the dazed rugby players were pushed face down into the rear of the van.  They held their breath at the sound of the doors slamming behind them, their hearts sinking as the motor revved and the van pulled away into the night.

<><><><><>

By the time that the news hit the headlines the following morning, Thompson and Bretherton were long gone.  Vanished into thin air.  An extensive police search had proved fruitless.  The white van had been recovered down a quiet country lane the following morning, but it was burnt out and its occupants long disappeared.

Brett Thompson’s girlfriend made an emotional plea on the news to return her boyfriend.  As did Daniel Bretherton’s wife, flanked as she was by his young children.  But the concern on the face of the police inspector said it all: they did not know where to turn.  The news cameras rolled outside the main gates of Crusader Stadium.  Forlorn fans lined the gates, the shock and bewilderment etched in their faces.  Their two most important players had been kidnapped and had vanished without trace.

In his executive suite, David Carleton flicked a switch and the large television screen went black.  Smiling to himself, he lit a cigarette and sat back in his chair.  Mission accomplished.  The Chief Executive of Carleton Holdings, David Carleton was also the owner of Carleton rugby team.  And without Thompson and Bretherton, he felt sure that his team would now conquer in next weekend’s key fixture.

As long as Thompson and Bretherton remained absent, his plan had worked seamlessly.  And he felt sure that both Thompson and Bretherton were securely absent.

<><><><><>

No-one had noticed anything peculiar about the late night transfer at Southampton docks the night before.  The arrival of a delivery druck prior to sailing had not disrupted the loading of containers to Carleton Holdings’ supertanker.  The shadowy figures unloading a large crate into Mr Carleton’s personal cargo area was a regular enough event for the crew and it had not delayed the ship’s departure on the early morning tide.  Bound for Carleton’s private island north of the Canary Islands and then onto Central America, the container ship was in the Bay of Biscay before news of Thompson and Bretherton’s disappearance became known.  The investigating police officers could never guess that the subjects of their search had left the country and were bound for a new existence.

<><><><><>

David Carleton came aboard his ship as the sun began to set in the early evening.  By now the ship was passing the Spanish coast, as Carleton’s helicopter brought him onto his personal landing space.

Carleton brought his son with him, Justin.  Justin Carleton, senior player for Carleton Rugby Club and sworn enemy of Daniel Bretherton.  After checking on the general formalities of his ship, David entered his own suite with his trusted personal guards and his son.  With instructions that he was not to be disturbed, he closed himself into his comfortable executive world.

Justin Carleton was desperate to get started, but was forced to wait impatiently for his father to prepare himself.  He lounged and watched TV, smiling at the news headlines.  After an hour of bathing and catching up on his business matters, David Carleton was finally ready to meet his new acquisitions.  He was ready to introduce them to their new careers as employees of Carleton Holdings.  A career that offered them lifelong opportunities in improving his company.

<><><><><>

Crowbar in hand, Carleton’s guards stepped back from the crate and pulled its lid clear.  Peering inside, they could smell the ripe stink of the two young men dressed in minimal sportswear.  Two would-be sporting heroes, now slumped together unconscious in a small crate.

Heaving the two men out of the crate and onto the floor, Carleton’s men made quick work of removing Bretherton’s socks so that both men were barefoot.  Silently and quickly, heavy iron manacles were locked in place around the ankles of both Brett and Daniel.  These were followed by a thick iron collar around the necks of both men.  Next, a chain from neck to manacles was attached to the sleeping men.  And thus, chained heavily, the young men were ready to awake.  At a signal from David Carleton, the men pulled a knife from inside their boot and slit the trousers of both men.  Pulling away the remnants of both of their shorts, the sleeping sportsmen were left there in tshirts and tight jockey shorts.  Justin Carleton turned to his father and smiled.  It was time for his final victory to begin.

<><><><><>

Daniel Bretherton began to stir, his mind returning to a fuzzy and gradual awareness.  Lying face up on the ground, mouth open, he felt the trickle of water inside his mouth dampening his dry parched throat, his jaws aching from prolonged inactivity.  Unaware of his surroundings, he took a gulp to refresh his dry throat and his eyes shot open with confusion and revulsion.  As the acrid smell and taste of piss hit the back of his throat, he shot upwards, eyes wide open and spat the contents of his mouth out onto the ground.  Trying to sit up, his chains restricted his sudden movements and he lost his balance, falling onto his side.  His blurred vision made out a pair of trendy training shoes and white socks and he looked up quickly at their owner.  Horrified, he saw the mocking face of Justin Carleton above him.  And Justin was shaking the last remnants of piss from his cock.

“What the ….?” Daniel began, taking in for the first time his chains, and the yellow stain of piss soaking his sleeveless t-shirt.

“Hello Daniel, fancy seeing you here,” Justin began, sneering down at his former opponent.  “Hope you liked my piss old son.”

Daniel’s brain began to remember the events of last night, and a horrified sickness turned his stomach.  He turned quickly to find his friend, and saw Brett beside him, still unconscious on the ground but similarly half naked and locked in chains.  Looking back up, he saw David Carleton sat before him in a large armchair and took in the burly guards either side of him.  The pieces fell into place inside his mind, and he realised quickly what had happened.  Tentatively, he rose to his feet and stood before his captor, his head bowed slightly at the weight of his iron collar and the chains attaching his neck to his hands and feet.  Looking his captor in the eye, he belied the terror inside his throat and spat at his captor.  “You’ll never get away with this Carleton.  They’ll imprison you when they find out what you’ve done.”

David Carleton smiled at the hunky sportsman before him.  “And what is that then boy?”

“Kidnapping us like this.  You cant get away with it.  Surely you must know that.”

“Kidnapping.  Oh, I’m not kidnapping you Bretherton.  I’m just changing your career for you.  You made a very unwise move when you turned me down in April boy.  I thought it was about time I made you an offer you cant refuse.”

Daniel stood before the four fully clothed men and for the first time felt afraid.  He felt vulnerable and exposed as the guards either side of Mr Carleton laughed aloud.  Subconsciously, his manacled hands moved in front of his piss soaked white CKs to cover his bulge and he gulped.

“I really wouldn’t bother boy,” Carleton said, nodding at Daniel’s cupped hands.  “You have no need for modesty any more.”

Daniel jumped, startled as Justin Carleton moved behind him towards Brett, still laid unconscious on the floor.  He watched in horror as Justin hawked some phlegm inside his mouth and spat it over Brett’s handsome face.  He watched for a moment, as the phlegm ran down his cheek, over his nose and pooled inside his lips.  Then, unceremoniously, he kicked Brett in the balls, hard enough to emit a gasp and a wail from the awakening man.

Brett’s world exploded in pain and his mind reeled in confusion.  Slowly and uncomfortably, like his team-mate, he rose to his feet and took in the same situation as Daniel.  He looked at Daniel’s piss soaked clothing and took in his own semi-naked state.

And so the two former Crusaders stood in chains before David and Justin Carleton, before Brett stammered “What …. What are you going to do to us?”

David Carleton smiled.

<><><><><>

“Well Mr Thompson, your friend Daniel here has just been telling me how I cant get away with this.  How I will be imprisoned when your abduction has been discovered.”

David Carleton stood up and moved down to the two semi-naked athletes standing meekly in chains on the marble floor of his private quarters on the ship.  Brett felt the contrast immediately, dressed only in his underwear and vest and locked in manacles as the smartly dressed businessman stood before him.  His bare feet were cold on the marble floor and he wasn’t sure if the slight shiver was cold or rather fear.

Carleton turned to the similarly undressed Daniel, stepping in front of him so that his leather shoes touched the end of Daniel’s bare toes.

“You know Mr Bretherton, my son has always said that you laughed in my face when you turned my offer of signing for my club down.  He has always said that you are an arrogant prick.”

Daniel was a born leader, tough and uncomprising.  However, he felt the power differential and he recognised that he was in trouble here.

“I …. I just wanted the stability for my family Sir,” he mumbled.  “I didn’t mean to offend you.  And Justin, you’re just an opponent, that’s all that …”

The unconscious use of the word `Sir’ was lost on no-one in the room.

“Quiet now Daniel.”

Carleton’s order was quiet, but laced with venom.  His heart missed a beat when he noticed Daniel look up into his eyes, and then lower his eyes in submissive silence.  Carleton had him where he wanted him.

“If you want to harbour any hope of seeing that family again Mr Bretherton, I suggest you show your new respectful attitude.”

Daniel’s eyes remained on the ground, yet he felt a small tear of emotion in the corner of his eyes.  His beautiful wife and boys would be looking for him.

“Why not show Justin your respect for him Mr Bretherton?   Go over and kneel at his feet Mr Bretherton.  Then give his feet a kiss.”

Justin smirked and started to move, sitting himself firmly in the chair that his father had vacated moments earlier.  Turning to Brett with a sadistic grin on his face, he raised his eyebrows in mock surprise and switched his gaze to his former nemesis.

The contrast between Justin, dressed in trendy sportswear and sat on the chair with legs outstretched and the semi-naked Daniel was clear.  Daniel allowed the thoughts to process in his mind, allowed the understanding of this necessary submission to take hold of his thoughts, and shuffled towards Justin, his chains clinking as he knelt at Justin’s feet.  He was at the mercy of these men, and he knew it.

Daniel glanced at Brett, a half smile.  An attempt to elicit understanding that this vile submission was necessary.  And slowly he knelt down at the feet of Justin Carleton and kissed the toe of his outstretched trainer.

Daniel’s knees ached from last night’s game, his bare knees on the cold marble.  They ached as he shifted his weight and kissed the other trainer of Justin.

Justin sighed a deep sigh of mock contentment.  “This is the life eh boys,” he sneered.  “Sitting here looking forward to the weekend match, watching little Danny Bretherton kissing my feet in his chains, soaked in my piss.”

Daniel felt the anger well inside him, but forced it down.  There would be time for revenge.  Now it was about getting out of this situation.

Daniel’s rage was replaced by pensive thought as he heard David Carleton speak.  “Stand up Bretherton.”

Daniel got unsteadily to his feet, and was ushered by a guard to stand next to his team-mate Brett in the centre of the room as David Carleton joined his son in a seat in front of them.

“I guess it’s time to outline your futures for you, boys” Carleton breathed, lighting a cigarette slowly and exhaling the smoke slowly upwards into the air.

“As you know, I am rich beyond your wildest dreams gentlemen.  I can have whatever I want,” Carleton began.

“And yet you two have tried to prevent me from attaining one of my most prized possessions.  My beloved rugby club reaching the Premier League.”

Carleton stared into the faces of the two athletes and paused.

“I cant allow that.”

Carleton turned to look at his son.  “Justin wants to play in the Premier League, and Justin gets whatever he wants boys.”

“So, what to do with you two now then eh?  Now that you cant go back to your old life any more.”

“Please Sir, please, my girlfriend is ….” Brett shouted in anguish, moving towards Mr Carleton before he was brushed back by one of the guards.  His heavy chains clanked as he was pushed backwards onto his haunches.

Carleton laughed aloud.  “My advice Mr Thompson is to forget about your girlfriend.   You wont be seeing her again.”

Carleton relished the anguished faces of the two athletes before him, before continuing.  “I could have you both killed, disposed of neatly.  But that would be a waste of such fine athletes.  So, with the help of Justin, I’ve come up with a new lifestyle for you boys.  A world away from what you are used to, but nevertheless a useful existence where you can serve me well.”

Daniel Bretherton’s eyes flashed with defiant anger.  “You cant do this to us goddamn you.  We’re not just puppets for your empire,” he shouted, taking a step towards the seated millionaires.

Daniel’s movement was blocked by the guards and his resistance ended with him sprawled on the cold floor.

“Resistance is futile Bretherton.  I have you totally under my control and there is nothing you can do about that.  The sooner you accept your situation, the easier it will be on you and your frightened little friend there.”

Carleton nodded towards Brett Thompson, who was kneeling on the floor – head in hands – a wail of anguish drowning out his tears.

Brett looked across at his captors and wailed, the spit and red eyes hiding his handsome face and tough demeanour as a rugby star.  “Please Mr Carleton.  Please let me go Sir.  I don’t deserve this.  I’ve done you no wrong.  Please let me go.”

Justin felt his cock twitch inside his trendy jeans.  So many times he had left the rugby pitch, having shook hands with Brett.  So many times he had been forced to concede to him, forced to look up to him, despite his inner contempt, because Brett was simply a better athlete than him.  Stronger.  Fitter.  More valuable.  And now that same Brett Thompson, heartthrob and jock, was crying on the floor in chains, begging for his mercy.  He felt the power surge within him, and he liked it.

Daniel didn’t see the nod from Mr Carleton and so he stood alarmed when one of the guards produced a large knife.  His heavy chains meant that he was no match however, and was unable to defend himself as the thick set guard walked towards him.

Brett watched in horror as Daniel’s piss soaked tshirt was grabbed by the guard, and a slit from the knife pulled it free from Daniel’s body.  His eyes widened when the guard grabbed Daniel’s jockey briefs and made short work of them also, leaving Daniel standing stark naked before his captors.

Daniel was well accustomed to displaying his powerful body on the rugby pitch in front of thousands, but now he felt completely exposed and vulnerable, nude and on display in chains.

Brett crawled across the floor away from the guards, but it was only moments before he too was stripped of his meagre clothing and his fully exposed body was on display for his captors.

“Stand up.  Both of you.  Now.”

Daniel turned to face his tormentor, and Brett was dragged up from the floor by a guard, his neck chafing against the locked steel collar.  Both men stood stark naked in chains before their captors.  Hands cupped in front of their genitals as far as their short chains would allow, both men bowed their heads in humiliation, unable to meet the eyes of the men who had done this to them.

“Now listen carefully, and listen well,” David Carleton began.

“This ship is headed for Carlia, my private island off the coast of Africa.  It’s a small retreat for me and my family, and a place for me to host many of the African businessmen who supply my raw resources.  They enjoy coming to Carlia to enjoy my hospitality.  Carlia used to be a staging post for the slave trade, where ships would be moored off the coast of Africa before their midatlantic voyage to America.  The old days when the white man ruled over the black.”

Carleton paused and took a long drag of his cigarette, as Justin moved forward in his seat at the anticipation of what was to come.  Justin licked his lower lip and stared at the humiliated naked remnants of his former opponents.

“You’ll be disembarking at Carlia boys.  It’ll be your home for the rest of your lives.  Carlia is now a fascinating place.  A place for my African contacts to relax and enjoy the finest hospitality.  You see boys, it is there that you will join my other – shall we call them employees or call them by their real names? – yes, my other white slaveboys ….”

Daniel and Brett both looked up at Carleton incredulously.  Slavery?  They were white, educated and British athletes.  White slavery in the 21st century?  It could not be true.

“Oh, I know you think there are no such things as slaves today, but I can assure you there are.  And the other six slaves on my island are all white British boys like you two.  Let’s just say it is what my clients enjoy.  So boys, welcome to your new life of slavery!  I am sure you will go down very well with my clients.  Now guards, get them out of my sight.”

As both men were grabbed on their arms and pushed backwards, Daniel cried out “No!  You cant do this to us.  Let us go you bastard.  I’ve got a life and a family.  Let me go.”

But he was no match for the burly guards and was dragged out through a rear door by his chains.

Brett reached out for his clothing.  “Please, let me have my clothes,” he cried.

“You wont be wearing clothes where you’re going slaveboy,” the guard chuckled and dragged him into the rear room.

Daniel and Brett slumped down against the rear wall of their small cell.  Naked and in chains, the two new slaveboys looked at each other in disbelief.  Brett slid down the wall and placed his head in his hands.  “I cant believe this is happening.  I cant be a slave.,” he murmured, tears dropping between his open legs.

Daniel shouted in rage and pulled as hard as he could on his chains.  There was no possibility of him breaking free though.  He stomped naked around the periphery of his small cell, before eventually sinking down beside Brett.

“Come on Brett.  There has to be a way to get out of this.  They cant do this to us.  We are world class athletes mate.  We’ll get free somehow.”