The Beam was a simple device -- a six foot length of four-by-four suspended by a chain from a winch in the rafters. Ruiz was roped to it at the wrists... elbows and shoulders. It was that simple. And that cruel."Ankles," Peter barked. Lauren ran to the tool cabinet and took out a heavy, solid iron bar with a manacle at each end. She clamped them around Ruiz's ankles. Her feet were five feet apart now, an extreme stretch for a woman her size.Peter went to the pegboard on the wall and pressed a. Involuntarily my hand slides into my sweater pocket for the paper. All too soon I see our development coming up. Jay swings the Challenger up the road and I direct him to the apartment. He stops the car at the curb and sits there. Were silent. Im looking out the window, kind of staring at nothing. Then I feel a hand on my thigh. Surprised, I look quickly at Jay. Hes looking deep into my eyes thoughtfully. Natalie, when I say hang out, I guess I really meant Id like to take you out sometime, he. .Then, one evening just after her fourteenth birthday, she said she had a new game she wanted to play — she'd read something in a book about witchcraft and Wiccas, whatever they were, and it had excited her immensely.She wouldn't tell me what it was, but said we had to go to the graveyard of the local church and perform a ritual.So, one Thursday night at dusk we set off. We saw the church spire silhouetted dimly against the darkening sky — there was a half moon (Laura said it should really have. Dark blue lacy underwear, with French knickers. “Lovely, lovely,” he said. “Would you like a drink, I know I would, I‘m terribly nervious.”Lorrain had a Perrier water, from she noted, a sealed bottle. That made her feel better. He had a whiskey and soda. He seemed to relax after the drink. Lorraine sat in an armchair, he sat opposite. She crossed her legs, forgetting she was wearing suspenders, and flashing her stocking tops. “So he likes that,” she thought as she saw he eyes wander to her.