The Meeting Point (22 page)

“Stay with us, Debs, please,” said Marcus, shaking her gently out of her sudden lapse into unity.

Snapping back, she realized something very obvious. “So you must have a camp nearby.”

“Yes.”

“You've had it for years,” she said, cocking her head to Marcus. “It must be pretty well stocked and built by now.”

“Yes.”

“Shelter, you must have proper shelter.” Deborah looked around their handmade camp and shivered with the prospect of winter coming. Another thought invaded wickedly. “You wouldn't happen to have any chocolate there, would you?”

Thankfully, Birch seemed to understand Deborah's tone contained no malice. He shook his head slowly, obviously sharing the memory of the betrayal day. Deborah had claimed a small victory by stealing Birch's precious stash of black market chocolate just before she and Marcus were captured. It must have been the right time to draw a line under the past. They smiled reflectively together, the previous tension ebbing away.

Marcus stood. “Birch,” he said formally, holding out his hand. “I would like to welcome you back into our lives and express our thanks for guiding us to this place. Whatever has gone before is in the past.”

Birch took the proffered hand gratefully and shook it, clutching with both his fists. “Thank you. Thank you both.” He let go and pulled Deborah tight to his chest. She could feel him shuddering as tears fell on her shoulder. Marcus and Hazel were embracing now too and all felt cleansed.

“So, Birch, are you going to show us this camp of yours or not?” quizzed Marcus.

 

 

“Lena, I've got some amazing news!” Mae stormed into the shelter, screwing up her nose at the smell of illness.

“What is it, Mae? I'm so tired. I really just want to go to sleep.”

“That's another sign!” Mae squealed excitedly and knelt beside Lena, sliding her hand down into her top and giving her breast a squeeze.

“Ow,” Lena shrieked, batting the hand away.

“That's another sign, tender breasts!”

“What are you talking about? Your tits would be tender too if someone just randomly grabbed them like that.” Angelo was using his angry voice, which would no doubt egg Mae on to do even more outrageous things. Lena really was exhausted to the pit of her soul and turned in toward Angelo's lap, burying her face into his crotch. “What do you think is going on here? Our Lena is not only sick, she's grieving for her friend, so please have some respect.”

“Of course, it's perfect. One out, one in. The circle of life.”

Lena was getting angry now. Why couldn't Mae read any subtle signals of human interaction? She had to have things spelled out to her in the most brutal of ways, which only served to make the person doing the spelling feel awful. It just wasn't fair.

“She's ill, Mae. Could you please just leave!”

“That's just it, Angelo. She's not sick.” Mae reached and caught one of each of their hands and held it to her bosom. “She's pregnant.”

Lena couldn't breathe.

“Get her out of here, now!” she growled into Angelo's crotch, snatching her hand back into the safety of her own chest.

Pregnant? The woman was insane. They'd only had proper full intercourse recently. Apart from Angelo's seed spilling into the kimono fabric in her vagina in the manor, that was ages ago. And besides, she'd bled since then. It had never been heavy for Lena, which she was always grateful for, just a redness when she went to the bathroom for a few days, but it came every month. She'd always thought it terribly unfair to have it at all considering her status as a non-birther. The coil in her stomach which had begun to subside under the gentle care of Angelo had now tightened again, making the convulsions return.

“Shh, come on now, she's just trying to see a reason to things. She doesn't mean to be hurting you.”

“I know that, Angelo,” Lena whispered, her throat rasping and raw. “But she'll always get away with her bad or inappropriate behavior because we know she doesn't mean to be bad. She is immune to any responsibility for anything.”

“Shh, you're just exhausted. I'm going to leave you now. Try to sleep. I'll sort out some food. You must be famished.”

Lena let her head flop onto the floor where Angelo's comfy knees once were. Her head was aching, she was all cried out and felt hollow from the pit of her soul. Hunger crept in too and began to take over the urgency she had felt to be asleep.

Dusk fell and she could hear the crackle of the evening fire and the soothing, hushed tones of voices. Lena had a fair idea what they were discussing and was irritable about it. She would have to gather her strength and set the record straight about a few things. And anyway, she needed to freshen up and help make a new dwelling, this place was just horrible now.

When she peeked out of the hut to see the scene of all who were important to her laughing and sharing food around the fire, her heart warmed a little. They had built her a new shelter on the opposite side of the campfire. It looked pretty flimsy, but it would do the job until morning, and she was grateful.

Six faces glowing with firelight turned to watch as she took her place among them.

“How are you feeling?” Hazel said in her smooth as silk voice, passing her a bowl of clear liquid.

“Well, I'm feeling like I've got something to say to you all.”

Food halted midway to mouths and a deep hush descended on the group. The expectancy was unbearable. Lena began.

“I know what Mae has been telling you makes sense in a way. Angelo was in a collection manor and his seed did hold potential, and I am supposed to have a pheromone to ignite it further.” Someone gasped and Lena realized that objectively, it did sound plausible that she might be with child. “But I'm telling you all now, I am not, nor ever will be, pregnant.”

The group's energy visibly sagged, and Lena knew she was dashing everyone's hopes and dreams for carrying on.

“Please listen to me. What do we have here to offer a child? It's bad enough being an adult and watching the world decay around us, can you imagine what that would be like for a little one? And who would look after it? We might all succumb soon. We have no idea what's going on.” She felt a little dizzy and paused to take a long slurp of her soup. She could feel it traveling all the way down to her belly and dissipate, soothing warm liquid unfurling the knots once more. “I'm sorry, but I will not be part of that. It's not going to happen. I will bleed every month as usual and we will live here enjoying the last of this incredible place, together, as one group. No responsibilities. No pressures. Just love. And that's it.”

When she looked around at the gathering, expecting to see disappointment and fury, she only saw love and compassion. She took her time to get to Mae, worried she had dashed her lover's hopes and dreams and burst her bubble. When their eyes met, the usual Mae defiance was there, but there was something else...what was it? The woman got to her feet and began to clap, and Lena blushed when she recognized pride in her lover's eyes.

Deborah joined her and stood applauding too, and one by one everyone was soon clapping. Lena was now blushing to her roots and cringing.

“Well said,” Marcus said and raised his soup bowl. “May I propose a toast?” Everyone lifted their meal and looked to him. “To friends who have left us.” He bowed his head solemnly, and so did the group. Lena whispered a goodbye prayer for Cheryl, and after a few moments Marcus broke the silence and continued with his toast. “And to the here and now. Long may it last, and long may we find happiness in each other's love.”

Emotion swelled as everyone raised up their bowls and said, “To now!”

Lena felt tears welling again, but sniffed them back when Mae came to her side and nudged her with her hip.

“Nice speech,” she said and pulled Lena's head onto her shoulder. “I'm sorry I keep putting you under pressure. I had no idea how you felt.”

“It's okay, I understand your enthusiasm.”

“It's not enthusiasm, it's bloody selfishness. I am sorry. I really am. I try not to be like that, but it's the way I was made. I'll try harder to think about other's feelings.”

Lena squeezed her lover around the hips with her free hand. “Don't you dare,” she said, trying to muster enough energy to sound stern. “Don't you dare change, Mae. You are perfect. We make the perfect balance.”

Lena rested her head deeper into Mae's neck and watched the flames of the campfire dance and flicker. Mae kept quiet, but a sniff and hitch in her breath let Lena know she understood. That she was valued.

Everything around her started to go a bit hazy and Lena began to sway in a strange half-doze. If only she could teleport into the shelter and be clean and fresh. As soon as she thought it, she heard mumbling and was aware of the ground dropping away as she was lifted into the arms of her other lover and carried gently to the leafy home. She fell into a deep sleep as the forest rustled and the hushed tones of conversation wound around the crackling fire.

 

 

When Lena had regained enough strength, the group decided to move camp down to where Birch had been living. They had little but the rags they were wearing and a pot to bring, so it was an easy journey punctuated by excited giggles of anticipation from Mae and Lena.

“Do you think they're into bondage?” Mae whispered to Lena.

“I know they're into bondage!” Deborah said as she pushed in between them. The three women linked arms and fell into step as Deborah recounted the tale of the first time she and Marcus had watched Birch and Hazel in the forest almost a decade before.

“Some things never change,” sniggered Mae, and she told Deborah about the encounter they'd also had just a few days before.

Deborah rolled her eyes and laughed. “Well, for all their faults, they are great lovers.”

Lena swallowed hard, wondering whether she should bring up the strange things that had been happening during sex recently. Where she felt the world fall away and was aware of a union more than physical with those around her. It must be ultimate unity. But it also sounded crazy. She was unsure whether to confide in anyone.

The words were out before she could stop them. “I think I can do that thing you talked about.”

“What thing, honey?” Deborah's voice was so soft and caring, so different from when she was The Wasp. Lena had grown to love this gentle woman, but couldn't help hoping the other part would return.

“That spiritual thing. I think it happened the other day. One minute Angelo, Mae, and I were having sex in the river, the next I was floating around somewhere with Birch and Hazel.”

“Oh my God,” Mae butted in. “It totally happened to me too. I didn't want to say in case you thought I was mental, but these two...” She nodded to Deborah and then over to Marcus who was in the group ahead. “...tried to pull me out of myself. It was scary, I thought I was dying.” Her eyes were wide with drama and Lena started laughing.

“I love you, Mae,” she said, smiling broadly, then looked at Deborah. “Do you think it's possible? Do you think we can all do this then?”

“I don't see why not. I was a scientist—the last person you'd think would believe in such a thing—but I know it does exist. I've been there, I've experienced it myself. I've felt the wonder. And whether you believe it or not, the connection between Birch and Hazel was what brought us here.”

“But I'm not sure I liked the feeling,” Mae said, looking unsure of herself, which was something that rarely happened.

“That's because you like being in control. You don't have to lose that. You can remain in control. It's just like when you tip over the edge into orgasm, and I know you can do that!” The three of them staggered to the right as Deborah bumped hips with Mae to accentuate the point.

“Hmm, okay. Sounds simple enough. When do we start? I haven't come in like, forever.”

“Weren't you off shagging in the trees yesterday, Mae?” Lena distinctly remembered her lovers sneaking off while she was recuperating in the morning sun.

“Exactly,” wailed Mae. “That was hours ago!”

The three of them chuckled and almost bashed into the group in front who had come to an abrupt halt.

“Is this where you live?” Mae broke the magical silence as they stood on the edge of a slope leading down to the most perfect clearing.

Two little log cabins stood on either side of a large campfire with a wood stack that would easily see them through the winter. Best of all was a lazy pool with a rock in the middle where afternoon sun struck, casting shadows and sparkles onto the water. The ground looked springy and soft, and Lena's mouth watered for the feel of it underfoot. She made the first move and skipped out over the edge of the slope and bounded down the hill whooping. Everyone quickly followed, and Birch was soon proudly showing off his camp and all its amenities.

“How could you have made all this?” Angelo whispered, astonished. Even by his standards, this was an amazing feat for one man.

“I've been here a long time,” Birch said slowly, lonely memories flashing across his face.

“It's perfect.” Mae leaped over to Birch and wrapped her arms and legs around him, kissing his face as if she were a rambunctious puppy.

As Lena watched him smiling and a little shocked at the enthusiastic thank you, there was that moment where the innocent physicality of the exchange was crossed and lust sneaked in. Lena could see it in the roll of Mae's hips as she ground her pelvis and the twist of Birch's mouth as he held her there, a writhing young woman in his arms.

It did something to Lena too and she shifted her heels to feel the rising want between her legs. If Mae had thought a few hours was a long time, what about Lena? She couldn't remember the last time she had made love. Well, she could, she just thought it was too long.

“Can we take a look inside your houses?” Lena asked as Mae jumped free and brushed herself down. The switch must have been a surprise for her too, she looked a little flushed.

“Of course.” Birch had a twinkle of pride in his eye which was mirrored in Hazel's as she took his arm and the couple led their new campmates to one of the cabins. “I built them for you.” He pushed open a door which swung beautifully on the handmade hinges to reveal a large bedroom with a huge bed at one end. “This is all for you.”

Mae, Angelo, and Lena hung back a little to allow Marcus and Deborah first entry into the cabin. Deborah's eyes were wide with disbelief at the treasure.

“I know it won't do for all of you forever, but it will do for a little while at least, until we build another for you.” He nodded to the trio just behind and Lena smiled at him, trying to show how grateful she was for his consideration. “It's just, I was only expecting a couple. I'm sorry it's not bigger.”

“Oh, stop!” Mae pounced on him again. “It's fantastic! You're a genius. How could you have possibly known we'd gatecrash your camp too?” She kissed him then looked around at Angelo. “Besides, Angelo's a bit of an engineering genius too, so we'll be sorted in no time.”

Lena studied Angelo's reaction to Mae's flirtations, but couldn't see any possessiveness there at all. The only emotion she could detect was the unmistakable rise of lust. When she thought back to the times they had made love, she could remember how he liked to watch. He loved to see Lena fucking Mae and vice versa. Lena couldn't help thinking he was imagining her being fucked by Birch right now. Maybe he was imagining Mae strung up between the trees just as Hazel had been just a few days before. Lena struggled to contain excitement at the thought herself and clenched her pussy walls together as arousal hit.

As Deborah and Marcus flounced on the bed and Lena, Angelo, and Mae began to go in too, Hazel stepped forward. “We'll let you get settled in for a bit. Birch and I would like to prepare a welcome meal for you all.”

“Thank you.” Lena smiled and took a good look around the cabin. “Wow. This is amazing.”

Mae pouted. “They could have bloody told us about it weeks ago!”

“Well, we're here now.” Marcus looked a bit grim, and Lena nudged Mae.

“God, no, I wasn't blaming you or anything. Of course they had to stay hidden until the time was right. I wasn't meaning anything... Oh, for God's sake.” She stopped her rant when Deborah poked Marcus in the ribs, making him yelp.

“That's enough, she's just being funny.”

Lena realized Angelo was being very quiet. “What's up, my love?”

He drew her into his chest, wrapping his big arms around her. “I don't know. I guess I wanted to amaze you with my big cabin...”

Mae leapt on them both. “Oh honey, you've got the biggest cabin in the whole wide world, hasn't he, Lena? He's the best at building, inventing, and erections, isn't that right?”

“Oh yes, that's definitely right.” She twisted her hand down to his crotch where he most definitely was building a very fine erection, and a little squeal slipped from her throat. Heat pulsed into her sex and she was suddenly very damp between her legs. Her pussy felt puffed up with need and arousal and all the emotion of the past few days seemed to center in her crotch. Everything was pent up and in need of release. She clutched at his hardening cock and began to milk him, up and down, his velvety skin gliding so smoothly over his steel-like shaft. “Oh, Angelo, you feel so good.”

Mae was still wrapped around them both, humping and writhing, pressing her wet crotch to their sides. The scent of sex rose in the atmosphere and their breaths misted together in the cool air of the cabin.

Lena knew the other couple were there on the bed, probably watching, but she didn't care. Something had changed in her since she'd connected with Birch and Hazel when they'd been shagging in the river. Something voyeuristic made her body almost howl with arousal. She hoped Marcus had a hard-on. She hoped his fingers were up inside Deborah right now. She hoped Deborah would come over there and fuck her like she had when she was The Wasp. Memories of chains and crops and strap-ons filled Lena's brain, and she gripped Angelo's cock tighter, ramming her pussy into his thigh, trying to get something to touch her, grind against her, to get some relief.

“Oh, my darling, you need it, don't you?” Mae's wicked tongue was lashing at her earlobe, and at last her fingers probed in behind her ass, rummaging their way roughly through until she had a good purchase of the sopping, yearning folds.

“Yes, yes, I do. I want to be rammed full. I want everyone inside me at once, just like before. But I want more, I want you all.” She cast her eyes over to the couple, who indeed were watching with their hands touching each other's sex.

Angelo hoisted Mae up a little more and shuffled the three of them toward the bed. Their shins hit the frame sooner than expected and they all tumbled onto the spongy leaf and moss mattress. It was covered by beautiful clean sheets and Lena quickly shoved her nose in it, sucking in the forest fragrance and cleanliness. It was delicious.

Lena wriggled with the weight of her lovers on top of her and flailed her arms toward the other couple, trying to get them to rescue her a little. She might have acted a little more helpless than she actually was, but it worked. The familiar, cool touch of The Wasp snaked its way up her forearm and gripped tightly before heaving her up. Angelo and Mae were kissing and rubbing each other as Lena slipped out from underneath them and up into the arms of Deborah. They kissed. She tasted like earth and salt and sex, and Lena's body responded hard. Her pussy felt wide open with want and lust and she crawled on her hands and knees up over Deborah, pushing her ass high in invitation to whoever cared to plug her desperate want. Reaching up, she massaged Deborah's breast then moved her hand toward Marcus's crotch where a very hard erection tented under his wrap. He grabbed her hand with his and ground it onto his cock, forcing his hips into her clutches. Lena was amazed at her own brazen advances and even more amazed at everyone's acceptance of it. It was like true liberation. An honest meeting of minds and bodies. Unashamed and guilt free. Lena's heart soared, and she felt the tip of Angelo's cock stretch her heaving entrance.

“So you want to be fucked by everyone at the same time?” Mae sneaked in between her and Deborah, wriggling her way in to suckle at Lena's breasts. Deborah was shifting and spreading her legs beneath them both to accommodate the action and it turned Lena on even more.

Mae wriggled awkwardly but determinedly down to Lena's pussy and began to lap at her clit as Angelo slowly eased into her gaping cunt from behind. It felt dirty and naughty all sandwiched together in this sexual knot, and she kissed Deborah deeper while milking Marcus harder. It didn't take long before the shuddering and spasming started. She knew her fantasy was too much sensation for her and she rose to the pinnacle where everything stilled. Then came hard and wet, juddering her climax on the cock and into the mouth of her lovers. Marcus was roaring and twisting onto her palm and his milky fluid oozed and pumped out over her fingers.

Deborah had her own hand pinned to her cunt by Mae's back and she was obviously on the brink of climax herself. Her eyes fluttered back in their lids and she came, biting her lips and mewling. Mae released Lena's clit and came around to kiss her mouth while grabbing Lena's fingers and using them like a sex toy, ramming again and again into her tight, hot, sopping place. It was a heady, glorious few moments before Angelo grabbed her hips and pounded his orgasm deep up into her and Mae's pussy clutched and gushed over her hands and fingers. They all collapsed in a heap on the bed, gasping and panting. Lena giggled nervously, not quite sure of what she'd just initiated.

“Everyone okay?” she whispered, suddenly unsure of herself.

“Of course!” said Mae, ruffling her hair and drawing her closer. “What could possibly be not okay?” And everyone seemed to snuggle and breathe contentedly in agreement.

It felt like no time lying in the arms, dozing with old and new lovers before they were all being called to dinner by Hazel.