5. Katie
Chapter 5
Katie
Sometimes the answer to stress was to have fun.
There was simply no other option.
Despite everything that was going on with Katie, she knew that she had to try and put a positive spin on things. And who better to do that with than her friend Cassie.
As well as writing a popular DDlb webcomic, Cassie was also interested in acting and singing.
Just like Katie.
The pair of them met at an audition and had been best pals ever since. It was like they shared a connection that ran way beyond both of them being Littles.
It was almost like they were brothers.
With her bright blue eyes and peroxide blonde hair, Cassie stood out from the crowd. She was always gaining admiring glances from Daddies and Doms when the pair of them were out partying.
Cassie was creative, thoughtful and had a superb sense of humor too. She was always making Katie laugh. It was like she knew exactly what to say and how to say it too.
Cassie’s comedic gifts came to the fore in her webcomic.
Katie would eagerly wait for the latest edition to drop on Cassie’s Patreon and devour it on one sitting. Often, she would re-read it immediately to pick up on some of the jokes and gags she might have missed on the first read-through.
Katie felt honored to have such a talented friend.
Cassie always supported Katie in her own creative endeavors too. After every audition, Cassie was always there to provide support and feedback. She was convinced that Katie would make it on Broadway one day, even if Katie’s faith in herself had dipped in recent times.
Tonight was no different.
Cassie was in great form.
The laughs hadn’t stopped since the second she had entered the door.
The pair of them were putting on a late-night performance of Romeo and Juliet using stuffies.
This was classic Cassie.
She always knew how to put an amusing spin on an old classic. Cassie’s webcomic was known for its parodies of grand old movies and plays.
Plus, the opportunity to break out Katie’s complete stuffie collection was too good to miss.
‘This will be the greatest show on earth!’ Cassie declared as she held aloft her own stuffie, Bouncer. The lop-eared neon green bunny waved from side to side as Cassie lifted the makeshift curtain to reveal the cast of characters.
In this version of the classic Shakespearean play, a teddy bear actor called Roman, and a bunny rabbit police officer called Julia are deeply in love.
This bond is despite their contrasting backgrounds and personalities.
Katie and Cage had built an elaborate set using duvet covers, cardboard, balloons and a variety of colorful pillows.
It looked superb.
It was the kind of guaranteed fun and wholesome activity that would help Katie relax. Get her closer to finding her Little Space. This was when any Little felt at their most natural.
Happiest.
Free to behave exactly how they most wanted to without fear of judgement.
With Cassie alongside her and their entire cast of stuffie characters, everything was looking good.
‘Hey, it’s good to see you smiling again,’ Cassie said, picking up an elephant stuffie and placing him back on the stage. ‘You’ve had my back often enough. I had to make sure you were okay. Figured this would be a good idea.’
‘It super-duper definitely one million percent was a good idea!’ Katie squealed, joyfully helping the Roman stuffie across the stage. ‘I owe you one!’
Before Katie could continue with the play, there was a loud knocking at the door.
Katie froze.
Panic surged over her body.
Who was knocking so late?
Katie wasn’t expecting anyone.
It could be her sleazy landlord.
Yuck .
Or worse, it could be the creep who had sent her the photo.
That was even worse .
‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’ Cassie asked. ‘It could be an Amazon delivery. Remember that new coloring set you ordered?’
‘Hmm, I guess,’ Katie said, a little unsure.
Katie got to her feet and walked over towards the door.
She took a deep breath and just before she opened the door, a voice came through from the other side.
‘It’s me, Detective Jenson. I’ve come to check in on you, Katie.’
OMG.
This is… kinda strange.
But I’m super-excited too…
Katie opened the door and immediately felt herself get excited by the sight of Cage standing there in her doorway.
Cage was so tall and handsome.
Even in more casual clothing he looked incredible.
Cage was the hottest off-duty cop Katie had ever seen.
‘Please, come in,’ Katie said, stepping to one side and pointing Cage inside the apartment.
‘I was just in the area,’ Cage said, standing in the middle of the living space, casting his eyes over the room. ‘I thought it would be a good idea to stop by. See that everything was okay with you. You know, after you came into the station.’
Katie nodded in thanks.
After a quick, but excited, exchange of looks Cassie made an exit.
Katie knew that Cassie would be messaging her frantically later on.
But right now, it was time to focus her thoughts on Cage.
‘Cute toys,’ Cage said, pointing over towards the stuffies. ‘Looks like you were having a fun time. That’s good. You can’t allow yourself to live in fear.’
Katie appreciated the way Cage was so understanding and accepting of the stuffies.
Not all men would be.
Some people could be very judgmental and react badly to seeing something like this.
Katie knew that from painful experience.
But Cage was showing himself to be different.
Very different.
Katie continued to watch as Cage wandered around the apartment. Cage was checking the windows. Running his strong hands across the window ledges. Seeing what was up.
‘You could do with some better window locks,’ Cage said, the professional and serious tone back in his voice. ‘The door too. I can help fix that.’
‘Y-y-y-yes, thank you,’ Katie said, nervously.
‘So, that other girl?’ Cage enquired, running his hand up and down the front door. ‘Is she your… girlfriend?’
‘Cassie!’ Katie exclaimed, almost bursting out into laughter. ‘No, she’s definitely not my type! She’s great. I love her. But we’re BFFs, nothing else.’
Cage grunted a response as he continued to check underneath ledges. Based on what Katie had seen on TV and in movies, it was possible Cage was checking for bugs or secret recording devices.
Katie was too scared to ask about that.
She almost would rather not have known.
‘Those locks, are they… expensive?’ Katie asked, knowing full well that she couldn’t afford to spend money on extra home security. ‘I’m not exactly rolling in dollars at the moment.’
Katie sighed.
It sucked to not have money.
Especially when it meant that she wasn’t even able to afford to make herself more secure at home.
Cage could evidently see that Katie was a little bit down.
‘Hey, I’ve got an idea,’ Cage said, stopping his investigations and walking over to Katie. ‘If you feel scared. Seriously scared. And if you haven’t got anywhere else to stay. Then… come and live with me.’
Did I just hear that right?
Katie didn’t know what to stay.
She was speechless.
Katie’s mouth was so wide open she could have taken in the most super-sized sub available in the city.
On the one hand, it sounded like something she might have read in one of her romance novels.
A hot, hunky and domineering cop takes in a soft, sensitive Little.
It was the stuff dreams are made of.
But Katie had to be realistic.
It would just lead to so many possible complications.
Plus, as Cage himself had said, there was no way she should live her life in fear of some external threat.
Anyway, there might not be any more photos.
It could have been a horrible one-off.
‘Thank you for the offer, but no,’ Katie blurted out, still not entirely sure if this was the right thing to do. ‘I don’t mean it as an insult, but-’
‘No, no, it’s fine,’ Cage said, his tone even.
If Cage was offended or upset at having his offer turned down, he sure was hiding it well.
The pair of them continued to talk about more DIY security improvements that Katie could make. Ones that wouldn’t impact on her limited budget.
Katie thought that Cage was being very kind.
Part of her wanted to ask Cage to stay longer.
But Katie knew that it could lead to their attraction boiling over into something else. Something way more complex.
Also, Katie just couldn’t bring herself to ask Cage to stay any longer. She actually felt a bit weird having someone in her apartment that she didn’t know well.
Cassie was a totally different case.
They were longtime friends, and the trust had been established.
But Cage was different.
Even though he did seem a decent and honorable man, and was hot as anything on top of that, Katie just didn’t know him.
Eventually, the conversation came to a standstill and Cage left.
‘Remember, I’m at the other end of the line if you need me,’ Cage said, his warm eyes and sincere tone making Katie feel hot and tingly inside.
Katie smiled and slowly shut the door.
She watched as Cage powered down the corridor. His stride was long. Certain of its direction. Cage was a serious man who undertook serious business.
Sigh.
Back to being on my lonesome.
At least I have my stuffies and novels to keep me company…
With the door fully shut, Katie headed into her bedroom and stripped down ready for bed.
She could have stayed up later.
Maybe watched a movie.
But she knew that what she actually needed was a good night’s sleep.
Things would look different in the morning.
They always did.
After managing only a single chapter of her latest novel, Katie’s eyes began to shut. The cozy duvet was wrapped around her body and Snug was tucked up under her arm.
Even thoughts of Cage in various stages of undress couldn’t keep Katie awake.
Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
Katie woke in the morning and right away something felt off.
There was a strange vibe in the bedroom.
Katie couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt scared.
Immediately, she reached over the side of the bed and pulled up a pair of pants to put on.
Despite her increasing sense of fear, Katie got off the bed and walked out in the apartment.
To her horror, the front door was open.
She’d definitely locked it the previous night.
Katie had even triple-checked it.
There was a rising sense of panic coursing over Katie.
This was like something out of a thriller or horror movie. Katie knew that someone had been in her apartment while she slept. There was no other explanation for the open door.
But it wasn’t a burglar.
It didn’t appear that anything had been stolen.
Or even touched.
Then she saw it.
Katie scurried over to the kitchen table and picked up the polaroid.
It was a photo of her, fast asleep in bed last night.
What the…
I don’t like this. This is horrible…
Next to the polaroid was a note that read:
You’re even more beautiful in the flesh…
Katie felt like she wanted to cry.
This was the worst wake-up she had ever experienced in her entire life.
She felt lost.
Alone.
Totally without any control over what was happening to her.
Katie knew what she had to do.
It was time to call the police and try to sort this out properly.
One cop in particular came to mind.
But after she had rejected Cage’s offer the previous night, Katie wasn’t sure whether he would be interested in helping anymore.
But now wasn’t the time to think too much about her maybe-Daddy crush. Katie felt like she was in real danger and knew that there was only one realistic course of action she could take.
Her hands still shaking from the shock, Katie picked up her cell phone and dialed 911.
Whether Detective Cage Jenson would show up was uncertain.
There was only one way to find out.