The basement was pretty large, on the sides there were shelfs and assorted tools, not as neatly ordered like it was in the house, more scattered. What was in the middle of the basement was what had caught Tanya’s attention. Cables and hoses were connected and ran over the floor that seemed to lead to a secondary room. It was what the cables were connected to that was the odd thing.
-What in the world? Tanya said, lost for words.
It was a large sci fi looking tube that was filled with some kind of liquid but that wasn’t the strangest part. Tanya took a step back, all of her attention was on the tube now, trying to understand it. From time to time there would come small bubbles that would float to the top.
-Why… Being met with it and the content in it she couldn’t understand why it was there, there was no reason and yet it stood there. She took one more step back and stopped.
The cylindrical object was still there, the fluid was still in it and the person in it was still there.
She was starting to lose hope, trying to claw some logic back to help understand but she could just stand there and gawk at it.
Tanya slowly sat down on the ground, feeling a need for stability. She looked back up at the person.
-Jenna? Why are you in a tube?
There was no response, and Jenna seemed to be in a tranquil state with some sort of mask providing her oxygen she assumed. Some hoses seemed connected to her private parts.
-Jenna? Do you need help?
Still no answer, she could probably not hear anything or maybe she was unconscious? She didn’t know. Jenna’s naked body was floating in the middle of the tube and there was some kind of light illuminating the inside making her body look more sensual in a way.
-Jenna! Talk to me! But no answer came, at this point steps could be heard coming from the stairs behind but Tanya was too focused to hear it.
Tanya tried to brace herself and stood up, approached the tube and touched it with her hand.
-What do I do? Do you need help? She then grew silent, unsure what to do next. The sensation of the tube felt warm to the touch.
A voice from behind her brought her back to her senses.
-Can I help you? The voice said in a familiar tone.
Tanya slowly turned her head around, not sure what to expect but seeing Jenna standing in the stair opening was not even on the list of things possible. Just a moment later Tanya passed out from being overwhelmed.
When Tanya woke up she was in the living room, after adjusting her eyes she could hear Jenna ask.
-Everything ok dear?
Jenna was standing in the kitchen, drinking some coffee.
-Ugh, I had the worst day ever. Tanya said, her head aching and feeling hungry.
-I came home and found you passed out on my floor, I didn’t know what to think, you had me so worried!
Tanya started to wake up, some inconsistencies started to creep in. Where was the cage? Where was the human pig? Trying to recollect the events that led up to this point it started to paint a picture. She also found something in the basement, a second Jenna. But that’s not possible? Yet it was what she had found, she was sure of it.
-I must have been exhausted, did you find me in the basement by chance?
Jenna looked at her with a puzzled look.
-The basement? No, I found you here in the living room, passed out. I was out for my daily walk when I got a notification that someone had entered the house and I assumed it was my husband coming home early and instead I found you.
It didn’t sound like she was lying but the memories were so vivid that it must be a lie, but why? Was she ashamed or why would she want to hide the facts? Sure they hadn’t known each other for that long Tanya thought to herself.
-Huh, I have a distinct memory of going down the stairway and into the basement and then passing out.
Maybe if she pushed it a bit Jenna would reveal something or confess to whatever it was she was hiding.
-That’s impossible dear, the door to the basement is locked at all times due to safety reasons with the kids, I don't want them to stumble down there and get access to any of the dangerous tools. So we keep the door locked at all times.
It sounded plausible, and she said it with a straight face again, what was going on? Now Tanya was starting to doubt herself.
Realising the reason she came here to begin with she asked.
-I came here to ask for the key, I need it. I can’t explain why but if you could be so kind as to give it back I’ll return it as soon as possible.
Jenna put the cup down, and again with a perplexed look on her face.
-What key?
The phone suddenly rang and Tanya was sure she flinched due to its unexpected timing. One signal, two signals. Tanya reached for her phone.
-Hello this is Tanya?
-Hey this is Seashell, from the Union, remember me?
Tanya looked at Jenna then back at the phone. What on earth? Then she replied with an unsure voice.
-Yes? Of course I remember you, what can I help you with?
-I was thinking of how we could improve things with the meetings. Like, you know, the way things are now it’s kind of too formal don’t you think?
Tanya was trying to soak it in, but there was too much.
–Listen, can you call me back later, now is not a good time.
But Seashell didn’t seem to hear her.
-I was thinking we could start doing practices, you know? or maybe have activities so we don’t just sit and talk, don’t get me wrong. It’s nice to have like minded people to talk to but I think we could do so much more with the club! Don’t you agree?
Starting to get a headache she looked up at Jenna who seemed to be occupied in the kitchen. What was it that she had said ? What key? There was only one key in question, the key to her belt, that she had said that under any circumstances she could come and retrieve if there were any problems. That key!
-Hello? Don’t you agree? Seashell continued on.
-Listen, I'll call you back ok?
And then Tanya closed the call.
-Jenna? Did you just say, what key? Surely there is only one key in question to why I would come here. And you know it.
Jenna put the pot with water on the stove and then looked Tanya in the eyes.
-No I have no idea what you are talking about.
Tanya stood up, furious at this point, walked up to Jenna and pulled her pants down.
-See this belt, it’s the belt you locked me into! And you said if there ever was any doubt I could come here and get it unlocked with the key you had. That’s why I’m here, so please don’t play any games with me, I need it unlocked!
Jenna’s face turned sympathetic and she stepped closer and gave Tanya a hug.
-I’m sorry, I truly am.
Feeling her warm body Tanya embraced the hug and started to cry.
-I just want it unlocked, please. Sobbing and enjoying her hug.
-Oh, am I interrupting something? A male voice suddenly asked from behind.
Realising that she was standing in the kitchen with her pants down hugging the woman that was probably his wife Tanya suddenly felt very awkward and wondered what else could go wrong that day. Not wanting to let go of the hug Jenna slowly managed to get her to release and greet her husband.
-I’m not going to ask so I’ll just clean up and maybe our guest could join us for dinner? He said.
With a whisper Tanya asked again.
-Please, I need the key!
But Jenna just shook her head.
-Really sorry but I have no idea what you are talking about.
With a feeling of being defeated she gave up. Not sure what to think or believe any more.
-I’m sorry for intruding, I’ll just head home then.
-You sure? You are more than welcome to stay for dinner.
-Yeah I’m sure.
If Jenna didn’t have her key, who did? The other Jenna? Where was she? Still in the basement?
-Wait, I know this might sound strange but could I take a look at your basement before I leave?
Expecting to get turned down she waited but to her surprise Jenna accepted with an odd look on her face. Can’t blame her she thought, probably thinks I have gone crazy. Down in the basement it looked the same, everything was like she remembered except one thing, the cylinder with Jenna was missing, like it had never been there.
-Are you satisfied, Jenna asked?
-Sorry, you must think I’m very weird at this point.
-No, no, don’t worry about it dear. I’m happy to help out.
With formalities out of the way Tanya apologized several times and went back to the car. It was now dark outside.
Jenna and her husband were standing in the doorway waving goodbye to her, she waved back, started the car and drove home, going over what had happened over and over until she couldn’t make heads or tails of it all and how would she explain to Sir that she had failed to retrieve the key? It was all so absurd.