Discount - Chapter 5
"Discount"
(C)2016 Sinclair Diavante
Chapter 5.
Colin stared at the front door, as if it were a giant plant monster, waving its tentacles around and threatening to swallow him whole.
Eight o'clock was beyond a cruel time to expect him to arrive. All of the classes at his university had an 8AM time slot during the week!
It would take him about 20 minutes to walk to the store, passing more than a few other students along the way. They would see what was locked to his head.
A hat wouldn't fit over it, not that such would hide the straps holding his mouth shut. A helmet also wouldn't fit, so asking for a ride from Chris's motorcycle was thus, out of the question.
No, he had to walk.
Out there.
Wearing this.
Colin took a deep breath, and pulled briefly on the steel encircling his sheath, reminding himself that he'd finally get to unlock it. He disposed of the can of Ensure he was drinking, tossing it into the trash, it was the only substantive thing he could eat at the moment.
The door called to him, the time was now 7:40. He had absolutely no choice. Well, that's not true. He could just... not show up.
And his 10AM class, today?
He tried to imagine Professor Hendrick's reaction...
"Colin, we like to think of ourselves as very progressive, here at VTU. But... really? I'm not sure what statement you're trying to make..."
No, that wouldn't work.
Also, his friends would see, and that would be the worst thing of all. He whimpered at the mere thought. They would know that he liked this sort of thing, if they saw him wearing it.
7:45.
Someone's white paws reached out and picked up his book-bag, then twisted the doorknob, they weren't possibly his own. Neither were the legs that propelled him out through the door and into the fresh morning air.
Be that as it may, he walked, and was entirely positive that every set of eyes he passed were staring right at him.
"Colin, good morning..." He almost jumped out of his fur, turning to stare at the UPS guy, his big brown truck was parked behind him.
"Got a package for your roommate, can you sign?" Hi, my name is DAVID, his badge said. Colin had seen Dave before, he was big, with orange tiger stripes. Friendly, courteous, Dave's eyes only briefly met Colin's, but he was sure that they settled on a certain black arrangement, for just a second.
Colin's paw scribbled in a digital box indicated on a black datapad, his fingers felt completely numb.
"Thank you." The tiger tipped his head with a big grin.
Colin yelped from within the leather harness, and woodenly turned to walk away, a little quicker, this time.
He was most of the way there when he caught sight of some people he knew. They were walking towards him, and he realized it would actually be worse if he turned around and ran, though he briefly contemplated it.
"Hey, check that out! It's Colin!"
"Colin?"
Several friends, Tom, Stacy, Paul... some people he met up with for lunch on Thursdays, after Physics.
"What is that? Holy shit, it's got a lock in the back, that's... uh..."
Paul had run up to Colin and was staring closely at the harness on his head. Colin saw a crack in the ground, and wondered if he might be able to hide in it.
Tom stayed back, eyes a little wide, a hidden grin on his muzzle. He looked all embarrassed, himself.
Stacy stepped up to him and glanced into his eyes, she easily saw that he was terrified, and ran her paws over his shaking ears to calm him down.
"What are you doing? Oh my Dog," she moved close and ran her fingers gently under the straps, she whispered. "What is this? Oh, Colin... this is risky. I hope you know what you're getting involved in."
He shook his head a couple times.
"Maybe we should start calling him Col-ler, hahah-"
Stacy rounded on Paul. "Shut up! There's nothing wrong with it, it looks cute on him, so maybe it would look good on you?" Paul fell silent. The two were dating, and he tended to jump when she said boo.
"Are you OK?" She whispered. He managed a nervous grin, nodding, and her eyebrows went up. "We're going to talk," she said. "Get to where you're headed, you ARE going to tell me more about this, later."
Colin slinked away, it was as if every time someone stared at him, it pulled a little more energy out of his body, and it was exhausting.
He arrived at the store, and immediately saw that the sign said CLOSED, but he tried the door, anyway. He couldn't turn around now.
It pushed open easily, producing a familiar chime. He ventured inside the dark interior, only a few of the lights were on.
"Well! How much is that fox in the window? Step right this way, and we'll find out." Joey stood behind the counter with his arms crossed and a big grin spread over his lips. Colin approached with his eyes downcast, staring at the floor, feeling a strange combination of emotions.
Relief, from having made it.
Expectation, of what it'll feel like to finally take the chastity device off, and paw.
However, there was also something else nagging at his mind... was that, perhaps, a little insight?
The harness locked around his muzzle, what was that really about? It sure made him feel submissive, but did it also serve another purpose?
Frustration and worry topped it all, because he couldn't talk, he couldn't ask any questions, and he had so many. He was worried that might be the intent.
The fact that he couldn't speak made him feel less like a person, lower in stature than everyone else around him. He could only answer with the most basic of responses, like yes, or no.
This concept, for some strange reason, turned him on more than anything he had ever fantasized about. He felt shocked that some aspect of his sexuality had existed all this time, and he hadn't even known about it.
He was going to paw all night.
On the counter sat a familiar brass key. Colin felt a wash of relief upon seeing it, followed with a sudden pang of worry, though. This time it was attached to a split metal ring, and a plastic tag hung off of that. Colin did not miss the fact that his name was printed on it.
"So. I figure you've rather enjoyed the last few days wearing that, yes? I know I have." A wide, sharp grin, and Colin swallowed, feeling those yellow eyes bore deeply into him.
"This is where you indicate to me if you've decided to buy it, or not. Did you... perhaps, come up with the funds needed to make a purchase?"
Light blue eyes briefly met yellow, and Colin shook his head in the negative. Perhaps he hadn't understood the bargain, and he silently scolded himself for not paying closer attention. He was just thinking with his dick at the time. A thick gray paw made the key vanish, and Colin's thought processes froze. The tiny trickle remaining formed one final conclusion:
He wasn't pawing tonight.
Now, he was really listening closely.
"That's most unfortunate, but. Luckily for you, we're perfectly willing to extend your credit, you need only make one small gesture of good faith and commitment."
Colin looked up, wondering what that meant.
"Why don't you come on back, we'll take the chastity tube off, and see if there are any fitment issues present. It is, after all, within our best interests to protect our assets. We strive to make sure that they last as long as possible."
He jumped when he heard the lock on the front door snap closed, and he quickly turned around to look in that direction, but all he could make out was a tall shadow moving against freshly risen sunlight, filtering in from the street outside. Joey had his attention before he could see any more.
"Do you remember what I said, fox?" Colin turned to look back at him, splaying his ears under the pressure of his predatory smile.
"You will be leaving here with it locked back on. Your freedom has a price, and you can't yet pay. I am a generous wolf, though, so I'll unlock your head harness just before you leave, and you can take it with you, since it is yours, free of charge."
Colin's eyes were wide, and he swallowed very hard with what was spoken next.
"You'll be needing it in the future. If you show up here without it, then we'll assume you don't need anything special from us. Your secrets will remain safe, and we'll pretend nothing is amiss.
"Arrive wearing it, though, and we'll immediately take you into the back to see what needs to be addressed. Do you understand?"
Colin nodded.
"Good! You've been so obedient, you've earned a reward today. I hope the dual combination lock didn't frighten you too badly." His smile widened.
Reward? Colin liked the sound of that, it helped dull the edge of his growing anxiety, though despite his fear, his sheath hurt from the constant new attempts at forming an erection, his shaft pinning it against the steel.
"Yes, you can put it on, but only we can remove it, because beggars can't be choosers. Am I right?"
Someone was walking up behind him, his ears went sideways. Colin didn't know what to say, not that he could speak, but he was trying to pay attention to both things at the same time.
"No? Well, here's your copy anyway. I think you'll really like the package we've put together for you, you'll want to put that on as soon as you get home. It's waiting for you there right now."
Colin stared in shock at the piece of paper, typed on it was a... contract. The wolf slid it forward for him to look at a little closer. Various items were listed, prices, requirements, legalities, responsibilities, releases of liability, obligations. So much, it was all a blur, almost like it was written in a completely different language. His heart started to race when he saw his name and signature at the bottom, with today's date.
A large orange hand rested on his shoulder, claws extended to poke through his fur. Despite the dark interior, the room was almost too bright, his pupils were so huge.
"That's my business partner, Dave-- you wanna show him in back?" The wolf looked up, behind Colin.
"Be glad to." Dave's voice was deep and powerful, he took Colin's book-bag and set it onto the floor, then clipped a leash onto the D ring at the back of his harness. He grasped his shoulder once more and lead him sideways, around the counter, and Colin walked briskly forward, craning his neck to stare up at the big tiger, linking all of the events that morning together.
"What?" He smiled. "Guy's gotta make a living, and you wouldn't believe the benefits UPS provides me with. Right through that door, no, no, there you go..."
Colin reached out and pushed it open, moving in slow motion now, almost as if he was in a dream. Rewards, contracts, he was being walked on a leash!
A padded mat, like what he'd used at wrestling practice, sat below a single bright light from above.
What he saw laid out on that mat took his breath away.