76 Lafayette Street Part 1 by Lavro

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This can't be right.

I squinted at the address number on the building, then opened my text messages from Master. Yep, that's it. Seventysix Lafayette Street. An address I was ordered to go to and arrive at 7:30 sharp. An address where Master promised something special was waiting for me. It was 7:25, and I stood confused in front of a storefront, a sign reading "Closed" hanging in the door, and all the blinds were pulled down behind the large windows. The blue and white barber pole still rotated, illuminated.

This can't be right.

I swallowed a touch of paranoia and finally sent a text to Master. Either he meant to send me to this barbershop without instructions and didn't realize it was closed, or he made a mistake with the address. I eyed the open massage parlor one door over, hopeful, eagerly awaiting his response. It had to be a mistake.

7:27.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the barbershop windows. I liked the fullness of my hair, and the silhouette it made in the reflection. I begged Master to let me grow my hair, despite my hidden pleasure. It didn't matter what my inner freak desired. This look was me.

7:28.

I ran my hands through my shaggy head of loose waves, gently brushing it out of my eyes with a finger. I checked my phone. No response from Master.

7:29.

He must have meant the massage parlor. I consider walking over and opening the door… but what if I'm wrong? I check my phone again. It's unusual for Master not to answer. I look at the early evening sky and release an anxious sigh. I haven't been particularly obedient lately. I can't mess this up.

7:30.

I have to be on time. I take a step towards the massage parlor, but am halted by the metallic clank of an unlocking door. The barbershop. No…

I peer in as someone opens the door slowly, as if opening it for me.

"Austin?" It's him. I can't believe it.

He was one of Master's friends. Someone in our world. Someone Master knew I was terribly attracted to. Tall. Angular, scruffy face. Tattoos. Piercings. Short, spikey, bleached hair with the hint of dark roots growing in underneath. Black leather apron.

"You're right on time. Come in here. Boy."

He had never called me that, but it was enough to snare me, pulling me in. The door locked loudly behind me and the lights flickered on. I didn't know Austin was a barber, or that he worked in such a shop. Then walls were brick, covered in artworks showing horror movie posters, rock bands, and local record stores. There were two barber chairs outfit with deep red upholstery and framed in polished steel.

"How-," my throat had run dry, "how are you? Been awhile."

"Maybe we can catch up later," he said it as he walked to his chair, turning it and gesturing for me to sit. "You have orders don't you?"

"Sort of," I nervously walked over, eying Austin. "All Master gave me was the address."

Austin smiled, nodding in comprehension. "Sit."

I used the footrest and stepped up into the chair. I felt intoxicated by the sensation. The feeling of the leather. The smell of the barbershop. My defenses were lowering.

"Your Master told you nothing then. That is very interesting." He smirked as he turned the chair to face the mirror. "Your hair is pretty long."

I met his eyes in the mirror as he began to run his fingers through my hair. His fingertips rubbed against my scalp, releasing chills all over my body. He abruptly stopped, stepping towards his work station and opening a drawer. He looked back at me with mischief in his eyes.

"Take a deep breath and trust me. Remember, we're both doing the same thing here. We both have instructions from your Master, and we're both following them."

He then revealed two cuffs from the drawer. His hands were gentle when they took my wrist, laying it against the arm of the barber chair and tightly securing it with the leather cuff. Then the next wrist.

"Test them." It was an order.

I struggled against the tight cuffs binding me to the chair, but I could barely move. While I did this, Austin retrieved another leather strip, this time running it across the middle of my torso, and securing it around the back of his chair. He yanked it tight, pressing my body against the chair.

"Struggle for me," Austin ordered.

I tried to move but was bound tight. Another smile from Austin.

"Dude… You're really not going anywhere. Good. Now, just relax, ok?"

Relax, he says. How the Hell can I relax?

"You know why you're here right, boy?" Austin's icy blue eyes pierced mine. I swam in them for a moment.

"Master asked you to, uh, cut my hair? I suppose."

With a dramatic sweep, Austin flung a heavy black barber cape around my neck, securing it tightly. I loved my reflection, subdued by him.

"Duh. I'd say that's obvious." He stepped in front of me, raising my chin with one finger. "But why? Why would your Master send you here, and waste a favor from me?"

"I don't know," I winced but couldn't take my eyes off him.

Then I suddenly felt his hand press down on the cape, gently, to my midsection. His fingers found the metallic structure that secured my manhood, that kept me from playing. Or at least, it was supposed to keep me from playing. There was a way, and I had found it, used It, to my shame. But, how would Master have known?

"I think you do know," Austin winked, squeezing tighter, then releasing me. "Doesn't matter."

"What did Master tell you?" My voice was strained. He couldn't have known. I was so careful.

"That's between you and him. This isn't a trial, and you've already been sentenced. My task is, let's say, executioner. Don't worry though. It'll be fun."

"What are you going to do?" I tried to be stoic, but I was caught. Bound. I didn't want to to resist either, I only hoped for some fragment of mercy.

"Exactly what I was told to. What's about to happen has already been decided. The only thing that can change it is if you force me to do something crazy. You wouldn't want that. So relax your shoulders, and be quiet. If you say another word, you'll leave here bald. Got it?"

Bald?! All the alarms in my head went off. Don't speak. Say nothing. I nodded to Austin in acknowledgement, but did not speak.

"Good boy. Let's get started."

He reached for a comb and began to work it through my hair. When combed out, my bangs hung well past my eyes. My ears were covered. My neck was concealed under a heavy mass of loose curls, my favorite. My reflex to brush My bangs from my eyes was halted by the binds securing my wrist to the barber chair.

"Hm, how are you going to be able to watch what I have to do to you if you can't see?"

Don't speak, I reminded myself.

I heard Austin pick up the scissors, making threatening snipping sounds with them. His comb entered my bangs again, ensuring they all fell over my forehead, covering my eyes, and curling up at the ends.

Snip.

Austin let the scissors snip off the curled tips. I looked down, where I could see my lap covered by the black cape, and an inch of my hair fluttered onto it.

I let out my held breath. Another playfull snip, before I froze to the feeling of cold metal sliding along the skin above my eyebrow. I felt my body expanding, the cage below the barber cape filling completely with involuntary excitement.

I waited to be teased. Chastised. Taunted. But no. The scissors closed. In an instant I could see from my left eye, where a brutal chop sliced through my hair. Another snip in the middle of my forehead. My bangs were falling. Another snip. My right eye was revealed. A fourth snip. My bangs were cut completely out of my eyes. All I could do was stare at myself in shock. Several inches of hair piled in my lap, and my bangs were bluntly cut above my eyebrow. I knew then, Austin was not going to show mercy.

"There." He stepped back admiring his work. Another handsome smile. "Now you can watch what I have to do to you."

Don't speak. I watched Austin set the scissors down and pick up his clippers. He couldn't see my body reacting under the cape.

To be continued...

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