Rachel sat across from the man. She wasn’t sure she heard him right. She leaned in with a confused look on her face.

“Would you repeat that?”

“Ten million dollars are yours, to keep, to spend in any way that you desire. However, in one year, I will kill you.”

That’s what I thought he’d said. I knew I should have screamed and ran away, or at least got up and left. However, I didn’t. I just sat there and stared at him. He had the appearance of a young business man. He was well dressed, handsome even, “Is this a joke? Did David put you up to this?”

“I don’t know any David.”

I stared some more. For longer than was polite. He started to speak, but I cut him off, “How?”

“I don’t usually disclose that.”

“Oh.” I said, disappointed.

“Did you have something in mind?”

I looked around. He could see I was growing nervous, my hands shaking as I paused to take a drink, “I’ve always had a fantasy. And, I don’t want to get old. I mean, you know, get sick and ugly.”

His gazed into Rachel’s eyes as she spoke. She didn’t flinch, she’d actually thought about this, he expected the standard “as long as it’s quick” or “try to make it look like an accident”.

“You know in black-and-white movies, old westerns, where the woman tied to train tracks would be rescued just in time by the hero?”

He wasn’t expecting anything quite, so theatrical, “Yes.”

“That’s how I want to go.”

“You want to be crushed by a train?”

“Well, not crushed, at least not mostly. If I lay between the rails with my neck across one, the train should pass over the top of me.”

“Well, except for your neck, why?”

“I’m not entirely sure. It's just a fantasy I’ve had since I was young. I saw a girl tied up like that in one of those old movies and knew I wanted to be her ever since.”

Frowning, he replied, “And to have someone rescue you?”

Looking down sheepishly I whispered, “No that was never part of my fantasy.”

“So, what do you want it to be like?”

“I want to be tied up tightly and left there on the tracks at night. I want to feel the vibrations of the train before I ever see it. I want them to pulsate through me as I lay there and helplessly wait as they grow steadily stronger until the train is upon me.”

Unconsciously I caressed my slender neck as I spoke, the very thought of living my darkest fantasy impossibly exciting. Suddenly, I stopped as I realized he was staring at me.

He smiled, “Ok. You've got it. I’ll make all the arrangements. We’ll meet back here in 12 months.”

After he left, I finished my drink and left as well. As I left the bar, my phone started to vibrate, a deposit notification. I couldn’t believe it. He’d been telling the truth. The $10,000,000 was mine. What would I do with it? It was more than I thought I could spend in a year, but I’d try.

I bought the very best of everything. Any indulgence, any want, any whim, purchased. The nicest cars, the very best clothes, I traveled. I bought a house. But, mostly, I waited. Waiting until it was time to meet the man who was going to kill me. Finally, that fateful day arrived. I traveled back to where I’d met him that night 12 months ago...

That night, I sat in the bar and waited. I’d finished her drink, then a second. Three hours I still sat there wondering if I’d had my dates wrong.

The waitress brought me another drink, “This one’s on the house. We've all been stood up before.”

I laughed slightly, “Yes. I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe it’s for the best.”

Paying her bill Rachel walked a block or so to where she parked. In the darkness, she had an uneasy feeling. She looked behind her several times as she walked and sped up her pace to her car. She fumbled with her keys.

Suddenly a voice in the darkness asked, “Did you think I’d forget?”

I felt my heartbeat skip a beat. Still, too scared to turn I keep looking at my car.

Surprisingly, Rachel doesn’t turn or acknowledge him as he comes closer. A faint gasp escaping her lips as his fingertips brushed across her shoulder, “You, of all people, should have realized that I’m a man of my word.”

“I know,” I state trembling slightly.

“You were going to leave before I arrived?”

Turning facing him, I look up into his eyes, a faint grin appearing on my face, “Well. I do have a train to catch.”

“Come with me, it’s time.”

Reaching his car, he held the passenger door open as Rachel stepped and fastened her seatbelt, “It’s nice you dressed up for me. Most don’t.”

“Well. I wanted to look my best.”

Starting his car, he drove us out of town, the paved roads turning to crushed stone, the stone eventually turning to dirt. An hour later, Rachel’s eyes felt heavy with sleep but nervous excitement kept her awake. Finally, reaching their mysterious destination, he shut off the engine, “We’re here.”

Getting out, he retrieved a small bag from the trunk as I walked slowly on the gravel next to the tracks, my stiletto heels making it difficult to maintain my balance.

Walking up behind me, he placed his hand on my back. “Ready?”

“No....” as I struggled to control my breathing. He led me down the tracks, the warmth of his arm around my waist leading me on, guiding me toward my doom. We walked in darkness, the only light the night’s full moon, while partially obscured by clouds caused the rails to shine in the moon light.

After about ten minutes, he set his bag down, “We’re here.”

Propping up a simple device, a board with restraint belts, he reached his hand towards her, “Take off your skirt and blouse.”

“What?”

“You heard me, take off your skirt and blouse and hand them to me.”

Blushing nervously I stepped out of my skirt and started to unbuttoned my blouse.

As I handed him my clothes, he said, “Turn around, and put your hands behind your back.” Casually dropping my clothes on the ground next to his bag, he pulled out a length of rope.

My hands shook as he pulled my arms behind my back. He was slow and meticulous as he bound my wrists tightly together. Another rope went around my elbows pulling them back until they touched. Additional ropes followed, binding my legs first at the ankles, then above and below my knees.

Picking me up, he placed the tall stiletto heels of my shoes inside a bar at the bottom and leaned me back against the rough wood surface before fastening the restraints. The three thick leather straps, one below my knees, the second over my hips and a final strap just below my breasts, clinching each one painfully snug. I gasped as he pulled the one beneath my breasts so tight that it made it difficult to breathe.

Buckling the final strap, he suddenly glanced down at me with a look of concern on his face, “Is everything alright?”

Between my incredibly tight corset and the heavy leather strap painfully taut across my chest I could barely manage to breathe. Not sure I could trust my voice. I muttered, “Mhhmm” as I nodded.

Dragging me over to the rails he stood me up for a moment. I looked left then right down the rails. To the left was only darkness, save for the rails shining in the moon light. To the right was a light standard for signaling rail traffic. It was currently red.

Turning to me, he inquired, “Isn’t this exciting?”

Still unable to trust my voice, I nodded and smiled. Then he leaned me back. My neck touched the rail. It felt cold, but it soon warmed. He adjusted the plank between the rails, my petite tightly bond body fitting easily between them, my slender neck resting across the top of one of the rails. The restraint angled my body up slightly so I was as low as possible, but so my neck was resting upon the rail.

Anchoring the plank to the rail tie below, he said. “Ok, put your head back.”

I let my head fall backwards. My long soft neck stretched out across the rail. It would offer no resistance to the massive wheels of a speeding train.

“Would you like a gag?”

Pausing to consider, “Is there anyone around?”

His teeth seemed to glow in the moonlight, “Not for miles.”

“No thanks.”

“Anything else then” he asked.

I fidgeted slightly, but I could barely move. The warm summer night sky shone with stars above me as I looked each way along the rails. Finally, I answered, “No.”

He gathered his things and turned to walk away. A few steps away he quipped, “Don’t lose your head.”

Nervously, I giggled slightly, “How long will it take?”

“At four AM the train passes through here.”

“What time is it now?”

Glancing at his watch, “It’s two-thirty.”

I squirmed slightly against the ropes and straps, “So an hour and a half left to live....” as he disappeared into the darkness.

Even in the darkness, I could hear the amusement in his voice as he replied, “Unless it’s early.”

“Will it hurt?” I asked, finally taking in the gravity of what was going to happen.

“Not for long” as his voice faded into the darkness.

“What?”

But there was nothing but silence.

“Hey!”

Still more silence.

I started to panic. I desperately tried to free myself. I pulled against the straps and ropes. However, I couldn’t move. My arms were helplessly pinned behind me. Yet, despite all that was happening, I had to admit I was impressed, clearly I wasn’t the first woman he’d tied up.

Realizing the inevitability of what was happening, I relaxed, and I stopped struggling and looked up at the stars. The clouds had passed, and the moon was low on the horizon. Soon it would be gone. This is the last time I would see the moon set. This last morning was the final time I’d see the sunrise. I hadn’t thought about it before.

“This is a fine mess you got yourself in,” I said aloud, as if answering the voice in my head.

“Is it going to be worth it?”

“I hope so.”

I was staking everything on chasing a thrill, a darkly erotic fetish, some perverse urge, an image from an old movie. One I’d see so many years ago. I fell in love with the idea of becoming that damsel in distress. I loved feeling helpless, and now I truly was. Resigned to my fate, I relaxed and laid my head back across the rail.

“Hello?” I called out even knowing that I was alone.

“Help....?” I didn’t expect any. No one was there to help me.

“Shit!”

I laid there in the darkness. Glancing toward the signal light I was relieved to see it still shone red, the red light reflecting off the rails towards me. I closed my eyes and waited.

One minute passed then two. I tried to keep track of how long I’d been waiting but it was hopeless.

I opened my eyes and gasped. The red light to my right had changed to green. In terror, I screamed for the first time. Desperately straining to lift my head higher I turned and looked to my left but still darkness, but at least I finally knew from which direction the train would arrive.

I realized I was hyperventilating. I’d seriously panicked at the sight of that green light. A minute or so passed, take a deep breath, now hold it, and exhale. It took a few minutes of conscious effort but gradually my breathing returned to normal, “Ok. I'm good. Wow, what a rush.”

Suddenly, it hit me. The train was on its way, and I’m going to die. I fidgeted, tugging futilely against the tight ropes. Leaning my head back I looked up at the night sky while glancing down the tracks once or twice a minute. I’d expected the train to arrive shortly after that light turned green, but it felt like it’s been at least half an hour and still no train. I was actually starting to feel a bit bored. I wish it would hurry up and get here!

I thought about just closing my eyes. I didn’t want to but it was late, and I was already fighting to stay alert, and I didn’t want to miss the moment when finally came so I focused on my breathing, each shallow breath causing the ropes to pull almost sensuously against my skin. I suddenly realized that I was actually enjoying being tied up, maybe that all I’d ever wanted, if only I’d told someone before all this. It could have been less, permanent.

Nope, this is what I wanted and I was determined to maintain that attitude! I truly never knew what it was, was it a fetish, a death wish, or something else? Some people get off on hurting others. I wanted to be one getting hurt. I’d spent my while life wanting it, and now I had it, and it was real.

A shiver raced down my back. Finally, I have what I wanted for so long. Shivering again, I closed my eyes and desperately thought of warmth. Just then I realized that, despite the fact I was dressed in my underwear. I actually didn’t feel all that cold. I wasn’t shivering. It was the rail. Oh shit, it's the train!

I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach. I looked to the left but there was nothing but darkness. The shivers turned into a constant pulse, like a cell phone on vibrate. I could almost hear a hum to it. The vibrations pulsated through my body. I’d expected this. I’d hoped for it.

This is what I wanted, but is this real? Maybe it’s a dream? Then I heard the sound of the train’s engine off in the distance. This is no dream!

I could actually feel the vibration of the rail growing stronger. Suddenly, I heard a crossing bell ringing, in the distance, then two horn blasts as the train passed through the crossing. A few minutes later, it repeated, another bell ringing followed by two blasts of the horn but this time it sounder closer.

I could hear the sound of the approaching train steadily growing louder, growing closer. I close my eyes and waited. The vibrations of the rail were making me body pulse. The sensation was exactly as I’d hoped for. It didn’t take long. A faint sigh of pleasure escaping my lips, as that first orgasm finally arrived.

As my second orgasm peaked, I laid my head back across the rail and bit my lip. Less than a minute later, I climaxed again and even knowing no one would hear me. I screamed, “Kill me!”

Feeling my next orgasm building, but even as I climaxed, I realized that I really wanted to be rescued. Too bad, maybe that was all I ever wanted, to be the damsel in distress, rescued just before the train arrives, but now it’s too late to back out. Down the rails, I could already see a faint glow of approaching lights.

Somewhere beyond the bend, the train was approaching. I watched helplessly as the light grew steadily brighter. The sound of the approaching train and vibrations of the rails grew stronger. Even as I felt my next orgasm starting I continued to stare defiantly down the tracks until the train appeared around the bend.

In the final instant, I stared at that approaching wheel, shiny and metal, speeding towards my neck as the train started pass over me. I could feel the heat off its engine, the way the speed of its passage whipped my hair in a fury of wind. The wheel reached my neck.

My last thought, “No,” then only darkness...

The massive steel wheel effortlessly crushing Rachel’s slender neck in an instant, her severed head rolling away from the carnage as the train continued past.

In the train engine, the man who had tied Rachel to the tracks lit up a cigarette. He’d rather enjoyed that...

...of course, in the darkness Rachel never noticed the dozen or so night-vison video cameras he’d set up to record her exciting death from every angle. A few days of editing and she’ll be the star of his newest snuff film. He should make back the entire ten million dollars he’d paid Rachel, plus the fifty grand in bribes needed to borrow that train engine, within the first forty-eight hours after he releases her snuff film. It’s always nice to have a loyal audience and a limitless pool of willing victims like Rachel...