They tied her arms and pulled her up until she was hanging. Her feet were bound together so she couldn't move or fight back. Lara was trapped. Then, many hands began to touch her, feeling the black fabric of her suit. One man moved close and licked her face, like a hungry animal tasting its food. He laughed and took a selfie with his phone, the flash bright in her eyes. He wanted to show everyone that he had captured the great Lara Croft.
Behind her, another man grabbed the zipper of her black suit. He pulled it down slowly, exposing her skin to the cold air. Lara closed her eyes and grit her teeth. She was furious, but something else was happening. Deep inside, she felt a dark thrill, a strange heat that she couldn't stop. She felt a deep shame because, even though these men were her enemies and were treating her like an object, a part of her was excited by the danger and the loss of control. It was a secret, silent battle: the rage against her captors versus the confusing pleasure of being completely at their mercy.
Years later, the manor was silent. Lara sat in her office, surrounded by ancient maps and artifacts she had successfully recovered. She was safe, powerful, and in control. But then, a notification appeared on her screen. An email from an unknown sender, with no text....only an image file.
She clicked it. Her breath hitched. The screen filled with the bright, harsh light of a camera flash. It was the selfie. In the photo, she looked broken and exposed, her black suit unzipped, and the man’s face was pressed against hers with a cruel smile. Seeing herself like that, so vulnerable and at the mercy of those men, made her hands tremble.
Lara felt a wave of cold sweat, but it wasn't just fear. As she stared at her own face in the photograph, that old, forbidden thrill returned. Her heart raced, and the same confusing heat from the cavern burned in her chest. She hated the men in the photo, and she hated the person who sent it, but she couldn't look away. She felt a deep, secret satisfaction in seeing herself as a trophy. It was a private shame she could never confess: the memory of her capture was her darkest, most addictive secret.
Dear Laraholics, this is another great example of your imagination and proof that, together, we can expand the Laraverse even further. This commission from a fellow Laraholic took me by surprise, the concept was brilliant: Lara feeling intensely thrilled by certain "difficulties" from her past. I believe this short story helps us put that into context.
I also want to mention that the first image is inspired by another Lara render from an artist whose name the commissioner couldn't identify, but I am equally grateful to them. If anyone recognizes the original creator, please let me know.
I hope you all enjoy it, dear Laraholics :)