A busy courtroom fell silent as the judge took the seat. “eh…” he grunted to himself while looking at a piece that lay in his hands. “Sigh” Lexi took a deep breath and closed her eyes to calm her nerves but instead of a serene moment of silence, all her ears could hear were the echoes of the ancy audience shifting in their seats alongside the occasional whispers of predictions about her fate. Opening her eyes she fidgeted by pulling back on her knees in a slight jerking motion. “WHIRRR” a loud squeak sound echoed in the room as Lexi’s sweaty bare heels scooted forcefully against the freshly lacquered court tabletop. “Excuse me, quiet in the court!” The judge reprimanded the nervous girl.

“Yes your honor” She said respectfully while wishing she could just take her damn bare feet off the table. It would have prevented such distractions such as the many unaffiliated citizens that showed up to the court proceedings with the sole intent to get a glimpse of the famous barefoot thiefs naked toes. 

“Due to the nature of the case… or should I say the sentencing of the Barefoot Thief. I deem it appropriate that you shall have your feet be put on display during the sentencing in order to remind you of your heinous crimes.” The words echoed in her head from when the proceeding began an hour earlier. For the trial, it actually made sense to her as Lexi’s bare feet was submitted and accepted as evidence by the prosecution, but this was a sentencing not a trial. I guess she should have known her footwear was going to be forcefully surrendered to the bailiff, just like every other court proceeding. It didn't matter that she wore thick socks and brown flats akin to a set of armor amongst the chaos of her reality. They were to be taken all the same.

“Just as you have proven today with your cocky attitude, you are not sorry for your crimes and for that, I demand that you look at the families of the stolen heirlooms while I read your sentencing.” He said as he pointed to the bench behind the prosecution. Lexi’s face flushed white as she now knew the judge wasn't going to just give her a slap on the wrist. Turning her head to obey the man who held her fate, she looked worried toward the pilfered families. They returned the favor by shooting her glares of disdain and hatred. She wanted to say so badly that it wasn't her. That she was being framed for the crimes. How did her toe prints get on the safe? She didn't know such answers but truthfully, the only thing she ever stole was a pen from her second grade teacher.

“For your vile actions and disdain for society, I am demanding the maximum sentence of life at Mt. Grux.” The judge said as he slammed his hammer against the gavel. “Oooh…” the whole crowd gave a surprised response as everyone knew of Mt. Grux’s reputation.  Jerking her head back at the judge with wide open disbelief, her eyes widened.

“Wait no! Your honor please!” Lexi yelled as she pulled her feet violently from the table and stood up. Officers quickly reacted and grabbed her shoulders to prevent any sort of disruption. Feeling their strength forcefully push her to the exit Lexi pleaded with her only ally in sight.  “Appeal it! You can file an appeal!” Lexi yelled at her well dressed lawyer. Almost flippant, he calmly began to pack his briefcase while glancing over to the barefoot damsel being carried away. “Lexi, you owe us $10,000 for the retainer. Seeing as I’m not getting that back now, we are not going to file anything.” He retorted.

“Wait please I can get the money!” She yelled desperately as her voice began to fade toward the halls. 

She now turned her attention to her “fan club” as pictures clicked left and right as if she was being escorted down a red carpet premier. “Sure the case was high profile but was this really worth it?” She thought to herself while squinting at the many camera flashes. As they made their way outside the crowd turned from slightly civilized to an angry mob. 

“Theif theif theif!” they yelled and jeered in anger with each passing second it getting louder. “Lock the bitch up! Lock the bitch up!” It turned more visceral to Lexi’s surprise.

It wasn't that she thought people would approve of her false crime. It was the fact that she was actually convicted and in the process of being sent to Mt. Grux. The thought had her emotionales and dumbfounded, unable to yet process her situation, that was until she felt a cold metal shackle touch her dainty ankle. 

“Click” it made a sound as it now sat above her right foot and tethered to her left.

“Got to shackle her ankles properly before putting her in.” Said one officer. “You got it.” The others responded as they made sure her feet were secured properly. 

“Guys I read that I don't have to check into prison for another 48 hours. I should be at least allowed to go home for a day to get my affairs in order” She said desperately hoping the rule she read online the night before could remove the nightmarish restraints if only for a day. 

“Go home? You are a convicted criminal. The only place you're going to is cage to cage from here on out.” He responded while securing her wrists behind her back and then attaching a pair of cuffs roughly to her wrists. “Aaaah that hurts!” Lexi complained as the metal cuffs dug into her soft wrists. Her true immobility and powerlessness sank in when she felt she could barely move her shoulders. “No please, I'm innocent!” She yelled as they shoved her into the back seat of the car. The forceful action caused her to fall on her chest as her restrained hands gave no support to catch herself. The other officer noticed her shackled feet hung outside the open door. 

“There's your photo opp!” he yelled to the crowd as her soles were exposed to the mob, shackled and hanging out of a prison transport. To no surprise more camera flashes lit up her surroundings. She knew her soles were probably going to be famous from there on out.

“Okay that's enough” he said as he shoved her ankles forward and slammed the car door. Her feet fell back after the door shut causing the tops of her feet and toes to press against the window. The hard coldness of the glass felt akin to the guard's attitude.

“Alright take her to the processing center.” 

The ride was uneventful as Lexi took a deep breath in an attempt to finally take stock of her situation. There had to be a way to appeal her conviction. She was innocent and she had to find a way to prove it to everyone. “What was I missing?” She thought as she looked out the heavily tinted window noticing its view was void of any buildings or street lamps. The quiet hum of the highway always reminded her of the roadtrips she used to take and the crazy conversations she and her friends would get into when it was just them on the road. “Perhaps he will hear me out..” Lexi thought to herself hoping the guard shared the same feelings.

“Hey sir…?” Lexi said gently. 

To her dismay, she was greeted with silence. 

“Sir please!” She said a bit firmer this time. 

Now having to address the vocal inmate, the guard turned his head in anger as he looked back to address the restrained barefoot woman. “What is it!” He yelled, clearly annoyed. Lexi paused for a second trying to gather her thoughts to state the proper words. 

“I just wanted to tell you something everyone is overlooking…” she tried to say softly to no avail as she was abruptly cut off. 

“Look criminal… if you say one thing about your case or how innocent you are, you’re going to regret it, I promise you that” The officer retorted. Lexi stopped to think for a second. She knew she probably shouldn’t push her luck but of course the idea of even spending a night at Mt. Grux ran through her head. She took her chances. 

“Okay I understand… it’s just how could a school receptionist like myself commit…” without responding the guard slammed the transport cars brakes. “That’s it… time for some roadwork…” he said with fury as he stopped the car and exited his door. He then proceeded to grab a rope from the trunk and flung open the back car door. “Hey look I’m sorry I’ll be quiet…” she tried to calm the angry guard down knowing she was truly in no position to negotiate. 

“Too late, we already tried that. Plus you could probably use a warm up before you get to the big leagues at Mt. Grux…” he said as he pulled on her ankles roughly now standing her up on the pavement. Lexi shuffled her bare feet as they were still shackled. “Ouch the ground!” she complained causing the officer to burst out laughing. “Hahaha this ground is harsh? You’re in for a surprise…” he said while releasing the shackles. Lexi felt some relief as she could now move her legs. He also uncuffed her hands but then re-cuffed them in front of her torso. 

“What are we doing…?” She asked curiously. 

“We? You mean you?” He responded while he tethered her wrists to the bottom of his car's tow hook using a rope he procured from the trunk. “Wait what’s going on?” She asked as she could now see she was locked to the vehicle with about eight feet of slack. “Alright good luck, we will start at 6mph and see how you do.” He said while he went back to his cruiser. “No wait I’m sorry! I won’t say anything!” She yelled as she now knew she would be going for a barefoot run on the hot pavement. He slammed the door and the rear car lights turned on as she was slowly pulled forward. “Aaah!” She yelled as she started to run forward to prevent from getting dragged by the moving car. “Agh…aaah…!wait stop…. please…” Lexi pleaded as her soft bare feet slapped against the hot tarmac. The guard smiled as he saw the barefoot damsel distraught as she tried to keep up with the car. He could hear the slight complaints and annoying pitch of her voice through the glass rear window. In response he turned up the radio to drown out the whiny sounds. “Ah that’s better.” He said while keeping the car at a slow enough pace.

“Ah.. shit…” Lexi said as she tried her best to keep a good cadence with her steps to prevent from falling down. Her rhythm mimicked the days she ran on her apartment complex's treadmill. Of course she found the barefoot aspect to be much different than her marshmallowy trainers. One such example was that she noticed she was naturally landing on the pads of her feet for each step instead of the usual heel to toe stride.  The lack of ability to move her restrained wrists also proved a challenge as she couldn't swing her arms for the usual added momentum… and then there was the “OUCH DAMNMIT” also known as little pointy loose stones layed sporadically strewn all over the road that ambushed her soft soles every so often. It became a bit of a minigame as she watched out for the hellish stones, stepping around them every chase she got. 

As time passed and Lexi panted for air cars would pass by and gawk at the curious sight. They usually didn’t engage unless they recognized her from the case. 

“Hey barefoot bitch, how about a drink!” one driver yelled as they hurled a cup of soda at her. It missed mostly but the act stunned her slightly causing her to almost stumble. “Ooof” she said as she barely caught herself. 

The guard noticed the panting floundering leggy blonde and began to laugh. “Haha that’s the spirit!” He said, as he was glad his city was getting in on the fun of justice against such hardened criminals.

While observing the tethered inmate just moments after the heckling incident he noticed her face turn a distressed red. 

“Oh shoot!” He panicked as he looked down at his speedometer. He was doing about 9mph. In a panic he hit his brakes causing him to hear an audible thud. Lexi ran into the trunk not knowing the car was going to stop as her attention was continuously focused on stones her feet didnt want to meet. 

The officer exited and went to check on his prisoner. Thankfully she kept pace with the car well enough, albeit barely and a sweaty mess at that. “Oh please…. can…. we... stop…” she begged while she rested on her knees. The sight was curious. Her soft soles upturned while her lungs heaved like a dying dog. 

Wanting to make sure her feet were not damaged in any way, he inspected them by crouching down to take a closer look. As he did, he noticed they were red and slightly raw with flecks of dirt stuck to their sweaty surface but no permanent damage. “Yeah sure, I’ll get the shackles…” he said as Lexi was properly restrained and shoved back in the car. After she caught her breath, any fight left to convince the guard was back on that highway. She fell asleep.

“Welcome to Mt. Grux…” the officer said audibly loud to the sleeping girl. This caused her to jolt awake from her sleep. “Oh…” she said in a depressed tone as she saw the prison's heavy gates. Lexi was hoping the whole ordeal was just a dream and she would wake up at her little apartment, but sadly it wasn’t so. 

“I’ll take you to the processing center and the guards will take it from there…” he said as he drove her up to one of the buildings. “Did you hear me?” The officer said with an angry tone. “Yes…” Lexi responded. “Yes what?” “Yes…. sir…” she barely got the words out as she was still exhausted. “Listen up missy… let me give you some free advice. You will be referring to everyone from here on out as sir or ma’am, if not the consequences will be dire for you…” he said while putting the car in park.

As promised three men met them at the front door of the building. Two looked like guards and one dressed professionally. “Oh nice, look at this one… a local celebrity. Glad you could get her to us tonight. It's a beautiful evening for Bastinado and I wanted her to participate.” “Yeah, no problem warden. It was a longer drive due to the fact that I had her run about five or so miles since she misbehaved on the way over here…” the officer told him while looking down on Lexi as if it were her fault. “Oh well, feisty eh? I guess I didn't expect any less from a woman who participates in international espionage and high value theft.” The warden responded. Lexi didn’t say anything as the two other men held her by the shoulders. She noticed him take a good hard look at her bare feet. “I don’t think there’s a better prison for the barefoot thief…” he said as he motioned for the guards to take her inside.

Lexi had her clothes taken and then she was hosed down as standard protocol. After the cold water bath she was given her prison uniform. “Put it on already stop staring at it!” Yelled the women who hosed her down. Still shivering from the ice cold water. She took the dress and put it over her head. The fabric didn’t feel great as it felt more like a non breathable space blanket. Her breasts pressed tightly against the metallic material. “I think it’s too small…” she said as the skirt portion was uncomfortably high. “Does it look like I give a shit that your long legs shoot out past your uniform? Now get your ass over here!” She commanded Lexi while stomping her military boot. In a bit of a cold panic Lexi complied as she scurried over “Turn around and face away from me!” She commanded. Lexi spun around. “Okay now lift your leg so I can see the bottom of your sole...” she demanded while pulling a measuring tape out. Lexi followed instructions as she now felt a measuring tape across her naked sole. “Size eight… and dirty...” she stated while noticing the hose bath didn’t wash off all of the dirt from her sole. Lexi put her foot down. “Did I say to put your foot down?!” Said the woman harshly. Quickly Lexi shot it back up showing her sole to the woman again. “Naughty girl, you will pay for your disobedience tonight…” the woman said. Lexi sighed as she knew this would be how things were from now on. 

The woman reached for a ring with a six and stamped a nine on it. “Alright slut, here’s your toe ring. If you lose it, you’ll be in big trouble. It has your prisoner data in it as well as your initials next to your prison block and foot size. Any of your punishment schedules or work loads are loaded here everyday. Which I would imagine will be often since it looks like those big stompers will probably get you into a lot of trouble.” She said while pointing at her feet. “Oh how ironic… block six, size nine… 69…  how fitting…” she said with a smile as she forced it over Lexis middle toe. Lexi grunted as her toe roughly accepted the ring. She noticed it read LM69. “Now for your jewelry….” the woman said as she grabbed two heavy shackles. She fitted them around Lexis' ankles and locked them in place. “Get used to them, they don’t come off…” she said as she twirled the key to her shackles around her fingers. Lexi could tell the woman loved her job. She almost seemed to enjoy every bit of depressing news relayed to her.

“Is that her ankle shackle key?” Said the warden as he entered the room. “Yes sir, it is.” The woman responded. Lexi just kept her head down as she was embarrassed and powerless amongst company, sporting her terribly revealing uniform. 

“It will be a great addition to the collection…” he said as he took the key from her. Lexi dared to look up to see the interaction and doing so, to her horror, she saw the warden holding her brown flats that were taken from the courtroom earlier that day. 

“Oh so I see you notice a belonging of yours.” He said with a wryly smile. Lexi didn't respond as her mouth was left ajar in surprise. “Well I absolutely had to have them as an addition for my trophy room and what’s great is that your ankle shackle key will look perfect hung up right next to them. You see, I am a bit of a foot fan so naturally I take advantage of the perks of the job…” he said while he studied Lexis' feet and red toe nails. “Damn near perfect. You know the pictures dont do those toots any justice… and the red nails… its actually quite ironic.” he said while producing a stick from his hip and pointing out Lexis' cracked toe nail polish. “Your chosen toe nail color will be sure to match your soles. Lift your foot and show me your sole criminal…” he commanded. Lexi complied, now bending her knee and upturning her foot to the warden. She revealed to him a slightly black foot. “Oh how disappointing. I was really looking forward to seeing if the milky hue really was that tinge of pink like the pictures. I am a bit upset that you decided our first meeting would be with dirty soles like that. I suppose that means it’s a good time to teach you what dirty feet get you here at Mt. Grux…” he said as he meant every word of matching her toe nail color to her soon to be red hot soles. “Sir… If you could give me a chance to speak…” Lexi responded unconfidently as the feeling of powerlessness never felt so intense. 

“For what? To tell me you didn't do it? To tell me you don't belong here? I have heard all that bullshit before and let me tell you sweetheart, it gets old. My job isn’t to do anything other than make you repay your debt to society. Now let’s begin…” He said as both the warden and his helper looked at the blond barefoot woman like hungry hyenas.

“So as the rumors ring true, we believe in corporal punishment here at Mt. Grux.” Said the warden as he led Lexi to a wooden stock. “As far as the amount of administration of said punishment, well that depends on the amount of infractions you have accumulated.” He said as he pushed Lexi down into a wooden seat while the other woman lifted her legs up and positioned them between two wooden beams. “So let’s list them. One, you spoke out of place, that's 10 strokes. Two, your feet are filthy and now we have to clean them to make sure there is no dirt or grime blocking the paddle” He said while the woman guard used a wet cloth to rub off any dirt on the exposed soles of Lexi. “So for this inconvenience that's another 10 strokes… and lastly you wore these brown flats earlier. I can tell by the slight smell and warmth inside.” He said while he lifted the shoes to his face and took a whiff. It smelled like a pair of damp nervous feet housed them at some point. Lexi opened her mouth to speak as she had no idea she was going to be sentenced to Mt. Grux when she put them on just that morning. However, she decided to not procure any words under the fear of acquiring additional strokes. Her mouth opened like a fish as she fought back the urge to procure words to protest such an unfair rule. Her silence was a bit disappointing but interesting to the warden as Lexi’s emotions found another way out visibly through the streaming wet cheeks and teary eyes.

“You should know that you're a prisoner retroactively from the beginning of the day and due to this fact, you broke one of the number one rules at my prison: a foot slut shall not hide her shameful toes from the world under any circumstances. The penalty is another 20 strokes.” He said as he examined her shackles and checked the rope that currently presented her feet forward. 

Once again the surreal feeling of her situation sank in as she saw her barefeet trapped ins ome medeival home built torture device with a madman standing at the other side. 

“You won't have to count the strokes today but normally that would be how we do things here. Your job today is to introduce yourself to your fellow inmates.” Said the warden as he motioned to his right hand woman. She stood next to Lexi with a microphone in her hand and put it up to her mouth. Lexi for the first time looked confused. Was she supposed to say something?

“Cat got your tongue? Don’t worry, I’ll help you out.” The warden said as he swung the paddle at Lexi’s restrained feet. 

“Slatch”? The paddle landed square on the pad of her feet causing a stinging sensation. “Aaah!” Lexi exclaimed her pain aloud. The mic picked up her emote as she could hear her groan echo through the hallways. “Smack” the paddle landed again to her shock, it hurt worse than the first strike. “Aaah no!” She protested while seeing the warden wind up for the next stroke. In relex she pulled her feet back against the ropes and tried to lessen the surface the angry paddle could impact. 

“Nope, soles forward and we are starting over.” He said as he grabbed Lexis big toes and guided her soles to face the paddle. Lexi grunted as she left her feet facing the paddle as it came back with a vengeance. “Smack” “aaaah” she yelled again as she fought the urge to retreat her feet. “Smack” “wait please can we just talk about…” “Smack” the paddle interrupted her thought process. She began to cry. “Smack” “Smack” the paddle relentlessly unleashed its fury on the soft soles of Lexi over and over. Heel to arch, to toes as if in a rhythmic skilled approach.

The warden paused, causing Lexi to let out a sigh of relief hoping the assault had optimistically been over. 

“Halfway there…” Said the warden, causing Lexi's eyes to widen. “No, wait! I'll do anything, just stop!” she proclaimed while the paddle connected again this time on her deep arches. Scrambling to think of any possible leverage she had in the situation she desperately pleaded “Aaah, I’ll date you! I'll go out with you. We can mess around. You can have my feet just please stop.” She said aloud hearing the words echo back to herself as the mic still held its place in front of her quivering mouth. The warden stopped for a moment as he found the statement curious. “Interesting proposition…” He said with a smile on his face. 

If he was honest with himself, Lexi was one of the most beautiful prisoners he had seen come through his prison gates. Women like her would pay zero attention to him in the real world but this wasn’t the outside world. This was Mt. Grux, where he ruled as king with an iron fist over his subjects, and here she was a beautiful leggy blonde, reduced to a slave begging for a pardon from her duties.

Lexi nodded as if trying to make the decision for him. With his now approaching hands, she hoped he would loosen the ropes that held her ankles to stop the madness. Curiously his hands gripped her toes as he flexed them back and forth as if imaging the things they could do for him.

“Nah, I think i'd rather beat your feet.” He said to her horror as he continued the punishment.

“No!” She yelled as she had no cards left to play. Just mercilessly letting the paddle do its work.

Lexi was a sweaty mess at the end of it all. Soles red as her toenails, a promise kept by the warden, her feet dragging against the floor as teh guard took her to her cell.

The Warden and his right hand guard discussed future plans.

“Baseline 20 strokes at the 5am punishment rotation and at night time, payout any strokes owed from infractions.” he said as the woman guard took notes on a piece of paper. 

“Sir, if I may, that amount of baseline strokes daily could affect her walking ability for daily labor.” She said a bit surprised at such a number. Usually most of the prisoners received five strokes in the morning as 20 was reserved for misbehavior. 

“Fine, rotate Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with the cattle prod pressed into her arches at 20,000 volts 10 shocks.” He relented.

“Wow, you must really hate her.” Mentioned the woman as she even saw such a demand as cruel.

“Not exactly, I actually admire her quite a lot. She showed indomitable resolve back there. Most prisoners go into a full panic and we have to restrain their big toes to let the paddle do its work. She bravely presented those soft pillowy soles for punishment without such help.” He responded. The woman nodded as he was right.

Back at the cell, Lexi was introduced to a stony floor alongside a hatch where i'm sure her ankles would be restrained at some point.

“I have to break out of this place…” Lexi thought to herself as being subjected to the horrors of what was to come from such a madman like the warden, was not a long term option. She may not have been the infamous barefoot thief, but she certainly would do her best to muster any willpower and skills of such a legend.

To be continued?