In the gritty heart of Duskville, where shadows hide the crimes no one wants to see, Detective Jackson Reyes works like a ghost—unflinching, relentless, and alone. Scarred by a childhood spent watching his mother suffer at the hands of a cruel man, Reyes learned early that justice doesn’t come easily. So he became it. When Lena, a young woman trapped in a world of coercion and violence, walks into his station and tells the truth no one else will hear, something shifts. As Reyes digs deeper into the criminal underworld controlled by Riko and his men, Lena becomes more than a witness—she becomes a reason. A reason to keep fighting. A reason to believe healing might be possible, even for someone like him. ______ Content Warning: This story contains themes and depictions of sxual assult, r*pe, non-consensual acts, gr*oming, sx traffcking, and dr*g use. Reader discretion is strongly advised. These topics are part of the narrative and may be distressing or triggering for some individuals. Please take care while reading.
view moreCharacters:
Name: Helena Lynch (Lena) Stage Name: Raven Age: 27 Occupation: Stripper (under coercion) Current Situation: Trapped in a toxic strip club environment, manipulated by her controlling “boyfriend” and drug dependency. Appearance: • Slim build, sharp cheekbones, and pale skin that looks even starker under the club lights; 5’0” tall. • Jet-black hair with messy bangs she sometimes cuts herself. • Dark, tired eyes with heavy eyeliner—a mask of confidence, though the sadness still bleeds through. • Off-stage, she wears oversized hoodies and jackets she can disappear into. • Always appears a little anxious, a little wired—like she’s constantly bracing for something. Name: Eric Perez Alias: Riko Age: 36 Occupation: Unofficial manager/pimp at the strip club; acts like he owns the girls, as he’s the one who recruits them. Current Situation: Lena’s controlling “boyfriend”—manipulative, violent, and emotionally abusive. Appearance: • Muscular, gritty build with an intimidating physical presence; 5’11” tall. • Sharp, aggressive features: a perpetually clenched jaw, eyes that burn through people, usually under a furrowed brow. • Buzzed hair, some stubble—never fully clean-shaven. • Always in dark, fitted clothes—leather jacket, boots, a chain; carries himself like he’s untouchable. • His voice is low, coarse, and threatening, even when “calm.” Name: Jackson Reyes Prefers to be called: Jax Age: 32 Occupation: Detective Inspector (DI) Current Situation: The best detective in the station—once he focuses on a case, he won’t let it go until it’s solved. Appearance: • Black, shoulder-length hair, often messy from stress. • Grey eyes, sharp and unblinking—he studies people like he’s already seen their worst. • Thick eyebrows always knitted into a scowl, even when relaxed—gives him a permanently angry expression. • Wears plain clothes: a worn brown leather jacket, jeans, and scuffed boots; avoids suits. • Scar on his jaw and knuckles; rugged look; 6’0” tall. • Stands tall and moves with quiet authority—people feel his presence before he speaks. Other characters: The Club Members: Name: Gloria Alias: Mama G (by the girls at the club) – The Matron (by the clients) Personality and Appearance: • Harsh, strict, emotionally detached; enforces brutal discipline to keep the girls alive; bitter, sharp-tongued, but secretly protective • Respected and feared by everyone in the club • 55-year-old, stern and commanding presence; hair always tightly pulled back; wears dark, structured clothes and heels • Sharp features, tired eyes, faint scar on collarbone; Always put-together—dark lipstick, manicured nails Name: Monica Stage Name: Ivy Personality and Appearance: • Quietly observant, with a sadness in her that she rarely speaks about; obeys the rules, keeps her head down—she’s learned the cost of resistance; wary of Riko and terrified of Mama G, but hides it well • 26-year-old; brown, shoulder-length wavy hair; green eyes, often guarded; slender, but looks worn down from exhaustion and stress Name: Connie Stage Name: Cherry Personality and Appearance: • Flirty, sassy, and always ready with a sharp comeback; lives loud—laughs hard, curses often, and doesn’t hide her bitterness; doesn’t trust easily and always assumes the worst about people • Jealous of Lena’s closeness to Riko, and constantly picking fights with her; deep down, afraid of being replaced or forgotten • 32-year-old; dyed red hair with loose curls, always styled to stand out; heavy makeup—red lipstick, glitter eyeshadow, fake lashes • Flashy clothes on and off stage—tight jeans, fur-trimmed jackets, loud earrings; smokes menthols and chews gum constantly; tall heels, sharp nails, and a don’t-mess-with-me walk Name: Alexandra “Alexia” Stage Name: Domina Personality and Appearance: • Obedient, precise, and deeply loyal to the club’s rules; believes survival depends on discipline—never breaks routine, never steps out of line; doesn’t cause trouble, but will report other girls if she thinks their actions might bring risk • Feared by some of the girls for being a “perfect soldier” to Mama G and Riko; sees emotions as dangerous—especially compassion • 24-year-old; hair always neat—sharp bob; minimal but flawless makeup—professional and polished; wears club-mandated outfits with exactness, no modifications; carries herself like she’s already one step ahead of everyone else Name: Sophie Stage Name: Doll face Personality and Appearance: • Innocent, timid, and clearly out of place; tries to stay strong, but her fear shows in every gesture; clings to any kindness, especially from Lena; still believes people might help her if she asks the right way • Struggles to understand the rules of survival—still learning the hard way; Mama G is harsh with her, trying to “break her in” before the men do • 18 years old but Riko forged a fake ID for her making her 22 • Big doe eyes, soft round face—why the clients nicknamed her “Doll Face”; long blonde hair often tied in ribbons or simple ponytails; petite, almost childlike frame—amplifying her vulnerability; light makeup at first, but the club starts layering more on her to make her “sell” Name: Vince Occupation: Front-facing businessman, acts like the “respectable” face of the club Personality and Appearance: • Cold, calculating, sees girls as profit; pretends to care about “reputation” and legality, but turns a blind eye; keeps records, coordinates with other gangs, launders money • Late 40s, balding, always in a cheap suit trying to look expensive; wears cologne to hide the stench of alcohol; smiles with dead eyes; always on his phone or behind the bar office—never gets his hands dirty Riko’s Men: • Luis – The quiet one who observes everything. Prefers black suits and always wears silver chains and rings. • Ozzy – Aggressive and loud; treats girls like property. Always in a tank top, showing off his tattooed arms. • Milo – Appears kind to gain trust, only to later betray or hurt those who believe him. Always in a black leather jacket. • All of them are always armed (knives, brass knuckles, etc.). They reek of cigarettes, sweat, and cheap cologne. Fiercely loyal to Riko, they handle enforcement, intimidation, transport, and the "training" of new girls. They act like predators—some more sadistic than others. The Club Bouncers • Brick – The largest and most silent; never seen smiling. • Tank – Loyal only to Riko; takes pleasure in putting people “in their place.” • Knox – Rough with clients and cruel to the girls. • Red – The youngest; unpredictable, sometimes laughs at others’ pain. • All of them guard the entrances, handle unruly clients, and ensure no girl tries to run. They see everything and report anything. Built like walls—tall, broad-shouldered, with shaved heads or tight fades. Dressed in black shirts, cargo pants, and combat boots. Arms crossed at all times—unless dragging someone out or blocking a door. Content Warning: This story contains themes and depictions of sxual assult, r*pe, non-consensual acts, gr*oming, sx traffcking, and dr*g use. Reader discretion is strongly advised. These topics are part of the narrative and may be distressing or triggering for some individuals. Please take care while reading.A week later, she was in bed alone again.Sunlight crept through the blinds. Her eyes opened slowly—today, she was back on stage. She sighed. She hated the attention of those strange men, but she hated serving them drinks more.She got ready like every day. The routine was unbearable, but it was the only thing she knew. Today, though, she wore one of her performance outfits. She was dancing again—and tonight, she was the main performer. She had to be ready.After Ivy's light performance, it was almost her turn.Milo knocked on the door before sticking his head inside and calling her name.“Raven, you’re next.”He left immediately, and she rose to go to the stage._The lights dimmed to a deep, smoky violet. A slow, haunting melody hummed through the speakers—something sultry and atmospheric, like a spell in sound.Then she appeared.Raven stepped into the spotlight wearing black lace, sheer sleeves clinging to her arms, and a velvet corset cinched tight around her waist. Her skin glow
The room is silent, lit by a single flickering fluorescent overhead. A metal table sits in the center. One chair occupied. The other, empty—waiting.Danny Vega, 23, jittery, sits with a busted lip and one eye already swelling. His hands are cuffed in front of him, picking at a raw spot on his thumb. He tries to sit tall, to look tough, but his leg bounces with nervous energy.The heavy door creaks open.DI Reyes enters. Calm. Controlled.No badge on a chain. No suit. Just a worn brown leather jacket over a white shirt, dark jeans, and boots that have seen too many alleys. But the most striking thing about him is his piercing grey eyes—cool, unreadable, sharp as razors.He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t speak. No need for theatrics—his silence is the threat.He pulls out the chair across from Danny, sits, and drops a manila folder onto the table with a deliberate thud. The sound makes Danny flinch. Reyes stares at him for a long moment before finally speaking.“You know what I really hate, D
She woke up in the afternoon, alone. The sun leaked through the blinds—too bright for how late it felt. The bed beside her was cold. Riko was gone; probably had been for hours. The apartment smelled like cheap cologne, sweat, and whatever takeout Riko had left behind the night before.Her stomach twisted, low and sharp. The cramps were back—angrier this time, like her body was catching up on all the pain it had been forced to delay. She curled in on herself for a moment, pressing a hand to her lower belly, but it didn’t help.She had to get up. There was nothing in the apartment that could help, and he hadn’t left her anything. No painkillers. No food. No care.She dragged herself out of bed and pulled on an oversized black hoodie—the one that hung down to her thighs and covered the bruises. It still smelled like him, faintly. That alone made her nauseous.Outside, the light stung her eyes. She was accustomed only to the dark. She kept her head down and walked quickly. Her body ached
Characters:Name: Helena Lynch (Lena)Stage Name: RavenAge: 27Occupation: Stripper (under coercion)Current Situation: Trapped in a toxic strip club environment, manipulated by her controlling “boyfriend” and drug dependency.Appearance:• Slim build, sharp cheekbones, and pale skin that looks even starker under the club lights; 5’0” tall.• Jet-black hair with messy bangs she sometimes cuts herself.• Dark, tired eyes with heavy eyeliner—a mask of confidence, though the sadness still bleeds through.• Off-stage, she wears oversized hoodies and jackets she can disappear into.• Always appears a little anxious, a little wired—like she’s constantly bracing for something.Name: Eric PerezAlias: RikoAge: 36Occupation: Unofficial manager/pimp at the strip club; acts like he owns the girls, as he’s the one who recruits them.Current Situation: Lena’s controlling “boyfriend”—manipulative, violent, and emotionally abusive.Appearance:• Muscular, gritty build with an intimidating physica
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