6

 “You think you have a choice?” he said quietly, his low voice causing me to jolt upwards as I began sweating profusely. “You dare to say no to me, you whore?”

I stepped backwards, mortified, suddenly terrified of the man was standing before me. He looked like he wanted to murder.

“W-What…what are you gonna do?” I cried out.

“You will sleep with me, whether you like it or not!” he demanded, grabbing hold of my arm with such a force that I almost tripped. I could feel my life flash before my eyes as he began tugging on my clothes.

I couldn’t let this happen…

I couldn’t let this fucking happen.

“No…no!” I screamed.

“Shut your mouth!” he growled, leaning in for a kiss.

As he did this, I took the opportunity to kick him hard in the crotch with my high heels. He cried out in pain, clutching his privates.

I ran as fast as I could. As fast as my legs would move.

I bolted through the crowd in the club, and Boss caught my glance, with murder written all over his face.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he called out after me, screaming angrily. “Come back inside right now!”

I ignored his screams, allowing them to fade into the loud music. I wanted to forget reality for a while. Wanted to forget that this was my life.

Wanted out, even if it was just for one night.

I had to keep running. I didn’t want to face Boss tonight. I didn’t want to have to go back into the private lounge with that bastard, and be forced to do things I didn’t want to do.

I didn’t want this life anymore.

My eyes grew hazy as my surroundings blurred around me. Before I knew it, I was in an alleyway near the club, and I had no idea where I should go, or which way I should turn.

“I need to get out of here before Boss finds me!” I cried out. “I’m in big trouble!”

I bent down and clutched my chest in agony, doing my best to regain my strength because my feet were searing in pain from running in these high-heels. As my heart-rate started to return to normal, and I slowly moved my eyes back upwards, I was greeted by the last person I expected to see here.

The mesmerizing man from the crowd was standing before me in the alleyway, his arms folded, with a look of genuine concern on his face. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

What the hell was he doing here?

“I’m Lazarus,” he said quietly. “Come with me. I’ll take you to safety.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat, not knowing why this man wanted to help me.

But I also knew I had no choice but to put my trust in a total stranger…

Because my life depended on it.

3

raven

I gave him a timid nod, hardly able to get any words out. Hardly able to string a sentence together, because my throat suddenly felt dry.

“He’ll catch up in a few minutes. Go hide somewhere, and I’ll speak to him and throw him off the trail so he doesn’t find you,” said Lazarus.

“O-Okay,” I breathed.

I looked around, and noticed some dustbins at the back of the alley. I quickly crept behind one, allowing the massive bins to conceal me. My heart pounded against my chest. I knew I would be dead meat if my boss found me here, especially after defying him. I didn’t want to learn what he was capable of.

He’d already treated me so harshly over me just making small mistakes.

Blood roared in my ears as I made silent prayers to God in my head, praying to Him to protect me. Thanking Him for sending this Lazarus character to help me. I just hoped that Lazarus would be able to keep Boss at bay.

I took a peek around the bin, and saw Boss standing there with Lazarus. My heart leapt to my throat as I quickly slid back into position, making sure I was hidden properly.

“Hey, I recognise you from the club,” I heard Boss say. “Have you seen the girl who was performing? Dark brown hair, slim, busty. She ran off, and I can’t find her anywhere.”