Page 10 of Thanatos' Craving

To the happy place I go, and to the happy place I will stay until this number is over.

Chapter Four

Juniper

Once I completed my performance, I headed back to the curtain. I untied my shoes and pushed the other girls away and bolted down the hallway back to the dressing room.

My heart pounded, my body covered in sweat. The shine from the oil was still there, but I only had one thought on my mind, and that was Amanda. The first time in the years I’ve spent here, someone looked up to me, reached out to me, and I would not let her down.

What I would do, I wasn’t sure yet, but I had to do something. I couldn’t stand back anymore, being idle about it. We both had to get out of here.

The guards at the door stopped me. They grabbed my shoulders and pulled the money from the clothes that barelyhung from my body. They pulled too hard, nearly pulling off what few clothes I had left.

Easy there, cunt-cake.I pulled the strap back on my shoulder, and one of them slapped my hand.

The guard scoffed. “What did you call me?”

Well, poop. I said that out loud, didn’t I?

“She’s been in a mood tonight.” One grabbed my wrists and pushed me back to the wall.

The other guard took my other hand and pinned it above my head. “She’s usually well-behaved. Maybe she’s done listening.” The other one snarled in my ear. Their breath is rancid and smelled of sulfur and rot.

“Let me go,” I growled, as I struggled against their grip. “I have to use the bathroom.”

One of them snorted. “Must be on her period then.” He snapped his gaze back to me. “Watch your tone. You may make the most money, but that won’t deter the boss from doing something else with you.”

They both exchanged amused looks before they let go of my wrists.

I rubbed my wrists together and pushed through the dressing room door to look for Amanda. I noticed that someone else occupied her dressing room table.

I grabbed a robe that barely covers my ass and wrapped it around my body. I hurried barefooted to the back of the dressing room and pushed through another door. It’s small. You would think it’s just a closet door holding cleaning supplies, but it’s not. It was a room full of small, tiny cots for us to sleep on with barely any stuffing for mattresses. One small blanket for each of us and no pillows.

I gazed around the room. Not a soul was inside.

She’s not here.

I shut the door and grabbed the arm of the first girl I saw, Roxy. At least that’s her stage name. “Where’s Amanda?” I asked in whispered tones. A guard stood by the door in an Adam’s pose, keeping an eye on the room.

“Who?” she asked, while she covered up her breasts. She took off her bra to put on a new one.

I rolled my eyes. “The new girl, Amanda. The one that flopped her performance?”

Roxy’s eyes widened and sympathy flashed across her face. “Ginger, I’m sorry, but they took her. They took her to the back of the building.” She tilted her head to the distant wall.

It was common for girls to be taken at random, but few would ask where they went after they were taken to the back.

“Dang it,” I muttered under my breath.

“Ginger!” The guard yelled. “You got a private dance in five!”

“Better get going.” Roxy nudged me. “The guards are really on you tonight. They usually leave you alone.” Roxy looked me up and down in sympathy.

I knew that look; she thought I was going to be taken soon too. I’m sure everyone was placing bets right now.

I ground my teeth together. No time for sucking up anymore. I was going to help Amanda. Something sparked inside me tonight to help her. Do something. Maybe part of me was done with this too. Being the sheep, staying careful just wasn’t me anymore.

I swallowed and went to my dressing area. I pulled down the next outfit. I kept my eyes on the guard at the door through the mirror. He gazed at me intently. At least, it looked like he was with those reflective sunglasses. For all I know he was staring at Snowflake over in the corner.

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