10 years later...

The obnoxiously loud music was blaring through the walls of the dressing room as I added the finishing touches to my outfit- if you could even call it that. I was more naked than dressed.

I leaned against the desk in front of the mirror, staring at myself as my blonde, nearly white, hair fell and created a curtain on each side of my face, the ends tickling my waist. I took a deep breath and held it until it burned and my face turned red.

A ritual I do every night to distract myself from the nerves.

I flinched, letting go of the breathe as the door to my dressing room flew open with a loud creak. This isn't an uncommon occurrence. We weren't allowed locks and most of the staff here never knocked.

"Sam," Harvey said, shutting the door behind him. Harvey was one of the club's bartenders and an errand boy for the boss.

He was one of the one's here by choice.

I had recollected myself before he stepped in. I wore my expressionless mask as I made no move to acknowledge his existence while I started on braiding my long hair.

"5 minutes until places, hurry up," he announced before stepping out again.

I sighed and let my shoulders sag, grabbing a blue ribbon to tie off my braided hair.

No matter how many times I've had to do this, I will never get used to it.

I unhooked the necklace I always wear and tucked it safely into my bag. It was a cheap chain and a key ring that fastened my Dad's small compass to so I could I wear it on me at all times except for when I was to perform. I didn't want it to get ruined. I considered it my good luck charm and a way to remember my parents by. Proof that someone cared for and loved me at some point in my life.

I was starting to get a heavy feeling again so I shook off the memories of my parents and made my way to the back of the stage where two other siren women did finishing touches on their makeup.

Both here by choice.

"Sam, we're on in a minute! You really took your sweet time!" Ophelia stressed, ruffling her skirt one last time.

I rolled my eyes, sauntering out onto the stage, the girls following a few steps behind me. We stood at our respective mics, adjusting them and waiting for the loud music to stop. Seeing the crowd, the lights, and mic made my brain go fuzzy as it always does before a performance. My consciousness seemed to ease back. Deeper into the depths of my mind where I could be safe and watch my body move from afar.

I've got this.

When the music stopped, it was show time.

Many supernatural clubs hire sirens so species who can't have alcohol can still experience the effects of getting drunk, minus the hangover.

The feeling of lust and desire was just an added bonus for many.

Ophelia and Lexi started singing before me most of the males in the audience were already falling into a love drunk state, as well as a few women. The whole club was in a trance when my soft voice joined the harmony.

Although it was only the three of us, our voiced harmonizing made it sound like symphony of many voices.

I could appreciate the beauty of it if it weren't for the things it made people do when they heard it.

But that's what the devil profits off of.

Dread filled me as the middle of the song came up. This was always the part where we make our way off the stage and into this closed off seating area that'll be open for certain VIP guests or any guests we sirens personally choose to come in. This is where we're expected to put on a real show.

I've never chosen anyone to join me. Even if I wanted to I wouldn't be allowed to. They're chosen for me every single time.

We make our way down the steps that lead to the VIP area, making sure to sway or hips and run our hands sensually up and down our bodies like we're nothing but walking objects for other's eyes to lust over. Just like we were trained to do.

It's disgusting.

The people with golden wristbands make their way into the velvet roped off area. Us sirens sit at our own respective velvet couches, presenting our bodies for the many eyes watching us. People throw money or splash champagne on us.

It was overwhelming to experience.

That's why I let myself day dream. My eyes are open but I'm not really seeing or hearing anything. Just singing as hands caress me in different places, lips press against my neck, thighs and chest as I sit there emotionlessly. Not wanting to feel. That's the one thing that I can never seem to block out. The feeling of someone's hands on me keeps me on edge enough so I can never completely fall back in the abyss of my mind.

I watch as my body moves up and down on someone's lap, following the rhythm of the song I'm singing. I run my hands through the blurry faced man's graying hair and smile when I feel his hands on me.

Even as my skin crawls, I smile.

I know he's watching somewhere. I know that if I look miserable I'll be punished for it. If my voice even so much as stutters I'm done.

I've learned what he likes and doesn't like from me.

We're finally approaching the end of the song as we put up a little show like we're disappointed to be leaving so soon.

Back on stage now, I keep my chin up, shoulder's straight, still smiling as the song comes to an end. When I'm behind the curtain hidden from view. From his view, is when I finally relax. I don't give him the chance to send Harvey to fetch me as I throw a hoodie on, grab my bag and leave.

The club is hidden under this gas station, the only way to access it is through a magic door created by a warlock. And it's located in the middle of nowhere so I have a good half an hour walk back to my apartment.

I exit the door, closing it behind me and leave the building quickly.

There's a beach right across the street and I hungrily breathe in the salty air that always reminds me of home.

I continue walking, taking deep calming breaths. Usually I'd go for a swim after an okay day like this but I have to restock on food for the week and it's already pretty late.

My legs ache by the time I step into the one convenience store in town. The bell chimes as I walk through the door, the sudden cool air making goosebumps rise on my bare legs. I keep my head down as I make my way to the back, passing a group of girls around my age gawking over a magazine.

"I need him so baaaaad. I'm not even kidding." A girl with honey blonde hair sighed dreamily.

"I know! Look at his abs!" Her brown haired friend pointed at the magazine.

"He's playing in some surfing movie soon." Another girl chimed in.

"I bet it's just so he can stay shirtless the whole time." The blonde girl said making them all giggle.

I frowned at the way they could just waste time laughing and gossiping. I even felt myself getting a little jealous with how carefree they were. They probably had school in the morning and plans to go to the mall or the cinema this weekend. Or maybe they'd stay up late on the phone with someone they loved.

I sighed, shaking my head when I realized I'd been staring at one cooler for too long. Long enough for the girls to have left leaving me alone here. I bent down and picked up a case of water and grabbed a few cups of instant ramen on the way to the empty register.

I set my items down and rang the bell.

Ding.

"I'm coming!" A rough voice called out.

A shiver of fear ran down my spine at the voice as a large burly man with graying hair stepped out from a door behind the counter.

It wasn't uncommon to run into people who visited the club. Especially in a town as small as Riverstone. But it was uncommon to run into my own clients. A regular at that.

A dark grin spread across the man's face when he recognized me. His eyes trailing down to my bare legs.

I had the urge to tear my skin off.

He began ringing up my items as he continued to stare at me.

"Your total is $11.99. Cash or card?" He asked.

I reach into my bag to pull out cash when his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, making me flinch back and freeze as he tugged me closer to the counter until I was nearly bent over it.

"Or you can pay me some other way." He licked his lips.

The images of nights spent with him flashed in my head and I gasped and yanked my arm away, frantically pulling out $15 in cash. I slammed the money on the counter, grabbed my food, and ran. My heart pounded in my chest as I got as far away from the store as possible. The area where he grabbed my wrist burned like it was on fire.

I'm never going back there. Ever. I'll go to a real grocery store even if it's more expensive.

I was still breathing heavily when I stepped into my studio apartment and slid down the wall. I brought my knees to my chest, took a deep breath and held it, with my eyes closed tight.

I felt the pressure building in my chest, then my throat, until my lungs began to burn. Then my brain narrowed all my thoughts down to breath, breath, breath. I ignored them. My cheeks began to feel hot as the pressure went to my head. I could hear my blood flowing. My heart beat slowing down. I felt my muscles relaxing and even though my eyes were closed I could feel the world around me spinning. I knew if I opened my eyes I'd be dizzy. And just as I started to slip I finally let myself take a breath. The pressure in my head multiplied, giving me a headache and my lungs felt tense as I took deep gasping breaths but once I had managed to calm down. I felt better. I was numb with just a slight headache. Nothing sleep wouldn't fix.

I slowly picked myself up from the stained tiled floor with my grocery bags. I tore open the case of water bottles and loaded them up into my empty fridge. The ramen cups, I stacked neatly into a bare cupboard. This was breakfast, lunch and dinner for a while. Everything else went towards rent, bills, and my savings to pay off my debt.

I sighed and let my tense shoulders drop as I stared at my awful studio apartment with the water damaged ceiling and yellow stained walls. It smelt thickly of cigarette smoke despite the fact that I've never smoked in my life. Sometimes you could hear skittering and squeaks in the walls which I suspect was colony of mice or termites. Or both.

I peeled off my clothes, tossing them in a bin and put on a pair of boxers before I fell straight into bed.

I blinked tiredly a few times before I let sleep take me.

🌊🌊🌊

"You bitch!" He slapped me making my head and body follow the movement as I stumbled to the side. He didn't let me get far as He grabbed my jaw in a bruising grip, "you want to talk back to me? Tell me no?" He snarled in my face.

I glared at him, "I'm done! I'm not doing this anymore!" I tried to yank myself away from Him but He wasn't budging. I was still young and naive and didn't think my situation could get worse. Didn't think He'd do worse. But I was so wrong.

"Harvey," He snapped making the man standing in the corner straighten up, "take him to the red rooms. One person. Hundred an hour."

"Yes, sir."

"You want to use your big mouth so bad, I'll put it to use."

🌊🌊🌊

A camera was shoved in my face as I was pushed to floor, choking and spitting. Trying to get the taste out of my mouth.

A big burley man with graying hair, zipped his pants up before he kneeled down in front of me, grabbed my face and spit on me before he roughly pat my cheek.

"Next time, you swallow." He grunted as he stood up.

I nodded out of fear staring between him and the man holding the camera. I resisted the urge to wipe my face as I felt his spit dripping down my chin and onto my chest.

The camera zoomed in on it and I cringed away.

He stepped into the room with a wide, pitying smile on his face as he collected cash from the burley man before he left the room followed by the man with the camera leaving us alone.

He smiled sadly at me as He came closer and kneeled in front of me.

"Oh, Sammy, I'm so sorry. I hate having to punish you but you really left me no choice this time."

I shook as I wiped my face, tears brimming in my eyes.

"You understand that don't you? This was your fault. If you would've just sang for me like I asked you to I wouldn't have needed to let that man hurt you."

I nodded as I started crying looking down in shame.

"Just don't do it again and I'll still love you, Sammy."

I nodded before I flung myself at Him and hugged Him tightly.

He never hugged me back.

I cried into His shoulder with my eyes closed tight.

I opened my eyes to stare up at a water stained ceiling.

I numbly turn my head to look at the clock on the floor beside my mattress.

I shot up in a panic, tripping over my sheets as I rushed to my closet.

I had slept in.

🌊🌊🌊

I rush through the door, I still have an hour left of my shift for the morning and came dressed in the black shorts and vest, the uniform for servers.

But it was useless when I spotted Harvey giving me a grim look. I didn't even have to be told to head upstairs. I let my head fall as I turned around and headed for the elevator instead of the kitchen.

I played with the compass around my neck as I watched the number on the elevator rise. My stomach dropped as it came to a stop and the doors opened to a short hallway with a single set of mahogany doors at the end of it.

I could feel my brain going fuzzy as I slowly approached the doors and knocked.

"Come in," a deep voice called from behind it.

I gently opened the door and stepped in with my head down.

"Hi, Sammy," He sounded friendly until His voice took a more threatening tone, "so nice of you to finally join me."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I knew anything I'd say would only make it worse so I just nodded to acknowledge I had heard Him. Still keeping my eyes firmly on the ground.

"So, what happened today, Sammy? Why were you late." The friendly tone was back.

I finally raised my head to look at him.

Reid Valentine was dressed in an expensive looking suit. He was sat in the corner of his room with glasses hanging down on his nose. His black hair was neatly slicked back and he had a stack of papers in his hand that he was setting down to trade for a onyx coffee mug which he took a sip from as he stared expectantly at me.

"I accidentally overslept," I said. My voice coming out rough.

Reid hummed and set his cup down as he stood up, making me flinch and fight the urge not to take a step back with each step he took closer to me.

His hand raised and I closed my eyes bracing for a hit or a slap. Instead I felt his hand run through my long wavy hair.

"I'm not mad at you it happens to the best of us," Reid said but it sounded like a threat which made me uneasy.

I let my head and eyes drop back down.

"You should run along and get ready to perform tonight. Don't run off so quickly this time. It hurts my feelings," Reid joked to disguise the clear warning.

He knows I've been rushing out of here lately to avoid him.

I knew it was only a matter of time before he'd punish me for it.