Hello this is the updated chapter one. Please be warned before reading their are triggering things in here that involved assault, language etc. It's abit of a dark story at first, but I hope it is a good story. I hope those that do read this enjoy, and please let me know what you think. I will be updating any chapter as I can, I am really busy and I do want to finish this story I just have been writing it till I fully finish it. Anyway, here's the update. It's not that different but I fixed my terrible grammar. Rated M for content.

I do not own Teen Titans.

"Make a wish," Rachel whispered as the small light from the candle illuminated her face.

I counted to three and blew out the candle light in the red velvet cupcake with purple frosting. 'One more year, please let it go by fast,' I wished then smiled to my dearest friend.

Rachel was without a doubt beautiful; her hair was died dark purple and cut just below her jaw line. Her purple eyes held depths of wonder, and skin that in the right light almost looked grey which was beautiful. People drooled over her despite her evil glares and monotone response. She smiled and handed me a small silver paper wrapped box with a blue bow on top. Carefully I unwrapped the paper and opened it to reveal a beautiful silver bracelet with an engraved raven, with closed wings holding a star in its talon's.

"Oh Rachel it's beautiful!" I said teary eyed and hugged her close, she stiffly hugged me back. Contact was not a huge thing for her, nevertheless, I was glad she still accepted my hug.

"I wish I could get your step-dad to have you move in with me, but this was all I could find."

"I love it, how you could find something that resembles us so well? It is glorious!"

Giving a small smirk, along with her infamous monotone voice she rang out "or I could ask the guy to engrave it for me."

I laughed "that too." Then the smile faded as I looked out onto the other girls changing and getting their makeup on before the show.

"Only one more year Kori," Rachel said following my gaze, "then you won't be under your step-dads rules and you can stay with me, hopefully get into Gotham Academy."

I sighed forlorn, looking from where I am now to where I want to be…it seemed nearly impossible. "The chances of me getting in are very low, I could hardly afford it."

"That's why you have this shitty job Kori." Rachel deadpanned. She hated that I was a dancer, I hated it too. I never thought I'd find myself here ever in my life. If my mother was alive she would be ashamed, not of me but of my step-father, for forcing such a thing on me.

He didn't exactly tell me to go be a dancer for the horny, wealthy, mostly unhappily married men of Gotham. But he had contacts, or more, his best friend was dating a dancer and he dragged me here. Dating was a very lose term, they screwed each other and then screwed other people, and it wasn't part of her job. Even so, Ivy saw potential in me as well as our boss Miss Kate, who took sympathy in me. I am underage, but my body does not appear as such. Not that it makes it right in anyway, I am now seventeen and I only dance. Still, the feeling nausea in my stomach never dissipates knowing this is what I have to do to live. Miss Kate's club was much more respected then other adult bars in Gotham, which made it feel less like having slime all over your skin then other bars I had witness. Plus, no men could touch me, all I had to do was dance. Still, I wished I could be in almost any other situation.

Miss Kate came up to me rushing out the other girls while giving me her game time face "Kori I am sorry, but you must get ready for the show now." The end of her tone hinting her authority.

I bid Rachel a parting glance and headed off to change into my costume and hope some rich man would throw a few hundred's my way.

The wind was biting as I pulled on my hoodie, shoving the few $50's into my backpack, and put my hood on to hide my face as I took the back streets to the train station. I had made $458 dollars, but I had to give some to Miss Kate, this was a business after all. But she always made sure I got a little more money. She wanted me to get out of here as much as I did, still when and if I ever leave she will probably hate me for it. Four-hundred and fifty-eight dollars is amazing, but I wish I had more. Although I was thankful for any amount of money, I could only work two nights here. Two nights, and I had to pay for my own food at home, help with rent, as well as getting myself to West Gotham High. By the end of the week I truly only have under two hundred to put into savings for both college and a better institution. Making my dream of getting out of here feel more hopeless.

I walked past a group of guys sitting at the end of an alley, drinking and smoking with two girls who wore barely anything, and I silently thanked them for it. Hating the instant I did so. Men in Gotham especially, in these parts, would do anything to get some for the night or to steal money from you, or worse. I've seen those girls around before, typically they all hung out selling drugs, gambling, or doing other things that happen when someone's given little options on how to survive. This wasn't a place someone should go walking around late at night. Miss Kates was on the higher end of adult's club, but it is not like there will be one Main Street.

To make things more dangerous, the train was less frequent late at night, or rather early in the morning. Which left me to stand by one of the support poles and stare at the graffitied walls and piss smelled walk ways. The few others that were waiting for the train sat on the benches. A young women and her around five year old son were seated on the bench closet to me. There was no one else in site. The young boy stayed very close to her side and held his stuffed bear to his chest. My heart pinched at how scared he must be.

Then two guys walked down the stairs, snickering at each other, eyeing the women's purse and her well-endowed chest. I felt the urge to punch them or at least protect the women and her son. But the men just walked up close and made crude remarks to each other about her 'milk filled tits' and wondering how loud she would be in bed. The women's eyes cast down and she reached in her bag for some headphones to give to her son. I felt like vomiting.

"Listen sweetie," she whispered quietly, and he did as he was told.

Then the one man got this evil grin, "hey sugar tits, I love that shirt on you."

She glared at him but made no action to stop his words, and you shouldn't. These parts of Gotham are dangerous, you could clearly see a gun in the man's jacket. Causing the hairs on the back of my neck to rise in anticipation, adrenaline flooding my veins.

"Not gonna talk are yah? We can change that." Just then the other man grabbed her hair from behind and pulled it back, taking her purse and throwing it to the other man who was trying to pry her son away as he cried out.

I reacted so quickly I didn't even know I could move that fast, all I knew was that I couldn't let this happen. I gave a hard kick to the one guy's ribs, sending him to turn his gaze to me while I delivered a punch to his jaw. I grabbed the gun that was sitting in his loosely fitted jeans and tossed it towards the tracks. He seemed enraged by this, his pale fingers trying to grab me, but I kept punching and I wouldn't stop until he was unconscious, which his friend wasn't about to let happen.

"Bitch you're in for it now." His friend said dropping the purse and rushing to punch me in the stomach, but I was prepared for his blow and blocked it by kicking his feet out from under him and then punching him hard in the head. I spun around to kick the next guy in the ribs again. Except he caught my legs and I fell to the ground, thrashing and contorting my body while he grabbed my hair and dragged me towards the steps. The more I struggled the harder his hits came, and he threw me to the stairs.

Bad idea.

I planted my feet on the stairs to gain strength to launch back and elbowed him in the groin. While he clutched himself, I stood up and lifted my elbow to chip his chin and then spin around and kicked him in the ribs again. He fell on the ground groaning in pain, and I used the opportunity to hit him in the head knocking him out. Moments like these made me grateful for the self defense training my father made us go through, then the training my brother and I did once he was gone.

"Oh miss!" the women cried frantically, "thank you so much, I was terrified, thank you."

I held up my hand, "it is the ok, point is we are both safe." As I spoke I tasted the blood on my tongue, then touched my bruised lip and sore cheek. Nothing I wasn't used too, but not something that wouldn't get stares. My eyes cast over the two men knocked out on the floor with disgust. I was just happy that I could help the women out, and the little boy cried but still said "thank you for saving my mommy." A small smile formed on my lips, they would be able to be safe going home. For tonight at least.

I gathered my things as the train doors slid open and we stepped in parting ways and happy smiles, both glad to be leaving that scene. The seats were torn and uncomfortable with pealing plastic and a dark sky flying past us. One that you could not even enjoy due to the constant tunnels. As usual, I settled down to read some of English homework before my stop in West Gotham came.

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My step-dad was passed out on the couch in our little apartment above a pizza shop. Glass bottles loitered the floor again and I sighed as I snuck past him and into my small room. I grabbed the hammer I kept under my bed and removed the carpet to undo parts of the floor board. I kept all my money down there in a silver box my mother gave me. Unlocking it I counted the money I had earned so far, which was just short of $1990, a lot but not enough for admittance into Gotham Academy. Most of the money I earned this year went to buying a laptop for my school and other supplies. Having an alcoholic step-father really drained your money when you constantly had to keep the house filled with food since all he ever cared about was stocking the fridge with beer.

Sighing, I locked the box again and hid it back under the carpet wishing that there was more in there, wishing that I was 18 already. Wishing that this year would go by fast or for a miracle. Almost laughing at myself knowing that was not going to happen in the slightest.

I finished up my nightly routine of washing my teeth and grooming my hair, too tired to even look at any more homework. My bed whined as it took on my weight, the springs protesting with every attempt to get comfortable. Despite the uncomfortable and worn out mattress, I drifted off almost instantly.

I always woke with the sunrise, no matter how tired I was. I just loved the way the sun felt on my skin, it almost gave me energy to carry on throughout the day. I needed that today, although it was Monday I still had two tests and midterms where coming up next week. I never really minded school, I loved it in fact, not only did I enjoy learning, but it was an escape from my step-fathers drinking and the countless women I'd see walking out of the door after he did. I hated that he slept with so many women after my mom, I hated my mom for marrying him. He was worst then Bruce Wayne, or even his womanizing son Dick Grayson. But he was a different person with my mom, her death shattered him, as it hurt me. You learn to live without them I guess.

After I had showered and gathered my things for school I walked out into the small living room, seeing my step-father still passed out on the couch snoring his head off. 'Maybe that's why he can't keep a women' I said to myself with a small laugh knowing that was far from the real reasons. Still, he was the only father figure I had and I did love him, even if it was some messed up Stockholm syndrome type love, not matter how he treated me, he was the only family I had, and I loved him for it. The word Stockholm syndrome normally made my heart pinch fearing that was the truth. This morning however, I simply too tired to concern myself with it.

I gathered up the bottles and dumped them in the recycling, cleaning up the place a bit then going into the kitchen to make him some breakfast before I headed off to school. He made me pay for a lot of the food claiming he'd pay me back someday. I only hoped that was true, but sometimes he'd buy the food, if you count half eaten pizza and chips food. Still, when your starving you'll eat anything.

"Kori," he mumbled groggy and irritated.

"Yes father?"

"Where are my damn eggs!" He sat up and rubbed his unshaven face then began to lite a cigarette.

I hated when he smoked I had tried to get him to stop but he'd just push me around and call me a nagging bitch, so I stopped and tried to be as fast I could in preparing his eggs and gulfing them down. Then rushing out the door to grab my bike and pedaled down to the school.

West Gotham High, the underbudget school where most students never bothered to show up and most teachers gave up. I was in the best classes and still some days were hard to focus or learn anything. I wish some of the boys would stop throwing paper at the teachers and at least try to be quiet. I felt especially bad for the teachers that did try, they had it worse than anyone else. Still some students made it worth trying, and I was very glad to be amongst them.

The benefits of having little social life with any girls at school and the boys figuring out that I was not interested, was great grades and the drive to get myself out of here. Sometimes I wish I could joke around with the other students or have a want to go to the few school dances we did have, but I never fit in. Everyone looked at me like I was an alien; my skin was an almost orange tan and my hair was a fiery red with emerald eyes. Most people had beautiful dark skin or a mixed shade of white, with mostly brown or blue eyes. I stood out like the thumbs of sore, my mother told me much of my culture but never of where I was from exactly, only that we were an extremely small tribe in South Africa.

Something had happened there that she wished to never go back too, possibly having to deal with my father. So here I am in West Gotham High being poked with a ruler while my lab partner messes with our lab.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I looked to see it was Rachael asking if I'd wish to go to the library with her. I smiled knowing I had an excuse to not be home soon.

The Gotham library was in central Gotham, where everything seemed to happen and everyone walked around in elegant suits and women were powerful beings that looked like they would stomp on anyone if given a reason, or not. Either way I admired them, hoping someday to be a powerful women. One my step father couldn't touch, a woman who didn't work as a dancer and was highly educated.

"Kori!" Rachael called to me sitting outside the library in her uniform, waiting for me after I got off the train. A blonde-haired boy was with her, he had a tooth that looked close to a fang and he was talking about how people made tofu when I approached.

"Meet Garfield." Rachael said pointing to the blonde boy.

"Hey, wanna hear a joke?"

I smiled wearily, looking over to Rachel and she just shook her head.

"Um... Possibly?"

"Awesome! Okay what do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef!" He said with barely a pause.

Garfield then erupted into laughs while I giggled behind my hand, more for his benefit then the actual joke.

"Okay let's go before he starts making more jokes." Rachel said grabbing my elbow.

In the library she took us to the little cove with squishy bag of bean chairs, while looking out onto the library's garden area. I loved that they had a garden where in the warm weather, children played and had volunteers read books.

I had just finished my physics homework when Garfield started talking about a guy named Victor and a party he was having.

"Oh gee what I love the most, parties." Rachael said in her famous monotone voice.

"Common Rea you know it'll be fun, like everyone's going I be there!"

She glanced over to me "Only if Kori can go."

His face lite up "that be great, I'll ask him when I kick his butt in some games later."

"You and I both know Vic is better than you."

He frowned almost looking like a beat puppy dog "you know I have beaten him before."

"Sure okay." Then she began reading her book again.

"Kori do you play video games?"

I looked almost lost "please, um video games?"

"You don't know what video games are?"

"No, not really I am aware there a great past time, but I have never played them and most students at WGH do not talk of them," my voice got lower, "they talk of much more vulgar things." Thinking of the drug deals in bathrooms, the empty vodka bottles and yes, even condoms left on the floor.

"Ouch you go to West Gotham? Isn't that school like really bad? There was a shooting just outside it less than a week ago."

"Yes it is." My mouth was tight. We heard gun shoots every other day, both from the gangs that ran the streets and the cops that frightened everyone.

"Sorry Kori." He said remorseful.

I smiled up at him happily "it is the o and k" then he gave a nice laugh.

"Where are you from?"

"Truly? I don't know, I have lived there when I was young. My mother said were from some tribe in South Africa and she always spoke our language at home. Some of my English is a little off." I did know where I was from, but I could not point it out on a map. I am from a tribe called Tamaran, and thinking of my people hurt, it was easier telling people I did not really know then telling them everyone had been slaughtered.

"That's pretty cool, I lived up there one time too. Then my parents moved us to Gotham." It was wonderful having someone else come from a similar area too, although I remembered little of my past, and the memories I did have were not always the best. It was nice having someone have an idea of being away from their birth place. He was funny, despite his jokes. It only made me long to go to Gotham Academy more. My heart ached, wishing I could befriend Garfield, and this Victor they spoke of and many other people the Racheal spoke of.

Garfield looked at his phone "oh sweet! Dudes guess what!"

"I am not a 'dudes'." Rachael hissed.

"Okay fine, ladies guess what?"

"That's not what I meant" She said not interested.

"Dicks coming, it'll be great to hang out with him."

"Great." She says again, not too interested.

"Dick who?" I asked.

He smiled wide "oh you know only Bruce Wayne's son Dick Grayson!"

"Is he not the ass of holes and one who is a womanizer?" I said recalling a recent news tabloid on the train.

Both Rachael and Garfield shook their heads, "no Kori he's a nice guy. The media plays him like his father, and really he's just a nice kid trying to get by like the rest of us." Rachael said. "Plus, Bruce isn't that bad either, just has a playboy act to him."

I tilted my head, wondering at why famous people do the things they do. "Oh well if I go I would be pleased to meet him."

"You could meet him today, he's coming later."

"Oh that would be nice, but how later I have to go home at 5."

"Oh then you won't meet him." She said with a frown to her lips.

I smiled "then another time." And I went onto to do my math homework. It was so interesting meeting one of Rachel's friends and knowing that Dick Grayson the playboy, was in fact a nice guy. And that she was friends with him. Another perk of going to Gotham Academy I guess.

It became 5 o clock too soon and I prayed for the clock to slow down. I enjoyed spending time with Rachael and my new friend, and I was very curious about Dick Grayson. But I needed to be home, my father would be mad if I came home at 6 and there was no dinner ready.

I bid my friends good bye and walked out holding my borrowed books to my chest and scanning my card in at the desk. Then went outside to my bike, I wasn't paying attention and bumped into a buff boy. Spilling my books on the stairs.

"Oh I'm sorry!" I said to him, he looked to be another boy from Gotham Academy sporting the same blue blazer.

"I walked into you sweetie," he said.

I smiled up to him.

"I've never seen you here before, what's your name?"

"Kori, and yours?"

"Jason Todd, pleased to meet you," he smiled like a billionaire and like his name held a lot of significance. I had seen his name recently in the papers but forgot the reason why.

"Likewise, excuse me I must go."

He grinned wide "or you could stay with me and I can show you the world."

"I have already looked at the world map thank you very much," and I began walking away.

Ahead of us another boy came from the doors, he hardly looked at us and seemed annoyed "Jase stop flirting and leave the poor girl alone."

"You're such a Dick." Jason said and laughed a little more than I thought he should. "Another time sweetie."

I bit my lip nervously then scurried down the steps and grabbed my bike. I never liked guys calling me names before I had known them, and I didn't like this Jason calling me sweetie.

Either way I couldn't let it bother me too much, he was only flirting. But I couldn't stop thinking about this party I may or may not be allowed to go to. The party its self wasn't what excited me, more the possibility of meeting more of Rachel's friends. Garfield had been so sweet and funny, and the way they spoke of Dick Grayson was intriguing.

I wish it was Friday already, till then I had to deal with the perverted men on the train and hold my bike so no one would try and steal it. Then bike home and race to make dinner all before 6. Not to mention the homework I still needed to finish, it wasn't much but I still wanted to be done.

As I rode up to the pizza parlor I saw my dad's beat up car in the alleyway and I cringed. He'd be so angry. I wasn't that late, but I haven't started dinner. I ran up the stairs holding my bike and unlocked the door, putting my bike in the side and rushing to the kitchen. I hardly noticed my dad's friend drinking beer on the couch or the moaning that came from my step-fathers room.

"Swats up Koree" Paul slurred.

"Greetings, I am sorry I am late."

"S'no probem, " he then got up and followed me to the kitchen "can zu pass mes a beer?"

I hesitated knowing that was a wrong thing to do, but handed him the beer anyway.

"You know Kori I love the way your ass looks in those jeans."

I shifted uncomfortable but continued to cut up the vegetables. Paul moved closer to me and I felt his hands grab my waist and twist me until I was flush against him and he grabbed my ass.

"Zu know I canz make zu screammz joy" he said groping me and I struggled under his strength, not wanting to cause to much pain to him and have my step father get mad at me. But he cannot touch me like this.

I brought me knee up and kneed him in the groan and pushed him back

"You NEVER touch me again!" I roared.

"Swarry" was all he said as he clutched his groin crying.

I shivered and tried to get the feeling of his hands off me and continued cutting up the damn vegetables and finish this stupid dinner so I lock myself up in my room.

"What the fuck happened here!" My step father screamed, his shirt was poorly buttoned, and his pants hang low.

"Kori kickedz me ballzz" Paul said still holding them but not crying anymore.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" I could see his anger boiling. Paul was one of his best friends, the guy he did most of whatever job he did have with.

I was as meek as a mouse "he-he... He was being sexual towards me."

"So? Let the bastered do what he wants."

I squared my shoulders, tears threatening to escape. "No."

"What did you say?" He was deadly still, anger boiling within him.

"I. Said. No. I will NOT be touched if I do not want to be."

"You're a fucking stripper you nag, what makes this different?"

"I only dance! And it's only to get away from you!" I yelled fury building within me.

"So if he paid you money would you blow him then?" He said wickedly. I was struck by his words, no matter how much I was used to the taunting hurtful words he has said to me. Every time still stung.

"No, I don't ever let anyone touch me. I can't believe my mother saw anything in you!" My eyes widened realizing that I hit a trigger point for him, blinded by my own anger I was instantly terrified.

"That's it bitch." He rushed at me shoving me onto the kitchen floor, then jumped onto of my and pinned my arms.

"You know nothing of your mother, or me!" Then he punched my face and I cried out.

And he wouldn't stop, and the girl in his room screamed, all became fuzzy and I knew that I had to do something, or he'd break my skull. So, I brought my knees up and threw him back and then Paul grabbed my hair and dragged me to the bathroom and shoved me into the bathtub. And turned on the freezing cold water and my father forced me down while Paul filled the tub and put the water in my face. I was beyond terrified. I was felt hopeless.

"Please, please stop!" The women who was barley dressed screamed and hit their backs.

And my father grabbed her face and shoved her backwards while he dumped me under the water and I struggled to breath.

Then I felt air fill my lungs again and the women was tackling my father, and he punched her. I got angry for him hurting her and me and God knows what he might have done to my mother and fury field me up again and I attacked.

Kicking out at Paul and punching my step-dad and then I ran. The women following me and I locked the door behind me. Then ran to grab any furniture to block the door. Once I was done I slide down the wall and starred at the rug emotionlessly.

"Are you okay?" The women shivered.

I nodded even though I was not. "Are you?"

"I'm scared, I can't imagine how you feel."

I got up slowly, being dizzy and feeling my bruised lips and face, and the blood that began pooling down my back.

"We need to get you changed and out of here." I said going to my small closet and trying to find something that would fit her.

"What's your size?"

She looked up "6 or 4 it depends"

"Okay," I threw her some sweatpants and a shirt then grabbed myself a similar outfit.

"Now you'll need to follow me out onto the roof and I can sneak you down the latter and you go home and please do not come back."

She nodded and was shaking while she put on my clothes. Then she followed me to the window where I slowly helped her down to the latter before I ran back up and into my window, she stopped.

"How will you get these back?"

"Consider it a gift." I said smiling then went to my room.

I stared at my backpack and began crying. I heard them yelling at me through the door and decide I wasn't worth anymore of their time. I starred at the pile of homework I had left to do, knowing there was no way I could finish anything and the following days would be hell...that I was certain of.

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As predicted, the past week was hell, my father kept me on a tight leash. I needed to be home at 4 and I had to have the house sparkling along with a good dinner made and my homework done all before he got home. Then I had to make sure him and his friends where happy till I needed to go to bed for school.

He laughed at my bruised face and smiled when I winched in pain.

"Serves you right" he would say, and I would hang my head and continue what I was doing.

Rachael told me I was invited to Victor's party Saturday night. Which gave me hope throughout the week, I could not wait to see everyone. All I had to do was work tonight and ask for a night off. Which I've never done. Sure it might be difficult to get off at this kind of job, but I hoped Miss Kate would understand.

Still my fingers were shaking as I stood in practically nothing at Miss Kate's door, cautiously, I knocked twice.

"Yes?" She called and then opened the door. Inside she had knew outfits hanging and smiled.

"Kori! You have to check these out!" She pulled me in the room and closed the door.

"Let's see your size," she said moving the metal hangers aside, "here!" It was a blue laced bra with lace that ran down the front of your stomach and connected to shorts that showed a little bit of cheek but still was classy (if dancing like this was classy) and I did love it.

"Now I liked the blue on all the other girls but you my dear have purple. I just love the way it looks ok your skin!"

"Does that mean I'm the head dancer!" I gulped.

"Yes, because you're the best dancer I've seen in a while, it brings more money in too."

"Oh... Thank you very much." How could I ask to get a day off now?

"Um Kate, there was a reason for my coming here."

"Oh yes dear what is it?"

I sat down nervously and traced my new outfit. "I'm very happy to be the head dancer, but you see there's this get to gather with my friend Rachael and her friends at Gotham Academy tomorrow night. I was just hoping I could go." I looked up nervously and she just smiled.

"Kori your 17! You shouldn't even be working here, but I made a deal with everyone and

I'm the only one who knows your actual age, you should be partying with friends. Go have fun, I'll make Ivy do it."

"Oh thank you!" I said giving her a big hug.

She gave a hearty laugh "your welcome, now go out there and make some money!"

I grabbed my outfit and went to the dressing rooms that truthfully were rarely used, I did not mind people seeing me naked. My culture did not view the human body the same way American's did. However, I wanted to see myself first in the outfit before anyone else.

I had to admit it looked good, I just loved the purple lace and I only wished it was for myself then everyone else. Walking out of the dressing room wearing silver pumps, that were clearly unnecessary, I was tall enough already, the girls grinned in approval of the outfit, having already changed into their blue outfits.

"Show time girls!" Miss Kate said running in and shooing the girls out onto the stage, music filled the darkened room and I stepped out moving my body to the music like we all practiced. Some girls went off to give lap dances to some of the men while I stayed on stage dancing. I was looking out onto the crowd and hoped they were all enjoying my dancing, when I noticed someone familiar. He was bulky and had black hair and blue eyes, Jason Todd I recognized, and I yelped falling onto my butt.

Everyone's eyes turned to me and not the good kind, the waitresses stared at me and the girls giving lap dances did too. I then scurried off the table and placed my hand over my racing heart.

"Kori what was that?" Kate said irritated.

"There's a boy I know here!" I said still breathing hard, X'hal no one should know I work here, especially a boy that was flirting with me earlier in the week.

He would tell everyone where I worked, Rachael would scare the crap out of him for it but everyone would know. I so wanted them to like me, to have friends and experience what it meant to be a teenager for once, but I could not if everyone knew and that thought brought me to tears. I hated crying but I was emotional person, and this hurt. Something taken from me even before I could begin it.

"Kori it's okay, calm down." Miss Kate kneeled down and rubbed my shoulder. "Don't cry dear it's okay, you don't have to go back out there." She sighed heavily seeing how I tried to calm down but the tears would not stop. She sat down next to me and draped her arm along my shoulders and pulled me in for a hug.

"I should have known this would happen, you're too young...this isn't a great place of work for everyone."

"You have been most kind to me Miss Kate and I am glad to be working for someone as kind as you, most jobs do not have that. Here I do have sister-ship, and we work together. I like that."

"Kori most jobs you work together to make it run properly." She sighed again "I know I love having you here, but you're so young I should have never taken you on. No matter how well you dance." Part of her voice was kind, another part I could not fully place. It made me feel bad for crying and messing up her show.

"You were doing me a favor, one that is greatly appreciated. My step-father would have gotten mad if I had any other job."

"I hate that man." She said squeezing my shoulder, "he's a real piece of work and you're a sweet girl."

"Thank you." I felt better and my tears had dried.

"Why don't you go home? Or to your friends for the night?"

"I wish but I need the money. I need to get away."

"Hmm, well you could help the girls out between shows or until that guy leaves." She stopped "wait do you know how old he is?"

"Oh, no I do not."

"Who is he?"

"Jason Todd."

"Whoa, he's Bruce Wayne's knew adopted son!"

"What!" I shrieked.

"Yes, I can't kick him out he must have paid his way in, or something I don't care! Gosh I wonder if Dick Grayson is here too! Oh, that would be wonderful!" She bounced up and down excitedly, the greed she had for money showing through and then peeked behind the curtain to search for him, I joined her, and he was getting a lap dance by a girl who went by the name of Candy. I searched for Dick Grayson, but I couldn't find him anywhere, oddly that was a relief. I assume it was because Rachel liked him, which meant he was a good guy. Not that Jason was bad, but I hated people who came here to gawk at us.

"No scene of the playboy. Oh well we have one spoiled brat that's enough." I didn't like the way she spoke about them. She didn't know them at all, it was wrong to judge. Yet then again had I not assumed something similar?

"Okay Kori you go and help the girls get ready for the next act, I'll make sure Jason has girls everywhere unless..." She spun around, "you could put on a mask and give him a lap dance, make a huge amount of money."

I did not like how quickly she became greedy, she was so nice usually. I understood her of course, but I was not about to do that. I never danced with any of the guests. No matter how rich.

"I cannot."

"Right, sorry" she said realizing that I wasn't just any dancer.

"It is the o and k." I said before walking off to help the girls change and aid in their makeup.

I sort of liked doing it, it was nice helping people out. But the loss of money was ringing in my mind and I wish Jason would leave. It seemed though that he would be here all night. And by the final act it was clear he was all sexed up and tipsy, good for business I heard the girls say. It means they'll spend more.

I felt bad for him spending his money without fully coherent thoughts, but then again he was the one who came here with cash. It was just the business. Business that I was not part of, gladly too. I did not want to touch a guy for money...it seemed dancing was similar, but I had some standards I wanted to keep.

To make up for the lost money I stayed past my normal hours and helped clean up the place, people where still drinking and girls where still dancing, nevertheless there was still cleaning to be done. I had not left till it was 3 am and my arms were sore, and my eyes were tired. In truth I was used to late nights, but I cleaned stuff that would normally be ignored, not to mention the exhausting week I had.

Throwing my jacket on, I lazily walked to the train station. I was mad that I forgot my typically big hoodie which covered a lot of me and kept from wondering eyes. Instead I had this form fitting leather jacket, and If I wasn't so tired and the thought of sleeping at Miss Kate's did not bother me, I would have stayed there.

It was only five blocks away, I was strong I could handle anyone who tried to mess with me. But I was exhausted and not prepared for an ambush.

A pair of hands grabbed me from the back and another grabbed my legs while I thrashed and screamed until one tried covering my mouth, which I bite down until I tasted blood.

"You bitch!" A somewhat familiar voice said. I looked up to see the two men who I knocked out at the train station and a pair of his friends. Their gold false teeth giving an eerie contrast to their pale skin.

"X'hal no."

"She even talks funny, I wonder what she says when she screams." Why were these men so motivated by how a women screamed? Because it made them feel like they were wonderful at sex. Could they not understand what a scream meant? And, I knew what he meant, he meant more than sex screams. Screams of pain and flesh burning. I would not let them do that. I kicked my legs until one broke free and I kicked the man in the nose. It did me no good, as his friends pinned me on my stomach and planted me face down in the gravel. I tasted dirty earth and my blood.

"Hold her arms down!" The one guy shouted. I felt something sharp cut deep into my skin on my back, then my jacket and shirt being pushed up. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, if I could not win then I would at least make this not fun for them.

"Hold her legs down Matt!" The man who sat on me screamed. Then I felt hands run over my rear and his other hand cutting at my jeans.

"Think this'll make a good fuck hole?" The same guy said while ripping my jeans further while the others laughed.

I tried to move but he hit my head with the end of his knife. "Stop moving slut." A different fear then what being beat up rose in me, and I was frozen in place. Unsure what to do or think but to keep breathing.

I felt him position himself on top of me and I wished I was gone, I wished I had left Miss Kate's for good and I had taken my hoodie. I wanted this over. Please let it be over.

Then I heard someone scream and a body hit the floor followed by another one knocked unconscious. The two men jumped up from me and started attacking someone, and I laid down for a minuet waiting for this strange person's body to hit the floor and the men to resume their torture. Too scared to move, too sore from how they hurt me. But he didn't fall down, he kept going. I heard punch after punch, but only a small grunt came from him.

Turning my head, he knocked out the other guy, he was wearing a blue T-shirt and some dark wash jeans. His hair was dark black, and I knew him from somewhere, I just could place him as he moved too fast and flipped all over the place. If I was not in so much pain I would be in awe. Steadily I stood up and went to aid in the fight, going for a round house and knocking him off his feet while the boy flipped around and delivered a knockout hit to the head. Which rendered him unconscious. It was sloppy my move, but the deep cut on my side and my soreness made it hard to move properly.

The boy was panting and dragged the guys together, reaching in his pocket for a tie of some sorts. I was confused as to what exactly he was doing, tying them all up. I hope he didn't plan to hurt them further.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?" I said quietly.

He turned back, and my eyes went wide, his eyes were so blue. So heavily blue and beautiful, oh X'hal l had never seen such a wonderful color before, and here those eyes belonged to no other than Dick Grayson. There was no mistaking. Dick Grayson who just took down four guys like it was nothing, Dick Grayson who saved me from terrible things, Dick Grayson whose face was so handsome I could not breathe right. Dick Grayson who was frowning, why was he frowning?

"I'm tying them up for the cops to take in, but good god what did they do to you." He walked up and placed his hands gently on my temple, I winched, and his fingers came back a little bloody. I had not even noticed the pain on my cheek, to busy focusing on the cuts they left in my back and what they almost did to me.

I began to shiver. Closing my eyes and trying to will the images to go away but with little avail. Not to mention my clothes were cut up as well.

"What's your name? And can I take you to the hospital?"

My eyes shot open with terror "oh no please do not send me to the hospital! Please my step-father would-"

Then he raised his hands "hey no it's okay I won't take you, don't worry ahhh" his ran his hand through the back of his hair in a move that made my heart flutter, why was my heart fluttering? "um listen if you come with me I can stich you up and make sure you're okay. Then we can talk about what happened. You must be pretty shaken up."

I nodded, something in me trusting him and then began following him. He walked slowly beside me, looking around ready for any more attacks.

"I'm Dick by the way," he said as we turned the corner.

"You are Dick Grayson yes?" He looked at me smiling in a goofy way.

"Are you from around here?" He asked, a common question I heard once I let my English slip. "Also, I never got your name."

"Oh my apologizes Kori Anders, and no not originally. I grew up in someplace in South Africa then we moved down here when I was young."

"I have a friend who used to live there too, I've visited to on one of my Dads business meetings. Some parts are very beautiful."

"Yes, I also know of whom you speak. Garfield yes?"

He stopped short, "you know Garfield Logan?"

"Not his last name but yes he's a friend of Rachel's."

"Oh wow, your Kori!" his face lite up, then his face also grew in concern as well as other emotions I could not place until he settled on a friendly smile "She talks about you a lot, well when she wants to talk." He laughed and a smile went to his face that soon turned into curiosity, "so what are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same Mr. Grayson." He chuckled.

"Okay maybe later then. Here" he opened the door for me and waited till I got in, I noticed someone snoring in the back seat and turned to see Jason in a disarray.

"Please forgive my brother, I Uh had to pick him up from his extracurricular activities." He then chuckled "which means now you know why I was here."

I blushed a little and I didn't know why, but his laugh made me feel warm. It was unlike the warm I felt with Rachael or when I thought of my mom...it was something different, something strange yet warm all the same.