READ THIS FIRST:
This story has a hard M rating. Very explicit content awaits you.
Events take place just before season 2. Terra is traveling across the United States, with Jump City as her next destination.
BEGIN
"Come on, just one!" Terra coaxed.
"You think I pass out food to every bum who wanders in?" Growled the restaurant's burly manager, staring her down with crossed arms. "Beat it!"
That was that. No money, no food. Time to go.
Terra stood outside of a dingy burger joint in San Antonio. The sun beat heavily on her exposed skin while air-conditioned cars plowed over pavement nearby. She hadn't eaten in days, and this wasn't a forgiving city to be hungry in.
Her stomach grumbled. It might have been louder than normal due to her exposed midriff, but who could say? It was loud enough to be heard over the river of engines nearby, and for a petite belly like hers, that's pretty loud.
"Desperate, huh?" Leaked a voice from behind.
Terra spun on the heel of her boot, startled by the stranger. Seeing no more than a single, ordinary man, she relaxed. He's no threat to a meta-human.
"I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure you can." He responded. "That's why we're speaking. I want to give you an opportunity to take care of yourself. Make some cash. Nothing dangerous, just a job."
"Yeah..." Terra began, sizing him up with a raised eyebrow. "I'm not interested. You can take your job someplace else."
"Didn't I just say it wasn't risky?" He shifted about while speaking, causing Terra to notice the enormity of the coat he was wearing compared to the actual size of his body. "Just straight-up work. Real fast. We both turn a profit, you get to eat tonight. Think about it."
Terra's stomach rumbled again with audible volume, and she cursed it for doing so.
"Fine, I'm thinkin' about it." A hand gloved in durable leather rose to tuck strands of bright blonde hair behind her ear. "Give me the details."
"You got it." Said the man, propping himself against a wall of crumbling bricks. "You're cute, right? I want you to meet a guy. He just likes seein' cute girls. A real creep, but nothing to worry about. You meet him, you talk to him, we both get paid. No biggie."
Terra swallowed and licked her lips, giving the offer some thought in the flat, dry heat. It wasn't a pleasant job, but it was simple.
"Not like I have other plans." She rubbed the back of her neck with discomfort as she answered, eyes pointed shamefully down to the ground. "Let's do it."
END
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:
That's it for the introduction. Stick around for the next two parts; this story's going to earn its rating.