Risks

Chapter 1

Sometimes I look back on my life and wonder how I got to where I am now. Sometimes I think about my old friends, the people I hated and loved.

Sometimes I think about the people I hate and love now.

Sometimes I think about how I got to be with Scourge the Hedgehog, the hedgehog who had seemingly been nothing but trouble. Well, it's a funny story how I fell for him, because it shows that he is the complete opposite. Or, at least, he is to me. It's complicated, so I'll just have to story from it's roots.

It started with Rouge and the job she was introducing to me…

I looked around, the feeling of the cold air against my skin sending chills straight up my spine. My hair fluttered in the winter night's breeze. Where was she?

I heard a small sound near me, as if heels had hit the ground from the air. In which they had in this case.

"I'm so glad you decided to show up," I said briskly, my crabbiness from the sudden lack of sleep getting to me. "Do you mind taking me to this holy job that pays well and happens, miraculously, at night?"

Rouge the Bat sighed and forced a laugh, sounding irritated. She wasn't used to having someone with her unless it was her team this late at night, it seemed. Still, I was one of her best friends that she had bragged about her awesome job to. I was interested because at this point, I was a fresh eighteen (I know, stereotypical. But do you want me to lie?) and saving the world wasn't really a high-paying gig anymore because, well, nobody needed to be saved. Eggman had given up three years before.

Now, we were all just normal mobians, trying to survive in the tough economical times.

It was sad, because I don't qualify for anything but something like Martial Arts. The only problem with that was no one would hire me. For some reason, they thought I was too dangerous, because my fighting skills and speed had increased quite a bit. I could land thirty-two punches in five seconds.

I was broke, too, so my bills were piling up quite a bit. I think I owed around three-hundred bucks worth of bills just for water. I use up a lot of water for things like drinking, bathing, gardening, stuff like that. Also, I use it to just mess around. For example, if it's winter and there's no snow, I'll stick myself into the bathroom and just spend hours in there, making bubbles with the soap, acting like I have water powers, things children would do.

Well, I know that I'm not child. I just act like it sometimes.

Rouge grabbed my hand and took off into the air, her grip being the only thing keeping me from falling. Thank God her hands don't sweat easily. She looked down at me and smiled, then, after what seemed like seconds, dropped down onto the parking lot of some sleazy-looking joint. I looked at her, confused.

"Is this the place?" I asked, a little afraid of what I thought was to happen.

"Yeah, now get inside." Rouge took my hand again and dragged me inside. She stopped at the door and looked back at me. "Before we go inside, I want to to remember this: your coworkers are great, your boss is a really nice girl, and the pay is great."

I nodded, then she opened the door and led me inside.

The first thing I remember was the smell of the place. It smelled like sweat, alcohol, and other smells that I can't place. Then there was the loud thumping music. I remembered it, but I couldn't quite place the name. After that, the men. Oh god, the men. It was an array of cuties and old horndogs. It took me a little while before the sight of the pink neon lights and the cat girl dancing on the pole made me realize what this place was.

"A strip club?" I muttered. Rouge didn't quite hear me, but I think she knew that I was shocked to say the least. "You work at a strip club?"

"Nice place, huh? It's almost as popular as Club Rouge. Now, remember what I told you. Sit down there and I'll be right back with Kandy, she's the one who runs this place."

Rouge pushed my seemingly frozen body onto a seat not too far from a silhouetted male figure. I then felt the seat shift, and the male revealed himself, an overweight, forty-something wolf. He blew the smoke from his cigarette in my face as he removed it from his lips. He laughed at me as I coughed slightly and tried to fan it away.

"Hey there, cutie. You a new girl?" he asked with his gruff voice. I wanted to run out of there just so I could hear myself think. "What kind of kinky shit are you into?"

"Back off, Jerry." Rouge purred, straddling the man. She had a new outfit on, and it was much more revealing. A tiny pair of jean shorts and two little stars on her nipples. Her hair was tied back as well, and she was wearing a cowboy hat.

She distracted Jerry and told me to go to the back, that Kandy was right at the first door next to the bathroom. I obeyed, wanting desperately to get away from that man.

I don't think I'd ever felt so many eyes of me before, and it felt disgusting. I could feel them slowly undressing me, and I hated it. I was the type of girl that liked to be in control, so this was...ick.

When I found Kandy, it was like a safe haven. She was a dog, and her ears were small and pointed down. It was hard to tell her colors in the overwhelming pink light overcast, so I couldn't tell for sure what color her hair even was. Still, I felt like she was my savior. Except for when she began to talk business.

"So Rouge tells me you're here for a job?" she began, leading me to the her office. As we walked, I saw girls dressing into their outfits. They looked at me and smiled. I smiled back, to be polite. "That's great! Sheryl just quit, so there's an opening. It pays well, if you do well. The guys here are pretty generous though."

I looked at her as we sat down at her desk. I was still shocked, even after having to inhale Jerry's smoke and having to watch the dancing cat girl take off her top. I had no idea what to think. When I was younger, I was told I could do whatever job I wished with the snap of my fingers.

It wasn't my dream job, but Rouge seemed like she was doing well for herself. Maybe this wasn't the worst job in the world. I mean, Kandy could be some fifty-something pervert trying to get into my pants. No, she was a girl. A girl with unnaturally colored hair, hot pink with purple streaks. No wonder I couldn't see it in the other room.

She was wearing an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved dark green shirt and what looked like black thigh-highs and shorts that looked like they were made from old black sweatpants. Her hair was also tied to the side, where I could see the pink ponytail. She was actually quite cute, and seemed like a nice person.

"So, you up for the job?" she asked me.

"Don't I need an interview or something?" I asked her.

"Well, I got a pretty high recommendation from Rouge, and she says that you're a hard worker and that you're good at teasing guys. I know that when she sees a girl with that skill, that she knows that the girl has it. Do you have any experience with this sort of thing?"

"Not directly. I used to strip in front of one of my dolls to practice for...someone."

"Oh, you have a boyfriend?"

"Old childhood crush, but we're friends now. He's found that he plays for the other ballfield, if you catch my drift."

"Ouch! That's gotta hurt."

"Well, his husband's a good guy. Keeps him safe. But, I think that I'll take the job. When do I start?"

"Tonight."

I stared at my new boss, shocked yet again. "Why tonight?"

"Because Naomi has had to work two shifts every night since Sheryl left and she could use the break. Is that okay with you?"

I nodded, understanding that this wasn't the time to whine. I was just thinking that big girls don't whine, and I have to be a big girl now, as much as it sucks. Wait, bad phrasing, I know. Anyways, I asked when I was on. Kandy told me that Sugar had to go on just about now, and her routine takes about three to four minutes, then she goes for lap dances.

"Once she's off that stage, you and your barely-dressed butt gets out there and you shake what your momma gave ya!"

"Don't I need an outfit?"

"You can make something from what you've got on, and I'll let you have a big coat to wear when you walk home."

I nodded and stood up, asking for a pair of scissors. Kandy handed me a larger pair that she kept in her desk and instructed me as to where the bathroom was so I could edit my outfit with no interruption from the other dancers. As I walked down the hall, I could smell a number of things, like strong perfume and sweat, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the lounge area.

When I went into the bathroom, I thanked God that it was empty. I hurried into the nearest stall - the handicapped to be exact, so there was more room - and I took off my clothes. I observed the fabric, thinking about the way the others looked. I took my shirt and cut it up so that there were little holes covering it, and there were suspiciously larger holes around the breast area. I also cut my jeans so that they looked like a new pair of panties. It was shameful the way I kept thinking about the amount of money I was losing, when I was about to earn more.

I still have no clue what look I was going for - maybe a wild party girl, maybe a rape victim for the real pervs - but it damn well worked. When Sugar was done with her routine, it was my turn, and I got on the stage. As I slowly walked, I could hear the men go from loud and obnoxious, to quiet as Rude Boy by Rihanna began to play. I grabbed the pole and just danced.

I slid down, I lifted myself up and slowly slid back down. I spun around and around. When the chorus hit, I shook my rear like I never had before. I was in the beat, I was the song. It felt amazing, like sex itself. I was in control over these horny men. I smirked and released my hair from it's ponytail prison then ruffled it in my fingers, my hands travelling down my face and my fingers slipping in between my lips.

I could see the looks the men were giving me - looks of want and lust. It was electrifying. In fact, it was enough to power an electric chair. I wanted to never stop dancing, but when the music stopped, I sashayed off the stage, putting a little more wiggle into my walk.

Kandy had waited for me, and when she saw me, she seemed super excited. She hugged me tightly, despite the sweat pouring down my face and my skimpy little outfit. When she pulled me away, she began to ramble.

"Oh my God, Amy! You were fantastic out there! I haven't seen a group of males so riled up since middle school when we learned about sex itself. You made so much money! You have got to be one of the best dancers I've ever had! You sure you've never done this before? Ah, nevermind, it doesn't matter anyways. I'm sure you want to get home. I'll get you that coat I promised you. Wait right here, alright?"

I didn't get the chance to nod before she walked off to get the coat. Rouge walked up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder, nearly making me jump out of my skin. She chuckled and took her hand off. I realized she had taken off her gloves, so I looked at her. Her hair was ruffled and she was sweating herself, but I knew she hadn't danced yet.

"Did you…?" I began to ask, not able to say the rest. My face burned a bright red.

"This isn't a look-but-you-can't-touch sort of club, sweetie. They can pay for sex if you let them." Rouge seemed so nonchalant about it. "I just got one hundred fifty bucks for a quickie with Jerry back there. Let me remind you that they can't force you, though. No means no here as well. Kandy's serious about that kind of stuff."

I couldn't really say anything, because there was nothing I could say. I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been. This was the shady part of town, of course you could pay for sex here. I guess it was better to do it here, where it was a stable building where people would notice if you were gone than in some guy's car where they could kidnap you easily.

Still, the whole concept of selling my body to guys was just plain odd. To me, at that age, I would dance all night long in the tiniest outfit imaginable. But actually having sex...I don't know, it just felt a little wrong to me. Now, considering what happened about a month after this first night, I feel a little like a hypocrite.

But, that isn't until another time. For now, I've got a headache and I don't want to type any more. Besides, I gotta make dinner too.

End of Chapter 1