Author's P.O.V.
Diticia carefully walked out of the sweet shop, piping hot breads and sweets in a bundle tucked beneath her chin as she craned her neck to over her numerous bags and bundles of supplies for the brothel. Though the load was heavy, she absolutely loved when her mistress would send her to town. It meant she was free if only for a few hours from the suffocating atmosphere that seemed to hang over the district like a smog. The moment she set foot outside of it, her personality would completely blossom. She found herself smiling at the smallest things. From a child's laughter to a startled horse nearly knocking over a milk cart-any and everything put her in a better mood. She especially loved going to the bread shop, as the baker always had a lot of extras and would load her up with them just for her idle chatter and good company.
The old man and his son ran the place, his wife long deceased but remembered fondly. His son, a tall red-headed boy about the age of sixteen, didn't seem to like her much. Whenever she would greet him he would just cut his eyes at her and frown, making her suddenly recall that her simple but few rose colored dresses and black choker must be nothing compared to the gorgeously decorated gowns and jewelry women flaunted these days. She longed for him to at least smile at her instead of recoiling from Diticia's advances or ogling her with a strangely intense gaze from the vast kitchen.
That particular day, he had given her six loaves of sweet breads and a tiny box of fresh caramels 'just for her'. Her eyes sparkled with glee as he'd handed her one to eat before she left the bakery, his pudgy hands holding his large belly proudly as she savored the melting delicacy on her tongue. She sighed with content, humming her approval of the treat. He merely laughed and shooed her gently out of the shop with a soft hand to her back.
She always did think of the old baker fondly. She appreciated his kindness, even toward his cold-hearted son. She wondered what had made him dislike her so much. Padding down the street as quickly as she could with the days work load, the girl watched as men came out to light the street lamps and giggling children were shooed into their homes for supper. The setting sun was her signal that if she did not hurry, she would be late. Diticia tucked the bread beneath her ample bosom so her view would not be obscured and sprinted toward the town.
She realized with a slight grimace that she would have to walk past the strip of bars to get home. She was in no mood to dodge a bunch of old drunks. Sighing with annoyance, she picked up the pace to get it over with as quickly as possible. As if on cue, a round of wolf whistles and drunken laughter erupted as she quickly passed through. It was much too early for them to already be this far gone. She side stepped a man in a bowler hat as he made a grab for her elbow, he fell heavily onto her foot which she yanked from under him.
"Where ya goin', love? Why not hang stick around for a spell?", a chubby man rasped, bottle in hand and eyeing her suggestively.
"Leave me be.", she said through clenched teeth, he eyes darting around as a few men began to form a circle around her.
"But why? A fine lass such as yourself has no business wandering the streets at this time of night. Why not have a drink with us? We'd be sure to look after ya.", a strangely skinny man with large hands said, coming right up to touch her arm.
She wrenched away from him as if she'd been burned. "Piss off, mug."
"Well now! That's no way for a lady to be talking. Even a whore daughter like yourself.", the chubby one said, putting his meaty hands on his hips in mock offense.
"Go back to pissing yourselves silly and wanking in each other's faces. I won't say it again-leave me be!", her heart rate picked up as she pulled away from another man that tried to grab her. She could scarcely see them all around the multitude of groceries and was beginning to panic. She spoke in a much louder voice, trying to shout over the ruckus within the pub. "Get away from me before I bloody rip your knobs off!"
"Oh! Is she takin' a piss? What's a slut like you going to do? ", he bared his yellowed teeth as the others quickly closed in on her.
Yanking her bags from her arms, the slender one came up behind her to try and subdue her. His green eyes widened as she turned on him and slugged him across the face so hard he spun and hit the nearby brick wall. Another larger man came up and grabbed her wrists in a vice grip trying to pull her into an alley while the chubby one grabbed her waist. She thrust her head back into the mans nose, knocking off his top hat in a spurt of blood. She was no match for the strength of the one pulling her into the alley, quickly followed by several others who noticed the scene and wanted in on the action.
She screamed loudly as he pushed her up against a wall and pinned her wrists above her head, another grabbing her ankles and spreading them apart. She saw stars as one suddenly back handed her hard enough for her to taste blood. The chubby one staggered up to her whilst cupping his nose and mouth protectively. He sneered a bloody smile and grabbed up her skirts, snickering in her face as she tensed to flail her limbs at him. He pressed himself up against her, loosening his belt. She felt sick with fear as something hard pressed against her hip. The other men snickered and jeered, as he grabbed her large breasts in his hands, watching him fondle her roughly, awaiting their turns.
"What a feisty one ya are.", he commented, jumping back as she tried to savagely bite his throat. "This is goin' to be fun."
She tensed as shimmied his pants around his ankles, her brown eyes pricking with tears when hopelessness gripped her heart. She struggle fiercely, yelping in pain as he grabbed her hair to hold her still. She recoiled from his revolting breath that stank of alcohol and cigars as he leaned into her.
"WAIT! STOP!"
Diticia looked up in shock, her body trembling with fear and fat tears rolling down her face.
"Wait your turn, boy!", he bellowed, lining his hips with hers.
"Wait! You can't do this! Not now at least! The bartender is cross that none of you have payed him. You've drank your fill and left to bang a whore in an alley. He has already alerted the authorities that you lot have been involved with opium as of late. I'd leave now unless your willing to pay your weight in pounds to the bartender and to make bail.", the voiced boomed from the alley's opening.
Everyone froze, their drunken states making them fear the wrath of the queen more than Death himself. The wave of men quickly dispersed down the opposite exit, the frightened girl shaking violently in place as she watched them go. After a moment, she darted toward the man whisking past him and towards where her packages should have lay. They had been pillaged and not even her tin of caramels was left. She turned on her heel to leave the accursed place and run home, a hard chest stopping her and large hands grabbing her shoulders as she began to fall backwards.
"No! No please-", she flailed out at him, clawing at his hands through tear soaked eyes.
"Calm down! It's me! It's me!", a familiar voice whispered harshly, gripping her upper arms tighter.
She focused her gaze on the man and was able to make out the striking blue of his concerned eyes. She all but pissed herself with relief and flung herself into his arms, sobbing violently into his chest as her small hands fisted themselves in the back of his vest. He smelled slightly of alcohol but his natural scent was overpowering and wonderfully masculine. He tensed in shock but immediately returned the embrace. Ryan supported her, rubbing soothing circles into her bare upper back. There were dark hand prints all over her dress and her hair was as disorderly as the rest of her. He smelt the drunken men on her, their scents slightly tinging the clean floral scent he'd never noticed before. When she had settled down a bit he pulled her back so he could look at her. There was a small line of blood at the corner of her lip and her right cheek looked a bit swollen, but other than that she seemed fine. He sighed with relief, thanking the heavens that he'd come before they'd ruined her.
"Are you alright? The bastards didn't hurt you too much did they?," she blushed at his tenderness. The feeling of being fussed over was not something she was accustomed to-she relished every second of it.
"I'm okay. You came just in time. Oh god, they were going to...all of them!", she looked sickened as she realized just how much danger she had been in. Then, she suddenly went pale, her almond shaped eyes widening and making a chill run down his spine. "Mistress Andromeda...she is going to kill me!"She took off into a run, catching him completely off guard before he started after her, matching her pace quickly.
"Are you sure you're alright? You shouldn't be running off alone!", he yelled she turned abruptly down a few alleys to use a shortcut.
"I won't be okay if I don't make it home! She is going to be furious!", Diticia could already feel the throbbing pain of the cane and stinging slap of sharp red nails across her face.
Ryan instantly caught on to her fear. She was savagely beaten for her short comings. That explained why she was so reserved when they'd first met and why she was nearly killing herself running home to not anger her mistress further. This was why he hated those women with a passion, all so evil and out to get each other if that meant money. The dark haired young man followed the auburn girl closely. After a few minutes they both arrived in the district they called home. Diticia made a few right turns down the main street and cut through a tight space between two buildings, coming up to face the vast building that was her home. She hesitated, clearly afraid.
"Y-you...you should go home. It's late.", the girl whispered with downcast eyes. He tenderly grabbed her wrists.
"...I live nearby. Just a few blocks away, actually. If there is any way I can help-I mean if you need help...I'm close by."
His offer made her smile despite herself, her fear lessening just a bit as his lengthy, strong fingers curled around her wrist. She turned to him, crouching in another curtsy. As she rose, they were both a bit startled as he hugged her tightly, his arms folding her body into his larger one. They stayed like that for a moment, her cheeks aflame with feeling and his heart aching for her. He found it strange that he could care for some woman he had just met so much. Maybe it was because she was not a prostitute or foul by any means. She was just...nice.
"Thank you...for everything.", her voice shook a bit as she forced herself away from his warm embrace. He felt almost rejected but soon realized her urgency to face her fate. She just wanted her beating to be over quickly. Reluctantly he left her walk solemnly into the building. His throat began to ache, his stomach coiling in aggravated knots of worry. She shut the door behind her, his heart sinking at the notion that he knew she would not peer back out to check if he was still there as she did before.
And he still did not know her name.
Diticia swiftly made her way down the main corridor and up the stairs to the highest floor, going to the only door on the entire floor. Knocking quickly three times, she opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. She walked up to the huge desk and stood erect, her head lowered to her chest and fists balled nervously at her sides. She did not utter a sound, only waited for the hefty woman in the chair to let out that final breath of smoke and put her cigarette out. The brunette woman regarded the girl with slight disinterest. Lifting her large mass with a huff of exertion, Andromeda Thomas snuffed out her cigarette and approached the girl, her eyes scanning the girls' shaken appearance. Her long but revealing emerald gown trailed behind her as she circled Diticia, making the poor girl feel like she was being wrapped up by a python.
"Where are the groceries, Diticia?",she finally said, looking down on her through her glassy eyes.
"I...I was attacked by a group of men on my way back and they were all stolen outside of a bar.", she nearly whispered, her fingernails digging into her sweaty palms.
"And you just let a bunch of bums steal our food and supplies whilst you spread your legs for a crowd of men on the streets free of charge?", the large woman pursed her lips, distaste clear in her expression.
"No!...Ma'am, I did not let anyone do a thing! As I said, I was attacked. And when I finally managed to escape, my load had been stolen.", the raven haired girl explained, biting back the fear that threatened to make her lose her train of thought.
"Hm. Well, no reason to worry about that. As for now, we must find a way for you to pay me back."
"Surely! I will do whatever task you demand! I am deeply sorry and beg your forgiveness, madame.", Diticia curtsied respectfully, a sigh of relief leaving her tense body.
"Oh no no no! That won't nearly be enough to pay me back all of that money. I've been thinking about it recently and I think it's about time you join ranks. Because of your experience near the pubs and your years under my care, I'm sure you know just what men will expect of you to be considered satisfactory. There have already been some requests. You will have payed me back before the night is over!", the woman's white makeup seemed ghastly under the blaze of the lanterns. Her fat, flabby cheeks jiggling as she cackled down at her expression. The young girl's stomach clenched in fear at the realization of what Andromeda wanted her to do.
"I...no! I can't-NO!"
"No? Well, deary, who said you even had a choice? You owe me money, you work for me, you live under my room. If I say you have to fuck every man in London to pay me back, you'll do just that!"
"No!"
"It's either you open your legs or you get the bloody hell out of my brothel.", the woman leaned forward, all traces of a smile gone from her porky face, her thin red lips turning downward.
"...I won't. I can't...-", the fat woman seized the youth's throat in her meaty hands and squeezed until her lesser's eyes began to water.
"Listen you little prude. You are going to become a part of this harem and make me some money. You have been living a life of luxury while the rest of us bust our humps pleasing these bastards that waddle through our door at all hours of the night. You will get down from your little high horse of virginity and sell your little fanny to whoever wants it. DO you hear me?! You will become a whore!", the hag screamed into her face, bits of spittle landing on her paling cheeks from the lack of air.
"-I...wont...!", she choked forcing her brown eyes not to cross and stay focused on the awful woman.
Before she could register what happened, she was face down on the desk, her head spinning from the lack of oxygen and her temple in a searing kind of pain. She felt horribly nauseous and sputtered on every heave of air she dragged into her lungs. The next thing she felt was the heavy impact of that notorious cane hitting her back and legs repeatedly. She screamed in agony and twisted every which way as the wretch bludgeoned her with all her might. She beat and beat the poor girl until her own voice was hoarse from yelling, a thin layer of blood covering her cane and an unconscious Diticia laid curled withing herself to defend her vitals even as her mind left her body.
The woman cursed under her breath at the mess and wiped her cane on the hem of the girl's wine colored dress. Composing herself and fixing her disheveled hair, she called for the man she used to enforce her will. He came in and did as she instructed, carrying the girl's body far from the district and toward a park, dumping her under a bench to die.
Ryan had been unable to go home, deciding instead to wander the city streets until he came to his favorite park in the upperclass parts of town. He was in no mood to deal with his mother's incessant groaning through the walls. He was not tired either. He was merely...worried? No, that couldn't possibly be the sentiment that had been plaguing since he had left that house of ill repute. Was it because he found himself to blame, somehow? No, he had saved her from those ruffians who surely would have ruined her and left her for the dogs. He had saved her from that but, as he well knew, there would be hell to pay if she angered her mistress. That vile Andromeda woman was especially infamous for running a tight shift and keeping tabs on all of her whores. She wasn't the owner of the most frequented brothel in London for no reason.
A frigid chill suddenly seized his spine so fiercely that he stopped in his tracks. He thought back to a newspaper article a few years back about a young woman that had been beaten to death after attempting to escape a brothel. She was described as a shockingly well taken care of and healthy-looking woman in expensive looking clothes. Almost no women in their district had the money for the kinds of garments and jewelry except for the ones provided for Andromeda's girls. But, Ryan had never seen the girl in any kind of frivolous drapery or fashions as was expected of all under that particular bawdy again, she was not a prostitute. Just a lowly servant girl was probably not permitted any kind of luxury without a price... a price...Oh, God, why didn't he trust his instincts. She was in a terribly real kind of danger!
The dark haired youth spun on his heel to make his way swiftly back to her. A pained hack caught his attention and he tensed at the piercing sound that ended the surrounding quiet. Something in his gut told him that this was something to look into-thoroughly. Without skipping a beat, he walked further into the park, the damp grass sprinkling his shoes. His eyes narrowed in focus, the dim moonlight and thick fog obscuring his vision. A faint, choked gurgle made his whip his head to the right. He saw only a bench but decided to investigate. The youth slowly approached with caution, tucking a stray lock of his midnight hair behind his ear. The seat of the oak bench was bare, this he could see even through the thick fog; his foot stepped on something both soft and hard, causing him to kneel down for a better look. A large mass of fabric was wedged tightly beneath it.
With some deliberation, he reached out and pulled with both hands-he almost shrieked with horror as the very girl he wished to save rolled limply into his lap, covered in blood. He covered his mouth, afraid his stomach would expel itself. Reaching out with shaky hands, he grabbed the poor girl up in his arms-she was cold as death. He recoiled slightly as she coughed up a glob of thick blood. She was alive, atleast, for now. He held her securely in his arms and ran off toward his home.
He'd be damned if he let her die.
(Next chapter coming out this week! Don't worry! I do't just let my stories die. Review please! 3 )
