A/N: Today's is much shorter than intended since my spawn decided naps were for quitters. And I uploaded the incomplete one in my haste. Sorry about the double post.
Grunts, heavy breathing, and sounds of flesh smacking flesh echoed from the dark alleyway. It was impossible to tell exactly what nefarious deeds created the current soundtrack for this dark corner of the ward since the engaged figures were little more than slightly darker points in the shadows and this was the sort of neighborhood that curiosity often proved fatal. The few people along the main walkway skittered by as fast as possible, keeping their eyes forward at all costs as a deep groan and high-pitched cry of either pain or pleasure mingled, their chorus signaling the grand finish.
Sudden silence practically rang through the air with the completion of the act. One of the participants laid prone on the ground in complete disregard of the broken glass and rotting scraps of litter underneath, their sudden snores shattering the hush within the dark alley. The second figure straightened their clothes with a self-satisfied grin curving up one side of their face. Fatigue made every movement slow and precise, but that was part of the gig. Complete exhaustion was a sure sign of a good time, and by that measurement this was one for the books.
"Wake up," the second figure called out, smacking the other person's cheeks much harder than necessary. "I want you awake for this so you'll never forget it." Their hands slid up and down the prone figure, giving the sensitive areas a little extra attention along the way. This wasn't about pleasure; this was a show of power. The person on the ground was helpless to stop the intrusive touches and they both knew it. Then one hand found something far more interesting than stray bulges of flesh.
"Let's call this an asshole tax," the cool, detached female voice announced as her hands locked on a bag secreted away in the dark depths of the other person's pants. "You really helped me work up an appetite, so the least you can do is pay for my dinner."
Muffled protests filled the silence… or maybe they were moans of pain. They all sounded the same when they came from under a boot. She was having none of it, though. A mocking smile twisted her mouth as she ground her heel into his cheek for good measure.
"Maybe you'll think twice before jumping someone wandering through the wards. Not every unaccompanied woman is completely helpless, you know." She pulled the bag free of its very private hiding spot, but the pungent smell that wafted up was almost too much. Bile rose in her throat, but she choked back the gag. This was no time to show weakness. Her eyes widened in the dim light as she rifled through the contents, and she whistled low as she pulled the large wad of cash free. "Looks like you're covering my entire night, and it just got a lot more entertaining."
She sat back to look the thug in the eye, and it was the first time they actually saw one another's faces. His eyes widened and he started shaking uncontrollably as he took in her glowing scars and angry sneer. It was doubtful he actually recognized her in the darkness; this was simply a gut reaction to what he saw before him. She was a walking, talking nightmare. The look of pure horror on his swollen, bloody mug, said things would've gone considerably different if he'd actually seen her in the first place, but it was too late for that. That's why she hid under the hood.
"You're returning from a run, aren't you? Drugs or slaves?" she asked as she counted her spoils. "Doesn't really matter. I bet someone's waiting for this… and getting impatient. It's one hell of an expensive lesson for you, and maybe you'll survive long enough to learn from it. I suggest you start running now because the person waiting for this won't forgive a loss this big." She started to stand, but suddenly dropped back to a crouch by his side. "Oh… you'll probably want to see a doctor first, though."
One pale hand flickered with blue light as it disappeared into the panicked man's pants, but there was no escape; she held him firm. Intense pressure and pain radiated from the tenderest point of his body as her hand found its mark and squeezed until something popped. The man rolled onto his side and vomited violently.
"And that's for trying to rape me." Fire burned in her eyes, but her frown softened slightly. "You never know what a simple please can get, since I sure as shit didn't dress like this to keep warm… But don't dwell on that; you're personal hygiene is a deal breaker anyway. Keep that in mind if you ever get that thing to work again."
She stood, pulled the hood over her face once more, and ventured out into the light, heedless of the shrieks behind her.