Back at Mistress's

Chi and Tamika both looked at each other as screams and a whip echoed through the whole house. Shrugging it off chi peeked around the corner looking into a room full of girls. Some girls she recognized some she didn't. Sneaking into the back of the group of girls with Tamika at her side they both wiped the imaginary sweat from their brows. Softly giggling to themselves they looked to the head of the group. A woman was talking about how the house works and the rules.

"Rule one. What ever Mistress tells you to do or who to do it with. I suggest that you do it. Rule Two. The men can never see our faces. Your mask must always stay on. Only exception is if Mistress permits it but it isn't cheap. Rule Three. On off days we are to clean this place from top to bottom until Mistress says it is good enough. Final Rule. Once you crossed into the court yard you can never leave it. No girls are allowed out of here. Don't bother trying to escape either. Goro watches over the court yard and he always catches the runaways. ALWAYS. I will now assign where you sleep form now on."

Tamika tried to pay attention but her attention span was very short from being so tired. Feeling Chi pull on her arm once more she was dragged over to mats on the floor. Tamika sat on the mat to left a looked at the floor. She tried to jog her brain for any kind of memory or logical explanation as to why she was there. Nothing came to mind. All she knew is it was close to night time and her parents must be worried about her. Plus she couldn't remember how she ended up here or where here was. Chi saw the sadden look on her friends face. She knew exactly how she felt. Chi's heart ached at the thought of her family back home. Pushing the sadness back she would force a smile at Tamika.

"Come on! Let's go pick out our masks for tonight."

Tamika looked up from the floor a nodded her head. Both girls got up and made their way to a long table with ceramic masks. Once at the table, both the girls' eyes almost popped out of their head. The sun was close to setting in the back ground, hitting the table just right so all the masks sparkled because of the jewels in them. There was 20 masks total but all of them had different designs. Tamika was drawn towards a mask that had rubies and diamonds around the eyes. They way the sun hit it made it look like it was on fire. Slowly picking it up an image of a phoenix flashed in her head for a second. Chi was too busy with a mask with emeralds and sapphires to notice her friend's face go pale white. A small memory popped into Tamika's head. She remembers she stopped at the library because her gut brought her to a vending machine. Then she was chasing a coin and a book caught her eye. Her memory goes blank after that. Tamika felt her herself get light headed. She gripped the side of the table as she tried to steady herself. Chi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright? Why don't you rest before tonight?"

"I'm fine Chi. Really I am. I think I need some food is all. What's going to happen tonight?"

Chi was about to answer her friend as mistress savant came into the room.

"Mistress wants to see the two of you now."

Before the girls could even respond the girl had left the room. Chi and Tamika held each others shaking hands as they made their way through the hall, to the top floor, and gently knocked on Mistress's door. Both girls held their breath as Mistress yelled for them to enter. She kept her back to them as she looked out the window at the village below. She took a small hit from a pipe and slowly exhaled. Chi quickly dropped to her knees, bowing her head. Chi looked out the corner of her eye and saw that Tamika wasn't kneeling. She reached up and pulled at her arm, causing Tamika to kneel beside her. Mistress spun on her heels to face the girls. She narrowed her eyes as she saw Chi's golden hair. Taking a hit from the pipe on her hand she spoke, as the smoke escaped her body.

"What are your names girls?"

Chi was the first to respond. She didn't know what was going on with Tamika but she seemed to be in a daze. Almost as if she was dreaming.

"My name is Chi Mistress and she is Tamika."

Mistress narrowed her eyes down at Chi. Rolling her eyes, she slightly raised her voice.

"Can she not talk for herself? Never mind! I don't have time for this. There is a huge banquet tonight and none of the girls here are trained to handle these men."

Just as Mistress was about to turn and sit behind her desk, Tamika spoke.

"Trained for what?"

Mistress turned back to face Tamika square in the eyes. Mistress held her gaze with Tamika, as the wheels in head began to turn. It was very rare to have a girl with green eyes.

"This is a brothel my dear. Where do you think you are or did no one tell you?"

Tamika's face turned a paler white then before meeting with Mistress. Her mind raced with red flags. She tried to figure a way to get out of this. Her eyes scanned the room for a logical exit but there was only two her eyes could see. Out the window or out the door behind her. Neither of which gave her a quick escape with out injury. Tamika closed her eyes and shook her head.

"N-NO. no. no. This is all just a dream. This isn't really happening to me. I'm still a virgin!"

Mistress's eyes widened at the very words coming from Tamika's mouth. A smirk came across her face as she faced Chi.

"Are you a virgin as well? I want this mess that you call hair dyed black by tonight! You girls will come back to see me once that is over with. Bring your masks as well. I have special plans for the both of you. NOW hurry up and leave!"

Mistress went to her desk and began to write out a letter. Chi grabbed Tamika's arm and pulled her out of the room. Chi moved with such quickness Tamika had a hard time keeping up with her. She was tripping over anything. Once they got down to the bottom of the stairs on the second floor Chi stopped and hugged Tamika tightly.

"I'm so sorry for not telling you Tamika. I thought you knew where we were."

Tamika only hugged her friend back and smiles. She patted Chi on the back as she spoke so calmly that is scared Chi even more then if she had freaked out.

"Do not worry Chi. I will find a way to get us out of here. For now let us do what Mistress says and think she is in control."