Chapter 4:

-

Another year passed, and I began to forget about the young boy and the promise I had made to him. Soon my work, my studies, and my little girl were my life and I had little room for much else. The other women sometimes scoffed at me when I had my face buried in a book, commenting that it was a waste of time for a woman like me. They didn't know that their words made me all the more determined. This life was not forever. I would escape all this before my daughter was old enough to comprehend this world. As a result of my studies, I saw my English vastly improve, to where my accent was almost completely gone, and my grammar almost all corrected. My speech fit in as an American now, which pleased Head Maid.

The night of the benefit came. The mayor had decided to hold a celebration and anniversary, and in so doing had decided to hold a fund-raiser for the town profit. A few ladies would stand on the stage and contribute to what he liked to call: 'Donations in exchange for the benefit of lady company.' In reality, it was simply a whore auction for town charity. It was only the first one like this, so it got around town quickly among lowlives and street rats. Since it was so young an event, the turnout was surely going to be small, which suited me just fine.

Head Maid lined us all up for the choosing the day before the auction, scanning each of us closely to see who was worthy enough. Volunteering for this event paid well, so I was certainly hoping she would choose me, since all I needed for schooling was around twenty more dollars, and this would certainly make a nice dent toward that end goal.

"What's your name?" Head Maid asked when she came to me. She asked me this many times, since in her old age her memory was very slippery.

"Jia-Li," I replied promptly.

"That's no good," the Head Maid said with disapproval. "Your stage name now Jade. How long have you work here?"

"Many years now, Head Maid."

"I don't remember you," she said harshly. "But you in. Go stand with others."

I didn't need to be told twice.

-

The night of the auction had come, and all of the girls rushed from room to room to get last minute touch-ups, accessories, or any other fixings they required. I, on the other hand, took one look in the mirror, deemed myself satisfied, and patiently took a seat. Mind you, this was not because I thought myself perfect. Far from it. I just put on my make-up, my nice robes, and sat and wondered what else I could possibly do.

I did not get to sit around to figure it out, either. Head Maid scurried along and herded us to the auction stage in no time flat.

Again, all in a row we stood, waiting for our names to be called and our chance to sell ourselves. If I had known any better, I would have thought this the most morally repulsive thing I had ever done, but the fact still stood that I didn't know any better. This was the life I had led my entire life.

One by one, the girls were escorted from the stage and out of the auditorium one by one, of course the prettiest ladies obtaining the largest profits.

Then when it came to be my turn next, and suddenly I fell as nervous as ever before. My knees buckled under me, and my palms grew sweaty. Here I went again, with the panic attacks. Lately they had been coming just before a job. I know not when they started or why they had chosen now to come, but they were currently a bad habit I couldn't seem to break.

"And sold! To the nice gentlemen at the bar," the auctioneer said quickly. "Next we have…" he quickly scanned his notecards. "The lovely China doll Jade! And what a gem here, an experienced girl who needs a man who wants a good time. Who's our first bidders?"

The panic was worse now. My mind swarmed of different times I had been ravished by many different men. I realized now that I had only lived a short life. I was surely too young to have been claimed by so many. Dread began to mix in with the panic.

"Yes, four dollars? Do I hear four twenty?"

Then I thought of my little girl. It was for her. It was all for her. She need to eat. She needed a warm bed. She needed security. It was all for her…

"Sold! To the young newsie in the back," the auctioneer announced. At the mention of the word 'newsie', my mind whipped back to the present, and I was reminded of the promise I had once made to a so called 'newsie'. I searched the crowd for the only familiar face I knew outside of this house.

Those eyes, I thought. They were nowhere to be found. I then saw my winner, who had just raised his hand. A sandy-blond haired boy, with a blue newsboy hat and a plaid shirt. Not him.

I reluctantly stepped off the stage to the boy, and the few friends who had gathered with him. A sense of uncertainty swam through me, of where they were taking me and what they were going to do, until I sadly thought:

Nothing I haven't experienced before.

So why was I so afraid of my lifetime profession all of a sudden? I tried my best to shake it off as they boys laughed to one another about the other girls won in the auction, and then talked approvingly of their own prize: me.

"She's so quiet," I heard one whisper negatively in reply.

"Just the way I like 'em," another commented.

"Think she's a mute?"

With that remark they all looked at me curiously as we walked.

"Aren't ya gonna ask where we're going?" one finally spoke to me.

"No need," I retorted. I was theirs for the night anyway, no matter where they took me to do their business; it didn't matter to me as long as I was home by morning light.

But the farther we walked, the more my nerves took the toll. I wondered why this boy and his friends wouldn't just take me already and get it over with. The calm before their storm bothered me.

Soon we arrived at a house, some sort of a boarding house, it seemed. Loud noise was heard inside. All, much to my discontent, the voices of boys. There was a regular party in there, and I could only hope I wasn't the favor.

"Wait here," the boy who bought me said, and opened the door to the lodge house, leaving me behind with his three friends. They winked and smiled at me like the ruffians they were, but I didn't pay them much notice.

"Quiet!" the blondy boy's voice was heard just inside. "Pipe down, all a' youse!"

The noise died down at this.

"Alright. I'm bringin' a lady in here."

Whoops and wallops followed, in which case they had to be simmered down once more. I shifted my weight impatiently in the cold outside the door.

"Just remember to keep your hands to yourself, alright!"

Cheers arose, and the door opened to let me inside. There seemed to be dozens of boys, of all ages, colors, and manners. Like commanded though, most kept their hands to themselves, and simply catcalled as I passed them.

The blond boy led me up a set of nearby stairs, a rickety set made of dark decaying wood. The long stretch of hall was the same, and the beige paint clung to the walls for dear life. At the end of the hall, the blond opened the creaky door and instructed me to wait inside. He warned me not to go anywhere, and then simply left me alone.

It was a poorly stocked room, small like a closet, with only a dented mattress on a shaky metal frame and a chipped old armoire. On the top of the armoire was the familiar style hat that a newsie wore, made of itchy gray tweed.

But it was the breathtaking moonlight that drew me to the window. Outside was a wonderful view of a large river, and an even larger bridge. That's when I knew where I was, without even being told.

"Nice view, huh?" a boy said behind me, making me jump in fright. I didn't turn to him, just kept my gaze on the sights. In the reflection of the window glass I could make out a shadow of a boy in the doorway, merely a silhouette against the light of the hall streaming from behind him. His arms were crossed, and he leaned on the doorframe casually, as if he had strange women in his bedroom every day.

"Yes," I finally replied.

At last, I felt it time to turn around and look at the boy in the face. My eyes locked onto a pair of icy eyes, ones immediately recognized.

"You?" I said in confusion. "What…"

He frowned at me, most likely recognizing me too, then rubbed the pressure points on the bridge of his noise, as if the sight of me gave him a headache.

"This is real funny, guys," he muttered frustratedly under his breath. He locked eyes with me again.

"So you're my birthday present, huh?" the newsboy said to me, as if I had all the answers. In which, of course, I most certainly had none. I just shrugged. I didn't realize it then, but my nervousness had abandoned me. It was as if when I was around this man, who had saved me once already, nothing too horrific could happen again.

I had to admit though, under his looming gaze, I felt very uncomfortable. He did not scan my body down nor shy away from looking at me. Instead, those blue eyes stared at my face with no mercy.

"Well, sit down."

Every time he opened his mouth his harsh voice alarmed me. It was loud and commanding seemingly without any effort behind it. It was just the way he was.

I obeyed him, sitting on the edge of his bed with caution. I apprehensively awaited any commands, or even advancements from him, for his stillness was disconcerting. I addressed it, for fear of disappointing him. Some men need the women to act first, as I knew.

"Will you sit?" I asked him, trying to make my voice inviting.

"How's the little girl?" he asked me, in an abrupt change of subject. I was surprised he even remembered Mei was there that day in the fabric shop.

"Well," I replied promptly, and a little confused again. "She is well. Will you come over to sit?"

"You're English has gotten better, huh?" he changed the subject again. "Jia-Li, was it?"

"My name is Jade now."

"Well, 'Jade'," he said, putting down the cane I didn't realize he held in his hand. "Whores ain't really my thing."

Oh, how his voice dripped with disdain, as if he found even being in my presence tainting. That was probably why he lingered in the doorway like he did, for fear of being infected by me. This response surprised me, though I tried not to react.

"Why not?" I asked just to humor him.

"Too many fingerprints," he replied just as swiftly.

I was now aware of the extent his distaste, and did my best to remedy it. I had to admit I felt a little anxious to get him in bed by now.

"I assure you, I am not like most harlots. I am sure if you give me a try I might prove you wrong."

"Shut UP, would you?" Spot snapped at me, which made me recoil quickly. "Damn, woman! Haven't ya been in a room with a guy with your dress still on before?"

"I would not feel I have earned my pay."

"Hey, Spot?" the blond kid returned with a smile. "What's with the loud voices?"

"How'd he manage to get in an argument with a mute girl?" some boy beyond sight called in.

"Now, why don't we close this door," blondie suggested. "And let her wish ya a happy birthday, eh Spot?"

"Beat it, Sweeper," Spot commanded boomingly, then slammed the door in his face. That's when he shed his boots and began to unbutton his shirt, while mumbling complaints to himself. At this, my heart began to pump out of my chest.

"Stupid kids," he mumbled as his hands undid the fastens of his shirt. "They never listen. Always have something to say."

He tossed his shirt aside, then pulled his dirty undershirt over his head and then stood before me. I didn't breathe nor move. I could only stare at his chest and arms, for in being such a small man, it came as a surprise that he was certainly made of hard muscle.

There were few men whose looks I came to be impressed by in my profession. He definitely made the list.

Perhaps, even the top.

"Alright," he said coldly to me. "I'll let you earn your damn pay."

I gulped for my mouth had suddenly gone dry.

-

Sorry I haven't posted in a longer time than I am surely allowed, but I have so many other stories that have captured my immediate attention, and this one has so many plot points that need to be outlined. But alas, I can't help returning to Spot. So, if you would please review… and receive my utmost thanks… and this story just might revive itself.
Signed,
RedRogue