Chapter 8:
-
Spot handed me some old clothes to wear, very masculine and loose. Far from what I was accustomed, to be sure. The white cotton shirt was like wearing a potato sack, while the pants fit like two tents. The black suspenders barely held them upright. As soon as I was outfitted properly to Spot's standards, we were off.
Spot knew his way around the city; that was for certain. It seemed there was little about the city that Spot was not intimately familiar with. Everyone knew his name. Everyone let him do whatever he willed, go wherever he pleased. It was like followed behind a nobleman or king. In all essence, it was true enough.
Spot didn't speak much in travel, until he reached a clear street that was rather abandoned. I was dying to ask him why he came to the teahouse, when he said he hated whores…
"My debt with you is building up," I announced. "First saving me, now saving my daughter, letting me stay the night at your boarding house. It is most appreciated."
"Well, don't go screamin' it from the rooftops, lady, it'll give me a bad name."
"Right, of course," I nodded. "I'm just a little confused as to why you bother."
"I'm a little confused as to why you question those who are helpin' ya."
"Fair enough," I agreed.
Spot began to do his face-paced walk, and I had to trot a bit to keep up. My eyes to the cobblestone street, I let my breath out in the form of quick words:
"Do you find me attractive at all, Spot?"
Spot halted in his tracks rather abruptly, so I put on the brakes as well. My breath caught in my throat as a moment of silence came, my heart beating out of hope and fear. Spot let out a loud, frustrated groan, throwing his hands into the air, then turned to glare at me.
"God, woman, money and sex are not the only currencies, ya know."
"They are in the world I live in," I readily replied. "And that does not answer my question."
"Eh, you're alright."
"Just alright?"
"Don't push it."
I fought a grin, and Spot continued on his way with me at his heels. My excitement was in my throat, fogging my mind into bliss.
"Is that why you help me? Because you are fond of me?"
Spot pretended he didn't hear this. I decided to let it go, since I seemed to be making him angry.
At length, we reached a building with very high walls and an iron barred gate. A sign nearby claimed it was a safehouse of some sort, called the Refuge. Little did I know what it really was.
"This is as far as I go," Spot said. "Go in and give 'em your daughter's name. They'll tell you if she's in there or not."
I did as I was instructed. A few guards let me in the gate, and escorted me to the main office. I asked for my daughter, and they sifted painfully slow through their many files, searching for her.
"Her first name is Mei, you said?" the young receptionist boy asked. I nodded.
"Yes, here it is," the boy stepped off his stool and closed the drawer to the filing cabinet. "She's here all right. Doesn't say what's she's in for though, or her age. How old did you say she was?"
"She didn't."
It was there I came face-to-face with my most revered client. Warden Snyder.
"Jade, my dear." Snyder came through the office door with outstretched arms. "It is most unexpected to see you."
I could see the lie in his eyes. Something was not right here.
"They say my daughter is here--"
"Yes, of course," Snyder agreed. "Come to my office, and we'll continue this discussion properly."
His guiding hand on my back urged me to the door, and I took a seat before his desk while he closed the door. I was starting to get a broader, eviler outlook on Warden Snyder, as the pieces of the puzzle came together. Something told me he was the one who kidnapped Mei in the first place.
"She safe, you must not worry," he said in a softer voice so the receptionist boy wouldn't overhear. I sat up straighter in my seat.
"Where is she?! What have you done with her?"
Warden Snyder smiled in a signature eerie fashion, pacing in a circle around my chair, like a stalking lion.
"I've sent her away, to a boarding school, where she will be adopted by the government and given a full education. At my influence, of course. She is no longer your concern."
"She is my daughter, she will always be my concern!" I shot back angrily. "And you had no right to thief her from me!"
"Shh…" Snyder coaxed. "Such harsh words, considering the incredible gift I've given little Mei-Li. She now has what you could never have given her. A future. Or did you want her to end up just like you?"
I bit my lip and began to see things Snyder's way. Though I knew Snyder was really being selfish, trying to get the child out of the way and have me all to himself, I couldn't help but be grateful. Mei-Li really was better off… but at my maternal heart's expense. I hated to lose her.
"Now you will have more time to focus on your career, and perhaps secure a future of your own…" Snyder hissed. "I've taken an interest in you, Jade. And my interest, you'll find, can be very beneficial."
-
I walked out as one defeated, my shoulders low, my steps dragging. The barred gate slammed behind me, and Spot rushed up to meet me. I was surprised he'd bother sticking around.
"What happened? Is she in there?" he demanded answers.
"She's been sent away to school," I replied. "Snyder arranged it."
"What?" Spot clenched his cane and furrowed his brow. "He just did that to--"
"--I know why he did it," I interrupted impatiently. "And as long as I stay in his good graces, so does Mei. Which means I have to go back to the teahouse, so if you would kindly direct me back."
"You're just going to take this from him? Let him have his way, with you taking it lying down? Literally?"
I gulped back a sudden lump in my throat at this.
"I have no choice, Spot."
Spot frowned for a moment, then seemed to remember that he was not supposed to care.
"Fine. Go be a whore. It makes no difference to me."
"Don't call me that."
"Why not? It's what you are."
"It's insulting. I don't like it."
"You're a whore."
"You're a street-rat."
"You have sex for money."
"You're a power-hungry asshole who is worth less than the dirt on Snyder's shoes!"
"And that works for me! I can handle that! The fact is, that you can't handle being a whore."
I glared at him and stepped close to his face.
"You have no idea what I can handle."
That made him quiet. I took a step back, and a breather. I was a little surprised at my burst of bravery, and he seemed to be too.
"Now, if you will kindly direct me back."
He pointed east, his eyes mocking me with cynicism and spite. I frowned at his antic, still glaring with resentfulness. Utterly done with his insulting and lack of consideration, I walked off in the direction he pointed in, knowing I would just have to find my way back on my own. I was going to have to do a lot of things on my own from now on. Without him, without my daughter. And though I was greatly heavy in heart because of this revelation, I also was strangely empowered. Without Mei, I had a larger sense of freedom. Knowing she was safe and well put my heart at ease, and I knew it was time to start focusing on my career. I had a lot to catch up on it, since I had so abruptly abandoned it a day ago, but it was only a day, and I knew it would still be forgiven if I hurried.
I walked into the teahouse to see workers all around, men with tools and moving large pieces of wood. Head Maid practically seized me, asking me all kinds of questions, but I could barely hear her through the noise of the construction.
"What's all this?" I asked her. She waved for us to head backstage, and I followed her.
"A few of our clients have made generous endowments to this facility. They want to make you the main attraction, Jade. You would know this if only you had been here! Where have you been?"
I didn't answer her, still rattled by it all. I peeked through the curtain to spy on what the workers were changing.
"Go upstairs. I had enough of you," Head Maid waved me away. "Don't you ever disappear again."
"Yes, Head Maid," I replied, bowing slightly, before heading off.
"And Jade?" she called after me. I paused near the left wing, to turn and face her again.
"Yes, Head Maid?"
"Mei has been taken away to school. You be sure to thank the Warden for that properly tomorrow."
I gulped, but forced my fearful thoughts aside.
"Yes, Head Maid."
-
The Warden did not show up the next day. News of a street fights with the sweatshop and newsie boys had broken out, another territory battle and Warden was right there in a sweep of underage incarcerations. I couldn't help but wonder if Spot had planned it, if he had somehow known the Warden was coming to claim me that night… I tried hard not to dwell on it, but it amused me to think such. I was all to happy for the event to be stalled, but I knew it was only a postponement of the inevitable.
-
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Signed,
--RedRogue