Chapter One- Shattered Innocence

Why am I here?

Tawna stared out the window, eyes vacant of any emotion save empty bleakness. Ever since she had come to this place, the question had echoed though her mind. It was getting more and more difficult to conjure answers that would put her at ease, at least temporarily. She had explained to herself countless times that she loved him. That was the reason she stayed. That was the reason she allowed herself to be put though so much. At the beginning, he had been so kind to her, it seemed impossible that such a gentle acquaintance could have been staged.

Tawna leaned on her hand, and in place of the wide world outside the walls of her prison she focused instead on her reflection through the glass. Her cheeks were sullen, her eyes were dull. Although she had been described as beautiful by the many miscreants that had touched her, she was unable to see any attractiveness through her mask of shattered innocence. Tawna stretched absently, tugging at a knot that formed in the small of her back. She had been sitting for too long, but if she were to get up and wander around she would only run into Pinstripe, and she wasn't ready to face him. Tawna studied her reflective face in the window again, and her fingers inattentively touched a spot of purple on her cheekbone. It hadn't yet changed to a sickly yellowish colour but it soon would. Pinstripe was usually careful about hitting her in places that wouldn't show. He needed to keep her face looking pretty to attract more customers to his revolting whore house. In actuality it was a dance club, offering entertainment to many forms of half-evolved creatures, sometimes minions but usually low-lives that were evolved by the contamination. When Pinstripe brought her here to the third island, he had painted her a glorious picture of what their life would be together. Tawna had never been as happy as she was in those short moments before the illusion was brutally destroyed. Tawna realized now that all her happiness had been devoted to that delusion, and she could never forgive Pinstripe for that. Actually, there were many things she could never forgive Pinstripe for.

When had he hit her for the first time? It had been so long since Tawna had stopped trusting her companion, but she could easily pinpoint in her memory exactly what had occurred. It was incredible how though most of her days blurred together, that she could remember such an instance. She was not in the mood to go through it now, and instead she stood up, shaking her blond hair behind her shoulders. The sun was setting, and it was twilight. As Tawna gazed into the pools of warm colours casting their paint across the sky, she felt a regretful sigh escape her lips. This sunset reminded her of her last days with her dearest friend, the only man who had truly cared for her. She snorted, and turned away. She had no right remembering such happy times, considering what she had done to him. She'd vanished, leaving a letter behind since she hadn't the courage to face him herself. It was stupid of her to leave, but she had to live with the consequences of that decision. Tawna heard the door creak open, but her eyes remained fixed on the pale rose wallpaper. A corner of it was curling up slightly like bark peeling from a tree. She could feel his approach rush over her like a cold draft, and as he reached out and brushed her shoulder with his fingertips, ice ran though Tawna's veins.

"Are you getting ready hon?" Pinstripe leaned forward and rested his cheek on her shoulder. "You're on in five."

Tawna felt every muscle stiffen, and she opened her mouth to snap something. She thought better of it, as she always did, and relaxed her tense jaw.

"Yes." Her voice was almost a hiss.

Tawna could feel Pinstripe shift his position, and now he was breathing into her hair. His hands were bordering her shoulders, but Tawna suspected they would work their way forward soon enough.

"You're gorgeous doll, you know that? I don't think I tell you that enough."

Tawna inhaled carefully.

"Sure you do. Maybe the reason you're confused is that you usually demonstrate your sentiment more than you say it." There was acid in her voice, but Pinstripe either didn't notice or didn't care.

Pinstripe twirled Tawna around so fast she nearly stumbled. He was wearing a wolfish smile, and his expression frightened Tawna just as it did every night since her coming here.

"Feisty as ever, don't change Sweetheart."

Pinstripe leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Tawna recoiled, but Pinstripe was supporting her back so tightly that she couldn't pull away without the action appearing obvious. She succumbed to his kiss, and slammed her eyes shut in concealed anger.

I don't have a choice now, do I?

Tawna stood on the stage, hair swept back elegantly to one side of her face, her low cut dress leaving nothing to the imagination. Pinstripe was standing backstage, watching her from behind the curtains. His smile was encouraging. Tawna took a step forward, bathing herself in the spotlight. The shadows cast across the audience were too heavy for her to see through, so she could only make out vague shapes. She didn't know if the inability to see the people before her was better or worse, but she took a deep breath and began.

When Pinstripe had told her that he planned on investing in a small club on the third island, Tawna supported him. He seemed quite excited at the prospect of it, and his interest kindled her encouragement. However, when he further told her that he would be personally managing the dance club, Tawna was more than a little wary. Yet she was still happy for her new lover, despite her doubts. Soon after the club opened, Pinstripe approached her with a job as one of the back-up dancers. She was far too nervous to get onto a stage, and when she politely refused Pinstripe appeared disappointed but said no more on the matter. It had been a week later when he was desperate for someone to fill a spot. Tawna grudgingly took to the stage and improvised a song and dance, and was surprised at how much the crowd approved. Now she was scheduled to perform every night and truth be told the entire experience was rather unnerving.

Tawna began to sing, and strode across the stage to add movement to the lyrics. Her dress brushed against her thighs as she twirled, offering a view of her body at every angle. She continued to sing, and attempted to keep her steps and saunters graceful. When she completed the song, she took her ending pose at the foot of the stage, offering a hesitant smile. The audience cheered, although when Tawna heard the roar she felt somewhat uneasy. Suddenly, a ragged voice climbed above the others.

"Hey darlin', why don't you give us a highlight? Take it off!"

Tawna didn't understand what the brute was talking about, and it was only when the other patrons started barking and whistling in approval that she truly understood the meaning. Tawna slowly backed away, a deep blush darkening her cheeks. She turned toward Pinstripe, who simply grinned and gave her a quick thumbs-up. Tawna gaped. Hadn't he heard the creep in the audience? Tawna turned her back and marched off the stage, embarrassment apparent in her face. She felt someone grasp her by the arm, and she turned to face Pinstripe's stern face.

"What are you doing? Get out there." Pinstripe hissed at her.

Tawna tried to struggled out of his grip. "You can't honestly expect me to-"

"You'll do as I say." Pinstripe interrupted harshly. "We'll lose paying customers if you don't get out there."

Pinstripe tossed her back onto the stage, and Tawna found herself in the embrace of spotlight once again. Though this time it felt very, very hot against her skin. As the crowd continued to lure her, Tawna swallowed thickly. Tears were burning the insides of her irises, threatening to cascade down her cheeks. The music started. It was horribly low, with seductive tones that caused Tawna to shiver. She hooked a finger around the strap of her dress, and then slowly removed the one on her opposite shoulder. Slowly, painfully, she slipped the dress over her curves and let it fall to the floor. Now she stood in only a pair of silky white panties and a bra of the same material. Her body was ridged in the view of these horrible monsters. They continued to cheer, and Tawna felt her entire body shaking as the horrible exclamations reached her.

"Keep going sweets!"

"Not finished yet, are yah?"

"Let's see some more skin sugar!"

Tawna's jaw trembled, and finally the tears she had been holding cut neat trails through her cheeks. She turned from the stage and dashed through the curtain right past Pinstripe. He hadn't been quick enough to catch her arm again, and so she continued to run until she shouldered the door to her dressing room. She unconsciously grasped a robe from her vanity chair and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. She couldn't believe what she had done. She resolved not to let any more tears escape her as she forced herself to take a few calming breaths. She flinched in surprise when Pinstripe barged into the room, his eyes angry.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Pinstripe's voice was venomous, and this was a tone she had never heard from him before.

She was so taken aback by the deliverance of his question that she could only remain silent. He took a strong step toward her, and she held her ground.

"Answer me!" Pinstripe glowered down at her, his teeth clenched in barely restrained fury.

Tawna was frightened, and she took one tentative step back. "I can't do it."

Pinstripe grasped her by the wrist and began to tug her. "It's just nervous jitters, you'll get over it."

Tawna couldn't believe what she was hearing. She chopped her arm downward, escaping from his grasp.

"No Pinstripe. I don't want to do it." She made her tone very clear, although she was angry with herself that her voice was shaky.

Pinstripe glared at her for a few moments. "You don't want to? After everything I have done for you Tawna, you are not going to offer me just this little token in return? I am sure you'll get used to it."

"I don't want to get used to it Pinstripe. I'm not hesitant about it. I won't go on that stage if you want me to expose myself like that."

Pinstripe's rage was apparent, but he was still attempting to mask it. "Look Tawna, I don't want to make this difficult. My business depends on my customer's satisfaction. I've gotta give them what they want. End of story."

Tawna felt angry at this final statement. How dare he force her to do something she was uncomfortable with just to make sure his business was a success. She narrowed her eyes, and felt the anger she felt enter her voice.

"I'm not doing it."

She started to stride past him, but he caught her arm and held it hard.

"Didn't you hear me Tawna?"

Tawna yanked at the unyielding grip, a cold fear beginning to course through her. She turned to meet the infuriated gaze of Pinstripe Potoroo, whose expression was utterly alien to her. In an instant, Pinstripe slammed her hard across the face with the back of his hand, and she recoiled in shock. He released her, and she went tumbling to the ground. She held her wounded cheek as she stared up at him, eyes wide not with pain but with fear. What was happening? Pinstripe rolled his wrist as though he had done nothing more then pull a knot in a muscle. His eyes were devoid of emotion as he glared down at her.

"It'll be easier for us both if you learn your place and quickly Tawna. If you want my love you have to prove you deserve it." Pinstripe turned and strode from the room, pausing once. "You've got another show in forty-five. Powder that bruise and get ready."

Then he was gone. Tawna stared at the door in horrified astonishment. A moment later she dropped her head into her hands and cried.

Tawna awoke with tears in her eyes. The room was dark, and Tawna could feel a lump of dread in her throat that she could not swallow. She had hardly stirred when she awakened, but the slightest movement she did betray provoked the arm around her waist to pull tighter. Pinstripe offered a gnarled moan as he unconsciously framed her body into his own, but he didn't wake. Tawna exhaled quietly, and tentatively closed her eyes again.

Why am I here?