Chapter twelve – A Wilting Flower

Although Tawna felt much better than she did the previous night, performing again for the twisted creatures in the nightclub made her feel utterly sick. However, she did it. Pinstripe had come to her room when she was scheduled to go on, and gave her a quick kiss for good luck. Tawna felt like spitting. There was no mention or implication of Pinstripe's frightening temper from the night before, he seemed perfectly at ease and ignorant of any instance that could possibly be bothering her.

Tawna strutted onto the stage and accompanied the other girls in dancing on poles and mingling among the crowd. Tawna could see the potoroo that'd been flirting with her a few days ago was present, and he was determined on seeing and feeling as much of her as he could.

Finally, when the night was over, Tawna departed the stage in a frustrated fury. Now, she was stomping through the hallways toward her room, feeling very upset at the entire situation. Of course, it was not the first time she felt such dejection, but it was the first time she began to think she should be allowed to do what she wanted. She didn't think she deserved better by any means, not after what she did to Crash, but she couldn't bear to think that her life might never change.

Tawna threw open her door and strode to the bathroom. It took a good ten minutes to wipe off the heavy make-up coating her face. She dried her skin with a towel and then walked to the bed. She'd laid out her nightdress before she went on stage, knowing she wouldn't have the strength to search for it after her shift was over. She removed her dancing costume groggily and then slipped the silky pink garment over her head. She adjusted the straps with sagging shoulders, and sat down heavily on the bed. She just felt so exhausted. However, her hopes of rest were interrupted by the opening door. Pinstripe entered, a gleaming smile on his face.

"Hey baby, that was perfect. Another fantastic show."

Pinstripe laid a hand on her shoulder. Tawna shuddered. She couldn't bear him touching her. She repositioned, sliding away from the contact.

"Another parade of humiliation." She said angrily.

Pinstripe sat down beside her.

"This is your job, Tawna. There's no use in complaining about it."

Tawna swallowed back her nervousness as she focused her gaze to the floor.

"When we first came here, this isn't how I expected our relationship to be. I don't want to do this."

"It doesn't matter what you want." Pinstripe's voice lowered only slightly.

"You can't threaten me any more, Pinstripe." Tawna said sharply, balling her fists by her sides.

"You know," Pinstripe said as he trailed a finger down her arm. "It was you who wanted this in the first place. I didn't hear any arguments when you shared my bed."

Tawna clenched her jaw in anger. She didn't want him to know how much she loved him then, before she discovered what he really wanted. He was so handsome, and charming. She had been so deceived.

"I don't love you." She hissed. "And you know I don't."

Suddenly, Pinstripe grasped her shoulders and threw her to the bed. Before Tawna had a chance to cry out Pinstripe was on top of her, a deranged smile on his face.

"What makes you think that makes any difference? I wanted you the first time I saw you, and I think you know me well enough to know I don't stop until I get what I want. You can't blame me for your exaggerated imaginings."

"You said you loved me!" Tawna shouted as she thrashed from beneath him. "How can you say something like that?"

"Love is earned, baby." Pinstripe leaned toward her with a smile. "So earn it."

Tawna tried to pull away but it was useless. Pinstripe forced his lips against hers and moaned as he drew her close. His hands ran up and down her body as she struck him with her fists as hard as she could. When Pinstripe freed her mouth for a fraction of a moment Tawna shrieked.

"Get off me!"

One of her attacks managed to loosen Pinstripe's grip on her, and Tawna quickly took advantage. She rolled off the bed and tried to make for the door. She cried out in fear as Pinstripe latched his hand around her wrist.

"What makes you think I can ever love a whore? Face it, Tawna, that's all you'll ever be. You have no other purpose." Pinstripe sneered. "And tonight, you're mine."

He slapped her hard across the face and threw her to the floor. Unable to find traction, Tawna was helpless as Pinstripe put his weight on her. He leaned in, plunging his tongue so far into her mouth she gagged. She struggled, trying desperately to push him away. Her terror was paramount. She panicked, twisting and thrashing at him whenever she had a chance. He was brutally rough, treating her no more civilly than he would a scrap of meat. Tears streamed from her eyes as she put every effort into getting him off of her. Pinstripe grew bored with simply kissing her lips, and soon he began to press slobbery kisses down her neck and over her collarbone. Tawna gasped a desperate inhale. She could hardly breathe.

"Stop it…" Tawna growled as she tried again to push him away.

He laughed, and continued enjoying himself with whatever he could find. Tawna's arms flailed for anything, and as she felt something on the night table, her fingers grasped it. As hard as she could she broke the vase over Pinstripe's head, causing glass to shatter everywhere. Pinstripe was motionless as Tawna squirmed out from under him. She trembled madly as she smoothed out her nightdress that had been hiked up during the rout. She sobbed with tears she could not shed as tried to calm down enough to think clearly. All she knew was she couldn't stay here. She was about to pack something warm to wear for her getaway before she felt a hand grasp her by the arm.

Pinstripe had a bloody cut on his face, but the look he gave her was even more frightening then the blood that trickled down his cheek.

"So that's the way you wanna play it?" Pinstripe snarled. He struck her with a closed fist across the jaw. Tawna cried out in pain. He chopped her in the chest before throwing her to the floor. "Fine."

Pinstripe kicked her hard in the ribs, slamming her back into the wall. Tawna's vision danced. He gave her another swift kick before grasping a fistful of her hair and lifting her to her feet. He held her tightly by the shoulders and slammed her into the wall. Tawna coughed as the wind was knocked out of her. She couldn't breathe.

"Don't fight it sugar."

Pinstripe leaned in to kiss her again, but Tawna's rage and fear overcame her. She would not be treated like this, not anymore. She was desperate. She wanted to get away from him forever. She saw a chance, and she took it, slamming her knee between Pinstripe's legs. The latter gurgled for a moment, before falling to his knees in immobility. Tawna didn't look back. She dashed out the door and into the dimly lit halls. Tears poured from her eyes so quickly they blinded her. Just as she rounded the corner, her anger returned when she saw Veronica standing there.

"Well, look who decided-"

Tawna didn't even hesitate. Fueled by adrenaline, Tawna punched Veronica across the face as hard as she could. Veronica screeched out in pain and surprise as she fell to the floor. Tawna continued to run, faintly hearing Veronica's enraged exclamations. Tawna felt like she was going to hurl. But she continued to run.

She ran down the halls until she reached the door. When she did, she dashed into the pouring rain without a second thought.

The water soaked her through before she'd even taken four strides. She could feel her nightdress stick to her soaked body but she ignored the discomfort as she sprinted down the fairly empty streets. She begged the boat to still be where it was, and thanked the stars above that it was still docked where she'd last seen it. Just before Tawna leapt into the boat, she paused. She could hear a group of chattering voices and heavy footfalls echoing from behind her. Her heart leapt. Pinstripe could not have sent his goons after her so soon? Tawna didn't dwell on this, and she swung her legs over the rail and landed ungracefully in the speedboat. She'd never driven a boat before, especially not in choppy water and pouring rain. However, with her life at stake she taught herself pretty quickly. She slammed on the acceleration and drove it as fast as it would go, making rapidly for the direction of N. Sanity Island.