Chapter Three
The spoon clanks against the bowl as I carry it to the small kitchen. My view still on the television as I watch the 6pm news. Putting my bowl into the sink, I turn to the fridge grabbing a beer to wash down the potato soup. The October sky is dark already as I look to the window. Sitting on my bed I continue to watch as they discuss the bank robbery from today.
My legs sit near as I only lay in a tee and panties. My now black hair sits in a claw clip as the growth has bothered the back of my neck. Taking a swig I flip through a magazine as they talk about the weather of the week. Gotham is a chilly place being so far north than Jump City. I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe to keep warm. I'm going to have to order a parka for the winter.
Looking to my phone it lights up with a text. I hold it up to see my boss looking for a server tonight for her friends club. Offering a 500 bonus. No doubt it's for someone not on a good guy level. Although I have enough money, I worry about keeping my income afloat. I text back asking what to wear. I look around the small studio with a sigh. I could use a cat or something to keep me company. My phone lights up with the text. My boss, Simone replies saying something low cut and flashy. She then sends the address. Rolling my eyes I go to the small closet digging for a special dress I have set aside for "events" such as these. The black tight sequin dress hugs everything just right. The dress I bought 4 months ago for a work event hosting the Falcon family. They left me alone, and tipped good. I caught most staring at me.
Grabbing the matching black pumps I head into the small bathroom to get ready. It's been a long six months and my mind often drifts back to the titans. I've looked up news releases of them and my absence shines everywhere. Dick has done interviews stating I left to peruse a normal life. When asked where I went to, he hesitates saying out of the country. Dick has expressed his fear to me before. He is afraid that if the wrong person got ahold of any one of us, we would become experiments or weapons. He's still trying to protect me.
Recent photos have shown Starfire with her same slender abdomen. Sometimes it makes me think that I overreacted and ran too soon. But deep down I knew I had to leave sooner or later. Besides now I'm enrolled in college studying English literature. I'm hoping to work for a publishing company. Why would I not want a career of reading all of the time?
My curled hair sits up in a slick back ponytail. The winged eyeliner sets off my amethyst eyes. My long lashes curl in black. Finishing with a deep red lipstick I feel hot. I smile as I slip in the silver dangled earrings. The dress is tight, revealing my cleavage and short, showing my legs. Switching my purse to the small black clutch , I'm set. Throwing on the cream pea coat lined with soft brown fur I instantly purr at the warmth. I frown at how cold my legs will be.
Slipping out of my apartment I lock the door and head down the stairs. I hear the neighbors scream and argue as their 11 year old son sits on the stairs. His name is Ian and he's honestly a good kid. I walk by tussling his soft brown hair. "You eat?" I ask.
Ian shakes his head no as a crash comes from inside.
"Here." I dig in my purse pulling out a twenty dollar bill. "Go get something to eat."
"Thanks Rachel." He smiles lightly. He looks down at his worn shoes. "They we're not always like this" he sighs out.
"People change, Ian." I smile. "If you need anything, come knock." My heels clack on the tile floor as I walk out the front door of the building. Hollering for a Taxi I get one to stop out front. I hop in giving them the address. He looks at me with worried eyes but pulls the car out onto the street. This only increases my anxiety on Simone's "friend" and the people that will be at the club. Simone once told me that as long as you mind your business and do what they want, you'll be fine.
Having powers I know I can always protect myself. But putting myself into bad situations isn't ideal. I swear I head Dick lecturing in my head at times. I hear him telling me to stay safe. Keep your guard up. And so many other things. When serving the Falcon guys I jumped when I thought I saw him standing out the window. The thought of Dick keeping an eye on me startled me.
Looking out at the city I think of his home town. I've realized after six months apart that I am truly in love with him. He consumes my thoughts. Consumes my heart. I'll never know if the feeling are mutual. Dick saved me from myself, gave me faith, showed me love. Maybe someday I'll be able to love someone else. But right now all I can do is focus on myself.
Pulling up to the back of the club I step out paying the driver as his worried look continues. Smiling to reassure him I close the door. Turning to the club I sigh out as I notice the large adorned mask on the front. Great. I sigh out. Black Masks club. Hopefully Harley and the Joker stay home tonight. Walking in the music is loud but you can still talk. A gentlemen at the door eyed me up and down as I take off my coat.
"Are you coming with company?" He asks taking my coat.
"Here to work" I smile walking through to the bar. I walk up to a woman in a gold short sequin dress with red lipstick on. She smiles waving me back. "You must be Rachel!" She gleams.
"Yes." I smile. "Where do I start?"
The thin blonde shows me around and sets me up with clientele to gather drinks for. I avoid the head table as I see him sitting with a drink and a few women. Roman Sionis is a psychotic man who keeps his hands hidden with his next move. I mean come on, he peels peoples faces off. Really don't want to be on his radar at all.
The night goes on and the people get drunker, tipping better and better. Pushing my cleavage together helps a little more with the men, even some of the women. I keep busy, keep drinks full and the good time flowing. Keep your head down and do what they want you too. The motto is easy and I remind myself a lot.
The end of the night comes not soon enough and I sit at the bar helping the other girls clean up. They chit chat about some of the customers who came in tonight, but I ignore it continuing to clean. Dropping a glass I sigh as it shatters. Bending over I pick up the shards, trying not to cut myself. My body jumps as the feeling of a hand running up my thigh, alerts me.
Quickly jerking up I turn around to face one of Roman's guys smiling at me. "Hey hot stuff." He leans against the bar. "Let's go get a drink." He's forward. I see Roman sitting in his booth across the club staring at us. I smile nodding my head. "I'd love one." Not. I think. I would rather crawl out of my skin than drink anything with you. Keep the motto.
He grabs a bottle of red wine from the fridge, and 3 glasses. My anxiety raises as I realize it's not just him and I. Grabbing my clutch full of tips, I prepare myself. Swaying my hips, I follow him right to Roman's table. He gestures for me to slide into the booth and I do as commanded, sitting right across from him. He pops open the bottle pouring three glasses. I smile looking at Roman. Don't show fear, it's weak. I hear Dick in my head.
"So you're one of Simone's girls?" He leans back smirking. Taking the glass and swishing the liquid in the glass
"As long as I'm not fired for dropping that glass here." I giggle. "I'm so sorry, I can pay for that." I act flirty and over nice which twists my stomach. I would rather portal through the floor right now.
"Oh what's a little glass, you didn't cut yourself did you?" He acts concerned.
"Oh no." I look at my hands, "they're just fine."
"Good, that's good." He takes a sip looking out at the club. "You did a great job tonight. How would you like to work here a day or two a week?" He smiles.
"Really? Thank you. I really loved the energy." I smile. "I'd love too" i force my eyes straight, trying not to roll them. Great all I need is a gig with a criminal.
"Perfect." He smiles, "don't let your drink get warm." He smiles. I smile taking a swig of the red liquid. It taste sweet but stings. Being only 18 I shouldn't even be in the place.
"What days do you need me? I'll have to tell Simone to change my schedule." I smile with a blush.
"Oh I just need you here. Not with Simone." He smiles, "how does 2k a night sound? You keep my people happy, I'll keep you happy."
"Wow, that's." I blush, "thank you."
"Come by Next Thursday and Friday." He smiles, "my friend here will take you home."
"Okay." I smile. I watch as Roman gets up out of his table. "Finish your wine and sleep well, Rachel." He walks away. I smile taking a gulp finishing the glass. God I can't wait to get home and bitch Simone out over this.
"Ready Princess?" The gruff man says. He has a head of gray hair and a stumble beard. His clothes fit loose but I see tattoos over his arms. I nod as I slide out of the booth. Standing I suddenly feel wobbly. Oh shit. I look to the glass. I've drank a half bottle and never had an issue, how is one glass doing this?
I smile at the guy and walk next to him. Almost stumbling as we get past the next table. "Woah" he grabs my hips, "let's take you out the back, little lightweight." He puts his lips to my ears.
Fuck. I've been drugged. Damnit Raven, how stupid are you. "I'm fine." I smile, "I can call a cab, my roommates are waiting up for me anyway." I pat his hand as it crawls to my thin stomach. I feel him tense at my words.
"No I insist, I'll get you home" he breaths on my neck.
"Okay." I smile, "take me home." I focus my energy to try and get the drug out of my system. I breath out as I focus but it's not working too well. The guy walks us out the back door and I see a van already waiting, quickly I have to do something. Without notice I shove my fingers down my throat. Gagging hard I vomit all over my hand. Leaning to the ground I continue to vomit. Pissed the guy shoves me to the side.
"Sick bitch." He grumbles. I try and focus myself, but my vision is blurry. The man hauls off and shoves me into the wall away from the truck. "Pull forward I don't wanna step in that shit."
My eyes still blurry I decide I've got to get away now. Kicking out I catch him in the groin. He grabs his crotch with a moan and goes off punching me in the mouth.
The metallic taste floods my mouth as I fall to the ground dropping my clutch. Trying to crawl I am kicked in the ribs hard. I groan as I feel the drugs winning. My body is so heavy. "Go go go!" I hear the man running. I look up catching the blurs of the scene. I hear punches and kicks being thrown with the man groaning in pain. I rub my eyes as I sit up. The blurry victor walks to me. "Are you okay?" He grabs my hands helping me up with my clutch. The blur of the colors come into view. His clothes are traffic light colored. The green, red, and yellow are blurry and as I stand on shaking legs I see the black mask inches from me. "Dick?" I gasp out before my legs give out. My body collapses and I'm out cold.
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