"He's my brother. What did you expect me to do, let him bleed to death?" He wasn't angry, just lifeless, like he didn't have the energy to have an argument, I knew the feeling.

"No, it's okay, I understand, I just-" he cut me off abruptly.

"You're just being selfish and thinking about yourself, of course" he snapped, getting angrier.

"Excuse me? Oh my apologies, its not like I'm chained to a damn wall or anything, of course not, I could walk out of this house any time I wanted to, I stay here by choice because I just love it here" sarcasm coated my words and I narrowed my eyes at him. How fucking dare he call me selfish. "I got out, Mike. I was free. But I came back for you. I came back for you, godammit" I kicked my legs out at him in anger and he moved backwards, dodging the blows, I wanted him to leave, I wanted to be as far away from him as possible. He got up and sat in that stupid fucking chair—that I never wanted to see ever again—across the room.

"Only a selfish person would point that out. What are you after, a medal? Want me to pat you on the back and tell you that you did a good job? Well in case you haven't noticed you're still trapped here and so am I so you did a shit job okay, you failed." I bit down on my tongue, trying to contain my anger, I knew I was going to explode, I felt the venom burn at the back of my throat and I was pretty sure steam would have been coming out of my ears—if that was physically possible.

"Well fuck you" I screamed, tears threatening to overflow from my tired, blood-shot eyes.

"Fuck you too, you cheap fucking whore" he screamed, throwing the damn chair across the room. His words bit at me, tearing away the flesh of me, gnawing at what lay limply beneath the surface.

---

"Mom, please...I-" she kept cutting me off, not letting me finish my sentence.

"No! I don't want to hear it. You told me you moved to the city to start a clothing line" the hurt was evident in her voice, I'd betrayed her trust and love and I knew it.

"I did, mom, but I don't know, things happened and-" I wanted her to understand, but she couldn't.

"No, we're done here. You don't call me anymore, understand?" rejection hurts coming from anybody, right? But coming from your mom, it's an excruciating pain like no other.

"Please, mom..." I begged, I couldn't let her abandon me.

"Leda. I swear to fucking god if you call me again..." she trailed off but I had enough of an imagination to guess how the end of that sentence would go if she had finished it. "Cheap fucking whore" she mumbled before hanging up.

I threw the phone on the ground and flopped on the bed, letting the heaviness of rejection sit on my chest and make me feel like I was losing my breath. The tears fell fast, soaking my blanket, I curled up in a ball, as small as I could make myself, as if making myself really small would somehow magically cause me to disappear.

"Oi, shit head, what's wrong?" Lily walked into the room, in the shortest skirt and no shirt or bra. I shook my head, I didn't want to talk, especially not to her—she doesn't know how to be sympathetic.

"Go away" I whined, closing my eyes, hoping if I couldn't see her I wouldn't be able to hear her either.

"I take it that was your mom" she always had a way of just knowing what was wrong with me. I nodded, still with my eyes closed. She slapped my leg lightly "Move over" she ordered and climbed into my single bed, it was cramped and I felt claustrophobic but I didn't care. "Here" she wrapped her arms around me, soothing me. Which was so un-Lily of her.

"Tell me all about it" I cuddled closer to her and decided to just let it all out, me and Lily don't usually have any secrets between us, we can't afford to keep secrets.

"She hates me, Lil" I sobbed pathetically "She called me a cheap fucking whore"

"She's not wrong" she replied and I untucked my head from her chest and frowned at her, which caused her to elaborate. "We're both cheap whores, that label comes with the business, you're too sensitive, you got to learn to not care, Le" and I guessed she was right, but the fact my mom of all people said it hurt the most.

"I hate it here, I wish I never came here" my voice was a broken sound, not resembling a human voice at all.

"I guess I'm partly to blame for you becoming a prostitute, sorry" it didn't sound like a very sincere apology but that's just Lily, most nice things she says don't sound genuine or sincere but she means them.

"No, that's not true. You helped me" I replied, meaning it.

"You're too nice and forgiving" she kissed my forehead.

"I mean it, I had no job, I had no money, I was alone and although this isn't exactly the best job and was never really something I'd ever considered, it pays. I'd have starved to death by now, if it wasn't for you. The city is too big, I thought I could take it on, but I can't. So I'm glad you were there" I smiled.

"I'm glad I was there too, otherwise we wouldn't be as close as we are now, you're like the sister I never had" she replied.

"Yeah and you're like the sister I never wanted" I rolled my eyes and she punched me in the arm, rather hard actually, I rubbed where she hit. "Asshole, that hurt!" she burst into fits of giggles and I had no choice but to join her—laughing along with her.

"Do you think I'll ever get used to it? Be okay with it, like you are?" I enquired more seriously

"Hm, maybe. I've been doing this since I was fifteen, I had no other goals or other ambitions, I'm from a broken home, I didn't think I was worth anything other than this. You on the other hand, you had goals and a career path, you had a dream right in front of you—and that's why you're finding it so hard to accept, because you lost it and now you have to settle for this shitty second hand life that you never deserved to experience."

She was right, of course. She's always right. I couldn't forgive myself for throwing away all the perfection I had. I was low on money, I had no job and life was beginning to fall apart, but I didn't have to turn to this—but I did and I hated myself for it. I had the dream, I had the career, it was in the palm of my hands and then slowly finger by finger, I started letting it go.

---

"What is wrong with you?" my voice was a whisper, a shaky, broken whisper, I didn't trust myself to shout, I had to try and stay calm. He held his index finger to his lips and shook his head, before I could ask what was going on he made his way over to me, kneeling in front of me, he put his finger to my lips and then whispered in my ear.

"He's listening" Oh, it's all an act. He lingered by my ear for a couple of seconds too long and I turned my head to look at him "Follow my lead" he whispered and I nodded, unsure of whether I wanted to or not, everything he'd previously said sounded so real and true, like he genuinely meant it—and I didn't know if I could really trust him.

He stood up, creating some distance between us. "If I come in here, you don't fucking talk to me okay, speak when spoken to that's it, got it?" he yelled mirroring his fathers words 'Don't speak unless you're spoken to' and I was momentarily stunned and then I replied.

"You really want to follow daddy's orders, Mike? Fine, do it, see if I care" I shrugged—'following his lead'

"Do you want me to come over there and hit you?" He screamed, his acting was very realistic.

"I dare you to get the fuck over here and hit me!" I screamed back, trying to be as believable as him.

"You're so fucking worthless, you slut!" I was paralyzed by his words, I couldn't decide whether these words were just words or if he really meant them and that's what was choking me.

"Stop it. Just stop" I choked out, I knew I was too sensitive but I couldn't help it, I was never taught that life would be a bitch, no one taught me to be tough, I was a beginner.

"Are you seriously crying? Jesus get a grip!" He sighed exasperated and when our eyes locked he mouthed 'I'm sorry' I turned my head away, though, confused and mentally battered by his words, my heart was a heavy weight in my chest that I couldn't be bothered to hold up anymore.

I wouldn't have cared if it stopped beating.

I didn't realize he was leaving until he'd actually left, slamming the door behind him.

"I fucking hate her" I heard him say to the ogre, just outside of the door and I realized he was being truthful, the ogre really was listening.

"Good boy" the ogre replied and I imagined him patting Mike on the back. The whole idea made my stomach lurch.

"You stick your pinky out, like this look" he balls his hand into a fist and sticks out his pinky "And you say I pink promise, and then what you promise" his grin is infectious and I'm smiling too.

"What if I don't want to promise you anything though?" I cross my arms across my chest, being difficult just for the sake of it.

"But we're best friends" his bottom lip sticks out and I feel guilty for making him sad.

"I'm sorry, Sam. Best friends?" I stick out my pinky and offer him my best smile

"Best friends" he nods and connects his pinky to mine in an unbreakable promise.

"For ever and ever all the way to the moon and back" I giggle.

"Knock knock" Mike stepped inside the room and brought me back from my flashback.

"Hi" I said sourly not making eye contact with him. His words still rung in my ears, I could stop them swimming around and around in my mind. Lily was right, I was too damn sensitive.

He carried a tray in his hands over to me and set it down in front of me, sitting at the other side of it—so it was between us. I looked at the plate, the food looked beautiful and my tummy rumbled at the sight of it but I wanted to make a point. Damn me for being so stubborn.

"Not hungry" I said plainly

"You're mad" I couldn't tell whether it was a question or an observation but the way he raised his eyebrow and smirked a little irritated me either way.

"Maybe" I shrugged pushing the tray away from me.

"Listen...the things I said" he turned the volume of his voice down into a whisper. "I didn't mean them, I had to act like I was against you, so he'd believe I'm really on his side" I sighed in defeat but didn't say anything. What was I going to say? It still hurt my feelings? He didn't have to spare my feelings, he barely knew me, why should he care about offending me.

"I'm sorry" he said and his voice was strong and steady, his eyes telling me he was being genuine.

"It's okay" I replied and added "Thank you, for the food" I reached for the tray I'd pushed away and the chains pulled my restricted arms back which made me frown. He laughed and shook his head picking up the tray.

"Cross your legs" he commanded softly and I looked at him confused but did as I was told. He set the tray on my lap and smiled.

"Thanks" I said, eyes ogling the food, I was so hungry, I began to tuck in. He watched me intently, an amused look on his face.

"Slow down, you're going to choke" he laughed, I narrowed my eyes at him and swallowed what was in my mouth.

"Screw you" I stuck my tongue out.

"So where were we?" He asked as I shovelled more food into my awaiting mouth. I raised an eyebrow at him instead of talking with my mouth full.

"Before all the drama. I believe you were telling me how it all happened"

"Oh, that's not important, never mind" I dismissed the topic with a wave of my hand. He caught it mid-wave and held it.

"I'm intrigued, I want to know." I sighed and rolled my eyes "I mean, I don't even know your name" I didn't reply straight away, the whole situation made me uncomfortable. Father kidnapped me, one son helped me and ended up in hospital and the other is comforting me and holding my hand. It was fucked up beyond belief.

"Leda" I broke the silence informing him of my name. "Are you sure you want to know the rest of the story?" I asked, wanting an honest answer.

"Yes. I mean, nothing can make me hate my dad more than I already do, right?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Okay so..."

---

"How about we go back to my place?" He suggested, something unknown dancing in his blue eyes.

"No, no way, that's rule number one, no going to customers houses, its too personal" I said strongly.

"What's rule number two?" He rested his hand high on my thigh and my stomach knotted.

"Let's just get going, yeah?" I replied uncomfortably.

"Of course, I know the perfect place not too far from here" he smiled sweetly and I relaxed a little.

We drove in silence, the engine and the lively streets doing all the talking we couldn't find the words to do. It was uncomfortable, and something in my stomach told me something wasn't right. He turned on the radio, turning it to a low volume so the male singer could only be heard if you had impeccable hearing—which I didn't.

Slowly I watched the bright lights from bars, clubs and street lamps fade away behind us and I wondered just how far he was taking me, we'd only been driving for five minutes but it was so unfamiliar. Usually, we—me and the client—park somewhere not necessarily quiet but private and just get it over with. But the loud music began to fade, along with the chatter of drunken locals, he turned right and then right again until we pulled up to a house.

It was small, run down, shabby—like him.

"Did I not make myself clear?" I said boldly, kind of pissed off I'd told him not to take me to his house and yet he still had.

"Come on, don't be uptight" he leaned over the console and started kissing my neck.

"It's the rules" I replied stubbornly but it came out strangled due to fear. He slid his hand up my thigh slowly, feathery light and I gulped, my natural instincts told me to let go and give myself over to pleasure but another part of me was screaming at me to leave before I regretted it.

He got straight to work, removing my panties and pulling the top of my dress down so my breasts were exposed.

"Let's go inside" he breathed while kissing my collar bone and fondling with my boob.

"No" I replied flatly, his soft grip on my breast got tighter and tighter until it was actually painful

"What are you doing?" I gasped in pain.

"I said let's go inside"

"And I said no" I replied, determined to stand my ground. The temperature shifted as he leaned back over the console, one hundred per cent back in his drivers seat. "I don't make the rules okay, it's just something that we-"

"Shut up!" He snapped. He reached over me, to the glove compartment and pulled out something, I didn't know what it was until he pressed it to my neck and cocked it. "You do as I fucking say, okay?" Adrenaline coursed through me, pounding through every part of me. I nodded.

He smashed his lips against mine desperately, bruising my lips with his rough onslaught, I panicked. He moved the gun higher, up to my temple and began kissing where he held it previously. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wished it was Lily in this car right now and not me.

And I hate myself for wishing that.

"Stay here" he commanded and got out of the car abruptly, running around to the passengers side and dragging me out by hair. One of my shoes fell off in the process but like I cared.

"Come on, we're going to fuck right here on the driveway" he smirked, he threw me to the ground and I pulled my dress down as far as it would go, covering my exposed private parts (their private for a reason right?) "Spread your legs" he commanded pointing the gun at me, I blinked at him, tears beginning to form.

"Please, I just-"

"Just fucking do it" he was growing impatient and I was growing scared. I did as I was told, spreading my legs wide, and a smirk rose on his face. He pointed his gun between the gap between both my legs and pulled the trigger. I gasped.

He aimed just below my butt—lucky for me—so nothing hit me, but the shot he fired was like a warning, that he really would shoot me if he had to. It almost made me have a heart attack. Broken pieces of gravel flew in different directions from the impact of the bullet and I began to sob hard, scared for my life. He began undoing the button on his jeans and pulled them down to his ankles, along with his boxers. This was really happening, I wished it was a nightmare, but it wasn't.

Mike pulled me into his arms. "Shhh, it's okay, it's okay" I wanted to laugh, it certainly was not okay. I hadn't even realized I was crying but as soon as he pulled me into a hug my sobs got hysterical. Something about human contact broke something inside me, it had been so long since I'd last been hugged by anybody, since anybody had ever shown me genuine affection or just been relatively kind to me and it felt good.

"After he did...that...I passed out and I woke up in here" I spoke through my sobs, explaining the rest of the story, in simple form.

"Stop, you don't have to continue, it's alright" and I nodded gratefully against his shoulder.

I don't know how long he held me for, but it was nice. I cried for hours and he just put up with it, without a single complaint or heavy sigh as a signal of his boredom. It was beautifully comforting.

Notes

I digress so much, so this took me all day, ha.
I'm going away for a couple of days so I won't be able to update (cries) but I'll definitely squeeze some writing in, so I can update when I get back.

Let me know what you think :)
Give me some constructive criticism. Tell me what you like and dislike, I'm all ears :)

Have a lovely night and weekend lovelies!

P.S. one of the best writers on this site has just begun a new story, you have to check it out, for real. Innocent Blood by the lovely Clairephernelia <3