Make Me A Hero (part 1)

Nicca.1

The most interesting thing to do on a lazy day in the district is to watch street bums pick up fag ends from where they’ve been dropped idly onto the sidewalk. It’s like a test, seeing how long it is before you have to resort to fucking or looking around for trouble.2

I stood, facing the river, candy pink and lime daiquiri lights filtering down from above. The water was perilously dark in the night, save for the ripples that the broken lights’ gaze fell desperately upon. A boat was drifting across the river, far out of hailing distance. It was a fishing boat, not like the usual barges that passed close to the club. They loomed threateningly, as if out to expose the secrets inside the building. Where I was standing it smelled of cigarette smoke and moulding rubbish. It was oddly calm back here, even with the squeals and thudding music issuing from inside and around the club. 3

Two people walked around the corner of the building, one staying a respectable distance behind the other. 4

The first was a good six-foot-four, muscled and tanned. His blond hair had been cut close to his head, a permanent scowl showing off one icy tooth. He was wearing a tank top that fitted to each new muscle. His leather jacket blocked the curves of his triceps a little, jeans fitting too tight around his legs. He was wearing boots. All his clothes were black. If he’d been that colour himself I might’ve not seen him approaching. Better watch out for that.5

The second was a girl a little taller than myself, about 6 feet at the most. Her auburn hair trailed endlessly down to her waist, a couple of braids down one side. The rest of her hair had been premed slightly, or maybe just messed up. Her face was turned up slightly, but her black eyes were all for the river. Her clothes, if you could call them that, made her what she was. Dangerous. She was wearing a white t-shirt that had been ripped murderously, leaving very little to the imagination. Her light mini-skirt showed the ripe curve of her hips, one slash tearing open one hip to full view. Her tights were black, but intact, leading down to spiked heels that would make her a couple of inches higher than me if I hadn’t been forced to wear the same. 6

The man’s eyes were all for me as they approached, a dark mix of navy shades. He looked annoyed.7

They stopped a couple of paces away and the man spoke, ‘the guests are arriving. You’re late.’ 8

His voice was a low growl that did his macho- appearance justice.9

His name was Lane, or at least that’s what the workers in the club called him; even the bouncers were given new identities if they wanted to join the club. 10

The girl, Faye, sighed and gave the space behind her an overly dramatic look of frustration. ‘Come on, Nicca!’ 11

Faye and I never did see eye to eye. Things would’ve been so much smoother if Ms. Honey had just chosen someone like Ace or Valentin instead of her. But Ms. Honey had wanted the guests to be escorted very simply by the best male and female worker at the club. Ms. Honey wanted to use Grace instead of Faye, but as Cyr pointed out, Grace was only twelve, and as useful as she was for the club, she might draw unwanted attention. 12

Being second best annoyed Faye. Probably more than being paired up with me again.13

I reluctantly slunk up to them, and Faye forcibly linked her arm with mine, as if I was a little child that needed help. It hurt. Then again, that’s what Faye was all about. Pain. We all had our own little talents. 14

Faye had been dressed up as a little sadistic doll and I was her masochist toy, but that was usual. My hair had been sprayed into midnight spikes above my head, away from the blue of my eyes. Ms. Honey said it made me look younger. My face was ‘delicate,’ as she put it. The paleness of my lips had been enhanced with blue lipstick, too-high cheekbones dusted in white power. I was the complete opposite of Faye’s darker, sluttish makeup. 15

My nails had been painted black, with a red star on each, the club’s sign. Fayed had it done too. 16

My clothes, however, had a distant similarity with Faye’s, except the effect was supposed for her to be dangerous and me submissive. I was wearing a choke chain, which she now grabbed the end of, tugging it tight. My top was white, like hers, but only with a few fingernail rips down the sides, my shorts ragged at the edges, and skin-tight enough that I’d have to have them dragged off of me. My spiked heels matched hers.17

‘Let’s get this over and done with, then,’ she hissed against my cheek.18

We walked, or rather flounced, round the corner to the doors, just as the limo drew up on the roadside. Lane brought up our rear. He’d have a gun hidden somewhere.19

Just in case.20

Three people stepped out of the limo. The first was a young female, tall, with long, blond hair. She was wearing tight-fitting jeans, with a thin, white top that seemed even more see-through as we approached. Her heels added to her height, which placed her higher even than Faye. Both Faye and this first guest were smiling but neither of them managed to get their smiles to reach as far as their eyes. 21

The next was a man, wearing nothing but his black jeans, belt and shoes. He actually managed to pull it off. Bully for him. He had sandy hair, with black eyes. He looked rather pleased to be here, unlike his younger female companion. 22

She took his arm, made sure her hair was smoothed back then walked towards us, letting the man control their direction and pace. 23

Tom was the last to join us. Unplanned. He should’ve come first. You see; Tom was our guests’ bodyguard. Our other bouncer Cyr used to work in the same club as him. 24

He gave us a big Geordie grin, black hair flopping down his face, eyes a stunning green. He was wearing the same as Lane; typical clothing for a guard, except that he was less well built then Lane himself. Lane could probably take him if it came down to it. 25

The limo drove away. As both our groups came up to each other Lane walked deliberately round to Faye’s side so he could be opposite Tom; keeping an eye on him. 26

Faye shoved my arm away, walking forwards the remaining steps so that I was dragged along behind her. She held out her hand to the man, grinning so her teeth showed. It gave her an uncannily innocent quality. 27

The man took her hand, shaking a little roughly. She fought not to return the gesture. ‘You must be Mr. Edwards,’ she purred, gently drawing her hand away. 28

He nodded ever so slightly, ‘and where is Ms. Honey?’ 29

‘Inside. I am Faye. Who is this?’ she asked, looking at the other woman. 30

‘This,’ Mr. Edwards announced, ‘is Miss. Ericka, one of my workers at Succubus.’ 31

Miss. Ericka held out her hand to be shaken, but Faye ignored it. She let it drop, looking dejected. 32

‘And who is your delightful friend?’ Mr. Edwards asked.33

‘Oh,’ Faye growled, ‘he’s not important. Would you like to go inside?’ 34

Nothing’s free in places like this. Everything has a price, but that’s a secret. Each night the club fills up full of wild youths, most underage, throbbing and kissing, dancing heatedly on the dance floor. It was stuffed with baby Goths, real punk sluts, and a number of other sub-cultures from all over the city. Every night people were spiked, every night people were raped, every night people had sex with someone they’d only met that night, and every night people were found mugged and battered, every night someone’s life was ruined. That was the way of these clubs. They offered pleasure but gave you the worst time of your life, still leaving you craving more. 35

And upstairs. That’s where the real party began. 36

We escorted the guests inside, leaving Lane to continue letting people in at the door; Cyr would meet us upstairs. The club was packed, smelling of sweat and the coloured smoke that attempted to cover up the smell of drugs and alcohol. The hardcore dance music pounded from every direction, smashing into my eardrums, along with the sound of delighted shrieks that disguised the less-than-happy screams. 37

As we slithered through the bouncing dancers we passed one of the cages. Blake was in it, grinding against the pole inside, her shimmering chestnut hair flying in waves around her, green eyes staring straight forwards, all attention on what she was doing, ignoring everyone leering at her. She was the most flexible of the girls, which made her ideal for the cage. She was wearing a black t-shirt that showed off her slender, white arms. Her soft, brown jacket had been tossed to the ground, her hands on her wriggling hips, tugging her mini-skirt down her slender legs. 38

We found our way to a staircase that was hidden away at the back of the club, behind a couple of locked doors. Once upstairs it was unnerving. There was a long, dark hallway, lit every four steps by a crimson light above. Security cameras pulsed quietly from above, swirling to spy on us. I knew that Cyr would be watching from the other side of the screen, letting everyone inside the secret rooms know we were approaching. 39

Faye led us round a corner to the two black doors that would let us inside, and waited. After a minute Cyr’s voice came across over the crackling static, ‘it’s open. Bring them in, Faye.’ 40

She pushed open the door, and stalked into the network of corridors.41

Ace stepped out of the corner, violet eyelashes fluttering beautifully over eyes; the unnatural shade of pink blossom spiked through with black spikes. They were coloured contacts, his eyes underneath a perfect shade of ocean blue. He only took out his contacts when work was over for the day. His head was shaved save for a thin streak of gelled up hair that was black with pink streaks from the top, which matched his lovely eyes. His black top was sleeveless; his arms covered from the very top with thick, netted, black gloves. His shorts were black, no surprise there, leaving his ice white skin bare to the light. He hadn’t had time to throw on any shoes, showing off toenails the precise pink of his eyes and hair. His fingernails were the same, but a lot longer and sharper. Ace… my beautiful lover. 42

‘Mine,’ he whispered, staring at Faye as he held out his hand for my chain. ‘Now.’ 43

Faye gave him the chain, not wanting to argue in front of the guests, letting him draw me away from the rest of the group. She smiled at them and then walked off down a small side corridor that would lead them directly off to Ms. Honey. Mr. Edwards winked at me as he followed. Miss. Ericka was scowling, while Tom was beginning to look focused. Finally. 44

I giggled lightly as they got out of earshot, ‘did you see that old man? Right perv.’ 45

Ace frowned lightly, letting go of the chain, his voice irritated, ‘what did you expect?’ 46

I stopped at that, looking at him anxiously. He rolled his eyes, ‘what about the girl then? Right slut.’ He grinned, letting his vibrant nails stroll across my cheek before he pranced off along the wider corridor that would take us to the workers’ rooms. ‘Come onnn, Nicca. Leave them to do their work,’ he drawled, disappearing around the corner.47

I sighed, looked back at the corridor that I should’ve taken, then followed him, speeding up a little so I wouldn’t fall behind. 48

Ace’s hand slid round mine as I caught up with him along the dimmer passage. His hand was cool and very tight around mine, nails gently pressing into the softer part of my palm. He looked back at me, smiling, and entered opened the fourth door we came to. Our room. This was where Ace had lived for six years, and I five. Home. This was home for us. 49

He squeezed my hand then let go, walking to the lamp on the other side of the room. We had no overhead lights; it cost too much. Half the money we earned was used for your rent at the club; use of a room, the living and kitchen areas and the toilets. You weren’t allowed to work here and live somewhere else; it just wasn’t something that happened. The rest of the money went to the boss and bouncers. We had to get our own money and items by negotiating with customers behind their backs, thieving, and a number of other ways. Depending on how much money you brought in depended on how you were treated and what was given to you by the boss. 50

The light switched on, bringing to focus a boy sitting on the bed, with his back to the wall. He bit his lip, hazel doe-eyes even wider than they usually were. His bare legs were pulled up to a clinging, black shirt and grey shorts so tiny they appeared not to be there. 51

Ace flumped down next to him, running his hand over the boy’s buzzed hair, and rubbing his fingers against the base of his neck. He smiled, placing an arm round his shoulders as the kid slid to rest against him, translucent nails digging into Ace’s top. 52

The boy’s name was Ever, one of the two youngest males at the club, only fifteen years old. The only younger boy was Jude, who was thirteen. Ever was one of Valentin’s roommates, back one room from us. Valentin’s roommates, Ever and Echo were the most innocent of the boys, and we three looked out for them. Both boys had HIV, Echo beginning to show the most prominent signs of it. We’d managed to get the boss to let Echo work at the bar in the public part of the club, so that he was less detectable. No one else knew about them. They’d both be kicked out of the boss found out. 53

‘Where’s Valentin?’ Ace whispered, stroking Ever’s arms soothingly. 54

‘Ms. Honey’s using him and Grace to show off, in her office. You’re meant to be there, Nicca,’ Ever said, his voice lax, Ace simply drawing the information from him with ease. Ever adored Ace; Ace always managed to make people calm down. They were all in his power but he didn’t misuse it…often, just used it to make them feel good. He loved doing that. I was always amazed he wasn’t the male that brought in the most money; I guess it was because he was nineteen, one of the oldest out of all the workers, and I was only just sixteen. I learnt everything from him. 55

‘Well, he’s here, aren’t you Nic?’ Ace laughed, the sound bubbling up from him. He held out his hand. I took it, letting him draw me down so I was knelt over him, Ever still wrapped around him, Ace’s hand tightening against the back of his neck. His other hand came out, mimicking the same movement on me, but pressing very gently down this time. I stayed where I was, back still arched, one hand pressed against the wall. He stared up at me, eyes almost bored, a light smile on his lips, as if to say; no worries; I know you’ll give in. I know you want me. And very slowly, I caved in, pressing my lips down against his. He grinned, lacing his arm round behind my neck, fingers tangled into my hair as I began to force the kiss, trying to get him to open his damn mouth. He knew fine what he was doing, even if I got frustrated, because when he finally-56

He opened his mouth. I ate at him with my tongue, one hand gripping the side of his neck, controlling his head, the other sliding to rub against the groin of his shorts. He twitched backwards then settled, his hand moving more forcibly up and down Ever’s scalp, drawing a soft whimper as he buried his face into the cloth over Ace’s stomach. Ever bit down, one hand sliding under Ace’s top, the other dragging down one of the netted gloves to expose a mass of burgundy and white, criss-cross scars. Ever’s lips smoothed over the ragged surface of Ace’s arm, biting down against the middle of his elbow. 57

‘Nicca,’ Ace hissed, taking his arm from behind my neck and grabbing at my hand. He bit my lip hard and fierce, rubbing my fingers against his as he tried to shove my hand under his jeans.58

‘No,’ I said simply, moving his hand so it was spread out against my stomach, then went back to rubbing him through the material. 59

Ace pressed my face off to the left firmly, crying out gently as our lips parted, forcing his face into my collarbone. His body bucked below mine, pink nails digging deep into my stomach, breath hot and irregular against my skin. He sobbed; hand stroked Ever’s face then dropping, leaving Ever to sit cross-legged, thumbing each scar lovingly between his fingertips. 60

With Ever to one side I let my body gently slide to rest against Ace’s, holding him tight. Ace’s breath finally slipped into a regular pace, and I fell into that same pace. All I wanted to do right then was hug him, keep him warm and safe, give him the security and love he’d been craving all his life. I needed it just as much as he did, and he gave it to me all the time. I felt I’d never given him enough, although he continued to protest the same but the other way round. 61

Harsh raps stroked against the door, making all of us jump from our own little relaxed world. A girl’s voice, high and girlish came from the other side, ‘Ms. Honey says Ace and Nicca are to come at once.’ 62

Ace gripped me suddenly, moving his mouth so he could speak, ‘we’ll be right there.’ 63

It ended up that both Ace and Ever had to change their shorts. Ever left to change in his room but Ace just grabbed some from the drawers at the side. He tugged back on his glove viciously. I sat on the bed as I waited, watching him carefully. ‘Ace?’64

‘I’m fine,’ he whispered, ‘come on, let’s go.’ 65

I stumbled off the bed, grabbing his arm, ‘what’ve I done?’ 66

He smiled weakly, kissing me ever so gently, ‘nothing bad. I just love you so much, that’s all,’ then took my hand into his again and led me out into the hall. 67

Faith stood in the corridor, irritated. Her long, stringy brown hair hung over a plain face and even-plainer, beetle-black eyes. Her crimson t-shirt stood out vivid aside her rather featureless face, with slashes across her belly, showing off a small, black belly bar. She had a black blouse underneath, so her arms were covered. She had dark-denim shorts and spiked heels, like Faye and I. 68

‘You’re late,’ she hissed. 69

‘Nic’s always late, honey,’ Ace said in mock despair, pulling me off down the hall and around another corner. We reached a door with the words ‘Ms. Honey’ clear on it’s front. He knocked, and a sharp voice said, ‘enter!’70

As he opened the door he extracted his hand from mine, wrapping it instead around the choke chain’s end. He strutted into the room, holding my chain over his shoulder so I was dragged along for the second time tonight. He took a dramatic look around the room, making sure to flash his eyelashes at the guests. ‘I’m sorry for the delay M’am; my pet wasn’t being a good boy. I had to punish him.’ 71

Ms. Honey was a typical dominatrix. She had bum-length, black hair, tied into a long plat, eyebrows waxed to thin strips. Her eyes were like blue ice, dancing menacingly inside the smooth whites of her eyes. Her lips were like her eyebrows, tight and thin; harsh. Her top was all black leather; black leather corset, black leather skirt, black leather boots. She held a horse-crop in one hand. Her other was wrapped round Faye’s wrist. 72

Valentin stood just to her left; her loyal subject. He was the tallest out of the males, and strong, even though he still had wonderful curves to show off. None of the muscular rubbish Lane had. He had bleached-blond, spiky hair, his eyes just as icy blue as Ms. Honey’s. Dominant. He only dropped the act when he was away from her and the bouncers. His face was totally emotionless. Cold. He was beautiful. Jack Frost, that’s what regular clients called him. He wore a black-wool top, with long sleeves that were cut off only at the wrist, but with a belly cut, so his taunt stomach was showing. His chest was Barbie doll perfect, but oh so fake. When I’d looked at him for the first time I’d thought he was a girl. One of the really slutty punks, that took residence downstairs. He was wearing a PVC skirt, short with a leather belt, red stitching, black material. His legs were covered neatly with crossover, black tights, smouldering into taters at his black high-heels. 73

Still in the left, but further back, leaning in the corner was Cyr, his rough blond hair harsh against tanned skin, leaving his dark blue eyes as a vague afterthought. He was clothed in a white tank top, grey hoodie, jeans and loafers. 74

Finally, Ms. Honey sighed, ‘as long as he wasn’t been spoiled for the night. Mr. Edwards has taken a fancy to him, haven’t you?’ 75

Mr. Edwards smiled. He was sat to one side with Miss. Ericka. Grace was sat neatly on his lap, dirty-blond hair hanging to her shoulders, blue eyes gleaming. Every client simply said she was perfect. She glared straight forwards, hair hanging so her eyes were covered from Mr. Edwards view. If he looked at her she would turn back into a sweet, innocent little girl. She was nothing of the sort. She was wearing a white, flowery-pink dress that reached to her thighs, tied with a black-ribbon belt. She wore slender blue jeans below these, with black pumps to finish. 76

Tom was leant on the wall beside them, staring straight at Cyr. Cyr was avoiding his eye, staring at us instead. Bad move. 77

‘Oh, he’s simply wonderful. Would you like to try him, sir?’ Ace’s voice was flirty, but I knew he would probably be ripping the man to shreds in his head. He hated sharing me with anyone other than Ever; even Valentin and Echo were often a no go. And even with Ever, it was barely anything he’d allow. If it was on his terms, and not the clients, that is. 78

‘I would just love to,’ Mr. Edwards said, his voice a cat’s purr. Calm, with a menacing undertone. It made me wary. Ace’s grip changed on the chain, leaving smudges of sweat. He was nervous. Ace didn’t get nervous. 79

‘Anyone else, Mr. Edwards?’ Ms. Honey asked painfully. She’d invited the owner of a club across town because they’d been on bad terms. All the clubs were. This was a peace offering. All they wanted, for a night, for free. 80

‘This boy,’ Mr. Edwards mused, looking at Ace, ‘he looks… like he’d be fairly popular. Is he?’ 81

Ace smiled sweetly.82

‘Yes,’ Ms. Honey said. ‘He is, rather. So are Valentin here, and Faye, and Grace. She’s a doll.’ 83

‘I don’t do girls,’ Mr. Edwards said simply. I saw him give Valentin the once over, then look back at us. 84

‘Oh, well… Grace, Faye, you can leave us now,’ she said, voice under toned with disgust towards the girls. They had failed her. They left quietly, slinking out, rejected. Grace sneered at me. ‘Would you like to take Mr. Edwards to your room, Ace?’ 85

‘Oh yes,’ Ace smirked, turning suddenly to pull me out ahead of them. ‘Follow.’ 86

‘Wait,’ he said. ‘I want to take Tom in with me. I don’t quite trust you enough yet. Do pardon me, Ms. Honey. And I’d like for Miss. Ericka to wait for me outside the room.’87

‘Quite,’ Ms. Honey snapped. ‘Fine. Anything for a peaceful life.’ 88

She put on a strained smile. He returned it, but his seemed real enough.89

Ace reached for my hand, gripping it tight in his, the sweat smearing my palm and fingertips.90

We strolled back to our room, passed Ever, Faith, and the other two girls. Ace let me go so I could get to the bed, staying to welcome Mr. Edwards. Tom slid in behind, shutting the door and leaning on it. Ace wrapped his arms round Mr. Edwards waist, smiling, ‘and what would you want tonight, sir?’ 91

‘I’d like you to get on your knees,’ Mr. Edwards said, his voice fixed. Ace began to slide to his knees, eyes fixed on his face, but Mr. Edwards shook his head, ‘other way round, boy.’ 92

Ace turned and slid to his knees, eyes fixed on me. He winked, and suddenly I thought everything was going to be all right. Ace had that effect on people. 93

I’ll never forget what happened next. The guns came from nowhere, one simply appearing in Mr. Edwards hand, another in Tom’s. Tom raised the gun and pointed it at me. My eyes widened. 94

Mr. Edwards cocked the gun and pressed it to the side of Ace’s head, and the last thing he said before he fired was, ‘it’s not like I’ll get done for this. You’re just a whore.’ 95

His gun clicked. And blood splattered all over the walls and floor. 96

Ace never looked so calm. I couldn’t stop screaming.97