Chapter 1

• Astrid
• "Astrid, you can do it."
• I tell myself. "It's just another night of work like any other."
• My phone beeps in my hand, and a couple of messages flash across the screen. But that's not what catches my attention. Ten minutes. I'm ten minutes late already.
• 'Astrid, where are you? It's opening time. Astrid!!! Layla just went on stage now, and your number is coming up. Astrid!!'
• 'You're really pissing me off. You better answer your phone.'
• I read the text messages and sigh. My boss, Dom, is going to chew me out for coming late, but I'll find a way around him. I always do.
• I step into the club, and the familiar blast of music hits my ears in full force. It took a while for me to get used to it. I look around the crowded room with sweaty drunk men throwing money at practically naked dancers, and I sigh, remembering what this place is through and through. A strip club.
• "What the fuck, Asty! Where were you?! You know you're next up, and you come ten minutes before your number?!" Dom yells though he doesn't seem like he does because of all the music.
• "I'll make up for the time," I yell back and tell him as I look down at him. Looked down because Dom is a short man with a round balding head and a rounder stomach. At five-seven, I'm considered pretty tall myself, so I easily see over his head. If I had seen him out in the daytime, I would have thought he looked like a manager or something like that.
• "Get changed, and you better be quick. You're on in five."
• "Copy that."
• I go on stage and begin to dance. The shameless men begin to throw lewd and crude words at me, and I frown in disgust as I dance. I hate them touching me, and sometimes they take it too far.
• When I'm done, I leave the stage immediately and go into the dressing room. Change my clothes, undo my makeup, and get ready to leave.
• “When are you going to make up for the time you wasted?” Dom asks. He's standing by the door.
• “Tomorrow, I'll work extra shifts,” I reply. I would do it immediately, but I’m damn tired and need time to rest.
• “Okay then.” He shrugs before throwing my pay at me.
• “Thanks, Dom.” I mutter under my breath, making my way to leave.
• As I walk away, I notice the way Dom stares at me. Hungrily, like a starved beast. He’s made advances in the past, but my answer was a straight no.
• I step out of the club, and two men appear in front of me.
• “Who are you?” I ask in a clipped tone, taking a step backward. My heart races in fear.
• They’re gruff-looking men, big. Too big and scary-looking. One has a fully bearded face; the other has a large ugly scar slashing from his left ear to the right one.
• “This one will do,” the bearded one says, and the other nods in approval.
• Do what?
• “What are you—” My voice trails off.
• They suddenly charge at me, placing a gag in my mouth to muffle my screams. I thrash, fight, and try to scream. But all to no avail.
• The bearded one carries me on his shoulders, holding me in place as they carry me towards a room.
• “Please don't do this,” I plead in between sobs, but all my pleadings fall on deaf ears as the men carry me straight to a VIP room in the club through the back. I yell at the top of my voice, throwing my hands in the air, hoping someone would hear me but all my screams are muffled with the loud music.
• They drop me inside the room and leave, locking the door after them.
• “No…no.. hey!!!! Who's there!!! Help me!!” I call in despair, knocking on the door, hoping someone will hear me and come to my aid. But no one comes.
• “Please–” I beg in tears and suddenly turn as I feel a presence in the room. I'm not alone. Fuck. Fuck.
• “Who's there?” I ask in alarm.