"So whatchu been up to, Candy-girl?" Crystal asked, swishing up the spray bottle. "It's been ages."

  "I found a new life, far out of the city." Cinza smiled. "I'm legitimate now."

  "No kiddin'?" Crystal whistled. Cinza closed her eyes as she raised the bottle. "I'm happy for you."

  "Thanks. I'm just back for the night with Jenny, but she ran into Meltyface and here we are."

  "You mean you were in Seattle and you weren't gonna look me up?" Crystal made an exaggerated mocking look, spraying Cinza in the face pointedly. Cinza recoiled, and she laughed. "No worries. I wouldn't bring a girlfriend 'round this dump either if I was you."

  She took another long look at Cinza, now soaked with the mixture of water and glycerin she'd prepared. Frowning, she tugged at Cinza's shirt a little, making it lopsided and exposing more skin, particularly around the stomach, then deliberately rumpling it up. She pinched her side with a wink, dancing out of Cinza's reach.

  "Couldn't resist, you're just so sexy when you're mad. Show some more belly, girl, they love it." She turned and rounded on Natalie. "All right, Jenny, I'm guessin' you never done this before, have you?"

  Natalie shook her head, very nervous. Crystal had a very motherly way about her, but Natalie hadn't had the best experience with mothers anyway, and she didn't want Crystal getting anywhere near her. They'd only met ten minutes before, and Natalie really had a bad track record with strangers so far that night.

  "Crystal," Cinza cut in. "Let me." She took the bottle, to Natalie's relief. She knew Cinza. She could stomach being near Cinza for a bit.

  Crystal nodded. "Sorry, Candy-girl. I didn't mean to intrude."

  "It's all right. Jenny's just not one to get close to people." Cinza explained. "Actually, would you mind giving us a minute? For her sake."

  "Actually, why don't I head back out now?" Crystal suggested. "I can watch out for Meltyface, see if he splits, and it'll give you two time to recover." She grinned, leaving the room with a wave. "Next time you're around, you damn well better find me!"

  As soon as she was gone, Natalie breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," she murmured.

  "Crystal can be a little overwhelming," Cinza agreed. "I assume you didn't want her to get close?"

  "She seems really nice..." Natalie said apologetically, not wanting Cinza to think she hated her. I can't let anyone near me. I can't let them close. Anyone could turn like he did.

  Cinza nodded. "I understand. Do you want to do this yourself?" She held up the spray bottle.

  Natalie thought about it, but wasn't sure she'd do it right. They needed to get across the place without anyone stopping them. She couldn't risk losing her bag, and everything inside it, just for the sake of being a little more comfortable.

  "...No, you can do it."

  She took off her jacket and laid it on the bed, then her jeans. Only the blue dress, which she'd loved so much only six hours ago, was left. Cinza held up the spray bottle, and a cloud of cold liquid sprayed out, clinging to her skin. It soaked into her dress at specific spots Cinza picked out. A bit too much in some places, and drops were starting to run down her leg, but Cinza never got too close, so Natalie endured it.

  "I don't understand," Natalie said quietly while Cinza very gently adjusted her clothes. Natalie stared at the wall and tried to ignore the pulsing desire to hurl herself away. "Why would they want me?"

  "What?"

  "Tattoo-face and his guys… they thought I was too young. But the guys out here wouldn't care?"

  Cinza shook her head. "People will see what they want to see, and not what's actually in front of their eyes. They wanted someone weak and easy to control. These men want a girl to dote on them and fulfill their every desire."

  "Even though…"

  "Yes, even though you're young."

  Natalie glanced out the window. "Why don't you do anything?"

  Cinza sighed. "There are plenty of evils out here, and until recently I was just one small girl trying to stay alive in the world. I'm not exactly innocent myself."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Natalie nearly asked what she meant, but hesitated. She didn't really want to know. She didn't like Cinza all that much, and what she'd just said sounded like an excuse. Patting herself on the back and pretending she couldn't have helped.

  But she's helping me now. Maybe that counts for something? Natalie wasn't sure. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. All she wanted was to be far, far away, deep in the forest with just Gwen and the stars. No more cities, no more people.

  As soon as she was done, Natalie braced herself. Cinza reached out and tugged the strap of Natalie's dress down to the side, hanging off her shoulder. She tugged at the hem, making it seem less straight and more rumpled and used. After a moment's inspection, she declared it sufficient.

  Natalie picked up the jacket from the bed, but Cinza shook her head. "You can't put them back on. I'm sorry." The jacket went into Cinza's bag, the thick warm forest-green vanishing into the depths, followed by her jeans. "You can't look like you're cold, either. Did you learn the spell to make yourself warmer?"

  She nodded. Drawing on her magic, Natalie pushed it out through her entire body and warmed herself. She went a bit too hot for the small room, but she knew they'd be heading back out into the night-time chill again in only a few moments.

  Cinza lead the way, slipping back into her sultry swaying walk in an instant. Natalie wondered if she should copy it, but she still felt too nervous and uncomfortable to try. She followed behind as meekly as she could, wishing she were shorter so she could somehow hide behind Cinza as they walked.

  A few men in the sitting area wolf-whistled as they went by. "Had a good time, did'ja?" called one.

  Natalie ignored them, focusing on the back of Cinza's head, but Cinza turned and gave them a smile as she passed by. They managed to get all the way across the square without anyone trying to talk to them, but on the other side they ran into a problem. The way into 302 was blocked by a man sitting behind a table, with a metal lockbox on one side and a leery expresion.

  "Candy Pop!" he called out. "Been too long, baby!"

  "Shit, is that Niddles?" Cinza strode up, plopping down on his table and leaning in towards him.

  "Damn girl, you pick up seconds on the side?" he asked, leaning around to glance at Natalie. Natalie looked away, trying to make herself smaller and less noticeable, but it didn't help. "Aww, she's so cute and innocent. You just warmed her up, didn't you?"

  Cinza leaned in and kissed Niddles on the cheek. "Can't stick around, Niddles. Got me a young boy wantin' to be a man up in there." She nodded up at the building.

  "You want a real man, you just holler," Niddles said, gesturing downward. "But you see, we gotta charge extra for this buildin' here. Premium rooms, cleanin' service, fuckin' wi-fi and shit, and premium girls. You get my deal, yeah?"

  "So what's it gonna cost a workin' girl to get one of your fancy rooms?" Cinza walked a line up Niddles' chest with her fingers. "I ain't got much, so up front costs are out."

  "It's up front for everyone, CP, can't be changin' that." Niddles glanced at Natalie again. She felt her skin crawling under his gaze. This is wrong. Everything here feels wrong. But I'm in control. Cinza told me I'm in control. If he does anything, I'll stop him. "Betchu we can work somethin' out. Payment options."

  "Whatcha got in mind?"

  "I heard about your double-double special from the other girls." He grinned. "Give me a samplin' and you get the whole week free."

  "Just for you, Niddles," Cinza replied. Niddles leered at Natalie again, and ran his tongue across his lips.

  What? Natalie wasn't sure she'd heard Cinza right. Niddles stood up and lead them to the door of the building, opening it with a key hanging off his belt. Did Cinza just… are we… what's going on?

  Natalie followed them both in, every step feeling like she should bolt from the building. Niddles turned off into the first room just inside the door. The front door to the place locked with a click behind them.

  Stay calm. You're in control. Nothing's going to happen.

  They walked into a bedroom. Almost instantly, Niddles had his arms around Cinza, pressing his face to hers.

  She kissed him back. Natalie felt revolted. What's going on? Why is this happening? Cinza wouldn't… I can't—

  A light appeared in midair, behind Niddles, where no one but Natalie could see it. A pale silver light like a translucent orb, hovering in place. More lights appeared, spelling out a sentence.

  Knock him out please

  Natalie didn't need to be asked twice. She filled her arm with magic, took two steps forward. Niddles was still totally distracted. Natalie ignored everything she saw and heard, and focused entirely on her fist.

  She punched Niddles in the side of the head.

  He tumbled a few feet away, banging his skull into the wall. Cinza got pulled aside as well, but managed to let go before she was dragged along with him. Niddles collapsed to the ground without another sound—out cold.

  Cinza spat on the ground, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief she pulled from her bag. "Thank you."

  "Why did—" Natalie started, but Cinza shook her head.

  "It seemed the quickest way in. We're running out of time, unless you tend to push more magic into your bag than necessary?" Natalie slowly shook her head. "...So by my estimate, it could run out any minute. I'm assuming you've kept some very valuable things in there, haven't you?"

  "Just to me," she whispered, embarrassed. What would Cinza think of all the heirlooms and trinkets, memories and tokens? She didn't want to seem childish, especially not tonight of all nights.

  "Then they are the most valuable things in the world, and we're going to get them back," Cinza said firmly, to Natalie's surprise. "Come on."

  "What about him?" Natalie gestured down at Niddles, who still hadn't moved. "Isn't it bad to be blacked out for a long time?"

  Cinza shook her head. "He'll be fine. He'll wake up in a while with a bad headache and wonder if he dreamed the whole thing."

  Natalie didn't like leaving him alone after having hurt him, but she also couldn't really bring herself to care once she remembered the sort of person he'd been. With a last glance at the motionless guy propped up against the wall, she followed Cinza back out into the hall.