FicWad

I always answered my cell phone, always. It was a life line and I knew just how important it was so why, why didn’t I answer it last night? I usually even turned the volume up so that I would wake if anyone called. I wasn’t asleep though. No, I had been an idiot and decided it was my turn to spend a night alone. I wanted to enjoy myself. I figured my older brother Patrick could get his shit together for just one damn night.

I flirted with numerous men at the noisy bar but none of them were worth the pain I felt when I arrived home to find the apartment I shared with Patrick trashed. I immediately grabbed for my cell phone to call him, only to find several missed calls from him with follow up voicemails.

“Avery, please pick up the phone. I- I made a huge mistake and I just- I don’t know what to do. This isn’t like last time. This time I really fucked up. This time… this time I owe a lot of money and I- I pissed a lot of people off. I don’t know what to do sis. Please pick up. I’m- … I’m scared.”

My heart dropped as I listened to each frantic voicemail, all similar. Patrick made a mistake and didn’t know what to do and I hadn’t been there for him. I’d promised I would always be there for him and I wasn’t there for him. I let him down.

I knew vaguely of a few people Patrick had been in trouble with previously but I didn’t have any of their addresses on hand so that was of little use. How could I know so little when it came down to it? Without really thinking it through I started calling every single contact in my phone that had ever known Patrick. I had to find out something and I had to find out fast because whatever he did- it was obviously serious this time but just how serious? I wasn’t sure but I couldn’t risk him being hurt. He was all I had left.









The air was cold and when I breathed it in I choked slightly, inhaling a foreign substance floating through the air. So far I’d only seen bad signs but what could I really do? This was the place every piece of information was leading me to. This was an opportunity to find my brother, who had been missing for almost 24 hours now. I hadn’t slept. I was exhausted and not thinking clearly. I just needed Patrick back.

I glanced towards the broken down motel and cringed, knowing just how disturbing this visit could be. Obviously what happened to Patrick wasn’t pleasant and I wasn’t seeking out peaceful people but I had to do it, and I had to pray to God that Patrick was still alive.

I had to look at the crumpled piece of paper multiple times before approaching room 201. It was downstairs thankfully, though that didn’t make a possible escape all that easier. I had no idea what I was walking in to.

I didn’t even knock when the door opened. “Hi.” I choked out, scolding myself silently. I had to at least pretend to be confident or no one here would even take me seriously. The burly man stared at me before cocking his head to the side, “You one of the whores?” He finally asked.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust before shaking my head, “No, I am not one of the whores.” Did I look like a whore? I thought my outfit was quite practical…

“So, then who are you?” The man asked, sizing me up.

Another man appeared beside him, giving me a once over. “Come inside.”

Yeah, I didn’t really feel like going inside. That didn’t seem like a good idea at all. Still I ended up following the men inside and I listened to the click of the door behind me, knowing it was too late to turn around. “Does the name Patrick Stump mean anything to you?”

The man narrowed his eyes, “Check her.” He commanded.

I jumped in surprise as the bigger man began to search my pockets. I figured there was no reason to fight if he was just going to search my pockets. Why bother? “Avery Stump.” The man said, glancing at my ID. “She’s not a cop.”

A cruel laugh left the other man’s lips. “Another Stump, eh? Are you here to pay your brothers debt?”

“So you are the one he owes.” I murmured, nervously assessing my situation. “Where is he?”

I ended up roughly biting down upon my tongue to keep myself from crying out as the sudden harsh slap landed upon my right cheek. The man in front of me did not look pleased. “I asked you a question. Are you here to pay his debt?”

Tears filled my eyes but I tried so desperately to push them away. I needed to be strong for Patrick. I couldn’t let him down, not again, not now. “H-how much?” We didn’t have much left in savings. Patrick had blown it all on his last debt and I’d used the rest of my most recent paycheck to pay our overdue bills. With Patrick’s gambling and drug problems it didn’t leave a lot of money for bills.

I’d been trying to save him all along, knowing his problems stemmed from our parents car crash. We both grieved in different ways. Unfortunately it seemed I’d moved past trying to help him, in to enabling him.

“20,300.” I coughed at the amount, knowing it was almost an entire year’s salary for me. How the hell was I supposed to come up with that much?

“I- I don’t have that.” I finally admitted, feeling panic push in. I could barely breathe, let alone talk. I forced myself to sound confident and hoped to God it was working. “Is there anything else I can do? Is he okay?”

Another slapping noise echoed through the room and my face felt as if it were on fire. “I’m asking the questions here bitch, not you.” Well then how the hell was I ever supposed to find out anything? I kept my words bottled up inside, knowing it wasn’t the right time nor the right place.

“I’m sorry.” I let the apology fall from between my lips, successfully making it sound as if I actually meant it.

The man smiled widely, “Well now, we may just have a use for you yet.” He gave me another once over. “Patrick is fine. He’s with an associate until I figure out further plans for him. You see he is no good to me dead. He owes me money and a dead body hardly collects.”

I nodded, simply listening. Inside my heart was melting with relief though. Patrick was alive!

“So, would you like to pay off your brother’s debt?” The tone of the question made me freeze and I knew I wouldn’t come out of this without paying some price, beyond money.

“I’ll do anything.” It was the truth. My brother’s life meant more to me than my own. I’d even die for him if I had to.

“That’s what I like to hear.” The man looked towards my breasts hungrily. “Undress now.”

“I-“ He gave me one look and I knew not to object. I had to do this for my brother. I had to save him, despite whatever horrible thing would happen to my body. My trembling fingers fought to unbutton my jeans and I stopped, pulling my tank top off easily. “Can I- Can I ask a question?” I certainly didn’t want to be slapped again.

Silence followed my question and I hoped I hadn’t made a mistake in asking. I continued on however, hoping that obedience would win him over. My bra fell to the floor and cold air blew over my nipples, hardening them.

“Lovely breasts.” The man finally commented, “And yes, you may.”

“Can I talk to him… just to know he’s okay?” I wouldn’t do anything willingly until I could do that, anything that mattered anyway. Undressing wasn’t the biggest deal and I wasn’t entirely shy. I just kept pretending that I was undressing for a boyfriend, instead of a drug dealer.

“Once I’m done getting a look at the goods I’ll do something even better to ensure your cooperation, I’ll take you to him so that you can see him freed.”

I quickly pulled my jeans off, kicking them to the side. Now I couldn’t wait to be naked. I couldn’t wait for Patrick to come back home. I needed to protect him. It was my top priority.

Once my underwear was off I stood in place, attempting not to think of just how defenseless I was. Both men circled me, taking in full view of all of my assets. “Very nice.” The one that seemed to be in charge finally commented. “That’ll do. Put your jeans back on and your tank top. You won’t need a bra or underwear though.” The command surprised me seeing as how I had been preparing myself for rape. He just wanted to… look?

The man noticed my complete look of confusion and leaned forward, breath tickling against my cheek. “Oh dear, did you think I was going to sleep with a slut like you?” Slut? Wait, what? I wasn’t a slut. I wondered vaguely if they once again were mistaking me for a whore, as the man who answered the door had originally assumed. His following words squished that worry however and brought forth a new one.

“No, I wouldn’t stick my dick in you.” He bent over, throwing my jeans at me first. “That’s for the paying clients only from now on my little whore.” Paying clients? Whore? The information sunk in and I started putting two and two together, wishing I was a little less perceptive. “That’s right whore. In order to pay off your brother’s debt you’re going to be the neighborhood whore. Once you pay his debt off you’ll be free to go, until then you’ll abide by all the other rules my whores follow.” I numbly listened, dressing quickly.

What had I gotten myself in to?

I still couldn’t object though. It was sex or my brother’s life. I’d fuck as many guys as I had to, despite how slutty that sounded. My brother’s life was still much more important to me than my virtue.

The man, whose name I learned was Adam, continued to talk, informing me of my new temporary life. I let the information sink in as I followed him to his car, excited to see Patrick. His freedom would make this all worth it, wouldn’t it? I could handle selling myself out for my brother, couldn’t I?

I was still afraid. It was still a frightening situation. Until I was done and Patrick’s debt was paid I wouldn’t be truly safe. Until Patrick was better, off the drugs and gambling, I’d never feel safe again.

I was his little sister. He was supposed to protect me, not the other way around! Why couldn’t he act like any other older brother? Why did he have to be so fucking broken? The anger inside of me grew until I almost told the man to forget it all. I wasn’t going to be a prostitute for anyone. I wouldn’t sell myself to men for anyone.

Then we arrived and every ounce of anger left, every word died before reaching my lips. Patrick looked badly injured, as if he’d been tortured. I checked his pulse and he was alive but it wasn’t a very strong pulse.

I watched Adam call 911. I shook as I climbed back in to his car before the ambulance arrived. They’d tortured him. He was an inch away from death. How could I turn away and just let him die? I couldn’t.

“How will I know if he’s okay?” I finally asked, surprised that I wasn’t crying. It seemed I’d found some form of strength deep inside of me. I could only hope it would continue to protect me from what was to come.

“I’ll allow you to see him at the hospital once.” Adam responded. “Then you are required to report to me. See, I can’t follow all my pros around… if you don’t come back to me before the debt is paid off I’ll assume you’ve given up on your brother and I will return to collect from him, plus extra.”

All I could do was nod.

I was now a prostitute.