Welcome to the Masquerade

"Take It Out On Me" by Thousand Foot Krutch

AN: It's been a tough week. I think I may have taken it out on my characters a little. In fairness, this was always a part of the story.  I marked the story mature. Please use caution and be aware that it may not be for you. This one was rough to write. You've been warned.  

I only own Lory. Everything else is the property of C.L.Stone. Constructive criticism is welcome and even requested, but flames will be used to make s'mores. I love votes and views. Please let me know your favorite lines and moments. Happy Reading.

*~* Lory *~*

I'm pounding the heavy bag at the 24-hour gym. I don't even care today that it smells of cleaner and dirty socks. I can't. I can't deal with one more thing. I want a fight. I want to hit something. Preferably something that will hit back.

I get it.

I'm hurt.

I'm angry.

I'm Fucked Up.

I'm over all the shit in my head trickling out and screwing up the fact that I could have a good thing here if I can just get my shit together. If I can get over all the things I've learned about myself.

**Flashback to earlier**

I'm hungry. The little bit of emergency cash ran out days ago. I can't contact my --- I have no one to contact. And I'm hungry. I didn't know that being hungry makes you feel so sick to your stomach.

I heard one of the older girls talking about an alley where they can make a little money. Most of the kids that go missing have been the ones who go to the alley. The ones who don't go missing only go to the alley once in a while or never go at all. Krista said I should only go if I'm real desperate and only offer oral. It won't pay as much, but she said it was safer for me. I think I want to go home. I have enough information now don't I?

I find a message. One more week. I've been out here for over a month.

I'm hungry.

I'm scared.

I want to go home.

What about the kids that don't have a home to go to? Or if they do it's worse than what's out here?

One more week. I can take one more week.

I know I have to go to the alley. It's the link. I know that's where they are tagging their victims. And I'm just their type. Young. Desperate. Alone.

It doesn't take him long. He'd been waiting. He approached me. That worries me. He pulls my hair and forces my jaw open. It's...I don't like it. I've changed my mind. I'm not that hungry. When he's done, I have tears running down my face. My knees are all scraped and raw and my scalp hurts from trying to get away.

"Not bad, Elena."

The money falls to the ground in front of me. I snatch it to myself and stumble out of the alley. Five dollars. That's it? That's all my first sexual experience was worth? That's all I was worth?

Then I realize, I never told him my name. He's the missing link.

I bolt out of my bed and barely make it to the bathroom before I start puking my guts out. Just like that night. I vomit until it's just dry heaves. Krista found me that night, helped me clean up. I explained what I had done. It made me sick again. I don't know what happened to Krista after I took off the next morning. Ran back to my own life. I had what I needed. I tossed Elena's stuff. Except for that $5 bill. I kept that. I still have it. It cost me too much to give it away cheaply.