Chapter 3 Dance or Die
I didn't care that I'd just escaped the clutches of werewolf kidnappers, my feet were out the door after I'd frantically searched through the house and confirmed that yes, Marvel wasn't in this house.
But then I got outside the large iron gate that protected us from the dangers lurking outside and I stopped.
Where do I begin looking for her?
Where did she go?
We didn't have friends, after Mum went out and didn't make it back, we stuck to ourselves for fear of mixing with the wrong crowd.
I mean, I worked with them already, no need to bring it home.
But still, this wasn't the time to be overly conscious of boundaries.
I ran back into the compound and went knocking on the first door.
I stood outside for about five minutes before Engel, an older man with an eye patch.
“What are you doing out at this time of the night?”
“Please have you seen Marvel today?”
“She's not home?”
“No,” I whispered, my throat clogged up with tears threatening to spill.
“Well there's nothing you can do tonight, just stay safe in your house and tomorrow, we'll go around and ask questions.”
“But what if she was taken?”
“What then can you do about it?”
His words weren't said with cruelty but it hurt all the same.
Especially because this is the truth that I'd refused to tell myself.
My knees got weak, and I crumbled to the ground, unable to think properly.
Engel shut his door as there was nothing he could do to help me.
I thought about going to the other fifteen doors to ask questions and was already moving when I heard movement from outside.
I rushed out without thinking, I didn't care if it was a raid or something else, I just pulled the gate open and the tear I'd been holding back fell.
“Marvel?”
Three men, thankfully humans, were carrying her to the gate.
One had her on his shoulder and the other two carried a gallon and the other had the slippers she'd been wearing for five years now in his hand.
“Are you Raven?” The one carrying the gallon asked as I rushed to meet them.
“Yes, she's my sister.”
My chest caved in as they handed her over to me.
“She was pushed into the ley lines. I have no idea why these beasts are so cruel but they let her have the gallon she'd fetched after we pulled her out. Can you take her in by yourself?”
I couldn't answer, I struggled with her weight until I laid her down on the bed in our room.
“Marv? What's happening? Tell me where it hurts.”
Her eyes opened and shut again but no words came from her mouth.
The men were still outside, waiting for me.
I returned and took the gallon from him, “Thank you so much for bringing her back.”
“We've got to have each other's backs here. It's the only way to survive. Get her to a doctor tomorrow morning, she might actually survive this. Who knows?”
“But the money…”
“That gallon should get your foot in the door. You work at the Pit, right?”
“The money is barely enough to keep us going. I'm sure that's why she went to do this, she hates going to school while I work.”
“I'm sure you'll figure something out.”
“I.. I'll have to. Thank you so much.”
They were gone in a minute, leaving me with the tears that fell freely now.
“I asked for a beer! Why are you serving me vodka?!” One of the wolves surrounding the table I was serving screamed at me.
“But..” I looked at the book I was using and right there it said vodka, “you said…”
“Go back and get the man what he wants, darling,” another one with a silver-coated scar across his cheek drawled.
He must be a raider.
I obeyed, that's all I've been doing recently.
Doing whatever this fucked up system demanded to survive.
Only I wasn't just trying to survive anymore, Marvel was dying and the drugs to keep her stable were fucking expensive.
I looked at the fighting pit, and I saw Jade shining on it.
Before mum disappeared, I remembered having enough joy in my soul to dance.
But what caught my attention was the money being thrown at her.
Large wads of big notes while she danced for them.
“You know, you'd fit right in there, Raven.”
“Good evening, Vic. When will you stop talking about this?” I snapped, walking past the owner of the pub I worked in.
“This offer won't last forever, sweet cheeks. Very soon I'll find someone willing to do what it takes to escape this slump.”
“Escape?” I scoffed, “Jade has been dancing for you for years, why hasn't she escaped?”
“Because she has a ley drug addiction. Do you?”
“Of course not, I suffer enough from exposure.”
“Good. I heard through the grapevine that your sister is sick. I will let you keep half the money you make while dancing and I'll even let my personal doctor treat her, you pay of course. Last chance, Raven.”
My mind swarm with the possibilities.
I'd stop serving, I'd stop getting insulted for doing everything right and they'll never touch my skin again.
Up there, entertaining the people that ruined our lives, I'd get the chance to make things right.
The problem however, was whether I could do it.
“But what if I can't dance like her?”
“Honey, nobody cares about her technique, they just want to see flesh and smell arousal to prepare them for the fight ahead. Are you in, Raven?”
“Yes,” I whispered after a pregnant pause.
I was adjusting again, but the only way out of this hellhole, is through it and I'll do anything to keep my sister alive.
Including dancing for aggressive dogs, sorry, werewolves with murder in their eyes.
In minutes, Vic had me in a dress that was more scandalous than the one those raiders had me in last week but the second I stepped on the stage, roars filled the hall.
As I began moving to the loud, thrilling music, I repeatedly told myself, the only way out is through.
But it doesn't clear away the disgust crawling up my spine.
What am I even doing?
