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SECOND CHANCE
Chapter 11
Most people ignored the girl who stumbled unsteadily along the sidewalk. Others openly stared at her bloodstained clothes and matted hair. Nobody offered to help.
Alexa's headache was getting steadily worse. The bright headlights of the cars hurt her eyes and she felt as though she was going to throw up all the time. A yellow cab skidded and swerved at the last minute, missing her by inches. "Out of the way! Ya stoopid doped-up bitch!" The driver raged at her but she couldn't hear the words - sounds were so distant as though she was in a tunnel. She just kept on walking across the road, making other cars veer and the drivers sound their horns in fury. Alexa wandered aimlessly in the unfamiliar streets, trying to judge distances and not to trip on the kerb, and eventually slumped against a wall in an alleyway. Several young girls were hanging around the corner and they glared at her as she tried to stay upright. She was so tired, so sleepy and her head felt like it was going to explode but somehow knew that if she closed her eyes she might never wake again.
"Gina, who's the fuck-head broad over there?" One of the girls shouted to her colleague who was nearest to Alexa.
The raven-haired girl eyed Alexa up and down. Gina was provocatively dressed in shiny hotpants, a tight bikini and impossibly high white stiletto sandals. "Well, she aint gonna steal no tricks from me! Hey, sister - watsa big...uhh gawd, watsa matter with ya?" The Latino girl peered closer, beginning to realize something was terribly wrong with this stranger. "Geez! Did ya get worked over by a john or did ya pimp give ya a beating, hon?"
Alexa tried to focus on the double image of the young woman. Ohh my head, my head! It was so very peculiar - all the sound had stopped. And the ground was coming up towards her face so fast - how strange!
Gina crouched down next to the crumpled form of the young girl then gasped as she saw the dark clotted mass of bloodied hair at the back of her head. This girl had been hurt bad - it didn't look like no punishment beating. Maybe she'd been mugged? As she tried to rouse the stranger, some cops suddenly arrived at the entrance to the alleyway. A cop she knew very well was calling out in a bored voice. "Okay ladies, you know this aint the place for cruisin' - you gotta come down the station for violating city ordinances." Gina shrank into the darkness as the other girls were led away, protesting their innocence loudly to anyone who was interested. The familiar cop shone a torch light at her and then on the semi-conscious girl who was trying to get up. ''Hell, Gina,'' he sighed. ''You're gonna end up in real trouble dressed like that on the streets.
Look, why don't you get your friend fixed up and go home?'' Gina had a sharp, obscene reply ready for him but bit back her retort when she saw who he was and the sadness in his eyes. She knew this guy. Martinez, yeah - Mike Martinez and he was okay...for a cop.
The officer shook his head and turned away. No point in getting the wagon all messed up by a sick hooker. And he hated the thought of having to bust Gina - she just needed a break to straighten herself out. He allowed himself a wry smile - she looked damn hot in those pants too, the way that zipper was riding in deep between her...quit fooling yourself, man! She despises you - you're just another pain-in-the-ass cop as far as she's concerned. Anyway, the whole exercise was pointless. These chicks would all be back on the streets within hours of their release, even more desperate to make up for lost business and to avoid the violent wrath of their pimps. He pitied them but he felt angry too for poor Gina. They had lived in the same tenement block when he was a rookie. He remembered her blossoming from a gawky kid into a stunning beauty. She'd been a good kid too until her shit-bag of a brother had 'sold' her to pay off his crack debts. The cop sighed again. So much for this fuckin' 'Zero Tolerance' bullshit from City Hall...
Gina sighed with relief. At least this sick girl had made the cops leave her alone. Maybe officer Martinez was right bur she had to do tricks to pay off her debts and college fees...and now she could work her street corner without any competition! She sauntered back towards the sidewalk, emphasizing the sway of her hips and began to look for her next 'customer'. She paused and turned back. The girl on the ground just sat there. Forget her - what the hell do I care anyway? A car slowed. The expression on the john was so typical - a mixture of lust and guilt as he hungrily eyed her body like a piece of meat. She put on her best plastic smile and seductively gyrated her ass as she moved towards the open car window. For some crazy reason she looked behind her one last time. Shit! SHIT! That kid was slumped down again and this time she wasn't moving.
"Hey lady - are yer gonna stand there all fuckin' night or are yer open fer business?" The john sounded from out of town and nervous as hell, like he wasn't used to picking up a city working girl.
Gina swung back round and sneered in contempt at him. "Aww go screw yaself, country boy!" The guy frowned then drove off. Shit! SHIT! What in HELL did I do THAT for? She could have stung him for more than the going rate! Gina cursed again and ran back as fast as her stilettos would allow. "Hon, ya okay? Hey, talk to me! Oh fuckin' shit! Hey there, HEY!"
*****
Master Charles watched the older man pour out the coffee. He cleared his throat. "I believe you wanted to see me about a certain young creature?"
"That all Alexa is to ya - a CREATURE?" Armando could barely contain his anger. "She's a fine person, an angel who got no wings - she's no piece of property or animal to be bought and sold!"
Master Charles did not immediately reply after the old Italian's outburst. How on earth could such an insignificant slave have caused so much disruption to his ordered life? He had better things to do than listen to this! "You have no idea what is involved, Mister Forte. Alexa belongs to me."
"Yeah, I read her diary." Armando slammed the notebook on the table. "I know what ya people are, what it is ya done to her! Alexa's been forced into slavery, ya nearly kill her and now she's goin' half crazy trying to survive in this city while she has to prove HER loyalty! Ya treat her WORSE than a damn animal!" He threw the cash down next to the notebook. "See how she even saves to pay ya goddam money all back? She goddam LOVES ya and ya don't wanna know!" He turned away. "Ya people make me sick!"
Master Charles sighed. Security had briefed him about this Armando Forte before their meeting. Were it not for the fact that Alexa was involved, master Charles would never have come to this run-down bistro in Little Italy. "I am aware of what you think of me...and of how much you think you know about us." He paused, watching the expression change on the old man's face. "The only reason you and I are speaking and that you have not been 'cleaned' is your pivotal role in caring for my little Alexa..."
Armando chose to ignore the thinly veiled threat. "Why do ya hurt her - she loves ya so much!"
"Do you think I don't know that? Why on earth do you think I'm here?"
Armando leaned back and frowned at this clean-cut man. "So ya DO care for her?" There was no reply and none was needed.
"Where is she? Was she here when you shot that thief? Was she...is she injured?"
"I never shot nobody last night - SHE did! That sweet kid saved my LIFE!" The man opposite him stared at him in amazement. "And yeah, she hit her head real bad. Knocked herself out cold when she fell. I tried to stop her leaving but she ran off when the cops came. I thought maybe she comes back but..."
This was worse than master Charles had feared. Alexa was missing in New York - without possessions, with no money, and possibly in urgent need of medical attention. Damn! I should have had the girl discreetly monitored from the outset! "Contrary to what you may think, she means a lot to me. If she returns, please contact us immediately."
Armando eyed him for a moment. "What if Alexa don't want back no more?"
"What do you mean?"
"How much?"
Master Charles was puzzled. "I beg your pardon?"
"How much she worth - I buy her and set her free!"
Master Charles looked around the poorly decorated room. "You could never afford her. Besides, it is out of the question - my little slave is not for sale." This old man was actually serious! What was it about Alexa that affected people so much? This was getting him nowhere. He stood up, pocketed Alexa's notebook but left the money on the table. "Just call me if she returns...please."
*****
Master Charles' mind was in turmoil. Alexa had behaved admirably and strived to make him proud of her. And in return, he had placed her in danger in a hostile, unfamiliar city. Oh Stephen, my old friend, I have been a damn FOOL! But this had all gone far enough. He wanted her back NOW. Picking up the phone in the limo, he called his office. "I want slave 763389...my personal slave Alexa...found urgently. Use our contacts in NYPD. Check the hospitals too. This is top priority - understand? I want everybody available on this IMMEDIATELY!" He thought furiously - Miller had excellent contacts with the various factions of the New York underworld. He would send for him from the Ranch. For all his faults, Miller was an excellent hunter and had tracked many new recruits for submission.
*****
Armando's hands shook as he ran his fingers through his thinning hair. The meeting with Alexa's 'owner' had upset him more than he realized. Oh Lucia, what should I do - call the cops? No, they might be a part of this 'Organization' - Alexa's story seemed so far-fetched at first but it all figured. That guy she called her master was obviously very powerful...and well connected. Well, Armando had connections of his own. He closed up Lucia's Kitchen and painfully hobbled several blocks to a bar. The arrogant youth blocking his path to the back room demanded to know his business. "My business is with your boss, not with his hounds!" The youth reacted angrily to the deliberate insult. "Ya tell him Armando is calling in a favor. Tell him that Sergeant Forte is remembering 1945 and a debt."
The youth looked confused. "If you think I'm gonna waste his valuable..."
"Just tell him - is a FAMILY matter, okay? Ya boss's gonna be mighty pissed if ya DON'T tell him - CAPISCHE?" Cheeky pup! Armando limped back to his apartment to wait.
*****
Zia shrieked again but not so strongly or for as long. Miller moved the prod back towards her breasts. She couldn't take much more - every time she fainted, he brought her round and continued the torture. The bitch kept on babbling away in her own tongue - she didn't know a word of English but he knew what she meant. The Afghani was screaming curses at him, screaming in pain, screaming for mercy...what the fuck did it matter what language she used. Miller liked a girl's screams - sort of an 'international language'! The tongs and pokers were heating nicely. She was just about softened up for the real fun - oh you're a clever bastard Mister Miller, make no mistake! Perfect timing as usual and not a mark on her yet...well, the cuffs had chafed her wrists and ankles until they bled but you can't have everything! He lazily moved the tip of the probe down between her shaking breasts, over her belly, and down to the top of her pussy lips. Hmmm, not quite full current, maybe we try a perfect 100 volts?
"AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Oh yeah! How cute - the dirty fuckin Arab bitch's pissed herself! Naughty, naughty! He pressed the pointed terminals directly above and below Zia's clit and pushed down the red button on the prod. She bucked and jerked around so prettily! Oh well, nearly time for the first poker...
"Miller, man - what you doing down here with the new merchandise?" One of the other guards was chuckling away as he took in the scene. "Man - don't you ever take a break? The dodgers lucked out and you missed the game for this worthless piece of foreign tail?"
Miller was furious at the interruption. But he hid it well, as usual. "Just keeping myself sharp - you should try it!"
"Yeah well, you're needed in New York. Seems That English cunt everybody's got a sweep on has gone AWOL and the Head's wanting his property back - so the goddam bet's off. Seems its urgent - fuck knows why. I hear she's not THAT special, kinda plain and too small for fucking - bet you'd split her in two with that dick of yours, man." The guard stirred the glowing charcoal with a poker, making Zia squeal in horrified dread at the sound. "I didn't know there were any sluts for torture. You're a selfish bastard - want me to finish them off for you?" The guard was grinning at the prospect.
"Nah. Well, maybe the dark one but Blondie here belongs to the Senator now so I'd better just put her back in the pen." He smiled at the violently trembling Zia, cupping her breasts in his large hands. "You can give this one the works. She went for the Senator's precious little fuck-toy until I dragged her off so she's got to be destroyed - give her the works mind but keep her alive as long as possible. Hey, bet you can't make her last the whole friggin' night!"
Guljana screamed and begged for mercy for poor Zia - this was so unfair! Miller had set up the fight, tricking Zia into the attack! "Please, not right! She was do no wrong! Please NO!" Zia was staring at her, imploring with terrified eyes. Guljana shook her head and wept, unable to help the girl. She didn't care that Zia had hurt her beyond belief in the cage - her attacker didn't deserve this cruelty!
Miller unlocked the circular cage; pulled Guljana out by her hair then swiftly gagged her and cuffed her ankles. He threw her face down over his shoulder and started to leave. She squealed in pain as he forced a finger up her ravaged cunt. "Gotta dash, sweets - duty calls! Let's put you back in your cell so you don't get into any more trouble. Pity we couldn't spend more time together - maybe next time, hmm?" He winked at his colleague who was spreading Zia's buttocks while he aimed the tips of the cattle prod at her tight anus. There was a crackling noise then a satisfying shriek as he left the room. This was perfect! He'd get that little English cunt before her precious so-called 'master' found her. Then they'd BOTH be sorry...
*****
Alexa kept very still. Where was she? The room was still spinning but her headache was mercifully getting better. She was lying on a bed in a corner of a small apartment. It was clean and tidy but very sparsely furnished. There were unfinished paintings leaning against the walls and artist's materials lying on a table. And there was a dull thudding noise coming from somewhere - it wasn't in her head, it was coming up through the floor. It was music - a disco? What was this place? Alexa slowly got up to explore and discovered a small bathroom. She relieved herself and looked in the mirror - what a sight! Her hand went to touch the back of her head. It was very tender but dry. Her hair was all crusted together. The door swung open and an olive-skinned girl in her early 20s entered. She was very pretty, with shoulder-length black hair tied back from her face. She was nearly naked, except for a black leather thong and platform thigh boots. Her body was covered with glitter and the front of her g-string was stuffed with money!
Gina eyed the girl up and down then ignored her, pulling the wad of notes from her tiny costume. "So ya finally woke up then - ya gonna tell me your name? I don't normally go around pickin' up sick girls ya know - ya owe me BIG time, sister!"
"I...uhh, A-alexa - my name..." Alexa couldn't help staring at the girl's bare, glittering breasts. "Th-thank you for...how did I get here? I don't remember what happened."
The dark beauty laughed and folded her arms across her chest. "No wonder, after whatever gave ya that wound on ya head. I took ya here, ya were sorta half awake an' talking all sorts of rubbish! Kept goin' on an' on 'bout some guy called master Charles an' being sorry for letting him down!"
Alexa's heart sank. What else had she said - what had this girl heard? "Uhh, I..."
"Hey, don't worry - ya talked a whole loada crazy shit more but guess it was that crack on ya head did all the talkin'." She brushed past Alexa and brazenly peeled down her thong and unzipped her boots. "Uhh, gawd - damn heels nearly gotten me killed on the damn stairs!" Alexa gawped at this girl's utter drop-dead beauty. And she didn't even know her name! "So, mystery-girl with ya cute husky voice an' ya outa-town accent, ya gonna tell me what went down, hon? Oh yeah - the name's Gina." She was brushing out her jet-black hair, casually standing totally nude in front of a long mirror. Alexa saw how the girl's pubic hair was neatly trimmed into a vertical line above her cunt. Alexa cleared her throat, wondering what she could say that this girl would believe. She decided to tell her the truth.
*****
Officer Martinez puzzled over the urgent fax to his precinct. The DA's office wanted every watch in the city alerted about a missing girl. They said she was a key witness to a major federal case and was in grave danger. He felt sure he'd seen her recently. But where? He scrutinized the mug shot and description, racking his brains as he mentally retraced the past few days...
*****
"What this girl worth then? You want her real bad, Mister Miller, may cost much to find. She not look your type - hey, I get you real nice clean girl instead. Five thousand dollar to you Mister Miller, special price to you." The oriental smiled up at the familiar figure. Miller was one of their best buyers and he was always on the lookout for young, innocent produce. "This one very nice, Mister Miller - she down in the cellar. She pretty red hair both top and bottom, very fresh not used - I check! You look then you buy - no worries"
Miller peered down at the offered Polaroid of a terrified girl kneeling and trying to hide her naked breasts. Hmmm - kinda cute, right enough! He sighed. "Keep her for me - untouched, mind! I don't have time just now but I'll get her later so keep your stinkin' fingers off of her or there's no sale." He thrust the photo of Alexa back at China John. "First we deal with the missing girl, you slit-eyed bastard. This cunt is loose in the city somewhere. There's a reward if you bring her in but ONLY to me and undamaged. This is urgent!"
China John pocketed the photo along with the picture of the new girl in the warehouse. Such a cute one - lost in Grand Central. Hunger and cold had driven her right into their hands. He looked slyly up at the large figure of Mister Miller. "She must be very special - the cops wanting her too! She worth a lot to you..."
"Fuckin' listen well, you crooked sonofabitch! Don't play games with me - just find her!" He stormed out in a fury. That's the Yardies, the Cubans, the Yakuda and the Triad covered - just leaves the Russians...
*****
Alexa lowered her gaze, avoiding Gina's incredulous stare. She still didn't feel very well but at least her headache had mercifully eased. "You probably don't believe me - I don't mind. It isn't important any more."
The other girl just sat, barely moving. "Hon, I don't know what to say. Ya gotta understand it's hard to take in! Ya got any proof?"
Alexa slowly nodded then stood. She began to loosen the front of her denim miniskirt. Without a word, she let it slip down her thighs to expose her belly. Gina let out a gasp as she was confronted by this mysterious girl's pierced clit, her smooth-shaven cunt, the faint white scars on either side of her abdomen, and...the brand! "Geez! Uhhh, I never..." Gina couldn't take her eyes away. "Ya WAS telling the truth!" Her practical nature took over. "This all ya got - these clothes? Uhh, not even panties?" Alexa shook her head. Gina ran her fingers through her long jet-black hair. If all she had been told was true, this girl was in desperate need of aid - and a source of extreme danger! Why in hell had she gone back to help her? "Look - ya can't stay..." Ohh shit, don't cry on me! "...Ya can't stay for long - uhh when are ya goin' back to your, uhhh 'master'?"
"T-tuesday!"
Hey, dry ya eyes! Ummm, when did ya last eat?" Gina smiled and handed over a tissue. Fuck! I'm too fuckin' soft for my own good - gonna regret this!
*****
She could hear the men talking in the front seats. Something about 'target' and 'position'. Then something called 'yan-kis' and 'dojahs' but the words meant no sense. Guljana curled up in the small cage and tried to calm down. Her cuffs and ankles were closely fettered together and her mouth was plugged by a black ball gag on a leather strap. She had tried to reach the stiff buckle behind her neck but one of the men banged on the top of the wire cage, warning her to stop. Guljana was absolutely terrified. Almost as soon as that evil monster had returned her to the pens, she was hauled out and forced to shower. Dressed only in tiny shorts that rubbed uncomfortably between her thighs, she was fettered and gagged then carried over a strange man's shoulder only to be stuffed into this square cage in the back of a large car. She had wailed and begged for her Senate-master but they had ignored her useless crying and driven off at frightening speed. If she pressed and tilted her head up far enough, Guljana could see out the tinted rear window with one eye. The sight mesmerized and frightened her - many many cars, big roads, big buildings - was everything in America so big and noisy and fast? There was always a car behind with colored lights flashing on the top. Sometimes there were two of them. Where was she being taken? Was she going to be hurt and killed like poor Zia? Had the Senator changed his mind and decided to sell her? It was getting darker and Guljana was becoming more and more afraid.
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