HIS FOR THE TAKING

hat could charitably be described as "grimly authentic." Ava squeezed between tightly packed Form

w. Grizzled neighbourhood drifters hunched over cold plates of congealed eggs and sausage links. Even a few working girls, freshly sat

ious voice deep inside wondered if she could ever bring herself to that life - selling her toned body for cash instead of wage-slaving it away. Just as q

bro types, maybe five or six ranging from their late 20s to mid-30s, gesticulated wildly with beer bottles clutched in their meaty paws. Even from acro

er best friend and fellow lifer Lizzie was slouched in a torn vinyl chair, feet kicked up on a milk crate. The wiry

d under her breath as she gave h

er green eyes flying open as she fl

bitch!" She threw a venomous glare

over her shoulder warily. "You know that pack of meatheads in the corner booth? They've been eye-raping me all night,

upted by her friend's melodrama. "Oh hell no, Princess! I just started my shift, unlike your lazy a

lower lip in a devastating pout, her

ing to touch me and shit. Just do me this s

ck to the grimy tile floor and thumped up to her feet. "All right, all rig

vely throwing her skinny arms around L

ng on the remains of a cold cigar butt. His piggish eyes landed suspiciously on th

hit her gut. "B-But Len..." she stammered

's twisting your lil' panties into a knot. Those jerk wads been askin' for you by name, so you best be a good g

d a final squeeze before tugging her apron strings tighter. Squaring her narrow shoulders, she

ving and jostling each other like badly behaved frat boys as their las

latantly looking her up and down. "Well, hello there, darlin'! Thought maybe we were g

le appreciation at the racist jab aimed at Len. Ava refused to look shaken, si

ou started with some more drinks?" she inton

the pricks reached out and casually squeezed her firm backside. Ava flinche

he instigator crooned with a depraved wink."But maybe you

boldly indecent proposition. Bile rose in Ava's throat as she fought to hold in

rself like a mantra. But as she turned to hustle away, another rough

nvoluntarily recoiled from the violation. Suddenly, all eyes in the restaurant seemed lock

not to notice. Another winked conspiratorially at the rowdy group. Everyone had

ance in the direction of the still-whooping degenerates who had molested her. She barely registered Lizzie's concerned shouts as

a slap to the face. Great, shuddering sobs wracked her tiny frame

*