LIBERTINE / LEVI ACKERMAN

3 - Jannik's Prize

"You'll have the couch until I have guests. When there are guests present you are to be in the spare room there," Jannik pointed to the door behind Imogen.

"Why do I not just take the spare room?" She replied.

"You are not a guest. The couch is easier for me to clean," Jannik replied bluntly. Jannik's apartment was large for a place in The Underground. He had two bedrooms - including the spare room - a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen. The place was very musty, but he kept the space well decorated and sophisticated. It was hard to imagine how Jannik might seem to one of the "guests" he was talking about. On the outside, he looks well manicured and his apartment in good condition, but Imogen knew that he was filthy. She wondered if his guests knew the true nature of his job. Was he a con man, or was he a proud pimp?

"Why did you bring me here?" Her voice was strained. She couldn't really complain. She couldn't go back to The Winking Mares after Rina's death. The pain had begun to settle, her mind focused on other things. She needed to manage everything with Jannik very carefully. Imogen was always Jannik's "favorite," but that didn't mean he respected her. She wanted to avoid any sexual contact with him at all costs while in his apartment.

"You need to be kept in good spirits. Without you, I don't make nearly as much money," Imogen usually would be comforted by a comment like that, because her life depended on Jannik's favoritism. All hopes of getting out of The Underground relied on her bringing him the most money, the most clients, the most obedience. Now, it made her feel sick. Being a prostitute was never her choice, though she knew what was coming. She saw what happened to her mother. Even despite everything that they were expected to endure, Titans were never supposed to be related. Rina was never supposed to get eaten. How could Jannik still be talking about money at a time like this? Was he truly heartless?

"That's comforting," She said sarcastically, her voice faint. Bile was rising in her throat and she imagined Rina being swallowed by that hideous Titan.

"I am... sorry," Jannik's voice was firm. Imogen looked up at him, taken aback. He had never expressed any empathy toward anyone or anything. "I will find out what happened. Girls are not supposed to die at The Winking Mares."

"Your reputation will be destroyed, no doubt," Imogen said, drilling down to his real motivation behind his words.

"Yes," He conceded. There it was. Rina's death meant less money. What kind of man would risk his life against the possibility of a Titan appearance for a prostitute?

"I won't have anyone over for a few days. But when they are, I expect you to present yourself nicely," He began unbuttoning his gray plaid vest.

"I thought I was supposed to be isolated in the spare room?" Imogen asked, a hint of aggravation in her voice.

"Unless you are needed," He disappeared into his room, which was on the opposite wall to the couch she was sitting on.

"Am I... still going to be taking clients... here?" Imogen raised her voice a bit, calling out to Jannik while he was in his room.

"I will not let the scrubs of The Underground into my apartment, no," He emerged from his room. "I'm heading out. I'll be back in a few hours. Need to coordinate repairs for The Winking Mares quickly." Imogen only nodded in response. Ironic of Jannik to call his clients scrubs. He was so blatant about his disregard for the working women at The Winking Mares and the men they were forced to indulge. With that, Jannik was gone. Imogen stared at the blank walls of his apartment. Her eyes felt so heavy, her mind plaguing her with intrusive thoughts. Rina crying out before she was eaten, or curled up on the floor from the debris and then eaten. She was so beautiful, so young. She was supposed to make it to Mitras with Imogen.