Don't Say a Word

Two

It was 7:30 pm when Nic left the house again, wearing sweatpants and her new jean jacket. She tightened the straps to her backpack and started her music, slipping her ear buds into her ears and drowning out the street noise. After a short stretch she glanced both ways and decided to run toward Ybor. Most of the area surrounding Ybor wasn't very safe, but once you got to the main strip the music was exhilarating and the crowd was unpredictable and entertaining. Nic could run for hours and usually did. It was 7 miles from their house to Ybor, sure she could go to the mall. She had two to choose from West Shore Mall or International Mall were both very close to her home, but that was too easy.

She took main roads for the most part, until she had to cut over to River Garden Park to get over the water. Soon she'd pass Florida Ave, which was close to the College and she'd ignore the cat calls from cars or worse people she'd run passed. Next is Nebraska Ave, which is a known place to pick up hookers. She'd get a glare or two as she passed while they tried to decide if she was looking for drugs or trying to steal their spot. Because she never slowed down, she's never had any real problem here. Once someone grabbed her arm, but she spun and took them to the ground so fast they didn't get a chance to get a good grip. She always kept a knife tucked in her sock and she had it out and ready to go when some hooker ran up to comfort the potential customer. Reassuring his manhood while Nic hurried off. As she neared Palm Street she slowed down her pace to cool down. She didn't want to be out of breath and sweating like a freak when she walked up to the door of the Castle.

The Castle was an eclectic bar filled with fetish lovers, gothic, emo, and more. There was no dress code except on certain themed nights. Which means chances are you will run into Bishop, an older man who was either going to be 90% naked or wearing some see through hot mess. But most importantly it was off the main strip, it allowed people under 21, and even though she wasn't quite 18, Marcus ran the door.

Ah, Marcus, 6'3 215 lbs of pure walking sexual predator. He oozed sex and if you were dumb enough to fall into his trap you found yourself waking up in some strange place with no idea how you got there. Not that Nic had ever had that "pleasure" but she'd seen him slip things into her drink before. She was still an unobtainable object to him, and he was simply a way to get in for free.

Once inside she headed straight for the bathroom. She'd towel off before adding a little mascara and lipstick. She stripped down to her crop tank and slipped into her mini skirt leaving on her boots. Once everything was tucked back into her backpack she headed to the bar.

"When are you going to let me take you home with me?" Nic involuntarily shivered as Marcus slipped up whispering against her neck. She took a small breath to keep in her temper and turned with a fake smile and a slight shrug of her shoulder.

"You're such a tease. Want a drink?" She motioned toward a bottle water. Preferably something with a cap that hadn't been tampered with please she thought. He reached over the bar and grabbed her a water.

"One of these days you're gonna make good of all these promises Princess." She ran her hand down his arm and took the water before turning and heading for the dance floor.

Marcus watched her dance for a while before his stand in started to bitch about needing him at the door. Thursday nights were the best. There was just enough of the regulars to keep the place interesting, she could watch men walking around in heels and super mini-skirts. Girls walking around with tape over their nipples and bikini bottoms with combat boots that came up to their knees. Giants in leather wearing heels making them even taller and just as promised Bishop made his presence known.

There was a special talent to avoiding having the Bishop rub his butt or who knows what on you as he danced by. If he noticed that you were avoiding him you might as well have invited him into your personal space. Nic danced for hours, knowing it would be curfew soon and she really needed to go. She finished off her water and headed to the bathroom.

Tall dark and handsome stepped into her way. He was easily a foot taller than she was, dark brown hair, short cut almost military. His eyes were so brown you'd almost think they were black. Of course here that could be contacts.

"Hey...I know you. Planet fitness. Kick boxing class..." Nic let her gaze move over him as if trying to remember, though that wasn't a problem, she was very aware of everyone in her classes. "Nice look." He was looking her over, slowly. Ever thought someone was undressing you with their eyes, definitely being undressed here. As if she was wearing a lot to begin with.

"I've always wondered if you wore anything but sweatpants." Nic smiled, absently pulling her skirt to be slightly longer. Giving him that well good to see you look as she pointed to the bathroom trying to slip past him. He slipped his hand along her waist as she passed pulling her into him.Nic sighed reaching back and gently taking his hand off of her ass. A slight shake of her head as she took a step back from him.

"Come on babe, stay a little longer. Me and my boys just got here. I'll get you a drink and you can come sit on my lap and tell me why you're always alone." He'd managed to grab her arm again before she could pull away, only this time his grip was tighter, controlling.

It was then that Nic looked past him at his two friends. She'd seen them all at the gym. Crap. Double crap. Now ego's would get hurt and she'd have to put up with it at the gym. Her gaze slowly lowered to his hand on her arm. Inhale, exhale, don't kill the guy.

"Oh playing hard to get? We'll just have to take you down to the Dungeon and show you what we do to bad little girls." Yes, the Castle actually had an area they called the Dungeon. Sure it was fetish central, and no she wasn't interested. That's when Tall, dark and not quite as sexy thought he'd help his friend and grab her other arm.

Gloves off, challenge accepted. Nic stepped closer to Tall, Dark and Handsome as if going along with him, then with most of her strength stomped on his foot before spinning and releasing her arm from him. She spun and punched his backup in the nose.

"Damn, Jack got yourself a feisty one." his third friend chimed in, holding his laughter at his friends all while not making an attempt to help. "Bitch broke my nose!" helper growled as he held his hand over his face, blood dripping onto his lips. Jack didn't speak but was reacting as he would in class, grabbing Nic by her hair as she was turning back from hitting his friend, he jerked her head back hard pulling her off balance and backhanded her across the face sending her into the crowd.

People were beginning to spread out, Nic nearly ran directly into Bishop before spinning into a kick to Jack's chest. Her hand coming up to pull her hair from his grip. Finally Marcus showed up pulling Nic behind him. She wasn't sure if he was protecting her or them right then. Security came and gathered the three men. "Come on boys, before she kicks your ass. You're out of here"

Nic slipped away to the bathroom before Marcus had a chance to turn back and check on her. She looked at her jaw in the mirror, it was pink now, but wouldn't be for long. She rinsed off her face and went into a stall to change clothes. Once she was back into her usual sweats and jacket she pulled her hoodie up over her head and slipped out of the club through a side door. Make out alley apparently. She had a long run home and needed to clear her head. She turned on her music, pulled out her ear buds and headed home. Unaware that Jack and his friends were watching her leave.