Just a number

Chapter 6: Claudine

On my way to the park, I felt my gut clench and the breeze went from lightly flowing past me to gnawing vigorously at my exposed skin like it was trying to warn me. No, that would be silly I'm in the richer part of the city it's probably super safe. Right?

Just in case I look back and sure enough, I see two men hobbling along bumping into each other. They start shushing each other with one smushing his grubby index finger against the other's lips.

"She's right there!" one eagerly whisper-shouted. Wait. Are they talking about me?

"Dibs on getting a turn first." Oh shit.

"No, that's not fair we already agreed on this!"

"Too bad." the first man mocked blowing a raspberry "I called dibs."

I start picking up my pace trying my hardest not to alert them. As I get to the entrance of the park, I decide it's better to go in I can probably lose them quicker. So, I speedwalk in. The path was barely illuminated by the streetlamps inside, yellow light flickering on and off almost teasingly. Once again, I hear their voices.

"Aww, the poor little sult. Sult. That sounds wrong. S-Sult. " he spoke confused, cocking his head to the side.

"It's slut, you doofus."

"Oh yes, but sult just sounds so much betterrrrrr."

I start running before they turn the corner.

"Hey, you, come back here, we have plans for you."

I didn't even stop to process what they said and kept on running.

"You BITCH. Get your sulty self back here."

"It's SLUTTY!"

I ignored them focusing on my breathing but I couldn't run too far on the little foof I have access to plus I don't exercise at all, don't have the time. Hence I decided to hide. I found a medium-sized bush nearby and hid behind it before they could see me.

"Where'd the bitch go, Artie?

"I don't know but she can run as much as she wants but she can't hide from us. Come on bitch! We won't hurt you! Ok, maybe a little bit. Scratch that, we'll hurt you less if you give yourself in!"

"Ok, you go that way and I'll go this way, Jacob."

"Fine."

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About an hour later, I deem it safe enough to come out since I can't stay here all night if I did those men would be the least of my worries. Shit. I didn't get paid tonight. What am I going to tell Father? No no no no no! He's going to kill me. Or almost kill me, I guess he still needs me to make money to support the family.

Still trembling, I stepped out of the bushed after double-checking there was no one around. Phewph, no one in sight. I start walking still being wary not to make my footsteps loud. As I pass what I suppose is a shutdown ice cream shop I hear a creak. Ok...it was nothing obviously. I'm so silly creating noises.

Then, I hear another creak shortly followed by an aggressive tug of my arm. Thick fingers grasping my forearm in a tight grip.

"Got you now, you little sult. Can't wait to get a taste of you. I'd better call Artie." he slurred.

A few minutes later, I caught sight of who I believed was Artie humbling down the path from the opposite direction I had been hiding. As he got closer, I could smell the alcohol on him he had this musty, thick odour that wafted everywhere in his 5-foot perimeter.