The Villager

25

THE VILLAGER
Third Person

Beer boasts in the air, smoke and half naked ladies walk around the brothel as Tilley takes light steps in the building. The Courtesan's find the young lady walking in the place with curiosity, but mind their business above all.

Tilley knew that this place was not a good place to be around. She was not a fool, she knew what Ophelia did for work, but never made the move to judge. Simply walts in the building with determination.

Men from all around have now taken in Tilley's existence. The brothel was a place with no judgment, secrets that were locked away. Grown men were drooling at the sight of an innocent being entering the building, and they all wondered who would be the first to take a bite.

Candy is at the bar, her eyes flicker over the young lady and her jaw locks at the sight of the gentlemen staring at her as if she is the prey amongst this place. And she was.

This was not a place for a young lady as such. She wished to yell at the young girl to leave and never look back- that this life was not made for her. Just as she is about to round the bar, a gentleman beats her to it, standing before Tilley with his hand laid out to introduce himself.

Tilley eyes the gentleman's hand, feeling fear like no other. She felt the prying eyes, the lustful gazes these men had given her the second she walked in.

"What is your name, Doll?"

Doll? She thought. Why on earth would he give her such a name as that?

A knife slices through the air, almost slitting the man's throat in a quick motion. It happens in the blink of an eye as Tilley stares at the lady whom holds the sword on the other end.

Tilley's eyes widen at the sight of Ophelia on the other end, glaring at the gentleman.

Ophelia was brave, nothing like innocent little Tilley. No, Ophelia knew these men would eat her alive and this was no place for Tilley. Tilley deserved a different world, this was not hers.

"Leave the girl. Find someone else or else I shall dig out your eyes. Perhaps your tongue first?" Ophelia tilts her head, watching as the gentleman that was licking his lips, tucks his tongue back into his mouth and shakes his head. That has Ophelia rolling her eyes. "Matter of fact, leave."

"B-But I pay-"

"You heard Red, leave." Candy now stands behind the man with her arms crossed, standing on business. This may be a place for sexual desires but not for younger ladies.

The gentleman clenches his jaw but makes no fuss as he rounds Tilley and leaves the building.

Ophelia looks at the room, waving her sword around. "And that goes for all of you. Look at her and you are dead, understand?" The men nod their heads in fear, turning back to their tables at their drinks, keeping their eyes down.

She then twirls on her heels, looking down at the young lady with a warning look. "What are you doing here, Tilley?"

"Everything alright, Red?" Candy eyes the kid.

Ophelia never looks away from Tilley and nods. "Yes, I can deal with her." Candy nods her head, turning back to go to work again. "I asked a question, Tilley."

"I have never seen you in action before." Tilley holds a big smile. She then opens her arms, noticing the tension Ophelia holds bare. "Good to see you again, Red." Tilley was now teasing Ophelia, calling her by her work name.

Ophelia holds a suspicious gaze, she crosses her arms and moves to the side. "Follow me." Tilley turns, following behind her as she demanded, racing up the stairs to catch up to her.