No Other Choice

Chapter Two

I didn't realize I had frozen until he rose an eyebrow. I had missed three dance moves! I thought what came next and went with the normal routine. I grabbed the pole and jumped, swinging myself around until I landed on the ground. Now came the part where I had to start singing. I didn't know why, but I felt a little self-conscious. Which had never happened to me. I cleared my throat and moved the mic into place. And I sang. "Some-day I'll let you in! Treat you right! Drive you out of your mind!" I sang and looked into everyone's eyes except his. I got to the chorus and the male dancers came out. They wore black skinny jeans and were shirtless. They had on black ties and were very muscular.

I raised my arms and they each placed a hand at my waist and right under my arm. Lifting me up them brought me to the center of the walk-out. "Come a little closer! Come a little closer, baby, baby!" I sang and they slowly circled me and got closer. "Yeah!" I screamed into the mike, the sound blasting out into the crowd.

When the performance was over I rushed into my room and washed off all traces of the makeup. I changed into a sports bra and jogging shorts after putting up my hair. I ran out the door and passed Bert who was yelling after me. I just needed to escape.

I ran out through the streets and the city's park. Once I ran through my normal route, I decided that it wasn't enough and ventured into the abandoned allies. Covered in sweat, I stopped and put my hands on my head. I breathed in thorough my nose and out through my mouth. Looking up at the night sky, I decided that it was late enough. The man in the fedora was probably gone. I started jogging again and came to the tree line. Frowning, I retraced my steps and jogged for another ten minutes. When I came onto a street I hadn't explored yet, I confirmed I was officially lost.

I walked towards the end and saw three large men huddled around a fire. It was cold, but I'd been running and my legs were numb, so it wasn't that bad. I went up to them and they all stopped talking and looked me up and down. I shifted uncomfortably and looked down. "Um, I, uh... think I'm lost." I said, cursing myself inwardly for stuttering. They looked at each other and seemed to communicate with certain looks. I bit the inside of my cheek, a nasty habit, but it gave me something to do.

They looked at me and started to approach me, I took several steps back but they kept coming. I frowned and said, "Whoa, guys. I'm not for sale, I just want to get back to the Center." The middle one regarded me and said, "Then you shouldn't have come to the Outer Ring."

They kept advancing and I kept stumbling backwards. I finally pressed up against the wall and closed my eyes. Clenching my fists, I swung at the smallest one. He dodged and grabbed my wrists. I cried out and screamed, but the third man covered my mouth. I let a tear fall, and wished that I'd just stayed in the Center, when I heard an inhuman growl. The men all turned just as a wolf pounced on them and attacked. I was released and crumpled up on the floor.

I heard a few snaps and opened my eyes to see the smallest man staring back at me. But his eyes were lifeless and pale. I screamed and crawled back as far as I could go. I heard the wolf give a yelp, and searched for it. Instead, I found those red eyes and relaxed a little without realizing it. I felt him pick me up and start to carry me. But I was much too tired to care where he was taking me. I went limp in his arms as he walked in the moonlight.