Save Me

The heavy scent of perfume woke me up. I sat up from the couch I was laid on. Around me I saw girls. About six or so, all dressed in very revealing clothes. They were all sitting front of mirrors applying dark make-up. The walls were a dark red and the floor was a dark brown wood. The air was misty, almost like a light fog. I assumed is was because of the thick scent of hairspray and perfume.

"She's awake guys!" exclaimed one of the girls. All but one rushed over to me. They were all pretty.

"Ooh, it looks Lillia hit you hard," said a girl with dark brown hair. She was sporting a light blue outfit and silver heels. I raised my hand to my head. It was tender to the touch. All the girls were chattering loudly next to me asking questions and such.

Finally the one girl who did not dash over to see me said, "Enough! We have a show in ten minutes! Half of you don't have your make-up on!" All the girls scampered over the their vanities but one.

"Hey I'm Piper. Sorry about Sabrina, she's my sister and can get upset easily when we don't get ready," she smiled. She had short, pixie-like hair that was dark blonde and cute hazel eyes. She seemed bubbly. "And you are?"

"Hannah Wriley. Where am I? What is this place?"

"You know what showgirls are right?" I nodded. "Well, that's kinda what we are. We dance jazz, some hip-hop, ballet, we sometimes sing and act. Antonio, the guy that's in charge that we know of, he's. . . crazy. It's the nice kinda crazy. God, I probably sound like an idiot. Have you ever seen movies where the bad guy when he's mad he plays it off cool? That's Antonio and it's scary. Us girls, we got drug here without our say so. Some of us knocked out like you, others drugged. We practice our routine for our shows and perform them. If we don't do what Antonio says we get hurt. I've witnessed girls die before. But I really don't want to make this place sound bad. It's actually fun. He gets us high-end clothes every two weeks, we have nice meals, best care products, we dance, sing, go to amazing places for vacation. Once you have stayed here for a while it really does grow on you. I know I sound crazy, trust me. I cried for three weeks straight when I got here."

"Piper, show's in two mintues!" Sabrina yelled.

"Okay! Jeez, but anyways, everything will be fine. See ya after the show!" she smiled and dashed out of the room.

Piper was nice and all but she made it out to be like on okay place. She even said she's seen girls die! I buried my face in my hands and cried. I would not be someone's performing monkey! I had to get out and find my family and Ryan. I sobbed louder and collapsed in the dark velvet couch.

I must've fell asleep because a woman lightly shook my shoulder and said in a light Brazilian accent, "Hannah, wake up please."

I sat up, groggy, and looked at the woman. She was beautiful. She had light brown hair in a bun with swooping bangs and warm brown eyes. She was also tan and thin.

"I am Ava Mendez. The dance, singing, and acting instructor. So, I teach the girls everything." She looked down at me with a sad expression. "I can only imagine the pain you're going through, Hannah. Believe me, I do not want to be here either."

"Then why are you?" Ava seemed nice and trustworthy.

"Antonio, he is my cousin, and many years back we had made a bet. He said if I lost I must do whatever he wanted. He made out a document and as foolish as I was I signed it and now here I am."

"Why didn't you just say no?"

"He said he would kill me. Now, come. Let me show you around."

 We walked out of the dressing room and into a hallway that had the same floor but a dark green striped wallpaper. She showed me the dining room which was charming then the hallway that lead to the bedrooms. She showed me the lounge. It too was maginifcent. It was all the girls went there after shows most of the time and to hang out. She then escorted me to the dance room. It was top-notch. It was probably the only light colored room in the club. Mirrors were all along the walls, actually three out of the four walls were mirrored.