The UnNameables

Chapter 3

Oh, no. Jamie suddenly wished he hadn't followed her. He just stared, bewildered. "What? You like shopping?" Then he quickly added before she could respond, "Not-not that that's a bad thing..." he let his sentence trail off.

"Who doesn't like wasting money on stupid crap you're never going to use? Besides, I can always 'earn' more money." She winked at him before continuing to walk.

"So...where's the closet mall, money bags?" He teased, running to catch up with her. "I could deal with a new pair of shoes."

Freya looked ahead in her mind. "About two blocks from the casino." Jamie stopped and closed his eyes.

"Wow. I can see it, too. The picture is so clear! That's awesome."

They walked in silence, Freya striding ahead and Jamie trying to keep up. The mall wasn't far away. They passed a couple of mile-markers before the road turned, and they found themselves standing in an open market full of shops and restaurants. They passed a shop with ridiculously-fancy clothing displayed in the window. Freya grinned and pulled Jamie inside. "These look so ridiculous. Let's try them on!"

"What? Freya, are you feeling okay?"

Her grip was unrelenting, and Jamie resigned himself to his fate. Freya walked up to a salesman and spoke in a sugary voice, "Sir? Could you suggest a style of evening gown?"

The man looked her up and down and gestured with his head. "This way, madam." He led them to an aisle of sleek, form-fitting, silk dresses. He looked her over once again and pulled out a black, floor-length gown with a low v-neck. "May I suggested this for the fine lady?" Jamie, who knew Freya's triggers, glanced over at her nervously. He tried to signal no, don't get mad! Just in case, he got ready to run. Freya caught his look and giggled to herself. This was fun! The salesman led them over to a dressing room and Freya sauntered in with the dress to try on.

It was awkward for Jamie, standing outside amongst an array of frilly, white dresses, waiting for Freya. It didn't help that the sales-creep was standing uncomfortably close to the changing room door. Jamie knew Freya could handle situations like this, but just in case, he inched closer, eyeing the sales-creep carefully. The dressing room door opened, and both men snapped to attention. Freya stepped out wearing the gorgeous dress. It clung to her figure and accentuated her curves. She looked stunning. Jamie barely had time to admire the way the gown shimmered like her golden hair before the fabric of the dress caught on a gaudy sequin attached to the heels she'd been given. She stumbled slightly, and both Jamie and the salesman rushed forward to help. As they lunged, the back of Jamie's hand accidentally brushed the sales-creep's, and his brain went blank.

Immediately, everything rushed forward, as if in hyper-speed, and images flooded his brain. He saw young, beautiful women, one after another, being shamed and beaten by the salesman. To his horror, Freya's face flashed in front of his. She was kneeling on the ground, powerless and bleeding, the scar on her chin dripping red. Her clothes were ripped and torn, and she was sobbing helplessly. Suddenly, Jamie's vision snapped back to reality, and he saw the salesman holding onto Freya's elbow to steady her.

Not on my watch!

Without thinking, Jamie rushed forward, as if to karate-chop his arm, but he had already released her. Freya looked at the salesman and spoke again in her sugary, unnatural-sounding voice, "Would you mind getting my friend here a tuxedo?" She grinned at Jamie, who looked shocked, and continued, "I know he'd love to try it on." Jamie tried to shake his head no, but at the smile on Freya's face, he stopped and slowly started to nod. The salesman walked away, and Jamie felt himself relax.