The Maze

Luna

*** TW: This chapter contains sexual aspects and some abuse. Please proceed with that awareness. ***

Luna,

We hope this letter reaches you in good health as you prepare for your upcoming Maze. As you know, the details of the Maze are kept as a closely guarded secret. However, the date of the Maze is now available to those who are to participate.

This year's Maze will take place on July 24th, one month from the date of this letter. We have alerted all jobs of those who will be participating. All individuals are expected, and required, to be present. The last day of your current jobs will be July 20th in order to have time to prepare before the day of.

More details about transportation to the Maze and time of to follow.

Congratulations once more.

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Before I knew it, I was back at the club, prepping for another dance. I got my second Maze letter today and it affected me more than I expected it to. I assumed the Maze would be soon but a month? The details are so secret that the even the date changes every year. Some bull shit about how they don't want people to be able to study for it. Makes it fair or something.

I chose a loud song for my first dance to chase the racing thoughts from my head. The thumping bass racked my whole body and the lyrics drowned out the Maze from my head. I closed my eyes and allowed the song to control me. Technically, we're supposed to make eye contact to 'entice' the customers. Whatever. The crowd was large enough that even without 'enticing the customers', I still walked off stage with a few hundred in my hands and stuffed around various body parts.

Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest nights, the latter slightly more. We stay open later too, meaning more time between dances to allow for more private dances. Normally I put more effort into my dances on Saturdays but my head is too all over the place to care. I'll make it up next week. I'll have to. I age out of the orphanage next week.

It was about 15 minutes after my first dance ended that I got my first private request. The customer paid for an hour of my time. I put on a red, lace bra and panty set and slid a pink robe over that. I touched up my makeup, threw on some black thigh high lace up boots and my made way to the private room. I hoped the person on the other side of the door wasn't some sleezy old man. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to call security on a private dance that got too grabby.

Fortunately, it wasn't an old man.

"Hello, darling."

Ryan's deep voice slid over my body like velvet, lighting every nerve on fire. I didn't fight the smile that slid on my face as I closed the door and turned to face him. He wore a black suit with the jacket hanging open and the top few buttons of the white shirt underneath unbuttoned, the black ink of a tattoo peeking out around the fabric. His tie hung loose around his neck. My eyes lingered on it, thinking of all the things he could do with that tie. When I looked back up, there was a knowing smirk on his face.

"I thought you didn't do private dances, Ryan?" I walked over and stood in front of where he sat on the leather couch. The low red lights in the room made the sharp angles of his face more prominent.

He shrugged one shoulder before taking a sip from the glass he held in his hand. "I thought I'd give it a shot. Since you won't be here after next month."

I was a bit surprised that Ryan knew the date of the Maze but I guess word gets around. "Unless the Maze decides I'm a good fit for a dancer" I copied his shrug from earlier. "So, what are you looking for?" I untied my robe and let it slide off my shoulders slightly.

His eyes roamed slowly over my body, taking his time on certain places. "I'm just looking for a good time."

I smiled and straddled his lap. I could feel him pressed up against me. As I kissed up his neck, I could feel his breath hot and heavy next to my ear.

"That didn't take much convincing." He chuckled. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me tighter against him. I moved against him and was rewarded with a small groan. He twisted his hands in my hair and pulled my head so that it was level with his. His lips were inches from mine, his breath smelled of whiskey. "I've wanted this since the moment I met you."

So have I

I think about the night we met often. I was 15 and still new to my life as a dancer. I made ok money then but a lot of men were hesitant to tip such a young dancer. That night, I decided to branch out and try to work the crowd. In the middle of my set, I sauntered into the crowd, eyes scanning for someone to dance with. Most of the crowd were older men. Men who already had their Maze and found their Charge. I didn't feel even remotely comfortable dancing with any of them.

I almost walked back onto the stage when I spotted him. His pitch-black hair was a mess on his head and his brown eyes followed my every move. He couldn't have been much older than me. I guessed around 18. He looked somewhat uncomfortable, like it was his first time in the club. I met his gaze and gave him a seductive smile as I made my way to where he was sitting.

I started by leaning into him, my lips a breath away, and pulled back the moment he leaned in. My hands moved to his shoulders, pinning them back against the chair. I put my leg up on the seat and let the dress fall to the side. His eyes instantly move to my exposed thigh. I then moved closer until I was straddling his lap. That moment was when I felt him for the first time, pressing hard against me and I wanted more. Needed more.

Of course, the song ended then. I tore myself from him, my breaths heavy. By the time my next set came around, he had left. From then on, he'd sometimes show up to my shows. For three years, we played this game of I want you but can't have you. Tonight, was the first night he ever admitted it.

The thrust of his hips into mine tore me from the memory. His hands gripped my ass, pushing me closer. The only thing that separated the two of us was his pants and the thin fabric of the lingerie I wore. The thought made my need for him stronger.

I pressed my lips into his, my hands moving to undo the buttons on his pants. His tongue begged entrance to my mouth and I welcomed him with a moan. He pushed and prodded my mouth while my fingers fumbled to get those stupid pants out of my way. I finally had the zipper down when the fucking door opened.

"Scarlett, five minutes till your next dance."

"Fuck" I muttered.

Ryan leaned his head against mine, our breaths matching each other's. "Time to go back to reality"

I raised my head to look at him. "Come back tomorrow. Sundays are slow. We'll have more time"

He shook his head. "I can't"

"Why not?"

"My dad doesn't want me coming here." I didn't know much about Ryan but I knew his dad was someone important. The air of superiority followed the man in front me wherever he went.

"Just tell him you're busy." I kissed his neck.

"I can't"

I moaned against his skin. "Please" I licked up his neck.

Next thing I knew, I was crashing into the coffee table in front of us. There was a sharp pain in my forearm. When I looked, there was blood dripping down my skin. I looked up at Ryan, eyes wide. He was standing now, hands clenched into fists at his side. His chest rose and fell sharply. This time it was from anger, not passion that made his breathing hard. "I said I fucking can't, Luna."

I stared up at him from the floor and nodded. "O-ok. Y-yeah."

There was a knock at the door and I scrambled to my feet, bolting from the room before he was able to say anything else.