PESSIMIST

A brothel is the sort of place to make friends. But when Kian and Electra meet during a business deal, friendship is what blooms between them. Every night, Electra has a new customer, but Kian soon becomes a regular. Will he save her from a terrible fate? Or will he spend hundreds of dollars to sit with her on a bed smeared with all kinds of shameful secrets?

"Why do you hate me?!"

"I don't hate you!" He put his hands in his hair out of frustration.

"I hate what you do to yourself! Why won't you stop?"

"I need the money." I whimpered.

"Fuck the money! You deserve more than this!"

"How am I supposed to run from being a proustite?"

"Just do it." His voice was soft, almost calming.

"Do it for me." He ran both of his index fingers down my temples. My eyes filled with tears.

"I'm scared."

"You should be." Kian pulled away, pulling out his pack of cigarettes. He took a long puff and flicked the ashes onto the carpet.