The brunette jerked her arm away her temper flaring, “You touch me again-“ She paused to remove the switchblade that she always kept in her back pocket, “And I will cut your god damn balls off.”

“Ooh, you’re a feisty one huh? I like a little fire.” The man continued on, obviously not intimidated by the 5’4, 16 year old, slender white girl.

In response Ashley quickened her walk, trying to estimate how close she was to Max’s place. Maybe ten minutes if she kept up this pace. She heard the sound of the man’s car dropping away, and looked back to see he was parking, “Shit.”

“Come on now, a pretty girl like you needs a man to protect her.” He declared as he jogged to catch up with her. He stank of cologne and some kind of alcohol. Maybe bourbon.

Ashley knew he wasn’t going away, so she stopped abruptly and turned to face him. With the knife in one hand she looked him dead in the eye, “I swear to God if you touch me I will make you fucking regret it.”

“I think you need to learn some manners little girl.” The man spoke, reaching out and grabbing her by the hips.

Ashley reacted instantly, not really thinking as she took the knife and jabbed it into whatever was closest to her. The man recoiled, his eyes huge as he looked down at his shoulder, “You crazy bitch! You fucking stabbed me!”

The brunette turned then and began to run. She sprinted down the pavement, listening to the sounds of the man growing closer on her heels, “You get back here!”

She couldn’t force her feet to move any faster, and every breath she pulled into her lungs burned. When she felt those large arms close around her she let out a blood curdling scream, beginning to kick furiously, “Get off of me!”

Suddenly there was a loud smacking sound, and she was dropped on the pavement. She was up on her feet in seconds, confused and breathless, “Max?”

And there Max was, pounding the living daylights out of the man from the car. Ashley watched the violent scene in silence, her heart throbbing in her chest. He was shouting obscenities as he did so, screaming in the man’s face.

 “DON’T. YOU. EVER. FUCKING. TOUCH. ONE. OF. MY. GIRLS.” Each word was followed by the dull sound of flesh hitting flesh.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” The man was repeating, or to be more accurate, sobbing. Finally Max stood up, whipping his large fists on his jean pants. Two bloody smears were left behind.

“Thanks.” The brunette murmured, having regained her composure. Yes, this was exactly why she didn’t want to get on the brutal man’s bad side, “I’ve got something for you.”

He smiled, beginning to walk back towards his apartment with her, “Now that’s my girl.”

She removed the jewelry from her pocket and placed it in his large palm, trying to hide the quivering of her own hand. He looked it over, examining each piece beneath the light of a street lamp, “Well done! How’d you manage this?”

“These people… They let me stay at their place.” She spoke, trying to cover the incredible amount of guilt she was feeling.

“Hah!” He exclaimed proudly, placing the loot in his own pocket before continuing their path down the sidewalk, “Boy, you were made for this lifestyle.”

Ashley faked a smile but it faded quickly. This was not the lifestyle she wanted. Petty theft and dumpy apartments. Drugs and sex and alcohol. No mercy, no kindness, and most of all no trust. She wanted all of those things. She wanted Spencer.