Take a Walk On The Wild Side The End

"FFUUCCKKK!!!" Frank screamed and threw the phone in rage, the sound echoing through the building. He ran out, giving instructions as he went. Danny drove and the SWAT team followed him to the other end of the pier.

"Dammit Danny, I don’t know if we will get to her in time. He was hurting her while I was talking to him and she said something and he cut her off. I don’t know if he just taped her mouth or she is unconscious."

"We’ll get him." Danny said trying to assure Frank.

Frank, Danny and the SWAT team made it to the other warehouse, staying back at the previous warehouse. They all converged onto the warehouse with as much stealth as possible. They wanted to be able to get inside, neutralize the criminal, and pose the least amount of threat to Holly.

Hector picked a building that was extremely hard to get to. The windows were at least at the two-story level, making it hard for a sniper to get him. There was one set of stairs at the back, which was the route Danny, Frank and a couple of the SWAT team were going to take. The Lieutenant has staked out one of his best snipers on a building across the way just in case. Another set of team members were going to try to get in from the ground floor with blow torches (trying to keep the noise level down so as not to spook Hector. Meanwhile, they waited for the keys to be provided by the managers of the docks, but they were a long time in getting there.

Danny, Frank, and Sean had finally gotten in the door at the back and followed a maze of stairs and cat walks, before finally spotting Hector and Holly. Frank saw her. From the spot where they were he could not tell if she was alive or dead. He could tell that she had no clothes on. Most naked people were beige or tan, but she looked black and blue, another indication she was not in good shape. It was all he could do not to go to her or if she was dead, not to just jump to his death and be next to her.

He actually started to stand up but Danny, having the cooler head, held him down. "Frank. Don’t. That won’t help her." He said, knowing Frank was not thinking clearly. He knew Frank would end it all if she were not alive. Or he would just run down there and let Hector shoot him.

"Fuck Danny. Look at her." Frank growled. "That fucker probably let all his guys have at her. There is blood everywhere down there."

"From the looks of it we can only get so close and still have some cover. He could be tripping and we have no idea how he is going to react. So we need to be careful. Do you have any ideas?"

Frank took a second to gather himself and calm down just a little. It looked like they could get to the first floor, but the warehouse was so big, he couldn’t get to Hector and Holly without Hector seeing him. "Sean can you get a fix on Hector? Can you take him down from here?"

"Let me try," Sean said as he found a spot to set his rifle and look through the site to see if he had a clear shot. Sean saw the shot and was slowly squeezing the trigger when Hector bent down and pulled Holly’s limp body against his shielding himself, knowing somehow that he was being watched. Sean pulled his rifle aside and cursed. "He has her up against him. I can’t shoot right now without hitting Holly."

Frank said, "I am going down further. Cover me. Sean if a shot comes up with minimal injury to Holly take." And with that he slowly made his way down a set of stairs that ended at some stacks of pallets. He had a better view of Holly. She had on part of her blouse, but that was it. Her hands were tied, thankfully in front of her, but they looked awfully blue from lack of circulation. Hector was becoming more agitated as he could hear the SWAT team trying to get in. Frank took one more look and found he could shoot Hector in the back of the head just as he turned towards the front of the warehouse. At the same time Hector raised his gun and shot the first cop through the door, Frank fired at the distracted Hector hitting him in the back of the head. The sound of his 45 was music to his ears as it exploded. He would never forget the sight of gray matter flying from Hector’s head, some of it landing on Holly.

Frank ran to her, taking off his jacket on the way, covering her up before anyone else saw her. He also took off his shirt and put it under her head to cushion her. He petted her hair and whispered to her, "Hang in there sweetheart. I love you. Please fight. Don’t die," as his tears fell on her face. The EMT’s finally got her on a stretcher and into the ambulance. Frank went with her and Danny said he would be right behind them.

One of the EMT’s said she was alive but barely. "Frank, she is hanging in there, but just barely. They really did a number on her if you get my meaning."

Frank just nodded his head knowing exactly what that meant. At the hospital they whisked her away leaving Frank standing in the hallway feeling bereft. A few minutes later Danny came up to him and asked how she was. "Danny she is hanging in there and that is about all I know right now."

"Come with me, then, and let’s go check on Sera. I left my poor wife and your sister to give birth by herself." So the two of them went up to the maternity level to see how Sera was, and if Danny was a new dad yet and Frank a new uncle. When they got to her room they saw Bob and Heidi still there.

"Danny," Heidi said, hugging him, "Congratulations, it is a girl!"

"Congratulations Danny," Bob said shaking his hand. "Now that you are here I will let you take over. I don’t think I can go through that again. I don’t think I will ever have kids," He said as he walked away.

Frank was so happy for his sister and Danny. He smiled a little thinking he was an uncle. He had never been an uncle before. He walked over to the side of the bed and stood next to Danny. Sera was awake and feeding the little girl.

"Have you to decided on a name?" Frank asked.

"Not yet," Sera said, "But what happened to Holly?"

"Sera," Frank said quietly, trying to keep his emotions in check, "she is alive but unconscious. She is with the doctors now."

Sera took hold of Frank’s hand and said, "I am so glad." She looked up at Danny, taking his hand next, and said, "I think Danny and I are going to name her Holly," hoping he would not object.

Danny took Sera’s hand and kissed it, replying, "I think that is a perfect name." He then bent down and kissed his wife.

Epilogue:

A year later little Holly was teetering around her Uncle Frank’s backyard during a Fourth of July BBQ. Sera was keeping an eye on her while sitting next to a recovered Holly, as she nursed her niece, Heather.

"Heather is the apple of Frank’s eye," Sera said. "I am so happy for the both of you. Frank is a new man having met you. I am so thankful."

"Thank you Sera. He was worth fighting for. I couldn’t ask for a better husband and father."

The two women smiled as they could hear their men yelling at some referee making a bad call during some ball game.

The End

Take A Walk On The Wild Side part 5

The two boys walked into the kitchen for more beer just as Holly finished the last dish.

"Oh fine, see how you are,"  she joked. "You come in just as the chores are done."

‘You know it Baby," Frank quipped, smacking her on the behind and kissing her cheek. "Maybe I’ll keep you around a little longer," Frank replied in jest, a smile on his face.

"Yea. And maybe I’ll go "HI YA!" on your ass," she parried. Frank just smiled, hugged her, and handed her a beer.

Danny grabbed a beer and came to stand behind Sera. "I’m sorry about the dishes, Hon. I would have done them before bed," he said as he bent down to kiss Sera on the cheek.

"It’s all right. Holly volunteered," Sera said, patting Danny’s hand that rested on her shoulder.

"Danny, don’t worry about it. You work hard. And it gave Sera and I time to catch up," Holly said.

With the dishes done, the four of them went back to the living room to finish watching the game.

Sera moaned in pain as a contraction ripped through her body. She got up and went to the bathroom. It was the first contraction. She thought she had time because everyone says the first one takes the longest, so she went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, brushed her hair and put it in a ponytail, and washed her face. Just as she was about to leave the bathroom her water broke. Tile was sure easier to clean than carpet. While she was mopping up the mess with a towel and her feet, since she couldn’t bend over and didn’t have time to mop.

"Ddaannnnyyyy!" Sera yelled, as she changed her clothes, "It’s time!" She laughed to herself as she heard a bunch of stumbling and cursing as Danny was getting out of bed and trying to get her stuff together.

Asking the age-old question, "Are you sure honey," Danny stood before her in his T-shirt and boxers, his hair every which way.

"Yes, Danny, my water broke," she said. "I am ready to go. Can you just carry my bag?" She asked as she gathered up the car keys and started walking out to the car. Sera didn’t worry about an ambulance, since they lived close to the hospital and the police station where Dan and Frank worked at.

We arrived at the hospital and the nurse helped us get admitted and helped with the insurance and paperwork. Sera was poked, prodded, and hooked up to all kinds of machines and IV’s amidst all her screaming and moaning.

"Nurse, is there anything you can give me? It hurts so bad," She asked, squeezing Danny’s hand hard as another one came along.

The nurse checked me and said, "We can’t do an epidural until you are dilated five centimeters. You have a little bit longer to go. Just relax and breathe slow, deep breaths. I will be right back."

The nurse left and Danny stood next to me. "Baby, you are so brave," stroking her hair, "I can take a bullet but I don’t think I could birth a babe."

Sera laughed. Danny always said the funniest things. "That’s ok honey. I will let you take a bullet for me and I will birth a babe for you." I looked up at him and said, "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied, kissing her softly on the lips. Just then his beeper went off. The look on his face wasn’t good. "I have to call in I will be right back."

Danny came back a few minutes later. "Sera, if it were anything else…."

"What?"

"I have to go. It’s Holly. Frank said she was shot outside her apartment and was taken somewhere. I have to go help Frank." The anguish in his face and voice were tangible. "I don’t want to leave you here alone."

"Before you go, call the club and have someone come over. See if either Heidi or Bob (the owner) can do it."

"OK. I will be right back." A few minutes later Danny came in and said they would both be over in the next half-hour. "Are you sure you are OK with this?" Danny asked, worried that I would hate him later.

"Sweetheart, go! I love you. I would die if something happened to Holly or Frank." She watched him leave the room.

Frank sat in the squad car while Danny drove, listening to the tape that was just sent to the station. The voice was distorted for affect, but the kidnapper said his name because he wanted frank to know it was him……

"Fffrraannkkk," the voice said eerily, "You took from mmmmeeee, now I will take from yyoouuuu….."

"Turn that off Frank. It isn’t going to help. That is like the tenth time you’ve played that," Danny said as he followed the SWAT van along the freeway towards Long Beach. Danny didn’t expect an answer and didn’t get one. Frank had clammed up and had barely spoken three words since they left the station. Frank seemed to have reverted back to the way he was when Danny first met him. Sullen, angry and alone.

The tape played on. "You took my people, my drugs, my money. Now, I Hector Villanueava, will take her from you." Then the two of them could here a female scream in pain. Danny noticed a tear rolled down Frank’s face, as his hand gripped around the tiny tape recorder, his jaw clenched. Danny stayed silent, as there were no words to comfort Frank, that they hadn’t said to countless victims.

They rolled into the shipyard. Some homeless bum flagged them down. He handed them another tape recorder. It was turning out to be some like game. It told them where to go next. They were directed to a warehouse, but when they busted in all they found was a cell phone which rang and Franks answered.

"Where is she you mother fucker!" Frank yelled through gritted teeth.

The over exaggerated Hispanic voice came back, " Tut tut, homie. Such language."

Frank thought he sounded like he was on something and if so that did not bode well for Holly. Frank tried again, "Hector, you know there is no hope for you. Let the girl go. If you kill her you will never make it out alive. And even if we let you go now, you will not live long. She has lots of friends and they will hunt you down like the rabid dog you are. So, come on, tell me where you are and you can have me. Just let her go." The silence was so long that he thought he had lost the call, but a second later he heard another blood curdling scream, followed by what he thought were the words..’Frank don’t do..’ and then it sounded like the words were cut off. Frank was going crazy knowing Holly was hurting, but being the brave officer that she was, willing to give up her life for his.

"Hhhooommmiiieeee, I may have gotten the warehouse number wrong. My english it is not so good ya? It is 19 not 91. Come, in time, if you can." And the phone went dead. 

Take A Walk On The Wild Side part 4

Gang fights Fatal strikes We lie on the wild side No escape Murder rape Doing time on the wild side A baby cries A cop dies A day's pay on the wild side Wild side, wild side Tragic life on the wild side Wild side, wild side Kickin' ass on the wild side"

Sera waddled into the kitchen for a glass of water. She was about 8 months pregnant. She smiles as she rubbed her belly lovingly. Her and Danny had gotten married about nine months ago. Sera was still in awe of her pregnancy, as she always thought she couldn’t get pregnant. The considered the baby a miracle. A miracle of their love. Danny had been gone for almost two days. He and Frank worked hard all the time.

Another miracle that pleased her was that Frank found a girlfriend. He was opening up more every day. She thinks it is due to them finding each other. She still sends a silent prayer of thanks that Frank found her.

Sera turned upon hearing keys rattling at the door. She stepped out of the kitchen heading towards the living room. Her face lit up as Danny walked through the door.

Danny came through the door dead dog tired. He shut the door, turned and saw Sera.

"Baby. I thought you’d still be asleep," he says taking her in his arms, loving the feeling of comfort her body provided.

"I was but the baby wasn’t. Then I needed to go to the bathroom and thought I would round out my trip with a glass of water," Sera said giving Danny another kiss. "Danny you look so tired. Are you OK? No bullet wounds or anything?" She asked, eyeing him up and down for any injuries.

"Oh Honey. I missed you so much. It has been a long 36 hours and you are a sight for sore eyes," He replied, hugging tightly again.

"I might be a sight for sore eyes but you aren’t. You need a shower. Come with me, I will help you," Sera said, taking Danny’s hand, leading him to the bathroom.

Danny counted his blessing.  He was so thankful that he had such a great helpmate.

Frank was lying on his back with one arm under his head and the other curled around the woman lying next to him. Holly was cuddled up along his side, sleeping soundly after an animalistic bout of lovemaking. Danny had introduced them saying she was a distant cousin of his.

Now that his life was better, having found Serafina, he found it easier to let people into his life. He absently ran his fingers through her blond hair, caressing the back of her head, finding comfort in the silkiness of her hair. He leaned over and lightly kissed the top of her head. She moaned softly in her sleep. Frank smiled and drifted off to sleep.

Later that night Frank and Holly were having dinner at Danny and Sera’s…

"Holly, can I get you anything to drink?" Sera asked.

"Oh, Sera, I’ll get it. Sit down. You’ve been on your feet all night," Holly said, pulling out a kitchen chair to sit in.

"Thanks Holly," Sera said with a sigh as she sat down. "So how are you and Frank?" Sera asked. "Oh, Holly, you don’t have to do that. Danny can do that later," she added, seeing that Holly had started doing the dishes.

"Sera, it’s fine," she said. She heard the guys cheering at a football game from the other room, added, "The boys work hard and it sounds like they are having fun."

Sera studied Holly. She was not real tall, but was athletic looking. She had honey blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. But Sera knew that under that calm, pleasant personality beat the heart of a black belt in karate. Holly worked SWAT. Sera worried about all three of them. They could get killed at any time.

"So, how are you and Frank doing? Has he been treating you OK? If he hasn’t, I’ll go sit on him," Sera said.

Holly laughed at the thought. "No, Sera. We’re good. Frank is a gentleman." A few dishes later, Holly continued, "He is funny and strong and sometimes over protective."

"I hear that," Sera said, "I can hardly do anything without a complete report."

"But," Holly said wistfully, "He doesn’t open up much. He is great that he will listen to my problems, but he rarely lets loose with any of his."

"Don’t give up on him Holly. He is just learning. He is just now getting comfortable with me. But I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life now," Sera said.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side part 3

Over the next week, I spent every spare moment at the club. Usually I sat at the bar. I knew her name was Serafina, but she went by Sera for short. It killed me every time she went on stage. I kept my eyes focused on her face, cause in my mind I didn’t want to think I was a pervert to look at the rest of her. She never stripped down all the way, which is why she went on first, as a warm up for the other women.

Tonight he sat in the front row. He wanted her to notice him first. They did really look alike. He also did not wear a hat, which he usually did to help hide his features.

I knew the second she and I made eye contact. She hesitated in her routine for a second, then continued. I watched her until she was done, then left the club to wait outside till the club closed and the girls left for the night. I saw her say good night to the bouncer and walk off down the sidewalk. Logically he knew he should not freak out that she was walking home alone, but the brother in him wanted to protect her at all costs. This all seemed somewhat crazy to him. He hadn’t even talked to her yet.

He watched her as she got closer to him. She had a coat on over her clothes with the collar turned up trying to hide her face. She walked with her head down hoping to appear inconspicuous, but would look up furtively to make sure she was safe. I stepped out from the darkness into the light of a lone street light, stopping right in front of her.

"Serafina," I said.

She stopped short looking at me like a deer caught in the headlights. "Who are you?" She asked the fear slowly leaving her face, replaced by a look of wariness.

"I am your twin brother," I said quickly before I chickened out. "My name is Frank."

"I saw you sitting at the table," she said for a lack of something better to say.

Frank was glad she wasn’t becoming hysterical or something. He read that twins have special bonds regardless if they were separated. "Could we go somewhere and talk? If that would be OK with you?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, still staring at me.

I offered her my arm and escorted her to an all night diner.

The waitress showed us to a booth that was located along the windows that faced the street. I sat facing the door and Sera sat across from me. Ironically she looked less scared and nervous and I was getting more nervous. I had so many questions.

"What can I get you two?" asked the waitress, who looked a little like Flo from the TV show Alice, all the way down to her bobble earrings and gum popping.

"I’d like a cup of hot chocolate," Sera replied.

"Coffee. Black," I answered. The waitress left to fill our drink order.

"So, since we have never met, what makes you think I am your twin?" she asked, her green eyes alight with interest.

"The first time I saw you dance. I noticed you have the same birth mark as me, located in the same place," I said.

"Here’s your coffee and hot chocolate. Will there be anything else?" she asked, setting down the cups.

"May I have a piece of chocolate pie?" Sera asked.

"Got it. Anything for you sir?"

"No, I’m good." The waitress left to get Sera’s pie.

"When I realized that you might be my sister, I wanted to kill every man in the place for even looking at you," Frank said with brotherly concern.

"Thank you for controlling yourself. I need the money and I make good money doing that," Sera replied. "But since you have been coming in more, I have felt safer for some reason. Now that I know who you are, it makes sense." Sera took a bite of pie the waitress brought.

"And, please, don’t think I was ‘looking’ or anything," I said, waving my hands slightly for emphasis, my palms facing her. "I don’t want you to think I am a pervert or anything," I said, still feeling a bit nervous.

She smiled, making her green eyes sparkle, and said, "No, Frank, I would never think that. I feel so much relief knowing I have family. A brother no less. I always wished for one when I was little, to come and protect me."

I took her hand and said, "I am so glad you said that. I was worried you were going to hate me or something."

She squeezed his hand and said, "I am happy to have you in my life. I sometimes felt I was missing something. So Frank," she said letting go of my hand, "How did you find out about me." Sera was dying to know how Frank found out about her, and what led him here.

"A little over two months ago the woman I thought was my foster mom died. She left me nothing but the contents of a safe deposit box." Frank paused trying to control his anger.

Sera watched Frank tell his story. She could feel his pain. His anger making his eyes a dark stormy green. She thought she heard him whisper ‘fucking bitch’.

Taking a deep breath, Frank continued, "There was a letter and a picture of you." Sera, sat quietly listening, watching his hands clench and unclench. "You were about 15. I could tell we looked almost identical. I found out in that moment that my foster monster was really my aunt and that I had a twin. No offense but I am glad she is dead."

"Well, if it is any consolation, your real mom, my mom, was a bitch, too. A ‘living on the street’, drug using slut. Believe me, you didn’t miss anything."

The waitress dropped the check at the table reminding the two of them they should probably get going. Frank dropped some money on the table and said, "Let me walk you home."

"Alright," Sera said.

Frank walked her home, thinking to himself , "At least I know where she lives."

Take A Walk On The Wild Side part 2

Name dropping
No names
Glamorize cocaine
Puppets with strings of gold
East LA at midnight
Papp won't be home tonight
Found dead with his best friend's wife
Take a walk on the wild side
Wild Side.  Wild Side.

Frank was looking at the meager contents of the safe deposit box. His foster monster, once again, had the last laugh. There was a letter. It turns out he had a twin sister. Fucking bitch. Apparently, his foster monster and his twin's mom were twin sisters. One took his sister and one took him. His real mom couldn't take care of both of them. He had been raised by his aunt. His real mom had sent this letter and it said she was dying and that maybe someday the twins could meet.

Frank sighed. He took the letter and a small picture of his twin. She was about 15 in the picture. She looked just like him. Black hair. He wasn't sure of the eye color. From the letter she had the same birth mark as he did. Their last known location was LA. All this time she was practically under his nose. Fuck. If she was still alive. He stepped out of the bank, into the bright Boise sunlight. He slipped his sunglasses on, got in his car and took off back to Cali.

It had been two months. Two months since he had been transfered to vice. It suited his personality. He was a loner anyway and he occasionally was able to take his anger out on the perps...within the law of course...barely. He had been looking for his twin for two months. He really wasn't sure if she was alive or dead or even still in LA. 

His latest assignment had him undercover with his partner staking out strip joints. The squad was tracking a local drug dealer. He was in a club simply called Girls Girls Girls down on Sunset Strip. Him and his partner were undercover, nursing a drink when the first girl came out. She was pretty. Long black hair. Long legs. Decent breasts. She was young, not painted up to look young. He wasn't paying a whole lot of attention at first. If you've seen one stripper routine, you've seen 'em all. 

He was more interested in the clientele, hoping their perp might show. He did glance back at her when she took off her top. All the men started with the whistling and cat calls. He absently rubbed his chest where his mark was. There on the girl was a crescent shaped moon birthmark above her left breast. His heart started pounding and his hand started shaking. He had to remain calm. When he didn't know who she was, he didn't care what she did for a living. But now that he thought she might be his sister, all he wanted to do was kill every man in the club and run up there and cover her up. He wanted to cut off some man's hand as he slipped some money into her G string.

"Hey come on," his partner Danny whispered. "Hey, what's a matter?" snapping his fingers in front of my face, "Let's fucking go. We've got 'em spotted outside." I left a few bills on the table and we made our way outside. By the time we were done we had busted one of the fuckers. Not the head honcho we were hoping for. And the club was closed for the night. I would have to wait for another time to make contact.

The next night Danny and I were sitting in the car, watching another club.

"So what was up with you last night?" Danny asked. "You are usually not so scatterbrained."

I didn’t answer right away, staring out the window. I was a loner by nature, never sharing personal feelings, so it was hard to talk about it. Danny, though, was the closet thing to a friend he had.

"I think I found my sister," I said.

"Man, that’s great," Danny exclaimed, till he saw my face. "I mean, that’s good? Right? You don’t look real happy."

I was so good at hiding my feelings. Most people around me could never tell how I was feeling.

"It is good, Danny. But I am scared. Scared of what she will say. Maybe she won’t like me. I have no idea how to handle this," I replied, in a rare moment of vunerablity.

"Well, hang in there. I am sure you guys will figure it all out," Danny said optimistically.

"Thanks Man," I said.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side part 1

I had this in my head when my girls talked about doing a song challenge. I tried to base it on the song Wild Side. Nikki Sixx is the main character. His real name is Frank Carlton Serafino Ferrana. His character is named Frank Carlton. In my story he has a twin. I am using the other part of his name for hers....Serafina Ferrana. One other note...remember in St Elmo's Fire how Demi Moore's character always referred to her step mom as the 'step monster'. Well, I use a similar reference. I thought it was fitting (and sorta funny).  So this is what I have so far...

Kneel down ye sinners, to the streetwise religion

Greed's been crowned the new king.

Hollywood dream teens, yesterday's trash queens,

Save the blessings for the final ring-AMEN.

Take a walk on the wild side.

Wild Side.

I carry my crucifix, under my death list,

Forward my mail to me in hell.

Liars and martyrs, lost faith in the Father,

Long lost in the wishing well_HOO.

Take a walk on the wild side.

Wild Side................

Frank was standing there next to the casket. Everyone had already left the cemetery, but they had yet to lower the box into the cold ground. The only person in his life, the person he hated the most was in the coffin. His foster monster. She was never the best person, really, a crappy foster parent, but she was all he had. She was poor white trash. She did anything for a fix. She died as a result of her pathetic life style. Frank didn't know what to do with all his hate and anger now that she was dead. He had left when he was 18. He was so tired of living day to day, hungry most of the time, sometimes stealing or begging for food. He joined the police academy, graduated and now worked for the LAPD.  He had been on the police force for 3 years now and was going to transfer to vice. Then a couple days ago he got a notice from a bank manager that his foster monster had died and he was the sole heir.  Sole heir to what, he laughed cynically.  She had had a safe deposit box. They had suggested he come for the funeral and then claim the box. Frank looked at his watch and saw that, according to the letter, the bank closed soon. He walked back to his car, a beat up old Camero and drove off towards the bank....

Fallen angels, so fast to kill

Thy Kingdom come on the wild side

Our Father, who ain’t in heaven,

Be thy name on the wild side

Holy Mary, Mother may I, Pray for us on the wild side

Wild Side.  Wild Side

She had been on her own since she was 16.  Her bitch of a mother died of a drug overdose.  Living on the streets of LA you grow up fast.  Living hand to mouth, fighting for every scrap of existence.  Sadly she had to sometimes sell herself just to eat.  She reflected bitterly, that she would never have children because of an abortion gone bad.  She had worked and scraped and fought to stay alive.  She didn’t do drugs but occasionally smoked to calm her nerves.  She did get help from some of those organizations that help kids living on the streets.  They helped her with her education and occasionally a place to sleep.  When she was 18 she got a job stripping.  It paid big bucks and helped pay for her to go to a local college where she earned an associates degree. And was now going for a business degree.

She was sitting in the dressing room getting ready.  She looked at her reflection, absently tracing the birthmark above her left breast.  It was a crescent moon shape.  It was about an inch long.  She had been thinking of getting some stars tattooed around it to make it less obvious.

“OK Girls!  Five minutes!” yelled the owner.

She looked back at herself, shrugged her shoulders and finished her makeup.