The black sports car pulled up next to the pavement, and two men stepped out. If you saw them you would have assumed that the passenger owned the vehicle, along with a collection of others like it in a garage the size of a house. His name was Peter, and his dark suit with a crisp white shirt made him look like he was ready to go to work, a strange comparison for the late hour that it was. And yet, there he was, his professional and slightly cocky look complete with short hair gelled back to reflect the colours of the neon lights. However, he had spent so much money on business suits and, pleasures, that his chances of affording a car like this were non-existent. Instead, ownership fell to the driver named James who, to anyone looking at him, would only see a scruffy college student, complete with black hoodie and mop hairstyle that looked wild in the wind.

 Peter took in a deep breath and exhaled heavily, “Twilight. The perfect time for romance.”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” The tone in James’ voice practically said I’d-rather-be-in-Hell-than-here-right-now, only in less words.

“Oh, come on…”

“Look, just do your thing and get out of here.”

“Fine. Come on, the spot’s around here.”

 Peter straightened his suit and walked around the corner, James following him reluctantly. He averted his eyes as Peter strolled right up to a heavily made-up lady wearing a skirt so short it was amazing her arse was still hidden. James couldn’t help but wonder where the dignity of these women had gone. Either they were desperate, or they had no love of life.

Peter came back up, “I can’t believe how many are here. It might take a while for me to pick one.

“I thought you wanted to get home A.S.A.P?”

“I do, but now I’m here, I feel like I need to make sure I choose the right one.”

“Does it matter? They’re all getting the same treatment.”

“But I need to choose the right one for me,” Peter sighed and looked at the array of girls, all flaunting their bodies with no respect or pride in themselves. He started to knaw on his lip, clearly torn, then spotted one, “That one’s new." James looked up in the direction his friend was looking, and his heart dropped.

 She was clearly a new girl, her insecurity and embarrassment was painted on her face as she stumbled in four inch high heels, trying to show confidence to no avail. She had decided to wear black shorts instead of a skirt, yet had rolled them up so they were still above her thighs. A thin tank top that was too small covered her curved chest with a skin-tight jacket trying to shield her arms from the cold, but instead it chilled her to the bone. She was desperate. So desperate it was scary.

James stepped forward before he realised what he was doing and stopped. He wavered in this uncomfortable position, then stepped back.

“What was that?” Peter looked at him.

“That girl.”

Peter looked back at the new girl, “Oh, come on. You can do better than that.

James slapped him around the head, “Sicko. I meant, that girl looks, well, scared.”

“They always are at first. They don’t know what to expect, so they’re always nervous the first time.”

“But, don’t you think she’s too…innocent for all of this?” 

At that moment, the new girl decided to leave. She hugged her arms in the cold wind and started to walk away from them. Oh good, James thought, she’s getting out of here. But as she was walking, a man came up behind her and grabbed her shoulder. James stiffened. The man was wobbling slightly, and had a bottle in his hand. The girl looked terrified. She tried to dodge him and started to walk the other way, pointing at some imaginary excuse, but the man just turned around and grabbed her arm.

Without a second’s thought, James marched over to the man, his insides burning with anger. To do this to women was bad enough, but to her? Out of order.

Peter grabbed his shoulder, “What the hell are you going to do?”

"I have to do something,” he shrugged his shoulder out of Peter’s grip and walked up behind the girl. All right, he said to himself, you can do this without hurting anyone.

James smiled and touched the girl’s shoulder, “Here you are, baby. I thought you weren’t turning up.” His insides were cringing from what he was doing, but if it was going to save her, then that was fine.

“Who the hell are you?” the drunk looked utterly confused.

James smiled, “Pleasure to meet you. And thank you for looking after my baby for me. Don’t worry, I’ll take her from here.” Maybe if he was quick about this, they would be gone before the drunk realised what was happening. That was what he hoped. No luck.

“Oi! That’s mine!”

That? James nearly exploded, but somehow he managed to keep his cool, “Like I said, I’m sure you’re confused. But this baby doll, she belongs to me.” The words tasted vile in his mouth, but whatever it would take to keep this girl safe.

“No she doesn’t. Finders keepers.”

“Is there a problem here?” another woman walked up, the one that Peter had spoken to at first.

“No, it’s just that this man is very confused, and won’t give up my girl,” James smiled and stepped forward, quickly grabbing a folded note from his pocket and hiding it in his palm as he took the woman’s hand, “If you would please explain to him the situation, I would really appreciate it,” He smiled at the bemused woman, then winked. Only a small wink, but it got the message across: distract the dude while I take the girl, and you’ll get a tip.

Her eyes widened slightly, then she smiled, “Of course.” She let go of his hand and instantly stepped towards the drunk, her act decided and executed with a disturbing expertise, “Unfortunately, this client has already paid for this beauty, but there are many more of us to choose from.” She smiled as fake red lipstick smile as she touched his shoulder, stepping forward into his disgusting body. She reached forward to whisper something in his ear, depositing the money into her boot as she did so.

 James couldn’t watch anymore, and he steered the confused girl away from the hotspot. Peter joined them with his arm around someone else, and they packed into the car and drove away.

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