[A/N: Before this starts, I'd just like to put a warning here of the contents of this story. There are some very serious and dark matters in this story including physical and mental abuse towards others and one's self. All of these are very real problems people struggle with. So, please, be understanding of what's contained in this story. And be kind to all those you meet.  

I feel very strongly towards such topics within this story. Sometimes, you write the best stories which you can best relate to. ❝Everyone has a story that will break your heart. And, if you're really paying attention, most people have a story that will bring you to your knees.❞

Everyone struggles with something. So, please please be kind and understanding towards others because you just never know. Even those close to you can hide their true feelings.

Also, as you're reading, keep in mind what my main character has/is going through. Her thoughts might be confusing, mixed, and/or abrupt.

And, so, without further ado... I give to you my story. :)]

[Okay last thing XD Please please please listen to the songs I've chosen for each chapter. It really helps with the mood and all that good stuff... okay carry on!]

I walk down the street, the overhanging lights guiding my way through the desolate roads as I head towards my job. The wind pushes violently against my back, and I pull my short coat tighter around me, trying to grasp onto any warmth I have left inside. But the wind and the crisp night air seem to steal whatever is left of it. 

Shivering, I finally arrive at the club, music blaring from the windows and doors, and multi-coloured lights shining through the tinted windows. A line of people wraps around the building, each of them waiting to enter the busy club for their night off. Just at a glimpse, they were probably going to dance the night away and get laid to leave whatever troubles they have behind if only for a night. 

I walk to the opposite side of the building for employees. I scan my ID, pulling my coat tighter around me as I step into the building, the warmth of it hitting me. The lights are dim so I have to feel my way around through the back room, stepping around lockers and boxes and hooks. I take off my coat and hang it up in my designated locker. Peering into the mirror next to it, I turn halfway around and look over myself. I have to look decent in order to bring in the money I need to keep up my half of the rent. My roommate, and friend, pays for the other half plus the food. 

I nod at myself in the mirror, touching up my hair which I previously wrapped up in a loose bun on top of my head, a few of my black curls framing my face. Sighing, I close my locker then walk out into the club, immediately swallowed by the already large crowd. I think about the people outside still and how much more crowded it'll soon be. More people means more money, though. 

I walk over to the bar and lean against it, my arms folded neatly on the counter. 

Dave, the bartender, comes over to me smiling. "Hey, Ang, how's it going? Did you just get here?" 

I nod, smiling back. For a second, I peer over my shoulder at the crowd bumping and grinding on the dance floor, some kissing quite passionately against the far walls and corners. 

"Well," he said, chuckling, "go round up some cash." He hands me a server's platter with drinks already on it and gives me a thumbs-up. 

Waving him off, I disappear into the crowd and offer people more drinks. As if they need anymore.

Smiling devilishly, I sashay over to a table of boys, one hand holding up the platter, the other resting gently on my hip. "Can I offer you boys a drink?"

One of them eyes me up, licking his lips. "Oh, yes, a nice tall one." 

His buddies chuckle. I walk over to him and sit in his lap, looking over my shoulder at him. He looks at me then looks a little lower. I sensually move my hand across his shoulder and lick my lips.

Before he can do anything, though, I give him a cute wink then stand up and set a drink in front of him. "On me." His hands linger on my hips, smirking. 

His friends throw some cash at me, whistling as I walk back towards the bar for more drinks. 

"Oh my god, you are so good," Dave laughs, motioning towards the pile of money on my tray. 

"Yeah, yeah, praise me later. I need more drinks. These boys are thirstier than someone stuck in the Sahara Desert for their whole life."

"Coming right up." He produces more drinks for me which I set on my tray. For the rest of the night, I walk to different groups of boys and girls alike, offering drinks and reeling in the money, which Dave puts on my tab. 

Finally, the club closes and the busy night becomes silent. I walk to the back and grab my coat then head into the main club to say goodnight to Dave as usual. He always cleans up the bar and locks the club up. 

Our boss is probably off drunk with some girl under him. Never does any work but gets all the cash.

But as I walk back into the main part, I spot someone sitting in the far corner, a drink clutched in his hand, his head low. Furrowing my brow, I walk over to him. "Sir, the club is closed, you have to—"

His head snaps up and his eyes lock onto mine. I gasp. His deep brown almost black eyes pierce into mine, holding me to the spot. My words lodged in my throat. Narrowing his eyes, he stands up and brushes past me towards the bar. I blink and turn silently, watching him. Dave watches him, too, as he sets the glass harshly on the counter. He looks back over at me, his eyes sharp then he turns on his foot and walks out. 

"Well, that was..." Dave whispers, his eyes locked on the door as if the man would step through with some sort of weapon and tear the place up. 

Although Dave's not looking at me, I nod. His eyes were so deep and dark, like an endless storm, and their violent wind easily swept me up. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I say goodbye to Dave then head towards my apartment, the streetlights once again lighting my way. Scattered grey clouds mute the glow of the moon above. Large buildings cover up the stars and artificial lights outshine them. 

Walking back to my apartment almost every night from the club in a city obviously terrifies me, but I always make sure to keep a bottle of pepper spray in my purse because who doesn't do that in a city? My family has always warned me to keep watch since there could be a dangerous murderer lurking in a shadow, hiding in a corner, or ready to jump around a building. 

I hurry home, holding my purse close to me. My heels click against the pavement and my legs quiver a bit from the cool night air. The slutty outfit waitresses are made to wear barely cover us up, leaving us almost bare to the crowd and biting night air. 

As I reach my apartment, I dig into my purse for my keys. For whatever reason, I'm more on edge tonight. The feeling of being watched overwhelms me. Perhaps it's the weird encounter with the man today at the bar, but I could swear I'm being watched. Hurriedly, I unlock the door, enter, then relock it, double checking to make sure. Although I know I'm safe inside, I still rush up to the main part letting the warmth of the apartment envelope me. My roommate is lying across the couch, switching through channels but stops as the door opens.

"Hey, you're a little later than usual. All good at work?" Holly asks, sitting up. 

I nod and toss my purse onto our table then plop down on the chair next to the couch, pulling off the painfully high heels. "Yeah, there was some guy that we had to tell to leave. Must've fallen asleep or something, but he was acting weird."

Holly shrugs. "It's a club. There will be weird people. Like you."

"Hey!" I object, throwing a pillow her way. 

She laughs and swats it away then stands up and tosses the pillow back at me. "Gosh, I'm tired. See ya in the morning, hun?"

"Mhm." I nod then wave her off to bed. Reaching over, I grab the remote control and turn off the TV, sitting in silence. I stare up at the ceiling, way too lazy to get out of the chair, but I know if I don't, I'll regret it in the morning. Sighing, I close my eyes for a second, those eyes still swimming through my mind. The way they had pinned me to the spot and stopped the words I had so practised on others before. He certainly wasn't the first, nor the last, to stay past hours. Sometimes it gets a little rough, though, luckily it hadn't tonight. 

I slowly stand up, my feet sore from the hell hours of heels. Yawning, I trudge to my room and drop onto my bed, bouncing a little before settling among my pillows. I cover my eyes with my arm. I'm way too tired to even bother undressing. Some nights I come home full of energy somehow and others, such as tonight, I'm dead tired.

But it always gives me some time to think since I never fall asleep right away unlike Holly who can fall asleep in what feels like seconds. I soon find myself thinking about those eyes again which remind me of somebody else's whom I miss very much. 

I moved here a while ago for the job and college, never really intending to move back for fear of the memories that would rush back to me. College and work weren't the only reasons I had left, though. I wanted to leave behind some things that if I hadn't, they would've pulled me down their endless trap. It was hard enough getting out when I had only scratched the surface. Imagining how hard it would've been if I had fallen deeper makes me shiver with fear. 

I find myself crying once again, the tears inevitable. Lately, I've been crying myself to sleep more, but it's nothing really new. I often lie in bed, curled up around one my pillows, the pain in my head and heart too much to bear. They say pain reveals our true fighter and shows us how strong we really can be. But sometimes, it only makes me want to curl up, close my eyes, and never open them again. 

I swallow the tears and rebury the memories that begin to surface. Closing my eyes, I wish for a dream to whisk me away to someplace happier than where I am now. 

~~~

❝They say pain reveals our true fighter and shows us how strong we really can be.❞

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