When Mercer left work, she couldn't wait to get in the shower and to later block out every thought of Sally Parks with a good long session of wired creating.

Her last lot of leaf had been good. Real good. Mercer hoped the new bag she had stashed in her, hit it hard, attaché case would also be first-rate.

She lathered her body with liquid soap and scrubbed intensely with the hot pink loofah.

"Fuck!" The sponge dropped out of her hand as if it was a scorching coal.

Mercer stood in a daze staring down at the floor. The water streamed over her face disguising her tears to then swirl into the slits of the drain hole. She picked up the loofah and cradled it lovingly against her chest.

Hot pink.

Sally's hot pink panties.

She was never going to see them again and all because of Rohan Wayland.

"Fuck him!"

"Fuck her!!"

"Fuck them both!!!"

Mercer dropped the sponge and turned off the taps. She didn't bother with a towel but pulled out her, feel good kit, and threw it on the bed.

She cleared the bedside table of everything but the lamp and laid out her necessaries in a neat row in order of use. Mercer turned out the light and sat crossed legged against her bed head.

She picked up her vibrator and stroked it lovingly.

Mercer never hurt Baby.

Baby had been hurt enough.

Baby needed to be loved.

Mercer smiled down at Baby and tickled her affectionately before turning Black Sabbath to max and tearing off a sheet of Viva. Rolling a joint she set it aside, and then reached for her blade. Her fingers found Baby's bang button once more.

Baby liked to be loved.

She switched on the vibrator and forced the image of Sally Parks' hot pink panties from her mind.

The first cut she made reminded her of Jet's long black hair. "Betrayer!"

The second cut she made reminded her of father. "Wanker!"

The third cut she made was for Anton. "Brat!"

Number four was for dear old Mumsie. "Prude!"

The fifth cut was deeper. It dug into the black hole which was her soul and drew out an image. Mercer lifted the blade. She folded the paper towel over her work and rested her head against the bed head as she closed her eyes. The vibrator jerked and rocked. The dull hum bringing forth more memories.

A room.

A filthy smelling room.

Alcohol.

Alcohol and vomit.

Shadows.

The humming of a dull naked light bulb swinging backwards and forwards.

A man's towering shape.

And Baby.

Baby was hurting.

Baby was crying.

Baby...

Was...

Bad...

This doesn't sound good.

Image taken from a Walmart add.