Oso walked carefully around the premises, inspecting each one of us, before finally taking a seat at one of the many empty tables. Ashton followed suit, pulling me down with him in front of Oso and immediately a frail girl pushed two drink in front of his looming figure.

"Shall we get started?" Ashton's voice was cold as ice, I barely recognized it.

Scar was present,

and his demeaning tone was most likely directed towards me.

A girl stumbled out onto the stage alone, her makeup running down her face I assumed from crying. I hung my head low, swallowing the bike that threatened to make its way up.

I would never want to be apart of this yet

I did, why? How could I justify this ever?

"134 pounds, 5'3"

I swallowed hard as Ashton begin naming off all aspects of the girl. Her hair color, eye color, what she was wearing, her age.

My hands itched to free the girl and I hated myself for being such a god damn coward.

I should be up on that stage, my fucking plan after all.

I got up quickly, shuffling to the nearest trash can to empty the contents of my stomach. I sobbed silently, holding tightly to the rim I forced myself to get a grip. How fucking selfish of me to pretend I feel even a fraction of what I have caused.

Oso's sickening laugh rang out, bouncing off every wall while Ashton's eyes followed me curiously back to my seat.

"Next, on with the show!"

He seemed to be enjoying just the mere thought of buying someone life, which only made my gut wrench tighter.

I could never forgive myself for this.

Girl after girl, Oso never refused. I began to wonder how much money this man actually had and how he had acquired it. Although, I wasn't well enough to ponder the awful things this man may have done for money. With each girl passing on the stage, I lost a piece of myself I swear it.

My eyes snapped up at a familiar voice from their stand still on the sleek table.

"Get your fucking hands off of me! You have no right!" Marcos hand flew heavily across Ashley's face, knocking her backwards and off the stage.

I immediately shot out of my seat, making a beeline for her. Fuck this, fuck this.

My feet ached as I got closer and closer to saving at least some girl, at least one.

I reached out to scoop up her tranquil body, but thick arms wrapped around my waist dragging me backwards.

"Ashton! help her! What the fuck is wrong with you? Please help me!" I manically flung my arms and legs trying to do something, anything to get free.

It was no use, I was no use, this was my fault and I was of no use.

Reaching the table again, I slammed my hand in front of Oso causing him to jump.

"What The Fuck is wrong with you?"

I ground out, and I barely recognized my own voice.

Ashton again, yanked me backwards whispering lowly enough I could block it out with my intensifying rage.

Instead of answering me, Oso began to laugh again, more whole heartedly. As he shot his focus back to Ashley, I glanced over to see her wilting body being held tightly in Marco's arms.

"Yes, sold. Anything to make the little one mad."

His eyes bore into mine and I was sure my face was flaming red as I held his gaze.

"No, no please NO!"

Ashley slung her body around as Oso's men collected her like debt, dragging her to the parking lot.

I was gonna be sick again.

"Ashton,"

He was avoiding my eyes.

I knew he felt guilt somewhere.

I knew he felt something.

"Ashton please, look at me." I whined, my voice going lower and lower.

His eyes slowly met mine and for the first time it felt, he let me in.

Ashton was scared.

I was fucking petrified.

While the man before us stayed perfectly exuberant.

"You know, if I had known you were going to tease me like this.. I would have brought my popcorn!"

Laughing, hollering jokes, while girl after girl was being hauled off to this man against their will.

I'm done.

I made a leap across the table, managing to scratch the tip of his nose before Ashton had me by my waist yet again.

Oso was no longer laughing.

Instead I was met with what I would picture a gang leader looked like after I attempted to rip his fucking face off.

Rage in a new element

and he was going to kill me, I was sure of it.

"You know, Scar. This has been fun and all really. But when do I receive the grand prize? I mean I killed 30 of your men for an entrance, I think that deserves compensation."

Oso was up now slowly prowling the table, his men stood closely watching. It was so familiar the way his beady green eyes watched my every move, waiting, watching for me to make the wrong move.

"I mean out of all the places you could have hidden it, you choose to taunt me, right in my face?"

He shook his head with mock dissatisfaction, and never missed a beat stalking in slow circles.

Ashton stood up menacingly, and pulled me behind his keep his hand lightly on my stomach. As if to make sure I didn't disappear.

"Yes, I chose to keep her here, safe with me." His tone was sincere, no threat underlying.

In that moment, I was so incredibly grateful to have him.

Oso just laughed, before dragging his feet right in front of Ashton.

"But, how safe is she?"

Screaming, and thrashing I tried to break the grip on my hair as I was dragged along the floor. Ashton began to sprint towards me, 3 of Oso's men following closely behind him. I put my hands upon my scalp, trying to relieve some of the pressure I felt.

"Ashton don't!"

"Marco no—"

As I realized, I had been betrayed myself

Marco's steady hands yanked me by my hair, sending my body slinging through the door.

My head screamed for release but my mouth stayed eerily quiet.

A single tear rolled down my face as the first gunshot

rolled through

the room and

was so distinct it echoed to the outside.

I hated how alarmingly familiar this unfolded.

War had begun.

And I no longer knew

who was with who.