Dream: Korina's Price

Date: 4/29/2022

((This is a long one.)) My name was Korina. When I was a child I'd been sold into slavery to pay for my parents' debt. For 15 years I had only been Korina, Rin amongst the other slaves, and nothing else. My last name was long since forgotten. For the last five years I'd been doing sex work. The woman in charge of our debts kindly called it "being an escort" and taught us how to blend in to every setting... but we knew what it really was. Then, one day, Brody was hired on. He was maybe 5 years older than me. 10 years older at most. The newest of the chauffeur to help ferry the "escorts" to and from different places. I remember many of us would remark quietly that he was slowly taking us down the river Styx with each ride. It wasn't that we didn't like Brody, himself. It was that many of us weren't doing any of this because we wanted to. I, honestly, had begun to grow numb from it all. It was a never-ending act when we weren't back at the compound. Then the company changed hands. The woman in charge of our debts had transferred most of us to some young man. He was maybe 25. Certainly no sleezeball but there was something weirder with him. He was kind. Too kind. He was far too much like how Brody would be with us. "If you all want to keep doing this work, then that's fine, for those who want to earn back their freedom another way, come with me." He told us once after moving everyone into the new compound. I didn't trust those words. A small handful left with him that day. We never saw them again. I like to think they went off and got good lives... but we knew they likely wound up dead somewhere. Brody was driving me again. He seemed different today. He led me through the hotel lobby, I was leaning against him, lightly clinging to his arm. Walking through people made comments about us being 'a gorgeous couple' or some shit that to me made no sense. I glanced at Brody. His glasses hid enough that most people wouldn't know what he was feeling. I could see the faintest hint of pink on his cheeks. I couldn't help the small smile that creeped across my lips. The suite was nice. Well furnished. I was led to the bedroom and told to get changed. The night went on. The deed was done. It was time for me to leave. I got up out of the bed, got myself dressed and got my heels on. Something didn't feel right. My head was heavy. I made my way as best I could to the door. I heard heavy footsteps headed my way. It certainly didn't sound like Brody. I stumbled over and grabbed the doorknob. The door wouldn't budge. Whoever was behind me was cackling like some kind of movie villain. "Brody!" I called out, my voice felt so quiet. "Don't struggle. It'll make things far more painful for you." His voice was sweet as a snakebite. He pulled me away from the door, bruising my wrists in his grip. He pinned me to the wall nearby, hand pressing hard against my throat. I heard the doorknob wriggle before the door burst open. Brody's sunglasses were missing and he looked pissed. His knuckles were bleeding. He yanked the client off of me and tossed me his coat. "There are rules for a reason, sir," he spat at the client, "and you've crossed them. You'll soon see the consequences. Sooner if you try to keep us here any longer." We left. Brody got me into the car and called the boss as he drove me. I felt so sick. We pulled off the road over to a small house. He led me inside and over to a couch. I leaned back sgainst the cushions while he went to find a med kit. "Boss is gonna be pissed," I whispered, a thrumming pain rang in my head. "I'll handle it. You worry about your rest. Boss told me to tend to you for the night so you can be rested enough for tomorrow's long drive." Brody explained as he dabbed a wet cloth across my forehead. "You're being too nice to someone whose no longer human." My mind felt fogged, "It's dangerous." "I don't quite understand." He stated as he worked,, "You are human, Korina, you just don't see it yet." "You're dangerous because you give people like me a taste of happiness that can never be fulfilled." I felt a gentle warmth on my neck. He was putting some kind of cream on me. He held my gaze, "It's meant to soothe the pain while you heal." He sighed and added, "I would never try to lead you on like that. You do, however, deserve real happiness. Whether it's with me or some other guy." "Or girl?" "Or girl." I hadn't really talked with Brody before this. He was just the chauffeur and occasional bodyguard. Yet here we were just talking. "Why do you work with him?" "Higher chance to do some good." There wasn't an ounce of hesitation. He was so certain he could do good. "How?" I felt a slight sting on my wrists and arms as he worked the cream over the bruises. I guess I had been more hurt than I realized. "Well I saved you just now. That's a good start." Brody grinned, "I also can earn money to help pay the debts of those who want out." My eyes widened for just a moment. I composed myself and looked away. "That includes you, if you'd like." I looked up, our eyes locked. I had no clue how to respond to that. Freedom was something you only felt in dreams. Wasn't it? "Why not just bring down this organization?" "Because not all here are in this work unwillingly." I chewed on my lower lip. He was right. That would take so many out of their only source of income without any kind of a chance. The compound was at least safe... and the workers only got hurt if by a client or another worker. Those were my way of justifying things. "I think I need some rest." He nodded and that was the end of our talk. I eventually drifted to sleep. Over the next few days he tended to me. He helped me recover both physically and mentally. In that time I never got a call from Boss but Brody talked with him twice. I eventually was returned to the compound. I recovered more there. Boss finally decided to converse with me on my final day of recovery. "We've taken care of the situation with your former client. He won't be working with us ever again." Boss stated and leaned back against the wall, "I've decided that my workers will begin better self-defense training. You included. Brody will be helping with your training as you still need physical therapy." I was surprised by his kindness once again. I didn't like it. I messed up and yet my punishment was to get better. "What happened to the others workers back then?" He smirked, "Still curious after all this time?" I nodded anxiously. "Training. I sent them to places that could train them in the companies I own. Office work mostly. Some are almost at management level." He chuckled at my look of confusion, "I won't deny that some couldn't handle it. They went back into this work or relapsed into drugs. We did what we could for them. But the ones who had the willpower, we pushed them forward. They don't get paid a lot, live in another compound, but they  of their debts in a way that they feel they have control over." "Death may have been better..." I whispered. "For some. Not for all." He stood tall, "And you need some distance with Brody. Don't let him get anymore attached. He may make your work difficult." He left after that. And then I awoke.