This is the first chapter of a mini series, 5 chapters. Theres a few things I'd like people to reflect on through the story, so read it and think about it, that would mean a lot to me. Oh and review!! heh.

Thank you to meis who took the time to review and point out the fact MS Word had decided the name was Kia not Kai, and also that part of the story came across wrong because I knew in my head what was happening and didn't explane it right. I've since edited it, and I hope this version is better. See what reviewing can do:P

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She walked across the street, her silhouette showing someone with their back straight, walking proud, and their head up high. You would think her a business woman on her way home from work, until you see her under the streetlight, as more than just a shadow, for all she is. Then you see into her, through her, or so you think.

She wears a red corset, with a mini denim skirt, and enough makeup to paint a room. Her messy, 'just got outta bed' hair blowing in the wind. She looks proud, looks happy, but if you really look at her, you can tell. Under all that makeup, all that confidence, there's pain. There's hate, and brokenness. No girl grows up wanting to be a hooker, a whore, a prostitute. But something made her that way.

No one looks that close, no one sees that pain. They see a skank, a ho, and never take a second look. The few that do? They look at her body, not into who she is. They lust for her, for their own selfish pleasures. She is an object, nothing more. And over the years she learnt to believe this lie, from one person or another.

This is her story.

--

"Hey girl, how's business?" called out Shaz, seeing Kai walking over. Kai waved and jogged over to her 'friend', the girl that showed her the ropes on these streets, warned the local gang off her, and got her the connections she needed to get started.

"Hey Shaz, not too bad, ya know"

"I know" she replied with a knowing smirk "Got anything set for tonight or are you just going with it? I could use a partner for the night", she winked, and Kai knew what she meant. One of Shaz's regulars was into threesomes, and paid good money for it. Kai wanted in, she desperately needed the dough, but knew she had plans with a new client. Blowing him off, at least as far as his 'appointment' went, could be very bad for her.

"I'd love to, but I'm just out for a quick one before an appointment at 11, sorry... Marsha might though, she's been a bit down on work lately as I hear it" Kai replied, hoping to help out her friend.

"Hey thanks! You're a lifesaver Kai, I told him I would arrange it before tonight"

"No prob hun" Kia replied with the fake smile she always wore

"Hey good luck tonight, new client?"

Kai nodded

"Well make sure he becomes a regular" She winked again and walked down the street, swinging her hips from side to side, knowing just how to attract the onlookers.

Kai was left alone, looking down the dark street.

3 hours until the appointment, what now?

"Fucking skank" she heard mumbled from behind her, as she turned to walk to the park. Her eyes looked down in shame, but she said nothing.

It was true, she was a skank, and she hated it. She hated what she had become, the way she lived, but she had nothing else. It was as good as anything in her old life at least, and it was all she felt she was worth. She felt safer in the arms of a stranger, than with the comfort of a friend. It was what she had known.

Today she was in a particularly bad mood. It was that day, 5 years before, that she left home. She hadn’t returned since...

She was suddenly brought back from her thoughts by a jab to the stomach from a man walking by. She fell to the ground, clutching her middle. People walking by didn't even notice her, walking right on, never stopping to help. They never did. Some even kicked at her, not caring to move the inch or two needed to miss her body, or not wanting to, treating her like the dirt she had made herself. The dirt she had always believed was her life, her destiny.

She curled up beside the plant on the footpath, and waited until 11 came by, no longer having the strength or will to look for a client for the night.

--

She walked up the stairs to the apartment, checking the address she was given yet again before knocking on the door.

"Let yourself in" a voice from inside called

Kai softly opened the door and stepped in, being sure her boots made an echoing clunk as she took each step. Suddenly she stopped in her tracks, her face turning pale...