Fated To The Enemy

Dollhouse

Lila stepped out of the alleyway and onto the gritty pavement. She glanced up at the dimly lit cityscape, trying to steady her racing heart. The night air felt cool against her skin. Her dress was torn, and dirty. She winced as she took a step, realizing in dismay that she was barefoot, having left her shoes behind in the room she had fled from.

It wasn’t just her shoes. She had nothing. No money, no phone, no bag. The streets, slick with remnants of rain, seemed to shimmer under the city lights, and the distant sounds of traffic filled her ears. Everything felt cold and unfamiliar, and for a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake by running. But there was no going back now.

She spotted a small convenience store a block away, its bright neon sign flickering in the darkness like a beacon. With no other options, she headed towards it, wrapping her arms around herself to keep out the chill. As she pushed open the door, a bell jingled above her, announcing her arrival. The store was empty except for a bored-looking clerk behind the counter, flipping through a magazine.

Lila approached him, her voice trembling slightly. “Excuse me, could I borrow your phone? It’s an emergency.”

The clerk didn’t bother to look up. “No phone here for customers. There’s a payphone down the street,” he said flatly, flipping another page of his magazine.

Lila’s heart sank. She turned and walked back out into the night. As she was about to set off down the street in search of another solution someone said.

“Hey, you got a lighter?”

Lila turned, startled, to see a woman lounging against the wall. The dim streetlight cast long shadows across her sharp features, and the flicker of neon signs reflected off the glossy leather pants she wore. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, accentuating the bold eyeliner that framed her eyes. She looked like she belonged to the night, effortlessly stylish and confident in a black, sequined top and stiletto boots.

“Uh, no. I don’t smoke,” Lila replied, glancing nervously down at her bare feet, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

The woman’s gaze followed hers, then slowly took in the rest of Lila's appearance.

“Where are your shoes?” the woman asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

Lila shifted uncomfortably “I…had to run. I didn’t have time to grab anything.”

The woman raised an eyebrow, her expression softening slightly. “Sounds like you’ve had one hell of a night,” she said, pushing herself away from the wall. “You shouldn’t be out here like this. Come on. I work at a club not too far from here. We can get you cleaned up and find you some shoes.

Lila hesitated, glancing back in the direction she’d come from, as though there was any point in retracing her steps. She had nowhere else to go “I… thank you,” she said finally, her voice small and uncertain. “I’m Lila.”

“Cassia,” the woman replied with a reassuring smile. “Come on, let’s get you out of the cold.”

As they walked, Cassia kept the conversation light, talking about how she’d ended up in the city and what life was like working at a club. Lila listened, grateful for the distraction, though her thoughts kept drifting back to the events that had brought her here. It wasn’t long before they arrived at a building bathed in the glow of neon pink and blue lights, its sign reading “Dollhouse” The thumping bass of the music could be heard even from outside, and as Cassia pulled open the door, the club’s vibrant energy seemed to spill out onto the street.

The interior was a sensory overload. Lights of all colors flashed in time with the heavy beat of the music, casting the room in alternating hues of red, purple, and blue. The air was thick with the smell of perfume, sweat, and alcohol, and the sound of laughter and conversation blended with the pulsing music. Lila’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in the scene; she hadn’t expected Cassia’s “club” to be a strip club. Dancers twirled and slid gracefully around poles, while patrons leaned back in plush chairs, sipping drinks and tossing bills onto the stage. It was a far cry from anything Lila had ever experienced.

“Come on, don’t look so shocked,” Cassia teased, nudging Lila’s arm. “It’s just a strip club"

Lila nodded quickly, trying to hide her shock, glancing around at the opulent decor. Velvet drapes, mirrored walls, and shimmering chandeliers that seemed almost out of place amidst the suggestive atmosphere.

“Trust me, you get used to it,” Cassia said, leading Lila past the main floor and through a door marked “Staff Only.”

The back area was quieter, with the music reduced to a dull thrum that vibrated through the walls. Here, the lighting was softer, casting a warm glow over the vanity mirrors lined with cosmetics, feather boas, and costume jewelry. Several dancers were chatting or fixing their makeup, and they glanced over at Cassia and Lila as they walked in.

“Who’s your friend, Cass?” one of the dancers asked, her tone playful.

“Just a stray I picked up outside,” Cassia quipped, though there was no mockery in her voice. “She’s had a rough night, so be nice.”

Another dancer grinned as she glanced down at Lila’s bare feet. “Looks like she needs more than nice.”

Cassia shot her a look. “Don’t worry, Gwen, I’ve got this.” She then guided Lila to a small area where racks of costumes were stored, handing her a dark blue dress from one of the hangers. It was just as revealing as the other outfits in the club, with a plunging neckline and a high slit, but at least it was clean and offered a fresh start.

“I know it’s not much better, but at least it’s not dirty,” Cassia said. “And here, try these.” She handed Lila a pair of heels that matched the dress. They were higher than anything Lila would’ve chosen for herself, but they would have to do.

“Thank you,” Lila said, clutching the dress. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cassia replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Just pay it forward whenever you can. The showers are down that hallway. Get yourself cleaned up, and then we can figure out your next move.”

Lila gave a small nod and hurried to the bathroom, where she welcomed the hot water and the chance to scrub away the past few days. The steam helped clear her head, but it did little to dispel the lingering tension in her chest. She emerged from the bathroom dressed in the blue dress and heels, feeling strange and exposed but grateful for Cassia’s kindness. As she stepped back into the changing area, Cassia was waiting with a phone in her hand.

“Here,” Cassia said, offering the phone. “Try calling whoever you need to.

“Thank you, Cassia,” Lila said, taking the phone. She dialled her mother’s number first, and when there was no answer, she tried her brother Jacob’s. Still no luck. Her final attempt was to Mrs. Dawson. The phone rang several times before a familiar voice answered on the other end.

“Lila? Lila, is that you?” Mrs. Dawson’s voice was a mix of surprise and excitement.

“It’s me,” Lila replied, feeling a rush of relief.

“Oh, Lila, I’m so glad to hear from you! I’ve been worried sick. I knew you’d run off to avoid that awful arranged marriage, but...”

“Mrs. Dawson,” Lila interrupted gently, “I—”

“You did the right thing, dear,” Mrs. Dawson continued, not letting Lila get a word in. “There’s been talk of a crazed vampire on the loose, attacking werewolf packs, and the whole pack is preparing for the worst. You need to get far away and stay safe, Lila.”

“What?” Lila exclaimed, her heart racing at the new information. “What’s happening?”

But Mrs. Dawson didn’t let her finish. “Oh, heavens! Something’s burning! I’ve got to go, dear. Call me back later,” she said quickly before the line went dead.

Lila handed the phone back to Cassia, her mind racing with the new information. “I don’t know what to do,” she confessed, feeling overwhelmed.

“Then you’re in the right place,” Cassia said, with a wink.