Into The Woods (Dark Fairy tales), page 1
Into the Woods
By: C. Jackson
Into the Woods
Copyright ©2013 by C. Jackson
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission of copyright holders.
This work is fiction. All references to real places, people. Or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.
Dedicated
God for strength, Papa Bear, Ladybug
Thank you ladies for all the support thus far.
Chapter One
Sutton was about fifteen minutes from finishing her shift. She rushed around like a crazy person before heading to her last table and unloading her tray. She looked over the customers waiting patiently for their meals. There was a beautiful white girl with black hair. She was a regular, but always came with different people each time.
This time, her lunch guests were an equally beautiful Spanish girl with brown wavy locks and a handsome black man. They were all impeccably dressed, with a look about them that screamed sexy. Sutton took a minute to envy how sophisticated they looked. In her black slacks and oversized white button-down she was far from their equal.
“I’m sorry, who had the eggplant?” Sutton asked, as she shook off her trance.
“I did, darling,” the black haired woman chirped up.
“Sorry,” Sutton murmured, as she placed the plates in front of the other two patrons at the table. “Enjoy your lunch,” Sutton added, as she began to walk away.
“Miss,” the black haired woman called.
Sutton turned on her heels. “Did you need something?” she asked, in her most chipper tone.
“Yes. What’s your name,” the woman asked, as she inquisitively looked Sutton over.
“Umm…Sutton. Was there something you needed, miss?”
“Sutton, I was wondering if I could ask a very personal question?”
Sutton looked at the woman and then at the other two patrons. “Sure,” Sutton replied, hesitantly.
“How much do you make working here? You don’t have to give me an exact number. Just tell me if it’s enough to well … keep you afloat?” the woman asked, with a snarky smirk.
“That’s really none of your business,” Sutton snapped, as she glared at the woman.
“I’m sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention. I was only asking because you’re a very beautiful girl. A girl as beautiful as you shouldn’t be serving food.” The woman dug through her purse and produced a business card. “Here, if you come to this address tonight I’m sure I can get you a meeting.”
Sutton eyed the card. The card was made out of thick, rich cardstock with black and dark purple writing: ONXY WOODS followed by the address.
“What’s this?” Sutton asked, as she examined the card.
“It’s a…club.”
“What kind of club? If you think I’m a stripper then you’re sadly mistaken,” Sutton replied, as she handed the card back.
The woman giggled as she pushed Sutton’s hand away. “No, it’s a night club. I figure you could make more money there than you ever will waitressing. I’m Charlotte, by the way. This is Teresa and Jarvis,” she explained, as she pointed to her lunch companions. “Come tonight and tell the doorman you’re my guest. Oh, and dress…nicely—but hot.”
“I don’t think so, but thanks.”
“Sutton, trust me when I say this will be well worth it,” Charlotte assured her, as she gave Sutton a sly smile.
Sutton put the card in her apron pocket and returned Charlotte’s smile with a fake one. “Yeah, okay,” she replied, as she walked away. Sutton gave the table one last glance. The beautiful strangers were now engaged in conversation and eating their lunch.
Sutton took another look at the card. What is this place, Sutton wondered, as she tried to place the location in her mind. She shoved the card back in her pocket and rushed into the kitchen. She didn’t know what the club was, or who Charlotte was, but she wasn’t interested. Although she could use the money, there was no telling what Charlotte would have her doing. A mysterious club in a part of town she’d never heard of? That was just asking for trouble.
***
Sutton tried her best to focus on her book. The tale of romance and vampires was doing nothing to help keep her mind off of the mystery of the club. She pulled out the card once more and ran her fingers over the raised lettering. She’d thought of nothing but the strange woman and her offer since she arrived home. At first Sutton was positive that she wasn’t going to go. Then, as she and her grandmother got into another spirited conversation about privacy, she began toying with the idea.
All Sutton wanted was to move out of her grandmother’s house. To be away from her grandmothers constant meddling and nagging was Sutton’s daily motivation to save money. However, she still couldn’t afford to move out and pay for school. Since she was about three months away from her senior year of college, she saw the sweet release from grandma’s overly-protective house in her grasp. It was a dream that she knew probably wouldn’t happen until she was out of school and a few months into her career, but with the offer of this new, higher-paying job she saw hopes of breaking free sooner.
What was the harm in looking? Sutton jumped out of bed and looked through her closet. Dress nice but hot, Sutton repeated, as she looked through her limited wardrobe. Pulling out the only sexy dress she owned, Sutton held the slinky red number close to her body. She looked in the mirror and wondered if this was what Charlotte meant. Sexy wasn’t something Sutton thought of when she looked at herself. She was a size six with curves and long black hair, but very plain, as she often thought. Her skin was a honey cream, and her features soft and delicate. She’d always been told she was pretty, but never sexy.
Sutton wondered if the dress was enough to fit in. Would Onyx Woods have all the sexy women who seemed to roam through every part of Atlanta? The women who garnered men’s stares as Sutton stood in the background, unnoticed? She was used to being a fly on the wall, but for some reason she didn’t want to go unnoticed tonight. After all, she was picked, and that must mean something. Sutton wondered about it as she pulled her hair out of her makeshift bun. It occurred to her she didn’t even know what she’d been picked for. Sutton looked at her reflection and began to wonder exactly what the Onyx Woods held for her.
Chapter Two
The address led her to a tall dark building that stood in a silent and very scary part of town. It looked more like an old warehouse on the outside than a nightclub. The only lights were streetlights and a single light over the entry. Sutton pulled up and a valet took her keys and handed her a ticket. She then proceeded to the door, where a tall, burly black man stood guard.
The bouncer glanced at Sutton questioningly. “Can I help you?”
“Umm…I’m here to see Charlotte,” Sutton responded nervously. It then occurred to her that she didn’t even know Charlotte’s last name.
The bouncer gave Sutton the once-over before mumbling something into a small walkie-talkie. The person on the other end responded incoherently before he turned back to Sutton. “Walk in, take a left, and wait at the door. She’ll be down in a few minutes,” the bouncer instructed, as he opened the latch on the burgundy velvet rope.
Sutton slowly walked into the dark club and followed the bouncer’s instructions. The left turn took her down a long hallway illuminated in red. Hypnotic music boomed through the deserted hallway. Sutton began to worry as she drew closer to the double doors before her. Cautiously, she waited as the double doors slowly opened and Charlotte emerged wearing a black corset and tight leather skirt.
“I knew you would come. From the second I saw you, I thought ‘this girl would be perfect here’,” Charlotte said, enthusiastically locking arms with Sutton and leading her through the doors.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I mean, if this is some ploy to get me on the pole, then I must tell you I’m not interested.”
Charlotte led Sutton to an elevator. She punched in a code on the keypad and the elevator doors opened. “I don’t know what your obsession with stripping is.” Charlotte punched in another code and the elevator jerked into motion. “I will, however, warn you: this club is probably not like what you’re used to, or what you may be expecting.”
“What does that mean?” Sutton inquired cautiously.
Just as the question left her lips the elevator doors opened. As she stepped out into the dark room colorful lights intermittently flashed, filling her vision as entrancing music boomed around her. The gyrating partygoers and the loud hypnotic music caught Sutton in a spell. To Sutton it seemed like a normal club, although the music wasn’t the normal selection of popular R&B and rap that she was used to. However, everyone was dancing and drinking like any other nightclub.
Charlotte pulled Sutton to the bar. “Would you like a drink? Champagne?”
“Sure.” Sutton began to open her clutch for her id and money.
“No. You won’t need that here,” Charlotte explained, as she handed Sutton the glass and locked arms again. “This is a private club. Members only. Everything you partake in is paid for in your fees. Since you’re my guest, I’ve got it.”
> “You said that you might be able to get me a job here, but, I don’t see any waitresses. What exactly would the job be?”
Charlotte stopped in her tracks and looked at a very puzzled Sutton. “I guess you can say I wasn’t completely honest with you. Trust me, it’s worth at least listening to her. You know, Sutton, I was a lot like you once. Young, shy. Trust me, I don’t regret taking the leap,” she said, as she led Sutton onto another elevator. She punched in a code and the car began to climb.
“Taking the leap? This all sounds…dangerous,” Sutton said anxiously, as she looked at a smiling Charlotte.
“Don’t worry so much. If you hear what she says and don’t like it then you’re free to go. However, I have a feeling that you will like it. There’s something about this place that fits perfectly with girls like you.”
The elevator stopped and opened into a lavish room. The ladies stepped out and Sutton looked at her surroundings. The room resembled that of a luxury suite in a hotel. The living area hosted two white couches set against plush white rugs. There was a bar area and a set of shut double doors in the far back. Charlotte took a seat on the couch and motioned for Sutton to do the same. Sutton hesitantly followed suit, sitting completely alert and surveying her surroundings.
The double doors quickly opened, and a tall, slender black woman appeared. She sauntered over to Charlotte, who leapt off of the couch and gave her a half hug and air kisses on both cheeks. The women shared pleasantries for a few seconds before turning their full attention to Sutton.
“Aren’t you beautiful,” the lady remarked as she took a seat on the other couch.
“I told you she was. I’d seen her several times at that restaurant and each time I thought wow Fiona would love this girl,” Charlotte added proudly.
“What’s your name dear?” Fiona asked, as she eyed Sutton.
“Sutton…Sutton Ryder,” Sutton replied nervously.
“Fiona Woods,” Fiona greeted, extending her manicured hand to Sutton.
“It’s, umm…it’s nice to meet you.”
“Why are you so anxious, dear? I don’t bite,” Fiona said with giggle. “Charlotte, why don’t you give me and Sutton some time alone.”
“Will do. Good luck,” Charlotte whispered to Sutton, as she stood and rushed out the room.
Sutton studied Fiona. She was tall, thin, and her skin was the color of mocha. Her long, wavy black locks cascaded around her perfect face. Her pouty lips were a shimmery pink against her faint natural makeup. She wore a black silk knee-length dress that hugged her ample breasts and small, model-like frame. The woman was a knockout.
“So, Sutton, tell me about yourself,” Fiona said, snapping Sutton out of her observations.
“Well, I go to Emory University.”
“Really? What’s your major?”
“Business, with a minor in public relations.”
“That’s interesting,” Fiona replied as she gave Sutton a wicked grin. “What else?”
“I work at a small bistro near school and I live with my grandmother.” Sutton regretted divulging her living arrangements. It made her sound young and naïve when compared to this woman, who seemed so mature and worldly.
“Your grandmother…isn’t that sweet. What does grand-mama think of you being here tonight?” Fiona teased.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter. I’m twenty-one. She doesn’t tell me what to do,” Sutton replied in her best fake-grownup act. In actuality, if her grandmother had seen her leave the house in her slinky dress she would have a lot to say about it. Luckily for Sutton, her grandmother was working the night-shift at the hospital.
“So, what did Charlotte tell you about The Woods?”
“That it’s a private club.”
“No, it’s an exclusively private club. You have to be a member to be a part of this club and membership fees are…let’s just say only for those who can truly afford the experience. This is not a place for wannabe thugs and cheap sluts. This is a club of sophistication and class—a club filled with some of the elite of Atlanta. I have a very classy clientele, and I look for the same in my staff.”
“That’s what I’m not understanding. I don’t really know what you mean by staff. Charlotte told me I could make more here than at my present job; however, I haven’t seen one waitress yet. I’m not a bartender and I doubt I can be a bouncer. What exactly are you looking for?”
Fiona’s lips curled as she stood and moved in closer to Sutton. She played with Sutton’s lightly curled locks before wrapping a few strands around her finger. “Are you a virgin, Sutton?” she asked, as she studied Sutton’s face.
“What!” Sutton gasped, inching away from Fiona. “Don’t you think that’s a little personal?”
“Not really. You either are or you aren’t. It’s a simple question. Judging by your reaction, I take it you are.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m not,” Sutton countered defensively. “What does this have to do with my working for you?”
“Charlotte didn’t tell you anything? I can understand why not, it’s not the easiest subject to bring up. She’s been telling me about you for weeks now. She even treated me to lunch so I could see you for myself. Unfortunately for me, you weren’t our waitress that day. However, I agree with Charlotte: you’re a knockout. But unlike Charlotte, I can see that you’re…well let’s just say you’re very green.”
“Green?”
“New to sex and unsure of yourself of your sexuality. You’re a pretty girl, but a baby nonetheless. Your reaction to my slightest touch more than proved that point. So maybe you aren’t the right fit,” Fiona explained, as she strutted to the bar.
Sutton didn’t know if she should be offended or relieved. The mysterious woman made her uncomfortable, but intrigued at the same time. She was spot-on when it came her lack of experience. She’d only had sex with two men in her life. The first time was in high school. The whole experience took about five minutes. The second time she’d had sex had been during her sophomore year of college, with her then-boyfriend. About three months after having sex they’d broken up. After that Sutton decided to focus on school, not love.
As for knowing herself and not being sexual, that was another spot-on deduction. Sutton hated to admit that she not only didn’t think she was that sexy, she also didn’t see what was so great about sex. The two times she’d had sex hadn’t been the earth-stopping events detailed in novels. If anything, she’d felt bored stiff waiting for the nonstop, feverish pumping to stop.
Sutton looked herself over. She was about five-foot-six, with a curvy size six body. Her long black hair was plain and simple. Her skin was a creamy light brown. To Sutton she was nothing more than a regular girl. Aside from this one dress, she only owned Converse, flip-flops, jeans, and some t-shirts. There was never a dying need to dress-up and look girly. Her life events consisted of going to school, work, and sometimes hanging with her friends.
Sutton looked at Fiona enjoying her wine. She wondered what the woman was implying. What was the job that she didn’t think Sutton was sexy enough to do? She could only imagine what the job was, if being sexy was the number-one prerequisite. The intelligent part of her brain said, “Run. Don’t ask any questions just run.” However, the curious side wanted to know more. Her grandmother’s warnings popped into her brain. She was always lecturing Fiona on her never-ending curious nature. Sutton couldn’t count how many times she’d heard that old adage “curiosity killed the cat.” However, she was still alive and still very curious.
