Chapter 1: Introduction
Mia Johnson moved into her college dorm room, a tiny space nestled among rows of drab houses - a place where dreams are born, desires ignited, friendships made or lost over whiskey bottles & cigarettes smoked under hushed conversations, love-making muffled by closed doors - a place untouched by sunlight, alive with secrets. In this environment, Mia felt vulnerable yet excited about embarking on a new journey towards self-discovery.
As she settled into her dorm, she met other roommates like Hannah, a shy and reserved girl who preferred reading over partying; Sarah, an openly sexual and wild girl who was constantly trying to seduce anyone around; and finally, Kylie Thompson.
Mia and Kylie instantly clicked. Their shared experiences and backgrounds brought them closer together, and soon enough, Kylie invited Mia to a party held at one of the rooms in the building.
The party was raucous and roaring, as the night went on mia and the girls went down to the mess hall to get some late night snacks.
"what the fuck? why does my card keep declining?" mia asked
, concerned, while rummaging through her purse.
"Probably because you're a tight ass cheapskate," Sarah retorted, rolling her eyes. "Either way, we should probably go find another ATM. I heard there's one near the library."
"no, i know i have money, my parents told me they saved up money for years for me to go to college."
she went to the ATM, checked her balance, after residence fees, textbooks, and assorted fees, what Mia thought would be her nest egg was instead fully depleted.
Hannah paid for mias food and they returned to the party, mia tried to enjoy herself but couldnt get over the fact that she was now functionally broke.
after a few more drinks, Kylie saw Mia sulking and decided to extend an opportunity her way. "hey babe, i was broke too once, but i found a way to make some really decent money here, if you think you'd be ok pushing out of your comfort zone, I might have something that can help you."
, Kylie said, leaning closer to Mia. The room became quieter, everyone else either engaged in their own conversation or distracted by something else. Mia was curious, her mind buzzing with questions, but also anxious at the prospect of doing something outside her usual norms.
"I'm listening," Mia replied carefully, hoping her voice didn't betray her anxiety. Kylie smiled, her gaze locked onto Mia's as she continued, "you see, I belong to a school club, I cant tell you what the club does, or whos in it, but i can tell you that my dad had a tight leash around me too and the way i escaped it was making so much money that i didn't need to obey him anymore, and all that money, I made from this club. If you think youre in, come to the Assiniboia building at midnight on thursday, tell the man at the door "mercury" and he'll let you in cause you know me."
Kylie whispered softly into Mia's ear, causing her cheeks to redden with embarrassment. But curiosity had taken hold of her. After a moment of hesitation, Mia agreed, saying "Okay, I'll be there."
Excitement coursed through Mia's veins as she imagined the possibility of freedom from her parents' strict rules. This could be her chance to prove herself, to finally embrace the woman she wanted to be, independent and strong.
Yet, despite her excitement, Mia couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. What kind of club was this? Was it truly safe? Would her parents ever forgive her if they found out? Despite these concerns, she couldn't resist the thrill of rebellion and potential freedom. Mia nodded solemnly, committing herself to her decision. "Good luck then," Kylie said with a knowing smile, before returning to her party guests.
In the days leading up to Thursday, Mia felt equal parts anticipation and dread.
her mind was filled with hypothetical scenarios of what the club might be like, what they might get her to do, would they make her build something? or would they have her fudge tests for cheating students?
Mia couldn't stop thinking about these possibilities. Her heart raced every time she remembered her promise to meet Kylie at the Assiniboia building.
Thursday evening arrived, and with it, a sense of nervousness and anticipation grew within Mia. She showered, dressed in her most conservative outfit, and then paced around her room, unable to sit still. She reminded herself that this was an opportunity, not just to make money but to free herself from her parents' control.
Mia took a deep breath, calmed her nerves, and stepped out into the chilly night air. With each step, her resolve grew stronger. As she approached the Assiniboia building, Mia couldn't help but feel that she was walking into a whole new world – one that promised excitement, danger, and adventure.
At precisely midnight, Mia stood at the entrance of the Assiniboia building, clutching her courage as she prepared to confront whatever awaited her inside.