Free Run by Eve Vaughn

could also acknowledge that they had it better than a lot of people. She was a Dreg, like the rest of the people in her town. But, she could also acknowledge that they had had it better than a lot of people. The bar had afforded them a living to provide them with all their necessities. And now, they had nothing. Now more than ever, Aya could appreciate Macy’s situation.
    “I’m sorry if I came off as judgmental. I’m still trying to make sense of this. It never crossed my mind that The Run was seen as such a lifeline for some people. I’ve always kind of viewed it as a last resort type of thing.”
    “Oh trust me, it is and don’t worry, I know you weren’t judging. If my sister hadn’t told me what to expect after the first time she participated, I wouldn’t have known this information either. They don’t tell you these things about The Run, only that it’s some great way for women to earn a lot of credits, fast. Of course, it’s not advertised that the price of this quick money is your soul.”
    “Yeah,” Aya answered half-heartedly.
    “I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. I have the bad habit of talking way too much.”
    “Don’t worry about it. It’s better that I know what I’m getting myself into so I don’t let my nerves get the better of me.”
    “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that whichever patron you get will be one of the ones I spoke of earlier.”
    Aya stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “What makes you think I’ll be captured by a patron?”
    Macy turned a deep shade of red. “I’m sorry. There I go running my mouth again. It’s just that…”
    “What?”
    “You’re really pretty. And, you’ve got a nice figure. Your hair is really short but that won’t matter much. They always catch the pretty ones.”
    Aya turned her back to Macy, returning her attention to the lawn outside. “Maybe these particular patrons won’t think I’m pretty enough for them.”
    “Maybe,” Macy answered although there was very little conviction in her tone.
    Before Aya could think of a retort, she heard the door to the room open. She turned to see Ronald Briggs.
    “Ladies, it’s now time to meet your potential patrons. At this point, you’ll need to discard your clothing, undergarments and shoes included. Once you’re finished, join me in the hall and I’ll lead you to the auditorium.” Mr. Briggs gave them a tight smile before vacating the room again.
    It was clear who the veterans of The Run were. They disrobed without hesitation and cast their clothing aside without a word, while the majority of the first timers glanced around the room with uncertainty.
    “Aya, we have to do this. I don’t want to do this either but we have no choice. It’s too late to change our minds. Once we sign up to participate, we can’t leave. My sister told me, if we don’t comply, they send someone in here to strip us.”
    At the thought of someone coming inside to forcefully remove her clothing, Aya hung her head in defeat. This was really happening, she thought, as she slowly kicked off her shoes. Her hands shook the entire time as she pulled each article of clothing she had on off. Once she was completely nude, she crossed one arm over her breasts and placed a hand over her sex for modesty’s sake.
    A couple women remained in their clothing, one sobbing hysterically, while the other cried silent tears. Once again, the door opened but it wasn’t Ronald Briggs. Instead it was two extremely large men dressed all in black. They walked over to one of the women who hadn’t undressed. One of the big gorillas grabbed the woman by the arms, while the other proceeded to rip off her clothes.
    She screamed. “No! I don’t want this. I don’t want to do this anymore! I want to go home!”
    Her words went unheeded as they subjected her to this dehumanizing act. Unable to bite her tongue, Aya shouted, “Leave her alone!” Forgetting she herself was naked, she rushed across the room and began to beat against one of the