Spencer: "My back, it really hurts."

Kyla: "Yeah, Ashley told me about the bruises."

The name Ashley burned like fire in Spencer’s mind.

Spencer: "I don’t want to see her."

Kyla: "That’s gonna be pretty hard, seeing as she lives here. Oh, have you met Madison?"

She pointed to the girl Spencer was sleeping beside. Now that Spencer looked closely, she could see that she was a spanish women.

spencer: " Is this her bed?"

Kyla: "Naw, this is my bed. But she’s using it for now. Lately she’s been really sick. I think it’s the heat."

Spencer: "It is pretty hot in here."

Kyla: "Listen. You’re going with us today. You know, earn your hustle."

Spencer: "My hustle?"

Kyla: "Yeah, you’re hustle. Ashley works the drug trade around here. That’s what most everyone does, sell drugs. But never do them. That’ll take away from your money. Got it?"

Spencer: "Kyla, I don’t think I can-"

Kyla: "I’m sorry Spencer. But you have to. Ashley-"

Spencer: "Don’t say her name around me."

Kyla: "…I know you miss your family and all..but…we got your back now. Okay? We’re your family now. Your my cuzz, I’m your cuzz, got it?"

Spencer: "Yeah. I got it. Loud and clear."

Kyla: "Good. Now come on, the sun is almost up. We’re gonna be late."

Kyla put the water down next to Madison’s sleeping body.

It took spencer a eternity to get down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, Ashley was waiting at the front door.

Ashley: "It’s about time Ky."

Kyla: "It took a while to catch her breath."

Ashley: "You aight?"

Spencer: "I’m fine."

She didn’t look at Ashley. Instead she stared at the ground.

Ashley: "Let’s go. Kyla, take her to the ring with you. I’ll take her with me tomorrow."

Kyla: "Okay, keep close spencer."

They walked out of the apartment and down a long hallway to the elevator. The three got in and went down to the first floor. There was a guy with tan skin, green eyes, and a tired look on his face standing outside. Ashley opened the door for him.

Ashley: "Aiden, don’t be surprised when you go to bed okay?"

aiden yawned, took a key out of Kyla’s hand, and went up the elevator. Kyla noticed the suspicious look on Spencer’s face.

Kyla: "He works the nightshift if you catch my drift."

Spencer: "He’s a hooker?"

Kyla: "Yeah, since 13 years old. He hates dirty beds. You got blood all over the sheets."

Spencer was a little worried about that. When the three turned a corner after walking for a while, Ashley said a short see ya later, and went across the street. Kyla kept walking straight until they reached a broken up building with a really beaten up car in the front. Before they entered the building, Kyla pulled out a pair of gloves with the fingers cut off, and her balck bandana which she wrapped around her head, then she reached into her pocket for a long dog chain. Spencer had to ask where they were going.

Kyla: "Oh, I didn’t tell you my hustle."

She said it as they entered the building. Spencer was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of blood, a loud cheering, and a bunch of very loud dogs barking.

Kyla: "I fight dogs."