Chapter 2 Cora

It was past six and Arya, warmed by a bowl of hot soup, went out. The street was still busy with people going back home. Arya liked watching people, sometimes on Sundays when they had a free time almost all day long she was sitting on a bench and watching people, imagining the stories they carry with them. A busy office worker is hurrying back home to his wife and son. A young Alpha thinking about his first crush. An older Beta with a gentle smile looking at the children playing in the park, maybe thinking about her own grandchildren. Today however Arya was in a rush, it was cold and she had only that dress on. She was going to visit Cora. She always visited her on Wednesdays.

Cora lived in a basement flat where through the window you could see people’s legs walking on the street. The flat Cora was renting was small and had this weird smell of something wet and stuffy. There were few things there like a bed, table and two chairs. There also was a kitchenette to make a simple dish or boil some water. The most interesting was Cora’s wardrobe, it was large and full of clothes she used to wear. Each dress was a different story. There was a white ball gown from when Cora accompanied a rich Alpha on a New Year’s Eve and everybody thought that they were a couple. The pale pink was from the time Cora was introduced as a fresh untouched escort and got a really high price for the first night. The dress, which looked like a night sky full of stars, was a gift from a Beta lover. Arya knew all the stories, she grew up with them. She met Cora by accident. Arya was having a hard time. She was on the street and was really hungry. Cora shared some bread with her and took her to her home. Ever since Arya has visited her, they shared what they had. Arya learned how to survive on the street thanks to Cora and Phil who was kind of her partner.

A colder wind blew harder and her thin dress wasn’t giving her much warmth. Arya wrapped her arms in vain attempt to hold it back. People passing her by didn’t pay her much attention, they stepped aside or moved past her just like they did with the horses’ shit on the ground. Arya was moving swiftly with her eyes low. The entrance to Cora’s apartment was in a narrow street, there was no ribbon on the door handle so it meant that Arya could step in. Whenever Cora had a client she put a red ribbon on the door handle. The door squeaked and Arya stepped in, she could smell the vinegar. She knew that Cora used it along with water as disinfection after having sex with her clients, the smell  of fresh vinegar told Arya that the client has just left.

“Who is it?” Arya heard Cora from behind a curtain hanging in the corner of the room.

“It’s me Arya.”

Cora was quiet for a moment than she said.

“Go home Arya, I don't have time for you today.”

“Are you having another client?” Arya asked knowing that Cora wasn’t that popular anymore.

“Just go Arya.”

Something in Cora’s voice made Aria stand up and move to the door, she opened it and closed back again without leaving Cora’s room. Few second’s later the curtain moved and Cora stepped out. Cora was an over forty years old Omega, she had long wavy hair with blue eyes. She was well built with full breasts and curved hips and she used to have porcelain skin. One of her lovers got jealous and cut her face, that happened over ten years ago. From one day to another she has lost her popularity, she was a broken doll. She moved from a fine apartment to a lower standard flat and then here to cut the costs. She had two, sometimes three clients a week if she was lucky. Today her face, neck and arms were covered in bruises. Her lip was torn and bleeding, she could barely open her left eye. Arya knew what kind of clients were coming to her now, it wasn’t the first time but it has never been that bad. Arya didn’t make a comment about Cora’s look.

“Lay down, I’ll boil some water and apply the ointment.”

“There is no ointment left.” Cora sat on the bed.

After a few seconds of thinking Arya stood up.

“I will go to the pharmacy.”

“Don’t.” Cora grabbed her hand. ‘It’s not worth it.”

Arya easily freed herself from the loose grip.

“You are worth it. I’ll be back soon.” Arya left and ran as fast as she could, the pharmacy wasn’t far away and Arya wanted to keep her mind occupied with the exertion not with anything else. A carriage passed her by and Arya almost fell on the pavement.

She noticed a man with dark eyes looking at her inside the carriage. She had to pull herself together, she can’t be distracted, for Cora.

The pharmacy stood on a fancy street, Arya knew she wasn’t allowed to enter through the main door, she went to the back ones used by suppliers and staff. She knocked and a fine dressed woman opened it. The look of disgust pictured in the woman’s eyes didn’t bother her anymore.

“Is Mr Kane here?” Arya asked humbly.

“He’s busy, wait.”

Of course, she knew the drill.