A Desperate Quest “I may have seen her, but not even info comes without a price, baby.” Freddy’s tongue flicks between his lips revealing brown teeth, and the movement makes my stomach lurch. Good thing there isn't anything in there to hurl. I’d been searching for Lizzy all day and hadn't had time scavenge anything. Now I might have to blow this lowlife to even get a clue where she might have gone. God knows I don’t have any money to pay. “How am I supposed to know if you really have any info. How ‘bout you tell me first, then I suck.” I can see him calculating in his head. Freddy isn't the brightest street rat. Neither am I, but I’m smarter than him. He looks me up and down like he’s trying to figure out if I’m worth it. I’m sure I don’t look like much. Been weeks since I had a shower. My blond hair is a nest of tangles, poking out from under my dingy grey hoodie. Under the smudges I could be pretty. I am thin though, as one tends to be after living on the street for four years. Freddy finally settles on my eyes, and I know he’ll tell me. My eyes always get me things. They’re violet. “Okay,” he says and flicks his tongue again. “You let me touch your tits while I tell you, then you blow when you get the info.” “Over the shirt.” “Under, or no deal.” I force the bile down and step into the ally. Now I’m breaking my own rule of street life safety. Too many to count actually. Blind allies, creepy men that are stronger than you, making sexual favors you have no intention of keeping, and it’s almost dark. Recipe for disaster. I hope Lizzy didn't get in a similar situation, I’d taught her better. We’re both eighteen, but I outrank her in street years. …but everything was about to change
