She was completely alone.

Lisa, as Leon, stood motionless for a moment, staring at the smudged, cheap fake tattoo above Sarah’s pubic area and slowly shaking her head. Lisa pulled Mia into a corner, grabbed her by the arm and whispered the new plan into her ear, quickly and precisely. Mia listened, her eyes widening, then she nodded slowly. A wicked, professional smile spread across her face. Then, without another word, she turned and strode away through the crowd with firm, determined steps. The crowd parted before her as if by magic.

Backstage, in a dark corridor, Lisa ripped off her wig and jacket. Her face was flushed with excitement. She could hardly believe her luck. That stupid bitch really did it, she thought, and laughed softly, almost in disbelief. She signed the contract with a cheap fake tattoo. Perfect. Just perfect.

Mia went back to Sarah, who was still standing naked and dripping with foam in the middle of the club. The crowd around her had retreated slightly, but many mobile phones were still pointed at her. Mia stopped right in front of her. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes full of cold rage.

Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. She stood there naked, her hands held helplessly in front of her body, whilst the last remnants of the fake tattoo slowly ran down over her pubic area.

“Mia… please… I’m sorry… I just wanted to…”

Mia cut her off harshly:

“Save your whining. You have exactly one chance to make this right. Either…”

Sarah’s lower lip trembled. She stood naked, humiliated and utterly lost in the club, whilst Mia scrutinised her with an icy stare.

The trap, which had never been planned this way, had snapped shut.

Mia stared at Sarah for another long, icy moment. Then she simply shook her head, turned without another word and disappeared into the crowd.

Just like that. No goodbye. No “we’ll sort this out”. Nothing.

Sarah was still standing there naked, the foam slowly drying on her skin, the smudged fake tattoo clearly visible above her smooth cunt. She felt the stares of the onlookers, heard the murmuring, the giggling. Quickly she bent down, picked up her red dress from the floor and pulled it on with trembling fingers. The fabric clung damply to her skin; the hem barely covered her arse.

She just wanted to get away.

With her head bowed and her cheeks burning, she pushed her way through the crowd towards the exit. It was cool outside; the night air made her shiver. Her nipples pressed hard against the thin fabric; between her legs, she could still feel the wetness from the past few hours.

She pulled out her mobile and dialled her brother’s number with trembling fingers. Jan answered after the third ring.

“Sarah? It’s the middle of the night. What’s going on?” His voice sounded annoyed, tired.

“Jan… please… can you come and pick me up?” she whispered, her voice choked. “I’m at the Eclipse Club… something’s happened and I… I need help. Please.”

Jan sighed loudly. “Sarah, I don’t have time right now. I’m out with clients; we’re still in the middle of a meeting. Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

Sarah’s voice broke. “Jan, please… it’s really important. I can’t go home on my own… I… I’m scared…”

“Listen,” he interrupted her, annoyed, “I really can’t right now. Call a taxi or take the night bus. I’ve told you a hundred times, you shouldn’t always be so dramatic. I really don’t have time for your problems right now.”

He hung up.

Sarah stared at the screen in disbelief. Tears ran down her cheeks. She tried again – voicemail.

Then she dialled her mother’s number. It rang for a long time before her mother finally answered.

“Sarah? Darling, it’s past midnight. What’s the matter?” “Mum… please… can you come and pick me up? I’m at the Eclipse Club and… something terrible has happened. I need you…” Her mother sighed deeply.

“Oh Sarah… I’m at… never mind. We’ve been drinking wine and there’s no way I can drive now. Can’t you stay at a friend’s? Or just take a taxi. I’ve got an appointment first thing tomorrow and need to be in good shape.”

“Mum… please…,” Sarah pleaded, her voice breaking. “I’m all alone… I…”

“Darling, I really can’t. Give me a call tomorrow and we’ll talk. Goodnight.”

She hung up.

Sarah stood alone outside the club, naked beneath the thin, damp dress; the smudged fake tattoo burned like a brand on her skin. Tears streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.

No one came.

No one helped her.

She was completely alone.