Hunger had become a living thing inside her, consuming her thoughts and at her insides. Jade had left home 6 months ago on her nineteenth birthday after another fight with her stepdad. At first she'd had enough money to get by, but losing her job 3 months ago she couldn't afford anything. It had been almost 2 days since she had eaten. The pickings were already slim and lately she hadn't been able to find anything edible. She was starting to get headaches and the grumbling of her stomach had become a constant. As she walked down South St with all its bars and clubs, she got a little woozy. She sat down in the alley beside Clancey's bar and uselessly rubbed her stomach. Just then the side door to Clancey's opened and out came a tall blond man in jeans and a white tee. He shrugged into a black leather jacket, dug into the pockets, and brought out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. As he lit the cigarette, he looked down the alley and spotted Jade. He blew out a cloud of smoke and sauntered towards her.
"What's the matter, sugar?" he rasped.
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"You waiting on someone?"
"No, I'm just sittin' here minding my own?"
"Is that a hint?"
Before she could answer, her stomach grumbled. She looked down in embarrassment.
"Hungry?" the man asked.
"Yeah. You wouldn't happen to have any food would you? Or some spare change?"
"No. No change. I could probably get you some food. Question is: what would I get in return?"
"The pleasure of knowing you saved a life?" Jade replied.
"Not enough."
"Well, what do you want?" Jade felt she would do just about anything for a meal right now.
As he looked her over, a smirk moved across face. His gaze lingered on her breasts and the juncture of her thighs.
"No. No way," Jade said to his unspoken reply.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not a hooker, that's why."
"Are you hungry or not?"
Just then her stomach grumbled again. His smirk spread to a grin.
"Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do," he snickered.
Jade thought about her options. Which in actuality were few. She could continue this agonizing process of starving. Or for what would probably amount to five minutes, she could give her body to this man and stave off hunger for another day.
"Okay. I'll let you...you know for some food. But I know how to protect myself so no funny business. And we use condoms. And I get the food first. And..."
"Whoa. Slow down," he interrupted, "I'm not gonna kill you, I'm gonna fuck you. I got some condoms. But no food until after. You might run out on me."
"I won't, I swear. Besides, I don't know that I can last much longer."
"Okay fine. I'll give you a little food before and a little after. I want you to have a little energy for when we fuck."
Jade grimaced. "Okay. Where do we go?"
He pointed up. "My apartment is right over the bar. I got food and a bed. My name's Jack by the way. What's yours?"