Intervention

Nicholas was 24 but he went by Nick for the boys and Nicky for the girls. He dressed casually but paid attention to each detail of his appearance. In his line of work, what his perspective clients saw was very important. He kept his black hair a little long so that the high school kids would accept that he was still one of their own. He wore color contacts so that the young girls would find him more attractive. He would complement them and joke with them. He was everyone's friend and it was all B.S.

Lyra found Nicky fascinating. He usually hung around the high school and many of the 'in crowd' could be found near him. When she and her friends met at night, Nicky would have something for them to get high on. It came in the form of marijuana. Pot wasn't all that expensive and it wasn't very hard for them to get money from their parents.

Lyra's next drug for a higher high soon became her preferred form of recreation, but it too progressed to stronger drugs so she could get even higher. The money she needed to get her next fix became her main focus. Eventually she sold almost everything of value that she had until her dad had found out and put a stop to it.

Feeling ashamed, she promised to stop. Even though she had tried very hard, it was a promise she couldn't keep. The craving was just too strong. Lyra had fought as hard as she could, but the pure hell of withdrawal was too much for her to handle alone. It led to her going to Nicky begging for one more fix.

"Look, I can't just give this shit away. The people I get the stuff from expect money."

She was disgusted with herself but kissed him while wrapping herself around him, "Please, I'll do anything."

Nicholas laughed at her. It was the same story repeating itself over and over. The drugs always won which was why he didn't use them, only sold them. He pushed her away, "Good, then go sell your sorry ass and get me the fucking money."

Lyra started crying and ran off determined to beat this, but only a few days later found her prostituting herself. At 18, still in her senior year at school, she would suck guys off for whatever she could get. When that wasn't enough, she sacrificed her virginity and did what she had to.

Stacie had battled with their daughter for months over her actions. She checked on Lyra and found her daughter in her bedroom, looking at herself in a mirror. "I can remember when you looked into a mirror and a bright bubbly young woman looked back."

Lyra turned when she heard her mom. "I'm afraid that person doesn't exist anymore mom."

Aaron heard his wife talking to their daughter and stuck his head in the doorway. He knew they couldn't continue this way, but had no idea what to do about it. "Where are you going at this time of night?"

Lyra actually hated herself for what she was doing to her family, but couldn't stop even if it meant getting kicked out on the street. She stood, "Sex and drugs are the most important things in my life right now." Without letting them respond, she dodged around them and ran out of the house.

But, her parents did respond. Stacie ran to their bedroom crying after watching her daughter run out of the house to do who knows what. Aaron did what he had always done in a crisis, he called his big brother.

Dan came as soon as he got the phone call. He was told everything that they had gone through with Lyra. He wondered why they hadn't told him sooner, but guessed that they were embarrassed to let him know this kind of thing. He had been in their home and they had been his countless times, he also wondered why he had been blind to it.

"Whew! You have a hell of a problem." He shook his head, "I have no idea what to do, but I know where to go to get the answer. In the meantime, don't say anything to her. Let's just pretend nothing happened tonight"

Lyra had expected an unpleasant scene when she got home, but her parents hadn't said one word about it. That was almost as bad though. Her big secret was out. Her parents had probably figured out that she was trading sex for money to buy drugs even though she hadn't come right out and told them that she was an addict and a prostitute because of it.

-------

It was a few days later. Dan told his brother and sister in law what he had found out. "I'm willing to do this but you have to be willing to stay out of it."

Aaron was queasy with the plan.

Stacie was numb, "Is there no other way?"

Dan shrugged his shoulders, "Probably, but I don't know what else to do. It seems a lot better than doing nothing but worry about her while she destroys her life."

Stacie and Aaron talked between themselves for a few minutes. Reluctantly they both nodded their heads. Aaron took a deep breath, "Do it."

Dan made a call on his cell phone, "It's on for tonight...When I leave here with her I'll have her parents call you." Dan stared at his brother and his wife, "Now we wait."

Lyra drove up to her home and just sat there thinking, not getting out of her car right away. Here it was several days later and she was still getting the silent treatment. Sighing heavily, she got out of her car. Walking into her home she saw her uncle and ran over to hug him. "Uncle Dan!"

Dan pushed her away, "We need to talk."

Lyra immediately looked over at her parents. In an instant communication between mother, father and daughter, she knew that they had told him. "I don't need a fucking lecture!"

Dan tried to not react at being provoked, but failed. "Well you're going to fucking get one!" He pulled her down the hall and into the first bedroom he came to, shutting the door behind them. When they were in the room, he started laughing and pushed her away, "How did I do?"

Lyra was confused. "What's going on?"

"I'm here to keep my favorite niece from killing herself."

"I'm your only niece, Uncle Dan."

"Look, you're in a bad place, let me help if I can."

"How are you going to do that?"

"You need to stop selling yourself all over town before you die from it."

Lyra started crying as she felt him put his arms around her and just hold her. "You think I like what I've become? I've tried to stop Uncle Dan, the drugs are stronger than I am."

He kissed her on the lips. "I have a plan to help."

Lyra was shocked. Her uncle had definitely not given her an uncle kiss, but a full, passionate, make a girl get weak knees kiss. "What?"

"How much are you needing a week for your habit?"

"About $75 a week."

He kissed her again, "I am now your only client. You aren't sharing needles are you?"

Her mind was trying to take in what he was telling her even as she felt herself responding to him kissing her again. "No, I'm too much of a coward to do needles."

"Good, with it being just you and me and no needles, I can at least protect you from getting some disease."

With his lips on hers again, Lyra felt his tongue and parted her lips. This was really strange. She was standing in the middle of their guest bedroom, French kissing her uncle while being told he would pay her to be his sex toy.

"I will give you $100 a week if you agree. That way you can put some aside for when I'm out of town or we cannot get together; but you will not use it to get something stronger or the deal is off. Also, you can't have sex with anyone else; my life is on the line now as well."

Lyra had always had a thing for her uncle, but never thought she would actually be having sex with him. "I agree, when do we start?" She gave him some hot kisses of her own.

"Right now."

She pushed away from him. "We can't do anything here! My mom and dad could walk in."

Dan chuckled, "I meant now tonight, not now here. You follow me to my house."

Lyra led the way. Niece and uncle went out of the bedroom, down the hall and out the front door. She didn't see him give a nod to her parents as they passed.

The first few times Lyra had sex, she'd had the guy use protection. She had gotten scared and would bring condoms with her. But the guys hadn't wanted to use them, especially for a blow job. No matter what sex act she had done, after it was over she would feel a deep shame and regret it. Even when she was buying her needed fix, she still felt disgusted with herself.

About twenty minutes later her uncle pulled up in front of his home. While he parked in the driveway, she parked on the street. Lyra felt this was the answer to all of her problems. She could now afford to get the stuff without being a prostitute. At least she wouldn't feel like one. She had always been attracted to her Uncle Dan anyway and could now do stuff with him because she wanted to, the money was just a bonus.

She waited until they were inside and then attacked her uncle.

Dan found her lips on his very tempting. Niece or not, she was a pretty young woman and he could feel himself getting aroused. He had to force himself to remember why they were there in the first place. He pushed her away, "I believe you need to be paid first." Seeing her start to undress, he stopped her, "Let me do that."

Lyra shrugged her shoulders, "All right."

Dan handed her five $20's. "We good?"

Lyra was already thinking about her next visit to Nicky as her hand closed on the money, "We're good." She paid no attention to a closet with the door slightly ajar.

From inside the closet Drug Enforcement Agent Matthew Cleeve recorded the transaction of the passing of the marked twenty dollar bills.

Dan took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He brought out a heart shaped brooch and gave it to her.

Lyra stared at it, "What's this for?"

Dan smiled, "This is to say thank you for letting me help." He pinned it onto her shirt. "Okay, you go to your supplier and get whatever drugs you need, then come back here."

Lyra wondered what was going on, "You don't want to do anything first?"

Dan shook his head, "No, I want you to be here because you want me, not the drugs."

Lyra smiled for the first time in a long time. "I'll be back." She went out to her car. As she drove off, federal agents followed.

Even knowing that it was for her own good, it was with a heavy heart that Dan watched his niece heading to recovery. A tear slid down his face as one of his favorite people would be hating him before the night was over.

The D.E.A. knew about Nicholas, but this was the first time they would be able to get something on him that would stand up in court. It was well known that he conducted business near the high school, but he moved around for protection.

Lyra was happy that that her problem was solved. She would have enough money for her habit and only be having sex with someone she liked. It was the first Wednesday of the month, she knew Nicky would be in the parking lot of a small mom and pop hamburger shop across from the school.

She saw Nicky in his car smoking a cigarette; she parked and headed for him. Lyra had no idea the brooch that was a microphone and camera and sending everything to the D.E.A. She was one of the main stars in the soon to be hit, 'Taking Down a Drug Dealer'.

Nick had parked so that the back of his car was to the front of the restaurant. He could see the entire parking lot and the street. He saw Lyra coming to get her weekly fix. He already had her hooked, but it was time she moved onto something more powerful.

Nicky waved Lyra over to his car. It was a nice night and Nick had his car windows rolled down. "Hey babe, in the mood for a little happy?"

Lyra smiled at him. She hated this son of a bitch, but she couldn't escape him. "Hi Nicky, can I get in?"

Nick had one thought, Cha Ching! This would be a profitable night for the cartel. "Sure babe, get in."

Lyra got in on the passenger side and shut the door. There were two girls and one guy in the back seat. They were all regulars and knew each other.

"I need some more Ox."

Nick chuckled, "Sure, no problem. The gang here is trying some new pills I came across. Want to try some? It's free." Nick chuckled, the first time was free; after that they would pay and pay and pay.

Lyra was temped, "I'd like to but I don't have the time."

Nick became suspicious and quickly looked around the area. He was finally satisfied that everything was all right, "What's up?"

"Ah problems at home."

Nick smiled. It was the look of a cat that had a mouse under its power and there was nothing the mouse could do to get away. "Got the money?"

Lyra nodded, "Yeah."

Nick could tell by the look on her face that her need for her next fix had only started. Time to get her onto bigger and better, "I tell you what, you give me $80 and you get your Ox and one of the new stuff."

"Sounds good", she reached into her purse for her wallet. Four of the twenties her uncle had given her was handed to her drug dealer.

"Stuff's in the trunk," they both got out of the car.

The D.E.A. agents were recording everything. As soon as she was handed her drugs, they would move in.

Nick opened the trunk and from a hidden panel removed some bags of various delicacies for drug addicts.

She was handed her drugs in a brown paper bag.

"GO...GO...GO!" Simultaneously, narcotics officers came down hard on Nicholas Archer, dealer for the Soma drug cartel! The D.E.A. finally had this drug dealer with the evidence to convict him.

Nicholas pulled out a gun!

Lyra screamed! An officer grabbed her and pulled her away from the center of action! She kept screaming as she was wrestled to the ground! Kicking and clawing she fought against the D.E.A. officer! He finally had to use restraints. Other agents were standing on each side of the car with the ones in the back seat of the car.

Nicholas pointed the gun at the closest person, which was still Lyra. "I'll kill her!"

Lyra screamed again as two quick shots rang out! Nicholas Archer, drug dealer for the Soma drug cartel fell to the asphalt of the parking lot with two bullets in his chest! The agent that was still with Lyra kicked Nick's gun away. Nick wasn't dead. The men and women of the D.E.A. were too good at their job for him to get out of this that easy. He was screaming in pain from the bullet wounds.

They had Nick dead to rights. He would either give them enough information to take down the Soma drug cartel or they would leak it that he had. He could be an informer and then go into witness protection or be put in jail without bail until convicted on drug charges. He would eventually go to prison knowing the cartel would get someone to kill him.

Lyra and Nicks other clients would be getting the help they needed to kick their habit.

-------

Lyra was told the truth about her Uncle Dan's involvement in everything. She did a lot of yelling at him in the next few of weeks as she experienced withdrawal. She went through irritability, muscle pains and body aches; she was tired but had trouble sleeping. She couldn't seem to stop sweating.

This was followed by even worse symptoms. Her whole body was racked with chills, a stomachache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some of the symptoms lasted up to a month.

Then she had a bout with the second stage of withdrawal, Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. She had fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms as her brain chemistry was gradually trying to return to normal. This included mood swings, anxiety, irritability, tiredness, variable energy and concentration, low enthusiasm and disturbed sleep.

Lyra was released from drug rehab while still suffering P.A.W.S. because it could last up to 2 years. She would now be an outpatient.

Dan had been informed of her progress by his brother and sister in law. When Lyra was released to come back home, Dan had purposely stayed away. What he had done had been out of love and for her own welfare, but the fact remained that his niece would probably never love him again.

-------

Lyra stood in front of his door. Even though she had been out of rehab for some time, it had been over a year since she had been in her Uncle Dan's house. She was very apprehensive as she pushed the doorbell.

Dan opened his door and was surprised to see his niece standing there. "Hi! Come in."

Lyra nervously entered her uncle's home. "I feel strange being back here."

Dan exhaled heavily, "I know exactly what you mean."

Lyra sighed as she sat on his couch. Part of her therapy had been about how to handle the aftermath of being a drug addict. She couldn't change her past so she had to deal with it. "Look, I know that you don't like me anymore because I..." She never got to finish.

Dan had sat in a chair opposite his couch, "Lyra if that's what you're thinking you can stop. I still love you. You stumbled, that's all. If you had gotten poison ivy, I wouldn't hate you would I? Getting hooked is also a disease so I definitely don't think anything bad about you."

"You never even called to find out about me or how I was doing or anything."

He was uncomfortable on many levels. "I didn't call because I was afraid to talk to you. I made sure your mom and dad told me everything you were going through."

"Why were you afraid to talk to me?"

Dan moved to sit beside her. Raw emotion filled his voice, "If I didn't hear you say that you hated me from your own lips, I could at least pretend that you still loved me." He took her hand in his, "I was told that forcing you into rehab could make you hate the person that put you there. I made a choice. You had to get help and if you were going to hate someone for it, I wanted it to be me and not your parents."

Lyra felt her heart flutter, "So you love me enough to risk having me hate you just so I could get help?"

Dan nodded, "As long as I could pretend that you don't."

"I did hate you at first. I was going through hell and it was your fault. Then my brain eventually saw the truth, I had done it to myself. You were only to blame for saving me." She lay her head on his shoulder. "I don't think I ever realized just how much you love me."

Uncle and niece just stayed that way. "You were right Uncle Dan. I would have done anything as long as the urge for the drugs was in me. I was playing Russian roulette and it was just a matter of time."

She kissed him. "I sold way more than my body. I hated what I had become but fought against changing back. That was the drugs talking." She started crying. "I sold my life, my soul and my whole future and you bought it all back for me."

Dan had tears of his own to join those of his niece. Even though he could just pretend, knowing that she might hate him really hurt.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and kissed him. "You owe me big time."

Dan was confused. "Didn't you just say I helped save your life?"

Lyra brought out of her purse five twenty dollar bills behind glass in a frame. "This is a reminder to me of how close I came to killing myself. I would have kept on until I did and I know it. But, it also reminds me that you paid me and I didn't earn the money."

Dan shook his head, "You don't have to do that."

"Yes I do. That night you were giving me the most intense kisses of my life. I want that again." She was stopped from talking by him kissing her. It was the same intense feeling as before. "Mm," her arms wrapped around him and she held him close.

"It isn't so much how you kiss as who it is you're kissing. You feel an emotional connection between us." Taking a deep breath, he pushed her away, "I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't feel it too." Dan desperately hoped that their kiss was as far as they would go. He hadn't done anything for some time and truth be told, and really didn't want to resist.

Flipping her long black hair drew his haze to her face, looking coyly at him with her big dark eyes kept his gaze there. She could tell that he was having trouble getting past them.

Dan called upon his last ounce of resistance, "I'm your father's older brother; you need a guy your own age." He saw her soft pink lips trembling.