Cabbi finished tying her boot and stood, testing her balance in the heels. She checked herself in the mirror, tucking her skirts into her belt.

Curvy, sturdy with a sweet face, Cabbi was a part of Mother Rose’s “vegetable garden”, the group of street walkers employed by The Garden. She knew she wasn’t pretty enough to be an herb or flower, but her blonde hair had natural curl, making her stand out, and she did actually mostly enjoy the work.

Satisfied with her appearance, she left her apartment and made her way to her favorite lamp post. Along the way, she passed Gordon, one of Mother’s “scarecrows”. She blew him a kiss and he smiled shyly. They’d been dating for over a year, and usually ended up in her room on a slow night.

There was another woman already at her lamp post, and before Cabbi could say anything, she found herself chilled and staring into a pair of deep blue eyes.

“Go back to Gordon, and do not leave his side this night, darling.”

“Yes Mother,” Cabbi said, hurrying to do as she was told.