My bad girls

A Call to Run

The air inside the dimly lit apartment was heavy, weighed down by a thousand invisible threads of regret, tension, and fear. The muffled hum of the city outside filtered through the cheap blinds, but inside, a storm was brewing. James sat at the edge of the couch, his leg bouncing nervously. The burner phone in his hand felt heavier with each passing second. Every muscle in his body screamed for him to put it down, to ignore what he’d just overheard, but there was no turning back now.

The phone vibrated again, rattling against his palm. His heart slammed against his ribs as he brought it to his ear.

“Hello?” His voice cracked.

“James,” a voice hissed on the other end. It was Benny, his contact in the organization. The man who’d always had a way of sounding calm, even when the world was burning. But not this time. “They know. You hear me? They fucking know.”

“What? How?” James’ mouth went dry.

“Does it matter? You’ve got hours. Maybe minutes. I’ve already cleaned out my shit. You’d better do the same.” Benny’s voice lowered, almost drowned out by static. “Don’t go home. Don’t go to your regular spots. And for fuck’s sake, don’t call anyone else. They’re watching.”

The line went dead before James could respond. A cold sweat broke out along his spine. His eyes darted to the door, then to the clock on the wall. The second hand seemed to tick louder, mocking him with each movement. He couldn’t think—no, he wouldn’t think. He’d promised himself he’d never drag her into this mess, but there was no way out now.

James dialed another number, his hands trembling. The phone rang three times before a familiar, soft voice answered.

“Hey, James. What’s up?” Sarah sounded tired but warm, the way she always did after a long day at the bakery. She’d probably been looking forward to unwinding, maybe reading one of her mystery novels. He hated what he was about to do to her.

“Sarah, listen to me,” he said, his voice sharper than he intended. “You need to leave. Right now.”

“What? Leave? James, what are you talking about?”

“Pack a bag. Just the essentials. I’ll explain everything when I see you, but you have to trust me. Don’t waste time.”

“James, you’re scaring me,” she said, her voice shaking. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you in the car. Just go. Now. I’ll pick you up in five minutes.”

There was a long pause, and James could hear her breathing quicken. “Okay,” she whispered finally. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Five minutes later, James pulled up outside their small apartment in his beat-up sedan. The streetlights flickered, casting erratic shadows on the cracked pavement. Sarah emerged, clutching a duffel bag and her purse. She was wearing her favorite cardigan, the one with tiny holes in the sleeves. Her long brown hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and her glasses caught the faint glow of the headlights. She looked fragile, like a bird that had just been startled from its nest.

She slid into the passenger seat without a word. The moment she shut the door, James hit the gas.

“Where are we going?” Sarah asked, her voice barely audible over the rumble of the engine.

James gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Somewhere safe. For now, we need to lay low.”

“Safe from what? James, please. I deserve to know what’s happening.”

He glanced at her, his expression pained. “I messed up. I thought I could fix things, but now they’re coming for me. For us.”

Sarah’s hands trembled in her lap. “Who’s coming for us?”

“The people I used to work for,” he admitted. “I gave information to the feds. It was supposed to stay anonymous, but someone sold me out.”

Her eyes widened, and she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Oh my God. James, this is… this is serious.”

“I know. That’s why we need to get off the grid. At least until I figure out our next move.”

She stared at him, her lips trembling. “I trusted you. I thought you were done with all of this. You promised me, James.”

“I know,” he said, his voice breaking. “I thought I was. But this is the only way to make things right.”

Silence hung between them, thick and suffocating. Finally, Sarah asked, “Where are we going now?”

James hesitated. He knew she wouldn’t like the answer. “To someone who can help us. Her name’s Ava.”

Sarah’s brow furrowed. “Ava? Who’s Ava?”

“She… she’s someone I used to know. She knows how to stay under the radar.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “Used to know? What does that mean, James?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “She’s… complicated. But she’s the best shot we have.”

Sarah crossed her arms, her fear now mixed with suspicion. “And what happens after we see her? What’s the plan?”

James didn’t answer right away. The truth was, he didn’t have a plan. All he had was a desperate hope that Ava could buy them some time. As the city lights faded behind them, he focused on the road ahead, knowing that every mile brought them closer to the unknown—and further away from the life they’d once known.

The Seductive Sanctuary

The sedan crept to a stop in a dark alleyway, the headlights cutting through the murky shadows. The faint hum of neon lights buzzed from a nearby dive bar, and the air smelled of damp asphalt and fried grease. James turned off the engine, plunging them into silence. He glanced at Sarah, whose wide eyes darted nervously around the alley.

“This is it,” he said, unbuckling his seatbelt.

“This?” Sarah’s voice trembled*. “This is where she lives?”*

“She works out of here. Ava’s not exactly the type to settle down in the suburbs.” James stepped out of the car, motioning for Sarah to follow.

The building they approached was old and weathered, its brick façade covered in graffiti. A single steel door stood at the end of the alley, illuminated by a flickering overhead light. James knocked twice, paused, then knocked three more times in rapid succession. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Ava.

She leaned against the frame, her piercing gaze scanning the pair. Her short black A-line bob framed her angular face, and the undercut at the back added an edgy sharpness. The crop top she wore left little to the imagination, while her leather pants clung to her athletic frame. A smirk tugged at her lips as her eyes lingered on Sarah.

“Well, well,” Ava drawled, stepping aside to let them in. “James, you always bring me the most interesting surprises.”

“We need your help,” James said without preamble, his tone urgent. “It’s bad. They know, Ava.”

Her smirk faded, replaced by a look of calculated seriousness. “Inside. Now.”

The interior of Ava’s place was a stark contrast to the grimy alley. It was sleek, modern, and meticulously organized. A large couch dominated the main room, surrounded by high-tech equipment and racks of clothing that ranged from casual to couture. The air smelled faintly of leather and jasmine.

“Explain,” Ava said, crossing her arms as she perched on the edge of the couch.

James quickly outlined the situation, his words tumbling out in a mix of guilt and desperation. Sarah sat silently, her hands twisting in her lap. When James finished, Ava’s sharp eyes flicked to Sarah.

“And what about her?” Ava asked. “She doesn’t exactly scream ‘disappear into the shadows.’”

Sarah flushed, looking down at her plain cardigan and sneakers. “I… I didn’t ask for any of this,” she said quietly.

“No,” Ava said, rising to her feet and circling Sarah like a predator sizing up its prey. “But you’re here. And if you’re going to survive, you’ll need to change. Completely.”

James stepped forward. “Ava, just help us lay low. I need to grab some documents and cash, but Sarah needs to stay here. Keep her safe.”

Ava’s smirk returned. “Oh, I’ll keep her safe. By the time I’m done, no one will recognize her—not even you.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Wait, what does that mean?”

“It means,” Ava said, brushing a strand of Sarah’s hair over her shoulder, “you’re about to become my masterpiece.”

Breaking the Shell

Sarah’s hands gripped the edges of the barber chair as if letting go would send her tumbling into the void. The sleek leather seat squeaked faintly beneath her as Ava adjusted the height, her hands steady and confident. The mirrors lining the walls reflected the stark contrast between the two women: Sarah, mousy and unsure, with her messy ponytail and oversized cardigan; Ava, bold and magnetic, her black A-line bob sharp as a blade and her leather outfit exuding dominance.

“Relax,” Ava purred, placing her hands on Sarah’s shoulders. Her touch was firm but oddly reassuring. “This is going to be fun.”

Sarah’s voice wavered. “I… I don’t know about this. James didn’t really explain what’s happening. I don’t even know you.”

Ava chuckled, leaning in close. “You don’t need to know me, sweetheart. You just need to trust me.” Her breath was warm against Sarah’s ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m here to help. And trust me, you’ll thank me when this is over.”

Sarah’s cheeks flushed, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t deny the magnetic pull of Ava’s presence. There was something intoxicating about her confidence, her certainty. Against her better judgment, Sarah found herself nodding.

“Good girl,” Ava said, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. She turned away to gather her tools, her movements fluid and purposeful. “Now, let’s get started.”

“Started on what?” Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ava glanced at her over her shoulder, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “A transformation. One that will make sure no one—not even James—recognizes you.”

Sarah’s stomach twisted in knots. “But… I like the way I look. I mean, I know I’m not exactly glamorous, but…”

“Darling,” Ava interrupted, spinning around and leaning against the counter, “glamorous doesn’t even begin to describe what I have in mind for you. You’re a blank canvas, and I’m an artist. By the time I’m done, you’ll be unrecognizable—in the best way.”

Sarah bit her lip, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Ava stepped closer, her voice dropping to a low, seductive tone. “Tell me, Sarah. Haven’t you ever wanted to be someone else? To shed this boring, ordinary life and become extraordinary?”

Sarah hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She’d never admitted it to anyone—not even James—but there were nights she’d dreamed of being bold, confident, and untouchable. Nights she’d wondered what it would feel like to turn heads when she walked into a room.

“I… I don’t know,” she stammered.

Ava leaned in, her face inches from Sarah’s. “I think you do. Let me help you, Sarah. Let me show you what it feels like to own the room.”

Sarah’s breath hitched. For a moment, she forgot about the danger they were in, forgot about James, forgot about everything except the intensity of Ava’s gaze. Slowly, she nodded.

Ava’s smile widened. “That’s my girl.”

She turned back to her tools, selecting a pair of scissors with a flourish. The metallic snip echoed in the room as she tested their sharpness. “First things first: this hair has to go.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? My hair? But I…”

“Trust me,” Ava said, placing a reassuring hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “You’ll thank me later.”

The Cut

Ava gripped Sarah’s ponytail firmly, gathering the length of her chestnut hair in her hand. Without hesitation, she brought the scissors to the base and, with one swift motion, chopped it off. The sharp sound of the blades slicing through the hair echoed in the room.

Sarah gasped, her hands flying up to touch the back of her head. “What are you doing?” she stammered, her voice a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Ava twirled the severed ponytail in her hand, holding it up as if it were a trophy. “Starting fresh,” she said nonchalantly, tossing the hair onto the counter. “Trust the process, sweetheart.”

Sarah’s heart raced. She wanted to protest, to demand that Ava stop, but something in Ava’s confident demeanour held her back. There was a strange allure in surrendering control, in letting someone else take the reins.

Ava clicked on a pair of clippers, the low hum filling the room. She snapped on a #3 attachment and tilted Sarah’s head forward. “Hold still,” she instructed, her voice firm but soothing.

The vibration of the clippers against her scalp sent a shiver down Sarah’s spine. As Ava meticulously buzzed over her head, the floor around the chair became littered with tufts of brown hair. Sarah’s breath hitched, her emotions a whirlwind of fear, vulnerability, and… something else. Something she couldn’t quite name.

“You’re doing great,” Ava murmured, her fingers grazing Sarah’s skin as she worked. “This is going to be life-changing, trust me.”

When the clippers finished their initial pass, Ava swapped the attachment for a smaller guard and began shaping the sides and back. She moved with precision, creating a perfect skin fade. Sarah stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wide as she barely recognized the person staring back.

Ava stepped back, admiring her handiwork. “There. Now that’s a work of art.”

Sarah reached up tentatively, her fingers brushing against the short, velvety texture of her hair. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered, her voice tinged with awe.

Ava smirked, leaning down until their faces were inches apart. “I told you to trust me,” she said softly. Then, without warning, she closed the distance, capturing Sarah’s lips in a passionate kiss.

Sarah froze, her mind racing. It was her first time kissing another woman, and the sensation was overwhelming. Ava’s lips were soft yet commanding, her touch igniting a spark Sarah hadn’t known existed. Slowly, she found herself leaning into the kiss, her hesitation melting away.

When they finally pulled apart, Sarah’s cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven. “I… I don’t know what to say,” she admitted.

Ava smiled, brushing a thumb across Sarah’s cheek. “You don’t have to say anything. Just tell me if you want to keep going.”

Sarah hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Yes. Let’s continue.”

Ava’s grin widened. “Good choice.”

The Bad Girl Emerges

Ava returned moments later, carrying a bowl filled with bleach and a brush that gleamed under the lights. The pungent smell filled the room as she set everything down on the counter. Sarah remained seated in the chair, her head spinning as she processed everything that had just happened. Her reflection stared back at her, unfamiliar and bold, and she wasn’t sure if she felt terrified or exhilarated.

As the bleach worked its magic, Ava turned her attention to Sarah’s face. “Now, let’s give you a little extra sparkle,” she said, her voice teasing but full of intent. She began applying makeup with a deft hand, highlighting Sarah’s cheekbones, enhancing her eyes, and painting her lips a bold, deep red. With each stroke of the brush, Sarah felt herself changing—not just in appearance, but in confidence. Ava’s meticulous care made her feel seen in a way she never had before.

When Ava stepped back to admire her handiwork, Sarah blinked at her reflection in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself. “Wow,” she whispered, touching her face lightly. “Is that really me?”

Ava smirked, satisfied. “Oh, we’re just getting started.”

From a nearby drawer, Ava pulled out a piercing gun, its metallic click echoing in the room. Sarah’s eyes widened. “Wait… piercings? I don’t—”

“Shh,” Ava interrupted, her tone soothing but firm. “Trust me, remember? This is part of the transformation.”

Before Sarah could protest, Ava gently tilted her head and pressed the piercing gun to her earlobe. A quick pinch, and it was done. Ava moved swiftly, adding another stud to the other ear, then a small, delicate ring to her helix. Sarah winced slightly but found herself unable to object.

Next came a nose stud—a tiny, shimmering jewel that sat perfectly against Sarah’s skin. Ava grinned as she stepped back to admire her work. “Beautiful,” she said, before moving lower. “Now, let’s finish the set.”

Ava gently lifted Sarah’s shirt, exposing her navel. Sarah blushed deeply but didn’t stop her. With practiced ease, Ava added a small, elegant ring to her navel before standing back up. “One more,” Ava said, her tone playful yet commanding.

“What do you mean, one more?” Sarah asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ava held up the piercing gun with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Open your mouth, sweetheart.”

Sarah’s breath caught, but she complied, parting her lips as Ava carefully placed the piercing. The sharp pinch of the gun made her flinch, but when Ava stepped back and Sarah felt the tiny metal ball against her tongue, she was speechless. “That… that was unexpected,” Sarah stammered, her voice slightly altered by the new addition.

Ava laughed softly, brushing her fingers under Sarah’s chin. “Unexpected is good. It suits you.”

Still reeling, Sarah barely noticed as Ava retrieved a tattoo machine from her workstation. “Now,” Ava said, her tone serious but still tinged with excitement, “this is the final step.”

Sarah blinked, her heart pounding. “A tattoo?”

“Several, actually,” Ava corrected. “Lie down.”

Despite her hesitation, Sarah obeyed, lying flat on the sleek leather chair. Ava slipped Sarah’s shirt off completely, exposing her bare skin to the cool air. She began her work on Sarah’s left arm, crafting an intricate sleeve of floral patterns intertwined with delicate, abstract designs. The buzz of the tattoo machine filled the room, blending with Sarah’s uneven breaths.

The pain was sharp but bearable, and as Ava moved from Sarah’s arm to her shoulder, the sensation shifted to something almost meditative. Ava added a detailed rose to Sarah’s shoulder, its petals shaded with extraordinary precision. She then moved behind Sarah’s ears, creating two small, minimalist symbols that added a subtle yet striking touch.

Finally, Ava turned her attention to Sarah’s lower back. “This one,” Ava said softly, her voice almost reverent, “is special.”

Sarah didn’t ask what Ava meant. She simply nodded, trusting Ava completely. The final tattoo was bold yet elegant, a design of angel wings that perfectly complemented the rest of Sarah’s transformation.

When Ava finished, she wiped down the fresh ink and helped Sarah sit up. Sarah stared at her reflection, taking in every detail—the bright, bleached hair, the piercings, the tattoos, the makeup. She hardly recognized herself, but for the first time in her life, she felt… alive.

But something was still missing. Ava’s eyes trailed to Sarah’s plain clothes, and she wrinkled her nose. “We can’t leave you in this drab outfit,” she said, already walking to her closet. “Luckily for you, we’re about the same size.”

Ava returned with a pile of clothes, her grin devilish. She handed Sarah a pair of tight black leather pants and a short crop top that left nothing to the imagination. Beneath it all was seductive lace lingerie—something Sarah would never have chosen for herself.

“Put these on,” Ava instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

A few minutes later, Sarah emerged, her movements tentative. The leather pants hugged her slim figure perfectly, and the crop top showed off her toned stomach and navel piercing. Ava’s makeup and piercings had already transformed her, but now she looked like an entirely different woman—bold, confident, and undeniably alluring.

The timing couldn’t have been better. The sound of the door opening announced James’ return. He stepped inside, his eyes immediately landing on Sarah. His jaw dropped, and he froze, staring at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Sarah?” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah shifted nervously, brushing a hand over her newly bleached hair. “What do you think?” she asked, her voice hesitant.

James didn’t answer with words. Instead, he crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled her into a kiss. She gasped slightly when she felt his tongue against hers, the stud catching him by surprise. He pulled back, a grin spreading across his face. “I… I love it,” he said, his voice filled with awe.

Sarah smiled, a flush creeping up her cheeks. She felt exhausted from everything she had gone through, the tattooing, piercing, and constant whirlwind of change. “I think I need to lie down,” she admitted, swaying slightly on her feet.

Ava stepped in smoothly, placing a steadying hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “You’re more than welcome to use my bed,” she said, her voice warm and inviting. “There’s a spare room down the hall. Go get some rest.”

Sarah nodded, too tired to argue. She glanced back at James as she left the room, her lips quirking in a small, tired smile. Once she was out of sight, Ava turned her attention to James.

“Your turn,” she said, motioning for him to sit in the chair.

The Master Plan Revealed

James hesitated for a moment before taking a seat in the chair, his long hair falling past his shoulders. Ava leaned over him, her lips curving into a sly smile. Without warning, he planted a kiss on her mouth, leaving her slightly startled.

Ava didn’t flinch, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. “hey lover”

Ava chuckled, pulling a pair of clippers from her workstation. “Oh, come on, James. We both know why we’re here. Let’s get the truth out, shall we?”

James sighed, his eyes following Ava’s movements as she prepared the clippers. “Alright,” he admitted, his voice dropping. “This whole thing—it was all a setup. I’m not running from the mob. I quit my job. I wanted to change Sarah. I wanted to make her… less boring. Someone exciting.”

“And you needed me for that,” Ava finished, running her fingers through his hair. “You wanted me to help you turn your sweet little wife into a bad girl.”

James nodded. “I love her. I do. But she was stuck in this rut, and I knew she’d never step out of it on her own. And you…”

“I make things happen, you should know that, Once our lips touched, Sarah was already getting out of her shell. That’s exactly what I wanted.” Ava said with a smirk. She clicked on the clippers, the loud buzz filling the room. “So what happens now, James? You’re not backing out, are you?”

“Not a chance,” he said. “Let’s do this. Just like we planned when I called you.”

Ava smirked, recalling their phone call days prior. “You remember my condition, don’t you? I agreed to help turn Sarah into your bad girl, but I wanted something in return. I wanted to make you my muse.”

James nodded without hesitation. “And here I am, keeping my end of the bargain.”

Ava wasted no time, clicking the clippers to life with a sharp buzz. She ran them over James’s head without a guard, the vibrating metal biting into his long hair with precise strokes. Thick clumps of his dark locks tumbled to the floor, piling around the base of the chair like fallen leaves. With each pass, more of his scalp was exposed, gleaming under the harsh overhead light. The cold air struck his bare skin, making him shiver, but he remained still, his expression stoic.

As the last strands fell away, Ava turned off the clippers and inspected her work with a satisfied smirk. “Not bad,” she murmured, reaching for a bowl of warm water and a can of shaving cream. She lathered his scalp thoroughly, her fingers firm yet methodical as she spread the foam evenly across the freshly buzzed surface.

Grabbing a straight razor, Ava tilted James’s head gently to the side. “Hold still,” she instructed, her voice calm but commanding. The blade scraped over his skin with smooth, deliberate strokes, removing any remaining stubble. She worked meticulously, wiping the blade clean after each pass, until his scalp was completely smooth and shining.

When she finished, Ava stepped back and ran a hand over his freshly shaved head, a grin spreading across her face.

When his head was completely bare, Ava stepped back, admiring her work. “Perfect,” she said. “But we’re not done yet.”

She grabbed a pair of earrings and a piercing gun. “Hold still,” she commanded, piercing both of his ears in quick succession. James barely winced, his expression unreadable as Ava inserted small silver hoops into each lobe.

“Now, let’s clean up that beard,” Ava said, tilting his chin up. She carefully trimmed his beard into a sharp goatee, the edges precise and clean. When she stepped back, she grinned. “Much better.”

Ava then retrieved her tattoo machine, glancing at James with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You ready for the next step?”

“Do I have a choice?” James replied, his lips twitching into a faint smile.

“Not really,” Ava said, her tone teasing. She began tattooing his arm, creating intricate designs that matched her own bold aesthetic. She worked methodically, the buzz of the tattoo machine filling the room as she added detailed patterns to his chest and arms.

When she finished, Ava wiped down the fresh ink and leaned back, admiring her work. “Now you look the part,” she said, clearly satisfied.

James stood, flexing his arm as he examined himself in the mirror. “You’ve outdone yourself, Ava.”

“So what’s next?” Ava asked, crossing her arms.

James turned to her, his expression serious but calm. “Sarah and I are going to settle in a new city. Start fresh. I’ll send you tickets to meet us there in a month.”

Ava tilted her head, a sly grin forming. “And what about Sarah’s other changes?”

James smirked, leaning slightly closer. “Once we get settled, they’ll happen. Everything we talked about, in due time.”

Ava smirked, leaning against the counter. “Cool, baby, I’ll be there”. James smilled and said “Great because I need my two bad girls with me.”