Are you sure it's safe? she asks him softly. He laughs and nods, tenderly and affectionately stroking her hair, letting his fingers slide through her raven locks. She wraps her arms around him, seeking solace in his warmth as he snakes his hand down her back to comfort her. She squirms visibly as he touches her. She whimpers, "You promised." He smiles, whispers sweet nothings into her ear as she begins to swoon. He steps back as his woman sheds her clothes for him; as a camera, ingeniously hidden in the plaster ceiling, points in their direction...

The little girl began to cry. In the endless back-and-forth of the crowd she'd been separated from her mother. Now she was lost and lonely in this cold, big city. People brushed past her indifferently, their eyes purposely avoiding her gaze. Except for a handsome young gentleman in a deep blue suit. He knelt before her, smiling paternally. "Hey little girl," he spoke softly. "Why so sad?" She whimpered, "I'm lost, Mister. I can't find my mommy." "Don't worry, little girl," grinning lecherously as her beautiful eyes widened. "I'll help you find her. You're safe with me."

The 'Double-Nine' short story series consists of many, individual stories composed within a ninety-nine word limit. It's intended partly for me to keep blogging even if I don't feel like it, as well as help me hone my writing skills. This is the first story in the series; comments are welcomed and much appreciated.

We were lying in bed together after making sweet love, her naked body entwined with mine. We've been together for seven years now. I remember the resistance her father had put up to my marrying her. It almost broke her, facing the man who watched her grow up respond so angrily like that. I gave her my hand to hold, a small sign of tenderness. She eventually pulled through to marry me. I smile, and it is a happy one. I love her as much as she loves me. Why can’t anyone accept that, just because I’m a girl?