The clown smiled, the movement cracking the dead white paint around his wide, red mouth. Blue eyes twinkled wickedly as he looked upon the sight before him.
Kneeling on the bare, dirty concrete was a postulant nun, hair covered in a veil, skirt rucked up around her thighs, generous breasts straining at the plain blouse and cardigan she wore. The moon, shining through broken, stained windows high above, showed a pale, tear-streaked face, and shone on trembling hands clutching a rosary.
He took two steps forward, bringing himself from the shadows into the light, and her personal space. She gasped, then recoiled as she took him in. He knew his makeup (wide, humourless red grin, pale, pale skin and blackened eyes) sparked fear in most people, but she seemed to shrink in on herself as he watched. He dropped into a crouch, one hand resting on his barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat, and reached out to touch her damp cheek.
Recoiling, she closed her eyes, and began to whisper The Rosary. "Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee..."
He gave a dark chuckle. "That's not going to work on me, darling. Why don't you open your eyes and talk to me?"
"Demon!" she cried.
"Oh no, I'm all man," he replied. "Shall I show you?"
Eyes wide with alarm, she shuffled back on her knees. He stood, casting his shadow across her. "How about you lose the veil, sweetheart?"
"Do I have a choice?" She asked.
"You always have a choice,"
She thought for a moment, then released the rosary and raised her hands to the veil. She pulled it off and crumpled it in her lap, looking down modestly.
He was surprised to see grey in her short hair; she didn't look old enough! He watched her bosom rise as she drew in a shuddering breath, then came to a quick decision. He held his hand towards her. "Stand up,"
She raised her chin and grasped his hand and stood. She was almost as tall as he was, and her wide eyes met his questioningly.
"What do you want from me?" she asked.
"I haven't decided yet. Let's start with your name."
"I gave up my name when I joined The Order," she said. "Call me what you like."
He grinned. "How about...Pet?"
She looked at him with confusion. "Pet?"
"Yes...Pet."
He pulled her closer. Her breasts brushed against his tattered motley, and he dropped his free hand to her wide hips. "Chin up, Pet," he told her, and when she obeyed, he kissed her. She was stiff with fright, but as his lips moved on hers, she began to soften beneath him.
He pulled back, observing the red smears around her mouth. It pleased him to see his mark on her, and he considered other, darker ways he could mark her up. He lifted a hand to her chin and tugged it gently. "Open up," he said. "Do I need to give you instructions all the time?"
For the first time, an expression other than fear crossed her face. "I haven't always been in The Order," she snapped. "I do know how to kiss!"