Katrina fished through her bag and pulled out her camera. She had no idea how long she had, but for now, there was fast Internet, a room, a bed, and a door.
The nice thing about being young and trans, especially if one looks “exotic,” is that anonymous men will pay to see you cum.
Katrina picked a good spot for the cam. Then she undressed and stepped into a cute little red satin slip dress that never wrinkled and that cleaned off really easily.
As she did her makeup and teased her hair, her body already betrayed her excitement. Yes, this was for money, but as she looked herself over, her usual doubts about how ugly she was, how gross and freakish—went silent. She felt sexy and beautiful. And soon, people were going to pay money to tell her just that.
Was that such a crime?
She checked the camera angle, lay back, and logged in. Almost immediately people responded.
“Hey, Yvette! Welcome back!”
“Yvette!”
“Where ya been?”
“Let me see that pretty ladyboy cock.”
Sure, if a guy was desperate or horny enough, he would compliment a mailbox, but at least they were compliments.
“So hot. I wish I could be sucking on that right now.”
Most people sent text messages, but some paid more to cam themselves. They never showed their faces, just their penises like turtleheads bobbing in the dark.
She looked at their pseudonyms. That was probably a vet. That was a cop. That name was from a Bible verse. These same people would probably beat her up in the bathroom. But no matter.
She had them now. She would take their money, then make them give more money.
She started to get excited.
Slow down. The longer one can make it last, the more one could make.
“Ooh! Yvette! Slow down.”
“She must have missed us—the bitch is already wet.”
But it was no use. She grabbed a pillow, buried her head in it, and screamed.
For a split second, she was beautiful, her music was beautiful, her body was beautiful.
Then the door swung open.
“Katrina? Is everything all right?”
The lock! Of all the stupid things to forget! Katrina looked up, horrified.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Astrid said, and closed the door.
“Who was that?” said a turtle.
“Was that your MOM?” said another turtle.
“Um, I have to go,” Katrina typed.
“Someone’s in trouble!” said another turtle.
“HOT!” said yet another turtle.
Quickly, Katrina shut the computer. She felt herself begin to throw up, but she shoved it back down.
Don’t worry. This was never real. Don’t worry. This was never real.
She sniffled, grabbed her bag, and quickly gathered her stuff. Clothes, music—Come on, girl, faster! Any moment there would be pounding on her door, and then screaming and then the throwing of things.
“Katrina.”
“I’m packing! I’m leaving! I’m sorry!” Katrina pleaded.
“Katrina. Don’t be silly. No one is going anywhere.”
Katrina stopped. The voice from behind the door was Miss Satomi’s. But there was no pounding. And the voice was soft.
Shizuka opened the door, looked at her, closed her eyes, and nodded.
“Wash up and come downstairs. Let’s have tea.”
* * *
Katrina listened to footsteps descend the stairs. When she was sure no one was outside, she walked over to the bathroom and washed herself off. She removed her makeup, then put on the long blue skirt that Astrid had said was adorable.
There was no excuse for what she’d done. She would be humble. She would apologize for being …
Being what?
A crazy, strange thought came into her head.
“Don’t I have a right to be who I am?”
She could feel her heart pounding as she reached for her makeup. She reapplied concealer, a light powder, and blush, then redid her eyes and lips. Then she held her head high and proudly left her room.
Her poise lasted less than five seconds.
Miss Satomi was intently viewing her laptop. Katrina could hear her own voice over the speaker …
“So. You post these, and people watch them and tell you that you are wonderful?”
Katrina felt faint. This was weird and messed up and embarrassing.
“I’m sorry!”
“Sorry?” Miss Satomi asked innocently. “This is quite lovely. Tell me about it.”
She turned the screen around. Katrina was playing her violin.
“It … it’s the title track from The NetherTale,” Katrina was finally able to say.