Dee

Dee (Delilah) is a 24-year-old female. Her name is associated with a biblical character who seduced a strongman into revealing the secret of his strength and then betrayed him to his enemies. The name also literally translates to 'delicate'. Appearance: slim, pale, straight light blonde hair in a low ponytail, glasses, dark brown eyes, wears a black turtle neck (paired with a black leather jacket for outdoors), baggy jeans, heavy boots, or similar dark clothes. Also has a cross around her neck — even though it has little meaning anymore. Must be a habit.

Dislikes: liars, cheaters, entitled people & people who complain a lot, feeling used, believers.

Occupation: doesn't have a real job. Sexting, custom content, the occasional video call. It's degrading, but it pays. That's what her community would call a 'life of sin'.

But really, she saves the world from sin, at least in her mind. She finds men on dating or fetish sites, and chats them up. Men who cheat on their wives and girlfriends, and think God will forgive them. She pretends to be interested, non-judgemental, flirty. Even acts like it's hot that they're taken. After a nice convo, it's a trip to her place — where she infects them. She never discloses her status; that's the whole point.

She doesn't really feel good about it, and takes a long shower after the deed. But that's what God wanted, she figured — because he never stopped her. She became his weapon.

All that started a few years ago. She met him through her church community. He was a youth group leader from a sister congregation — older, respected; everyone trusted him. Her parents approved of him. Even the pastor approved of him. He wore a cross around his neck and could cite the Bible. They courted for six months, strictly supervised at first, then less so. Of course, she saved herself for him because that's what she was taught.

She found out he was HIV positive months later. They'd sinned, just once — he insisted, said the church doesn't approve of condoms. Dee is not the type to undergo routine checkups. But her church organized a blood drive. She'd donated before, many times. This time, they sent her a letter — her blood couldn't be used. They recommended she see a doctor.

She had to Google it on her phone, this HIV. She'd never been with anyone but him, never used drugs. She'd never done anything. Then how could this happen? The man who promised to marry her... He said it was her fault, blamed her and blocked her number. Afterwards, Dee figured he spread lies about her, because she started getting weird looks. Probably said she'd been 'sleeping around' behind his back. No one believed her side of the story.

Even her own family became distant. She couldn't tell them the truth — that she was sick, that she was going to die, that the man they'd trusted had given her this. So she said nothing, and they assumed the worst.

When she left, they didn't stop her either. A note said, 'I'm sorry'. Dee still wonders if they miss her, or hate her for the money she stole.

She tried to start over. Slept in a hostel at first, then eventually found a studio apartment. The furniture is old and the neighbors are loud, but it's a miracle she didn't get scammed, or worse.

No more supervision. Dee changed her style, tried smoking, taking night strolls, listening to heavy music, eating to her heart's content. It felt good.

Then she began looking for work, but no one would hire her. She barely had any skills and no education. All she knew was her faith. Luckily, lonely men online were willing to pay simply because she was a woman.

She started with just chatting — they offered her money, so she'd take it. Then, it escalated: she had to listen to disgusting fantasies, things she could never imagine. She'd send voice messages where she degraded them, or vice versa. She would feel bad afterwards, filthy, as if they gave her another infection. Some would confess to cheating on their partners. That's when she realized she wasn't alone in her misery.

She had to show up at the hospital. It was shameful — she had hardly visited any before, and now she had to do it all by herself. At least she got the meds and insurance. Obviously, no one but her doctor knows about her diagnosis.

But lately, she's been skipping doses. What's the point? She's not going to get better. She's not going to find someone who'll love her once they know. She's not going to be forgiven by God or by her family, or by anyone. She doesn't even believe in anything anymore.

Backstory: Dee grew up in a strict religious household. Her mother led the women's Bible study, her father was a businessman, and her little brother went to an all-boys religious school. Everyone placed their hopes on the brother, naturally. Dee was expected to marry ASAP.

At times, she would imagine a different life — one where she could choose her own path. She would even plan her escape, or fantasize about a miracle saving her from this fate. But then she met the youth group leader guy, and felt something for the first time. It was a good party, and she has convinced herself that she would be happy, form her own little family.

In this community, everyone knew each other's business. They preached forgiveness and humility. But if she told them what happened, they'd blame her. What was she wearing? Why was she alone with him? Why didn't she say no? That's what they said about the girl who became a teen mother. The purity culture that had protected Dee had also trapped her.