Chapter Three - Sold
Sky's Pov
I tried to move but my limbs were too heavy, my mouth too dry to scream.
Around me, the world moved in pieces. Voices filled the air, boots and shoes hitting against the ground. The stench of too many bodies rushing into my nose.
Then the noise crashed in all at once. Some were shouting, laughing. Others were bargaining, screaming at the top of their lungs at how outrageous prices were becoming.
This was a marketplace and it seemed like I was in the center of it.
I turned my head, my vision still blurred but enough for me to see others in cages like mine. Some older looking girls, some just like me, while others were younger, way younger. Their hair were disheveled, the type that clung to someone after they had gone through the worst in life.
I didn't pay much attention to their dresses as most were ripped like rags. One sat quietly at the corner, another was crying, the rest were a mess, just staring into the open.
My throat closed at the sight and I backed against the bars, shaking, fear gripping me.
What was this? Where was Mira? Was I just dreaming about the past?
That would explain why my hair was a different color now, burnt orange and messy. I reached up to touch my hair, my fingers tangling in the unfamiliar strands.
Slowly, the memories started to flood into my mind and I got the full detail that I was being sold.
“Help,” I rasped. “Please, someone help." I begged but no one turned. My voice vanishing as soon as it came out beneath the roar of the crowd.
“Hey keep your mouth shut!” A large man walked toward the cage, his features heavy with annoyance as he unlocked the gate and reached straight for me.
“No!” I screamed, twisting back. “Don’t—!”
He grabbed me by the hair and yanked, not sparing an ounce of care about if I got hurt or not.
I cried out, kicking, clawing at his hand but he didn't flinch. He didn’t care. He hauled me out like I weighed nothing.
“This one's a fiery one,” he laughed, tossing me to the ground. “Come on, girl. You’re going to fetch me a fine price, so try to put a smile on your face.”
“Please, let me go—” before I could finish that statement, I felt a sting on my face and my head shifted to the side.
I blinked a few times, my hands, tied, reached up to touch my face. Did he slap me? How didn't I see it coming?
“You don't get to beg, little one,” he said with a scowl, his hand already raised and ready to strike again.
“Leave her be. You'll only damage them further and the client won't go through with the deal.” a man chipped in as he stepped closer.
He took one glace at me and a wild grin spread across his face. He must have found my pitiful state amusing for him to be pleased. I guess this is what slaves and people like us contribute to this world.
“The master should be particularly pleased with this one,” he added, counting the small sack of money before handing it over to the man. “Add her to the others and we'll call it a day.”
The man picked up a piece of clothing and shoved it into mouth. He grabbed me by the arm and pushed me towards another cage.
Even after everything, after remembering how harsh my life has been since the day Mira ran withe away from the castle, I still found myself struggling against his grip. Fighting against the inevitable even with my fate already sealed.
I pulled against his hand and finally broke free. Immediately, I turned and took two steps before crashing into a random person who caught me before I fell.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he looked at me, panic clouding his expression. The minute out eyes locked, something clicked, something I hadn't felt before.
In that moment, the world stood still. I could feel a sudden rush through my body, my skin burned but it wasn't the hurtful type of burn. It felt gentle.
I started back into his eyes, my voice cracking. “I—”
“Move along, boy. This doesn't concern you.” the man grabbed me and immediately shoved him off, causing him to stagger off and mix with the crowd. “You are going into that cage whether you like it or not.”
I was dragged across stone, past people, past stalls and all I could do was stare, watch as no one helped.
They just looked away and I couldn’t stop crying.
He opened another cage, this one tighter, darker because of how it was built. Threw me in with three others and shut the door aggressively.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t speak. All I felt was fear and panic.
One of the other girls whispered, “Don’t talk. Don’t cry. They like it when you cry.”
I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my head in them,y mind racing.
How was I going to survive?