Sold For My Body

Chapter 3.1: The Carriage

“By paying them reasonable amounts, they can let you go after you buy your name back. After that, you can be freed from them and start a new life by moving to a new place.” The girl said and I clasped my hand in delight. There is hope!

“How are you so sure about this?” I started to doubt her words. Isn’t she stuck here just like me? How does she know all of this and how everything works?

“Before I was brought to this carriage I was stuck with this group of girls and I heard it from them. The drunken guard that night talked a bit too much, maybe because of the alcohol. We nicely asked him many questions and he answered all of them in detail until he passed out. I think I have been travelling in this carriage for three days now.” She answered and sighed in exhaustion. I was amazed by how strong her will is. She must have been very tired from the long journey, especially since the carriage is so shaky and they don’t look like they’re getting fed much. But she was able to maintain a straight and calm face, unlike the girls around us who are close to breaking down.

“You are amazing! What’s your name?” She has definitely made me curious about her. I wish I'd met her earlier. Or at least, in a place where we’re not dying of hunger or unsure of when we’re going to die.

“Sheila.” She answered meekly, causing me to widely smile despite my tiredness.

“I’m Sheena. Our names almost sound the same.” I said enthusiastically and she smirked at me.

“Great. And we almost share the same destiny.” She replied with a sarcastic laugh.

“Sheila, do you think you can survive this?” I asked after a while. She seems like a strong woman to me, and I also think she looks really pretty. It’s amazing how she’s managing to do so much despite the lack of chances she’s getting. Maybe… if she can do it, then I can do it too?

“I will definitely survive this. I will do everything I can to leave the hands of the dark organization, no matter what it takes.” She said with determination. Her strong will to survive reverberated deep into me, causing me to smile bitterly. So she was strong on the inside too. I wonder if I can be like her.

“Do you know what will happen to you after this trip is over?” I asked curiously. I still don’t know why I am here because everything was just too sudden, but maybe she has an idea of what will happen after leaving this carriage.

“I’m going to be sold for marriage.” She with a blank expression and I looked at her. She did not show any signs of disheartenment or surprise. It seems like she was expecting this as well.

“Do you know who you will be marrying?” I asked because I felt anxious for her.

“I was sold for a high price, and now they’re treating me like they don’t want to wound me. If we put two and two together, I think I will be marrying one of the cruel members of the dark organization.” Her reply must’ve left a bitter taste in her mouth because her expression darkened. “To be honest I don’t care who it turns out to be. I will make sure that I use everything at my disposal in order to earn my name and title again.” Her green eyes were burning with passion as she made a fist, as if making a declaration in front of an invisible crowd.

“You can do it.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and looked at her to give her encouragement. “I’m sure you can. You know what? Why don’t we make an agreement? Let’s promise each other that one day, we will see each other again. That both of us will be free from our shackles and live freely.” I couldn’t put that much enthusiasm into my voice because I’m feeling quite tired myself. But thankfully, it looks like my feelings got through her because she managed to smile back at me.

She held my hand tightly and breathed in to gather strength. “Yes. Let  us do that, Sheena. I promise I’ll see you again someday.” Her previously lifeless tone was replaced with happiness and longing. And as the carriage went on its journey, we fell asleep from its rough swaying.

Holding Sheila’s hands was the last thing that I can remember. My body was feeling sore from sleeping on the cold, hard floor, but I was woken up by the light coming out from the holes on the carriage. I immediately sat up and looked around. I found out that there were fewer girls riding the carriage than before I fell asleep. Last time there were like twenty of us but right now there’s about ten that remain. The fear in their eyes looks even worse now, as if they’ve seen something horrible. They were hugging each other tightly,

What happened?

I was so tired that I could not even wake up to see what happened last night. Everyone else looked like they’re too traumatized to even speak. I looked around and I was shocked to see that Sheila wasn’t beside me anymore. I desperately tried to find her but as soon as I tried to move, I saw a pool of blood beside me. There were also traces of blood on the places where the missing girls used to be. I couldn’t help but cry in despair. What happened to Sheila?