Sold For My Body

Chapter 4.0: The Selection

The carriage’s wheels continued to turn as if nothing happened, but I remained still as I stared at the place where she used to be before I fell asleep. There are many things going through my mind right now. My hands shook as many more unanswered questions continued to fill in my head. What happened to Sheila? Why was there blood when I woke up? And how come I didn't even wake up when they took her?

I clenched my hand into a fist when those questions floated through my mind and tears began to well up in my eyes. I failed to protect my friend. I could’ve done something if I didn’t let my guard down, but I failed. She was the first person who became my friend. I thought that we could escape this mess together, but it’s all hopeless now that she’s not here. No matter how hard I look at this situation or consider the possibilities, getting out now feels like an impossible dream. 

However, I promised myself that I will do something and won’t back down. I will make sure that I will escape this place and make it out alive! Screw this dark organization and their illegal transactions! I will get myself out of here and forge my own path. For the sake of my own happiness and my only friend. I will find Sheila soon and I know it. I’m sure she’s struggling as much as I am right now, but I also believe that she will be able to get over no matter what life throws at her. She’s a strong person. And I’m sure she will put up a fight to leave the place she was taken to before we got separated.

As I thought about those things, I realized that there might just be a way for us to meet faster. That’s right! That’s the answer! I just need to be strong and survive for long enough! I need to live, gain as much power and connections as I can, and then find her. No matter what, I will survive this situation.

The carriage suddenly stopped for a brief moment, and I saw the other girls shake and cling to each other and shake in fear. Some of them started to utter prayers, while the others were trying to convince themselves that everything will be fine. 

What is this? Will they take another one of us again like they did while I was asleep? 

The carriage was silent and then it went dark. The moment some light entered the holes of the carriage we were in, we heard loud, festive noises. It was completely different from the glum and anxious atmosphere we’ve been experiencing for the past few days. What is happening outside?

The music was fun and lively. I could hear many people laughing and singing happily outside the carriage. You can immediately tell that they are having fun from their loud voices. I tried to take a peek outside through the small openings on the carriage walls, and I saw women dancing with colorful and flashy clothes. As the carriage continued to move slowly after a while, I gasped when I caught the scent of alcohol from outside. There are men and women having the time of their lives outside. What is this place? I don’t like it.

The carriage stopped and the door flung open. The smell of food and alcohol fully entered my nose, causing me to gag and feel hungry at the same time. “Heh!” A really bulk man with a muscular body and a big beard entered. He smugly looked at all of us from head to toe. “We have arrived. Stand up!” His tone was rough, but it was full of authority.

The girls tried to hide their faces as they shook with fear. They are crying and mumbling words that I could no longer understand. The several days of isolation and anxiety really took a toll on their minds. The man did not seem to like how disobedient we were and kicked the carriage wall hard, causing it to shake together with all of us. I was scared when it cracked. This man certainly does not know how to be gentle. I try to hide it by keeping a poker face and just looking away, but I’m really scared.

“You dumb fools! Do you little brats not even understand a simple command!?” He roared at all of us and I tried to move my feet to not anger him further. I need to stand up as soon as possible. Even though I’m shaking with fear, I definitely need to get up and follow. I don’t want to get hurt.

I tried to gain some stability and tried to walk even though my legs were starting to stiffen from days of not doing much exercise. Some girls saw me and they tried to stand up like I did. A muscular man with a scary look carried away some of the other girls like sacks of potatoes when they refused to follow us. They started screaming and wriggling away from his grasp with the last of their strengths, but the guy did not hesitate to punch their stomachs to shut them up.

“Take it easy on them. Damaged goods won’t catch a good price. You better remember that,  Kurt.” The man beside him said and he nodded obediently as if it was something obvious. I felt disgusted. They treat us like we were not humans at all, but are simply items to be sold. 

There were about five men who surrounded us and stared at us to make sure that we all stay close. I wondered why the festivities seemed to have died down, so I looked around and saw that a bunch of people stopped to look at us. They are smirking and checking us out. I feel so creeped out that I suddenly want to cover up. This situation is enough for me to conclude that this place is not safe at all. I want to run away.

“Master, the slaves are here.” One of the guys said as we approached a black tent in the middle of the crows. Everything around us makes the place look like a circus, but the huge black tent the center gives me a very ominous feeling. The person behind this tent must be their boss. 

“Come in.” A familiar masculine voice said and they pushed us in. The man holding my wrist pushed me inside too. I grunted as he let go of my now reddish arm. I’m sure it’ll bruise later.

I looked ahead and saw the same man whom my Aunt sold me to just a few days ago. His name was Bruce and the woman beside him was Ava, if I remember it correctly. I heard the guys who took us gossiping about them. They are said to be very meticulous and strict. Even though a fairly large group of nobles must have been aware of what was happening, they chose to turn a blind eye to what’s happening here. The dark organization right now became a very powerful group and you can’t easily mess with them and get away with it unscathed. On the other hand, some nobles actually saw benefits in the dirty money circulating in this business and started investing in it. They also cover up its existence to stop their investments from getting taken away. It was all about money in the end. Money is a poison that can devour even the purest souls.