Everleigh,
The other girls and I stood in a row to be auctioned off as instructed by Rod and Stacy. The young girl finally stopped crying after seeing the other woman get punched in the gut. I guess she figured this was better than getting beat up.
"Everyone looks good. Great job, Stacy," Rod said and smiled at Stacy approvingly.
Stacy smiled back. "The boys will be pleased. You got a pretty good selection going this month, Rod."
Selection...they were talking about it like we were not even humans. We were just objects to be picked and sold.
The door suddenly burst open and an older man walked in. He eyed each of us carefully, then turned his attention back to Rod. "Are these all the girls?"
The dread built up inside me as the older man scrutinized us, his gaze lingering on each girl. Rod nodded in response to the man's question.
"Yes, sir," Rod replied, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness. "These are the girls we have available for today."
The man continued to study us with a detached expression, his eyes betraying a mix of curiosity and calculation. It made me shudder, realizing that our fates were being determined by this stranger.
The man nodded. "Good. You did well. The boys will be pleased."
As if on cue, two men walked in. I felt a fresh surge of fear course through me. These must be the twin sons of the Mafia boss I kept hearing about. They exuded an air of authority and indifference, their eyes sweeping over us with a predatory gaze. It was a chilling reminder of our vulnerability and the utter lack of control we had over our lives at the moment.
Even Rod and Stacy tensed up, their anxiety palpable. They exchanged glances, silently communicating a shared unease. The older man who had entered earlier stepped aside, allowing the newcomers to take center stage. Clearly, they held a higher authority position within this dark underworld.
The first brother, with a sharp jawline and piercing eyes, surveyed us with a detached yet discerning gaze. His expression gave nothing away, making it impossible to anticipate his thoughts or intentions. He seemed to relish in the power he held, knowing that he had the final say in our destinies.
His twin, on the other hand, exuded an air of arrogance and entitlement. His features were as striking as his brother's as they were identical, but it was his demeanor that sent chills down my spine. He moved with a swagger as if he were entitled to possess anything and anyone he desired.
The twins whispered to each other, their words indistinguishable to the rest of us. We were nothing more than pawns in their twisted game, and our lives were reduced to bargaining chips in this dreadful situation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the brothers turned their attention back to Rod and Stacy. One of the twins broke the silence.
"Rod, Stacy," he began, his voice carrying a mix of command and superiority. "We have specific requirements this time. Show us what you've got."
Rod and Stacy gestured toward us. We stood there, our bodies tense, our hearts pounding, as we awaited our fate in the hands of these merciless individuals.
"My name is Aleks, and this is my brother, Isaac," one of the twins began. "Today is our birthday and our father was generous enough to let us pick a girl fresh out of the batch." He smirked.
None of us spoke. I stood still like a statue and avoided eye contact with both of them.
Aleks's words gave me goosebumps. Isaac, his brother, remained silent but observed us with a predatory gaze.
None of us dared to speak. We were paralyzed by fear and the air was thick with tension. I still didn't look them in the eyes. It was a feeble attempt to protect myself, to maintain some semblance of personal dignity in the face of their dehumanizing gaze.
Aleks's voice cut through the silence again, his tone dripping with amusement and entitlement. "Well, it seems like you're all too scared to say anything. How delightful." He let out a sinister chuckle, his amusement at our vulnerability evident.
Isaac remained stoic, his eyes still scanning the row of girls, seemingly calculating the value and worth of each one of us. The room felt suffocating, the atmosphere tainted by their presence. We were reduced to nothing more than objects. I guess what else did I expect?
"Go ahead, Isaac. I'll let you pick first since you are younger," Aleks said.
Isaac scoffed and spoke for the first time. "You are only older by ten seconds."
Aleks chuckled. "Still. Pick your poison, brother."
Isaac walked closer to us and stopped in front of the youngest girl.
Please god, don't let the girl be chosen. She is just a kid, I prayed silently.
"This girl looks like a teenager," Isaac barked.
That's because she IS a teenager.
"How old are you?" Isaac asked.
"Fi--fifteen," the girl stammered.
Shit...she was even younger than I thought. I felt sick to my stomach, knowing what was going to happen to her here.
But to my surprise, Isaac looked more angry than pleased at her answer. "FIFTEEN!?" he roared, making my heart jump.
Isaac's outburst sent shockwaves through the room, the intensity of his anger palpable. The air seemed to thicken with an even greater sense of dread and uncertainty. I exchanged worried glances with the other girls, our hearts pounding in unison.
The youngest girl trembled before Isaac, her eyes wide with fear. I wanted to embrace her, but I knew it wasn't a good idea at the moment.
"Is there a problem, boss?" Rod asked, his fear evident.
Isaac's fury seemed to grow, his face contorted with rage. "What is a teenager doing in this lineup? Do you think we are some sick pedos?"
Dirty criminals with moral values? That's funny.
Aleks, who had been observing the scene with a twisted amusement, approached Isaac, a curious expression on his face. "What's the matter, brother? Is she too young for you?" His tone was laced with mockery, enjoying the opportunity to taunt his sibling.
Isaac's expression hardened a mixture of anger and frustration etched across his face. He glared at Aleks, his voice dripping with bitterness. "You know she is, Elijah."
Aleks's smirk faded slightly, his face turning serious. "Alright, alright, you are right. Just pick someone else, jeez," he muttered.
Isaac nodded and moved on to the girl next to the teenage girl. A blonde woman. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Ali," she said quietly.
"How old are you?" Isaac asked.
"I am twenty-one."
I felt relieved, knowing that Ali was not a minor, but it was a bittersweet relief as we were still doomed in this situation.
Aleks, unable to resist making a remark, interjected with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "There, Isaac. She is not a minor. Are you happy now?"
Isaac's eyes hardened as he shot a brief glare at Elijah. "Yes, she is a better candidate, you psycho."
Aleks's face contorted with a mix of frustration and defiance, but he didn't respond. The tension between the brothers lingered.
Isaac turned his attention back to Ali. "Hmm...you aren't my type," he said and walked toward me.
Ali let out a sigh of relief while I trembled on my feet. So it was my turn now.