Resisting kieran

I groaned as I rolled over on the hard floor, forcing my eyes closed. It was extremely cold tonight, more cold than the previous nights and I knew winter was quickly approaching. I envied Kayla, who snored loudly beside me, head hung to the side and mouth slightly open while I stayed awake, trapped in my own thoughts every night. 

We were the slaves of the most successful man in ravenwood, Rue pendragon. He was very rich and well known, with the highest population of slaves in town. Infact, he was so rich that he lost count of how many slaves he purchased every month and how many he had in total. 

With a sigh, I sat up and looked around the room. Different slaves, both young and old were sprawled all over the floor, sleeping in different possitions. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get any sleep so with a sigh, I got off the floor and walked carefully to the entrance of the room for some air. 

Now outside, I slidded down the wall, grazing at the stars. This used to be my favourite part of the night were I would count the stars till I would fall asleep. I missed those nights i would cry myself to sleep, wishing everything was fine.

I always thought my Life back then was hell but thinking back now, compared to this hellhole, that was paradise. I’ve accepted the fact that I wasn’t going back home. 

Home. 

It sounded foreign to my ears now, knowing I had no one. The night it all happened was still as clear as day in my mind.

****

The rain was beating down on me and the pain from pushing myself so hard was agonizing. The burning in my lungs from running so hard was increasing by each step I took but I knew better than to slow down. This was no pain, compared to what I would go through, if I dared to be late. 

The last time I was late by a few minutes, I was beaten so hard my ears bled and I couldn’t hear properly for weeks.

I only slowed down a bit when father’s office came into view. I stopped by the door, wheezing, trying hard to catch my breathe before going in but just then, my step mother’s voice caught my attention.

“They’ll take her and we will have the money. Don’t worry sweetie…”

I know I shouldn’t be eaves dropping. Everything I did without permission always came with a penalty but the subtle smugness and malice in her voice made me realize they were talking about me. 

“What if she tries to be stubborn?”

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach at father’s voice. Who was taking me and what are they planning this time? I moved closer to the corner of the door, my attention fixed on their conversation but a dark chuckle from behind me, had me spinning around. 

“Eavesdropping again, aren’t you?” Gabriel’s stern but low voice reached me. He stood not too far from me, his arms folded, while his hungry eyes ran over my wet form. 

I took a step back, knowing I have been caught but I hit the door. Between my dad, step mom and Gabriel, I didn’t know who was worse. 

Gabriel has always had a problem with keeping his hands to himself since they came to our home. It took several warnings from my step mom, Agatha, before he finally let me be but not entirely. Seeing he couldn’t get access to my body, he made up for it by making my life more miserable. 

As for Agatha, the only reason she kept Gabriel away from me was because I am the one who has been making money for the family. 

My faded clothes didn’t help matters as Gabriel continued feeding his eyes but that was the least of my problems right now. The voices from the room have seized now, making me realize they’ve heard me.

“Isabel!” My father’s voice set my nerves on edge. I was done for. 

I tried to flee but Gabriel spread his arms out, trapping me in. 

Nothing like a good beating to end the already stressful night. 

With a smirk, Gabriel moved me to the side and opened the door, presenting me to father. 

I took a deep breath and stared at the floor, too scared to look at them. I stumbled when Gabriel pushed me not so gently inside the room but I didn’t dare utter a word.

“Father…” I began, preparing an apology even though I knew it wouldn’t change anything.

“I told you she’s trouble, always hiding and eavesdropping like a mouse. Agatha said, raising her brow. “Who knows what she’ll do when she hears something valuable?”

“You were eavesdropping on us?” Father growled, already fueled by Agatha’s words. 

I smelled the familiar whiff of alcohol and I began to tremble uncontrollably. I knew how father was, when he was drunk. 

I stared at the floor as I thought hard on anything that would redirect his anger. 

“Here’s the money I earned today-“ I began, presenting the money with trembling hands. 

Agatha giggled, already aware of what I was trying to do. 

“Oh my, you’re trying to cover up your crimes with this? You sure need a lesson.” She drawled, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. “Don’t you think so, darling?” She finished, wrapping her manicured hands around father’s arm. 

Agatha. 

I used to be so happy that father finally found someone after my mom died from cancer. I had naively hoped we would be one big family but little did I know her arrival would be the beginning of my nightmare. 

“Hand me the money.” Father commanded and I quickly obeyed, a bit relieved. Maybe I won’t be purnished tonight after all.

My thoughts evaporated when he stared long and hard at the money i gave to him. His face transformed into a frown as his eyes met my scared ones. I knew that look, it meant something worse was about to happen. 

“Is this all?” He asked, waving the cash in the air, as if more would come out. 

I began to panic.

“It rained heavily today, so only a few customers came. That’s all I got today-“

A heavy blow hit my face, cutting my words out. It Knocked me off balance and I fell on the floor. 

I faintly heard his angry voice float over me, as I waited for the ringing in my ears to gradually subside. 

“How dare you lie to me!” 

Before I could recover, fists began to pound on me and I managed to cover my head with my trembling hands, stifling my cries. 

“Father….” I begged, when my vision began to blur and I began to feel dizzy.

“You’ll kill her!” I heard Agatha yell. I knew better than to think she was looking out for me. She must want something. 

“Lucas darling….,You have to stop now, remember our deal.” 

Deal?

I sighed in relief when father stopped and stepped away from me and I cowered in fear, the inside of my cheeks bleeding from biting on them so hard. 

“You’re so useless! This is all the money you made today?”

“It’s okay darling, at least we got a deal off her head. Once the transaction is done, we won’t have to work ever again or wait for a brat to bring money to us.”

My head shot up at her words, dread surrounding me. What have they done this time? 

“You look suprised.” Agatha laughed, seeing my expression. “Go on darling, tell her about it.” 

Father smiled. truly smiled as he looked me over, making my fear increase. He hasn’t smiled at me for years. 

“You finally have a chance to make yourself useful.” Father began, the smile still etched on his face. “You’re going to ravenwood to serve Rue pendragon. We heard he’s on another hunt for some slaves and lucky enough for you, he’s paying handsomely this time.”

I gasped in disbelief, praying I didn’t hear him well. 

He was selling me off as a slave?

“The deal has already been made, we just have to wait for the guards to arrive.” He finished cheerfully like he was telling me about a long awaited vacation. 

“No!” I screamed, trying to think straight. I looked at their faces, looking for an answer but my beard broke when they both smiled happily. 

I couldn’t believe my dad would do this to me. What did I ever do to deserve this? I’ve been a slave in this house for years and I never for once, complained. Now, they were selling me off to Rue pendragon, a man that killed his slaves even at the slightest mistake?

No!

I took a quick glance at the door, planning my escape but I whimpered when I saw Gabriel standing at the door with a wide grin and it all made sense. He has been there all this time to stop me from escaping. He knew. They all knew. 

“Please father…” I began, weakly. “I am your daughter, you can’t do this to me.” My vision got blurry with tears as I got off the floor and charged towards the door, not caring anymore. 

I was thrown back by Gabriel who pinned me to the floor, while I yelled and begged for him to let me go.

“Tie her up, they’ll be here by morning.” I heard father instruct and just like that, i was sold off by my own family.