[Erin]
The collar around my neck just fit right. Not too tight, not too loose. It has a soft cushion underneath the cold silver circlet, don't wouldn't feel cold against my skin.Nikolai acted so nonchalantly right after he put the thing on me. He even petted the top of my head like some good dog obeying its master. All I could do was shot him a hateful stare before I pushed myself up and dusted my dress. Adjusting miserably to at least cover with little modesty, and followed right behind the beast. Conjuring up a million ways to murder him inside my head.He humiliated me in front of everybody, and then, in just a span of ten seconds, his aura wholly changed into a whole different persona. Now, he wasn't even giving me a single glance. If ever I act out in haste in this place, I'll be good as a lump of dead meat. Just like he said, no one will ever look after him.Akim, later on, joined our little procession as we made our way towards the grandest establ[Erin]My lungs hurt as I inhale deeply. My heart caught in my throat as I dragged my feet closer to the table. My knees were trembling, and they could barely hold on to my weight as I walked. Nikolai just steeled his stare on my face, waiting for what I would do next. As if I had the luxury of escaping.I felt like bursting into tears, but my eyes had run dry like a desert. The loud drum rolls erupted in the background, its bass thundering on my chest as and felt my ears’ going to bleed.The spotlights on the stage danced, projecting flashes of beams in random places, and I had to shield my face from the beams with my arms as I forced my knees to bend down and sit directly next to Nikolai’s feet.His enormous hand immediately went to my head, fondling my hair just as the red heavy curtain slides open and a man wearing a maroon tuxedo and a mask. He got a square-ish jaw, a prominent chin, and no mouth. Covers the entire face and is heavi
[Erin]I still can't believe Nikolai spent so much money on that type of stone. Well, it is actually a rare diamond in vivid color pink as it explained why it has become so expensive. It just hurts me that a piece of stone—beautiful at that—even cost more than a life of a person, and it sickens me. But, who am I to object? I have no say in this place. I am merely an object merely used for entertainment, a decoration to be flaunted for everyone to see.As I push all of those dismal thoughts out of my mind, I direct my focus towards the stage, where the circus was doing death-defying acrobatics as part of their closing ceremony to express gratitude to all of the purchasers who participated in today’s auction. Honestly, to say the least, I say that I am entertained. Those fire breathers, hula-hoops jumpers, and contortionists bending their bodies inside out. Making me wonder where they put their bones?I was enjoying the show when I sudden
[Erin]I stare at the strange woman, not exactly knowing how I would address her statement.King? Who the hell is king? Does she mean Nikolai? Why would she call Nikolai king? King of what? King of this wretched place?Not wanting to look like an oblivious fool, I just thrust my arms towards her for a handshake, introducing my name. “Hi, I’m Erin. Nice to meet you, and you are?” I asked, keeping the smile plastered on my face.However, instead of taking my hand, she only looked down at my extended arm, completely ignoring me as she proceeded toward the sink, opening the faucet. The water gushes, the splashing sound hitting the ceramic sink reverberating between us. She washed her hand, pumping on the liquid soap, and then rinsed off the clean.I just stood there, slowly putting down my disregarded hand and staring in wonderment at her.Should I go, or should I let her finish what she was doing?After rinsing off her hand,
[Erin] My eyes were still wide, as I continued to feverishly search for the doorknob and twist it open before sliding out the door. My attention quickly shifts to my immediate surroundings, where I attempt to locate the butler who escorted me here, but he is nowhere to be found. Hence, I was unostentatiously trying to spot the curly-haired woman right on the long corridor, but instead, I was greeted with an already empty scene.How come she’s gone so quickly?I vigorously shakes my head, now that the fuzziness in my head had cleared, it occurred to me that I was completely alone. Why is it so quiet? There was supposed to be a raucous audience, clapping and cheering, but it was now so quiet that I could almost even hear a pin drop at this moment. Was the performance already ended?Where are Nikolai and Akim? Had they forgotten about me? Why would they just leave me here? Alone.I double-checked the door where I had come out to be sure that I was in fact
[Erin]“What happened here?”Our attention immediately snapped towards Akim, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. His face was plastered with perplexity as he turned his gaze directly to the scene that greeted him upon entering the vicinity.Nikolai still had the creepy older man pinned against the wall, his face turning almost purple from being choked, and I was still quivering with fright just to the side of him.“Erin, are you alright?” Akim notices me and my flabbergasted state. He moved closer to my side and removed his coat, which he draped over my shoulders.I just meekly nodded in response to his inquiry. I could still feel the older man's hand on my arms, which caused a revolted shiver to run down my spine.The fact that I even considered talking to him in the first place makes me realize how naive I was. I should be more careful and know that he’s not a good Samaritan.However, if they hadn't a
[Erin]It was already nighttime, and we were still inside this city dome. How do I know what time it is? Well, I happened to catch a peek of Nikolai's wristwatch, which indicated that it was past eight o'clock in the evening.The day flew by so rapidly, and one of the things that occurred to me was that this was simply too much—all of the turbulence of emotions felt like a roller coaster ride, and my brain could hardly keep up with it all. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of chaos.I kept my distance close to the two gigantic men as we walked down the cobbled pavement. Ultimately have no idea where we’ll be going next. Hope it's not the fighting pit arena, since that would be terrible. Even the concept of it conjures up images of blood and violence in my mind. All of those things have already happened to me today, and I've already been emotionally scarred enough.The other masters and their pets threw off glances on my way, and even s
[Erin]The strong sterile scent permeated my nostrils as I came to consciousness. My head pounding as though it had been bludgeoned with a wooden bat and threatening to split my skull open. I tried to open my eyes, they seemed to be glued shut, and my body seemed much too feeble to heed my orders. It was a frustrating situation. As a result, I choose to remain still and pay attention to my immediate surroundings.“How is she?” Nikolai's voice, resonating with his questions, drew my attention, and if my memory serves me correctly, he is making a direct reference to me.The last thing I remember is that we were strolling along the cobbled pavement, heading somewhere God knows where. I was having a conversation with Akim, then suddenly I felt dizzy.And then, here I am, in some place, somewhere in this dreaded place. Though there is a little part of me hoping that we are back in my room. The aroma, on the other hand, is quite strange. Fortunately
[Erin]It was the very first time I saw Nikolai had ever been stunned since the time I had known him. He wasn't the type of man who was immediately fazed by something or who was ever taken completely by surprise by anything in his life. Normally, he maintained his composure and his stare was usually calculated. However, right now, his eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly gaping open.“I…um—maybe, I…needed something to eat?” I meekly contemplated, stuttering even to complete the sentence. My face burned hotter every passing second, and I even bet it was redder than tomatoes as his gaze pierced my face. My mouth suddenly felt dry, and I was like a fish out in the water, trying to speak, but words failed to come out.Suddenly, Nikolai exhaled forcefully, bursting out of his astonished trance, and for a brief time, amusement crossed his features, and the corner of his mouth looped upwards as though he were struggling to keep hi