SLAVERS

- MARILIA -

I opened my mouth but no words came. Dad had shifted into a wolf and attacked the Alpha. The wolves in black went for Him, Mum joined the fight. No one was coming at me. The exit was completely open. I dragged myself to my feet. My legs wobbled, almost throwing me to the ground. I still managed to run. The window right in front of me so I pushed my body, hoping I could leap out into the outside.

But something tore into my back.

I tumbled over, falling 5ft before my body hit the ground. Branches broke my fall but it still hurt so bad. My body contracted as pain coursed through me. ‘Uhh!” I groaned.

‘Moon goddess, No, please don't let me die. Please don't let this happen to my family. Please save us’. I prayed. She heard my prayers.  

Immediately I felt a surge of strength inside me, the contraptions easing. I pulled myself up, twigs falling from my clothes. I lurched, bending to my fours. I shifted, stumbling into the forest. I ran and I didn’t stop running until I heard voices in the distance. As I drew near, it became clear that the voices were coming from some passer-bys on the path before me. 

I slowed down, shifting back. Most of my clothes were torn. I limped as I moved towards them. Breathlessly, I called out. “Help. Help.”

Their flashing lights froze. Whispers followed. They heard me, oh thank heaven, A weary smile curled up my lips. I slumped to the floor. The passerby came to me. One of them reached out and tapped my shoulder. 

“Hey girl, are you alright?”

I couldn't reply.

“Girl?”

“Help… me.” I murmured, looking up slowly. My eyes widened immediately I beheld them. I saw rugged faces, large swords, and freakishly large men with grimaces all over their faces. ‘Slavers.’

“Damn will you look at that?” The second one spoke, licking his lips. “The prey runs into the predator. Neat.” He chuckled.

“Kintu, bring her along. The Master will love this one.” The he-wolf who first saw me, ordered. He was bent over slightly and had a crude gait.

“No, please don't… let me go, please. I beg you please.” I struggled, kicking my hands and flaring my arms. “Please! Please!”

My pleas fell on deaf ears. Kintu tossed me onto his shoulder. My gaze fell on a mark tattooed to his wrist. I gasped.

‘They are slavers.’

*************

The sound of chains daggle and metallic doors clang, echoed through the hallway. My hands were forced through the gaps on the cell gate and then tied. The jagged edges of the rods sliced through my skin and blood dripped slowly.

I felt woozy. My eyes were too weak to open. The cold floors froze my knees but I couldn't get up, I couldn't yell, I couldn't even think. So I stayed quiet, listening to the voices in the distance. They were faint but I could still tell that my name has been mentioned a few times. Or at least, the name they gave me.

“Should we bring the breeder now?” One asked.

“Wait a little more, she is next.” The other replied. 

When some doors swung open and those familiar voices began to approach, I knew in my gut that it was time.

“Breeder, you are up.” He snorted, untying me. I fell back, crumbling to the floor. He pushed the gates aside and picked up my ragged body, placing it on his shoulders. 

“She is so weightless. I wonder who wanna buy this.”

“Maybe they will eat her.” The two chuckled mockingly.

My head dangled, the disgusting smell of sweat and decay filling my nose. Nausea threatened to make me throw up. I forced down the lump in my throat, fighting the distractions so I could pay attention. We were stepping into somewhere enclosed. It smelt a bit fresher, like it was better ventilated but it was dark and cold. The sound of water flowing in the distance caught my attention.

‘Where the hell is this?’

They stopped. Someone lit a huge candle on a cylindrical stand, lighting up the room. “Hold her down.” he said.

The guy laid me on something soft. They tied my hands up and then my feet. Two figures walk up to stood over me, the darkness concealed their faces. But there was this distinctive scent coming off the fellow in robes of gold and blue. It reminded me of wet dandelions which was weird because I felt like I had smelt that scent before. He reached out to touch me with his gloved hands but paused in midair. At that moment, the light faintly illuminated his face. His eyes were the first thing I saw. They were emerald green with a tint of gold. He pinned my gaze, his breath gently grazing the tip of my nose.

I gulped, unconsciously holding my breath. I leaned even closer and carefully tucked my hair behind my ears. He tilted his head a little, in wonder. He seemed puzzled by me.

“She really does have it. The similarity is unbelievable.” He gripped my chin. “How can someone have such an uncanny resemblance with another person?”  

“Stop touching me.” I murmured. He raised a brow and then smiled a little.

“She is brazen too. She is perfect. The lycan king would never suspect anything.” His voice was deep yet soft. It was mixed with satisfaction and pleasure. 

“I told you.” The slaver snickered.

His fingers grazed over the tip of my nose. He was oddly gentle with me. His touches felt almost as if they were out of desire. It was creepy.

“Bring her along, I will buy her.” He finalized, his fingers lifting off my cheek. He spurned, making for the exit. The others carried me along. They rested me gently inside a carriage, the fellow in robes held me firmly. Almost as if he was afraid I would break. His embrace was cold.

“Water-” I coughed a little. “Water… please.”

He glanced at me and chuckled. “I didn’t think the wild cat could beg.”

I glared at him but kept quiet. He had a smug look on his face. He pulled me closer, and then ordered someone outside to get a wine-skin. He fed me himself. It wasn't water, it was something better. It felt like little drizzles of ice were sliding down my throat, quenching the aches that were like fire inside me.

“Enough?” He asked.

“I feel… uh.” I groaned, adjusting uncomfortable. “I feel odd.” I rubbed my hands over my skin and tugged on my haggard clothes as if I wanted to take them off. 

“I’m burning up. I’m really hot.” I clasped my legs together, breathing slowly. I gripped the hem of my skirt and let out a throaty moan, perspiration gathering on my forehead. His face was still hidden in the dark but from the way he flinched, I could tell that it shocked him. He opened the carriage door and hopped down. “Hey you! What the hell was in that drink?” He yelled, pacing off. 

I peered outside from the door; no one seemed to be near. I glanced out the window. The moon light made it easy to tell that we were out in the woods.

“Thank you goddess.” I whispered, springing off the chair immediately. I pushed the window wide open and slipped out. The instant my feet touched the grass, I shifted; and ran.