The auction

Elina POV

"Auction...?"

The word sent a chill down my spine.

The day I'd feared most was here.

"W-What kind of auction?" I asked, though deep down I already knew. I just needed to hear it-dread and desperation clawing at my throat.

He smirked, voice thick with mockery. "The kind where they sell girls like you, Ivery. Pretty ones go up for bidding. The rest? They're tossed into whatever brothel will take them. So yeah... consider yourself lucky."

His words turned my stomach. That sick grin on his face made my skin crawl.

If I wasn't so afraid, I would've punched him square in the mouth.

"Nowets get going." He pulled me by my elbow like I was some rag doll to him.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"Medical exam. The doctor's waiting," the man replied gruffly, dragging me down the corridor. My pulse thundered beneath my skin.

"W-What kind of exam?" I asked, dread curling in my stomach.

"You'll see," he said flatly.

He shoved open a door, and my gaze immediately landed on an older man in a white coat-glasses perched on his nose, expression blank, clinical.

"Doctor Williams, here's the first one," the guard announced, pushing me forward.

I staggered toward the metal chair in the center of the room, every part of me screaming not to sit.

He's with them. Of course he is.

The doctor didn't even look at me as a human being. Just another object to inspect.

"Let's make this quick," he said in a tired voice. "Answer clearly and we'll get this over with."

"Get what over with?" I demanded.

"I'm here to assess your sexual health before you go up for auction," he replied bluntly.

What the hell?!

"You're not serious."

"I am. Now-are you a virgin?"

I clenched my jaw, meeting his gaze with all the defiance I could muster. Who did he think he was?

The doctor's voice turned cold. "The more honest you are, the less invasive this will be. I doubt you want things getting... uncomfortable." He raised two fingers, a silent threat.

"No... I'm not," I whispered. A tear slipped down my cheek. The humiliation was suffocating. I felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside out.

He ran through his checks-took my pulse, inspected my vitals-and each touch made my skin crawl. I wanted to scream, to tear the room apart, to disappear.

"Physically healthy," he muttered. "She's cleared. Take her."

The guard nodded, grabbing my arm again.

Everything after that felt like a blur. My head spun. My vision was foggy-like they'd slipped something into my system.

I remember the car. The black sack pulled over my head. I couldn't see anything. Only hear muffled voices. Feel the road beneath the wheels.

Then-

I opened my eyes.

I was in a bed, wrapped in sheets softer than anything I'd touched in days. Rich fabrics. Expensive scent in the air.

I sat up slowly, my limbs aching, mind still groggy.

That's when I saw her.

A woman, sitting elegantly in the corner, watching me. She was stunning, dark, voluminous hair cascading down her back, makeup flawless, every inch of her oozing glamour and confidence. Her figure alone would make any woman envious.

But beneath all that beauty... something felt off.

The bigger question was-Where the hell was I now?

"I've been waiting for you. You were out for almost an hour," the woman finally said, her voice strangely cheerful.

My throat tightened. "Who are you? Where am I?"

She smiled, like this was some regular spa appointment. "I'm your stylist, sweetheart. I'm here to get you all glammed up for the auction."

I stared at her, stunned. Was she being serious?

She rose gracefully, brushing invisible dust from her tight dress. "Now let's get moving. You've already wasted enough time."

I shot to my feet, fury building in my chest. "I'm not doing anything. I'm leaving."

Her gaze sharpened. "Don't make this harder than it has to be. You've got a sweet, innocent face-and with a little makeup magic, you'll catch a rich master's eye. Trust me, it's better for you that way."

"Excuse me? A... master?" The word caught in my throat, choking me.

She nodded, as if discussing vacation plans. "The wealthier they are, the better your life will be. You'll get gifts, luxury trips, the works. You're lucky, really. I bet you'll catch the attention of a high-ranking noble man."

She's insane.

Gifts? Trips? As if being kidnapped and violated could be softened with presents?

"How can you say that?" I snapped. "You're a woman too! Don't you feel this is inhumane and disgusting?"

She paused, her expression unreadable. "Feel? I'm a slave, just like you. And honestly, I'm content. My master treats me well. He loves me. Only me. Isn't it amazing?"

My blood ran cold. Amazing? She's completely brainwashed.

The way her eyes lit up when she spoke of him-it wasn't love. It was obsession. Delusion. No sane person could say that and mean it.

"Now," she said briskly, grabbing my wrist. "Let's begin."

She dragged me to a chair and started applying makeup like this was some beauty pageant. More girls trickled in-some crying, others silent, all dressed like walking fantasies. They looked like runway models trapped in a nightmare.

She curled my hair and painted my face into something... unreal. A soft blush, wide eyes, innocent lips. I looked like a porcelain doll.

A doll made for old men to play with.

She clasped a pearl necklace around my neck, then handed me a tiny dress-no more than a frilly doll frock. It barely covered anything.

"Change into this," she said sharply. "And don't argue. Or I'll bring someone to do it for you."

"I'm not wearing that," I hissed, clutching the fabric like poison.

She gave me a dark look, then turned toward the door. "Guards!"

A large, greasy man stepped in immediately, eyes raking over me like I was meat.

"Need help changing, sweetheart?" the woman said mockingly.

The guard took a step forward.

Panic surged in my chest. "I'll do it! I'll do it myself!"

She smirked. "That's more like it."

I stumbled away to change, my hands trembling. The dress barely covered anything-it hugged my body so tightly my breasts looked like they'd spill out, and the short hem exposed the hot pink thong they'd forced me to wear.

Humiliation curled around me like smoke.

Other girls were already dressed, each with a different theme-belly dancer, stripper, cowgirl. This was a twisted circus. How did I end up here?

Guards appeared, escorting us down a hall. I didn't know where we were going-until I saw it.

A grand room opened before us. Candlelit tables filled the space, casting flickering shadows on the dark, luxurious decor. It was like walking into a high-class nightmare.

Men sat at every table, faces hidden behind sleek masquerade masks, their expensive suits pressed and perfect. But no disguise could hide what they were.

Predators.

Waitresses drifted between tables, wearing nothing but black thongs. Men slid cash into their straps, patting their behinds as they passed like it was all part of the show.

A voice echoed through the room:

"Gentlemen... the auction is about to begin!"

And to my horror-it did.