Chapter 2 - Slaves

Barely any sleep as the pain kept him awake. Big dark circles around his eyes with next to no sleep make him look sick and weak. Tomorrow has come faster than Nero has anticipated, the night gone in a blink of an eye. No food is offered to the children as the cages are loaded on to a cart. A short drive away a big market. Jean is sobbing, the uncertainty of what is going to happen to any of them has worn her down.

Music is played and the market is already in full swing. Very busy bodies all around them as they are pulled along towards the middle where the man with the Scar is already stood waiting.

“Was about time you got here.” He scolds his companions who started to unload the Cart. Demand is high in some parts of the country for slaves and potions of all sorts. They are all coming to the Black market to find what they are looking for. Rocco is the first Child to be dragged out of the cage then pulled onto a small podium.

The music stops almost instantly as the Man with the scar starts to shout for attention.

“Here we have a young boy, strong good in health, probably around 7 or 8 years old. Start your bids now. You know as much as I do that these won’t hang around for long!”

From within the crowd, you hear numbers shouted toward the Man, 100 coins , 110… the number rises to 180 then stalls there.

“Sold for 180 to the Guy in the green shirt.” He shouts rubbing his hands then waving for the next one to be brought forward. Ally was the next one.

“Healthy young girl up for grabs about 9 years old, great for the usual maid duties.” He gestures towards her as one of the men lifts her on the podium for everyone to see.

Once again, the numbers are climbing and come to a halt at 210 coins. Which makes the scarred man smile.

He repeats the same with Jean and Gabriel too. Both have had an offer of 180 coins each. The last one to be dragged along is Nero. The scarred man drops his shoulders low as he looks at Nero and how weak he looks.

“And the last one is this little Fella, roughly 4 or 5 years old, believe it or not He got a bit of fight in him. Do I hear any offers?” He gestures towards the young boy who is fighting with himself, trying to stand straight. The stress of the last days have taken its toll on him. The music resumes and the Market changes it pace back to busy. Everyone ignoring the young Boy and the Man trying to sell him on.

He pushes Nero of the podium and turns his attention back towards the other children who one by one are picked up by the buyers. Once money has been handed over, they are dragged away.

Nero is visibly shaken and tired, cowering near the empty cages. Watching, listening, and taking in the horrible world evolving around him. He notices a young Girl, beautiful long golden Hair which curls at the end. In an instant he feels a connection to her, a pull, that makes him stand up with no effort at all. Watching her twirl around in her pink frilly dress, happily laughing. The laughter makes him smile, brightening the Childs face.

He forgets everything, the pain as well as how tired he is. She chases a little butterfly between the busy bodies until an older child stands in front of her, causing her to fall over. In an instant Nero rushes over to her, protective. He is stood tall ready to jump at this Boy who is easily twice his size. The older Boy tries to grab hold of Nero. Wanting to hurt him and get him out of the way but Nero refuses to move an inch, blocking his hand. He is determined not to let him past, growling as the Boys anger grows.

“Kyle, stop it.” A woman’s voice is heard and the Boy runs off.

Nero turns his attention now towards the little Girl reaching out with his hand. She was watching him this whole time. Hesitant she grabs his hand. He helps her up as she smiles at him. This smile was Nero’s everything. It gave him a feeling of purpose, filling the deep wounds left by the loss of his Family. He felt a connection to her instantly, as if he were meant to be there for her.

“Thank you for helping me. What is your name?” She asks and to Nero it sounded like music in his ears. A small cough escaping his lips as his voice fails him. She notices his insecurity and how his hands have started to shake.

She holds her hand out trying to get the young Boy to tell her his name. He finds his voice, with her encouragement. “I am Nero.” He stutters.

“V! Get here now!” A loud and strict voice shouts and it makes her jump.

“I am sorry I have to go. I hope I will see you again one day.” She strokes over his hand with a warm smile, handing him a small medallion before she has to return to her Father. Nero looks down into his hand before he is dragged backwards to the cages.

“Get here you Rat.” The Man with the Scar shouts as he grabs him roughly by his shirt, throwing him back into the Cage.

“Hey, you.” A voice calls from the shadows next to a market stall. Nero cowers inside of the cage watching a man appear, walking slowly towards him and the Cage he is locked in. He is wrapped in a black Robe, his Hood pulled up high unwilling to show his face.

“I want this boy. How much do you want for him?” He points towards Nero as the Man with the scar starts to laugh at him.

“You can have him for Free if you will take this cranky thing off my hands, He isn’t worth a penny.” He answers once his laughter clings out.

“You sold the other four… Here, I give you 200 coins. Now let him out of that god damn Cage.” He throws a little bundle of coins on the ground in front of the scarred Man.

“You are off your head wanting to pay something for him, but of course if you want to waste your money, that is up to you. He will hardly make it a week.” He turns to open the door to free Nero. The man in the Robe offers Nero his hand helping him to climb out of the cage. He lifts him in his arm carrying him away from the Market.

“What is your Name little Man?” Nero watches the Guy take down his hood once they had been out of everyone’s sight, clinging on to the medallion tight in one of his hands.

“I am Nero of the Green Forest Pack.” He answers the man full of pride.

“Well Nero, I am Alpha James. Sadly, your Pack is probably no longer. Do you think you could imagine, living with me in my pack? I have a Boy just about your age, I am sure you will get on well.” He sits the boy Down on the ground kneeling next to him as he speaks to him with a soft voice.

“I guess so, I have nowhere else to go.” He answers and sadness washes over him. He tries to hide it and pretends he is brave. Mostly because his mother told him to but, deep down, he is still hurting and it causes a big deal of stress on such a young Child.

“Well, that is true. I have watched you take on that big Lad to protect the Girl, I thought that was very good of you. You have a very kind heart and you seem very courageous… I really like that. Stay true to your nature young Nero.” He gets up and pats him on his head. Nero reaches for his hand as they walk down towards the Forest.