“Why are you doing this?” Anything I learned at this point would be helpful.
I’d obviously amused the main guard as he laughed. “Because rich men get bored.”
His words allowed me to discover there were the elite and those who worked for them. I heard the slight dissention in the man’s voice as well.
“Aren’t you sick of doing their bidding? Rich guys who make you do despicable things?”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head. We’re paid well. What they do is up to them. Now, keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told and maybe your owner will be one of the nicer members within the society.” His dark laugh sent a shiver down my spine. This was all a game to him. Maybe he was the given perks of the leftover women who weren’t sold.
“There are some brutal savages. You don’t want anything to do with them.” The younger, more talkative guard was being sincere. When I looked into his eyes, I could sense the job had ripped at his moral compass.
The way he offered the suggestion allowed me to know he’d seen some terrible things. Maybe he’d been required to deal with the aftermath of the unwanted girls or those who’d fought them.
“What happens to the girls if they don’t behave?” I dared push one last question.
When the asshole who’d had his hand around my throat moved in front of me again, I stood as tall as possible, even refusing to blink. “You remember your old cellmate? Well, she disobeyed and was punished.”
“What the fuck did you do to her?” I’d tried so hard to keep my cool, but Denise had barely been more than a child herself. She’d reminded me of my sister. “What did you do to her?”
He towered over me, the gleam in his eyes unhinged. “Let’s just say she won’t be returning to her family any time soon.”
“You fucking son of a bitch. You killed her!”
When he raised his hand to slap me, the other guard grabbed his arm. “Enough, John. For fuck’s sake. Enough.”
John hissed. “Shut the fuck up. Just shut up.”
A line had been crossed.
As my thoughts lingered with Denise, my heart aching, I was led up a set of stairs into a main room. If there were windows, they were blocked out. From the layout of the building, it would appear commercial. After being led down a long hallway, one guard knocked on the door.
Instantly, it was opened and I was pushed inside.
There were seven other girls waiting, all huddled together. Different ages. Different in appearance.
I glanced from one dirty face to another, my heart racing. Hoping.
Praying.
Yet none were my sister.
They were providing a range of women for the auction. Who the hell were these assholes?
“Get over there with them,” I was told.
I’d always taught my students to pick their battles and this wasn’t one of them. At this point, I’d blend in.
The guards remained, John watching me like a hawk while the two of them stood in front of one of two doors in the room.
Less than five minutes later, the second door was opened and in walked a man I’d yet to see. What I noticed immediately was he was wearing a mask. Not a scary mask as if it were meant to terrify us, but one that would be worn to a fancy masquerade party. He was wearing a suit, just like everyone else I’d seen in the organization.
Even with his attempt to hide his identity, I sensed he was of upper class by the way he was dressed, the expensive watch on his wrist, and the thousands of dollars he wore with the rings on his fingers. He was a man of importance, yet still a lackey who I had no doubt was about to provide the rules.
Within seconds, I knew my assumptions were correct.
“Welcome, ladies. My name is Steven Powell. I’m your guide for this evening’s festivities. Now, I know your stay up to this point hasn’t been exemplary and I apologize for that. However, everything is about to change for the better. You’re about to be auctioned and the lucky ones will find an owner later tonight.” He paused, allowing for the realization to sink in. “However, if you’re found unsalable, I’m afraid your time with us will come to an end.”
He smiled as if this as all a huge joke.
