The only sound that rang into my ears was some silent sobs. That gradually turned into a loud shriek and a series of long, drawn-out sentences, begging for mercy.
Believe me, it's no use anymore.
Been there, done that. Since the beginning. Since the moment when I got dragged into an unknown vehicle that trolled me along those familiar roads from my class to home. I kick, I punch, and I even ran away.
An effort that seemed to be useless.
"Fifteen."
I used to like that number. I was born on 15th August, so technically I like the number. The most meaningful number turned into a curse to me. They numbered me with that number. Now, the spark is gone.
This blindfold limited my sight; making it worse for me every second I stood in silence in this cold room. My legs were shaking badly due to the temperature—or maybe the horrific feeling inside me, knowing nothing about the future that behold for me. They called numbers, as if we were a dish in a restaurant, or a piece of art that is waiting for an auction.
Auction. Ah...
Even a painting was treated better than me! At least the curator covered it with expensive velvet.
Me?
I had nothing on me except an old bra and a pair of cotton undies. Nothing fancy. I'm not into that. Besides, I have nothing to flaunt.
Which makes me think; why did they drag me away like this? What did they seek from a teen who just come out of a ballet class in the middle of the afternoon and only had 20 bucks in my purse?
What did they see in me?
"Fifteen."
My heart churned when I realized my time was up. I heard some footsteps coming. Eventually, my body acted up due to an alert system being activated in me.
"Let me go, bastards!"
"One more word and you'll be mute for the rest of your life!"
I shut myself in fear. The man—I don't know what he looked like but his voice was familiar and scary. He meant his word, and strictly into business and nothing more. He unbuckled me from the chain above my head and dragged me out of the cold room.
I felt like a piece of meat taken out of the refrigerator. No dignity, nothing.
"Present to you number fifteen..."
I feel the cold steel in front of me as the man throws me against it. He undid my blindfold before he left me and shut the cage behind me. I was trapped like a bird waiting to be slaughtered. My sights recover a bit—it slowly gets clearer.
Once it got recovered, I wish I had stayed blurred. The sight in front of me; it's not humane at all. I was trapped in a cage, half-naked, feeling like a fool in front of these well-dressed people; men and women all together. I could see some men drooling like a dog infected with rabies. Those eyes that watch me; hungry in lust.
Those women? No different at all.
"She's almost 20 years old; fit, nice figure, fiesty, but easily trained..."
That man addressed me as if I were a dog.
"Her unique feature... camera, please zoom in her face..."
My eyes blink when a camera pan closer to me. I avoid the unwanted breach of my space, but the cameraman grabbed my hair and yank it so my face visible clearly on the lense.
"She is heterochromia."
A gush flooded around the room, making me even more uncomfortable. Now, they watch me as if I was a freak show.
"The bid starts at five hundred thousand..."
Five hundred...
Imagine, these weird people willing to spend that much money in such a bidding! Ah, what a way to make money in just one night!
"Five hundred four? I see five hundred four over there!"
I bravely took a glance at the direction. A man; almost my dad's age, white hair, a bit plump and round. He was smiling—more like lurking at me—while holding his number plate. I couldn't imagine what's the purpose of him bidding out so much money for me.
Well, I guess I dare not to imagine anymore.
"Going up now. We're reaching to eight hundred thousand!"
That fast? How rich this man is? Not only that, his determination was a no joke too!
"Nine hundred thousand!"
A deep voice announced the number confidently. But I saw no one. That voice echoed in the darkness. I squint my eyes, trying my best to identify the person.
"Ah, finally you lift your card, sire!"
Silence.
"Nine hundred and fifty thousand!" that round man didn't care to give up. Me, on the other hand... I already gave up.
"One million!"
The room gasped in shock. Yes, me too. In the midst of giving up my life, that number caused my jaw to hang so low.
"The biggest bid so far for tonight! You do know your games, sire..."
I want to see who the man is! How could he dared to bid such a high price for a middle class girl like me? What's his motive?
"Two million!" again, the round belly man didn't give up. I pray hard so I won't end up going home with him. His lustful eyes were not a good sign for me. I couldn't imagine how he would treat me! I didn't want to!
"Fifteen million!"
Again, the room fell in shock. My heart thumped so loud, I could hear it out and clear, directly from my rib cage.
"Going once... going twice..."
Please...
"Sold to table number fifteen!"
Immediately, two men drag me out of the cage even before I could see the face of the man who bought me with fifteen million. As I was dragging inside another room, I saw a tiny bit of opportunity to escape from these two. Plus, I regain my energy back; not hundred percent but enough to make a way out of here.
I heard a commotion behind me; a good sign that indicated that I am moving as how I wanted to. I did ran away, I am surreal by that. The blurring vision before slowlu dispersed and now I am ready to strike—
"Ah!"
I heard a thud, before my body slammed onto the floor. Did I hit something? Or maybe...
"Let us take it from here, gentlemen..."
I lift my head slowly, until my eyes lock on the person who stood up before me. His dark suits didn't flattering at all, at least for me. His dark gaze looked down upon me, watching me scooted over under my wobbling feet.
"Come with us, miss..."
"Never!" I hissed. My survival instinct told me to fight, even with this dysfunctional mind of mine. I stood up, dreadfully, and push the man with the remain energy in me. The man grabbed my hand and lock it behind my back while I let out a loud whimper, enough to alert the room that I was in pain and agony.
"Don't be too harsh, Mars. I'm paying for a full set, not a doll with broken parts."
The man let me go.
Now, I stood up surrounding by a group of men. From afar, footsteps were coming on out way. I dare not to move, for I was scared what's about to come to me. I heard the voice, but it's different from the one that I heard at the auction room. This voice sounded kind, but... how can you judge a person only by the voice.
It's absurd.
Slowly, two men emerged from the dark. There's a tall, well-built frame at the front, with a dark expression, looking at me.
"Master, it's the girl..." he softly talked to I don't know who.
And with that, a man behind him stepped aside and showing himself in front of me...
Wait.
I know him.
It's that man.
The man who killed my parents ten years ago.