Page 70 of Stolen

I tsk’d at him with a casual shrug. “Guess you’ll never know.”

And then I immediately regretted my words, realizing what I’d just taunted him with.

Why? Why the fuck did I just say that?!

But then a devious grin slowly formed on his face and my stomach instantly twisted in knots, my mouth becoming bone-dry. The change in the air felt too palpable, the direction we seemed to be heading to taking a very dark turn. I could feel the fire he had been addressing slowly turn to an icy-cold fear as I saw the evil wheels begin to turn in his eyes.

“Never say never, little girl,” he whispered.

With that, he finally released my throat and walked toward his desk. Taking out his phone, he typed something into it, and within seconds, a guard came through the door.

“The auction is tomorrow,” the owner said turning to me, and I felt my heart slam into the back of my throat. “And I am very much looking forward to it.” The dark glint in his eye accompanied by that fucking shark grin of his left a chill up my spine that I just could not shake.

The guard then took my arm in his hand and pulled me to the door. I didn't even look back at the asshole as the guard brought me past him and out into the hallway, my brain now solely focused on only one thing. If the auction was tomorrow, I needed to prepare myself mentally and physically for anything. Assuming I was even going to be sold. For all I knew, I could just be some kind of entertaining display before I was killed off for the enjoyment of the buyers. Who the fuck knew with this guy.

Once I was safely back in my cage, I told Kayla everything that had happened. Her eyes widened as she realized tomorrow was the last day we might ever see each other. Her breathing began to increase, her knuckles turning white as she clutched the bars of our cage.

“Hey, hey! Kayla, look at me!” She turned her head toward me, but her rapid breathing didn't slow. “You’re going to be okay, alright? We're gonna make it through this.” She looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. “And I swear, Kayla, whatever happens tomorrow, I will do everything I can to find you. You just have to promise not to give up on me.”

She shook her head at me. “You’re just gonna get yourself killed,” she stated.

“Hey, I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?”

“Megan didn’t,” she mumbled quietly. “And who knows, maybe she was the lucky one.”

Guilt stabbed its way into my heart at the memory of Megan’s death. It still felt too personal.

“Don’t think like that. We gotta keep our heads up and stay strong. But most of all, we need to be smart about our next move.” Kayla eyed me like she’d already given up, but I wasn’t having it. She needed a mission to keep her going, and I was gonna give it to her. “When you get sold, make sure you bank as much information as you can about anyone involved, where you’re kept, what you’ve seen. The more you know, the more you can provide to the police if you ever get the chance. Stay sharp and keep your mental health in check. Remember your breathing techniques.”

She didn’t say anything, but nodded.

“Just don’t give up on me, okay?” I pleaded.

A tear slipped from her lids, and I watched as it cascaded down her cheek.

“Okay,” she whispered. “I won't.”

20

To The Market

Iwoke early the next morning, unable to sleep past dawn as light from the block windows gradually filtered in. Staring up at the ceiling, I realized this would be the last day I’d have to look out between these grungy-looking cage bars, but then I considered I just may end up looking through new ones.

Fear of the unknown was the worst. Not knowing what kind of buyers awaited us later today was an excruciating anxiety. What kind of sick fuck actually buys another person? The range of potential monsters ran too wide: sadists, psychopaths, pedophiles, cannibals—I could only imagine what use another human could be to them. For all we knew, we could be sold and killed all in the same day. Today felt like the light was draining before my very eyes, and soon I’d have to learn to adapt to a world of darkness.

I hoped the dark was ready for me.

Internally, I silently vowed that regardless of who bought me, I would always only belong to myself and no one else. In the end, it wouldn’t matter what they did to me or how long I’d have to endure it. I wouldn’t believe the lie. I couldn’t. I would die with that knowledge in my heart before I let them break me.

With my silent vow, I sat up from the padding and started stretching. I was incredibly flexible, but the strain in my muscles hindered my ability. After a few hours, I would regain strength and my body would bounce back. As my muscles stretched under my skin, I felt the relief as the blood flowed in and out of the tissues.

“What are you doing?” yawned Kayla as she rolled over.

“Prepping,” I answered, my face lying against my leg as I lengthened my back and forced the muscles to release their tension.

Her brow furrowed, but she got up and started doing the same, following my lead. Caged yoga was a new concept for us, but it would have to do for now. My stomach was in knots thinking about the impending auction ahead of us, but I did my best to push aside the anxiety fluttering inside me.

It felt like we had waited the entire day. We’d had breakfast, lunch, and dinner, given a longer shower, fresh dresses to wear, and had our hair and makeup done again. Even the bedding in our cages had been replaced. All the primping and prepping made everyone anxious as they contemplated their impending fates.

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