Forty-six: sold to the man in white
Temperance
It's been three weeks since Austin told me I would be traded. Today is the day for the auction. Then tomorrow I will be taken to the sick person who buys me.
Other than myself, Austin, and Vicki, no one else knows about the auction. Not a word goes out to Chris or Kenli from the threat that they will pay for my mistake. Meaning that my selfish actions for help could get them hurt.
I can't have them get beat for my actions, so I remain silent.
I don't cut anymore... It's more of that I can't cut. The beatings died down in the last week in hopes that I will have little to no bruising for the day of the auction. Meaning, that Vicki also checks my body for bruising or scratching.
Imagine her surprise when she found self-inflicted cuts lingering on my body. She ran to Austin, and they tore the room apart until they found my weapon.
My cuts are just scars now. They look gross. Uplifted and discolored skin in a line on my body. Scars aren't supposed to look pretty, though.
People often think that when you have scars of self-harm, some guy will come up and kiss every one of them while telling you you're beautiful. That's not what happens.
Most people run. Or they secretly judge you. Or they think it's gross. Some people want to learn the information about why you did it. And they want to know it in vivid detail. How would you tell them? It's too hard.
I stand in a room with a few other girls. They are about to go through the same thing as me. We get cleaned, waxed, makeup, hair, and then clothes.
Tomorrow I am forced to go with whoever buys me, but I refuse to let that happen. I'll make sure I make my escape. My plan is going to be a success; I'll make sure of it.
I watch as a tall buff-looking man who is covered in tattoos opens a heavy door. He looks at the paper in his hands. "Temperance Andrews."
I feel my heart drop as my hands begin to shake. I want to curl up and disappear. I look up at Austin, silently begging him not to go through with this. He returns my look with a glare, grabbing my arm and forcing me forward.
I stumble before catching myself, taking a deep breath to prepare myself for whatever I may see. I slowly trudge my feet past the man, trying to take as long as I can. I can feel Austin's glare on the back of my head, burning into my skull.
I walk through a doorway, my frail body tensing up as it shuts behind me, letting out a loud clank. The room is similar to a bathroom; it's bigger and has a bedtable laid out for the girls to lie on.
"Take a seat." A lady with short hair and a doctor's coat points to the bed table. I plop down, and then she strips me.
Immediately I tense up. My hands go over my breasts in hopes of hiding my figure. My cheeks are red with embarrassment. I don't want anyone to see my body.
Her gaze lingers on my scars for a second, making sure to make a displeased expression for me to see.
She waxes me. Everywhere. When I say everywhere. I mean EVERYWHERE. Hurt a little more than I expected. Or a lot more, actually.
Then she led me over to the bath and made me sit. The bath is warm, almost hot, making my skin red. She puts a glob of shampoo on her hands and massages it into my scalp.
Then she rinses it out and puts conditioner in my hair. Does she not know I can wash my own hair?
She grabs a hopefully clean washrag from a drawer and puts soap on it.
It is something substantial because it stings when I inhale through my nose. She cleans off my body.
She gets me out, dries me off, and walks me towards some clothes.
She gives me a black bra, and I put it on. I have on a black see-through lace crop top. Then she hands me shorts that only cover half of my ass. She hands me a pair of black knee-high boots.
I thin my lips at the outfit, almost disgusted that she has placed me in such a revealing outfit.
She places me in a chair and does my hair. All she did is curl it. And then my makeup. My makeup is a simple smokey eye and dark red lipstick. No seconds are wasted after she's done. She immediately drags me to my feet, not letting me gaze at the stranger in the mirror a second more.
"You're going out now." She tightens her grip on me and drags me to a different door. I am not able to take a breath before the door is opened, and I feel her hands on my back, shoving me out.
As soon as I am out in the open, blinding lights scolding my eyes, I realize how deep in this I am. I am on the stage with three other barely dressed girls standing side by side. My body trembles as I bite my lips, probably taking some of the lipstick off with my teeth.
There is an auctioneer who gives me a toothy grin upon seeing me. "I thought you would never come out." He tells me, moving the mic away from his mouth.
I spare a glance towards the other unfortunate girls as the auctioneer takes my arm and places me beside them. I stand beside them with a strain on my heart as I try not to cry. Never in my life have I felt more like a lamb surrounded by wolves.
I try to imagine Alec surfing the crows, thinking of ways to get me out of this situation. I want him to save me and take me away from this forsaken place. I know my hopes are false as I hopelessly scan the crowd, not once seeing Alec.
Who am I kidding? I already knew he wasn't here.
The girls beside me look nervous too. Just like me. Maybe this is their first trade? Maybe it's their twentieth. Honestly, I think no matter how many times you get auctioned; you'd be just as nervous each time.
I dig my nails into my palms, making crescent moons. Not hard enough for it to rip open. Not for my skin to bleed. But enough for it to leave marks. Enough for me to realize this is real. That this is happening.
I stand in place, shaking with my own fear as the bright overhead light blinds me. I am disgusted with how the bidder explained me.
He says, "a blue-eyed brunette with a skinny body and nice curves. Completely clean and waxed bare. Scars from previous battles, probably a flight risk." And blah blah blah.
I have tomorrow morning to complete my plan, so I won't get taken by the person who went through the auction.
I am going to complete this plan no matter what. I have to, so I won't be sent to another person who will hurt me. There's nothing left for me in this town anyway.
Aside from Alec and my friends. But I can't put them in any danger. It's not fair to them. It's selfish, and I won't do that to them.
Then the man points to me and yells, "SOLD TO THE MAN IN WHITE!"
Horror, I see a large man standing in a white suit by the door. He is the man that wants to take me.