It was cold here. I thought I was familiar with cold but this is grudgingly cold. It had always been cold but it became worse sometimes ago. And I thought everywhere was wet too. I was not sure, I might just be feeling the moisture of all the urines down here. But I did not think so. It might have rained a day before or two days ago, I did not know. Time has become useless to me.
I had waited, counting the seconds, minutes and hours, trying so hard to hold into my sanity. But I failed. Time was meaningless to me now. Whether it was the day or night, it was all dark in this new world.
I might have heard some footsteps, it might be the one who brings me bread every night, I began to crawl towards the gate. My knees were all battered and my arms peeled, but I did not care. I held on to the metallic gate, trying to pick out the human figure from the dark. I looked into the darkness but could not make out any form. The small gate was suddenly jerked open and I fell backwards with shock. A groan fell from my lips.
I heard the approaching footsteps and then I was grabbed by the hair and taken out of the dungeon. I did not even fight. I didn't have the energy to.
My eyes hurt when it was suddenly bombarded with light. I squinted my eyes as the realization washed over me. I had been brought to the open.
It took me a while to adjust to the brightness of the day and when I eventually did, surrounding me were the other slaves, the favoured ones which included Lyla and some guards.
A boy came forward and bonded my hands to my back. I knelt before the spectators with my head bent in shane. I didn't even do anything wrong, why was I do shameful? I looked around but none of the young masters were there. Neither was Sumaya not Angus. What was going on? Who ordered that I should be taken out then?
My gaze met with Lola's furious ones and my eyes widened when Lyla stepped forward with a whip in her hold. That was when I began to struggle. I would hate it if that ruthless bitch lay her hand on me.
It was as if she could read my mind, a victorious smile appeared on her face and my sight became blurry with tears. She raised the whip and I snapped my eyes closed, expecting the pain but it never came. I opened my eyes to find Lyla's hand withheld in a strong grip. I looked up to see the one who has come to my rescue and it was the blonde brother, Mikael.
"That is enough.", the young master said with his crooked smile. Letting go of Lyla, he came to me and he winked. But I didn't find it funny. Why did he save me?
He faced one of the guards then.
"Loose the ropes and let her return to her quarters. Serve every slave a good meal this morning. It is a special day.", he announced and with a final glance at me, he walked away.
At the chamber, everyone ate their food with merry but mine laid untouched. I could not stop thinking of why Mikael who has never interfered with the slave trade before, would come to save me. And why has Master Angus not come? My heart ached with his betrayal. Someone suddenly moaned beside me.
"How sweet will it be to have Freye punished every time. Every other slaves has been killed and punished before but none has gotten us a delicious meal like this one."
"Don't you think that is extreme coming from someone who has never been punished for once?", it was Karen that replied the blonde girl. However, to hear Karen defend me, I feel disgusted.
"Is that your way of atoning for your sin? You this backbiting whore!", Sarah cursed before I could speak. And within a blink of an eye, the two has jumped on eachother. A loud cheer came from the slaves while I moved to a safe corner. We all had different problems.
It was the following day when some servants came to drag me away again. Thinking I was up for punishments, I began to cry and beg them. But they only took me to an unfamiliar quarters. It was at the deserted end of the compound. It was like nothing I've ever seen before.
We entered and the interior view was as elegance as the outside's. It was painted with a clownish blue and black and different ornaments spread around the chamber.
I was not allowed to enjoy the view to my satisfaction as some women pulled me away. I was dragged into a big bathroom where two ladies were making the bath.
Everywhere smelled so good that I never wanted to leave the room. Without exchanging words, the women nodded at the ladies and I was nudged towards them. Left alone with them, the two guided me into the warm water while I wondered if I was dreaming.
Never have I felt so relaxed. The water was cool and refreshing and I relished in the influence. When I settled in the bath tub, one of the women took the wash cloth, ready to wash my body.
The moment I felt her tickling touch, I began to dance like a worm. Seeing this, the other held me still.
It took some moments and they were finally done. My face was scrubbed and my body creamed with a rich oil. I was pampered like a princess with the women crowding after me. It felt so surreal. My heart raced when they left me in the room after I was dressed in a green flower dress. My neck was adorned with a crystal bead and my wrists a golden bracelets. I waited until Angus walked in.
"I'm sorry, I am late.", he apologised like a gentleman he was not. I stared at him as he opened the dining table and uncovered the meal.
"It is your favourite.", he told me but I was unfazed. I stared at him with tears at the brink of my eyes. Just a blink and it would be falling down my face. How could anyone be so cruel and nonchalant?
"Why are you doing this to me. I could just be a normal slave without all these humiliations.", I said and his countenance changed in an instant. The frown was not unexpected.
"You call this humiliation?" He scoffed. "Every other slaves are dying to be in your shoes right now, Freye and you dare call it humiliation. It is an honour to be desired by me when you are absolutely nothing.", his eyes chilled as he made the last statement and I could only stare at the devilish man who I had sold my soul to. He took another step closer and took my jaw in a hold not rough but firm.
"And I did not choose any other slaves but you". And then he whispered. "You're the one I want", he sealed this with a kiss that was as hot as the fire in his eyes.