1 Sold

Stormy

I still remember that day, and it was a day I would never forget. Sort of like how you always remember that really bad nightmare...always there to haunt you in a moment of weakness. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was just finishing up my chores when my mother walked up to me. She was four months pregnant at the time. My father had died a couple months earlier from a toxic chemical spill in the mines. Or at least that's what we were told anyway. I had doubts about the whole matter myself. I was always so proud him for working so hard, but everyone knows miners die quickly. Even knowing that didn't make the pain any less, in fact the pain was unbearable. I just wouldn't let people see how much torture I was going through. My father always believed in me and told me that he would help me escape one day so that I could live a big and better life. He had always believed me special and that one day I would save our people. But of course that's what every father told there most precious daughter or son. The fact of the matter was we were the victims of our high and mighty king. He saw fit that my people, the shapeshifters we called ourselves, suffered greatly. And the only way for us to live better lives was for someone to save us from this oppression...

"Bella, I have to be honest with you." My mother's beautiful yet worn face showed remorse and sadness. I searched her face and forgot how much she loved father.

"What's wrong mom?" She sighed and revealed her evil plan. "Well, we are short on money...ever since your father died, and we only have one option left at this point. We really only have two options at this point, either ask the government for help or die." I was horrified. Everyone knew that the only way the government would give us money was if we gave them something in return, and we literally had nothing. Nothing but the clothes on our backs.

"Mother no! You know what that means, you'll have to sell one of us. Don't you love us? Why would you give us up? Do you even know what they do to there slaves? You know the stories!" She hugged me, but I only backed away in disgust.

"Yes, I know that and I love you very much but I really don't have any other options." I looked at her in shock. She was planning on giving me away. I knew she didn't like me very much to begin with. I was what you would call a rebellious child. I hated following the rules and wanted what I wanted from life.

"You want me to go, that's why you came to see me. To sell me off for a fuckin profit!" I was outraged, and I had little control over my temper. It just came out, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. My mother and I often clashed with each other because of our hot tempers. She slapped me, hard. I could feel the blood running down my cheek. The feelings of hot anger and shamefulness started rising. 

"You will do as your told Stormy! And you'll lose that wicked tongue of yours! I swear, you'll be the death of me." She shook her head, which enraged me even more.

"If you plan on selling me, I'll do as I like. But don't tell me that this is good for me. Everyone knows that slavery is a death sentence. But if your convinced this is our only option, then just get on with it." I was absolutely furious, and she was shedding silent tears. I felt bad that I made her cry but I couldn't help it. I was going to be sold, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. She was still my legal guardian and could do as she liked with me. At least I would know that my family would survive off the money they made from me, and that did make me feel somewhat like a hero.

"So be it. Let's just get this over with." I nodded, and we made the long trek into town.

...

We walked into a very nicely furnished room called the reception room. It had marble floors, and a large fish tank on the side. The fish looked exotic to me, but what did I know about fish? There was a desk with a beautiful woman in her late thirties with makeup on. I had never worn makeup myself, but was always curious of what I would look like with it on. She was sitting at a computer typing at the speed of light, not even phased that we were standing right in front of her. I always believed that this was there way of pretending we were invisible, but who was I to judge?

"Excuse me ma'am." My mother timidly began. The lady didn't even look up. Talk about rude!

"Hey you!" I shouted. She looked up then, and I could tell I had irritated her to a full degree. I was glad, she was a stuck up, no good piece of-

"What business do you have?" Her voice was curt, which pissed me off even more. I think my mother caught on because she spoke before I could speak my mind.

"I need money, and I-"

"And what will we get in return?" She looked at me and tilted her head ever so slightly. Smiling like the devil she was. It was then that she walked out from her desk and inspected me.

"Come closer girl." I walked a step closer, and she circled around me. You could say that I felt like a animal being auctioned off to the highest bidder. I desperately wanted to fight but I knew my efforts would be useless. The woman in a tight black dress faced me. Holding my chin in her hand, and looking into my eyes I realized at that moment that she was something not human at all. There was something I could sense about her that was very dangerous. At that moment I felt something inside me that make me look for the truth. It was then that I saw what she really was. A shapeshifter, just like my ancestors. She was a slave and was looking for a way out but couldn't find it. At that moment I felt for her, she didn't want this. Neither of us did, but we must do what must be done.

"My daughter-" The receptionist looked at me briefly, then picked up the phone.

"Yes ma'am, I know we're about to close...yes...but I think you'll want to see this. There's a girl who seems to fit what we were looking for...yes, I'm sure....ok, I'll send her in." She hung up the phone and looked straight at my mother.

"Alright, my master agrees to see you and will take her I'm sure." She was speaking to my mother now," Just wait out here ma'am." Now directing her attention to me, "follow me please, but you may want to say any last words. You'll probably never see her again."

I turned towards my mother who was again crying silently to herself. Maybe she did love me? Or she felt horrible about doing this. Either way, that didn't her so bad.

"Goodbye mom." I kissed her cheek and gave her a hug. She reciprocated and lowered her head. I thought she would say goodbye, but she just turned her back to me and waited for me to leave... so much for love. I then followed this stuck up sassy pants down the hall. Before she opened the door she spoke.

"Your life will be different now little girl. Just do as your told and you should be fine." I nodded and she opened the door to reveal a lovely sunlit room with heavy red velvet drapes. I felt like I was visiting royalty, and perhaps I was. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Here she is my lady." A woman with long curly red hair turned around. She was absolutely gorgeous! Her eyes were an emerald green which reminded me of the magical forest close by our house. She was quite tall, and her body was curved which gave her a sexy air. She exploited those curves perfectly by wearing a tight business skirt that barely covered her butt. Her torso was covered, but her breasts were exposed through a v neck blouse. Its not like I was attracted to women in that way but I have to say that I was in awe of her beauty. I knew I could never be that beautiful. Not like I cared much for beauty anyway, but still.

She looked at me for what seemed like forever, which made me blush and feel really awkward...

"Well, well, well you certainly are beautiful enough love. Here take a seat." I did so, and she sat in front of me behind her desk. "Tell me about yourself. How is it that you came to me? I want to know everything. " I sighed. My story wasn't that impressive but I told her my sad little story. The Story of every sad little miners daughter...

"Well you see my father was a coal minor and he died a couple months ago. We started running low on money when my mother decided to hand me over to the authorities. Of course slavery is an abomination, but with the evil government we are succumbed to, we poor folk are left with nothing. So here I am...Pitiful story I know. " I looked to see I had amused her.

"I like your sense of humor little one. I also like that spicy tongue of yours." She arched her eyebrows and smiled mischievously, "If properly trained you could do great things for me. Hmmm yes, you'll fit in here just fine. Oh! There is one more thing."

"And what's that exactly?" I cocked my eyebrow, " Daisy, why don't you do the honors." She glanced at her partner in crime and daisy nodded before returning her gaze back towards me. It was dead silent, and my heart fell to the floor. I had heard rumors of what happens to slaves after they are bought. The stories I had heard were not good. One story I had heard was that of murder. Another story was that of a innocent girl made into an assassin. I had no idea if these things actually happened, but now I had wondered if they were true.

"What do you plan on doing with me?" I asked half terrified. The beautiful woman in front of me leaned back in her chair and grinned. A grin that sent ice cold chills all the way down to the soles of my feet.

"What is it to you little girl? You are my slave now, and your mine. I will do with you as I please." She crossed her arms and raised her chin up. I knew this move, she was illustrating her dominance towards me. I glared back at her.

"You know your little obedient slave here told me to do as I was told. Let me tell you, I am not obedient whatsoever. I am a little rebel, so lets just save each other a whole world of trouble and just end this shall we?" She glared back at me and narrowed her eyes. There was a long moment of silence between us. Daisy had specifically told me to be an obedient little girl, but I hated these people. They were the ones that had brought my family into poverty. They were the ones that forced the men of our village to work to the death in those mines. I didn't even know what they were trying to find, its not like there were any precious gems down there anyway. It was all sinister to me, and to be honest I would rather be dead than in this predicament and the beautiful woman in front of me knew it. She slowly stood up and walked over to the window. Hands behind her back. I looked at Daisy, and she looked at me with concern in her face. Strangely enough, I got the impression that she knew exactly how I felt. I wonder how she found herself working for this woman in the first place. Perhaps she was also a victim, and had no choice but to give up her freedom.

I stood, and thought it best I should just get out of here. I had already insulted someone high up on the authority ladder, and leaving was probably my best option. But to my surprise I heard a chuckle and then a hearty laugh.

"You will be perfect my love. I have been looking for someone like you for a long time...What's your name my love?" I turned confused. What the heck?

"Excuse me? Perfect for what?" I was about to turn the handle on the door when she revealed something that would change my life forever.

"You may want to sit down for this part. Daisy, give the girls mother as much money as is allowed. And tell her we are satisfied, and that she will serve a higher purpose." Daisy bowed and quickly left the room. I had sat down, as did my new master.

"I have been looking for a girl, such as yourself for a very long time. When I looked at you I saw strength, courage and beauty. But there was something else I saw. Something that I haven't seen in a very long time." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh puulease! Spare me the speech of how I am so special and have a mission. I know how this works, and your not fooling." I crossed my arms and arched my eyebrow.

"Give me your hand. I'll prove my point to you." I did so and she pulled out a knife. She slowly pricked my skin.

"Making me bleed won't convince me of anything." She smiled as she also cut herself, "Don't worry, you'll get it soon." She placed the area on her hand that was red and placed it on top of mine. It started to glow and our hands became brighter. I started to feel woozy, but kept watching. I was fascinated, and now believed that the people in power were all witches with crazy strong powers. Her fingers were wrapped tightly around mine. Her legs touching mine and her other hand grasped my thigh.

"Stop it!" She laughed. The glow from her hands got even brighter and as I watched in both fascination and terror the light from her hands were entering my blood. I could see the light passing under my skin. It traveled higher and higher.

"relax" Her other hand tenderly massaged my inner thigh. But at that moment the light enveloped me and I had entered into another world entirely.

All I could see was a white glow. I walked around to see where I was but I stopped when I saw a man standing in front of me. He was taller than me, and dressed in a kingly robe. There was a blue cape that was dancing around him, almost as if there was wind except I felt no breeze. He had curly black hair and black eyes. He was altogether beautiful, and I felt such a strong pull towards him. I had to touch him. I walked closer and once he saw me his head tilted in curiosity. I stopped, but he didn't. He walked in quick strides towards me, and I cautiously towards him. There was something about him that drew me in, there was something about him.

"Who are you?" He asked in a low husky voice. We were a breath away now. Our eyelashes barely touching. I searched his eyes and discovered that they were as black as night and filled with life.

"Stormy. You?" He grinned and gently grazed his large hand against my cheek. I found that I couldn't breath. I had never felt short of breath before, and to be honest I wasn't sure I liked these feeling I was going through.

"I'm Drogo." He swallowed and looked at me intently. "God, Your the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I'm never letting you leave me. And I know this is a dream, but I'll find you Stormy. I promise you that."

"Please Drogo-" He smiled so wide like it meant the world to him when I said his name, "Yes?"

"Save me, I'm a slave and I can't run away. You have to save me. Please." He took my neck in my hands and kissed me. God, it felt so right. I wanted nothing more than to stay with him, but I too knew this was just a dream.

"Tell me where you are my love." He searches my eyes.

"I don't know where I am...Where are you? Maybe I'll have to find you instead."

"Norasea-" He started fading, and another force started engulfing me. A warm light took me away and surrounded me.

"No! Stormy!" There was panic in his voice and there was panic in me too. I hated to leave him, but there was nothing I could do.

"Drogo!" I reached out. Our fingertips touched but it was too late. He was gone, but I swore I would find him again. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were meant to be together, and I really wanted to run away from everything to be with him. Even if it was just for a little while.

"My dear Stormy, you will see him soon." A bright white light thundered all around me to reveal a man. A man I thought to be some sort of God.

"Who are you? And where's Drogo?!" His gentle hands engulfed me into a hug.

"Don't worry you will soon be reunited, but right now I have a gift for you. It is up to you how you choose to use it, but I pray that you use it to fight for your king." I looked up at him.

"Are you God?" He laughed heartily. He looked lovingly at me and smiled. He kissed me on my forehead and spoke, "I am that I am my dear girl, but we don't have much time. This world has known much pain and evil. I am sending you and others like you to warn the kings of this world to be merciful as I am merciful."

"But I am a nobody, I mean I'm just a slave. What could I possibly do?"

"You are no nobody, you are my beautiful daughter. Never forget that Stormy...Whatever you choose, good or evil I will always love you." He bent towards the ground and brought a small box. A blue velvet box that was decorated in gold lace. I looked into his eyes then at the box. What side would I choose? How the hell was I supposed to know?

"I want to do good. Always." I looked up abruptly to see him smile. He placed the box in my hands. I looked down at the box. I wondered what was inside of it. Perhaps a ring or something of that sort. But after I opened the small box, it revealed a beautiful blue stone attached to a gold chain.

"Now, Go find him Stormy. And I will be with you." He placed the necklace around my neck. "The gift I have given you will manifest itself soon, and you will go through many hardships but never stop looking for your king. He needs you." I nodded, I had a job to do and for once in my life I had a real purpose. I had to find him, and escape this slavery I found myself in. I would escape and there was nothing my new master could do about it.