1_ sell

Meteorites cascaded from the heavens, plummeting towards the earth. It was the stroke of midnight, the sky a somber gray, punctuated only by the occasional fiery streak illuminating the darkness. The spectacle was mesmerizing, the flickering lights dancing across the sky.

However, the beauty was deceptive. As the radiant light touched the ground, it set everything ablaze. Soon, cries of despair echoed from a house that had been mysteriously set on fire, even though it hadn't been hit by a meteorite. The anguish of the inhabitants was palpable, enough to send shivers down your spine if you were to hear it.

A month earlier,

I stared at my reflection with a sense of self-pity. It was my 16th birthday, yet I couldn't muster a smile. I struggled to recall the last time I had genuinely smiled, for my life had been marred by blame and accusations since my parents' demise. My family held me responsible for their death.

Our house had been set ablaze on the day of my birth. While others attributed it to a meteorite, my family believed it was my doing. They considered me cursed, a devil's child.

My half-sister was the instigator of this belief. She claimed to have seen me extinguish the fire that had started in my mouth when I cried as a newborn. She was only three at the time of the incident, but she never ceased to recount the tale, as if it were the gospel truth. If I indeed had such power, I would have already incinerated her for her vile actions.

The midwife who had delivered me had thrown me onto the bed as I entered this harsh world. According to my half-sister, our house began to burn when the midwife's body spontaneously combusted. How my sister and I survived remains a mystery.

For nearly 16 years, I've lived with my sister's narrative. She repeats it to me and her friends regularly. Consequently, I've been labeled a lunatic and subjected to bullying. Sometimes, I wish her story were true so I could retaliate and shield myself from the torment I endure.

"Why are you still lounging around?" my sister yelled from outside my room. She couldn't enter because I was in the basement, my designated living space. It was a grimy, repugnant place infested with rats and insects. I had grown accustomed to it, having no other choice. My family, however, was repelled by the mere thought of setting foot in there.

Our financial situation had worsened since my parents' death, and my grandparents blamed me for it. Despite this, they allowed me to attend school and work part-time as a dishwasher at a local club.

As I was about to rise, my grandmother entered my room, a rare occurrence. "Clean up and put this on," she said, tossing me a dress. "You're starting a new job." She left without another word, but her disdainful gaze lingered, leaving me wondering about the new job she had mentioned.

I stood frozen in the middle of my room, trying to comprehend the situation. "Hurry up, your new employer is waiting," my sister yelled impatiently.

"Excuse me?" was all I could muster.

"This is not the time for your nonsense, Lea," I retorted. My sister muttered something under her breath, her voice laced with anger and disdain.

"I hope you don't come back this time," she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

Swallowing hard, I took a bath and put on the short, sandy dress my grandmother had given me. It was uncomfortable and far too short.

I remembered this dress; it belonged to my sister. It was short on her, but on me, it was even shorter due to my height. The dress clung to my body in a way that made me feel exposed. But I had no choice but to wear it if I wanted to avoid another beating from my grandparents. My body still ached from their last punishment, and I was covered in bruises; I couldn't afford any more.

With a sense of dread, I left my room and walked cautiously into our living room. My grandfather was talking to two strangers. They looked like gang members, with their unkempt beards and dirty clothes.

"Ah, here she is. Lea, come here. I want you to meet these gentlemen. They'll take you to your new employer," my grandfather said, a smile on his face. I noticed he was holding a wad of cash.

A wave of fear washed over me. Was he selling me to these thugs? I took a step back, but my grandfather grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward. As one of the men grabbed my arm and pushed me towards the door, I looked at my grandfather in terror.

"Please, Grandpa, I don't want to go with them!" I pleaded. But it was as if they couldn't hear me. As the man led me out of the house, I was shaking with fear.

"Consider this payment for what you did to my son. We won't ask anything of you after this," my grandmother said, turning her back on me as if nothing was happening. I was nothing to them, and tears streamed down my face.

As I struggled to free myself from the man's grip, the other man helped him force me into the car. They practically dragged me inside. All I could do was cry.

"Stop your blubbering, girl. You'll like your new home," one of the men said, and they both laughed cruelly. I was so terrified, I was on the verge of jumping out of the car.

Tears streamed down my face as the car sped along. I tried to open the car door, but it was locked. "Please, let me go..." I pleaded, but my pleas were drowned out by their laughter.

I never thought my family would stoop so low as to sell me. Wasn't I still part of their family? Despite everything, wasn't I still their kin? Perhaps I was the only one who thought so...

After what felt like hours, the car finally stopped in front of the most magnificent, luxurious, and breathtaking mansion I had ever seen.

A large fountain graced the front of the house, featuring an angelic figure holding a jar from which water flowed endlessly. The entire property was enveloped in greenery and flowers, resembling a vast garden. I was awestruck, momentarily forgetting the reason for my presence there.

My momentary lapse was interrupted by the two strangers who roughly pulled me out of the car. "Time to meet your new owner, little kitty," one of them sneered.

They dragged me towards the grand mansion as I resumed my struggle. I knew that once I entered this house, more pain awaited me. The thought of fighting for my life was terrifying, making me feel small and helpless.

What was going to happen to me? I needed help. But then again, was being here any worse than being at home with my family?

"Where is Alpha Langford? Tell him that his package, the treasure he asked us to fetch, is here," one of the strangers announced, his grip on my wrist unyielding. I was certain it would leave a mark.

I didn't try to resist or fight back. I knew it was futile. I was in their territory now, and whoever had sent these two vile strangers to fetch me was clearly a high roller. The opulence of the mansion was a testament to the owner's wealth. I was in deep trouble.