1

2 years ago

A teardrop falls from my eye – staining the papers that I hesitate to sign. My fingers gently grasp the pen, but I have the inability to make the pen move. My head knows that if I sign this, I will give away everything I have worked hard for; that my freedom will be snatched away from me, making me a puppet on a string. My dreams that I longed to achieve will become deserted lands, and the finish line to achieving them will disintegrate before I could even start my journey to make them come true.

My heart, however, knows that there is no other way. My heart longs for my family to become whole again, it longs to see my stepmom walking around the kitchen again – fixing us up some of her famous delicious dishes. The need to see my dad happy, to have him finally love me back after all these years – my heart caves in. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath – my heart wins over my head again.

For the thousandth time, I put others’ needs above my own; I trash my dreams, goals, and my future for others. My eyes slowly open, they are moist with the death of my dreams – letting out a breath, I let my hand control the pen. I feel it glide along the paper, curving my signature in the empty spaces that require my approval and my consent. At the last signature, my hand immediately stops after filling in the space. Almost instantly, I feel my heart and dreams being confined in a steel cage. I inwardly hyperventilate, but to others in the room I look composed.

There….

I just signed my future and life away – I   just single-handedly killed the one bright future I once had. My future will be decided for me – but…. It will be worth it if she is to get better again.

I loved my step mum more than anything in this world – and I would do anything to make sure she gets better again, hence why I am here.

My name is Grace white – a twenty-year-old girl who was at the top of her college. However, I guess now I will have to introduce myself as Grace white; the girl who sold herself. This was not what I wanted in life; like any other student, I was awaiting the day I graduate so that I will eventually get a job and support myself. However, things never play out the way you want them to.

Oh…and did I mention that I was a werewolf…well, kinda.

No, I am not crazy – my parents were both werewolves, and after their mating, I was born. Though, I have never liked the idea of being a werewolf I never really had a choice in the matter. Being a werewolf does have some advantages to it for instance I can smell the coffee shop that is miles away, and I can hear the conversation happening on the level below me. I can also tell that the handsome man in front of me is a respected or a werewolf of high stature – he, however, cannot tell that I am one of his kind, which is my father’s doings.

Unlike other werewolves, I had first shifted when I was just a pup. I was told that my wolf’s coat was midnight black with strange eyes that would turn color based on my emotions. I had, apparently, gotten those features from my birth mom – hence the reason for my dad’s selfish act. Due to my wolf reminding him of his mate, one night when I was asleep, my dad contacted an ally witch he used to know before he ran away from his own pack. She placed a curse on me – the curse was that I would be seen as a human by everyone. Though I still had my wolf and heightened senses, I could not shift, and other werewolves saw me as another human. I always wondered if there was a way to break the curse, but I never really bothered to try.

The important papers are taken from me by a handsome tall man. I have come to know that his name is Jacob. I heard him turn the pages, making sure I had signed in the correct places as well as signing as a witness for me. I looked out the big windows at the side of the room. On the opposite side of the windows is the right description of what I had been masking on the inside of me. The day is dark and gloomy, with rain heavy pouring down. Its heavy droplets sit against the glass windows, rinsing them off any dust or dirt. Just like the way the rain washes away the window residues, the ink from the pen I still hold washes away my future. I feel the sound of the heavy rain become in sync with the thumping of my saddened heart. My tears threaten to fall – however, I just stare out the window holding on to the thought of mother feeling well again.

I hear Jacob clear his throat – obviously trying to get my attention away from the outside and back at him. I slowly turn my head to him, and his eyes soften at me – I can tell he sees a sad and dead expression. He offers me a gentle smile, to which I offer a small smile back – his smile offers some warmth to my now-dead insides. We just stay silent for a while; he can tell that I need to process my actions.

When I first came here today, I honestly thought he would be some scary guy who duck-tapes my mouth or handcuffs me – but he really proved me wrong with his sophisticated nature. He was professional, sweet, and had very pleasant manners for a man in such business. His professional gentle nature helped soothe the roaring sea of nervousness and fear that was inside of me.

“Just remember Grace, you can back out any time you want…except on the day that the auction happens…”  he says in a professional manner, noticing the dismay I feel after signing the papers. I nod my head to tell him that I understand – I do not know what to say, so head movements are all I can do.

Jacob is the owner of the auction house, but one of the many partners who oversee the gathering of the lot. Though this auction is a hush-hush illegal event, it is the largest event of the year – everyone in El Salvador was aware of it. It was a time of the year that girls around my age were being kidnapped, people were getting robbed of their family’s expensive heirlooms and families were kicked out of their homes.  It was only a matter of time before I was brought here, at least by coming of my own free I will get paid while choosing to be sold as a maiden and not a sex slave.

“Honestly…this has been the first time that someone has willingly come to me…” he says, trying to figure out why. I kind of figured this out – no one in their right mind will want to sell themselves willingly, so I guess I am crazy after all.

“I have been told…” I say softly.

“Just… just make sure the money is sent to Dr. Peterson…” I put my hand in my jacket pocket pulling out a sealed envelope with the name Dr. Peterson written on it in my handwriting. I look over to Jacob to see that his eyes have latched onto the letter – the wheels in his brain are turning.

“Make sure that Dr. Peterson gets this…The money is for my mom’s surgery – I…I trust you will hand the money and this letter to the doctor” I instruct Jacob, whose face relaxes after I told him what the money is for.

“Please…make sure the surgery is done…” I plead with him.

He nods his head in agreement, knowing that this is the only reason why I would give away my dreams. I know he will do what I say, as there is something in his eyes that comforts me – I guess I see the truth in his eyes, however, I could be wrong but I hope I am not.

With that, I watch him wake up from his chair; I do the same. He puts out his hand to me, and I do the same. We shake each other’s hands, finalizing the deals. I know he wants to say ‘pleasure doing business with you’ however he cannot in this circumstance. I guess he holds himself back from saying it.

When we pull our hands away from each other, I turn to gather my things. We walk out of his office and head to the entrance of the building. Before I could exit the building, he stops me.

“You will receive a message today…please read it and understand it…” he says to me in an important tone. I gulp but nod my head assuring him that I will follow his instructions. He nods his head and tells me bye before disappearing around the passage corner. I turn around to see the rain pouring heavily. I sigh to myself, knowing I will be going home drenched to the bone.

I sigh in relief as the warm water caresses my cold skin. Though it was fun walking in the rain and jumping in puddles, it felt good to be at home having a hot shower knowing that warm cozy clothes are laid out on my bed. After the shower, I changed into a pj set that was blue and had Stitch imprinted on it, who is one of the many loveable characters from Disney.

“Grace?!!” I hear my father bellows from downstairs.

“Sh-“I catch myself before cursing, his heightened hearing would definitely get me in trouble.  I run downstairs and find him with his overalls on, and his backpack swung over his shoulders.

“Yes…” I answer him.

“I’m heading to work…When I get back, I want this house spotless, my bed must be made, my breakfast laid out and tomorrow I want you staying in your room – I don’t think I’d want to see your face tomorrow…” he snarls at me.

Tomorrow is my birth mum’s birthday – when he gets drunk, he often tells me that I remind him of her. My father isn’t the abusive type, but his words hurt just as much as any fist or slap. He turns around to leave, but I stop him.

“Dad? I have something to say to you…” My voice softens and I lower my head.

“In a few days’ time…I – I will be moving out…” he turns to me and a glint of happiness sparkle in his eyes.

“And go where? You don’t own a house, you don’t even have money – where could you possibly –“ he stops midsentence. He begins to hysterically laugh out. His laughter mocked me, making me feel small.

“Don’t – don’t tell me you actually…” he tries saying through his laughter.

“Don’t tell me you actually did what I told you to do…” he wipes away a stray tear of joy. A few days ago, my dad and I had an argument – at the end of the argument he suggested that I auction myself out like the slut I am, at least in that way I can pay him to rent for living under his roof.

“I am not going to be a sex-“ he cuts me off with a growl.

“You are a pathetic excuse of a woman! You just waited for the go-ahead from me, and a few days later you already selling yourself. Pathetic!” He spits at my feet.

“But…You’ll be back – no one will want you…” his voice softens as he walks away. The amusement and laughter in his voice do not go unheard. After he leaves, I rush upstairs and fall on my bed. I begin to sob into my pillow – taking out all the negative emotions I’ve felt today. I began to hyperventilate as my thoughts kept running circles around me, so I quickly opened my bedside drawer and took out the anxiety medication that my dad had bought me. I place a single pill at the back of my throat and throw my head back to swallow. I let out a sigh as I felt my heart rate slow down and my mind became clearer.

PING!

My phone screen lit up. I put in my password and see that I have a message from an unknown number. But by the contents of the email, I knew it was Jacob sending me the event layouts and the rules.