Taken

“Laya!” Chief Rann shouted from inside the food packing room as he glared at me, this was food pack room C, we had three different ones marked A, B and C, this one was being packed with food for the brothers when they came. Anyone able to work was ferociously busy helping to stack the C room with bags of potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, nuts, milk and a few other types of foods our tribe worked so very hard for. They came once every third month, which meant our tribe had to supply them with food four times a year, of which they took a third of our food supplies, our tribe worked hard and it wasn’t fair that they had to give up such a large amount of their hard labor to scum like the brothers, all just to ensure the brothers didn’t kill them and take their women. It was an agreement which had kept the tribe safe for twelve years now, except this time they had something ever more valuable to hand over to the brothers, they had me.

Gulping hard this realization of my impending doom instantly made me feel very fearful, but I had brought it on myself, I had forced chief Rann to send Jake away. My heart hurt badly over him leaving, he had been the only human who had ever been kind to me, who treated me like we were the same even though we weren’t. My reverie was cut short when suddenly a booming voice was heard coming over everyone directed straight at me,

“HYBRID!” My eyes instantly shot up to meet the angry eyes of chief Rann, “Are you deaf!?” he bellowed.

“I, um… sorr…” but he simply cut me off as held up his hand to me, rolling his eyes his voice sounded even more annoyed than before,

“Just save it Laya, I could care less about you’re apologies. Tonight we will right a wrong which we were meant to have done from the very beginning with you, it’s getting dark and the brothers will be here soon to collect their food, you will stay inside this storage unit until they come do you understand?” nodding I swallowed hard before lowering my eyes to the ground, “This is very important Laya,” quickly looking up at him I frowned as I again nodded that I understood. “The brothers will take you with them tonight and from that point forward you will no longer be our problem, and my son will finally be able to come back home,” I felt a lump in my throat as he said this but I composed myself, not letting him see the complete sadness I was actually feeling deep inside, I wouldn’t allow myself to cry right here and now with all eyes on me. 

Everyone hurried and once they were done they all started walking out toward the entrance of the store room, giving me one last glare as they did so. Chief Rann was the last to leave, turning to face me as I stood standing there with my arms half hugging myself. I was the sacrificial lamb to the brothers tonight and the tribe looked pleased about it too. I looked up at him and felt tears filling to the brim,

“Save you’re tears Laya, you’re kind have brought nothing but trouble from the moment you made yourselves known to us, hoping to live as equals amongst us humans. Hybrids,” he smirked as he rolled his eyes, shaking his head in annoyance, “You look human but you could never be one of us, you’re a disease and if you had kissed my son or god forbid become intimate with him…” his thoughts trailed off as disgust took it’s place, “I owe Maddy my son’s life for coming forward the way that she did, that took courage and bravery, something you know nothing about. Tell me Laya, do you even know what the hell it is that you actually are? You’re yellow eyes are hideous to look at, what else do you hide inside that fake human shell of a body of yours,” looking at me even more disgusted he quickly took keys from his jacket pocket before turning to walk out. Pulling the main door over to shut it he gave me one last look before finally closing it and me inside along with all the food for the brothers. It was instantly darkened and all I could hear from the outside was him wrapping a chain around the door handles to lock it in place, stopping me from escaping and running away. I started sobbing as I fell to my knees feeling helpless, not wanting to die at the hands of the brothers but knowing that in some way I probably deserved it and far worse just for breathing. 

I missed my parents each and every day, but at this moment I cursed them for having me, for bringing me into this world of humans who hated me just for existing.

*** 

Not to long after I had been locked in the store room did I hear vehicles arriving from a distance somewhere outside, my stomach turned as I realized who it was, they were here, the brothers had arrived to collect. I started hyperventilating as more tears started flowing down my cheeks, I started looking around frantically for any way out of this place. I wasn’t ready to die this way, not by the hands of the brothers, just the thought of them touching me made me shudder.

Suddenly as I was still searching for a way out I remembered something Jake had told me one afternoon when he was in store room A with me, one of the many afternoons he had insisted on helping me work in the store rooms. ‘So if you’re ever in storage A again go right to the back, closest to the small window. Right beneath it is a place I dug out, it’s an escape route I used to use to get out of there, that’s how I used to get out of allot of my pack house duties last year,’ winking at me then I had frowned and not understood why I would ever need to escape my duties. Smiling now I thanked him in my mind, did he know all along that one day I would need to escape and run away? 

Quickly making my way to the back I looked up at the small window before allowing my eyes to drift down toward the place Jake had told me about, I quickly started feeling the pieces of wood before me for any of them that might be lose, within the third plank I felt it move. Pulling it away I quickly felt the next one and pulled it away as well, I pulled away another two planks and gasped as I saw a tunnel. Taking a deep breath I quickly lowered myself and started leopard crawling along the darkened dirt, eventually making my way toward another piece of wood just above my head. I pushed and pushed until it finally came away and fresh air rushed in. 

I wasted no time in climbing out, quickly looking around I realized I was still within the tribal fences. They were really high and covered in barbwire at the top, so I decided I needed to hide somewhere else, somewhere they wouldn’t come looking for me. Somewhere I would surely be safe until after they had left and I had a real chance of escape.

***

I had pushed myself up against the corner of the room nudged in between crates and boxes of food, I kept incredibly still. My heart was beating out of my chest but I didn’t dare move, maybe they wouldn’t find me here, maybe if I stayed completely still they would move straight past me. I had quickly made my way toward the kitchen where I had slaved away peeling potatoes and slicing up other vegetables for the tribe for three months, I knew the kitchen area inside and out and knew that the only real chance I had of hiding, would be amongst the boxes and crates near the back, after all, the brothers weren’t coming to get food from here, they had their own stash waiting for them in store room C.

All of a sudden the only thing I could hear in the far distance was blood curdling screams from somewhere outside, I gasped as my eyes widened. What was going on I wondered as my breathing picked up, panic took over as I realized that they must have noticed I wasn’t in the store room anymore. The brothers had arrived and all was calm until a certain point when all I could hear was screaming as the brothers started butchering my tribe. I covered my ears as I pushed my cheek against the cold hard concrete wall. Tears began flowing down my cheeks as I closed my eyes tightly.

My breathing was rapid as I felt the core of my soul shake, they were killing my tribe because of me, every cell in my body was telling me to get up and go to them even though they hated me, they had also been kind to me in other ways. Before I could think to do so I suddenly heard a creek as the old rusty metal door opened, I gasped as I swallowed hard. Someone was in here and my chest shook with fear. Closing my eyes again I pushed myself even further against the concrete, hoping and praying they would move straight past without noticing me. I was well hidden and prayed with all my might that it would be enough, it had to be, I couldn’t allow the brothers to find me. 

I tried to listen for footsteps as I couldn’t see anything from behind the boxes and crates but there was nothing but silence, even the blood curdling screams from outside had died down. A small box somewhere above me must have shifted somehow and all of a sudden came crashing down on top of my head, I gasped out loud and instantly covered my hands over my mouth in horror, maybe he hadn’t heard me, maybe just maybe he wouldn’t think to come looking behind here. Opening my eyes slowly I looked up through my hair hanging over my face and was met with a pair of angry eyes as he just stared at me with irritation, I gasped loudly again as my eyes widened, my breathing picked up as fear instantly flooded me, he was clearly a brother as I had never seen him here before.

“Well look at what we have here,” I heard him say in an amused yet annoyed tone. “You nearly got away,” he again said narrowing his eyes as he kept staring at me. My mouth felt dry to the point that swallowing was impossible, I was utterly petrified as I stared at him through the curtains of my hair hanging over my face. 

Within an instant he came at me and I instinctively jumped out the way as I fell over the boxes beside me, I had to make a run for it if I had any real chance of getting away from him. I saw the door as I started running toward it, my whole body went into overdrive, fight or flight mode kicked in and I knew I had to get away now! 

Just as I reached the door he suddenly jumped in front of me slamming it shut with a loud bang, I slowly backed away as he leisurely took a few steps toward me. Steadily pulling a dagger from his back he held it up toward me,

“I’m not going to hurt you but you have nowhere to run, just come quietly and make this easy on yourself,” he said in a silky smooth voice before pulling a rope from behind his back. I felt this gnawing pull from deep inside my belly which was incredibly painful and couldn’t understand what it was, gulping I stumbled back over a crate as I instantly fell to the ground hard hitting my head against the cold concrete. Feeling winded I stared up only to find he was instantly on top of me pinning my arms down as he stared at me, “Stop fighting me,” he said irritably. I wanted to scream but my throat was too dry to even try, looking up at him I realized he wasn’t much older than me, I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I pushed against him,

“No! Please don’t,” pushing my wrists down harder against the cold concrete floor he merely shook his head,

“Why do you think begging will save you from what’s out there,” I started vigorously thrashing my body about as more tears flowed down my cheeks. Suddenly a memory flashed through me of my parents mutilated bodies hanging from a tree in front of our house, and in that moment I felt something strange escape me as an unseen energy collided into him lunging him back and right off of me, completely taken by surprise his eyes narrowed as he jumped forward again pinning my arms down. I watched as he clenched his jaw as his whole abdomen tightened in a spasm, he closed his eyes tightly for just a second before widening them as he looked up at me horrified. I just lay there under him in shock to what had just happened as it had never happened to me before. Slowly moving my long black strands of hair out of my face he stared into my eyes. Clenching his jaw even tighter he just stared at me for the longest moment in complete disbelief as his eyes instantly became determined with concern,

“You’re a hybrid!?” he said with alarm in his voice, “The brothers will shred you to pieces before butchering you,” I just stared at him through tear streaked eyes but I didn’t dare move. I knew it was over, I knew what this would mean. Looking away for a moment I saw him wrestle with something in his head, 

“I’m sorry,” I whispered as more tears began to flow, “I know I’m an abomination to your kind, I’m so sorry for what my kind has done to you,” turning to look back down at me he clenched his jaw as he looked deep into my eyes, he sighed as he slowly brought the dagger up to my throat, 

“You’re kind…” swallowing hard he frowned deeply, “Please let me kill you, I’ll make it quick I promise,” I felt fresh tears stinging my eyes as they flowed down my cheeks. Frowning deeply I clenched my jaw as I fisted my hands, why was he asking my permission, he was one of the brothers they didn’t ask permission to murder anyone, I didn’t understand his motives at all. 

Looking straight into his eyes I nodded once before closing my eyes. I waited for my end, I didn’t understand why he was allowing me this kindness but I was grateful. The brothers were ruthless and barbaric, they never showed anyone any kindness before killing them, I felt confused as I lay beneath him. I kept waiting for it but nothing happened, eventually reopening my eyes I stared at him confused as he stared back at me, gulping hard he looked down at the palm of his hand as he frowned. Instantly pushing himself away from me he got up, I just lay there even more confused and in disbelief to why he hadn’t killed me. He looked over to his left noticing a fire going, a large pot was brewing on top of it. He walked over to it and took something from his pocket, frowning, I just stared at him. He pushed it into the hot coals of the fire before looking over at me, he narrowed his eyes as he stared at me and I felt even more bewildered. What was he doing? I didn’t understand, why hadn’t he just killed me, what game was he playing? 

After a few moments he eventually picked up a red hot looking iron symbol as he started walking back over to me, I clenched my jaw as I tensed my body at his closeness, I didn’t know what he planned on doing with it but my eyes were fixed on it as my breathing picked up. Kneeling down in front of me he narrowed his eyes once more as he held up the palm of his free hand, looking at it I noticed a symbol scarred into his hand, it must have been burnt into him. He held up the iron symbol and I realized it was the same symbol, 

“Give me your hand,” He said sternly. Gulping I frowned as I instinctively pulled my hand against my chest, 

“I’m not going to ask you again,” taking deep breaths I slowly yet hesitantly held out my hand to him, he took it in his and all at once felt a spark run up my hand, clenching his jaw tightly he kept his eyes on mine. He brushed off whatever had just gone through his mind as he held it so my palm was facing him, my hand was shaking yet I never took my eyes off him, nodding once he swiftly pushed the smoldering hot iron against the inside of my palm. Clenching my teeth I gasped out loud, tears started flowing down my cheeks as my bottom lip quivered yet I never looked away. I could hear it burning into me as I smelt my flesh burning. The pain was excruciating yet I didn’t cry out, our eyes stayed locked the entire time as his eyes focused on mine, almost willing me to stay strong, why was that? 

Eventually pulling the blistering iron symbol away, I gasped again as I closed my eyes for a moment, when I reopened them I watched as he wrapped a piece of white cloth around my hand, tying it securely in place. I pulled my hand from his as I stared at the fabric against my hand, the stinging sensation made me feel dizzy and I thought I would faint.

“Now you belong to me,” he said sternly. I had heard that the brothers tended to take women as their prisoners, using them as sex slaves until they had enough of them. Gulping I looked down, was that what I would become now, but surely not, I was a hybrid and this brother would know this. Was he branding me with his symbol only to abuse me and butcher me later in some sick and sadistic way?

Throwing the symbol into a bucket of water just a short distance away I could hear the sizzling sound as the heat from the iron met the coldness of the water, he then quickly picked it up again quickly wrapping it in a thick cloth before tossing it into his backpack. Pulling a rope from his bag he then pushed both my wrists together, starting to bind them together without looking at me. 

“What’s your name?” He asked still binding my hands, swallowing hard I looked up at him, 

“Laya,” I whispered softly. Nodding he finished tying my hands with enough rope at the end for him to hold onto, 

“Well Laya, keep your head down and don’t speak, whatever you do, don’t let any of the brothers see your eyes or else it will be the last thing you ever do. Do you understand?” Nodding I frowned, “Tell me that you understand,” Looking up at him I clenched my jaw. 

“I understand,” I whispered. Nodding once he pulled me up onto my feet, as I got up I stumbled forward losing my balance and straight into him, he grabbed my shoulders and held me there for a moment as he just stared into my eyes, my stomach twisted into a knot as something so deep within my core pulled me toward him. Gently touching my cheek with his hand he clenched his jaw before breaking eye contact, 

“Come,” He said sternly as he pushed me away, turning toward the door he started pulling me hard behind him. 

***

Following behind him as he held onto the rope still tied to me, I could hear screams. I kept my head down, there were scorching fires everywhere and bodies scattered. Taking shallow breaths I felt tears flow down my face but I didn’t dare look at them, these were the people who had found me when I was only four years old, my parents had been butchered for being hybrids. I had been gathering berries in a nearby field at the time, I could still remember it vividly- standing at the front entrance to our farmhouse dropping my bowl of berries to the ground, looking up at their mutilated bodies tied to a tree. That’s when one of the elders of this tribe happened to be walking past, he came up to me and told me to follow him. Looking up at him through tear streaked eyes he instantly frowned, “You’re a hybrid,” was all he said before walking away with me following behind him. That’s how I came to learn about my kind, that we were an abomination, other than that I didn’t know any more about what it meant to be a hybrid. From that moment on I began to understand and would forever know that I didn’t belong.

***

Out of the corner of my eye I saw some of the men of my tribe kneeled down, I heard them scream out as they were being slaughtered one by one. “Don’t lie to me! You told us that you had a hybrid for us and then we find the store room to only have the food you owe us, do you think us fools chief Rann!?” I felt a deep ache within me and I wanted to run to them, to help them. They were about to be killed because of me.

“Don’t even think about it,” He said sternly as he yanked hard at the rope, forcing me to almost fall to my knees. Suddenly he stopped, I noticed five men walk up to him, they were part of the brothers, I could straight off tell. 

“Well what have you got here Groban- Something fun for us to play with?” One said grabbing me from behind, swinging me around and slapping me so hard that I fell to the ground with a thump, I could taste blood in my mouth as my ears started ringing but I kept my head down, if I looked up now they would see what I was and they would surely kill me. 

“She’s mine,” Groban said in a deep threatening voice, pulling at the rope forcing me up onto my knees. 

“What!?” One of the other brothers said amused. Pulling my hands up he looked at my palms, 

“Well, well little brother, you’ve marked it, taking yourself a plaything. Little Groban’s growing up, at last,” He laughed as he tossed my hands down. My long strands of hair hung over my eyes, I peeped through them up at Groban but one of the other Brothers yelled at me before kicking me hard against my ribs, forcing me to fall down again as I yelped. 

“Keep your head down little feral bitch, you don’t get to look up at us!” He shouted, turning his attention toward Groban he scoffed, “Are you sure about this baby brother? They’re feral, like vermin,” Groban smirked, 

“Yet you have about six of your own Dax,” Laughing the brother shook his head, 

“Yes but I know how to handle these things, give her to me I’ll break her in for you,” the brothers found pleasure in plummeting villages and taking human woman for themselves, treating them worse than dogs, 

“I’ve marked it so it’s mine, I’ll kill her if she steps out of line,” Nodding once one of the other brother’s standing beside Groban thought it over, 

“You marked it, you keep it, just be careful,” He said sternly. Nodding once Groban pulled me up onto my feet again as he started pulling me in the direction away from our camp and away from the brothers. We got into a vehicle parked not too far away, it was dark out and I didn’t know anything outside of our camp fences so I felt fear and uncertainty creep into me as I hugged myself tightly. He had me in the passenger seat as he leant over to pull the seatbelt across, clicking it into place. Shutting the door he went over to the driver’s side and started the ignition, there was no going back now, I was going with him and I didn’t know what the future would hold for me. 

***

I sat near the fireplace just staring at the flames, huddled up with my arms wrapped around myself in fear, I didn’t dare move, I assumed I was in his cabin. 

Walking into what was clearly the camp of the brothers with him pulling me behind him, we had all eyes on us. I only then truly knew what it felt like to be petrified, the brothers had killed my parents for being hybrids and now I was right in the lion's den of those who wanted my kind dead. 

***

I was exhausted as I watched the flames flickering, the heat was welcoming but I was too traumatized to sleep. I had never wanted this, for the tribe I had lived with for fourteen years to be butchered and killed. Suddenly I noticed him next to me kneeling down with a bucket in his hands, staring at me for a moment he took a deep breath. I just sat there, shaking as tears kept flowing down my cheeks, I kept staring at the flickering flames of heat my only solace at this time.

“So what is a hybrid doing in a human tribe?” he finally asked still looking down at the bucket beside him. Taken aback by his question I slowly turned my gaze toward him,

“They took me in when I was four,” I whispered in a hoarse voice without making eye contact with him. Nodding he smirked, 

“So why did they decide to hand you over to us?” Swallowing hard I quickly looked down,

“Because I deserved it,” frowning deeply he clenched his jaw but said nothing. 

Instead he merely lifted a cloth to me as he gently moved my hair away from my face, I flinched as I gulped but he didn’t pull away, instead he gently started wiping the tears and dirt from my face. The cloth was cool but my cheek stung where I had been slapped by one of the other brothers. I flinched again but turned to look up at him never taking my eyes off him. He looked down at my hand and lifted it up as he started removing the piece of stained white cloth he had tied to it to look at where he had branded me. He instantly pushed my hand into the bucket of water firmly while still holding onto my hand, I gasped as the cold water stung my blistering hand, clenching my jaw I took a deep breath. Pulling my hand from the bucket he picked up a white mixture in a bowl beside him and started rubbing some against my burning hand, it ached and I instantly felt fresh tears begin to flow down my cheeks. I closed my eyes for just a moment as I tried to calm myself. Then he started wrapping a clean piece of white cloth around the area before tying it with a knot, why was he being kind to me if he was just going to…