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CHAPTER 8

Author: Heaven Lee
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-17 02:33:11

The mysterious figure slowly raised its head, and Aria caught a glimpse of a gaunt, weathered face with sunken eyes. The woman's voice was cold and menacing as she growled:

"Who're you?"

Aria swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "My name is Aria."

The woman's expression twisted in disgust; 

"Sit." She jerked her head towards the ground, her eyes flashing with hostility.

Aria felt a shiver run down her spine as she hesitated for a moment, then slowly sat down, trying not to make any sudden movements that might provoke the woman further.

Aria sat down slowly, her eyes fixed on the woman, who was still regarding her with a cold, unyielding gaze. The air was thick with tension, and Aria could feel the woman's hostility radiating towards her like a palpable force.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, the woman spoke again, her voice still rough and unfriendly. "What brings you here?”

Aria hesitated, unsure of how to respond to the woman's curt question. But something about the woman's demeanor put her on edge, and she found herself answering in a flat, monotone voice.

"I was sold to the merchants," Aria said, the words feeling like a bitter taste in her mouth. "My uncle... he sold me to them.”

As Aria finished speaking, a wave of sadness washed over her. She felt a lump form in her throat as she recalled the cruel fate that had been inflicted upon her. Her uncle, the man who was supposed to protect and care for her, had instead betrayed her in the most brutal way imaginable. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she thought about the life she had left behind, and the unknown destiny that lay ahead of her.

The woman's expression remained unreadable as she listened to Aria's story. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a flat, detached tone.

"Get some rest, girl. You'll need it for tomorrow."

Aria's curiosity was piqued. "What's happening tomorrow?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of fear and trepidation.

The woman's silence was oppressive, and Aria felt a shiver run down her spine. Finally, the woman spoke, her voice dripping with malice.

"You don't know, do you? Tomorrow's the Trade Fair day."

Aria's confusion deepened. "What does that mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's gaze seemed to bore into Aria's very soul, and for a moment, Aria felt like she was staring into the depths of darkness itself.

The woman's expression twisted into a cruel smile as she explained, "It's the day the merchants showcase their goods - that's you, girl - to the highest bidder. You'll be presented before the entire town, and whoever pays the most will take you home."

Aria's eyes widened in horror as the woman's words sank in. She felt a wave of desperation wash over her, and she murmured silently, but loudly enough for the woman to hear, "I wish I won't be bought tomorrow..."

The woman's expression suddenly turned serious, and she leaned in closer to Aria. "Don't wish yourself death, girl," she said, her voice low and urgent. "You're still young, and life's got a lot to offer, no matter how bleak things seem."

Aria's eyes narrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's gaze seemed to bore into Aria's soul, as if searching for something. "I mean that wishing not to be bought is the same as wishing for death," she said, her words dripping with gravity. "You don't know what's waiting for you out there, but you can be sure it's not going to be pleasant. If you're not bought, you'll be left to rot in this place, or worse.”

Aria's eyes widened in fear as she asked, "How bad can it be?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her growing unease.

The woman's expression remained grim, but she didn't respond. Instead, she waved her hand dismissively. "I've answered enough questions for tonight, girl. You should sleep. We've got an early start tomorrow."

With that, the woman turned away, effectively ending the conversation. Aria was left to ponder the woman's ominous words, her mind racing with frightening possibilities.

Aria hesitated, then asked, "Can I ask one last question before I sleep?" But the woman didn't respond, her silence a clear indication that she didn't want to engage in further conversation.

After a few moments of silence, Aria decided to press on, her curiosity getting the better of her. "How long have you been here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman kept silent for what felt like an eternity, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and measured. "You don't want to find out."

Aria's determination only grew stronger. "Tell me," she pressed, her eyes locked on the woman's.

The woman's gaze seemed to cloud over, and for a moment. Then, in a voice that was barely audible, the woman replied, "I've been here since I was young... like you.”

Aria's eyes narrowed in confusion. "But weren't you sold or didn't you have a buyer?" she asked.

The woman's expression turned bitter, and she spoke in a low, husky tone. "I was with child when I was sold. When the merchants found out, they... they forced me to have the child before I could be bought. No one wants a pregnant slave, after all."

Aria's eyes widened in horror as she listened to the woman's words. She felt a chill run down her spine, and her hand instinctively went to her belly.

Aria's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "What happened to the child?" But the woman remained silent, her expression unreadable. Aria noticed the woman's reluctance to discuss the topic and decided to drop it. "Goodnight," she said softly, shutting her eyes in an attempt to sleep.

But just as Aria drifted off, the woman spoke in a hushed tone, "The child was sold immediately after birth, right before I could give her a name. There are couples who can't have children of their own, and they buy them at the slave market."

Aria's eyes snapped open, and she felt a jolt of shock and fear. She couldn't utter a word, her mind reeling with the horrific reality.

The woman seemed to misinterpret Aria's silence, thinking she was feeling sorry for her. "Don't feel sorry for me, child," she said. "What's done is done. The seed has been sown, and it can't be undone."

But what the woman didn't realize was that Aria's thoughts had taken a darker turn. She was thinking about her own situation, just like the woman had been. The fear and uncertainty were suffocating, and Aria couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach.

The woman's voice was a gentle whisper in the darkness. "My name is Penelope."

Aria's response was barely audible, her voice laced with a mix of fear and exhaustion. "Goodnight, Penelope.”

Heaven Lee

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    Aria walked out of the pack's pharmacy, a small envelope in her hand. She was smiling, and her eyes looked happy. The sun was shining, and the air was fresh and clean.The pharmacy was a small, cozy building in the middle of the pack's village. The sign above the door read "Moonlight Apothecary". The village was quiet, except for the sounds of birds singing and people talking.Aria walked down a dirt path, lined with trees and green bushes. The earth was cool and damp beneath her feet. She passed by some pack members, who said hello and smiled.The village gardens were nearby, filled with colorful flowers and delicious-smelling fruits and vegetables. Aria's stomach growled, and she quickened her pace.She looked ahead at the farmhouse, where she lived. Smoke was coming out of the chimney, and she could smell food cooking. Her stomach growled again, and she smiled.As she got closer to the house, she heard laughter and music coming from inside. She recognized the song and felt happy. T

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