BIRDCAGE

TEN

ten.

LUNA

The whole car ride was, how should I describe it, energy-draining. Felix kept on striking conversations. On the other hand, I keep responding to him but with just a few words, and Ren kept on glaring at me throughout the whole ride. Shooting a thousand daggers at me. He's keeping his eye on me.

I didn't do anything other than just sit inside the car, wait for us to arrive at our destination, listen to Felix's never-ending chit-chat, and ignore Ren's death glare. It was tiring, draining to be exact.

The car came to a halt. Knowing that we have finally arrived at our destination, which felt like I'd been in that car for hours, I couldn't help myself but release a sigh of relief not hiding from anyone how that car ride exhausted me so much. I can even sigh overdramatically in front of Felix, letting him know that his endless talk drained all of my energy.

Felix opened the car door for me, being all gentleman-like. I mentally rolled my eyes. He had his hand out, waiting for me to accept it and go out of the car but I ignored his hand and left it hanging like that.

I continued to waltz my way inside the building where this 'party' was at. I could feel Felix's gaze on my back. He was left dumbfounded when I completely ignored his hand that was waiting for me to take it.

Ren caught up to me in a flash so that I won't even have the time to think of escaping. I growled in annoyance. I wasn't thinking of escaping really. But having Ren around like a magnet that won't fuck off is annoying.

I stopped at the entrance of the party. A guard was guarding it, asking for a piece of paper that grants you access to enter the party, an invitation. I don't have that so I waited for Felix.

"You're fast, and your like what? 4'11?" Felix snorted. I scoffed at him. Why do others always assume my height? I hate it. I had no energy to argue with him so I just shut my mouth tight. I watched as Felix handed a black envelope to the guard.

Wait, that looks oddly... familiar?

I didn't have much time to get a good look at the envelope when Ren rudely pushed me inside. It wasn't necessary to push me but he did it anyway.

As soon as I went in, the cold air from the air conditioner greets my skin making me shiver. The clothes I was wearing weren't of much help to me. I covered myself with my hands, hopefully, it will warm me a little bit. I made my way deeper inside the dim room.

There were a lot of people. The party wasn't starting yet. "Sit down," Felix told me as he sat down on a grey leathered couch and he pats the space beside him, indicating for me to sit down there.

When I was about to sit down, the lights opened and my attention went to a stage.

My eyes trembled as my heart started to beat faster than normal. The nostalgic and familiar sight made my stomach churn. A sight I would trade my whole life for to forget.

This party wasn't just an ordinary party where you dance, drink, and socialize.

We're at an auction. That's why that black invitation was familiar to me, it had the same logo as the auction in North Korea from where I was brutally tortured.

I snapped back into reality when I felt Felix's hand wrapping itself around my hands which were now stiff as soon as I caught sight of the auction stage. He called my name which made me look at him.

"I... I'm going to go get a drink" my voice shaking despite my efforts to keep it still.

I was about to leave but Felix didn't let go of my hand, "You're not thinking of escaping, are you?" his eyes squinting as he looked at me.