Dark Control

Chapter 2: Disappointment

The young woman was shaking the entire time she was led out of the dark halls. It is the first time that she'd been seeing the outside world and she couldn't help but be worried at the same time excited to finally see it. Usually buyers visit their cells one by one so she didn't expect to be dragged out of her hiding spot. She doesn't know what she would have hoped when she got outside but when she stepped in the alley and into the halls to see other humans just like her who are lined up to walk to a caged carriage she felt cold chills run down her spine.

She looked around the place. The whole room is made out of solid rocks with a peculiar design different from the walls in her cell. There are even shiny objects displayed dangling on the ceiling that she found beautiful. It's been a while since she saw something that she thought that way. She only saw the same thing every day that she had memorized her little world already. The number of steps she must take in order to reach each side of the cell, the shape and sizes of the rocks that she somewhat imagined as different objects, even the little creatures that she slept with, she recognized each one of it.

"Move." the gray skinned creature said as the human stumbled forward. She was so engrossed with her own thoughts that she didn't realize that there was already a huge gap between her and the other humans walking towards the carriage.

She strides fast to follow the other humans until they reach outside the castle. The cold breeze kissed her cheeks making her shiver. However, the young woman didn't mind it because she is too focused on looking at the outside. Even the other humans are like her admiring the view as they didn't know when they'll be able to see the same sight again.

There are trees covered with purple leaves and the morning sky is of color gray, red, and black. Despite finally being unconfined the woman doesn't feel any less gloomy than she already is. Why must the colors of the outside be as dull as the inside? She didn't expect anything with her lack of information about the world that she belonged to, however she'd imagined that it would've thrilled her or at least felt excited. But now she felt disappointment.

Disheartened the young human just went inside the carriage. There others of her kind sat at a long wooden chair. Each took their spot as they waited for the cart to be filled. All looked equally afraid, sad, and quiet but there is no one who was just like the young human with blue eyes. She was curious.

Moments later the cart is finally full. One of the red eyed gray creatures locked the metal enclosure at the far end of the cart where they walked in earlier. She heard him knocking at the side making the human who was seated in front of her jump on her seat surprised with the sound until there was a movement making all of them stumble to the side as the view of the structure where they were caged slowly disappeared from their sight.

The young woman returned her attention to the inside and observed the humans she was with. All of them are just like her thin bodies and wearing ragged clothing. Their hair is a mess despite being bathed the night before. There was even a scent that clang in the air with their stained skin for staying at the cells for too long. The young human looked down to her skirt instead gripping it as she looked at the dirt under her nails. What a life she has lived so far. What meaning as she breathed.

The young human continued to wonder about her fate until they felt the carriage stopped. She looked around seeing that they are now surrounded by dead trees with just branches and not a single leaf seen. The gray skinned creatures opened the door and asked the humans to come down. One by one they stepped in line again, there at a far distance is a huge mansion bigger than the place they've been before.

The young woman admired the place with its glass stained windows and carvings until they were ushered inside where she saw other humans just like her only this time they were being handled by other masters and the design in their shackles where the mark of the ownership is different. She watched as some of them were dressed with pleasant clothing. Not but a single wrinkle and are filled with colors that warm her eyes. For the first time in her life the young human felt jealous, not being even aware with such emotion.

She continued to stare until she bumped into a body and when she looked up the lightness that she felt while watching the other human is now replaced with horror as she locked eyes with his master. The owner of their farm, a higher being than the gray skinned ones that she frequently saw, a vampire. She shivered as the vampire stared at her with a knitted brow and she felt even smaller and weaker than she already is.

"Get in your cage!" she jumped in surprise as she scurried away from the vampire, frightened to be drained out of her blood as she went to one of the stalls filled with rows of cages.

She quickly made her way to one of the empty crates and ducked. Despite her small frame the cage still felt so crowded that she couldn't move. As she finally found her spot the master slammed her door shut as the cage vibrated. She lowered her gaze but watched as the vampire locked the cage with some sort of equipment. She observed it hearing the familiar clicking sound before it closed and the master moved to the next cage to do the same thing using what looks like a small metal stick. So that is what it looks like. The young human thought. She always hears the same sound every time the creatures enter her cell but she couldn't see it because it is on the other side of the door.

She watched one by one until all cells were filled with humans she was within the carriage. They stayed there all cramped up as the gray eyed creatures tossed food at their cages one by one. Stale bread again. But the young woman is already joyful with the food that she has. It is enough to fill her stomach and replenish her hunger.

The young woman ate, sighing as she finished her breakfast. This will be a long day for her in this tiny box. Although she feels safer because she can easily watch as the creatures move outside and be prepared for an attack she couldn't move much in this confined space.

The young human waited until crates and crates of humans entered the hall. There were even some creatures that carried objects that are peculiar to her. But what caught her attention is the food that is being displayed at a nearby stall. It was the same scrumptious dessert that she had when she was first chosen. Immediately her mouth watered with the sight. Suddenly she tasted the food and remembered its scent. Despite just eating not a short minute ago she felt hungry all over again. But it was wishful thinking to be able to take a bite of the same dessert. So, all she could do is watch.

She watched as the creatures unpack. Observing everything going on around her. There are a few vampire masters but majority are ghoul handlers. Moments later she saw that once every stall is now filled with crates and booths are now full of other products, the masters then begin to get busy writing. The young human doesn't know what was being written, having chosen the cage in the lower left corner she did notice that they are counting her kind and scribbling as they pass each cage.

She furrowed her brows as her master sat at the other end of the stall behind a desk nodding with a grin in his face as he read what was written in the paper. Moments later one of the ghouls walked to him and whispered, making the grin on the face of the master grow bigger as he stood and circled the table. She looked at where his master was looking and her eyes widened when she saw dozens of vampires slowly pouring in the hall. Buyers.

Immediately she heard all of the humans around her begin to make frightened noises as one by one scrutinizing eyes watched them closely like interesting objects. All the young woman only could do was tuck her knees closer to her chest and try not to stand out.