The Unseen

The fat bearded man smiles at me, and I lock my eyes on his crooked teeth.

"It's your day; hope you’re lucky," he says, handing me a short black dress. I take it and walk to the dressing room.

I change from my big sweater and long pajama pants, slipping on the form-fitting silk fabric over my curves. As I walk out, I see a thin lady with golden eyes. I know she's a vampire, but not just because of her unusual eye color-- her exotic beauty gives it away, as well.

"Sweet cheeks, take a seat." Her dialect gives way to her Southern background.

I sit on the salon chair, my hands shaking. Today will be the day that I'll be sold as a slave to a vampire society. They are all around the world, but I'll be sold to the royalty of Europe. As I look at her, her smile widens pleasantly, and her eyes crinkle. Right away, she starts with my hair and face.

When she finishes, my light brown hair is in soft curls, and it's flawless. She gave me a natural look for makeup, too. Finally, she pulls out five inch heels from a small cabinet. It takes me some time to get used to walking around, but I get it eventually.

“Thanks,” I say, as I look at myself in the full length mirror to see a completely other me. I smile to myself for the first time in a while.

“Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie pie. Now go to the ballroom.” She says this while straightening my dress and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Smile, be flirtatious, and most of all, try to get sold.” She leads me to the door, smiles once more, and hugs me. Her eyes almost look sad, but I know not to be deceived. “Good luck,” are her parting words.

“Thank you for everything," I say, trying to give her my best grin, but it's half hearted. She squeezes my hand and turns to leave.

“Wait... What happens if I don’t get sold?” I can tell my question takes her off guard.

“You will be given three different tries on different days. If you aren't sold, we erase your memory. Or kill you...” She says the last part with a frown. “But, don’t worry, you are a beautiful young woman; all you need to do is be flirty.”

I nod and exit through the big wooden door. Turning, I take four deep breaths, trying not to cry. I can do this, I can do this, I think. Right when I'm about to put my hand on the door, it opens. I look to see men and women mingling all over the room.

“Come with me,” says a young man in a suit.

I know immediately that he is human. He's sweating like crazy. I want to tell him to calm down, but something holds me back. He leads me to the stage, where there were other women and men who are to be sold today, as well.  I look all around, trying to find my friends whom were kidnapped with me.

“Alexan--...” I start, but I am cut off when I feel someone touch my shoulder.

“Don’t talk, they’re about to begin,” says the same young man. Reluctantly, I nod. We are placed in order by age, and the woman starts speaking. The woman has black hair, pale skin, vampire eyes, and wears a long, expensive dress that sweeps the floor as she moves.

“Amanda Dawn," is the first name called. I swallow back the bile rising in the back of my throat.

A tan, blonde haired young girl with green eyes walks down the stairs. I note that it's a good thing she's wearing a long dress, as her legs are shaking. Her eyes make her look like she's in a horror movie, which I can't blame her for.

“Amanda Dawn, from Jacksonville, Florida. She’s a bright thing, and she is in good shape for drinking," the woman says in an elegant voice. A few mens' hands rise, and Amanda seems to calm down, now knowing she'll be sold for sure.

“Do I hear a two hundred?” the woman asks, and only one hand goes up. “And sold, to the gentleman in the back!” she yells, excitement filling the room as the first slave is bought. I listen closely as half of the other ladies go by, creating a bit of a sound barrier. Then I hear the name of a person whom I care about, dearly.

“Alexandra Fox.”

I watch as my best friend steps down the stairs. She looks beautiful in her short, purple and lacy dress. It goes nicely with her light brown hair and blue eyes, that widen a bit with each step she takes. As she stands by the woman, her hands shake slightly. She is a strong, tough girl, and it surprises me to see her even a little frightened.

“Alexandra Fox, a darling young woman. Athletic girl, fit for hard work, and might I mention her daring personality...” the woman says, looking at Alexandra with a wide grin. Many mens' hands shoot up; I look closely, wanting her to have a good owner. “Eight hundred…" she continues, "Nine hundred... Do I hear anybody else?” A small second of silence. “Sold, for nine hundred.”

As I peer over heads, I see that she is being bought by a middle aged man and wife. I don’t know if she will be their servant, or a present for someone else. They look wealthier than the rest, so I'm sure they already have enough slaves. Alexandra and her new owners leave through the huge wooden door that we had all entered through.

I suddenly feel very alone. Out of the next eleven girls that follow, only six are bought.

And then I hear, "Athena Day," and my heart begins to race even faster.