His Little Demon

Chapter Two

(Astraea's POV)

Even miracles take a little time.

That's what Fairy Godmother said to Cinderella in the movie.

Looking at everything around me, I knew it would take more than a little time for my miracle to happen. Trapped in a cage like an animal, how on earth would a miracle find me anyway?

"Breakfast is served!" Anton yelled, turning on the bright overhead lights.

He walk past each door and slid a plate of food underneath each one. Same thing every morning. A paper plate with eggs, one piece of sausage, one piece of toast, and one slice of undercooked bacon.

He'd make another trip through with a water hose after while for us to drink from. We'd each get ten seconds to drink as much as we could. It was the same old routine day after day....or so I thought.

"Good morning!" Cosmo shouted, trailing after Anton. "Today is the day!"

Today is what day?

I didn't actually ask though. I learned my lesson about asking questions the hard way.

"Today is the day some of you may be going to a good home! We will be by shortly to start getting you ready. I expect you to be on your best behavior." He said, stopping in front of my door and making sure I heard the last sentence.

It was maybe an hour later when the doors opened and a small group of people came inside with armfuls of stuff. They had soaps, clothes, perfumes, brushes, razors, and so much more. I recognized them as being more of Cosmo's men. There was one women amongst them.

A woman whose death I prayed for every single night before I went to sleep. A woman whose laugh haunts me in my sleep and reminds me of everything I've lost.

One-by-one they got each person out and got them ready. Being last meant I sat, watched, and listened for hours as they showered, groomed, and dressed them. They dressed the males in boxer briefs purposely one or two sizes to small. They dressed the females in lingerie sets also one or two sizes to small.

It wasn't a surprise to me when they packed up all their stuff and left without making me do anything. That's how it always was. I was never to be set free. I was meant to be caged.

"Don't worry, Little Star." Cosmo smirked, coming over to my door.  "The time has come for you. You'll get your turn this time. You just require...extra attention and special care." 

Cosmo and Anton left after that, leaving us all alone. Leaving me with an intense fear.

Why? Why now? What did he mean? Was I going to go like the rest of them? I couldn't be that lucky. No, he had something worse planned for me. He had to.

"What's happening to us?" A girl asked, Chloe I think her name was.

"It's it obvious?" One of the guys responded. "We're going to be sold or given away."

Given away? Yeah right. Cosmo couldn't make money by simply giving people away. He made a lot of money taking tourists and runaway locals. Sold them to all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons. Until that day came, they kept us locked in dog kennels with only buckets to use the bathroom, one or two blankets for sleep, and tiny windows for fresh air.

I crawled to the back of my kennel and huddled up in the corner. I moved the loose piece of stone from the wall and pulled out the only two things I owned. Two pictures.

"Still holding out hope?" Hannah, my neighbor, asked.

I glared at her and clutched the pictures to my chest.