Home? Home.

Chapter 1

I sit coiled up in the cage, trying to get any warmth possible. Not that any warmth is possible in here but I always try. they've never gave us anything like a blanket or pillows. Jesus I'd be ecstatic over a towel at this point.

The bell rings which tells me someone has just walked into the store, I'm at the back and very bottom so my field of view is very limited so all i can see is two pairs of shoes, smart shoes at that. We get Vampires in here everyday but usually of the lower kind if you get what I'm saying, but these guys? these guys are not of the lower kind.

I coil up a little bit more, I suppose I'm trying to hide.

They greet the shopkeeper, aka the asshole who keeps us here. "Morning" I imagine they give a small nod. "good morning, what can I help you two fine gentlemen today"

"hes here for a new pet, I'm here accompanying"

"I see so just the one, anything in particular"

The one behind speaks up "male, less whiny and pain tolerance is higher in my experience, AB- if you happen to have one"

"well you might be in luck i do have a AB- however she is female, i do have a O- male, they are very sought after."

"yeah show me the male"

"very well"

a pair of smart shows and not show smart shoes walk towards one of the boys who I remember to have come in a week earlier, he speaks out too much, confident, stupid. While my focus is set on them the sounds of steps brings me back to the other smart shoe guy who's currently walking around looking at each human in cages. The shop isn't exactly large but there's semi decent size cages stacked 3 or two high about three or four columns on each wall, if your lucky your shoved in a corner, I was lucky.

He continues to walk around and for a second i thought he would walk right past me but of course not, as soon as they see the AB- tag they always stop, always. I'm not sure why people haven't bought me yet, maybe its a blessing, or maybe they just didn't have enough money for my type. He stares at me standing, or at least i expect him to be staring i cant see past the bottom of his knees from how low down i am in comparison.

That's when he crouches down to look at me.

I press myself into the back of the cage parts of my skin freezing on the cold bars in the corner. I was right about the staring, and that's all he does is just stare, I make the mistake of making eye contact for a split second and get caught in it, he raises his eyebrows just a little bit, part of me knows as though hes daring me to continue, part of me feels as though hes surprised.

"well I'm very glad i could be of service for you today" My attention is snapped back the the front of the store before i quickly look down back into my lap while he stands again and makes his way back over. looking to the front again now that hes gone, the boys dirty bare feet on the floor next to the smart shoes a thick chain rattling every now and then.

"if that's all i can do then I wish you two a good day"

"yeah, you too-"

"the girl, AB- how much" My eyes widen just a bit. god please no.

"her? a hefty price, if your interested why don't we talk in my office" There's a moment of silence thought maybe.

"sure"

They walk into the back of the store leaving the Man and his new pet alone "wow, yeah no worries Zeke, ill get home fine don't worry about me, fucking bastard" he mumbles but still clear enough for me to hear. "lets go start walking" a change of tone, demanding, a yank of the chain. and they're gone.

Knowing they are currently in the back talking about me is terrifying. this hasn't happened before never it usually goes like "how much is she" "nothing you can afford" and someone else gets picked but this time, this time, the keeper actually fells as though he can afford me, and bargain. there's not another reason the would be in the back right now, not another reason they would be sitting in the office.

"lil...lily?" I look over to the cage next to me. Addie was a girl i got along with wed always talk when the shop keeper wasn't around when we had the energy.

"y-yeah?"

"are you okay? whats going on? I couldn't hear properly but I saw what happened" Addie is also half deaf to my knowledge of sign language also came in handy after the takeover.

"They're in the office... he wants me"

"What? can he afford you?"

"I'm not going to sugarcoat is Maddie but.... it looks like it" A sorrow dulls over her face, and i reflect the same.

The two men walk out, "well, shall we get you set with a collar and leash for the ride home?"

"yes lets have look at your collection" This is it, the deal was settled, I'm leaving here today and there is nothing i can do about it. I breath in and out. slowly. carefully. I look to Maddie, shes trying to calm herself too. They walk over to me and for the first time in a long time the cage door is opened and I feel a hand on my skin. He grabs my upper arm and pulls me out and on my feet, i almost stumble but pull myself up the sensation of standing is something I've not had in a while and a dizziness sets itself in my head as I don't dare to look at the figure who just purchased me.

"she's all yours"

"thanks, good doing business with you" The man says.

"and you sir"

"lets go" demanding but not daring a softer tone than the last. He starts to walk away and I follow behind him, he leads me outside where it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust but i definitely do not stop walking. he opens a car door and looks at me to get in, I comply. He walks around the other side and gets in the back with me. the driver looks in the mirror "home sir?"

"yes, home"