Zombie survivor

[46] Record shatterer

Ms. Heather stood at the edge of the stage, trembling slightly as she prepared to step forward. She wore a revealing, low-cut red dress, which hugged her curves but barely provided any real coverage. The dress was fitted with a slit that ran up to her thigh, making each step a precarious task, especially in the towering heels they'd forced her into. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a loose bun, with a few strands falling around her face, giving her a disheveled, vulnerable look. She wrapped her arms around herself instinctively, trying to preserve some small shred of modesty in the degrading outfit.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the stage. The audience went silent for a moment as she made her entrance, their eyes locking onto her with a predatory intensity that sent a chill down her spine. Her movements were careful, almost hesitant, her face flushed with discomfort.

As she took another step, her heel caught on a rough patch of the stage floor. Ms. Heather let out a gasp as she stumbled, her dress tearing loudly as she tried to regain her balance. To her horror, the rip exposed her ample chest, the fabric slipping down and revealing far more than she'd intended. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she quickly hugged herself, struggling to pull the fabric back up, her face a mix of shock and mortification.

The crowd, however, erupted into cheers and jeers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch at the accidental display. Men shouted and whistled, some standing up as they bid on her immediately, their voices competing to be heard.

Joe, standing to the side, looked practically gleeful. He stepped forward, his grin wide as he took the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, looks like we've saved the best for last," he announced, his voice thick with amusement. "A bit of a... wardrobe malfunction, but I don't think anyone here's complaining. Let's start the bidding, shall we?"

He glanced around the room, eyeing the bidders with a hungry look. "Starting bid is fifty liters of fuel, or equivalent. Who's got a better offer?"

A hand shot up in the front row. "Sixty liters, and a crate of vegetables!"

Ms. Heather's face flushed even deeper, her heart pounding as she held herself tightly, struggling to keep her torn dress in place. She glanced out at the crowd, catching sight of a few leering faces, and felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. She could hardly look at them, but knew she had no choice.

A man near the back called out, "Seventy liters, plus a hunting rifle!"

Joe's smile widened, and he turned back to Ms. Heather, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Looks like you're popular, Ms. Collins. Guess a little extra skin goes a long way around here."

Another bid came from the side, the man's voice booming over the crowd. "Eighty liters and two crates of medical supplies!"

Ms. Heather bit her lip, her eyes darting to the side where Chloe, Brittney, and Akira were watching. Brittney's face was a mix of shock and mild envy, her mouth slightly open as she took in the high bids. Chloe and Akira exchanged glances, equally stunned, though neither dared to speak.

"Eighty liters?" Joe sneered, feigning disappointment. "Come on, folks. You've all seen what she's got to offer. I think we can do a little better than that."

A rough-looking man in the center of the room stood, raising his hand. "One hundred liters, plus a stash of canned goods and two bottles of whiskey!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement, murmuring in anticipation as Joe's eyes lit up. "Now that's more like it!" he said, his grin widening as he scanned the room. "Anyone else?"

A tall man near the back, dressed in military surplus gear, stepped forward, his expression serious. "One hundred twenty liters, plus a box of ammo and three loaves of bread."

Ms. Heather's heart raced as the bids climbed higher, the reality of her situation weighing heavily on her. She felt exposed and helpless, but she forced herself to stay calm, knowing that any reaction would only add to their entertainment.

Joe practically beamed as he raised a hand, silencing the crowd. "One hundred twenty liters and ammo. Anyone care to top that?"

After a few moments of murmurs, a final bidder from the front row—a grizzled man with a scarred face and a thick, leather jacket—stood up, his voice deep and commanding. "One hundred fifty liters, plus a shotgun and a case of antibiotics."

The crowd fell silent at the high bid, and Joe's grin grew even wider. He turned to Ms. Heather, giving her a satisfied look before addressing the room. "Sold!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the auditorium. "One hundred fifty liters, a shotgun, and antibiotics."

The crowd erupted in applause, some people whistling and cheering while others muttered in admiration. Ms. Heather took a shaky breath, her heart pounding as she tried to process the surreal horror of it all. She was led off the stage, her grip tight on the torn fabric of her dress as she tried to cover herself. The guard guiding her gave her a shove, grinning as he muttered something crude under his breath.

As Ms. Heather stepped backstage, she caught sight of the other girls, each of them staring at her in shock. Brittney was the first to speak, her tone dripping with surprise and a hint of disbelief. "Damn, Ms. Collins. You... you really pulled in a high price."

Ms. Heather looked down, her cheeks still flushed as she struggled to regain her composure. "I didn't... I didn't mean to," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "It was an accident."

Chloe crossed her arms, looking a bit irritated. "Accident or not, you just sold for more than Brittney and me combined."

Brittney huffed, though her face was still tinged with awe. "Guess the crowd's got a taste for, you know... older women."

Akira looked up at Ms. Heather, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Are... are you okay, Ms. Collins?"

Ms. Heather nodded slowly, though her face showed the strain of the experience. "I'll be alright," she murmured, her voice shaky but determined. "We just... we just have to stay strong. We'll find a way out of this. Somehow."

Chloe let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, if we're not 'sold' to God knows where by then."

Brittney smirked, though there was no real humor in her expression. "Hey, at least she got a high bid. Can't say the same for some people." She shot Akira a pointed look, but Akira simply glared back, unfazed by the remark.

Ms. Heather glanced over at the girls, her face softening. "Listen," she said quietly, "whatever happens... we stick together, alright? No matter where they send us."

The girls looked back at her, each of them nodding slowly, a newfound respect and determination settling in. Even Chloe, who had been fuming moments before, seemed to soften, her expression turning thoughtful.

They waited in silence, each of them clinging to the thin thread of hope Ms. Heather had offered. It wasn't much, but it was all they had as they braced themselves for whatever horrors awaited them in the twisted underworld of New Vegas.

Q: Did you expect that?