fallen | ✓

Chapter 35: "Who Do You Think You Are?"

I ripped my arm from his grasp. "I can walk by myself." I hissed. He nodded, keeping the barrel of the gun threateningly pressed against my back. I continued walking until we got to a small underground cave, which looked like as if it used to be a roadway. They whacked my back, making me walk down into the pit. Angus pressed me against a car, zip-tying my feet and wrists, then forcing me to sit.

I leaned back on the car, listening to them stir around busily. Then a woman came down to the pit and I heard a voice. "You came just at the right time.." Then a slam and more stirring. I cringed, hearing something heavy being dragged. The zip of a zip-tie made me realize I wasn't alone in being slaved down here.

~~~

Hours. I was sitting there for hours. Two men came down. Most likely looking to buy. Angus disarmed one man and led him to the other girl. Then Quinn disarmed the other and took him to me. The man's presence immediately shot the smell of alcohol and smoke up my nose, causing me to cough hard. He kneeled in front of me and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. He grinned.

Most of his teeth were either gone or blackened. "I like her." He let out a breathy cackle. I jerked back, attempting to bite hit fingers. He pulled his hand back. "Fiery. How much?" I didn't want him to buy me. Not him. Anyone but him. He was disgusting and wrinkly, probably from smoking. He was probably a pedophile, looking for a woman slave to have his way with. And I wasn't going to let that happen.

I hocked up spit in the back of my throat, spitting on his eye. He belched, slammed his foot into my leg, falling backward. I screamed, pain spreading through my veins. Quinn grabbed his pistol and shot the man in the stomach, dragging him off. Then more stirring. And Angus came over.

"Did he break it?" He glanced at my leg. I shook my head. "Thank God.." He huffed. "Need anything?"

"Water..." My voice cracked slightly. He turned away and walked off. I almost gave up hope when he finally came back with a cup of water, feeding it to me, then returning back to the mouth of the subway cave. I closed my eyes and tried to nap.

I knew what they were up to.

They were keeping me healthy and uninjured so they could sell me for more PWD. The best condition I am, the more money they get. I'm not going to lie, they were doing a good job of keeping me in good shape. Most slavers beat their slaves. I just got lucky.

I really wasn't down there much longer until I was awoken by more stirring. More buyers. I sat up and leaned against the truck again, glancing over at the new buyers. My eyes widened when it dawned on me that it was Connor and Mitch, his friend that I met roughly a month ago.

I looked forward again, acting like I didn't know them. I suddenly questioned why they were down here in the first place in my head, but then I realized that it might be because they were looking for me. I fidgeted slightly as I felt Connor's gaze fall on me. Angus soon led them over and I kept my eyes forward. "How much?" Connor asked. "I got a case of five thousand PWD that I'll give for her."

I flinched. How the Hell did he get all that money... Mitch stood by, letting Connor do the talking. "Make it six thousand to make it worth my time," Angus smirked. Connor slapped down another thousand on top. Angus took it and snapped a collar on my neck, shoving me forward. "Now get lost." He growled. The collar jerked around my neck, causing a small choking sound to escape my lips. I grit my teeth as Connor pulled me along, into Crane Town, up the ramps to the apartments.

My apartment.

He locked the door behind him, setting me on my bed, pulling a knife from his boot. I instantly flinched back by instinct. He gently put his hand on my shoulder to steady me and cut my zip ties, snapping my collar. "I would never hurt you, Carmen.." He said quietly, frowning.

I shifted slightly, glancing away. "Sorry.." I said gravely. Mitch stared, as Connor grabbed my hand, pulling me up.

"You need to keep your muscles moving," Connor said, the sadness in his voice completely gone. He actually smiled a bit. I nodded and we all headed outside, sitting in our usual spots. But the whole atmosphere changed when my slavers walked into crane town and spotted me. Then glanced to Connor.

"Where are her chains?" Quinn snapped subtly.

"I took them off," Connor replied casually. Then Quinn stepped forward and headbutted him, grabbing the collar of his shirt. But there was no anger on his face. Only a stone plain expression. "Urk-" Connor cried out as his grip tightened. I stared, my eyes wide.

"Next time we see you, she better have her chains on." His voice was calm but fiery. "If not, we're taking her back." Then he suddenly dropped him, letting him fall to the floor, causing me to flinch. He then walked away. I began to tremble slightly.

"I don't want the chains to go back on.." My voice quavered, breaking slightly.

"They won't," Connor grunted, struggling back up to a standing position.

"I don't want to get slaved again either.." I sniffled, rubbing my eye. But Connor didn't miss a beat.

"You won't. I swear it." He told me.

~~~

I climbed up the truss, Connor trailing behind me. "What's this for?" I yelled over the wind.

"You'll see!" He yelled back. Mitch climbed behind him, and I finally reached the top of the Crane, turning and helping them up, panting a bit. Everyone was finally up and I took a small break. But then Conner was ready for this 'surprise' he had in mind.

He put me in front of him, facing him. Then he put down one knee and my heart stopped. The boy that was yelling out in joy that day at the fight pit pulled out a ring (God knows where he got it) and asked me to marry him.