The Leviathan

Chapter 7 ~ HAYLIIE ~ Love and Death

Chapter 7 ~ HAYLIEE ~ Love and Death

Always believe in love. That's what our angel always told us. Believe in a love that is always there inside all people no matter how evil they become. I believed it with all my heart and soul. If only she was always right. Our angel says that people have this love and kindness born within them. Just out of reach, hidden, but it's there. That compassion is something that all human possessed.

But looking at my sisters right now who are hungry, shivering in the cold rain, locked in a rusty cage like animals, bleeding from the abuse the men brought on us, can I really still believe in this love? Can love really exist in this cruel world?

“I want this one.” A man with an ugly yellowed teeth said, pointing to my sister Pia. “She has unusual skin.She will bring in more customers.”

“Fuck you! Don’t you freaking touch her!” I screamed from across the street. I was also locked in a different bigger cage while my sisters are cramped in a small prison, hanging by a rusty old chain swinging from a wooden beam. Everytime they try to move, the cage swing dangerously.

“Oh, what do we have here?” The man came closer. “Unusual eyes you have there. Blue-gray ones. I have never seen them before.”

“Fuck off!” I spat in his face.

“Bitch!” He tried to grab me in between the bars.

“Hey! Bug off idiot! She’s more expensive than you think! Why don’t you go for the ones across the streets.” He motioned to Pia and Viktoria. “They are much easier on your empty pockets!” The slave trader who owns me cackled.

“I don’t want those anymore. I want this one. How much?”

“She’s not for you.” The slave trader shook his head.

I drowned their voices as they haggled. I stared across the street. Pia and Viktoria are shivering in their wet, tattered clothes. We have been in the slave market for three days now. I could see Pia shivering from fever, her bright hazel eyes are now hollowed. Viktoria’s pale skin is even paler now. They held each other, crying and shaking, while I was in a clean and dry cage. My tears just fell down, unstoppable like a river that had broke free from the dam. How did we end up like this?

Three days ago we were happy. We were rescued by an angel called Melina. She was a widowed dressmaker from the Merchant District. Her husband died a year after they got married, with no children much to the disdain of her mother-in-law. She was left with no heirs and saddled with a woman who wouldn't get married. And when Melina took us home, her disdain became an outright contempt. But we were happy. For three months, we lived happily with her. But we should have known, happiness is a fleeting luxury cursed children like us cannot afford.

Pia was only six years old then. She was stubborn, unruly but very sweet. Viktoria was the quiet one, only nine years of age, a bit willful but she was a dreamer with a creative soul. I was the older sister, so I was a bit overprotective of them. Melina worked in her mother-in-law’s shop. She was a hard worker and an excellent dressmaker. I often help her sew those dainty flowerettes and crystal beads. Often times, rich customers would bring in precious stones to be sewn into their dresses. My sisters and I often marveled of those beautiful diamonds, rubies and emeralds. We have never seen or touch anything like it.

“You eyes are pretty,  Melina.Like a memerald.” Pia piped in while we sat at the back of the dress shop. Lowborn as we are, we weren’t allowed to interact with the customers.

“Emerald.” I said.

“I knew that!”

“Of course you do angel.” Melina caressed Pia’s hair. “But you have prettier eyes. Like hazel and warm honey. Both you and Viktoria.”