Whispers In The Dark

Slaves

As we stood in waiting to be sold I couldn't help but let fear grip at my heart.

My name is Rosemary Marina, I am currently three years old and I am waiting to be sold at a slave auction.

"Alright all you worthless pieces of camel shit, it's time for you to be sold to the highest bidder." The slave trader bellowed over the crowd of chained slaves ready for auction. Most of us are families and innocent people kidnapped from our villages in the middle of the night or refugees escaping countries ridden with war and depravity, but there are the unlucky ones like myself and my twin brother Caleb who were born into slavery and have been awaiting the day we are to be sold at the auction since the day we were born.

I looked up over the long line of slaves to see one by one each of us slowly disappearing onto the small wooden stage never to be seen again. As I came closer and closer to the stage fear and terror started to overwhelm me, all of my instincts were telling me not to go up to the stage and were telling me to break my chains and run but my mind wouldn't listen and the invisible chains in my mind kept me from my freedom.

I reached out and took a hold of my brothers hand, I squeezed it tight not ever wanting  to let go. I knew perfectly well that this might be the last time I will ever see him and frankly that thought scares me, my brother is the only person in this world who I trust, the only person who I would lay down my life for. The thought of losing someone like that scares the ever living shit out of me.  

As my brother placed his bare chained foot onto the creaking wooden steps I couldn't take it any more, I ran towards him as fast as my scared legs would carry me but I was stopped short as the chains around my legs and neck pulled tight jolting me to a sudden stop, making me cough and splutter on the dusty ground. My twin looked at me with sad eyes pleading for me to stop before I got hurt. I screamed at the top of my lungs, begging to be sold as a pair, I pulled and pulled at my chains desperately trying to be free of them. Even though I am a Fanilis I still am not strong enough to break my chains, both physical and mental.

Suddenly I felt a tug on the top of my head as the slave trader pulled me up by my red hair. "Now listen here you piece of shit." He spat in my face. "I don't care if be is your brother you will wait your turn and when you stand up there you will do as your told, that beautiful red hair both you and that dear brother of yours has is sure to bring the money raining in for me you little bitch." When he finished he tossed me to the ground making me hit my head on the wooden steps. I slowly pushed myself to my feet trying to stop the spinning sensation in my head. By the time I looked up it was already my turn to be sold to the highest bidder.

I cautiously put my foot onto the first step and made my way to the top of the platform. I felt a firm grip on my wrist as I was dragged to the centre of the stage. I cast my eyes over the the crowd gathered in the small courtyard and the sense of fear reclaimed its grip on my heart forcing me into submission.

"OK LADY'S AND GENTLEMEN!" The slave trader shouted over the crowd. "HERE WE HAVE QUITE A RARITY! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MISSED OUT ON THE LAST ONE, WE HAVE ANOTHER FANILIS! ONE OF THE RULERS OF THE DARK CONTINENT!" This earned a audible gasp from the audience and several nods of approval, having one Fanilis at a auction was rare but two was unheard of. "SO HOW MUCH SHALL WE START WITH!" The slave trader continued. "HOW ABOUT THREE THOUSAND GOLD COINS?!" There was a slight murmur from the crowd, this price was high even for a Fanilis. "THREE THOUSAND AND FIFTY!" Someone shouted over the audience.
"THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED!" Yelled another. This went on for several more minutes untill a loud harsh voice gave a number unheard of  "TEN THOUSAND GOLD COINS!" Silence spread over the crowd as everyone turned to see who had spoken.

I looked towards the back of the auction to see who my new master would be but all I saw was a hunched figure covered in a black cloak walking up to the stage to claim me. As he came close the gathering of people backed away to clear a path for this mysterious stranger. When the man reached the wooden steps leading up to the stage he held out his hands in one he held a huge bag of gold and the other was empty waiting for my chains to be passed to him. The whole trade was completed in absolute silence as my chains were handed to him and my money exchanged.

The man pulled me out of the courtyard not saying a single word to any one as he did. I could feel the eyes of the entire auction searing into my back as we made our way out. I cast my eyes to the floor in shame not wanting to be the centre of attention. "Do not look at the ground when you walk child. Keep your eyes straight and do not slouch, walk with pride and people won't question your motives." A harsh croaked from in front of me. I looked up to see my new master leading me to wards a large sail ship docked on the side of the pier. I couldn't help but think to my self wondering at the true identity of this hooded figure, 'who exactly was my new master anyway?'