The Tale of Archer and Sawyer

Chapter 03 | | My Name is Maria | | Sawyer

© Copyright Kailey Alexandra Marie 

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I gripped her hand tighter as she led me through the dark. I could feel people pushing and shoving around me, but I barely noticed them. I was too busy trying to hold her hand as if it was a life force. I looked around, trying to find Archer but couldn't. Daddy took her somewhere. At least, I'm pretty sure he took her somewhere. Things were kind of hazy.

"Keep up, Sawyer," Mommy told me, and I tried to do as she told me to. Archer warned me I would get hurt if I didn't. Archer told me a lot of scary stories about Mommy, and I couldn't help but think they were true. I've seen Archer's face when she comes back in the room some nights. Mommy was a really mean person, but I had to do what she told me to do. Because if I didn't, I might not see Archer again.

Finally, it seemed after a lifetime, we stopped, and I nearly plowed into Mommy's leg. She glared down at me with eyes that reminded me so much of Archer but weren't. "Sorry!" I basically shouted. I had to if I wanted Mommy to hear me over the loud music. The next thing I knew I felt her slap, and I suddenly wanted to cry but couldn't. Archer said if I cried after getting slapped, Mommy would just slap me again. I didn't want to get slapped again.

"I have another one for you," Mommy said to a man, tugging me so I was standing in front of her. I looked up, even though it pained me, to see a man that wasn't my Daddy. His hair was gray in some places, while there wasn't any hair in others. His eyes seemed to be big and black – very, very black. He was also wearing black except for a small square of white on his collar. I started to back away just to get stopped by Mommy's death grip on my shoulders.

Archer had warned me about that man. She said he was evil.

"I see," the man said, giving me a smile. I didn't like his smile. "And what's your name, Little One?"

Mommy squeezed my shoulders, causing me to squeak. "Sawyer," I told him. Mommy squeezed again. "My name is Sawyer."

The man touched my cheek. "I think they'll like you, Sawyer," the man said. "You're very pretty after all."

Mommy squeezed my shoulders, harder this time. "T-thank you," I stuttered.

I wasn't sure if it was possible, but the man's smile became even more evil. He looked up at Mommy. "How much for her?" He paused. "I'll give you a thousand if I get to keep her."

No! I wanted to shout. Mommy couldn't sell me. What would I do without Archer? What would Archer do without me?

"Now, now, Reverend," Mommy said, "that wasn't our deal. I will not sell my girl. It's only for the night just like with Archer last time."

"Of course, of course," the man said. "I'll take her for two hundred then," he smiled down at me, "since it's only for the night."

I bolted up from the ground, feeling something wet on my sweatshirt. I looked down only to realize my vision was cloudy. I reached up and touched my cheeks; they were wet, meaning I was crying. It's been a while since I've let myself cry, not since after that night nine years ago if my memory is correct.

After wiping my eyes, I looked around my surroundings. I wasn't in my cel—I mean room anymore. I wasn't anywhere I recognized. Flashes of yesterday invaded my mind, and I suddenly wanted to throw up, which by the looks of across the room from me, I already did.

I took my time peeling my body off the ground, feeling sweaty. I looked down to see I was still wearing that sweater Dr. Michael made me put on, and I took it off, feeling a million times better right after. I also took off the boots and socks; I hate the feeling of shoes, which left me in a camisole and jeans.