Off to the Races

3

"Watching you, I have become the fear I scream about in my nightmares."

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"Alice, are you okay?" My mother comes to me from behind, her hand on my back. 

I snap out of my thoughts and look down at the tea thats spilled out of the cup. Ive been pouring it for a while now.

"Yes, I'm fine." I look up at her and smile.

She doesnt look pleased. No one has been talking, my mothers hands are twitching, my father isnt drinking and we've sent Anna off. I've been avoiding their eyes since morning, last night still ringing in my head.

The cheifs will be here any mintute to take me away, my mother hopes i'll be picked in this village so we can meet often. My father asked how much he'll recieve. Sometimes girls are lucky, and no men will pick them for a day, but this morning I heard my father saying i was already picked. I play with the strap of my suitcase, so small it only fits three pairs of clothes. 

My mother keeps looking at me, her eyes are dry. My father told me to not to cry to much, or to miss us, he says the money will keep us satisfied. My mother shook her head in disgust.

 Every minute or so, someone walks past our home, My mother gets up, my father straightens his shirt and I have the desire to dissapear into thin air. But its not the cheifs. 

Minutes, maybe even hours, have passed when finally theres a heavy knock on the door. My father shoots up and clears his throat walking over to the door. Before he opens the door he turns around and gives us both a stern look. 'dont mess up my chance for more expensive liqour' it reads. 

My mother runs over to me, squeezing my hand.

When the door is swung open were greeted with the face of two of the head chiefs. They walk in, hands behind their backs. Probabaly disgusted by the filth in our home. 

"Well, Damian, It's been some time" One of the chiefs shakes my fathers hands. His shoulders high with pride.

"It has, hasn't it" He then looks over at me signalling me to come over."This is my daughter, Alice" 

The cheifs eyes drop to me. He smiles, "Shes very beautfiul, I guess thats why there was such a fight for her"

My mother shoots up,"A fight? They faught for her?" 

"Mary, good to see you." The cheif smiles at my mother wickedly. "And yes, fight as in bidding for her. Lets just say she was chosen at the highest price ever recorded in this villages history."

All eyes are on me.

"Quite impressive" He chuckles. "Shes big talk amongst the men."

I shiver in disgust , I shoot my eyes up at the cheif, hes already looking at me. "Where is he?"

At the moment the words leave my lips the door to my home is swung open. My father clears his throat and smiles. My mother stiffens. The cheifs look at eachother, utter confusion sprawled across their faces.

"Alice" The man from last night, leans across the doorframe. A smirk plastered on his face.

I look at the cheifs then at him again. 

"Well, seems plans have changed." He walks over to the cheifs, "I want her now"

This is happening so fast, I dont know what to do.

"Mr.Dolan? Oh sir ,shes been bought" The cheif stutters. "mr dolan" Has power written all over him. His crisp navy blue coat is the only color in the room.