Alaska

Chapter 3

The sound of door opening and closing alerted me, yet I couldn't stopped the flinch when her high pitch voice shouted, "We are home, Ash!"

I was back in my basement, my minimum clothes in a backpack which due to some witch's charm could fit a lot. I was not allowed to spend much time with Ash, period. I remember when we were kids and it was beaten in me, so whenever Ash came up to me, I used to push him away, both mentally and physically.

After all if the parents are this bad, how bad would their spoiled kid would be?

I was wrong of course, Ash was more of a disappointment to his parents than me, which really says something about him. 

But there was this small fact, that they loved him, so really no matter how good I become, whatever sorts of evil deeds I do to please them, I can never hold a place next to Ash.

Not that I want to.

"Where is that bitch, Ash?" I heard the deep grave tone of Master, mocking as he inquired about me. I have heard best friends call each other 'bitch' as a term of endearment, but whenever it addressed me it seems like a word made for filth at the sole of shoes.

It was also my cue to march upstairs to take my plate of food and eat. I made my way in the kitchen, eyes downcast but still the tension coiled in my shoulder blades. Madam was putting out paper plates for Chinese take out. Mine of course was the container itself, as they don't want to spend anything on me. I quickly took the plastic spork or foon that comes with the take outs, Madam always used to throw them away insisting I ate with my hands.

I didn't minded that much but it was difficult to get the rice from under my finger nails. So I twirled the spork around and sat on the floor with my back against the cutlery cupboard.

Chinese take out was Chinese takeout, nothing too good also not too shabby. It was cheap and spicy which is all I could have asked for, I finished it in record time and glanced up to see Ash and his parents only halfway through. I pushed myself up and went around the dining table to discard the containers in trash.

While I knew it was my last night here I couldn't help but hurry back to my basement. There was no talk about what's going to happen tomorrow and I suppose they didn't wanted to upset Ash more than he currently is.

I entered the basement, all my clothes which used to litter the floor are gone, it almost looks empty save for the messy bed. I climbed up and stared at the ceiling. Even in little to no lights, I can see it all clearly in different shades of blue.

I remember when I was first thrown in here, I was not exactly afraid of darkness, its just I keep bumping into things and suddenly I could see in dark. It was anticlimactic but magical none the less. I was utterly fascinated by it, but I knew better than to open my mouth and spill it in front of Master and Madam. 

They found out because I have told Ash and he naively told all about it to his parents.

That changed things. I was no more the orphaned kid they found on their doorsteps, to be made into a bodyguard for their son or a fighter so that I could win money.

I became an object with a price, to be traded at will.

And for the life of me, I don't understand which one is worse. If I get new owners, if anyone in Hades want me that is, maybe I could be free. The slave trade is banned in Underworld and Hell, even some pantheons are considering doing the same. Laws have already been placed to ensure that slaves are not mistreated. So maybe I could give my owners a slip and be finally free.

Yet, there is the fact that I am leaving Ash.

Don't be sentimental nut bag, I chided myself, Ash would be fine. As if his parents would let anything happen to him.