A/N srry this update took so long, it kept deleting off my computer :l meh. DISPLEASURE TO U COMPUTER anywho, i'll let u read :p ENJOY MY POPTARTS
wait b4 u read, unfortunately i will not be able to update this story again for a very long time :'(
Chapter 1
Hope. My name is Hope. I always hated my name... it represents the very emotion I wish I possessed, like a permanent mark branded on my forehead of my weakness, fragility and inevitable fear of the man stood before me. I watched with wide blue eyes as he determined the fate of the young women in the line before me; would they be sent into a marriage? Would they live alone? Or worse:
Would they be beaten and killed?
I looked around at the young women before me, some holding the hand of a loved one, others alone; holding the meager remains of their belongings that survived the fire that killed my mother and so many other innocent, kind people.
"Hope Saunders," the bored man at the podium before me droned monotonously, filling my mind with dread and fear of what will happen when I leave this dark, cold building. Which door will I take? What will I be when I walk back out of this building, to start my life over again?
"Hope Saunders!"
The man's impatient tone snapped me out of my trance and I gathered my measly posessions, walking stiffly up to the podium and pulling a strand of my long blonde hair out of my bloodshot grey eyes.
"Room 38, floor 18. Mr. Higgins awaits you."
Nodding my head, I scurried over to the dingy elevators and pressed the button, the doors creaking and groaning as they opened slowly. Cautiously stepping into the elevator I pressed the small button, engraved with an almost completely mould and slime covered "18". Wrinkling my nose in disgust I frantically wiped my finger on my grimy yellow t-shirt, tucking it back into my denim shorts. The elevator slows and I jump towards the doors, eager to escape this cramped, germ-filled cage, when the lights flicker out and a woman appears behind me. She has on tattered clothing, a small hand bag clutched to her chest, a terrified expression etched on her features.
"Help me..." she whispered as she fell to the ground, letting the bag fall and pushing it to the space between my feet. I watched on, frozen in horror and unsure of what to do as the woman's body dissolved in front of me, crumbling to fine grains of white sand. I watched the wind carry away the ashes, leaving nothing but the faint scent of a flower I couldn't name, the hand bag at my feet and the woman's desperate plea, "Help me, help me, help me..."
I shot straight up on my matress of straw and newspaper, clutching the thin sheet closer to my quivering body. The salty tears dripping down my cheeks made my wavy blonde hair stick to the sides of my face as I gazed at the dark walls of the room. That dream had haunted my slumber a few times as of late, coming back to me on the nights I need it least.
I rose from the bed and placed my bare feet on the cold wood of the floor, hearing the steady slapping noise: pit, pat, pit, pat, pit, pat. Keeping my head down as I have for the past 3 years to avoid the wrath of Master, I headed out to the trough to get some breakfast. I joined the line of young girls before me in tattered clothing with their heads down just as I had done, and continue to do. The orphanage had been my home for 3 years and 8 days, the girls with whom I currently stand the closest thing I have to family. I don't have friends, designer clothing or any of the other luxuries most 14 year-olds possess. I have a gown on my back, food in my belly and a roof over my head and that's all I need.
"Ladies! Straighten up. Today is the day when the men are coming. You all are of age, and you will now be married off! Oh, this is so exciting!" Master Diana's high-pitched, squeaky voice rang in my ears as she paced the floor in front of the frail 14s.
"Master Diana, may I ask a question-" Melanie began, to be cut off by a sharp squeal from Master Diana.
"No you may not Melanie, just because it is your first week here does not mean you may be excused from the rules! Escort yourself to Master William's quarter for shaming."
Melanie's eyes widened in fear as she was shoed off in the direction of Master William's quarters. We were all given a taste of Master's shaming was like; I shivered even at the thought of what they would do to Melanie.
"All of you, escort yourselves to the dressing hall for your outfits, makeup and etiquette lesson. You will all treat the men you are being given the pleasure to meet as the superior beings they are. No objections, questions or impolite comments, no rudeness, and especially no resistance. You ladies are to become a man's property now; those of you who don't go willingly?" she chuckled darkly at the thought, "Will be up for some fun with Master William tonight."
We all nodded and scurried off to the dressing hall, not wanting to be the one facing Master Diana for being late. I entered the grand room and gasped; the beautiful glass chandelier swaying slightly from the ceiling as the girls entered the room. The intricate designs on the ceiling displayed many scenes; one a beautiful pink sunset, a majestic horse trotting along a path in the forest, a small house on a plain, a lake and meadow, all blending together perfectly to form the scene above me. The carpet made of soft velvet soothed my callused feet as I padded over to my section, lookiong at the short, tight dress before me and the dull-looking woman at the mirror.
"Put it on," she droned, pointing to the small area sectioned off by a dirty, ripped curtain. I hesitantly drew back the curtain and stepped into the small area given for me to dress. I awkwardly pulled the tight fabric over my body, adjusting it to cover as much skin as possible. Looking into the dust-covered mirror, I cringed at the... revealing dress I had been given to meet the man I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I nervously stepped out from the curtain, the woman's gaze moving from the cigarette hanging loosely from her lips to my body. She grotesquely smirked at me, her gaze trailing down to the bottom of the dress, which I self-consciously pulled down, gasping as it slid down my chest. She chuckled at my purity, if you will, and approached me slowly, eyeing the dress.
"Cute hun. Quit pullin' it down, will ya?" she smirked and took my small hand in her rough, callused fingertips, leading me towards the the chair she had pulled out in front of the small mirror. Proceeding to apply makeup to my face, I cringed at the inappropriately dressed 14-year-old girl seen in the mirror. Rising to my full height I made my way to the room where I will meet my future.
A/N u like? sorry it took so long :( see you in march :(
Allie xxx
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