I was going to be a blood servant.
The words blood servant were enough to send a sickening feeling in my stomach. The thought of being kept against my will, trapped and used for my blood and body made me want to run far away and never look back.
But as much as I wanted to escape, I couldn't. I wouldn't do that to my mother and besides I was trapped. I could not move. Couldn't even if i tried. All around me, I was surrounded, crammed tightly against boys and girls my age waiting to be auctioned off. After this, our lives will be ruined because of this punishment. A life that was no longer ours. Never again will we see our families, and in time, it will all be just a memory. A painful, distant memory.
I glimpsed at all of the boys and girls around me. Each and every one of them looked frightened and they had every right to be. Not all of us will be fortunate today. The unfortunate ones who weren't chosen would be executed and fed to the werewolves and other evil creatures. I'd rather be executed rather than be used over and over again for my blood. But if I were to be chosen, I can only hope that whoever purchases me will grow tired of me and set me free.
I could not remember a time when us humans lived in fear. Before the rebellion, our people lived in peace. They were happy and woke up every morning without any worry. But now, we constantly looked over our shoulders, worried that some creature would seize us and slaughter us. Where once we were equal, we have now become the prey.
I shivered when I saw sudden movement coming from the stage.
How humiliating!
From what I could see, they examined each one of us for weapons, then we were pushed to the front of the stage where the monsters observed us and decided if they wished to purchase us. From what I knew, mostly vampires would be taking part. We were their only food source, but that didn't stop the other creatures from coming to the auction to enjoy the show. Besides, they only wished to see our kind suffer and be humiliated.
"Be good." I repeated my mother's words as I followed the crowd forward, closer to the stage.
I shivered again, wondering whether or not this would be my last day on Earth.
I fought the tears that threatened to fall and thrusted my chin up towards the sky. I rolled back my shoulders and straightened my posture. I wouldn't give the blood suckers the satisfaction of seeing me tremble in fear. Although I was scared of the outcome, I would remain strong through this. I had to. For my mother. She would want me to be brave and strong.
I looked around and noticed the vampires watching the spectacle in amusement. Their faces showed pure joy and excitement. No sign of remorse anywhere at all. For them, this was like a buffet. To them, we were nothing other than food and it sickened me.
My jaw clenched when I saw a boy being led up to the stage. He was wailing loudly for someone to kill him, to end his suffering. A suffering that had not yet even begun. A girl was brought up next, then another then another. Immediately, one of the girls was led over to a vampire. I hated myself for thinking he was beautiful. He was tall and lean, with a wicked look on his face. The vampire looked at the girl with a predatory look in his eyes, and when he came forward and led the girl off the stage and through the crowd, my stomach dropped.
As more people were brought forth, the vampires grinned and licked their lips. I watched them with a hateful glare when I felt someone coming to stand beside me.
"Jane?" A soft voice called me by my name.
I turned around slowly towards the person beside me, and gasped when I saw who it was. "Noah?"
I had forgotten about my neighbour. He looked at me with a warm smile. His bright, green eyes gave me comfort, but only a little. I was glad he was beside me. Noah had always been courteous and respectful. He would always acknowledge me when he saw me strolling around alone, and when he saw me he would always strike up a conversation.
"Jane, are you okay?"
I could not answer him.
Even if I did, I would not be able to answer truthfully.
"Are you afraid?" He asked.
I tilted my head up towards him with a cold stare. "Of course, I am afraid. Aren't you?"
Who would not be afraid in a time like this?
"Afraid? No. I am more curious to know what awaits us."
I scoffed. "If you are chosen. You do understand that if you are not chosen, you will die.'
"I know that, but look how many blood suckers are out here. They are hungry and are in dire need of human blood. Our blood! I will be chosen and so will you, I am sure of it."
"Lower your voice!" I hissed. "The vampires can hear every word you say, and I don't think they would approve of you calling them blood suckers."
"But it is true. Each one of us will be chosen. Without our blood, they will die." He said simply.
I looked away in disgust. "If we are to their liking and besides, I have heard that vampires can live perfectly fine on the blood of animals.'
"Why would they turn a human away when they can drink their blood at any time they want? An animal's blood isn't going to feed them. Not fully."
"Some vampires turn a human away just so they can watch a human getting ravaged by a beast. They are evil creatures. Don't forget that." I uttered.
"But also fascinating." He murmured.
I frowned. "It sounds as though you wish to be chosen."
"I told you, I am curious."
"Wouldn't you rather be at home with your family?" I asked.
He frowned. "Our homes are no longer ours. There is nothing for us back home."
I looked at him in bewilderment and pointed repeatedly at myself. "I wish to go home. Back to my mother. Not here waiting to be someone's servant."
"It could be a better life, Jane. Have you ever thought of that?"
My eyes widened in shock. "Noah, do you hear yourself? I cannot believe you are saying such things. We're about to be sold to monsters."
He motioned with his arms around us. "Look around you! Each and every single one of us is starving. Yes, we are afraid but only because it is something unbeknownst to us. Our homes are falling apart and we have no money. This could be a new beginning for us."
"You do not know what you're saying." I spat.
But what he says was true. Our whole village lived in poverty. Each family suffered differently. My mother and I had no money. None at all. Our home was crumbling apart and it was cold. In winter, it was unbearable.
A part of me was relieved that I wouldn't have the worry of freezing to death, but the other part of me feared for my mother. Without me caring for her, she wouldn't make it. That was why I was hoping that whoever chose me grew tired of me quickly. As soon as that happened, I would run back to her.
"I know that I do not wish to return home."
I frowned, preparing to ask him his reason for uttering such words, when Noah was taken roughly by the arm and pulled on to the stage. I watched with wide eyes as the vampire in charge of the auction searched Noah from head to toe. When his search is successful, the vampire pushed him to the front and immediately a beautiful woman with long, dark hair, wearing a white, silk dress marches up to the stage and claims him. She oozed confidence and had an evil glint in her eyes.
Noah had been chosen and his reaction was appalling to witness. He did not seem at all fazed of becoming a blood servant to the evil looking vampire who was now dragging him away. He was now at the mercy of that woman. My whole body began to tremble when I think of what she will do to him. She could do whatever she wished to Noah until she had no other use of him. She could kill him if she so wishes. We were merely toys purely for their enjoyment.
I was so distracted with Noah's sudden disappearance that I did not feel the hand wrapping tightly around my upper arm. I tried to remove the vampire's grip on me, but he was too strong. Trying to free myself would be pointless.
"She looks delicious." I heard one vampire say to another.
I gave the vampire a disgusted and horrified look, but he merely grins.
I was led through the crowd and pushed on to the stage. I did not know where to look. My heart was racing from the adrenaline.
This was it.
I can not believe that I was going to be sold.
I slowly scanned the crowd and wondered which one of the vampires would choose me. I hoped it wasn't the one who grinned at me. There was something sinister about the way he looked at me. He will no doubt drain me dry.
"Give that human to me. I want her."
No!
I searched the crowd for the buyer, and when I saw him my whole body recoiled. I could not even look at him. He was hideous, an ugly looking thing. His hair was greasy and unkempt, his whole body hunched over. Had warts and scars all over his face, and not to mention his yellow, cracked teeth.
He clambered on to the stage and brought his face up to meet mine. His breath smelled as though something has died inside it. I turned my head away to avoid vomiting when he grabbed my hand and pulled me off the stage. Again, I tried to remove his grip on me, but he only tightened his hold even more.
Let me go!
I should've escaped when I had the chance because now I truly was trapped.
I was doing my best to remain calm and putting on a brave face but deep down inside I was slowly falling apart.
I wanted to go home, back to my mother and the life I loved. Not here, living the rest of my life with this creature that I knew would end up in death.
Goodbye mother.
"Stop!" A voice suddenly shouted from the crowd.
The male's voice boomed with authority. His voice was enough to bring me to a standstill, including everyone around us. The vampire holding me surprisingly lets go of my arm.
I should have ran right then and there, but I wanted to see the face of that spine chilling voice.
I noticed around me the crowd murmuring to each other that were then shortly followed by loud gasps.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea to reveal a huge male striding in our direction, mounted on top an enormous horse. I knew just by looking at him that he was a vampire. Vampires were ridiculously beautiful creatures, some but not all. But they were evil.
Without a word he comes to a stop in front of me and stared blankly at the shabby vampire next to me.
I could not take my eyes off of this vampire. He had pale, porcelain skin, white as snow. Had long shiny, jet black hair kept slicked at the sides and eyes big and daring. His frame was firm and perfectly sculpted. You could tell just from looking at his white shirt that he was well built and strong.
The vampire next to me gasped and bowed out of nowhere. "My prince?"
Prince?
I looked at the beautiful creature in awe. This creature standing before me, was a prince?
What was he doing here?
The beautiful creature did not answer him at first. He instead looked at him all over then motioned his head to the side. "Leave."
What?
The ugly thing next to me looked up and frowned and asked with worry etched on his. "Your highness?"
The prince looked up to the stage. "Give the gentleman his money back. I will be taking this human."
The man beside me grabbed my arm and squared his shoulder. "I paid for her, therefore she is mine."
The crowd gasped.
"Remove your hand or I will remove it myself." The prince snarled.
Again, he let me go instantly.
"Is there a problem here, your highness?" The auctioneer asked, his voice trembling.
The prince grabbed a coin pouch from his pocket and threw it up to the auctioneer. "Keep the change. This human is coming with me."
What?
Why me?
Why on earth would a prince want someone like me? He could have anyone he wanted and yet he chose me; a bag of bones.
Why?
I swallowed heavily as I looked at the crowd. Each one of their faces had worry and fear etched on to them.
Why do they look so afraid? What kind of prince is he?
The reaction of the crowd began to worry me. I didn't blame them. The prince was large, muscular and oozed confidence. His intimidating aura leaves me in a trembling mess.
"You, human."
I looked up to the prince to see his gaze focused on me.
"Yes?" I asked, my voice quivering.
"Follow."
He does not wait for my answer.
He instead turned abruptly and continued forward, leaving me stunned.
Run, Jane! Run!
This could be the only chance to escape. If I did not take this chance, I might not get another. Ever.
The prince must have read my mind because he stops and looks back at me. He gives me warning stare. "Do not make me ask you twice."
I glared up at the prince and followed leisurely behind him.