Sold

It must be getting on 2:30 in the morning by now. Sunrise will come in a few hours. There is a small mat on the floor, but I don't expect to sleep easy. I can only hope that Zal or Don can find me after I'm sold, but that seems increasingly unlikely. I sit down on the mat and cry in frustration. Two days ago I was at the supermarket, where I entered a strange black void. Since then my life has been turned upside down. When will this nightmare end? I'm tired of this foreign world, the running, the hiding, being a prisoner. It feels as though i'm a pawn in someone's game. I just want to go home....

"Wake up, slave. It's time." I awaken, startled. Must have dozed off. Maris stands before my cell door, smirking. Oh, how I wish I could knock that look off his face! He dosn't seem to have his men with him, but a large, rough looking man (who I assume works for the auctioneers) stands behind him. The door is opened and I am forced, roughly, to my feet. My hands and ankles are once again chained and I am led down a narrow hallway into a large courtyard where the auction is taking place.

"I've decided to let you go to the highest bidder." Maris tells me. "I am in this for profit after all, despite what I said yesterday. Still, the auctioneer is a friend of mine, thanks to all the business I bring him. I've already talked to him, so don't expect him to be cooperative with anyone who comes looking for you. He'll likely send them off on a wild goose chase." Well, there goes the best way I can think of for Zal to find me.

There is a large crowd beginning to gather around a wooden stage. I scan the courtyard, hoping against hope that Zal or Don has infiltrated it. But I see no one I recognize. There are several dozen here to be sold, a handful of men, but mostly women. A few of them are quite hysterical, probably first time slaves like me. Most, though, have looks of quiet resignation, as though they've been through this before. I do my best to keep my composure. Maris puts me at the end of the line of slaves, which is guarded by several imposing looking men. Despite my flimsy barmaid's dress, I am one of the most overdressed women here to be sold. Many wear nothing but their chains.

When my turn finally arrives, An overweight man in the back row takes an interest in me, and quickly outbids the others. He appears about 50 years old, with a graying beard. He wears a blue turban, and a garish, though expensive looking purple robe. I glance over at Maris as I am led off the stage, laughing jovially with the auctioneer. It seems I've gotten him a good price.

I am led to a desk off to the side of the stage, where my new "owner" is filling out some paperwork. He turns to greet me as I arrive. "Greetings, my fair-skinned beauty."

"What is to become of me?" I ask tentativley.

1. "I own the finest brothel in the capital. You will work for me there."
2. "I am a minister for our great Sultan. He asked me to go find a new girl for his harem."
3. "I own a large estate about 30 miles north of here. You will be a slave of my household there." If I'm taken out of the city, how will Zal or Don ever find me?
4. He whispers into my ear "A man named Zal paid me to come here and purchase you today. Just play along, he's waiting for us outside."

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