- Emmalina's Point of View -

Oh...my gosh, was all I could think at that moment. You have got to be kidding me! What I had thought to be a slave trading event only attended by a few crazy psychos turned out to be a social gathering as well. Now that's just sick!

I looked over my shoulder at Liam who just glared at the crowd with more hate in his eyes than even I could muster. Of course I didn't like these people, but Liam looked as though he wanted to kill each and every one of them.

Then it hit me. If there were this many people then it wasn't likely that we would all be sold to the same person. The crowd was huge and half the people weren't even sober. It disgusted me just to look at them.

"Alright everyone!" a man called from up on the stand.

"Let the bidding begin!"

First there was a thin and pale boy who looked like he had been starved all his life.

"He'll sell," Liam said solemnly.

"Why? He doesn't look like he could lift a piece of straw!"

"His blond hair. No one around here has blond hair. Only black...He'll sell."

I looked from Liam to the boy with astonished eyes. First for the fact that they judge the price by someone's hair and second, how did Liam know so much about this?

As Liam had predicted the boy was sold almost instantly for the Tarabinthian equivalent of $500. Then I thought of Katrina. She was young and possibly able to do lots of work when she grew up, but most importantly, her hair looked like a forest fire!

Oh no, was all I could think before Liam got dragged out onto the stand.

"Liam!" Katrina gasped but I held her back.

There was no use in going after him. I was however strangely proud to see Liam putting up a good fight. Even though his hands were tied he managed to put down a few guards, but it was really only for satisfaction. There was no escaping in that crowd.

"Just look at this one. A strapping young lad with lots of work still left in em'. A bit feisty but you all like a bit of a challenge don't ya?"

The crowd made a cheering sound and just wanted to punch them all in their smug faces.

"800!" a tall and well dressed man called.

"850!" another called, this time a short and stout man.

"900!" the original man called.

"950!"

"1000!"

"1025!"

"2000! And let that be an end to it!" the original man called.

The stout man didn't want to spend that much money in one place and gave up. For some reason I was actually relieved that the tall man had one. He looked more put together and all around more pleasant than the stout one. Although if you went to a slave trade you were probably neither.

"SOLD!" the hosting man said with excitement.

Liam was led down into the crowd and I watched as both Liam and the tall man walked off down the street.

Well that's just great, I thought. Now we'll never be able to come back together.

Suddenly one of the guards came and grabbed Katrina like a rag doll. I tried going after them but there was no point. I listened as Katrina screamed and kicked to get free and my heart practically snapped in half.

"Look at this little lass. You won't find this color hair in many parts of any country that's for sure. Can I start the bid at 900?" the hosting man called again.

The crowd didn't seem too happy with that price for such a small girl and I was hoping they would end up not selling her. It was farfetched but still, it could happen.

"I'll tell you what," he said, nodding to a man next to me.

The guard grabbed hold of my tied hands and I immediately bit his, no matter how bad it tasted. He yelped slapped me in the face, but I didn't care. The satisfaction of having hit him was more than enough.

"I'll throw in this one as well. You'll get two helpful and beautiful slaves for just 900!" the man called.

I kicked and punched several times as they dragged me up to the stand and when I got there - let's all hosting man Idiot - Idiot looked at me with an ugly grin.

"Look at this beauty! Feisty, sturdy, strong, and looks as fine as a young palomino!"

I paid no attention to his idol comments. All he wanted to do was sell me and move on...So I didn't hesitate to spit right in his eye, only to be rewarded by another slap on the face.

"Hoho," Idiot said in a sing-song voice.

"I told you she was a fighter!"  

I glared at him purely for the fact that it made me feel better, but I was actually sort of glad that I was put out. Now Katrina and I would not be separated.

"I'LL TAKE EM'!" a big man in the crowd shouted.

I suddenly felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as he stared at us with mischievous eyes. I knew right then and there that I wasn't going to like  him very much. Katrina slowly scooted behind me and I realized how scared she must be. Sure I was scared to, but at least I knew that somehow, some way, we would get out of this.

- Hey there everyone! What did you think of this chapter? I'd love to hear your thoughts since you have been so good about it in my previous chapters. Thanks again for reading and votes are always appreciated :D - Anna