Misty, Mama, and the rest of the people that were in the large, caged, cart were later drove out of the grassy country. Misty never left Mama's arms. Neither could she stop staring at the other people in the wagon. Some were younger then herself, and others were older then Mama. All of them had the same glum look upon their faces. Others cried and others prayed, while the rest just sat there with a look of disbelief. As they headed towards town, little boys started to chase their cart. They stuck out their tongues at them and made rude gestures, and mostly, they laughed. Along the bumpy road, they continued to coast. Nobody said anything. Finally, they reached town, and were brought into the center square. A large podium had been set up in the middle and a crowd was already gathering.
"What are they going to do with us, Mama?" Misty asked.
"I don't know, sweetheart. I don't know." Mama replied as she tightened her grip.
"Alright, you bunch of fools, get out. Get out!" The man driving the carriage shouts behind his shoulder and another opens the cage door.
They all file out and are pushed, as a group, towards the huge stand in the middle of the town square. They are put into a line right besides the steps and the first few were to go up them. Afterwards, the second driver comes along and makes sure that everybody keeps their place and a third man goes up on stage to stand next to the couple standing up their already.
"Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen! I welcome you this lovely morning. And as you all know, we are here to get some bids!" The man announces. The crowd cheers.
"Mama…" Misty says quietly. "They're…going to sell us?"
"Don't worry about it, deary. Nothing is going to go wrong." Mama comforted.
The man on stage continues. "Here we have a nice couple. The man looks to be in good shape, and the woman doesn't look too bad either. Do we have any starting bids?"
The crowd starts raising hands and shouting out various prices. Misty looked into the crowd of people and all you could see were suits and fine dresses. They were all the rich people who owned the factories and plantations. This is what every Christian feared. Being caught and sold to these people for work. Now, some of their nightmares have come to life. Misty curled up in her Mama's hug once more and had nothing else to do but wait her turn. Once they were sold to a master, that person had all the control he or she wanted over them. They could get whipped for anything, as if they were dogs. If they coughed while working or felt the slightest bit of drowsiness. The number of people in line decreased as the numbers of people were successfully sold. Soon, way to soon, it was Misty and Mama's turn to walk up the stairs and onto the podium. They were both afraid they'd get separated, but to their luck, for once, were put on sale as a pair.
"A mother and daughter, both good witted and fit for work." The man announced to the crowd. "Do we have any starting bids?"
"Mama, what happens after this?" Misty asked silently.
"Just hold strong, hold strong." Mama embraced her daughter with one arm.
"360!" A member of the assembly cried.
"410!" A woman from the opposite side shouted.
"Going, once…going, twice!" The man held up his hand.
"450!"
"465!"
"600!" A lone couple yelled.
"Whoa!" The announcer said in shock. "600 to the man and wife over to my right! Going, once…going, twice?"
The crowd fell silent as they looked over at the two people who placed the large bid. Misty couldn't see who they were, but you could tell by the other people in the crowd, that they were already a respected family. The man who announced the event held his hand up in the air after a while.
"SOLD!" He let his hand fall as if to slice the air.
Mama held tight to Misty as they were escorted off the stage and to their new Master and Mistress. The Master had dark black hair and the madam, pure, and pretty brown. Mistress looked so kind, but the man had such a stern look upon his face. So serious at first glance. It might take a while to get used to that. As they got nearer, the Mistress smiled at them.
"Welcome to the family." She said cheerfully. Misty looked at her funny, but also full of secret fear.
"Thank you." Mama said and bowed her head for a while.
"No need for that." Mistress smiled again.
"Dear…" Master sneered.
"Yes, Honey." Mistress cleared her throat and looked up at her husband in slight disgust. "Follow us please."
Mama placed a hand on Misty's back so she could be pushed along. Her legs seemed to be frozen. They walked being Master and Mistress solemnly. At least they were still together. They had to keep that in mind. The Mistress looked back at them a few times. Her periwinkle dress flowing with every step. Master remained stiff in his brown suit. Misty admired the lace bow that Mistress had her hair tied back with.
"So," Mistress gazed back again. "How old are you little one? What is your name?"
Misty squeaked. "Misty, Ma'am. And I'm 14."
"Such a lovely name." Mistress replied. "We have one of our own that's about your age as well. Maybe you two will get along."
"I don't think he'll be interested." Master said. His voice was like a brick.
Misty lingered like a ghost. She felt it wasn't her place to reply to that. They said they had a child that was her age. But he was a boy. She had a few friends back home that were boys, but they were all like her. She tried to imagine what this son was like, being raised by such parents. His mother was really kind, but his father…that was hard to place. Which one did he take after? They reached a carriage and were told to sit in the back. They hopped in and the crack of a whip made the horses start to walk down the path. Misty looked towards the front of the vehicle and could see a large white and brick-red building in the distance. A plantation. It had fields stretching out in each direction and a few little huts out in the yard away from the house. That was most likely their new home and where they were to work and cook and harvest. And possibly be punished brutally. A new life, that was for sure. They were sold, that was it. They had no choice now.
"Mama," Misty started.
"It's okay," Mama said instinctively. "Remember, always smile."
"Yes, Mama." Misty sighed and looked once more at the approaching plantation.