The slave train didn't go far. They came up to a towering fire scarred building that had once been the local mall, slipping through a gaping hole in its side. Screams and shouts echoed from the blackness within. Phoebe stopped, wondering if she dared enter.
There was a sort of tunnel, the sides piled with rubble. When she got to the end of the tunnel, she smothered a gasp. The middle of the mall had been demolished, creating a huge arena. It was packed full of demons, snarling and pushing each other in the crowded space.
Someone knocked into her shoulder, and she lurched as a huge yeti like creature pushed passed. Unwilling, she was swept into the vicious crowds. She was jostled back and forward, sharp elbows poking into her back. The smell of demons at such close proximity made her eyes water.
She ended up crushed against a hard wooden fence, wincing as the crowd behind pushed her stomach onto the wooden beam. The fence was part of a ring that was empty, floored with churned mud.
From a gate a line of prisoners came. Some collapsed onto the hard soil, grey with exhaustion. Phoebe realised that they were the same ones that she had followed here.
The blubbery demon hiked up his trousers, then nodded to a tall man leaning against the fence. He stepped into the centre of the ring, and Phoebe thought he looked too human to be amongst this crowd. Her feelings evaporated when he smiled. No man could had that many teeth. He shouted over the top of the racket. "Selling starts with a 34 year old male." The fat demon unhooked a man from the chain and hauled him forward. He looked as though he could have been a bank manager. Demons began to shout out bids.
"One hukka!"
"Two!"
"Eight!"
The price shot to 22 hukka, whatever that meant. No bids were voiced after that. A short woman, who was beautiful in an icy sort of way, stepped forward. A rope was poked through the metal collar, and the man was led away like dog on a leash, head bowed in submission. As he turned his back to her, Phoebe noticed a number branded into his back.
The selling continued. Try as she might, Phoebe could not move away from the fence. The demons behind her refused to budge, pushing forward every time she moved.
"Female In the mid twenties."
There was a hush from the crowd, and Phoebe looked back to the pen. Rake thin, the woman was being held upright by the fat demon. Dark hair fell in front of her face, and her thin frame shook with quiet sobs.
Demons pressed forward, eager to bid on the sad figure that huddled before them. The price rocketed to 120 hukka. While two demons were trying to outbid each other, the woman slipped quietly to the ground.
The fat demon shook his head in disgust, turning to watch what was turning into a brawl. Phoebe looked down at the woman, and her blood froze. The woman was on her knees, facing away from Phoebe. Burned into her back was not a number, as had been on the other people, but a symbol. A symbol that Phoebe knew all too well.
The Triquetra.
Phoebe's hand shot to her pocket, and latched onto the heavy purse. She pulled it out quickly, looking inside. It was filled with coins, but not 'hukka', which had been small bronze discs. Thick gold coins weighed the fabric down. Phoebe pulled out a handful, surprised at the weight. She looked at them, then at the fighting demons. The price was rising slowly from 150 hukka. Fingers crossed, she gestured at the fat demon. He looked at her in an unimpressed manner, but froze when he saw the glittering treasure in her hands.
"Titus" he said, voice cracking slightly. The tall demon turned to look at his friend, then followed his gaze towards Phoebe. Her skin crawled at those cold eyes, but he seemed as equally shocked at the money.
"Three Sols!" He yelled disbelievingly. There was utter silence. "Sold." he said, in a quieter voice. The woman was hauled from the earth, a rope attached to her collar. There was a sudden release of pressure behind Phoebe, and she realised that the demons were drawing back from her. When she turned, she saw fear in their eyes.
The ropes end was thrust into her hand, and Phoebe suddenly realised what she had done. She had bought someone. She shook the thought away. It was too late to ponder that now. Scanning the edge of the 'arena', she spied a gap in the rubble walls. Looking back at the woman, she wondered if she would make it. She was swaying slightly, skin deathly pale. Phoebe began walking, and the woman slumped after her. Her face was a mass of scars, as though she had been beaten badly long ago.
Phoebe sighed in relief when they reached the hole in the wall. It had originally been a pathway in the original mall, and some of the shop structures were still standing. She quickly entered the gloom. The horrible noise from outside immediately dimmed. Going as far as she dared, she quickly dropped the rope.
The woman collapsed forward without warning. She hit the floor before Phoebe could even move. Leaning over the exhausted body of her companion, she saw that she had simply fainted. She came to slowly, eyes fluttering. When she saw a hooded figure leaning over her, she whimpered and curled into a ball.
"Hey, It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you" soothed Phoebe, watching the woman quiver. What had she been through to become this? The woman stared at her fearfully, scooting backwards. Her back thudded against a wall, and she bit her lip. Phoebe stood up and stepped forward. She stopped quickly when the woman hunched her shoulders and ducked her head, waiting for the blow.
Phoebe sighed and sat down, pulling the stuffy hood from her head. A small choking sound escaped the woman. She was staring at phoebe, eyes wide. In a voice that cracked like dried sticks, she whispered.
"Phoebe?"
MWAHAHAHAHAHA! How's THAT for a cliff hanger! he he he he... cough.
You know, Phoebe is hard word to spell.
