Trinkett looked at the availible slaves.

"See any you like?" Top hat asked, squatting down to look a young boy in the face.

Trinkett laughed inwardly at the irony of a slave buying a slave. She looked at the boy Top Hat was observing. "He can't be more than six."

Top Hat stood up, "He'd be worthless to have about." He grabbed Trinkett's arm and started to move away.

She made her decsion. "I want him." She pointed to the boy.

Top Hat stopped. "Why him?"

"He can be useful, carry things for us, fetch me water, things like that."

"I already have slaves that do that. Come on." Top Hat pulled her arm.

She stood looking at the broken body of the small boy before her, beaten and bloody.

"I told you no one would take my place! I got you that slave to do things for you, not take up your time!" Top Hat grabbed her, spinning her to face him.

She couldn't say anything, if she opened her mouth, the tears would break free.

"When you want to talk, you talk with me! When you want to laugh, you laugh with me!"

He stared cold and hard into her eyes. "You're so beautiful when you're angry." He pulled her closer.

Caliko saw the boy stir on the ground behind Top Hat. 'Don't move!' Her head screamed, her voice silent.

Top Hat turned his attention back to the bloody mess on the floor. He released Caliko, walking towards the child. Fast and hard, he kicked him, only a small squeak slipped through the child's lips.

Caliko felt the vomit rise to her throat. She looked down, not wanting to see anymore, knowing she couldn't see anymore. Helpless rage boiling inside her, she turned away.

"NO!" Top Hat grabbed her arm forcing her head back towards the boy.. "See what you did? See what you made me do? No one," He pulled her hair until their faces were touching. "No one, uses my things!" He released her again, going to the door. "Grab him." He said to the Kazoos that had held Caliko while Top Hat mercilessly beat the boy. "And kill him." He looked at Caliko one last time before opening the door. "Don't ever forget Trinkett, you're mine, and I don't share."

Caliko finally forced herself from her nightmare. Opening her eyes, she felt the warm tears slide down her cheeks. 'Not again you wuss.' She scolded herself. She rolled over grabbing her left arm. She felt the out-line of the scar. 'Grow up!' She sighed and rolled to her back again, wiping the tears from her face. 'Mom and Dad wouldn't want you crying.' Shaking her head, she finally forced the thoughts from her mind. She had learned to force away the thoughts, but not the sick, empty feeling inside her, she would never be rid of that. After what seemed like hours, Caliko fell asleep, praying the nightmares would finally let her sleep tonight.