Chapter 3: Sold and Bound
Gwen's P.O.V.
I scanned over the arena from the safety of Kale's arms. Five groups of people were scattered in the stands. They wielded clipboards and pens. Calculators and phones are held, ready for easy access. I bit down on my lip. The wretched red head named off prices.
"Eight billion!" A man whooped. The whole crowd grew silent.
"Any higher bids?" Bridget's voice echoed throughout the silent room.
"Collect the subjects at the right corridor," Dwyer ordered, straightening her blouse. She stepped down and retreated to the underground maze of halls. We were pulled out of the cage. I stumbled, and Kale' was ripped away from me. He had grown pale and quiet.
"We're ok," I coaxed, desperately squirming in an attempt to get loose from the Eraser that held me.
"At least we get out of here," he shot a fake smile, trying to conquer his justified fear. That's my boy. I gritted my teeth as they dragged us all the way across the stage to a door where my new master stood alert.
"Load them into there." The man pointed to a vehicle. It looked like a large ice cream truck, just not as jolly. The back doors opened and I was tossed inside. Kale followed Not soon after. Then they slammed the doors shut as quickly as they ha been opened. The hinges gave a loud, shrill, squeak. I felt like an animal, a frightened disgrace to nature. I scooted closer to Kale.
"At least we'll go together," he whispered. His voice shook and cracked. I could hear the powerful people outside negotiating. Soon we were in motion. I glanced out the crack between the doors. The House of Despair was growing smaller the farther we drove. For the first time in three years were outside the operating tables and laboratory rooms. I watched, stunned, as it faded from sight. A sigh of relief left my lungs, but my stomach was still in knots. What's to come for us now?
•••
The car/van hit another bump. I was jostled and turned. Then we slowed to a stop. The doors miraculously opened and there stood the man and his female assistant. They both had a wide, sickening grins plastered on their faces.
"Here, change into these." He tossed us clothes and sat a crinkled, what appeared to be, fast food bag in front of us.
"What kind of test is this?" I asked through bared teeth.
"You're safe now. I'm a member of the CSM. We aren't going to hurt you," he stated brightly.
"My name is Susan." The woman bowed. Her black hair was pulled back and she smelled of antiseptic. Her white lab coat was buttoned. The man wore the same attire.
"And you can call me Jim," the guy outreached a hand.
"Gwen," I pointed to myself, then to Kale, "Kale." I refused to shake his hand, deciding to leave him hanging. Jim jerked it back to his side.
"Uh...good. Now hurry and eat! We have a long day ahead of us!" Susan chirped. Then the doors slid closed and locked. I pulled on the too big white t-shirt over my dingy undershirt. I got a new pair of jeans. I put them on over my faded out basketball shorts. Kale did the same. He dug through the bag, cramming French fires in his mouth and throwing me a burger.
"Yum," he moaned as he ate the pickle off a hamburger.
"Safe," I snorted in a mocking sense, "Like we could ever be safe."
•••
"Gwen," Kale called. I snuggled closer to what I thought was a pillow.
"Gwen! I can't go to sleep with you laying on my arm!" he shouted harshly. I opened my eyes and saw Kale staring back. At first this didn't register. Then my eyes were as wide as saucers. I was laying on his shoulder! Gross! I rolled away. He chuckled while I caught my breath. That was scary.
"You dozed off after I laid down. We hit a bump and you rolled over. Then you wouldn't let go of my arm! You were almost snoring!" He explained.
"Sorry," I mumbled. A dim light shone in. I could see him grin. Then he whispered something to himself. Something that sounded like, "S'ok, I kinda liked it." But I didn't dare ask. Hadn't I embarrassed myself enough?
•••
"Up and at 'em!" A lady's voice cooed. I sat up and brushed my bangs back in place. Kale stretched and yawned. The heavy door creaked open. Susan held a rope and some things that looked like giant rubber bands.
"Sorry we have to do this," Jim frowned.
What happened next was a slight tussle as they bounded our wings flat to our backs and tied our hands together. They closed the door again, leaving us in deadly darkness.
"Surely we can break these," I said stubbornly. The answer to that question was a big fat no. Those weren't rubber bands. They were as strong as metal. The rope was almost cutting off my circulation! Before we went back in motion I heard Jim say something to Susan.
"We're almost home. Call Valencia."
R&R