SUBSTITUTE LUNA

SLAVERS

- MARLIA -

I opened my mouth but no words came. Dad had shifted into a wolf and attacked the Alpha. The betas went for Him, Mum joined the fight.

No one was coming at me. The exit, completely open. I dragged myself to my feet, my legs wobbled, almost throwing me to the ground. I still managed to run.

The window right in front of me, I pushed my body to make a leap.

Something hit me. It pierced my back. I tumbled over, falling 5ft before my body hit the ground. Branches broke my fall, but it still hurt so bad. My body contracted as pain coursed through me.

'Moon goddess, No, please don't let me die. Please don't let this happen to my family. Please save us.”

She heard my prayers. Immediately I felt a surge of strength inside me, the contraptions easing. I pulled myself up, dry grass falling from my clothes. I lurched, bending to my fours. I shifted, leaping fast into the forest. A road before me the next moment. The house got smaller behind me until it disappeared completely.

I didn’t stop running. I could hear voices in the distance, it felt like it was coming from them. But as I drew nearer it became clearer that the voices were coming from some passers-by on the path before me.

I slowed down, shifting back. Most of my clothes were torn, my limbs too weak to allow me to walk without a stagger.

Breathlessly, I called out, “Help! Help!”

They were still a bit far from me. Moving further away. I tried to increase my pace. Eyes on the path, I didn't notice the broken branches covered by the dirt. I tripped on it and fell on my face. The trees shook as my body made thub sounds on the sand floor.

The flashing lights before me halted. Whispers followed, and soon I could see the grass next to me, illuminating. I tried to look up, but the pains were returning, and I couldn't stir.

The branches broke as the passerby came nearer. He reached out and tapped my shoulder.

“Hey girl, are you alright?”

I couldn't reply.

“Girl?”

“Help… me.” I whispered in pain.

“Hey, turn her over.” He said. Large hands gripped me and lifted me off the floor. I groaned, suppressing the aches. I forced my eyes open, their faces coming to view.

My eyes gaped. Fear coursed through me. I saw rugged faces, large swords, and freakishly large men with grimaces all over their faces.

“Damn will you look at that.” The third one spoke, licking his lips.

“The prey runs into the predator. Neat.” He chuckled.

I trembled in the arms of the silver-haired fellow among them. These weren't help, that I was sure of.

“Kintu, bring her along. The Master will love this one.”

The he-wolf who first saw me, ordered. His midnight black hair covered his entire back. He was bent over slightly and had a crude gait.

“No, please don't… let me go, please.”

My pleas fell on deaf ears. Kintu tossed me onto his shoulder. My eyes spotted a mark on his wrist. I gasped.

‘No. No. They are slavers.’

*************

The sound of chains haggle and metallic door clang, echoed through the hallway. My hands were placed through the gaps on the cell gate and then tied. The rough edges pierced into my arm and blood dripped slowly.

I felt woozy. My eyes were too weak to open. The cold floors froze my knees but I couldn't get up, I couldn't yell, I couldn't even think. So, I stayed quiet, listening to the voices in the distance. They were almost like whispers but I could still tell that my name has been mentioned a few times. Or at least, the name they gave me.

“Should we bring the bleeder now?” One asked.

“Wait a little more, she is next.” The other replied.

They had this conversation hours ago. So when the door swung and those familiar voices approached, I knew in my gut that it was time.

“Bleeder, you are up.” He snorted, untying me. I fell back, crumbling to the floor. My eyes slightly open. He pushed the gates aside and picked up my ragged body, placing it on his shoulders.

“She is so weightless. I wonder who wanna buy this.”

“Maybe they will eat her.” The two chuckled mockingly.

My head dangled, the disgusting smell of sweat and decay filling my nose. Nausea threatening to make me rejuvenate. I forced down the lump on my throat, fighting the distractions so I could pay attention. We were stepping into somewhere enclosed, it smelt a bit fresher, like it was better ventilated. But it was dark, cold. The sound of water flowing in the distance caught my attention.

"Where the hell is this?”

They stopped. Someone lit a huge candle on a cylindrical stand.

“Hold her up.” he said.

‘That voice.’ I recognized it immediately. It belonged to the he-wolf that first found me in the woods.

The guy put me on my feet, I couldn't stand. Another held my other hand, I was pulled up and my back lain on something soft. They tied my hands up and then my feet. Although my hair was scattered all over my face, I could still see two figures walk up to stand over me.

The dark hid their faces. But there was a distinct scent that the fellow in robes of gold and blue, had. It reminded me of wet roses. He reached out to my face with his gloved hands and tucked my hair gently behind my ears.

“She really does have it.” His deep yet soft voice mixed with surprise and pleasure.

“I told you.”

“You sure did.” His fingers grazed over the tip of my nose. He was oddly gentle with me. His touches felt almost as if they were out of curiosity. It was creepy.

“Bring her along, I will buy her.” He finalized, his fingers lifting off my cheek like a caress. He spurned, making for the exit, the he-wolf followed. The others untied me and carried me along.

Once again I felt the dangling feeling and the filthy smell of damp cold dark decadence but I also felt it leaving me. I could sense the power of the moon. Breeze fluttering my torn skirt. I knew instantly that we were coming outside.

They rested me gently inside a carriage, the fellow in robes held me firmly. Almost as if he was afraid I would break. His embrace was warm, I could feel strength seeping back to me. Whatever it is they had done to me, it was wearing off.

“Water-” I coughed a little and tried again. “Water… please.”

“Alright.” He pulled me closer, then ordered someone outside to get a wine-skin. He fed me. It wasn't water but It was better. Like little drizzles of ice were sliding down my throat, quenching the aches that were like fire inside me.

“Enough?” He asked tenderly. Covering up the wine-skin.

“I feel somehow.” I rubbed my hands over my skin.

“I feel hot.” I pulled on my haggard clothes, trying to take them off

“Are you alright?” He asked, his hold loosen. I pulled away slowly, tugging on my clothes, trying to take them off.

“Wait, don't do that.”

He spoke but he couldn't come near.

“I’m burning up. I’m really hot.” I clasped my legs together and gasped. His face was still hidden in the dark but from his tone, I could tell that It shocked him.

“Okay. Just give me a moment.”

He opened the carriage door and hopped down. “Hey you! What the hell was in that drink?” He yelled, pacing off.

I peered outside from the door, no one seemed to be near. I glanced out the window. The moon light made it easy to tell that we were out in the woods.

“Thank you goddess.” I whispered, springing off the chair

immediately. I pushed the window wide open and slipped out. The instant my feet touched the grass, I shifted; and ran.