Caged - On hiatus

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I was stunned first as I took my first step outside of my home. The road was dusty and littered with tiny rocks. I roamed my eyes, there were no houses near my place, only there were a few bushes that littered and some thin trees. We looked pretty isolated.

Our property was separated by the lake and a stone bridge way. From where I stand I could see that no one was currently here but I could hear some of the commotion. They must be on the plaza, I heard that was in the middle of the town. Just as I thought that a booming sound came from the direction of the town and pink smokes can be seen above the roof of the houses.

I’ve always dreamed of being outside, to be able to run around and play with other kids. But now that I’m here, I can hear my heart pounding and my palm starts to get clammy.

“You can do this.” I whispered to myself. I nodded my head, taking a deep breath first before walking towards the town.

As I get inside deeper, the noises began to increase. I used the sound of the townsfolk to locate the place where the festival is happening. And after squeezing to some alleyway and between houses – which looked so small in my opinion – I finally reach the town center.

The ground was made of concrete on this part of the village with a platform on the far front and a water fountain in the middle. There were a few stall set up for the festivals and the light poles were filled with streamers. The villagers looked happy as the festival continued.

I stood a bit far away from the people, just enough so I could see everything but far enough so nobody could see me. I looked forward to watch the festivities on full swing.

I was just on time to see my mother and grandfather being called on the platform by the chief. I looked in awe as my grandfather walked regally followed by my mother who was as elegant as she always was. The crowd cheered for them, I could hear their low murmurs of adoration and respect.

I can’t help the smile that erupted from my lips. Proud of my family’s effect on people. I continued to watch as the chief say how thankful the town is for my family. Grandfather simply nodded his head, I could almost hear his grunting but I know that he was proud.

“Thank you for everything that your family has done to our town, Fujiwara-san.” The chief said his smile was ear to ear as he handed my mother a plaque of appreciation my mother said her thanks in her delicate voice making some of the men in the crowd melt with her beauty and grace.

“I’m very happy that you’ve finally honored our invitation.” The chief continued, grandfather decided to answer him. “It’s just so you’ll finally stop your pestering.” He answered rudely making me laugh, the crowed seemed taken aback only to laugh awkwardly.

My mother put her hand on her head as if she was ashamed of him and I giggled at how stubborn he was. Only grandfather can say something so rude but get away with it.

The chief faked laugh as well before clearing his throat. “I see, that’s a good one Fujiwara-san.” He said trying to save face I guess, grandfather only crossed his arms and harrumphed. The poor man could only scratch the side of his face about his behavior.

But then he suddenly got serious as he turned to them again. “May I ask though, where is the little lady of your house. We would have loved to see her.” He said and I perked up knowing that he was talking about me.

But my family simply stiffened at his question. A harsh glare came from grandfather, it was so dominating that I could feel it from where I stood. That’s when I know that he was angry.

But I was so confused why.

The atmosphere changed from the merry festivities to a deafening silence. Even the townspeople were silent now. Their attention focused on my family on the stage. But why? I ask myself. They just asked about me?

“My granddaughter doesn’t need to be here.” He replied, his tone cold and dangerous. Even my sweet mother was looking at the people with an angry glint on her usual warm earth-toned eyes.

What’s happening?

“We just wanted to meet her that’s all.” I heard the chief answered, and despite his larger body I could see he was sweating at my grandfather’s presence. The latter responded with his eyes narrowing and his lips setting on a thin line. Oh he was angrier now.

“Is that why you were pretty insistent on having her come on this event?” He asked with a disbelieving tone. “You all take me a fool to believe that. Now why do you all really want to see my granddaughter?” The authority on his voice was tangible that the people almost trembled.

I watched all of this confused. What has any of this related to me?

The chief sweats again.

I was so absorb in watching the commotion before me that I didn’t notice the presence behind me. I was startled when a pair of grubby hands took hold of me, one on my waist and the other on my lips. I panicked as I looked up to see an unknown man holding me.

I struggled on his hold but he was so much stronger than me, still I continued to struggle trying to get people to notice us but it was futile as they were all looking forward. Dread filled me and I could feel my heart thudding hard on my chest. Tears pricked my eyes and my sobs were muffled by the guy’s hands.

But I didn’t give up, I continued to move away from him. Kicking my feet into the air, I managed to hit on his thigh and it made his hold on me falter a bit, just enough for me to bite his hand hard. I made sure to deepen my teeth into his teeth.

He hollered in pain as he smacked me on my cheeks and I skidded down the hard ground. I groaned as I hit my back and elbow, my teeth chattering at the pain. But I cheered when the crowd’s attention turned to us.

I saw my mother’s horrified look as she and my grandfather along with Jiro-niisan rushed towards me but before they could come to me they were held by the people and I was picked up by the man using my hair.

I yelped in pain as my hair felt like it as being rooted. My tears started to flow as the pain increased. I felt his hands encircle my waist once more, trapping both my hands with it. I cried in pain as my bruised elbow was being squeezed.

“Let go of her, let go of us!” My mother shouted and I tried to open my eyes to look for her but the tears was making everything blurry. It took a while for my eyesight to clear and I choked back a sob as I watched the townspeople tie my family.

“Mom, help me!” I shouted and she shouted at them again, commanding them to release me. My grandfather growled in anger, if his eyes could kill every one of these people will be dead. By now my tears were free flowing as the pain, fear and confusion run through my body.

“What is the meaning of this?” My grandfather roared, his eyes trained on the man holding me. When his gaze fell on me I could see fear resonate with them and my heart beat faster. It was so fast I feared that it would explode.

A chuckle sounded just behind me and my body shivered in fear at how malicious it was. The person came forward and I saw the same man sitting before my grandfather just a week before. His eyes were trained on me and I could feel every hair on my body stood at how creepy he was looking at me.

His eyes were cold and full of mirth.

He turned to my grandfather who was glaring at him with fire in his eyes, he was gritting his teeth so hard that his gums started to bleed.

“Let go of her!” He hollered, his voice full of venom.

Again the man only laughed as he looked at him in mockery. “I don’t think I can do that Fujiwara-san, you see, we already paid.” He said and a feeling of dread filled me as I looked at the crowd. Their eyes were trained on me, disgust and fear shining on them. I looked at them confused.

“You sold my family to this devil?” My grandfather asked no one in particular, it was clear it was all of them and not just one. But why? I never did anything wrong to these people, heck this is my first time meeting them.

Now I deeply regretted leaving my home. It was clear, now I understand the dangers they want to protect me from. It was the outside that I dreamed of.

“But why?” I managed to squeaked out, my voice hoarse from all the crying, I don’t understand.

The chief looked at me as if I was the lowest thing in the world.

“I can’t let a demon to continue to reside in this town. These people just happened to offer us a way to be rid of you and even earn from you.” He said, his voice was so devoid of emotion, as if he wasn’t just selling a child to dangerous people.

I gritted my teeth at them, so sure that my eyes were shining in anger. “I’m not a demon. I’m just different!” I said to them, seeing how monogamous the villagers appearances. I’m the only one who looked different, but that doesn’t mean that I was a demon.

“My baby’s an angel not a demon. Please, she’s just a child, don’t hurt her.” My mother begged, her beautiful face looked as if she aged twenty years. I cried for her, for myself when I heard the man’s laugh.

“I’m sorry but the deal’s been made. It’s a pleasure to work with you.” He tipped his hat to them as he turned to walk away from them. I struggled as I felt the man walk to follow him. I shouted at them pathetically, my eyes burning once more.

“Help me please, I didn’t do anything wrong, please!” I shouted at them despite my painful throat but they only turned their back as they continued to restrain my family who was running towards me.

“Mommy, Grandpa, Jiro-nii, save me please.” I continued by now my throat was so raw that my voice was merely a whisper.

“Akane!” I could hear their cries and they continued to shout at the people around them to help me. But they never did anything. I didn’t stop struggling even when we exited the town and my home’s impressive walls stared at me.

Now I know why they were so high. It was to protect me. And I was the foolish little girl who broke free from my protection towards the true cage. By now my shouts were reduced to pitiful wails. My small body limping as the pain and exhaustion crawled up my system. My earlier energy depleting as the eminent reared its ugly head.

My eyes were so swollen and puffy that I could barely see the metal car in front of us. It was the oil engine one, I’ve never seen one in my life though I knew we have some of them. But instead of the usual wonder that came with seeing new things, only fear gripped me.

I only felt a small sting on my neck before my world started to darken and my hopes shattered.

--

When I came to I had a hard time opening my eyes. It was so swollen and painful. My throat was stinging as well, my mouth felt so dry that even running my tongue on my lips didn’t help the sensation. My body felt heavy as well and my head felt like a hammer was continuously pounding it.

I fell into another dreamless sleep. I was like that for a while, coming in and out of consciousness.

Until I felt a cold towel on my eyes relieving me of the burn. When the cloth was taken away from my eyes I finally managed to open them again. The sudden bright light blinded me and I blinked my eyes to adjust them. Tears blurred my vision but they cleared after a moment.

I groaned as the heaviness and fatigue came back in full force. My limbs are so heavy I can’t even move them. I could only look at the red ceiling above me and the cart beside me. It was holding the basin that held the water and the towel used to me just moments ago. As well as a pitcher of cold drinking water.

I looked at the water in agony. My throat was so parched that the liquid was mocking me for its distance. Thankfully though the man that was caring for me saw where my stare was and he helped me to a drink. I gulped it like it was a lifeline.

I slumped in relief after that. I watched as the man continued to examine me. I looked at him my voice still not with me. He looked young maybe the same age with Jiro-nii so 20ish. He had a clean cut black hair, his eyes were dark. He was wearing a white robe and a metal thing was on his neck. He was tall and fair, just like what the other villager looked like.

He was silent as well not once did he utter any sound. He simply went about his task. I gulped as I watched him pick up a syringe. I whined trying to tell him that I was scared. He looked at me briefly in pity before his eyes hardened and he drew my blood.

I looked away bracing my arm on the prick of the needle. It hurts and I cried in relief when he was finished. After that he looked at me one last time before leaving me on the big bed.

It was my first time sleeping on a bed, I always slept on a futon. And while this bed was soft and the blankets were silky it did nothing to sooth my aching body. I just want to go home and sleep on my own bed.

It took a while for me to finally be able to move my body, that’s when I noticed the chain on my left leg pinned to the ground. The chain was short of the door making escape impossible for now.

After a few moments a group of black skirt wearing women entered my room with trays of food. It was filled with meat and desserts. The smell made my mouth water and my stomach growling but I refused to eat any of their food.

But the hunger was so painful and besides I can’t escape them if I was weak. I took a sniff of the food first, my nose was very good at detecting weird odors, and my instinct never failed me. Well at least except of stepping outside, I never came into harm due to my gut.

Smelling nothing wrong I took a bite first and after tasting the delicious food I gorged myself, my stomach happy at the presence of food. When I finished my meal and has rested. It was on that moment that a short fat man entered, he was wearing a grey suit and his hands were littered with gold rings. And after him came the man I hated the most just above the people of my town.

I remembered my mother calling him Kimura, he smiled that same smile at me when he found me staring at him. The hairs on the back of my neck stood at how evil it looked. He turned his stare to the man that came before him.

“Sir this is the product that we got for you this time. I believe she will fetch a high price on the auction.” He said and fear once again snaked on my heart. They were planning on selling me as well? But who would even buy me?

My mind conjured up the disgusting perverts that Chinami-baasan tells me as a warning of the outside world. Could I be sold to them? The notion felt so dreadful.

I was taken from my thoughts when the other man snorted. “We paid a large sum to have her village help us, how are you so sure that we could profit from her?” He said looking at me as if I was an object and not a person. I glared at him while he only smirked as he walked towards me and I crawled backwards. The wall stopping me from further advancing.

“You’re a feisty one at least. That can stir some people. You’re beautiful as well as exotic.” He said looking at me with something that made my stomach churn. It was unpleasant. Kimura chuckled at his side.

“She is beautiful, if only she wouldn’t fetch us big money I’d say you should take her.” He reassured him and he grinned while looking me up and down. I had the urge to cover my whole body from him.

“How are you so sure that she’ll fetch a high price?” He asked and Kimura leaned into his ears to whisper something to him that made his eyes wide. He nodded his head, his eyes greedy. I gulped not liking whatever was running on their minds.

“Prepare her, the auction starts tomorrow night.” He commanded and then he left. Kimura followed after him but not before smiling creepily again. Ugh that smile will haunt my dreams.

When the door closed my mind went into overdrive. They were selling me tomorrow. I’m losing time to escape and I don’t even have any plans to escape.

I felt the tears once again prick my eyes and I let them fall onto my cheeks as hopelessness filled me. Who am I kidding, I’m only a seven year old girl, and how could I escape criminals like them? I was chained and possibly heavily guarded.

What can a small girl do in these situation?

All I could do was cry as I buried my head on my knees, my sobs echoing on these walls.

I miss my mom, I miss grandpa, and Jiro and Chinami and Miro. I miss my family and I worried what happened to them after I was kidnapped. Did the townspeople harm them?

That was how I spent the day. Either crying, sleeping or worrying about myself and my family.

The food became unappetizing but I forced to eat it because they’d hit me if I didn’t. I tried to ask for help when morning came. To the maids that came, to the guards but it all fell on deaf ears. They simply ignored me or threatened me if I misbehaved.

As the clock continued to tick nearer to evening my heart lurched into my throat and I’ve been shivering from the unknown. A group of people came by earlier to prepare me as they say. I was bathed with the expensive scents, my body scrubbed until they glistened and my hair was conditioned and braided like a crown on my head. My dirty clothes were thrown away to be replaced by a thin flowy dress that matched the color of my hair. Silver.

If this was any normal day I would have enjoyed the pampering instead every movement made me flinch and stressed me out more.

As the clock finally struck six, I heard the jingle of the keys and in came Kimura with his signature smile. That smile haunted me in my dreams as well as the sight of my family yesterday. I simply glared at him, not letting him see the fear that has etched itself on my being.

Begging him was like begging with a wall. Pointless. So I didn’t give him that pleasure. I’m naïve but not stupid, I may be a kid but even I know that some things in life are just born evil. And that is what the man before me is.

“Are you ready for tonight?” He asked as he walked towards me, in his hands was a new collar. Silver with red crystals imbedded on it. He saw where I was looking at and an amused smile grazed his face.

“I had this made just for you. It matches your hair and eyes.” He said with mirth as if what he did was worthy of praises. For me it just solidified my fate. I can’t run anymore. And as the heavy metal band circled my neck all the fight left me.

My tiny heart wanted to hope, that maybe my family will magically rescue me. But I knew reality, it already broke my fantasy once. I knew it would do it again so despite my anger, I was hopeless.

--

We came to a backlit backstage. We proceeded just to the side of the platform where I saw a small gray skinned man was being bid on. He had wrinkly skin and his ear was pointed, he was wearing tattered clothing and hay. He had one gigantic eye and foot and his mouth were gagged. His eye was black and it was trained on the people in front of him. His posture might look like he has accepted his fate but his eyes held a different story.

They might look emotionless but I saw the anger beneath it.

I must have been staring for so long that he turned to gaze at me. I felt choked as his big eyes stared at me, as if looking at something that I couldn’t see. Recognition flashed in his eyes before it was gone when he was harshly pulled by the commentator.

It seemed like a winner was announced. He was sold. My heart broke for him despite looking so… different. He was like me. I was sure he wasn’t human. The stories from the bedtime stories from my mother sounded so real now. They weren’t just made up characters, these creatures are real.

Many strange creatures appeared on the stage and the crowd was getting louder and louder. When the last of them was sold my heart sunk and I could feel my whole body trembling. I was the last and main product this evening.

I was pushed by Kimura to a steel cage full of papers with red kanji’s on them. I can’t read them for they were the old symbols. I wonder what they were only to find out that it was meant to make me stay put because once I put my hands to grip the bar it sparked and electrocuted me.

I yelped and quickly took my hands away, the smell of burning flesh permeated my nose and I cringed at the pain. Kimura clicked his tongue while shaking his head. “Now look what you’ve done.” He said before taking my hands and inspecting them.

Despite touching the bars there was no reaction for him so it was clear that it was made for me. I flinched when he put some ointment on my skin and I looked in awe as the skinned repaired itself, like it wasn’t burned at all.

My wonder was short lived as I heard the crowd roar in excitement. I didn’t catch the commentator’s words due to the burning incident but I was sure that he just introduce me as I was wheeled onto the bright stage.

A red blanket was used to cover the cage, to thrill them as Kimura said. And once the veil was lifted there were collective gasps that reached my ears. I had to squint my eyes first due to the extreme bright lights trained on me but once I was adjusted I saw the people seated on plush red chairs, some of them seated on the balcony, all of the wearing colorful masks that hid their identity.

Another thing I noticed as I took on their smell was that everybody in the audience were humans. They had a distinct smell compared to the creatures who were with me just a while ago.

I looked at them with vile eyes. They were murmuring against themselves. Men and women dressed in lavish gown and suits were staring at me. They don’t look like they were all Japanese either as some had striking blue eyes or golden hairs.

I looked at these foreigners. They looked different as I am, so what is so special about me that I was put on sale along creatures?

The commentator’s hammer thudded loud on the podium and the audience silenced. You could hear a pin drop on how quiet it is. I gulped as the bidding started. He pointed at me as he tried to sell me higher. He mentioned my hair and eyes that was simply intriguing to them.

“Now just like I said before she had the ability to heal not just herself but others as well. And I’ll activate it in front of your very eyes.” He said enthusiastically and I narrowed my eyes at him. I’ve never heard of such lies before. I don’t have any super powers like that, if I did I would have healed grandpa or Chinami-baachan whenever their joints hurt.

I grunted knowing that they’re lying to these people. Maybe the audience wouldn’t want me and that would give me a chance to escape I thought. I watched the commentator take a dagger on his hand and dip it into something. He brandished the weapon in front of them who ‘ohhed’ and ‘ahhed’ as they stared at the pointed knife.

My breath hitch in realization. Is that how they’re going to prove my ability? I gulped as I tried to retreat further into the cage only to feel the lick of electricity on my back. I remembered the papers on the cage that burned me just earlier.

It made me froze in my place as the man got nearer and nearer. “Don’t worry this won’t hurt. Much.” He grinned at me and I cowered from the glinting dagger, dripping with an unknown liquid. Whatever it was I was sure that it would hurt.

I braced myself as he cut me through my cheek. The pain was so intense that tears gathered at my eyes immediately and I took a sharp intake of breath to try and lessen the pain but it was there. Burning and seeping through my pores.

It was unbearable and I wiped the substance from my face but it only burned my skin off. I watched in horror as the wound spread. My skin was tinted black like a curse was being written on my arms. It was so painful I feel like clawing my face and chopping my arm off.

The agony lasted only a minute but it felt like hours when the sensation of something warm started to pervade my body. The pain was slowly lessening and being replaced by that feeling. It was so soothing and I watched as my once blackened skin slowly returned to the fair and unblemished texture it once has.

The audience murmured against themselves, their eyes trained on me but I was as surprised at them. My wonder was short lived as the man beside my cage suddenly took something from a box behind his podium. He raised his hands to show a fluffy bunny. I furrowed my brows in confusion at his display.

Until he sliced the poor thing with the dagger he had and the white fur of the rabbit was coated with red. I gasped as the animal struggled from the pain. Blood quickly seeped out from the gaping wound on its back.

I watched as the man placed the poor animal in front of me as he announced how I was going to cure it. I looked at him incredulously, I don’t know what he’s talking about! But then I looked at my arm which was covered in burns earlier and now looked flawless.

I thought to myself that I shouldn’t show them my ability if I did have it, clearly that would lower my attractiveness to these buyers but as I stared at the beady eyes of the rabbit as the life continued to drain from it my heart cracked and I held it in my lap.

I don’t know how to do what this man claimed I could but I tried. I closed my eyes as I concentrated on the thought of healing it. Moments trickled slowly and I was losing hope for the bunny in front of me until a warm feeling spread from my heart traveling to my arms into my fingertips.

My eyes widen in awe as my hands glowed a shining green and the energy enveloped the bunny. Slowly the wound stitched itself up until it was closed and the bleeding stopped. The bunny was still weak and its fur matted with blood but it was alive and I cured it.

I had healing powers.

And after the whole ordeal ended I heard the crowd roar in amazement, foreign words bouncing on the whole place that it was so overwhelming. The feeling of fatigue also abruptly came that all I could do was slump on the cage as I looked at the man open his arms as if he just did a magic trick.

“Now ladies and gentlemen you have seen her powers. It’s time to bid!” He shouted and the people cheered. “Let’s start with five hundred thousand dollars. Do we have five hundred? Number 55 raised it to a million, oh number 7 raised to 1.5. Higher people.” He laughed as the bid kept coming.

I tried to keep up with the flurry of numbers being thrown but I was so exhausted. I at least just pray that I won’t fall to that old guy on the balcony that’s been eyeing me with a weird smile on his face. He clearly has other things except healing in store for me. I shuddered at the thought.

My vision was starting to blacken as the bidding was finally reaching its stages. I managed to hold on to my consciousness just enough to hear the winner.

“Sold to Number 44 for one hundred million dollars. You are now the proud owner of a Halfling.” He shouted and I looked up to see my new owner. He had sharp green eyes and golden hair, his skin is fair and his hair is already greying. He looked like he was as old as my Grandpa but his eyes held that same sadistic joy I found in Kimura’s eyes.

My eyes rolled back just as he smirked at me. Then darkness welcomed me home.

--

A/N: This is the longest chapter I had ever written. This contained more excitement than the previous one and set the stage for our young girl.

Let's hope everything will go well for her.

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