Human market.

New player.

The Human Market is a gathering place for the most disgusting critters in the city. People sell themselves, sell their own or other people's organs. They rent it out for money and carry out other dirty deeds, and their place and habitat are to blame. The rich, of course, will not subscribe to such heresy, except when people with low incomes go to extremes. In order to make money, they step on the dark side of the gray city.

I'm Jake Norton, one of the founders of the human market in this city. But I just try not to get into business. Now, I'm just a regular dealer in a casino on the corner between Gothersticks and Lila Grove. It is quite crowded here and a lot of people always come to empty their wallets. As for me, this is a stupid and not rational life.

"Mr. Stickman, you can."

"Yes, I am listening to you, the lady of the court."

"Can you tell me where the ladies' room is?"

"Straight to the poker table and to the right."

"Thank you."

Depending on the status and amount of money, parishioners are divided into classes:

1) Aristocrats (tka) are the most important class of society, to whom all the privileges in the market are open.

2) The courtiers are direct novices (s) of the 1st class. Privileges are opened to them only by those that the aristocrat (tka) will allow.

3) Servants (maidservants) - the class that is always running errands for the masters of this city. They have access only to the main market privileges known to the rest of the world.

This is how the hierarchy of this enterprise created by us is arranged. Black vassals.

"Mr. Norton is calling you."

"Yes, I'll be there soon."

A privilege is an opportunity for black trade, which is given depending on the status and position of the participant.

For example: An aristocrat can sell or buy any person he likes for money, and a servant does not have the right to buy or sell people. The courtier can only buy after the permission of the aristocrat. The so-called unbreakable hierarchy invented by Bickslow.

"Eh again, fate brought me to this wretched castle, Norvex." Thinks to himself.

How unpleasant it is to be in such luxury. Throws in a shiver and nausea, just from one glance at the Gothic drawings and mourning paintings. The whole fortune of the middle management of a businessman is just one room of this huge structure.

Luxurious meeting room. In the center there are 10 tables with a built-in computer. Each has a working base for solving urgent issues. The chairs for each table are made by Schrödinger, which produces furniture and sheets, one of the most expensive leathers in the world. Sitting on them is an unforgettable pleasure.

- So,, Edward Rhyngard declared the 3rd meeting of vassals open. Let's start the discussion gentlemen.

Chapter 1.

Ferris wheel. You never know how life can overturn. Today you are an aristocrat with millions in your hands, and tomorrow you are a servant without a penny in your pocket. In general terms, if so, then the human market is the most horrible place I've ever seen.

"Did you call the Lady?"

"Bring us 2 glasses of alcohol. Me and my lover."

"Will be done."

Madam, a good woman. Beautiful, smart, sweet, and on top of that, you have a figure with you. Even though she is over 30, she looks 20-something. No more. True, there are a lot of men in her bed. Every evening a new aristocrat in the house.

"So, today is Tuesday. April 27."

Look at the calendar with dates.

"Veuve Clicquot, on schedule."

Milady was well versed in alcoholic beverages. Her bar was full, but only wines and sparkling wines and champagnes. She did not use strong ones, although I noticed one bottle of Singleton in the cellar. Dusty, like about 10 years old, somewhere they haven't touched it, or even more.

Taking the bottle, I went to the kitchen. He filled the empty glasses with the desired drink and carried them into the living room. Where sat an aristocrat named Andrew Hawkin.

"Has the lady gone?" I asked in a serious tone.

"I went to powder my nose and change."

Nasty type. As well as all her other suitors. I never understood what could be found in such garbage. They would only while away the night and dump after receiving what they want. And then she grieves at night and sobs into her pillow. I, in turn, put the glasses on the table and said:

"Then you deign to take your leave. I will not bother you."

"Let's step out of here. I don't like your face."

Later, I was chased away by this pouty, nasty aristocrat. I headed for the east wing.

The east wing is where all the servants of this house reside. There we eat, sleep, swim and spend the free time that we are given. Before leaving for their chambers, they were required to go in and warn the mistress. Which is basically what I did.

Her room was on the way. It was pretty easy to define. A pink door with a Winx poster pasted on it. Inside there are girlish cosmetics, a table in bright colors, a soft white bed and a bunch of children's toys lying in every corner.

"Madam, let me come in."

"Come on in, Fel."

Opening the door. I saw her upset expression again. Ready to cry at any moment. Just now…

What for? Why does a woman satisfy other men, while she herself suffers from this? I would understand if she was confused or penniless. She had everything. So why torture yourself like that? No logic helped to sort out such a situation. There was exactly zero help from me.

"I brought glasses to the table for you and your lover. Allow me to take a bow to the east wing."

"Of course, go to rest. Thank you for your work, she said in a beautiful voice and a fake smile on her face."

Trying to hide my pain and weakness in front of the servant.

Fel wakes up... looks at his watch. Time 2:45 am.

"I am thirsty."

After 2 minutes.

"Aaaa"

There was a shout from the center wing. Having poured a glass of water over myself, I immediately rushed to the lady's room. After all, it was from there that the sound came. Running as fast as I could, I got there in 1 minute and 20 seconds. The bad habit of timing, remained even before the period when they were accepted into Servants.

Chamok... chamok... chamok...

"What the hell is this?" I asked myself. Big scary claws on the hands. Scales instead of skin enveloped the entire body. Horns on the head. Black as the night itself.

The monster sat on the mistress's bed and devoured Andrew's body piece by piece. When I looked in, only the head and torso remained intact, and the hand that he eagerly ate. Frightened, I slowly, quietly closed the door and ran back to my wing. Having wrapped himself under the covers, he sat down on the bed. Trembling with fear like a baby.

"Was someone here?" The monster spoke.

"No, most likely just the wind." The voice inside the monster answered, continuing the meal.

Calmly rising, it slammed the door that was slightly open and came back. The creature began to eat up the remains of this worthless little man.

"Where is it from? Has it already eaten the lady? Looking into the five-minute past, I saw no one except the monster and Andrew's dismembered body. If my lady does not become, then my life will end and under the contract my body will be donated for organs."

My heart was pounding, my arms and legs refused to move. The trembling did not subside in any way. In my head, I was constantly missing the moment to eat. It was simply impossible not to think about it. Not every time it seems to contemplate such horror.

Passing by, Alice saw the open door and me sitting. Fully wrapped in a blanket and asked:

"Fel, why are you awake, it's already late?"

Completely paralyzed with fear, my mouth couldn’t even say a word. Scrolling through the same picture over and over in my head. But if I don't say anything, she will suspect something. So maybe Alice is also somehow involved in this. The time was late and her appearance immediately after the incident. How strange it was.

“No, you can't show it. We need to calm down and talk to her." He thought to himself.

"Fel..."

"Yes, I went to drink some water, something in my throat was dry. Now I will go to bed, and, that time already, oh how much?" I said, putting a fake smile on my face. As usual, the mistress does when she pretends.

"Okay, don’t sit too long. Tomorrow I will personally come and check if you got up."

"You are caring for us."

"Well, who else will look after you?"

"Thank you, Alice."

"Not at all..." Turned around and went towards the toilet.

The atmosphere was a little discharged and the trembling underneath subsided. The clock was already 3:30. Film minutes had passed since this event. For me it was like everything happened just 2 minutes ago.

I still could not sleep, but at least I restored my clarity and reason. I rewound many options for events that night in my head.

The men never stayed until morning. Breakfast was served by the lady alone. There was never anyone in the room either. It is impossible to enter the house from outside. As soon as a stranger stepped into the building, an alarm would sound and wake up the residents of the house.

Hence, there are only 2 options:

1) Someone from the residents of the house is the very monster that I saw yesterday in the mistress's bedroom. Then, from minute to minute, the alarm will sound and it will be announced that it is missing.

2) The lady is the monster that ate her lover. Then, now everything will go as usual and within 2 minutes Alice will come to my room.

Punctuality was our specialty. So it was possible to determine by time when to wait for her near her doors.

Squeak... The door opens.

The worst happened. Alice came in as if nothing had happened to wake me up. This meant that the lady was the monster who ate Andrew.

"I don't believe it can't be." I thought to myself with tears in my eyes.

"Why are you crying Fel? Someone offended you?" Alice ran up restlessly, examining him. Does he have any wounds?

"Never mind, I just accidentally shed a tear." I muttered to Alice, hiding the terrible truth that I learned that night.

"It's all strange. Everything is fine with you."

"Do not worry. I'll go down to everyone in a couple of minutes."

She stared at me, trying to figure out what had happened. Not a bit believing my words. Even in the most difficult times, I never showed weakness, and now there are sharp tears. And the fool will understand that something is wrong.

"Okay." She voted in a worried voice and left my room.

"Fuh, just a little, a little..." And tears fell on the guy again.

"Hell. Why is it so sad?"

2 hours later.

"Lale, baby. There is a job. Let's go on."

"$ 500 again?"

"No, this time. The employer promised 500 thousand."

It's strange, such a large amount. Yes, and Tony agreed. Of course, he does not shine with intelligence, but he will not subscribe to reckless actions either. We do not work out a profile, which means most likely the robbery of some important bump.

"Oo and what kind of work?"

"Rob, an aristocrat from the human market."

"Are you crazy Tony? They'll finish us off. I am not involved in this."

Moron. What is he thinking about? Of course, I understand everything, but just to appear on the territory of the human market is already deadly. And this stupid one also wants to do a robbery with me there.

"Wait. Let's get it done and get out of town. This is enough for us for 10 years ahead."

"Damn, this is dangerous. You know, there are all the scumbags."

"I know, but it's worth it for Lale."

I really need money. If we don't risk it, there won't be a second chance to earn that much. Such orders are not scattered around. So I agreed.

"Good."

"Yeah baby. I knew you would agree."

Tony was happy about the coincidence of circumstances. For both of them, this job could be a ticket to a normal life. He slowly approached Lale and kissed her greedily on the lips. Showing your love.

"I love you, baby." He whispered in my ear in a gentle voice.

"And you know how to excite your girl."

And the couple again began to eagerly drown in kisses of each other. Hugging tightly as if this was their last meeting.

"Okay, let's go Tony. We need to prepare well for tonight."

"I know you can do it, baby."

He is stupid, but a very good boy. He loved me as if he was ready for anything if only I was happy. And then, I don't know what I need from this f*****g life. I don't even know if I love him as much as he does me. I'm a b***h, not a baby.

In a clothing store.

"Baby, you're beautiful in it. We take."

"Do you think?"

"Yes, tomorrow we'll go to the sea in it. Where is the beach, parties, s*x and only you and me?"

"Sounds tempting. Especially where you say: s*x and only you and me."

Take this dress. We certainly did not pay for it, because why pay if you can steal? So far, Tony, with his charm, distracted the girl's attention from the checkout. I demonized the magnet from under her nose and threw it away so that it would not beep when leaving.

"Green eyes are very suitable for you, for clothes. You look sexy as hell this way."

"I am very pleased. Thank you."

"Maybe it's enough to flirt with others?"

"Oo baby are you all? Fast."

"Chose nothing."

"Bye Bye."

Through the front door, we calmly went out with a dress in our purse, and I threw the magnet away from the rows of jeans.

"I see she liked you."

"Baby, are you jealous?"

"Maybe."

"You know I only distracted attention."

"Let's go. Who is our target?"

"An aristocrat named Meybi Cullen. Her estate is located on Gotherstics Street. House 37. There is an alarm system around the house, but this is not a problem. I'll deal. In addition to her, there are 4 servants in the building. One guy and 3 girls. Every night, at exactly 10 pm, she returns to the estate with her lover."

"In general, there will be 6 people in the building. No problem. I'll take it upon myself. Do you have a building plan?"

"Here you are."

"Wow, this is a thief's paradise. I have already skipped 36 ways to clean it up and dump it invisibly."

"No, baby. The customer forbade taking anything except this ring from her casket."

"Wow, beautiful."

"One more thing. I have no information on the vassal of this area. And none at all."

"Nothing, but you still need to be on the lookout. As soon as we step into the territory of the human market."

Returning to my little room. Lale and Tony began preparations to rob the aristocrat. Their shack was poorer than that of the students. There was a bed for two, 2 old dressers and a large plasma TV - the only newfangled thing. The structure of the plan was fairly simple, but very effective. After all, even the dull-headed Tony was able to figure out what was what during the discussions.

Then, exactly at 10:00 pm, exactly at the moment when Meybi returns to the estate with her new lover. The couple headed straight for the worst place in this city - the human market.

"Welcome, I'm Jake Norton."

Meanwhile:

"Madam, I brought you and your lover glasses. Allow me to take my leave."

"You're kind of strange today. What happened, Fel?"

“Not at all, madam.” I said with a fake smile on my face. I just didn't get enough sleep. I had nightmares at night.

"I wonder what it is?" She asked, with an insanely curious look.