A mate for the beast

/-Sabrina-/ “Uncle, Please!” “You thieving wench! What did you do this time? Where are my coins?” He barked, his bloodshot eyes narrowing with rage and disgust. Before I could respond, his kick crashed against my chest, and a strangled gasp escaped my lips at the excruciating pain. “I didn't! I swear, I didn't take anything.” I cried, voice quivering in a mix of fear and pain. Uncle Judd scoffed, his kick landing on me incessantly without stopping, and I curled into myself, protecting my head against his assault. “You cursed brat! Do you think I'm a fool? “ He berated loudly, his breath reeking of alcohol. Just then, a figure quickly rushed over. “Father, that's enough. You are going to kill her.” Lucas shouted, stepping between us and shielding my frail body from my uncle's ruthless abuse. Breathing heavily, uncle lowered his raised leg, then scowled, “Why are you always defending her? She is a plague, a walking curse.” Lucas said nothing. Uncle Judd sneered, then said, “Ever since she came into our lives, nothing good has ever happened, everything's gone wrong. I lost my bet today, and it's all because of her! Why doesn't she just die and take her bad luck with her?” I sobbed silently at his words and my body trembled. When he received no reply, Uncle Judd clicked his tongue, muttered something to himself before stumbling away. Lucas turned to me, and squatted to my height with concern etched on his face, “Sabrina, are you okay?” I forced myself to nod, and he heaved in relief before helping me to sit up, “I am sorry for coming late, I will…" Lucas was interrupted by my aunt's shrill voice, “Lucas, the fields!” “I will go now.” He shouted back in response, then patted my shoulder gently. “I will be back soon, I will bring you some wild berries on my way back.” Then, he left. I watched him leave, the only person who treated me with kindness, just like the older brother I had envisioned in my dreams. With effort, I stood up with a wince, gathered the dirty laundry, and with a basin left the house to go to the river. Along the way, several hateful gazes fell on me, following me like venom. “There she is again.” “The cursed child.” “Why hasn't the village head exiled her yet?” “I saw her this morning, what a terrible way to start my day?” My hold on the basin tightened subconsciously, but I pressed forward with my head lowered. I said nothing, I never did. Not because I didn't want to, but because they were right. It had always been like this, I was used to it. At the riverbank, I set the basin down. Just as I bent to begin washing, a harsh push sent me falling. My knees grazed the jagged rocks, and I grimaced. “Out of the way, you are in my spot.” The culprit, a woman, snapped spitefully. I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill, “This is where I always wash my…" “So what?” She hissed. “What can a murderer like you do? You should be happy that we've not chased you out of the Village.” Another woman chimed in from behind her, “Veronica, you had better refrain from touching or looking at her too much. They say she curses people with her eyes.” Just then, a stone flew towards me, and before I could dodge, it struck my head with a sickening thud and I almost screamed at the searing pain. I glanced around in alarm to spot some kids gathered a few distances away, each of them holding stones in their hands. “Throw it,” One of them shouted. “Mother says murderers should be stoned.” “Throw them!” “Stone her!” Young children, who haven't even grown hair behind their ears had their mind filled with hatred towards my mere existence. Yes, this was my reality. I was born under an inauspicious moon, meaning that I would bring doom to whoever beheld me. I also had an unnatural eye color - violet, a sign that signifies bad luck according to folklore. On the day I was born, my parents perished in a fire. Not long after my uncle took me in, misfortune followed and three of their children also died in the same calamity. Since then, bad things had become a normal occurrence in the village, every death, every famine and every misfortune was blamed on me. “She's coming over, the harbinger of death.” “Run! Mom said not to allow her to touch you.” The stones stopped, signifying that the children had lost interest. I limped towards a fairly secluded corner and washed in silence. Afterward, I returned home, body moving like a puppet. The moment I stepped inside, my aunt's shrill voice rang out, “What are you still doing here?” “I…I finished washing the clothes.” I replied quietly and she snorted. “You better leave before I make you.” I didn't need to be told twice. Just as I reached the doorway, the door swung open. Several burly men barged in and dragged Uncle Judd out by the collar of his patched clothes. My aunt's face went pale in fright as she rushed forward, “W…Who are you people? Let go of my husband!” I also rushed over, only for us to be shoved aside by a scar-faced man, who sneered. “We are taking this debtor away. Together with his son, he borrowed a total of fifty gold coins and refused to pay up. Now, we take his hands.” My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. My uncle was a gambler, he must have borrowed more than he could repay, again. “I'll pay.” Uncle Judd pleaded, face pale with fear. “I'll pay, I will…" The scarred-faced man cut him short, “Time is up. We are taking you to set an example for the others.” At that moment, some villagers had already gathered, hoping for a spectacle. Even the Village head had arrived, wearing a stiff smile on his withered face. “Gentlemen. Please, let us discuss this calmly.” However, they ignored him. My aunt had already knelt on the ground, wailing loudly, and I also knelt beside her. If Uncle Judd were to be disabled, I would be blamed, once again. Then, Lucas finally arrived just as they dragged uncle away. He took in the scene and instantly knelt before the creditors. “Wait! Please, We have a way to repay the debt.” The scarred-faced man raised an eyebrow, “Oh?” Then, Lucas hurried towards me, and in one swift move, grabbed my hair and pulled hard, dragging me forward. “Cousin, what are you doing?” I cried, unwinded by the sudden change in attitude. His eyes were cold, very unfamiliar. “Sirs, she's almost eighteen. We were waiting for her to come of age before selling her off.” Everything fell silent, even the pain from my scalp seemed to disappear. Waiting for her to clock eighteen…Was that all his kindness was about? My aunt sprang up, “Yes, yes. You can take her. She is obedient and clean. She will serve you well.” My face turned ashen in fear, and I looked around, hoping for just one person to help me. But, the villagers only joined the chorus. “Yes, take her.” “It will be better if she's gone from here.” I struggled frantically, “No, no…" “Very well, I shall take her.”