Chapter 5*
Henrietta's POV
Steel looked at me in disgust.
"Need some help?"
I contemplated spitting on his face, or kicking him on his nuts again! I thought about it for about half a second then decided against it but the last thing I needed was another beating.
I knew deep down in my guts beating wasn't the only thing I would've gotten. I could be killed.
The people here were too dangerous and what I needed was to survive and work out how to leave this pit of hell.
I walked into the ring where a man stood in the middle, he was wearing a dark suit and a blue mask over his face. Mic in his hand, the spotlight trained on him. He was addressing the audience who I still couldn't see.
"_Specimen B; 5 '4 brunette, just the way you like, a confirmed virgin, on birth control. Came in just yesterday. ".
The man was auctioning the lady in the green thong, she stood there. Head bowed, shivering visibly.
I shifted my attention to the audience, trying my best to see. I could only make out silhouettes of people who appeared to be in masks and dark suits, making it harder to recognize anyone.
"We'll start the bidding at $100,00 for this beautiful Specimen"
My eyes went round. I felt so uneasy. The spotlight was a little bit on us too so I knew everyone in the audience could see us.
Specimen! What! The! Actual! Fuck!
Who do these people think they are!
A neon post card with 24 written on it was raised, "$100,000!"
"Do I hear $100,000? Yes? Thank you, sir. $100,00!" The auctioneer said, in a pleased voice.
Someone raised theirs quickly and responded: "$120,000!"
Do I hear $120,000? Yes? Thank you, sir. $120,000!"
Another joined in: "$150,000!"
The auctioneer kept encouraging:
"Do I hear $150,000? Yes? Thank you, sir. $150,000!"
Gradually, the bidding slowed down
The first bidder tried again: "$180,000!"
Another new bidder joined it, going even higher: "$200,000!"
No one else bidded again
The auctioneer looked around the room and said;
" Specimen B going once... going twice... SOLD to Mr 59 in the red mask for $200,000!"
My eyes went wide in shock. Just how far can these people go?
A bodyguard who had almost the same build as Steel came forward, he handcuffed the lady who had just been auctioned off and led her off the stage and no one even blinked.
The auction continued; the second and third girls were auctioned off at lesser prices. $1,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Just as the auctioneer turned to steer me forward, a bodyguard stepped forward and spoke into his ear.
He turned towards me and I gave him my fiercest glare, folding my arms over my chest when inside I was quaking with fear. What's happening? Did the bidders decide they didn't want me because I wasn't dressed properly or I wasn't beautiful enough?
At this point, I felt like begging when all they did was continue whispering to each other while looking directly at me.
I'd much prefer to be auctioned off than rejected. I was very sure they'd kill me then.
I can't die! I need to see my mum! I needed to see George!!
"You can't kill me!" I burst out, to my chagrin. But I didn't regret it. I was desperate.
The bodyguard and auctioneer stopped whispering, looking at me with impatience.
"You can't kill me". I said again, with more spirit.
They continued looking, perhaps waiting for me to say something, but I couldn't. I didn't have anything more to add to that. I just felt like I should make it clear they shouldn't kill me.
Now they looked pissed and I paused, questioning my judgement.
Why didn't I just let them finish!
"Come with me". The guy, who looked like a bodyguard, said to me, He was already walking away but I still stood.
"You heard him, young lady. I would advise you don't let him repeat himself". He said, eyeing me.
I followed meekly, stepping out of the ring. I blinked a few times trying to adjust to the darkness.
I noticed then that the audience was empty; empty lounges were still there. It seems the bidders left after acquiring the 'specimens'. I followed the guard who was walking, he disappeared through a door and had I not seen him pass there, I wouldn't have known there was a door there.
We went out through a dark passage, into what looked like an underground parking garage; it was barely lit. There was only one car, in the garage I didn't know much about sport cars but it looked like one.
The lights flickered on and off, I felt like someone was watching me, it made my heart beat kick up in a little bit of anticipation and also fear? My palms were growing clammy.
No one would find me if I was killed here. Immediately my flight or fight response kicked in. I turned around prepared to flee. When a commanding voice stopped me.
"Stop!"
It was un-familiar, yet something about it felt so familiar. Everyone else in this place made me scared but for the first time, this voice gave me a sense of peace. I was pretty sure I've never heard that voice anywhere.