Chapter Text

"Raise your head."

Those were the first words I really was aware of him saying. I knew he had been talking to the owner for a while, but my cough and the awful feeling in my chest was all I was able to focus on until I heard those words.

I looked up and saw him for the first time. He was a big hulking man. I curled up instinctively. I was vaguely aware of the owner saying the same things he always did. You don't want this one. She's diseased and retarded.



"I doubt she'll last much longer."



I hoped the owner was right. I wasn't even sure what I was living for at this point myself and surely whatever awaited me on the other side, even if I was a demi-human and a slave, would be better than this.



"I've decided, I'll take this one," The unknown man said, his stare boring down onto me.



Terror. Sheer terror. I had seen those eyes before. From my previous owner. I was going to be tortured again. My body would be nothing more than a plaything. I held my hands tight close in defence. Even if I was still safe in my cage, for now.



If I was lucky this cough would get me before things got worse. That's all I could hope for.



But I knew I wouldn't be so lucky.

~~~~~

I tried to resist but it was futile. The slave owner grabbed my arms and pushed them down, painting a circle above my chest where my brand was. It burned, it was painful and I wanted it to stop. I wanted to be free again, I wanted to live with my parents. I screamed out in agony from the physical pain and the thought of being owned by someone sick and twisted yet again.

When it finally subsided my new master grabbed me by my shoulder and dragged me out. Thirty silvers. That's all my life was worth.

~~~~~

My stomach grumbled. My master had just taken me to an armorer and fitted me with clothes, and to my surprise, a small knife. I was vaguely aware of an owner whipping his slave nearby. I was glad that it wasn't me being whipped and glad my time with this master so far, wasn't bad. The worst thing he had asked me to do was stab a balloon monster he had presented from under his cloak. Although I was concerned by this, what type of man carries a monster gnawing on his waist...



"Are you hungry?" he asked.



I knew to shook my head and lie. If there was anything I remembered from my previous ownership it was to not be a burden. I already felt too much of a burden as was with the new clothes and metal knife tight against my hip.



"You can't fight on an empty stomach, Let's go get lunch."



I was confused, which was seemingly what I was in for with this owner. It worried me. I wasn't sure what madness would be in store for me later tonight but I knew it couldn't be good if this was his demeanour.



As we approached into the restaurant the sign caught my attention. "No Demi Humans."



I tried to call to my master to explain, but he just told me to hurry on up inside. He truly made no sense.



The bartender gave my master a quick welcome before noticing me and frowning. We were going to get kicked out in an instant and I knew it.



Surprisingly, we entered further with no fuss from the bartender. However, from the other patrons I heard jeers. I saw from the corner of my eye all the staring aimed at my new master. I ducked my head and tried to stay as close to him as possible. From the corner of my eye I saw a kid scowling at me, in front of him was the most delicious assortment of food I had ever seen. I wished I could be that human kid.



My heart sank as amidst all the murmurs I heard someone refer to my master as a rapist. That's what it would be. More of the same. I sat down at the table and looked down, trying not to think of what depravity he'd command me to do tonight.



Again I thought, If i was lucky enough this cough will kill me before then.

