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By Misty Fiorazo

Short Story

 

 

 

    It was in the time when there was no such thing as a normal society any more, but I remember when there was. I look back to those days when life was happy and safe. Now the home I once grew up in is all boarded up. My brother and I had no choice but to pack up all of those beautiful memories. We put everything in the cellar, where we knew they’d would be safe. We no longer slept up stairs due to how risky and unsafe the city has become. We now sleep in the basement surround in our home made alarms made out of pop cans and anything that would clank together that way we know if the takers have broken in. My brother has always made sure I’m safe but ever since mom and dad had passed and with the takers looking through homes and alleyways it’s become even more of a mission for him. The takers are people that are hired by the rich to look for young women to become anything they wish.

    “ Quinn it’s time to for bed. Are all the traps set and ready”? Said Ty

    “Yeah there ready. I’m perfectly capable of doing things without a personal reminder ya know”. I replied.

    Ty sighed but didn’t say anything after that because he already knew it was no use to argue with me.

***

I awoke with fright. One of the alarms clacked together. I looked around to see where Ty had gone but he was nowhere to be found. I felt a rush of panic flow through my body. I knew that I had to stay calm but it was more difficult without Ty being here. I start to look for something that I could use for a weapon but by the time I found one a taker had me by my hair.

“Let go of me! Let me go!” I screamed

Than in an  instant all I saw was black.

***

    I woke up and my head was pounding. I looked around and began to realize that I was no longer in my home. It was too dark to see anything but I felt the cold metallic ground. I slowly began to listen to the sounds around me. It was whimpers of  girl’s crying and whispering in hushed tones.

“Hello, is anyone one there”? I asked.

    “Shhh they’re coming”. Said a young girls voice from the darkness.

    Who’s coming”? I replied almost hesitant of her response.

All the whispering had stopped along with their whimpers. There was a loud squeak followed by a bang. I looked in the direction it came from and saw a painful bright light. I felt blind due to how long I had been in the dark than quickly seeing daylight.

    “ Line up and don’t say one word, do you all understand”! Said this man who what  seemed to be a taker.

As we walked out I saw that we were in the shipping yard surrounded by large shipping containers. Once we were all lined up my heart began to pound as if it was going to come out of my chest. We all stood there stiff as a board, well all but one. She took off into a mad dash and that’s when I realized to do as they say.

    “BANG-BANG”!

The loud bang is a constant ring in ear burning through my skull. My eyes were stained with the once golden hair now died red. As I herd girls crying and sobbing I slowly grew numb. I couldn’t stop staring at the body laying there on the cold ground. She looked like she was not much older than the age twelve.

    “ NOW! Have I made it clear ladies. This is what happens when you think you can run.” shouted a man with the gun.

    We watched as a very well dressed man steps out of the BMW. He was wearing a fancy tailored suit and sunglasses with a hat. He seemed to be about six two and looked like he was in his thirties. I watched him closely as he made his way over to us, the closer he got the more unsettling the air became.

“Get this cleaned up”! He demanded looking at the lifeless young girl while shaking his head.

“Well now I  hope that none of you got too shaken up over that. My humblest apologies.”

He stood there just looking at us. As he walked down the line he said yes or no. I stopped breathing when he saw me. All I wanted to do was run but I knew what would happen if I did.

    “Well now what do we have here. Let me get a good look at you dear”.

I shut my eyes and turned my head.

    “Go to hell.” I mumbled

Not phased by my comment he grabbed my head and turned it towards him. When I opened my eyes I knew I had just signed my death wish.

    “You and absolutely breathtaking. Never once have I seen a person with two different colored eyes. What is your name”? He said ever so gently.

    I didn’t want to say it but I had no control over my mouth. “Quinn.” I replied already grilling myself.

“Well Quinn you’re definitely a keeper. You’re everything I’ve been searching for.” he said with a smile on his face as he kept going down the line.

I kept thinking about what he said, you’re everything I’ve been looking for, what the hell is that supposed to mean. I wanted to puke due to just how he was looking at me as if I was a five-star meal and the sound of his voice is just chilling.

As he walked back to his car he whispered to the taker who had the gun, the taker shook his head in understanding.

    “Now to all of the girls that the master said yes too please walk this way!” he shouted.

This taker had a gun but it wasn’t out unlike all the others. That’s when everything clicked together and I was quickly filled with sadness.

    “Stop”. The taker had ordered “ You will now put these over your heads. If you decided to disobey you will be sent back with the others. Do I make myself clear.”

When I put the black cloth over my head I felt as if I was back in the storage container. I then began to feel a tight almost painful pinch on my wrists as they were restaining us. We were lead in to what was most likely a vehicle. As we felt the car start up and were pulling away, hot tears fell down my face. All you could hear were bangs from all the takers weapons, those pour girls never got a chance and half of them were still kids; what is the world coming too I thought to myself.

                          ***

When the restraints and the black cloth came off I began to look around. We seemed to be in a common area. The walls were wallpapered with a vintage floral design. On one wall there were large bay windows that went nearly to ceiling. When you look out you can see the city in the distance and the huge courtyard that seemed to stretch for miles. The ceiling had beautiful artwork and chandeliers hanging down giving the room even more elegance. There were bookcases filled with almost any kind of genre and tables and couches to sit on. I thought to myself that I couldn’t possibly think of what other things there were outside those doors.

“Where are we”? Asked one of the girls.

“Hell”. I mumbled under my breath.

“Huh, hell this doesn't seem like hell to me”. Surprised that she heard me.

“ Well do you honestly think that anyone of us would know where we are, just how dumb are you”? Another girl from the corner replied giving just enough attitude to shut her up.

“Okay I don’t think this is how we should go about introducing ourselves. My name is Sally and I’m sixteen years old”. She said with a warm but fearful smile.

“ Okay than. My name is Emily and I’m thirteen years old. Ya know you have no right to talk to me like that”! Provoking the girl that just put her in check.

“My name is August and you little one better knock your crap off before I do it for you; and I’m twenty-Two years old”! she said while glaring at Emily.

They all turned and looked at me. I felt there eyes watching me as if I were just about to vanish in plain sight.

    “My name is Quinn and I’m nineteen” looking at them trying to study each one of them.

Just as the silence was growing we all turn and look as the doors to the room began to open.

Four women dressed in classic maid uniforms walked over to us. One out of the four women walked up to me. She had light brown hair and hazel eyes she didn’t seem to be much older than me.

“mam can you please come with me”. She asked in a soft voice.

                    ***

The room was nice but I felt uneasy about it all. I started to think about the maid. Was she taken from her family too or did she want to work for a sick man that clearly had some issues.

    “ My name is Rose, I’ll be your personal maid or whatever you’d like me to be. If there's anything you’d like me to get for you just let me know. Would you like me to assist you while you get ready for the master”?

    “Thank you rose, I’m Quinn. You said that you can be whatever I want you to be”?

    “Yes mam”. She replied

    “ Okay Rose I want you to be my best friend and Rose don’t call me mam”. I said to her smiling. Hopefully she can help me escape this hell and I can find Ty.

    “Oh that would be great”! Clapping her hands together.

***

We sat in an elegant dining room for what seemed like an eternity. The guy that had bought us was sitting there just smiling. It was sickening to even breath the same air as him. I was right though he was he is in his thirties and he told us that we can address him as ted or master. Me personally I rather rip out my vocal cords than say anything to that man.

    “So Quinn why so quiet? Don’t you wish to ask me questions like the rest of the girls or do you wish to discuss something else”. He said grinning at me.

    “Well I rather not talk to you at all but I don’t see that being an option. In my opinion your sick man that needs lots of help. You think you own me well you don’t. You don’t know anything so why don’t you just carry on with talking to these three”! I replied while standing up and beginning to walk away from the table.  

    “What's your problem Quinn! How dare you talk to our master that way”! Shouted Emily who was wearing a white sundress and her hair was curled; she looked like Shirley Temple.

    “Just let her go Emily. I’ll have a talk with her later. After all this is a lot to go through in just one day”. Said Tim trying to calm her down.

I stormed down the hallway pactilly tripping in the dress I was forced to wear. It was a full length dress with a sweetheart neckline. It was a light pink tassel with a shimmery top. I almost made it down the never ending hallway and face planted into a servant boy as I turned the corner.

“Crap, crap, crap. He’s gonna kill me”. He said while shaking his head trying to pick up the things he dropped.

“I’m sorry let me help you. After all it’s my fault that this happened. If I wasn’t practically running this wouldn’t of happened”. I told him as I was trying to help but failing.

“Oh no! Quinn what are you doing on the floor if master sees this he won’t be happy”. Said Rose almost frantic. “Ugh and you tore my dress in the processes. What happened anyways”? She asked while pushing me down the hall to my room leaving the pour boy to pick up the mess.

    “I didn’t want to be in that sick man’s presence any longer so I left. I thought I was walking fast but I guess I was running and tripped in to that boy. I’m real sorry about  

the dress I didn’t know you made it”. I said

    “It’s fine and I make all the cloths you’ll be wearing. Let’s get you changed into something more comfy. I get why you don’t like the master”. She said.

    “ You do”? I said feeling a little on edge

    “Yes I do. I know this because I feel the same way, I just hide it alot better than you”. She replied with a giggle.

    “Haha yeah I guess so. I didn’t even notice. Well I guess I’ll see you in the morning Rose”. I replied feeling sleepy.

    “Good night Quinn”. She whispered softly.

***

It’s been just over a week and I think this place is a nut house besides from Rose. The girls think Ted is just amazing, they must of forgot all of us being taken from our homes and witnessing a young girls death and hearing the others being shot to death. But yeah he’s great; not. He’s repulsing and i’ve been trying to remind Emily, Sally and August of that each day I have to be in this hell hole. I know August probably can agree with me on some level but the other two are just blind.

    “Oh my god”! Squealed Emily.

    “What! Whats up Emily”? Asked Sally

    “Well I just had a talk with the master and he said we finally get to go outside”! She replied.

I nearly jumped out of my skin I was so happy. Now I can finally get a good look at things for an escape plan. “Really you mean it”! I shouted across the room.

    “Yeah we get to go out in about an hour or two”. Emily said while putting just of hint of attitude behind it. I swear that girl has more attitude than hundred toddlers put together.

***

When we finally got outside I realized how much I’ve missed the sun hitting my face and feeling the warm breeze blow through my auburn hair. It was the perfect day to spend time outside but I couldn’t let this overcome me. I had to look around and check things out so I can put things in place.

    “Aw, Quinn my darling, there you are. Can we chat for a bit or are you going to hit me with another one of your silly comments”. He said with a smirk on his face

This might not actually be a bad idea. I might be able to get some knowledge about certain things but I’ll definitely have to do this carefully.

    “No, not today. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye on things but I’m willing to try to warm up to this. I think it was just hard for me these past couple weeks, but I assure you I’m not as mean as I play it out to be”. I said while hoping he doesn’t see right through me.

    “Oh of course, I know that this wasn’t going to be easy. So I forgive you. Now how about this beautiful day”. He said being totally blind to what I was trying to do.

    “It is beautiful. I feel that it really brings out the beauty in the courtyard and and the artistry in the mansion.” I said looking around trying to seem mesmerized by it all.

Our conversation seemed to last a lot longer than expected but I definitely accomplished what I was trying to do. Once I got him talking about things he never stopped making it even easier for me. Later that evening when I told Rose about my plan to escape I was so nervous. I was in shock when she agreed that this needed to be done and that I should’ve told her sooner. I loved the thought of leaving but leaving Rose here felt terrible. Since I’ve been here, Rose and I have grown some kind of sisterly bond but I think we both know that it can’t last forever.

                        ***

Throughout the past couple of weeks me and Rose have been putting together a plan; making sure that we’re putting everything perfectly into place. I’ve been trying to connect with Ted, although it pains me to even be the same room as him let alone actually conversate with the creep but I do it. Rose has given me tips on how to really butter him up which is definitely been more than helpful. The more I think about leaving this place the happier I get. I keep thinking about Ty and if he’s looking for me or if he’s okay at all. I know that as soon as I get out of here I’m going to search for him high and low. I just have to get through these next couple of days without giving myself away or losing my sanity.

Rose knocked as started to enter my room “Hey how’s talking with Ted coming along”. She giggled.

    “Terrible, he’s such a creep and my god could he get anymore self-centered. I feel the more that I actually talk to the guy the more brain cells I lose”. I told Rose giggling with her.

    “Are you ready to start preparing for this evening”? She asked suddenly getting a serious look are her face.

“Am I allowed to say no”? I asked but already knowing the answer. “Alright fine let’s get this show on the road. What beautiful outfit will I be wearing tonight”! I said actually somewhat excited to see what she has instore for me.

“Well tonight you’ll have on a dress. I know, I know you hate them but this one is extra special. I worked on it for days making sure that everything would be just perfect”. She said smiling at me.

“Alright let’s see this beautiful piece of art”. I said excited but unathoused.

As Rose unzipped the bag and takes it out I was amazed, it was her best work so far. After I put on the dress I noticed how beautiful it was. “Wow Rose this really is an amazing dress”! I told her as my face lit up. The caped sleeve corset top was a lace cream color with embroidered cornflower blue floral patterns. The bottom half of the dress was a short length tier with cream tassel and tool. I turned around and saw the lace backing that’s when she officially had me sold.

    “Do you really like it”! She asked me as I turned back around.

    “I absolutely love it and I would believe it because if there’s anything I hate more than Ted it’s a dress”. I responded with a smirk.

We were just about ready when rose said “Okay Quinn I have two things for you”.

    “Ah come on Rose what else could I possibly need”. I said smiling.

“First here's a bracelet, I have the other half. Second pick what color you would like to wear”? She told me.

“Thank you so much Rose this really means alot to me. What do you mean pick a color”? I told her as I opened up a box.

“Just look. Your gonna love it”!

When I saw what was inside I got even more happier. They were contacts of all sorts of colors. I decided to put in the shade of green that matched my left eye perfectly. I looked in the mirror and was mesmerized. I never thought I’d see myself with the same colored eyes.

    “Rose I don’t know what to say”. I said almost in tears.

    “You don’t have to say anything I already know”. She said smiling back at me.

***

We all sat at the dinner table listening to the Emily and her beautiful gift of gab. I swear sometime here soon my eardrums are going to bleed and jump out of my head. I looked around at the other girls they were dressed really nicely but I had a feeling that something was up because we all seemed to be a little too overdressed. I needed to find out what was up and fast.

    “May I please be excused, I have to use the lady’s room.” I said looking at Ted.

    “Why of course but please be sure to come back and join us. I have something to announce”. He replied back.

When I got to the hall I ran to my room where I found Rose waiting. When I saw her face she seemed even more sad.

    “What’s going on? Why do you look like your about cry”? I asked her starting to become frantic.

    “The plan.. The plan, we have to do it tonight”. She responded. I almost fell like a whole just formed in my chest.

    “What! I thought we had more time”. I said.

    “I did too but I just got word about what master Ted wants to do with you girls.” She told me beginning to cry.

This probably has something to do with Ted’s announcement. And by the way Rose is crying I can tell it’s something serious. I couldn’t even think, my mind is just on a never ending flatline.  

    “Okay go back to dinner and just act like nothing happened okay”. Rose said sternly.

I looked at her feeling more lost than I’ve been in my entire life. “okay”. I said in response.

***

When I returned Ted looked to be just about done blabbering on about himself when he saw me come back in.

    “Ah alright, now that I have all of you here I wanted to fill all of you in on our plans for tomorrow.” He said happily as ever. “Tomorrow will an early start for all of us because tomorrow each one of you will legally become my wife. The entire table went silent. I felt my heart pounding faster and faster. I had no words, all I knew was that I couldn’t stay here any longer.

    “Well please don’t just jump out of your seats, aren’t you all excited I thought you’d all love it”! Said Ted starting to become disappointed.

    “Well what would happen if we refuse”? Asked Emily.

    “Well there could be two options. Marry me and you’ll live or you will meet and unforchunate end”.

“Oh okay”. She responded but you could tell she was timid.

All of us just sat there. We looked at each other and it almost seemed like we all wanted to have the same thing; To escape.

    “Okay I’ll tell you what I’ll let you all sleep on it and in the morning we will know who wishes to stay and who wishes to die”. Ted told us as he was walking away.

After he left I felt as if I could breath a little bit more but the ringing of what he said just replayed inside my head.

    “How have we come to this”. Said Sally as she started to cry.

    “I don’t know” Said Emily

    “Okay well one of us must be at least thinking about staying, because I’m sure that one of us with tolerate all this madness in able to live”. August said trying to be the realistic one.

    “I don’t know honestly. I felt that if  things just stayed this way I’d be able to tolerate it but marriage is something that I don’t think I could do” said Sally.

    “I was going to run away”. I said not realizing that those words just slipped out of my mouth.

    “You were”? Said Emily looking at me as if she wanted to join.

    “Yeah I was, I wanted to escape and find my brother, but how things are looking I don’t think I’ll make it”. I told them trying to be honest with myself.

    “I know what I have to do”. Said August with the most blank face almost as if she was numb.

    “I think we all know what choice were going to make”. I said being honest.

We all got up from the table and headed towards our rooms.

***

A couple hours later I herd that same horrible sound. The sound was always followed by death. I walked out of the hall and found Emily and August there to. I just watched as people came running past us towards Sally’s room.

    “I guess that’s what her choice was”. Said August.

    “I hate that we’re slowly coming to the end”. Said Emily

    “I think the next question is who will be next”. I told them not even showing a glimpse of emotion.

    “I  think that it’s sad to die by ourselves”.Said Emily with tears running down her face.

Me and August looked at her.

    “Yeah, but I think sometimes that it’s best to do it alone that way we don’t make people hurt more.

Just as I said that we all turned and looked as Sally’s small body was pushed down the hall leaving us Speechless. We didn’t say anything we just walked back to our rooms waiting to see who’s next.

***

I woke up to Rose sitting next to me. She looked so sad. You could tell she’s been crying for a long while.

    “What are you going to do”? She said looking at me.

    “I don’t know” I told her.

    “Well I know that our plan isn’t gonna work now but I want to do it with you”. She told me looking at me with love in her tired hazel eyes.

    “Okay”. I said.

We walked over to the bathroom. Looked in the cabinet and grabbed out all the little white bottles opened them and started to consume them one by one until there was none left. We left the bathroom and walked towards the bed. We held each other's hand and Closed our eyes.

 

The End