-(Chloe) Silver Hair Girls POV-

When I woke up, it was like any other day. Scent of summer breezing through small window, and beams of sunlight that shines brightens up the room of mine. As I get up I follow my routine. I leave my room through the door and walk down to the first floor. I turn to my right. There is a hallway and between that hallway there are rooms. I walked straight to get to the kitchen. I see my dad starting to prepare breakfast as always.

“Can you go wake your sister up? Chloe?” (Dad)

“Uh, Sis told me not to wake her up so early today. Apparently, she had to work on a request until late hours.”

“Alright. Then you’ll be back by the time the breakfast is done right?” (Dad)

“Yeah. Dad.”

“Be safe.” (Dad)

“You worry too much. Anyways, you take pretty long time to prepare breakfast anyways. I’ll feel it out.”

I turned back and walked through the hallway again to leave the house through the front door. It’s a simple design. If you were to walk in from the entrance of our house. You will see the stairs to the right which leads to our rooms, and to the left you will see the hallway with room to the left and right, and a kitchen ahead.

As I’m about to head out, I wear my equipments that are hung near the entrance door of our house. It’s nothing much. I just wore some leather pads and a bronze dagger. I usually go out to train myself, and to collect herbs. Collecting herbs and studying them are my hobby, and I train myself to become an adventurer. 

It’s not like I wanted to be an adventurer though. In case, my dad, and my older sister gets sick or whatnot, I would need to be able to bring the income on my own, and take care of them. There are many ways of making money such as trades, teaching or selling in medicinal herbs but I have no knowledge in trade, and you have to be a noble to do things like selling herbs. It doesn’t matter if you possess the knowledge. It’s all about the status.

Currently my level is 6. That is pretty high for a girl who is not a noble. Nobles are usually able to level faster due to them being able to hire a mercenary to party with them to kill the monsters. They will share the experience and will level. Most commoners cannot do that.

I headed toward the usual spot that I train in which is the deeper part of the forest. I forgot to say it but currently me and my family are living in the forest. My dad couldn’t afford to pay all the payments and had his debt increase. We decided to run away from it all. They gave us a pursuit but eventually it stopped.

As I got to my usual spot, I searched around the area for herbs. It took a while but I managed to find few. The ones I found were the most common ones that you can find in the forest. It was aloe plant. These are usually used to reduce inflammation of the skin. Not sure what other uses it has though. Strangely, there were no monsters nearby. I wonder why? Usually there are low level monsters lurking around but there are none. I had a bad feeling.

I decided to return home. The sun started to go down and it was getting late. The mini pouch I brought with me was full as well, so I had no reason to stay here any longer.

It takes about 15 minutes to get home. It might not sound bad but gathering herbs all day tired me. If I were to fight a monster right now, I would probably lose and be eaten alive.

As I reached my house, something was strange. All the lights were off. Usually around this time, dad should be making dinner. I wonder what’s up. Maybe he headed out into a town somewhere to buy ingredients. As I entered the house, something smelled. When I say smelled, It reeked. Something rotten.

“Hey, Dad? Claire? I’m home. Anybody home? And what’s with that smell?”

I took off my boots, bag, and equipments and headed inside. I headed up the stairs to check if my sister claire was there, because usually she is home even if my dad leaves the house.

Just like I thought, there was a little light coming out beneath the door of her room. 

“Sis, you there? I’m coming in.”

As I opened the door, I heard a mumbled sound.

“Mmmm!! Mm! Chloe, don’t come in here!” (Claire)

“Huh? Ah!!”

Something struck me from behind and I instantly collapsed to the floor. I was barely conscious.

“Heh? Another girl huh. We are going to make so much money this time boss.”

“Yeah, look boss! This girl got a light blue hair. She is going to sell for much more!”

“Tie her up, and bring the carriage. Let’s get out of here.”

“*sob* *sob* Chloe! Are you okay? Chloe? Answer me!” (Claire)

..........................

I feel the cold air rushing through my hands and feet. It’s so cold that it started to become numb. I tried to move my hands and feet between my crotch to warm them up but something was held my hands in place and my feets in place. Uncomfortable. I tried to open my eyes, but it simply wasn’t happening. All that came out of trying to open my eyes were a sharp pain to my head. I’m so cold. As I kept trying to move my hands to my crotch, I heard a familiar voice that was trembling from happiness.

“You are awake! Are you okay? *sob* I thought you were never going to wake up…”

“Sis?”

“Hnng.. *sob*” (Claire)

“Sis, My head hurts… what happened? Where are we?”

“I don’t know…” (Claire)

“Where is dad?”

When I asked her where dad was, there was nothing but silence and sound of her crying. I tried to figure out what was going on and as I was doing that she answered.

“He’s dead.” (Claire)

“What?”

“Dad is dead. He is gone. They killed him. *sob*” (Claire)

Who? What’s going on? When did he get killed? When did he die?

My older sister kept crying. The news should be shocking but it wasn’t, rather I was confused. Only questions, that won’t be answered was coming up. Why? What did we do to deserve this? Why is it us? Why can’t it be somebody else? Why can’t it be somebody else?? Why does it have to be me?

Why can’t it be you? Why can’t it be you instead of me?

It’s not fair..

As I was caught up in my own thoughts, My sister kept grieving the death of our father.

“Hey! Shut your mouths. You keep crying and we are going to sew your mouths.”

“Hieek!! Sorry, We won’t do it again.” (Claire)

“Wait, who are you guys? Where are we? What’s going on?

“Aren’t you a stupid brat. Don’t you know what’s going on already. You guys are going to be sold into the slave markets.” (Bandit)

Slaves?

“Don’t do anything stupid until we get there if you don’t want to die that is.” (Bandit)

After that, we stayed silent. We couldn’t do anything. We were helpless. It was hard to tell how much time has passed but it felt like eternal. I started to get hungry, but no matter how much time has passed, those people didn’t give me anything to eat. If I wasn’t getting fed, my sister probably wasn’t getting fed either. The ride didn’t stop and kept going. At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was never this hungry. So, I asked. It seemed like we were in a carriage, so it was easy to just speak out for them to hear us from the front.

“Excuse me… Is it possible for us to get something to eat?”

“Huh? What is this bitch saying? You are asking us for food?

After that line, I felt a sudden stop from the carriage, which tipped my balance off a little. Then I heard a sound to my right coming closer and closer. Then I felt sudden pain to my stomach.

“Ow!”

He kept beating me up. My sister must have heard my moans, she got up and begged for them to stop. He didn’t stop and kept going. He kept on punching, kicked and threw me around. It hurt. It hurt so much. I wanted him to stop. 

“Please, stop… I’m sorry. I beg of you. Please. Don’t  hurt me anymo..”

As I tried to finish off my sentence, I received a blow to my mouth.

“You can eat this fist you bitch! Don’t you ever dare to ask for food again.” (Bandit)

I felt intense pain. It hurt so much that I started to puke. For sure, I puked out only my stomach acid, because I didn’t have anything to eat. It burned my throat and I really wanted some water, but I know that if I were to ask. I would be beaten again and I didn’t want to go through that again. All of a sudden, I felt something warm fall down my cheeks. It was my tears. Out of desperation I tried to drink them. It tasted salty. I kept crying in silent, and soon I fell asleep.

………………..

Dududududu

Dududududu

As the noise echoed throughout the carriage, I woke up to the sound of it. When I woke up and opened my eyes, I was able to see. The blindfold they put on me must have loosened and fell off while I was getting beaten. I looked around and there was nothing, and there was no one but me and my sister. My sister was fast asleep but she seemed cold. She was shivering. In fact, I was pretty cold too. The noise kept on going.

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Dududududu

As I was looking around trying to figure out how to get out, the movement stopped. Then I heard voices from outside.

“Boss, seems like the rain is going to worsen. What should we do? It seems like we won’t be able to continue.” (Bandit)

“Gr… We are pretty close to the city. Just keep going and make it before it worsens.” (Bandit)

“But sir. We are going up the hill and we have high chance of fallin ov..” (Bandit)

“This is an order. Get to it!” (Boss)

So this was rain the sound of the rain? It must be pouring a lot. Maybe we can use the rain to escape? But how? I kept thinking. But there was no solution. Currently, my hands are kept tied to my back by a metal shackles and my legs were tied by metal shackles as well. I can definitely walk in them but I can’t run in them. I can’t do anything with my hands. We’re trapped. I don’t think we can make it out of here.

I sat back down and just became depressed. Just thinking about living my life as a slave made me realize how unfortunate and sad my life would be. I’ve read about it. The lives of slaves are simple. They are bought by nobles, and then the roles are given. Males are usually given the work of labor, and the females are usually used as sex slaves. The nobles will use the females as their toys till they die. Soon, that’s what I’m going to be.

I couldn’t stop thinking about my future. I was drowned in my thoughts until a the carriage shook really hard.

“It’s a landslide, quick take cover!” (Bandit)

It was a landslide. The carriage shook horribly and instantly it fell to the side. I fell over in every direction, and soon I felt like I was in the air. The carriage was probably fell off a high place. I tried to grab onto whatever to hold myself in place. When I was able to grab the side of the carriage to hold myself up, I heard a loud shriek.

“Ahhh!” (Claire)

“Sis! Grab onto me!”

I reached my hands far out as possible for her to grab. She grabbed onto my hands but I started to lose grip and she was losing her grip as well. I couldn’t hold her properly because I had no strength left. I tried to my hardest. Tried my best. My brain kept sending signals to my body but in the end my body ended up letting her go.

“Sis!!!!”

“Ahh!” (Claire)

With a loud crash, we all fell over, all over the place. I tried my best to get up but my body wouldn’t let me.

“Sis!!! Where are you?”

I tried to shout again but I couldn’t my throat was too dry. I looked around but didn’t see any sign of my sister. As I was looking for her, I heard a shout.

“Shit! Quick, look for the slaves that was in the back of the carriage and bring them back here! Don’t let them take this chance to escape!”

Escape? It was a chance. For me to escape. Hah. How could I have forgotten about that all along? But what about my sister? I can’t just abandon her here, but… I can’t just stay here either… What should I do? I had to make a decision. There is a high chance that she is dead with a debris, though I believe that she is still alive but unconscious. Worse comes to worst, if I stay here like this I will be caught again. I have to escape.

I took deep inhales and exhales. I mustered up all my strength to get up. After I got up, I tried my best to walk. I walked away into the forest. Kept on walking and walking and walking and walking. I walked. Did I tell you I walked? I didn’t think, I just moved my body unconsciously as the flesh wanted to survive.

...........................

I walked and walked in the rain. I felt very dizzy. I knew for sure that if I walked any longer than this in the rain, I won’t make it. Luckily, from afar, I was able to see the walls of the city. I walked in haste towards the walls of the city. When I got close enough, I was able to see long lines of people waiting to get into the city. I looked around. Looked for a way to get in. Then I noticed that there was a line with bunch of other slaves with shackles so I decided to blend in with them. Slowly but surely, the slaves were let in and was checked one by one. Crap, I haven’t thought about it but what will happen if they check me and I’m not in their list? As I thought about a way out, It came to my turn.

“Your name?” (Guard)

“Chloe”

“Hm…” (Guard)

“You are not in the list. Are you sure you are on the right line?” (Guard)

“Yes. Could you please check again?”

“Yeah, I did, and you are not on the list.” (Guard)

“That’s strange. Maybe the slave trader forgot to put down my name on the list?”

“Maybe… I’ll go get him and ask him directly then.” (Guard)

“Wait, wait, wait! Uh, I’m pretty sure, he will be bothered by it. Please just let me pass through. Plus, he is a noble. If you were to delay this any longer you will probably receive a punishment. You know nobles, they are very uptight about this stuff.”

“Ah, you are right. I haven’t been working here for too long so I haven’t thought about that. Thanks. You may pass.” (Guard)

Whew, thank god, this guy is not too bright. I was let in. I didn’t stop though. I kept on walking. Then I kept knocking on the doors of commoners asking for help.

“Could you please help me?”

“A slave? Get away. We can’t help you.” (Commoner)

“Please… Help.”

“No! Leave! We can’t help a slave and if we do we will be punished as well as you. Now, leave.”

With that the person shut his door tight and left me in the rain. This happened for every house that I went. I wonder how many houses I asked. I’m surprised they didn’t rat me out. They probably pitied me. I didn’t stop though. I kept asking and begged. Some told me I can come in if I had sex with them but I declined. They threatened me by saying they will rat me out. I quickly left and looked for another house. House after house. I was tired. I couldn’t take it anymore. This is probably going to be the last house before I fall.

“Could you please help me?”

“Huh? What’s a slave doing here? And No.” (Commoner)

“Please, I'll do anything but sexual favors. Please take me in.”

“If you are not able to do sexual, what are you going to be useful for? Leave now!” (Commoner)

“Please. I beg of you!”

I lost my balance due to sudden loss of strength and fell on him. He then got mad and strike me with his fist.

“I said no! You piece of shit. Don’t you dare bring troubles here.” (Commoner)

It hurt. I felt the same pain as I did before when I was getting hit by the bandit.

“I’m sorry. Please stop.”

He then stopped. I guess he didn’t want to make a scene.

“We can’t help you, Now, get out!” (Commoner)

He grabbed onto my torn shirt and threw me far as he can into the street. I was treated like a thing. Not even a thing, a garbage. I didn’t even have the strength cry anymore. I just wanted to die and end this misery. I was about to close my eyes. It felt pretty good in the rain. I didn’t feel anything anymore. Everything felt numb, until I heard a voice from afar that closed in.

“Hey, are you alright?? Hello, Hey, Do you hear me? Are you okay?” (Stranger)

He had a face of a young man. He looked a bit different. I don’t know how to say it but he doesn’t seem like he belongs here. He had black eyes, and black hair. His hair was well trimmed and cut. He had this weird white cloak on but when he crouched down, I saw a weird clothing that I’ve never saw before. He didn’t look too big nor small. Just average proportioned. He was also wearing a black bag that I’ve never saw. The stranger asked me if I was okay. Then he touched me. His hands felt really warm. Ah, it’s the warmth that I missed. I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I wanted to cry but I couldn’t. I just didn’t have the strength to. But suddenly, I felt fear. What happens if this person is a slave trader as well? Or a noble? Or a commoner that will turn me in? If that’s the case, please just leave me here. I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to be hurt. Please just let me die here.

“Please, don’t hurt me… Don’t take me back there.”

I tried to crawl away from him, but he came to me again and said

“Look, I’m trying to help you.” (Stranger)

Help? Help? *sob* My eyes felt hot and tears started to flow out. I tried to say thank you but the words won’t come out.

“....”

He then, took off his white cloak and put it on me. I can feel the warmth of his. Everything was good until I noticed his expression, he looked a bit troubled. Maybe it’s because he just noticed that I’m a slave? That’s right. Who would help a slave? Even I would leave them there.

“I’m heading to the inn. You don’t mind right? You can visit the doctors after.” (Stranger)

What? You are not going to leave me here? Why are you helping me? As I was wondering about the reason, he picked me up and piggy backed me on his back. Then he walked to the Inn. As he entered the Inn, I tried to bury myself with the cloak. I didn’t want anybody to see me like this. He then procceded to talk to the Inn Keeper and rented a room.

When he got to the room he dropped me off, and laid me on the bed. Then he started to search for something in his bag. He took out many things but once he found the item he looked for he stopped. It was something red in a bottle. A drug? I heard about drugs like that. Red drugs that nobles use for sex slaves that resists. 

Apparently, it’s type of an aphrodisiac combined with a drug that makes you high. How do I know? It was all in the herb book that I was reading. So he was acting like he was a good guy for all this huh. He poured a bit into a mini container and tried to give it to me. I tried my best to reject him but didn’t have the strength to. I’ve put all my strength into my mouth trying my best not to drink the foreign liquid. I won’t lose! He then stopped for a second. I did it. I won’t lose is what I thought. 

He grabbed my nose to stop from me breathing with my nose. I tried to hold off but I couldn’t, I had to open my mouth to breathe. At that moment, he gave me the liquid and I had to swallow it all. It felt warm, and gross. It tasted very bitter, but sweet at the same time? Cherry? I don’t know. I frowned. I gave him the stare that I won’t lose to the drug.