"NOOOOO!" I screamed as a large gentleman picked me up with little to no fuss, despite my wild thrashing movements. "LET ME GO!"

The gruff-looking woman rolled her eyes as she led the way inside. "You'll get over it eventually. They always do."

No! Not me! If Bennett is really participating in this auction, then I'm toast! I can't let him see me; he's guaranteed to figure out I'm here if his detector gets close enough to mine!

As we made our way inside what appeared to be a dim-lit brothel, I couldn't help but feel sorry for all of the poor unfortunate girls who found themselves here.

Many of which were covered in bruises and bandages as they could barely stand up straight. What kind of awful stuff are they being put through?

"Wait in line here." The woman said as she pushed me to the side. "When it's your turn, try to smile. People like to see smiles."

And just like that, the woman left. I was tempted to make a break for it, but the gentleman who had previously carried me here was watching over all of us intently from behind. I suppose it's his job to see that none of the girls attempt to run away.

Begrudgingly, I faced forwards. The girl who was currently on stage looked as if she would drop to the floor at any second. Her malnourished body was being held up by the auctioneer who was seeking more bids.

"Is this your first time here?" The short-haired girl in front of me turned around to ask. She seemed tired. Based on the dark circles and cynical demeanour it's safe to assume that this wasn't her first rodeo.

"Unfortunately, yes," I responded quietly. Sensing my nervousness, the girl softly nodded to herself.

"It's best to pray for a high bidder. The low ones usually return their bids once they become... broken."

I'm not sure if that was her way of trying to comfort me, if so then she failed miserably! Still, it was nice to have at least one person to talk to right now. But unfortunately for me, she was called onto the stage next.

Uuuu... I'll be going up thereafter she's done. N-N-No! That's way too soon!

I turned around desperately to look at the girl behind me. "Hey, could we please switch places? I'm not mentally prepared enough for this!"

"And you think I am?" The girl responded curtly as she clicked her tongue at me. "Sorry, but I'm not budging."

Ugh, I can't exactly blame her... I diverted my gaze back to the man in one last ditch-effort attempt to escape. "H-Hey, I need to use the bathroom, where is it?"

The man blanked me. Ah, c'mon! I know it's futile but what else can I do; I've practically tried everything–

"Sold to the man with 200 dollars!" The auctioneer loudly declared.

I gulped as I turned to see him gesturing for me to join him onstage. Oh, hell no, I am not standing out there! I would be basically kissing my life goodbye for good!

Despite my best attempts at refusing to move, I was dragged out on stage by the man who was keeping watch over all the girls in the end. Man, I hate this guy!!!

"It looks like our next girl is quite shy, huh." The auctioneer tried to play off jokingly as he pulled me towards the centre of the stage.

I tried my best to not make any eye contact with the audience. I feared that if I did, I'd accidentally lock eyes with Bennett.

...

Oh, who am I kidding? He's somewhere in this room watching me. He's probably laughing about how I ended up in this situation as we speak...

"So then, how about we start the bidding at 50?" The auctioneer announced.

"I'll go 60!" A voice spoke up.

As the number slowly started to increase, I felt the sweat start to form on my brow. High bids are supposed to be good, but I'm still feeling conflicted right now...

My nervousness must have been showing as the once hushed voices were now gradually getting louder as more people started to join in.

"Y'know, she's pretty cute. I'll do 200!"

That's the number the last girl was sold at. I wonder if this is it–

"500!"

WHAT THE HELL??? I looked for the face of the last bidder to see a man with a mischievous grin looking directly at me. "It would be a shame to let such a pretty face go to waste."

More men started to get riled up. "Well, I'll do 600! She's just the type of girl you don't want anyone else to get their hands on!"

Uh-oh... I think the yandere gene is starting to come out in some people here. I can just tell this isn't going to end in my favour. After re-evaluating this whole bidding war, I think the higher the bid the worse it is for me. I'm scared to see what type of person will win the final bid...

"1,000!" Another man piped up as he made his way closer to the stage. "When I win, the first thing I'm doing is amputating her legs. Can't have her running away after all."

AH! A-A-ANYONE BUT HIM PLEASE!!!

"That's not fair!" The previous bidder protested. "Do you even have that much money on you?"

"1,500!" Another voice declared as the bidders started to become increasingly annoyed with each new bidder.

One of the men who was previously smoking alone at a table came forward to drop a heavy sack of money on the stage. "5,000."

There was a silence as everyone turned to look around. It seems as if everyone has hit their limit.

"I'm hearing 5,000, any other takers?" The auctioneer inquired.

...

Silence. I turned to look at the man who stared me coldly in the eyes. Uuuu... I have a bad feeling about this. Please don't let me leave with him!

"Going once... going twice–"

"1,000,000 dollars." A voice calmly called out from the back.

Everyone turned to look at the man in shock. A million dollars, who could afford to spend that much money? Scratch that, why would someone even come here with that much money in the first place?

"1,000,000 dollars. Going once... going twice..." the auctioneer looked towards the smoker who had made the previous bid. Begrudgingly, he took his bag of cash and left without saying another word.

"Sold! To the man with the bid of 1,000,000 dollars!"

As I sucked in a deep breath, the figure slowly emerged from the shadows and approached me with ease. Once I finally came face to face with him, he gave me a sly smirk.

"I bet you felt really scared there for a second, Vicky."