I couldn't tell how much time had passed. All that I know is that I was still alone and no one was here. The noises from the crowd were slowly subsiding and all I could hear were wolves howling in the distance. I didn't know what to think of it but I suspected it had to be the girls. I had been seated on the floor reflecting on my life and how I had come to this point. I didn't know what to do. I felt pathetic and helpless. Every time the king came into mind I felt myself retracting to a helpless little thing. I miss my mum. I missed my bed. my home. peace of mind and freedom.
I couldn't stop myself from crying. even when I had the heavy doors opening and chatter coming from within. When the girls entered the room Their Eyes fell on me immediately but none of them said anything. I tried to wipe my tears as quickly as I called, trying to fake a smile.
"If it isn't Little Miss special.'' One of them said as they entered. I looked at them with confusion as I got up.All of the girls had come back dressed in something different. I couldn't help but wonder if they were different Chambers or somewhere in this compound for the rest of us. I didn't want to be here. I was home sick and frankly mentally tired. I don't know what the king had done to me but I felt as if my spirit was broken and my will to fight was slowly drowning.
" just leave her alone.'' one of the other girls argued as she pushed past the first one and entered the room. The rest of them followed after her as they moved towards me and sat on the bed in the middle of the room. I looked at all of them with curiosity. The other girl remained standing across the door staring at me with so much disdain. I knew that look all too well. I had been bullied in kindergarten the first time I came to the big city with my mother. I feared bullies.
" Come on. we don't have to pretend like we like her. We are a family here. and anyone who disobeys Master's orders puts us in trouble." she said as she walked further into the room. The girl that I had come with remained standing across the door staring at all of us. She was a little hesitant and that will be frankly normal. we had come here the both of us. Stuck in the trunk of a car for what I would presume hours. We were in this predicament together. first to become the property of a horrible man. a powerful man.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disobey any others. but I just…''
" You just what?'' she asked as she stepped in front of me staring at me so much anger. " Let her speak to Miriam. The more you keep pressuring her they are going to make her feel. She's new here. She doesn't know the rules of how anything happens.''
" Well then she better learn them. She's not the only one here. Rachel got here the same time she did and she's doing much better than this whiny bitch. What makes her so special ?''
I stared at the girls with a confused expression cuz I didn't know what to do or say. How would I prove myself to them?
" Just leave her alone.'' One of the other girls who I recognised was Cecilia from earlier, say that she grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards them.
" Seriously guys come on. The rules are clear and simple. The master punishes us for each other's mistakes and she will make us look bad. She will get us in trouble."
" Emily please let's just leave it. Let her have a shower and rest before you ambush her with all these questions and accusations. she's new here and everyone Copes differently.'' silly Estate. always while I could hardly stand up for myself. I didn't know what it was. Perhaps it was because I was surrounded by people of the same species yet I couldn't do anything about it.
" Whatever it is. Whether it's because you're new here or you are simply a troublemaker, I would like to advise you to stop it right now before it gets worse. I'm not going to get punished by a master because of you and I will certainly not carry your burden. we are family here and I'm not going to let you say but is what we have been building all this while.''
I looked at her with confusion. I could barely understand what she meant. a family? We were slaves. bought by a man who believed were property and baby machines. There was nothing good about that. Cecilia, still grabbing my hand, pulled me with her into the other room. No one followed but there were still whispers from the other drone clearly telling me that they were talking about me even after we left. but that was the least of my concerns. I just wanted to run. To escape. To sleep out of this discomfort and the predicament that I'm in. But how would I do that when my spirit is broken? When I'm clearly surrounded by people who do not like me?
' We all share a common bathroom. It's one of the only things that master has made us share. Everyone has their own bed and you will be shown to your bed later on when you want to sleep. you will have a closet but will barely wear anything in it unless the master deems it fit." she explained as I entered the shower and picked up a white towel. I looked back at her as I hugged the towel close to my chest.
"Ok then, we'll be in the other room." She said as she gave me a polite smile before walking away. She reached the door and turned for a moment before calling out to me. " what's your name?''
" Jessica.'' I answered in a heartbeat. " Jessica Miller.''
" It is nice to meet you Jessica and welcome to the family. when you're done just come join us we're having a slumber party''
Those very words seemed contradictory. and it didn't make sense. A slumber party? family? were they not slaves? something didn't add up. and I hated the way the rest of the girls seemed okay with being owned.
I turned on the shower and stripped. cascaded down my cheeks as I stepped in. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I was tired and alone. I was in a world I knew nothing about and I only wanted to go home. home where it was safe and comfortable and happy. home where I wasn't under the control of a horrible of Man.
I pulled myself out of the shower immediately, hating the way that the cold water burned through my skin like small daggers. I tried to adjust the temperatures but nothing worked. It remained constantly cold and I soon realized that I had no other choice. I didn't want to call any of the other girls in here. One of them already believed that it had a button and a troublemaker. and I didn't want to prove them right. and so I showered. tolerating the cold water in this cold weather. It was freezing cold.
When I closed my eyes and rested my head on the glass door, my stepfather came into view. and I began to wonder how it was that he had come in contact with her, the King. How does he buy his people? Perhaps my mum is looking for me. And if she was I couldn't help but feel Sadness for what she was going through. all my life I've never wanted to be the person who caused pain to my mother. and now I was in a place I didn't even know surrounded by people I barely knew.
Is there water under my body? In my mind there was an echo. A Voice In My Head. calling out to me. and that voice belonged to none other than the King. I could hear him. as clear as day. it was as if he was in my head and I couldn't quite push him out.
' you begin your training tomorrow.''
Training?
but the voice was gone. Was I imagining it? Was it just something in my head? Did the king have such power? Whatever it was it left me feeling tingly and dizzy.
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around myself. I dried my body and right on cue someone opened the door causing me to startle and look up. I heard that I was close to myself as one of the other girls walked right in.
" I thought you would want a change of clothes.'' she said as she threw some clothes towards me. I tried to catch them but they ended up hitting my face and I looked up at her noticing the slight annoyance in her eyes. she rolled her eyes before closing the door short. I remained afraid, confused and scared.
I wasted no time getting dressed. all the while I hoped no one would Virgin before I was finished. The clothes were surprisingly fitting. everything was exactly to my size which was rather shocking. I took a deep breath before opening the door and walking into the other room. all eyes turned to me and everyone stopped talking and just kept quiet. I stayed around the room as I walked further in.
" thank you for the clothes.'' I say as I addressed the girl who bought them to me. " and thank you for the shower.'' I say to Cecilia.
" Come.. sit here,'' Cecilia says as she taps a spot next to her on the bed. I stare at her hesitantly before slowly working over to watch them. I hated the way all eyes on me. I hated the attention. I hated feeling like everyone was judging me and scrutinizing every little thing that I did.
" So tell us a little about yourself.'' I brushed a Strand of my hair behind my ear as I sat down. What was there to tell?
"Hi,'' I started. "My name is Miller. Jessica Miller. I live in New York. I live with my mum and stepdad. I study theology in…''
" You live in New York?'' the mean girl next to Rachel asked. I nod my head.
" Why? you cannot possibly be a part of BlackBerry Pack, every wolf that comes from there is that and you're nothing like that. why would you want to lie to us?''
All eyes are turned to me and certainly no one is trying to defend me. I have absolutely no idea what he's saying or what she meant by that.
" What do you mean?''
"Don't play stupid. And stop tossing the matter around. you can't live in New York. So where do you really need to go? why do you see the need to try and act as if you come from one of the most powerful packs?''
' I don't. I…''
' exactly you don't.'' She raised her voice, and I could feel myself start to cry. What was wrong with me?
" Give her time, Emily.'' Cecilia shipped in. " I won't f****** tell you again.''
That alone seems to have been the thing that calmed Emily down. there was fear in her eyes as she slowly sat back. I left mine and she looked at Cecilia alone. What was going on here?
" Come on Jessica. Tell us. which pack do you come from?'' it wasn't until she asked if like this that I realized what Emily had meant before.
" I don't come from any Pack.''
" What?'' the other girls gasped.
" I don't belong to any Pack. I've been raised among humans.''
Suddenly, the room was engulfed in silence as everyone took in what I said.