MAID N MISTRESS

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, secretary, amongst others. Then the Commoners. They are the oppressed ones. Their lives is made a living hell by the ministers; the higher ups don't hesitate to inflict pains on them. Regardless of this, they are said to be lucky because they do not fall in the category of the poor. The Poor are the ill treated, brutalized, exploited and enslaved set of people. They are mostly taken captives to be used as slave by the ministers when they default in paying their tax. I fall in the Poor's category and l have no one to blame for this tragedy. l grew up to learn that my parents died shortly after my birth. My aunt was the one that took me in and catered for me. She has two other kids to take care of so you wouldn't expect me to have ever had luxuries in my life. my aunt's never maltreat me when her kids pull stunts to remind me of my place in the family. Her husband is as nice as he can be so l have no much problem growing up. My daily routine for the past five years since l clocked fifteen is to go to the market as early as dawn and come back to the detached cottage l call home. l had grown used to my life activities over the years that l had never dare

r relatives of those who were unable to pay their tax. l sighed heavily and walked back to the shed since it is not new to me. Almost everybody in the market has their relative or children serving the ministers or higher ups as a means of paying off their tax. If the family of who was taken captive are unable to pay the tax for the next month, the Minist

stomer was. It is Mrs Osward, the gossip. She has a reputation of being the market's gossip with her friends. She also prices goods like hell before she buys

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arguing about the price when one of the Minister's guards came to the shed beside ours. Mrs Osward and l stopped our chatter to witness the next person that will be taken. Oh my God! l hope it is not Jane, the girl whose mum owns the shed beside ours. The guard kept l

d run or do anything but l was petrified when my body wouldn't move. l tried harder but still, there was motion as it seems l am glued to the spot. l lowered my head impulsively as I wished the ground will just open and receive me. Damn! this is not happening to me. Not at this stage of my life. Not on my special day. Different thoughts raced through my mind as l thought of t