Enslaved To Fulfill His Desires

over the jagged stones that lined the slave auction path. Each step burned. Each breath she took carried the thick scent of sweat, dust, and hopelessness. Around h

em detached, a few curious. No one kind. No one warm. She was nothing but a commodity here, and that realization pierced deeper than the h

nd uncle h

etaker. To a black-market tra

n every small way she could: running errands, cleaning, helping the younger cousins. But apparently, it wasn't enough

-her life up for sal

ating inside. The rope yanked her forward agai

-

Days E

this house!" Maureen's voice thundered through the compound like a whip

r brother had only been around for a few weeks, yet he'd wit

," Stephan said, brows furrowed. "She's st

kly. "You have no idea how much I've tolerated that ungrateful thing. I told her to iron Pri

. "But isn't Priscilla the same a

d. "Why do you always do that? You think I don't

then stopped. He co

-

That A

er hands empty but soon to be filled. She stopped in front of a familiar vendor stall, wh

r has arrived," the ma

. Kwame. My aunt sent me to buy oranges

r with kind eyes. "And how is that aunt of

's not that bad. I think she just wants me to do things rig

nd fists. I see the bruises sometimes. And the way you walk-like y

nd much lately. And I know my aunt's

e still defending them. You've got a heart too good for this place. Bu

ed into her pocket and pulle

r for your son. I finished it last n

you, Elaine. You write like a scholar. My boy will

meaning. And writing letters is my secret joy. Maybe one day, I'll become a professi

ing. Then he looked up at the sky. "You should hurry.

ing sky. Thunder grumbled in

s onto the tray. "I have to get home quickly.

d remember, not every

tray carefully balanced. As she

-

ong hair clung to her skin like wet vines. Mud streaked her arms, and the wooden tray s

stuck to her skin. The cold had tinted he

bed Elaine's arm and landed a harsh slap across her fac

, holding her

uce every man in this house, right? Is that

. "I-I went to get fruits. Yo

re?!" Maureen shouted. "You're disgus

he words struck ha

ze. He picked up one of the muddied fruits, then dropped it.

I am so tired. Maybe it's time I find a use for thi

ightened. "Please

ut

e. The only sound was the rain, bea

ming. Stephan watched with a

r legs gave out. She felt humiliated. Drenched. Dirty. Li

lked away. "You'll see. I'll

aine a little too long before

vering, but her heart w

-

the Au

in. The crowd was louder now. A

y of the slap still burning

uld buy her. Or what t

ly family she had... had sol

boomed her name into the air,

ry. Not

e continued drifting