Elysia walked through the market with a small sack of wheat in her hand. Her flame-red hair and cobalt blue eyes stood out starkly against her dull, worn-out dress. A group of children, covered in dirt, sauntered past her, trailing after a richly dressed woman and begging for food. The woman flashed them a look of disgust before shooing them away.
Elysia stared at them with pity and dipped her hand into her pocket, reaching for her last shilling. The moment she held it out, the children ran for it, snatching the coin from her hand and darting off without looking back.
Well, there goes her money to pay for a carriage back home.
Just as she began to regret her decision, Elysia noticed a familiar figure in the distance. His green tailcoat—which he wore every time she met him—was quite hard to miss. She giggled softly as she remembered Francesca's awful joke about the coat and quickly dodged behind a stall, hoping he would miss her.
"Are you interested in woodcutting now, miss? I must say, I fear for your delicate fingers. It is no job for a lady," a voice said behind her.
She knew it was him. Well, there goes her luck.
Looking down, she only then noticed she was standing before a stall that sold axes.
"Oh Gods, no. I was merely admiring—the, um… patterns?" she stuttered, straightening her body to face him.
"Um, of course," Mr. Hanson muttered.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
"If that would be all, Mr. Hanson, I would like to be on my way. Miss Valerie won't be pleased if I turn up late. Have a great day, my lord." She gave a quick bow, eager to escape the man and begin her horrifying walk back to the orphanage.
Are you walking back? Let me give you a ride, Elysia. My carriage is just right there—I couldn't bear to see you walk," he said, pointing toward it.
"I wouldn't want to bother you. I'm sure you have errands to run." Of course, she had heard the carriage belonged to his employer.
"Oh, not at all. I have someone to meet in the area."
She scoffed and ignored him. The last thing she would do was step into his carriage. She remembered what had happened the last time he offered her a ride—and she had agreed. He had tried to force himself on her. She had told Miss Valerie about that day, but the woman never believed her and had even threatened to throw her out if she spoke of it again.
"Forgive me, but I'll have to decline."
She kept walking. The sound of hooves echoed behind her, but she ignored them. He simply wouldn't take no for an answer. The carriage rolled forward, stopping beside her, and Mr. Hanson poked his head out the window.
"Stop playing hard to get. I'm doing you a favour. You could use the money to buy a better dress," he snickered, his large nostrils flaring—almost enough to make her laugh.
"Thank you for your offer, Mr. Hanson, but I must refuse," she said loudly, drawing the attention of passersby.
Noticing the stares, he leaned closer and whispered, "Whores like you always come back."
He tapped the side of the carriage. The coachman urged the horses forward, splashing dirt all over her dress.
About an hour later, Elysia stood in front of the orphanage, her legs aching and her body exhausted. She took a moment to look at the structure. Its stone walls had been darkened by age, and narrow, clouded windows along with creeping ivy gave the building a watchful, weary look. Perhaps that was why people tended to steer clear of the building and its occupants.
Though it appeared quiet and abandoned on the outside, the moment she pushed open the creaky wooden door, the voices of children filled the air.
"Elysia, where have you been?" a young lady about her age questioned, her green, catlike eyes glinting in anticipation, as though she had known Elysia would walk through that door at that very moment.
Elysia dumped the sack of wheat on the floor and narrated her ordeal to her friend, Francesca.
Laughter rang out, causing everyone to stop and stare at them.
"Your kindness will eventually be your downfall."
"You know the sellers are gossiping about Miss Valerie again." Elysis whispered changing the topic before her friend begin to tease her.
"They always talk, don't they?"
" Hmm indeed. Has Bridget returned? I haven't seen her in three days now," Elysia asked.
"No. Miss Valerie said she has run off with her lover," Francesca said, giggling softly.
"Which one of them? The married Duke? I doubt it. His wife will have her hanged."
"Does it matter? All that matters is that she has escaped this hellhole," Francesca scoffed.
Just as Elysia was about to retort, a door on the upper floor — Miss Valerie's study — flung open. A man stormed out, slamming the door behind him before heading for the stairs.
"Who's that?" Elysia whispered as the man approached.
"Don't know," the green-eyed lady said with a shrug, picking up the sack Elysia had dropped and walking toward the kitchen.
Elysia stood frozen, her eyes locked onto the stranger. Her curiosity heightened when she noticed his totally black eyes.
As the man passed her, she offered a bow. He glanced briefly at her, his eyes glinting with malice, sending shivers down her spine.
As soon as he exited the orphanage, the door opened once again and a short, round, grey-haired woman appeared.
"Well, the food isn't going to cook itself, Elysia," she shouted, immediately shoving thoughts of vampires out of Elysia's mind. Elysia dragged her exhausted body towards the kitchen
Later that night, Elysia lay in her bed, unable to sleep, listening to the sound of crickets and Francesca's soft snores.
Suddenly, a knock came at her door, startling her and jolting Francesca awake.
Elysia opened the door to find Miss Valerie standing there in her night robe, with several other girls trailing behind her.
"Put on clothes. You are leaving," she said, glancing at Elysia and Francesca.
"But… it's the middle of the—"
"Now!" the woman snapped, flashing her a glare.
They immediately began dressing in haste, Miss Valerie standing by the door, waiting. When they were done, she led them toward the entrance of the orphanage, where a large black wagon awaited them. It had high wooden sides and no seats, almost like a prison cell. Its heavy doors were left open.
The same man from earlier stood by it with four others.
"Get in." He ordered sternly.
They stared at one another trying to wrap their head around the scenario.
" Don't make me repeat myself."
They didn't need to be told what was happening, without a word, they stepped inside. The rumours had been true, Miss Valerie was indeed involved in slave trading and it was their turn to be sold. The orphanage was no sanctuary rather it was a grooming house.
Elysia's hand found Francesca's gripping it tightly as the door was locked behind them.
Through the narrow gap in the iron panels, Elysia watched Miss Valerie and the man stand outside in quiet conversation. She noticed the man hand Miss Valerie a small pouch of coins. Miss Valerie dipped her hand into it greedily, pulling out a gold coin that shone brightly under the moonlight.
The man then moved to sit at the front of the carriage, taking the reins. Madam Valerie approached the wagon's door one last time.
"I'm so sorry, girls. Sacrifices must be made for the younger ones to survive."
Silent sobs filled the wagon as it began to move, the orphanage growing smaller and smaller in the distance. No one yelled or screamed. They all knew better. Any reckless move and death would be instant, slave traders were ruthless.
Few of the girls had been slaves before — Francesca among them. She had been sold by her parents to settle their debts, but had escaped and found sanctuary at the orphanage… only to be sold once again.
Unlike the rest who were former slaves, immigrants, orphans or fugitives. Elysia had been left on the orphanage doorstep as an infant. She had only heard stories of what happened to girls taken away in the night.
Now, she would have to experience it herself.