The Auction
chapter two

I stop in front of a mirror. I look like a painted-up hooker. There isnothing beautiful about the way I look. I have on too much makeupand way too revealing clothes. This is ridiculous. I stand in the hallwaiting with other people. Men, women, and creatures that I am notsure what they are waiting to have their picture taking for the auction.Every time I pass a mirror I look at myself.

"You look sexy hybrid," Horace says.

I cannot even stand the way he looks at me. He gives me the creeps. Noworries Horace if I ever get out of this I will replace you and send you farfar away.

"Can't you even say thank you," he says.

I keep ignoring him.

"Hey, bitch. I am talking to you," he screams at me and gets right in myface.

A lady comes out of the small room. "Tatina, you are next honey. Comewith me,” she says.

I give Horace a bite-me look and follow her into her office. "You okay?"she asks.

I nod. "Okay just stand on the X and I am going to make your picture.Smile if you can. I know this is stressful. So do your best," she says.

I stand on the X and smile while she takes my picture.

"There is nothing to worry about. We screen people very carefully. Donot believe everything you hear. Most of the people who come to usare looking for help. They need a nanny or a maid. It is very rare that itis something sinister. I can almost promise you that you will end up in agood place. You are the top-billed ticket tonight. We do not get hybridsvery often. Especially one like you," she says.

"Thank you. That makes me feel better. I am very scared," I say.

"No reason to fret. You are beautiful and young. You are what 21? Ihope your auction turns out well,” she says.

"I turned 21 yesterday. That is when the authority came to get me,” Irespond.

"Oh yeah. I remember you are James's daughter. He had so muchpotential with the authority. Shame he wasted it and now lives inpoverty. See this is a good thing. You can pay off his debt and be happyand far away from him," she says.

"Pay off his debt. You mean I am not trapped forever in this,” I ask."No. Just until the debt is paid. Honestly, you should fetch enough totake care of it in just a few years. Honey this is going to be a goodthing for you. Just smile. Be kind and obey whoever gets you. You cando this," she says.

This might be a blessing. Surely whoever buys me will be well offenough to treat me right. I am away from that idiot father and mymother. She has followed him around and allowed us to live like pigsfor so long. This might be my saving grace. I need to be polite andperky.

I can do this. "Thank you. I feel so much better. I did not understandand no one explained anything to me," I tell her.

"Good Now why don't we retake your picture and you can smile a bigbeautiful smile,” she says.

I stand on the X again and this time I smile.

"That is perfect sweet girl. I know that you will land you a big fish,” shesays.

I laugh. 1 just want to end up with someone nice. I do not mind cookingand cleaning or tending to kids. I just want to be able to eat and have aroof over my head. I can do whatever it takes to survive.

"You can go to the waiting room. When the auction is over, I will cometo get you. It won't be long. I should have everything uploaded for thebidding to start within the hour," she says.

"Thank you for being so kind. Almost everyone had been kind exceptone person. Thank you so much,” I say.

"Don't pay Horace any attention. He is just mad he is stuck here afterwhat he did," she says.

"What did he do?" I ask.

"Trust me. You do not want to know. Just be careful and stay with thegroup. If he gives you any trouble Scream loud,” she says.

"l will stay with the group,” I tell her.

"Good luck. Not that you need it. You got this in the bag girlie," shesays.

I exit the office and walk past all the different people and creatureswaiting to be photographed. I wonder how they ended up here. I amsure a lot of them have it worse than me. Everything will be okay. In afew hours, the auction will be over and I will be starting a new life.