Chapter 2 The Auction

• Gabriella Monet POV
• Tonight is the night I've always dreaded, and now it's becoming a harsh reality. I had no choice in this matter; it was inevitable. I am Gabriella Monet, a black girl with long hair. Standing at 5'2", I never considered myself short. I possess unique obsidian eyes inherited from my mother. Just a few days ago, I turned twenty-three, and now the path to my destruction lies ahead.
• Tears welled up in my eyes as I contemplated what would happen in a few short hours. I glanced at the clock; it was already 5:30 PM. In thirty minutes, the auction guards would arrive at every human's dwelling place, if you could even call it that. Our "home" was nothing more than a tent, with five households sharing a single bathroom, which I found incredibly frustrating.
• My mother, Melissa, entered my tiny room and sat down beside me on my bed, or what passed for a bed. "Gabby, my child," she said, patting my back, attempting to console me. But no one could console me; absolutely no one.
• "Mum, I can't believe I'll be sold off tonight, to the vampires. They will tear my heart out," I sobbed.
• "Don't say that, honey," my mother shushed me, embracing me. "You won't die as long as you obey them. I was once in your shoes, Gabby," she tried to reassure me, but I couldn't stop crying.
• "Mum, don't say that. I will never obey them. Have you forgotten? They killed Daddy and took Annabella away," I reminded her. If she thought I would obediently follow their orders, she was mistaken. "Mum, please don't let them take me away. Please, Mother," I pleaded, burying my head in her lap.
• "I'm sorry, love. There's nothing I can do, my beautiful daughter. This is our fate, our destiny," she cried, gently brushing my hair with her hand.
• While we were still bonding, a knock sounded on the door. I clung to my mother's clothing, trying to prevent her from answering it, but she pulled away and went to the door.
• "Good evening, sir," I could hear my mother greeting the guard assigned to our home.
• "I'm here to take your daughter, Gabriella Monet, to the auction taking place tonight," the man informed in a hoarse and commanding tone. If a voice could kill, we would all be dead by now.
• "Yes, I'm aware. She's in her room. Gabriella! Gabriella!" My mother called my name, but I pretended not to hear her. Let her keep calling until the world ends.
• Footsteps entering my room confirmed that the guard had entered. I looked at him, and damn, he was tall. Like a freaking giant. "Gabriella Monet, it's time to go now," he said, walking towards me.
• "Don't you dare come near me, or I'll kill you," I threatened, though he raised an eyebrow at me, as if I were foolish. Who in their right mind would threaten a man twice her size?
• The man grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me out of the room. "I'm not here to argue, little girl," he stated. My mother handed him my suitcase, confirming that she wouldn't help me.
• "Mum, what are you doing?" I shouted. My mother turned away as I was dragged towards a car and tossed inside like a bag of potatoes.
• "You need to have some manners, girly, or you won't last a day in your master's house," the man commented.
• "Go to hell, you idiot," I retorted.
• The man gave me a long look before getting into the driver's seat and driving away from our miserable abode. As the car moved, I peered through the windshield and pondered on the plight of humans subjected to slavery. How they struggle daily in the clutches of these bloodsucking monsters. They snatch us from our homes and sell us to vampires, the royals who are wealthy enough to bid on us as if we were mere objects. And if that weren't enough, if a human dies at their master's hands, they are cast aside, left for vultures to feast upon.
• Once a person reaches the age of twenty, they are taken to the auction house to be sold as blood, pleasure, or house slaves. They call it the law of the land, a law that has persisted for centuries. Then, when we turn twenty-five, we are given the opportunity to marry the person we love. It's their way of ensuring we multiply, as getting married is the only option they offer for procreation. That's how my parents met, though my father died three years ago. He was killed because he refused to give away my sister.
• The memory of that night remains vivid in my mind. I can still recall how my father slumped to the ground as they drained his blood. Since that night, I made up my mind that I would never obey the vampires, even if it meant facing death. My thoughts were interrupted when the car door opened, and the guard pulled me out.
• "Step out, slave," he ordered, shoving me roughly. I nearly stumbled but managed to regain my balance. He grabbed my hand and forcefully led me into the auction house. It was a towering skyscraper with no more than ten floors. The guard dragged me inside the building and took me to the eighth floor. When we reached our destination, he pushed me forward, an action that only fueled my annoyance.
• "Don't you know how to treat a lady, you fool?" I yelled, and he responded by slapping me. I hadn't expected that.
• "Have some manners, girly, or you'll rot in a dungeon," he retorted.
• "Well, you sound incredibly stupid right now," I replied.
• He groaned and pulled me toward where groups of boys and girls were seated. I surveyed the surroundings, finally understanding that we were in the world of vampires. The boys appeared unhappy, while most of the girls wore grins, whispering excitedly about being chosen by a wealthy vampire. They were oblivious to the impending doom that awaited them.