Chapter 3: Presentable

"Strip!" she commanded me the moment we sauntered into the room, and I was reluctant. "Can you not hear me?!" Even though she was just a lady like me, I was still wary, mostly because of her heated gaze on me. Sheshe wheezed. "In here!" she called, and I heard footsteps rushing i; it was a maid. "Get her to strip." "Yes, my lady," she said, bowing before facing me. She reached for me, but I didn’t move. I gave up trying to be reticent. She released the chain connecting to my collar so that I could move freely, but she didn’t take off the cuff and collar... but it was a relief of weight for me. She slid the gown off, and I noticed she winked her nose. I wouldn’t blame her, even though my nose was already used to the odor I knew was foul. I haven’t bathed for a year in that cell. I got my flow, but it rarely came, so I ripped from my gown to set myself up whenever I noticed a drip. That was why my once long rag gown was shorter than usual because of all the rips. "I will get the bath ready," the maid said, rushing. "Gods, you stink!" ☆☆☆ The water was warm, and it was somewhat of a relief for me, except for the menacing scrub the maid gave me. I guess I was too filthy and needed that. She was an expert in this. She washed my hair, my face, my body, and every part that needed a wash before pouring the large bowl of water on me, and I coughed. My skin stung from the cuff and collar still on me. I wish it would come off, but I guess it wasn’t my choice to make. "You poor thing," I heard her say in pity as she wiped me with the towel. After the bath, I followed her barefoot to the living room where Teresa sat, smoking from a pipe. I hugged myself, feeling the exposed air kissing my skin. I shivered; it was cold without clothes. "Gods, even a skeleton is better than you," she remarked. "There, dress her in that," she pointed to something, and the maid rushed to it. That was when I took my time to look at the mirror before me, she was right, a skeleton was better than me. My skin was overly pale, and most of my bones were sticking out, especially my rib cage. It was a heart-wrenching sight, but I didn’t flinch at my look. It didn’t bother me. My brown hair was still slightly wet, but I could tell it was long. It stopped at my butt all grown, my hair was drained of color too, and looked lifeless; even a rat’s skin is better than it. I darted my dim brown eyes away and found comfort on my feet. I heard the maid come back and she helped me in a white cloth, a gown or nightdress, I can’t tell, it looked like it was knitted, so it has holes and iy exposed, great. It stopped on my knees the moment I wore it, it had a free sleeve hand too, and it didn’t feel like I was wearing anything. The maid once again dried my hair with the towel until she convinced herself it was dry enough, and then she put back the chains, bowed to the lady, and walked out. Teresa rose to her feet and studied me. "Better... at least the warlocks will see your worth" Warlocks? What is that? She noticed my confused exexpressionbut she was ignorant. "Follow me," she commanded once again, and I followed. She was fast, so I had to keep up My collar was scratching my skin hard due to my fast movement, and I could already smell blood. "Be fast!" she barked at me, and we made several turns to the point my eyes were spinning from it, and I felt faint. I held onto the wall for support because it felt like I would drop to the ground. "There you are!" a man approached her. "Have they started yet?" "Of course, where is she?!" She pushed me to the man. "There I have done my part... now auction her, let’s make millions" Auction?! I was getting sold? Again?! "Of course... all those warlocks out there will want this one, we have caught a prize of the century." What’s going on? What are they talking about? I couldn’t even register my thoughts because I was pulled on my chain harshly by this man; it hurts! I wanted to scream at him because of the pain, but I couldn’t find my voice... he dragged me all the way and the next thing I knew I went through the curtain, i n in I was thrust into a bright light. I squeezed my eyes shut because it hurt them. "Ladies and gentlemen, what you have all been waiting for, this evening delight!" That voice, it’s that blue-eyed man. I opened my eyes, and what I saw next forced a gasp to escape me. "A Fairy!"