Another Fate | Rebirth | BxB [Hiatus]

2: Once Again

He was well aware of the danger of being a weak and pretty boy alone in the slums. Always keeping himself as dirty and unappealing as possible. Going out to scrounge for food in the early predawn when there are few people out or going at night so no one could see him clearly. Sometimes even hitting himself in the face causing swelling to alter his features. 

In this way, he had made it to sixteen before the scouts spotted him. That's what these guys are called, scouts. Always hanging around the slums watching for suitable prey. They are the worst kind of human traffickers and Imogen's luck had run out.

The men easily drag him through the narrow crooked paths of the slums. Due to his increasing panic, Imogen's tunnel vision keeps him from recognizing any landmarks but he doesn't need to. He knows where they are taking him. 

The nicest building in the area. It looks good on the outside but inside it's the ugliest of places. No one from the slums wants to end up there.

That place is where people with money come to do anything they want without repercussions. Most just come for sex, but that isn't all that is available here. 

The building is just ahead now. A large sign by the door catches and holds his attention.

~~~Want to murder. Sure. Interested in torturing. Can do. Want to buy a slave to keep at home. No problem. Need to ditch a previous slave that's been broken. This is the place. Anything goes. Prices negotiable.~~~

He remembers the slogan well. It was read to him often enough. It was the only written thing around. It was posted in every room as a reminder to the customers.... and to the property. If he doesn't escape that is what he will be. Property, just waiting to be sold.

After being stripped of his ragged clothes, Imogen is shoved into a small cage. A few buckets of cold water are dumped over him to clean away some of the dirt he's covered in. He's left dripping and naked. Looking around he sees a few more cages with other young people in them. Everyone is terrified, whimpering and begging to be released.

He'd tried hard all his former life to repress this memory. Now it's happening to him all over again. Right now he needs to remember it all, every detail so he can find a way to escape sooner this time. Before the worst happens to him. 

As fractured memories of this place leak into his consciousness. Imogen is overwhelmed by a sense of dread. His mouth has gone dry, his stomach is churning. He struggles to focus on the memories he needs right now. The ones that will help him escape as soon as possible.

Just look for an opening. He thinks as he wraps his thin arms around his knees rocking to comfort himself.  All I have to do is get out. I'll form a contact with Unai again. Once I have him these people can't touch me.

He attempts to convince himself that his trembling is due to being wet and naked not the crippling fear clouding his mind. He's sure he has the same hopeless appearance as everyone else in this room though. 

There isn't much needed to attempt a summoning contract. 

Just draw the runes then drip your blood in the center. The power needed is then drawn from your life force, if it's enough, you succeed. 

However, if it's lacking.....you die. 

There are many talismans available that make it safer by providing some or all of the needed power. The better the talisman, the higher the cost. Normally only people with enough money to afford the talismans attempt to form a contract. Or those willing to gamble with their lives.  

Imogen only needs something to draw or scratch with. A clear space to draw the rune and enough time to do it without interruption. The first time he contracted with Unai was out of desperation. He didn't know if he would succeed or die trying then. This life, he already knows he will succeed. He just needs a chance to do it.