Random

-{1}-

"Charlie!" I hissed, shaking him gently. He opened his eyes, stretching and sitting up. He always looked so adorable when he woke up, hair going every which way and a sleepy smile on his face no matter what was happening. 

"'s going on?" he mumbled, glancing around at the others. Everyone was sound asleep, guards sitting tiredly against every wall. Ever since the last time, they've upped the security so no one escapes. After all, how is Sumont supposed to run a multi-billion dollar company if he doesn't have anyone to sell?

"Do you remember what I told you about yesterday?" I asked, gently turning his face towards mine. He stiffened and nodded, locking his eyes with mine. "there's been a change. We have to go now, or we won't be able to make it off the property before we're caught."

"Now?" he said, side-eyeing the guards. I nodded. He took a deep breath and started gathering up the supplies, rolling up our blankets and stuffing them into a small pack. We didn't have much, but luckily Sumont is one of the nicer owners. I've known people who don't even allow their "products" clothes. A loud thump drew my attention away from Charlie and I turned towards the noise. A large guard opened the door to the holding cell, the trapdoor to the main house falling shut behind him. Everyone sat up, looking fearfully at the huge man. 

"44, come here!" he bellowed, beckoning at a beautiful young woman with sleek black hair and a kind face. She faced him bravely, squaring her shoulders, and shrugging off the desperate hands of the other slaves trying to hold her back. I think her name is Regina, but the guard only cared about the serial number burned onto her wrist. As awful as it was, I'm glad it was her, rather than Charlie. Soft sobs came from a huddle of people, their eyes glassy as they mourned for a friend who was being taken to a fate some said was worse than death. The guard attached a pair of cuffs to her and brought her through the trapdoor to the main house. The entire room was silent, as it always was when someone was taken. 

"Here's our chance," I whispered. Charlie shot his head around, eyes full with barely suppressed tears. 

"What do you mean?" he said shakily, "Regina is about to be sold, or worse" I grimaced, recognizing the conflict of the moment.

"I was talking with her earlier. She knows the rotation that they choose people on, so she knew that she was going to get picked, and apparently you're next. She agreed to put up a fight, distract as many guards as possible so we can get out." Charlie gasped. I pulled him into a hug, stroking his back as he silently sobbed into my shirt. He was always so compassionate, making friends even here, where everyone was going to be gone one way or another. 

"She would sacrifice herself for us?" he sniffed, wiping his face. Technically she'll have to go anyway, I said inwardly, but this way it will mean something. Just then, alarms started blaring as Regina burst into the holding cell, eyes wild and wrists bloody. The guards shot to their feet and started shouting, fumbling with their stun guns and clubs. The room was thrown into chaos as people dashed towards the cell, trying to unlock the door before the guards reached them. Charlie barely had time to sling our pack onto his shoulder before I grabbed his hand and ran towards the bathroom, shooing him in before closing and locking the door behind us. 

"Holy shit, holy shit-" Charlie mumbled, raking his hands through his brown hair, his mind reeling. I turned around and grabbing him by the shoulders.

"Hey, hey," I said firmly, "look at me." He looked up at me, barely suppressed tears threatening to spill over onto his pale cheeks. "We're gonna be ok. I swear to you, we're gonna get out of this."

"Well, isn't that sweet," a low voice drawled. We whipped around, Charlie's hand finding mine. Slowly, someone was lowered through the vent above us. First a pair of old boots, then some well-worn pants, and finally a weary, weathered face appeared.