Shadow Of Love

Here I am, huddled in a cage so small I can barely move, my skin cold against the metal bars that remind me how trapped I am. I'm wearing a threadbare dress, so short and thin that it reveals more than it covers, exposing my vulnerability to these monsters who stare at us as if we were mere objects. Each of their eyes slides over my body like a repulsive caress, as if they already own me, even if they haven't paid the price for it yet. The thought turns my stomach.

In the distance, the raspy voices of men mix with the hum of the fluorescent lights above our heads. They're bidding on us, on the girls trapped in this hell with me. Their numbers are thrown into the air with the same indifference as if they were gambling in a casino, not understanding or perhaps not caring that they are deciding the fate of a human life. Their laughter is like claws tearing at what little remains of my sanity.

I look at the blonde in the cage next to me. She's shaking, though she tries not to show it too much. The way she bites her lips hard, almost to the point of bleeding, tells me she's scared. I don't blame her. Fear is our most faithful companion here. She, like me, has learned to keep quiet. We know that words are of no use in this place, they only make things worse. I spoke up the first few weeks, I screamed and cried, but all I got was punishment. Silence is our only weapon, even if it can barely protect us from the inevitable.

"And here we have the blonde girl," the host announces with a smile that makes my hair stand on end. As if he's showing off the latest model of car at a luxury auction. She shivers more when he points at her, but she remains silent.

The numbers start to go up. "500 thousand," an old man says. I don't recognize his face, but I know who he is. He's always here, buying girls one by one. Another man holds up his sign. "800 thousand." Prices are rising rapidly. I feel a pang in my chest every time someone else bids. It's like they're putting a price on our souls.

Finally, the old man wins the bid with "900 thousand." The blonde will be his. I can't imagine what awaits her, but I know it will be horrible. She knows what's coming, and yet, I watch her struggle to keep her composure. A whisper of hope dies on my lips. There's no hope here, only darkness.

Tomorrow, it will be my turn.

They haven't sold me yet because I'm underage, but that ends tomorrow, when I turn 18. They know that. They're waiting anxiously, like hungry wolves stalking their prey. They have rules here: they don't sell the girls until they're of age, but in the meantime, they rent us out. Over these two years, I've been rented out too many times to count, but they've kept me intact for one reason only. A virgin girl is worth more, much more.

But what they can't take away from me, what they can't sell, is how disgusting I feel inside. Even though I'm still technically a virgin, I feel dirtier than anything else. They've touched me too many times. Their hands have left invisible marks on my skin, scars that will never heal. No matter how much I bathe, no matter how much I scrub, I always feel dirty. Every time I close my eyes, I relive those moments. Disgust consumes me. I'm not me anymore. I'm a shadow of my former self, an empty shell.

"And here's our specialty for today," the host says, pointing at me.

I knew this moment would come. My heart pounds in my chest, but I don't show anything on my face. I've learned not to react, not to let them see how much it affects me. They won't sell me today, not yet, but they will rent me out, as they have so many times before. The room erupts in murmurs. They look at me, they size me up. I'm a trophy to them, an object of desire they long to possess.

"The girl we all love," the host smiles, as if this were some kinds of fun show.

The signs go up once more, the bids fly around the room, and I can only stare at the floor, wishing for this all to end. I feel empty, like my soul has already been ripped from me. I want to disappear, dissolve into thin air, but I can't. I'm trapped, condemned to continue living this hell.

Finally, the host closes the bidding. "A million to Mr. Campbell."

The name sends a chill down my spine. Campbell. That man is a monster, the same one who bought my best friend a year ago. I haven't seen her since. Deep down I know she's dead, but I cling to the illusion that maybe, just maybe, she's still alive. It's a lie I repeat to myself over and over, because the truth would be too painful to accept.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to prepare myself for what's coming. The thought of what Campbell will do to me turns my stomach. I want to vomit. I want to scream. I want to die. But I don't do any of those things. I hold myself still, like a broken doll, waiting to be used and then tossed aside.

Sometimes, I wonder why I keep fighting, why I haven't found a way to end all of this. I've tried, I swear. I've searched for ways to end my life, but I always fail. It's like even to die is a failure. The universe mocks me, denying me even the comfort of death. I feel like a mistake, a mistake that should never have been born. I'm paying for that mistake now.

I expect nothing from this world. Heaven, earth, none have given me reasons to believe in anything but this endless pain. I'm alone. I always have been. And that won't change.

"Is it that hard?" I whisper, even though I know no one is listening.

I don't want to open my eyes ever again. I just want peace, a rest that has been denied me since I entered this place. But that is an impossible wish. This world has no mercy for girls like me.

The host takes me by the arm, dragging me out of the cage. My body is tense, fear runs through me from head to toe, but I don't bother to fight anymore. I just hope that this time it will be quick, that this man will use me and leave me alone. But I know that won't be the case.

I look at the floor as I am led to my destination. The murmurs of the room follow me like a dark cloud, and the cold of the hallway's seeps under my skin. My heart beats so fast that it feels like it will explode at any moment, but at the same time, I feel a complete disconnection from my body. As if I am no longer me, as if my soul left this place a long time ago.

Tomorrow will be worse.

Tomorrow, they will sell me.

"Get up, girl. We don't have all the time." The woman throws a dress in my face and slams the door to the room shut.

Another shitty day, I think before getting up. Sunlight streams through the cracks in the window, illuminating the dust floating in the air, as if time itself had stopped in this place.

I take a quick shower, the cold water waking me up a little. Then I put on that horrible dress she brought me, a cheap fabric that scratches my skin. Looking in the mirror, I barely recognize the girl staring back at me. My eyes, a mix of desperation and resignation, reflect a soul trapped in an endless cycle of fear.

"You look fine."

I look at the girl who said those words, my roommate. Her smile is a mask hiding her own terror. There used to be five of us in this room, but the other three disappeared one by one. They had been sold, and today it was my turn. In a few years, it would be that girl's turn.

"Thank you," I reply politely, though my voice is hollow. With that I leave the room to find myself confronted by the same woman who had thrown the dress in my face this morning. She is the manager of this shithole, an authoritative figure who moves with an eerie confidence, as if she feels no remorse for what she does day in and day out.

"Follow me," she orders, and I do so without question. Each step echoes down the hall like an echo of my inevitable fate. She stops in front of a door and knocks loudly. A few seconds later I hear another woman's voice ordering her in.

"I brought the girl."

"Let her in," a cold, calculating voice replies.

She leaves the door open for me, and I enter. The door closes behind me with an ominous click, leaving me alone with the official owner of this disgusting place.

Many people might think that the owner of this place could be a man, but no; it's a woman. A bitch who makes life miserable for the girls who pass by here. I wonder how she can do this; doesn't she remember what it was like to be young? But I would never dare to ask her directly; that could cost me dearly.

The rule here is clear: if you want to live, you have to keep your mouth shut.

"Do you know why I called you Roxi?" She asks with an icy smile on her face. I nod, surprised that she knows my name. "I'm glad you know. Today is the day you'll be leaving this place."

That means in other words that I will be sold.

"Yes, I know," I murmur, feeling my heart racing.

"I must say that you are a lucky girl," she says as her eyes shine with greed. "Today we will have a very special visitor."

Visitor? My thoughts revolve around this new information. Everyone who visits this place is usually rich and powerful men, but it seems that this time it is someone more important.

"And if that person buys you," she continues, "it would not only be a fortune for me but for you as well; you could have a life of luxury." She leaves a couple of photos on the desk and my eyes focus on them. In those photos is a muscular man whose face I cannot make out due to my facial blindness.

"This is Ray, known as the Devil." Her voice has a reverent tone as she speaks his name. "He is a man who moves all of Russia, girl. So, I recommend that you get into his eyes because if he doesn't buy you, you will go straight into the hands of that pig Bell." She stares at me, as if she can read my darkest thoughts. "Do you understand what I am telling you?"

I nod slowly; all I have to do is get the attention of this powerful man. But how can I do that? Anxiety consumes me as I think of the possibilities; each option seems scarier than the last.

"Get ready," she says firmly, "you have to be ready tonight."

I nod again, feeling the weight of the world fall on my young, innocent shoulders.

"You may go." With that, I leave the room without a word, feeling the heavy air of the hallway envelop me like a threatening shadow.

As I walk to my room, my mind is in chaos; each step resonates like a drum in my chest. What kind of life awaits me? Will I be able to survive this cruel game where the pieces are human lives?

The echo of the present and the future intertwine in my mind as I prepare to face the unknown tonight: an encounter with the Devil could be both my salvation and my damnation and to be honest, I have nothing to lose.

The night came in the blink of an eye, as if time itself had stopped to let darkness envelop everything around it. The dim lights in the room flickered, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and anticipation. The auctioneers, with their impeccable suits and calculated smiles, had everything ready for the most macabre event of the season.

I feel disgust just being in that cage, a gilded prison that constantly reminds me of my helplessness as the guests enter the room. The air is permeated with expensive perfumes and nervous laughter, but all I can think about is what is at stake. There are ten of us girls who will be sold tonight, including me. Each of us is an object in this grotesque spectacle, a mere trophy for men seeking to satisfy their darkest desires. All around us, conversations intertwine like poisonous snakes, full of empty promises and lascivious glances.

The murmur grows as the event progresses; The auctioneers begin the presentation with melodious voices that try to disguise the crudeness of what is about to happen.

I search through the crowd for the supposed man known as "Devil." I can't recognize his face among the shadows and blurred faces of the attendees, but from what I could see in the photo of the boss, he is different. He wore a chain around his neck adorned with tiger teeth, a symbol of power and ferocity. He also wore a black half mask that barely covered part of his face, adding an air of mystery that captivates me and at the same time unsettles me.

"He is a man who moves all of Russia," echoed the words of that woman who had called me earlier. From the way she expressed herself and the respect with which she spoke, he must be the most important man in this shitty country. And then, as if it were a sign of destiny, my eyes stop on a man who has just entered, with two men behind him dressed in black like lurking shadows.

I look at his neck and confirm my suspicions: there is the chain with the tiger tooth. It is him... The "Devil." All the guests in the room tensed upon noticing his presence; he was someone very important and, not only that, but dangerous. A reverent silence takes over the place; everyone seems to fear him.

He is quite tall; you could say taller than anyone else in this place. If I compare myself to him, he would be twice as tall as me; he could even be three times as tall. His wet hair falls over his forehead like a dark, threatening shadow. The black half-mask is still over his face on the right side, hiding more than it reveals.

I try to decipher his face, but it is impossible; it is only blurred in the gloom. I was so focused on trying to understand who he was that I did not realize that I had exchanged glances with him. His gaze is penetrating, almost hypnotic, and I can feel my entire body begin to tremble just from that visual connection.

It is terrifying.

However, I didn't look away despite the paralyzing fear that filled me. I had to get the man's attention somehow; if he didn't notice me, I would be finished. If I make it out of this place, I will do whatever it takes to escape this man's hands. Being in here, I have no chance; but being outside, I could find a way to escape.

Because if I fall into the hands of that bastard who bought my friend, I'm sure I would be dead in less than a day. I just... I just need to get out of this place alive. Just that.

So please, Ray.

Look at me.

The auctioneer's words fade to a distant murmur as my mind struggles to focus. What is this man really after? Is he just another buyer at this macabre auction or does he have hidden intentions? Uncertainty consumes me as I wonder if this will be the end for me or perhaps the beginning of something unexpected.

Amidst the chaos and despair, a spark of hope sparks within me. Maybe there is a way out; Maybe there is someone willing to help me if he buys me. With each quickening beat in my chest, I reaffirm my determination: I will not be just another commodity in this hellish auction.

If I have to face the "Devil", I will do it bravely. Because at the end of the day, all I want is to have a normal life and find myself safe away from this horrible place.

In the blink of an eye, the event began. The room was filled with a deathly silence, only interrupted by the soft murmur of the presenter who, in a firm and almost hypnotic voice, began to introduce each of the girls. His words floated in the air like a distant echo, while the men, sitting in their black leather chairs, offered prices that rang like bells in the dim light.

Every time a sign was raised, the atmosphere became charged with tension. Everyone did it, except him.

Ray was sitting at the back of the room, legs crossed, with an expression that oscillated between disdain and curiosity. He was smoking something that was not a cigarette; his smoke rose in gray spirals, creating an even more oppressive atmosphere. I wondered what it was that he was consuming: an exotic herb? A prohibited substance? His gaze was penetrating, as if he were evaluating not only the girls, but also the men who offered their prices.

My thoughts were interrupted by the cold touch of the shackles on my neck. They were too tight, reminding me of the cruel reality of our situation. That metal collar was a symbol of our servitude; an invisible chain that kept us bound to a dark destiny. The key was in the hands of the owner, her absolute power that could decide our fate in an instant.

In this place, we were less than animals at an auction. Five girls had already been sold; now there were five of us left, including me. The others were frightened, their eyes reflecting the terror and despair we all shared.

"Half a million dollars!" A man held up his sign with an arrogant smile. His pride was palpable; he gloated in his ability to buy human lives as if they were items in a store.

The room filled with murmurs and furtive glances. Were they really proud of this? Or were they simply showing off their wealth at the expense of our dignity?

"Half a million at one!" The host looked around, waiting for more offers. But there were no more; so, he gave up on the girl.

There were four of us left.

The host introduced the next girl: a young girl with reddish hair who was visibly shaking. Her trembling body was a reflection of the fear we all felt.

"Are you okay?" I asked without thinking, knowing full well the obvious answer.

"I-I can't do it." She shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks. "Please help me."

She grabbed my hands in desperation. We were in the same cage, but I felt as helpless as she did.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, pulling my hand away. "If I'm not able to save myself..., how could I save you?"

She looked at me with eyes full of pleading and fear. In that instant, I remembered my own arrival in this hell; it had also been new and scared.

When the host opened the cage for her to get out, her instinct was to run for freedom.

Run! I thought fervently, hoping that she would succeed where I had failed.

But my hopes were crushed by the deafening sound of a gunshot. Time seemed to stop as she fell to the ground, bathed in her own blood.

I wanted to scream, but my voice was choked in my throat; my body was paralyzed by the heinousness of the act.

The gaze of the person who fired the shot turned to me; it was Eliza, the owner of this disgusting place. She put her gun away with contempt and acted as if nothing had happened, as if our lives were worth nothing more than a mere whim.

Horror took hold of me as I realized that we were trapped in an endless cycle of violence and despair. My heart was pounding as tears began to flow; I knew that this place was not only stealing our physical lives, but also our souls

"Continue with the auction" She says calmly as her guard dogs pick up the girl's body and take her away from the place "feed her to the dogs" That is the last thing I manage to hear from her before she leaves the place, as if taking a life was removing dirt from her clothes.

Eliza, damn it! These are the words I want to shout at that woman right now with all my might, but I can't because I'm a coward. I'm a damn coward, unable to open my mouth to speak out of fear.

The room continued its course as if nothing had happened; men continued to offer prices for the remaining lives. Everyone remains calm, as if that life they just took was worthless, as if it meant nothing. In the midst of the chaos and confusion, I realized something terrifying: the real monster was not just Eliza or the men in the room; We were ourselves, trapped in our own helplessness.

As the lights flickered above us and the echoes of horror rang in my ears, I realized that I must find a way to break those invisible chains before it was too late.

Every day I spend in this place I realize that it is worse than it seems. The cold, grey walls seem to absorb the suffering, while the air grows heavy with the echo of the muffled screams of the girls who have lost their voices.

Why did they kill her?

They could have controlled her with shackles, but the damned thing shot without any consideration. The girls' lives don't matter to her at all; all she cares about is making money off of them.

This is my fault. She wouldn't be dead if I had at least given her a little hope. The image of her face, pale and terrified, repeats in my mind like a torturous mantra.

It's all my fault.

It seems that I am the only one in shock and worried about what happened. The host continues as if nothing happened, as if everything that just happened was just an illusion of mine.

How can they be so cruel?

And then my mental chaos was interrupted when I was called up on stage.

"Now, what you've all been waiting for! Roxi!" The host points at me with a smirk, as if he's presenting the best item at the auction. "If you're looking for a virgin girl to have fun with, here she is. Our one and only virgin girl in town."

I lower my head, clenching my hands into a fist tightly to control myself and not shed any tears. I have to be strong; I have to be. I can't show my weakness in front of those damn bastards.

I have to get out of here.

I repeat to myself over and over again; getting out of here is the only thing that has kept me going so far and I can't give up. Not now.

Someone... please rescue me

I look up as the room falls into an eerie silence; I say eerie because a moment ago, when I was introduced, there were so many bids, and suddenly everything fell silent.

A sign goes up at the back of the room; I look at the number and my heart almost jump out: 10 million dollars. My gaze falls on the stranger's neck and I realize who it is... Ray.

Ray Lotti is offering 10 million for me.

His presence is magnetic; his cold, calculating gaze sweeps around the room as if assessing each person present. The mix of fear and hope stirs within me. What does this mean? Is this an opportunity or a death trap?

What will he do with that money? Will he buy me just to play with me or does he really have a different plan for me? Uncertainty consumes me as his eyes bore into me, as if they can read my darkest thoughts.

Amidst the emotional chaos, a spark of determination begins to ignite within me. If he's willing to pay this much for me, maybe there's a way to escape. Maybe I can use his interest in me as an advantage.

But first, I need to understand his intentions. Is he a savior or just another predator?

With each quickening beat of my heart, I realize I have to act fast. This might be my only chance to get out of this hell and avenge not only myself, but those who are no longer here.

As the murmuring begins to fill the room again and the stakes start to rise, I decide that I am not going to be just another item in this cruel auction.

I am going to fight for my life, not just for myself, but for all the girls trapped here with withered dreams and shattered hopes.

Fate may have brought me to this dark place, but now I have the power to change it all.

No more cowardice! Today I begin to fight!