"Zmiena," I snap out of my daze to see Ben staring at me with concern written all over his face. "You've been staring out in space for a whole five minutes," Ben grabs my hips and pulls me onto his lap. I would protest, but what's the point? Who knows what they have planned for us. "Zmiena, you need to talk to me."
"I'm scared, Ben." Pity shines in his gaze and I quickly look away, not a huge fan of him staring at me with such a look. "Mother is gone, we don't know if Dimitri or the kids escaped and we have no idea what's going to happen to us. We're most likely going to be sold as worthless slaves" I look back at him, his pity changing to a flash of hurt and fear before being quickly masked. That's right, I keep forgetting Ben was born as a slave in the city. When they discovered Ben was like us, it was too late, the masters had already informed the hunters. They tried to run, even made it as far as the woods, but they were slaves. Not experienced in the woods, under fed, slow. They weren't going to make it.
The parents hid Ben in a tree and tried to fend them off. That didn't go so well, two slaves against experienced and trained hunters, they didn't stand a chance. It just so happened I had one of my hazes the week prior and we've had warriors scouring the woods for a couple of hunters and a little boy. We ended up finding the hunters and killing them. Me, I found Ben. Kneeling down by his parents bodies and crying.
"Ben, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." He shakes his head and looks away from me. It seems like the memory still haunts him at night. I never did get to give him those sleeping capsules I got from Daniel.
"Forget it," he looks away from me and we ride on in silence. The only sounds filling the air the soft chatter of other people that were also captured. Gentle cries and curses. The sight around me as I look around is depressing. People tattered and torn, eyes empty from all that they've witnessed. People muttering to themselves as if their sanity just up and left. After about five minutes of saying nothing Ben sighs and presses my head against his chest. "You should rest, you're going to need your strength." My heart flutters against my chest and I quickly scold the stupid thing. "Plus you might have one of those visions, which might be helpful."
Good feeling gone, my heart sinks to the bottom of my toes. "Ben," my nose wrinkles in distrust and frustration. You'd think he would learn by now I can't control it.
"Zmiena, this isn't about us. This isn't about our fight, or about Samantha. This is about our survival. And if you hate me for it then dammit I hope you despise me! As long as you survive." Now everybody looks at us, the caravan for the first time falling into utter silence. Ben groans and grabs my face between his hand, his voice falling to a low whisper. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just," he closes his eyes, pressing his forehead against mine. "I'm just worried about you. I don't want you hurt."
Tears fill my eyes and I nod. "I know, I know." The tears leak down my cheeks as I too cup his face. "Everything is going to be okay. We're going to be okay." He nods, a smile spreading across his lips.
"I know you will," I try to smile, but it doesn't reach my eyes. "Zmiena," he runs his fingers through my hair, "I love you." For a moment I forget the troubles we're facing. I forget my world is falling apart. Just for the moment it's him and me, and that's okay.
"Ben, I," before I can respond the doors to the caravan fling open.
"Alright cock roaches get out!" Ben stands up, resulting in me promptly falling on my ass. I groan in pain and Ben winces.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, Zem." He grabs a hold of me and helps me up. The other people stand and walk out of the caravan, people with whips huddle us together. A girl with fire for hair steps out of line, anger written all over her face.
"You monsters!" She shouts to one of the men, slapping him across the face. "You killed my brother! You raped my sister! I hope you burn in hell!" Ben grabs me and hides my face in his chest.
"Don't look," he whispers softly, placing a kiss against my forehead. I struggle out of his grip and turn to watch. A gun is placed up against her head. For a moment she isn't a no named stranger, the girl with fire for hair is gone and standing in her place is my mother. He pulls the trigger, a loud bang echoes throughout the crowd screams erupt. "Damit Zem I told you not to look!" He grabs my wrist and pulls me to the back of the crowd, a harsh look in his eyes. "You stay here, I'm going to look for Samantha." I nod, my entire body shaking. "I'll be back for you." Just like that he runs off, leaving me alone.
"Hey!" I turn around to see a man with a whip yelling at me, his face illuminated by the rising sun. "What are you doing away from the group!" My eyes dart to the rest of the people, being seperated into lines. "Are you deaf? Which do you belong to?" The grip on his whip tightens as he looks over my body.
"I don't belong to a line," my bottom lip curls to a sneer, the way his filthy eyes rake over me causing my stomach to churn. A smile crosses his face and the grip on his whip loosens.
"You mean, they haven't placed you yet?" He takes a step closer and I take another step back. "Well, I think you should come with me so we can," his tongue dart across his lips, "properly assess your skills." Suddenly, he winces in pain and rubs the back of the his head, shooting around on his heel.
"Step away from the girl!" I peak to the side of my attacker to see a tall woman of black hair holding a stone.