Page 75 of Pushed

Swallowing hard, he took a firm step back and ticked his head forward, telling me to go. My heart dissolved inside my chest, bleeding into my body and filling my core with angry coals.

I wanted to run right off the stage, dive into the crowd and sprint away. I could do it, I could charge forward and take off into the pitch black room. No one would see me in the darkness, no one would be able to catch me if they couldn't even see where I went.

Glancing back over my shoulder, Machi's lids thinned as he shook his head no and pointed for me to keep going.

Swallowing hard, I lifted my feet and walked with heavy steps into the spotlight. A row of women had already formed, standing shoulder to shoulder. Brushing against the last girl on the end, I took my place beside her.

If I had the tears to cry, I would have, but I was bone dry and numb. There was nothing left inside me, it was all gone as the girl I used to know shriveled up and crumbled into dust.

My blood had dried up, my lungs had stopped working, my heart had stopped beating. On that stage I was a cavern, an empty shell that only mirrored who I used to be. 

Imperial was gone.

The announcer chuckled loudly, holding out his arm to the line of women. I tried to look into the crowd, but the light was too bright, creating a glare over the faces staring back at us.

“Well, it looks to me like the first runner up tonight has taken it upon herself to get noticed.” The crowd laughed and yelped, grunting in wild tones. “Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Pixie!”

Wait. . . What?

Why me? Why am I first?

I twisted quickly to look at Machi, hoping he would bolt onto the stage and save me. I wanted him to rush out and not allow some other man to buy me.

Tucking his arms around his chest, his lips turned down into a knowing frown.

Shit. I fucked up already.

I didn't need him to tell me, I realized it instantly. I had been the only girl looking up, I hadn't followed the rules, and that set me apart from the rest, singling myself out to go first.

“Don't be shy, Love, step forward, let these guys have a good look at you.”

Swallowing hard, I took a long step out. But I still didn't drop my head, I refused to let them have that.

I had already fucked up, so what difference did it make anymore?

Let the room decide for themselves if they wanted to take on a challenge, let them question my abilities to follow orders.

Because the man that bought me was going to have his hands full. I didn't plan on playing nice, I didn't plan on just laying down and giving up. I might not have been Imperial anymore, but that didn't mean I wouldn't still fight for myself.

Tipping my chin up, I squared my shoulders, holding my head high.

“We have a feisty one tonight, this should be good. Do I hear A thousand?”

The room exploded with barks and hoots as paddles jumped in every direction, forcing the bidding higher and higher.

His numbers kept climbing by the thousand until the bidding trickled down to two men. Their faces were blank to me, I could hear them yelling numbers, I could hear the deep tones jump between both men.

“Forty!”

“Fifty!”

“Sixty!”

Everything slowed down around me. Staring up at the spotlight, I let the heat off the single flame warm my muscles as I said goodbye to everything I used to know.

I'm sorry, Mom, I love you, don't worry, I'll be okay. Cassie, take care of Velcro, I miss you guys. Goodbye for now, I'll be home one day.

“Eighty, do I hear ninety?” Pausing, he pointed out into the sea of men. “Eighty! Going once, going twice, sold!”

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