Angelica's Point of view
“Mom please, don't let them take me!” I screamed as they held me with their strong hands.
“Dad, please.” I cried trying to look at his face, he just went in the house and shut the door. My cries and pleas drowned in the rain.
My father had done the most despicable thing ever; trade me. Without my knowledge or consent. It started the evening I came back from picking my dress for grad.
“Go to your room!” He shouted.
“I hate you!” I screamed.
My mother just stood there saying nothing, even if she wanted to, she would agree with him, she could never disagree.
“Go.” She whispered softly enough for me to hear. Her voice was shaky and it scared me, it hurt me more than the slap.
“What did I do?” I asked on the verge of crying.
My father stood up and walked up to where I was. I thought he was going to hit me again. I took a step back with each step closer.
“You should not have come home early.” He said putting his hands on his waist.
“Who's in?” Someone banged on the door.
It was raining heavily but their voices were loud enough for me to hear.
“I said go to your room!” Mom screamed.
“No.” I said walking to the door.
The door burst open before I could move.
Four men walked in, two stood outside the door.
“Hey there.” One of them said, strolling majestically to the couch.
“Don't waste my time, Mister.” The second one said,
“What is he talking about dad?” I asked my father, looking confused.
“You said she wouldn't be in trouble. You promised.” The first man said getting up and facing dad.
“There's no trouble, she just needs time to-” Dad said, stopping halfway when the man cut him short.
“We don't have that time, now means now.” He said.
“Mom?” I said, my voice shook. I wanted my mother to say “it's okay baby, they wouldn't take you while I'm here” but she stood there as usual, head bent, hands on her hips and just quiet.
“Dad-” I said and dad held up his hand telling me to stop.
“Angelica, not a word from you.” He said.
Fear gripped me. I wanted to run but the men looked like they would grab me if I tried. Whether I ran or I stood they were going to get me anyway so I stood.
“She's only surprised how quick you came.” Dad said, smiling.
“Then it's time to go, we're here to take you home.” The men said together and came for me at once.
“What do you mean home? This is my home.” I said. But they didn't care, they started walking towards me. It was then I knew I had to run.
I ran up the stairs but my gown got caught with the rail, I tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge.
“Please, please.” I said softly, tears already streaming down my face.
“You can't really run darling. Especially from your fate.” The first man said. He walked up the stairs slowly like he knew my gown would get caught up.
He held my hand.
“Got you!” He said excitedly.
He used his thumb to push my gown out of what was holding it, effortlessly. It was almost like he built these rails. How could I have thought of that?
“Now darlin-” he started before I spoke.
“Don't call me that, leave me alone. I said trying to struggle.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” He said.
I bit his arm and he let go of me. I tried to run again but twisted my ankle and fell.
It was my fate, I couldn't escape it now. I didn't have time to feel the pain, I wanted to run again when the other men held me in place.
“Why are they here dad?” I asked, crying.
“Because I agreed to it.” He said, hands in his pocket like he didn't care.
“You're going somewhere better, to Leon Mercer.” He added.
“I owed a debt I couldn't pay, you'll stay there for a while.” He said lastly.
Despite the rain, I felt a strong heat at the sound of that name. Everyone in my school talked about him. A man people ran away from, why would my father send me to him?
Before I could say anything again the first man held my shoulders and lifted me up like a sack.
“My graduation is tomorrow.” I said, believing they would let me be for one more day.
“Not everybody graduates.” The second man pushed me towards the door.
If it was a prank, now it seems real. I looked at mom, her face was still bent but I could see the tears streaming down from her face.
They dragged me outside, dad came with them. They opened the car door for me to enter.
“Mom please, don't let them take me!” I screamed as they held me with their strong hands.
“Dad, please.” I cried trying to look at his face, he just went in the house and shut the door. My cries and pleas drowned in the rain.
The drive was silent. My phone buzzed, it was Brad.
“Hope I see you in your dazzling dress.”
“That's mine now.” The man that sat close to me said.
I couldn't even argue. I just allowed him to take it. If only Brad knew I wasn't coming tomorrow.
“What did my dad agree to?” I asked.
“Nothing much, he just traded you.” He said.
The fact I was a trade didn't bother me much, I'd do anything for my family. But Leon? I was way too scared to say anything.
I closed my eyes trying to imagine what the place would be like and the car halted.
“Out you go.” The man said.
I came down the car slowly.
“Welcome.” A voice said.
I looked up and it was a man, not Leon. He looked like he was in charge of the whole house.
“Please just let me go.” I whispered, my voice was raspy from the screams. The rain had stopped falling.
“I don't make that decision darling.”
“You belong to me now.” A voice said.
It was him. Leon Mercer.
