"Wake them up!" Ross shouted, his voice slicing through the still air like a whip.
Buckets of cold water splashed onto the motionless bodies scattered across the dusty warehouse floor. The sound of water hitting skin and concrete echoed in the vast space.
Harper gasped as the freezing water hit her face. Her body jerked upright instinctively.
"What the hell!" she spat, her eyes still shut tight against the sting. "Is Philip back home? That bastard!" she cursed, voice hoarse and raw. She tried to rub her eyes, but her hands wouldn't move. A cold realization started to creep in.
What's wrong? she thought, panic curling inside her chest. Her lashes fluttered open, and she found herself staring into a stranger's face—stone-cold eyes locked on her.
"Stand the fuck up!" the man barked.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, defiance sparking in her eyes. "Who are you?"
"I told you to stand up, not ask me any damn questions!" he snapped, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her to her feet. His slap landed like a thunderclap across her cheek. She whimpered, stumbling slightly.
"Who are you?" she asked again, breath trembling. She looked to her side—her eyes widening. Dozens of girls, their wrists bound like hers, sat or lay helplessly. Most of them looked no older than twenty-two.
Her heart pounded. A warehouse? I was sleeping at home. How did I get here? What happened?
Suddenly, the man roared something unintelligible. Harper studied him—his cruel, angular face, his smug confidence. This man's dangerous. A real monster.
One of the girls was pushed out in front of the guards. After a few moments of questioning, a harsh slap sent the girl to the floor with a scream. The man scribbled something on paper and handed it to a guard, who dragged her out.
More girls were questioned. The air grew thick with tension and dread as one by one, they were taken away, all to unknown fates.
Harper's stomach twisted.
What is happening in there?
Beside her, a girl wept quietly, whispering for her mother.
"Let me take your place," Harper said, her voice firm.
The girl looked at her with tear-streaked cheeks and nodded silently. Harper stood just as a woman was dragged out from a room, clutching her belly. Blood poured between her fingers.
"What's wrong with her?" Ross asked.
"She couldn't hold the injections. Her eggs are ruined."
"Really? She is not dead, is she?"
"She's not. But she might not make it to the hospital. She's bleeding a lot."
"Remove her organs," Ross said coldly, not even blinking.
Harper whimpered, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Do that before she gives up!"
"Yes, boss!"
"Such a waste of ovaries. Hey, next!" he called out.
Harper was shoved forward, face still wet and burning. She sat stiffly in front of Ross and stared daggers at him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she growled.
Ross dropped his pen and smiled at her with vile amusement.
"Business, darling. I'm doing business."
"You wanted to sell off her organs?"
"Oh no, baby girl. I wasn't planning to do that before. I just need her to shed some eggs for us. I don't need to sell her organs. I bought her for such a low amount, but since she can't withstand that much pain, I can't lose money, can I?"
"How did you get me down here?"
"How? Your parents sold you."
"Never! What the hell are you talking about?"
Ross smirked. "Hey, come here!" he snapped at a guard. They handed him a paper.
"Look at this. Your father signed this with his blood and brought you to me."
"My father will never do that."
"Why do you think he would never do that? He sold your sister too. He can't make an exception for you."
Harper's jaw dropped, a chill running down her spine.
"He did what? He gave Sincere to you?"
"Sure. Rose brought the deal because they needed money to take care of their sick son. And you guys are here."
"Sincere? What the hell did you do to her?"
"Well, I sold her too—for a high amount. I just don't know if she's alive or dead. Who knows?" He laughed darkly. "She was just like you. Full of vigor. I wanted to ask you some questions, but you're the one questioning me instead. How dare you!" He slammed his fist on the table.
"What the hell did you do to my sister!" Harper screamed back, eyes blazing.
"Oh my! Look at this little girl. You're not scared, right? Well, I expected that too. I wouldn't like to waste $300k on a timid person."
"You paid $300k to have me?"
"Sure I did! Normally, I would've sold your organs since I bought you for such a high price. All the other girls didn't even cost me $200k. Some less than $100k. But you're so interesting. I don't know what to do with you yet. I'll take you to where you can be useful instead."
"What are you gonna do with me?"
"Just watch!" he snapped.
The guards seized Harper, and she kicked and screamed as they dragged her across the concrete floor.
"You! Tell me what you are going to do to me! Yah!" Her voice echoed, filled with fury. They dropped her and taped her mouth tightly.
A trembling girl was next. She sat before Ross, shaking so hard her teeth chattered.
"Age?"
"21."
"Gay?"
"No."
"Had sex?"
"Yes."
"Abortion?"
"No."
"Any known disease?"
"Not at all."
"Take her away!"
The girl was dragged to a room. Inside, she saw beds—girls lying in various states. Some asleep. Others… not. Blood pooled on the floor. A scream tore through the space. The girl tried to run but was yanked back and injected. Her body went limp.
Hours passed. The lifeless were wheeled out in silence.
Only Harper remained.
She watched the guards come out carrying coolers. Her stomach turned violently.
Organs?
Ross looked at her knowingly.
"Yes, organs," he said, answering her unspoken thought. "Fresh heart, fresh kidney, and fresh liver—to save those with money. Hey Harper!"
He tore the tape off her mouth.
She spat in his face.
"You are so evil! How could you do this? Killing innocent people."
"Powerless people!" he roared. "Powerless people don't get to live in this world or decide their fate. This world belongs to the rich and powerful. Their families need money and sold them off to me, so I can take their eggs and organs to give the rich who can afford it. Hey Harper." He leaned close, his voice a venomous whisper. "If you don't want to be trampled on and get feasted on, become powerful, darling. Build your network and your net worth. Only the rich own the world. The poor? They're not humans. They're demons who just wanna eat—even their own flesh! A hungry man would do anything—including sell you, his own daughter."
"Damn you!"
"Damn your father!"
"I'm gonna kill you someday! I swear it, I will!"
"Looking forward to that day, Harper."
"Boss, we have sent out everything."
"Good."
"What should we do with this girl?"
"She's quick-witted. So we take her to the field."
"But she's still young."
"Makes it all better."
A guard smiled creepily at Harper. She glared back, rage flashing in her eyes. He jabbed her neck with something. She lost consciousness instantly.
He flung her over his shoulder, walked out, and threw her into a car. Ross followed.
The next morning, sunlight pierced through Harper's eyelids. She groaned as she opened them.
A guard leaned down and cut the ropes on her wrists.
"Are you not scared that I will run away?" she asked.
"You won't be able to!" he replied coldly.
She rose slowly, eyes scanning the massive room—filled with men. She was the only girl.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"To train."
"Train for what?"
"Drug peddlers."
"What? I'm not gonna do that."
"Complain to Ross then."
A pile of black outfits sat on a nearby bed. The door creaked open and the group moved out. She followed, tension thick in the air.
"Hey wait!"
Everyone turned. Ross walked in with calm authority.
"Boss!"
"That girl!"
"Harper?"
"Yes."
"She is joining the guards' training."
"What? She is already the only girl among the peddlers. How can she join the guards?"
"She can't become a peddler. She's stubborn. She will run away before you know it."
"Boss, this is another country entirely. Where can she run to?"
"Just do what I said! Send her to the field. Train her how to fight."
"Yes, boss!"