k_a_webb | 17: Donor House: Beatrice: Auctions (Reply)

Most girls were sold when they turned sixteen. Beatrice watched another group leave, wondering when it would be her turn. Everyone else was at least three years younger than she was and she kept thinking that she’d never be sold because she’d done something wrong without realising. Biting hard on her lip to stop herself from crying she walked towards her room, hoping that someone would tell her what was going on. Asking questions of the management had always seemed like a bad idea, so she would keep waiting until they talked to her, no matter how long it took.

“You okay?” Jenson asked, as she walked past where he was working.

Beatrice shrugged, their eyes meeting when she looked at him. “I don’t think I’m ever going to be taken to an auction.”

“I keep telling you they’re keeping you because you’re special.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Someone’s asked them to keep you for a few extra years before they buy you, because you’re different to all the other girls here.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Beatrice didn’t believe Jenson, but it was nice of him to try to make her feel better. “I just keep watching people I care about leave and I wish I could go with them.”

It had been harder when it first started, because Beatrice had lost good friends. They’d left not long after their sixteenth birthday, having been at the school since they turned five, and after spending so many years together it had really hurt to lose them. Since then she hadn’t got too close to anyone else, although there were a few girls she could call friends. All of them were over sixteen, so they were also waiting impatiently for the day they’d be taken to an auction.

“Your time will come, I promise you.”

“What’s it like, being bitten by a vampire?”

Jenson shook his head. “It’s not something I can describe, because every vampire is different. Some don’t care much about their donors while others…” He smiled. “I was lucky because the vampire who chose me wanted a companion as well as a donor and we got on well. I’m hoping you get as lucky as I did, but there are no guarantees.”

“Did that vampire turn you?”

“He did. I asked him after I’d been with him for about a decade, even though I expected him to say no. It was a surprise when he agreed and we stayed together for another twenty years after that. Unfortunately I haven’t seen him for almost fifty years.” He looked at her. “Is there a reason you’re asking about this now?”
“Not really.” Beatrice smiled. “I just wondered about you. You’ve been a constant presence, supporting me since that first minibus took my friends away, and I don’t know why I never talked to you about this before.” She looked at him, tilting her head to one side. “Actually, I do know. It’s because you’ve always been there and I think I take you for granted a bit. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Mirrored from K. A. Jones Writing.