The Auction novel Chapter 2

I stop in front of a mirror. I look like a painted-up hooker. There is nothing beautiful about the way I look. I have on too much makeup and way too revealing clothes. This is ridiculous. I stand in the hall waiting with other people. Men, women, and creatures that I am not sure what they are waiting to have their picture taking for the auction. Every time I pass a mirror I look at myself.

"You look sexy hybrid," Horace says.

I cannot even stand the way he looks at me. He gives me the creeps. No worries Horace if I ever get out of this I will find you and send you far far away.

"Can’t you even say thank you," he says.

I keep ignoring him.

"Hey, bitch. I am talking to you," he screams at me and gets right in my face.

A lady comes out of the small room. "Tatina, you are next honey. Come with me," she says.

I give Horace a bite-me look and follow her into her office. "You okay?" she asks.

I nod. "Okay just stand on the X and I am going to make your picture. Smile if you can. I know this is stressful. So do your best," she says.

I stand on the X and smile while she takes my picture.

"There is nothing to worry about. We screen people very carefully. Do not believe everything you hear. Most of the people who come to us are looking for help. They need a nanny or a maid. It is very rare that it is something sinister. I can almost promise you that you will end up in a good place. You are the top-billed ticket tonight. We do not get hybrids very often. Especially one like you," she says.

"Thank you. That makes me feel better. I am very scared," I say.

"No reason to fret. You are beautiful and young. You are what 21? I hope your auction turns out well," she says.

"I turned 21 yesterday. That is when the authority came to get me," I respond.

"Oh yeah. I remember you are James's daughter. He had so much potential with the authority. Shame he wasted it and now lives in poverty. See this is a good thing. You can pay off his debt and be happy and far away from him," she says.