In the beginning, when they’d first taken her to “train” her, Ava had cried, and pleaded, and begged to be released, for them not to hurt her, to be left alone. Now, after the training they’d put her through - and the incredibly cruel punishments they’d made her watch being inflicted on the others in their “care,” Ava knew better. She followed where she was lead, head down until the collar dug into her throat, only speaking when addressed. They’d made themselves clear - she was to be a present, though to who, she still didn’t know - and she would do what she was told, when she was told, unless she wanted to suffer even worse than she had. Today, apparently, was the “big day” - the day she was being all but sold to someone she knew nothing about, expected to get on her knees and do whatever was demanded of her. As they had taught her, Ava followed two steps behind, collar around her throat like a screaming brand, declaring what she was, and, as the seeming cherry on top - a bow tied to the loop on it, as if she’d been gift wrapped for delivery. It was humiliating, and shame fought with uncertainty as Ava was forced to face her fate. // @patrickoharaandco