#onyon

You’re thrown to the dirt at the feet of a stranger — some man you’ve had the fortune to never meet before. But, as usual, your luck has run dry.

He nudges your chin with the tip of his shoe and you slowly lift your head to meet your captor. Tall. Glasses. Looks like a bit of a dick.

“You’re my new pet, then?”

Your parents clear their throats behind you and the man glances at them, clearly annoyed. “Yes, yes.” He pulls a wad of cash from his pocket and throws it their direction — you think you hear one of them catch it. “Payment.”

“Is that i-it…?” You can’t help the words that whisper from your lips.

“Hm?” He crouches in front of you and takes your chin now in his hands. “What’s it?”

“Is that… all I’m worth?” A tear falls down your cheek and into the dry dirt below. “Just a wad of cash?”

The man considers you, tilting your head left then right before turning you back to face him.

He stands and brushes the dirt from his pants. “We done here?”

Your parents quickly say their goodbyes and, before you can stand and turn, are in their car and driving back down the dark road. You watch their taillights dim into the black night, the thin wad of cash at the forefront of your mind.

That was it. That was all you ever meant to them. They took it and ran.

Your hold yourself and bend over, trying to hold back your tears. You’re worth more. You’re worth more. Your fingernails dig into your skin and your vision blurs. The chant echoes in your mind and you clench your teeth and will it into reality.

A hand on your shoulder steadies your vision and brings breath back to your chest. The strange man stands you straight and steps into your sight, gently brushing your hair from your face.

“You’re worth more,” he murmurs. “Far, far more.”

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