Freedom Day Ain't Really Freedoming!

"If you are interested in participating in the Freedom Day, step forward and stand a chance to get freed as a slave today." The guard announced and a few slaves stepped forward excitedly.

Hellaine moved forward as well, a huge smile on her face as her stomach bubbled with delight. She hadn't a wink of sleep last night as all she could think of was for the sun to rise as soon as possible.

She didn't know how luck was on her side but they just had to hold the Freedom Day a day after she became a slave in this strange place. The fact that after today, she wouldn't have to sleep in the smelly cell, wear the smelly pillowcase or sleep with the smelly people made her happy.

She was ecstatic!

"Hellaine." Hanriette called her from behind, and Hellaine turned to see the look of horror in Han's eyes.

Her smile diminished a little. She didn't know why her new friend wasn't happy to see her participating in the contest or why Han wasn't joining at all. They hadn't been able to speak last night as Hanriette was stationed to clean the animal farm so she had worked all evening.

By the time she returned to the slaves' abode, she slept right away while Hellaine dreamt of her freedom day.

Hellaine was about to ask her friend why she had that look on her face. Suddenly, she was grabbed roughly by her shoulder, making her body to turn forward.

"Why are you part of this? You shouldn't contest in this." Someone whispered close to her ear with a fearful voice.

Hellaine looked up to see the boy who had helped her up yesterday in the branding room. He had a huge red scar at the middle of his forehead and it hadn't yet turned into a tattoo like Hanriette's.

She frowned at his words. "What do you mean by that? Why would anyone refuse a chance to be freed from this dung hole?" 

"They are lying to you." He gritted out then flickered his eyes to watch the guard who was checking the other slaves. He seemed to be numbering them.

"No slave have ever been freed from this bogus contest. They are simply using you guys as pawns for their entertainment. How on earth can a normal human fight a beast?" 

Hellaine's stomach dropped at the boy's words but it was too late for her to react. The guard moved to her and stamped number 030 on her wrist. Then, he peered up at the kid with a frown.

"I counted only thirty heads. What are you doing here?" The guard demanded.

Hellaine turned to the boy and his blue eyes were filled with fear. Not for himself but for her.

"S-She isn't part of the participants, sir." The boy said and Aella was shocked at his attempt to free her out of the mess she put herself in.

She didn't know how credible his words were but the worry in his eyes were genuine. And with the way she has been treated for the past day she had been in Bermuda ArchTri, she wouldn't put it past them.

They were utterly capable of using slaves for their entertainment.

"Are you out of your goddamn mind? I have already numbered her. She will join the contest whether she likes it or not." The guard hissed before pushing the boy away.

"No! I said she's not part of you!" 

Hellaine's eyes widened when the guard punched the boy in the face and kicked him severally on the ground. She tried to reach out to help but her body was numb and her mouth was sealed.

She felt like a fool, a coward for letting someone else get beaten up for her stupid mistake.

"That will teach you a lesson not to raise your voice at the Royal Guards!" The guards finished off by spitting on the boy who was now bleeding on the ground.

"Get moving!!" He yelled at the slaves and they all clambered to their feet, heading towards a truck where other guards awaited.

Hellaine was unable to move as she stared at the boy who had gotten hurt for the second time because of her. She had no idea why he always put himself in trouble just to help her.

Tears filled her eyes and she clenched her fists. She wished there was something she could to help him. To help herself and others in this position.

The Overlord must be so cruel that he would let this happen to his subjects. Even though she had no idea how they operated here, she knew one thing for sure. No compassionate man would ever let people be treated like this.

Hatred brew in her heart for the silver-haired man named Cladymor.

"Move, girl." The guard gripped Hellaine's elbow and pulled her to join the other slaves who were climbing onto the back of the truck like flock of animals about to be slaughtered.

"Get in." The guard ordered and Hellaine hesitantly moved onto the cargo bed.

She timidly settled down on the floor, trying her utmost best to hold her tears. She had to find a way to escape before they got to wherever the contest was taking place.

Looking to her right and left, she saw about four guards standing at each corner of the truck. It seemed there was no way one could escape without getting beaten up by the guards.

If the boy was right, they were going to fight a beast! What type of suicide squad movie was this?!

Apart from the petty fights she had with a few means kids at school, she had never fought a human in her life. How was she going to conquer a beast?!

The truck started moving and the cargo bed was covered with a cloth that concealed them from the outside. These people didn't want the slaves to see where they were headed.

Hellaine bit her lower lip, her head reeling with a million of thoughts per second. How was it that she kept on landing on one shit to another?!

Why couldn't she just wake up from this nightmare and be in the comfort of her stale dorm room in the Aviation Academy?

She hugged her knees tightly to her chest and closed her eyes, wanting to block out this scene from her memory. A single tear slipped out of her eyes.

She could only wish for the beast to crush her to death. Perhaps, death would be better than any of this.