SOLD

It hurts so much, it hurts like hell when someone you trusted so much betrays you.

**********

Felicia kept on criticizing Ariel, trying so hard to convince her husband.

"Haven't you thought of what she said back then, telling us that a monster killed Lily. She's totally the monster that killed her mother."

James began to contemplate on his wife words.

"But, what if is not true?" He asked

Sigh..

"What is not true? do you think this girl is pure?"

"The girl is demonic," she added;

James took a dip breath before exhaling sharply.

"Maybe"....he trailed off, as he met his wife's intense gaze

"I guess you are right, because ever since she arrived my business has be crumpling, I just-- I just don't get it."

Felicia smiled on hearing that her husband has finally been convinced.

Ariel's hand quickly flew towards her mouth, covering it as an uncontrollable tears rush down her face, she didn't waste anymore time there as she flew back to her room and locked the door behind before lending on it.

'What just happened? did I just hear it clear?' She asked herself as she clutched hard on her chest.

'Mom, where are you?'

She cried silently clutching tightly on her chest, then wakanda's voice repeated itself in her mind.

She slowly slide down on the floor, folding herself as she cried silently.

Back in Thomas room.....

"Ao what do you suggest we do to her?"James asked in a whisper.

Felicia smiles grew wilder then she lend forward and whispered something to him.

His eyes widened as he exclamined.

"What!?.... sell her for slavery?"

"I yhhink that's the best thing to do,"

she uttered reluctantly while folding her arms on her chest.

"But, humans are not meant to be sold, the will end up in a dangerous place, or end up being sold to a beast or something," James said trying to show his concern.

"What are you saying? besides she's an evil witch or do you want her to kill us before you realize that she is meant to be sold? So stop acting like a kid, just sell her off and forget her," Felicia voiced out

then she added;

"Whether she's been sold to a monster or vampire, depends on her luck. it has nothing to do with us, so just forget it."

"Okay, I will make arrangement with killer Joe, to take her in the morning.

"That is good, so we are free now," she concluded,

'Finally I've gotten rid of her' Felicia said to herself as she chuckled

She smiled at him,

"Have some cookies honey," She said as she fed him with the cookies.

"Why is it still raining? I thought it has stopped already," James asked.

"What a Stubborn rain," Felicia chipped in

Ariel ended up sleeping on the floor, shivering and hip-cupping.

_________________

They clock stroke five.

The knock on the door woke the sleeping girl on the floor. She felt pain as she struggled to stand.

Stretching herself, she opened the door and her heart skipped a beat on seeing who it was.

"Morning my dear," James greeted politely

The memory of last night played in her head as she stared at the man standing outside her room, she greeted him politely, pretending like she heard nothing from their conversation last night.

"Morning Uncle James, you're back," Ariel tried so hard to remain calm. then she added;

"Welcome, how was your trip?"

Chuckling

"So nice my dear," he replied.

"Well..I have two news for you, good and bad, which of them do you want first?" he asked teasing her.

Ariel decide to play along with him and she replied sheepishly.

"The bad one first."

"Okay, the bad new is, I didn't find the culprit behind your mother's death so it means the case is closed," He said trying to figure out her reply.

Ariel smiled before replying,

"Well... I have nothing to say, even if we find the culprit behind my mother's death... She still won't come back."

Her replies shocked him and he frown but quickly smiled on noticed her gaze on him.

James nodded and said "So the case is closed then?"

"Yeah," She watched him closely then added, "maybe."

'My wife was right about this girl. Such an evil girl' James said in his mind.

"So, what about the good news?" she asked.

"Okay, the good news is"...he trailed off before smiling brightly at her causing her to be surprised.

"I've found a job for you."

Ariel knew that her reply about her mother's death really got her uncle to be suspicious of her, but she didn't expect this good news, it was really such a great honor.

"Really! uncle?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes dear, you will be working with me in the west and we will be traveling today. so you have to start parking your things to meet up with the first train that will be leaving by six am."

"I want to make you forget your past, that was why I came back to pick you, so don't be late," He added

"But don't tell Elizabeth," He warned seriously.

Ariel was a bit surprised on hearing this but she added,

"Okay."

Ariel was so happy on hearing this , she quickly stood up and hugged him, this little gesture took him unaware but he decied not to fall for it.

Then she hurriedly parked her things , took her bath and dressed up.

She entered the sitting room with her luggages and sat quietly on the chair.

Uncle James and his wife didn't take long before joining her in the sitting room, dressed.

"Good morning, aunt," She greeted as she stood up.

"Good morning my dear, how was your sleep?"

Felicia asked Ariel, causing her to be suprise, she replied to her greetings?

'What's going on? Things seems so suspicious. few hours ago she was criticizing me and now..... She's answering me nicely' Ariel said in her mind

"Good," she replied quickly

"Your uncle told me he got a nice job for you, and I want you to be nice and behave," she said acting like a caring person.

"Yes, thanks," She said not meeting her gaze.

'You even have the mind to look at me despite what you said against me last night' Ariel said in her mind.

"Well honey, she place her hand on his chest, i want you to be careful and have a safe trip."

"Hmmm, let's go Ariel," he turn to her.

"Okay , but I have to tell beth first, for her to know."

"No!!" the both chorus and smile quickly as the noticed what they did.

"Well I will tell her myself, Felicia offered while smiling pretentiously.

"Okay," Ariel said while glancing at the stairs thinking of seeing beth, with a sad face she left the house and her uncle closed the door behind and the both headed down to the railway station.

The weather was so cold and the wind was blowing so heavily causing her to Shriver.

The both sat quietly on the platform waiting for the train to arrive.

The city's clock stroke six am, and James who was already trying to carrying out his plan stood up and turned to face her.

"Wait here, I will back," he said before leaving,

"Okay uncle."

Ariel sat alone shriving as she blew a warm breeze into her hand, warming them.

She look out and saw a group of people walking like they were been held captive by some men who where dressed in a soldier's uniform.

But the weren't any soldiers.

They were Hunters.