Space Enough to Grow

"Kade sweetie get up. Its time for school" I heard my mothers sweet voice fill my head that was seconds prior in a deep slumber. I let out a soft groan and rolled over on my side, facing away from the voice. I heard her chuckle and the door open wider. A sleepy grin made its way onto my face as I heard her footsteps approaching my bed, the floor creaking slightly.

"Kade come on get up. No laziness today young man" Her voice was stern yet still sweet. I felt the soft fabric of my blanket being pulled off my body and my skin was met with a chill of the air. I could feel goosebumps raising on my skin.

"Come on mom. 5 minutes please??" I begged her but she scoffed and tapped me.

"You better be up in five minutes Kade or its extra chores today. I don't want you to be late again" She planted a kiss on my temple before moving away. I listened her retreating footsteps until they disappeared in the distance.

"Ugh..." I mumbled before rolling out of bed and stretching my body until I felt relaxed enough to move properly. Once I was, I moved towards my bathroom, just a little sluggish. I opened the door and flipped the light on. As soon as the light came on, my eyes immediately snapped shut due to the painful rays. I let them blink a few times before actually opening them to adjust. I hate the stinging sensation you get from it. But I ignored it as I peeled off my pajamas and tossed them in the hamper I had sitting in my bathroom. I padded over to the shower and turned it on, watching in bliss as the steam filled up the room. Just what I like to see. I pulled back the curtain and stepped in under the spray of comforting water. My body was content as the water slowly woke me up to a functional state.

I grabbed my black cloth and some body wash and squirted a generous amount of it on the cloth before washing my body off.

As I was washing, I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something or forgetting something. Like today was an important day. Its Halloween, I know that much but it was just a nagging feeling that was plaguing me. Like the moment when you can't remember anything and it starts to frustrate you because you think so hard about it but can't quite remember it. Yeah it was one of those moments. And you can't seem to shake off the feeling or thoughts.

I rolled my eyes in frustration and decided to wash my hair in an attempt to clear my mind but the entire time I was washing I couldn't think of anything else.

I rinsed my hair and shut the water off before carefully stepping onto the tile floor. I grabbed a towel and decided to dry myself off before going out.

Dried and cold, I tossed my towel in the hamper and walked out into my bedroom. Jesus why the fuck is it so cold?

I quickly pulled on a pair of boxers and black jeans before looking around for a shirt. I judt decided on a Cure sweater that seemed appropriate enough for the weather outside and apparently inside my house now. Its supposed to be chilly out so I'm just being cautious. I didn't really wanna do anything with my hair today. Just let it air dry so I just pulled on my shoes and grabbed my phone and book bag. With a slight yawn I flipped my light off and walked out. I casually strolled downstairs and into the kitchen where a cupcake sat on the counter top. It was a chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing in a perfect swirl. On top was a black and red swirl candle that was lit. I raised an eyebrow at it before realizing what day it was.

My birthday.

Oh..

So thats what I was missing? Who forgets their own birthday? Me apparently.

But yep, today is my 14th birthday. I don't really care that it is but I know my mom is gonna make a big deal out of it. I'm her only child and this birthday makes me one year closer to being an adult. My dad tries to keep her calm every year because she freaks out about it. I just let her tire herself out.

"Like it? I made it myself" My mom said, coming up from the basement holding a box. I gave her a genuine smile because the cupcake did look delicious.

"Looks great mom. Thank you" I walked over and kissed her cheek softly before sitting at the island bar in front of the cupcake. I blew out the candle before taking it out the cupcake and licking the icing from the bottom. My taste buds applauded the sweet sugar taste. My mom ruffled my hair before opening the refrigerator to get stuff to make my dad's breakfast with. He takes forever getting ready so she has everything prepared before he comes down.

I picked the cupcake up and took a small bite.

"Such a healthy breakfast mom" I chuckled after I swallowed the bits of chocolate cake and icing. She playfully rolled her eyes before kissing my forehead.

"I know it is. Now get to school before your late" She stroked my cheek once before going back to the stove where various pans were laid out. I hopped down from my stool and picked up my cupcake, heading towards the hallway that led towards the front door.

"Love you mom" I called at I reached the door.

"Love you too sweetie. Have a good day" She replied sweetly and I smiled. I opened the front door and stepped out, shivering a little. It was chillier than I thought.

Closing the door, I walked down the porch steps and began to walk down the path onto the sidewalk that led to the woodland area. We lived out near the countryside and wilderness. Its like basically a mixture of both. We had very few neighbors which was good because I didn't like having so many people living around you. Its a small town so not many people lived here in general. My school was on the other side of the woods so I just cut through there. Besides, I liked to enjoy sight seeing of the forest because its actually really beautiful once you take the time to actually appreciate your surroundings.

I walked down the sidewalk that gradually turned into a smooth dirt pathway that led to the other side of the area. I took it every morning. It was relatively quiet besides the occasional rustling in the trees or the song the birds sang.

But I did notice something different today as I was walking. The trees had a bit of a...I don't know...sorta like a dark tint to it. I mean the sky was grey so that may be a bit of an influence on the atmosphere but it was just more dreary than usual. I looked around and noticed just a bit of fog starting to come in and it really didn't help the situation. It rained last night so all the color that was usually bright and happy had a darkness and dampness to it as well. After a moment, I realized the birds have stopped singing. Its like the scene was preparing for something bad that was about to happen.

I felt a shiver run up my spine but I just shrugged it off and continued on walking. The only thing I heard was crunching of the earth underneath my feet with every step I took.

As I walked, I couldn't help but keep looking out the corner of my eye. Its the feeling you get when you feel as if someone is following you. Your mind keeps telling you not to look but your body decides not listen.

Right when I go to look forward, I see a flash of black whip by me so fast I'm surprised I saw it. But I know I did. I immediately turned around and saw that nothing was there, just the pathway I walked on just seconds ago. But it didn't stop the shivers dancing on the surface of my skin nor the feeling of fear building up inside me.

I was completely still as I looked around for the blackness that I saw seconds ago but I couldn't find any source.

Just as I was frozen, I felt a gush of cold air shoot behind me. So hard my air flopped in the middle of it. I whipped around, panicking as I realized that something was going on. Something very strange and terrifying.

"Hello???" I called out but heard nothing but my voice bouncing off the trees and echoing. My heart was beginning to beat quickly and harshly against my rib cage. I started feeling scared and a sense of despair. I felt like I was being watched. Its scary when you feel yourself being watched but you can't see whoever is the culprit.

My body soon tensed up as I felt a dark presence behind me. So close behind me that my body locked up almost immediately. My eyes were wide and my breath came out shakily.

I was screaming at myself to fucking run! Run for my fucking life! But my body refused to take a step...

Whoever was standing behind me, moved closer to me. I knew this because I could hear their breathing getting closer and the cold breath ran down my neck. My body shuddered in response.

Against my wish, my head slowly turned. All I saw where soft pink lips uncovering two sharp canines that snarled at me.

That was all I needed before my fight or flight skills kicked in.

Finally able to regain control of my body, I took off down the path away from whatever the hell that thing was. I didn't know what it was and I didn't care. All I knew is that I had to get out of here.

Fear was taking over me and consuming me as I felt that same presence behind me as if I was holding it weightlessly on my back. I willed my legs to move faster but I just couldn't get them to go as fast as I needed them to go. The air whipped past my face violently as my body was forcibly sprawling onto the ground....

I jolted upwards from my slumber, gasping for air and swearing profusely. I placed my hand over my heart and felt it going crazy in my chest. I gasped for more air as I tried to calm myself down. As my heart rate gradually got slower, I ran my hands through my dirty sweat filled hair and closed my eyes.

I don't know why this always happens to me. Always waking up like this. I've had this dream plenty of times but I always manage to wake up feel in terrified and dreadful. But today for some reason I was feeling it 10 times worse than usual. Like it was amplified. I couldn't find any reason of why. It was always the same. Wake up, eat the shitty breakfast and then come back to my cell to be miserable. I would occasionally have a conversation whenever I was willing to talk to any of the other slaves. Sometimes I would get to see someone getting dragged out of here to either be sold or already has been sold. It was sometimes entertaining, sometimes it was boring. Depends on how I'm feeling when it happens. The slave hours wasn't all that bad. Its just unsanitary and boring. You get to shower once a week and occasionally get a change of clothes. You get three meals a day and spend most of your time in your cell unless its time to be auctioned off. I was never auctioned because I wasn't old enough. You have to be 18 and I'm only 17...I think. I kinda lost track of time awhile ago and stopped caring.

Just as I was about to lay back down, I heard the jingling of multiple keys and the click of a lock being compromised. I threw my legs over my lumpy bed and planted them on the cold concrete floor just as the door opened.

"Oh good your up! Today is your big day!!" Kellin's voice sang proudly as he walked in my cell. There were various light bulbs hanging from the ceiling with cone shaped shades over them so the light was sorta dimmed. So you didn't always see who was here. But I know Kellin's voice because its unnaturally cheery for a vampire who helps run a human trafficking operation. It was almost sickening in some sense.

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"What's so special about today?" I asked, my voice a little scratchy from just waking up. He rolled his eyes before motioning for me to hold out my wrist. This was routine. I held out my arms and waited patiently as he put the cold shackles around my wrist and locked them into place.

"You silly goose! Today is your 18th birthday!!!!" He cheered happily but my eyes widened.

That's why my dread was amplified today. Its my birthday. My 18th birthday. Turning 18 means that I get auctioned off and sold to anybody that's willing to pay for me. That means I have a chance to get out of the shit hole! But that also means I get sold to some perverted vampire. It was a win lose situation to me. I wasn't too sure about which side to take.

Had I really been here for 4 years??? It didn't seem that long.

Kellin gripped me by my shackles and pulled me out of my cell. Instead of the usual pathway to the cafeteria, he led me down to the other end of the long hallway. As we were walking, I could feel the eyes on me. I was fresh blood after all and they all knew that they would have to go through this soon. I chewed my lip nervously as Kellin led me to a large metal door. He opened it up and it was a shower room. A nicer one than the one provided for us slaves. It was cleaner and more luxurious. But smaller. It was made entirely of black tile and had separate booths with red curtains covering the entrances. I looked at Kellin who skipped over to one of the showers and turned it on.

"What is all this for?" I asked him as he walked back over to me. Kellin offered me a smile as he undid the shackles. I rubbed my wrist as soon as they were off.

"You have to be ready for the Auction Kade. Now go shower because its in one hour" He said before ushering me towards the shower. I let out a sigh before pushing off my tattered shorts and dirty boxers. Maybe I would get some decent clothes for this dumb auction thingy.

I heard Kellin whistle behind me and I rushed into the shower, closing the curtain harshly. He let out a loud laugh that bounced off the tile.

I stepped under the shower head. I expected it to be cold water like usual but instead it was hot. I marveled at the comfortable temperature. But I didn't wanna marvel long because I knew it would be wasting time. I looked around and saw a cloth and body wash sitting on a little mantel. Immediately I grabbed it and covered the cloth in soap. Who knows if I would he sold today. This could be my only warm shower with actual soap so I'm going to enjoy this. I wash my crusty dirt stained skin and watched weirdly as the dirt washed down the drain. Okay that's just gross. I knew I was dirty but didn't realize how dirty I was.

After washing my body until my extremely pale skin was showing, I shut the water off.

"Done" I said to Kellin. I heard footsteps approaching the shower. The curtain was pulled back and I saw that he was holding some things in his hand.

"Here dry off and put these on. Hurry because the buyers are arriving" He said before turning his back. I sat the clothes on the dry part of the tile floor before drying myself off quickly. I sat the towel down and picked up the fresh boxers, pulling them on followed by the black jeans. They were comfortable so I appreciated it.

"I'm done Kellin" I said and he turned around. Once again he grabbed my shackles and pulled me towards the big metal door. He opened it and pulled me out. We walked briskly down the hallway. Well I attempted to walk fast but I hardly do any walking so it was hard keeping up with his pace.

"All you have to do is stand in line quietly. Do not speak or move because that shows disobedience and some off the rougher buyers will want you. But you won't want them to buy you because they intend to treat their slaves badly. I'm telling you this because I like you" Kellin told me as he unlocked a door. I kept a mental note of his tips and blushed a little at his end comment. He opened the door that led to a hallway. In front of me was a line of other slaves that would be auctioned off today. They were in a completely straight line, facing forward. No one even looked at us. They were just quiet. In the distance I could see a door that was closed. But on it read "Auction". I gulped as I stared at the door.

"Just listen to them sweetie. Do as your told and nothing bad will happen to you" Kellin whispered in my ear. That's so fucking reassuring to me.

I really wasn't too sure about this. I felt really scared now and nervous.

If I were to be sold, who the fuck would buy me? Being bought by a stranger is scary as hell.