Chapter Text
"You know what you need?"
"One month's vacation on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere?" Rose guesses, yawning.
"That's also a good idea, but I was gonna say puppy."
"A dog? Really, Amy?"
"Or a cat. Cats can take care of themselfs, you know."
"Yes, but why?"
Her friend sighs, running a hand through her red hair.
"Because, if you're not intrested in any kind of relationship, you're at least gonna need company. I won't be around forever, you know."
That last part was obviously meant as a joke, but Rose just don't find it funny. She's too busy watching the first 19 years of her life flash in front of her eyes, wondering why she's slways ended up with boyfriends who cares about nothing but themselfs.
"You know, I used to have a goldfish", she says.
"Not the world's funniest pet, was it? Rose, I mean it! You could just come with me to the animal shelter, at least."
"I'm fine, thanks."
Despite her efforts, Amy still maneges to convince her somehow. They are walking down the busy streets of London, full of people yelling out that their products are the best and their prices are the lowest. In other words, things are just as they should be.
Almost.
Amy stops walking in the middle of a movement, slowly turning her face to her right. It's a small group of people, standing in a circle around a young girl. The girl's hands are tied behind her back, and if you listen closely you can hear the people around her calling out prizes, one by one. The one who bids the highest, gets the slave.
Or, she's not exactly a slave. She's what's called a submissive, a status that's given to a person after a number of tests. Some people believe that submissives were created for obeying and pleasing others, and that they enjoy it. But Amy knows better. She's spent months demostrating against that sort of thing, but it never seems to do any differens.
She curses under her breath, and Rose places a hand on her shoulder.
"It's not illegal or anything", she says with a smile, trying to make her friend feel better but not succeding.
Amy only shakes her head.
"It doesn't matter, they are still selling people! Like, actual people!"
When she's upset, her Scottish accent gets even stronger.
Rose understands her anger, she really does. But at the same time, it's not her job to worry about that. It's only a small amount that actually gets marked as subs, and she's just happy she's not one of them.
Amy takes a deep breath, finally calming down. She throws a last glance at the girl in the middle of the crowd, shaking her head before turning to Rose again. The blonde places a hand on her shoulder, hoping it will give at least a little comfort.
There's a tiny bell that rings as the door to the animal shelter is opened. Rose looks around at all the furry creatures in the cages. They are really cute, she has to admit that. At the same time it just isn't what she's looking for. She doesn't really wanna be here, anyway.
She takes her time though, studying the animals. They look lonely, she realizes. She wishes someone would adopt them, but she doesn't want that someone to be her. She couldn't take care of a pet, she can beraly pay for her flat.
There's a kitten with chocolate brown fur and golden eyes watching her from the bars of the cage. It's actually really adorable, but her heart sinks when she thinks about what kind of home the kitten would get if she adopted it.
Sighting sadly, she turns to Amy.
"Not finding anyone you like?"
"Yea, they're all really cute. It's just, I'm not sure if I'll be able to take care of a pet..."
"But, cats take care of themselfs!"
"Yes, but... I don't know, it still don't feel like the right thing. I could wait a few months, maybe?"
Amy gives her a nod in respons, and they leave the shelter. She don't know why she's disapointed, she wasn't exactly expecting her friend to find a companion. It's like Rose said, maybe she just needs time.
Rose pulls her jacket tighter around her body, letting out a deep breath. The oxygen turns into a tiny smoke cloud as it leaves her mouth and melts into the air around her. She starts walking again, towards her flat.
She didn't mean to look towards the group of people, it just happened. The girl's gone now, probably sold to some perv. The thought makes her sick, but she still can't look away.
This time, it's a man standing in the middle. Just like the girl, his hands are tied behind his back and he's starring at his feet. He's really skinny, and tall. And handsome. The blue suit looks like it's been created especially for him, and his messy hair's got the same color as that kitten's fur. A part of her doesn't wanna admit it, but he looks really good. He's even kind of cute.
"Rose, come on! Remember what you told me, there isn't anything we can do", Amy hisses, pulling her jacket sleeve.
Rose swallows. She knows Amy's right, there's nothing she can do. Not right now, at least.
But as she's just about to turn around and start walking again, when everyone starts to yell out prizes. She listens to their voices, putting a price on such a beautiful human being. Most of them are older men, and she doesn't even want to think about what they'll do to him once they've bought him.
Right there, she makes a decision. A bad decision, a horrible decision. But that doesn't really matter. She needs to get him away from here, to protect him. She's got a sudden urge to just wrap him in a blanket and protect him from the world. For some reason, she can't just stand there and watch.
She starts running, pushing herself through the crowd. The man lifts his head and for a split second, they make eye contact.
"20 000 pounds!" she suddenly screams, without knowing what she's doing.