JULIA OPEN HER EYES.

I woke up to the smell of fried eggs and bacon drifting in from the kitchen. My stomach rumbled, reminding me of how little I’d eaten the day before. I stretched out on the thin mattress on the floor, every muscle sore from the tasks I’d done the day before—cleaning, cooking, washing... It never seemed to end.

I heard laughter from the other room, and I knew immediately that Aunt Garcia and her daughters were having breakfast. I didn’t bother rushing out. I knew I wasn’t welcome at the table. Instead, I listened to their light-hearted conversation from behind the cracked door, trying not to care that I wasn’t part of it.

When I finally pushed myself out of bed, the sounds of forks scraping against plates were the only thing that filled the house. I stood at the doorway of the kitchen for a moment, staring at them. Aunt Garcia sat at the head of the table, her graying hair pulled back in a tight bun, her face as stern as always. Her two daughters, Lina and Vera, sat on either side of her, giggling and chatting as they enjoyed the meal.

I was invisible to them. They didn’t even acknowledge me standing there. It was like I wasn’t even a person to them—just another chore, another mouth to feed.

Ignoring the gnawing feeling in my stomach, I turned away from the scene and grabbed the list of items I needed to buy from the market. Aunt Garcia always left a list for me to follow. Today was no different.

Once outside, I felt the cool morning air brush against my skin, a small comfort against the emptiness I felt. I made my way down the dirt road toward the market, keeping my head down as usual. The village was waking up, people starting their daily routines, but I didn’t stop to chat with anyone. I never did.

As I passed by the forest’s edge, I couldn’t help but glance toward the trees. My heart skipped a beat, but he wasn’t there. Of course, he wasn’t. That stranger from the night before, the one with the piercing eyes and the wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding... he must have left. It was good for him, I supposed. If he stayed here any longer, he wouldn’t survive, not with how things were. I mean, he didn't want me to see him again anyway.

I let out a soft sigh and continued on my way.

When I reached the market, I noticed something strange. More carriages than usual were parked in front of the chief’s house. Large, black carriages with ornate markings. The sight of them sent a shiver down my spine, but I shook it off. It wasn’t my business. Whatever was going on with the chief, it had nothing to do with me.

I completed my errands quickly, gathering the items Aunt Garcia had requested. As usual, the market women barely noticed me, too wrapped up in their conversations about village gossip. But I did overhear a few snippets—something about new laws being enforced and strange visitors arriving in the village. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard rumors like this. People were always talking about changes happening, especially lately.

When I returned home, I set to work without a word. I cleaned the house from top to bottom, prepared lunch, dinner, and washed everyone’s clothes. It was an endless cycle, one task after the next, with no end in sight. And then, when I was done, I saw it—the small loaf of bread left on the floor near the kitchen doorway. My meal.

I picked it up without complaint and left the house, my fingers clutching the loaf tightly. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had. I made my way to the oak tree I always visited, the one place where I felt like I could breathe. The bench beneath the tree was old and worn, but it had become my sanctuary. I sat down, breaking the bread into small pieces and eating slowly, savoring each bite.

As I ate, I noticed something unusual in the distance. A group of men, all dressed in dark clothing, were leading five girls away. The girls were familiar to me—ones I had seen at the market, usually selling goods or helping their families. Now, they walked in silence, their heads bowed, as if they had no say in what was happening.

I couldn’t help but wonder where they were being taken. Or if they were being sold off to someone of higher status.I swallowed a dry piece of bread, my heart racing as I watched the group disappear down the road.

But strangely, I wasn’t scared. Maybe I should have been, but fear didn’t come. It was more like... resignation. I had always known I didn’t belong here, that my fate wasn’t entirely in my hands. If my calculations are correct, Aunt Garcia would probably give me away without a second thought. After all, I was just a burden to her.

Still, I couldn’t stop the questions that flooded my mind. *Where are they taking the girls? What will happen to them?* I finished my bread slowly, watching as household after household lost one of their daughters or servants. It was all happening right in front of me, and there was nothing I could do about it. And I still don't know why.one question fill my head, will I also be taken?

Eventually, I laid down on the bench, trying to push the thoughts from my mind. Diego, sometimes kept me company by the tree, didn’t even show up today. Maybe it was for the best. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over, the cool breeze lulling me into a restless slumber.

When I woke up, it was late, the sun already setting. I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my limbs, and made my way back to the house. But as I approached, I noticed the carriages again, this time parked directly in front of Aunt Garcia’s home.

My heart dropped.

I slowed my steps, moving quietly as I got closer. Voices drifted toward me—men’s voices. Five of them. They were speaking in low, authoritative tones, and I recognized one voice immediately: Aunt Garcia.

I crouched down near the side of the house, just close enough to listen without being seen.

“We’ve come with orders from the king,” one of the men said. His voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. “Every household must give up one girl.”

“You will be compensated handsomely for your cooperation,” another man added.

There was a long pause before Aunt Garcia spoke. “This... this is ridiculous. I can’t just give up one of my daughters.”

“You have no choice,” the first man replied. “It’s the king’s decree. One girl from every household. If you refuse, there will be consequences.”

Aunt Garcia’s voice wavered slightly as she responded, her usual sharpness dulled by uncertainty. “But... but my daughters—”

“There is another girl in your house, is there not?” one of the men interrupted, his voice cold and calculating. “A servant, perhaps?”

My heart sank. They were talking about me.

“That girl...” Aunt Garcia hesitated, and I could hear the conflict in her voice. “She’s... she’s not even my blood. Just some orphan I took in.”

“Then she will suffice,” the man replied, his tone final. “You can keep your daughters. But the girl must come with us.”

Silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. I could almost picture Aunt Garcia, her face twisted in thought, weighing her options.

Finally, she spoke again, her voice quieter this time, almost resigned. “Fine. Take her. Take the girl.”

I felt my stomach twist at her words, even though I had expected them.

•••••••

I froze. Aunt Garcia's words echoed in my head—*take the girl*. I was the girl. The one they were going to hand over like an object. My legs shook, and for a moment, I couldn’t move. Then my instincts kicked in. I had to get out of here.

I turned on my heel, trying to move quietly, but before I could even take a step, I felt two pairs of hands grab me from behind.

“Where do you think you’re going?” tracy voice hissed in my ear, her nails digging into my arm. Linda was on the other side, her grip just as tight.

“Let me go!” I shouted, twisting my body to break free, but they held on tighter. My heart raced, pounding so loudly I could barely hear their voices.

“Julia, don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Linda said, her voice annoyingly calm, as if this was some routine chore. “It’s not like you had a future here.”

“Shut up!” I screamed, managing to yank my arm free from tracy grip. I shoved her hard, watching her stumble back with wide eyes. But Linda was stronger, and she grabbed both my shoulders before I could make another move.

“Are you really that selfish?” Linda spat, her face inches from mine. “You know what happens if we don’t give someone up. We’ll lose everything. You should be thanking us for keeping you here as long as we did!”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Thanking them? For what? For treating me like I was less than nothing? For acting like every moment I stayed in their house was a favor to me?

“I don’t owe you anything!” I yelled, my voice cracking as I struggled against her hold. “You’ve done nothing but treat me like a servant! You don’t care about me—none of you do!”

Tracy had regained her balance and was advancing toward me again, her face twisted with frustration. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not about caring. It’s about survival. And right now, you’re the one who can save us.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. They were justifying this—justifying handing me over like I was a lamb for slaughter. My blood boiled.

“I’m not some sacrifice!” I said, gritting my teeth. I jerked back, using every ounce of strength to pull away from Linda’s grip. For a moment, she lost her balance, and I saw my chance.

I ran.