Under My Skin (7 page)

An older Water Bearer girl interrupted my thoughts. “Congratulations on your joyous day!” Her face exuded excitement, while a few of the others around us reflected disdain. One older boy had his arms crossed, a bitter frown on his face. Another girl’s face reflected pity. Did they know what Claire had told me? I tried to pretend that seeing Zoe in a dark red gown with ribbons in her hair was a good thing. She rushed to me through the crowd and grinned widely. From the look on her face, no one like Claire had visited her. She was oblivious to the numbing fear slicing into me.

“You look amazing, Tate!” With her hand in mine, she rained compliments on me.

I nodded with each one she offered, but, in the back of my mind, all I could think of was that Zoe and I would be sold to strangers. And, just like my parents, I might never see her again. Soon enough, all those things Claire whispered to me would come to pass.
Cattle
, she called us. Zoe’s grip on my hand tightened as we continued down the hallway and more Water Bearers joined us from their rooms. “Aren’t you excited?” she gushed.

I barely nodded and tried to ignore the buzzing noises from the older Water Bearers who held noise makers. “I wish I knew what they plan to do with us. Why are they holding a celebration?”

Zoe had to yell over the madness. “Oh Tate, you’re getting upset over nothing. The girl who did my hair told me that all of this is part of the ceremony used by the Guild to celebrate the new class of Water Bearers. Hundreds of years of tradition and we’ll be in the middle of it all. Isn’t that crazy?”

She squeezed my hand. “I also asked her to send a message to my sponsor.”

“You can do that?”

“I guess so. It never hurts to try! I asked her to tell my sponsor to bid on both of us so we can stay together.”

Our celebratory march continued down a corridor deeper into the Training Facility. We’d never gone into this area before. The Water Bearers in gold, black, and silver gowns around me whispered in excited tones. Everyone had been dressed in finery with hair done to perfection. Not far ahead, Eva and Albert took the lead. They appeared like a golden king and queen. They’d dressed Eva in a black gown with gold stripes down the sides. Her chestnut hair had been drawn up and adorned with a black feather. Albert stood at her side in a black suit, staring at her with adoration. Bits of confetti clung to his blond hair.

Our final destination was another cavernous chamber, covered in black stone. The glossy surface reflected every light from the floating chandeliers above our heads. With awe, I gaped at the rectangular-shaped room. I tried to take it all in, the thumping drums, the buzzing horns—the pain in my head pulsed with every sharp
bang
of the cymbals. Along the floor, adults and older Water Bearers sat in rows of seats, while far ahead at the end, a grand stage waited for us. As we closed in on the stage, I could make out silver chairs in the back. I bet they were meant for us.

“Tate, look up there!” Zoe pointed to the balcony seating on the walls.

So that was where the Guild sat. Up high and far away from us. But how would the auction take place if they’re up there?

I’d seen auctions before at home. Men and women would line up around Old Bill Graves’s podium and they raised their hands when he tossed out numbers. Mom often bought things for the house that way, especially when the price of goods like flour got too expensive for us to afford.

I squinted at section after section of balcony seats as we approached the center aisle toward the stage. I started to count how many, but I quickly lost track in the massive room.

Eyes from above stared at us. Men and women of all ages and colors. Some of them with binoculars, the light from their sensors reflecting against the light of the floating chandeliers. No doubt, we had cameras on us as well, watching our every move.

Eventually, we reached the stage. The silver seats in the back were meant for us, while close to the front, a single golden chair waited for an occupant. I took in its regal features—the tall back to the elaborate etchings carved in the wood. Somehow, seeing that made me recall the taste of the offering at the well. The bitter taste rolled on and off my tongue. Was this the moment where the cattle headed to slaughter?

The man who initiated us as Water Bearers, Valentin, went up the steps to the stage wearing his grand robe. Once we took our seats, he extended his hands in the air toward the balconies on each side. “Welcome, esteemed Guild members to our 203
rd
annual celebration!” His voice echoed through the great hall and suppressed the cheers from the crowd.

With the audience sufficiently hushed, he continued. “I’m pleased to bring our Water Bearers forward so that they may carry the waters of truth for our beloved Guild. May they leave us with light and love.”

The bright lights dimmed, with only a single spotlight on the golden chair. From my vantage point in the third row, I squinted to see the audience. The Water Bearers around me shifted, pointed, and whispered regarding the ornate chair. What would happen? Who would go first?

Valentin glanced at the individual faces in the front row, a compu-tablet in hand. “Eva Donahue, come forward, child.”

From the first row, Eva strode toward Valentin, who gestured for her to sit. The white spotlight hit the shiny stones on her hair, creating an angelic glow. I swallowed from how breathtaking she was.

“May I introduce our first Water Bearer available for sale. Eva Donahue, item number 23674A on your compu-tablets. Based on prebids, we open the auction at 7,500 credits.”

The audience remained silent for a moment, and then the lights from several balconies lit up like starlight. Each one had its own distinct color.

“Look at that!” Zoe whispered.

From protector over the Water Bearers to salesman, Valentin’s voice took on the guise of a man who held many auctions before. “I have 8,500 from booth 12C, 12,000 credits from 5A...” On and on his voice went. The number rose higher and higher as the lights from the balconies blinked and flickered like fireflies dancing around a bonfire.

The auctioneer slowed down as the number climbed toward 30,000 credits. The number boggled me to silence as the Water Bearers around me buzzed from hearing such things.

“There’s no way someone would pay that much for her. Can you believe it?” a girl behind me said.

“I’ve heard them say Eva is special,” another said.

Zoe snorted at my side. “I find that hard to believe.”

The bidding finally ended at 45,000 credits, a number my village didn’t produce during a year, according to our accounting books. We were lucky most years to generate half of that in canned fish sales to the northern cities. And yet Eva was worth that much? For what reason?

“Why would they pay so much?” I whispered to Zoe.

She shrugged. “Beats me. I wish I knew, though. ‘Cause paying that much for a handmaid is pure foolishness.”

“Item 23674A, sold to Constantine Fortuna in booth 5A!” The crowd erupted into applause as an older Water Bearer led Eva away. From the pleased look on Eva’s face, she couldn’t wait to see the rich Guild member who had bought her.

Next up was a girl I didn’t know. Compared to the excitement around Eva, the girl—known as Item 23798B, didn’t generate as many bids. Matter of fact, Valentin had to encourage bidding. “C’mon now, folks. We have a perfectly good Water Bearer here. She’ll serve her purpose just fine. I’m looking for a thousand credits.”

With only five bids placed, the girl was sold for a meager 1,200 credits.

And just like that, the Water Bearers around me began to disappear as Valentin called more and more to the golden seat. As each person left, my heart began to race from thinking,
Would I be next? Could I run away now if I tried? Had I missed my chance already?

My gaze flicked to Zoe. Each person who’d left hadn’t come back. They disappeared into the darkness off the side of the stage. Would her sponsor buy both of us?

When Valentin called Zoe’s name, my heart dropped. My hand, with a will of its own, continued to clutch hers when she tried to leave.

“It’s okay,” she whispered softly. Her palm briefly warmed my cheek. “Between the two of us, you’re actually the stronger one, cousin. Everything will be all right from now on.”

But as I watched Zoe go, I didn’t feel that way. Not as Valentin opened the bidding or as the lights from the balcony lit up with bidders. What I felt was my only connection to my family in this place being taken away. With every bid rising higher and higher, I clutched my gown tighter and tighter. All the while, Zoe smiled at the crowd.

“If we have no more bidders, item number 23608A has sold for 23,000 credits to Justina Helmquest in booth 9C. Congratulations!” My stomach clenched painfully. The usher arrived to take Zoe away. My cousin turned briefly to wave in my direction as the usher led her away. I tried to be strong—sit straighter, do anything except look at the empty seats around me. After over a half hour of bidding, most of the Water Bearers had sold quickly with smaller bids. But, so far, everyone had been sold. And what pained me with every breath was that my time would come soon. My gaze shifted to my hands, and then to the floor. I didn’t want to look up anymore to see what was happening.

When the time came, Justina Helmquest
had to
bid on me and win.

I almost didn’t hear when Valentin called my name. I glanced around to see that everyone was gone. I was dead last.

“Here she comes. Now all you reluctant bidders can try for the ultimate prize. We have here Tate Sullivan, item number 23607A. A lovely girl, if I may say so.”

His words drew me toward him. Past the empty seats. Down the rows toward the spotlight. During the whole way, my stomach threaten to purge. I knew what was coming. I knew what words would be said to the crowd, but they would be all about me. A set of stairs to the left was a means to escape, but I ignored them. There was no turning back now.

My hand itched to cover my scar—to keep everyone from seeing my deformity. All I could think about was the ill-formed stitches from the traveling physician who repaired the opening in my face shortly after my birth. If only he had used standard plastic-stitches the rich had available instead of regular stitches.

“We had enough prebids on 23607A to make this an interesting auction. I’m more than pleased to open bidding at 50,000 credits. Can I get a bid at fifty-five?”

I didn’t have to look up from staring at my clenched hands to see the rainbow of lights against the taut muscles. My heart jumped to hear him say that unthinkable number. Who’d want to bid on me? But then I remembered that woman with the black hair, red lips, and pale skin and how she said she couldn’t wait to bid on me.

My breath quickened as the number rose. Higher and higher.

“Eighty-five from 23C, another bid from 9C. Do you want to add another 10,000, 23C?”

Soon enough, the battle of bids jumped between three parties. Balcony 23C, 9C, and 14A continued on for another few tense minutes, the number catching my breath as it climbed. Eventually, two of them backed out, leaving one the clear winner.

“Congratulations to 14A, the winner of item number 23607A at 95,000 credits.” The spotlight dimmed. “And that concludes the 203rd annual Water Bearers auction! Congratulations again to our winners and thank you everyone for attending today!”

He hadn’t given a name and Justina’s booth wasn’t 14A.

Every muscle locked. I couldn’t even blink. I didn’t move even when someone appeared at my side. I heard Astrid say, “It’s time to go, Tate.”

As I made my way to the transport ship on the roof, I tried not to think of Zoe. She’d want me to hold myself together, and I would. But Claire’s warning clung to me.

No one spoke to me as we walked briskly through the corridors. Five soldiers in their crisp black uniforms accompanied us. Their faces resembled petrified wood, stiff and lifeless. Each of them rested their hands close to their las-guns. As if someone small like me would take a chance to run away. Astrid continued to stroll ahead of everyone, her heels clicking on the marble floors that turned into the concrete of the Training Facility’s launch bay. I stared at the back of her dark blue shoes until she abruptly stopped.

“We have a problem! Move faster!” She grabbed me by the arm. A series of pops came from all directions. My gaze darted to the nearby transport ship waiting for me. Through the haze of twilight, figures were closing in toward the launch pad.

In the shadows, I couldn’t see much, only strangers in dark clothes moving closer and closer to our position from across the wide expanse of the roof. How did they get up here?

Astrid dragged me behind a pile of gray storage crates. The soldiers followed us, returning fire at every opportunity.

“Why are they attacking us?” I barely had time to catch my breath before a few shots set one of the crates on fire.

She ignored me and nodded as if someone spoke in her ear. Perhaps the security detail had given her a personal comm-unit for her ear,

As the las-gun fire escalated, it was a sure sign they outnumbered us. Astrid leaned toward me. “We don’t have enough time before backup arrives. We have to make a run for it.”

My eyes widened. If what Claire told me was true, this was my chance to escape. I had to stall to give them time to come get me.

“I’m not running out there. What if I get hit?”

Astrid’s eyes burned. “Quit the stupid act,” she spat. “Seventeen donor cards! The highest bid I’ve seen in years! We both know they’re here for you.” She tugged me closer. “Do you think they’d dare hit the person they plan to abduct? They’re not that dumb.”

“Who are those people?” I asked.

She turned to the men. “On three, I’m taking her in.”

Two of the men nodded. They waited for the countdown. Each second that passed made me want to leave them and head back toward the open door of the building. What stopped me was that wasn’t the way out either.

Astrid belted out the countdown. Much faster than I expected. Before I had a chance to bolt, she tightened her grip on my arm and dragged me from behind the crates.