Chapter Eight
Kathryn

We had been on the road for some time, though it was impossible to tell how long exactly. At some point the trailer stopped and our Master appeared, letting us out so we all might relive ourselves on the side of the road. He did nothing to restrain us in any way. Any of the girls might have run. None of us dared. We were in the middle of nowhere. This sibla man and his...pet, seemed friendly enough, but I questioned if it all might be some sort of elaborate trap. It seemed impossible that one engaged in the human flesh trade might be kind. I could see in the fears of my fellow's faces that they too were worried what it might take to bring out the evil sibla that must be lurking beneath the friendly facade Magnus Kendrick wore to lure us in.

Then there were his actions. Why had he purchased us? Some of the men at the auction were looking for meat, others for breeders. I felt my stomach churn at the thought. Would this man force us to mate? To bare children he might sell?  Still, he had been kind thus far. So had Alice. I would be dead already if they had not willingly snatched me from the butcher's purchases and was grateful for that much at least.

Back in the trailer, the rest of my companions had finally taken up Alice on her offer of rest, lying on their mattresses. The old woman herself settled into a seated position in the back corner of the cab to keep watch over us all, but after a while, I assumed that the stillness of her form implied she too had taken to slumber.

All around me the trailer was filled with soft breaths of sleep, accompanied by nothing more than the quite hum of the engine beneath us. My mind, however, was still too busy to imagine turning off. After laying on my pillow for what seemed like an eternity, my eyes stubbornly refusing to close, I crept quietly from my mattress to take a seat on a cushion along side the trailer windows, watching as the world whooshed by just outside.

"You're still awake."

I jumped at the sound of Alice's voice and turned to see the woman standing just behind me.

"I thought you were sleeping," I answered, trying to slow my thudding heart, still reeling from the surprise.

The old woman smiled as she sat beside me on the bench.

"I was observing," she answered. "Something I believe you yourself have quite a talent for."

I didn't answer.

"Now, now," she said in response to my silence, "don't be modest. I have seen the way you look at things. It is what intrigued me the moment I saw you in that cage."

The second statement was as surprising as the first. I had no idea how I might respond but apparently, Alice expected no answer at all.

"Tell me Kathryn," she said, moving slightly closer, "what have you observed thus far about your new Master?"

I stared at her warily. How was I meant to answer such a question? The man owned me. Alice was clearly his devoted servant.

"Do not fear," Alice said, no doubt guessing at my hesitation. "You are welcome to speak freely. I want your honestly. In fact, I command it."

Commanded to offer honesty...it was a strange concept. Every word from Alice's lips only furthered my confusion in judging who she might really be behind that unreadable gray eyed gaze. It was clear I had no choice but to speak. I took a deep breath and tried to choose my words carefully.

"He seems kind," I said, unwilling to test what would happen if I refused her order. "Far more so than I could have imagined."

It was the truth. He'd freed our bonds, ensured we were clothed and fed. He employed no force in commanding our obedience, at least not yet. After three days with the slavers who had stolen me from my family, Magnus Kendrick seemed a saint. And yet... he was a sibla. He'd been at the slave auctions to purchase human flesh like all the others buyers.

"And?" Alice prompted. Clearly expecting more.

"The others are afraid of him," I volunteered. "They think this act of goodness will fade. That no sibla might be so generous and he will show his true cruelty sooner or later."

The woman leaned back slightly, a hint of a smile on her lips as she nodded. "An astute observation," she said. "I find that it is the same with all we bring home from market. I'm not certain there is any action that might earn a sibla true human trust after the auctions." She paused for a moment, still eyeing me closely. "And what of you, Kathryn?" she asked. "Do you feel the same as your fellows? Do you fear the man who has taken you in?"

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "It seems wrong to distrust when he has been nothing but kind so far. I know he saved me from the butcher's knife and I am grateful for that much at least."

"A reasonable answer," Alice replied.

"But he doesn't like me." The words were out of my mouth before I thought better of them. Luckily Alice did not seem to take offense. Instead, a look of true curiosity came to her face.

"Why would you think that, child?" she asked.

"I can tell he resents the money he paid," I said, looking down at my hands in shame. I already questioned why Magnus Kendrick might have been willing to spare my life and leave the others to perish. "He didn't even want me. He wanted to buy at least four more..."

Why didn't he just leave me behind? I wondered to myself as my words trailed off. The screams of the sibla's victims rang in my ear, taunting me with the fate that should have been mine.

"How did you arrive at that conclusion?" Alice asked in response my silence. "How many slaves he wished to purchase."

"The food," I answered, still not looking up. "He asked you to bring enough for ten."

The chuckle I heard from beside me was surprising enough to grab me from my dark thoughts. As I looked to Alice, I saw true amusement in her eyes.

"He far overestimated his budget," she said, shaking her head. "Even if he'd paid a minimum sum for you, he could never have managed four more. Two perhaps. Maybe three. The base prices were set quite high this year.

"And he did have enough to keep bidding if he truly wished to do so. But Magnus is a proud man. No doubt he feared to continue bidding with minimal funds and risk making attempts to purchase a gangly creature and loose!"

She laughed again as I stared at her, more confused than before.

"I think none have quite discerned the methods of Magnus's success," she continued, "but occasionally one will attempt to replicate his success, picking the scrawniest of the bunch to make gains off a small initial investment. I can't imagine they could find much success. It is unlikely that any other would invest as much as Magnus does in his human stock, nor dedicate so much time towards their rehabilitation."

"Then he was trying to purchase the poorest looking among our group?" I asked. I couldn't understand the purpose of such a practice.

"You noticed that as well?"

It was clear from Alice's tone that she was impressed.

"Fascinating that while waiting to hear a decree on your own fate you were still able to make such observations."

I looked at her skeptically.

"I was trying to distract myself," I admitted. "It was just better than dwelling only on what might happen."

"Admirable," Alice answered, a knowing smile now affixed to her lips.

"There are few who might have used their minds for anything but panic in the situation you found yourself in, Kathryn. You on the other hand did something far more interesting and potentially useful."

My confusion at her words only increased.

"I'm not sure how useful it might have been," I said. "I was helpless to do anything. Having watched the bidders as closely as I could, I knew immediately that the man bidding on my flesh would have me slaughtered."

"That is likely so," Alice agreed. "Gavin Carver is a butcher. He uses the auctions to buy wholesale meat he might upsell to his customers. I don't believe I have ever seen him purchase a live animal for himself. Were he looking for a slave he no doubt would prefer the more obedient farm raised variety."

My stomach squirmed at her words. I knew Carver would have ordered my death if he'd won his bid, but somehow hearing the confirmation from Alice's lips made it all the more real.

"Knowing what I did only made me more certain all hope was lost," I said. In my mind I could see the piles of heads, hear the screams of waiting victims. It was meant to be me. I fought to control my breathing as the panic of the memory filled me. "I stood in despair even before the gavel cemented my fate."

"I am not certain you are entirely correct," Alice commented.

Her words were surprising enough to draw my attention back to the trailer.

"That you were entirely helpless," she said, answering the unasked question my confused expression must be demanding.

The old woman looked at me thoughtfully.

"And it was not despair I saw in your eyes as you waited for the announcement, Kathryn," she said. "Perhaps if Carver had won his bid and your fate been truly sealed you might have screamed and cried and carried on like all the rest. But what I saw in your eyes was determination. Resolve to face your end with dignity. Moreover, I know you were not without hope. Had you been so, you would not have looked to me in your final moments."

"You noticed that?" I asked with no small level of incredulity. The old woman smiled and nodded her head.

"Your gaze spoke volumes," she said. "Behind the eyes that searched for me I saw a strong woman. One who silently ask for help while refusing to stoop so low as to beg. Had I not already determined you would leave with us, your gaze would certainly have piqued my interest."

"You forced his hand," I said as the realization hit me. It was Alice, not Magnus who had shown interest in me from the moment they'd come to my cage. "He would not have kept bidding."
As I spoke the words aloud, I knew they were the truth. I'd seen Alice whispering to the sibla man. I'd seen his hesitation. And then the bid.

"That's why he hates me. He hadn't planned to spend so much on any of his purchases."

Alice's smile faded. "I did indeed insist that Magnus do whatever was necessary to acquire your person," she agreed. "In truth, Magnus was reluctant to even look at you in the first place, knowing the funds that would likely be required for your purchase. Once it became clear that he would have to pay quite a hefty sum, his mulish resistance became all the more pronounced. But it was I who pushed him and thus you have no reason to worry, Kathryn. He is not angry with you, only annoyed with me for making him spend more than he'd hoped."

I stared at the woman in shock. How could a human have such control over her master?

"He has no right to be cross," she continued, as if the facts she stated were entirely mundane. "I have saved him plenty of money in the past. I offered to take the excess funds from my own budget, though I imagine he will refuse, proud man that he is. But in any case I'm not worried. Once he sees what a valuable purchase you were, he will recant his pretty sulking."

"Valuable?" I asked. I couldn't imagine how I might be valuable. I was just myself. Nothing special.

"I believe so," Alice answered. "But even if I am mistaken, no blame will fall on you, Kathryn. Put it from your mind.

It seemed impossible to simply "put the thought from my mind."  In what way might she believe me worth more than the others? Could it really have been an expression in my eyes that saved my life? How could I possibly live up to her expectations of "value" if I wasn't even certain what those expectations were!

"Can you cook?"

Alice's question was entirely unexpected, and I blinked trying to come back from my thoughts to make certain I had heard her correctly.

"You said that you had siblings."

"Yes," I answered with a small nod. "Four. Three sisters and a brother."

"And you were the oldest?"

I nodded again feeling the tears welling in my eyes. I had been the oldest, but Alice spoke in the past tense and was right to do so. I would never see my siblings again. They would never know my fate and I would never know theirs. If my actions had spared them further suffering, if my little sister would grow up happy and healthy, spared from my horrific end. If she would even remember me, the older sister she once followed so faithfully...

"Forgive me," Alice said, a frown on her face as she no doubt perceived my distress. "I did not mean to upset you. I assume however that caring for so many young ones you were taught how to cook and clean with efficiency?"

"I suppose so," I answered.

"Excellent," she replied. "I have been looking for a new kitchen assistant and I think you will do quite nicely. Hopefully you will be able to live up to my needs and expectations."

I didn't answer. Though I had still yet to understand Alice fully I was certain of one thing, her expectations would be exceedingly high.
"I will do my best," I said finally. I watched as Alice's stoic expression gave way and a small wry grin came to her lips.

"That is all one can do is it not?" she said, chucking softly. I didn't join her.

"Well now," Alice said as her laugher faded. "I have certainly put quite a few questions to you. It seems only fair I would allow you to put some to me."

So many questions running through my brain, it seemed impossible to know where to begin. Who was this strange human woman? How had she come to serve as an overseer? As one who commanded such respect from her master? The allegations of the other girls seemed wrong. Surely Alice wasn't a gray skin as they seemed to think. Or if she was, she certainly didn't appear cruel. But it seemed likely that too much prying into Alice's situation might lead to offense, no matter how carefully I attempted to tread. I decided instead to ask about Magnus.

"What does our Master do?"

"A fair query," Alice replied, though I was sure the old woman sensed the other questions just under the surface I hadn't dared voice.

"Magnus Kendrick is a farmer. He owns a sizable estate and in addition to growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, he keeps flocks of sheep, pigs, chickens, and perhaps 20 head of cattle."

"And humans," I said, my heart sinking as the realization overwhelmed me.

"Yes," Alice answered without pause. "On average he keeps a flock of about twenty to thirty humans at a time. But he does not breed his human stock as he does the other animals. Magnus prefers instead to acquire wild humans and feed them up for his clients. As he relies on fresh purchases, auctions such as this one, are truly the heart of his trade."

And there it was. The truth, cold and unfeeling. For a moment I'd believed I might have found rescue. A chance at life. But it seemed Magnus was a butcher as well. In purchasing my life, Alice had only delayed the inevitable. The old woman gave me a small sad smile.

"You were hoping for a different answer I assume?"

I realized I wasn't certain what answer I expected. It would have been foolish enough to imagine, even for a moment, that this sibla man had taken us in out of the goodness of his heart. Why would he do so?

"I don't know what I was hoping for," I answered honestly.

Alice cocked her head in surprise at my response, waiting as tried to find the words to explain myself more clearly.

"When I volunteered to be taken I understood that I would not live long. My mother made me vow that I would try to survive somehow, but I knew the truth. I knew death might be kinder than any other future I might face under sibla ownership so I resolved to face my end with as much courage as I could."

The woman nodded but made no comment.

"I couldn't help it though," I continued, the words tumbling out now that I had given them voice. "When Carver made his bid for my flesh, I wanted to live. Whatever the cost I wasn't ready to lay down and die. Not like that."

Tears welled in my eyes but I wiped them away as I shook my head

"I was a fool to think I'd escaped that fate. I know what sibla do to humans."

I felt soft touch of a hand on my arm, calling my back from my despair and looked to Alice, seeing nothing but compassion in her gaze as she comforted me wordlessly with her touch.

"Am glad to see I was correct about you," she said after a moment. "You are not only intelligent but realistic as well."

Her words were surprising enough to stop my tears and hold my focus.

"You worry that, in coming under Magnus's care, you have only succeeded in prolonging your suffering. You wonder if you might not have been better off ended already than face what is to come next."

I stared at the woman awestruck. She had guessed at my thoughts almost exactly.

Alice offered a small smile. "Let me assure you, Kathryn that it is not so. I promise you here and now, the suffering you and your fellows have faced is indeed over. In your new home you will want for nothing. There will be food and warmth and comfort. You will find friendship and care. You will never be forced to bear children for the appetites of greedy sibla.

"Yes, it will end as some point, as all good things are apt to do, but I suspect you will soon put that specter of death from your mind. Most do. The humans on Magnus Kendrick's estate are happy."

"How long do I have?" I asked. Alice's words were comforting but they didn't change the reality of my eventual fate. A fate she wasn't even attempting to deny. The old woman's smile faded.

"I cannot answer, Kathryn," she said. "In truth, I work to stay clear of that aspect of Magnus's trade. I can assure you however that your Master is skilled in his craft. When the end does come, it will be swift and painless. I can tell you as well that our Master never takes from among the flock without advanced warning. Many live with us for a year or more. Truly there is no reason to worry about it until there is something to worry about."

I couldn't help be hear the evasiveness of her words. I certainly couldn't imagine simply "putting the thought of death from my mind," as Alice seemed to suggest. Not while living under the roof of one poised to take my life at a moment's notice. And though she seemed to assure I could have as much as a year of life remaining, I could not help but realize another reality.

"You have been with him far more than a few years."

I instantly regretted speaking the words aloud as Alice's gaze focused on me more sharply now. How could she not take offense? Hear within my statement the accusations the other girls had leveled at the old woman. Grey skin. Traitor. But Alice's expression remained neutral.

"As I said, you are observant," she answered without affect. The emotionless tone chilled me.

"I'm sorry," I said, quickly trying to rectify any offense I'd caused in my carless words. "I didn't mean to imply." I stopped. How could one politely ask if another human might be a traitor...
"It's just that you and our Master seem quite close," I tried, hoping I wasn't digging myself into an even deeper hole. "He even listens to you. I can't imagine he might do so if not for immense trust built over time."

Were these words any better? I wondered. How might any human build "trust" with a sibla Master and fail to betray her own in the process?

"Indeed," Alice replied, voice still cryptically devoid of emotion.  "I have been with my master for nearly thirty years now I suppose. Though I will admit it is easy to lose track of such things. Time has a tendency to lose meaning as age sets lines deeper into one's skin."

My eyes opened wide. Thirty years? It seemed unbelievable that any sibla would keep a slave so long. Particularly if Magnus Kendrick dealt in human flesh as Alice clearly admitted already. The woman was old. Maybe fifty or more. Why would a butcher have spared one of his flock for so long?

"I know," Alice said with a small laugh, smile returning to her face again at my reaction. "I can hardly believe it myself. I certainly never thought I would make it to such an old age as I have nor could have imagined as a child that I would have wished to. Unlike yourself, I was born a slave. After twenty-nine years of that life, I truly did pray for death. You see I was not born to the Kendrick estate. My first master was a truly horrible man."

Alice's words filled me with more questions, but I didn't dare pry into her past. Instead, I tried for a response that might build a connection between us and mend any rift I might have caused in asking about her relationship with Magnus.

"Were you also sent to auction?" I asked. The woman shook her head.

"No," she answered, "though I'd image most would have sent me to market or slaughtered me outright for my outspokenness. My former master however was no so kind."

My stomach curdled again at the reply. A Master so cruel that the market might seem "kind". It was impossible to mistake her meaning. The woman only gave a grim nod of her head.

"Your expression tells me you have understood," she remarked. "Indeed, Cedrick Dulane was one of the cruelest sibla imaginable. Evil in his dealings not just against humans but his own kind as well.

"But that was a long time ago now. I am grateful to Magnus every day for taking me from my former life. For allowing me a position where I might be able to help unfortunate humans like yourself and grant them a good home and peace for their remaining days. I wish I could take in all of the humans that faced the market today. It is a gruesome thing to watch my fellows in so much pain knowing how much more they stand to suffer. But I can only do so much. I serve Magnus Kendrick. I aid him in keeping his human stock in a manner that allows me to remain content that I am helping. Truly, your new Master has made great strides in spreading a message of ethical treatment for all human beings among sibla who engage in the flesh trade. I am proud to have been a part of that."

I stared at the woman in awe. I thought of the accusations again that the others had raised against Alice. Of the fear my sleeping companions might still harbor despite the old woman's kindness thus far. But I still trusted my initial instinct. This woman might be hard, but she truly did seem to care. And though I still wondered how Alice had possible secured the allegiance her master seemed to hold towards her, I couldn't quite imagine his favor had been bought at the expense of another's happiness.

"It's late," Alice said. "There are still at least two hours left in the journey and I'm sure you must be exhausted. Please try to get some sleep, Kathryn. We will have plenty of time to talk later. As I said, it is my intention to have you assigned to work in the kitchens with me. It is one of the best jobs you might have on the estate to my mind, though I admit there are few who have truly taken to it. I am certain however that you will be different."

"Why would you think so?" I asked with true curiosity.

Alice smiled. "I have never met another who was this willing to speak with me so soon after coming under Magnus's care."

I shook my head. "I'm not sure I understand."

"I know what people think, Kathryn," Alice replied, smile fading slightly. "I know the assumptions. But you were willing to listen. To watch and observe before passing judgment on me. That makes you unique. I assure you on the Kendrick estate that will work to your favor. I will see to it. I sincerely hope that you and I can become friends, Kathryn. We will work with each other closely after all. If we can establish trust for one another that will be a far more pleasant task."

I wondered if there was not a certain degree of threat to her words. What would happen if we did not become 'friends'? If Alice found she was mistaken in her lofty expectations of my potential use? But my mind was too tired to think on it long. Best to follow the woman's advice, I realized. Perhaps after a good night's sleep I would be able to make more sense of my new situation.

——-

And there you have it. A snippet of Alice & Kathryn's story. Perhaps you can see a bit of what made Kathryn stand out from the start? There is more that I have written of this story. Of how Kathryn and Cynthia became friends before that soured. Of Alice's increasing care for Kathryn. Of how Rachel threw a wrench in everything... problem is? I dont write in order so this is all I have for the moment. If I have more I might release but I am trying to finish a very different book atm so we shall see. Any thoughts or feedback? Id love to hear it. Thanks so much for reading!

- Stacey