Neoma (2)

Like a dog following its master, Dmitri followed the girl into the confines of Cot. Everyone was moving about; all of the slaves from every corner of the camp had congregated to the main green. It looked very much like a market day in the cities.1

The girl wove her way through the crowd of people before reaching the charred ruins of the Master's home. In front was the man who had ordered the revolt and had charged her to kill the Master.2

His name was Carter and he was a big, middle-aged, muscular man who was always arguing about something or plotting against the overseers. The only people who showed him kindness was his wife and daughter, but that was before they had died.3

"Carter," the girl said as she approached. She could sense Dmitri stepping closer to her, and she twitched. He was such a dog. "Someone is here on business."4

She stepped back and away from the crowd of slaves and Dmitri. She stepped into the shade of the oak tree she hid behind the night before and sighed. Her eyes drifted over to Carter. He was laughing and pointing first to the crowd and then to the tree she was sitting under. Dmitri turned and waved, smiling. What now? Surely Carter wasn't selling her. She was free, free like a bird in the air.5

She rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh as Dmitri stepped closer with Carter tagging along behind. When Dmitri got within an arms distance, he held out his hand.6

"Sorry for the rude introduction back there, I didn't know you were one of the people I was looking for."7

"I'm going to got get the other one. Stay put." Carter said gruffly.8

"Who are you?" she asked Dmitri once Carter was out of hearing distance.9

"My name is Dmitri, didn't I already make that clear?" he said, dropping his hand.10

"I know who you are, but who are you?"11

Dmitri folded his arms and stared the girl in her eyes. "I don't trust you enough to tell you who I really am, but you'll have to settle on the fact that I'm a traveler taking up companions to the capital."12

The capital, eh? Well, she didn't want to go to the source that didn't care of her existence and didn't care that she could've been whipped to death anytime the overseers felt like it. And how did he even know who she was? Why did he want her anyway?13

They stood there for what seemed like forever before Carter came back, herding a lone figure in front of him. The figure, like the girl, seemed to be sulking. Apparently he didn't like the idea of being sold back into slavery.14

"Okay, here's Charles." Carter remarked, giving the boy with dirty-blond hair a shove toward the girl before heading back the ruins of the Master's house.15

"Alright," Dmitri stated. "Here's a recap of what just happened. My name is Dmitri and I'm traveling to the capital for business. My other traveling partner is back in the woods, a good distance from where we stand. We both thought it would be good if we picked up some new travelers to go with us."16

"How did you know our names?" the girl asked.17

Dmitri smiled. "I can't tell you that, but what I can tell you is that you'll be living a life of luxury once we reach the capital, believe you me."18

"How could you know her name?" Charles spoke up. He jerked his hand in the girl's direction. "She hasn't spoken her name to anyone the whole time she's lived here."19

The girl's eyes widened, and quickly directed a scowl towards him. She opened her mouth a bit to speak but Dmitri caught her before any words could get out.20

"You probably can't remember, can you?" he asked. A small light of hope seemed to dance across his eyes, as if waiting for a miracle.21

The girl moved her tongue around her mouth. She had changed to a bat not to long ago, so her k-9s were still in their abnormal state. Deciding on her answer, she parted her lips so you couldn't tell her teeth were different and whispered out her reply.22

"My name is Natty."23

Dmitri's face fell. "Oh," he said. "Alright, Natty..."24

"What?" she snarled. "Am I not the person you were looking for?"25

"No no, you are." Natty's hopes fell. "Do you have any possessions? We're leaving as soon as we can."26

Both Charles and Natty shook their heads. What things did they have besides the clothes on their backs? It was hard to believe that the person in front of them was only nineteen, ordering them around.27

They headed towards the gates, and walked straight through. Natty tightened her jaw. She felt no difference in the atmosphere from before. What was going on?