Chapter 22
Edna
Franklin brought us to a large hall.
Couches, cages and other decorations were in the hall. A man was sitting on one of the chairs. Franklin walked to the man and bowed. The man nodded.
With Franklin's behavior, I knew who this man was. It wasn't hard to guess.
The man sitting down was Maol.
Maol was slim. An informal t-shirt and jeans highlighted his physical merits.
His blonde hair was sleek and combed.
He looked like a human.
The things that betrayed his identity as an alien was his pointy ears and reptilian pupils.
I don't know what his superpower was.
I had to be extremely cautious.
After acknowledging Maol's nod, Franklin turned around and left the hall.
The numerous men that brought us here followed him outside.
They didn't leave totally though.
I could still see the shadows they left on the floor. They are guarding the entrance to this hall.
"Tekita, we haven't seen each other for a long time." Maol said.
Tekita scratched his head, "Yes. I know you prefer quality goods. I don't want to bring things you wouldn't like so I stayed away."
"Don't say that. The goods you being are always quality. Your goods sell more than my estimation most times, don't belittle yourself." Maol replied.
"I am glad you think that." Tekita replied.
Maol didn't take a look at us from beginning to the end.
This man caused my warning bells to ring.
He was extremely dangerous.
The way he called us goods activated my flight and fight mode.
I curbed my complicated mood and listened carefully.
"You don't know how happy I was when you said you are here with new goods." Maol sighed, "There is a new auction scheduled for today. It would hold very soon. I am still thinking about the ways I can increase our auction house's items selection for today. You brought a pillow when I am feeling sleepy. Thank you."
"No worries. You are the one I should thank. I hope your auction goes well." Tekita said slowly.
He didn't act like a big boss-he only acts like that when he was with us and his replies were humble. This Maol guy was not simple.
"Tekita, this batch of goods are new. Who or what are they?" Maol asked.
His scary eyes finally settled on us.
I shifted uncomfortably. His eyes wasn't smiling even with the smile hanging on his lips.
His eyes stared on me for a longer time frame.
Tekita straightened up, "These ten people are humans."
Maol raised a brow, "Humans? What do you mean? I don't think we have any human branch on Blue Star."
So, this planet we are on had a name. Blue Star was a good name.
"They aren't native inhabitants. I came across their gathering when they landed on this planet. From their words, I noticed a few things." Tekita explained.
"Oh?" Maol glanced at us again.
"Something must have destroyed their planet. They have a spaceship above this planet. These humans here are just members of the exploration team." Tekita continued, "I didn't let them leave. Since the King has banned slave trading, we have to look for other alternatives. These humans are a great way to go around the King's orders. We would get our money and we wouldn't get on the King's bad side for disobeying his commands."
"You are correct. They are exotic goods. They will steal all the spotlight at the auction." Maol said, "After some time, more humans might get sent down. We have to capitalize on this new income stream before it blows up. Those humans should be numerous. Even with their numbers, there will be a limit to ones we can sell."
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"You outlined everything perfectly." Tekita concurred.
"What do you want for your goods this time? The money you asked for last time has been sent to your account. The settlement for bringing information about the humans to me would be calculated separately. We will discuss more about the humans later." Maol questioned.
"We don't need cash currently. I want a work position with great promotion potential." Tekita said, "I haven't decided on what I want for the information about humankind."
Maol nodded appreciatively.
"Your request is reasonable. I will get back to you soon." He said.
His words was a clear dismissal.
Tekita smiled.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Tekita sighed, "This is Edna. We encountered a mutated plant in the inn we wanted to stay in. The mutated plant tried to seize her body but it failed. She inherited some of its powers."
Maol's eyes landed on me, "She is really unique."
"Yes." Tekita replied, "She wanted to escape but I stopped her. This is the remote control for the collar on her neck. It has spikes and electric punishment."
Tekita gave the remote to Maol.
Maol's finger rubbed the buttons on the remote slowly.
"Maol, we don't know much about these humans. If you wish, you can send one of them to the research center." Tekita advised.
Maol nodded, "Thank you. I appreciate your efforts and considerate thoughts about me."
Tekita turned around and left. Kain and the other three aliens left too.
"Please introduce yourself." Maol said leisurely.
He leaned backwards as he stared at us with a burning gaze.
Nobody replied his words.
Gradually, his eyes changed.
It turned into a sharp knife.
"Stubborn, are we?" He chuckled, "There is a solution for that. For your sakes, I hope you don't try me. My methods aren't something you can stomach and still be okay in the long run. Especially you, Edna. Your life and death rests on this remote controller. I shouldn't teach you how to behave, right?"
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Since we are here, there was nothing we can do anymore. The only time we can act is when our buyers relaxed their guards.
Escaping Maol was a pipe dream.
His finger pressed down and an electric current ran through me.
I couldn't control my body. I lost all feeling.
I slumped to the floor unceremoniously. My head hit the ground and pain bloomed in that area.
'Bastard.' I cursed Maol inwardly.
I heard his warning. Was the electric punishment really necessary?
The electric current disappeared as abruptly as it appeared.
"What are your names? I don't want to repeat myself again." Maol said.
I gasped heavily.
"Edna." I muttered.
I did not have any strength. The current volume of my voice was the highest pitch I could reach.
"Griffin." Griffin introduced.
The others said their names too.
I looked like at the ceiling of the hall dazedly.
We went from the frying pan into an open fire.
Maol was a predator.