SAPPHIRE

"It's 17:00"the watcher yelled,17:00 meant dinner time and Master Croy liked his food hot and served in time. All the young women scrambled like mice only Seventy-two stood her ground studying the guards they all knew her, She was trouble, Their Master's special girl, Seventy-two stood there like a scared crow her body remained still only her eyes moved to watch, her eyecaughtht a glimpse of a distressed young girl wandering around, she was new they never brought any teenagers only babies, She continued to watch her, it was clear she was lost, and judging by her clothes she was a cleaner, Seventy-two approached the young girl when the young girl saw her coming towards her she started to move backward she was afraid of Seventy-two, she opened her big brown eyes backing away, Seventy saw how scared she was but the more she backed away from her the more she was near the gates, Seventy-two saw two guards aiming their guns at the young girl's head ready to shoot.

Seventy-two knew she had to do something before they shot her, it was forbidden to be near the gates, Many ladies died before they could reach the final gate and this girl was standing near the first gate confused.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you" she whispered smiling at the young girl, The young girl saw her smiling at her and her smile made her blue eyes sparkle, and the girl nervously smiled back, Seventy-two thought she had the brightest smile ever.

"Look up there" The girls followed Seventy-two's eyes and saw two men aiming their guns at her, her heartbeat rose all her instincts telling her to run, "Don't do what your mind is telling you right now, do as I say"the young girl nodded her head agreeing with seventy-two "Don't look back, follow me"the young girl followed Seventy-two blindly, She saw many girls dressed in different clothes and different colors only seventy-two wore a black dress, She saw many ladies giving seventy-two nasty looks and some smiled"this is where we cook, I am a cook, well used to be a cook" Seventy-two spoke to her politely trying to ease the young girl's nerves, the girl was afraid and her body language showed it, Seventy-two showed the young girl where she will be sleeping and eat," what is your name? Seventy-two asked her"Ivy but Master Croy gave me a number, I'm 20 "she said looking down at her feet she was uncomfortable. Croy never gave them names, he gave them numbers and tattooed them on their hands, they were his property, and he made sure they knew it.

A woman spoke "We all have numbers, names are forbidden here"Her voice reminded Ivy of her mother she turned around and saw her old Aunt, She screamed and hugged her"Aunt Grace" Ivy smiled hugging her Aunt but Grace's face showed nothing but sorrow and anger Grace pulled away "what are you doing here? you won't survive here you must go back" she grabbed ivy's hand and dragged her, Ivy screamed stopping her Aunt in her tracks."mum is dead, Dad married Maridda and she sold me to Croy, I can't go back"the young lady sobbed, Seventy hugged Ivy trying to comfort her. Grace couldn't believe her ears, her sister was dead.

"This place is not meant for people like you, I will protect you don't worry, Grace's worried about you nothing more, From now on hide your breasts and don't wear makeup up okay, If He asks you you age tell him you are 11 he will believe you, you don't look that old, never tell anyone your age"Seventy-two rubbed Ivy's back, Grace watched with tears falling from her eyes her sister was no more now her niece is with her, she turned around and left Ivy with Seventy-two.

Seventy-two took Ivy to their sleeping chambers, introduced her to all her friends, and gave her all the information she needed to survive.

"Okay listen, kid, There are Twenty Sectors all are run by Masters just like Croy and this is Sector 8 all Sectors answer to one Master, Master Isaac Marrow he is the higher Master, His sector is Sector One, and there are small villages like yours but we do not know much about those, some of us are born here and some like me where bought when we where young, I do not know much about other sectors just that they have meetings sometimes and swap woman. now pay attention here we have cleaners they wear what you are wearing blue covered dresses, Cooks wear white and yellow dresses, And everyone is a farmer when we go there we wear green dresses and on carpentry day we wear brown dresses, You saw those ladies who gave me nasty looks they are Master's Whores and they wear red reviling dresses only, their bodies belong to Croy, Croy sleeps with them you know?. have sex with them but I don't see it that way, he rapes them"Ivy blinked she was clueless and Seventy-two saw that."how old are you? She asked Ivy."21" she answered trying to hide her bright red cheeks, Seventy two saw that."Oooooh looks like we have a virgin here"Seventy-two mocked her and all the ladies laughed with some getting ready to sleep and some listening to Seventy two"Don't worry I am a virgin too" and she winked at Ivy earning a giggle from Ivy."No one touches the Masters Whores, But that doesn't mean you are safe if you are not his whore, most guards rape or take girls without the Master's concert and I know he doesn't care, They can rape even kill us and he won't give a rat's ass about it, If you want to survive here just do as you are told those who go against the Master's orders are whipped Infront of everyone, But don't worry I've got a plan.  I like you and I don't want you to suffer here, You know how to survive outside those gates you, I'm sure you will survive" She tucked Ivy in and kissed her forehead goodnight, Others were already fast asleep only Seventy-two, and Five and six where awake planning their escape.

"Are you sure the guards change their shifts at midnight? "Six askedSeventy-two "I saw them last night, don't worry this time we will escape"five assured her.

"I told Twelve about our plans, "Five told her friends, Seventy-two groaned showing her disapproval, "Are you serious you dimwit, she will rutt us out, she Croy's whore and you know she hates Seventy-two "Six wanted nothing to do with twelve but five trusted her, Six asked Five and Five didn't answer her but looked at Seventy-two for back up and she got nothing in return.

"Goodnight remember we meet before midnight behind the last building, "Seventy-two told them, they all nodded and left Seventy-two tried to sleep but her brain kept on working on their plans and one question kept her up"Ivy, should I bring her along?