Her body felt petrified as if the man above her held all the power. A man of God, oh how she hated him! If only the fires would rise up from Hell and swallow him whole. She detested him along with all the pain, suffering, and humiliation he had caused her. And the torture he was about to inflict upon her. There was something different this time; the look in his eyes, the way that he had come alone. Ada wasn't sure she would overcome what was about to happen this time, and a part of her was grateful.

The heat continued to increase, and beads of sweat found their way into her eyes, making them sting slightly. A quick glance to the roaring fires behind the Father had her wondering if maybe they would burn together. Perhaps that would be what they both deserved. Ada felt his body reposition itself against hers and forced her eyes to meet his. There was something in the cold, dark look that tugged at a memory and she welcomed the escape.

Her head felt as if rolled up and down with the waves, floating. She could hear the noise around her, but only a little would ever penetrate the blissful fog that remained a constant companion to her. Days had passed, and she could no longer tell how long it had been since she had last seen her mother, lying on the ground as she was pulled further into the sky.

"How much did you give the girl?"

A man stood in front of her, staring her down. She had come to identify him as the man with nice teeth despite his ratty beard.

"It was the amount the Dergards told me to use," another replied, but Ada did not see him though she recognized his voice as toothless, the man that was missing teeth. Even in the dull lightning that left the world feeling cold, empty, and colorless she was able to distinguish the features of these men.

"We won't make anything off of her if she dies," the man in front of her said as he nudged her with his boot. Ada's head rolled to the side, resting on the shoulder of the woman tied up beside her.

"Come on, you heard what they said. She nearly ripped a wing completely off of one of them!"

He let out a grunt as he stared at her. "She doesn't look dangerous," he said but neither did he protest as his comrade moved forward, giving her the cup of water that contained the drug. He didn't know what it was as they had gotten a supply of it free of charge with their trade.

"It doesn't matter if she's drugged up or not, Eidis, where we are due to arrive by night, the buyers won't be picky."

Ada tried to look up at the woman beside her but her head became too heavy, so instead, she closed her eyes. She took in the feel of the weathered wood beneath her palms as she moved her hands in slow strokes against it, trying to feel something that would help keep her rooted to the real world, however, it was useless as she drifted off anyway, but as she slipped away she heard a thought in her head: "Do not fear, little one, I will find you."

She didn't feel hurt, hungry, scared or lost when she was spinning in black space that surrounded her. Nothing mattered anymore and she liked it that way, though she tried to fight it every time before she sunk under that far. It was useless. Time slipped away from her when she was there, and she could forget everything. But something was tugging, pulling her from that place. She tried to sink further into the void, however, pain shot through her stomach, making her eyes snap open as she gasped for air.

"We are here, girl," said nice teeth as he threw a dress at her. "Wash up and get dressed. You stink, no one wants to buy shit!"

She tried to move and do as he said, but her body wouldn't budge even though she saw she was no longer tied up. He raised his booted foot to kick her again and she closed her eyes.

"Stop!" the woman yelled, stepping between his foot and Ada. "I will help her."

The man grunted and walked over to the stairs that led up to the deck as the lady stripped Ada as if she was a newly born babe. He didn't say anything but stood watch over them. The lady dragged the water bucket closer to them that they were meant to use and with some rags she did the best she could to clean them both with the salty water that stung the cuts and scrapes they had on their bodies. Ada's body slowly began to become responsive during that time and soon they were both dressed.

Nice Teeth looked them over from head to toe and seemed to decide they were presentable enough. He had them follow him off the ship into a crowded port, the likes of which Ada had never seen before as her feet sank into the sand and the hot sun burned down on them. Ada tried to get a glimpse of the ocean behind them as she spent the whole time under deck, however Toothless followed behind them blocking her view while they did their best to wade through the sandy path, leaving her disappointed as she looked around.

Everywhere there was sand and the faces of those in the crowd looked at them strangely. Ada wondered if she looked back at them just as strangely, for they reminded her of snakes. Nice Teeth led them to an area where there were many others grouped together in the market, but over here there were no stalls. He made them lined up beside each other as the rest of the snake-like men came and went, inspecting them over.

Toothless seemed to grow agitated as the sun began to drop, but Ada was happy for the relief as sweat rolled down her face and back, but could not wipe it away as their hands were bound. Eventually a man stepped up, eyeing Ada.

"How much?"

Ada didn't like the look in his eyes, but Nice Teeth, Toothless, and the man scooted off further from them. Ada glanced up to the lady beside her. There was a tear rolling down her cheek, but otherwise she was like a silent statue.

"Come, you two are with me," the snake-man rasped out.

We followed him into a domed hut. The place was mostly empty except for some blankets made up for a bed. He turned to them, reaching for Ada but the lady stepped in front.

He gave out a chuckle as he caressed her face. "It doesn't matter who goes first, you'll both will serve your duties." He threw the lady onto the blankets.

Ada didn't know what to do as she watched the dress get ripped off of the lady. She was still standing by the door and wondered if she should run, but where would she go in this strange place?

The woman screamed.

"Ada!" Aerwyna screamed, bringing Ada back to the present.

Fear and adrenaline rushed through her. She wrapped her arms around the Father's shoulder and clanged onto him with strength she didn't know she had. She sunk her teeth into his neck and tore flesh away.

The Father flung himself back from Ada as he screamed out in pain, trying to cover the blood gushing from his neck. The fire was leaping at his back, and Ada leaped off the floor and him, shoving him into the fire. He tried to get out but the flames would not let him go.

Ada kept her eyes on him, watched as his skin blister and char until there was nothing left. His screams of agony did not last long before the fire consumed him. Then just as quickly the flames were gone. Ada didn't know how to register what had just happened, but she couldn't help but to feel cheated. His death was too merciful, he should have suffered more.