I wasn't even sure what was happening anymore.

My body was completely out of commission, and even blinking was proving to be a chore. Everything I could see was shrouded in a dark haze, but I could hear the faint snickering of our two bodyguards who had been left to keep an eye on us whilst Warren went to greet his potential clients.

This...is different...I feel so...sick...I can't even talk...Where am I, again..?

"The new one's pretty cute...but this bitch'll always be my favourite." There was no point in even trying to react as a hand came to roughly grope my chest, and I could hear a quiet, fearful whimper coming from somewhere beside me. "Reckon boss would mind if we prepped her a little?"

"Man, he'd tear ya to pieces! I mean, it's tempting, but I'd rather live to screw a thousand more bitches instead of throwing it all away for one premium piece of ass..." The other laughed, but the hands open my chest didn't leave.

I wanna be sick...but even throwing up would take too much effort...Who are these people again..? Right...guards...or...something...ugh...

It felt like an eternity before those wandering hands pulled away, but only moments later more people entered, so I didn't have any time to catch a break.
"Right this way, my good Sir! I have an absolute treat for you, tonight!" That vile, cheery voice was enough to make me lift my head; just a little, and try to make out who the bastard was talking to.

The new figures were rather difficult to see, under so many layers of clothing. Dark coats and large, black hats. One stood tall and slim, whilst the other seemed more curvacious. Normally, I would have picked their appearance apart, piece by piece, but I barely even recalled my own name in my current state.

"What's up with the one in chains?" A deep voice questioned, and the taller man's finger lifted to point in my direction. Warren waved him off with a chuckle, striding forward and placing his hand on my head, which was almost enough to knock it back down again.
"Just a precaution. This little lady is rather fierce, when she wants to be. We just gave her a little something to calm her down." He explained, and I caught the sharp, disgusted click of the buyer's tongue in response.

"If she's drugged, why chain her? Forgive my curiosity, I'm just intrigued by your process." A more feminine voice spoke this time, and I allowed my head to fall back down. From experience, buyers who were accompanied by females were typically less dangerous when coming into ownership of people like us. That girl would probably be at least a little safer in their hands.

That girl...what was her name again? Elizabeth..? Yeah, I think that's it...

My eyes squeezed shut as I tried to force my brain to work, but it was getting more sloshed by the second. If I hadn't known any better, I would have been concerned that it would start leaking out of my nose.
"I suppose when she's like this it's more for show, than anything...She doesn't mind one bit, do you, honey?" My chin was lifted up by coarse, hot hands, and it felt like every part of my body was made of lead.

For a moment, I caught a glimpse of the other man's eyes, and they looked vicious, maybe even murderous. A deep, bleeding crimson, and it was glaring daggers at Warren.
"I see. If it isn't too much to ask, where did you obtain these two?" The female queried, stepping a little closer. "I don't mean to pry, but we're after...particular types..."

Even in my state, I couldn't help but utter a near-silent hiss as Warren's grip became painfully tight around my jaw. He had never liked answering too many questions, especially when it came to his priceless merchandise.
"I acquired the platinum doppelganger princess a few days ago...and I've had my sweet lass here for..." He leaned in towards me and shook my face a little. "...what? Three, maybe four years, now?"

Probably...I don't know...I just wanna sleep...Let me sleep...

I sighed in relief when my face was finally freed from his grasp, and I just let myself hang there, like a lifeless marionette.
"(Y/N)...It's okay...I told you they'd come..." The Elizabeth girl whispered from somewhere that seemed too distant, and my brain began to ache.

They..? Wait...those people she was preaching about..? Did that happen..? Yeah...no, I'm sure it did...but...she's wrong...Even if she's not...it's her they'd grab...Who are they, again..?

"Perfect. I'll take the both of them, then." The man announced, and I heard someone take a step forward. Warren let out a hearty chuckle, and it sent a harsh shudder down my spine.
"Well, by all means, you may purchase the little princess...but this one is merely a rental. I just can't bring myself to part with her...Per hour she costs-"

"I don't think you understand, buddy..." It was as though a new presence entered the room, but that wasn't right. Nobody had came or gone. "...I meant I was taking them..."

Everything happened rather quickly; too fast for my drugged out mind to comprehend. I felt something, or someone, fly from my side and towards the strange duo, and a darker, familiar aura leap to stand between me and them.
"Should've fucking guessed you'd be thieves, after all those damn questions..." Warren growled, but I just couldn't look, even if I wanted to.

"Even if you're right in my case, you ain't exactly got the right to call us thieves, you sick fuck." The strange man hissed angrily as a strong force struck out in our direction.
"If you value your lives...I'd suggest standing down." The female yawned, and then a heavily silence followed.

No doubt it was a stand-off, and I wished I knew what exactly was going on. If I had had any control over my mind, I may have been able to make heads or tails of the situation. Whatever was happening, it made my head throb.

"Don't think you two are the first to try and steal what's mine. Normand, Xalbert, deal with them, would you? Keep the hot one alive, I could sell her for a pretty penny." Warren seemed a little too disinterested with the ordeal, and I finally managed to raise my head, just enough so I could get a view of everything.

It was just in time to see the two brutes drop to their knees, blood seeping out of their caved in skulls. The man who had shed his layers was standing over them, not so much as breathless, and he was a sight to behold. Tall, scarred and cocky, and I wondered who exactly he was. What were they doing there, and where was there? I barely had a clue anymore.

"Y'know...I'm not one to spit on people involved in sex work...but fuckers like you make me sick to my stomach..." The crimson of the man's irises flared as he straightened up; tongue peeking out to lick up a splatter of blood across his jaw. "When ya get to hell...tell 'em the Fox Sin of Greed, Ban, sent ya, 'kay?"

Fox...Sin..? Sin...

"B..be careful not to hit (Y/N), Sir. Ban!" Elizabeth squeaked out, standing far back behind the slender, under dressed woman who was just watching the scene unfold.
"You doubting my aim, Princess?!" Ban snipped back, but there wasn't any spite in his tone when it was directed at her.

I flinched hard as Warren began to cackle. It was like it was inside my head, and not just bouncing around the room.
"Ah, fuck...The Seven Deadly Sins? Well, this is unfortunate...Guess I'm out of luck, today..!" He turned around, and I held my breath as he leaned in close to my face, a hideously calm smile looking so twisted on his face. "I guess you've earned yourself a bit of a holiday, my dear...Don't forget to write, okay?"

The kiss he pressed to my forehead seemed to burn like acid, but I was helpless. I knew it was just my imagination, but any touch from that man was agonisingly sinister.
"EAT SHIT, BASTARD!" The one who called himself a sin then struck. I suspected a sickening crack, or at least a hard thud, but the only sound was a faint whooshing noise as the man who owned me exploded into a cloud of silver ashes.

It honestly felt like I was stuck in a bad trip, and I could feel my eyes straining as they bulged with utter confusion at the sight.
"Oh, I forgot to mention that that wasn't the real Warren Abendroth...At least he's out of the way..." The stoic woman piped up, and a loud, frustrated groan tore from Ban.

"Fucking thanks for that..." He muttered sourly, and moments later I recoiled as I felt a new pair of hands touching the skin near my wrists. "Oi, it's alright...I'm gonna get these off..."

Wait...off? Get what off..? Oh...I'm chained up, aren't I..? Fuck, this is hurting my head...Who are these people?

When my arms were set free, I braced myself for the hard drop to the floor, but it never came. A strange, almost comforting warmth enveloped me, and I gasped once I realised I was being held.
"Lady Merlin, is there anything you can do to help her? Is she going to be okay?" Elizabeth's worried words sounded out as I felt myself being carried along, a heartbeat close to my ear.

"Without knowing what exact drug she was administered, I can't make a combatant...but I don't sense any danger to her health, so I believe she'll be fine with some care and rest..." The one who had been referred to as Merlin explained, and in my hazy vision I could see she was studying me closely.

"P..please be careful with her, Sir. Ban...They were so cruel to her..." Elizabeth whimpered, reaching out and brushing some of my (H/C) strands out of my face. I didn't like being touched, but her skin felt different to what I was used to, and so did the skin of the man carrying me.

"Ease off...I've got her...She'll be right..." Ban mumbled, and when I peered up with exhausted eyes, I met that bloody crimson again. It was much softer than it had been the first time, but there was something deep hiding within that colour. "You can pass out now, if ya want, girl. Safe with me, alright? Nothing to worry about now."

Safe...Is there even such a state of mind..? Who are you, again, anyway? Why are you taking me, too?

"I..I don't...I don't know y..you...Wh..why..?" The sound that came out of my throat was hardly able to be called a voice, but it was all I could muster. An oddly gentle smirk spread across the man's face, and he adjusted me in his arms so that my head was coaxed to fall against his broad chest.

"Don't think you're really gonna remember too much if we told ya now, so just sleep, will ya?" He urged, and I couldn't help but let my eyes droop shut, and my arms went completely limp as I let myself fall prey to his words.

I just...don't understand...what's going on..?

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***I swear this shit will get better***