Kora (Kora Series Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  “I see,” Dimitri says calmly. “And what exactly would you do after running off? Would you try to join up with a band of roamers? You may have heard they kill trespassers on sight.”

  “I’m going to leave this place one way or another,” I continue. “Even if I have to die.”

  “Kora.” Dimitri frowns, seemingly worried. “You don’t really mean that, do you? You wouldn’t hurt yourself?”

  Probably not. But he doesn’t need to know that. I remain quiet.

  “Oh, all right,” Dimitri sighs. “Come closer.”

  I approach him in some sort of daze, my lips stretching into a wide grin. I’ve won. He’s about to evaluate me.

  “Take off your shirt,” he orders.

  I execute his request. I stand in front of him, wearing only my pants and tiny undershirt. I feel nervous. Girls aren’t supposed to reveal too much skin when they’re around men. But of course it’s different with Dimitri. He has to know what he’s about to sell.

  He directs me to turn around, checking my arms and back for sores. My skin is clear. He asks me to open my mouth and checks my teeth. I become even tenser, because I have a couple of missing teeth on the left side of my lower jaw. You can’t really notice it when I smile, and it doesn’t bother me when I’m eating. But I’ve heard masters prefer servants with better teeth.

  “Too skinny,” Dimitri finally says. “Do you eat enough?”

  “I eat a lot, master.”

  “All right then. Put your shirt back on before you catch cold.”

  I dress, shivering. Will he allow me to be part of the Exchange? Am I good enough?

  “I’m stronger than I look,” I mutter. “And I’m a fast learner.”

  “I’m well aware of that,” Dimitri says, still hesitant. “But is this what you really want? Are you positive about your decision to be sold?”

  “Yes, master.”

  “You won’t be able to return, should you change your mind. I’d be more than willing to buy you back, but another master may not agree to sell you. You understand that?”

  I nod.

  “What about your mother?”

  My throat tightens and I have to remind myself to breathe. My mother…

  “She wants me to live in Central Settlement,” I lie.

  I don’t think Dimitri believes me but he finally gives in, allowing me to participate in today’s Exchange. I leave his office and head back into the living room area. I find Lady Augusta sitting on a sofa, reading a book.

  “I’m to take part in the Exchange!” I blurt out, laughing and running toward her. “He’s agreed to sell me!”

  I stop short a few feet away from her, giggling stupidly, having once again forgotten the rules.

  “Well,” she sighs. “Maybe it’s all for the best. Maybe things will work out fine for you.”

  She rises from her seat and throws her arms around me, kissing me lightly on the cheek.

  “Just be careful, child,” she whispers, stroking my hair gently.

  I stand motionless, utterly stunned by her show of affection. Sad to say, my own mother never hugs or kisses me. Sometimes I secretly wish I were Augusta’s daughter. Other times I feel ashamed for even having such thoughts.

  ***

  Dreamy minded like a lovesick girl, I stroll back toward the shack where my mother and I live. It’s smaller and uglier than most in the Recycling village. Low-ceilinged, with no furniture to speak of, save a small ancient stove and self-made table. The single tiny window is barely enough to provide meager lighting during the day. Still, this is the place where I grew up. The darkness and tight space bring comfort and a feeling of safety. Of course, we don’t really own this shack. Servants can’t own anything. But that we’re allowed to live here is good enough, I guess.

  I enter the shack, hunkering down to pass through the small doorway. My mother lies resting on a blanket in her corner of the room after her shift. I sit on the floor and watch her sleep. She has a hollow face and prematurely graying hair. My mother is an outcast just like me. Other servants avoid her as if she’s contagious. When she goes outside, her head is always lowered, back slouched and eyes full of guilt. She’s a woman with no husband raising a child alone, which is considered shameful in our village. I’ve never seen my father and don’t have a clue who he might be. My mother never speaks about her past, and I often wonder what made her the way she is. Was she born so spiritless? Or maybe something terrible happened to her before I was even born? I have no idea.

  I don’t want to sleep, but fatigue finally takes over. I’ve been awake the entire night, and my eyelids are heavy. I think about the Exchange, Lady Augusta’s beautiful dress and my future. I doze on and off, neither fully awake nor asleep.

  My mother wakes, smiling sleepily upon seeing me. I shake off my drowsiness.

  “Where have you been?” she asks softly.

  I pause before answering because I usually keep my visits to the master’s mansion private.

  “I went to see Master Dimitri,” I say.

  “Kora! How many times have I told you not to bother the master?”

  I sigh, feeing annoyed.

  “I worry for you,” she adds. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Lady Augusta and Dimitri really like me,” I say. “They’re friends of mine. My only friends.”

  “They’re your masters, Kora. And you’re their servant. You should never forget your place.”

  I don’t reply. I’m sick of always having to remember my low, miserable status in life.

  “You can’t trust masters,” my mother whispers. “They can do whatever they please with you. You have to learn to be careful.”

  “Augusta and Dimitri are different,” I say, feeling protective. “They both care about me. I’ve asked them to let me participate in the Exchange.” I pause, knowing she doesn’t want me to leave her. “Master Dimitri has agreed to sell me,” I add.

  “Oh, what have you done,” she mutters.

  Guilt burns through me like acid.

  “You know it’s the only way for me, momma,” I say desperately. “I have to do it. I can’t spend my entire life in this place.”

  “You won’t survive anywhere else. Other masters won’t put up with you, Kora. You don’t have any idea of the things they can do. You’ve never really witnessed that. You were just a child when we last had another master.”

  “I’ve witnessed enough,” I interrupt. “But I don’t care. I’d rather be dead than end up like…” My voice trails off. I know I shouldn’t say this to my mother. “Look at us,” I sigh. “We’re worse off than dead. We’re nobodies. I have to find myself.”

  My mother closes her eyes for a moment. When she looks up at me again, her gaze is decisive.

  “I’ll go see the master.” She rises to her feet. “I’ll plead for him to change his mind, to let you remain here.”

  “No!” I exclaim, stepping between her and the door. “Please don’t! Can’t you understand? It’s my only chance to make something of myself, become something better than a picker. I have to leave this place!”

  She lowers her head, looking all heartbroken and hurt. I suddenly want to hug her. I crave my mother’s support and love, but all I seem to get is her doubts.

  “I’m just scared for you,” she says quietly.

  “You’re always scared!” I snap. “I don’t want to be like you.”

  She shivers, as if I’ve just slapped her.

  “I’m sorry,” I hurriedly add. “I didn’t really mean all that. But I have to go now.”

  If only she asked me to stay, if only she told me how much she loves and needs me… But my mother remains silent. She sits back down on her blanket, looking away. I approach the pile of clothes in another corner and begin digging around.

  “You don’t need to worry about me,” I mutter sheepishly. “Most likely, nobody will buy me today anyway. I mean, I don’t really think any master will want me for his servant.”

  My mother doesn’t have anyth
ing to say.

  I grab my only good dress and shoes from the floor and leave the shack. I walk along the street, kicking clods of dirt and pieces of rubbish as I go. I press my teeth together so hard that my jaws begin to ache. I wonder what kind of person I’ve become if I’m so rude and mean toward my own mother. I rethink our conversation and suddenly feel disgusted. I have too much anger and hatred inside me. I hate this village, hate most of the servants, hate my life, hate myself.

  I know there’s a better, kinder version of me hidden away somewhere deeply inside. But the angry, depressed version of Kora usually takes over. As long as I remain stuck in this village, I won’t be able to change. Life here suffocates and ruins you. I have no choice but escape this place.

  You’ll be all right, I calm myself. You’ll start a new life and transform into a better and nicer Kora. You’ll earn your freedom, become wealthy and return for your mother. You’ll take her out of here and give her the life she truly deserves.

  I smile, feeling optimistic. I have to believe in myself because there’s nobody else to support me.

  I decide it’s time to prepare for the Exchange.

  I approach a wide shallow river and kneel down at the edge of the muddy water. I pull off my shirt and wash off.

  “Hey puke!”

  I turn around and a dirt clod hits me in the head. I hear a burst of laughter.

  “What are you doing out here, pig?” Samantha asks. “There’s no use in washing your face. It will always be filthy.”

  Shivering, I wipe the dirt out of my eyes. Five factory girls walk toward me, grinning and cackling.

  “Get away from me!” I yell. “I’ve been selected for the Exchange!”

  I don’t know why I choose to share this information with them. It only causes them to laugh louder. Samantha picks up my dress from the ground.

  “Don’t touch that!” I scream, reaching toward her.

  Two girls grip my arms and drag me further into the river. They push me down so I fall onto my hands and knees. Samantha tosses my dress into the soft clay along the river bank. She stomps it into the mud, laughing and calling me names. The other girls gleefully join in, helping her to trash my only nice piece of clothing. I don’t do anything. I just watch quietly, kneeling in the water, head lowered. I think of Trent, but he’s not here at the moment. I think of things I could do to defend myself, but don’t have the guts to do them.

  “Forget about the Exchange!” one of the girls shouts. “Nobody will buy a swine like you. You’re staying right here.”

  They leave.

  I look at my ruined dress and begin crying. At the moment it seems like crying is the only option left.

  CHAPTER 3

  I spend the next ten minutes sitting in the water, sobbing and contemplating suicide. I always resort to thinking about killing myself when I’m past my limit. These are not serious thoughts of course, nor do I believe I’d ever really do it. But having these thoughts provide some sense of relief, helping me feel like I still have control over something. So I often imagine myself with cut wrists, gun wounds or my body hanging from a tree. Pathetic, I know, but still somehow soothing.

  But even as I weep uncontrollably, part of my brain is busy calculating the next thing I should do. No matter what happens, I can’t miss the Exchange or my chance to make a new life. I can’t allow Samantha or her evil friends to defeat me so easily.

  So I stop with the sobbing, wash off my face, and pull myself out of the water. I pick up my dress and carefully examine the damage. It’s actually not as bad as I had thought. The fabric is stained and coated with mud, but not torn. I can deal with it.

  I use the next twenty minutes or so diligently washing and scrubbing my dress in the river. I won’t have time to dry it before the Exchange. The air is humid, and drying would take most of the day. So I just conceal myself behind the nearest shack and quickly slip the dress on. The wet fabric is heavy and clings to my body. Water drips from my hair and I must look a big mess, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I change my rubber boots for a pair of flat shoes and leave for the Exchange.

  The meeting square is a large open space in the middle of the village. A few dozen servants have already arrived, each waiting nervously to be sold. I stop, looking them over. Gathered there are other pickers, factory workers and guards. I don’t like crowds. I always feel small and cornered when I’m around too many people. I spot Master Dimitri and head over toward him.

  “Goodness,” he says, staring at me. “What happened to you?”

  “I fell into the river,” I answer.

  Dimitri frowns, obviously disbelieving my explanation.

  “Did those factory girls bother you again?” he asks.

  I shake my head negatively. I never snitch about their attacks, always preferring to deal with problems on my own. And no, it’s not because I’m brave or too proud. Complaining about things would simply direct more hatred my way.

  “I slipped in the mud and fell into the river,” I repeat.

  Dimitri sighs and orders me to get in line with the others. I notice Trent, and take my place beside him, grinning foolishly. He smirks, then lightly touches my hand. I freeze, my thoughts racing. Why did he do that? What does it mean? How should I react? I always tend to overthink and overanalyze other people’s actions way too much. I force myself to relax and simply enjoy holding Trent’s hand.

  Dimitri barks at the servants to keep quiet. He’s no longer the soft, father-like Dimitri I spoke with earlier in the morning. He looks more like a military general now, all forceful and strict. The first vehicles carrying masters from Central Settlement arrive, and I rise up on my tip-toes to catch a glance at them. I’ve never seen cars like these before… I’ve never met any masters from Central Settlement, aside from Augusta and Dimitri. They appear like strange beautiful creatures to me, almost too good to be real. They wear clean, expensive clothing and are adorned with gold jewelry and leather shoes. Their skin is deeply tanned, all smooth and clear. My face is pale as the sun never shines in our village, being blocked by thick clouds and toxic fumes.

  I straighten my back in a feeble attempt to seem less miserable, then decide that this way I may look too arrogant. Nobody wants to buy a rebellious slave. So I relax my muscles back into a slouched position. The masters walk along our line, completely ignoring me. It’s not too surprising. I’m not beautiful and don’t appear strong. I stand motionless, except for my slightly trembling hands. Trent squeezes my fingers in friendly support.

  The masters select a few factory girls for housemaids, to bring food, make beds and run errands. All those chosen are prettier and healthier looking than me. They all seem to have long thick hair, nice skin and well-developed bodies. These are not only good workers but will also make beautiful ornaments for any master’s mansion. I can easily envision them wearing their cute new uniforms, carrying trays filled with food and glasses of wine. I’ve never actually met a maid from Central Settlement, but believe they must look stunning.

  I’m becoming envious and angry, feeling like I’ve been cheated. It’s not my fault that my hair is only shoulder length and rather thin. Or that I have these permanent dark circles under my eyes that almost look like bruises. Neither should I be blamed if I’m too bony. They could easily count my ribs through my skin, even though I eat regularly. So nobody believes I’m strong enough. Nobody wants me for a house ornament. And I do understand how many girls speak in a similar manner about their appearance, belittling themselves just to receive a compliment. In my case though, I’m just stating the facts. I’m not charming, beautiful or sweet-looking. I’m rather plain and gloomy, a depressed expression constantly on my face.

  An hour passes as I anxiously watch the last remaining masters walk the line of unpurchased servants. The very real possibility of staying in this village for another year is making me ill. My throat tightens as I think of spending more time sorting through waste, breathing in the reek of chemicals and decay. I think of Samantha
and her coven of witches calling me names, hating on me, always trying to hurt me. I don’t want to face them ever again. And I don’t want to remain a lowly trash picker. I can’t spend another day in this awful place. If I’m not chosen today, if nobody is willing to buy me, then… what then? Run off and join the roamers? They might kill me on sight just as Dimitri said.

  Losing any hope for a better future, I glance down the line and suddenly see the most gorgeous human being I’ve ever laid eyes on. The young tall master strolls slowly past the servants, carefully checking them over. He has long blond hair and dazzling blue eyes, his facial features perfectly symmetrical. He looks like an angel or a gallant hero from one of Augusta’s old books.

  I can’t stop staring at him. He catches my gaze and our eyes lock for a moment. I quickly turn away.

  “Gabriel,” Trent whispers. “The high master’s son from Central Settlement. He’s visited our Factory a couple times before.”

  Gabriel, I repeat in my mind, Prince Gabriel. It’s not an official title of course, because we don’t have royalty. But the high master’s children are often referred to as princes and princesses anyway. The high master of Central Settlement is the top authority in our land.

  Gabriel stops directly in front of me, eyeing me over. I hold my breath, verging on panic, having no idea how to behave. Should I look him in the eye or continue staring into the ground? Should I straighten my back or slouch even further? Exude confidence or submissiveness? Strength or obedience? What does he want from me? If only I knew, I could pretend to be almost anything.

  “How old is this one?” Gabriel asks Dimitri standing beside him. He has a pleasant, calm voice.

  “Almost seventeen.”

  “Is she obedient?”

  “I never had any trouble with her,” my master lies. “She can read and write. A very smart girl.”

  “I don’t really care how much brains she possesses,” Gabriel cuts him off, irritated. “Take off your dress,” he directs me.

  I awkwardly pull off my dress, now wearing only my underwear. Dimitri looks away, obviously embarrassed. Gabriel kneels in front of me and firmly touches my thigh. I involuntarily tighten my muscles. I stand motionless, fighting back panic. I want to scream and run, so instead I press my lips tightly together and remain silent.