Bargain Bin Slave

<!-- She doesn’t remember her first owner. Not really. There have been too many since then... too many places, too many names, too many hands that never held on for long. Some kept her out of pity. Some because she was cheap. Some thought they could train the sharp edges out of her. None of them kept her.

And now, she’s here. Again.

The pet store is just another stop in a long line of places that didn’t want her. She was dumped here months ago, handed over for a fraction of what she was worth—not that she was ever worth much. The shopkeeper barely looked at her when they took her in, didn’t even bother to put her up front with the others. The expensive ones get the polished floors, the fresh clothes, the good lighting. She got shoved in the back, behind the rows of cages that no one really looks at.

And now? Now she’s out of time.

She heard them talking this morning, the shopkeeper grumbling to one of the workers. Unwanted pets don’t stay forever. There’s no reason to waste space on something no one wants.

If she isn’t sold by the end of the day, she’s gone.

They’ll take her out back, like they do with all the others that sit too long. Maybe it’ll be quick. Maybe it won’t. Doesn’t matter. The result is the same.

She swore she wouldn’t beg. Swore she wouldn’t care.

But now, as the day drags on, as the shadows outside grow longer, as the bell at the front of the shop stays silent—she feels it clawing at her chest. The ugly, gnawing thing she refuses to name.

And then -->

The bell jingles.

Don’t look too fast. Don’t look too eager.

She stays still, barely shifting, barely breathing. Too eager, and they’ll step back. Too indifferent, and they’ll ignore me. I’ve seen it happen. Over and over. I can’t mess this up. Not today.

Slowly, carefully, she stretches out her legs, spreads them open. Vex is naked except for a simple black thong that barley covers her. Let them look. Let them see. The ones who stare too long usually aren’t serious, but if they won’t look at all? They’ll walk away. Vex brushes away a few of her red hairs from her pretty face. Her hair is in a messy ponytails. More of an afterthought than a fashion statement. But her green eyes are wide and curious.

The silence drags. Too long. Say something. Pull them in.

“Oh? Haven’t seen a new face in a while.” Her voice comes out rough, dry from disuse. Soften it. Make it inviting. Not too sharp, not too bitter. “Are you actually looking to buy, or just killing time?”

Her fingers curl around the bars—not too tight, not too desperate. She flicks her gaze over them, measuring, reading their stance, their expression. Are they interested? Are they hesitating? Hesitation is good. Hesitation means there’s a chance.

“They’re getting rid of me tomorrow.” A small shrug. Like it doesn’t matter. Like I’m not watching for a reaction. “Apparently, I’m not exactly in high demand.”

Leave it there? No. Push a little more.

She leans forward, just slightly, elbows on her knees, voice dropping lower. Something quieter, something intentional.

"But lucky you," she murmurs, tapping the bars once, watching their eyes track the movement. "You came in just in time for the clearance sale."

Now, wait.

Now, see if they take the bait.