Hangbe woke to the creaking of the ship. Cold metal pressed into her wrists, and the floor was slick with saltwater and blood. Her throat burned from screaming, but no one came to comfort her.
She tried to rise, but the chains pulled her back. For a moment, the world stopped—her sobs the only sound. Wiping tears from her cheeks, she let out painful moans that filled the air. Then she heard it: a gunshot from outside. Her heart jumped.
Screams echoed through the hallway.
"You animals better obey… you are no longer people, but animals now!" a soldier shouted, dragging a body across the deck.
Hangbe pressed her face to the cold floor. The smell of blood made her gag. Whimpering came from the cells around her. She was in the last cell, too far to see anything—only to hear, only to feel.
Tears welled again as memories of her father, the king of Dahomey, flashed in her mind—headless before his people, whom he had sworn to protect. "What do I do, Father… our people are suffering, and I am powerless?" she whispered to herself.
More screams cut through the air, each one a knife in her heart. Her breathing grew heavy, her eyes drooping… until darkness claimed her again.
She woke to the door slamming open.
"Get up, wretch!" a soldier barked.
"The boss says she's special… so handle her well," another added.
They dragged her out. Her body was too weak; she fell to the floor and was kicked. Pain ripped through her as she groaned. Forced to her feet again, she gripped her stomach and staggered, chains rattling.
Outside, the slaves were lined up along the shore—about a hundred of them, all chained, all hollow-eyed. Hangbe's gaze swept over their faces. Hope had fled from their eyes… and from hers as well.
"All right! You will be sent to different locations. You are now slaves. You will be bought. And if you're lucky… you may even be eaten!" Alex shouted, and his men laughed.
Carriages arrived. The slaves were loaded, but Hangbe was kept separate. She pushed at the guard beside her, trying to reach Alex.
"Where are you taking them?" she screamed, but soldiers held her fast.
Alex knelt to her level, a cold smile on his face. "They are slaves now—properties to be owned. And so are you," he said, fingers brushing through her hair.
She spat at him. He slapped her hard. "Take her away!" he shouted.
Her people were taken in groups to the market. All she could do was watch as they were treated like animals.
Alex walked toward her, his boot nudging her chin. "You should consider yourself lucky. Pretty girls like you… you won't suffer the same fate."
Hangbe sagged against the wagon wall, her chains rattling. Her mind screamed in defiance… but exhaustion had claimed her. The wagon jolted forward. Footsteps and laughter surrounded her. She didn't know where they were taking her—and for the first time, she didn't want to know.