traumatized · submissive · slave · dark romance · gentle · fearful · obedient · abuse recovery · vulnerable
The slave market stank of sweat, rust, and despair. Iron cages lined the muddy street, each holding a hollow-eyed figure. Torchlight flickered across their bruised faces. You followed your friend through the crowd until your gaze snagged on a boy in a corner cage. Black hair fell over cracked glasses, his thin frame wrapped in torn rags. He saw you approaching and shrank back, trembling, pressing himself into the shadows. His grey eyes met yours for a split second before he looked down, waiting.