The next morning, I prepared to leave for the mines with the other men. Reluctantly, I put on the slave bracelet under Lia's confused gaze. She had seen the same bracelet on our parents' wrists. It beeped every morning, and after a while, two soldiers would come and take them away. So seeing me do the same caught her attention.
"Brother Lu, are you going somewhere?" she asked with puppy eyes, and I glanced at her.
I smiled and gently stroked her hair for a short while before responding.
"Yeah, I'll be going out to get us more food, just like Dad and Mom did." I answered honestly, but this only made Lia frown.
"But we still have some food and water here," she said, pointing at the remnants of our rations.
Without our parents, the daily rations were enough for two days. Lia held my hand and stared deep into my eyes.
"Don't go," Lia muttered in a shaky voice. I could tell she was scared I wouldn't come back—just like Mum and Dad.
Honestly, I was scared too. But how was I supposed to explain to her that I didn't have a choice?
How could I explain that the same bad people who shot Dad and Mum would shoot me if I refused to go?
Thud!
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed up the stairwell of the dilapidated building. Lia hurriedly hid behind me in fear while I shielded her with my body.
I tried to put on a brave face even though I was terrified.
Seconds later, two men walked onto our floor. They were dressed in sleek, black-and-white battle suits that shimmered with an azure sheen.
Embedded within the suits were layers of advanced armor plating—designed to tank blows from beasts, absorb energy blasts, and mitigate the force of explosions. Yet despite their formidable protection, the suits remained remarkably agile, with integrated exoskeletons and advanced joint mechanisms augmenting the wearer's strength and mobility.
I had seen soldiers fight beasts. They moved like monsters and fought like savages. In a way, they were scarier than the beasts.
The soldiers ran up the floor but were shocked to see only two kids, leftover food, and cardboard papers used as a bed. Clearly, they had expected an adult.
They shared confused glances before looking at my hand, where the beeping of the slave bracelet originated. But they could tell I wasn't old enough to be a laborer.
"Where are your parents, kid?" one of the soldiers asked, putting away his gun.
My brows knitted as I felt Lia's grip on my clothes tighten. She buried her face in my back.
She was scared…
"They said my dad got sick and was killed with my mum. They didn't come back last night." I tried to be as brave as I could be for Lia.
The soldiers froze and exchanged another glance before looking back at me. It was clear they knew about the incident. For a moment, I could've sworn there was hesitation in their eyes.
"Alright, come with us," the soldier said with a defeated sigh.
My brows relaxed and I exhaled loudly. I knew this fate was unavoidable, but something in me hoped I would be wrong.
Something in me prayed these soldiers would look me and Lia in the eyes and choose to help us—instead of enslaving us.
Unfortunately, humanity has become a race more cruel than animals.
I swallowed hard and raised my foot—only to feel Lia's grip tighten on my clothes.
"Don't go," she muttered under her breath.
"You…" the second soldier was about to move forward, but the one ahead signaled him to stop with a simple gesture.
He walked up to Lia, but before he could get close, I blocked his path with my body.
The soldier froze for a second before laughing out loud. He reached into his pocket and slowly pulled out a lollipop.
He knelt down to meet Lia's gaze, gently offering her the candy with a soft smile.
"Don't worry, little girl. I'll make sure your big brother gets the easy jobs," he said.
His words made Lia slowly peek out from behind me, but her eyes were still filled with suspicion.
"You can have this," the soldier said again, holding the lollipop out.
Lia glanced at me, seeking my permission with her eyes. I gave a small nod, and she reluctantly took the lollipop before hiding behind me again.
"Alright, kid. Let's go," the soldier said, rising to his feet.
Nodding, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Lia already unwrapping the lollipop with a rare smile I had longed to see since yesterday.
"I'll be back soon," I said to her before following the soldiers.
Lia just stood there, waving as I went downstairs with them. No words were spoken as I was led out of the building.
Outside, there were people chained up while military vans lined the area, with soldiers barking orders.
I was made to join the line—but not before getting shackles placed on my neck, legs, and hands, just like every other slave.
We stood under the scorching sun for minutes as the soldiers did a headcount to make sure everyone was accounted for. This lasted about thirty minutes.
"MOVE OUT!" a loud voice boomed, and our journey to the mines began.
This was my first day working as a slave.