Free The Auction by Eve Vaughn

order to go through. The box as it had been described was stark white, from the thick white carpet to the plush chair and desk sitting in the middle of the room. The furniture took up most of the space, making it cozy.
    “The organizers believe the fewer distractions the better. This way the buyers can fully concentrate on the merchandise. On the desk you’ll find a control panel that will generate the holoscreen. The other buttons control volume. This red button means that you want to place a bid and the light beside it will turn on when you’ve been outbid at which time, you can press the red button again. If your bid is successful, the light turns green. All transactions will be squared with Zee at the end of the auction. You won’t be able to leave until all the bids are final. In the meantime, you bring the holoscreen to pursue through our catalogue of who will go on the block tonight . Some of our guests prefer being surprised. Do you have any questions, sir?”
    Foster shook his head. “I think I can figure it out. But I was wondering, do you ever see the girls? The offers I mean? Are they housed in this building?”
    Dino shifted from side to side, his eyes darting back and forth. “I’m not sure what you’re asking, sir.”
    Foster had already known that the auction only took place once a month. Macy disappeared close to two months ago, so she most likely would have been sold off in the last auction if she were sold. “I think my question was pretty straightforward but here’s another question for you. What happens if the person on the block gets no bids?”
    “That’s never happened to my knowledge, sir. As for your other question, I’m not at liberty to answer that question. If there’s something here not to your liking, I can certainly relay that information to Zee.”
    “Is he the one in charge?”
    “ She runs things around her. Perhaps I should bring your questions to her attention so that you can have your questions answered to your satisfaction.”
    Foster smiled. “That won’t be necessary. It’s my first time, so naturally, I’m curious.”
    Dino nodded. “Naturally. The b idding will start in less than twenty minutes but someone will check on you about that meal.”
    Once Dino left the room, Foster cursed under his breath. He’d come on way too strong. He was almost certain the guard would tell his boss about the questions he’d asked. At this very moment they could be watching him. “Fuck.”
    Remi entered the room next. “Mr. Graham, is there anything I can get for you? Another drink? Maybe something to eat. Our chef can whip up anything you require.”
    “No, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
    She blushed. “I f you need me, press the blue button on your panel.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    “Well , if that will be all, I’ll check on the other guests.” She smiled, backing away slowly, in no particular hurry to leave.
    He winked again and she nearly stumbled over her feet.
    She stopped at the door. “You know, Mr. Graham, anything you require of me, I’ll be happy to do. I mean, if you have any special needs, I’ll take care of those as well.” The bright red blush coloring her cheeks made it very clear what she was offering. He doubted this was something new for her and he was quite sure others had taken her up on her proposal . Some probably demanded it.
    “I just might take you up on that, but later. I have a little business to conduct first, darling.”
    She giggled before leaving him alone.
    He wouldn’t take her up on her offer of course, but he did himself no favors to make his disgust known that this place was using children to entertain guests. Foster didn’t consider himself a prude, but he preferred his partners to be of age and fully developed. In his former life, if he knew someone was a pedophile, he took extra care to make them suffer.
    His thoughts drifted to his brief conversation with Dino. If what the scarred man had said was true then there was no