Rosa walked outside for the first time in 8 years since she had been one of Kato’s slaves. She had to hurry, or she would get a very severe beating. She didn’t know where to go. But then, she saw Kato coming from the courtyard. She ran behind the house, but Kato had seen her. He ran after her throughout the house. Rosa knew that Kato was a vampire, but she was half-vampire, half-werewolf and could run much faster… than a regular vampire. Kato was like, the king of vampires. When he caught up to her, she kicked him in the knee. There was a loud crunch and he backhanded her. She fell back a little. Rosa had had enough. “Leave me alone, you physo! I hate you! You hit me, you call me “slave”, you’re always underfeeding me, and you’re just a natural jerk!” Then, he snapped. He picked her up by an arm and leg, and threw her at a wall. She winced in pain. He grabbed a whip and stood over her. Rosa knew what would happen next. When he lifted the whip to strike her, she rolled to the side and tripped him. He fell on top of her and set a shot of excruciating pain through her body. But, when he whipped her, she didn’t feel it. She couldn’t feel it. Then, she realized, she was used to pain.    Kato saw that Rosa wasn’t in pain, so he whipped harder. Nothing. He grabbed her by her hair and pulled her into the living room of his house.

      He threw her on the floor in front of a stranger. His name was Blue and he and Kato were cousins. Blue looked confused as to why Rosa was lying at his feet, bleeding, but in no pain. “Cousin, what have you done to this girl?” Kato wasn’t the kind of person to tell the truth if it would affect his image. “She tried to escape, she deserved it. She basically asked for it.” Kato knew his cousin knew better of him to give a slave what they wanted. Rosa got up and tried to leave, but her legs gave way underneath her. Blue caught her and set her on the couch. “Kato, if you keep killing all the slaves Aunt Paula gives you, you’ll have to move in with me and my mother. Now, no one wants that, now do we?”    Kato growled at Blue, and said, “If you take this one, I won’t have to call you anymore.” He pointed at Rosa. She looked at Blue and saw that he and Kato looked nothing alike. Blue held Rosa’s arm and they walked toward the door. “If you need anything, Cousin, call Linda. She’s the one who wants more slaves.” Blue called as he and Rosa walked to his car.

   It’s been 3 years since Rosa had been around Kato, and she was glad of it. She had been staying with Blue and his sister, Linda. Blue always treated her like an actual person. The way Linda treated her…that was another story.

      Just then, Blue walked in. He looked like he just saw someone get killed. Rosa walked up to talk to him, but then he held his hand up to stop her. “Don’t… p- please.” Rosa got really worried, so she had no choose but to go to Linda.

      Linda was sitting on a red chair in the middle of the room when Rosa got there. She got down on one knee the way a slave would kneel for its master. Even though she wasn’t Linda’s slave, she had to kneel, or she would be beaten. When she would be beaten, she would have to make up an excuse for Blue when he saw her. “What do you want, girl?” Linda asked. Rosa had to bite back the urge to get up and slap her. She needed to think of Blue right now. “There’s something wrong with …Master Blue. He seems ill.” She had to sound like a slave, or Linda wouldn’t listen to her. Linda didn’t seem to react to this news. She just picked up a book and started reading. Rosa was surprised that Linda didn’t seem to care that her brother was in pain. “So? What makes you think I care?” She said as she got up. This time, Rosa didn’t hold herself back. She smacked Linda right across the cheek. “How dare you?! That’s your own brother, and you have the nerve to say that you don’t care about him?!” Then, she backed away from Linda. Now, you’ve done it! She thought. Linda held her bruised cheek. Then, she walked over to the phone and dialed a number. “Hello, Kato?” When Rosa heard Kato’s name, she shook. Look what you gotten yourself into! Rosa tried to walk away, but fear had frozen her in place. “Yes, well… this slave you let us have three years ago… no, she’s not dead. My, my, Kato, you sound worried for the worthless thing…” She chuckled softly. Then, Linda looked over at Rosa and smiled evilly. “Yes, of course, you can have her back. See you soon.” She hung up the phone. Linda walked over to Rosa and slapped her. Rosa fell to the floor, not in pain, but from the impact. “Pack your things… you’re going back to Kato.” She smiled as she walked into the other room. 

The first time Rosa met Kato, she didn’t know her parents had sold her to him. “Hi!” She greeted the boy warmly. Kato was 7 at the time and Rosa was 5. Kato walked around her and smiled. “Mama was right. You would make an excellent slave.” He said. Rosa walked away from him. “Excuse me? I’m no one’s slave!” she protested. Rosa’s mother walked in. “Mama! Tell this boy that I’m not a slave.” She pleaded. “You are now, sweetie. Don’t worry, we’ll be living well from the money they gave us for you, so don’t worry about us! Kiss, kiss!” Rosa watched her mother, father, and younger brother walked out of the door and out of her life. Kato grabbed her arm and lead her into the kitchen. “Get started, slave!” he demanded, and laughed evilly.

      When Kato’s car pulled up, Rosa hid behind Blue’s house. She hoped that Blue would stop him from taking her back to that evil place. When Blue walked over to her, her face lit up. “I’m sorry…” was all he said as he held a hand out for her. Rosa hung her head low and took Blue’s offered hand. She tried to put on a brave face for him when she was within view of Kato. “Don’t be afraid of him.” He said as they got closer. Kato’s face was still as dark and cold as it had been in Rosa’s nightmares. He looked at the ground until Rosa was within sight of him. She’s grown… He thought. Three years ago, she had the figure of a stick. Now, she had a perfect hourglass figure. Rosa didn’t want to look into his cold eyes, so she looked around at the surroundings instead. Linda walked out toward them with a cherry smile on her still bruised face. Rosa took some comfort in that. That should teach her not to be so vain! She thought happily. Though, the happiness was shortly enjoyed. Linda was an excellent liar. “Well, I’m so sorry to see you go! Maybe, if you’re good, Kato will let you come and visit.” She said as if she were sending a child to live with a relative. “Goodbye, Blue. Linda.” Rosa said simply. She waited for Kato to either put her in the trunk or tell her to walk. But, to her surprise, he held the door open for her. She got in cautiously. Then, the car pulled away from the one place Rosa felt happy… the one place she felt safe.

When they got back to Kato’s estate, Rosa was ready to attack Kato when he opened the door. He opened the door and was kicked swiftly in the gut. Rosa ran out of the car and ran to the back of the house. Kato followed her and held her against the wall of the house. She tried to get away, but Kato had a good hold on her. Then, He looked into her eyes, and used his vampire powers to talk to her telepathically. You don’t have to be afraid of me anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. The time I was away from you was… torture. I’m sure it was pure bliss for you. But, you’ll be safe here with me, Rosa. He ended his internal speech by bringing his lips to hers. She tried to get away from him, but, failed. She had to let him kiss her without protest. Then, he released her and walked into the house. She fell to the ground, stunned. She had just been kissed by her only enemy. Why?! She thought miserably.

      When Rosa was cleaning in the kitchen, Kato was pacing back and forth muttering something to his secretary. “Mr. Doverville said he was only able to pay three-fifths. Might I suggest…” he started, but, Kato held his hand up to silence him. “Melanie is coming over today. She’ll be happy that I got one of my old slaves back. Especially one I actually enjoyed having around.” When Rosa heard this, she started scrubbing the plate she was washing so hard, she washed the pattern on it away. Kato must have had feelings for her if he enjoyed having her around. But, she didn’t feel the same way. Rosa was curious who this “Melanie” girl was and why Kato cared so much about her opinion.  Then, the front door opened.

      Kato opened the door to reveal a girl about Rosa’s age, but much more beautiful. “Hello, dear. I’ve missed visiting you.” She said as she kissed him on the lips. She must be his fiancée. Rosa concluded. When Melanie saw Rosa in the kitchen, she expected her to smile at her, like Kato had said. Instead, she turned away from her and pushed Kato so hard, he fell into a wall. “Why is she here?!” She shrieked. Melanie’s scream was a very unpleasant sound. Kato had to switch between checking his ears for blood and using them to get up. “I… was low on slaves.” He lied, perfectly, as always. Melanie walked over to Kato and held a hand out for him to help him up. “I’m sorry for pushing you. I just can’t stand the thought of another woman living in the same house with my Kato.” She said. Rosa rolled her eyes, glad she wasn’t facing them. Like I even want to be here… She thought sadly.