My heart pounding out of my chest, the blood pulsing in my head. I ran fast, screaming.

"The Ganhhys are here!!!"

It was as if the oxygen in my lungs was gone. I panted for air as I entered the communal space. My hands shook as I dropped Syphyllis and ran to my room.

My legs burned as I fell to the floor. I clutched my head and curled into a ball.

The steps vibrated through the floor, closer and closer. The air was getting thinner as if my lungs were being squeezed.

I heaved for air. Then suddenly, a hand grabbed me by my neck and slapped me. I fell down, my waist cushioning the blow. Blood dripped down my nose as I held my cheek.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!" my father screamed, holding a gun and pointing it at me.

I looked at him, eyes wide, while he furrowed his brow at me. He raised his hands.

But my mother, Lesly, came in. "They’re here," she said.

The sound of clanking metal came from the dining hall. Through it, I heard a faint whimper.

Running outside, I was trembling. "Puppy??"

That’s when I saw him, lying in his own pool of blood.

My body froze, then I ran to him, dropping on my knees. I put my hands on his nose. His breathing was faint. Large drops of tears flew down my face as I clutched his body.

"Puppy?" I called, putting my hands on his bleeding wound.

"Please! Please, help me!" I screamed around the people, but all they did was look at me.

Even the Ganhhys were looking at me, but I shifted my gaze immediately.

The blood was fishy and dark red, but I still put my hands on the wound, desperately trying to stop its bleeding.

Cries climbed out of my throat as I saw Infanta approach, after glancing at the Ganhhys.

She was almost one step from me when one of the Ganhhys with blue eyes approached.

"Why do you want to save him?" he asked. Without thinking, I answered, "He’s my baby," while stroking my dog's head.

I saw the Ganhhys smile at me. My mind told me to run, but I could not leave my puppy.

One of the Ganhhys with two metallic bronze arms stepped closer. He removed my hands, and I tried to struggle, but the metal was cold and like iron chains.

The one with blue eyes then dug his hands into Syphyllis's body and pulled out a bullet, stuffing the wound with a white cloth like a plug that stopped the bleeding.

The men stood up away from me, and Syphyllis let out a whine. Tears flew down like a dam while I clutched his head.

I repeated, "Baby, my baby," again and again.

My father glared at me as he passed by, while he grabbed Infanta to place her in front of the Ganhhys.

"Here is the bride," he said, smiling happily. "One year’s worth of resources is our deal," he said slowly, trying to laugh.

The Ganhhys were quiet for a moment before they turned their heads toward me in synchronization.

My spine stiffened, and I hugged my puppy tighter, now breathing evenly.

"We want that one," they said at the same time.

My breathing hitched, and I looked at Infanta.

My father immediately removed her veil and ran to me, placing it on my head. He helped me up while holding Syphyllis and whispered, "Be obedient. Help us."

He held my hand very tightly as he pulled me toward the Ganhhys.

In front of them, I stepped back, their shadow cast over me, my brain almost foggy from crying.

Infanta then snatched the veil off my head.

"You bitch! You stole this from me!" she screamed.

"You can have this," I replied back at her, shaking.

"No," the Ganhhys replied, very synchronized.

Lesly slapped Infanta with a large smack, and she fell to the ground.

I stepped forward to help her, but Lesly came in front of me. She put the veil on my head and whispered, "Well, starve if you don’t go. Help your mother, Valentine baby," she said so gently.

She fixed my hair and kissed my cheeks before leaving. I couldn’t feel anything at all it was as if my whole body was numb.

"To our pride! Our honor!" my father shouted.

And for the first time, the people replied, "To Valentine!" they screamed.