Page 4 of The Auction

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One of the last things I bought before everything went to shit.

I pull it on slowly, working the buttons closed. The mirror hanging on the back of my bedroom door wobbles slightly when I touch it.

The guy staring back at me looks… fine.

More than fine, probably.

I’m not blind. I know what I look like.

Dark hair that never quite behaves, falling across my forehead no matter how many times I push it back. Lean build. Sharp cheekbones that my mother used to say would photograph well someday.

My eyes linger on my reflection for a second longer than usual.

There’s something tired sitting behind them.

Something cracked.

I grab my only pair of decent black jeans and pull them on, followed by the leather boots I polished earlier with the edge of a paper towel and some old conditioner.

The outfit is simple.

But it works.

The kind of look that says effortless, even though I spent twenty minutes trying to make sure it didn’t screamI’m broke.

I roll my sleeves once.

Twice.

Step back.

Good enough.

Still…

My stomach twists.

I lean both hands on the dresser and stare down at the floor.

What the hell am I doing?

The question echoes around my head like a loose coin rattling in a jar.

A mysterious invitation. No name attached. No explanation. Just an address and a promise that the night could change my life.

Yeah.

Sounds totally safe.

I huff out a quiet laugh and drag a hand down my face.

“This is how people end up on those serial killer documentaries,” I mutter to myself.

But the thought doesn’t scare me enough to stop.

Because the truth is…

My life right now isn’t much of a life.