FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"See any you like?"

This voice was familiar, it sounded friendlier than usual. Then again, that wouldn't be hard.

"...Maybe."

A second voice, I didn't recognise this one. I couldn't see him for the blindfolds we wore but I knew it was a customer.

"Why don't you pick out your faviorites and we'll bring them to an observation room?" asked the first voice, a 'man' known as Ruaridh to his friends and 'Sir' to us. "Maybe you can make a decision then."

"Alright then..." The customer sounded hesitant, but proceeded to pick out half a dozen humans, myself included. We were marched, still blindfolded and collared in single file. Not that it made much difference, I'd made this journey a hundred times. We knew what to do; side by side against the wall, standing straight, mouth shut.: A line up, a sale. I could hear the others breathing beside me. I shivered, the warehouse air cold against my bare skin.

"Feel free to have a closer look." Announced Ruaridh, his voice tinged with the excititement of the impending sale. The customer said nothing, but I heard take a couple of steps closer before asking Ruaridh;

"Can I take off the blindfolds?...I would like to see their eyes."

"If you like." He answered "But could you put them back on when you're done?"

I heard the customer walk up to each of the others and remove their blindfolds, I couldn't see but I could only assume that this was followed by a brief inspection. The customer said nothing, and the humans said nothing (For we were forbidden to speak in the presence of customers.), at last he came to me. The blindfold was removed with surprising tenderness, and my head lifted by the chin with a fur-covered paw.

"Hmmm..." I heard, I could barely see the figure in front of me as the lights hurt my eyes and customer was silhoetted against it. But I could see that he was large, dark and definetely canine. "What about you?" He whispered, loud enough for only me to hear. I swear he was smiling....what about me?

"I think I've made my desision" He called, whilst placing the blindfold back over my eyes. "I assume there's paperwork?"

"Of course. Please follow me sir." replied Ruaridh as the customer walked away.

I knew I'd been chosen, but I didn't know how to feel about it. It could mean anything, a life as a companion, or a life as a slave...or worse. I could even be sold to a university to be studied and dissected. Either way, I felt nothing. This was my life.

Oppress a man for long enough, lie to him, tell him he's worthless. He'll believe you, you'll break him. And then he'll truly be worthless. I am worthless.

.......................................................................................................................................................................

We stood there for over half an hour, we could not move without permission or risk punishment. And Ruaridh was cruel even among the other slavers. As time passed, my apprehension grew. I felt colder than normal, I could hear the the slow breathing of the other slaves, I could hear my own heartbeat, drumming in my ears. I wanted to cry, but I didn't know why.

It wasn't long after this that I heard the voices I awaited, yet dreaded

"Remember, he is now your property." Ruaridh again_. "He is entirely your responsibility, you can do whatever you want with him no questions asked, but in return you must ensure that after the money is transferred, tthe connection to us must be deleted. Do you understand?"_

"...Yes." I could barely hear the customer, I was thinking about what Ruaridh said. "You can do whatever you want with him no questions asked." This was my fate, an object, a plaything. I am worthless.

"Good." Ruaridh replied. "NUMBER 4. STEP FORWARD!"

I did so. I felt Ruaridh reach forward and clip a leash to my collar the end of which he had given to the Customer.

"You can go sir." He said politely to the customer...my 'owner'. I am worthless.

At this, my owner started walking. Tugging gently on the leash to get me to follow.

I was scared, I didn't know what my future held. I didn't know how much longer I would live, and how I would live. My owner stopped as I was deep in thought, I bumped into him and flinched; expecting punishment. But none came. Instead I felt the leash unclipped and my owner pushing me into a seat, a car seat. I heard the door close behind me and sat in silence while my owner went round and got into the adjecent seat and started the engine.

"You won't need that anymore." He said, while tugging the blind fold from my head.

After blinking several times to adjust to the light I took my first look at him. I was right, he was canine. A wolf to be precise. Remembering my manners I quickly averted my eyes. With a small luagh, my owner lifted my chin again. I had no choice but to look into his eyes, they were beautiful.

"You can leave all that behind, I'm not a slaver and you're not a slave." He smiled warmly now.

"...I'm not?" I questioned.

"Well...technically you're my 'pet'" He spat out the word pet as if it revolted him "But you're more of an adoption."

I still struggled to understand this. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"So, what's your name?" The wolf asked. This confused me even more, no customer ever cared about names.

"...I...I don't" I stuttered in return.

"Well?" Asked the wolf. Insistent but kind. "What should I call you?"

"I don't have a name." It was nothing but a whisper, but he heard me.

"WHAT?" His anger frightened me, noticing this he calmed down and spoke more quietly. "How could they not give you a name?"

Because I'm worthless. But I stayed silent.

"Never mind." THe wolf continued, his anger subsided "I'll name you....Where you born?"

"...I...I don't know." I whispered again.

The wolf gave me that look again_,_ but said nothing_. "What about that warehouse?...Have you been there a while?"_

"Yes." I replied "A long time."

"'Silverside stores' it was called." He announced "How about that?...'Silver'?"

I tasted the word, letting it roll silently off my tounge Silver. I smiled.

"There you go, Silver it is." He stuck out a paw and grasped my hand gently. "Pleasure to meet you Silver, my name's Sean." He released my hand, "Now...let's go home."

As my owne...Sean drove. One thought came to me.

Am I worthless?