The Pre-Auction Party

It was auction day.

Elias Crowe stood in the center of the brightly lit main processing bay, wearing a crisp black button-down shirt and slacks, a glass of expensive whiskey in his hand. Soft ambient music played from hidden speakers — something classical and elegant. The warehouse had been transformed into his own private gala.

Dozens of naked frozen students and teachers stood posed around the vast room like living statues at an exclusive exhibition. Elias had spent hours arranging them.

Tyler Brooks stood near the entrance like a greeter, posed confidently with legs apart, shoulders back, and his signature cocky smile frozen on his face. Elias raised his glass toward him.

“Tyler, my man. You are the star of the show today. Highest starting bid so far. I hope your new owner appreciates that athletic build. You will probably spend eternity standing exactly like this in some rich bastard’s mansion. Cheers to that.”

He moved deeper into the room.

Jasmine Washington was posed dramatically on a raised platform, one hip cocked, chest slightly forward, one hand resting under her heavy breast. Her rich dark skin glowed under the spotlights.

“Jasmine,” Elias said, circling her slowly. “You caused quite the conversation in pre-auction interest. All those curves… they couldn’t resist you. I suspect you will be the centerpiece of someone’s private collection. Maybe displayed at parties just like this one. You always did love attention.”

Elias moved slowly through his collection, occasionally adjusting a limb or tilting a head. He stopped in front of Laura Bennett and her daughter Chloe, who he had posed facing each other. Party hats had been strapped to their heads. Mrs. Bennett stood tall and authoritative, shoulders squared, one hand on her hip as though she were mid-lecture. Chloe stood in front of her, a sour look on her face.

Elias sipped his whiskey and studied the mother-daughter pair carefully. “You two have been getting a surprising amount of pre-auction interest,” he said conversationally. “Your dynamic is… compelling. Some buyers seem excited by the idea of owning both a mother and her teenage daughter.”

He stepped closer and gently adjusted Chloe’s chin, making her gaze at her mother. “Still… I am not sure anyone will meet your reserve price,” Elias continued, his tone thoughtful. “You are a premium set, but not everyone has the taste, or the courage really, to buy a real mother and daughter set. Some collectors might find it too taboo. Others might only want one of you.”

He ran a hand slowly down Laura’s curvy hip, then over Chloe’s side, before grasping the frozen girl’s breast.

“I almost hope no one meets the reserve,” he admitted with a faint smile. “It would be a shame to lose you both. You make such a fascinating pair. The mature, authoritative teacher and her defiant daughter… there is something poetic about it. I could see keeping you here permanently as one of my centerpiece displays.”

Elias took another sip of whiskey and circled them slowly.

“Either way, today will decide your fate. If no one is willing to pay what you two are worth… you both would stay with me.”

Elias lingered for a few more moments, admiring the contrast between them, before moving on to the rest of his silent “guests.”

Brooke Callahan was posed near a decorative table, mid-stride as if she were walking toward the center of the room, her wavy chestnut hair brushed down her back, her hazel eyes once full of optimism, now stared blankly ahead.

“Brooke,” Elias said warmly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “From your social media, you always were so full of energy. Always smiling, always taking pictures. Now you will be someone’s permanent decoration. I hope they let you keep that cheerful expression. It suits you.”

He places a kiss on the frozen girl’s lips, causing her to wobble in place briefly.

Finally, he walked over to the two figures who held the place of honor near his favorite leather armchair. Mara Ellison and Sofia Ramirez stood side-by-side in elegant poses. Mara’s long auburn hair was brushed to the side, one hand gracefully raised near her face. Sofia stood beside her, hands clasped, soft innocent smile intact.

Elias set his glass down and approached them. He ran his hands slowly down Mara’s body, cupping her breasts and sliding his palms over her hips.

“My beautiful Mara,” he murmured, kissing her still lips. “You have been the star of my collection since you arrived. Today is your big day too. I am sure many people would want you… but they cannot have you. You are mine.”

He turned to Sofia, lifting the petite girl easily and holding her against him for a moment, stroking her smooth olive skin and dark hair. “And you, my sweet little Sofia. So delicate. So perfect. You will stay right here with Mara and me. You are far too precious to sell.”

Elias stepped back and looked around the entire room — dozens of naked, perfectly posed teenagers and teachers standing silently like guests at the world’s most exclusive party. He raised his glass toward all of them.

“To a very successful auction,” he announced, voice echoing softly. “May you all find owners who appreciate you as much as I do.” He took a slow sip of whiskey, then walked over to Mara and Sofia again, placing one hand on each of their bare waists.

“The bidding starts in a few hours,” he told them conversationally. “But do not worry. The best ones always stay with me.” Elias smiled — cold, satisfied, and utterly at peace — surrounded by his silent, eternal guests, at least they will be until the auction completes.