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The young Troll’s ears twitched as he listened for any sign that the Grub Handlers were returning to check on them before the auction that was only a few hours away. Karkat planned to be as far away as possible when it happened. The young boy did not want to find out if a High Blood would choose him or if the Handlers would once again take care of him. There was no way they would keep him if he was once again left behind when the others found homes. Karkat was a mutant. No one wanted a mutant. They would just get rid of him if no one decided he was worthy of life. Karkat shoved those thoughts away as aggravation prickled under his skin. The hairpin he had stolen to pick the lock with was being a pain in the ass. How hard was it to pick a damn lock?! The movies he had watched made it seem so damn easy. He stuck his tongue out in concentration as he narrowed his cherry red eyes as he continued to wiggle the pin. He felt so close, yet still so far. Karkat would not give up. Not when the auction was so close. Not when he had decided that he was worthy of more than this. Even if others thought otherwise.Then he heard the almost inaudible click of the lock popping open. Karkat had done it! He pushed the door open as carefully as he could, freezing when it filled the otherwise quiet room with an ear-piercing squeal. Karkat held still as he listened for any sign that someone other than the other kids in the room had heard. But when there was no Handler barging in to catch him, Karkat decided it was safe to continue his plan. The mutant blood stepped out of his cage, barely noticing that the stones were a little colder than the cage floor. Karkat did not look at the other young Trolls with him as he made his way to the door. Part of him wished he could take them with him. But that was not possible at the moment. He needed to get out of here as fast as possible. There was not enough time for him to get through all the locks with how much he had struggled with his own. But he could come back for them, eventually. If any of them were still here after the auction, that is. Karkat was sure that someone would choose them and take them home. Hopefully to a loving Lusus or Guardian Troll. Karkat carefully pulled the door open and slipped out of the room. He froze as he bumped into the legs of one of the Handlers. He looked up at them. For a long moment, they stared at each other. Then Karkat’s brain caught up with him and he forced himself to run before the Handler recovered and grabbed him. In his panic of almost getting caught, he almost forgot the path he had settled on for his escape. It did not take long for the older Troll to chase him with a yell of “Karkat!”Now that his brain was working again, Karkat corrected his path to make sure he would get to the window that would his escape. He spotted the horrible painting that meant he was almost at his destination. The young Troll was so close. He could feel his heart fluttering in his chest. Was this real life, or was he just dreaming? His ears perked up as he rounded the corner and spotted the window with the broken latch. Big enough for him to wriggle out of, but small enough that the adult Troll on his tail could not follow. Thank Gog that he had the head start that he did. Karkat scrambled up the old boxes that were stacked in front of the window, then hurried to shove it open. But it would not move. Panic flooded him as he tried again, then once more to get it open. His brain scrambled to come up with another way out he could get to in such a short time. But then he felt arms wrapping around him, pulling him away from the window.The harsh words of a scolding filled his ears as he was held firmly. No matter how much he squirmed and thrashed, the young Troll could not get free of the Handler. That was when he noticed why he could not get the window open. Someone had repaired the latch. He had been so close! But in the end, he failed and now he had to meet his doom head on. Despite how much he wanted to use every swear word he knew, Karkat felt himself going limp with defeat. Just accepting his scolding and the return to his cage. Karkat wiped furiously at his eyes, refusing to cry over something so stupid. He curled up under the blanket he had been provided at some point and then fell asleep. Still sniffling.Movement in the room and the opening of cages woke up the young troll. A pretty Jade Blood was the one who opened his cage. She fussed with his clothing and his hair, as if making him presentable would help him be chosen by someone at the auction. The only thing Karkat really noticed about her was that she had kind eyes and reminded him of another Jade Blood he had seen at adoption day sweeps ago now. When she was satisfied that he looked fine, she ushered him along with the others towards where the auction was taking place. He could hear that there were many Trolls gathered, but he could not see them as they approached. Some part of him was thankful for the curtain. He hoped he did not look as nervous as he felt. The fluttery feeling was back, but it was different this time.At least Karkat’s hopes were low, so he would not have to deal with any disappointment. He would say the bar was on the floor.The young Troll ignored the event as it started with some droning speech that quickly bored him. But his attention snapped back to reality when the Jade Blood from earlier gently pushed him out of the line and let one of the others take him out on stage. Why did he have to be the first one?! Maybe it was just to get him out of the way quickly and let the others have a better chance.Karkat stared out at the many Trolls out in the crowd. All of them were eyeing him like he was some sort of prize or something they couldn’t believe existed. It made him want to squirm, but he held as still as possible. The auctioneer introduced him with the energy of a puppy that had been given a bone. “Ah! A fine specimen!” He announced with a gesture and a big grin on his face. Karkat doubted anyone would agree that he was a fine specimen. He didn’t bother listening to the announcer talk him up. But he tuned back in when the bidding began.Unsurprisingly, no one raised their hand to put their hat in the ring. Who would want a disgusting little mutant? Karkat was fully prepared to just go back and wait out this whole event.Then someone in the crowd raised their hand to put their bid in. Karkat's eyes focused on a Violet Seadweller with a pair of scars across his stern face. The auctioneer was delighted to accept his bid and look around for any others. But he went unopposed, and the deal was sealed, along with Karkat’s fate.A person seated Karkat backstage and affixed a label to his shirt. When he looked down at it, he realized the label attached to his shirt declared him as claimed and stated that he would be picked up at the end of the auction. He remained seated as others were called up for their turns. The High Bloods bought some, while others were passed up. He offered some comfort to the Trolls that had been really hoping for a home. Not all accepted it, but the offer was there if they wanted it.Karkat looked up when he realized the event was over. The Seadweller had come to collect him, surprisingly. He looked Karkat over, then just nodded to himself. “Come along.” He said in a tone that suggested it would be best if he obeyed. Karkat hesitated, then hurried to keep up with the Seadwellers’ long strides. Why the hell did he have to be so tall?! The guy could at least slow down to accommodate Karkat’s shorter legs. But no, he walked like a damn beast being chased by dogs.The Seadweller led him out to his transportation, pausing for just a moment to help Karkat up and secure him before they set off. At least, he cared enough to ensure that Karkat would not be jostled around or hurt during the journey. Karkat couldn’t help himself. “Where are we going?”“My hive.” The Seadweller answered simply.Karkat could have figured that. It was a test question; he decided. “What are you going to do with me?” He demanded.“You’ll find out.”Karkat scowled, then crossed his arms, looking away from the older Troll. Stupid High Bloods deciding they didn’t need to answer questions. Though there was one question he had that he didn’t ask. Why me? It felt like hours before they arrived at the seaside home. Karkat got out when the Seadweller did, following him to the front door of his hive. He thought about just running, but something told him that was a terrible idea with this Troll. The Violet Blood opened the door, then ushered the young Troll into his home. Karkat paused as he looked around. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting of a High Bloods hive, but comfortable was not one of them. Some of it definitely screamed of status, but the rest were things he was used to. Karkat then jumped as he realized there were two other Trolls in the living space. They were just a little older than he was. Maybe by a few Sweeps. One was a Seadweller, while the other was a mutant like him if his cherry red eyes were anything to go by. Karkat had never seen another mutant. Part of him was jealous. Did someone adopt him? The other Mutant soon turned away, returning his attention to what he had been doing before their arrival.“Cronus. Kankri.” The Seadweller greeted with a slight nod of acknowledgement. “Where is Eridan?”“Upstairs.” The Seadweller answered, leaning over to look at Karkat a little better. He offered a crooked grin and a wave that the young Troll did not return. Why was he being so nice? What the hell was going on? “Is that his new friend?”Friend? Friend? There was no way that was what he was bought for. It had to be some kind of code. He was going to be fed to a seabeast. Karkat was sure of it.The scarred Seadweller nodded, then ushered Karkat up the stairs and down a hallway that seemed ridiculously long. Were all High Blood homes this big? Maybe he could find a spot to hide and sneak out if this all went to shit. He would not be some seabeasts lunch!The scarred Troll paused then opened the door to a room. Karkat peeked past him to see what looked like a respite block for a young Troll. Judging by the toys he could see and the messy drawings on the wall. “Eridan? I brought you something.” He called.Karkat’s ears twitched when he spotted a Troll right around his age. Another Seadweller that looked like he had been dressing up for a game of pretend. He looked quite similar to the older Troll and the one downstairs. “You did?” He asked innocently, seemingly not noticing Karkat just yet. “What is it?”“Mhm.” The older Troll stepped aside, then pushed Karkat forward. “A friend.”Eridan perked up, his eyes filling with happiness. It was cute. Someone was so happy to see him and they didn’t even know him yet. He did not hesitate to grab Karkat’s hands and drag him deeper into the room to make him join his game of pirates. Or wizards. Karkat wasn’t sure what it was. Only pausing long enough to say thank you to his Guardian.This was far from the fate that Karkat has been expecting. But he would never admit that it was one that he was happy to accept.