On a sunny and humid day, a servant jogged on the sand. Cuts rest, swollen and infected, in between her two inner toes due to the flip flops being made of wood and rope. The yellow orb in the sky shone down on the girl, bronzing her skin even more. Beads of perspiration formed on every inch of her body, clinging to her clothing as it stuck to her flesh. Still, she went on, determined to find the same secret spot she'd discovered yesterday. It was a cave; a cool and dark place structured by rocks. And most importantly it contained a pond full of water. The water was fresh and clear. She wasn't able to tell by seeing. No, it was too dark in the cave to view it, but she knew of the crystal clarity just by tasting it.
Finally reaching the cave she went inside. A sudden change in temperature took place. The warmness dropped drastically being replaced by a cool draft. Goosebumps formed as her sweat turned cold. Moving deeper into the cave she kept looking back at merely every step she took, making sure no one besides she was there. She knew she had to be careful and on guard at all minutes of the day because if she got caught there would be serious consequences; punishments that would be much worse than death. She began to imagine what would happen if she was found lurking around this area. She thought of one of her master's assistants finding her in a state of tranquility, sipping the heavenly essence cupped by her bare hands. Then, his face twisted in rage, he would make brutal attacks on her body, making sure not to forget the forced intimacy afterwards.
It happened before and was guaranteed to keep repeating. Disobedience and secrecy was not tolerated; especially a secret this major.
More water was desperately needed as most of the villages people found themselves suffering from dehydration. If a beautiful pond like this had been discovered by somebody else most likely it would have been granted to the royal and merchants. Lower class peasants like herself would be given leftovers. Not only that, but the nice quietness of the cave would be populated by the wealthy-and only the wealthy. Those blessed selected few…
Leaving her sandals behind on a rock she sunk down into the water; mentally gasping from the shock of it. The water relived all of her pain and relaxed every over worked muscle. The pond-she believed-was mythical.
After a few minutes of bathing a shot stone was heard and forgetting her sandals, the girl took a huge breath of air and disappeared under the surface. Her eyes were squinted at the blurry depth as her arms were stretched out. In need of oxygen, she quickly found a space that was hidden and tilting her head up she breathed under the reef like structure.
She didn't make a sound and when she assured herself that nobody else was there the girl swam back. She was half way back at the bottom on the pond when something got hold of her ankle. Looking back, she wasn't sure what it was. All she knew was that it was cold, it was sharp, and it was going to kill her.
The girl didn't believe in miracles at first. Another figure approached her, removing her ankle with his hand.
Later she asked "how did you know?"
He held her sandals up and gave them back to the girl.
"But why..."
"Well I couldn't just leave you there. I'm not that cold hearted" he remarked.
"And I'm Storm" the girl introduced.
He looked puzzled but then seemed to understand.
"My names actually Zachary you see."
She laughed but then turned serious. "I want to thank you for saving me, although I still believe you wasted your time. I am wanting to end my life so it wouldn't have mattered if I drowned."
"I apologize for interrupting your wishes then." He arose from his Indian style sitting position and turned his back on her.
"Wait" she called.
"Yes" he inquired.
"Please… tell me about yourself, and how you know about the pond."
Zachary faced her yet again as he ran his fingers through his hair line. Crouching down beside Storm he began to tell the tale.
By dawn the blazing orange orb in the sky rose above the clouds. Work began. Storm was wide awake hours before. She couldn't fall back asleep so she stared at the ceiling of her chamber until one of masters henchman set her with daily chores.
So she put on her third class wardrobe and went to make breakfast from scratch for the rich bastards. Doing the easier task first so she wouldn't smell like blood and dead organ tissues, Storm went to the market and purchased fruit with a straw basket to carry it all in.
While in the loneliest part of the desert she went to go get meat to complete the breakfast preparation. The meat was cooked when tuff and slimy when raw.
Usually lizards were the animals she used for sacrifice but this time she was able to get a warm blooded animal.
When the fetching was complete she trudged back, holding a basket full of mangos in her hand as four dead little mammals drooped over a shoulder of hers.
One thing Storm hated most was people. Whenever she would walk through the village they-especially the women-would stare at her with either pity or disgust. The children would stop playing ball and tag on the streets just to look up at her with curiosity. Sometimes the children would ask her question or give her compliments, saying she was nice and pretty; one young girl even telling Storm that she wanted to be just like her when she grew up. The young girl was pulled away while being scolded by a snobby woman afterwards. Storm assumed it was the girl's mother. She didn't mind the children she just hated the women of higher class, the men, not to mention the royal families and the gods.
That mother was probably telling the girl all about the degrading life of a servant. But the woman was right… somewhat.
'Oh no, you don't want to be like me; nobody does' she thought to herself.
Looking back Storm spotted the woman, the girl, and a young boy-the girls brother she presumed-observing a market. The same market where she purchased her fruit.
She watched the woman hand the clerk several gold coins in exchange for three shiny red apples, a basket full of berries, and half a dozen of potatoes which had recently been sprouted from the ground…
Her trip back to the ancient palace was intense. The meat made her sick to her stomach and as she passed the pyramids working men gave her cat calls due to her humiliation of carrying dead animals.
The castle guards withdrew their crisscrossed weapons as they allowed her to enter.
The double steel doors led to a corridor, then to a kitchen where she spent over an hour skinning, cleaning, and cooking-while making sure to pasteurize it all.
The king and his nobles awaited for their breakfast in the dining room. The total seven were each seated on royal cushioned oak chairs. The king sat at the far end of the table babbling about his most recent victory. The nobles tried to pay attention and forget the high rumbling of they're stomachs.
She walked in soon afterwards carrying a silver tray containing seven dishes made of bronze. Setting each down carefully in between every set of utensils, and in the perfect center of each placemat, Storm gave a small bow directed towards the upper class.
"I prepared your meal for you master" she muttered, her head lowered and her face hidden from him; she spoke in a shy tone.
The king nodded.
"What the hell is this?!" a noblemen questioned. He angrily slammed his pitched utensil onto the table. It bounced off the surface and made a clink on the plate.
Food mixed with the minion's saliva was spat onto her clothes. She shuttered and kept her head bowed; not moving. Approaching her he grabbed both her wrists using one hand; his free hand hit air and bruised her cheek.
Harsh laughter of five amused men echoed throughout the room. Releasing his grip he found a new place to put his hands. Disgusted where he was touching her Storm continued closing her eyelashes together, attempting to hold back the tears.
Two fists belonging to one of the most important men in Egypt slammed on the table, objecting the assistant's vile behavior. The five stop chuckling as the one startled most pulls his hands off of Storm.
"I will not allow this barbaric behavior!" the king yelled. Storm lifted her head. The minions looked remorseful and afraid. She was more relieved.
"The next time you act without orders it shall be your lives you pay with. Is that understood?" he threatened.
"It is understood sir" one replied bravely.
The king sat down and tried the meal for himself. He swallowed the pork.
"It is acceptable" he told her.
"Thank you master" she said.
He swung his left hand slightly. "You may leave."
She felt like smiling but couldn't; he muscles weren't able to form gleeful expressions for awhile now. Instead she bowed, and then exited without any inquiries.
Stone and bricks made up the temples exterior. The inside contained a single twelve foot statue of an Egyptian god. Storm glared at it in hatred. 'You're a joke; a pathetic excuse for a creator' she thought.
Royal footsteps made their way across the floor. "Oh, I didn't see you there. I thought I was alone" spoke a woman.
"I was just leaving your majesty." Storm knelt and stretching her arms forward on the ground she lowered her head. Rising, she was about to go off somewhere else but before she did that she would wish her mistress a wonderful day.
"I ask that you remain where you are young lady" said the mistress.
Approaching Storm the woman asks her if she will be present at a certain ceremony. "Would your master allow you to attend?" she continued.
"He mentioned nothing of it your highness" Storm replied.
"Hmm." A look of disappointment filled her face. "Well give him my regards either way."
Then she left…
Later on, people were dancing through the rhythm of drum beats. Dark shades of red, blue, green, and violet swirled around the room, being flaunted by the rich. Togas, off white or beige, were being worn by the poor. It was only the exception of one peasant that she would be able to dress of royalty that night and be treated as such.
Storm didn't understand why the king had given her this privilege. It just didn't make sense to her in that part of life.
The lower section of her dress rose in the air, making her look like an elegant ballerina as she spun around. Woven of the finest Egyptian cotton, the dress was also colored by the most expensive dye of scarlet.
Insoles were buried into her loafers making a comfortable substitute for the prickly flip flops.
Around her waist was a loosely silk scarf which was gold; embroidery that same color outlined the V and the sleeve cut off of her gown.
Wavy black hair free from its knots, glossy red lips, and glistening Dorado eyelids made her features stand out. She felt beautiful and sad. The bangles clinked against each other while on her wrists. She danced by herself.
The ceremony was just as she expected, nothing more. Something-or rather someone was missing though.
She decides to find herself some solitary underneath the full white orb. The moon was complete that night. As her fingers trace the engraved letters on the tombstone something grabs her from behind. Her hands behind her back, Storm was restrained from meeting eyes with her attacker. Everything felt cold and sharp. Two stabs were engaged into her back before she went numb and dropped to the ground.
Waking up, Storm was greeted with extreme pain. She was in a bed lying on her belly; a pillow rest against her cheek. She felt bandages wrapped around her waist as the material irritated her skin greatly.
She didn't know where she was.
"I'm guessing you are not too familiar with your surroundings" he said.
Startling her, Storm didn't even know anyone was there at first.
"Is it really you?" she asked, her voice cracking; half of her face still buried in the pillow.
"Of course it's me" he replied, letting his fingers ravel around a lock of her hair.
It's been just the two of them for hours. She hasn't said a word in awhile. She hated being conscious again. She hated herself for being so sick and so weak.
"Was it you who saved me?" she spoke long after.
"Yes, and for the second time might I add" he responded.
Letting out a grunt Storm tried pushing herself up to turn around. Then when she looked up she saw Zachary's face looking down at her.
"I don't think you would like me anymore if I told you the things I'm craving" she whispered.
"Nothing would make me not like you Storm; and don't worry, I'll get you whatever you need" said Zachary.
'Good, because I'll be needing you afterwards' she thought.
"You can have me" he said calmly.
He read her mind! She gasped at that, and at the fact that he had fangs!
Storm saw what was outside the window. The orb in the sky was now red.