Horrible walk and fate sealed.

They took me from my home. They killed my parents with no mercy.

So began my walk with several girls joined me. They burned our village. There’s no longer a home to runway to, or hope to see our loved ones again. They chainted us and that was it.

We walked through the cold night, and seen the sunrise in the west sky. We know Ra had won the battle. The once golden light that we praised with our family, and friends. Our joy of Ra’s victory now is shadow by their death.

Three days... three days have passed since their death. After three days, the men finally decide to let us rest. They probably did it on purpose. Our strength is almost gone, and any ideas of running way is quickly gone. One girl try to but she fell before she could take other step. Most girls didn’t understand each other. It was obvious by their clothes, that they weren’t from the area. This hurt me. They didn’t know that the men were planning. But I think most of us already knew.

We were all women in chains after all.

Sex slaves most likely to be sold to the highest clinet. Others who were lucky probably servants. Most hope for the latter.

We’re no longer human. So did the only thing we could do.

We prayed to our Gods and Goddesses.

Hoping for a miracle.

None ever came.

Coming sunrise we continue our walk to the unknown.

-----

We gather together at night. While the men were sitting in the fire and laughing merry. They spoke about us. How much they would get for each of us, and what they’re going to waste on it too.

Until their boss, a tall and big man told them to quit their nonsense. All the men were silence at once. I would have found it funny if I wasn’t so tired and hungry.

It took three days. Three days of walking and hunger. We arrived in a city that I could only dream of. The capital of my country; Thebes. They took us to a large house. The inside of it only confirmed my fear and reality. Several women were laying in blankets in the courtyard. The women were from different ages and turned when we enter the courtyard. Their eyes showed the bitterness and sadness of their life.

They were of different ages and shapes. Some men were with them too, and their eyes followed our bodies like hungry animals. Two women dressed in finer clothing and older walked towards. The man holding our chains handing them to the oldest of the two.

“Make sure they’re ready in an hour.” The boss spoke. Two nodded and pulled us inside without a word.

Something was off. I noticed when they helped us bathe. The two women were taking extra care to make sure our bodies were fully clean. Why? I thought.

Isn’t this a whore house? Their customers were going to abuse our bodies and then move on.

I felt the soft silk of the cloth. One woman was looking at me intensely for a second before pulling the pink cloth from my body and instead wrapped a blue one. She walked away and went to the next girl who was crying. I refused to cry. My father said that it’s best to save your tears.

I looked down and held the silk dressed in my fits.

He wouldn’t like for me to cry. No papa would frown at me and shake his heavy head.

I shook my head and raised my head up high.

Tears are best for when you need them. When they were done with the 20 girls that’s when I noticed that not all of us were going to the same location. Half of our group were freed from their chains and two more women came. They hushed them into a different part of the room. The same woman who helped me dressed grad a hold of our chains. Her brown eyes stared at me.

“You have spirit girl, but this fight is already won” She muttered.

“If you know what’s best for you girl, you will learn that it best to let things happened” She added.

I raised my head up and shook my head.

“I won’t” I replied. The woman looked surprised that I could understand her.

“Bastard went to outskirts of the kingdom again? He won’t be happy about this” She muttered before pulling our chains. “Be silenced, and keep your ears opened” She whispered.

The dark sky and moon greeted us. I quietly offered a prayer to Ra’s safety. May he win the battle and let us see his light. The fainted line of torches lights lit our way to the unknown. We walked for a few minutes. I was the ahead of the group and kept up the man in the horse while muttering several curses at his stupid muscular self. I’m surprised that he still breathing epically since I wasn’t the first girl who cursed him. The woman’s words stood out to me.

“Be silence and keep your ears opened” I was an advantage than the girls before or at least the ones who didn’t understand. My eyes widen when I saw the craves of the Gods and Goddesses. A group of guarders stood in a row holding spears. When their gaze turned to us. Their gaze was cold and unforgiving. They held no pity. I flinch and quickly shook my head.

“What’s the matter? You seem to keep up more than the rest” The Slave owner spoke. I turned my head and looked at him. “Right you don’t understand a word” He chuckled.

I shook it off and continue my walk without much of a sound.

My eyes looked around and excitement filled my tummy. This was the palace. There was no mistaking such a holy place. This was just the outside of the palace. The guards in front of the wooden gates pointed their spears at us. “We weren’t expecting you until the fortnight tomorrow” One guard spoke.

The Slave owner chuckled. “His Highness wanted them sooner”

The guard looked up and shout. “Rami go check”

“Come on buddy, you know me. I just bring fresh maidens to add for his collection”

The guard frown and pointed his weapon. “That word is forbidden as you know” He snapped.

The slave owner nodded and raised his hands.

“I’m simply bringing gifts or order that he has asked of a simple man” He muttered.

“Femi let them in” “Rami” spoke from above us. The guard nodded.

Even in darkness, the palace was beautiful and I think I was the only local girl in our group. Since the majorly had their eyes cast down and were silently crying. This was the most important place in our kingdom and we’re going to be sold to the Pharaoh? My eyes wander to the area where the public was allowed and announcements are made by our King. Craves of the Gods were again in the walls and obelisk too. There was so much more my eye couldn’t see because of the darkness.

I give up looking after a few pulls from our “leader”.

My heart felt heavy when I realized that chains covered my wrists. This wasn’t time for admiration and excitement. My freedom was taken from me, and now I had to serve someone that thought less of me.

My humanity was rid away from my hands. If it wasn’t for these chains...my parents would be alive.

I felt tears but I refused to let them fall.