This story is on a trial to see if it appeals to anyone. I might continue this story or I might not depending on if it gets any reviews. I have plenty of other ideas and if anyone has a request on what stories I should publish then by all means message away. I write fanfictions on many topics, Naruto, Bleach, CSI, LOTR, The Mummy, G., Justice League, X-men, King Arthur and a few others but these are the most common ones I write about. If anyone wants some specific kind of FF then don't hesitate to ask cause I just might have something close to it.

Enjoy

The sun blazed down on the helpless figure that walked slowly across the desert. She had been wondering for two days already and the third was beginning to drain her strength. Our figure was a woman from England and one with a terrible past. Susan had been from a somewhat wealthy family. Her parents had wanted nothing but the best for her starting from day one. When Susan's father died, the family a bit of trouble and so Susan's mother decided to marry Susan off to someone. It was chosen that Susan was to marry a banker who was wealthier than her family. Neither party had ever seen the other when the deal was struck and the wedding was planned. After the wedding, things went horribly wrong for Susan.

Susan's husband James hated everything about his wife. Susan had fiery red hair and not the golden blond James preferred. He also preferred dark colored eyes over blue and Susan was nowhere near the fullness in body that James wanted from his women. The only use James had for Susan was to quench his lust when he couldn't find company outside his home. However, James would not allow his undesirable wife to become pregnant and so he left her a virgin. Only using her to service him, as a way to seek pleasure. James had one morning announced that they would be leaving England for Egypt to do some business for a few months. Susan performed her duties as the lady of the house and packed all the necessary items for the journey.

When they arrived in Egypt James started seeking pleasurable company from the local brothels. Susan did nothing to stop him for is she got in his way there were dire consequences. For three months it continued that way. James would go out to work and late in the evening return with a woman from somewhere. It was on day that Susan thought to face James and ask what it would take to make him happy with her. It was on one of those rare nights when James wasn't in the mood for pleasurable company. They were eating dinner together when Susan decided to speak up.

"James?" Susan called gently.

"What Susan?" James answered not looking up from his newspaper.

"Well… um, I was wondering. We are married after all." Susan trailed not sure on how to say what she wanted to.

"Yes we are by arrangement. If I had had a choice in the matter I would have never married you." James stated flatly, "Since our wedding day you have had no problem with me seeking company elsewhere. Why all of a sudden are you asking about it now? You should note that I stopped touching you long ago since you were never able to quench my intimate needs."

"I… understand." Susan said sadly.

"Let's make one more thing clear now that we are talking." James continued setting his paper aside and lacing his fingers in front of him, "When we are together at any meal, you will not speak unless spoken to. Am I understood?" Susan stared at James silently but nodded in response. "Good, now eat your dinner and have someone clean my room. My last night's guest was a bit wild."

For the rest of the meal Susan was quiet trying to figure out what to do. She had married James at nineteen and was now 24. Most women in her position would have had two maybe even three children. Susan had none and she wanted one, but James didn't. Not with Susan at least. Susan's mother used to call her twice a month after the wedding asking her if she could be expecting a grandchild soon. Each and every time Susan had answered no. It was six months later that James wanted Susan to tell her mother she was infertile and would never be able to bear children. James had even paid a doctor to write a medical report to confirm Susan's infertility.

Like every day, James left the house in the evening to go out and drink with his friends and quench his other needs while Susan stayed at home. One day in particular, Susan decided to a book on her terrace. As Susan read her book, she started to sink into its own world. She began to think about the people in her them and what they were going through. Her book was an old fairytale that she adored, the little Mermaid. She loved the main character and how she would do anything to be with her beloved prince. It was the fairytale Susan wanted no matter how childish it seemed. The realization of her situation came crashing down on her again. She was married to a man who didn't love her. Who didn't want children with her. Who hated every detail of her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she closed her book, covering her mouth with her hand. Susan was so miserable with her life she could feel it crumbling all around her. In her misery Susan threw her book into the streets of Cairo. It was only a few minutes later that the book suddenly appeared in front of Susan. Susan looked at the book and turned her head to look at the person who was holding the book.

"A beautiful woman such as your self should not be crying."

Susan stared at the man. He was dressed in black robes and a black turban. Shoulder length black hair framed his masculine face that had a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. His cheeks had tattoo's that would draw anyone's attention but the thing that struck Susan the most were his eyes. They were a deep brown and Susan felt as though he was looking into her very soul. She felt herself exposed to him yet she wouldn't do a thing about it.

"Miss? Are you alright?" The man asked in concern snapping Susan out of her thoughts.

"Oh, yes… I'm fine." Susan stuttered taking the book slowly, "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome." The man smiled softly.

"How is it that you know English?" Susan blurted out suddenly to stop the man from leaving.

"Do you find it so strange?" The man asked raising a brow.

"Yes, I mean no… um… forgive me It's just… I have yet to meet anyone here in Egypt who spoke such well developed English." Susan blushed as the man grinned.

"I understand. You had assumptions and thought them to be true when they necessarily were not." The man stated nodding his head slightly. "Are you disappointed perhaps?"

"Oh no, on the contrary. I find it comforting." Susan smiled softly.

"You have a lovely smile, my lady." The man said whipping Susan's tears with his thumb.

Susan felt her heart pound faster at the compliment. Her mind, however, was screaming at her to not get involved with the man any further. "Thank you for returning my book." Susan suddenly said holding the book to her chest.

"Would it be too much to inquire as to why you threw the book in the first place?" The man asked leaning against the terrace railing. "I would assume it has to do with the reason you are also crying?"

Before Susan could answer a car pulled up in front of the house and James stepped out of it along with a tall woman. Susan stared at the woman and watched as James placed his arm around her waist. Things he would never do with her. The man had also turned to look at James glance at Susan every now and then. He calculated the situation and peeked at Susan's left hand to find a wedding band.

"Your husband perhaps?" The man inquired.

Susan lowered her head to look at the cushions at her feet, "I'm afraid so."

"If he is your husband why does he seek the comforts of other women?" The man asked.

"I'm afraid this conversation is getting to be a little too personal. I thank you for returning my book mister…" Susan trailed.

"Ardeth… Ardeth Bay." Ardeth introduced.

"Mr. Ardeth." Susan nodded saying his name softly, "I thank you again. I do not think we shall see each other again."

With that Susan left to go inside the house. She returned was about to place the book back on the shelf but paused as she stared at the name of the book. She thought back to the story and everything that happened. Susan was the little mermaid who wanted to be with the prince since the first time she met him. James was the mermaid's father who stood in the way of her happiness. The prince, at the moment, was still unknown to Susan. Susan slowly pushed the book back into its place beside all the other books. The mermaid asked the sea witch to grant her legs in exchange for her voice. There was no sea witch in Susan's current life. There was no one to make a trade for to be free of her marriage. Not to mention there was no prince to run to. The doors suddenly burst open and Susan turned to see James.

"Who was that man you were talking to Susan?" James asked as he held his hands behind his back trying to be casual.

"That was Mr. Bay." Susan answered clutching her hands in front of her nervously.

"Mr. Bay? I didn't think you knew anyone here in Cairo." James stated calmly as he walked a little closer.

"I don't know him. We had only just met." Susan answered.

"Ah…" James trailed a nodded his head slightly, "Would you like to elaborate your meeting?"

"I was reading on the terrace when I fell asleep and dropped my book. Mr. Bay was passing by and he returned my book." Susan answered throwing a little white lie.

"Are you sure about your answer?" James inquired stepping up close to Susan who in turn sucked in a breath and clutched her hands tighter.

"I told you what happened. It was a brief meeting we are nothing more the acquaintances and I doubt I am ever going to see him again." Susan stated calmly.

"Yes I do doubt you are going to see him again considering you are under house arrest." James said calmly. "I won't be coming to dinner tonight." James added as he walked out of the room. "And I'm going to send those fairytale books of yours to your mother for storage. I need space in my library for less childish literature."

Once James was out of sight Susan let out the breath she had been holding. This was all starting to be too much for Susan. Each time she was with James Susan had to be careful with what she said and what she did. She had been married five years and for what? So that her family would be secure after her parents died away? Susan had done everything her parents and James's family had ever asked living up to their expectations. Outside, she was what every well brought up girl should be. Who she really was, was someone who would do nothing but disappoint everyone. Her life was like a jigsaw puzzle. Once a beautiful picture and then piece by piece it was taken apart until there would be nothing left. Susan didn't want to live her life like that anymore. She had already given up almost everything she wanted. Now James was getting rid of all her wonderful books.

Looking towards the shelf, Susan ready the names on the spines of the books. The little Mermaid; Rapunzel; Cinderella; Snow white; Thumbelina; Snow White and Rose Red; Aladdin and Beauty and the beast. All stories she had read over and over until they were in her memories to the last detail. All stories she loved to read because of the romance in them. All stories that gave her hope that James might one day change. Only to be taken away from her, shattering a large piece of what was left of her former life.

"I have to get away." Susan whispered softly, "I can't stay here anymore."

With her mind made up Susan grabbed her books and went to her bedroom upstairs. She packed the books into her rucksack along with clothes; money; personal items and necessities. Susan was going to fly out of Egypt and go south. Should James find out he would automatically think she had gone home to England when she really hadn't. Once her things were packed Susan waited for nightfall to come. Until then she would sleep so that she could travel through the night.

Using the darkness as her ally, Susan sneaked out of her house and walked down the streets of Cairo towards the airport. She had never been as grateful to her grandparents as she was now. When Susan was visiting them in the country they had taught her how to fly a small plane. It was from when Susan's grandfather had been fighting in a war. He salvaged an enemy craft and kept it as spoils of war. He flew it on a regular basis and thought it would be fun to teach Susan how to fly it. Susan's parents however, didn't know a thing about it.

It didn't take Susan long to reach the airport and spot a lonely little plane near the hanger. Susan climbed over the mud brick wall and stealthily made her way to the plane. She quickly tossed her rucksack in the back seat strapping it in before getting into the pilot seat. Luckily someone had also been kind enough to leave their goggles hanging from the rear view mirror. With the goggles strapped on Susan started the plane and drove it to the air strip. That was when she saw lights go on in one of the security huts and Susan knew she had to get into the air and fast. Pushing down on the peddle the plane sped down the runway and slowly took flight. Gunfire sounded and Susan felt something rip through her side but she kept on flying into the darkness.

The gun fire ceased as the plane went out of range. Susan felt pain in her side and placed her hand on it. When she brought the hand to her face she saw it was stained red. Susan closed her eyes for a moment and took deep breaths to calm herself. She knew her wound was serious due to the fact that she could lose consciousness and crash. Susan didn't get to think much on what to do when a warning light came on. Susan looked to see what the problem was and apparently the plane was out of fuel. The plane began to plummet to the ground below and there was nothing Susan could do but pray.