All Things New
Chapter II
Haydee silently followed Malik from the cab, and was nearly unaware of Rishid behind them. There was no running now; for one, she was in a new land and didn't know her way around – although, she didn't believe Malik really knew either – and she couldn't risk putting her brother, Namu, in danger.
"Which one is it?" he asked, glancing around the docks and noticing three, rather large, boats.
"The white one," Rishid answered, leading the way to the small stairwell which led up into the middle of the boat.
"Well, don't just stand there," Malik said, grabbing Haydee's arm and pulling her up the stairs. Perfect.
"Why do you need a boat?" Haydee asked curiously, rubbing her arm lightly. Her wrist still hurt a bit, but Rishid had wrapped some gauze around it – which he happened to be carrying around with him.
"That's none of your business. There are some things you should learn Haydee, and one of them is not to ask questions. Get in," he commanded, pointing inside a small room. Without waiting for her movement, he shoved her in, closing the door behind her and locking it. I'll figure out what my plans are for her later…and then I'll deal with her.
He slowly walked further into the boat, his hand clutching his golden rod. So far, his plans had turned out perfectly, with the exception of the girl. But she could prove to be very useful; as well as entertaining. He stepped into another room and closed the door behind him. Tomorrow, he would take that girl "shopping" as well as search for some people to do his bidding.
He smirked, his lavender eyes glancing out through the darkness of his room. He already had three in this city who were willing, it was only a matter of time before he had an army of Ghouls. He was going to have to find that so called Pharaoh and the keeper of the puzzle before any of his greater plans could surface into reality.
How he hated that man. It was his fault he was supposed to live underground. It was his tomb he was supposed to protect. It was his fault his father died. And it was all for him that the memories had been inscribed on his back. A snarl formed deep within his throat as he recounted that day. All the pain and agony of being branded. Any innocence he had had up to that point had instantly banished, all because of the Pharaoh and his memories.
He would make him pay for what he had caused him to go through. He would see to it the Pharaoh would not regain his memories, but that he, Malik, would gain his power and take control of the world.
His eyes flashed as he thought about the girl. She had too much spirit, was too temperamental, and was much too strong-willed. He was going to have to change that. Tomorrow, after we get back from our little…excursion… An insane laughter filled his room as he began to make plans for the young sixteen year old Egyptian girl.
o - o - o
"Miss Haydee?" a knock sounded on her door as a voice called out to her.
Haydee allowed a small smile to grace her lips as she sat up on the small bed in her equally small room. "Come in Rishid," she called, If you can unlock it.
The door creaked open, and Rishid entered, carrying a tray. "I've brought you dinner," he stated simply, placing the tray beside her on the bed and turning to leave.
"Wait, I have a question."
Rishid remained still, but did not turn around.
"Does he seriously plan on…taking over the world with a deck of cards?" she snickered softly at this thought.
"There is great power in these cards; but it is not the cards that will give him power to rule the world, but the items. You will learn in time." Quietly, he left her to her thoughts, alone once again.
Haydee arched a brow, staring down at the food and a pair of sticks that lay beside it. "How the heck am I supposed to eat with these?" she mumbled, picking them up and fiddling around with them. The whole thing felt awkward to her as she adjusted them in her hand and tried to eat some of the rice, but finding she could only get about one grain with the sticks. I am not using my hands.
She stared at the food, then the sticks, and back to the food. Her brows furrowed slightly as she held the two sticks together and used them to scoop the rice. It didn't work as well as a fork or a spoon, but it certainly worked better than trying to grab it.
Her thoughts began to consume her as she slowly ate the rice. If Malik truly had plans to take over the world, then why would he take a girl with him, when she had the opportunity to get in his way. Especially a girl like her who didn't always listen to her father, and was most definitely not going to listen to some platinum blonde freak who held a golden rod and claimed he had powers she knew nothing about.
She sighed, her eyes glancing towards the circular window which let in a small amount of light. I just want to go home; I just want to see Namu one last time, and Yafeu, and Father, and Mother. I hate you Malik! She didn't know that the boy a few rooms down was listening to these thoughts, a satisfied smirk upon his face.
- o -
[- - - - -]
There was a slight rumbling sound that reached Haydee's ears. She rolled her eyes lightly and turned away from her book, her navy eyes glancing at Malik. At present, his hands were wrapped around his stomach, and he looked like he was in pain.
"Malik?" she asked softly, her eyes teasing.
"What?" he growled, his stomach echoing.
"Are you still hungry?"
His stomach answered for him, and he turned his face away. As far as Haydee could see, he was acting like a two year old with his pouting. She smirked lightly, pulling out her bag and rummaging through it.
"Here," she said, dropping a bag of pretzels on his lap. "I would think you wouldn't be hungry considering we just ate only thirty minute ago, and you had half of mine."
Malik scowled, opening the bag and biting into a pretzel. "Bring anything else?" he asked curiously, his eyes glancing over into her open bag.
"Not for you," she smiled, zipping it up and dropping it back down beside her feet.
Malik stared at her, a pleased smirk appearing on his face. "You do realize that you haven't said something like that in over a year," he pointed out, bringing a light blush to the girl's face.
She remained quiet, picking up her book and trying to hide the unwanted blush that had appeared. What had happened to the spirited girl she used to be? She sighed, shaking her head and concentrating on the book.
Malik had done things to her, said things to her, that had changed who she was. Her hand instinctively brushed against the left side of her lower back, her eyes closed in remembrance. That was the first time she had begun to realize he wasn't one to make idle threats.
In spite of everything he had done to her, she had chosen to stay with him. Why? She smiled lightly, opening her eyes and once again, trying to focus on the printed words. It was a simple deduction really, and a dangerous feeling. If it were anyone else, it would be easy; but this wasn't just anyone, this was Malik Ishtar. He was as complex a person as she, and their history together did not help the war raging deep within her heart.
[- - - - -]
- o -
A loud knocking upon her door, followed by the door crashing open, were Haydee's wakeup call the next morning. She groaned lightly, scowling at the man who stood in her doorway.
"Get up," he commanded, walking towards her and pulling on the sheets. "We're leaving in ten minutes, and unless you want to be severely punished, you'll be ready in five."
Haydee watched him disappear down the hallway, leaving her door wide open. She frowned, rising from the bed and stretching. She hurriedly grabbed an outfit, closed the door, and threw it on. On the door hung a mirror, which had captured her eye. She stared at herself and sighed, shaking her head and brushing her hair back behind her ears with her hand.
This was going to be an interesting day; shopping with the jackal from Hell. How exciting! Haydee rolled her eyes, opened the door, and came face to face with Malik.
He glanced at a clock which hung opposite her door and smirked. "Impressive, you have one minute left. Let's go." He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the same staircase they had used the evening before. The only difference was that there was a motorcycle sitting at the bottom.
Haydee stared at it, feeling the pressure of Malik's hand leave her arm. There were two helmets sitting on it, and she instantly knew what he was going to do. This is not going to happen! I am not going to wrap my arms around—
"Get on," Malik interrupted her silent thoughts, tilting his head back. "And put this on; not that I would care if you fell off and hurt yourself."
Haydee slowly put the helmet on, all the while, glaring at Malik. She did need some clothing, so she could humor him for the day. But that didn't mean she was going to like the guy in the tiniest bit.
"What are you waiting for, get on. Or are you scared?" he taunted, raising a brow at her.
"I'm not scared of anything!" Haydee snapped, swinging a leg over the bike and sitting on the back part of the seat. Unwillingly, she wrapped her arms around Malik's stomach, closing her eyes tight and trying to block out the feel of his muscle toned abdomen.
Malik smirked as he started the bike and sped off into the city. It was going to be fun to break her spirit. Slowly, and surely, he would do so; and by nearly any means possible. He chuckled inwardly, feeling her grasp tighten as he purposely sped up. This was going to be one interesting day.
o - o - o
Malik tapped his foot impatiently as he stood outside the dressing room Haydee was in. He didn't see the need for her to try something on if it was the proper size. He really didn't care if it showed anything; it wasn't like she would be going anywhere, or that it would bother him.
At this point, he was seriously contemplating taking over her mind while she was in the room; or, at least, look through her eyes. He could see what she kept hidden under those robes. He smirked, his hand grasping the rod which sat in his pocket.
"Alright, fine, I admit it; you were right," Haydee said, opening the door and glaring at Malik.
Malik growled, releasing the rod and taking the clothes from her. There was no way he was going to pay for all these items. He smirked, placing them on the counter before the saleswoman and grasped his rod.
"Did you find everything alright?" she asked, glancing between Malik and Haydee.
"Yeah," Haydee mumbled, leaning against the counter and closing her eyes.
Foolish girl. The saleswoman's eyes glazed over as she removed each security tag from the clothing Malik was purchasing. Wordlessly, she placed them in a large bag and handed it to Malik. He grasped Haydee's arm and pulled her towards the door, causing her eyes to snap open. I'll release her mind when we're far enough away.
"She wasn't very talkative," Haydee mumbled, trying to take the bag from Malik. "Fine, carry it; see if I care."
"You would just love for this situation to be in your control," he mused, stopping abruptly in front of a store that brought a bright blush to Haydee's face.
"No; no way! I am not going in there with you!" she shrieked, her eyes widening in horror.
"Well, you could always purchase them yourself; but, I doubt you have any money with you."
"I am not—"
"Relax Haydee, it's not like I find you…appealing." With that, Malik pulled her into the store, much to Haydee's dismay. "When you're finished, let me know."
Haydee glared at him and turned away, browsing through the different items the store had, the bright blush still on her cheeks. I can't believe he's doing this to me! Doesn't he know that no man is ever supposed to set foot in here? And then he's going to see what I'm getting and…oh, why couldn't I have at least packed a bag before he abducted me!
While Haydee's thoughts consumed her, they also filled Malik's mind, causing him to chuckle. She was amusing; a typical female. Flustered when she couldn't have control. He smirked, listening to her babbling on and on about how wrong it was for him to even suggest going in with her; especially when she couldn't stand him.
"May I help you Sir?" a young woman with curly blonde hair and bright green eyes asked Malik.
"I'm waiting for her," he growled, tossing his head at Haydee, who was holding a few garments in her hands, her face still showing signs of pink.
"Oh," the woman said, a smile gracing her lips in understanding. "I see. Good luck." She winked at Malik and ran off to help another customer, leaving Malik in confusion.
Good luck? What was that wench talking about? He shook his head, placing the cold look back on his face. Nonetheless, it didn't matter to him. He looked up, finding Haydee standing at the counter, her items waiting to be paid for. He slowly approached her, his hand clutching his rod.
"Go wait outside; and don't think about running off, I will find you Haydee. And let's not forget your little brother, Namu," he threatened quietly in her ear, watching her slowly make her way outside to a bench. Quickly he focused the rod on the woman, who, as the woman at the other store, removed all security tags, and bagged the items. And, as before, Malik exited the store with the bag – not having to pay a thing.
Haydee's blush had subsided, and Malik was now the proud carrier of five different bags, one of them being from the woman's store. He could hear Haydee's stomach making growling sounds, which caused him to feel hungry himself. Rolling his eyes, he began to lead her to the food court.
He really didn't care if she starved to death, but she was his possession, a payment for a debt. He figured he might as well make good use of her. She looked like she could become a good servant – with a proper education of course.
He quickly dropped the bags on a table, told Haydee to wait there, and disappeared in the crowded food court. Unfortunately for him, there were too many people around, so he'd have to pay for the food. He could try to take control of all their minds, but the most he had experimented with was five, and even that had been a tad strenuous.
The man behind him tapped his shoulder, bringing Malik's attention towards him. He was taller than Malik by a few inches, with short black hair and deep crimson eyes. "I saw you take your girlfriend there to Victoria's Secret. Congratulations," the man said, winking. "But if you ever get tired of her…" he trailed off, his eyes traveling to Haydee as he licked his lips.
Malik's eyes narrowed as a deep throated growl escaped his lips. No one was going to miss this worthless piece of garbage. Without a word, he grabbed the man's collar and drug him down a hall where the restrooms were – and where no one seemed to be.
"Relax, I won't take her unless you're done with her," the man said, holding his hands up and hoping Malik wasn't going to start a fight.
"One, she isn't my girlfriend; she's my possession. Two, no one touches what is mine!" His face was twitching as he held up his rod, a faint glow of the eye of Horus evident on his forehead. The rod began to glow and in a flash, the man had disappeared. No one touches what is mine!
His head began to pound as he shoved the rod back in his pocket. He slowly made his way back to the food court and was at the table with Haydee in under twenty minutes. She was giving his skeptical glances, and they were deeply annoying him.
"What?" he snapped, rubbing his head.
"Nothing," Haydee replied quickly, averting her eyes. Malik's hair seemed a tad bit spikier, not to mention the faint glow on his forehead. I'm going to regret this later… "Here," she mumbled, holding out a small bottle to him.
Malik raised his brow as he took the bottle from her, and popped the top, taking two tablets from it before shoving it back in her hands. His headache seemed to have disappeared when she offered her kindness, but he shrugged it off and took the aspirin just in case. Of course, now his curiosity was piqued as to where she had gotten the bottle.
"I always keep a bottle with me. The sun used to make my head pound, so my mother added a small pouch to all my traditional Egyptian gowns," she shrugged, a smirk on her face. "And don't look at me as if I could read your mind, I figured you were going to ask."
Malik shook his head, his eyes closed lightly. Now that he thought about it, he could remember his head feeling the same way almost seven years ago. On the same day his father was killed and he had taken possession of the rod. It was almost, as if, there was someone else inside him, wanting to control his body.
He frowned visibly, his eyes narrowed. That sounded like the thoughts of a madman, and he was not insane! He slowly opened his eyes and glanced across the table at Haydee. He had lied earlier, when he had told her he didn't find her appealing. It was quite the opposite; he found her to be more than appealing and beyond attractive. But that was the teenage boy inside of him, reacting to hormones. He had more important goals in mind to even think about a girl. Besides, when he had control of the world, she would have to do anything he wanted. And if he could break her spirit sooner…
o - o - o
"I see you and Master Malik did a bit of…shopping," Rishid commented, glancing at the seven empty bags that littered Haydee's floor.
"Yeah. Where does he get all this money?" she asked curiously, flopping down onto the bed and glancing at the elder man's chocolate eyes.
Rishid fidgeted lightly, looking anywhere but the young girl's eyes.
"Well, whatever," she shrugged, leaning her head back.
"I should go."
"Wait, Rishid. I was just wondering. Earlier, there was this faint eye looking thing on his forehead. Actually, it looked like the same one on that rod he's always carrying. Why haven't I noticed it before?" she asked curiously, turning her head to look directly in Rishid's eyes.
Rishid paled slightly. The last time the eye had appeared on Malik's forehead…he had murdered his father. He shuddered, not wanting to face that Malik again. "I can not answer that for you Miss Haydee," he said quietly, hurrying from the room and leaving Haydee to her wondering.
He never questioned his younger brother, but this was something very serious. So far, he had been able to contain the other side of Malik – the extremely evil side. Something must have happened to anger Malik beyond reason, but what? Rishid couldn't answer that, but he was hoping Malik would. If he were to lose control to the hatred burning deep within him…
"What is it Rishid?" Malik asked, his eyes lazily traveling to the man clad in a dark purple robe. He slouched in his throne, yawning as he did so. He was going to have to have his fun with Haydee soon.
"Master Malik, I ask that you not think me too presumptuous in asking, but—"
"Out with it Rishid," he yawned.
"According to Miss Haydee, the eye…" he trailed off, searching for the correct words.
Malik rolled his eyes as he rose from his throne and turned towards Rishid. "There's nothing to be concerned about Rishid."
Rishid bowed slightly, praying silently that the darkness within Malik would not consume him. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Malik's hand upon his shoulder.
"Rishid, I want you to bring Haydee to me – in here," he said, a dark smirk gracing his lips as a sadistic laugh escaped his throat. "I have a…gift for her."
"Yes Master," Rishid answered, fleeing from the room to fetch Haydee. He couldn't help but fear for the girl, but what was he to do? He was loyal to his brother and would do anything for him. He knew he wouldn't kill her, but hurting her was a definite possibility.
o - o - o
"What?" Haydee asked, walking into the room and taking in it's décor. The lights were very dim, but she could make out the few pieces of furniture. A throne sat along an empty wall, and a few feet in front of that was a glass case. Haydee tilted her head in curiosity, but make no move to quench it. To quench her curiosity would be to take steps closer to the blonde Egyptian, and that was something she didn't want. She had been much too close to him on his motorcycle.
"Come here," he said, closing his eyes in boredom.
"I'd rather not."
Malik snapped his eyes open, glaring directly at her. "You dare defy me girl?" He rose from his throne, marched over to her, and grabbed her arm. In the process, he slammed the door shut. "You'll soon learn that I do not enjoy being disobeyed."
Haydee was silent, mentally shuddering at the dark emotion lingering in his eyes. She felt herself being thrown to a few cushions she had not noticed before. I will not give him the satisfaction!
"Come now Haydee, do you really think you can keep up this façade much longer?" he jeered, leaning down next to her and grasping her upper arms tightly. "Do you not like me?"
Haydee glared, but said nothing. He has major issues!
"I have a gift for you."
"I don't want it."
"That's too bad." With that, Malik turned her over so that she was on her stomach. He pulled out his rod, allowing the blade to appear and glisten in the dim lighting. He swiftly positioned himself over her legs, his eyes staring at her back. Quickly, he lifted her shirt slightly, his eyes darting between the left side and the right side of her now visible, lower back.
"What do you think you're doing!" Haydee hissed, trying to rise, but finding it to be in vain.
"Pick a side Haydee, left or right."
Haydee was silent, her mind running through all the possible things Malik could do to her. She had not seen the blade appear from the rod, nor had she even noticed him pull it from his pocket.
"Fine. But let me warn you, this may sting at first," he said, chuckling. "Wait, let me change that. This will cause you pain like you've never known before." Without another word, he dug the blade into her skin, bringing a loud cry of anguish from the girl.
Fifteen minutes passed, and Malik finally stopped. The cries never ceased however, which caused in him purposefully digging the blade deeper, and bringing even more pained cries from the girl – which brought sadistic grins to his face. Deep crimson blood was now pouring from the wounds on her back, but Malik just sat there, his eyes staring at his work.
Haydee finally grew quiet, apart from the sound of her constant sniffling and soft groans of pain. She couldn't move, she didn't want to move. Her back was burning, and she was feeling weak. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to block away the pain.
"Well, that was fun," Malik sniggered, dragging his index finger through her blood and bringing it closer to his eyes. Even in the dim light, it was obvious to him the darkness of her blood, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had dug too deep and cut into something. The blood flow didn't seem to be stopping. "Well, you don't have to agree with me."
Haydee didn't move. There was no smart-aleck remark, no insult, and no thoughts pouring through her head. She was silent, her breathing shallow and labored. Malik shrugged slightly, picking up the gauze he had brought with him. It would do no good for the girl to die. In a strange gentle manner, he wiped her wound with a wet cloth he had had a mind slave bring him before securing the gauze.
He smirked as he lowered her shirt. When she was healed, that was going to be a nice reminder to her who owned her. He shook his head, lifting her over his shoulder, and avoiding the wound. He walked through the small hallway on the boat to her room, where he placed her on her bed. If she thought that was pain, she could never imagine the pain he had endured when he received the Pharaoh's memories on his back.
A slight shudder and tingling sensation made its way up his spine as he recalled that day. He would never be able to forget the anguish he had felt, the utter despair at his entire back being carved into by his father. He growled, turning away from the girl. He would see to it she never forgot who owned her.
- o -
[- - - - -]
Haydee cast her navy eyes out the window, glancing at the clouds they were soaring through. They were like large, puffy mountains in the sky. Within the cloud, it seemed to be much more beautiful than if one were to merely look at the cotton floating high above in the cerulean sky.
Time seemed to pass slower up above as well. It was only five hours ago that she had said a final farewell to her family and entered the secured area of the airport with Malik and Rishid; and it was only three and a half hours ago that the plane had taken off, leaving Cairo behind.
She closed her eyes lightly, a serene smile appearing on her face. She was going to miss her family tremendously, but she had learned to overcome that in the two years prior. While she loved her parents deeply, as well as her elder brother Yafeu, the one she would miss the most was Namu.
Before she had met Malik, he had followed her everywhere, wanting to be with her at all times. During storms, he would go to her room. When he was tired, he would curl up in her lap. When he was sick, he wanted her to care for him. She smiled sadly, realizing this would never happen again. She was no longer a part of her family – she hadn't been since her sixteenth birthday. The past could not be changed, but perhaps the future was bright. It is not the past which dictates who we become, but rather our reaction to the events we have endured.
"Haydee?"
"Yes?" she replied softly, turning to gaze into two lavender orbs.
Malik grinned cheekily as he tilted his head. "I'm bored," he shrugged.
"What do you expect me to do about it?" she asked, furrowing her brows in question.
Malik seemed to ponder this a moment. "Find something to entertain me."
Haydee raised a brow, shaking her head slightly. She knew what he was trying to do, but the Haydee of the past was, for the most part, gone. Who she was and who she became were two entirely different people. Of course, Malik seemed to have the idea set in his head that he could bring the past Haydee to the surface.
"Come on, do anything. I don't care. Just keep me from being bored."
"Malik, sometimes you can be so insufferable," she groaned, dropping a heavy book onto his lap.
"You want me to read this?" he asked, glancing at the title. "A Tale of Two Cities."
"Just be quiet. Watch a movie, read, do anything. I am not entertaining you Malik Ishtar," she whispered quietly.
"Come on, I'm bored."
"You're nineteen, entertain yourself," she mumbled, taking the book from him and dropping it in her bag. There were times when he annoyed her to no end, and in spite of her self-acquired self-control, he was still able to bring a somewhat heated grumble from her.
"Alright," he shrugged, grinning wickedly. He closed his eyes, his face still turned towards Haydee's.
"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.
"Nothing," he answered, turning away from her, his eyes remaining closed. A picture of her flashed through his mind, bringing a soft smile to his face. Another picture of her entered his mind, this one not so clean as the first. He smirked, feeling his heartbeat quicken as he allowed the image to linger in his mind.
She was beautiful in his eyes, always had been. There was just something different about her, something that caused him to regret the path he had chosen all those years ago. She was definitely something special, a complex puzzle in desperate need of being placed together again. If he could repair what he had destroyed, perhaps she could finally give him the one thing he longed for.
NOTE: I don't own A Tale of Two Cities (nor do I want to...I really find that book to be boring). And, I don't own Victoria's Secret but I wouldn't mind working there (it's not my fault they never hired me! -.-) Anyways, I hope you all are enjoying this story. I wanted to update yesterday, but the server was messed up - so glad it's fixed! Ja ne!