This chapter has been written in honor of three wonderful things in my
life.
First, I got in college!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so immensely excited about this it's unbelievable. So consider this chapter a present to myself for getting in!!
Second, it snowed last night. I love snow. I love winter. And though winter comes every year, the snow has been hiding away for quite some time. It never seems to want to stick to the ground, but last night it did. So I'm very happy!
Third, it's Thanksgiving break. I don't have to go to school until next Tuesday, and nothing, absolutely nothing, could make me happier than that.
Chapter Fourteen
"Well let's hear it then!" Robert demanded quickly. "What's this brilliant plan of yours?"
Michael grinned. "It's so simple," he explained with deliberate slowness. "Too simple, really."
"Get on with it," Robert protested loudly.
Rubbing his hands together Michael began to talk. "All we have to do is go back to the place Robert crashed and find the driver."
"That's your plan?" Robert asked indignantly.
"Let me finish!" Michael said gleefully. "We can take the driver and put him inside of the transport, where you were Robert, and it will seem as though you were killed in the accident. No one will think any more of this whole nasty affair."
"Do you really believe that will work?" Malai questioned him.
"Of course," Michael said. "As soon as he's dead the controversy will disappear. No one will care who killed James as long as the culprit is dead. Robert's name might not even make it to England's papers."
Robert studied Michael skeptically. Something seemed off in explanation of how nicely things were going to work out. "Well then," he said after a moment, "let's go back and get things sorted out now."
"No," Michael said fervently. "I'll take care of it on my own. I think you two should get out of here before the day really begins. The sooner you're out of the country the better."
"But we have to find Fajop," Malai protested, "and make sure he can take Lucria safely."
"Don't worry," Michael said. "I'll take care of Lucria. I've grown rather fond of her myself." He ruffled her hair affectionately and she sent him a strange look.
Malai hesitated. "Would you mind very much Lucria?" she asked. "You could come with us too, if you'd like."
Lucria looked from Michael to Malai and back again. She shook her head slowly. "I'll stay here," she said quietly. Malai's heart fell a bit; she had a queer feeling in her that told her Lucria was upset with her for some reason. She wished, more than anything right now, that she had more time to delve into whatever was troubling her sister. But time was the one thing she did not have.
"It's settled then," Robert said in a tone that was laced with conviction. He clapped Michael on the back. "You're the best friend I could have Michael." He grinned. "Write us as soon as you can; you know my sister's address?"
"Of course," said Michael.
With a mix of fear and regret and excitement tingling in her blood Malai hugged Michael briefly and then bent to embrace her youngest sister. Lucria held her for only a moment before stepping back. Fighting tears, Malai found Robert's hand and without another word they started down the street.
Right before they turned a corner, Robert paused and hollered, "Take good care of the horse. She saved my life!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lucria felt as though she were a shadow no one paid any attention to. She had felt this way her entire life, but lately it had been especially horrible.
Months ago, when Malai had first informed them of her daring plan of escape, Lucria had been ignored so blatantly she had given up trying to tell anyone what she wanted. It didn't matter to her that their father wouldn't let them be Egyptian. She found the English lessons to be actually quite interesting though she had never, and would never, admit it to her siblings.
So the plan had proceeded without a word from Lucria. No one chose to listen to her when she did say something, so she had just remained a silent bystander. She had been sure that in the end she could go through with it. She'd still be, after all, with her brothers and sisters, and they were the most important people in her life. Only her father would be absent, but Lucria knew it was absurd to point this out. He was the reason they were fleeing.
So, just as Lucria had been able to accept the inevitable, the two Englishmen had shown up at their home. On the day they were escaping, no less, and Lucria's world had fallen to pieces.
She lost her brothers and one of her sisters that night. Because the Englishman had fouled up Malai's plan. And because of that, Lucria was very angry with him. The only reason she finally come to terms with the plan was because she'd still have most of her family. But now, now this man had loused it all up.
So Malai formulated a new plan, with the help of the man, and decided to execute it the following night. "Don't worry," Malai had explained, "we'll be with our family again in just a few short months."
But Lucria did worry. She hadn't wanted to leave her home at all, let alone with only one of her siblings and the man who had ruined the plan would have kept them together. Inevitably, in Lucria's mind, she knew she had to turn back and go home. She had known, in her heart, that if Malai showed up without her, her brothers and sisters would come search for her at home and they could all be a family together again. So the moment the man and Malai had their backs turned, Lucria had decided to run for it. What she hadn't expected was for the other man to show up.
Lucria had watched as the new presence struck down the man and felt a wave of terror as he descended on Malai and she saw Malai strike him down. She knew then, that if Malai were to be caught, she'd never be reunited with her whole family again. So Lucria did the only thing she found instinctive; she ran home to tell her father so he could save Malai.
But that had resulted in nothing but a new kind of pain. One Lucria never wanted to speak of.
The man was arrested soon afterward.
And soon after that, Malai returned home, with a new man. Together, she and Michael had dealt with Lucria's father, the one she no longer knew, and rescued her.
Malai had been shocked, Lucria realized, and sad when Lucria confessed to telling Father the man had hurt James, not Malai. It startled Lucria and she had wanted to make her sister feel better, but within seconds she was forgotten again.
And, speaking to Michael as though Lucria didn't exist, Malai had decided to turn herself in, the exact thing Lucria had feared so vividly that she had run home to her father.
Lucria had grown very angry with her sister. She had clearly explained her plight to Malai. All the reasons she had told on the man and her fear of separation. Or, at least, she had tried to. She found herself ignored once again as soon as she had confessed.
Michael had been kind to Lucria throughout their short journey. Lucria liked him well enough, especially when he tried to convince Malai not to turn herself in, but he too ignored her in the end.
The man had reappeared, as if by magic, on a very pretty horse. And, as the three adults began talking as though Lucria weren't there, she smiled sweetly at it.
The next thing she knew, all the decisions had been made. Malai and the man were leaving Egypt, leaving Lucria, leaving the family, and it had all been Michael's idea. Lucria felt irritated with him, but not as irritated as she was with Malai. Looking at Malai, her face full of love and excitement, Lucria realized she didn't care about the family at all. She just wanted to go off gallivanting with the man. Lucria felt a sudden hatred for her sister. Malai had forced them all to follow the plan. Malai had messed up the plan and gotten them separated in the first place. Malai had run off with the man and had hurt another man. And Malai was now the one leaving forever. She had destroyed their togetherness.
So when Malai asked Lucria if she wanted to go with her and the man, Lucria had refused with a steadfast anger that began in her heart and burst forth in her dark eyes. She'd stay with Michael, who would help her find her other siblings and be happy with her real family.
Malai had betrayed her.
Lucria, so often ignored, so often forgotten, there vowed to forget Malai.
"Who needs her?" she whispered to the horse as she lovingly hugged its neck, a few minutes after Malai had departed. "We'll be fine without her. All of us. Together."
And she and Michael rode off together.
Lucria would not see her sister again for years, and even then, the bitter resentment she felt refused to die once they were reunited.
It was the end of a sisterhood.
*****
Notes:
I did not plan that part with Lucria at all. I finished writing the part with Robert and Malai and I was going to end it there, until I realized just how short the chapter would be. So I was trying to think of how to make it longer without spoiling how I wanted the chapter to end and this portion with Lucria sprang into my head. I really enjoyed writing it; a new POV was a fun turn of events. Let me know what you thought.
The only trouble I had with the end of Lucria's section was how to explain that Lucria never forgave Malai, even after many years. At first I was just going to say they never saw one another again, but I've been toying around with ideas for a sequel of sorts, and in it I might have the characters return to Egypt. I didn't want to spoil continuity to serve Lucria's grudge, so I chose to say what I said instead. Just to note, I'm not exactly sure how the sequel will go, if there even is one. But why take the risk of limiting myself.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this chapter.
Please review; I'd greatly appreciate it.
More to come. . .
First, I got in college!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so immensely excited about this it's unbelievable. So consider this chapter a present to myself for getting in!!
Second, it snowed last night. I love snow. I love winter. And though winter comes every year, the snow has been hiding away for quite some time. It never seems to want to stick to the ground, but last night it did. So I'm very happy!
Third, it's Thanksgiving break. I don't have to go to school until next Tuesday, and nothing, absolutely nothing, could make me happier than that.
Chapter Fourteen
"Well let's hear it then!" Robert demanded quickly. "What's this brilliant plan of yours?"
Michael grinned. "It's so simple," he explained with deliberate slowness. "Too simple, really."
"Get on with it," Robert protested loudly.
Rubbing his hands together Michael began to talk. "All we have to do is go back to the place Robert crashed and find the driver."
"That's your plan?" Robert asked indignantly.
"Let me finish!" Michael said gleefully. "We can take the driver and put him inside of the transport, where you were Robert, and it will seem as though you were killed in the accident. No one will think any more of this whole nasty affair."
"Do you really believe that will work?" Malai questioned him.
"Of course," Michael said. "As soon as he's dead the controversy will disappear. No one will care who killed James as long as the culprit is dead. Robert's name might not even make it to England's papers."
Robert studied Michael skeptically. Something seemed off in explanation of how nicely things were going to work out. "Well then," he said after a moment, "let's go back and get things sorted out now."
"No," Michael said fervently. "I'll take care of it on my own. I think you two should get out of here before the day really begins. The sooner you're out of the country the better."
"But we have to find Fajop," Malai protested, "and make sure he can take Lucria safely."
"Don't worry," Michael said. "I'll take care of Lucria. I've grown rather fond of her myself." He ruffled her hair affectionately and she sent him a strange look.
Malai hesitated. "Would you mind very much Lucria?" she asked. "You could come with us too, if you'd like."
Lucria looked from Michael to Malai and back again. She shook her head slowly. "I'll stay here," she said quietly. Malai's heart fell a bit; she had a queer feeling in her that told her Lucria was upset with her for some reason. She wished, more than anything right now, that she had more time to delve into whatever was troubling her sister. But time was the one thing she did not have.
"It's settled then," Robert said in a tone that was laced with conviction. He clapped Michael on the back. "You're the best friend I could have Michael." He grinned. "Write us as soon as you can; you know my sister's address?"
"Of course," said Michael.
With a mix of fear and regret and excitement tingling in her blood Malai hugged Michael briefly and then bent to embrace her youngest sister. Lucria held her for only a moment before stepping back. Fighting tears, Malai found Robert's hand and without another word they started down the street.
Right before they turned a corner, Robert paused and hollered, "Take good care of the horse. She saved my life!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lucria felt as though she were a shadow no one paid any attention to. She had felt this way her entire life, but lately it had been especially horrible.
Months ago, when Malai had first informed them of her daring plan of escape, Lucria had been ignored so blatantly she had given up trying to tell anyone what she wanted. It didn't matter to her that their father wouldn't let them be Egyptian. She found the English lessons to be actually quite interesting though she had never, and would never, admit it to her siblings.
So the plan had proceeded without a word from Lucria. No one chose to listen to her when she did say something, so she had just remained a silent bystander. She had been sure that in the end she could go through with it. She'd still be, after all, with her brothers and sisters, and they were the most important people in her life. Only her father would be absent, but Lucria knew it was absurd to point this out. He was the reason they were fleeing.
So, just as Lucria had been able to accept the inevitable, the two Englishmen had shown up at their home. On the day they were escaping, no less, and Lucria's world had fallen to pieces.
She lost her brothers and one of her sisters that night. Because the Englishman had fouled up Malai's plan. And because of that, Lucria was very angry with him. The only reason she finally come to terms with the plan was because she'd still have most of her family. But now, now this man had loused it all up.
So Malai formulated a new plan, with the help of the man, and decided to execute it the following night. "Don't worry," Malai had explained, "we'll be with our family again in just a few short months."
But Lucria did worry. She hadn't wanted to leave her home at all, let alone with only one of her siblings and the man who had ruined the plan would have kept them together. Inevitably, in Lucria's mind, she knew she had to turn back and go home. She had known, in her heart, that if Malai showed up without her, her brothers and sisters would come search for her at home and they could all be a family together again. So the moment the man and Malai had their backs turned, Lucria had decided to run for it. What she hadn't expected was for the other man to show up.
Lucria had watched as the new presence struck down the man and felt a wave of terror as he descended on Malai and she saw Malai strike him down. She knew then, that if Malai were to be caught, she'd never be reunited with her whole family again. So Lucria did the only thing she found instinctive; she ran home to tell her father so he could save Malai.
But that had resulted in nothing but a new kind of pain. One Lucria never wanted to speak of.
The man was arrested soon afterward.
And soon after that, Malai returned home, with a new man. Together, she and Michael had dealt with Lucria's father, the one she no longer knew, and rescued her.
Malai had been shocked, Lucria realized, and sad when Lucria confessed to telling Father the man had hurt James, not Malai. It startled Lucria and she had wanted to make her sister feel better, but within seconds she was forgotten again.
And, speaking to Michael as though Lucria didn't exist, Malai had decided to turn herself in, the exact thing Lucria had feared so vividly that she had run home to her father.
Lucria had grown very angry with her sister. She had clearly explained her plight to Malai. All the reasons she had told on the man and her fear of separation. Or, at least, she had tried to. She found herself ignored once again as soon as she had confessed.
Michael had been kind to Lucria throughout their short journey. Lucria liked him well enough, especially when he tried to convince Malai not to turn herself in, but he too ignored her in the end.
The man had reappeared, as if by magic, on a very pretty horse. And, as the three adults began talking as though Lucria weren't there, she smiled sweetly at it.
The next thing she knew, all the decisions had been made. Malai and the man were leaving Egypt, leaving Lucria, leaving the family, and it had all been Michael's idea. Lucria felt irritated with him, but not as irritated as she was with Malai. Looking at Malai, her face full of love and excitement, Lucria realized she didn't care about the family at all. She just wanted to go off gallivanting with the man. Lucria felt a sudden hatred for her sister. Malai had forced them all to follow the plan. Malai had messed up the plan and gotten them separated in the first place. Malai had run off with the man and had hurt another man. And Malai was now the one leaving forever. She had destroyed their togetherness.
So when Malai asked Lucria if she wanted to go with her and the man, Lucria had refused with a steadfast anger that began in her heart and burst forth in her dark eyes. She'd stay with Michael, who would help her find her other siblings and be happy with her real family.
Malai had betrayed her.
Lucria, so often ignored, so often forgotten, there vowed to forget Malai.
"Who needs her?" she whispered to the horse as she lovingly hugged its neck, a few minutes after Malai had departed. "We'll be fine without her. All of us. Together."
And she and Michael rode off together.
Lucria would not see her sister again for years, and even then, the bitter resentment she felt refused to die once they were reunited.
It was the end of a sisterhood.
*****
Notes:
I did not plan that part with Lucria at all. I finished writing the part with Robert and Malai and I was going to end it there, until I realized just how short the chapter would be. So I was trying to think of how to make it longer without spoiling how I wanted the chapter to end and this portion with Lucria sprang into my head. I really enjoyed writing it; a new POV was a fun turn of events. Let me know what you thought.
The only trouble I had with the end of Lucria's section was how to explain that Lucria never forgave Malai, even after many years. At first I was just going to say they never saw one another again, but I've been toying around with ideas for a sequel of sorts, and in it I might have the characters return to Egypt. I didn't want to spoil continuity to serve Lucria's grudge, so I chose to say what I said instead. Just to note, I'm not exactly sure how the sequel will go, if there even is one. But why take the risk of limiting myself.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this chapter.
Please review; I'd greatly appreciate it.
More to come. . .