Finally getting to introduce Damian in this chapter. Sorry, it took a little while guys. After all, this is a Raven-centric story. But after a while, Damian will have a few more scenes to be active in. I promise :)
Rachel sits next to Tamdin's bed and holds his hand. Waiting for him to wake up. She knows that when he wakes up, he's going to need their support. He just lost his brother. Poor Tamdin. Poor Tenzin. Even though Tenzin was the one who opened the door, She still feels it's her fault.
Those things were after me. Because I'm just like them. I'm just like them and no one bothered to tell me.
Rachel still hasn't spoken to Harumi since last night's incident. She was taken to the infirmary after she fainted. When she woke up in the morning, Harumi came to visit so Rachel pretended to be asleep. Whether Harumi knew she was pretending to be asleep or not is up for debate. The only thing Rachel knows is that Harumi walked out silently. Tears had filled her eyes after that. She doesn't know how to face Harumi now after everything that happened. After all the lies. How long has she been lying? How long has she known about me having powers?
Kiran sits next to Rachel and places her hand on her shoulder. "He's going to be alright, you know. The nurses said it was just a concussion."
Rachel looks at her tearfully. "Did that really just happen? Those demons were here in Azarath. One of them tried to strangle Mother Harumi and I…"
"You what?" Kiran asks.
"I…This is going to sound insane," Rachel says, looking down shamefully. "But I think I have powers…"
Kiran stares at Rachel in astonishment. "What? Are you serious?"
"Yes. I don't know how or why, but I do. I have powers now."
"But Rachel, that's great, isn't it? You always said you wanted to have powers like me. Now we both have powers. What's your power? Tell me."
"That's the thing that worries me. I still don't know what my powers are. But for some reason, these powers feel dark and dangerous. I'm not sure how to explain it but there is something inside of me. Something wicked. It used me to slaughter a demon last night. And it feels like it's been in there all my life, waiting to come out."
"Why would you think that?"
"Maybe deep down inside, I am dark and wicked."
"You can't think like that," Kiran says, "You're not wicked, Rachel. You're a good person. Whatever is inside of you can't be all bad."
Rachel wants to believe her. She really does. Yet, she feels Kiran is wrong. There's something awful growing inside her. Why it decided to come out this night is beyond her comprehension.
"Does Mother Harumi know?" Kiran asks.
That's an excellent question, she thinks as she bites her nails.
"I'm not sure," she says. "She saw me use them for the first time, but the look on her face, it's like she already knew."
Kiran raises an eyebrow. "For a place that's supposed to promote peace and sincerity, the monks here are full of bullshit. How can they keep something so important from you?"
"I'm not sure —"
"You!"
Sister Ami approaches Rachel and Kiran. "Get out!" she snaps angrily.
Kiran stares at Sister Ami, surprised. "But we weren't doing anything wrong."
"Not you. You can stay but she needs to leave," Sister Ami says, pointing at Rachel.
Rachel stares at her, eyes wide. "What? Me? Why?"
"Your presence is not wanted here. You'll scare the other patients. Haven't you've done enough damage already?" Sister Ami says.
"But what did I even do?"
"You know what you did," Sister Ami says.
"Hey, leave her alone," Kiran says. "What are you snapping at her for?"
"Why are you defending her? You know this is her fault," Sister Ami says.
"No, it's not," Kiran says.
"I didn't do anything," Rachel says.
"Oh so not only are you a trouble-maker but a liar as well," Sister Ami says, "Get out. Right now."
Rachel stares in shock but quickly gets up when Sister Ami marches over to her. Does she know about my abilities? Like Mother Harumi? Who else knows? Do the fathers know?
"Sister Ami, I swear —"
The sister's hand smacks her across the face and Rachel yelps. Gasping, Kiran gets between them and pushes Sister Ami roughly.
"What is wrong with you!?" Kiran snaps at her.
Sister Ami grits her teeth at her angrily. "You wouldn't be near her if you realized what kind of monster she is!"
"Rachel is not a monster, what is the matter with you!?"
"She's —."
"Sister Ami!"
Mother Harumi storms into the infirmary and confronts Sister Ami. She sees Rachel sniffling and rubbing her reddened cheek. Mother Harumi gives Sister Ami a venomous look.
"What have you done to her?"
"How can you still defend her?" Sister Ami snaps. "After everything she did last night."
Harumi hisses in anger. "She didn't do anything wrong."
"You lie for her as well? Knowing that she caused all those demons to attack us?"
Kiran jumps in Rachel's defence. "Rachel didn't do it. It was Tenzin. He opened the door and all those demons came out. Rachel tried to close it."
Harumi looks at her in surprise. "Tenzin?"
"Yes. It was supposed to be a game. A foolish game. We didn't know what kind of door he was opening in the end. We wanted to leave but he wanted to open more doors. Rachel tried to stop him from opening the last one but he was acting strange. His eyes changed. He got aggressive. And he threw Tamdin to the wall. He was the one who hurt Tamdin, not Rachel."
"Where is Tenzin?"
"…Dead," Kiran says. "He disintegrated when the door opened. When Rachel closed the door, a hand burst through. That wasn't supposed to happen, right? Once you close the door, they disappear from the other world, right?'
"Right. But clearly, that didn't happen."
"It doesn't matter who opened the door, does it? They still came," Sister Ami points at her. Rachel sniffles and looks away. Kiran puts her arms around her to comfort her. "For her. And they'll come back as long as she stays here. And if Azarath gets destroyed, it will be all her fault—."
"Shut it, Ami."
"You know I'm right!"
"That's enough!"
Father Torao's voice echoes against the walls as he and Father Yamada enter the infirmary. Father Yamada glares at both Rachel and Harumi. Rachel wipes her tears while Harumi glares back.
Rachel approaches the elders. "Father Torao, please tell Sister Ami I didn't do anything."
"You stay out of this, demon. You've done enough damage as it is."
"Demon?" Rachel looks at him in confusion. "Why do you call me that? Why?"
"Why don't you ask Mother Harumi?" Father Yamada tells her.
Rachel turns to Harumi who remains glaring at Father Yamada.
"Mother…"
Harumi doesn't answer. Rachel looks at everyone, confused and shocked.
"Is that what I am to all of you now?" Upset, she storms out of the infirmary.
Kiran gives at the four elders a pissed look. "You're all assholes!" She then goes after Rachel.
Father Yamada looks at Harumi with a proud smirk on his face. "It seems I was right."
"Not now, Yamada," Father Torao says gravelly.
"What?" Father Yamada says, "Are you to silence me as well? When we both know this would eventually happen?"
Father Torao sighs before turning his attention to Harumi. "…Yamada is right about one thing, Harumi. The lies can't continue. You need to tell her."
Harumi shakes her head. "I don't know how to tell her."
"It better be soon," Father Torao says. "Sister Ami is right. They'll be back. They already know where she is. It's time to face the reality, Harumi."
She sighs and nods. "I understand."
Unbeknownst to them, the remains of the demon Rachel had torn to shreds still remains buried beneath the rubble. Its black bloody sludge slowly oozes its way between the cracks and slides across the marble floor like a slug. It ultimately finds a ventilator on the floor and disappears into it.
"Trigon! Yessss." it chants.
Rachel sits on a rock near the pond, sniffling and with her hands to her face. She has never felt this humiliated in her entire life. Sister Ami, Father Torao and Father Yamada…Every one of them hate her now and she doesn't know why. And not even Harumi was of any help. Kiran is seated next to her, hugging Rachel in comfort. At the same time, they squeeze each other's hand. At least Kiran doesn't hate her. But how long will that? It will only be a matter of time before she ends up hating her as well. And there's a good chance Tamdin might hate her too. His brother is dead after all.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Rachel lifts her head and sees Mother Harumi approaching them. Her posture is poise and her face remains stoic. But Rachel can feel the fear and the anxiety in her. She doesn't know why but she can feel it oozing from every pour of her body, just like she can feel the disappointing rage in Kiran.
"I would like to speak with Rachel," Harumi says. "Alone."
Kiran glares at her. "Why? You people already made her cry."
"Now," Harumi says sternly.
Rachel sniffles and wipes her tears with the back of her hands. She then puts her hand on Kiran's shoulder and gives her a fake smile. "It's all right, Kiran. I'm fine." Even though, it's not all right.
Kiran hesitates but eventually sighs and gets up. "Call me if you need anything, all right?"
"Thank you," Rachel says.
Kiran glares at Harumi briefly before walking away, still not happy with how the elders treated Rachel.
Rachel and Harumi are finally alone. Harumi silently walks closer to Rachel and slowly sits next to her. Rachel remains silent and stares down, not wanting to look at her in the eyes. Harumi lets out a deep breath. She takes hold of Rachel's hand but the teen gently pulls her hand away.
Harumi sighs. "You must have a lot of questions."
"I do. Yet, I'm not sure if I want to know the answers to them."
"I'm not sure if I want you to know either."
Rachel turns her gaze to Harumi. "Is it true? Am I a demon?"
"I…I don't know what to tell you."
"How about you start telling me the truth? Is it true what Father Yamada said? Am I a demon? Is that why Sister Ami didn't want me near Tamdin? Is that why she fears me so much?"
"You mustn't listen to Father Yamada, Karasu. You know he will do anything to hurt you. Even lie."
"Mother, you're hurting me now."
"I would never hurt you." Harumi reaches to pet her head.
Rachel abruptly gets up and marches away from her, clearly angry at her constant lying. Harumi gets up and follows her.
"Rachel…"
"You're lying to me."
"I would never do this to hurt you. You must trust me."
Rachel stares at her in disbelief. Is she joking right now? "Trust you? How am I supposed to you when you won't even tell me the truth!?" she shouts.
Harumi remains silent. She knows Rachel is right, even if she won't admit it.
"Am I a demon or not?" Rachel asks once more.
"…Yes."
Rachel didn't know how to react. She expected a different answer. No, you're not a demon. You're just crazy. That's all. Just crazy. But now it's worse when even Harumi tells you you're not human.
She rakes back her bangs and nearly stumbles back. "No…No."
"I'm so sorry, Rachel. We were going to tell you."
"When? When I'm older and grey? When you're dead?"
"No, of course not. I was planning on telling you yesterday."
"You should have told me when I was five. Is that why those monsters tried to drag me with them? I'm one of them?"
Harumi shakes her head. "No, you're not one of them. You're special. You're a good person and none of those beasts has what you have."
"You've known all this time and you didn't tell me. How long? How long have you known?"
Harumi doesn't answer. She instead chews on her lower lip.
"Harumi, how long?" Rachel insists.
Harumi sniffles. "When you were a baby, you were born covered in black blood. When you opened your eyes for the first time, they were black as ink. A week later, they took the colour of your mother's. You were so small, pale and fragile. Yet, your mind was strong. You made all the lights in Azarath flicker. And the pond's water floated in the air."
"You knew since I was born then?"
"Yes."
Rachel then starts to think about how her mother could have died. "Oh my god, did I kill my mother when I was born?"
Harumi quickly puts her arms around Rachel. "No, don't say that. You didn't kill your mother. She…She died of health complications during birth."
"That counts though, doesn't it?"
"No, Rachel. Her death has nothing to do with you."
Rachel bites her nails anxiously, something Harumi always told her not to do because it's bad manners, but at this point, she doesn't care. Nor does she believe a single word Harumi said. I killed my mother. And she's lying to me about it.
"Are those demons really coming back for me?"
"No," Harumi says quickly. We won't let that happen. I'm going to keep you safe. Always have. Always will."
"Not to offend you, Mother, but you looked like you need my protection last night…Wait a moment. If I was born with powers, why didn't I use my powers before?"
Harumi doesn't answer once more.
"What are you hiding from me, Harumi?"
Harumi remains silent for a while but soon reaches into the pocket of her robe.
"Forgive me, but this was not a choice of mine."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember Brother Kenji?"
"I don't think so. But his name sounds familiar."
"You were just a child…"
13 years ago
Rachel couldn't remember the incident. She was only three years old when it happened.
She was making one of her dolls float in the air when Brother Kenji entered the room. Brother Kenji. A young 29-year-old monk with black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. He was polite and charismatic. He got along with the kids quite often, particularly Rachel. He would care for her while Harumi wasn't around. Unlike the rest of the monks, he was patient and kind to her. He taught her to read the alphabet though she still had trouble speaking it.
But over the next few months, Brother Kenji's behaviour had become different. He spent most of the time eating in silence when at dinner with the rest of the monks. He kept himself locked away in his room. It wasn't until the incident, did Harumi realize that the books he read involved occults and demonic rituals. He was becoming obsessed with demons. It was clear, it had to do with Rachel. Harumi had found rough sketches of symbols and demons under his mattress.
At the time, Rachel couldn't speak as much, aside from saying 'Mama'.
"Come, Rachel," he said.
She simply nodded and took Brother Kenji's hand. He picked her up and headed for the chamber of worlds.
"Are we going to play?" she asked meekly.
"Yes, dear. We're going to play with a very special friend. Now, let's go. We don't want to keep him waiting."
When Harumi went to check on Rachel, she was horrified to see she was gone. So, she hurried to fetch the elders.
Rachel looked around the chamber in amazement. She had never seen so many doors in her entire life. Her innocent mind had distracted her from the horrors she once faced thirteen years ago. Indeed, this was not the first time Rachel stepped into the Chamber of Worlds but she couldn't recall. Neither did she recall that this would be the last time Brother Kenji would ever stop here again.
Brother Kenji smiled at Rachel's sweet innocence face before leading her to the door that almost became her demise. Oh, how innocent and naïve she was. She would have cried at first but he assumed it would go away as soon as she met her father. The bastard who falsely promised him immortality and position as right-hand man.
Brother Kenji set Rachel down. The child proceeded to stare at him curiously while sucking her thumb as he removed the curtain that kept the door hidden from everyone. Even though it could not be seen by many, most of the monks stayed clear from it for the fear of its dark magic. Brother Kenji held up a small black key to the red door. Rachel blinked. The moment he unlocked the door, Rachel could hear animalistic noises from the other side. When he opened the door, the red portal swirled like a whirlpool.
Afraid, Rachel tried to run and hide, but was quickly picked up by Brother Kenji.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked with a smile on her face.
"I don't want to pway anymore," she said meekly.
Brother Kenji's expression changed. His smile fell, replaced by disappointment and irritation. "Now, now. Don't be like that. You already said yes. You don't want to make him sad now, do you?"
Tears welled in Rachel's small eyes and she sniffled. "But I'm scawed."
Brother Kenji wiped her tears with his thumb. "Don't be scared. I'll be with you. Every step of the way."
He stepped towards the portal now with a grin on his face. Rachel sniffled and held onto Brother Kenji tightly.
"Kenji!" Harumi screamed as she stormed into the Chamber of Worlds, followed by the fathers of Azarath. She pointed an accusing finger at him. "Don't you hurt her!"
"Mommy," Rachel whimpered as she squirmed to get down but Brother Kenji held onto her. At the time, Rachel didn't know Harumi wasn't her mother. Since Harumi raised her all of those years, Rachel started growing up to believe she was her mother. Until she was six. However, Harumi would have liked to be her mother.
"I would never hurt her, Harumi," he said, "I'm simply taking her home."
"We found your sketches of Scath and Trigon," Father Yamada said. "They have no place here in Azarath."
"Neither does this child. Yet you have her here," Brother Kenji said.
"She is under the protection of Azarath," Father Torao said. "Meaning you can't just simply take her away without us fighting back. This is not our way, Brother Kenji. You know that. Either you put the child down and face your sins justly or we will have to take the child by force."
Brother Kenji frowned at them. "Like you did with Angela Roth?" The monks fell silent. "You think I don't know what you did to her? Almost everyone in Azarath knows. And eventually, Rachel will know too."
"Mommy, I'm scawed," Rachel said.
Harumi looked at Rachel worriedly and then at Brother Kenji. "You hear that? She's frightened. That means you should put her down."
"She won't be scared once she meets her father."
She gritted her teeth at him angrily. "Put her down, now!"
"…No," Brother Kenji said.
Harumi stared in shock. She stepped forward in an attempt to grab Rachel from him, but he held out a dagger in front of him. His malicious grin deepened.
"Unlike you, I was promised immortality and a higher position if the child is delivered. I will not allow you to take that opportunity from me."
"You think Trigon will keep his promise?" Harumi said. "Don't make me laugh. Trigon is not one to be trifled with. He is a deceiver. A trickster. A liar. He cares for no one but himself. He will not keep his promise. You are just a pawn."
Brother Kenji's grin fell and his face turned pale. "You're lying."
"The moment you deliver her to him, he will kill you."
He held the dagger to the level of his eyes, aiming for Rachel's back.
"No!" Harumi screamed.
Before he could get the chance to stab her, Rachel's eyes turned black. Brother Kenji was suddenly flung to the wall, slamming hard against concrete. Brother Kenji yelled in pain and fell to the floor. Rachel dropped to the floor, immobile and frozen. Harumi rushed to her side and pulled her to her feet. Rachel remained unresponsive.
"Rachel!" Harumi cried as she shook the child but she did not respond.
Brother Kenji proceeded to be tossed and dragged to and fro as the chamber was filled with cries of agony. Father Yamada and other two monks rushed to Brother Kenji's aid, as he was still a monk of Azarath, after all. Father Torao went to Harumi.
"Tell her to stop," he said.
"She's not responding," she said.
Brother Kenji's body flopped onto the floor. He lifted his head to look at Rachel, blood leaking from his mouth and nostrils. More blood trickled down his temple. His eye and cheek were bruised and swollen. He reached out his trembling hand towards Rachel.
"Rachel…p-please, stop," he gurgled weakly.
A wicked grin splayed on Rachel's face and he black eyes widened more before snapping her head towards him.
"You wanted to be his right hand live forever?" she growled deeply, "Only those who are prepared to die will find eternal life."
With a blood-curdling scream, Brother Kenji, disintegrated into red ash which was then sucked into the red portal. Harumi stared in shock. When she looked back at Rachel, the child had her head hanging back and her eyes closed.
Harumi shook her slightly. "Rachel. Rachel, wake up."
"We must close the door now!" Father Torao shouted.
He and the other fathers stood in front of the red portal. As they thrust their hands forwards, they chanted their mantra and their hands glowed white. "Azarath! Metrion! Zinthos!"
With the powers of Azarath, they managed to seal the portal before any of the demons could get out.
The moment this was done, Rachel opened her eyes and looked at Harumi in shock. Her eyes had turned brown once more. "Mommy!" she cried before embracing her tightly. Harumi hugged back and kissed her head, sobbing.
Father Torao looked over to Harumi, panting in exhaustion. "This can't go on, Harumi. Something needs to be done."
"That child needs be removed from Azarath," Father Yamada said.
"No, we are not removing her from Azarath," Harumi said, "She's a child. She needs me. Her place is here, protected by the spirits of Azarath."
"She's an abomination," Father Yamada said.
"You said Azarath welcomes everyone in need," Harumi snapped at him. "Or was that all a lie?"
"She's right," Father Torao said. "Azarath welcomes all people in need. But we still must take every precaution as possible. What Rachel Roth did to Brother Kenji can happen to us as well. Her dark magic must be contained…"
Rachel still can't believe this is happening to her. Brother Kenji, a monk whom everyone trusted, tried to kill her as a toddler. And now it turns out she has powers. Every truth crashes down on her like a tidal wave. Yet, they still proceeded to lie to her until this day.
"…After everything that happened that day, we couldn't take any more risks."
"I don't understand."
"We needed to control the situation so they forced me to give you these," Harumi says as she takes out a few pills from her pocket.
"Those are my pills," Rachel says, frowning in confusion.
"They're made with special elements that fight against demons. They were also blessed by Azarath herself. We started giving you these after the incident. We thought they would find you because of your power so we used these to keep your powers at bay. From getting out of control."
Rachel looks at her with her mouth agape. Are they serious? "You mean you and the elders have been drugging me?"
Harumi steps towards her but Rachel takes a step back. "It's not like that at all. It was never our intention to hurt you."
"You said they were my medication. For epilepsy. Do I even have epilepsy?" Rachel begins to tremble as anger begins to boil in her body. More lies keep piling up and there's only so much she can take.
"More or less."
"What does that suppose to mean?" she asks, her eyes narrowing.
"Whenever your powers try to come out, they somehow pry their way, causing or your body to convulse violently."
"So, I'm having seizures because you keep my powers locked away?"
"It would have been better for you to believe that, instead of rebelling from taking them."
Raven stays silent as her mind processed what she just heard. Her eyes fill up with tears. I can't believe this. They've lied to me. They were drugging me. And they're not even sorry about it? Is it just like what she said?
"They've been lying to you," it had said.
"About what?"
"Everything you've ever known is a lie."
Everything I've ever known, Rachel thinks back on it now. What else have they've been lying to me about?
Her lips curl up in a spiteful snarl. "You lied to me…"
"Rachel…" Harumi reaches for Rachel's hand but she quickly pulls away.
"You lied to me!"
"Rachel, please…"
Harumi reaches to hug her. To comfort her. But Rachel shoves her away.
"Don't touch me!" she snaps, her eyes turning dark and her voice becoming deep.
Gasping, Harumi takes a step back. Rachel glares at her for a moment. But she soon softens her expression. She looks at her pale hands. They're rooted with black veins. Rachel sniffles and her lower lip trembles. Her eyes soon return to normal and she looks at Harumi in complete horror.
"Is this what I'm becoming now?" she says in a trembling tone. "Am I monster to you now?"
"No, Rachel —"
"But you're afraid of me —."
"I'm not afraid of you, my dear."
"If you weren't, you wouldn't have been drugging me all of these years."
"I'm afraid for you. You need to understand. I was only trying to protect you —"
"Protect me? By lying to me? How is that protecting me?"
"If I didn't do as instructed, they would have sent you away. They would have sent you to an orphanage or kept you locked away like an animal."
Tears threaten to leave her eyes but Rachel quickly wipes them away. "Am I really that dangerous?"
"No, but…it's possible that your powers might be."
"…Maybe they're right. Maybe I should be sent away."
Rachel storms away.
Harumi calls out to her but is ignored. Rachel continues her way back to her room, not looking back. After she leaves, Harumi sits down on the grass and places her hands to her face, sobbing. Now that the elders have a reason to get rid of Rachel, she doesn't know what else to do.
Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan
15-year-old Ibn Al-Ghul looks out the window at the bus drives through the streets of Kabul. He watches the newly constructed buildings and ancient mosques. It had been years since he had come to Kabul with his mother and grandfather. Now, he will be making a journey by himself. He will miss his land, despite its imperfections. Of course, who says any country is perfect. Still, he much rather stay here than going to one of the most dangerous cities in America. But he must do this. For he must confront the very thing his mother kept hidden from him for years.
Ibn leans his head back against the bus's black leather seat and sighs. His stomach turns as the bus proceeds to take every bump and sway slightly. It had been years since he rode a bus. And now he remembers how much he hated it. It makes him nauseous. Don't throw up, don't throw up.
By the time the bus finally stops in front of the airport, Ibn already feels light-headed and discomfort creeps up his throat. But at least he finally arrived. And miraculously, without vomiting on the way. He pulls up the hood of his red jacket before grabbing his green duffle bag and getting up from his seat. His legs feel slightly numb but not enough to immobilize him.
He gives the bus driver two hundred afghanis. "Thank you."
The bus driver, a bald man with a moustache, smiles and takes the money before bowing his head. "No, thank you. Enjoy your trip, young man."
Ibn bows as well and climbs out of the bus. He assumes this man is not aware of who he or his family are. Perhaps he has never seen them. But it doesn't matter now. The fewer people know about Ibn at the moment, the better. One day, the world will know the name of Ibn Al-Ghul.
He looks up at the clear blue skies. A plane flies loudly overhead but he doesn't flinch. He has seen planes fly over Nanda Parbat. He was frightened at first when he was a toddler, believing they were monsters. But over time, that fear withered away.
People walk in and out of the airport. Many of them are either tourists, locals or soldiers from the military. Some speak English or Arabic. Others speak in French, Swahili or Hebrew. He understands most of their language since his grandfather teaches him most of those languages. Ibn frowns at a group of American tourists who keep trying to get one of the local taxi drivers to understand them. They seem to be the typical tourists that would have sunglasses, straw hats and sunscreens on their noses. They're being loud and obnoxious, bringing the attention of a few passersby. A small boy, who looks about three years old with blonde hair and big green eyes, squeals with a red twisted face while his mother tries to calm him down by giving him sweets.
He needs discipline. Clearly a nuisance to them. If it had been Ibn screaming at his grandfather, he would have been smacked in the mouth.
Ibn rolls his eyes and continues his way to the airport.
He sits at the waiting area near the gate to the plane that would get him where he needs to go. He bought a newly published book from the gift shop called The Story of Zahra by Hanan al-Shaykhand spends an hour reading it. There was only one copy so he decided to have it before anyone else could. It's about a young woman named Zahra, whose mother uses her as a cover for her meetings with a lover; Zahra's strict father mistreats her for being an accomplice in her mother's affair. Fleeing from Beirut in search of solace, Zahra stays with her uncle in West Africa—and then uses marriage as another kind of escape. This utilizes the Lebanese Civil War as a setting for the story. To Ibn, it's not a terrible read. It's quite good, actually. Beautifully written though the subject matter is quite heavy, especially in its explicit sexual content. Perhaps it's the reason why there aren't many copies on the shelves. Many aren't too comfortable with stories that discuss sexuality. Ibn simply finds it indifferent. Only necessary for reproduction purposes and nothing more, or so he would think. Al-Shaykh's writing reminds him of Lebanese writer Layla Balabakki who caused a political uproar and was brought to trial for her explicit stories that were seen as obscene by many. Apparently, she's a danger to public morality. However, Ra's seems to admire Balabakki's boldness as he keeps a few copies of her books while others have been confiscated from bookstores. It wouldn't surprise Ibn if The Story of Zahra would get censored and banned as well. Hopefully, it won't.
"The plane to London, England will be leaving in twenty minutes," a woman speaks through the speakers. "Passengers heading for New Jersey, please come forward to take your seats with Wayne Airlines."
Ibn looks up at the mention of 'Wayne' and 'England'. Ah yes. Ibn almost forgot that his flight to Gotham would be scaled. First, his plane would arrive in England and then the next one to New Jersey.
Since he has never taken a plane before, he's actually quite nervous. He was already afraid of vomiting on the bus. Imagine what might happen to him while on a plane. No, he can't turn back now. Fear is for the weak, his grandfather would always say. An Al-Ghul must always be strong in the face of danger.
Gathering his courage, Ibn stuffs the book into his duffle bag, takes out his passport and heads for the gate to Wayne Airlines. His expression is stoic but his eyes are cold upon seeing the plane from the window. He'll try to resist the urge of taking it apart from the inside. He needs to stay calm until it's finally time.
"Excuse me, young man."
Ibn returns from his thoughts and looks at the stewardess in blue uniform and her coarse dark hair tied back in a tight bun.
"Passport, please?" she says.
Nodding, Ibn silently gives her his passport which he fabricated a few weeks earlier before coming here. He used his own photo, of course. He's not foolish enough to use a fake picture. But he needs a fake name and fake information in order to keep his grandfather and his associates from hunting him down. It will be bad for him if his grandfather finds him. It will be worse if Ra's sends Wilson to fetch him.
"Are you not a little young to be travelling alone?" she asks as she inspects his passport.
"I have family waiting for me in New Jersey," he explains. It's not a lie. He does have family in New Jersey. Though, they don't know of his existence.
He hopes the fake passport charade won't backfire on him since he made it look as genuine as possible and had hacked into the airport's system to make it look like his fake persona existed. After a while of inspecting it, the stewardess punches the passport with a stamp and gives it back to Ibn.
"Travel safely," she says. "I like that name, by the way. Damian."
Ibn doesn't smile at her compliment but nods in agreement. "Thank you. Mother thinks so as well."
The stewardess smiles politely. Ibn can tell it's a fake smile. Stewardesses are obligated to smile and be polite to passengers, no matter how rude they get.
"Enjoy your flight," she says.
'Damian' bows his head gratefully and walks down the tunnel to the plane that will lead him to his fate. He's certain he won't enjoy his travel. But it's a necessary journey. He needs to meet his father.
After getting onto the plane, he sits by the window next to the left wing and reclines his head back against the seat, sighing deeply. He looks out to the plane wing. A brown-necked raven lands on the wings caws silently. Of course, it's the window glass that removes the sound of the outside. However, Damian frowns and squints his emerald green eyes when noticing something strange about the raven bird. It has four red eyes. It could be a mutation. But yet again, he knows no bird that possesses four red eyes.
Someone moves behind him from the window's reflection. When his eyes focus on the window, he sees the reflection of a girl with black hair and black eyes staring at him. He does not gasp or scream. Yet, still shocked by her sudden appearance, Damian turns around, only to find no one behind him. His eyes widen. What the hell?
Looking back at the window, he finds the girl and the raven gone. His heart races slightly as he tries to process what he just saw, whether it was real or not. If only he can take it as a warning. For that's exactly what it is.
Thank you all for reading. Please leave a comment on what you think of this chapter and I will posting another chapter very soon.
