The Truths of Love: Chapter 1
She was running. Running through the fields of vast ever-green oceans, her feet padding the soft earth below. The wind silently whispering the songs of long past, whilst running it's gentle fingers through her hair. The ever-present aroma of lilacs fill her senses, drowning her in it's sweet smelling waves. Her pale, ivory fingers, brushed along the edges of gold-trimmed leaves, afraid of touching the blooming blossoms, as if they would shatter and break. The sun glistened it's heavenly rays upon her chocolate tresses, and warmed her cheeks till they tinted pink. Laugher bubbled out of her cherry lips and harmonized with the orchestra of melodic birds and the chiming windblown trees.
This was all she needed, all she would ever need. But this world full of fantasy was never meant to last. Happiness drifts as does a ship sailing towards a crimson-laced horizon, slowly gliding farther and farther away. There was no point in chasing after the fleeting feeling, one would only find themselves drowning, and sinking faster the sea of their own sorrows. This she had learned. For as she slowly grazed the frigid ocean water with the tips of her delicate toes, she soon found herself submerged and pulled down into the unforgiving waters of the deep. The mass of liquid engulfed her being as ice-cold torrents bit through her skin, piercing her legs till they grew numb and useless. Her lungs were filled with burning, liquid-fire as they desperately pleaded for the blessed breath of life. Arms flailed around, wanting to cling on to something, anything. Darkness welcomed itself into her vision, threatening to take her world piece, by piece. It was all over. This was one belief that she had thought true. The world around her, beautiful and flawless, seemed to dull. Vivid colors that had once splashed the wild fields, that had challenged the vibrant sun, and had perfected the pigment of the clear-blue sky, had suddenly turned gray. A world that had been once full of song and dance, of love and freedom was now drained of life, of mother nature's rich palette. Her utopia no longer existed, and all she was left with was the harsh, cold bitterness of reality.
"WAKE UP, THE LOT OF YOU!", pierced a voice through the hauntingly silent air.
Relena awakened with a start, her body jerking upright, tensing from the sudden movement off of the cold, dank floor. Pain wracked through her stiff form as she began to relax her poorly abused muscles. The stench of human waste, the rank odor of sweat, and the pungent aroma of alcohol massacred her senses, causing her eyes to water and tear. Groans and wailings echoed off the walls of the poorly lit room, the stone stockades strong and intimidating to all unfortunate souls whom find themselves confined within them. Where was she? Had she been saved from the deepest hells of her dreams? Her eyes wandered around the room, widening at the sight of corpse-like bodies rising from their slumber, their dull, lifeless eyes and sullen cheeks turning to face the source of their awakening. It was then she remembered, this was not any form of salvation; this was her life.
This was hell.
In the only entrance of the dungeon-like room, a finely robed woman stood in the doorway, her form haloed in the blinding outside light. Her auburn hair was curled and massed upon the top of her head, adorned with delicate drops of pearls, and held together with tiny trinkets of gold. She stood with her arms crossed against her fully blossomed bosom, her figure draped with a fine satin robe, accentuating her voluptuous curves. As her slowly walked into the room, with her feet padded by her golden sandals, her face became more visible, allowing all of the women to distinguish her visage.
Mistress Une's face was plastered with the look of disdain and annoyance, a scowl marring the delicate features of her face. "What do you all think you are doing? I said GET UP! It is nearing nightfall and customers will be arriving soon!", she shrieked, every word that was spoken cut sharply through the ears of all the women, making most cringe with discomfort. Quickly stepping through the mass of huddled bodies, she bent down and yanked the hair of the still sleeping forms of some women, causing them to yelp and scream. Some of the bodies lay on the floor, cold and unresponsive; probably dead. With a look of annoyance, the woman clicked her tongue, she looked around the room, her frown deepening even more. "Did you all not hear me? Would you all like me to send you to the slave market?", she said with a dangerously low tone. In an instant, eyes widened and murmurs of protest could be heard. "That is what I thought! Now get yourselves ready, and quickly!", said the woman, her gaze now wandering to the unresponsive bodies, "and get those out of here, they'll just bring in the maggots." With that said, she turned around with the billow of her robes and left the room, her footsteps shuffling getting farther away with each step.
This was the life she lived. Her body and soul was not hers to own, and the only freedom that she ever got to taste was in the realms of her mind. She was nothing but a lowly prostitute in a house of pleasure and sin, where all worldly pleasures were offered at a price. Rome is the 'Eternal City' built upon the seven hills. A bustling cosmopolitan draped with there fine fortunes of riches and glory, and laced with troubling secrets of the underworld.
Sex. It is a subject that many Romans embrace, and is something that is a basic necessity of life in this grand city. It is not a crime or sin in the eyes of the Roman Republic, yet many choose to hide their actions and release their lusts of passion onto people who have no understanding of life and it's treasures, who had nothing to live for; people like her. It was disgusting.
Slowly rising from the cold, dirty floor, her unsteady, wobbling legs buckled beneath her. Ready to once again introduce her body to the hard, even floor, she felt a strong hand grab hold of her shoulders, bringing her back upright.
"You must be careful Relena, men do not find a woman with scarred, ragged bodies very pleasing", said the woman who had saved her, her voice deep and soothing, "you must endure, like we all must."
Relena smiled when she turned to face the woman. Catherine was a kind soul who had looked after her since she had first arrived at the brothel. Having been in the brothel since she was around her age, Catherine knew how Relena felt, and did everything to comfort the younger woman, looking after her like a mother would. "I am truly sorry Cathy. I will be more careful from now on", her voice barely audible, and eyes cast down. "I will not be a burden to you any longer."
A look of surprise found itself placed upon Cathrine's face, "Dear child! You are not a burden at all," she laughed, "if you think yourself a burden, then I would hate to think what one would consider Mistress Une!" Chuckles could be heard from all corners of the room, accompanied by a wide range of colorful suggestions. Relena couldn't help but allow herself a smile, this was a rare moment where she could feel at ease, and she would not let it slip past.
"Come now ladies, the evening has just begun. We must prepare for the long night ahead," said another woman, who stood tall and dignified, her eyes revealing her age and wisdom. Her presence demanded that of respect, and that is what she got. Sally was the veteran of the group, belonging to this world longer than any could have survived. She was the one person that all of the women held high regard for, and for good reason. Beautiful, strong, and determined, she was a woman all men lusted for, and one that all women craved to be. With a calm and even voice, she had spoken, "The night is young and the darkness will slowly consume the skies. We must harden our hearts and stay as one, the feasting of the wolves will soon begin."