Chapter 7
Maya sighed nervously, holding her veil closely over her eyes, holding her head down slightly.
Aisha had send message for her, she had to come over quickly. She had been afraid something was terribly wrong and she had left on instance. Her parents had no idea where she had gone as she had failed to inform them due to their absence. She wasn't too happy about that now, as she didn't feel the least bit save. Badir had offered to walk with her but she had thought he was so busy with his stand and all that she denied. He had kissed her cheek sweetly; as he still had not given up on her. He said that someday they would be married, he would wait for her. The words had been so sweet that they had touched her; she had to admit. Yet she still couldn't feel for him, yet allowed him to touch her hips from time to time. Perhaps it was unfair of her to keep him on a string but her uncertainty made her not want to lose his affection just yet.
She bumped into a guard in her thoughts and her eyes grew as she looked up at the tall human being. She whispered a small prayer underneath her breath; she had heard the stories about the guards in the poor district. They once had violated a pregnant woman, Aisha had told them. And all the while Maya was thinking they were bad in the middle district. But as the man stared down at her he reached out for her wrist and she on time flung it away from his reach. This obviously angered him as he cursed at her; she barely could make out what he was saying as he was talking under his breath. "Teach the little wench some manners!" one of the guards spoke up walking forward and standing next to his colleague. She turned around at that quickly terribly frightened by the words, and started running. Her sandals patting against the street as she ran, cursing the fact that she had to chose to wear her least comfortable brown sandals that day, simply because they looked better underneath the simple brown dress she was wearing to gain the least bit of attention yet she had brought it onto herself anyway and she heard the guards follow her. Her heartbeat was thumping loudly and sweat starting forming on her brow, she could feel her panic catching up with her as people started to stop and look at her, while the guards yelled behind. "Help me, brothers, sisters!" she tried but they all stepped aside while she begged. She turned around and felt tears well up in her eyes, quickly turning a right and feeling tears run down her cheeks.
She had heard Aisha tell stories of woman being raped by these men, being hit and then left on the streets completely nude. She suddenly wished Aisha had never shared these stories because they only brought more panic in her troubled mine. "Why will no one help me?" she desperately cried out watching as everyone stepped aside to give her and the guards more room in the small street. She saw the despair in their eyes and she became aware that if they would help her they would get in danger to.
She felt her long legs giving up on her. And just as she was about to give up she turned around, and all was quiet. Her teary eyes ran over the end of the street, but no feet pounding of the guards that came behind her. In fact, there were only three men, having a hushed conversation who would glance at her every now and then in confusion of her state.
She licked her lips nervously, picking up her dark brown veil that had fallen off previously. She covered her brown hair that she had braided so neatly that morning; yet it had fallen out on every place now. Hanging in her face.
"Are you alright, Maya" a voice behind her asked and she turned around quickly holding her arms forward in an attempt to protect her. "Please don't-" she wanted to beg, feeling new tears form in her eyes but between the blurriness she could make out the familiar robes she had washed before. And even though his face was even less visible now thanks to those tears she was absolutely sure that it was Altaïr. "Y-yes" she said confused where he had come from suddenly. She wiped her tears away quickly clearing her throat to rid herself of the lump that had formed there. "What are you doing here? It is dangerous here" he softly said turning away from the men that looked at the two with even more interest than before. He noted how the sounds in the distance stirred up and he was aware that they must have found the dead guards. He pushed her away from the street softly his hand on her lower back. He pushed her forward into the small alley way, stepping in front of her unnoticed so she was unseen.

"I – how" Maya started to speak as confusion took over her mind after she felt slightly safe with the heavily armed man in front of her. He smiled friendly at her, feeding ease to her mind and Maya sighed deeply. "I took care of them, Maya" he then said and Maya frowned looking up at him. "You will get into trouble for it" Altaïr chuckled at this but didn't respond further.
Maya felt taken aback completely as Altaïr suddenly took her hands in his and he seemed to look at them. He was unaware of the touch; or perhaps the load of it. And she tried to study his expression as he did so but the feeling that he sparked by just being there was undeniable. She had hardly forgotten about his presence; and not at all about his kind words. "Were you in Jerusalem all this time?" she quietly asked as his eyes suddenly shot up to look at her. She had chosen not to mention his hands in hers, as she secretly did not mind at all. He shook his head at this. "No, I was not, I am send here to-" he stopped himself there and she once again noticed the way he held his secrets close to himself even though her mind burst out in curiosity she didn't say a word.
"What are you doing here, Maya?" he then asked his rough thumb running over the smooth service of her hands. "Aisha, you remember her? She send me a message I must come over quickly" Altaïr nodded his head in understanding and maybe in response to what she had asked.
Silence fell over them once again and he looked down at her hands in his. She wanted to break the silence, break the tension, get rid of the bubbly sensation in her stomach yet it felt so great she never wanted it to end.
"How are your parents, Maya, do they know you are here?" Maya shook her head honestly and looked away from the disapproving look he threw her way. She had once bothered to ask him what age he was and he had been 26 years old. She wondered how someone from that age could be so wise and obeying so much respect. "I-" she sighed "I failed to inform them for they were out and I wanted to help Aisha quickly" he nodded his head and suddenly let go of her hands, much to her displeasure but she didn't voice it. "Let me escort you to Aisha's residence then, I will let your parents know where you are and make sure you'll have an escort to bring you home safely" he informed her and took her hand in his as he pulled her with him softly. "How do you know where Aisha lives? And how do you mean, someone to escort me?" he never answered and it only intrigued her more; or rather, confused her more. She was wondering what he was and what he did. But she didn't dare to push these questions past her lips as she held onto his hand tightly when they passed another group of guards. Her other hand rested on his upper arm of the same arm and both squeezed hard afraid of losing him out of her sight; he was her only source of safety at that moment. He stopped on the corner and waiting until Maya noted where she was, as her eyes had looked around her in fright. He smiled securely again and squeezed her hand, placing his other on top of hers. "Aisha lives here" Maya concluded suddenly and Altaïr nodded his head in response. He let go of her hand prying her fingers off of her arm. "Be careful" she whispered and he nodded his head. "There's no reason to worry about me, Maya" he said "I will be safe. Get to Aisha, find out what she needs you for"