Bitten

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Izzy sat with her sisters as they listened to Meemaw tell one of the stories that had been passed down for generations. The fire crackled, and the old woman’s words were the only sound that could be heard. “ A long time ago, in a distant land, there lived a family. In this family, there was a father, a mother, three sisters, and one brother. They weren’t like other people. They could see things and hear things that no one else could. Kings and Queens would travel great distances to get advice from the matriarch of the family. One day a Queen from a distant land traveled many months to the desert to ask her if she would bare children for her Lord.

The sister’s feared the Queen, and hid the youngest brother away in a cave when she arrived. “Stay here, Kahem,” the oldest sister Marim told the boy. “You must not make a sound,” Ashaki, the second sister warned her brother. “Here drink this, it will help you sleep,” Ibtihaj said, as she handed her brother a small cup. The girls tried to warn their mother of the dangerous woman, but she had brushed it aside, telling them if they feared the Queen to protect the thing they loved the most. To them the most precious treasure in the world was their only brother.

The Queen entered the camp, with jewels and riches, decadent food and wine, and only three guards. It was a sight to see, and all day the girls danced and played instruments, as her father and mother entertained their guest. Then the moon rose in the sky, and the sun began to set. The sisters all held hands under the table, knowing they could not prevent what was about to happen. “You have come along way, what is the answer that you seek,” their mother asked the Queen. “Am I to bare sons for my master the king,” the Queen asked.

They watched as their mother’s eyes darkened, and then as she spoke, “ You will conceive sons, but they will die. You have committed sins against your Lord the King with that man,” her mother replied pointing at the guard behind the Queen. “What kind of black magic is this? You dare curse the Queen after she has brought you so many gifts,” the guard demanded angrily. “I curse no one. The gods are angry with her,” their mother replied calmly. “Who are you to say these things,” the Queen demanded angrily. “To have an affair outside the wedding bed is treason,” another guard growled.

“Kill that witch and her lover,” the Queen screamed angrily. “No,” Ibtihaj ran to protect her father, and in that instant she was slain. She collapsed in his arms blood pooling around the abdomen of her new dress. Their father wept holding his daughter as she took her last breath. In the next moment, one of the Queen’s guards slit the old man’s throat. Marim clung to Ashaki weeping at the sight of their beloved sister and their fallen father.

“You dare slay my husband and daughter,” their mother screamed in a fit of rage and grief. “ You will die next witch, and these children too,” the Queen screamed angrily. At that moment the ground began to shake, and lightening flashed in their mother’s eyes. Marim grabbed Ashaki's hand in her own desperately trying to escape. “You will never have a living heir, your husband’s kingdom will fall, and the people will know what you have done today. You’ve slaughter the innocent and a messenger from the Gods it is declared,” the old woman screamed before collapsing.

Both Marim and Ashaki tried to escape only to be stopped and captured by the guards. “What has she done,” the Queen demanded as she grabbed Marim by the chin. “She did not do it. The Gods have spoken it can’t be undone,” Marim cried struggling in the guards tight hold. “Kill them both,” the Queen hissed. Ashaki's eyes rolled back and she spoke, “You dare to continue to challenge the Gods. Kill these children, and your fate will be worse.”

Marim stared in horror as her sister fell unconscious. The Queen looked visibly frightened, “Don’t kill them. They shall come with us,” she hissed angrily. When they entered the city, both girls were held as prisoners in the dungeons. The cells were wet and damp causing Ashaki great illness. “We left Kahem,” Ashaki wept weakly in her sister’s arms. “At least he is alive,” Marim whispered trying to comfort her dying sister. “You have to live, and escape this place. Find him, and leave this land,” voice was becoming weaker. She shuddered, and then in her sister’s arms she left the land of the living.

Screams tore from Marin’s that, grief consumed her, as the ground shook below her. She had to find her brother, and they had to leave. Many months she spent trapped in the cell, until her mother’s prophecy came true. She walked away from the city, back to where she had left her brother. The boy was long gone, and for years she searched every city and village. One day she sat at the crossroads weeping many years later, “Why are you crying?” Standing there peering down at her was a young man, handsome, wild dark hair, and honey colored eyes gazing down at her.

“I’ve been searching for my brother for many years,” she confessed before telling him the story she had told many others. He listened closely, and then he spoke, “You brother was the thing you treasured most, and everyone but you and him are gone.” She nodded weeping once more, and he stared at her for a moment. “Stop crying Marim, I am your brother Kahem, and you have found him at last,” he said hugging her tightly. They left the land wondering, and that children is how our clan began,” Meemaw finished.

Izzy stared blankly ahead lost in her own thoughts. It was so quiet out here, and she loved it. The sounds had stopped the moment she had stepped over the thresh hold. “ Are you still not sleeping,” the sound of Meemaw's voice made her look up. “No, not really,” she answered as the old woman sat beside her. “The voices,” Meemaw inquired. Izzy nodded, and the old woman continued, “ Both a blessing and a curse, but I don’t thing that’s what’s really on your mind.”

Izzy decided to avoid the topic, and the old woman glanced at the bandage on her neck. “What happened here,” she asked touching the bandage. “I’m not sure,” Izzy responded truthfully. “Meemaw, should I help the voices I hear, will I get peace then," she asked. “That is difficult to say dear, but it wouldn’t hurt to try it,” there was something in the old woman’s eye that made them twinkle slightly. “I’m going to rest now,” she said before disappearing.

Henry was not amused, the dead hooker at his feet had not satisfied his want for the witch. He new the ghost was right, if he hadn't have bitten her he wouldn't want her this bad. He glanced down the alley before deciding to leave. He walked back home, and slammed the door.  "Problem," the damn ghost voice rang out as he lay across his bed. "Not at all. I was just thirsty," he lied. There was no response, and Henry asked, "What do you want from that witch?" 

"Nothing, I want to give her a gift," Xerxes replied. "A gift, what kind of gift," Henry asked suspiciously. "One she'll never forget," the tone Xerxes used was cold and slightly detached. "I think you should be careful mate. That girl isn't like other girls," Henry stated rolling over on his side. Once again it was silent in the room.