Bitter Hearts: A Dark Cinderella Retelling

Prologue

Present Day

The earth was hard and hot underneath Makani's bare feet, a perfect contrast to the cold biting winds from the north.
Harmattan was upon the village yet again and one could hear mothers calling for their children to come inside and rub some shea butter on their skin and lips before the the strong unforgiving winds chaffed them away.

Makani daydreamed of a day when she would meet her powerful Prince Charming and go on a honeymoon out of this small uneventful village like Zenobia had done with Prince Jamal.

Despite the yellow fog upon the village and the heavy dust particles blown by the winds, Makani made her way to Zenaida's homestead. She couldn't wait to talk about the village ball the King had been planning, it was to welcome home his newly married son and new daughter-in-law. She was excited at the prospects of meeting her very own Prince Charming and of course the shopping for new clothes; if there was anything Makani loved more than her own self and gossip was the thought of having new wrappers, Ukara, Adire, Ankara and Kente to make bubas, skirts and blouses, dresses and much more.

With these thoughts in mind she hurried to Zenaida's house.
She waved a greeting to Nairobi; Zenaida's next door neighbor, as she was in much hurry to share her good news with her friend.

She knocked on her friend's door and waited to be welcomed in but got no answer. She knocked again but got no answer in return, not even a slight movement could be heard. She knocked again and again but still no answer.

Sick with worry, she called Zenaida's neighbors for help and together they broke the door but nothing could have prepared them for the sight before them.

Zenaida laid on a raffia mat in the centre of the room, at first glance it seemed like she was fast asleep but a more cursory inspection revealed her dull skin that was cold to the touch and her arms that were stiff atop her. A closer look revealed the foam that was already drying at the corner of her mouth and the white piece of paper she held in her hands.

A neighbor read out what was on the paper and Makani dropped to ground like a sack of rice.

Those who are wicked, greedy, deceitful and enjoy tarnishing the image of another will pay the price.

I am watching you all. Did you people you think you could get away with your evils?

A price has to be paid and that price is your lives. Expect me...

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