God Was Busy

Chapter 10

There was a pale blue haze around the moon, nocturnal animals hooted and howled from afar. But I didn't care, under the sullen sky I was standing barefoot on the sand of the beach, the waves swelled and swelled, never breaking into foam, Involuntarily I walked straight into the sea until the water closed over my head. I stayed there for a while but then I tried to thrust upwards, break the surface with a shriek of indrawn air, but I couldn't as if I was prevented by an invisible glass. Isn't it amazing how the body struggles to survive even when the spirit is ready to depart?

Just when I sensed it was over, I heard a noise, louder than the waves: a frenetic thrumming that sawed at my nerves. It could be the sea monster; it took me a while to identify it as Marcus. But then I couldn't hear it anymore.

I try to listen again, straining to hear above the roar of the waves, and it came again—definitely his voice, though I couldn't make out the words. With no idea in my head except to reach him, I began wading into the sea— One huge wave picked me up and threatened to sweep me out of my depth and I thought: Why not? I could feel Marcus waiting for me. I screamed his name, "Marcus ... Marcus," I needed to reach him before he disappeared.

I opened my eyes, taking a deep breath, still not sure if it was a dream or I was still drowning in the depths of water. I took my time to relax but it seemed impossible. The more anxious I was to sleep back, the more it eluded me. Finally, I was too restless to even stay in bed. I paced the floor, my heartbeat fast, my breath short. My room began to feel like a grave. If I don't get air soon, I will start to throw up.

So, I tiptoed along the passage that led to the hall and peered into the half-darkness. I ran down the hall to the door to the roof. It was not only unlocked but ajar. Perhaps someone forgot to close it, but it doesn't matter I wasn't looking to escape, where will I go? They know where I live, I only wanted to fill my lungs with fresh air. I wanted to see the sky and the moon and feel free. The roof was not lit at night, but I saw a silhouette, black against the lights of the moon. white and impersonal with centuries of sun, I thought to slip away, without anyone noticing me, But the night air was so sweet, I couldn't bear returning to that stuffy cage of a room. And what difference does it make? I don't even know who that was. My feet moved soundlessly across the tiles. I was happy to see It was only Damon, I was only a yard behind him when I said,

"Aren't you asleep?" I could see he gave his head a slight shake.

"Then I would have missed this."

I came up beside him and leaned over the fence. "Couldn't sleep, either?" He asked me.

"Couldn't turn my mind off,"

"Thinking about your family?"

"No," I admit a bit guiltily. "Just a nightmare ."

In the light from below, I can see his face now, staring at me, he really made me uncomfortable. "You will get used to this place,"

We lapsed back into silence as we had nothing else to talk about.

"How long have you been here?" I asked him

"For as long as I can remember, you don't seem like someone from around here?" his hollow eyes watched me intently from the white skull's face.

"My father was brought here from Macedonia to educate the elites,"

"I see," he paused for a bit "never talk about your education, those who have it will be jealous of you and those who don't have it will make fun of you,"

"Don't worry I myself have forgotten I ever had that luxury," I said as I tried hard to push away the memories of Alexander and what he said about my education.

"This is what owners never understand." he said "When they treat us as slaves, that we are a thing, as much in our own estimation as in theirs, never give them the satisfaction, never think about yourself anything other than a free woman, "then said "just don't let them know how you feel"

I nodded, surprised at these unexpected deep words from a person so young.

"What about Aoife?" I asked, remembering her eyes while talking about freedom.

"She wasn't here three years ago, you should've seen when they brought her here." he sighed, "actually She was the daughter of a priest, and she was raped in one ceremony, and her family would not accept her, the temple also rejected her, King Kufu was kind enough to let her live here."

"That's not fair," I said, shocked.

"Yeah, I know," he said, "She is a blessing, you wouldn't have survived this place if it wasnt for her,"

"Isn't there anyone else to stop Master Hermes?"

"He is just a drunk old hack who has been given the authority,"

"What about the royals," I asked.

"The royals seemed entirely unaware of what he does or another man they gave authority to, but then in my experience owners are curiously blind to aggression in slaves. They're busy in their lives and they don't seem to see our battles—or they prefer not to." he forced a smile.

"You must know these Royals very well?" I asked hesitantly, I wanted to ask him about Alexander but I couldn't do it directly.

"They treat us kindly in the palace, far better than the laborer of the monuments," he said with a slave's subtle mixture of fondness and aggression. Then he mumbled and almost whispered So low, I am not sure if I was supposed to hear it. "We are better than animals for them,"

"What about Alexander do you think he is a forgiving type?" His face flashed in front of my eyes and I remembered why I am not able to sleep.

"I don't know much about him, we don't go to the west wing, my duty is mostly in the kitchen, the only direct contact I had with him was on a battlefield, a few years ago," but he was kind though, his kindness was to the degree which is possible between owner and slave,"

He wet his dried his lips with his tongue as if about to share very exciting news "when we were leaving for the battle alexander's mother was worried, he was so young but he was a ferocious fighter,"

Alexander's face flew in front of my eyes. I don't remember him as a violent person, I remembered him as a kind, soft-spoken man who left because a slave ordered him to do so. but then I remembered what Aoife had said and I was frightened even more.

I felt the coldness of the gentle wind; it tangled my hair, "we should be going,"

Damon and I walk together down the corridor to our rooms. When we get to my door, he leaned against the frame, not blocking my entrance exactly but letting me move ahead while watching me "Don't worry I have your back."

"Goodnight," I said as I closed the door.