The Light At The Very End Of The Tunnel

A Gateway Plan

Menna
It was all too much. The lavish staircase. The royal chairs. The magnificent chandeliers. The lush beds of carpets on every corridor. It was all too overwhelming. Everything seemed to be staring at me. Laughing at me. Reminding me that I didn't belong here. It's been three days. I wish I could talk to Baba. Or Ziad. Or even Mama. I longed to see or hear anything familiar. Nadeen had given me a brand new Motorola. I had never held a phone before. Even though I know it was invented a couple of years ago. I never knew I would own one. And a few days ago, I would have screamed my head off and spent every waking moment using it. But I haven't even pressed a single button on it. I just needed to go home. Even if it was for a day. Or two. I wonder how mama was doing. I bet Baba missed me as much as I missed him. I had asked Nadeen if I could go home. But she said it was too early and something about asking Firas. I looked for him everywhere. I even went outside the house. But he was no where to be seen. As soon as the sun came up, he had left the room. Even though he wanted nothing to do with me, I felt so alone when he left. I've never felt so alone on my life. I always thought myself as someone who enjoyed her own company. But lately, even I was bored with me. I had become too depressing. The last time I smiled seems so long ago, it was as though I was slowly forgetting how to.

It wasn't until the next three days that Firas surfaced. And if he hadn't been arguing with Nadeen, I wouldn't have known he was around. I never ate at the dinner table. I always took a few scraps on my plate and take to my room. Much to Nadeen's dismay. I was about to go to the library. Just about the only thing bearable around here. I had almost walked past the door leading to the dinning hall when I heard Nadeen screaming in anger.

'Three days! How is she supposed to feel. Why won't you give it a chance'
Nadeen bellowed

'I never wanted this Mother. I can always divorce her. Save her from all the trouble.' Firas said with as much emotion as a tortoise.

'I absolutely forbid you Firas.' she said angrily.

'If you would just give it a chance. Get to know her. You might..... '
Firas gave a hollow laugh.

'What mother. Heal me? You think a silly little country girl can fix me?' He said this time with so much emotion it was heart crushing.

'I think it's time you wake up mother. This is me. I'm sorry if you can't accept me as I am. I'm done trying to make you happy. I never wanted this marriage. The girl can leave whenever she pleases' he said flatly.

'I will not let you. I will not let you live the rest of your life like this! '
Firas was apparently not listening. Because without expecting it, he had burst through the door to the dinning hall where I stood startling me and sending me crashing flat on my backside. He gave me one glance and kept walking without turning around. I quickly got up and almost slapped myself in annoyance. I can't believe I looked for him for three days. He didn't care if I left. In fact, he wanted me out of here. Well,  I decided. I was going to grant him his wish. One way or the other I was going to leave this house. Tonight.

As I expected, Firas didn't show up that night. I wasn't going to take anything of theirs. I took my passport, and some money. I needed that too. Even though they had called it my things, I never felt like they were truly mine. I however had to wear something. So I took the plainest gown I could find. Wrapped my head and snuck out of the room. I half walked and half ran down the hall and down the staircase. The door that lead to the verandah through the living room was locked from the inside. I unbolted the huge security doors and slipped outside as quiet as l could. I knew there were cameras outside the house but I didn't care. I knew I didn't have the option of scaling the tall walls surrounding the House. It was like a ruddy prison. I hurriedly walked to the gate. I waited impatiently for the security guard to fall asleep then threading carefully, I unlocked the wicket gate and sprang into a full blown run. I was free. I walked for what seemed like hours down the unending road. I kept hoping to see a cab or something but it never came. I was starting to really panick when a cab came along and I quickly flagged it down. The taxi driver had a passenger on the passenger's side.

'Where to young miss? ' The driver said smiling creepily.

'The airport please' I said. I felt my skin prickle. I obviously hadn't thought this gateway through. My whole body screamed mistrust. I was in a car with two strangers in the middle of the night. I felt like a prey surrounded by hungry hyenas.

My heart rate increased into a gallop as we swerved into a secluded corner. I wanted to ask but my voice felt strained. I never noticed the way to the house when I first came. But this definitely didn't look like an airport. It looked like an old abandoned warehouse. The driver turned around and turned my fears into life size giants predators.
'Pretty girls shouldn't wander into the night alone, let's have us a bit of a good time shall we? ' he said looking like a wolf. The passenger let out a bark of laughter. He sounded deranged. Mad. What are the chances that I ended up with these creeps.

'Get out of the car' The wolf said. I refused. I was scared beyond imagination. My whole body was shaking. I sat motionless. Pictures of the horrendous things that could happen to me flash across my eyes. I couldn't breathe. I felt him reach into the car and slapped me across the face. I barely registered. I was slipping away. I felt rough hands drag me out with force. The last the thing I saw was someone pulling me away from him. And then it all went black.