Serenity

When the beginning is the end

The giant man towered over the slight girl. She did not back away, she did not bow her head in submission, she did not even blink. He terrified the bravest of men, but Sakina was courage undefined.

'You did this,' the accusation was pronounced in a low voice 'you were acquainted with that filthy man'

If it were anyone else they would have spoken, defended their honor. But she would not offer an explanation to a man who had made such an assumption of her. It would would only make her more guilty in his eyes

He took her silence as an affirmation to his accusation. She threw back her head and laughed, loud, reckless, shameless laughter. Zalmai would always be a poor judge of character. Inside her head, the damaged girl screamed and cried at the injustice of it all.

Her laughter enraged him, with a roar all his control snapped and he took hold of her shoulders and lifted her as though she were a rag doll. For once she could look him in the eye

'You! You shameless woman! You have destroyed my honor'

How dare he! How dare he insult her pride. Her palm made harsh contact with the side of his face

'I will not be addressed as shameless Zalmai!'

He released her,she staggered but she would not allow him to see her fall.

'You will beg me on your knees Zalmai Jalalzai!'
With a final warning she had stormed out...