so tired, and I just cannot take any more of it. The manner in which they look at us is salacious, as if we are forbidden fruit they wish to devour! I am tired…. I cannot sleep with that incessant noise, and I dare not go downstairs for fear of being inappropriately touched by one of the sinners. “I am submitting a request for their sinful shenanigans to cease at once! I am tired, Maddie. Her green eyes grew large as she watched me strengthen in my resolve. “Lilah! What are you doing?” Maddie half-shouted in panic. Sucking in a deep breath, I marched to the door with purpose. Tying the thick linen covering in place over my tight bun, I concealed my long blond hair. Jumping to my feet, I straightened my floor-length gray dress and reached for my white headdress. That is it! I thought, losing grip of my self-control. Maddie whimpered beside me, curling into the wall. Weeks and weeks of frustration exploded from my chest. Raucous laughter rang out from the room directly below… from “Underworld,” as they called it.īolting upright, I fisted the sheet until I feared the material would rip with the strain and I let out a loud sharp scream. The lampshade on the ceiling began to rock back and forth. Maddie and I jumped, flattening our bodies to the bed in fear. I was the only one left who followed the righteous path, the only one left who could keep us on the righteous path.Ī loud bang sounded downstairs. Maddie’s green eyes seemed to sadden and she sighed, once again casting her gaze out to the dark sky through the window of our “cell.” My stomach tightened in fear. Not just any man who worms his way between our legs! I have seen how they seduce the women here. We can only be absolved from our born sin through the righteous will of the prophet and the Lord. “No, I would not! How shall we ever find salvation from the devil’s clutches in this place, littered with his willing denizens! You know our scripture, Maddie. Would you not welcome the affections of a man whom you chose? A man who wanted you for more than just a celestial joining?” From being children we were forced to be with men we did not love. That we find someone to love us completely and protect us from harm. Sighing and casting me a watery smile, she added, “We should all pray to the Lord that we shall be as equally blessed. She has found the missing piece of her soul within Styx.” She stared at me with a wistful expression. Maddie gradually drew her gaze to me and laid her cheek upon her knee. “Why does she embrace this life, Maddie? Why does she smile and laugh, join carnally with her Styx, while all we can do is feel utter despair at our situation? Why do we waste away here, locked in this cell of a room, day after day after day? We are condemned to hell, here, Maddie… to hell!” Stomping to my bed, I dropped down to its mattress and threw myself backward until my whole body lay flat on the black silk linen.
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