by Mark Summer
"That's right it looks like she stepped into a pretty nasty trap"
"pretty nasty trap for such a pretty little monkey"
Cleo felt like hurting them if she wasn't hurting herself. No one calls her a monkey and gets away with it. Monkey is a slur used against the lower classes of the capital, even before the war. It was a very bad thing to say and if you said to the wrong person as her father. He would end you nothing else you would be a dead man.
But now the capital had fallen and it seemed like all people now were considered monkeys of the new rulers. The men wore the uniform of the enemy and were not likely the original owners.
They must have taken over the place in order to feed their armies.
Cleo was feeling the trap even more now, and then numbness.
Her world darkened and she fell into darkness.
Chapter Three
"Hey girl you awake," said a voice
"Your breathing that's a good thing"
Cleo opened her eyes to see a skinny boy looking at her from the other side of a small cell.
"Man I'm so glad your alive, I was afraid they would put me with a dead girl"
The skinny boy eyes twitched and he kept rubbing his eyes. His skin was white and she could see the blue veins popping out of his arms.
Cleo had seen kids like him he was a powder. Powders roamed the city looking for the next fix they robbed and killed for a shot.
Cleo mind raced where was she some kind of prison. Then the reality of her family came over her tears started to form
"Oh man don't cry girl, it's not so bad"
She ignored the kid and put her face in her hands
The mid slid as far as he could toward her but the color and chain held him back.
Cleo noticed around her neck there was also a collar it was gold.
"That means your heading for the harem"
Cleo let out another sob
Hey at least your not going to the mine like me, i'll be dead in a few days.
He didn't seem concerned with his fate, in fact, a small part of him welcomed it.
Cleo wiped her eyes as the boy slid closer the smell made her want to throw up. "Listen in a few moments a guard is going to come, I'm going to stab him"
"What, why"
"Because I want to die and when I do you will run far away from here"
"I don't understand"
"Yes you do"
The boy then showed her a knife, it was made of broken glass and wood
"Please don't do this, I have to wait for my trial"
"Do you know what they do to young pretty girls like you"
Cleo knew enough, she knew that deep down inside she was headed for the brothels to be bought and sold.
"I have family in the city"
"I'm sorry for telling you this, but the city is has fallen the royal family is in shatters, there are blood and death everywhere leave the city and don't look back"
"But where I know only of the capital"
"There are others out there that will take you in, head north till you find the forests there are tribes of amazons"
"Amazons"
"They are savages, yes but they are way better than the savages in power"
"I can't go"
"It doesn't matter, I'm telling you that when I stab the guard that is your only chance, I'm sorry"
Cleo and the small boy sat in silence
"What is your name," said Cleo
"Jacob," said the boy "Son of the town baker"
"Then Cleo looked closer at his skin it was covered with flour, he wasn't a powder he was a simple baker. Cleo's heart sank lower if they arrest well hard working people what chance does she have as a street thief.
The footsteps of the guard were heard coming down the stone hallway of the jail.
"Now is the time," said Jacob as he gripped his knife placing it under his dirty rags
Cleo heard the guard stopped in front of her cell and place the key inside. Her heart beat hard and there was sweat pouring down her forehead as Jacob slid back to his spot.
The guard opened and turned on the light and placed the food in the small metal bowls on the floor. It was then when Jacob jumped onto him and stabbed him in back of his neck.
"Go now," said Jacob
Cleo got up and ran out of the jail and ran barefoot onto the stone hallway. It was long she didn't look back. The place was not big and she found it empty the hallway then split into two and she saw down one of them a wooden door.
Her gut told her that this was an exit so she took it. Her instincts served her right and she was outside in an oddly beautiful meadow. The jail was just outside the city limits and around it was bush and forest. It seemed like heaven as it was early spring.
She was lost in the sights for a second before the alarm bells rang and she was on the run again.
Barefoot and alone she made her way, but all she could think about was the blood on the floor and Jacob who would be dead by now.
When the energy ran out she found herself deep in the forest. The green was overpowering and she felt safe for the first time in a long time.
Chapter Four
Cleo awakens from the floor of the forest, around her was large females with face paint. They wore nothing but loincloths and they carried large weapons. there was about five of them. They spoke in a strange language of whistles and clicks. As Cleo got up they pointed their weapons at her fierce and dangerous. The Amazons thought Cleo
The leader of the group said something like a command and the others lowered their weapons.
She came up to the girl and offered her a hand
"What are you doing here"
"Running away"
"Away from what"
"My city has been conquered"
"I see, are you hungry"
"Yes very"
The leader yelled another command and a smaller warrior came and gave Cleo a bunch of fruit and dry meat. Cleo grabbed the food and then sat down and ate it the others also sat.
"So you guys are Amazons"
"Amazons"
"Yes you are Amazons warrior women"
It was clear with Cleo that they didn't understand changed the subject
"This is really good, is it grown here"
"No, if they are found in Uphutika"
"That is very far, how do you keep them fresh"
"We don't we just got them"
"I don't understand"
"We fly there"
"Fly you can fly"
The leader smiled,
"what is your name"
"Cleo, what's yours"
"Perera, these are my sisters"
The other four nodded as Perera named them
Glouadice
Pudnara
Greormiodice
Copley
"We are the last of the Wadi"
"The last what has happened"
"They are cursed, they have become demons and roam the forests of our homeland"
"How awful"
"Yes and we wish to find our queen our scouts have said she went underground with a man prince"
"A man prince, how strange"
"Cleo I fear you will die in the forest, you are welcomed to join us until you find a new home"
Cleo hadn't thought what she would in the future she never really thought about it before but something inside her knew she had to do something about the evil rulers of her city.
"But I'm not much of a warrior"
"We will find a use for you don't you worry"
"I don't understand"
"Come let us show you how we fly"
Perera got up and Cleo did the same she followed her through the thick forest until they were in a large clearing. There in the field, five Pegasus gazing. They were white and beautiful with wings onto their backs.
"These are ours the last of our fleet"
"This is amazing, I only read about these in story books"
"Storybooks," said Perera clearly confused
"Like stories, you tell children"
"You mean the songs of youth"
Cleo shrugged
"I don't know how to fly"
"That is no need you join me"
Cleo walked over to the tallest Pegasus and Perera whispered into its ear and then picked Cleo up and placed her on the back of the flying beast.
"He likes you, don't be scared"
Perera gets on as well and Cleo places her hands around her thin strong hips.
"Hang on, girl"
The Amazon then shouted something and the other four got on theirs and they departed.
Chapter Five
Lisa took off the mask and found herself in a dirty room. She sighed and went over to the door opening she walked herself out.
"Are you leaving so early"
"Yes it's almost four, you should go to"
"I have to stay"
"Oh OK hey thanks for letting me use it"
"I didn't really"
"What do you mean"
"I mean nothing is free"
"I can't do that, I told you I'm not gay"
"Listen, I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do but I would really like to see you"
Lisa sighed even though she said she wasn't forcing her she kinda was, it was blackmail plain and simple. But she also knew she wasn't going to get to play Amazon Tamer again if she didn't give her what she wanted.
"Fine do you want what do you want"
"I want you to watch me dance for you"
"OK fine but make it quick"
"It will be don't worry, go back into the room and wait for me"
Lisa did what she was told and sat on the bed,
Pat came to her body was not what Cleo was expecting
She was naked and her still pale flesh shone in the light. Her long, dark hair
had been worked into a single braid, which was tied about her neck like a collar, fastened
She then turned on some music from her phone, it was drums and very sexual
She ran to the area in front of Lisa and began to dance, but not with the
bovine, unsure steps of a shy girl. She moved with a practiced mixture of grace
and race and it was evident that she had practiced for many days.
Emily watched with growing wonder. This was her new friend,
a mother of two. Now she was dancing naked before her, in the most obscene manner imaginable.
It was almost hypnotic. Lisa gasped and her eyes rolled, but Pat danced on, as if oblivious to the exhibition she was performing. The rhythm quickened and Pat began to gyrate like a belly dancer. She held her arms above her head and bucked her hips in mid-
air in a blatant parody of sex. Lisa could hear only her labored breath and the soft slap of her bare feet on the wooden floor.
It went on for some time and Pat worked herself into a frenzy as if controlled by some demon of lust. Only when her flesh gleamed with a sheen of sweat did the drums stop. Pat collapsed in a heap of spent, dripping white flesh.
Lisa was stunned and could not move, the only words being.
Where did you learn to do that
"In the game, one of my slaves does it very well"
Chapter Six
Lisa was on the run. After being kicked out for late payments she hit the streets hard.
Life was pretty rough and she couldn't handle the reality that much anymore. It was kinda a bummer and she wasn't alone. Her roommate split town after learning that he owed some mobsters some money. Lisa and homelessness went together like Swiss cheese and ketchup. She was out of options so she showed up at the local salvation army. The place was full on the men side but the women's was pretty open. She didn't really have a choice in the matter so she went to the woman's side. trying to duck out of the crazy and hungry stares of the men.
The woman in front of her was singing a song, that Lisa knew from her childhood. It was a Beatles song "Her comes the sun" but the way she was singing it made grey clouds look cheerful.
In other words, it depressed the hell out of Lisa. but she kept her wits about her and followed the line inside the cool air-conditioned room.
A woman about the size of a small child had her hair pushed back in a ponytail. Lisa took her for Irish, but she could be anything white. There was no music, the girl stopped singing as the small woman made them all sit in a plastic chair.
"My name is Michelle and since you are all new I'm going to tell you the rules"
"Curfew is four clock if you don't have a job, you must be lined up outside by no later than that time to get a bed."
"If you are late your bed will be given to someone else"
"We are a booze and drug-free facility you will be breathalyzed and searched when you return from outside."
"Do you have any questions?" Said Michelle with a strange smile on her face
The woman next to Lisa whispered
"Looks like someone didn't get hugged as a child"
Lisa smiled to please the woman but kept her eyes forward
"Did you hear what I said?" said the woman
"Yes I heard you"
"Good you look at me when you talk to me"
"I'm sorry"
Michelle stood in front of the two woman her presence made her much taller than she is.
"You can go first maim stand up," said Michelle pointing at the woman she got up
"What is your name"
"Pat"
"Breath into this"
"Ewe It looks like a dick, I don't do dick"
Pat looked at Lisa with a hungry smile
"No cursing you are in God's house"
"I don't believe in god"
"It doesn't matter you can't curse here, if that's going to be a problem there is the door"
"No it's cool, how long do you need me to suck, I mean blow"
"Just a few seconds"
Pat did what she was told, Michelle searched her bag and then when she was satisfied she sent her on her way.
You're next said, Michelle
Michelle got up and walked over to Michelle and waited while the breathalyzer finished its thing.
"OK what's your name"
"Lisa, my name is Lisa"
"OK, sweetie just blow until you hear a little ding that means it's done"
Lisa did what she was told
"OK we will check your bags"
"I don't have any"
"Nothing at all"
"No, maim"
Michelle smiled "Call me Michelle OK"
Lisa nodded she then was sent inside the main building. There was a dining room an upstairs to the corner was the men's section. They were lying about some were playing chess while other were trading stories, some were sleeping in chairs in front of the TV.
"The women are upstairs," said another staff member who had just come from the men's area.
"OK it's my first time"
"I'll show you then, my name is John"
John was young and handsome his fitted shirt looked good on him. The red matched him.
"Male staff he," he said in a loud deep voice
"I have to do that for privacy reasons"
John took her to the women's section, and to her bunk
"You are the top one 14 B"
After John left Lisa climbed to her bed and closed her eyes
All she could see was the endless fields and the game Amazon Tamer, it's all she could think about and all she wanted.
It was pretty sad but inside the game, she was somebody, in fact, she was a queen. Out here she was a homeless girl looking for love, she didn't really care anymore the game was just more real.
The intercom sounded with Michelle telling the entire building that Dinner was being served. Women and Children, first she heard and got up and climbed down and right there was Pat.
"I guess were bunkmates"
"I guess we are"
"Listen sorry if I was weird before, this place drives me a little crazy"
; "You've been here before"
"I sure have, not proud of it either just I have this addiction"
"What meth"
"No nothing like that, it's a game"
"Amazon Tamer"
Pat's eyes lit up
"You play too"
"Yes, but I've been trying to go cold turkey"
"Hard as cold balls isn't"
"Yes I suppose it is"
"Well let me tell you something, I don't fight it anymore I have come to terms with it, it's all I do when I'm not here"
"You have access to the game"
"For sure, a buddy of mine lets me use it anytime I want I just got to give him a handy once in a while"
"That's sad"
"I don't feel exploited, he can't jerk off himself he is paralyzed, so it works out great"
"But hasn't the game like destroyed your life"
"I never had much of one anyway, husband left with the kids back to Mexico"
"Shit, I'm sorry"
"Don't be sorry for him, I don't but I do miss my kids, you want to see them"
"Sure"
Pat pulled out a crumpled photo of two twin boys.
"Awe what's there names"
"That one on the left is Carlos and the other is Jesus"
"I have more on my phone, I can show you tomorrow"
"Sure I'd like that"
"Oh about that while I don't do dick thing"
"It's cool I understand"
"It's one hundred percent true, and if you are interested I can make you wet"
"I'm straight"
"So is spaghetti before it gets wet"
Chapter Seven
Cora didn't hear the news how could she had better things to do manly how to not starve. After the death the emperor the capital had been under siege. It was long and hard on the people of the capital. Most died the old and young were left to defend themselves. Cora was determined not to let her family die.
Her job if you could call it that was to find food. That was it she didn't have dreams she just wanted her family safe.
Which consented of her younger brother and her sick older mother. They lived on the east side of the capital and if she had been home in the morning she would have heard the speech.
The speech that changed everything for the people living in the capital. It was from the new ruler's spokesman.
People of Dion, We have freed you from the anarchy that you had to endure. Now you have a taste of order. That order comes from the royal twins of your late ruler. We have won back our capital from traitors and rebels, although they have fought a battle they run now and have abandoned you. But we will not we will have an order in the face of their chaos. All who do not fall in line will be punished or enslaved. You have not tasted servitude. There is no land beyond us and even the sea is no safe refuge when we are threatened by our fleets….We are the last people on earth, and the last to be free: …. They plunder, they butcher, they ravish and call it by the lying name of ‘empire’. They make a desert and call it peace.”