One Night

Chapter Thirty One

With each turn of the page, I unravel about the existence of the Night Trials. Apparently, it is a renowned competition where the winner of the trials is granted a wish. Does that mean that I . . . Is this the stone that the Hakeem wants? A wish granter.

A rush of thoughts floods my mind as I contemplate where to begin. Maybe I do have a chance of getting out of here.

Before I can organize my thoughts, rough hands seize me, abruptly lifting me to my feet and confining me in their grip. A surge of fear and panic courses through my veins, yet the weariness that engulfs me numbs my will to resist. At this point, I will give in to whatever fate awaits me—be it confinement in a dark room or living solely on peanuts.

I don't like peanuts.

In front of me, a familiar figure emerges from around the corner. It's Akilah. Despite her being a liar and a traitor, a sense of relief washes over me upon seeing her. She has the answers to everything I want to know.

"Akilah," I exclaim, a mix of gratitude and surprise tinging my words. The tension in my chest dissipates, a burden lifted. "Thank goodness," I mutter to myself, acknowledging the unanticipated relief her presence brings.

A sly smile graces Akilah's face as she raises an eyebrow. "Never thought I'd hear that coming from you," she quips, her voice a surprisingly soothing balm to my ears.

Understanding her words feels like a comforting embrace. "Me neither," I reply, grinning.

I can't help the happiness that I feel, like honey filling my veins.

Her subtle nod prompts the men to release their hold on me, although they remain nearby, vigilant and ready to heed Akilah's command. There's no time to wonder what kind of position and power she must hold here, to have guards at her back and call. All I want to know is—"Where am I?" My voice is laced with equal parts curiosity and desperation.

A burst of laughter escapes Akilah's lips, causing her eyes to crinkle at the edges. She gathers her braided hair to one side and gazes towards the road. "That's a tough question to answer," she replies cryptically. "Let's return to your quarters. Take a shower, calm down, and then we can talk."

Calm down? The words evoke an urge to cry, an overwhelming weariness at the unpredictability of where I am. I yearn for familiarity, for a sense of consistency, yet my options remain limited. Seeking answers has proven treacherous in the past, leaving my heart tightening.

Maybe I don't want to know the answer. I had never considered that.

"Fine," I give in, my voice laden with resignation.

She nods slowly, an air of elegance emanating from her. I notice that she now wears the same white attire as everyone else. The same one I was shoved in after a being scrubbed by that strange lady. It seems that being a part of this world demands conformity.

"Tell the guards when you are ready. They won't understand you, so just give them a thumbs up, and they will lead you to me," Akilah instructs before leaving.

I nod, but my focus remains on the room. It's the same one I escaped from earlier—an unassuming space with a single curtained bed and simple drawers. Nothing like the palaces from before.

The bed is inviting, and the weariness that engulfs me reminds me that I can't recall the last time I had a proper rest.

Exhaustion weighs heavy on my eyelids, and the strain of holding back tears only adds to my fatigue.

Turning on the shower, the sounds of the water manage to remove the negative, restless feelings bubbling inside me.

The shower itself is quite beautiful—an open design, unlike anything I thought could exist. In Wadi, my mother and I would use buckets and a cloth for our baths. Even in the grand palaces, I hadn't seen this.

Stepping into the cascading water, I feel it permeate every inch of my being. My eyes close instinctively, and the warmth and privacy offered by the shower embrace me. A bar of soap rests on a small ledge built into the corner of the walls. I glide the soft bar over my body, relishing the way it lathers and cleanses me.

This. It feels like being enveloped in a hug—something I have not felt in a long time. It makes me miss Zayen; his strong arms and grounding smile. The warm, spicy scent he carried.

I hope he is okay.

Once I finish bathing, and changing, I pull open the door to my room. Both guards stationed outside turn their gaze toward me, their posture rigid and harsh.

I give them a thumbs up.

I'm ready—even with knots twisting in my stomach—to get some real answers. Finally.

~~*~~

What are you grateful for today?

I visited a place today that gave me so much inspiration. It sometimes amazes (and terrifies) me, to see what people are capable of doing.

T w i t t e r : xPineappleGirlx
I n s t a g r a m : laylaawrites
Y o u t u b e : xThePineappleGirlx

Lots of love and jelly tots - xThePineappleGirlx