Golden Bird

A feeling of dread gripped Rashid's heart as he parted the curtain leading to Sara's bedchamber, but when he saw the sleeping form under the covers, relief flooded his being. He knew he should not risk disturbing her, but he had to touch her, just to be sure, and as he moved closer to the bed she stirred. The sheet shifted and revealed ... dark, not golden, hair.

Rashid flew to the bed and flung the sheet from the startled Fatima.

"Where is she?" he bellowed.

Fatima shrank away from him and whimpered at the fury in his eyes. He shook her roughly.

"Tell me! What have you done?"

Fatima summoned her courage and answered defiantly, "I only helped her get back to her family."

"What do you mean? How have you done this? Answer me wench!"

"Laila," the frightened girl shouted, "Laila arranged for her to go to America with your uncle, Abdulah."

"You fool!" he hissed as he shoved her, violently, away from him. He clenched his fists in anger and cursed, and ignoring her frightened sobs, ran, praying to Allah that he was not too late.

Amazingly enough, Sara had fallen asleep on the floor, but it had been a restless sleep; filled with images of hands grabbing her and masked men standing over her wielding long, evil looking whips. She was awakened with a start by the touch of a hot, sweaty hand caressing her leg. When she realized she was no longer dreaming, she jerked her leg away from the touch and scrambled to her feet.

Abdulah leapt at her, but she was too quick for him and jumped out of his reach. She bumped into a small table, and in desperation, grabbed it and threw it at him. He shielded his bulk with his arms and was able to ward off the blow. He laughed to show he was unhurt.

"So, you wish to make things difficult? That is good. I would have been disappointed otherwise. But I have waited far too long and have no more patience with you."

He motioned, and two figures appeared from the shadows. The tall, silent men cornered Sara as she backed against the wall. She made a hopeless dash for the door, but was grabbed and roughly dragged, kicking and screaming to the bed. Her arms and legs were tied to the corners of the bed with red silk scarves that bit into her flesh as she struggled.

Abdulah stood at the foot of the bed, gloating. "So, Rashid thought he could have you all to himself? That was very selfish of him, don't you agree?" and not expecting a reply, he continued, "I do regret to have kept you waiting, but anticipation can so heighten the experience, yes?"