Hell on Earth
The next morning Zoe got up early excited as she was sure her mother was here. She hadn't seen her leave. She made breakfast and ate it before Abdullah got up. He was running late this morning which was unusual. She couldn't worry about that. She would get breakfast made for Abdullah and Akbar and get her chores done so she could spend a lot of time with her mother.
Just before she finished up Abdullah came into the room. He saw Zoe at the table eating. She had looked up and upon seeing him jumped up like a scared rabbit. This is good. He had to teach her now that he was in charge.
Abdullah: So I see you eat before I have.
Zoe stuttering: Well honored one, you see it was getting on in the morning and I was hungry. She realized he wasn't going to listen to her excuses so she stopped.
Abdullah reached out and cuffed her on the head. He didn't hit her hard, but like someone who was chastising a pet dog. It will go bad for you next time you disobey the rules understand?
Zoe cringed. She didn't dare put her hand to her head. She just nodded and looked down.
Abdullah: Now go and fix my breakfast quickly. I have need of some energy this morning. I would like some braised lamb patties, some labneh and a couple of pieces of bread.
Zoe sure wished she knew how to braise lamb. Well maybe she could ask her mother. Did she dare go ask her though? Well if she got his breakfast wrong it would go worse for her.
Looking around to make sure Farid or Akbar wan't lingering around she went looking for her mother. She went from room to room and couldn't find her mother. Where was she? Had she gone away after all? Well there was only one more room, but her mother surely wouldn't be in there it was the smallest room in the house, and not very nice.
Zoe tried to open the door, but it was locked. Well it seems her mother wasn't here after all. Zoe heard moaning coming from the room and it sounded like her mother.
Zoe: Mommy, is that you mommy? Are you all right? Mommy let me in! She banged on the door. Please mommy let me in!
Elisia trying to stifle her groans: Zoe, it is nice to hear you. Mommy is ok she is resting right now.
Zoe: Mommy you are hurt aren't you?
Elisia trying to sound normal: No, Zoe mommy is ok. She is just very tired. Mommy will see you later and we will have a long talk ok?
Zoe: Mommy I am scared. Abdullah wants me to make braised lamb and I don't know how. Mommy he will whip me if I don't make it right. Please mommy can you help me?
Elisia knew she could not help Zoe, as if she saw her like this it would upset her.
Zoe: You will come help me won't you mommy.
Elisia: Now no Zoe, you are a big girl and you have seen me make it plenty of times. I know you can do it.
Zoe: No mommy I can't. I am but a little girl and have not learned to cook.
Elisia: Listen Zoe! I cannot help you right now. You must go and fix his breakfast the best you can. I will tell you how to do it so listen carefully.
Elisia gave her instructions through the door feeling like a horrible mother and a failure. Her daughter was at the mercy of that monster, and after this morning she only prayed she would not die at Abdullah's hands before she got her daughters away.
Zoe: Mommy I can't do it.
Elisia: Get Charmaine then she has seen me do it plenty of times and I even had her help me make it once. I know she could help you.
Zoe: I can't get her mommy.
Elisia: Don't be ridiculous yes you can get her now do as I say!
Zoe: Mommy Charmaine ran away two nights ago. Abdullah has people out looking for her, but he hasn't found her yet.
Elisia thought so Charmaine had more in her than she thought. Oh dear was Charmaine ok? She was glad that Charmaine was away from Abdullah, but was she ok? Oh something else to worry about. She didn't know what was worse; wondering where Charmaine was and if she was ok, or knowing she was here with Zoe and her?
Zoe: Mom are you sure you are ok?
Elisia: I told you I am fine now go and cook Abdullah's breakfast so you won't anger him.
With Charmaine gone Abdullah will be worse than ever. She wished she had known that before she made this deal with Abdullah. She could have somehow gotten a plan together to get Zoe out. Getting one child out would have been easier than two that was for sure, but now it was too late. She had to figure out a plan to get Zoe away. Maybe if she pleased Abdullah very much he might let Zoe go. She could take her daughter's place if she made Abdullah happy. Maybe Farid or Akbar could be persuaded somehow. She would be extra nice to Farid to make up for her usurping his authority. After Zoe was safe, she would end this hell on earth on her own terms. How she didn't know yet, but it would end. She just hoped she wouldn't have to live this hell for long. She knew that Zoe and Charmaine would be upset with her, but she knew eventually they would forgive her. After all they couldn't expect their mother to be a toy of such a one as Abdullah. Even if they didn't, she wouldn't be here to worry about it. At least there was one thing positive about being locked up in here, she had lots of time to think and plan.
Zoe: Ok mommy. I will see you later?
Elisia: Mommy is tired now. Go.
Zoe walked away. She could tell there was something wrong. Why was her mother locked in that room? She didn't want to leave her, but what could she do? Zoe reluctantly went back to the main part of the house to cook breakfast so as not to anger Abdullah. Maybe if she pleased Abdullah he would be nice to her mother. She would work hard to make the best breakfast he ever had. She also would talk to Farid. Maybe Farid would help.
Zoe went to work in the kitchen listening to her mothers instructions going through her head..
Abdullah smelling the food came wandering in. It actually smelt appetizing. She might end up being a good wife after all.
He sat at the table and Zoe eagerly dished it up and brought it to him.
He dug into the food and started eating it ravenously.
Zoe: Does the food please you my lord?
Abdullah grunted: It will do. I have had better. You need to work on your cooking skill more, but you will do.
Zoe grinned pleased: That was as good as him telling her she made a masterpiece. Abdullah did not praise at all, and so when he even acknowledged her food at all was high praise indeed.
Abdullah got up after eating. He called over Zoe and told her to do the dishes. In her haste to continue pleasing him, she dropped his dish.
Abdullah: That was the plate that belonged to my mother you careless slow cow! It had been in my family for generations. How dare you drop it! You shall pay for that!
Zoe cowered: Oh my lord, please forgive me. I know I am slow and stupid, but I only wish to please you. Please forgive me.
Abdullah reached back and with his arm he swung at her and hit her square in the face. Zoe went flying across the room. She was stunned and very afraid.
She tried to stand, but Abdullah came and kicked her hard in her side. He kicked her while cursing at her roundly. Every time she tried to protect herself he got madder. He stopped kicking her and bent over picking her up by the arm. He proceeded to shake her so her teeth rattled in her head.
Zoe: Pl-pl-please merciful lord and master spare this stupid and clumsy girl. I will do anything you ask.
Abdullah started slapping her. He was taking out his frustration and anger that he gave into temptation and had been with Elisia. He loathed himself as it would have been worse for her if he had just treated her as a cast off. Instead he had gone to her like a dog licking his master's boots for any scraps he would be willing to give him. He had never before taken any man's cast offs, but this time he did and that made him angry. He had great satisfaction from beating her up and leaving her bruised and in agony. Yet that hadn't been enough. He thought it had been, but when Zoe broke the plate, the anger came back in full force. He was getting great satisfaction in beating up this little chit. All of a sudden he thought of how he would be marrying her soon and he wanted her in a good enough condition to enjoy their nuptials. He stopped. He would finish taking out his frustrations on his new whore later.
Zoe laid there hurting and crying.
Abdullah walked away his anger slaked for the moment.
He thought about his time with Elisia and he was tempted to go to her again. No curse her. He would not. Yet he found himself going toward her room hating himself for not seeming able to keep away. Well he would have her as much as he wanted, but he would punish her for making him want her. He would make her life a hell on earth for taunting and tempting him and he would enjoy every minute of it.
Abdullah: So I see you eat before I have.
Zoe stuttering: Well honored one, you see it was getting on in the morning and I was hungry. She realized he wasn't going to listen to her excuses so she stopped.
Abdullah reached out and cuffed her on the head. He didn't hit her hard, but like someone who was chastising a pet dog. It will go bad for you next time you disobey the rules understand?
Zoe cringed. She didn't dare put her hand to her head. She just nodded and looked down.
Abdullah: Now go and fix my breakfast quickly. I have need of some energy this morning. I would like some braised lamb patties, some labneh and a couple of pieces of bread.
Zoe sure wished she knew how to braise lamb. Well maybe she could ask her mother. Did she dare go ask her though? Well if she got his breakfast wrong it would go worse for her.
Looking around to make sure Farid or Akbar wan't lingering around she went looking for her mother. She went from room to room and couldn't find her mother. Where was she? Had she gone away after all? Well there was only one more room, but her mother surely wouldn't be in there it was the smallest room in the house, and not very nice.
Zoe tried to open the door, but it was locked. Well it seems her mother wasn't here after all. Zoe heard moaning coming from the room and it sounded like her mother.
Zoe: Mommy, is that you mommy? Are you all right? Mommy let me in! She banged on the door. Please mommy let me in!
Elisia trying to stifle her groans: Zoe, it is nice to hear you. Mommy is ok she is resting right now.
Zoe: Mommy you are hurt aren't you?
Elisia trying to sound normal: No, Zoe mommy is ok. She is just very tired. Mommy will see you later and we will have a long talk ok?
Zoe: Mommy I am scared. Abdullah wants me to make braised lamb and I don't know how. Mommy he will whip me if I don't make it right. Please mommy can you help me?
Elisia knew she could not help Zoe, as if she saw her like this it would upset her.
Zoe: You will come help me won't you mommy.
Elisia: Now no Zoe, you are a big girl and you have seen me make it plenty of times. I know you can do it.
Zoe: No mommy I can't. I am but a little girl and have not learned to cook.
Elisia: Listen Zoe! I cannot help you right now. You must go and fix his breakfast the best you can. I will tell you how to do it so listen carefully.
Elisia gave her instructions through the door feeling like a horrible mother and a failure. Her daughter was at the mercy of that monster, and after this morning she only prayed she would not die at Abdullah's hands before she got her daughters away.
Zoe: Mommy I can't do it.
Elisia: Get Charmaine then she has seen me do it plenty of times and I even had her help me make it once. I know she could help you.
Zoe: I can't get her mommy.
Elisia: Don't be ridiculous yes you can get her now do as I say!
Zoe: Mommy Charmaine ran away two nights ago. Abdullah has people out looking for her, but he hasn't found her yet.
Elisia thought so Charmaine had more in her than she thought. Oh dear was Charmaine ok? She was glad that Charmaine was away from Abdullah, but was she ok? Oh something else to worry about. She didn't know what was worse; wondering where Charmaine was and if she was ok, or knowing she was here with Zoe and her?
Zoe: Mom are you sure you are ok?
Elisia: I told you I am fine now go and cook Abdullah's breakfast so you won't anger him.
With Charmaine gone Abdullah will be worse than ever. She wished she had known that before she made this deal with Abdullah. She could have somehow gotten a plan together to get Zoe out. Getting one child out would have been easier than two that was for sure, but now it was too late. She had to figure out a plan to get Zoe away. Maybe if she pleased Abdullah very much he might let Zoe go. She could take her daughter's place if she made Abdullah happy. Maybe Farid or Akbar could be persuaded somehow. She would be extra nice to Farid to make up for her usurping his authority. After Zoe was safe, she would end this hell on earth on her own terms. How she didn't know yet, but it would end. She just hoped she wouldn't have to live this hell for long. She knew that Zoe and Charmaine would be upset with her, but she knew eventually they would forgive her. After all they couldn't expect their mother to be a toy of such a one as Abdullah. Even if they didn't, she wouldn't be here to worry about it. At least there was one thing positive about being locked up in here, she had lots of time to think and plan.
Zoe: Ok mommy. I will see you later?
Elisia: Mommy is tired now. Go.
Zoe walked away. She could tell there was something wrong. Why was her mother locked in that room? She didn't want to leave her, but what could she do? Zoe reluctantly went back to the main part of the house to cook breakfast so as not to anger Abdullah. Maybe if she pleased Abdullah he would be nice to her mother. She would work hard to make the best breakfast he ever had. She also would talk to Farid. Maybe Farid would help.
Zoe went to work in the kitchen listening to her mothers instructions going through her head..
Abdullah smelling the food came wandering in. It actually smelt appetizing. She might end up being a good wife after all.
He sat at the table and Zoe eagerly dished it up and brought it to him.
He dug into the food and started eating it ravenously.
Zoe: Does the food please you my lord?
Abdullah grunted: It will do. I have had better. You need to work on your cooking skill more, but you will do.
Zoe grinned pleased: That was as good as him telling her she made a masterpiece. Abdullah did not praise at all, and so when he even acknowledged her food at all was high praise indeed.
Abdullah got up after eating. He called over Zoe and told her to do the dishes. In her haste to continue pleasing him, she dropped his dish.
Abdullah: That was the plate that belonged to my mother you careless slow cow! It had been in my family for generations. How dare you drop it! You shall pay for that!
Zoe cowered: Oh my lord, please forgive me. I know I am slow and stupid, but I only wish to please you. Please forgive me.
Abdullah reached back and with his arm he swung at her and hit her square in the face. Zoe went flying across the room. She was stunned and very afraid.
She tried to stand, but Abdullah came and kicked her hard in her side. He kicked her while cursing at her roundly. Every time she tried to protect herself he got madder. He stopped kicking her and bent over picking her up by the arm. He proceeded to shake her so her teeth rattled in her head.
Zoe: Pl-pl-please merciful lord and master spare this stupid and clumsy girl. I will do anything you ask.
Abdullah started slapping her. He was taking out his frustration and anger that he gave into temptation and had been with Elisia. He loathed himself as it would have been worse for her if he had just treated her as a cast off. Instead he had gone to her like a dog licking his master's boots for any scraps he would be willing to give him. He had never before taken any man's cast offs, but this time he did and that made him angry. He had great satisfaction from beating her up and leaving her bruised and in agony. Yet that hadn't been enough. He thought it had been, but when Zoe broke the plate, the anger came back in full force. He was getting great satisfaction in beating up this little chit. All of a sudden he thought of how he would be marrying her soon and he wanted her in a good enough condition to enjoy their nuptials. He stopped. He would finish taking out his frustrations on his new whore later.
Zoe laid there hurting and crying.
Abdullah walked away his anger slaked for the moment.
He thought about his time with Elisia and he was tempted to go to her again. No curse her. He would not. Yet he found himself going toward her room hating himself for not seeming able to keep away. Well he would have her as much as he wanted, but he would punish her for making him want her. He would make her life a hell on earth for taunting and tempting him and he would enjoy every minute of it.