Outsider

For the first time in my whole life, I was outside the massive walls of the Palace. I was outside and free. Blood rushed through my veins, my heart bounded in my chest. I looked around me, scanning my surroundings, the city was emptier than I had imagined it to be, or perhaps it was late. Either way, I was glad I was finally there.

I escaped, I really made up my mind and left. I could not believe it. A wave of pure panic rushed through me, but I ignored it. There was no looking back, Tomorrow was a new day.

I kept walking for what felt like an eternity, studying the little stores and houses that stood all around me in awe. I kept wondering what the city would like in the morning.

I remembered Thea's words. There had to be an inn around here. I just did not know where to look or who to ask. I felt so lost, so out of place, like I did not belong there. I grabbed my hooded cloak, wrapping it tighter around my body, completely concealing my identity. I wondered if the citizens had ever heard of me. With my pale skin and white hair, I thought I would have been

the talk of the city at some point.

I was too zoned out and lost in my thoughts until I accidentally bumped into someone; an old man. "I apologize, sir." I said quietly with a small bow, a smile plastered to the bottom, visible part of my face.

"Ohhh, why are you hiding, love?" I could smell the alcohol on his breath. "Come on, let me see that beautiful body of yours." He reached for the piece of fabric draped across my body. Quickly, I jerked his hand away. I backed away in horror.

"Don't be scared, darling, I promise you'll like what I've got in store for you. Hey, Ahmose, get your ass over here!" I took a step back before storming off, I gripped the hood, scared that the wind might accidentally reveal my hair, and ran away as fast as I possibly could. My body ached in protest but I kept going. I ended up passing more people. I ignored the questioning, and puzzled glances and kept going before I hit someone, sending both of us to the hard ground. Oh, God... not again. I cried in pain, and so did the person in front of me.

"Careful, you freak!" I heard a feminine voice, and a wave of relief washed over me. I hurried toward her, "I'm sorry, are you okay?" She pressed her hand to the side of her head and looked at me. I did not realize that the hood had slipped and my hair was now completely visible until I found her staring at me.

"You're running from someone." She said quietly to herself. I nodded, and we both got to our feet.

"Where are you going?" She asked whilst fixing the cream dress which hugged her figure tightly, the several torches scattered around cast a faint line on every curve and dip of her body.

"I'm looking for a place to stay the night."

"It's too late, I don't know if they would have rooms available, but there is an inn not too far away." She said, tucking a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear. She then pointed me to the inn, I thanked her and went on ahead.

It was not long before I found myself standing in front of a small, old building with shabby walls and no lighting. Several windows were asymmetrically scattered across the building. I swallowed hard and stepped inside. The room was dark and the air was stale. There was a man at the front desk, with only a small, lit candle to his left. His arms were crossed against his chest and his head bowed down at an awkward angle. He was seemlingly fast asleep.

"Umm, excuse me?" I said quietly. When he did not answer I raised just a bit. He was still fast asleep.

"I need a room!" I shouted and he jerked awake, almost falling off his wooden chair.

"Sorry..." I mouthed sheepishly.

"What! What do you want at this hour!"

"A room for tonight." He ran his hand across his face with a loud sigh.

"Two gold coins." He demanded.

"What?"

"Are you deaf? I said two gold coins." He shouted angrily. I completely forgot about that. I did not have any money. I was planning on selling the jewellery at one point, to be honest, I just did not know I would need to tonight.

"I don't have any money."

"Then get the hell out of my face, kid." His voice was gruff and clearly annoyed. He turned around, heading back to his chair.

"Wait!" I Was well aware of how desperate I sounded, "I have something else."

"I'm not interested in your breasts."

What did he just say?

"No," I shook my head and reached for the pouch tied around my waist. "This." I said as I took out my earrings. I handed him the gold band and waited for him to study it. Satisfied, he flashes me a smile. The corner of my lips turns up in disgust.

"Upstairs, second room to your left." He said, happily eyeing the piece of jewellery. I sighed in relief and turned to my heel.

"Just be careful, kid, the doors don't have any locks on them." He warned me. As if tonight could get any worse.

The room was fine. It was nothing like my room back in the Palace, that's for sure, but it was okay. I looked around the moonlit room, a small bed sat in the corner of the room, along with two wooden chairs and a small table in the middle. There was a window facing the bed, with stained curtains that fluttered in the cold night's breeze.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I went through everything in my mind. The Pharaoh choosing me as the next Nile Bride, Thea's helping me escape, the man who almost assaulted me, and the almost filthy bed I was lying into at that moment. It all happened too quickly, I had not got the time to process any of it.

Several minutes passed and I found myself beginning to fall asleep. It was not only until I heard a noise outside that I jolted awake. I sat at the edge of the bed, listening carefully. I could hear a noise outside so I slowly walked to the window.

"She's upstairs." I heard the man from earlier almost stutter.