Fire In The Heavens

"Eitizaz? How did you-"

I look around to see my home in Aden. My brother is jumping around with a toy horse in hand.

"What? Weren't you supposed to go with Kasim?" He asks with surprised expression.

You stare in shock. It looks just like home. There is the door to my room, there's that expensive washbasin my brother broke once, the dusty muslin curtains- it's just as I left it three days ago. And I still wear the blue dress but it's not tattered and dirty.

Have I travelled back in time?

I decide to search for my parents, but realize no one is at home. When I go back to ask my brother where everyone went, I don't find him either! How strange.

"Eitizaz? Where are you? Eitizaz!"

"Help me!" That's my brother! The voice is coming from outside. I rush to the window and ymy greatest trauma comes back. Fire. Everywhere. The dread, the helplessness, all flashes through my eyes. By the road, men in black are dragging my brother away. My father is there as well! Engaged in a sword fight, but he is losing.

And Ammi? Where is she?

Before I can process anything in my mind on what to do next, a strong hand roughly grabs me by the wrist. I scream, but it's of no use.

"Everything's over, everyone's dead. You'll be a pathetic little bird, lost and caged, lone and afraid."

My throat goes numb for some reason, and as the stranger drags me away, I can't shout anymore...

I open my eyes, breathing heavy. Everything's dark, except that a wavering lamp is swinging by the bulkhead but gives out only a flickering little light, and I can feel the rocking of the ship.

It was all a dream.

I am drenched with sweat. Feeling nauseous. Coughing a little, I sit up. Everyone's asleep. It must be very late...

Then I remember something.

The unlocked door! There is, of course, no way of escape. I don't really want to jump into the water or haul a boat when I don't even know in which part of the sea I am in, adding to the fact that I don't know how to swim either. Nevertheless, it would be nice to get some fresh air...

Taking the lamp and groping my way to the door, a passageway leads me to the galley at first. Well, I'm definitely hungry. Peering down at multiple barrels I finally find a stock of fresh, shiny apples. I immediately grab one and start munching. Before leaving, I take one last look at the galley, a moderate space with utensils strapped on the walls, sacks and barrels taking up most of the space. I take a kitchen knife (in case something happens) and start climbing the dark ladder, though with much difficulty.

A gust of wind lifts my thick hair quite suddenly. For a moment, I just stand there, eyes closed, enjoying the wind and fresh air. It's a good feeling. When I open my eyes, my breath goes away.

There are about half a dozen ships following the one I boarded on. Three of them are galleys, the rest of them are brigs or so. The view is indeed magnificent, made even better by the starry sky. The ships are light up from the inside, and the yellow light reflects on the black water.

I run to the gunwales and stare in awe. "If only my family were here to watch this view..." I mutter as you clutch the black pendant by my neck.

But looks like I won't be kept in peace yet again. I feel cold metal pressed on my left arm and hear a whisper I can't comprehend. My heart skips a beat.

My hand involuntarily moves behind my back to point my kitchen knife at whoever the hell that is. But before I can turn around, the person grabs my wrist and twists it. Hard.

The knife drops as I gasp. Scared and out of reflex, I shove the lantern at my foe's face, and when the person ducks I punch give a good to the nose with my other hand. "Take that!"

That punch was definitely not painful at all, I haven't eaten properly for days, but I guess it's going to leave a bruise. It is assured to that when my attacker give out a groan, clutching the nose, and mutters something that sounds like a curse.

"Spirits can't punch people." A male voice says, switching the language. Deliberately, I bring the lantern near him.

For a moment, I wonder if it's a girl. But I look down at body- no, it's a man probably in his early 20's, curly dark hair sticking to his forehead, and...the same big hazel eyes under thick eyebrows. His pretty face could be easily mistaken for a girl's. I piece together that he must be the same man from the market and that pervert who liked my 'necklace'.

Do I look like some foul spirit? I ask myself, then rake my hair to realize it is actually in a tangled mess.

He looks at me, blinks twice, then with a surprised expression, opens his mouth. "I've seen you before-"

"You're that traveler I met in the market-"

"No, I saw you when we attacked the docks."

"So you're that creep who liked my necklace, eh?"

He nearly trips when I say that. Or maybe because of the rocking of the ship. But quickly recovering, all he can say is, "I don't know what you're talking about."

I definitely don't believe that. Too many coincidences has happened, or does every Ottoman have hazel eyes?!

But before I can reply, my stomach clenches. I turn to the sea, lean to the gunwale and bend.

"Hey- don't think of jumping-"

"Just give me a mi-" I vomit. What a great first impression.

I hear the man back away a few steps, but awkwardly pats my back anyway. "Must be the first time on board." Second time, actually, but I am in no state to correct that.

When the agonizing moment finally ends, I lean back and slap his hand away, "Don't touch me."

He just shrugs. "Sorry. For your twisting your hand."

There's an awkward silence. I don't even know what to say.

He then points towards the sky. "Oh look, there's a shooting star."

I fold my arms over my chest, "Very funny." But when he keeps staring past me, reluctantly, I turn around. He wasn't lying! The shimmering white dot moves from my right to left against the black canvas, then vanishes. It's the first time I've ever seen one...

"They say if you make a wish while watching it, it gets fulfilled."

I snort. "As if it were a fireball from the Heavens. I'd ask for chicken if it were true."

"Not the superstitious one, are you?"

"Well I- wait, why am even I talking to you?!"

"You punched me, yet I am not bothered."

"You threatened me with a sword!"

"I thought you were a haunted spirit because of your hair- n-no offense." How does he reply with such a soothing voice when I am nearly shouting at the top of my lungs?

I huff angrily. "You have a really good way with words."

At this he smiles. A sweet one. "I try, and now, won't you tell me how you managed to sneak out here, knowing how bad a punishment on board a ship is?" I hear an edge to his voice. Right, I was waiting for that question. I swallow.