Chapter 4: An Attempt To Escape
Aisha had been planning her escape for weeks. She knew that it was a risky move, but the thought of spending the rest of her life as a slave was too much to bear. She had no idea where she would go or what she would do, but anything was better than staying in Ibrahim's mansion.
Aisha had managed to save a few coins over the months by secretly selling some of her belongings to the other slaves. She had also befriended a slave who worked in the stables, who promised to help her escape.
The plan was simple: Aisha would sneak out of the mansion in the dead of night, make her way to the stables, and ride one of the horses out of the compound. From there, she would make her way to the nearest town and try to find work.
Aisha knew that there were risks involved. If she was caught, she would be severely punished, possibly even killed. But she was willing to take that chance. She couldn't continue living her life as a slave, constantly at the mercy of her cruel master and mistress.
The night of her escape, Aisha waited until everyone in the mansion was asleep before slipping out of her quarters. She moved quickly and quietly, making her way through the dark corridors until she reached the back door.
Aisha's heart was pounding as she opened the door and stepped outside. She looked around nervously, making sure that no one had seen her. The mansion was surrounded by a high wall, and Aisha knew that climbing over it was impossible. She would have to find another way out.
She made her way around the back of the mansion, her eyes scanning the wall for any possible openings. And then she saw it: a small gap in the wall, just big enough for her to squeeze through.
Aisha's heart leapt with hope. She approached the gap and squeezed through it, tearing her clothes and scraping her skin in the process. But she didn't care. She was free.
Once on the other side of the wall, Aisha ran towards the stables as fast as she could. She could hear the sound of horses neighing in the distance, and she knew that her friend was waiting for her.
As she approached the stables, Aisha saw a figure step out from the shadows. It was her friend, holding a horse by the reins.
"Quickly," the slave whispered. "Get on."
Aisha scrambled onto the horse's back, her heart racing with excitement and fear. She had never ridden a horse before, but she had no time to learn. She had to get as far away from the mansion as possible before anyone noticed she was gone.
The horse galloped out of the stables, and Aisha held on tight, trying to steady herself. The wind whipped through her hair, and she felt a sense of freedom that she had never known before.
But her sense of triumph was short-lived. A few minutes into the ride, Aisha heard the sound of hooves behind her. She turned to see a group of men on horseback, riding towards her at full speed.
Aisha's heart sank. She knew that she had been caught.
The men rode up beside her, their faces stern and unforgiving.
"Stop right there," one of them commanded.
Aisha pulled on the reins of the horse, trying to bring it to a stop. But the animal was spooked by the commotion and refused to slow down.
The men reached out and grabbed Aisha, pulling her off the horse and onto the ground. They bound her hands behind her back and forced her to her feet.
"What were you thinking?" one of the men demanded. "You can't just run away from your master."
Aisha knew that the punishment for her attempted escape was severe. Aisha was beaten mercilessly and locked in a small, dark cell for days on end. She was given little food or water and were forced to endure the oppressive heat and stench of the cell.
Despite the pain and suffering she endured, Aisha never lost hope. She knew that she had to keep fighting for her freedom, no matter what the cost.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Aisha was forced to endure countless beatings and humiliations, but she never give up her dream of escape. She continued to plan and plot, looking for any opportunity to break free from her chains.