'Maman, what do you think is out there?', I asked for what seemed like the millionth time to my mother. The desert beyond the wall seemed so vast, with its rolling hills and golden color.
'Sarina' mother replied, 'I don't want you wondering what's out there because I don't want to have to come searching for you later. The desert is dangerous, how many times must i remind you?' She shook her head, disturbed by her daughters unending curiosity. It could be her undoing.
Sarina glanced at her mother with her golden brown eyes. She pushed her raven black hair away from her face and she got ready to respond to her mother, but then held her tongue. Since she was their only daughter, she tried to crush her questions and remember her parents only wanted her to be safe. They worked hard selling goods at the market to provide her a comfortable life, even if she could cry a river of tears from how much life she craved. 20 years old, still living with her parents, desperate for love or friendship or adventure or whatever was out there.
'Yes maman,' she forced out in a quiet huff and walked to edge of the balcony. It was Sarina's favorite time of day; dusk. She watched as the sun dipped into the horizon and the sky began its show, turning from yellow-orange, to pink-purple, then purple-blue. She sighed in pleasure, placing her hands on the railings and resting her chin on her hand, thinking again about what could be in the dunes.
Sarina then turned her head to the view of the city that she could see from the side of her family's balcony. The city of Bam was fairly large and well fortified, safe from any invaders. The wall that separated the desert, called Lut, from the city was its most prominent feature, circling the entire place. The palace was set in the heart of the city. The buildings were made from bricks, a mixture of sand, straw and water.
As Sarina gazed at the nearby buildings and streets, she heard her father call out to come and sit for supper. She turned towards him, then turned for one last look at the city when she suddenly saw something that was not there before; fire.
'One moment baba,' Sarina called and ran back to the edge of the balcony to look closer.
At one of the homes closer to heart of the city, she saw fire. As she continued to stare, another house suddenly lit on fire and then another. When she heard a scream, her heart dropped and she ran to her parents, who were sitting at the round table in their home.
'Baba, maman, there are fires starting in the city! People are screaming, what should we do?' she asked hurriedly. Her father immediately stood up and ran to the balcony to see what his daughter had witnessed. When he looked over, there were even more homes on fire, closer to theirs, and the screams were much louder. He ran back to his wife and daughter, both of whom looked petrified.
'I didn't think this could happen' stated the man, more to himself than to his family. ' I had heard rumors in the market about some of the smaller surrounding villages getting attacked, but I never dreamed they would be bold enough to attack here.' Her father then looked her mother and Sarina in the eyes, 'we won't escape here.'
Her mother looked stricken, while Sarina exclaimed 'what do you mean baba! There has to be some way for us'. As the words left her mouth, she immediately quieted, remembering that her house was at the edge of the city. The only thing in front of their home were now the fires and the only thing behind was the seemingly never-ending desert.
Now Sarina looked troubled, but her mother had jumped into action. She had grabbed a piece of cloth and placed a water skin, completely full, down with some smoked meat, and one dress and wrapped the cloth. Sarina and her father stared as she then rushed to the table and ripped a string of fabric, tying it around the cloth in such a way to make a satchel. She grabbed Sarina's shoes and forced them on the girls feet and roughly putting the satchel across her bodice. Then grabbing Sarina's hand, she pulled her down the hall to the spare bedroom and shoved an end table to the side.
Sarina looked down and saw a door, she couldn't believe it. She had lived here her whole life and never seen a door.
'Go in Sarina. It will drop about 3 feet to the floor. After that there is an underground tunnel that will lead you to the wall that separates us from the desert. Your father and I are too old and would never be able to handle the journey. Go and try to flee. Don't look back, don't look for your father and I. Save yourself, please my child.' Her mother grabbed hold of her face and kissed her and her father pulled her in for an embrace. 'Go child, please, hurry!' her mother urged.
Sarina looked back at her parents one last time, frightened so much she couldn't t speak and her eyes filled with tears. She mouthed, 'I love you' and then bent down and grabbed the edge of the floor and let herself fall before hanging in the entry. She squeezed her eyes closed, held her breath and let go and fell into the darkness.