Nefretiri
The carousel goes around and around. Even though it was late afternoon, someone turned on multicolored lights that shone like lanterns, and music played almost loud enough to drown out the many people happily chattering. I'm sitting on the painted horse with other girls, waving out at the crowds. Some of them waved back at us, some of them calling out to my friends. As my horse rose and fell, I felt like the day had been perfect, and this was the best way to end it.
"Watch me!" I call out, looking for my family as they go around.
A massive silver-gray wolf starts running alongside me, and his golden eyes focus on my horse. I smile at him, and he opens his mouth, smiling back at me. How does a wolf smile? I don't know, but he managed it. Even though the carousel was moving steadily, it was too quick to keep up with one horse, but he never left my side. Gods, he was fast.
My black horse continues to go up and down, so I look around to see everyone on the ride. I see my friends laughing and enjoying themselves, not caring about the problems in the world. When I look back at the wolf, he's not alone. There's a big black wolf with him. I swear he's twice as large as the silver one, having an easier time keeping up.
As much as I wish they could come and ride with me, they're not allowed on the ride. It's not meant for them.
"I'll be done soon!" I call out for them, giving them a little wave. "Wait for me!"
When I turn to the ride's mirror and look at myself in its reflection, I see that I'm in a silver dress with a matching shawl flowing down to my ankles. Someone did my hair in jasmine flowers, braided into tiny braids over my head. A beautiful but strange hair barrette is pinned to the braids on my left side. It's covered in teardrop diamonds, polished silver beads, and star-shaped sapphires held together by a large silver and gold flower on the top. When I touched it, I could feel ripples of magic tickling my fingertips. It should feel heavy, but it's weightless like I was born with it there.
As I stare at the mirror, I see I'm riding sidesaddle, but it's not the only thing I see in my reflection. Turning away from the center of the carousel, I scan the crowds. I thought I saw someone I recognized but didn't see them as my horse turned. The wolves continued chasing me, but they seemed tense as if they sensed the person I thought was there. Sighing in relief, I tried to relax, but that was a mistake.
Someone calls my name, and my body stiffens, recognizing the voice. Gripping the horse's pole, I slowly turn, hoping I'm wrong, but sadly, I'm not. A small group was approaching the carousel, and my heart sank, recognizing everyone, especially the man in the lead. His red hair was loose around his face, menacing brown eyes glaring at me like I was doing something wrong, and the face of an angel. I have to admit, I've never seen him look like he does. He's in a black robe with gold and blue beads in his hair, making him look like a royal. Around his neck rests a large sapphire stone that gleams at me as if it were winking.
Walking beside him are four women, and I know them all; Darla is his favorite. Stephanie, the one who considers herself the most valuable, and Jackie, with her thick, sultry lashes and constant sneer. Yet it's the fourth woman who grabs my attention. Melissa. Whenever the carousel makes a full circle, I see her and tighten my hold on the horse. She's not like the others. She doesn't worship him like a god.
How can she when she knows exactly what he is?
Melissa frightens me. She always has. The others annoy me, he frustrates me, and I loathe him, but Melissa is the one who holds all the power. After all, she's Ricky's sister. Only his family could subdue him. He could stop hurting me or do much worse with a single command, but no one had as much control over him as Melissa.
As the ride continues, Melissa moves past the people watching us, leaving her group behind. She follows along the carousel's edge, her steps as graceful and perfect as always. There's no denying she's beautiful, with the same brown eyes and red hair as her brother, but it's lighter, becoming almost strawberry when the light hits it. Her porcelain skin acts like a canvas to her naturally rosy cheeks and shiny red lips, and several men turn in her direction. They see her as a fantasy, but she's a nightmare.
The wolves growl when they see her, but she acts like they don't exist. They can keep her from getting any closer, but I know she can reach me once the ride's over. There isn't anything the wolves can do about it, and I don't want to imagine what'll happen if she catches me. Would she take me to Ricky? Would she let him torture me? Or would she tell the muffin tops to do it for them?
When I look at the others, I see they haven't moved. They all stare at me, but only Ricky has any emotions in his eyes. The other three were unreadable, looking beautiful but lifeless. What do they want from me? Why won't they leave me alone?
The ride slowed down, and my joy was replaced by fear. I need to get away from here, but I don't know how. I'm safe as long as I'm on the carousel, but they'll make me jump off so others can get on. I could beg to stay here, but I already know that isn't possible. I'm expected to face the real world like everyone else, but I'll be captured if I do. No one can help me, and I'm not ready to save myself.
"Run, Nefra, don't look back!" someone calls out to me in a woman's voice I should recognize, but I can't remember where I've heard it before.
How am I supposed to run?
The carousel stops, and I'm on the opposite side of the people I don't want to be near. That gives me a few precious seconds to think. Scanning my surroundings, I try finding the wolves and Melissa, but I can't see either. Where did everyone go? Even my friends are gone, and I don't recognize anyone here. Unfortunately, someone was helping the riders climb off the horses, and I was next.
Suddenly, my horse started to feel warm under my hands, and when I looked down, I saw that it wasn't part of the carousel anymore. It had become a real black horse. It neighed and snorted at me as if saying, "Let's go!"
It takes off without question when I give him a quick jolt with my leg.
Jumping down from the ride, we leave everything behind us. More voices encouraged me to go and not to look back. So, that's what we do. We run, and I hold on for dear life, praying that we're fast enough to outrun the monsters.
Everything feels like a blur on the horse's back. He moves quickly, knowing where we're supposed to go even though I don't. I couldn't tell you how I know he's a boy, but I feel it. He's a powerful creature, pure muscle with the strongest legs to run as far as I need him to go. The color of his coat is so dark I'd lose him in the night, and he reminds me of a shadow come to life.
We don't stop or look behind us, but we're being followed. We run past the oceans, the forests, jungles, and deserts. The sun rises and sets, the moon waxing and waning above us as days pass. It feels like moments, but we're running for a long time. It could be months or years; it's hard to tell, but the presence continues to follow us, never giving up the chase.
When we finally stop, it's at the base of a mountain. Snow falls everywhere, my horse starkly contrasting from the pure white around us. It's cold here, and my shawl isn't keeping me from feeling the dropping temperature.
Turning for the first time, I risk seeing if anyone's behind us. Fortunately, it looks like there's no one. Still, I'm afraid to be still for so long, even though my body aches, and all I want to do is rest. How long have we run for? Is it safe to get down?
The horse's ears twitch, snorting and stamping his hooves on the ground.
"What is it?"
Moving towards the mountain, we go around ice-covered trees and a frozen lake. My horse seemed unfazed by the cold as if it were natural for him. It's so quiet, not even a bird chirping or the wind blowing. He takes me to the cave entrance, nickering at me, lowering himself so I can slide off his back. I obey, my teeth chattering and my skin covered in goosebumps. I'm not wearing shoes, and my feet are freezing in the snow.
With a forceful nudge, the black horse urges me to go inside. Tentatively, I move, unsure of what I'll find. Torches light up when I enter the cave, and I feel safe for the first time since we left the carousel. It's warm here, and the cold doesn't penetrate the cave. My body stops shivering almost immediately, and I feel a sense of peace.
"Aren't you coming?" I ask the horse, who nods his head and follows me through the tunnel.
We go through the cave, and it doesn't feel natural. The walls are too smooth, and the ground feels paved. Who made this place? Why does it feel so familiar? I've never been here before. Yet, somehow, knowing where to go, I enter the main cavern and sigh in relief.
Familiar.
There's nothing spectacular about the space—nothing but a blanket in the middle of the floor and torches on the walls. Still, everything feels cozy. It's even warmer here, and the floor seemed to be heated from underneath, unfreezing my legs. Walking further inside, I notice how high the cave is, with beautiful crystals decorating the ceiling.
Stepping onto the blanket, I lay back. It's worn but comfortable. The scent of heather fills my nose, making me feel sleepy. There's a storm outside; I hear winds and lightning, but that doesn't matter anymore. It can't hurt me here. Nothing can come in that isn't welcome. Even when the sounds of howling wolves draw closer, I still don't move.
The horse trots to a cave section and relaxes while I lay there.
"I'm safe," I tell myself. "Everything's okay now. They won't find me."