Hot sunlight burned across my back. The sun was at its peak, and still another 8 hours to go. My back was acheing until I could hardly stand. My entire body felt weak. Every muscle in my body felt like quitting, but if I did I was at risk of far worse punishment. Every bit of sugar cane harvested was like another tiny needle in my body. "Orako?" The pain dissipated just for a moment upon hearing his voice. "Orako you should take a break. We'll alternate" said Bernie. Bernie was one of the oldest slaves on the plantation, and I didn't argue with him when it came to taking a break.
My muscles felt instantly relived, and my mind as well. Me and Bernie began alternating as we often would. As I sat I ran my hand through my little hair. It was mandatorily shaven by our owners. "Y'know Bernie, I was actually thinking of growing my hair out." I jested with a slight smirk. "Oh yeah? You should grow it all the way down to your back in a pony tail; like one of them pretty little elf ladies!" He chuckled and my smirk had grown to a full smile. We had often joked of doing things we never could. Going to beach, dating a girl, taking a day off. Most of these things are from stories told to me by Bernie. I'm still not convinced that there is such a thing as a beach. Bernie always said that if given the opportunity he would leave directly south to the beach and never turn back.
Later that day when it was finally pitch dark, we had been led down to our quarterings. Each extended shed held two occupants. Any more in a single enclosure and the owners would worry about a mass escape plan forming. Bernie and I were coddled together. Before bed each night we enjoyed playing a story game together, one where I was a powerful sorcerer. I had leveled evil monarchies, and conquered sky-pirates. All while my back scrunched against tight walls. Bernie would lay out these impressive and daunting quests for my character to go on. We played only for a small while, being sure to remain silent lest our captors hear us. Going to bed my back still ached, and my muscles still sore from the day's work. I felt my eyes drift off to sleep.
Suddenly a bright purple filled the room. Bernie, who was now asleep seemed unstartled. Opening my eyes I saw strange figure. Their head was like a tree with hanging ornaments. They extended a hand down onto my shoulder. I shuddered, but I dare not move further than an inch. Their touch was cold, maybe even dead. "Young sorcerer, I request your assistance." A young ladies voice rang out.
"I'm not actually a sorcerer." I stuttered. Her hand, although cold, began to ease my body in waves. My body wasn't only relaxed now, it felt stronger than ever.
"Oh, but you can be. I can give you the ability to do anything you want." She smiled in my direction. Even that had felt cold from distance. "I just need an obedient pup in return."
"Okay." I whimpered.
"Good! Your first task is simple." She praised. "I need you to kill this man that lay beside you. Murder will be your main use to me." I stared at Bernie for some time. "Well? Go on, she handed me a large rock."
"What the fuck!" I stammered. "You expect me to-" She cut me off with a hard diagonal slap to the top of my head. Every ache in my body returned like a thunderstorm twice as worse than before, or maybe I just hadn't realized how the weight of my shoulders had grown over the years. All I knew now is that I couldn't continue on as someone's slave.
Her glare stuck into me like a knife. "Bad dog! I'm willing to meet you in the middle, but first you have to prove yourself worthy of your freedom first."
"Okay, okay. I just have one question." I groaned. She looked expectantly at me. "Is the beach real?" I was met with a face of confusion.
"Yes, it's quite real." She giggled slightly. "As soon as you follow direction you can leave this shed, and head directly south. That is where you can find the beach."
I lifted the rock with all my strength. Bernie would have done the same right? I wouldn't blame him. My newfound strength returning made the job easy. It only took three hard swings with the rock to crush his head fully. I looked away to the strange lady a moment after.
"You did good!" She lifted my chin to meet eye contact with her. "Now you just need a collar." She took my wrist and burned my flesh with her finger. Through gritted teeth and tears I remain silent through the entire process. My new wound glowed the same purple from before. I studied the symbol for a moment, its deep swooshes and long strokes looked similar to shorthanded signiture. While I took in my new 'collar' the mysterious lady opened the previously locked door, and held it open for me. "We'll be in contact soon. From now on, what you do is up to you, sorcerer." And she pointed me toward the south.
I bolted through the door, and ran. The images of what I had done began dawning on me. I began losing strength again. My given strength hadn't faded however. Why couldn't I keep running? Why was I sweating so much? Why is everything so blurry? Why did I do that? How could I kill my friend? What did I do deserve any of this? Questions continuously flooded my brain. My legs gave out from under me and I felt a very course and loose soil graze my skin. It was yellow, even in the dead of night it was beautiful. The glowing yellow orb emerged from the water, and covered the earth in hues of orange and red. Water splashed onto my head as I looked out. How far had I ran? My lungs began to sting, or had I just not realized before. My eyes finally fell into my exhausted body. Tears streaming down my face while the smell of burning flesh attacked my nostrils.