The sun diped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobblestone courtyard of the Faylindra instate. The air was heavy with the stench of sweat and toil, a pugent reminder of the harsh realities faced by the enslaved. Zephyra stood in her designated workspace, a cramped nook near th kitchen cluttered with pots and her makeshift tools. Today her excitement of the unexpected task given by the overseer mingled with a grawling anxiety.
Her task was monumental: to design a waterwheel to improve the estate's irrigation system. It was an ambitious project, one that demand every ounce of her ingenuity and focus. She had spent the previous evening sketching designs, her fingers stained with ink and dirt as she poured her thoughts into the worn parchment.
Zephyra glanced nervously at the scribble designs sprawled on the table.
"If I mess this up, I don't know what will happen."
Elysine would tell her to "Just focus" if she were here, and she would be right possibly. But the tension between them lengered like a daek cloud, making it hard to concentrate.
Zephyra sighed, but just then a loud crack pierced the air, followed by a sharp yelp. Her heart sank as she recognized the sound – a wip striking flesh.
She hurried to the door and went into the countryard. Outside, a group of male workers, their faces etched with exhaustion, struggled to carry heavy stack of grain. One man stumbled, the content of his load spilling onto the ground.
"Get up, you worthless trash!"
Bellowed Ryder Hext, the most vicious overseer, a hulking figure with a cruel glare in his eyes. He stepped forward his wip ready. "You think this is a game?"
As the overseer's voice echoied trough the countryard, the others slaves continued their tasks, their faces impassive as they averted their eyes from he scene unfolding befor them. A woman meticulously scrubbed a pot, her hand moved in practiced rhythm as if the cry of the beaten man were merely background noise. A group of men stacked forewood, their shoulders hunched against the weight of their labor, deliberately avoiding any sign of protest. It was as if they were conditioned to ignore the brutality, each of them silenced in a cycle of fear that silenced their compassion.
The man, a tall figure with sunken cheeks and desperation written across his face, scrambled to rise, but before he could regain his footing, the wip lashed out, comnecting with his back. He gasped, collapsing into the dirt, his body warked with pain.
"Pathetic!"
Ryder spat kicking him in the ribs.
"You should be thankful for the privilege of working here. Now get up and do your job!"
Zephyra heart raced as she watched the man struggle, shame floading her. "We can't just stand here", she murmured, fist clenched. She felt a hand on her arm. "Elysine", she said.
Elysine shook her head, her eyes wide, "What do you think will happen if we intervene? They'll make us the next targets. Please let's go back."
Zephyra felt a surge of anger, but she understood. It was the way to survive, by keeping their head down, obeying without question, and shielding themselves from the pain of empathy.
Reluctantly, Zephyra stepped back, her heart geavy with helplessness. The scene played over her mind, the man pained expression, the wip cracking, the gaps of pain.
Hour passed, but the images of suffering lingered like a dark cloud. Zephyra tried to concentrate on her task.
---
As the afternoon dragged on, zephyra closed the workshop. As she returned to the slaves quarters, outside behind a corner of the outside walls, Zephyra recognized Mara, a young woman who worked alongside her. Today Mara's face bore a fresh bruise, the purple mark start against her brown skin.
Her eyes were puffy as if she had been crying.
An overseer joined her, the same who beaten the poor man earlier in the day.
Nor Mara nor the overseer seemed to have noticed Zephyra who was now hidding not knowing what would happen.
"Where have you been", Ryder groan.
Mara flinched her eyes dowcast. "I was–"
The overseer's hand landed heavily on Mara's shoulder, gripping it too tightly as he
leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "Why don't you come with me for a moment, girl?" he muttered, his voice low, dripping with vile intent. ara froze, her eyes widening in panic.
"Enough" he interrupted, stepping closer, his shadow swallowing her whole.
Ryder hand slided down Mara's arm, finger lingering on her wrist. Maria's breath hitched as she tried to pull away, but the overseer held her in place, his voice a sickening whisper.
" I have been too lenient with you, Mara. You know how this work. Do you want to find out what happen when you direspect me? I'll make sure you pay. Understand?"
Zephyra felt her blood run cold as she watched, a familiar dread settling in her stomach. Zephyra's heart shattered as she watched Mara struggle. Anger boiled over and she couldn't contain her rage any longer.
"This isn't right!"
She cried stepping forward.
Ryder turned, eyes narrowing as he foxed his gaze on Zephyra.
"What did you say?"
His words dripped with malice.
"I said this isn't right"
Zephyra continued, heart pounding in her chest.
"You have no right to hurt her or any of us."
Ryder Hext took a step forward his expression darkening.
"You think you can challenge me? You'll regret this girl."
Mara shouted.
"Just go back inside, you don't know what you're doing."
But Zephyra stood her ground.
"You can't keep us like this, we're not animals!"
Ryder lips curled into a malevolent smile as he advanced.
"You want to be brave? Let's see how brave you are when you're on the receiving end."
Before Zephyra could react, he swung his arm back and struck her accross the face. The impact sent her staggering, her vision blurring. Mara screamed, ruching to Zephyra side. The overseer merely laughted, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
"Learn you place!"
He barked, turning back as if Zephyra was nothing more than a pesky insect.
Tears stung Zephyra's eyes as she fought to regain her composture. Mara pressed a hand on her cheek.
"Are you alright?"
She whispered.
"I'll be fine" Zephyra murmured.