Revelation of Raelia: Book One

by Tammy W. Pechin

  He drags me over to the corner of the room where there is a chain with an ankle cuff attached to the wall. “Oh, No Way! This is not happening! You are not shackling me to a wall you Neanderthal.” I start to hyperventilate as I struggle to get away from him.

  There aren't many things that I am scared of but being confined is a big fear of mine. With chains, there is no chance of escape. As I panic, I lose balance and fall to the floor and quickly I get on my hands and knees and attempt to crawl away. He grabs me by my ankle and pulls me backwards as I hear the clank of the metal cuff close tightly around my ankle and I turn to watch as Kallem locks it.

  “Please, don't do this, I won't go anywhere if you just undo it. What if something happens, like a fire, I couldn't get out of here without the key.” My breathing is out of control, I grab at the cuff and disparately try to pull it off.

  “I thought you weren't speaking to me. I see that's changed. I think this may give you time to rethink your attitude while I am gone. I am not going far, I will be able to get here quickly if anything happens, but nothing will. Sorry, but I can't risk you getting out and getting the both of us in trouble. When I return then maybe you will be calm enough to feel like talking with me the way you should, with respect and some gratitude.” He turns and walks towards the door.

  “No, don't leave me here.” I plea as I attempt to catch my breath as I can feel myself start to hyperventilate.

  “I don't think you understand that I am completely responsible for you since I made the decision to speak for you as your owner. Something I won't take lightly.”

  He walks out and the door slams behind him. I hear the sound of the click as he locks the door. I continue to struggle to get the cuff off, eventually I give up. My face soaked as I sob alone laying across the floor, trying to remember to take deep breaths so that I will stop hyperventilating. As time passes I able to finally catch my breath and I sit staring at the door waiting for him to come back. It seems like time has stopped and I decide to lay down across the floor. Before I know it, I am drifting off to sleep. Wishing that when I wake up, maybe all of this will just be a bad dream.

  The door slams as I awoken and try to scramble to sit up and look at the door.

  “Did you fall asleep? Good hopefully now you feel rested and calm. Are you ready to talk to me without the attitude?” Looking at me as if I am a child.

  Still not fully awake, I just stare at him with an empty look. Well I guess it wasn't just a bad dream, because I am still here, I think to myself. I take a deep inhale and a long exhale through my mouth.

  “Guess I will give you time to wake up. I am going to take a shower, by then you'll be able to have an adult conversation with me.” He takes off his brown baggy shirt and throws it down beside the shower door as he goes into the bathroom, then shuts the door.

  I yawn and stand up to stretch. The sound of the chain dragging against the wooden floorboards as I move around. Now what? Do I fight with him, will that really resolve anything? I think to myself. I am filled with even more anger, being stuck here like this. Neither does conforming to this bullshit lifestyle to keep his status here. Trading people for your own safety or security, it's selfish and I won't do that.

  Time for a new plan to escape. Kallem is smart, healthy, strong, and I don't want a physical fight with him. I think if I just go along with this long enough to make him trust me, he might let me out of these chains; then I can sneak out of the house. If I head back to the tree on the north corner, climb up over the fence and head for the woods then I can continue my search for my parents. It's the only plan that may work to get myself out of these chains long enough to escape. I know there is a risk, because I refuse to accept that I am stuck here for the rest of my life as anyone's servant. I hate thinking about what my parents may be going through, this, or even worse. It's my responsibility to find them and help them and I can't help them if I'm stuck here. Honestly, I feel guilty that I wasn't there to help them.

  The door opens as Kallem comes walking out, his hair still dripping wet, with a fresh sit of clothes on. “Okay, now that I am done with my shower, I feel like we should start over. First, it occurs to me that I don't even know your name, so can you at least tell me please?”

  In a tired voice I reply “Raelia.”

  “Raelia, that's an unusual name.” He gives me an inquisitive look.

  “That's a strange remark from a man named Kallem.” I give him a clever look and sit back down on the floor.

  “Fair enough, I suppose I walked into that one. It's a family name. So Raelia, have you had time to think about what I said earlier?” He struts over, dragging a wooden chair along the floor and sits down close to me.

  “Yes.” I mumble under my breath, looking at my muddy shoes that I feel asleep wearing.

  “Well, what do you have to say?” Gazing at me like a teacher waiting for a good answer.

  I huff as sarcasm rolls off my tongue. “What do you want me to say? Everything is peachy…I couldn't be happier being your own personal slave, living in a village full of Neanderthals with a Stone Age mentality. Sure, I am thrilled to be here.”

  The aged wooden chair creeks as he turns towards me, bending forward, glaring at me. Elbows on his knees and his hands gripped tightly together. “There it is, that attitude that I was talking about. I don't believe in slavery, and I don't agree with all of the rules of any village I have come across, but this is our society now. We must start somewhere to rebuild the foundations we once had. There will always be leaders and followers, and not everyone is going to be successful in the beginning. I am sorry that you're unhappy with the situation, but I can't change anything. Like I said before, at least you are safe here. There will be a roof over your head, food to eat, safety and social interaction.”

  I look at him with a blank look. I think to myself, what else is there to say?

  He has faith in society, but I don't. History keeps repeating itself and we continue to make the same mistakes time and time again. Why does he have faith in such a broken system, because in my eyes I still see the same corruption that has always been, and how can it be better if it starts from the same roots again? The system itself will build back up to just make the same mistakes that lead us to what we faced the last few years, just another generation that will be impacted in the same way mine has. This is the very lack of humanity, that will just give birth to more inhumane ideals…but maybe he is right, maybe this is the only way the system knows how to function, and it's discouraging. I pull my knees to my chest and lay my head down on them as a sigh falls out of my lips. It seems hopeless at times and I keep holding onto the hope that it can be better than this.

  He arches upright in the chair, “I'll take your silence as an understanding. I am going to get you some food and water, then you can take a well needed shower.” He gets up, picking up the chair and putting it back under the table.

  He brings bread and water over to me, and I devour it so fast that my stomach starts to ache. Meanwhile, Kallem builds a fire in the stone fireplace. The smell of red maple burning fills the room. Both the smell and warmth I find comforting after what I have been through the last two days.

  “Come on let's get you cleaned up then.” Kallem unlocks my ankle cuff, and runs his hand softly across my shoulder blades, stopping to wrap his hand around my upper arm as I rub my ankle and he starts to help me get up from the floor. He leads me inside the bathroom, where he has a recycled rainwater shower, which means this is going to be a very quick and probably a cold shower since I have no idea if there is enough energy from that solar panel to even warm the water. Which makes me even more thankful for that fire that's burning.

  “Be very quick, I will be outside the door, here is something to dry off with and a change of clothes.” He hands me a cloth to dry off with.

  I look at the clothes he hands me with confusion. “What is this? Why can't I put my clothes back on?” I try to give him back what appears to be a sand color robe or dress, it's hard t
o identify what it is; a tablecloth for all I can tell?!

  Kallem pushes my hand with the clothes back towards me. “You're a servant and the rule here is that all the people with your social status must where certain colors and cannot wear normal street clothing so that they can be identified in public. I know it's not attractive, but when you earn your keep, I can get you something more, uh let's say attractive or fitting. I had to pick this one up while I was out earlier, and it was all that the market today.”

  I drop it down onto the bathroom floor. “Lucky me. Will you get out so that I can get into the shower?”

  I start sliding off my shoes, as he walks out and shuts the door. I take a deep breath as I stand below the shower to brace myself for the cold water as I start to wash off. It wasn't hot but not that cold either, meaning there must be something he uses to help warm the water a bit or the temperature outside is enough to keep it from being cold. It was slow and a small amount of water falling from a metal tube out of the ceiling with a shower head connected. After about two minutes when he starts knocking on the door already.

  “That's enough water, you need to get dressed and come out.” Kallem yells as he leans his face close to the door.

  “I'm getting dressed, stop knocking!”

  I quickly dry off trying to get my clothes on while my skin is still damp. This thing isn't clothes, where does it start and where does it end. It's so ugly. I can't believe that I am demanded to wear this thing. It is a faded green color with a low neckline; strapped shoulders and it ends just above my knees. I am embarrassed to even leave the bathroom with this dress on, I like to cover my legs, so I am not at all use to wearing anything like this.

  Kallem begins to bang on the door again demanding me to exit the bathroom. My face turns red as I open the door.

  “Don't you dare laugh; I will punch you in the face. I want my clothes back, I am not wearing this thing, it's horrid.” I am pretty sure my cheeks are glowing. I look down at the ground and cross my arms across my chest, gripping my toes tightly against the wooden floor to keep myself grounded.

  “This is all they had, and unless you plan on parading naked around here and town, then you will wear this, as all other slaves are required. Your clothes aren't important here. They prefer all servants wear dyed clothing of lesser preferred colors or basically cheap unwanted dye. If you manage to stay out of trouble, then eventually I will consider getting you something that you choose. Now if you're done complaining, I am going to make something to eat, are you capable of sitting down in the floor without doing anything that you may regret?” Kallem says as he turns to go make the food.

  “I guess, but can I sit closer to the fire? I am cold.” I plop down on the floor; gazing at the flames.

  “That's fine with me.”

  I sat there on the floor staring at my feet listening to the sounds of clanking and banging as he starts the preparation of the food. Feeling the warmth of the fire against my skin as my hair begins to dry now that I am finally getting warm. My stomach rumbles as I sit against the hard floor staring at him anxiously, clamping my hands together as the smell of the food fills the room. I keep slowly scooting across the floor near where he stands using a single hot burner to cook. Which is amazing because other towns do not have anything like this, he does have an iron pot and pan for using over the fire too I have seen on the counter. As I get too close to him, he glares down at me, as he is about to say something, he is interrupted by a banging on the door.

  He walks over and opens the door. I lean over on the floor trying to see who is standing on the other side of the doorway. My jaw drops, and I think I may be drooling, but the man at the door has the most beautiful blue eyes and short shaggy sand colored hair. He is wearing the same faded green colored shirt as my dress, but on him I don't mind, because it shows off his muscular arms. He appears to be close to my age and is covered in what looks like flour across his clothes and smudges across his cheeks.

  “Hi Kallem, here is the bread that you requested. I'm sorry I didn't bring it to your earlier, but I had more to cook than I anticipated. I have been a bit behind the last few days with the dwindling supplies.” Handing him a round loaf of bread.

  “That's okay Coven, you made it just in time as I am just finishing up dinner now for the two of us. The bread smells and looks delicious, you always do such a great job by the way. Thank you for taking time to bring it to me.” Kallem shakes his hand.

  “Oh, before I go, I didn't get speak with you after the auction. Did you win the bid for that girl at the market? I ask because you said dinner for us.” Coven says trying to view around the side of Kallem.

  “Yes, thank you for informing me about her, otherwise I would have known too late and she could have been traded to someone else. God forbid that horrible metal worker; I forgot his name, but he even makes me unsettled.” Kallem moves aside a couple of steps opening the door a little more, to let Coven see me sitting in the floor.

  My face turns red with embarrassment as I remember what I am wearing, and I wave with one hand while trying to adjust my clothes with the other. He waves back with the cutest sideways smile, as Kallem steps back in front of him, blocking our view of each other.

  “I'll let you get back to work, tell your master I am as always appreciative of the fine work the both of you do.” He dismisses Coven and shuts the door.

  Turning to me with a look of disapproval as he returns to cooking. I look around contemplating, I don't know what his problem is, I think to myself. I did wave back, and I wasn't rude. Kallem aggressively stirs the soup in the pot, dishing it and ripping off a couple chunks of bread and placing a piece into each bowl. He walks over and places both bowls on the table and placing the wooden chair on his side.

  “Get up and eat.” Kallem says with frustration.

  “Do I not get a chair?” I say jokingly as I stand leaning over the table already eating the bread as I attempt to talk with my mouth full.

  “No, I only have one chair while the other one gets repaired, just eat and do it without speaking if you have any manners.” Kallem continues to eat with the look of discontentment on his face.

  “Manners, says the man that makes a lady stand, the same man that owns a servant. You have no idea what manners are.”

  He makes me so angry, I don't know what I did, but he obviously is not happy with me. I get nervous, lay my bread down and begin rubbing my hands together as he sits looking at me for a moment in silence. Then words come bursting out like an explosion.

  “You're entirely ungrateful! I provide shelter and food, which is more than you had just days ago. In fact, from now on, you are expected to say thank you every time I am generous enough to provide you with water or food. If not, then I will take it away.”

  “Excuse me, but I was happy as an outsider, you took away my freedom. No, I am not grateful, why would I be. I will never tell someone like you thank you.” My hands continue to have a mind of their own as I grow even more nervous. What is wrong with my mouth? I ponder to myself. I couldn't even try to pretend to be nice for one day.

  Kellem stands up from the chair so quickly it falls backwards onto the floor making a loud noise as it crashes on the ground. I quickly step backwards, maybe I should have not said that, he looks so angry with me. My breathing becomes rapid as my adrenaline kicks in.

  “No thanks, no food.” Kallem grabs the bowl and bread from the table placing it back on the counter.

  “Wait, I'm hungry. You have all that food, don't waste it, give it back.” My voice shakes, and I run my hand nervously across my clothing; grasping tightly with my right hand onto the cloth.

  “Absolutely not, you will learn, you are in my home and you will do as I request. You continue to remind me of how horrible I am, so I will treat you as you say I do. If you continue to be difficult then there will be serious consequences. This appears to be the only way I can teach you since I can't seem to appeal to your common sense.” Kallem sits back down at the table and continues
to eat his food, his face flushed with anger.

  “Your right, I will never learn. I will never do anything for you Kallem!” I scream at him, as my anger takes over and I run and grab the bread from the counter as I eat a chunk while smirking at him.

  Kallem stands up, looking at me with a fire burning in his eyes. Oh, this can't be good. My chewing slows as my smirk disappears and the realization of his anger stirs. I grip tightly onto the bread and start backing up. He aggressively starts towards me and I take off running towards the door, trying to get out but it's locked. I turn quickly trying to keep my distance by running around the room using what little furniture he owns as a divider between us. He wouldn't kill me over a piece of bread, well I don't think he would.

  “Give me the bread!” He growls at me, while breathing heavily.

  “Never!” Concern wiped across my face. I use a chair to guard myself.

  “I swear that when I do get my hands on you …” Kallem shouts.

  I gulp and glance back at the door. There is no way out. I notice the window cracked open by the door. I have no other choice, I take off running just reaching the window, quickly sticking my head out. This window is entirely too small for comfort to begin with, but I knew I could just fit. As Kallem grabs onto my waist and I put my arms out the window to try to brace myself to climb out. He pulls on me, as I keep kicking him back. Finally kicking him so hard he loses his balance and falls to the floor. I quickly get my body out the window and fall onto the grass. I can hear him unlocking the door, as I scramble to get up. I take off running beside his house to only make it to behind his neighbor's house before I run straight into someone and falling onto my butt as I bounce off the person I ran into. Pushing my hair out of my face as I look up to see that it is Coven. He grabs my hand and pulls me up as I hear Kallem shout.

  “Stop her!” Kallem screams to Coven.

  I attempt to run but Coven has a grip around my wrist as I pull away from him, bread still in hand. I look at him, dropping the bread and attempting to peal his hand away from my wrist. My heart is racing, my body sweaty, as I watch Kallem approach us. Coven looked so nice, why would he help stop me? I wonder to myself. He is a slave like me, surely, he can understand why I was trying to escape.