THE UNTAMED

Nimah stared at the stranger's back as he faced the direction of the burning sun, his right hand stroking and playing with the yellow flowers in the garden. His black hair curled and wet. His shoulder broad and strong. He had on a black Trouser sew with a suit material and a Blue and White striped Vintage Shirt. She could see his feet from afar and noticed he had no sandals on.

Was he comfortable that way? Was he not bothered?.

Feeling the hotness of the sun on her skin made her want to run back inside and take shelter, probably jump into a pool full of cold clean water or a bathtub.

She walked closer to him, her long Brown waist length hair dancing in rhythm with the cool breeze blowing on her cheeks. She could feel the excitement building up inside of her and the adrenaline running through her vein.

She heard giggling from afar, a little girl giggling but she couldn't see the person nor where the sound came from.

Was it her giggling? Was it someone else?.

She wasn't sure about anything but what she knew was that she was happy, so happy that she wanted to stay that way forever.

" Where is that little brat?." Her Father yelled from afar as he stormed up the stairs causing her to wake up from her dream.

Her neck ached, her cheek swollen from the constant beating and her eyes red from non stop tears. She looked around her to find herself still in the dark abandoned basement with cobwebs and insects around. She was used to the bad smell oozing from the dead rat that laid in the corner of the room. She stared down at the Barbie doll that was lying right beside her, her once long full hair, scanty and dirty. Her Pink dress tore and dirty. She picked up Pula and held it close to her heart, it was what she had named it. Pula was all she had, her only true friend and the only one whom stood by her during the rough days. She had gotten Pula for her First birthday from her parents before everything had changed.

" Where the hell is that little brat?. " He yelled again. She could hear the anger in his voice and wondered what she had done this time.

" That little wench is in the basement. " She heard her elder brother Nad say with a hint of mockery in his voice.

The door pushed open, she could see his figure from where she hid, beads of sweat running down her forehead, her heart beating so fast like it would jump out of her body. She was sure he had the long leash with him as always.

She could hear him groan as he closed the door, trying to find her out in the dark.

" Come out you little witch." He screamed angrily and scattered all the empty boxes that he knew she could hide behind.

" Come out now." He screamed loudly. The realization of her trying to outsmart him angered him.

If she provoked him for too long, he might hurt her the more.

Her heart skipped.

The dark should save her, that she hoped.

She placed her palm over her mouth, trying to stop her silent sobs from being heard. She silently prayed that he leave soon. Her back ached badly from the last beating. She was too uncomfortable that she had to rest it. Moving backward a little, she rested against the White deep freezer and had not noticed the small vase on it.

Gbam!.

It fell.

She gasped immediately. She knew nothing could save her now as he ran towards her and dragged her out of the stacked cartons in front of it.

" Got you!." He yelled happily like he had won a gift and pulled her hair backward, laughing hysterically.

" So...sorry...Father." She sobbed pleadingly. She was used to the non stop regular beating she received everyday even though some days she hoped he would love and care for her just like he did seventeen years ago.

" Shut up!." He ordered and landed the leash on her making her scream. She dare not make a loud sound so he would not hit her the more. She sunk her fingers into her thin pale lap as she gnashed her teeth, trying to hold the pain back.

" I thought I told you never to come out during the day." He said eyeing her badly, striking an angry pose.

" Y....Ye...Yes Father. " She stammered, scared. She knew she had gotten in trouble the moment she had broken the rule. Nad had personally walked up to her to inform her that their Father had gone out. He had said she was free to come out and eat since she had being so hungry, starved for days. Being gullible, he had deceived her and she had trusted him, her own brother. Getting out, she realized that there was no food made for her and it was all a scheme to land her in trouble. If only she had insisted that he bring in the food, maybe she would have avoided the day's beating.

" I should have discarded you a long time ago." He said and dragged her hair, her neck visible.

She saw his eyes turn red and her lips went dry. It was time, time for his monster self to show up. She bit her lips as he bent and sank his fang into her neck, sucking her aggressively. She felt her strength leaving, her body getting weaker, her lids closing. She had to stay awake, had to be strong. She bit her lips harder till she tasted her blood, tears running down her eyes.

Someone save me!.

Someone save me please!.

She sobbed till everything went blank.

Nimah closed her eyes forcefully as her head banged so hard, aching so badly. She endured the cold effect the bare floor had on her back, she needed it to cool her sore back for the meantime.

A tear dropped from her right eye as she cursed her bad fate.

Why wasn't her life as simple as that of Nad? Why did everything have to be so tough on her?.

A soft tap landed on the door before it was pushed open. She instantly knew it was her Mother Lisa, she was the only one whom knocked. According to her, she dreaded seeing Nimah naked, said it would cause her bad luck too.

She heard the sound of the tray as Lisa pushed it forward and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

Nimah waited till she heard the door close before getting up in order not to provoke Lisa. The day she had rushed for the food while Lisa was still there, she was severely punished, beaten and cut open with the rusty razor blades that laid in a part of the basement. She took a deep breath and crawled towards the tray of food, she was too weak to walk.

She stared at the bowl of watery Ginger soup and scooped some into her mouth. It had absolutely no taste and was so peppery. Her tongue stung as it landed on it but she didn't let that discourage her from drinking the whole bowl. Whatever opportunity she saw to eat, she used well cause who knows when next she would taste anything.

The hotness she felt on her tongue and throat was too much, it felt like her whole body was been set on fire. There was no water jar in the tray nor was there any around. She knew she had to step out and get some water or she could cough to death.

Don't, Nimah.

Something warned her or was it her scared self.

She understood what it felt. She would end up being beaten if caught outside the basement but she had to take the risk. She stretched her hand and picked the Brown dirty scarf lying on one of the cartons and wrapped it around her head. It was to cover her hair and stop it from falling down or leaving some traces behind. Most times her hair fell out in small quantity and sometimes big ones. She was used to it already and fine with it but littering the house with her hair could cause her more punishment. If no one might see her till she was back then why leave traces behind.

She coughed for a while and tried to maintain her balance before getting stepping out of the room. Opening and closing the door slowly so it wouldn't make any loud sound.

She tiptoed as she walked up the stairs, heading for the dining table on the left hand corner of the apartment.

She stared at the well arranged apartment and the new paintings added to the wall. She couldn't even remember the last time she had seen the walls of the house. Everything looked well furnished and painted. She walked towards the dining and picked up a clean towel on one of the chairs before holding the water jar with it. She looked around for her Yellow cup but couldn't find it.

Had they disposed of it? She knew it was something they could do. What was she going to do now? How was she suppose to drink any water?.