All is lost.
These words echo in my mind as I head towards the end of my life as a free woman.
When the Imperial Guard attacked the city, the Queen did everything she could to protect us... She even offered herself to our oppressors in exchange for our freedom. But the men of the Imperial Guard were too power-hungry to content with a single catch.
When they entered the city, while they slaughtered my people and raped the women before enslaving them, I managed to escape into the desert. For hours I wandered the dunes, under the night sky, in the dark. Behind me echoed the cries of my people... And the flames of my city in the middle of the darkness. When I lost my strength, I fell unconscious into the sand.
A kick woke me up much later. The sun was already high in the sky, and soldiers were surrounding me. Desperate, I crawled into the sand. A man grabbed me by the ankle and pulled me to him. I struggled in terror, but a slap to the face stopped me dead in my tracks. The man threatened me with his scimitar. I felt the tip of his blade against my belly, under my clothes. He ordered me to remain calm as he thrust his blade against my navel. A small cut let out a few drops of blood. Docile, I let myself be tied up with a rope. I was lifted up, my arms behind my back. The soldiers tore off my clothes. Helplessly, I found myself naked, tied up for all to see, my ropes as only clothing. Finally, a soldier put a leash around my neck, which was joined to those of other women... all naked. Other runaways spooned by the guards around the city... Others condemned to slavery.
And that was at this moment I realized that from now on, I too would be just another slave, a merchandise who'll work to death for the Empire.
In the distance, I can see the city walls and the smoke behind. I realize I'd been walking in circles all night before I fainted. If only I'd been more careful.
CRACK!
I scream as the whip falls on my back... It's the first time I've felt such pain. My back burns from the first bite of the leather. And without even being ordered, I start walking, imitated by my chain sisters. Hands behind my back, I'm careful not to trip... My feet hurt, the sand is incandescent... I'm so thirsty and hungry. The soldier on horseback in front of me pulls on my leash and quickens his pace... I'm strangled by the rope around my neck... Why didn't I die in the desert?
And soon on the double, the soldiers drag us to the city, to hell. The whip keeps falling. It's no longer to motivate us that we're being beaten, it's for the Masters' pleasure, to satisfy them with our frightened female moans... To animalize us.
