Thursday SHORTS
“The Experiments of Adem” part 2
The cycle continued in its ever familiar slow and wearisome way. Fatigue was settling into Etah’s back and fingers, but then came the relief she needed. The horns blew their welcomed tones, and the rock and stone stopped coming down the line.
The entire row of women turned to look at the comfort that would come from rest and a belly of sweet root. But staring at the stone carved niches in front of them was a teasing pleasure that would have to wait. Etah could almost taste the sweet root porridge waiting for her in the small cuphs, but the Gouti’s had their favorites. The women that held the wips for the intention of keeping order on the line found those who held their lust for power, and nurtured those women. Leaving the rest to be subject to their whims.
Each Gouti was in charge of thirty six women, and had to lead each to their cuph at the end of the cycle. Unfortunately Pnue didn’t like Etah. Pnue stood taller and wider than Etah’s frame, and each time they came eye to eye Etah couldn’t help but wonder where the dust and mud caked lines on her face came from. A shiver ran down her spine as Ora was led to her cuph. Just the look in Pnue’s eyes let her know that she wouldn’t sleep easily.
“Etah, you silly girl.” The Gouti’s nails dug deep into Etah’s skin.
“What, what have I done now?” She asked trying not to wince too much in the pain.
“You were a chatty little one this cycle, and you know my rules on chattiness.”
“But I’m almost to the end of the line.”
“And you think that give you the right to chat and whisper?” Pneu’s nails dug deeper.
“No, of course not, but I-“
“But what? You have questions? You want to know your fate? Trust me this place is better than what awaits you beyond the hidden door.” The fear and pain Etah saw in the Gouti’s eyes shocked her.
“You will go without food for your questioning mind.”
“Pneu, no, please.”
“Get in that cuph,” Pneu said pushing Etah to the floor. On her hands and knees Etah’s mind raged. She wanted nothing more than to rise to her feet and knock Pneu to the ground. But that would leave her without food for more than just one cycle.
Etah’s lips water as the angered Gouti closed the gate of her cuph, but she was relieved that this cuph was wider than her last. At least two phods on each side giving her the comfort to turn from lying on her stomach to her back.
But now the seclusion and silence surrounded her forcing her mind to escape to her dreams. There she and Rahan were free, and could speak and talk of what could be above the tunnels of Terranova.
©2007
The cycle continued in its ever familiar slow and wearisome way. Fatigue was settling into Etah’s back and fingers, but then came the relief she needed. The horns blew their welcomed tones, and the rock and stone stopped coming down the line.
The entire row of women turned to look at the comfort that would come from rest and a belly of sweet root. But staring at the stone carved niches in front of them was a teasing pleasure that would have to wait. Etah could almost taste the sweet root porridge waiting for her in the small cuphs, but the Gouti’s had their favorites. The women that held the wips for the intention of keeping order on the line found those who held their lust for power, and nurtured those women. Leaving the rest to be subject to their whims.
Each Gouti was in charge of thirty six women, and had to lead each to their cuph at the end of the cycle. Unfortunately Pnue didn’t like Etah. Pnue stood taller and wider than Etah’s frame, and each time they came eye to eye Etah couldn’t help but wonder where the dust and mud caked lines on her face came from. A shiver ran down her spine as Ora was led to her cuph. Just the look in Pnue’s eyes let her know that she wouldn’t sleep easily.
“Etah, you silly girl.” The Gouti’s nails dug deep into Etah’s skin.
“What, what have I done now?” She asked trying not to wince too much in the pain.
“You were a chatty little one this cycle, and you know my rules on chattiness.”
“But I’m almost to the end of the line.”
“And you think that give you the right to chat and whisper?” Pneu’s nails dug deeper.
“No, of course not, but I-“
“But what? You have questions? You want to know your fate? Trust me this place is better than what awaits you beyond the hidden door.” The fear and pain Etah saw in the Gouti’s eyes shocked her.
“You will go without food for your questioning mind.”
“Pneu, no, please.”
“Get in that cuph,” Pneu said pushing Etah to the floor. On her hands and knees Etah’s mind raged. She wanted nothing more than to rise to her feet and knock Pneu to the ground. But that would leave her without food for more than just one cycle.
Etah’s lips water as the angered Gouti closed the gate of her cuph, but she was relieved that this cuph was wider than her last. At least two phods on each side giving her the comfort to turn from lying on her stomach to her back.
But now the seclusion and silence surrounded her forcing her mind to escape to her dreams. There she and Rahan were free, and could speak and talk of what could be above the tunnels of Terranova.
©2007
Labels: Short story
posted by Valerie at
7:01 AM
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