I have heard many tales of Rome's grandeur and brutality, and I fixed my gaze at the distant city we had almost reached with awe and trepidation. From afar, Rome appeared as a sprawling city, its sprawling architecture and imposing structures a testament to its power and dominance. The city stretched as far as the eyes could see, a seemingly endless expanse of marble, stone and brick. The city's wall appears formidable, a sturdy bulwark against the unknown dangers that lurked behind it. I could see the glint of armor and the flutter of banners, symbols of the old Roman legions that had conquered and subjugated so many lands. And yet, despite its grandeur, I sensed a darkness lurking beneath the surface. The city tended to give out an energy that was both mesmerizing and terrifying, a reminder that Rome was a place where death and life walked hand in hand.
As we drew closer to the city, my apprehension grew, aware that I'm about to enter a world where my fate would be decided by the whims of those in power. We finally got to Rome, and the whole city was bustling with energy, I was amazed by the lifestyle of the people - how everyone talked together at once, not giving space for others to talk, how everywhere looked crowded. I was overwhelmed. Of course, people stared at us as we passed, but it wasn't the stares that got me confused (I was used to the stares now); it was the way the people who didn't care about their surroundings began to part ways for us. I reckoned we look different from them, bound together in chains and giving off a foul smell. Of course, they were definitely going to step away from us.
At last, we stopped at a magnificent - looking house, its facade a testament to the skill of the craftsmen who built it. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of beauty and splendor. The entrance was flanked by towering columns, their capital reaching for the sky like outstretched arms. The doors, made of rich, dark wood, were adorned with gleaming hardware that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. The windows, tall and narrow, were framed by delicate shutters that appeared to be painted with a soft, ethereal glow. The building seemed to radiate a sense of luxury and refinement, as if it was a temple dedicated to the pleasures of the senses. I imagined in my head the soft murmur of conversation, the gentle strumming of lyres, and the sweet scent of perfume wafting through the air.
By the time we entered, I was devastated to find out that the building that had held me in an ethereal state was nothing more but a mere brothel. I could feel the experience I had at the other brothel all clashing unto me. I could still vividly remember the other ladies taken amongst us to be sold for their bodies to be exploited and for the pleasure of others. I could still hear their screams and the anguish in their voice that night. I could not bring myself to forget the despair I saw in their eyes the day we left there. It's a fate worse than death, a life of perpetual suffering. I had always feared from that day that I might be next; maybe this was the day.
We were ushered into a room and served the best food I had ever set my eyes on. After we were done eating, we all took a bed to sleep on.
Luckily for me, my bed was beside Lucy's. Funny how we hadn't got a chance to speak after our conversation at the brothel. I guess our luck is in brothels, Lucy said to me, smiling, Hmm, I think so, because I didn't understand how we only got to speak with one another when we were at a brothel, I said jokingly.
"How are you feeling?" I asked her.
"I am thinking of putting an end to my life," she said.
I started laughing at what she said until I saw that she was serious.
"Wait! Are you really serious?" I asked, bewildered.
"Yes, I am," she said angrily. "I will not let myself be a pawn in this brothel. I will rather die than be touched by the filthy hands of those animals."
"Do you really think they will sell us to this brothel?" I asked.
"Of course, why would they not sell us? Why do you think they bought us here in the first place?" Lucy answered.
I had known that our fate had been sealed here the moment we stepped our feet into this place, but hearing it from Lucy greatly intensified my fears. I was scared; I didn't want to be known by strangers who didn't care for anyone but themselves, and not even by these Romam men. For the first time, I actually wished I was killed with my family; I wished that I had never made it alive.
I didn't realize when Lucy started crying, until I looked at her, and through the moonlight that filtered through the window, I could see tears streaming down her cheeks. I didn't know how to react to this. Lucy is someone who doesn't show her emotions; she has always been that friend that I run to when I'm at my lowest. She has always been that friend who cleans up my tears, and not the other way round.
I finally moved closer to her and laid her head on my lap, not saying anything but only smoothing her hair. I did this until she fell asleep. I tucked her in gently so as not to wake her up, and tiptoed to my bed so I would not disturb the other girl's sleep. The moment my back touched the bed, I felt nothing but pure joy. I can't remember the last time I had the privilege to sleep on a bed, and for the first time in ages, I slept peacefully, relieved of the constant nightmares that had been haunting me.