Heathen

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Locanas

     I stare vehemently at the ground, wishing more than anything that it would swallow me up whole. There's a guard on either side of me, they carry my elbows tightly in their grips, making sure I don't even attempt to escape.

They have to be careful. I don't blame them.

     The hallways of the ship are cold. It's an atmosphere I'm used to. I served on many missions, stalked down many metal hallways of countless ships. Things have changed since then.

     Back then, I was second in command on those ships. The males that walked past me would bow their heads, too afraid to make eye contact with their superior.

Now, I wear cuffs. My hands are bound tightly in front of me, the cuffs biting into my wrists.

     The few males we pass as I'm brought down the halls stare at me, no fear in their eyes. No. They look at me with disgust. Hatred. Shame.

     I deserve those all those stares, every single sneer. I am a monster. A villain. A bad guy.

     "Alright, Locanas, here is where you will be staying." One of the guards says, shoving me through an open door that leads to the storage room. There are countless crates of varying sizes, stamped with labels.

     Some have food rations, others are marked as mining tools.

     Of course. Tools. I'm being sent away for hard labor, that's my sentence. This is my purpose now.

    Across from the wooden crates is a small holding cell. The space is tiny, and looks as if it was just installed. I roll my eyes at the cramped place that's supposed to hold me until we reach my permanent prison in the mountains of Kalinda.

     The barred door to my cage swings open, the shining, clean hinges hardly squeaking. I'm roughly shoved inside by both guards, I stumble but quickly regain my footing. I turn to them before they can shut me in, sticking my foot as the door shuts on my toes. I don't even wince.

     Silently, I raise my hands in front of me, cocking my head to my wrists.

    One of the guards backs away as the other sighs, digging into his pocket and fishing out a key. He quickly unlocks me. My grip goes free, and I roll my wrists to ease the tightness in the joints and bones.

    I politely remove my foot, allowing myself to finally be locked inside the holding cell. I observe my little, temporary home. The small nest is pushed against the back wall with a thin, blue blanket and pillow strewn carelessly across the mattress. A toilet and sink sit in the corner.

That's all there is. It's simple, but comfortable.

    I walk to my nest, sitting on it and resting my elbows on my knees. The situation is sinking in. Placing my face in my hands, I sigh. After days spent in my holding cell in the dungeons, I've had time to realize what I've done.

    My crime is no minor thing. I deserved the death Barre wanted to award me. Instead, somehow, I'm being sent to another continent to serve hard labor. I'll be in complete isolation. A lonely life in the mountains.

    I lay back on the cramped nest, staring at the ceiling. The metal paneling above me is gray and drab, reminding me of old times sitting in my own quarters. Then I was surrounded by small luxuries I took for granted. Now, I have nothing to my name.

    As the ship roars, engines humming and bustling, I try to calm myself with deep, settling breaths. My stomach drops as we take off, hovering from the safety of the palace. The familiarity of the main land, Kilig, where I was born and grew up. I will never be back.