JOURNEY OF SOULS

NOTE: This is a different Chapter I to the one featured in the published edition of Destiny of Souls. That chapter, The Interview, is still included in Journey of Souls but, following changes during the editorial process, now appears later.

Berenika hurried along, glancing nervously behind her. The shadows were growing long, soon it would be dark. She had stayed too late at the market, filling her basket with the delicious food and wine until her purse was empty: she couldn’t help herself, tonight would be her first time with Semele, she wanted to make it something special.

But now she was getting frightened. The stranger in the black cloak had been following her since she crossed the bridge, every now and then she caught a glimpse of him in the shadows. She hadn’t been certain at first, had thought perhaps she was being foolish, but now it seemed beyond doubt: he was stalking her.

She picked up her pace as a cold dread gripped her heart. Despite the hood obscuring much of his face, she knew she had never seen the man before. He wasn’t from Mytilene, nor even Lesbos. What was he doing here, what did he want with her?

Tripping over a raised flagstone in her haste, almost falling, she began to feel angry. Why should she be scared to walk the streets of her home; what right did this outsider have to hound her like this? Fighting an inner battle, struggling to get her fear under control, she decided to confront him, demand to know why he was trailing her, tell him to leave her alone.

She stopped and turned, ready to face the stranger. Opening her mouth to call out and challenge him, she paused as the rays of the setting sun fell on the sinister cloaked figure. The glint of polished bronze in his hand was unmistakeable. Instantly, she knew the blade was meant for her. Her blood turned to ice, terror flooded her mind, sweeping away all other thoughts, all logic, all reason. Gasping, she spun around, throwing her precious basket aside, and started to run.

Her legs pounding beneath her, she fled through the streets of the ancient city, her fear now undeniably in control. Glancing back, she saw the stranger was running too, swiftly gaining on her. She ran faster, heading for Semele’s house: it wasn’t far, she might make it if she sprinted hard enough. Yet, no matter how fast she ran, she could sense her pursuer bearing down on her, closing the distance between them. She could hear his panting growing louder, his sandaled feet slapping on the paving stones, could practically feel his breath on the back of her neck.

Like some dreadful nightmare, it seemed to take an age to reach her destination, as if great weights were tied to her feet, slowing her down. Finally, she arrived in Semele’s street, in sight of her door. With an overwhelming sense of relief, she put on an extra spurt, making a headlong dash for sanctuary. Almost there, she put out her hand, reaching for the door. But her desperation made her careless. Her foot caught on a crack in the paving, she stumbled and fell, sprawling across the flagstones, screaming in anguish as she hit the ground.

Expecting the stranger’s knife in her back at any moment, she scrambled to her feet, and threw herself at the door. She tried to push it open, but it was bolted shut. The stranger’s footfalls grew steadily louder, panic seized her, she began pounding on the wood, “Semele, Semele, please, it’s me… it’s Berenika… please hurry… please.”

She forced herself to look back. The stranger was close, his hood had slipped, she could see his long, dark hair, staring eyes, snarling mouth… his dagger raised, ready to strike, the gleaming blade hungry for her blood. Frozen in horror, she closed her eyes and waited for death.

The door opened behind her, “Berenika, what is…”

Turning, she opened her eyes and saw Semele standing in the doorway, her long, golden hair shining in the last of the evening sun. With a sudden rush of guilt, she realised she had put the girl she loved in terrible danger, she should not have come here, “Quick, quick, we must get inside, bolt the door, quickly!”

“What is the hurry, my love?”

“There’s a…” she pointed back the way she had come… but the stranger had gone.

“I, er… I thought, er…”

Semele smiled, “A trick of the light, perchance? But, come in, please… I have been looking forward to our first night together; the first of many, I hope. Shall we start with a little supper, you were going to make us something special, I recall?”

“Er, er… oh, no,” she slapped her forehead in dismay, “the basket, I… I lost it. And I had everything: fish and bread and fruit and wine, and… and, I am so sorry, I wanted to make this a truly magical night for us, but I… I…”

Semele laughed, “Do not fret, my love, you have brought the most important ingredient, it will be magical, I am certain. Let us skip the appetiser, and move directly to the main course.” Then, grasping Berenika’s hand, she led her to the bed chamber, and took her to Heaven.