The city's ruler was known only by their title, The Tyrant. When they appeared in public black robes and spells of obscurement hid their features so t...at none could tell if the Tyrant was a man or woman or even if they were human. The Tyrant had ruled in Al Areth as long as anyone could remember, even the long lived sorcerers who made the city their home. Order, of a kind, was maintained by the Tyrant's personal army.The Akkadian waited in the shadows of an alley, his dark cloak wrapped around. Is that perfectly clear?”I said, “Yes it’s clear and thank you, Mom.”Later that evening Wendy’s mother came over and said to my mother, “I need a cup of coffee. My husband went to another one of his late night rendezvous. I bet he’s fucking that bimbo down at the car wash.” She looked at me and said, “You can go over and say goodnight to Wendy. I’ll stay here until you come back and her father won’t be home for another hour at least.” She paused and said, “I think her pussy is sore though. She. They introduced me to a group of men, as La Putita, after hugging and kissing me hello, telling them that I was their little gang whore and porn star. They were still unaware that I spoke Spanish fluently, so I let them go on with their description of me as their own porn star fuck toy. The bartender flipped on a large screen TV over the pool table and soon one of my movies was playing for everyone to watch. “Hey baby, how about a little fun before you get back to your daddy?” Luiz asked. No. I like you like that. You’re fucking depressing. What do they call it these days? Emo? he continued. She’d been like this for about two weeks. No one could locate her. She was in a sad, dark place. The walls here were mildewed and stained opaque with dingy hues. Her wrists and ankles were bound, and her hair was a tangled mess with no brush to be located. Ella felt swollen with loneliness. You’re dreadfully disgusting, you know. That’s why you’re so undesirable. Undesirable. That’s what you.