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can’t. They told me to come right back.”
    I held my tears back and let her go. “Well… I hope to see
you around. Good luck, Audrey.”
    She hurried into the hallway and ran away. I stood there for
a moment, thinking about the other women. It was disturbing to see the Mamluks
turning them into servants.
    I heard someone coming down the hall. Seconds later, Katie
walked inside with another lady.
    “There you are. I was looking all over for you,” she said.
“Bridget—Emily,” she went on. “Emily—Bridget.”
    I reached out and shook Bridget’s hand. “Hello. Nice to meet
you.”
    She had blond hair and brown eyes. “Pleasure to meet you,
Emily,” she said in a British accent.
    Katie moved past me and pranced to my bed. “What goodies did
you get from downstairs?”
    “Just a few things.”
    “Katie and I were headed to the roof to mingle with the
others. Care to join us?”
    “No thanks. I’m still trying to collect my thoughts.”
    Katie skipped to me. “Well, don’t be a stranger. And don’t
stay cooped up in your room all day.”
    I smiled and nodded.
    Katie left with Bridget.
    Later on, I ate the food Audrey had brought me. And shortly
after, I decided to go for a walk. I went downstairs to the front entrance and
found a soldier standing nearby. I approached her with caution.
    “Hello. How are you?”
    She turned around, smiling. “What is your name, Human?”
    “Emily.”
    “Are you looking for something, Emily ?”
    I pondered for a second. “Yes, actually. I’m looking for
answers. But I’m afraid to ask questions.”
    She gave me a firm look. “You humans are emotional creatures.”
    “Yes, we are.”
    Another soldier walked in from outside. I moved away as he
drew near. He glanced at me before walking up to the other soldier.
    “Your duties are complete for today,” he said to her.
    She left her post and headed outside. “Farewell, Emily. Keep
searching for the answers you seek.”
    I stood there and watched her leave, thinking about what
she'd said. Then, even more anxious than before, I looked up at the other
soldier.
    “Where do you go when your duties are over for the day?”
    “Home.”
    “Where is home?”
    He chuckled and looked down at me. “Anywhere we choose.”

 
     
    Chapter 18
     
    The next morning, I woke up and found Audrey in my room. She
was collecting my tray from last night and setting down a new tray. I sat up on
the bed and stretched. Audrey glanced at me, frowning.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    “Good morning, Audrey. How are you?”
    “I’m fine.”
    I got up and went to the bathroom. There was a large, tube
shaped, sandstone thing sticking up from the ground that was used for
excrement. The washing area near the back wall looked like a giant bowl with
evenly placed holes on the floor and ceiling.
    I took my clothes off and got inside. I waited a moment, and
the water automatically turned on. As I cleaned myself with some mula, I
couldn’t help but wonder where they were getting the water—considering Los
Angeles, and its water system, had been destroyed.
    After a long shower, I dried off and headed to the dresser
by my bed.
    A soldier came to the entryway, startling me. “It is time,
Human. Dress yourself and follow the others upstairs,” she said, then went down
the hall.
    I got dressed quickly and followed the other women upstairs.
We arrived at a widespread room. The area was packed with hundreds of women and
male soldiers.
    “Emily, over here!” Katie called out, waving.
    Bridget was there, too.
    I hurried to them. “What’s going on?” I asked Katie.
    “I don’t know. One of the Mamluks told us to come up here.”
    A few minutes later, Adomas came upstairs. All the soldiers
dropped to a knee and bowed their heads. The women silenced as he approached.
My heart pounded as he came close. Adomas looked around and smiled, holding his
hands behind his back.
    “I have chosen you well, Humans.” He went to the far end of
the room and