A Killer's Pilgrimage.

Zarratown is just a little town in the desert just outside of Harmony city. As the trucks drove us out of Harmony city, and I was leaving my home for the first time, I looked back and the view I saw almost made me cry, it was damn beautiful.

The Alsaebun was an organization on a different level, the little town of Zarratown allowed them so much growth, the people there basically viewed them as royalty and saviors. They were involved in everything in the town, ranging from politics to religion. The town was ninety percent Muslims and this also helped the Alsaebun to gain more popularity and influence among the population. They were involved in any and every crime in the town, ranging from international coke deals to robberies, and nobody could stop them, nobody would.

The trucks that took us from Harmony city suddenly halted after a three hours drive and we were greeted by some other men, they were also turbaned and carried assault rifles like the ones that took us from Harmony city, but they were neatly dressed in expensive suits and behind them were parked two black SUVs. They spoke for a moment but I couldn't understand what they were saying, because they spoke Arabic.

"Salam Alaikum, young Mr. Badur," one of them finally said to me as he extended a handshake.

"Hello," I replied looking puzzled.

"I am Zaheer, and I have been sent by the Alhaj to receive you," he smiled weirdly.

"Oh, well, thank you, Zaheer."

"Welcome to Zarratown, Mr. Badur, he proceeded to one of the vehicles and we were directed to follow him by one of the other men.

"The drive to Zarratown took thirty minutes from there, through a road that looked deserted. Just some minutes before we started to see the town in sight, we rode past men on comeback also heading towards the town.

"What kind of place is this, and how did Kaz get mixed up with these people?" I wondered.

"This must all feel strange to you, being you are used to city life, full of people, and now you're in this strange little town in the desert, Zaheer said.

"Well, this is the first time I'm leaving Harmony city, it's a bit strange, to be honest," I replied.

"You are going to enjoy this place, I promise. You are a guest of the king."

"The King?" I asked.

"Yeah, the Alhaj is a king around here, Mr. Badur."

The town wasn't as deserted as I thought, it was actually well developed with beautiful houses and well-organized streets. The people appeared happy as they went along with their businesses and paid no attention to the black SUVs as we drove into town. They knew to mind their businesses.

I felt Chuks's hand tap me, I turned my gaze towards him and I was met with a puzzling stare, he looked surprised and I knew he was about to freak out.

"Your brother is finally awake, I see."

Chuks pounced on Zaheer but suddenly lost control of his limbs and fell flat on him. I had to quickly pull him off Zaheer and put him back into his seat.

"Stay the fuck down, Chuks! You've been pumped full of drugs and you can't do anything other than just to fucking relax!" I shouted at him.

"Oh, your brother's reputation proceeds him. I've heard the stories of his wildness and now I've witnessed it closely. The Alhaj is definitely going to like him," Zaheer laughed loudly.

The trucks gently drove through the streets as we went past the market, the police station, the town hall, and other places, I noticed the people kept their gazes away from us. Zaheer must have noticed how befuddled I was.

"You certainly wonder why they stay clear of us and lower their gazes before us, Mr. Badur," he said.

"Yes, why do they do that?" I asked.

"Well, they fear what would happen to them and their families if they do not. In this town, it is better not to see, so when you are asked to tell, you won't be able to say what you have not seen."

"Oh, I get it," I replied.

The Alhaj used the combination of fear and a little bit of philanthropy to control the whole town. He was a criminal and they all knew, but these hungry people had no choice but to get in bed with a known beast when they realized that their corrupt government had nothing to offer them. At least he provided the town with amenities like electricity and water, and even schools, basic things that the so-called government failed to provide. In turn, they would never do anything against the Alhaj, anybody who dared do anything against the man and his gang would not have to talk before he heard about it. The people saw him as to them as their savior and they were his first line of defense. He was indeed the fucking king of the town.

The trucks pulled into a street and I needed no announcement, we had gotten to their hood, men carrying assault rifles and machetes like the ones that took us from Harmony City could be seen at every turn until we finally got to the Alhaj's estate. It was a palace worthy of a king. The building was so large I got lost during my first few months there. The place crawled with security day and dusk, trying to get in without being let in was impossible. Anybody who tried it would be seen before he got anywhere close. The beautiful white paint of the building made it gleam at night, anything that was metal in the building was either pure gold or silver, and they shone dazzlingly during the day, it was practically heaven on earth. There was of course a very beautiful mosque in the house. It made me wonder how even though they were murdering criminals, they still believed there was a God somewhere that would accept their prayer.

"Welcome to the Beautiful Zandaezi, Mr. Badur," Zaheer said as the trucks pulled to a stop in front of the main house.

"It is very beautiful," I replied.

"I assure you, you are going to enjoy your stay here."

Zaheer wasn't kidding when he said that. Our stay in Zarratown was the most memorable six months of my life.

We were ushered into the building by a man neatly dressed in an expensive suit, similar to the one Zaheer had on. He also had a large turban on his head, which was decorated with all sorts of shiny ornaments.

"Welcome to the Zandaezi," gentlemen. Follow me, please," he murmured.

We didn't take anything from Harmony city when we left, we didn't have the time. But everything we needed was already there waiting for us, they even had clothes in our sizes, Chuks and I.

Some of the servants tried to help Chuks but he wouldn't let them, so I held him right, letting him rest on me as we were led through the building. We walked through several living rooms and balconies, all so decorated it started to feel like we were going in circles. But we finally arrived in front of a room.

"This is your room, sirs. We've been told of how close you both are, and we assumed you would prefer to stay together in the same room. If you are not satisfied and you believe our assumption is wrong, then we can relocate one of you to another room," the manservant said, having a kind of weird stern look on his face.

"What do you mean close?" I asked staring at him, but he did not respond. He ignored me and opened the large doors to the room as he murmured, "Enjoy."

Chuks finally pushed me aside and slowly trudged into the room and immediately sank into the bed.

"You're okay? I asked"

He responded by raising his right hand and then dropping it back. Then the doors opened and the man-servant came in, he held the doors open as two more people came in, both dressed in the same fashion he was. They went directly to wardrobes on the other side of the room and three it open.

"The Alhaj would like you to join him downstairs, but we first have to get you ready," the one at the door said.

He clapped his hands and four very beautiful women strolled in, all dressed in colorful transparent clothing.

"These is Dayah and her friends, they'll help you with cleaning up."

"Wait, what?" I exclaimed but before I could say anything else, Chuks was already getting out of the bed and trying to get out of his clothes.

"What the hell, man? So you're suddenly strong now?" I shouted at him but he just staggered towards Dayah with his arms wide open, smiling from ear to ear. Dayah and another girl took his arms, put a bathrobe on him and took him to the bathroom while I stood there wide-mouthed.

"Hello, Mr Badur," a soothing voice whispered past my ears. I turned my gaze and she stood in front of me holding a bathrobe. She was so beautiful, a tall light skin girl with dark long hair that touched her lower back. She must be from somewhere in the north, probably Nyager.

"Please call me Kunle."

"Oh, okay, Kunle," she mumbled gently and smiled.

"What is your name?" I asked her as I smiled back.

"My name is Shurrah, she replied."

"It's very nice to meet you, Shurrah," I extended a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you too, Kunle. I am tasked with the responsibility of cleaning you up and dressing you up like a proper Zarratownian," she smiled.

"Zarratownian isn't even a word," I laughed loudly.

"It is though," she giggled too.

"Well, what am I required to do?" I asked, still smiling from ear to ear.

"Strip," she whispered.

"What?"

"Yes, you have to strip and I'll have to bathe you," she replied, smiling mischievously.

"I can bathe myself, thanks."

"You are a guest of the Alhaj, Kunle. You are not allowed to do anything yourself while you're here, and I'll get punished if I let you, so please just strip," surprisingly, seriousness returned to her face.

"Okay, but you have to close your eye."

"Okay, if you're that shy," she smiled mischievously again and closed her eyes.

I quickly took off my clothes, grabbed the bathrobe from her and paced into the bathroom. She followed behind me giggling loudly.

She bathed me and did it very well too. It made me wonder how long she had been doing this, and why such a beautiful young girl would be in such a place in the first place.

She dressed me in the traditional Zarratown attire after she had rubbed all sort of creams and oils over my body and my hair. I stared into a mirror and I couldn't recognize myself. The clothes felt heavy but my neck felt heavier with all sorts of gold chains I was made to wear. My head was also turbaned with materials large enough to make the clothes I wore.

"I look ridiculous,"I shouted.

"Yes, you certainly do," Shurrah laughed.

Chuks joined me later, laughing childishly and we were taken to meet the Alhaj. He sat on a chair beside a large pool, it seemed a party was going on. He was sandwiched by two hefty men dressed in suits, brandishing automatic weapons. They were also turbaned and hand machetes dangling from their waists too. The Alhaj was a man his fifties, he was elegantly dressed in Zarratown clothing, the type we were made to wear.

"Marhaba(welcome)," he said so gently.

"Marhabtain(hello), I replied."

"Oh, you speak Arabic? You must be Kunle the smart one, and he must be the mute brute. Your brother told me a lot about you two," he smiled.

"How do you know my brother again, I hope you don't mind me asking, sir."

"Of course you're inquisitive. But this is no time for questions and answers. Enjoy the party," he stood up and left with his guards.

I looked to my side and Chuks was already staggering towards the bar.

"Don't get too drunk, Chuks," I shouted but he just ignored me.

"Your brother is not shy like you, I see," Shurrah's voice said behind me.

"I am not as shy as you might think. I just take my time before mixing with the crowd," I smiled as I turned to her.

Dance with me then, she grabbed me and pulled me towards her. Our chest touched and she stared into my eyes for a moment. She smiled and turned her back to me, I pulled back a bit but she move her behind even closer to me, our body touched and then she grabbed my hands and put it on her waist.

"Quit being shy, Kunle. Enjoy the party as if tomorrow is not coming," she whispered.

This was like a wake up call to me as I pulled her closer and we began to dance, everyone at the party started starting but I somehow blocked them out. We danced for what seemed like forever and then we left the party, we returned to my room and fortunately, Chuks was not back.

Zarratown was amazing because of Shurrah, we clicked almost immediately. She was so beautiful but her mind, her carefree attitude and her story was what really got me attracted to her. Her story was a sad one, you know the kind of story that would make even someone like me think deep about my problems and thank God, even if I find it difficult to believe in him. We started talking when we got back to the room and I found itt that She was sold off by her abusive uncle when she was seven, her parents died when she was just a baby and he the only relative she had left. He started raping her when she was five and whenever she tried to reveal what was going on to anyone, they faulted and shouted her down.

"They all called me a liar and shouted at me," she said as she cried.

"They all knew I was telling the truth, even his wife knew, but they chose to protect my uncle's perfect image. He was a pastor, you see, and such a slander would be too great for a man of God.

He continued to abuse me until I turned seven years old and one day I decided to fight back. I stabbed him in the thigh with a scissors and when he got better, he decided to sell me to some men coming to these parts to protect his secret. I was bought by the Alhaj and here I am."

"So, you've never left since then?" I asked"

"Well, I can't leave, that's what being a slave means," she smiled.

"You didn't try to escape?"

"There is no point trying to escape, Kunle. Don't you see the way this place is designed? Anyone who try to escape will fail and that's the worst thing you could do, the punishment is just too bad.

"I've made my peace with it, I probably will never leave this place, but if by any chance I do, the first thing I would do is find my uncle and kill him."

"What if I get you freed? Will you come to Harmony city with me?"

"Don't give me hope, Kunle," don't, she cried.

"I promise you with all of my being, Shurrah. I'll get you away from this town, I'll murder your uncle for you and then I'll take you back home to Harmony city, I got closer to her and cleaned her tears with my hands. She grabbed my arms and leaned forward, kissing me passionately. I grabbed her and pulled her closer to me as I kissed her back, then I kissed her neck as I ran my hand over her thighs. She shuddered gently and started to moan. I suddenly let her go and stood up.

"What is wrong," she asked.

"Nothing... Are you doing this because you were ordered to do it?"

"No, Kunle. I am doing it because I want to, I am doing it because I want you, it's one of the few things I get to choose to do or not do around here."

"How many men have you been with?" I asked but before she could say anything I said I was sorry.

"It's okay, Kunle. You're different, most guys wouldn't even ask me anything. They wouldn't care. You're kind, and I like that."

"I am not kind, Shurrah. I am a killer."

"I know. I heard the story. You did what you had to do to survive. I look at you and I see myself, forced to do things we don't like to survive, blaming ourselves for choices made for us before we were even born, but tonight I want to feel good. Enough of the blames and regrets," she walked up to me and started kissing me as she took off my clothes and I took off hers. I leaned back just enough to be able to speak and whispered:

"This is my first time, Shurrah."

I know, Kunle. I know, she smiled as she grabbed my hands and we both sank into the bed.