VAIN | Inside the Universe

Chapter One • 007

LUXOR,  EGYPT

The night was quick to devour the many-hued farewell of the day, covering the seemingly eternal Egyptian desert to give my skin a break from its ruthless heat. Since we're approaching the fourth hour of our journey on camelback and I have nearly forgotten what pleasure is, I knew the timing was anything but coincidental, as if the night were empathetic to darkness like itself. For we both knew what was to happen. I am, after all, tonight's bearer of chaos.

"ميل واحد الشمال. احمل ما.هو ضروري."

[ One mile north. Carry only what is necessary. ]

As my eyes stray to take a subtle, final assessment of each member, I hold my head straight, careful to keep anything from testing the fastenings on my keffiyeh any further. God forbid it slipped and they caught sight of the outsider, or worse, a woman.

Although feigning innocence amidst one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the Middle East may seem futile, I won't let there be any mistakes before I've reached who I so desperately want.

We drew closer to the soft, yellow hue in the distance until the light took a definitive form. The Karnak temple stood as tall as one could without knowing just what evils it confined. Then again, if I still thought anything was sacred, I would probably be much less of a bitch. Blame it on low expectations, but what more could I expect from an oasis for the gods than to become the very haven for corruption?

They say that beauty is too pure and sin too rich, as if either could think themselves impenetrable. I think the reason they're obsessed with each other is to test just that fact, never quite realizing in time that they are one in the same. Opposites are too inspiring to each other to remain apart.

For I could think of no other reason why they've chosen here other than the one I have for being here myself. Craving the power that comes with their ruin.

But I'm looking to defile a different God.

I had gradually slowed my pace until I was at the back of the pack as we arrived, keeping my anonymity while watching each and every member throw themselves off their camel and arm themselves with a weapon like it was a sash of immortality. I trust the night as well as any partner should, knowing it would hide the amused glimmer in my eye and the grin that threatened to show. It has that tendency to hide all my sins, always tempting me with opportunity, and I'll always wish to play. For we both know that people would choose the night and its illusions rather than admitting that the monster they see in the dark is real.

Thus, I'll admit that it's truly unfair how much the odds are in my favor, but I simply can't find the will to care. As we set on foot and graced the entrance, every other feeling left me. The clay temple walls tower close to fifty feet above our heads, yearning to suffocate, belittle, as if there could be a subtle welcome to subjection. They called on me to tear them down.

Yet each member mindlessly entered the golden oasis and we started down the dramatically long hallway. Nothing could be seen so quite some time besides the soft candlelight that lined the sides, telling us that nothing else mattered except for what was at the end. There was nothing I wanted to do more than raise a fire.

But I drew on my patience and only imagined that the light quickly growing more with each step was the raging ruin I was soon to bring. And before I knew it, my fantasies brought me far enough to where the light finally revealed the throne. Seated, draping himself among hypocrisy without a care, the man I came for.

If at one point I knew what his name is, I forgot. There's no need for it. He is but one of the many men I have the pleasure of being tasked with. Just another man who proclaims he's God himself.