Akhetaten's Gates

By Ravyn Karasu

Nefertiti always believed that she was destined to be a nobody, and living in her sister's shadow. All of that changed when she was pulled from death by a mysterious entity and placed in a "modern" world to prepare for her destiny.

Five years later, Nefertiti is returned to the land of ancient Egypt and comes face to face with a misfit prince named Amenhotep IV. Together, they form a love and bond that endures throughout spiritual adventures, political mishaps, and outrageous acts of blasphemy. Follow this semi-whimsical tale of a love that lasts throughout all hardships and throughout the tests of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Oct 8, 2008
• ISBN: 9781466971219

Book preview

1

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I could hear the commotion downstairs. My father, Ay, was throwing a big party. My mother had spent countless hours with servants to prepare a fine spread of foods for the guests to enjoy. I was sure it was the finest celebration in Egypt that night. But, it wasn’t something for me. It was full of grown-ups, after all. What good would a little girl like me, slipping past shortly of her fifth birthday, be to a bunch of grown-ups? They would be discussing politics and boring stuff. None of that mattered to me. Not in the least bit.

Rather, I stayed on the roof. The night was cool and the sky was clear. What better way to escape than to watch the stars on such a night? Despite the large crowd downstairs, it was easy to drown them out. I suppose one could compare it to white noise after a while. The jabbering fell upon numbed and deaf ears as I focused on the warm evening sky. Constellations were already a concept with the people of civilized Egypt. As I examined every fiery ball, I remembered what my father had told me of them.

He was a nobleman, my father. He was wealthy, but not overly so. He didn’t measure up to the courtiers and higher-ranking officials of Luxor and its surrounding cities and villages. But, he certainly ranked higher than the average man as an army general. It was enough to give us a comfortable life: my mother, my sister, Lia, and myself. We were privileged but not spoiled by any means. Like I said, comfortable. Ours was the most popular home just outside of the city housing the second palace by the Delta in Memphis.

I took a moment to pull myself from my stargazing to glance at my dress. We rarely wore clothing, but my father thought it would be cute to show us off as small adults. The dress was simple: white light cotton, very transparent. Well, one could not blame his attempt. The jewelry he had tried to place on us had long since been removed from me. I saw no point. Everybody would be fussing over my parents, the food, other guests and Lia. I was theyoungest after all. It was argued I rivaled my sister in her beauty. But, what did that mean to me?

It was as I was playing with the skirt that a shadow on the ground caught my attention. I squinted, unable to make it out. I wasn’t worried, of course. We lived by the Nile River. It was very likely the shadow could’ve been any number of animals. It could’ve been a crocodile. Perhaps. It could have been a hippo. Perhaps. Perhaps a jackal, or…anything really.

I got up, scooting closer to the edge of the roof, peering over and down at the shadow. It didn’t move like a crocodile. It moved more swiftly. It was too small to be a hippo. How curious. Truly, it struck my curiosity, just as I said. Perhaps, though, it was one of my father’s guests. But, why come outside alone? Wouldn’t it have been better to come inside with the other guests? It was hanging around the area so it didn’t seem to be retreating home. Gasp! What if it was a burglar?! But, even that seemed outlandish, even for little me. Why would a burglar be that stupid as to stalk a house full of people? Sure, it was likely many of them would be impaired within a few hours. After all, my father bought some of the best beer he could get his hands on. But, even then, so many people should have discouraged any questionable activity.

It didn’t seem to move. It was too obvious, so perhaps it was not a burglar after all. But, then what was it? My curiosity was killing me now. I couldn’t take it anymore. I straightened my dress and made my way downstairs. I was determined to get to the bottom of it. If no one else would investigate, then I would be the one to do so. Even if it meant having to squeeze through that party, I was going to find out.

It was either a miracle, or the blessing of the booze that made me practically invisible to a majority of the guests. Those who were smashed merely ignored me. Like I suspected, Lia was the one they were more interested in if any of the Noble Ay’s daughters were to be present. My mother was refreshing dishes that had been emptied on the main table. So, it was rather easy for me to make my escape.

It was cooler on the ground. The sand and grass were cool and the breeze wasn’t laced with the warm hug of rising heat. Not like on the roof. The figure was human. That much was now clear. I could feel a lump coming into my throat. He was dressed in a dark cloak. I could feel the shiver rising up my spine. Anubis? Was this the messenger of Osiris? I could not see his face, but I could definitely tell his humanly shape with the light of the full moon illuminated above us. It actually wasn’t much taller than me. Bes? Was this Bes? Well, standing there saying nothing wasn’t going to get me anywhere!

Uhm, hello? I stammered. The figure turned to me. Yet, still I could notsee the face. But, now, I could confirm it was a human being…of short stature. Or, perhaps it was a child of a guest. Would one of the guests have brought their children here to amuse Lia and myself? I’m sorry, but are you lost?

No, came a shy, sweet little voice.

Okay, so he wasn’t lost and he was likely from my father’s party. Okay, so curiosity quenched. So, I merely gave him a nod and turned to return to my place on the roof, away from it all.

Wait! He called after me in a louder but a still very gentle voice. Please, don’t go. Sit by me, please.

I smiled at him, perhaps a little nervously. He had no idea who I was, or did he? But, he wanted me to sit with him out in this night. Well, it was cool and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the house. I suppose one person’s company wouldn’t hurt anything. So, I obliged him, sitting beside him on a stone bench my father had attempted to make himself. I suppose one could consider it a success, yet messy, as it still stood and held our weight.

Though he sat beside me, he faced forward, not giving me the courtesy of looking him in the face. I got the impression he was watching me out of the corner of his eye, and trying hard to hide himself from my gaze. It gave me chills. What was he thinking? What did he want? And why was he being so silent? The silence was horrible!

So, I began uncomfortably, are you from around here?

Sometimes, he replied. We have a home in the area. My father was here on business. Sometimes, I live in the capitol of Luxor.

I’ve never been to Luxor, but I hear a lot about it.

It’s the center of Egypt’s culture.

You said your father was here on business? What kind of business? My curiosity seemed to always get the better of me. What would it hurt, right? If he was just passing through, it wasn’t like we’d be seeing a lot of each other.

I’m actually not sure what the business is all about. But, he was invited to a special dinner party held in his honor. I’m not sure about anything behind it, but he was rather insistent that my brother and I come with him. He frowned, Actually, he only insisted my brother to come. I had the option of staying behind. I think it’s because he’s the oldest. I’m the youngest son, so, I don’t really bask in any glory.

Then, you’re talking about the dinner party my father is throwing. I thought it was strange for him to pull out all the stops. We’ve had gatherings before, but none so extravagant. I could only smile. I felt his pain. Being the youngest was a pain sometimes. I had a feeling it was something political. I have been trying to avoid attending all night.

Everyone ignored me. I suppose I don’t blame them. I’m not comfortable in crowds. I’m not really used to being left to my own devices. My father and I…it’s not like my brother and him. I’ve always been closer to my mother.

We need to form a country where the youngest get the best, I joked. I was relieved when he let loose a soft chuckle. Okay, so I surely had made him smile, even if I couldn’t see it. So, do you have a name?

We all have names.

Uhm.yeah. So, what’s yours?

He looked away…well, further away. He let out a sigh, as if expecting the worst, as if he was dreading this part. My name is Amenhotep.

Amenhotep is a nice name.

He gave me a shrug, I guess. His voice was riddled with a depressed doubt.

You don’t like it?

I’m not sure. It just doesn’t feel like me. It’s…not my name.

I’m afraid I don’t understand, I confessed. This one was a strange one.

He lowered his head, I’m not surprised. Nobody seems to. I will not hold it against you. Nobody understands me. I suppose I’m just the master of enigma.

Why don’t you try explaining it to me, I suggested.

He placed a hand on his chest and announced in a meek voice, I am Amenhotep IV, son of Amenhotep III.

It was then I gasped, falling backwards off the bench and into the grass and sand. He jolted up, jabbering his worried blabber and apologies. I wasn’t hurt. To think though that I had spent all this time talking to a Prince of Egypt! I would have never placed him as a member of the royal family. He dressed like a nobleman’s child, but nothing like I expected a prince to dress. He seemed so modest and humble. Did princes act that way? And indeed, he was so sweet and not much older than myself. These were traits I would not expect of…well…a prince!

A prince! Oh my! I shot to my knees, I-I didn’t know, Sire! I said in a voice that begged for forgiveness and I prostrated myself before him.

No, no, no, he muttered, stepping back and motioning for me not to be so formal. I thank you, but that’s not necessary. But, I am grateful for it may be the only respect I’ll ever get from the people of Egypt.

What do you mean? I asked, sitting on my legs as I remained on my knees.

I am the youngest.

Yes, you’ve said that before.

And like I said before, the youngest never receives any glory. With that, he sat back on the bench, bringing his knees to his chest to bundle himselfin a ball. I stood and wiped the sand from my dress and came around to sit beside him once more. But, I couldn’t help but stare. Are you seriously that cold? It’s a beautiful night.

He shook his head, Not really. I do get cold easily, but…I don’t feel that I could keep your company if I revealed myself.

I don’t mind you being a prince if you don’t mind me being some little nobody, Amenhotep. I smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, Try me. I’m not the average girl. I’m rather unpredictable.

I don’t know if something like that should make me nervous, he said in a tone that was not clear enough to decide if he was joking or serious…perhaps both. His breathing became a little irregular and heavy. He was nervous…afraid. But simply of showing me who he was? I didn’t get it. Wouldn’t a prince be honored to reveal himself and receive praise as the son of the Living Horus?

He gave me a deciding nod and reached up to pull off his hood. He glanced at me nervously. One thing I could say for him was that he didn’t look like anyone I’d ever seen before. He almost came across as a foreign individual, even reaching beyond the lands of the Middle Eastern deserts and Greece and Rome. His eyes were small and almond-shaped, almost into smooth slants of the people of the Asias far beyond the reach of my people, and far beyond foreign to us at the time. His face was long with a narrow nose and exaggerated, full lips. And within a few more moments, he brought up the confidence to let the cloak drop from his shoulders. I feared to touch him, not for his royalty, but the fact that he looked so thin and fragile I thought I would break him.

He was certainly dressed as a nobleman’s son. He wore ringlets about his neck and a kilt made of fine material. Apparently, His Majesty, Amenhotep III felt the same about this occasion as my own father. The lean body seemed to be made up mostly of long arms and legs with digits that were spidery. I almost wondered if his sandals were the right size and how he kept his rings from falling off. But, his skinny body gave way to a pear-shaped abdomen and a slight pot belly. His hips were shaped more like those of a little girl than a boy. He was an awkward concoction of mismatched pieces.

We stood there for several moments in silence. I could see his confidence dying bit by bit at my absence of words. His proud stance faded into a slouch as he turned his head away in shame, pushing his youth braid back in a fidget. I’m not your average prince, am I?

No, I replied honestly.

He lowered his gaze further, shutting his eyes, almost as if to hold back the notion of any tears forming. He bent down to pick up his cloak. Such humiliation…and he would hide it once more. But, before he could don it, I approached him and placed my hand on his shoulder again, finding the bony shoulder and collarbones awkward to touch.

I like it.

He stopped, looking me in the eye, as if hoping to find something there that could confirm he had heard me right.or to find the mocking that would crush him once again as he seemingly had felt many times before. After all, you can’t break a child’s spirit with one solitary blow, can you? What did you say?

You look nice. I like it.

He was silent, studying me. He expected to dismiss the words to protect what little pride he had. Those eyes said that he was imagining the whole ordeal. No one would ever speak to him that way. But, it began to sink in that the words were not in his wishful imagination but were truly spoken. Slowly, he grew a soft smile. Ah, how much better he looked when he smiled. He seemed to glow a little with it, coming from behind the cloudy gloom that had burdened him thus far in our company together. He surprised me by rushing towards me and grabbing me in an embrace I was not expecting. I tensed, my eyes growing wide. What could I do, really?

You don’t know how much this means to me.

Amenhotep! A voice called down towards us. We both looked towards the strange call in the night. Not too far away was approaching a middle-aged man, dressed as a scribe. The cone on his wig had melted in the heat of the party’s activity. His kilt was spotless, save the pleats that were common in the scribe-kilt. Amehotep, is that you down there?

It’s me, Raku! Amenhotep IV called back to him. The scribe therefore half-ran towards us, looking our situation over. He seemed to grow relieved to see the prince was unharmed, and a little surprised to see him without his costume of hiding.

Your father has been wondering where you were. You just disappeared on us without telling anyone where you were going. You can’t be doing that.

Do you honestly think he would have cared, Raku? He replied, almost bitterly.

Oh, My Prince, please don’t go on about such a thing again. Come now. The party will be coming to a close soon and we will be heading back to the palace. It’s getting late. So, bid your little friend a farewell.

I looked Raku over once again. Though he gave orders, he didn’t come off as obnoxious, but more rather a kind and caring, compassionate man who cared for Amenhotep IV. Perhaps it was the lack of pressure? But, I befriended our servants. They were like aunts. I suppose palace life was no dif-

ferent other than the much larger scale. It would be understood that Pharaoh would be a busy man, unable to spend time with someone who would not be of use. Raku seemed, even in those few short minutes I knew him, as the type of person Amenhotep IV turned to for advice and consolation.

He turned to me, Do you believe that we all have a destiny?

I was pulled out of my thoughts by those whispers. I noticed that Raku had not heard him as he politely waited several steps away. Once the words had processed completely, I smiled and whispered back, If you do, My Prince, then so do I.

2

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I lay in my bed late the next day. I couldn’t shake the feeling I had received the night before. Amenhotep IV was a very different individual. He was something so new and almost exotic in a world where everything was seemingly just so. Everything had to be a certain way, and this boy disrupted that idea in my mind.

I could hear my parents having their breakfast. They, actually, were most likely finished and just lounging in the cool shade of the house as it became hot outside. But, this was the norm. I looked aside to see my sister, Lia, was absent. She was likely already with them. I’m not so sure what she had found so interesting at the party last night, but I would likely hear all about it once I saw her. But, in order to do so, it was for certain I had to get out of bed. So, up I got, scratching my side. I felt more natural now without having to wear that stupid dress. I wiped my eyes and stretched, finally getting to my feet and padding myself into the dining area.

My father was sitting, somewhat reclined, in his old chair. He was the only one seated. Apparently, everyone else had gotten up. He smiled at me once he saw me. So, you finally decided to get up today? I suppose I don’t blame you for sleeping in. Last night was a pretty successful night.

"A total success, Ay," my mother cheered as she came out and set down a small plate of food for me. Lia sprang seemingly out of nowhere behind her and rushed to me, bouncing as she held onto my arms.

Daddy says you met a prince, last night! Her reply from me was merely a smile. "Daddy introduced me to the older prince, Tutmose. He was really nice. So regal! His Majesty Amenhotep and Prince Tutmose were really impressed with me. Pharaoh and Daddy were discussing me marrying Tutmose when I grew up! Me! I could be Queen of Egypt!"

Again, I said nothing. But, this time it was because of this sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. It surprised me, really. Was I…jealous? Whydid Father put so much fuss and effort into Lia? Why was Lia so special as to be betrothed to Prince Tutmose? Elder siblings, who needs them? I suppose I should have been happy for her. But, to imagine my sister as queen? It was just too hard to believe. And what would I be then? I’d still be plain old Nefertiti. What would happen to Amehotep IV? He’d still be plain ordinary Amenhotep. Life wasn’t fair sometimes. Age…hmph! It was nothing but lucky timing was all.

We should celebrate, my father said, snapping me out of my bitter thoughts. I glanced at him as he stretched. He brushed the crumbs from his kilt and stood, putting on his sandals and looking the three of us over. Why don’t we go swimming? We can have lunch on the bank of the river.

If there was one thing Lia loved, it was a picnic on the river’s edge. Yes, the thing that Lia loved. But, again, I suppose I couldn’t blame the decision. After all, it was she, not I, who was betrothed to royalty. It was her day of celebration. But, in favor of the decision, on a hot day like today, what child in their right mind would refuse a cool swimming trip in the refreshing Nile waters? But, little did I realize that…that day would be the beginning of a whole new adventure, starring me as the heroine. Little insignificant me was about to get a taste of what it was like to be like the first-born.

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The waterfowl helped themselves to the abundance of fish and other delicious foods in the Nile’s cool relief. The water was calm and serene, glimmering in the hot sun. Aside from birds, there were fish leaping from the water, causing a disruption on the calm with ripples. A few other animals could be seen on some of the further banks and down a ways from where we were. Mostly, the animals closest to us were domestic or stray pets trying to escape the heat and quench their thirst, much the same as we were. We rested in the shade, enjoying the lush greenery. This was the fruit of the Delta region. Shade, cool breezes that were all but figments of imagination the more inland they flew were catered to us freely. There was an abundance of life of all sorts. This may not have been Luxor: the center of the Egyptian world. But, this was the Delta, the realm of the goddess of the home, Bastet, and a virtual paradise.

Our parents were quite content to merely watch everything. Lia and I were quickly bored just sitting and watching, so off we went to the river’s bank, splashing into the shallows and sitting, slopping mud together. We weren’t really sure what we were trying to make with it, but it was fun nevertheless.

My father soon grew restless and began to walk up and down the banks ashort way, keeping his eye on my mother and us. My mother, curious at our antics, finally came to kneel beside my sister. What have you got there?

Mama, it’s a crocodile, she stated, as though the glop was the most obvious crocodile to be seen. Mother merely nodded and smiled, agreeing silently. I had to hand it to my mother; she knew how to pacify youthful spirits and imaginations. But, even as the younger sister, I didn’t see a crocodile, and I was sure Mother didn’t either.

Really, I didn’t care what it was. My mind was still wandering from the night before. Amenhotep. Would I ever get to see him again? Sure, Lia was going to go to Luxor as Tutmose’s queen one day, or be presented to him in Memphis as such; or at least a member of the royal harem, which was a grand old living. She could still be the mother of the future pharaoh. It couldn’t get anymore exciting than to birth from your loins the next generation of the Living Horus. I suppose there was a chance I too could go to Luxor or the palace of Memphis. But, I didn’t see a reason why. What use would I be? Lia was the queen-to-be and I was the nobody. I’d probably be stuck in the Delta forever, living a simple life. If I did end up in Luxor or the Memphis palace, it would likely be as some servant to my sister. Gee, life wouldn’t change much, would it?

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Two hours of joyful playing, and we began to tire. It was hot, after all and the reflection on the water made us feel as though a burn would be coming shortly. Further into the shallows, Lia and I lay almost completely submerged to bathe us in cool water. The Nile’s current tapped and licked at us gently, like a lioness with her cubs. Every tap made a muffle and change in the sounds we heard about us. But, the air soon became rather quiet and uneasy. Half asleep, I didn’t even notice straight away.

My mother screamed, alerting me to wake just as the splash exploded from the water so close to me. A large head had shot like a missile from the water and in the next moment, it was gone…and so was Lia! I frantically looked around, confused about what had just happened. Lia wasn’t on the bank and she wasn’t in the water. Where was she?! Behind me, I heard splashing and gurgling. My eyes grew as wide as plates when I saw Lia being spun around and around by a monster of a crocodile. Frightening as it was, my brain did not register what was happening before me, or what I was truly seeing. It was as if I wasn’t there at all, but imagining it in safety. But, it wasn’t even a whole five feet away.

My mother ran into my father’s arms in despair and shock. His wordsto her.I would never forget them; the words that made me cringe and pull myself from my shock.

What are we going to tell Pharaoh?! He stared helplessly as the beast took the now silent body of my sister back into the water.

Nerfertiti! Get out of the water! My mother then shouted. I turned to look at them and hopefully to get to the banks in time. Little was I aware that this crocodile hunted in a pair. It surfaced and seemed to grin out of the water at me. Yes, I was in the shallows, but still deep enough for the water and current to be a nuisance to a fleeing human. A hard step and I fell forward into the water. No! My foot had gotten stuck in the mud! I couldn’t get free and the beast of Sobek was coming!

My father released my mother and rushed into the water. Mother called after him, Ay, save the baby! Only ankle deep in the water, he seemed so far away and yet so close. I reached out for him, only to have a third bull crocodile, dwarfing the other two, rise from the water and rush onto the banks, chasing Father back onto the marshy grass. It hissed at him and opened his jaws wide. My mother screamed as my father tried to kick the beast in the face, his sandal being pulled off in the process.

In the meantime, it felt surreal for me, as if I was having an out-of-body experience. I could feel the jaws of the second crocodile coming upon me and taking hold of me. With one quick turn of his thick head, he freed me from my muddy prison and took me into deeper water as I screamed for someone to save me. My mother’s screams began to muffle as I was dragged over and over beneath the water and heard the whisking of the current beneath. I wasn’t allowed to surface for long, and after four or five times, down I was pulled to the bottom, where the Nile turned dark. I could no longer hear my mother’s screams. And soon, the feeling of hungry jaws ceased, and I felt light.

Lifted.

Calm.

Safe.

I opened my eyes. It was bright. It was…peaceful. I felt a warm, golden support beneath me. I was no longer in the water but…in the clouds. I felt as if I was being cradled in strong, protective arms. The being that held me, I couldn’t quite identify it. It was massive and as bright as the sun. I tried to make eye contact with it, which was rather impossible for it had no face. It was simply…a bright disc of golden light…golden arms…at least six at a time. From time to time, one arm would vanish and another would sprout, and so would one be added and another removed at will as in a constant state of renewal. I could almost compare it to a constant movement of aspider on a web. It spoke no words, but a gentle breeze made me feel as if it whispered to me.

I couldn’t concentrate on it. I couldn’t open my eyes beyond a squint. I could not understand its wordless whispers and felt lost and empty. It wasn’t long before, my life exhausted; I closed my eyes, unsure if I was dreaming or dead.

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How long was I asleep? How long was I unconscious. To this, I’ll never truly know. And if I ever thought back upon it and tried to figure it out, the illogical phenomenon would make it too pointless to try. Did that. thing. take me somewhere? Somewhere safe? It looked so much from whence I had come that I would have considered it nothing but. However, my feeling of relief and disorientation were about to get a rude awakening as I heard people approaching. It wasn’t the people that were strange, for I did not yet see them. My eyes were still sore and it was hard to focus from all the salt that the Nile had put into my face. I was dry and sticky. The saline from the water had made me feel almost mummified. That would have been horrible. Would then I be in the Land of the Dead? I certainly wasn’t home, for I heard strange voices and names that were so foreign to me.

Bernard! Bernard, hurry and look at this!

3

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I opened my eyes, rubbing the salt from them. I was dry, and sticky, a sign that I had been out in the sun for some time. A woman rushed to me, wearing funny clothing. She threw a garment about me, for some reason rather disturbed by my nakedness, and she quickly scooped me up. She was a rather slim woman. Her hair was frizzy and brown, worn back in a pony-tail that looked like a big ball of brown cotton. Behind her, a man was leaning curiously over her. He was dressed similar to her. These were obviously not Egyptians. Where were their kilts? And why were their skins so light? These.were foreigners. At further examination, I realized that I wasn’t even in the Delta anymore. Had…the river carried me out of Egypt to the Greek or Middle-Eastern lands?

She’s alive! The woman cheered with obvious relief. Sweety? She called to me gently, Are you alright? What is your name?

I rubbed my head, wanting to answer her like a proper little girl. But.I couldn’t seem to remember my name. There were several things that I had forgotten. And the things I could remember…they were just blurs. It almost suggested that the life I once knew was a complete dream, and I was left in an amnesiac state, forgetting the life that would have been in this place.

Darla, maybe we shouldn’t be so hasty as to move her, the man, presumably named Bernard said. We should call the paramedics. Someone sure was sick to leave a child out here like this. Who knows what sort of things could have been done to her?

We should call someone, Darla replied with a nod. But, I’m not about to just leave her here in the sun. She gave me a canteen of water. I drank it rather quickly, feeling like I was being mummified alive. It was rather cool and refreshing. It didn’t taste like how I remembered water tasting. Let’s at least get her into some shade.

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The building that I was later taken to was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was full of such strange contraptions. There I sat on a strange cot, wearing a gown. It was an odd garment to be worn, for it had no back. Why would anyone want a gown with no back? I was given cup after cup of a very delicious and tart juice, like none I had ever tasted. It was the juice of a foreign fruit called…an orange. Yet another glass I was able to drink down, licking my lips at the strange tart and sweetness. It was then that a policeman, I suppose, and a doctor, I suppose yet again, came into the small room where I was being kept with Bernard and Darla.

Is she going to be alright? Darla asked, getting to her feet.

She’s fine, actually, the doctor replied. There is no sign of violation, no traumatic wounds, no internal injuries. The worst of her ails is dehydration. Lots of cool liquids and a cool place to rest are well enough.

Isn’t anyone looking for her? Bernard asked. To be found like that, surely someone had to have reported a missing child.

She doesn’t have an identity and doesn’t match the descriptions of any missing child cases, the policeman answered. As far as she’s concerned, she doesn’t exist.

Don’t say such a thing! Darla scolded. The child is sitting right here! How could she not exist if we are all looking at her?!

Darla, Bernard whispered, trying to calm her.

I don’t think I have a family anymore, I finally spoke up. The last thing I remember was that we were all swimming in the river. Then, crocodiles attacked us. The next minute, I woke up…wherever I was. I don’t even know if they survived, but I doubt it. Not with crocodiles that big.

She’s very well spoken for a child of her age, the doctor noted. How old are you, Sweety?

Five, I replied.

You sound more like a twenty year old, he chuckled. You’re a very bright little girl. He stood straight, If she’s an orphan, and cannot remember who she is, than that will make it almost impossible to find her identity.

If she has nowhere to go, I want to take her, Darla stated.

Darla, no, Bernard whispered.

Bernard, she whispered back in a pleading voice, You know we’ve been trying to have children. And Molly was our miracle baby before she left us.

"This child is not Molly. Nor can she ever