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Carole fought against change like most people but she knew the time had come to squarely face her destiny. She had procrastinated long enough, avoiding the nudges through dreams and visions until the gods spoke through Jean.
Carole gripped her small bag and stood in line with a few other passengers, awaiting the arrival of the train. It was just a few minutes late. That was enough time for Carole to introspect, wishing she'd known her parents and not grown up in an orphanage and later, a foster home.
The only bond she'd ever known and trusted was her three friends and roommates from college: Selma, Kiki and Jean. Their friendship began when she'd mysteriously saved Kiki from drowning at the beach. They swore to seeing fire dance in her eyes as she dived into the water.
But Carole was afraid they would look at her differently as her foster family did but instead they embraced her and became her haven because they saw her. However, she could not continue to live in the shadows, not truly understanding who she was.
"Do you have to go, like now?" Selma and Kiki asked, looking sad probably to guilt her into staying for a while. Anything to prevent the change that would rock their friendship and joint living. They'd been friends since college and had always lived together, sharing their joys, pains and laughs. Now it was all coming to an end or maybe a pause, thanks to Jean.
Or maybe the gods?
Jean stood farther away from them, leaning against a bookshelf, legs crossed at the ankle, staring at the three of them. Carole gazed at her for a moment. Jean was a pragmatic lady who did not hesitate to speak without a filter. They'd all learned to accept her that way.
If only Jean had not dared her to get out of her self-pity and do something exciting for once in her life. "Why allow your past to hold you back? Get out there and find out who you are!"
Those were her words, spoken when Carole complained about another dream. Sharp as an arrow, straight to her heart. They had the right effect —she was on a pilgrimage to her ancestors' hometown in Giza, Egypt.
The train pulled into the station slowly and passengers walked in.
Carole felt like a fish out of water on arrival at Giza metro station yet she felt the pull. The crowd pushed against her as she tried to find her way in the busy, historical city. She hailed a taxi that charged her twice for the normal fare but she did not haggle with him. She was in the famous city for a purpose.
"Going to see the great pyramid of Khufu, eh?" The taxi driver asked in Arabic, staring at her through the rearview mirror as they weaved through the light traffic. Carole met his eyes and debated for a moment whether or not to answer truthfully. It wouldn't hurt to speak to a stranger, someone she may never see again.
"Yes. This is my first visit. I'm on a kind of pilgrimage," Carole replied in Arabic.
Momentary silence. The driver had his eyes fixed on the road. She wondered what was going through his mind following her reply. Or maybe she was so boring that he lost interest so quickly. She watched the houses and trees whirl by as the taxi moved fast.
"I'd never thought I'd see the day that a Gizan with your birthmark would visit the royal gravesite of Queen Khentkaus," the taxi driver said quietly.
Carole froze. Very sure that her ear did not deceive her, she glanced up and met the driver's direct stare through the rearview mirror. It was like time stood still. Fire flamed up in place of his pupils for a millisecond and vanished making Carole think she'd imagined it. Or was she hallucinating? This stranger knew about her heritage.
"I've rendered you speechless," the taxi driver apologized. "I am Sinai, one of the guardians of the great pyramid of Khufu."
Carole opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Sinai smiled to put her at ease.
"You are Princess Khakare, direct descendant of King Menkaure and Queen Khentkaus. The people of Giza have waited so long for you to come home after you were taken away. Now, the pyramid will live again. Our heritage is not lost."
"You know who I am?" Carole whispered.
Sinai nodded, his eyes fixed on the road. "You alone bear that birthmark. I knew immediately I saw it. Welcome home, Princess."
All Carole could do was nod and twist her fingers in anxiety. But deep down, she felt the calm and knew her destiny had just begun.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short story. It is my response to The Ink Well Prompt #91 inspired by the prompt "fire".