Artwork: "Dutch merchant ships in a storm" by Ludolf Bakhuizen

*This chapter was inspired by the Netflix show 'High On The Hog'. If you have never watched it, I'd suggest that you do. It is extremely emotional and educational on a subject that has been talked about countless times but never got lighter or easier: Slavery. The show focuses on the contribution of African slaves to American cuisines and culture.

The water was wicked, cold, and turbulent. Aida didn't know how many times she had vomited until her whole body hurt. With or without food, the sensation was there, forcing her to heave constantly. She crawled to the back of the cage, looking up at the tiny crack of light on the right corner above where she laid her head.

Her once pride copper-red hair matted and reeked. It had been weeks or months, she was not sure. Felt like a lifetime. Aida didn't have enough water to drink, let alone clean herself. People piled up together in different cages, and Aida felt somewhat lucky that those who shared hers had already met their fate. She had been alone ever since.

One minute she had been with Baba and their camels under the desert sun, and the next, she was in this complete darkness, not knowing if it was day or night. Sometimes Aida could still feel the warmth of sandy winds on her face, but then she woke up. She was here, and home was forever out of sight.

Aida thanked the gods that she had passed out for the major part of the trip, but during the little time she was awake, horror was everywhere around.

People were either starved or beaten and left with their festered wounds. Maggots and rats did the rest. The smell was horrible. They got some pitiful ration that no human would call food and some water, just enough to keep them alive to get to the other side of the world. Aida was weak, so she had been left without anything for quite some time. Everyone, herself included, had thought she would succumb, but surprisingly, Aida survived and made it all the way to this point where many who were healthier than her didn't. It could only be the will of Arasil.

Aida's skin and bone body shook, and her teeth chattered in the cold, damp air. This night could not end fast enough. She might freeze to death soon. She could feel it. It would be a relief, truly. Aida was exhausted, but the pain in her body and the thoughts of her family kept her awake.

Above, on the deck, the sailors screamed at each other in a language she didn't understand, but the rush of their tone told her they were near or had already reached their destination, wherever it was.

Aida lifted her head with the last ounce of her energy. The commotion had spread into the hull. Some of her fellow captives sobbed while others stared blankly into the void ahead. No emotions were shown on their faces or in their eyes. Their souls were gone. The trip that was indescribable with words had taken away their last pieces. Any hope, or dream of ever seeing home again seemed so out of reach now that it hurt.

The sailors came down and pulled everyone up by their neck chains. The rusty metal scraped the dirty floor, creating loud clanking noises that drilled into Aida's brain. She shut her eyes when the harsh light poured in and blinded her, but the yelling and whipping sounds forced them open again.

The giant sun sinking into the horizon was quite a scene. It must be the same sun, but it felt different from the one in her homeland. The ruthless winds blew the rags Aida had used to cover her body in all directions, and the frosty rain cut into her bronze skin. Aida was miserable.

Her homeland was always warm and dry. Vibrant colors painted the landscape. The smells of spices and ripe fruits filled the air. This place was the complete opposite. It was unbearably cold. Everywhere Aida turned was a depressing shade of grey. The powerful stench of fishermen and their catch made her already suffered stomach turn. Too many horrible sensations at once pushed Aida down on her knees, but one whip across her back jolted her right back up.

"Are you bloody stupid? We're tryna sell 'em, not kill 'em. Ain't we lost enough already? I don't know how much I'm gonna make at this point because of all you eejits!"

The captain's scream was drowned in other chaotic noises. Aida was herded with others into a wooden warehouse where they got sprayed with icy water until everyone was drenched. To get rid of fleas and other nasty stuff, she was sure, but it could just be another part of their sadistic game.

Most people who were taken on the trip with Aida were around her age. Some were a little younger, or older. They were from the same continent but different regions, countries, or tribes. They didn't speak the same language or share the same culture. They couldn't communicate. All they could do was look at each other nervously or fix their eyes on the ground, trying their best to avoid extra attention from their captors.

Aida stared at her dirty toes. She could barely stand thanks to all the pain and sickness she had gained along the way. Everything fit quietly in an empty pit that used to be her heart, where her home and family resided.

Baba, Elouafi, and Rabia were not here with her, and Aida mourned their absence, but she was glad it was her, not any of them.

Her family had been moving around for generations, herding, and taking care of their cattle. Simple nomad life. They had little but enough. Baba had tried hard to raise her and her siblings all by himself. She knew he was too poor to remarry, but the truth was he would take his children over a new wife any day. He had never complained or blamed them for what he was supposed to have. He worked himself to the ground every day just to make sure they had a decent life.

Baba wanted all of his children to have good marriages. That was a big deal where they came from, and it cost a lot. He traded when the season came, and the merchants were in town with the hope to add a little extra to his children's dowries. The fair was an exciting event, but Aida and her sister were never allowed to go. Only her brother Elouafi could accompany Baba on his trips.

How Aida regretted begging Baba to take her that day. It was the first and last time she could see the market. Her poor Baba would probably die of guilt, but what could he do against a group of men who were armed and ready? Aida just hoped her family was safe and able to flee as far away as they could...

Aida's thoughts were cut short when a man started to yank her chain as if she was a mule and dragged her with the group to a big wagon.