He didn't get far. Suddenly from a dark corner, a flash of light as a match was struck. Nisa lit an oil lamp and stared at him in the darkened room. As the flames danced against the glass, they cast vicious shadows upon her face.

"You've packed. Where are you going?" She always did her best to have a calm and serene voice. Now it was cold and chilling as she stared at him. How many hours had she waited for him to come home so she could catch him? She hadn't even risked taking the time to dress for bed, as she was still in her regular day time attire.

"How long have you been planning this?"

He had to have known how she had taken this. No maid who ran off survived. And they were nobody to her. But her own brother , her own flesh and blood, whom she'd never have raised a hand against. He was leaving without telling her. She dropped the smoldering match and stepped upon it callously.