THE BEGINNING

FICTION

Barbara Ann

"In the beginning there was light. . . . '

"

The cymbal crash, like God's hand, brought the brilliance of a sun onto the small wooden square in front of me. Just before there had been a moment of silence and darkness. It was a blackness that was neither good nor bad—just a complete and total domination of black.

My blood was rushing in my veins and pounding my skull like a drum. It was my turn. A strange lump moved into my throat and I could not move.

Althought I could not see them, I knew that in front of the wooden square were hundreds of eyes, glowing and waiting. Behind those eyes were hungry beings waiting to devour my every move, I could not move. Every muscle in my body was frozen.

Behind me there was the soft rustle of silk. A soft, cool voice tickled my ear. "Go ahead, honey. Show them that you can really do it."

Slowly one foot advanced in front of the other. The sheath around my legs tried to keep my legs from moving. My heart pounded even faster, but my movements were slow and deliberate. I was afraid.

My mind raced. I am a small mouse walking to my death in front of a hundred hungry cats. Faster went my thoughts. Around and around I moved in time with the beating drum and my mine raced even faster...

The heavy sweet smell dominated all my senses. It perme- ated the air around me and drowned my thoughts. My body was

81