I woke to the sound of a dozen soldiers shouting.

It was once again another

day. In which Pharaoh would rule Egypt, and more of my people would suffer. The
small room I was lying in was warm. Thin rays of sun shone through the small
cracks in the mud brick ceiling. My back ached from the hard floor. Looking over I
saw my little brother, Aaron, sleeping soundly on the floor on the other side of the
small room. Moving slowly not to wake him, I slipped outside the door. Walking
down the road I noticed the streets were empty. The streets are often quiet, but now
the streets were completely vacant, with nobody in sight. Continuing down the
road, I finally arrived at my destination, the muddy bank of the Nile. Filling a
small bucket with water, I began to make my way back to the two-room mud brick
house that my brother and I called home. Setting the bucket down on the small
wooden table I took out a loaf of bread from the shelf. I own a bakery, well my
father did, but he and my mother were killed two years ago for standing up for an
old man who was being beaten by an Egyptian guard. Claudia? Aaron asked
breaking my thoughts.
Im sorry did I wake you? I asked
No you were just lost in thought again, he grinned.
We need to hurry, so eat quickly, I said handing him a slice of bread.
Aaron and I have been running the bakery since my father died. Aaron is
fifteen and helps with a tremendous amount of work at the bakery. Baking bread in
the bakery mostly goes to the palace, yet people come in and buy it for their every
day meals and feasts. Yet a fairly large amount goes to those who work on the

temples and pyramids, and the slave work Pharaoh cruelly forces on his people.
We should go, Aaron interrupted my thoughts once more.
Yes we should, lets go.
Grabbing my shawl and putting it on my head we made our way down the
road. I kept Aaron close to my side. Soon we came upon the bakery and the smell
of fresh dough and fire surround us. The coals are still going. I said, trying to
make conversation.
Do you want me to get the first batch going? his voice was cracking.
Please. Are you ok? You seem a little off today, I asked concerned.
Im fine just a little tired, He explained as he turned and walked into the
back room.
Hes lying, I told myself. I can always tell when hes lying because he
always twitches the corner of his eye when he lies. Walking into the back room I
saw Aaron sitting on the floor mixing a bowl of dough. Kneeling down to help him
I mixed more water, and flour. Todays going to be busy. Its Friday and the
guards will be coming to pick up the bread for the late workers on the temple.
All that came was silence. Hey, whats wrong? my voice was beginning
to fall.
Nothing. Im fine, really.
We both know thats not true. Look at me and tell me whats wrong.
A law was passed. He said shaking.
What law. My eyes widened.

Pharaoh passed a law that all the first born sons are to be killed and
thrown into the Nile. He said, almost in tears.
Youll be fine. If thats what youre worried about, theyll only take
newborn babies up to the age of two. I wont let them touch you I promise. I said
wrapping him in my arms.
I should go get more water, he said breaking free of my grasp.
Grabbing the pail, he slipped out the door towards the river. I stood up and
began to place the dough on an iron pan above the coals. Sixteen loaves were set
out on top of the pan, and I began to start another batch when I heard the door
whip open, with a violent thud. Running into the other room I was terrified at the
scene in front of me. An Egyptian soldier had Aaron by the shirt with a death glare
in his eyes. Is this one yours? he asked sternly.
Yes, what seems to be the problem? I asked, trying to keep calm.
I found him getting water in the Pharaohs private pool. He explained.
I see. Well Ill make sure he stays away from there next time. He wont do
it again. My voice was trembling.
Hell have to be punished for his trespassing, he said as he took out his
whip.
No please, he didnt know, dont hurt him! I screamed as the whip
slashed across Aarons back.
He fell to the floor screaming with pain as the soldier whipped him over
and over again. When finished the soldier rolled him over and kicked him in the
side, then walked out the door. Running to Aarons side the tears fell down my

face. His back was covered in lashes and blood covered the floor. I helped him
onto the table in the back and grabbed as many rags as I can find. I soaked the rags
in water and laid them across his back as he winced at the stinging pain that shot
through his body. Ill be back I promise, I whispered in his ear.
I ran out the door and down the street sprinting as fast as I could possibly
go. Running into my home I took oils, rags, and thread, shoving everything and
anything in my bag. I then ran out of the house and down the street to Marias, my
mothers closest friend. Maria had cared for Aaron and I ever since my parents
died. She practiced medicine as well. Knowing she would know what to do I
barged in and explained to her what happened. In a matter of seconds we were
already out the door running back down the street. Inside the bakery I rushed to
Aarons side. As I pressing the cloth onto his back he let out a scream of pain.
Tears started to fall like rain while I stood there watching, feeling useless. You
wont help him just standing there will you? Maria said impatiently.
I guess not.
Stop crying love, he needs you right now, be strong, She said with a
gentle voice.
The first thing I did was grab a rag out of my bag with a small bottle of
cinnamon, thieves, and a sponge. Mixing the cinnamon in water along with
thieves, I covered his back in order to clean out the wounds. He cried out over and
over until I finally covered every inch of his skin. Im not going to lie to you this
is going to hurt. Im going to wash the mix off your back off your back alright?

All he could do was shake his head as tears poured down his dirty face. I
could almost see the pain searing through his body. Here, bite down on this,
Maria said holding a rag to his mouth while I got the rags ready.
Lightly, I placed the wet cloth on his back and began to wash and scrub the
mix of his back. Shrieks and screams filled the room and my hands began to shake
rapidly. I cant do it, I said and my voice cracked.
You have to, I cant switch now, and hes losing it you have to hurry! She
said in a panic.
Looking down, I finished washing his back and soon the last of the mix
was off his back. Its almost like he ran out of tears to cry and all he could manage
was a small sniffle. Hes extremely dehydrated, said Maria.
Ill get him a glass of water.
Retuning to the other room I took out a cup. Exhausted, I filled it with the
little water that was left. As I lifted the glass to his lips he struggled to get down
anything. Hes lost a lot of blood. I dont know whats to come. It could be shock,
a coma, or even. Maria stopped.
By the look in her eyes I could tell what she meant, Aaron, my little
brother, my only family, might die and there wasnt a single thing in the world that
I could do about it. I feel so helpless! I screamed.
This isnt your fault, theres just not much we can do, but what we can do
is clean the wounds regularly, and hope that God doesnt call him yet, she
explained trying to comfort me.

Kneeling down by his side I started to sing an old lullaby that Ive sung to
him ever since he was born. Soon his eyes drifted off and he slept soundly. Mine
eventually did the same.
Wake up, Maria said tugging at my shirt.
Id fallen asleep in my chair. My eyes immediately locked on Aaron. He
was still asleep but the clothes on his back were now clean, the two water buckets
were full, and two loaves of bread were cut and ready to eat. Did you do all of
this? I asked Maria.
Yes.
Why didnt you wake me, I couldve helped you with some of this.
Claudia, you looked exhausted while you were asleep I wasnt about to
wake you.
I wish you wouldve. Hes my brother. I said softly caressing Aarons
cheek. I want to take care of him, My tone began to fall.
Ill wake you next time but you need to eat,
The bread tasted amazing, mostly because I hadnt eaten in almost twentyfour hours. My eyes widened as I realized the bakery had not sold a thing all day.
What about the customers! I completely forgot! I exclaimed with a panic.
Dont worry, I sold out all the bread that was baked and told them that we
are closed today. She assured me.
As I walking back over to Aaron, he opened his eyes and stared blankly.
Aaron, I said softly. How are you feeling?
Sore, he just barley managed to get his words out.

My head spun and tears rolled down my cheeks at the sight of my brother
in pain. Claudia? he said.
Yes Aaron, what is it? I managed to get out.
Please dont cry. Im fine, I promise, you dont have to worry.
I could hear the pain in his words. One hundred lashes for those who
disobey the orders of Pharaoh, but I doubt the soldier stopped a 100. There must be
at least fifty more, and it nearly killed him.
Claudia? Maria said breaking my thoughts.
Yes? I said confused. Sorry just lost in thought.
She looked at me and walked into the other room. All I can think about is
getting Aaron home so he didnt have to lie on the table, but I knew all to well
there was no way that was going to happen. It would be too painful and extremely
dangerous. Looking back down at him, his dull eyes closed. My mind wandered
and all I could think about was why, why did this have to happen? All of this, for
getting water out of the wrong part of the Nile. Its the same river; and it flowed
right down to our water hole anyway. My eyes blinked back to reality and Aaron
was still lying there motionless. Aaron? I said softly.
All that comes back is silence. Aaron? I say in panic. Aaron! I
screamed.
Marie raced into the room and rested her hand on his chest. Hes barely
breathing, he has an infection, she explained taking the rags off his back. Go get
more water from the river, She said and within seconds I was out the door.

Racing down the road with a bucket in my hand I jolted to a stop when I
realized where I was, I was right next to Pharaohs pool! Slowly I made my way
around the pool and down to the watering hole. The bucket was heavy as I lagged
along down the street. Many times I almost dropped the bucket but eventually I
made it back to the room in which my brother was laying almost lifeless. Whats
happened to him? I asked Maria panicked.
He went in to shock from loss of blood and infection, Maria paused,
Hes in a coma.
My heart began to beat faster and faster as the reality of it all fell on me
down like a ton of bricks, and I winced at the thought. Im not sure when or if he
will come out of it but all we can do is hope that he will. Dont lose hope, Maria
said reassuringly, He needs you to hold together.
Wiping away my tears, Maria wrapped her arms around me and I felt like I was
back in my mothers arms, its almost as if Im a little kid again, safe, and everything how
it used to be. My mind flashed back to reality and all my memories faded to the back of
my mind, yet still lingered, comforting me. Hold on to that. Maria said softly.
What? I asked confused.
Youre remembering something, something good. Remember it hold on to
it. Itll push you through. Her voice was comforting.
I wiped away the last few tears that fell and watched helplessly as Aaron lay
motionless on the bread table. The bakery cant be closed for much longer, we can make
a bed for Aaron in the back and try to move him. I dont want to hurt him. Fear has
begun to set in.

I fell back not wanting to believe anything. Tears rolled down my face and
the world seemed like it was spinning. I felt my eyes drifting off and soon it was
dark.
My eyes flashed open. Id fallen asleep; yet Aaron was still lying on his
back breathing low. Standing up I walked over to get a drink of water. As I reached
down and filled my cup a soft voice came from behind me. Claudia? I could just
barley hear my name.
But this time Maria wasnt the one talking.