The scorching Egyptian sun tattoos my dry and brittle skin. The dirty rags I wear day after day compare to my physical and emotional distress, which is restrained because my fear of being battered to a pulp. For I am conquered by my enemies, as if I were a canine tamed by a feline. I only have one task, to mount mud bricks all day, in the blistering heat. I shrug and squeal like a pig out of pain and mal-nutrition. My weak neck, back and knees bend, when reaching for mortar. I glare at the countless grains of sand beneath my feet. Red liquid drains down my back. The openings on my skin are still vulnerable to infection. These fresh wounds from the torturous whip, will not reside. The gashes spread open widely and yet again the thoughts of previous beatings storm my mind. Showers of excruciating pain flood my body and soul. Blood then drips into the sand. I ask G-d quietly to myself, with tears pouring down my face, \"why us? Your people? Why?\" I receive no reply. So, I continue to work, but my eyes begin to wander. I notice that my people whisper sneakily to each other, but I cannot make out what they are saying. I then see my dear friend Yona with a smirk on his face. He strides cautiously towards me, holding raw material to drop suspicion. I was given the message to do something by the command of G-d and Moses. I must slaughter an unblemished lamb, then smear it\'s blood on my doorpost. Salvation approaches and suddenly the feelings of suffering drifts away. The savages that call us animals continue with their acts of cruelty towards my people. They try and take away all the positive we contain in our lives, yet we are unaffected. For we know G-d is on our side.
We rush hastily to our primitive huts; we call \"home.\" My stomach growls, I feel the acid inside me eating away at the walls of my stomach. I ignore it and continue to spread the blood upon my doorpost. The vital fluid that I bestow is only a tiny fraction of what will be spilled tonight. I stand at my door, looking into the sky. My eyes reflect, illumination from the serene gray celestial body. The moon contains its location for it has nothing to worry about. The daily stress of waking up does not affect the peaceful star. For that is its duty. A harsh breeze pushes away the angelic clouds, like the wind forcing tumbleweed down a long lonesome road. I notice something moving above me. A dark shadow passes over the homes of my people and I rush inside the humble aboad. My spouse and children cry and grasp me tightly. I lead them to the nearest corner. We rest on our fragile knees, huddling and muttering blessings under our breaths. The horrific screams echo throughout every home in Egypt. Although, they are our enemies, we do not rejoice that people are dying. My eardrums hurt from shrieks exerted by the firstborns. Suddenly, complete silence. I can only hear the asperous respiration from my family. We raise our heads, stare at each other and know that we are now free.
