The Evil Of Man

Catherine Price had always dreamt of her prince charming whisking her away for a fairy tail wedding and to live happily ever after in some far away paradise. When she met Khaldun Tanura she believed she had finally met her prince charming and that all of it would come true. Khaldun was over in California to visit his cousins as one of them where getting married. It was when he was out shopping for a wedding present that Catherine bumped in to him, literally. Catherine helped him to pick up the gift he had dropped.


“I’m sorry.” she said. As there eyes met she felt a spark hit her she knew this was the man she wanted to be with. He smiled and asked her if she could tell him a good place to eat as she was giving him directions he stoped her and asked her to join him. It was the start of the rest of her life. It was a pletonik relationship to start with but as the months grew so did her love for him so much so that she sold her costal home and all her belongings to move over to Saudi Arabia just to be near him. Six months had passed from her first meeting him to moving over there.



The day she landed he was there to meet her off the plane and take her straight to his house. They had talked about marriage before he had returned home four months back she had no idea however that it had all been arranged for the following day. When she awoke Khaldun’s 2 sisters and his mother where there to talk her threw the service and to help her to get ready. For all she didn’t understand everything that was being said she didn’t care she was marring her prince but the honeymoon period would soon be over. The service was held in a beautiful mosque in the city of Medina not far from Khaldun’s home village. Not long after they got back to there detached house Catherine could sense everything had changed. She knew that purdah was part of his religion and culture and because of her love for him she was willing to respect his wishes and cover up fully from head to toe when going out although as the months rolled on the amount of times she was allowed out of the house were fewer and fewer. Her fairytale end was starting to change into a nightmare. If he wanted something done it had to be done there and then and to the standard he wanted. At first if there was something wrong he would explain carefully but as time went on the explaining changed to shouting which was quickly followed by physical punishment to varying degrees. At first it was just a quick slap across the face but this altered to being beaten by a belt. As days turned into months Khaldun started to spend more time away in the city sometimes even stopping over night. Catherine dared not to leave the home on these days in case someone told him she had been out and she would be punished instead she would spend all day and most of the night making sure everything was spotless and in the exact same spot as when he left not even a fraction of a millimetre out would be good enough. It was on one day when Khaldun was in Medina that there was a knock on there door. Catherine hesitated not sure whether to open the door or just to ignore it. If she ignored it she may get punished for being insolent and ignoring his friends but at the same time if she did answer it she may be accused of wanting to be with whom ever it was. As she contemplated what to do she heard a voice out side the door.

“Min fadilak (please).” Catherine stood a look of relief on her face at the sound of a female voice. She opened the door “ibna (daughter) saadni (help me)”. The woman stood in front of her said as she grabbed Catherine’s arm and dragged her into the house next door. When Catherine got into the house the young girl was laid on the floor having some kind of fit. Catherine rushed across to try and hold her till some medical help came. She looked at the mother.

“doctor.” she shouted unsure as to if the mother would understand the mother seemed to understand and ran off down the street towards the doctors. Catherine sat there trying to hold the girl still so she would not hurt herself she was totally unaware that she was not properly covered. It wasn’t until the girl’s father walked in with a shocked look on his face.

“What go on?” he said in broken English.

“Your daughter is ill your wife came to me for help I sent her for a doctor.” It was at this point Catherine realised why the man looked so shocked. At the sound of his wife shouting he looked down the street and saw his wife followed by the doctor.

“Come.” he said rushing into the house and grabbing Catherine’s arm. “You may not seen like this.” he said dragging her into the bedroom. He rushed over to a set of draws at the far side. “Quick” he said throwing one of his wife’s gowns and veils at her “cover”. Catherine thanked him as he left the room. Once Catherine was fully covered she left the bedroom and made her way back into the sitting room where the doctor was looking at the young girl. Within minutes a cab arrived to take the girl and her mother to hospital followed by the doctor in his car. “Thank you” the father said. “Doctor said had waited longer she would be with Allah.”

“Your welcome” Catherine smiled from behind the veil. She bowed slightly as she left the house just to come face to face with her husband.

“What are you doing out of the house?” he snapped. The father stepped out from behind Catherine and began to talk very fast to Khaldun. Catherine could not understand what was being said but she could tell her husband was not happy and that the other man was trying to explain and to get her out of trouble. After what seemed like hours to Catherine the father returned to his home shutting the door behind him. Khaldun looked at Catherine. “get in here now” he snapped holding the door open. Once both were in he slammed it shut so hard that Catherine was sure she could feel the walls and floor shake. “Why did you leave?” Catherine went to answer just to be cut off by yet more questions. “Were you not told to stay in this house and work?” Catherine started to shake as his voice grew louder. “are other people’s families more important than your own?” He stared to walk towards her. “Well?” he snapped. “Am I less important to you than the people next door?” He stood right in front of her he was at least a foot taller than Catherine who started to shrink down to the floor in fear.

“no.” she whispered in a timid voice.

“I can not here you woman are they more important than me?”

“No” she said louder. “You are the most important thing in my life” she said starting to stand up. “It was just…”

“Insolent woman” he snapped bringing his open hand across her face. “Did I tell you to speak?” With tears in her eyes and her hand clasped over her cheek Catherine stood shaking her head.

“No sir” she replied trying hard to hold the tears from showing. Khaldun walked out of the room Catherine still apprehensive as to what was going to happen next stood perfectly still waiting to receive her orders. Khaldun walked back in with a smile on his face which worried Catherine. it was rear he smiled now days so she was unsure as to what exactly was going on.

“I have a surprise for you.” Khaldun said still smiling. “come” he said holding out his hand Catherine took his hand as he led her out to the back of the house there stood in the yard was a large kennel and chained to it a large Alsatian cross bread. “Do you like it my dear? I thought you might like a friend for when I am away.” Catherine smiled at Khaldun maybe her prince was still in there somewhere.

“I love it” she said. “What’s the dog’s name?”

“He dose not have one yet why don’t you name him.”

“I think I shall call him Ted. After all he looks a bit like a cuddly teddy bear”

“I’m glad you said that last bit.” Catherine look at Khaldun not sure what he meant by his last comment. “you see my dear, because of you insolents and disobeying me where leaving the house is concerned you will not be sleeping with me for at least a week and as we only have one bed and I am not giving it up you will be sleeping here with your new friend teddy the dog”. Khaldun started to walk away leaving Catherine stunned at where she would have to sleep for the next few nights. As Khaldun went to shut the door from somewhere Catherine found her voice.

“If I had not disobeyed you a young girl would have died.” Khaldun stopped, holding the door half open half shut. Had this woman not learnt anything he thought to himself not used to knowing a woman so strong minded.



As a child growing up in a very religious family he had been taught that women were lesser than men and should there for do as there masters told them. His father, like his father before him, and his father before him, was a preacher and so quotes and passages from the book of Quran were drummed into him as they hoped that not only would he take there names Khaldun Tanura but that he would also follow and become a preacher. Even from a young age he was taught to command respect from all women and at the age of seven, when his mother stopped him from going to play in the street, he had started to take the control. Upon his father returning that night he told him of how his mother had disrespected his wishes. This was the night he was taught how to punish a woman for her insolence and disrespect this was the first time he punished a member of his family however it would not be the last. That night the boy became a man and a woman was put in the hospital by her over zealous son who was trying to please his father. His father over the next few years helped to improve his technique on punishment to leave little if any marks visible once this was mastered he would help his father punish both his mother and his two sisters for years to come.



Now here stood before him a woman, whom he knew loved and respected him, stood before him speaking when she was not spoken to trying hard to put across the point that she was justified in her actions to disobey him. For all part of him agreed that she did the right thing she had disobeyed him and must be shown that she had done wrong. Khaldun opened the door fully.

“Come inside.” he said a look of sadness on his face. Catherine prayed quietly to herself as she followed his command and approached the door she hoped that she had got threw to him and that she would be forgiven she could see in his face that he loved her and she knew deep down he must know that she was right but as the door closed behind her and she turned to look at her husband all her hopes vanished as she saw him removing his belt from his trousers. “Take off your clothes.” he commanded her, a slight hint of sorrow in his voice, she looked at him frozen unable to move unable to follow his request. “I said strip woman.” He shouted grabbing at the front of her gown and ripping it slightly. Catherine as quickly as she could took off her robe and veil. “And those” he said pointing to her underwear Catherine did as she was told. “Now turn.” No sooner had Catherine turned her back to her husband the broad leather belt came crashing down across her pail soft skin ripping it with a sickening noise knocking her off her feet. As she lay on the floor screaming in pain the belt returned again to her back and again until the pain became too much and she lost consciousness.



It was 5 hours latter when she woke. As she opened her eyes there sat on the floor inches from her face staring was Khaldun.

“You’re awake good.” he said and threw a quilt at her. Catherine sat up and rapped it around her shoulders for all her back was sore she wondered why the quilt was not making it sting. “I tended to your cuts while you were asleep.” Khaldun smiled at her Catherine tried hard to smile back. “Can you stand?” he asked.

“I think so.” she replied timidly.

“Good” he said standing up and making his way to the back door. He opened it “off you go to bed then” Catherine look at him surly he didn’t want her to sleep out there after the beating he had just given her and even if he hadn’t beaten her surly she would be aloud to dress first.

“But my clothes?” she said weekly.

“The dog dose not wear clothes. You should think yourself honoured I have given you this blanket if you wish I can take that back to.” he said his eyes burning deep down into her soul but not in a good way.

“No sir. Thank you.” she said bowing her eyes as she walked bare foot and naked, except for the quilt she had wrapped around her, out into the yard. Khaldun watched as she went into the garden.

“In you go.” he said gesturing for her to go into the kennel which she did. As he closed and locked the door behind her and switched off the light Catherine began to cry. Ted was there in an instant licking her face and whimpering.

“Oh Ted” she said to the dog. “How have I let this happen?” Wrapping her arms around what now seemed to be her only friend in this cruel harsh country she buried her face into his black mattered fur and slowly began to fall asleep.



It had been just over a week and she was back in the house things seemed to be like before. He was going off to work but coming home every night. He was starting to treat her like a wife and not a slave and even brought her some flowers a couple of times. As the day rolled on Catherine thought the worst was behind her maybe her sleeping outside and loosing consciousness that first night had made him think that maybe he was pushing her to far. After a while Khaldun started to allow her out every Wednesday to go for a walk. Walking was one thing she had always loved to do and had missed. It was when she was on one of her walks when she bumped into her neighbours the woman started to talk.

“My wife says thank you.” the man translated,

“Please tell her you are both more than welcome.” Catherine tried hard to smile.

“Were you punished?” the man asked.

“A little” she replied “but then I had disobeyed him and had to be taught right from wrong”

“I think you know that” the man answered. “I read the book of Quran but I do not believe that women are as low as it says. I believe they are not as strong and should look after the house but I don’t believe that to hit a woman will make her do as you wish willingly.” Catherine’s smile behind the veil grew larger as she looked curiously at the man. “My name is Dawud” he said holding his hand out.

“I’m Catherine.” she replied.

“pleased.” he said as he shook her hand. “this is my wife Abeer and daughter who you saved Zaina” Catherine shook both there hands. “My ways must seem strange to you?” the man continued. “My father died when I was young so I was raised by my mother and her sister. I was taught that women are as important as men.” Catherine smiled at least one man in this country seemed nice she thought to herself. Suddenly the young girl said something. “She wishes to give you as thank you.” he translated as the girl held out a book. At first Catherine wasn’t sure then when she had a closer look her face lit up it was in English it was one of her favourites ‘Beauty and the Beast’. “We look every where for book you can read we hope you like.”

“Oh I do. Thank you.” she said hugging the young girl. She stayed for a while with the family she liked being with them for all the only one she understood and who could understand her was the father it was nice to be with what she would class as a nearly normal family. His thoughts and beliefs on women might not be as up to date as the once where she came from but at least they weren’t as caveman like as the rest in this country. Catherine looked at the watch on her wrist one luxury from her past her husband had allowed her to keep. She knew that he would not like the idea of her getting a gift from someone who was not him and if he found out it was something from her past as well he would go ballistic, but she wanted this little piece of home for her own sanity as well as the fact it was a gift from a young girl who had looked everywhere for it. Catherine looked once more at her watch if she left now she could get home and find somewhere to hide the book that her husband would not think of.



For a week the book had gone unfound by Khaldun. Every day when he went to work she would remove it from its hiding place and read it; it reminded her a bit of her story only in her life the beast did not turn into a prince, the prince turned into a beast. It was when Khaldun’s family was over for a meal that his sister happened to notice it. Catherine’s face dropped when she brought it in.

“What this?” Khaldun’s father snapped.

“It is her one thing from her home father.” Khaldun replied.

“Fool how will she learn if you let her have things like this.” he said ripping it in half.

“No.” Catherine cried out. This was her biggest mistake and after she had done it all eyes fell upon her.

“What you going to do?” Khaldun’s father asked staring at his son who in turn got up and went into the bedroom. Within minutes he had returned with not one but two large belts.

“Please sirs have mercy?” Catherine begged as he handed one to his father who in turn got up and moved slowly towards Catherine who was on her knees begging for mercy.

“I show you mercy.” Khaldun’s father snapped as he raised the belt bringing it down hard across Catherine’s thigh. Khaldun also raised his belt which connected with her arm. Screaming Catherine tried to roll out of the way or at least to get some kind of cover. Whack one of the belts connected with the side of her face ripping the flesh and sending her flying backwards her head banging against the marble floor.

“Father.” Khaldun said in shock “you taught me to be careful.”

“That is for our women my son these white women need more discipline they need to know who is the master. We shall not stop for at least an hour.” An hour Catherine tried to pull herself around to get up and run but the blows were coming to fast and to hard with in minutes she was unconscious although this did not stop the vicious attack by the two men who continued to beat at the lifeless bloody body that lay on the ground. When Catherine awoke she found that she was tied to a post. This was not her house and she did not recognise it. It was then she heard voices not that of men but of women when she tried to focus she could make out two silhouettes of women who came across.

“We here to help you go” one woman said. “he will not hurt you again”. They untied her arms and she immediately dropped to the floor. Every part of her body ached and was sore even the inside. The two women grabbed her one under each arm and led her out of the door. The door they went threw was an exit to some small hut out in the middle of nowhere the bright light beating down from the sun was blinding her as they left the building they took her a few meters into the desert out of sight of the hut. “You must go that way” one of the women pointed.

“There are your people there they will help you. We must go tell no one we helped or we will be killed,” the other one said as they ran off back the way they had dragged her. It was then that she realised who they were. one was Khaldun’s oldest sister and the other her neighbour whose daughter she had helped. Trying to stand she pointed her body in the direction the women had told her. she had only gone three steps when she again collapsed. Concussed and confused she crawled each drag taking every bit of strength she had in her. She had crawled for seven hours in that one direction night had set in and she was shaking but she would not quit. She heard voices in the distance and somehow managed to find her voice.

“Help” she shouted. she didn’t care if they were murderers or friends being dead would be better than living like this. “Help” she shouted again. This time she was heard and four silhouettes headed towards her. She could see by the way they walked they were men so at first she was apprehensive as if to continue. With every ounce of strength she had left in her body she stood up. “I’m American” she said befor collapsing again.

“Quick fetch a streatcher” came a familier accent. it was that of what she could now see was an American soldier with a sigh of relief Catherine closed her eyes.



It was 37hours before Catherine again opened her eyes she. could hear the nurses in the distance talking about the foreign object they had removed from inside her and realised this is why she had felt so sore. It was then that she saw him out the corner of her eye. Her little brother stood in the door way.

“I’m looking for my sister” he said to one of the nurses. As he approached the bed Catherine began to tremble afraid of what he might say and do. “Catty” he said softly to the brused and battered woman in frount of him who had backed herself right up against the wall. “Catty” he said again softly. “It’s ok Kitty Cat I’m here to look after you no one will hurt you again.” he said holding out his hand. Slowly Catherine took hold of her little brother’s hand and just sat for a while before burying her head into his chest and emotionally falling apart. All that fear all that sorrow and all that anger became too much and she had to be sedated. Sat beside her bed he could not believe what had happened gone was the fit robust girl who had entered the army when he was just 15 and had given him the strength to find the right path. There instead laid a rag doll all skin and bones no piece of skin unmarked.