"Do you know what I find funny, Calix," Demetrius said, as he handed Calix a square stone
     Calix grabbed a stone and climbed inside the huge fire heath, lining the inside with stone bricks. "No, what?"
     "Your name," Demetrius said, followed by a laugh. "It means handsome, but you are one ugly guy." The rest of the crew of five laughed.
     Calix popped his knuckles, and wiped the black sooth off his forehead with the sleeve of his tunic. "Ha ha, funny man." Calix ignored the commit. He found it was better to laugh with them and crack jokes backs. It helped pass the time. Since the Romans had invaded the their homeland several centuries ago they all had found themselves as being slaves. Each had a small business of vendors and had borrowed money and faulted on the loans, and now here they were building temples across the Roman empire. Calix didn't know about the rest, but he owed the roman's another five of service.
     "Cheer up Calix," Demetrius said, we could be dead.
     "True."
     "Come on now, cheer up and hand this up there. These temples aren't going to build themselves." and passed Calix a stone, and he passed to the man in front of him.
     "One day i'll be free," Calix mumbled, not realizing he said it out loud.
     "One day indeed," Demetrius said, passing another stone.
     "Huh?"
     "One day indeed I said, you'll b free, but not if you don't pass this stone."
     "Yeah one day." Calix replied. One day would be a long time.
     "One way you can look at your time here," Demetrius said. "is to know that two thousand years from after we have turned to dust these temples will stand proudly." (Five Minute Timer)
     Calix inhaled, breathing black soot up his nose. "Good point."
     "Come one cheer up, you're only eighteen. What is five years?"

     Calix knew Demetrius was right, there was no running. He had gotten himself into this mess all because he failed to take responsibility for actions, and became a slave. Deep down he knew his soul was free, and if he worked hard he would earn his freedom. And sure enough after five years, just as his master had promised, released Calix from his debt. Times were tough when he was released. he had no money, no home, and no family. he brought shame upon his father and his father refused to welcome him back into his house. Calix found himself alone in a world ruled by a ruthless empire, but he hung in there and used his imagination. It took another three years to get back on his feet, and another four years to become a Roman citizen, and another two years till he finally had another successful business and owned fruit stands and vendors all over Rome. He died a rich man and brought prosperity to his family name, and the day he died he asked to be carried to Saepta Julia and he look out across the court yard at the almighty Pantheon he had help build with his hands, and looked around with his keen eye, thinking how a lowly Greek boy had become a Roman citizen of the greatest Empire on Earth and he had been apart of it, knowing all temples were made by hands.

Note:
     I had a hard time with this today. usually mind is on fire, rambling at hundred miles per hour, but today, it just wasn't there, so I apologize for not having anything better. I wish I could write master pieces everyday, but you can win them all.

     I have always been fascinated with the Roman empire, and one day I hope I can get to go see and visit the places I have read about. I hope my facts are correct, if not, my mistake. And I have no idea if the Pantheon had fire Hearths (Fire Places) in it or not, I just assume they had to keep it warm inside somehow, if not, my mistake. But that is beauty about fiction, writers can lie and get away with it.

     But I do believe if we keep pushing through hard times we can come out on top. The trick is never give up. Anything is possible.

     I made no editing attempts, just corrected misspelled words. For lack of a name, I just called it the temple.

I want to give Thanks to @mariannewest for the freewrite challenge.

Follow. Upvote. Resteem.
@shanedustin

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