The Girl in The Green Scarf

F o r t y - o n e

C H A P T E R

41

- S e b a s t i a n -

"And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running."
-Allah (SWT).

Why am I doing this again?

If you remember God he will remember you. Hamsa's voice whispers in my ears. And I really need Him to remember me at the moment; I'm so lost it feels like I'm drowning.

My finger hovers over the mouse pad, and finally with a frustrated grunt I press on download. A window pops up on the screen.

Downloading Audio of the Holy Qur'an with English translation, ninety seconds remaining.

Take all the time you need pal, it's not like I am going anywhere.

A commotion out in the hallway grabs my attention-Alex is giving the guards standing at my door a hard time again. I have to give it to him; he's determined and resourceful.

"-But Mr. Holden, Mr. Walsh isn't allowed out of his room without authorization from General Walsh."

"Authorization my arse. Bash has to come downstairs this instant."

My heart aches for Alex really. He hasn't gone a day without trying to figure out a way to get me out. But Father isn't mucking about this time. He doesn't want me anywhere near the factories province, so he ordered guards to be at my door 24/7.

I agreed to this willingly; it was either this or be banished to London. At least this way there's a chance - no matter how slim - of meeting Hamsa again.

"We can only allow you to go in to talk to him, sir," the guard repeats his go-to answer for whenever Alex pesters them.

Alex releases his exasperation out on a groan. "I don't want to bloody talk to him! Just let him come downstairs for a couple minutes. Come on Spencer, I thought we were mates. I'm sure Uncle D won't tell you off for this!"

The desperation in Alex's voice gets me worried, and I shove the laptop aside, sitting upright in my bed. This isn't just about getting me out for an impromptu game of football or to sneak a bite in the kitchen behind Guy's back.

"Sir, if you're not going in, leave before I'm forced to report to General Walsh," Spencer says.

Alex curses, the sound foreign to me, and knocks a fist against the door. "Bash! What the hell, man? Do something about this. You have to come out, now!"

"Mr. Holden, don't waste your time with them. I'll take care of this. Head downstairs, try to manage the situation."

Theo's voice gets me out of my bed in a second, officially freaking out. What is going on? Why are they trying so hard to get me out? What is this situation?

"Hey Alex!" I exclaim.

He doesn't answer me or argue with Theo at all - which makes me all the more nervous . I hear his retreating footsteps thud in the hall.

"James come on, don't get started on this again."-this is the other guard-"You know the drill. Just move along and let us do the job assigned to us, please."

"I hate to get you into trouble, Canning. And I wouldn't be doing this if the situation wasn't dire." My ears perk up at the sound of keys jingling.

"Hey!"

"Where the hell did you get these?"

"You're going to get all our arses whipped if you do this James!"