C H A P T E R
47
- H a m s a -
"THIS IS AN ARMED RAID," says the voice booming on the microphone out on the street.
Gunshots break like thunderclaps above us, and everyone in the room screams.
Zeina jumps into my arms and Lana is quick to engulf her kids into her arms.
"REMAIN IN YOUR RESIDENCES. ANYONE LEAVING THEIR PREMISES WILL BE SHOT ON SIGHT. REMAIN IN YOUR POSITIONS UNTIL COLLECTED FOR QUESTIONING."
Lamees and I exchange bewildered looks.
The memory of what happened ten years ago burns bright in mind.
The red lights seeping into the living room through the shutters, the sirens blaring in our ears, the screams, and the fear so thick you can smell it in the air--all too familiar.
"ANYBODY HANDLING A WEAPON WILL BE SHOT WITHOUT QUESTION."
"What is going on?" Madame Moneera asks, clasping a hand over her mouth.
"ANYONE AIDING OR HARBORING AN INSURGENT WILL FACE BRUTAL CHARGES. REPEAT, THIS IS AN ARMED RAID..."
"The English are retaliating," I whisper.
Oh, how I wished Uncle Yusuf was lying this time too.
"What?" Lamees asks, her voice shaking.
There is no time to explain to them what is going on.
"We have to get out of here!" I cross the room to the hamper by the front door to get my Abaya and scarf.
"Didn't you hear the guards saying to stay put," Yusra says, arms wrapped tight around herself.
The red lights paint all their terrified faces, making them look like a scene from one of my nightmares.
"I heard and I'm not about to wait for their questioning."
I toss Yusra and Lana their Abayas and Lamees her head scarf. They catch them, staring at me, mouths slacked.
"If we stay here, they'll just attack us and who knows what else they'll do..." I trail off, my gaze drifting to the kids.
Hani takes Zeina's hands, both shaking with fear.
Oh my Allah, please let Fatima make it home safely.
"You have to go through the tunnels, and get out in the woods. Far away from here."
Nobody moves, and I rush to the storage room under the stairs. The door is jammed and I have to use force to open it.
Inside, dust covers everything. I haven't been in here since Anas' birthday. Boxes fill the room and there is one where the door to the underground tunnel is.
"Yusra, give me a hand!"
She is quickly by my side and together we move the box to the side and yank the ground door open. It creaks and disapproves the movement.
"Hamsa, are you sure about this?" Yusra asks me, shrugging on her abaya.
"I am not sure about anything, but I know staying here and doing nothing is not an option," I say, pinching my lips.
Outside, nobody has moved and I snap at them to get dressed. Then I run to the kitchen, and rummage through the cupboards until I find Yahiya's hiding spot for dad's rifle.
I don't know how to operate the thing and just the mere feeling of it under my fingers scares the hell out of me.
I tighten my hold on it, swallowing my fear down and return to the living room, where everyone gasps once they see the weapon I'm holding.
"Hamsa! What are you going to do with that?" Lamees exclaims.
I don't answer her, because I don't know.
"The tunnel runs under the province, just like the one at your home," I tell her, treading across the room. "Lead them all to safety and I'll find you there."
"What?" Lana exclaims, eyes buldging out.
I puff my chest, stealing myself. I can't show them how scared I am.
"You're not coming with us?" Madame Moneera asks.
"No, I have to find Yahiya and Zayn."
"Hamsa! You can't step out that door without being shot," Yusra says.
I smile, but even I am not fooled by the feeble attempt at confidence. "Don't underestimate my talent at evading the English guards. Now move before it's too late."
I usher them into the tunnels and they move reluctantly.
"Take care of yourself," Lamees says, hugging me, I don't miss the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Fe Aman Allah," I say and then I close the door behind my friends, just like my parents did ten years ago.
My hands are shaking furiously, but I clutch the rifle harder and move painstakingly towards the front door.
"STAY IN YOUR RESIDENCES. ANYONE LEAVING THEIR PREMISES WILL BE SHOT ON SIGHT."
In defiance I yawn the door open, ignoring the feverish throb at my neck.
Remembering my parents, I try not to shake. I'm sure they didn't tremble, didn't cower at the end.
Not that this is my end. I have to get to Yahiya and Zayn, I need their help.
We need to stop Talal and his men before their madness ruins us all.
So with a deep breath I dart out the door and start running like I've never ran before.
*
I have a confession to make.
My original plan was to kill Hamsa at the end of this story... buuuttt I've really grown to love her and can't bear the thought of writing such a chapter... so rest assured she won't die like her parents did ^.^
Aha! Thoughts on the chapter?
What do you think is going to happen next?
YOU ARE READING
The Girl in The Green Scarf
Spiritualظ "Green, don't die on me! I can't lose you too.ً" °~•~° Hamsa Tahir is free-willed, she's bold, she's stubborn. And she's a Muslim. Her parents were killed in the English invasion of their country, and ever since, she lived her life vehemently hati...
