The Voice Within

Chapter 21: London, May 2nd 2011

The hours and days that followed seemed to pass by in a series of nightmarish episodes as he slipped in and out of consciousness. He knew he was in hospital. In lucid moments he could see that there was a police guard in his room and he was aware of being shackled to the bed.

His left side ached and his arm felt as if it had been ripped from his torso. He wanted to speak to Julia but she wasn't there. He slipped into delirium.

He was floating – like the time he'd fallen drunkenly into the dock. The pain receded and he was suspended between time and space.  He was at peace and felt in no hurry to leave. Then voices – echoes. Distant at first, but then closer. A woman's voice – soft, like a whisper.

"Things are not as they seem. Listen."

"I am listening."

"Listen with an open mind."

Her words embraced him like a warm tide gently lapping at his battered body – soothing, caressing, comforting. Her presence no longer troubled him. He felt at peace in this ethereal in-between, timeless world. Relieved of the pain imposed on his mortal self, his mind seemed to float across an ocean of mist that spanned other times, other places – hidden to him now but tantalisingly within reach.

"The future," she whispered as her breath teased his ear. "Just look to the past." 

"Douglas – wake up. Can you hear me?"

His peace was shattered by piercing light and the discordant intrusion of brusque medical voices.

"You're in hospital. Do you understand where you are?"

Then a sweeter, softer voice.

"It's me, darling – Julia. Can you hear me?"

His eyes flickered open and he was staring into her eyes. She smiled and kissed his forehead.

"What happened?"

"You were shot – in the arm. The wound became infected. But you're going to be OK. You've been delirious."

"Was anyone else hurt?"

Julia paused, her face looking drained.

"Aleena's father – the same bullet. It went right through you and hit him." Doug stared at her uncomprehendingly.

"The bullet killed him. Went straight into his chest."

"Who fired?"

"We don’t know. At first, the police thought I did it. When they arrived I was the only one left standing. They spent two days interrogating me."

"What about that Imam? Didn't they get him?"

"He escaped. From the description that Hakim gave the police they think they know who he is. He's not from the Muslim community at all. He's English and he was born in Bolton. But he claims to have converted and now runs an extremist group which recruits from universities and colleges. It seems that Hakim was one of his converts."

"So what about Nick and Aleena – are they safe?"

Julia breathed deeply and squeezed his hand.

"They haven't been found. The police think they were either kidnapped again or they made a run for it."

"Why would they run away?"

"Fear of being caught. Fear of punishment for bringing shame on Aleena's family."

"And Hakim?"

"The police have him. He's in custody – apparently inconsolable. He says he only intended to frighten Aleena – not to harm her."