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WARNING!! : Explicit content. Contains strong language and depictions of violence.
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As the trio went into the pipes, Aman's brain started to churn. He started imagining scenarios in his head and what could convince the two to side with him. He felt sick and nauseated. He decided to try and convince them one last time. He stopped and turned around.
Hey guys I need to talk about something. you see... we should...
Before he could complete his sentence he got punched right in the face. He fell down to the ground and Hamza climbed on top of him.
Arif grab his legs (Arif did as he was told). Listen to me, you coward. Lieutenant told us not to talk to you. We will not listen to anything you say. Next time you stop; I will shoot you (He said shoving the muzzle of his rifle into Aman's face). Now get up and start moving.
Aman got up, wiped his face and started to move. They kept moving for a while in utter silence. By now, Aman had made up his mind. He was going to kill them but he somehow needed to take the rifles out of their hands. He decided to execute a scenario he had planned.
I have American chocolate (He said without turning or slowing down). Mehwish aapa gave them to me. She told me to share it with you guys. The American guy in the suit...he brought them for the captain and his family. Each of these chocolates cost over 1000 Syrian pounds.
You are lying, bloody coward. Now shut up and keep moving.
I am not. I was going to give them to you earlier but you guys didn't even let me finish speaking and beat me.
Where are they?
In my pocket.
Arif, grab his hands. I will check his pockets (Arif did as he was told and Hamza took out the chocolate from Aman's pocket).
We will eat while moving. The Lieutenant has forbidden us to stop (Hamza breaks a part of the chocolate and gives it to Arif). Keep moving coward (He kicks Aman from behind and Arif giggles).
Hamza this chocolate is the tastiest thing you have ever eaten. right?... right?
Yes for sure. (He turns towards Aman) What are you doing coward? Start moving already!
But I also want to eat the chocolate
Cowards do not get chocolate. Now move or I will shoot.
Ok ok, I am moving, I am sorry. Please don't shoot. You guys enjoy the chocolate I don't want any. But I also have one more thing.
What thing?
It's called strawberries. They will make this chocolate taste 10 times tastier.
Strawballies? It will make chocolate 10 times tastier? (Arif could not contain his excitement)
Yes. They are a type of fruit. you have...
Shut up. Give them to us.
(Aman gives them two strawberries each) Now you have to take the chocolate in one hand and two strawberries in another and eat them together.
Arif and Hamza look at each other with a bit of skepticism but eventually do as Aman says (They put their rifles down and copy what Aman just told them). They completely stuff their little mouths with the chocolate and strawberries.
This was the moment Aman had been waiting for. By now their eyes had adjusted to the darkness and they were able to see just a little but it was enough. He swung his rifle and hit Hamza right on the mouth. He fell down and started to choke as the mouthful of food went right into his windpipe. He immediately trained the gun at Arif who was frozen at the turn of events. Unable to react fast enough he left the thought of going for his rifle and tried to lunge at Aman but wasn't fast enough. Aman was ready. He had already disengaged the safety of his rifle and shot Arif right in the chest. He fell down like an empty sack and died immediately.
This was the first time Aman had shot a person. He had fired his rifle in battles twice before but had never been able to hit anybody. His stomach felt like it would turn inside out and he wanted to puke but he somehow managed to hold it in and turned towards Hamza who was coughing wildly and gasping for air. He knew what he had to do. He had no time to waste. He shot the groveling Hamza in the back of his head, stuffed his pockets with the chocolates and berries, threw down his rifle and backpack, and started to head towards the exit point as fast as he could.
He had won only half the battle. The next part was even trickier. It was a coin flip at best. His only hope of surviving was to reach his exit faster than any of the other teams, hope they would not shoot him on sight, and warn them of the upcoming attack to gain any kind of favor or mercy. The pipes became narrower and now he had to move on all fours. He completely scraped the skin off of his elbows and knees but that didn't slow him down. It was a race against time. A race for survival.
He had not heard any explosions by the time he reached his exit point. He climbed up as fast as he could and opened the lid. The sunlight blinded him and he almost dropped the lid on his head. He opened his shirt and started waving it and shouting to attract attention. Soon a stream of soldiers came rushing out of their tents. A couple of them grabbed him and put him face-first onto the ground. He kept screaming attack coming! attack coming! move away from the pipeline!
The officer on the scene seemed confused and asked his soldiers to sit the boy up. He ordered Aman to explain. But before he could answer, the sound of an explosion echoed through the camp and everyone stood up in a panic. Two more explosions followed soon after.
(Aman screamed as hard as he could) Move away from the drains. Bombs coming!
The officer realized what he was saying and immediately sprung into action. He ordered his men to move away from the pipes and to relay the message to the rest of the army. He asked the soldiers to secure the boy and put him in his jeep. He went into a nearby tent to make some calls, came out, started the vehicle, and headed straight for the command center.
By this point, Aman was dizzy and dehydrated. He had not eaten anything all day and his vision had started to become blurred. He heard a few more explosions ring out in the distance but they grew fainter. He was blacking out but he had a smile on his face because he knew he had won this battle. He would get to at least plea for his life. However small, he was going to get another chance to keep living.