The silence of the night was deafening, broken only by the occasional whisper of the desert wind. Ali sat cross-legged on the cold tiled floor of his cramped quarters, his mind racing. The flickering lightbulb above him cast a dim glow across the room, illuminating the scars on his hands—reminders of countless days of servitude. Tonight, he wasn't just a servant. He was a man with a plan.
Ever since Malick's betrayal weeks earlier, Ali had withdrawn into himself. The confrontation had left him emotionally shattered. Malick, the brother he once trusted with his life, was now a stranger—a ghost of the boy who had dreamed of freedom alongside him. Ali couldn't let that betrayal define him. He couldn't afford to dwell on it. His survival depended on his ability to look ahead.
His escape plan wasn't just a desperate bid for freedom; it was a carefully constructed web of alliances and risks. Sonia's absence had left a gaping void in his heart, but her final words to him echoed in his mind: "Don't let this place consume you." He couldn't let her sacrifice be in vain.
Across the room, the gardener, Yusuf, leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. His weathered face was a mask of determination, but his eyes betrayed his anxiety. Yusuf had been Ali's most reliable ally, his silent confidant in a world filled with deceit. Together, they had spent weeks mapping the estate's layout, studying guard patterns, and identifying weak spots in the security.
"We'll have a fifteen-minute window at most," Yusuf whispered, his voice barely audible. "The guards rotate shifts at midnight. That's when we move."
Ali nodded, his jaw tightening. "What about the others?"
Yusuf hesitated. "Not everyone's ready. Some are too scared, others… they don't trust you, Ali. After what happened with Malick…"
Ali's chest tightened. He couldn't blame them. Malick's betrayal had painted him as a liability in their eyes, someone who attracted danger. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "I don't need their trust," he said coldly. "I just need their cooperation."
Yusuf sighed, rubbing his temples. "And Sonia?"
Ali looked away, his throat tightening. Sonia's absence was a wound that refused to heal. He had searched for her in every corner of the estate, interrogated every servant, but it was as if she had vanished into thin air. The sheikh's wrath had been merciless after their failed escape attempt, and Ali feared the worst.
"She's alive," he said finally, his voice firm. "I have to believe that. And if she's here, I'll find her."
Yusuf didn't argue. Instead, he handed Ali a folded piece of paper. "The guard schedules. Memorize them. We won't get another chance like this."
Ali unfolded the paper, his eyes scanning the scribbled notes. The routes, timings, and blind spots were etched into his memory like scripture. Every detail mattered.
---
As the clock struck midnight, Ali and Yusuf crept through the shadows, their movements deliberate and precise. The estate was eerily quiet, the air heavy with tension. Yusuf led the way, his familiarity with the grounds guiding them past the guards.
They reached the first checkpoint—a narrow corridor lined with security cameras. Ali crouched low, his heart pounding as he worked on disabling the camera's feed. Yusuf stood watch, his gaze darting nervously between the corners.
"Hurry," Yusuf hissed.
Ali's hands worked quickly, his fingers trembling as he connected the wires to the small device he had smuggled in weeks earlier. With a soft click, the camera's red light blinked off. He exhaled sharply, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"One down," he muttered. "Let's move."
They slipped through the corridor and into the servant's wing, where the remaining escapees waited. Four figures emerged from the shadows—a mix of men and women, their faces pale with fear. Ali scanned their expressions, his eyes lingering on a young woman clutching a makeshift weapon.
"Stick to the plan," Ali whispered. "Stay together, stay quiet, and follow Yusuf. I'll handle the distractions."
One of the men, a burly figure named Ahmed, stepped forward. "Why should we trust you? You led Malick into this mess, and now look where we are."
Ali's jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. "I didn't lead Malick anywhere. He made his choice, and I'm making mine. If you want to stay here and rot, be my guest. But if you want to live, follow me."
Ahmed hesitated, his gaze flickering to the others. Finally, he nodded.
"Let's go," Yusuf urged, leading the group down the corridor.
---
The next checkpoint was a loading dock near the estate's western wall. This was the most dangerous part of the plan, where the risk of discovery was highest. Ali took point, his eyes scanning the area for guards.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. Ali signaled for the group to stop, pressing himself against the wall. His heart raced as two guards rounded the corner, their rifles slung over their shoulders.
Ali's mind raced. He needed a distraction. His hand found a loose brick on the ground, and he hurled it toward the opposite corner. The brick struck the metal frame of a window, creating a loud clang.
"What was that?" one of the guards muttered, turning toward the noise.
"Go check it out," the other replied, his voice laced with annoyance.
As the guards moved toward the sound, Ali signaled for the group to move. They slipped past the loading dock and into the shadow of the western wall.
Yusuf pointed to a drainage tunnel hidden beneath a cluster of bushes. "This is it," he whispered. "It leads to the desert. Once we're out, we head for the safe house."
Ali nodded, his eyes scanning the area. The tunnel was their only way out, but it was narrow and poorly lit. It would be a tight squeeze, especially for Ahmed.
"Go," Ali urged, motioning for the others to enter the tunnel.
One by one, the escapees crawled into the tunnel, their movements slow and cautious. Ali was the last to enter, his body pressed tightly against the cold, damp walls.
The air inside was suffocating, the stench of decay overwhelming. Ali fought the urge to gag as he crawled forward, his hands scraping against the rough surface.
"Almost there," Yusuf's voice echoed from ahead.
---
When they emerged on the other side, the cool night air was a welcome relief. Ali gasped for breath, his lungs burning from the effort.
"We did it," Ahmed said, his voice filled with disbelief.
Ali didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, where the desert stretched endlessly before them. Freedom was within reach, but the journey was far from over.
"We need to keep moving," Yusuf said, his tone urgent. "The guards will notice we're gone soon."
Ali nodded, his resolve firm. "Let's go."
As they disappeared into the desert, the estate loomed behind them like a dark, oppressive shadow. Ali knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but for the first time in months, he felt a glimmer of hope.
Freedom was no longer a distant dream. It was within his grasp, and he would do whatever it took to hold onto it.