Mysterious_one

Warring Worlds And Realisations

Dan sat alone, going over his paperwork, a cigarette burning in the ashtray before him. He signed the paper with a flourish and stood up. He was heading down town to fill in time. It always seemed as though he could never compromise with time. There was either too much of it, or not enough. It was like that elusive cloud in the middle of a drought, or that beautiful woman he always glimpsed on the street corner. Yes, time was an elusive, all-powerful force. Well, at least in his world, it was.

The street was crowded and he hurried through the throngs of people, lost in thought. But then he saw him. What the hell was this guy doing up here of all places? Last he’d heard, he’d been in Sydney, heading down a road towards self-destruction. But, now, here he was, bright and alive and youthful as ever.
“It’s been a while,” Ray greeted him, hand out stretched warmly.
“It has,” Dan replied, reciprocating the handshake. After a moment’s reflection, he added, “And what have you been up too?”
“A lot,” the young man answered with a self-satisfied smile. “Travelling, jamming, getting myself together . . . I’ve got a job now.”
“Right, that’s good. And how’s your family?” . . .

The conversation went on for a while until, suddenly, they found themselves hemmed in from all sides. Dan gasped, “Is this some type of trap?”
“Not that I know of, at least.”
“But those people . . . why are they hemming us in like this?”
“Don’t ask me! I don’t know. You’re meant to be the one with all the answers,” Ray replied contemptuously.
“Huh?” Dan was taken aback.
There was no response.

The crowd began to move forward, carrying them along with it, moving like mindless sheep. Although, Dan was not mindless at all. Now, more than ever, he longed for freedom. Ray didn’t seem perturbed, though. “It’s all sweet as, man. Just go with the flow. Life’s all about going along with society’s expectations. You’re older than I am. You should be used to it.”
“Used to it?” Dan mused. This guy was right, he was usually the one with all the answers, but, tonight, the roles were reversed and he was the one with all the questions.

“Come on! March on comrades!” The harsh voice barked from above them. Was this God? Dan wondered. But, he obeyed, kept moving.
“You want freedom?” the voice demanded. “Well, you’re going to have to fight for it. You’re in the war now! You’re going to fight for honour, pride, dignity and all things noble!” The war? He was not in any war. Australia was at war, sure, but he was too old to go and fight. And, besides, it was illegal to round people up like this and take them, buy force, to an unknown destination.

Suddenly, Dan felt clawing hands tearing at his flesh.
“Stop it! You’ve got no right to do this!” He cried.
“Be quiet, vermin!” one of his captors barked harshly, slapping him across the face as he did so. “It’s time to learn a lesson, you piece of foul scum!” And then the world went black as Dan heard and felt a sickening thump to his head.
“That’s better. Keep the bastard silent,” the terrorist remarked, shooting Ray a triumphant glare. Ray felt as though he would explode with anger. However, he kept his anger in check, as his plan began to unfold.

“Don’t be afraid,” Ray hushed the little girl, holding her close. “It’s all right.”
He’d found her earlier that day, wandering aimlessly around. She was Iraqi by appearance, and looked underfed and malnourished.
“Where’s your Dad?” He enquired.
“He’s . . . gone. He’s fighting, to look after Mummy and me.” The girl informed him, fixing him with frightened eyes.
“What for?”
“So we can be free.”
“You gotta help me, ok?” He ventured after a while. This child seemed to be innocent, seemingly disconnected from the captors he’d dealt with earlier.
“Why?” She queried.
Well . . .”

“Hey! Dan! You awake in there?” Ray called softly. He and the little girl, Leila, had crept up to the hut undercover of darkness.
“Yes. Who’s that?” Dan’s voice came through, subdued by fear.
“It’s me, Ray. And Leila.”
“Who’s Leila? Don’t tell me you’re –“
“No, nothing like that. Just listen for a second. Come to the front and stand in the shadows, ok?”
“But the guard –“
“Just go there, it’s cool.”
Ray saw a shadow shift, and then saw Dan get shakily to his feet and take a frantic look around, before moving off into the darkness.
“Ok, one, two, three, go!” Ray gave the command and Leila rushed out from beneath his arm and around to the front where a guard was keeping silent watch.
“Daddy!” she cried. “Daddy! I’m sick of all this fighting!”
Ahmed turned to face his daughter, sadness in his eyes. “I don’t like it, either,” he told her. “I don’t do it for pleasure.”
“I know but . . .” Leila trailed off, looking away.
“It will be over soon, I prey. Don’t worry, I’m here,” Ahmed soothed, picking her up and cradling her against him protectively.

Dan rushed out of the hut. He felt someone’s hand on his arm, but he shook it off with an effort, and continued running. “As long as I get away from there I’ll be ok,” he told himself. He could hear the shouts of rage behind him. He ran harder, fueled by his fear. “Stupid kid!” he cursed Ray silently. “I know I shouldn’t’ve listened to him. Never should’ve-”
Wham! He reeled back, clamping a hand to his throbbing forehead. “What on Earth was that?” He asked aloud.
“It’s me, Dan,” Ray said. “You’re free.”
“But what about the guard?”
“Look over there.”
Dan turned to see him standing there, holding a little girl in his arms, listening intently to something she was saying, staring open-mouthed in his direction all the while. Dan could see the unspoken question in his eyes, “How did you escape?”
“What on Earth?” Was all Dan could manage.
“I told Leila to go round there and distract them, that’s all.”
“That’s smart thinking, Ray. I o you one now, for sure!”
“More like three,” Ray said with a friendly smile. Gone was the animosity between them, and gone were the terrorists - peace had been restored.