Chapter 05

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WARNING!! : Explicit content. Contains strong language.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want to buy back my life.

The room burst into laughter. Everyone except lieutenant Farhan had a good laugh. Even the two escorts standing behind him went at it till the colonel stopped laughing.

I see kid...Do you maybe have a bullet on you? (said the colonel sarcastically and the room had another round of laughs)

I will trade someone elses' life for mine.

Oh, I see...did you perhaps pet a rat in your cell? (The people in the room couldn't stop laughing and snickering.)

My God! that Umar sure raised some interesting pups (Said Mr. Grillo wiping his eyes). Interesting motherfucker this one.

(But no one was prepared for what Aman was going to say next. It stunned the room into utter silence).

I will kill Umar and all his lieutenants for you.

(The colonel banged his knees on the table as he stood up.) Oi kid, are you all right in the head? How dare you fuck with me!... Are you going to bite them all or scratch them to death perhaps? (No one laughed this time seeing the colonel's face. He was red with anger.)

No, I will blow up the three lieutenants and poison the captain to death perhaps. Haven't worked out the captain part yet. Depends on what resources I can get.

(Mr. Grillo put out his cigar and motioned the colonel to sit down) Waao! this pup really is something, eh colonel? (The colonel drank some water and wiped his forehead as he sat down). And how are you going to do that kid? The Syrian army has been trying to kill Umar for months now without any success. Do you know how many men he has around him at all times? How are you even going to get close, much less kill him?

(Aman could see the colonel fuming but Mr. Grillo was as calm as a cucumber. It was clear to him now who was in charge there. Aman looked the caucasian giant in the eye and said with a straight face) I am sorry but the army is full of idiots.

(The soldiers standing in the room gasped and the officers looked at each other. Lieutenant Farhan stood aghast. He did not know what to do. The colonel was going to have his head for sure. One of the soldiers behind him pulled the leash and started to choke him) What did you say motherfucker? Do we look like a joke to you?

Oye you. Unhand the kid right now (said Mr. Grillo in a deep voice).

(The soldier was not sure of what to do but let him go when the colonel motioned him to step away.)

You got some balls kid. I will give you that much. Tell me how are you going to do what you just said. Surely you don't expect us to give you bombs and poison, right?

No. I don't need any of those. I already have all I need (The whole room fell into chaos again).

What? What kind of baloney is this?... I am afraid that's not near enough to convince me. I need you to tell me more kid.

You know how my comrades and I were sent to bomb the base right? (Mr.Grillo nods) We had a team of three. I killed the other two in the pipelines. I left my bomb there as well. So, right now there are three unused bombs lying in the pipelines. Also, I know, Captain Umar and his lieutenants visit the nearby town at night whenever there is no moon.

Hah! you runt! Do you think we do not know that? I knew it was a waste of time. (shouted the colonel).

But do you know what he does there?

(The colonel sat back down without making eye contact with anyone.)

Okay, I get it ...but I have one last question. Why should we even trust you? What's to stop you from simply running away if we let you go?

Because that bastard killed my parents and turned me into this (His voice breaks). He and his men beat the shit out of me at every opportunity they got. They turned my friends against me and tortured me in the name of training. They strapped a bomb to me and sent me here to die. They ordered my friends to shoot me if I ran. They are fucking monsters that turn innocent kids into killers and throw them away without a second thought.

(At this point Aman was almost shouting, his face red, nerves popping on the side of his forehead, and spit dropping out of the side of his mouth. All the pent-up hatred and anger were bursting out). My parents were doctors who came to help the people of this country. We had nothing to do with this war yet he killed them and turned me into a killer. Yes! I had to kill my friends because of those guys. Those fucking pieces of trash! Do you know what he made me do for my first job? Steal off of dead bodies... I will kill them all. All of those motherfuckers will have to pay!

(Everyone in the room was taken aback by the sudden outburst. It was Mr. Grillo who collected his senses first.) Okay kid I get it. Now I am curious to ask... Is revenge your motive or is there something else you want?

(Aman took a deep breath and calmed himself down) Don't know. Haven't thought that far yet. I don't even know if I will be able to make it back.

Okay. Is there anything else you need?

I need some assistance. I think I will need lieutenant Farhan here with me. (Lieutenant Farhan's face turned pale as he turned to look at Aman. This was quite unexpected for him. 'So that's what he meant by turning me into a war hero? wtf... this kid is beyond dangerous'.)

(Ahem Ahem! The colonel cleared his throat and tried to take back the helm of proceedings.)

Okay okay, you go back to your cell now. I need to discuss some things with my men. But let me make one thing clear. You are as good as dead if you try to pull a fast one. Do you understand that kiddo? (said the colonel trying to sound menacing)

(All this while Aman and Mr. Grillo hadn't broken eye contact. He had clearly piqued his interest and he knew that this man was his only way out of this godforsaken country. As for Mr. Grillo, he seemed very amused by this little kid in front of him.)

The colonel ordered the guards to take the prisoner away. Chatter erupted in the room as the doors closed behind Aman. He knew he had made an impact. He knew he had them sweating and that they would contact him soon. His walk had new confidence in it. Even his escorts stopped pulling on the leash. He didn't know what lay ahead of him but he knew one thing for sure, even if he was going to die, he was going to do it on his own terms.