Survival

Chapter 4

Natalya

"Madre, did you put these socks in my bag?" Natalya brought out a long blue piece of socks from her bag that looked like they were from the 1970's.

"Que? Mi amor, I thought you liked them." Natalya's mom came out of the kitchen holding a wooden ladle.

"No Madre. No me gusta. They're hideous. And when I wear them, I look like that maid from your favourite T.V. show. What's it called? Si! 'Maria es mi vida'. Seriously Mom," Natalya pouted her face.

"Fine. Vale. Don't take it to the camp. Pero, recuerdo, when you come back from the camp, I will buy you a new one. And you won't complain about that one too. Vale?"

"Mamaaa". Nat stomped her feet on the ground and pouted her face again.

"Vale?" Her mother asked again.

"OK. Vale Madre."

"Bueno mi amor. Te amo mucho. Finish packing quick. I'm almost done in the kitchen." Nat's mom kissed her on the cheek and forehead before going back to the kitchen.

"Phew. Thank God I'm not taking you with me anymore." Nat giggled as she shoved the socks into a pile of ironed clothes in her closet with the aim of throwing them in the dustbin as soon as her mom left the kitchen. Closing the windows, she looked at her room one last time.

*****

Ibraheem

"Anne, you know I can survive one month without Pasta (cake) right?" Ibraheem whined as his mother stuffed a large black bag full of Turkish cake in his bag.

"Actually, I don't Babayim. You have been eating this since you were small. You can't stop now. It's our traditional food. Ok? I don't want to hear any of that again!" With that, she left to bring in more food.

"Anne ok. But can you put some more chicken soup? I prefer it."

"Tabii ki, my son. And don't forget to pray. I'm very scared. I don't know why. I have written some more prayers for you, my dear. I will give them to you when I finish this. God be with you. Allah hafiz."

"Thank you so much Anne. You are the best! Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me, InshaAllah. I will keep praying."

"Oh and please try to call me as soon as you get there."

"Mommmm! I can't. We are not supposed to call except if it's urgent. Besides, there isn't signal except on rare occasions. And I heard it's only on a hill or something like that."

"What kind of camping is that? Ya Allah help us. But don't forget to pray very well." She smiled, "go and finish packing then."

"Ok Anne!" Ibraheem ran up the stairs.

*****

It was dark. Very dark. A sound was coming closer to me. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could make out the faint shadow of someone moving slowly towards me. My whole body was shaking with fear. My eyes shifted to the persons' hand. He was holding a long axe like thing, dragging it slowly, torturing me. I wanted this to be over. I closed my eyes tightly, clenching my teeth. I was cooped up in a small hole, but I was sure he saw me. The sweat that had formed were slowly trickling down. I couldn't even scream, I knew it would be of no use. He was right in front of me, kneeling down. I raised my face a little. The man was smiling revealing a set of yellow stained teeth, his horrifying face, with one eye and a large scar on his left cheek made me tremble more. He raised the large axe. I noticed an awful smell and a dark colour smearing it – blood. Tears spilled uncontrollably as he raised it high above his head, and brought it down on me with huge blow.