Young Prodigies: Secrets

Zahra Zesiro

"Zahra, take your sister and get in the car! It's not safe here!" Just as my mother told me that a bomb blew up our driveway. My mother's voice was panicked and worried. My mother grabbed me and my sister and hugged us tightly, and whispered, "I love you, and don't worry about me or you're dad. We will be fine. Zahra, you and your sister will not be separated." Another bomb nearly hit our house. The explosions made the lights go out, and my mother hugged us once more, and told us she loved us. She put Tabia's hand into mine and told me to run to the car and don't look back. Tabia's hand was small and sweaty with fear.

I took one last glance around our little log house knowing that I may never see it again. I looked at my mother and father once more and tightened my grip on Tabia's delicate little hand and headed for the door.

My sister wouldn't leave the house as she looked back to mother and father tears streaming down her face. I bent down beside her to both shield her from the bombs and comfort her. I brushed her thin black hair out of her deep brown eyes and spoke to her in gentle words, "Tabia, we have to go. It's not safe." Tabia pointed at mother as another bomb hit the ground right beside us. I pushed my sister down and covered her. I could feel both the heat and the force on my back. My leg both stung and burned afterwards, but I had a different problem as I got my sister up safely. She pointed to mother again, "Mommy." I frowned and brushed her hair behind her ear again, "She will be fine, that bomb was a little too close." Before Tabia could say anything else I picked up my five-year-old sister and ran to the car. I dodged any bullets or bombs that came near us. Tabia cried and screamed every time I ducked or jumped. By time we got to the car my legs were burned and I could barely walk. It took all I could to push my sister into the car and close the door.

I knew I wouldn't be able to get into the car without help so I told the driver to go. I collapsed in the driveway and did all I could to stay alive.

My mother came running out when she noticed me on the ground. She picked me up and took me in the house. My father bandaged my legs and took me to the place that I should have been going to with my sister.
When we arrived, my sister had already left to meet her host parents. I was supposed to go with her, but they sent a different girl in my place. My father hadn't come in with me because he didn't want me to stay in Egypt.

The only way I could get out of Egypt legally while the war was raging was to sign up to be a foreign exchange student to a different country. We never know what country we are going to get until you leave. So I have no idea where my sister is or when I will see her again due to the stupid confidential rule.

The speaker got my attention, "Zahra Zesiro to the Smithonia exit. Zahra Zesiro to the Smithonia exit." My heart started beating out of my chest. I didn't want to leave Egypt, my parents, or Tabia, but my father told me that this is the most deadly war that has ever hit Egypt.

My best friend Ciara was supposed to be a foreign exchange student also, but she got hit with a bomb a few days ago. When she went to get water from the family well. Her parents did all they could, but she didn't make it. I spotted her little brother in the corner of my eye, but he seemed pretty out of it.

Before I could say goodbye to any of my other friends a security guard pushed me onto a train that would take me to Smithonia. Because Smithonia was in the middle of the ocean, I would have to transfer to a plane.

When I got to my host parents home I was greeted by a girl that's looked about my age. She glared at me, "I'm Lisa, and this is my home. If you take any attention off of me, I will make your life miserable! My mom is not yours and this is not your home! I hate you already and either way I'm going to make your life miserable I don't want you here." Mrs. Thompson walked behind her and smiled, "Hello, you must be Zahra, I see you met Lisa my sweet daughter." Lisa looked up and smiled, "Thank you mommy, I was just welcoming my new sister into her new home." Mrs Thompson patted her on the shoulder, "That's so sweet Lisa, I will let you show Zahra around then."

Over the course of the next few months Lisa's attitude got worse. She has never heard my voice, and neither has Mrs. Thompson, because she was just as bad.

I thought about my sister and parents every day, and everyday I counted down the days till I get to go home. Mrs. Thompson had Lisa try out for the Smithonian School of Fine Arts and made me try out to. They didn't expect me to get in let alone be one of the highest scorers. Mrs and Mr. Thompson enrolled me and I took the online classes. Lisa on the other hand didn't get in, and that only made her meaner.

When Mrs. Thompson told me I had to go on this trip with other kids I wanted to scream at her, because I hate being sent away! I didn't want to go, and I didn't get a say!

When I left I totally forgot about my sword, and this kid named Samuel gave it to me. I immediately felt better I could defend myself. I stayed alert for anything or anybody who tried to attack me. I forgot what it was like for anyone to be nice to me so when Violet tapped me on the shoulder I panicked and unsheathed my sword. Instinct told me to end her, but my gut told me to put the sword away. I kept panicking whenever someone tried to tell me to calm down. I hate not having choices that I can make for myself.

When I finally listened to my gut I sheathed my sword and instantly felt guilty. These kids have been nice to me and here I am ready to slaughter them with my sword out of fear. Fear is overwhelming, and it's taking over me.
The sun was starting to set, and I started hallucinating. I had seen bombs like the ones in Egypt nearly kill me, and my sister she laid on the ground. She was still as can be, and I don't think she was breathing. I looked back at her, then to the others. I unsheathed my sword and ducked as a bomb targeted me. Something told me they weren't real, but they felt real. The memories of the explosions, and that night was overwhelming. I remembered what it feels like. The heat so close it's practically burning you, the screaming, and the sadness. All my memories flashed in my head at once, and I couldn't handle it. It was dark and I could barely see my hand in front of me through the tears. I felt a rock and hid behind it. I held the hilt of my sword for dear life, and I stood ready for anything or anyone who tried to attack.

A few minutes later the others found me. I still was imagining the bombs, and every time I thought one was coming at me I had to resist ducking or dodging. I even resisted putting my sword in the air as a portent. At my old school putting your weapon in the air was a portent to danger.

Violet had the others leave so she could talk to me, but I didn't want to talk to her. I don't want to re-live that memory. I told her I was from Egypt and that's all I was going to say. She doesn't need any more information, and she wasn't going to get any more right now.

She gave me her hand, and I was hesitant to let her help me up. I grabbed my sword and sheathed it and gave in she helped me up and grabbed a flashlight out of her bag. I hate darkness nothing good comes out of it. A bomb could catch you off guard and kill you along with everything else around you, a thief can steal all your belongings leaving you for dead, a kidnapper could kidnap you and nobody will know because it's so dark out.

I stayed next to Violet because she obviously had no idea what I had been through and what I am going through. Even if I had told her I was hallucinating, she probably would think I'm a baby and ignore me like everybody else.