Boy Overhead

I can't see Bibi and Yusuf anymore. They are probably running down to the town. I'm just waiting here. Alone. While Bibi and Yusuf are getting help. I hope they will find someone who will help me. It's quiet here. Nobody is making a sound. The wind is still, but the sky is grey. Soon it's going to rain. I don't know what the clock is, but it's much. My parents are going to be crazy when I come home. If I'm coming home. Where are Bibi and Yusuf? They have spent a very long time now. Maybe not. Maybe it's just the time that feels so long. I see four boys walk past me.

- Help me! Over here! I shout.

They just laugh at me and walks past me. Why don't they believe me? Great, now I'm stuck here forever. Everybody is in their house now because it's starting to rain. Suddenly I see Bibi and Yusuf, but they're alone.

- Here we are! Bibi shouts.

- Why are you alone? I ask.

- Nobody believed us. They said that they had buried up all of the landmines, and that we had to stop kidding.

- But we aren't kidding!

- I know. I told them hundreds of times that you're in danger, but then they just laughed at me and got angry.

- But you have to get help.

- I tried. We have to do it by ourselves.

- How?

- I don't know, but we have to. I'm not letting die!

- Thanks, you just scared me more when you said that I might die!

- Sorry, Bibi mumbles.

- But how are we going to do this? I ask.

- I don't know. Yusuf, do you have an idea?

He shakes his head.

- You never have an idea! Bibi screams.

- I'm sorry, but I really don't know.

- You are pathetic! Bibi says.

- Shut up! This is not the right time to fight! I scream.

- Ok, Bibi mumbles.

Everybody stand still without saying a word. Now it's pouring down. I'm freezing, but that's okay. I just want to go home and hope that this is just a dream. Maybe it is. I can hope. I pinch myself in my arm to wake up. Nothing happened. I'm still here, and now it's getting dark.

- I have an idea! Yusuf bursts out.

- What, Einstein? Bibi groans.

- Just run off the landmine as fast as you can.

- Are you crazy?! Bibi and I scream in chorus.

- Do you got any better idea?

- No, but that's dangerous. I can't run so fast. It's impossible.

- No, it's not. I believe in you.

- What happened to you while you were gone? I ask.

- Trust me.

- I'm sorry Yusuf, but I'm not going to do it.

- Maybe you're right. It's dangerous.

Yusuf stares in the ground.

- Jamal, do you remember when you said that the landmine is over twenty years old? Bibi asks.

- Yes, I remember that, I answer and I'm giving her a confused look.

I don't understand what she thinks, but she is smart. She always gets the best grades at school. She is a genius.

- Good, you said that the landmine might not going to explode.

- What are you saying? I ask.

- Just listen to me! You have to walk off the landmine closely.

- What?! Are you insane?! I scream.

- Trust me It will might explode, but what else can we do?

- I don't know. Maybe you're right.

- We have to take the chance. I don't think it will explode, she says.

I close my eyes and pray to God. Please, let me survive. I'm begging you. I take a last look at Bibi and Yusuf.

- I love you both so much, I say.

- Don't say that! You're going to survive! Bibi screams.

- Don't be so sure, I answer.

I take one foot off the landmine closely while I close my eyes. Nothing happens. I feel relief and hope. Then I take off the other foot. The landmine explodes. I'm being pushed up in the sky. Bibi screams.

- Jamal! Jamal! She cries

I can hear them cry, even Yusuf. He never cries. He says that boys can't cry. I fall on the ground. It hurts. I can see Bibi and Yusuf running towards me.

- I'm so sorry, Jamal! I didn't knew that it was going to explode.

- Don't be. It's not your fault, I mumble.

- Yes, it is!

My sight is getting black. Now I can't see or feel my body. I can't get up or speak. I can only hear.

- It was supposed to be me standing on that landmine, and you saved my life! She shouts. Yusuf, call the ambulance! Run up to your parents and call!

I hear Yusuf run. Suddenly the voice is getting indistict, and before I knew it I can not hear or see anything. I did not die in vain, I saved Bibi's life. That's all I can remember. Suddenly I don't feel any pain anymore.