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Sleepless Night

I lay in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep. It felt strange and uncomfortable to sleep in a new house, and the constant anxiety kept me awake. Late at night, someone knocked on the door.

"May I come in?" I heard Erlan's voice.

"Of course," I replied, opening the door.

"Be quiet while Urmat is sleeping; I need to talk to you," he said, putting a finger to his lips. He was holding a package. Entering the room, he sat on the edge of the sofa and began to unpack it.

"These are your new documents. Your father and I think your pursuers might have some information about you. It's better to use a new name just in case."

"When did you manage to prepare all this?" I asked, surprised, as I examined the new passport.

"A year ago, Tilek asked me to do this. He didn't have time to explain all the details, but I know you haven't been to school for two years. Listen to me: as soon as you get your diploma, I will send you to study abroad. No one will know about you there. You'll be able to live as you wish."

"Going to school now is too risky," I protested. "Can't we just forge the diploma?"

"I understand your concerns, but think about it. How can I send you abroad alone if you're not at all prepared to live in society? School is the best place to get used to people. You can't stay hidden all the time."

"What about my parents?" I whispered bitterly. "How can I just go to school knowing they are in danger? Why can't they be taken somewhere safe?"

Erlan shook his head with regret.

"We considered that option. But now that there are rumors about you in the village, your parents' disappearance would only heighten suspicions. This concerns not only your parents but your entire kind. We mustn't give anyone any reason to doubt your origins. Let it remain a village legend. The most important thing now is to protect you."

"It's all my fault," my voice broke. "If it weren't for me, no one would know..."

"You're not to blame," he said, shaking his head. "Anyone could have been in your place. Tilek told me you hid in a cave for a year and a half. It must have been a difficult time for you. But neither I nor your parents can imagine how you lived in captivity for six months before escaping. So now that you're free, you should enjoy every day, not just try to survive. Don't think about anything else." Erlan extended his hand and patted me on the shoulder. "Your parents want you to return to a normal life. They will be alright, believe me."

With that, he got up, placed the documents on a shelf, wished me good night, and left.

I sat in bed, lost in thought. School days, which had once been part of everyday routine, now seemed like an unattainable dream. I had often wished to return to the day when everything began and change it. One mistake had changed everything. Thinking about this, I couldn't fall asleep.

Maybe it was because of the poor night's sleep, but when I woke up, Erlan and Urmat were already sitting at the breakfast table. Seeing me, they nodded and invited me to join them.

"From tomorrow, Toola will be studying with you," Erlan told his son.

"He'll be living with us for that long?" Urmat asked, surprised.

"Be polite," his father warned him and waved at me. "Don't pay any attention to this rude one."

"I didn't mean anything by it; I was just surprised," Urmat defended himself. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Does he have a school uniform? They won't let him into school without it."

"Got it," Erlan nodded. "Today we'll go and buy one."