Trapped ( Zarobljena prevedeno na engleski jezik )

6. Ultimate loss

They had been walking for two days. In the same rhythm. Walk, rest, walk, then rest again, and stale bread for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. Once, they even received a piece of old cheese. For these weary people, it was as if they had been given the freshest milk and the best cream. Evangelia realized how some things they had previously taken for granted had become true treasures and sources of joy. Even that piece of old moldy cheese.

The path was getting steeper, and the line of people was growing more exhausted. Even the Turks were having trouble with the journey. They could barely control the wagon that was swaying dangerously. May it collapse on all of them!, the girl hissed to herself.

Matej and she held tightly to each other's hands. Their shoes were completely torn, the thin soles offered no protection against the sharp stones. The soles of their feet were full of scratches and blisters. Every step caused them pain.

- Watch carefully where you step. Avoid the protruding stones, just slowly, step by step, my dear - Evangelia whispered to her brother.

They were very close to the edge of the cliff, at its base a river flowed through a narrow bed. Evangelia had no idea where they were. They reached a small clearing. There, their captors decided to take a break. The word 'break' was the most beautiful for the group of people in those days. It meant some degree of relaxation for their battered legs and food. Another thing they had previously taken for granted, the girl thought.

They received bread again. It would be pointless to expect cheese again. Matej nudged his sister and nodded towards the Turks who were eating fish, cheese, and fruit. Saliva gathered in their mouths.

- He was right that we are dogs.

The boy said, nodding towards the old man with a scraggly beard, who was sitting next to them breaking the bread into small pieces. Then he took one and slowly ate it. Evangelia and Matej dipped their pieces in the water again.

- Grandpa, it would be better if you ate that bread before we set off. You only had a crust, and the break is passing - said Matej to the old man.

The old man looked at him with watery eyes and then chuckled to himself: - One piece is quite enough for me, child. I had nothing more even before. I hear people complaining that this is too little and not enough to survive on. They know nothing. This gray head has survived even before captivity, back then, we didn't get a whole bread like we do now. Just this kind of piece - he lifted a small piece of bread.

Evangelia and Matej gasped: - That's not enough even for a nail - said the girl.

- I am a living example that it is - the old man replied. - It is enough when it has to be enough. One should never say that something is too little. Life finds a way to prove that it can be even less.

Evangelia and Matej set to work on the remaining bread. Surprisingly, it suddenly became tastier to them.

- Do you see those two Turks eating fish as if it were their last? I know them, they are of Serbian descent. They are from my village.

A piece of the bread fell from Evangelia's hands. How they can...? After they have endured the same. How can they inflict suffering on another when they have suffered themselves? Does the heart harden after so much suffering?

She could not imagine her brother like that if he accepted their faith. He will remain pure in heart and soul. I believe in him. She looked at Matej. Suddenly, she felt ashamed in front of his gaze. To become like them, sister, is that what you told me? His green eyes silently asked.

The girl then sharply looked at the old man: - Excuse me, but not all converts are like that: you see, there were those who did not forget their roots. History knows that too. Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic did not forget where he came from. He built the famous bridge on the Drina river in his hometown -
the girl recited, the old man has no history around his little finger like she does.