The Unpromised Land

I looked over my shoulder only to find the place I once called home slowly diminishing as the tiny boat drifted further out into the crystal clear ocean. Everything I once held dear had to be left behind; I had to leave it there in Iraq. This would be a fresh start for me and I wouldn't let anyone ruin it, especially my father who would no doubt eventually come for me. I jumped at the sound of a round of bullets being fired, which was followed by a small explosion, which by the looks of it would have taken out Najaf, one of the smallest towns within Iraq. My father is a member of the ISIS community, and had attempted several times to try and get me to join. This is why I am leaving, I couldn't handle it, I can't see myself hurting people like my father, I didn't see the appeal but no matter how many times I told my father he just didn't get the message. It probably doesn't look good for him, me leaving that is, that's why I know he'll come for me, as he doesn't want his reputation ruined. He cares more about that sort of thing then his own daughter.

I was knocked out of my deep thoughts and brought back to the present by the sound of the boat's horn which was signalling that we have arrived at Australia. I had forgotten how cramped and packed this boat really is, it had at least 15 more people then what was recommended for a save journey. I had been sitting and standing in this boat for over 72 hours and have eaten very little food. It had been a rocky boat ride and I am beginning to feel a little nauseous. I couldn't wait to get off this minute boat and explore this place that everyone back home called a 'paradise'. I never thought I would appreciate land so much in all my life. As soon as I stepped of the boat a heat wave rushed over me and I began to feel sluggish, but I knew in time my body would come to accept this abnormal heat. I looked around and all I saw was the red dusty dirt roads, a few trees that were scattered around and a few little shabby buildings. Although this isn't what I'm used to I knew I would be able to make this 'home'. Australia seems quite nice compared to Iraq, there aren't any guns or bombs going off, and I'm pretty sure there aren't any suicide bombers either. This is not what I expected, back home everyone described Australia somewhat differently. Everyone said that Australia was a luxury – some kind of paradise, but looking around I don't see how people would want to even live in this dusty, run down dump. But this place does seem peaceful and everyone looks as though they get along, so maybe this place won't be so bad, I just think my body needs time to adjust to this new place.

We were instructed to walk to one of the shacks, it just happened to be the furthest one away. Routine checks began to take place, to make sure that we weren't carrying any diseases and why we were coming to Australia was of good intentions. The few people that were asking all the questions looked to be of a similar age. They all had blonde hair that looked to be quite dirty, most likely due to the dust and sweat that was pouring out of them. All three of them wore a t-shirt and shorts as the heat was ridiculous out here; it had to be around 35°C at least. When it was my turn they asked the required questions, then we just stayed there and talked about ourselves and ambitions for the future.

All four of us really hit it off and it seemed as though we became best friends. For the week we have just been talking and, they have been showing me around the local town, although quite small and dusty, it had a certain appeal that I just couldn't put my finger on. It seemed as though my past was really just that.

Well that's what I thought, until a saw a familiar figure in the distance. That's when it hit me; this man looks an awful lot like my father. I stayed put I didn't dare to move closer I didn't want to be any closer to this man I once called my father, the one who should have protected me from everything. I heard my three friends trying to talk to me, but it was all just muffled talk, I was far too focused on my father. He began to take large strides towards me but I was in shock and wasn't able to move. After he had taken a few steps he was right in front of me. He grabbed me by the wrist and began to pull me back towards the water. After a few seconds I realised what was happening and snapped out of it, I heard my friends screaming for help and for him to stop. I started to fight back; I tugged my hand free from his grip. I turned the other way ready to run, until a felt a heavy hand on my shoulder, he had grabbed me again. I turned to look at him, as it was my only choice. I looked at him and the words he began to speak really hit me, "I can't believe I ever called you my daughter you are a disgrace".

Tears began to fall down my checks. I could tell me saw me crying, but he continued, "you aren't living up to my expectations, the only reason I had a child was to gain further acceptance among the ISIS members." I heard my newly founded friends gasp as the word ISIS, and they began to walk away I could only imagine what was going through their minds at the moment, and none of it good.

I shock of my father's strong grip and began to run after them. I finally caught up to them and even though they didn't want to talk to me, they were generous enough to give me a few minutes to explain. I began telling my story of how my father is a member of ISIS and on several occasions he tried to get me to join – which I denied every time, and I moved to Australia for a fresh start. They looked at me with a sympathetic smile, and apologized for assuming the worst. One stepped away from the other two and said "just because your father is a member of ISIS I assumed you were too, and I'm sorry I shouldn't have presumed that."

I simply smiled in reply and said "that's ok; I probably would have done the same if I were in your shoes.' After the disagreement we talked for a little while before I finally knew how I would end this feud between my father and I.

I walked over to an Asylum seeker building, I knew this would be harsh but it needed to be done. I talked to the person who was in charge of who came into the country, I told him about my father and he instantly told me that he would be gone within 12 hours. As i excited the building I saw my father in the distance. I gathered up all my courage and walked over to him and began speaking "dad I'm not going back to Iraq with you. I'm sorry I let you down, but being part of ISIS isn't for me and you will just have to accept that. Just because members have been getting their children to join for years, doesn't mean that's the way it has to be. I have told them you are in the country, you will be leaving within 12 hours, good bye dad." With that I turned and walked away.