Kami's courage - A Born of Shadow Fanfiction

7 - T'is but goodbye

Kami, Liam and the others all stood thunderstruck for several long moments.

"You... you did it... you really did it..." Liam whispered.

"We did," she corrected, squeezing his hand.

She turned to her father's spirit, who was still hovering beside her.

"... Kamilah..." he whispered, a soft smile on his lips.

"... B-Baba..." Kami replied, her voice cracking.

She tried and failed to blink tears out of her eyes.

"I knew it..." she said. "I knew it was you. I could feel it."

"I am so proud of you, Kami..." Kami's father told her. "You are exactly the woman I was certain you'd become."

"It's because I had a great father", Kami answered, trying (and failing again, to control her voice).

"Don't be too hard on your mother. She couldn't find the strength you did."

Kami wasn't sure what to answer, so she didn't.

"... I try, Baba... but I miss you so much..."

Khaled's eyes turned sad.

"I miss you too, Kamilah. But I am always with you. Even without the scarab necklace."

He cast an amused glance at Liam.

"And you are not alone, are you?"

Kami felt herself flush.

"Liam," Khaled said. "Thank you for watching over my daughter."

"It was and always will be my honor, sir," Liam said, inclining his head respectfully.

"... Khaled...?!" came a shocked whisper.

Whipping around, they all looked at Gedo, who was staring transfixed at the ghostly apparition.

"... Baba..." he said. "It warms my heart to see you again..."

Ahmed took a cautious step forwards.

"... Son... I am so sorry... for the way I behaved... I was blinded by pride... I thought I knew what was best..."

"I know your intentions were good, Baba," Khaled said. "And I never forgave you, because there was nothing to forgive. But I had to marry for love, not because it was tradition."

"I know that, now. And if you hadn't, I wouldn't have such a wonderful granddaughter."

Kami was crying silently now.

"Tell Mama... thank you for helping Kami know her family."

He looked at them all.

"... I must go," he finally said.

"No!" Kami cried. "Don't!"

Khaled reached up and touched her cheek. Some people described ghosts as cold and watery, but Kami's skin felt warm at the touch of her father's hand. She tried to grasp it, but it felt like smoke.

"I must," he said, trying to keep the pain out of his own voice and eyes.

Kami took a deep breath to keep from falling apart in a flood of tears.

"I love you, Baba," she whispered, her voice barely audible through her tears.

"I love you too, Kamilah," Khaled whispered back.

He reached forwards and pressed a kiss to her forehead as he faded away. Kami closed her eyes, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Liam touched her shoulder gingerly. She spun around and buried her face in his shoulder, trying to draw strength from his strong arms holding her. Gedo and Yasmin were also holding each other tightly. She was crying too, though she didn't seem to quite know why.

"Was... that uncle Khaled?" she asked quietly.

Kami sniffed and wiped her eyes with her palm.

"Yes," she said. "He saved us."

"I still cannot believe you did that!"

"Oh, please, I didn't do much..." Kami said, embarrased.

"Not much? You call tackling the Shadow Queen by yourself not much?!" Liam asked. "Blimey..."

They made their way down the passage until they found the glass cells.

"We can't just leave them in here," Liam said, "but how do we bust this bloody glass?"

"... I think I have an idea," Kami said, touching her necklace reflexively.

Liam caught her gesture and frowned.

"Kami, I really don't know if that's a good idea... you already pushed yourself so much against the Shadow Queen..."

Kami silenced him with a finger to his lips.

"I'll be fine. I have faith."

She looked at the glace took a few slow, calming breaths, and pressed her hand to the glass. The necklace shimmered, and slowly, the glass faded away, freeing the prisoner, a woman. She stepped forwards tentatively, looking around anxiously. She said something in Arabic, to which Yasmin replied in a soothing tone. The woman cast a slightly nervous glance at Kami, probably because of her scarab. But Liam said something, though perhaps a little more firmly than was necessary, Kami thought. Steadily, the proceeded to freeing the prisoners, and Kami didn't feel tired in the least. Finally, they reached Neyna's cell. She looked about to weep with grief when she saw them. As soon as the wall was gone, Yasmin threw herself forwards.

"Neyna!" she gasped.

They hugged tightly for a moment, then Yasmin released her to let Gedo have his turn. Their embrace was quieter, and yet just as emotional. They didn't say a word, but their eyes spoke legions. Kami expected someone to mention her Baba, but no one seemed to be able to. Perhaps it was best, she thought. They were all still too shaken, and it might be the last straw. Soon, they were all heading towards the entrance, which they finally found, with soldiers and police waiting.

"None of them are possessed, if you're wondering," Chris said, and the gang laughed.

"Liam!" called a voice.

Looking round, Liam called back:

"Haji!"

And he hurried over to embrace his friend, followed by Kami and Yasmin. Kami briefly wondered if that wasn't inappropriate, since he was dating a girl and this wasn't exactly a "hugging" culture, but no one stopped them. Perhaps in the light of what happened, it wasn't so drastic. Gedo was telling people to get the other prisoners and leading the way. While Yasmin filled everyone in, Liam led Kami aside.

"So," he said. "We never did finish our conversation."

Kami only took a second to recall which one he meant, and her face suddenly felt warm.

"No... I guess we didn't..." she admitted. "What were you trying to tell me?"

A small smile touched Liam's face, his eyes glinting mischievously.

"Can't you get guess?"

"Yes," Kami conceded, "but I'd like to hear you say it. You know, just to be sure."

He chuckled, then his face turned serious.

"I love you, Kamilah Hassri."

Kami felt her breath catch, her eyes locked with his. But her answer came easily.

"I love you too."

And she reached up and kissed him. And in her mind, nothing had ever felt more right.