The World We've Set On Fire ■ Wattys 2016

Hammad

I ran from the room as the emergency alarms went off.

"You have to run! To the bomb shelters!" I was shouting at the people. "We're being attacked. Greece is at war!"

The West Wing was being destroyed.

Then, when they heard me, I ran to my room. The door was locked. I couldn't open the door. I was going to die.

"Gael, come on." Someone grabbed my arm and dragged me to the gates. "We're leaving."

We were running in the courtyard, away from the planes and the bombing.

I never ran so fast, not before that and neither afterwards. That day was the climax of my life and thousands of other Greek people.

"We need to get to the village." Hammad was pointing to the north. The bus driver nodded.

Hammad helped me up and a moment later, we were going towards the village. I had heard of it but never been there.

"That's where I'm from." Said Hammad. "Lots of Muslims live there, we're bound to get help."

"Hammad, why did you save me?" I asked, quietly.

"You weren't saving yourself so I took it upon myself. Also, you were in my way." He shrugged.

"Where are we going?"

"Sheikh Walid is a tailor, he also has a farmhouse where he keeps horses. We can run."

"Away." He said. "I overheard your conversation with the general. Apparently, we both are the only ones who wished to remain uninvolved. By the way, what happened?"

"It was the general. He tricked me into bombing America. I should never have trusted him."

"I told you he wasn't a nice person.. well, what did you do?"

"I killed him with the knife I keep in my belt." I answered.

"You have blood on your shirt."

Soon, we went to the tailor. There were shouts everywhere.

"I'm sorry but you cannot enter. This is a critical time." A veiled woman said from the door. "We're retreating to the shelters, you see."

"Aunt Yasmin, it's me. Hammad. We just need a horse."

"Come in. Hurry!"

We entered and she locked the door. "The living room. Quick!"

Sheikh Walid was packing up food. "What're you doing here? Do you need any help, Hammad?" He asked.

"Two horses." He said.

"Go to a shelter, boy!" He cried.

"This is important, uncle Walid." Hammad explained.

He swiftly threw his keys to Hammad. "Open the shed and go. Hurry! Only dangers await us." 

Ben Barnes as Hammad.