Defending A NATION

PROLOGUE

04/12/1994

SOMEPLACE IN PAKISTAN OCCUPIED KASHMIR

16 YEAR OLD BOY

It's been three hours and we were still walking.My legs were cramped,and it was hard to cope up with my fellow mates.We were group of four and except me all three of them were mature. One was in his 40's and the other two were in there late 20's.Old guy was muscular, maybe because of lots of mountain climbing he does while doing his job.Other two were just some regular guys you can meet in any village.Still they were more experienced then me, and I don't even know any one's name.

"We are not your friends,"the old guy told me before leaving the village,"so no need for introduction"

And I agreed with him.On our way we met other two.They looked like they were already spooked going inside that forest.The old guy agreed to help me cross the border and provide me safe passege to this confidential camp where they do confidencial stuff.Although it was still dangerous out there, in the forest,but I had no choice.I am a fugitive now. I have done things normal people will be too afraid to do.

I started this journey, thinking that its a new begenning for me.Indeed it was after all the sacrifices,i don't want to see familiar faces anymore.All the people I loved once were either in graves or too far to reach so equivalent to death.

"Boy keep pace,"old guy yelled at me,"I don't want you left behind"

I was so deep in thought that I didn't realise I was walking too slow.I ran to keep up with them."yeah,boy; show some boy strength",another man chukled at me.

It was night and visibility was almost zero so if I loose them,I don't know if I will ever find them."Why cant we take a stop,"I asked.

"We are not on a picnic,boy,"he said"It's a forest and there are wild animals, you don't want to die a painful death,do you?"

"Yeah,"I agreed

I don't.After everything that happened.I want to be remembered,not just die in vain.I don't regret,what I have done,but I want something out of it before I die.

Regrets get you killed,they are weakness

The voice told me from inside.I was hearing it from a long time now,but something about this forest intensified it and now I was hearing it like a real actual voice.

I loved you, how can you

This time it was a girl's voice.The girl I loved.It felt like it was coming not from my subconcious,but from the forest.

"You heard that,right,"The late 20's one guy said,looking alarmed.For a second I wondered  if he was talking about the voices I was hearing.

"what,"I asked."The soldiers, you can hear the footsteps dont you,"He told us looking everywhere.

"Are you mad,"Old one said."soldiers don't come this far,so shut up and keep walking"

I didn't heard anything other then voices in my head and that was completely normal,I thought.

"The gunshots,don't tell me you are not hearing them,"other guy said.I looked at his horrified face.He looked like he had seen a ghost.

"I don't hear any,just footsteps"Another one said.

They started arguing.Finally the old guy stopped and told them to shut up.

"The forest is playing tricks with your mind,so stop it and start moving fast, its midnight"

I looked at the canopy of the trees.The dim light of moon was falling on the leaves of trees making them shine.It was a great view but the spooky feeling didn't go away.The woods were silent. No sounds of crickets or any animals could be heard.It was like the forest was holding its breathe for something bad to happen.