ACRO

The Ultimate Sacrifice

"You are glowing." said Deema, as Youssef walked into the Mess Hall.

"Thanks, this is the hundredth time I heard it today." he said.

The people walking past him shot him a look of mild surprise as they passed by.

"Why is everyone staring at me?" he whispered, agitatedly.

"Because you look good." said Deema, with a small smile on her face.

"Don't I always?"

"No. You look drained out of blood." Sam's words echoed in his mind, as he recalled the conversation earlier this morning.

"You do. But you look better." said Deema, warmly.

"At least someone's nice to me." he said, rolling his eyes.

Her eyes scanned his for a moment.
"You slept." she said.
"She made you."

"She didn't make me." he retorted, and Deema's eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"You don't sleep."

He sighed, nodding , as his eyes remained glued to the ground.

"I'm surprised myself."

"Why's that?"

He looked up at her.
"There were no nightmares."

*

It was noon. The women were back in the kitchen, preparing for lunch while the militants were out and about, engrossed in their affairs. Sam entered the kitchen, heading straight towards Deema.

She grabbed her by the arm, turning her around. All the women gasped, looking at the two, wide-eyed.
"Enough of your bullshit." she said to Deema.

"You need to tell Youssef the truth about Alfarsi."

Deema stood unfazed, pulling her arm out of her clutches.
"We have a feast to prepare for, Salima." she said, cocking an eyebrow as the women watched.

"What does he have on you?" asked Sam, exasperatedly.

"Why are you protecting him?"

"I'm protecting Youssef, not him." she said, softly.

"Don't give me that bullshit, Deema." said Sam, impatiently.

"Why is Salima speaking American?" said a woman, in the kitchen.

Sam turned around, taking off her veil, making the women step back and gasp.

"Hello ladies." said Sam.

"It's your favorite American." she said, spreading her arms to the sides.

Deema shook her head.

"I'm sure you all wonder why I'm here. And why is Deema entertaining me." she said, turning to look at Deema.

"Deema, why don't you tell them?"

Deema sighed, her eyes not meeting hers, as all the women began to look at her in confusion.

"Royce, this is not- "

"Tell them!" she exclaimed.

"Tell us." said the women, in Arabic.

Her eyes lowered, and she stood tongue tied.

Sam scoffed at her, turning to face the women.

"You are all aware I work for ACRO." said Sam, as all the eyes turned to her.

"Feels good, saying it out loud." she said, taking a deep breath.

"I investigated into the Martin Fields murder case. Martin Fields, the man who killed the Royal family, and a lot of innocent people."