MARIEL

3~ The Black Shoes With the White Symbol ~

The blindfold was dark.

Ahdam shuffled his feet, conscious of firm hands on both of his arms. Though his little body trembled and his heart pounded madly, he kept his head lifted high. The black shoes with the white symbol were slightly big for his feet. Despite this, they were the nicest shoes Ahdam had ever worn. Adela had told him that many basketball players wore the same shoes.

It was pleasant to receive nice things from the enemy, with the knowledge that his father would come for him soon. And, based on the comments Adela would make to him, it would be soon. He would be free. And, he would have the ability to play basketball without constant eyes upon him.

However, for now, Ahdam had to wait. Per his father's instructions, he needed to follow the instructions of the White Coats. As much as he despised them, it wasn't nearly as bad with the knowledge of his impending freedom.

'When will he come for me? Is it time yet?' Ahdam had asked one evening, while Adela prepared him for bed.

Adela's warm hands had snatched his face. Wildly, her dark eyes had widened, glistening with tears of panic. "Do not think of such things," she hissed. "You do not know who may be watching your thoughts, Ahdam. We will not discuss it."

Ashamed, Ahdam had lowered his head. He hated that he had caused Adela such panic.

Gently, Adela had lifted his chin. "Don't be sorrowful. No news is good news. Alright? You need to rest, and continue doing as you have done. I will tell you if something is wrong, but you need to be patient."

That conversation had been many nights ago. After that, his interactions with Adela had lessened, and she seemed more distant. It worried Ahdam. Had he done something wrong? Did she not like him anymore?

Was someone hurting her?

Ahdam wanted to know, but he could not think of such things. The White Coats might know. However, the unanswered questions drove him mad. Where was his father? Was his mother alright? What, exactly, would be involved in this detailed plan to free him?

And now, who was escorting him away from his room, and where?

Abruptly, Adela had awoken him, a blindfold in hand. Her face was expressionless, almost cold.

'The lake is brown.' He mustn't think of other things.

As their eyes met, the blindfold darkened his sight. His heart lurched with excitement. Despite the questions that his mind wanted to consider, Ahdam focused on the distracting words he'd always used to refrain from broadcasting his actual thoughts.

'The lake is deep.'

But -

'The lake is very dark.'

- what if today was the day of his freedom?

"Do as you are asked," Adela whispered into his ear, and her hands upon his shoulders gripped harshly. "I will see you soon."

What did that mean?

The hands that now touched his arms were not rough, but neither were they gentle. As Ahdam shuffled in the black shoes with the white symbol, the young boy could not help but tremble with a mix of excitement and fear. If Allah had love for him, this would be his day of exodus. Perhaps, Adela would come with them too.

He hoped she would. Ahdam really liked her.

Perhaps, he had seen Diane for the last time. Ahdam did not like her, and he hoped she would die a horrible, painful, unclean death. The White Coat deserved to drown, splutter, and choke in the blood of many pigs.