True Courage (Kite Runner fanfic)

An Act of Courage

Amir was reveling his victory as the last kite flying above Kabul sat atop someone's shoulder as they raised him up and down in celebration. Glancing up at his father he finally saw what he had been hoping to see: the proud look on his father's face looking down at him.

When he was placed down on his feet Amir reeled in his kite. The winning kite Hassan had chosen. He proudly ran up to his Baba and Rahim Khan.

"Bravo Amir jan!" Rahim Khan patted his back as him Baba stroked his head nodding in acceptance.

"You have made me proud today Amir" Fueled by Baba's words I gave him my kite.

"Baba I'll go look for Hassan. We will run the blue kite together" Before I went off to run I saw a look in Baba's face I have never seen, a fond teary smile.

Amir POV

A few minutes later

Glancing at every street hoping to glimpse of a sight Hassan with the blue kite Amir ran faster. It was strange, Hassan normally did not take this long to run a kite. Dread started to creep into his heart.

Stalls were closing and cleaning up. The crowds were dwindling as was my hope in finding Hassan. Slowing down at a corner I heard the sounds of scuffling dirt and grunting.

Slowly walking to the enclosed alley sticking to the walls the voices started to be clear. Assef.

Turning the corner I saw Assef and 2 of his friends kneeling down struggling to hold something down. Furrowing my brows I watched Assef pushing his pants down and moved his hips forward. A voice screamed out in pain.

It was a voice I was very familiar with. It was a voice that followed me everywhere I went.

Hassan.

A cold rush of feeling went through my whole body despite the lack of wind.

All it took was an implusive act of bravery. Baba said that I stood up for no one. But witnessing the scene in front of me was the crack that broke the dam. I never fought back when the other children would pick on me, I had Hassan for that.

But seeing my friend. My Best Friend. My Hassan pinned underneath those boys triggered a rage in me.

Looking down on my feet underneath some snow I saw a rock as big as my head.

With strength that I did not know I had I heaved the rock over my head and ran towards Assef.

THUNK

It was silent for a few seconds. I saw Assef rolling to his side.

Glancing down all I saw was the red blood splattered between the quivering thighs of my best friend. Then his teary eyes as he looked back at me. "Amir agha..."

The cold feeling that was rushing through my veins was replaced by hot rage. Looking up at Assef's 2 friends I rushed to them tackling them to the ground.

Pain no longer mattered to me. I used my fists, my legs, and my teeth to exact pain to them.

It should have surprised me that I was fighting 2 boys at the same time, and winning too. But as we rolled around the dirt trading hits, my fury won out in the end.

I shakingly stood up. 3 boys bleeding in front of me. The rage in me wasn't quelled yet. I grabbed another rock, smaller this time, intent on bashing Assef's face some more.

A soft voice called out behind me "Amir agha... you must stop"

Looking back I saw Hassan lying on his side struggling to crawl his way to me.

Immediately dropping the rock I rushed to help my friend.

I carefully held his hand "I'm sorry Hassan. I'm so sorry"

Assisting him to stand I let Hassan lean on me as I bent to pull his pants back up.

"There is... nothing to be sorry for.. Amir agha"

Meeting his redened eyes I couldn't help but tear up. Small hands raised to wipe my tears away.

"I ran the kite for you agha. There is no need to cry"

Sniffling I bent down and grabbed Hassan by his knees. Allowing him to climb on my back.

"Amir agha you cann--"

"I will" I cut him off.

As gently as I can I walked over the bleeding bodies to go home.

"Agha... the kite"

Without stopping I continued to walk, "It does not matter. Let's go home"

Slowly and steadily we walked home in silence. I felt something warm drip down my back. Looking down I saw drops of blood on clear snow, knowing that it was not my blood.

"Hassan"

"Yes agha?"

"I'll protect you from now on."