"Black Hawk we need to figure out where to hide. The Devil's Thorn will be after us," William said.
"What about Sweden," Kenya said.
"Sweden? Isn't that on the other end of the world?"
"It's just across the Atlantic Ocean."
"How do you expect us to get across the Atlantic Ocean to Sweden? How can we be sure that Sweden will not send us back to the Devil's Thorn?"
"When our parents were alive we heard that Sweden was sympathetic to the Muslims. They won't send us back to America."
"But we are not Muslims."
"There are some mountains we can hide in. They are far from the cities. The only people who go there are tourists and skiers."
"What choice do we have? We can't live in America living like rats," Candy said.
"Living in the mountains is not much better. How will we survive?"
"I don't know," Candy said.
"Is there any way we can live in America?"
"No. With the Devil's Thorn searching for us and with the crackdown on Muslims..."
"Then we must make our way to Sweden."
"We'll need to travel quickly and light. That means going with nothing more than we can carry," Black Hawk said. He looked at Kenya. "Kenya how do you suggest we get to Sweden?"
"The only way I can think of us sneak aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise. Then when it docks in Europe we hitchhike to Sweden."
"Anybody know how long it will take to get to the Atlantic Ocean?"
"It will take us a couple of weeks to get there. We'll need to figure out which ships are heading to Europe. Then we must get enough food for the journey and sneak aboard the cruise ship."
"This is going to be risky for all of us," Kenya said.
"Yes it will but this may be the only way we can be free. This may be the only way that you, your siblings, and Lucinda can be free," Black Hawk said.
"I don't know if I can go any further Kenya. My feet are tired," Kumar said to Kenya.
"We must keep going Kumar. With the help of Allah we will be free."
"Will we ever be able to settle down and practice Islam freely?"
"I do not know. Hopefully."
"I think we should stay here a few days to rest up and then we'll begin our trip to the Atlantic Ocean," Marigold suggested.
"What does everybody think," Black Hawk asked.
Everyone nodded their agreement. Kenya, Lucinda, Kumar and Hawwa prayed. They all had gotten into a routine. Running at night...resting during the day...sending out a couple of small hunting parties and we even gathered herbs so Hazel could heal wounds when their small gang got sick or wounded. Watching the Muslims pray and taking mental notes on Islam. Marigold and Blaze were starting to spend more time with each other but Black Hawk knew that Blaze would not do anything with his sister until he sought Black Hawk's permission.
As we were sitting down to a meal of a freshly killed deer and some wild greens when we heard the pounding of hooves. Tensing up we quickly doused the fire with dirt and then crowded in a circle in front of the Muslims. William, Black Hawk, and Blaze picked up some rocks and spears they had made. They listened with worry as the sounds stopped. With trepidation they waited, trying to figure out where the horse or horses were.
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Locked In
Mystery / Thriller"It is not life that binds us to Allah. It is not death that takes us but Allah. To all of our sufferings and joys comes hope from Allah. But to be able to hear the word of Allah is something many will never hear because they are too blinded by th...
