Unthinkable

Struggling to Survive

I reached South East Delhi at 7:30 pm.

Pressed for time, I yelled at the most high pitched voice that was possible to throw out of my throat so that the whole cage could hear me.

"HALI! Beta, I have been searching for you all over the place, I've been so worried. I sob day and night thinking you've died. Where were you, its been 3 whole days Hali, what were you thinking..."

"Ma, now's not the time. Everyone leave for the emergency boats spontaneously. Please, the fate of your descendants depends on it."

"What, what? Is that child crazy? She doesn't know what she's taking about." Harsh words were spread throughout mouths.

"I am serious, I know. The other side have planned a fatal attack on this tent, tonight. They'll be here at 8, I'm telling you." I growled.

"OKAY! Stop being so insecure. We'll 'play along' with your game, Hali."

I couldn't waste my precious deciseconds explaining the technicalities of the surroundings. I told everyone where to go and what to do. My mother belived me. She watched as a hawk as I stood in the center of the empty tent.

The trucks finally pulled up.

"They're gone. I got here 30 minutes ago and there was nobody here. I don't even know where they all went." I confidently remarked.

"Are you crazy, child? They have to be here. I demand search warrents to come up front."

Search warrents? I wasn't thinking straight. This would never work. They're all... dead.

"Uh, I scanned the entire plot before you came, what did you think, I was standing here doing nothing? Are you trying to mock me?! Doubt my skill? Who are you to do that. How could you! I thought there was trust between us... Are you really making me look like a fool? You should be sorry if you are." I word- vomited.

"I'm honestly sorry, young lady. We didn't understand your being here early but I guess now everything in tact. Um, let's all go." One of the officials replied.

I followed them out into the trucks.

"Hali! Where do you think you're going?" My mother rised as she spoke.

"Who was that, what was that?" The officials brought out their snipers.

"Nothing men, I was imitating my mother. I... I miss her. I will miss her. A lot. And my sister and brother too. I just feel sorry, you know, for abandoning them. But I knew I was the one who had to take charge. You all must have felt it, departing from your own families." I teared up. This was a secret strategy, I conveyed the message to my mother while the Soldiers thought I was telling a story.

I walked backwards and as I strolled along, I mouthed "I'm sorry."

The only thing I saw were faces, regaining faith. Lightening hope.

Watching opportunity.