The Forest

“Are you sure we are in the right direction?”

Jamal stops for the fourth time. He doesn’t understand the concept of this map. The city Adalas is behind the forest. “I believe it takes two days to leave this forest.” They don’t want to confront other soldiers. So, they take the safest and riskiest path. The forest. Trees. Bushes. Birds. They walked nonstop. When they left school, they both didn’t say anything. Jamal appreciated the silence. He didn’t know what to say. Even if he did it, it wouldn’t have helped to lessen his guilt.

He takes another look at the map. “Not far from here, there is a water stream. We can refill our water bottles.” He begins to walk. But Mina doesn’t move. He looks behind. “What’s wrong?” Mina avoids his eyes. “Maybe, we should take a break and…”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

Jamal stops.

Sweat is running down his back. Mina looks him in the eyes. Anger. “Why didn’t you push him away?” His heart begins to beat faster. “Why did you go to the gym alone?”

Bump. Bump. 

“How could you be so careless? 

Bump. BUMP. 

“If you hadn’t been alone, Jin would have been…”

Jamal couldn’t hear anything. Every world felt like a slap in his face. Mina begins to scream louder. Jamal puts his hands on his ears.

“Your dog…” 

BUMP. 

“SHUT UP!”

For a moment, the world stops. 

So is Mina. She is shocked by his outburst. 

Jamal puts his hands down. Now he is angry. “The campfire was not my idea.” He begins to speak louder. “Staying at school was not my idea.” Mina takes a step back.

“IF YOU DIDN’T THREATEN US, MY FRIEND WOULD HAVE BEEN ALIVE!”

Silence.

Jamal breaths heavily. Suddenly. He begins to sob. He sits down on the ground and cries. Cries his heart out. The burden was too much to bear. “You’re right.” Jamal sobs. “I am a coward. It’s my fault.” Mina steps forward. She pauses in front of him, bends over and hugs him. He doesn’t respond to her action. “I’m sorry too.” Mina whispers. Jamal cries. Mina cries. For a moment, they forget their cruel world. Right now it’s just them. All the weight. Anger. Anxiety. Frustration. Guilty. Begin to feel lighter. The sun shines through the thick leaves.

On the two little children.