“5421.kacbetag”, the message read.
My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to decipher the message, trying to figure out who sent it. Surely it couldn’t be… They knew I hated them; they knew I would do anything to take revenge against them. Then why? Suddenly I got another text on my phone which read, ‘Like old times.’
The code...I got it. How easy it was! And yes, it was them. Only they could have sent such a message to me.
It read: 12.45, back gate.
What do they want now? After so many years…did they have another plan to hurt me? They had tried to once but luckily, I had escaped just in time. I had a very strong feeling that they had something big planned this time. After pondering over it for a long time I decided to go to the back gate.
What bad could happen if I went there? I had no friends, no family. Who would even miss me?
The back gate was where it all had originated. 4 of my friends and I had all wanted to be secret agents, and our waywardness let us give allegiance to ISIS, putting our family name down. The other four, my only friends had died on the same ground where ISIS had promised to protect us. Those people had used us and then when we were of no use to them, they had killed us. Barely escaping from their evil clutches, I had now gotten a fresh start devoid of them.
My life is pretty depressing now. Not a very distinguished factor from when I was working for ISIS. When I had escaped, there was only one thing that kept me going -the idea of having a fresh start. I could make friends who were like my family, get married, have kids, and live a happy and normal life. But with my luck, I should be grateful I still haven’t been caught. The government had been on the lookout for me since ISIS had sent video proof to them that I had formerly been a part of them. So now I was on in hiding, accused of murder and whatnot. So much for living a normal life. But now...ISIS has given me an opportunity. An inkling of an idea was forming.
Tonight, after my prayers I went to the back gate. It was right across my street. On reaching there, I saw that a crowd had gathered. What was going on? I was clueless. I glanced at my watch and found out that I was early, so I decided to walk around and then suddenly-
Everything was black.
Memories started flashing across my eyes. I saw my mom and dad smiling at me saying how proud they were of me. I could remember that day very well. That scene had taken place just after I had gotten the news that I had secured the first rank in my school. The scene shifted. I was now calmly calling the police and telling them of the message I had received and about ISIS. I may not ever be able to live a normal life, but at least I would’ve avenged my friends and received payback for ISIS ruining me. I remembered the police’s response. “Sir, if you agree to go to the back gate to act as a decoy for ISIS, it would be a great help. Do not panic. We will send some of our best men for your safety. Nothing will happen to you.” Liars. Here I was, lying on the floor in misery, not knowing whether I was alive or dead. More memories started flashing-some blurry, some sad, while some fond and distant.
Was I dying? Surely that was the only explanation.
Suddenly everything blackened. All the visions disappeared.
I opened my eyes. The view was very blurry. In a distance, I could faintly see two men dressed in uniforms talking discreetly with each other in a language that seemed foreign yet very familiar. My brain wasn’t able to process anything.
One of the men then saw that my eyes were open and he and his colleague walked up to me. “Good evening,” said the man, before thanking me for being in service to the country. They then told me that because of my assistance they had managed to detain the terrorists who were responsible for the bombing at the back gate, with minimal casualties. They also told me that by calling them I had not only saved thousands of people but also prevented the city from further attacks. At last, I felt peace. I may not ever be able to forgive myself for what I did for ISIS, but I would do my best to stop them.
Comments