As I leaned against the large oak, my confidant –NATO of Izmir— was making the escape plan.
On special missions like these, we had always worked together. Nato was more of the headman than the henchman, but he performed commands subtly, like a sidekick would. We were buddies since the 8th grade, and although sometimes I’ve become quite annoyed with his disposition, he’s taught me many lessons that I’ll never forget.
"Here’s what we’ll do," he whispered, "you see that house over there?" I hurriedly replied "Yep." "Well that’s the old Turkma house. I’ll go first, then you follow. Once you arrive past the second door, climb on the adjacent wall. We’ll take it from there." Just then he dashed in front of me in the direction of the abandoned Turkma. A minute had passed, and I now decided that it was my turn to run. Just then a loud *CRASH* sounded from his location. My mind began pacing back and forth, wondering what had just occurred. So I lay flat on my back, closed my eyes, and prayed, "May they not find him, Lord." If they found him, then they were sure to search for me. But the time passed in silence, so I just lay there.
As I watched each minute pass by, looking up at the starry sky, I thought to myself, "An endless ocean of blue, and shiny lights reaching beyond our grasp; they don’t worry or fret." I considered my life in the past, and pondered if tonight was the night I would die.
This was only our second assignment, and had we lost the war? We were on Fowler’s territory, and hadn’t planned to enjoy a cup of Turkish tea with them.
They were a dynasty, and a group of 7 vicious men and women, who, for a time, operated in our own regiment. They turned on us abruptly, making us defenseless to their aggression, so we had to flee for our lives. Many of our squad had already been captured, and I believe Nato and I were the only crew remaining.
So there I was… all alone… nowhere to run… "RUN!!" The Fowlers were right beside me!! My heart sunk, and my eyes wavered as I tried not to breathe. The intensity grew, however, and the decision was made. I sprang up and bolted in one direction, like a zebra fleeing from a prowling lion. "There he is!" In that moment, extra speed was supplied to me, but I felt like I would stumble. It seemed that I began to sink, and all the sudden a rock caught my right foot, so I smashed into the dirt. I quickly arose. An arm lunged at my face, but I dodged, and continued in that one direction. I was almost free, and could see the light approaching. Like a runner, approaching the finish line, I could feel it… I was almost there…
"We CAUGHT you!!"
…the game was over.
