Bruno
Sarah takes a few steps back to let Dante be by my side.
I know what she’s doing, she wants to achieve ‘direct communication’ between brothers, but I honestly don't know what to say, “Hi bro, how were all those years?” I'm bad at this stuff, like really bad.
Dante follows my footsteps in silence while we both listen to Sarah talk to the child. It's a great excuse to not acknowledge our existence and when Sarah and Amira start talking to each other, Dante breaks the ice between us.
“Bruno...I-I never thanked you properly for coming, not only for Amira but for me.”
I keep walking straight, not facing him. It breaks my heart to hear him say those words with nervousness. My throat is tight enough to know that if I say a word, my voice will be distorted, and I can’t allow that right now.
I hear his feet try to keep up with mine.
“I, uh, don't remember much, I'm trying, but...”
“Don't worry about it.” I cut him off as I clear my throat, removing any trace of tears. “The memories will probably come back when we get out of this damn place.” I turn to look at him for a few seconds, although his face is in the dark, I can feel his cowering eyes wide open. He’s thirsty for information, I know I would be, that’s why I push myself to talk, “We never knew they sold you, you know? Those cocksuckers sent us a video of you being murdered. Only a few years ago I found out they didn't actually kill you but sold you.”
“How did you find out?” He asks with genuine curiosity.
See? I wasn’t wrong.
“I worked with the anti-terrorist squad; the leader of the organization was Razzag's brother. And yes, I say was, he’s dead.”
Dante processes the information for a second and then asks, “Are you in the military?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Oh, that's why you were using hand language, right?”
“Yes. Is the easiest way to communicate in the field. Silence is your best ally.”
“Yes, I think I understand that.”
Yes, you do. Silence must be the best ally for a slave as well.
“Is Sarah in the army too?”
“Yes.” I dryly answer, because I know what the next question is going to be, and I don't want to say the fucking answer out loud.
“That's where you two met?”
Damn it.
I hate my real history with Sarah, it's not fair to her that I have to lie about how we met, I feel like a fucking son of a bitch.
“Exactly.” I reply and quickly deflect the issue. Especially because I know Sarah is listening and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. “So, I've been in Arabia for two years trying to get into this fucking compound, I got the interview with Kaled and here I am. I’m still don’t know how we're going to get out, but I promise you won't spend another night here.”
“Thank you...” he whispers. “Do mum and dad know you're here?”
Shit...
“They both died a few years ago, but my guess is they know somehow,” Dante remains silent. “I'm sorry you found out this way.”
I hear Sarah and Amira’s footsteps behind us. They remain quiet. The child whines from time to time, especially when Amira stumble over a rock.
“I understand...Sarah mentioned Carter, he is our cousin, right?”
Finally, some damn good news.
