A Day of Prayer
Achmed had made a choice. A choice that could never be taken back. His local resistance cell had prepared for this day, and Achmed would carry out their plan.
This story is mostly for bad puns and writing practice. This is my first time writing something longer than like three paragraphs, haha, so it's probably terrible. Don't take it too seriously.
Chapter 1: The Plan
Achmed gazed out over the steppes as he sat in his foxhole. The rain gently fell on the tarp over his head; the soothing sound helped him to relax. He looked at the aloes as the rain dripped from their bodies.
The soft sound of a car engine rumbled in the distance. It was probably Mahmoud bringing a replacement for the nightly watch over the valley next to the mountain he was perched on.
The rumbling grew louder as a white pickup truck drew nearer to Achmed's foxhole. He could see his old friend Mahmoud was driving, and a young boy who had joined their local cellof the Meowliban. The truck reared up to him and stopped, the engine still running.
"Masaa' al-khayr , my brother." Mahmoud greeted from the driver's seat with his window only slightly opened so as to avoid the rain.
"Masaa' an-nuur, old friend" Achmed replied.
"I've come to bring the young one to replace you here. Meowhammad has called you back to the cave. He wants to discuss the operation this friday."
Achmed nodded silently as the boy got out of the truck. He handed his rifle over and patted the young tabby on the shoulder before boarding the vehicle. Mahmoud rolled up his window andturned the car around before heading back down the dirt road leading up the mountain.
"How's the family?" Achmed asked as he stared idly at the wipers moving back and forth across the windscreen.
"Good. Good. My youngest boy has started to talk. We're very proud of him. He's learned at such a young age. The older ones took much longer than he did."
"Well, you know what they say. Every child is different."
"Too true, too true. Any plans for kids of your own?"
An uncomfortable silence fell between the two as the sound of rocks underneath quietly filled the air.
"I'm sorry. I-I forgot." Mahmoud stammered.
"It's alright. I've made my decision." Achmed stated solemnly.
The entrance of the cave came into sight as they approached the end of the road.
"We're here. Let's see what Meowhammad has to say."
The vehicle rolled up to the cave, as the two got out and entered the gloomy cavern they had been holed up in.
The warm glow of incandescent bulbs covered the men gathered around the worn old table they used whenever a meeting was held. An Egyptian Mau stood at the center of the table. He was an old and greyed cleric who was the leader of their cell. Rumours floated around about his bravery, and brutality, against the Soviets in the 80's. Nothing was known for certain however, and Achmed took little heed of rumours.
"Ah, Achmed is here. We can discuss the plan." Meowhammad stated.
The men gathered around the tabled nodded and watched as Achmed brought himself to the table.
"As you all know, a respectedimam of the disgusting Shi'a will be leading prayers this friday. Tomorrow. Many will be gathered there from surrounding villages.Achmed will attend the service and wait until everyone is gathered. Then, he will become a martyr for the cause." Meowhammad continued.
"Inshallah." The men said as they each looked at Achmed.
"Mahmoud will use the pickup to drop Achmed near the bazaar. He will then walk on foot to the Mosque. We don't want anyone to identify the vehicle as it could lead them back to our base of operations. Remember young martyr, you must wait until the imam has arrived. That is the main purpose of this operation."
Achmed nodded humbly.
"Jamal has prepared the explosives. Rest now; he will explain them to you tomorrow."
The men around the table began to disperse as they each returned to their rooms. Meowhammad waled over to Achmed and took hold of his hand."Do not be nervous my son. Allah will reward your bravery tenfold in the afterlife."
"I know. It is my duty to serve Him. I will not be afraid. You can count on me."
Meowhammad nodded and shook Achmed's hand before retiring to his room as well.
Chapter 2: Sacrifice
Achmed and Jamal stood in the dimly lit workshop. Jamal stood next to his metal workbench, covered in scratches from his hours of work.In his hands he held a belt packed to the brim with explosives. Achmed opened his coat as Jamal placed them around his midriff. The belt was tight and sat uncomfortably. He wouldn't be wearing it for long at least, Achmed thought to himself.
"You see on your left here? There's this little plunger." Jamal told him.
"I'm assuming that detonates it?"
"Yes, it does. Be careful not to trigger it accidentally from a bump or swinging your arms too vigorously. It might take up to three seconds to detonate, but you won't be able to stop it."
"I'll be careful."
Achmed arrived at Mahmoud's truck outside the cave.
"Let's go." Achmed stated before getting into the vehicle. The heat had baked the interior of the car to a sizzling temperature. Achmed sat uncomfortably, waiting for the car to move so that the wind would cool his sweating face.
They arrived at the bazaar shortly afterwards. The crowds bustled through the streets before the friday prayer.
"Ma'a as-salaama, Achmed.For the last time, my friend." Mahmoud said sadly before looking at the steering wheel, lost in thought.
Achmed walked into the bazaar, the smell of spices and freshly baked food filled the air. The stalls were full of townspeople selling the efforts of their labour to the visiting crowds. Achmed quickly made his way through the crowds when suddenly an elderly man bumped into his left side. Achmed froze in panic.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.
Achmed sighed in relief. His death would have been in vain to suddenly explode in a crowd of people. Some of whom were undoubtedlynot Shi'a. He continued past the crowds and made his way to the mosque. Achmed looked at his watch. 11:30. The prayers began at 12:00. He still had time.
The mosque stood beautifully before him. The teal mosaic covering the walls. The fresh golden trim on the windows. The minaret standing triumphantly in the air. A monument to Allah. He felt almost ashamed to destroy such a magnificent building, but he reminded himself that it was filled with Shi'a, and Allah despised the Shi'a above all else.
He took his shoes off as he entered the building. Dozens had already made their way there and waited patiently for the service to begin. Young and elderly. Men and boys. The women of course were in their own section where they could not be seen.
"As-salaam 'alaykum." an old dilmun said as he walked by.
"Wa 'alaykum salaam." Achmed replied nervously.
He made his way to the centre of the gathered crowd. 11:29 his watch showed him in its cold digital screen, devoid of any soul. "Was this the right decision?" he thought to himself. When he was younger he had often dreamed of meeting a beautiful woman and raising a family of his own. Perhaps...perhaps this was a mistake. What would he say to the cell? He couldn't back out now. Not after everything that had happened. He swore his life to Allah; to the Meowliban.
The imam had arrived. He was close enough to be caught in the blast radius. The explosives had been packed to the bursting point. The entire gathering would fall today. Achmed began sweating. He began to panic. "What do I do?" he thought to himself. His abdomen hurt from the angry grip of the explosives. He thought of his family. His mother, his father. His younger sister, so sweet and so innocent. She would make a fine bride one day, and make her husband a happy man.
The air almost seemed oppressive. The walls felt like they were closing in on him. His tail seemd to move frantically against his will. He felt as if the crowds would discover him any second now. He would be arrested and sentenced to death. If he returned, he would surely be killed as well.
He placed his hand on the trigger. There was only one thing he could do.
A voice began to rise in his throat.
He pushed the plunger.
"God is great!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three.