THE REVERT 18

Brian checked the time in his watch, it's quarter past 12. Everything is quite. He looked at the one storeyed building right in front of him, looks like the people inside are sleeping. It's unusual for the people here to stay up late in the weekdays. At least that's what seems like with the last whole month of observing them. Brian looked around him. Parker took his position right next to him, Gilman and Steve are behind him. He is still struggling with the dream every night. No matter how much he tries, he can't forget about it, he can't unveil the mystery. Brian signaled the two to stay back as planned and started approaching the door with Parker. He checked one last time with the goggles, no movement, everyone is in sound sleep. Parker broke opened the door and Brian and Parker both stepped in. All the sudden, he felt someone behind him before turning around Brian felt a sharp blow on his head and the whole world turned dark.

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Brian opened his eyes slowly trying to figure out where is he at. He tried to raise his head up but a sharp pain in the head stopped him. He tried to check but his hands and legs were tied. Brian somehow turned his head to find Parker. He is also lying on floor few feet away from him. 

-"Park!! Are you up?" Brian hissed.

Parker neither replied nor moved. Brian turned himself and pushed Parker with his legs. Still no response! Brian pushed him harder and turned him around. That's the time Brian noticed the puddle of blood right under him. A chill ran down his spine. Brian rolled toward Parker and tried to feel his heartbeat, it was silent and cold. Brian quickly realized that Parker is no more, suddenly the door opened, two guys walked in. 

-" It's your turn. You guys shouldn't have messed with us. You thought we are not gonna figure out who you guys are? This is my territory I  am aware of every single move anyone makes in this area." The man said pulling Brian up with his collar.

"You bloody American, think that no one can beat you because of the artillery you got. Now tell me, are you scared without them?" clear ridicule was evident in that guy's eyes.

Brian looked him in the eyes and replied after few seconds later," Bravery is not determined by how fierce weapon anyone has. The bravest one is the one who faces the toughest of enemies with no weapons at all. Right now, you don't look anywhere close to one of them." Brian replied with a smirk on his face but was surprised at the same time with his own reply. ' Why did I say it?' he wondered.

The middle-aged guy got furious and kicked his face. " Your over confidence will kill you just like your friend there. Wait and see if any of your other buddies come and rescue you. Don't forget, it's 2 versus 15." The guy laughed and left.

Nothing passed through Brian's ears. He is still thinking about that quote in his dream. ' It sounds so familiar.' he thought 'even Ruby said it the other day in Gilman's house. But I read it somewhere.' Brian tried as hard as he could but couldn't recall. 'This unbearable headache!' he thought and drifted to sleep. 

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A man with a white long shirt approached him. The same man who Brian is being seeing in his dreams. But this time his face was much clear than before. Brian smelled something very sweet. May be it's coming from that guy with white clothes. He approached him. Brian was almost about to touch him, the man turned and looked at him. With a deep voice, he asked," Recite ashhadu Allah ilaha illa Allah u...........". Brian was completely mesmerized by the man in front of him, he was about to repeat but suddenly he remembered ' I am not muslim.' Brian looked at the man. The man said, " That's the answer for all your questions. Accept it, what's in your heart."

Brian's sleep broke but this time he felt a sort of peacefulness in his heart. The fear of captivity almost evaporated his heart. He was more concerned about the captivity of his soul. He remembered where he read about the man who faced the toughest of enemies without any weapons. It was the prophet who preached Islam. Everything started getting clear in his mind. All these years of research about this single religion never touched his heart until today. Everything started making sense. Every aspects that seemed ridiculous seems reasonable now. Brian laughed at his own feelings. ' Is this what Abdullah always talked about? Hidaya!' Brian thought. 

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The day passed. At late night, that middle-aged man walked in again with his people. 

-" I can't wait to kill you. This will be the biggest lesson for your country. Next time, you guys will think twice before sending spies. Any last wish?"

-" Yes, one!" Brian said while lying on the floor.

- The middle aged man gestured the man next to him to make Brian sit down. " What's your last wish?"

-" I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

-" What? What are you saying?" The middle-aged man gave Brian a questioned look.

-" I just changed my religion." Brian replied with a smile. " You asked me about my last wish before my death, this it."

- The man laughed.

All the sudden a whoosh sound and the breaking of the glass startled them. The middle-aged man dropped on the floor. 

10 mins later, Brian was out of the building with Gilman, Steve and a bunch of local law enforcement people.

To be continued.....

All the places and characters depicted in this story are fictitious.