Episode 30 : Deliverance

Zawaq walked alone until midnight. Despite having traveled far from the military base earlier, his strong determination kept him moving for three days and two nights without food or water.

On the fourth morning, a truck stopped beside Zawaq. The driver, a man, removed the cloth covering his entire face.

"Hey, you! Where are you heading? Are you lost?" the truck driver asked through the window, which had no glass.

Soon after, Zawaq was seated next to the driver of the fruit-and-vegetable delivery truck.

"You look like an Arab soldier. Are you on a mission? I'm delivering goods for business in the town after our farms and fields were destroyed by rockets from Israhell soldiers," explained the driver.

"I'll do my best to help the town's people by investigating the origin of the rockets," Zawaq replied.

"Well, thank you. May God protect you," said the driver.

After an hour's journey, they arrived in town, and Zawaq disembarked from the truck, starting to walk away.

"Hey, don't you have money to pay for your ride? Help me unload these fruits and vegetables!" the driver called out.

Hearing the driver's request, Zawaq turned and nodded, heading to the back of the truck to help unload the goods.

People inside the storage building were shocked to see the Arab soldier, Zawaq, unloading all the goods effortlessly, without showing any signs of fatigue or breaking a sweat.

After unloading everything, Zawaq prepared to leave.

"Wait, who told you to leave? There's more work inside the building. Come along," the truck driver said, smoking a cigarette while leaning against his truck.

Zawaq followed the driver back into the building, but a scream from outside caught their attention. Everyone in the building turned toward the sound.

Zawaq rushed out and spotted the source of the commotion: four Israhell soldiers were throwing belongings out of a home that was part of a row of shop houses.

The entire family inside clung to one another. The father stood between his family and two Israhell soldiers pointing their weapons at them, while the other two soldiers ransacked and damaged their belongings and shop goods.

Zawaq sprinted toward the two soldiers. One soldier aimed his Lee Enfield Mk III rifle at the father's face and pulled the trigger, releasing a bullet from the rifle's barrel.

Zawaq intercepted the bullet with his palm, shattering it. Using the same hand, he punched the soldier in the face, decapitating him instantly.

The headless body of the soldier remained standing momentarily before collapsing. The severed head hit a nearby building wall, its face destroyed.

The other soldier redirected his rifle toward Zawaq and fired. The bullet struck the back of Zawaq's head but failed to penetrate his skin.

Zawaq spun around and lunged at the soldier, slapping his head with such force that it shattered vertically.

The soldier's skull burst open, spraying brain matter. Blood covered Zawaq's face and shirt as the soldier's lifeless body collapsed.

Two more Israhell soldiers emerged from the building, aiming their Lee Enfield Mk I rifles at Zawaq. They fired, but Zawaq dashed toward them, grabbing the collars of their uniforms.

He hurled both soldiers high into the air. Their screams echoed as they soared before plummeting to the ground. Upon impact, their bodies were crushed, their bones shattered, and blood pooled around them.

The family Zawaq had saved looked on in shock and fear, seeing him drenched in blood. They backed away, some crawling to create distance from him.

Zawaq noticed their terrified expressions.

"Thank you for saving us, but please leave," said the father, guiding his family back into their home while keeping a safe distance from Zawaq.

"Hey, why are you scaring people? Come inside! The work's not done," the truck driver called out casually.

Zawaq turned toward the driver.

"Come on, quickly!" the driver urged.

Zawaq returned to the driver, who directed him to clean up and change his clothes. Afterward, Zawaq helped tidy the shop and organize the goods.

Once the work was done, the shop owner served a delicious lunch.

"Please eat. Eat as much as you want. It's my treat, and also payment for helping the neighbors," said the shop owner, serving lamb stew and Arab rice on a large platter.

"You're a good man," said the truck driver, seated across from Zawaq.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Zawaq asked.

"We only fear God. We see you as help sent by Him," replied the driver.

"It's rare to find someone as brave as you, Zawaq. Some have courage and the strength to resist the occupiers but choose to betray us out of fear for their families," added the shop owner.

Zawaq remained silent, eating his meal.

"What's your mission, soldier? If it's classified, you don't have to tell us," the driver asked.

"For now, I'm just scouting the area," Zawaq answered.

"Young man, even if you're just a scout, help us however you can," the shop owner said.

"Half of Palestine has been taken by Israhell under orders from the United Nations. Damn colonizers!" the driver exclaimed angrily.

Zawaq nodded solemnly.