There was a long silence as they once again took up their stance at the window. “There’s only one thing for us to do,” Josh said calmly after surveying the scene in front of him. “Whether my dad’s here or not, we must somehow try and rescue at least one of the captives” As futile as the task appeared at that moment, the determination in his eyes told Ahmad that Josh Cody meant every word he said. “I don’t think the situation’s as bleak as it seems,” Josh remarked calmly. “Firstly, there’s only one guard at each of the two gates, and secondly the wire surrounding the whole perimeter is only two metres high. That suggests they don’t expect any mass breakouts or rescue operations. Also, the fact that they keep most of the camp in semi-darkness, except for the light from the windows, will help us.”
Seconds later the outside door on the third building swung open and in the restricted light they could see a figure slowly descend the two steps to the ground. It was the third man that they had seen being beaten. Suddenly, he was sent sprawling as a boot hit him in the small of the back. It was the boot of a soldier, who quickly followed the assault by repeatedly kicking the man until he staggered to his feet. His hands were handcuffed, this time in front of him, but his legs were not shackled so he was able to stumble out of the light into the shadows. A little later they saw him again as he wavered past the lighted windows of the buildings. Then he was gone into the shadows.
“They’re forcing him to get exercise, by making him walk around the buildings. Obviously they want to keep him alive,” said Josh trying to keep calm as he trained his binoculars on the other buildings, looking for evidence of activity. Although there was plenty going on he was unable to detect any other prisoners.
After 30 minutes staggering around the camp, the unfortunate prisoner was escorted back to the building where he immediately disappeared inside. Before the door opened again and the second prisoner came out, but without the help of a boot in the back from the following guard. Josh briefly lowered the binoculars and shook his head before resuming his vigil.
They waited.... and watched. The same routine continued with the man being forced to walk around the area, this time with the exception that the guard did not seem to have his heart in the job of bullying. Josh also notice that he occasionally appeared to speak to the prisoner, several times putting his hand on his shoulder in a comforting way and helping him up whenever he fell. It was the same guard that had earlier tried to stand in front of the interrogator when he was abusing the prisoner.
Josh slowly lowered his binoculars, “I’m going outside to see what the guard’s doing. Secure the door after me, I’ll knock three times to be let back in.” Minutes later Ahmad heard three taps on the door. “There’s just one guard,” Josh said after settling down once more under the window, “sitting on a stool, who looks pretty fed up. I think I could take care of him,” he said, “that would get us into the camp quite easily. However, it’s going to be very difficult to spirit away any of the prisoners without arousing suspicion, or causing a rumpus which could bring the whole camp down on our backs.”
“Can you drive?” asked Ahmad, suddenly perking up, “because,” he continued without waiting for an answer, “there is just a chance that the car parked in the drive may have the keys left in it.”
“Yes, since I was ten… But never a left-hooker,” Josh replied. They both stood up, becoming more and more animated, as it dawned on them that there could be an outside chance that they may be able pull off a rescue, if not of Josh’s father, then whoever it was who was incarcerated in the buildings. “Mmm, to get to the car we would have to take care of the guard at the other gate,” Josh said quietly and almost absentmindedly to himself. “Let’s go,” he said abruptly after a last look out of the window. “We’ll stroll along the road, and if you can chat to me in Arabic I’ll respond the best I can, and we may be able to fool him. Then when we’re close enough, you engage him in conversation. I’ll do the rest.”
They stealthily and cautiously left the building and made their way towards the gate. The guard, who was still sitting on the stool, as Josh had seen him earlier, looked up as they approached. Ahmad broke off his Arabic chatter to Josh and said something to the guard, who walked towards them as if welcoming the company. Josh, trying not to arouse suspicion, slowly moved away from Ahmad so that it would be more difficult for the guard to see them both at the same time.
As the guard got closer to Ahmad, Josh, who remained partly hidden in the shadows, bent down as if he was about to tie his shoelace, putting him in a perfect position for launching an attack. Like a bullet, he shot forward and sent a rib-crushing, heart-stopping blow, to the guard’s midriff. As the guard fell forward, gasping for air, Josh followed up the assault with rapid lefts and rights to his jaw, until the guard lay motionless, his head partly buried in the sandy soil.
“Quick, see if you can find some rope. We must tie him up and hope that he doesn’t come round too soon.”
Ahmad, like a magician, produced a roll of nylon string from his pocket. “I never go far without this and a penknife,” he said, in between puffs as he helped drag the soldier over to the wire and sit him on the stool. They trussed him up, hooked him onto the wire, so that he wouldn’t fall, and put the stool under him. Josh fashioned a gag out of the man’s belt and forced it into his mouth.
“He’ll be out of action for some time,” Josh said with conviction, “and by my reckoning, we’ll have about three minutes before they take the prisoner back into the building. I think we should make for the car. But before we get to it we’ll have to deal with the guard at the other gate.” Keeping in the shadows they rapidly made their way towards the second gate, where the guard was sitting on a stool with an AK47 on his lap. Unlike the other guard, there was a light immediately above him and he seemed more alert, occasionally standing up and walking around.
As they got nearer the boys lowered themselves to the ground and wriggled forward. The seconds ticked by as they waited for the guard to move, so that they could tackle him when he was out of the glare of the light. Slowly he stood up, stretched, and took a few paces in their direction. As he came closer Josh crouched, ready to pounce. Remarkably, the soldier stopped, removed the rifle belt from around his shoulders, placed the rifle against the wire and continued with the regimen of stretching and yawning before starting to relieve himself.
“Heh,” Ahmad called, causing him to half turn. Josh leapt forward, and a hammer like blow hit the guard in the stomach, and a single right hook laid him out cold. As one, they sprinted toward the parked car. “Stay here,” Josh said quietly when they were ten metres from the vehicle. Leaving Ahmad, he crept closer and peered into the car from the side farthest from the building, but was unable to see if the key had been left in the ignition. He knew that if he opened the door the interior light would go on. Conscious that time was slowly ticking away he put his hand on the door handle and was about to pull when a sound caught his attention. Looking through the car’s window at the building, he could see a figure standing in the doorway. The light from inside the building causing his shadow to be cast toward the vehicle. It was impossible to make out his features, but his build resembled the man who had helped throw George into the car.