Summary

Mr. Jack burst out of his hut and drove off in his HiLux. Atal and Aziz went with the truck to pull Atal’s HiLux loose. On the ride back to their truck, Aziz considered Atal and the position in which Sabir had put him. Sabir continually insulted him but Atal had chosen to endure the constant abuse. Aziz wondered why he hadn’t taken Hafez’s place and led the men that Gazan now led. Atal held his community in danger because of his well-meaning arrogance. Aziz decided that was a reason that he could kill him as life would have been better for the villagers had Atal fought Sabir in a true war, one with no deceit.

On the way back, Aziz mentioned that Mr. Jack seemed frustrated when he left. Atal rattled the bottle with Fareeda’s medicine in it...