Hollywood Zenith

Chapter 588 Proposition-3

His worries were subsided when he saw the other captives. From what he heard, none of them were able to communicate with them so they didn't know what was going to happen to them but at least they were alive.

He thought it was infighting between rival bases and they were here to collect the 'goods'. But unlike what he had seen in the past, everyone was treated fairly and were even given some food and water. Even though it was little, he saw they were handing out their own supplies.

" We should never have come here!" One of his friend said frustratingly. They were only trying to do the right thing but now were on the verse of being sold like animals!

" Hey! Don't say that! We can still escape, don't let this break you down." Some else added trying to cheer up the other party.

" Hamza can you understand what they are saying?" The last friend asked. Hamza was renowned for in the village for the mastery of english but in truth he could only understand parts of it. But nonetheless it was remarkable knowing none of them went to any school in their life.

" I don't know. Their accent is too weird. Also they are keeping their distance suspecting that one of us can understand them." Hamza could see at least two of them keeping an eye on him. It seemed like they knew he was the leader.

" Wait? Did you hear that?"

" Yes! It's a helicopter! Maybe-"

" No that's not possible." Hamza immediate denied their hopefulness.

" That's couldn't be from our base, there is only one helicopter and it's for special circumstances only. Even if my father wanted to, there were many watchful eyes always surveying the village and they knows that it was weakest when that single heli leaves the village. There is no way uncle Ahmed will approve of it."

They knew he was right, if their families moved carelessly, it could endanger everyone in the village. Hamza didn't lose hope as they kept coming with idea to escape when the helicopter sound started growing louder and louder.

Because of which Hamza was able to hear some of Drac and Steve's conversation. He found out that it was their reinforcement and also heard them talking about some unknown enemy. He thought since they were outsider, they mustn't know much about the powers in the region but looking at how they carried themselves and their equipment, they were strong.

Suddenly he saw one of them heading to their direction and trying to motion them to stand up to follow him. Those that were scared instantly did as he told them to while Hamza and his friend struggled a bit not wanting to give in easily.

James who was watching it from the distance instantly became angry and started shouting with one hand firmly fixed on his rifle. The intensity with how he looked at them told them everything, if they didn't move he will definitely shoot!

" Don't struggle anymore. Let's just do as they tell us." Hamza commanded. He didn't want to them get hurt unnecessarily.

James also backed down when Steve came to calm him down. He grunted and backed off. Everyone was made to form a line and went outside through the back of the building where the helicopter was landing.

When Hamza saw the marking on it, he became puzzled because he seemed to remember it. He saw it a thousand times when he visited the nearby cities, it was one of the supply helicopter that often landed at the humanitarian camp situated at the outskirt of the city.

" Isn't that?"

" I think so. Maybe we misunderstood the entire situation." He whispered and began rethinking what had transpired here.

...

...

...

While inside the room, Hamza could hear people arguing outside. From what he could decipher, they were talking about what to do with them. There was only one man watching over them, a handsome man that was staring at him ignoring his friends.

After few minutes, he saw the woman entering their room again. She was the one that seemed to have some idea about his identity. They whispered to one another before, leaving together with the man again.

" I knew from the start that this camp was a hideout! They are only keeping up appearance but are working behind the scenes to enslave our people!" One of his friend yelled as soon as they were alone.

" It could be but that woman obviously a native. Looking at her tanned skin and rough look, she must be here for some time now." Another one added.

" It doesn't matter. They obviously have a strong backer looking at their high-tech equipment. It maybe the government or someone else either way, they could make us disappear if they please blaming it on the Serbs to keep us fighting. We have to contact the base if possible." Hamza started coming with a plan.

" How though? They fucking chained us like animals. I can't even move my legs!" They were made to sit on the chair with both their legs chained to the frame while another set of chains firmly holding their hands on the chair's arms.

No matter what much Hamza thought, it seemed impossible to escape. It didn't take long for them to return but surprisingly, they started removing their restraints.

Syiara was the one doing it while Drac was watching from the back. He had his hand on the gun in case they tried to anything funny. Hamza didn't thought it was good chance to do anything, even if they manage to subdue Syiara, they needed to disarm Drac but what's troubling were people outside that would definitely shoot them on sight.

" What's going to happen to us?" He decided to fish for information instead. Syiara and Drac was surprised hearing him speak English.

" So he talks? Don't worry, we decided to deliver you guys to your base but promise me you will not do anything when I remove these final handcuffs." Syiara smiled. Her charming smile instantly captivated the young men as they hid their face.

" Come on hurry up!" Drac who was watching it play out decided to intervene because he was a little jealous.

" Alright, alright. Done. Just follow me outside, we are serving dinner soon so get yourself cleaned up first."

Hamza didn't feel that they were trying to deceive him. He could only see the man being annoyed but that's probably because their friends were idiots! He went outside to see everyone gathered there.

This base provided free meals once every few days but it also housed those that couldn't afford to work like orphans, disabled soldiers and widows. From what he had heard it had a good reputation for not discriminating against anyone even helping refugee Serbs that had been displaced by overlords of their regions.

Even the people that he came with were present which meant they didn't ship them off secretly. They looked much more relaxed hurdled together softly talking to one another. Few of the long term resident were telling them about the place in ferver.

Syiara took them to a seperate building away from other refugees. Hamza could see few guards stationed at every entrance. 

" Get cleaned up first before heading out. And don't do anything suspicious because the guards would not take it lightly." She didn't give them any chance to ask question before leaving.

They looked at one another not knowing what was going to happen to them. Hamza was the same, he was already missing home but suddenly someone's stomach growled loudly signalling that they hadn't eaten anything since morning.

They hurriedly took off their clothes and went into the shower room. It was surprising to see them having hot water in here but they were not complaining. After putting on fresh clothes they rushed only slowing down under the watchful eyes of the guards before heading toward the buffet area.

But someone pulled Hamza aside when he was about to get his plate. He looked at the person and immediately recognized him as the leader of the group, Steve. His friends wanted to shield him fearing the big man was going to hurt their friend but Hamza step further facing the man, directly looking in his eyes.

Seeing the fierce young man, Steve let out a faint smile and asked," I heard you can speak my language."

" Only a little." Hamza replied.

" Why don't we two have a private chat over there? Someone will bring the food so you don't have to worry about this."

" Alright." Seeing Steve pointing at a public table at the corner of the mess hall, Hamza obliged. He told his friends to be on guard and followed Steve to the table. They sat down staring at each other, trying to guess what's on each other's mind.