Scene One
The car shot out from the second checkpoint at increasing speed, its tires twisting against the dirt road as if carrying a fate too heavy to escape. Rabea sat behind the wheel, his hands gripping tightly as though he held the reins of destiny for the whole group, his eyes fixed on the endless road ahead leading into the unknown.
Beside him sat Rami, tense, his palm pressing against his thigh in silent anticipation, while across from him Saber exchanged quick glances that spoke readiness without words. In the back seat, Helmy and Karim prepared themselves, each adjusting his weapon, each checking his gear again and again, as though bracing for a moment from which there would be no return.
Inside the car, a strange mix of silence and rapid breaths reigned, yet their faces betray
