First night on guard duty
1081 Words
First Night on Duty
Daoud, Hanish al-Ghoul, and four of their colleagues entered the dark place, where no buildings were visible, only shadows and a great deal of silence, broken only by the distant hum of machinery. They all stopped. Daoud looked at his colleagues and ordered,
Daoud:
Stay here. Take Hanish to his post.
Hanish and Daoud walked on;
Someone called out: Daoud!
Daoud looked behind him:
I'm coming.
Hanish and Daoud approached each other in the darkness, each step breaking the silence of the night, until they reached a large building from which the sound of heavy machinery and loud noise filled the air. In front of them was a small security booth, dimly lit by the light from distant lampposts on the village sidewalks. Daoud pointed to the spot and said firmly,
Daoud:
This is your post. You stay in this booth. No one is allowed to enter or leave. The machinery inside is operated automatically by computer. If you notice anything, report it.
If a machine catches fire or something explodes, report it immediately using this device. They will send a maintenance technician right away. Keep it with you at all times.
Daoud hands the walkie-talkie to Hanish.
Hanish nods.
Hanish:
Okay, fine.
Daoud leaves him and returns to his colleagues, walking away, leaving Hanish standing there. Darkness surrounds the large building, and the loud sounds of the machinery press against his ears. He puts his hand to his ear for a moment, trying to lessen the discomfort, then begins to walk towards the cabin. He enters the cabin, sits on the chair, and the sound of the machinery gradually fades. Suddenly, a loud and frightening bark erupts, as if it were coming from inside the cabin itself. Hanish trembled and jumped up from his seat. He stepped out of the cabin and found the dog standing directly in front of him. Hanish inhaled deeply as he looked at the dog and said, "Walk." The dog stared for a moment, then turned and left. Hanish turned and went back into the cabin, but the terror wouldn't leave him. Suddenly, a flash of lightning from a short circuit in the power lines running above the cabin made him feel as if the short circuit had pierced his body, making his heart leap. He jumped up and rushed out of the cabin, muttering in a trembling voice as he looked at the power lines.
Hanish:
So, from the very first day, it's like this? Dogs and electricity… What a horror!
He returned to the cabin and sat down, his hand trying to calm his nerves.
It didn't last long, as the radio signal flickered, and a quiet voice came through.
Voice of the radio:
The security situation in the villa sector is calm and stable. The atmosphere is peaceful, reassuring, and romantic; it looks like we're in for a good night, guys.
Hanish the Ghoul muttered softly, mocking himself.
Hanish: The atmosphere is romantic, peaceful, and a good night… You're right, you son of a… Why else would I be here… I feel like I'm in a horror movie?
He sighed bitterly, took a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, lit one, and exhaled the smoke through the cabin window as the moonlight filtered in, glinting on his tired face. His eyes scanned the shadows around him, wondering about the night ahead, about what might happen in this dark place, filled with massive machines and nightmares that seemed to have haunted him from the moment he arrived.
Meanwhile, his colleagues, in their luxurious quarters, stood in groups and alone in the brightly lit areas, by the sea, and in the nightclubs of the opulent village, enjoying their long shifts, laughing, drinking tea, and joking. The shift seemed to them nothing more than a routine. But Hanish, visibly tense, stood up and left the cabin. He stood in the darkness, looking around. No one, nothing but the sounds of the massive machines in the large building and the distant voices of women playing. Hanish exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke and muttered, "This night is going to be long and dark. I've never worked in security before. I didn't know that security work inside a luxury resort would be this difficult." Hanish walked into the darkness, moving away from the service booth. He took only a few steps, then stopped, looked at the booth, and muttered, "What am I guarding here? Looks like I'm guarding myself, or waiting for a big fire to break out in this mini-resort." Hanish walked towards the booth, exhaling bitterly. He entered and sat down on the seat.
A new morning at the dorm.
Hanish al-Ghul sat on his bed, lying on the lower bunk of the double bed, staring at his roommate Daoud, who was lying on the bed opposite him.
Above Daoud, on the upper bunk of the double bed, Nader was asleep.
While directly above Hanish, on the same bed, Fadi lay, dozing silently. Hanish sighed and muttered to himself,
Hanish: "The service at the place yesterday was very difficult."
Daoud smiled, muttering with almost sarcastic wisdom,
Daoud: "All service is difficult, Hanish."
Hanish said, slowly shaking his head,
Hanish: "All of what, Daoud?" I heard people at the facility yesterday, happy and joking.
Daoud smiled.
Daoud: I'm talking about our service, but there are other places where the service is a bit more comfortable and relaxed. Hanish hesitated, feeling both curious and afraid.
Hanish: And these other places, will I go to them, or will I stay here forever with the machines, the electricity, and the dogs?
Nader woke up suddenly, grumbling at the noise of Hanish and Daoud.
Nader:
"Your voices are so loud! Turn them down a bit, I can't sleep!" Daoud chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
Daoud:
"Wake up! Bring us food from Mr. Hamad at 6:30."
Fadi, who was lying on the second floor above Hanish, slowly opened his eyes and grumbled.
Fadi:
"6:30? I didn't even get to sleep!"
Nader glared at Fadi.
Nader:
"Turn your voice down!"
Fadi:
"You're such a brat!" Nader and Fadi jumped off their beds and onto the floor.
A small fight broke out between Nader and Fadi, with hands flying and harsh words flying around the small room, while Hanish and Fadi sat on their beds to avoid being hit.
Suddenly, the apartment door burst open, and Hamad appeared, holding a bag of food in his hand.
- Writer
