Chapter Ten: The Journey Begins

Abboud and Abbas began their journey through Bulgaria after days of meticulous planning and communication. They had found a relatively trustworthy smuggler who specialized in guiding refugees across the treacherous mountains and into Bulgaria, away from the eyes of military patrols. The path was full of challenges, but it was considered safer than risking the rough seas.

On the morning of their departure, Abboud and Abbas packed their simple belongings and bid farewell to Istanbul, hoping they wouldn’t have to return. They met the smuggler at a hidden location, far from prying eyes. He was a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard and weary features, the kind that spoke of years spent in a dangerous trade.

Smuggler (pointing to a narrow path through the forest): "We’ll start from here. The journey is long and tough, and we need to stay quiet. We don’t want to draw the attention of the Bulgarian guards."

The journey began through the mountains and forests. The trees were dense, and the narrow paths wound through the wilderness, making the journey more difficult. The air grew colder as they climbed higher, and the biting wind only added to the harshness of the trek. Their bodies ached with each passing hour, especially Abboud, whose old injury from the accident in Turkey still troubled him.

Abbas (panting and struggling to keep pace): "Do you think we’ll make it through this?"

Abboud (trying to encourage him): "We have to believe we will. We’ve been through worse, Abbas. We just need to hold on a little longer."

At night, the smuggler would find safe spots for them to rest. There were no comfortable beds or warm meals, just a patch of cloth on the ground under the open sky. Abboud and Abbas sat in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. Abboud thought of his mother and Layla, wondering what was happening in Syria and if his future in Germany could be any better. Abbas, on the other hand, thought of his family still in Turkey, wondering if he would ever be able to bring them with him one day.

Abbas (whispering, looking up at the stars): "Do you think we’ll ever see Germany?"

Abboud (with quiet confidence): "We’ll get there. We have no other choice."

The journey continued for several days. The mountains became more treacherous, and their fears grew with every step. One night, as they rested in a small makeshift camp, they heard distant voices. Those voices belonged to Bulgarian border patrols. Their faces paled as they realized the danger was close.

Smuggler (whispering, gesturing for them to move): "We need to move quickly. We can’t stay here."

They walked quietly through the forest, trying to avoid making any noise. But suddenly, they heard a sound that was too close for comfort—soldiers were only a few meters away. Everyone froze in place, their hearts pounding loud enough to feel like it could be heard.

Abboud (whispering to Abbas): "Stay calm. Don’t move."

They were lucky that night. The patrol passed without noticing them, but the fear they experienced made them even more cautious in the following days.

Finally, after several days of walking and taking risks, they reached the Bulgarian border. There, they had to wait until the smuggler secured a way for them to enter the country illegally. The smuggler called another contact in Bulgaria who would help them cross the border.

Smuggler (pointing ahead): "This is where we stop. Once we cross the border, we’ll be in relative safety."

The moment was crucial. Abboud and Abbas stood together, looking ahead, realizing that this next step was the hardest yet. But at the same time, it brought with it the hope of a new life.

Abbas (in a quiet voice): "This is it... the last step before we reach Europe."

Abboud (placing a hand on Abbas’s shoulder): "We’ve come a long way, my friend. Don’t look back now."

They moved cautiously across the border, avoiding the Bulgarian guards and the dangers surrounding them. Everything was on the line, but in the end, they made it across. The moment was filled with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, joy, and awe.

They had reached Bulgaria, and though the road wasn’t over yet, Abboud and Abbas felt like the dream was within reach. Germany was still far, but they knew that the hope, which once seemed impossible, was now closer than ever.

After settling briefly in Bulgaria, they began planning the next stage of their long journey—crossing the Balkans to reach Germany. The challenges were far from over, but they were ready to face them, armed with hope and perseverance.

This new chapter of their lives marked the start of a more complicated journey, but it carried with it the promise of a brighter future and the hope of a better life.