Chapter Thirty: The Escape Plan

As Aboud sat in the waiting area at the airport, a wave of anxiety and tension washed over him. The next few moments would be decisive, perhaps determining his fate forever. He was well aware that the flight wouldn't be a direct one to Syria, but he needed confirmation from one of the guards to learn more about the flight's itinerary. He didn’t want to ask directly, so as not to arouse suspicion, and decided to cleverly provoke one of the guards to extract the information he needed.

Aboud leaned back in the cold airport chair, his eyes cautiously observing the guards. Not all of them seemed equally alert; one of them, in particular, appeared less vigilant. This guard was chatting excessively with his colleagues, seemingly more interested in gossip than in monitoring the deportees. Aboud recognized this as a weakness he could exploit.

Aboud (calmly, to himself):
"If I want to survive, I need to play the game smartly. I have to provoke this guard to reveal what I need to know."

Aboud approached the guard casually, pretending to be indifferent. He smiled slightly, then looked at the guard with a deliberately provocative gaze.

Aboud (in a quiet voice, with a sly smile):
"Well, at least I’ll finally put an end to this farce and go straight back to Syria. Lucky me, I won't have to visit any other countries along the way."

Aboud knew that this statement would provoke the guard, leading him to reveal details of the flight without realizing he was being tricked. The guard, who looked bored and irritated with his job, took the bait, responding in a condescending tone, believing he had the upper hand.

Guard (laughing sarcastically, with arrogance):
"Haha! You think you're going straight to Syria? No, smart guy, the flight stops in Turkey and Iraq before it reaches your destination."

Relief washed over Aboud as he heard the guard’s response. He had the information he needed: the flight wasn’t direct, and there would be stops he could exploit to escape. But Aboud showed no signs of reaction. He remained outwardly calm, as though the guard's words held no importance.

Aboud (calmly, pretending to be indifferent):
"Oh, well, at least I’ll have enough time to reflect on my life before reaching home."

The guard thought he had successfully gotten under Aboud’s skin, but little did he know that Aboud had just acquired the critical details for his escape plan. Now, Aboud knew his only chance to escape would be during the stopover in Istanbul, where the chaos and crowds would work in his favor.

After regaining his composure, Aboud sat back and began organizing his thoughts. He started visualizing his escape. The only chance he had was during the layover in Istanbul. The Istanbul airport was always bustling, and that chaos would be his cover. He recalled all the lessons he had learned from Grigor about patience, caution, and exploiting weaknesses.

Aboud (to himself):
"Turkey… That’s my chance. Istanbul will be crowded, and chaos will reign. I have to look for a moment of weakness in airport security. I need to act smart and fast."

Aboud began to closely observe the other guards. He noticed that some were exhausted from long shifts, their eyes heavy with fatigue. The guards weren’t at their best, and this could be his advantage.

When it came time to board the plane, Aboud's heart began to race. Every moment brought him closer to a fate that felt inevitable. The guards were busy organizing the lines and leading the deportees to the plane. Aboud didn’t lose focus; his mind was working quickly, evaluating the situation and the steps he needed to take.

He sat in his seat on the plane, outwardly calm but internally preparing himself for the moment he had been waiting for. He knew the escape wouldn’t be easy, but he had decided to try no matter the consequences. This was his only chance.

Aboud (with determination):
"If I don’t escape in Istanbul, I may never get another chance. This is my moment."

When the plane landed at Istanbul airport, anxiety filled the air. The crowd was large, and the guards were busy managing the situation. Aboud began watching every move around him. He noticed the guards talking among themselves, distracted and not paying enough attention to the passengers.

As he transitioned from the plane to the waiting hall, Aboud noticed the enormous crowd and the chaos filling the space. This chaos was exactly what he needed. Now was the right time to act. He started moving slowly, pretending to follow the guards, but gradually drifted closer to a group of travelers.

Aboud (to himself, with precision):
"Now… This is my chance."

With quiet grace, Aboud slipped into the crowd as if he were one of them. He didn’t look around, and he didn’t show any sign of nervousness. He moved quickly but cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest, though his face remained expressionless.

Once he felt he had moved far enough from the guards’ sight, Aboud made his way to a distant corner of the airport, where he couldn’t be easily seen. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, then looked around to ensure that the guards hadn’t noticed his disappearance. He knew the next few moments would be critical. He still had a long way to go to make his escape, but at least for now, he was free.

Aboud (in a soft but determined voice):
"The first step is done successfully. Now, how do I get out of here?"

This was the beginning of a new chapter in his journey toward freedom.