Chapter Thirty-Six: The Road to Athens

Aboud was not one to stand idly by after all the harsh experiences he had endured. After the boat landed on the Greek shore, things seemed to be going smoothly until the Greek police suddenly appeared and began arresting the group he was with. The passengers, who had felt safe just moments before, now scattered in all directions, either trying to flee or negotiate with the authorities.

But Aboud had learned from his past experiences. He wasn’t going to fall into the same trap again. His eyes carefully watched the movements, and instead of being swept up in the chaos, he began evaluating the situation with cold precision.

While the police surrounded the group and started making arrests, Aboud slowly stepped back, taking advantage of the commotion. He didn’t act like the other passengers who rushed haphazardly to escape. Instead, he watched the police closely, searching for any weakness he could exploit.

Aboud (speaking to himself): "Opportunities come to those who watch carefully... Don’t rush, just wait for the right moment."

One of the officers was holding a radio and giving instructions to his team, while another group of police chased after some of the fleeing passengers. Aboud used this moment to begin moving slowly toward the back corner of the beach, where there were high rocks that could be used as cover to slip away unnoticed.

Aboud knew that speed wasn’t on his side right now. He needed calmness and precision in his movements. His steps quickened, but cautiously, as he made his way towards the rocks that formed a natural barrier, which could hide him from the police's view. He looked around, seeing that most of the other passengers had been caught, but the police hadn’t noticed him yet.

Aboud (calmly): "Now... this is my chance."

He began climbing the rocks carefully, avoiding making any noise that could draw attention. The darkness of the night helped him blend in, but his heart was racing. Each step carried a risk, but he knew that if he succeeded in distancing himself from the police now, he would be able to continue his journey to Athens.

Once he crossed the rocks, he found himself standing before a small forest. The trees were dense, giving him a sense of relief. He entered the forest quickly, moving silently between the trees, trying to get as far away from the beach as possible. Although fatigue was beginning to creep into his body, he wasn’t ready to stop.

Aboud (to himself): "I won’t let them catch me. I’ve made it this far, and I won’t turn back."

The deeper he ventured into the forest, the more he felt the distance growing between him and the police. But he knew this wasn’t the end; the journey to Athens was still long, and he needed to find a way to get there without being detected.

After hours of walking through the trees and dirt paths, Aboud began to feel exhausted, but his mind remained sharp. He knew Athens was his destination, and he needed to reach it to find safety. He had no money and no friends in Greece, but he knew he had to rely on his wits and limited resources.

He eventually reached a small road that passed through a nearby village. The road was quiet, with little traffic, which brought him some comfort. He decided to walk along the road, avoiding crowded areas.

Aboud (calmly): "The road to Athens is long, but I’ve already come a long way. I won’t let anything stop me now."

As he walked down the road, he thought about everything that had happened since he left Syria. All the pain, fear, and suffering he had endured had made him stronger and more determined to reach his goal. He knew Athens wasn’t the end, but it was an important milestone in his journey toward freedom.