Chapter Thirty-Seven: Arrival in Athens

After hours of continuous walking through the forest and along dirt roads, exhaustion was taking its toll on Aboud's body, but he was determined to keep going. As he reached an area near the harbor, things began to get more complicated. Traffic increased, and he could see ships and ferries moving about in the large port. Aboud spotted a large passenger ship preparing to depart and wondered if this could be his chance to reach Athens.

Aboud (to himself, looking at the ship): "This is my opportunity. I need to find a way to board that ship."

But the question that plagued him was: how could he board the ship without being discovered?

Aboud stood hidden, observing the port and the ship about to sail. He noticed the security guards checking passengers' tickets at the entrance and began to think of a way to get on board without getting caught. His only chance was to sneak onto the ship before they departed.

Aboud (to himself): "I can't go through the main gate... but I can find another way in."

As he watched closely, he saw dockworkers carrying large crates onto the ship through a side gate. He realized this was his way in. He had to act quickly before they closed all the entrances.

Aboud began moving cautiously toward the side gate, making sure not to draw attention. He waited until the workers were busy transporting the large crates and then quietly slipped between the boxes when one of the workers stepped away for a moment. Thanks to the skills he had gained from past experiences, Aboud successfully sneaked onto the ship without anyone noticing.

Aboud (to himself): "Finally... I’m in."

Once on the ship, Aboud quickly began searching for a safe place to hide. He knew any small mistake could cost him his freedom or his life. He found a small storage room below deck and decided that would be his hiding spot for the entire journey.

Aboud slipped into the storage room and quietly shut the door behind him. The darkness enveloped the space, but for now, he felt safe. He sat between the stacked crates and took a deep breath. He was exhausted, but successfully evading the police and sneaking onto the ship brought him temporary relief.

Aboud (in a quiet voice): "Now... I just need to stay here until we reach Athens."

Time passed slowly, but Aboud knew he had to remain in the storage room until he was sure the ship had left the port and they were out at sea. As he waited, his thoughts began to drift to everything he had been through so far. He remembered the hardships of the journey, the police, and the constant struggle for survival. It had all led up to this moment.

In the middle of the night, Aboud heard footsteps approaching the storage room. His heart began to race. He hadn’t expected anyone to come in at this hour. He tried to hide behind the crates, but he knew the space was too small.

A crew member entered the storage room to inspect the cargo. The moment he saw Aboud hiding among the crates, he froze in place, the shock clear on his face.

Crew Member (in a loud voice): "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Sensing the danger closing in, Aboud decided to act quickly. He stood up and moved swiftly toward the crew member, trying to silence him before he could make any noise that would attract attention. Aboud grabbed the man by the mouth firmly, his gaze sharp.

Aboud (whispering with intense seriousness): "Stay quiet... I don't want to hurt you, just let me go."

The crew member, frightened and confused, nodded his head. Aboud, still cautious, held him for a few moments before slowly releasing his grip. He then pushed the crew member toward the door and motioned for him to leave.

Aboud (in a calm voice): "Go, and I won’t say anything about you."

The crew member quickly left the storage room, unable to believe what had just happened. Aboud, knowing the hiding spot was no longer safe, began to think about his next move.

As dawn broke, the ship neared the port of Athens. Aboud knew he had to disembark before the ship was inspected. He decided to leave his hiding place and start looking for a way to get off the ship unnoticed.

As the ship approached the port, Aboud skillfully blended in with the other passengers preparing to disembark. He used the crowd and the chaos to slip through unnoticed. Within minutes, he found himself standing on the ground in Athens.

Aboud (with a voice full of determination): "I did it... I made it to Athens."

But Aboud knew that the challenges weren’t over yet. Athens was a new beginning, but he needed a clear plan to survive in this unfamiliar place.

Walking through the crowded streets of Athens, Aboud began to feel the weight of the journey lighten slightly. Athens was full of life, but it was also a place filled with mystery and danger. Aboud, now accustomed to facing adversity, knew that life in this city wouldn’t be easy, but his spirit remained unbroken.

Now standing in the heart of Europe, far from the war and chaos he had left behind, Aboud realized that the real battle was just beginning. He had to find his way in this new world and plan his next steps in the grueling journey ahead.

Aboud (quietly but resolutely): "Now, I need to find safety... and the truth."