a/n: Ayeee, guess who's back! I'm sure most of y'all had given up on this story. Which is fair. I'm sorry for my extended absence. I took an extended trip where I had almost no access to technology, and then it took me 5ever to figure out how I wanted this chapter to go. Seriously so frustrating and for what?

Anywho, we're back as I hope y'all enjoy this update! It's short but the story is moving right along!

Reviews:

AlwaysChillin98: Thanks for your review! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I'm glad I decided to develop Gamila more because my girl deserves better than what I gave her. Please enjoy the update!

Laurel (both): I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Yeah, Gamila is going to have a lot of character development this time around. I'm excited for what I have planned for her, but I cannot tell because spoilers :) Hope you enjoy the chapter!

dhnysports88: Uhhh... haha, yes I do, lol. So sorry again for such a long wait. Writers block is too real, smh. But I hope you enjoy!


One Year Later…

May 2014

The sun was rising over the deserts of Yemen, turning the sky into a deep shade of orange. Gamila was sitting on a heap of dirt and dust with her brother, Kareem. It was their thirteenth birthday and they had gotten up earlier than the others to celebrate with one another.

Kareem had a flask filled with spirits that he had gotten off a dead body several weeks ago. He had decided to save it for this very occasion. The boy had had spirits before with the other men in the camp, but Gamila hadn't had any before. He took a sip and let out a sigh. "Ashrib (Drink up)," he said to his sister, holding out the flask.

Gamila took it and sniffed. It didn't smell like much. Kareem shrugged. "Taemuha lays jydan jdan , lakina al'amr yastahiqu dhalik baed fatratin (It doesn't taste very good, but it's worth it after a while.)" With that, she took a small sip.

The liquid burned like fire in her throat, but Gamila liked it. At least she felt something again. She took another sip before handing him back the flask. "Sayakun baban ghadban jdan 'iidha rana nashrab (Baba would be so angry if he saw us drinking,)" she said, a small smile on her lips.

Kareem smiled too. "lam yasmah 'abadan bitanawul alkhumur fi almanzil (He never permitted liquor in the house,)" he recalled. Then, his smile disappeared. Gamila saw tears form in his eyes. "Sayakhjal baban jdan miniy (Baba would be so ashamed of me,)" he whispered.

A part of Gamila wanted to comfort him. She wanted to assure him that their father would understand that they did what it took to stay alive. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Not when she didn't believe it herself.

Besides, she knew that her Baba would be far more ashamed of her than Kareem.

"Hsnan , laqad mat , lidha la daei lilqalaq bishan dhalik (Well, he's dead, so we don't need to worry about it)," said Gamila bluntly. She took a long drink from the flask before handing it back to Kareem and standing up. "Eid mwalid saeid (Happy birthday)," she muttered before walking away. Back to camp. Back to her living nightmare.

Back to Tahan.


May 2014

"Alyawm yawm eazim ya rijal (Today is a big day, men)," Tahan called out. He had gathered the whole camp together, to deliver some very important news. Gamila had no idea what it was, but she couldn't really care less. Whatever it was, it wouldn't change a thing for her. She would still be forced to kill people (20 now, and counting). She would still be a prisoner.

"laqad nadilna min 'ajl qadiatina bimufradina lisanawat eadidat hataa alan (We have fought for our cause on our own for many years now)," he reminded them. "laqad mat alkathir mana. walakina alan , sayantahi kulu hadha. alan , alrijal , ladayna musaeida (Many of us have died. But now, that will all come to an end. Now, men, we have help.)"

That pulled Gamila up short. Help? From whom? And why had it taken them so long to offer the help? Gamila thought of Amira and baby Heydar with a pang. Where was this help when they needed it?

"Man? (Who?)" asked someone near the front.

"Aleadar (Hydra)," replied Tahan. "'iinahum majmueat 'ukhraa min alnaas , mithluna , yuhawilun taghyir alealama. yuridun musaeadatana linusbih 'aqwaa. (They are another group of people, like us, trying to change the world. They want to help us become stronger.)"

"Sawf yursilun almazid min alrajal? (They will send more men?)"

Tahan shook his head, and murmurs rippled throughout the camp. It seemed like everyone was tired of this fight. Kareem leaned over to Gamila. "Rubama sayaetunana tbrean skhyan bimazid min almashrubat alruwhiat walsajayir. (Perhaps they'll give us a generous donation of more spirits and cigarettes.)" Gamila snorted softly. The men would certainly love that.

"la , 'iinahum yuridun 'iietayina slahan (No, they want to give us a weapon)," Tahan said. He was grinning, as if he were about to reveal the best news ever. "ladayhim eulama' yaemalun ealaa khalq junud bashariiyna. 'iinahum yuridun aikhtibar tajaribihim ealaa eadad qalil minaa , thuma yumkinuna aistikhdam 'ayi quat jadidat ladayhim limusaeadatina fi qitalinaa. (They have scientists who are working on creating human soldiers. They want to test their experiments on a few of us, then we can use whatever newfound power they have to assist us in our fight.)"

More murmurs. Gamila and Kareem exchanged looks of doubt. It all sounded like a bunch of nonsense to them.

"laqad akhtart bialfiel 'uwlayik aladhin sayakhudun altajriba (I have already chosen those that will go through with the experimentation)," he explained. "Earafat wadawud wakarim. (Arafat, Daoud, and Kareem.)"

Gamila's head whipped back to her brother, shock spreading across her face. Kareem looked just as surprised.

A part of Gamila wanted to object out loud. How could she possibly let her brother be experimented on by scientists and doctors that she didn't even know? But she bit her tongue, afraid of what objecting would lead to.

Tahan hadn't raped her since that awful night last year. But it didn't matter. His lingering touch, his lust filled voice, and his wandering eyes were already too much for Gamila to bear. He had gotten exactly what he wanted. Gamila hadn't stepped out of line since.

"Taealawa ya rijal (Come forward, men)," Tahan barked. Kareem gave Gamila one last glance before he walked to the front. The three men stood in a row in front of the others. Tahan beamed as if he couldn't be more proud. "Anzuruu alaa munqidhikum. bimujarad 'an tuzawidana hidra bi'aslihatina , sununhi rayiysana (Behold your saviors. Once Hydra has provided us with our weapons, we will bring an end to our president)," he spat the word with contempt, "aladhi lays siwaa kalb hadan lil'amirkiiyna! lan takhdae biladuna lahum baed alan! almawt lil'amirkiiyna! (who is nothing but a lap dog for the Americans! No more will our country be subject to them! Death to the Americans!)"

"Almawt lil'amirkiina! (Death to the Americans!)" they all echoed, beginning to chant. "Almawt lil'amirkiina! Almawt lil'amirkiina! Almawt lil'amirkiina! (Death to the Americans! Death to the Americans! Death to the Americans!)"

As Gamila chanted, almost half-heartedly (she couldn't care less about the politics in her country, she just wanted to keep her and her brother alive), she caught Tahan's eyes on her. He seemed to sense her lack of enthusiasm. Fear surged through her and she raised her voice, chanting louder than the rest.

"Almawt lil'amirkiina! (Death to the Americans!)"


June 2014

It had been one month since Gamila had seen her brother. Shortly after Tahan's sudden announcement, he had been shipped out to Sokovia, a country in Eastern Europe, where the Hydra doctors were conducting their experiments.

She hadn't even gotten a chance to say goodbye.

Gamila missed him so much, it hurt. Kareem had been her only friend, and now he was gone. Without him, the days seemed to drag on. No one really spoke to her, other than Tahan. She kept to herself, feeling absolutely miserable.

At least when Kareem was with her, life as a child soldier had been bearable. Now, she had to endure the nightmare alone. She wasn't sure just how much more she could take.

"Al-Qurashi." Gamila looked up at the man who had barked her name. She honestly couldn't remember his name, though she knew she had spoken with him before. "Tuhaan yahtajik fi khaymatihi. haliana (Tahan needs you in his tent. Now)." With that, he left.

Gamila could feel her heart start to beat faster. What had she done wrong? She thought over her actions from the past month. Nothing she had done could've possibly upset him. At least, she didn't think so. But Tahan was often unpredictable. Perhaps he just wanted to re-emphasize to her exactly who was in charge.

For a moment, her feet were frozen. She couldn't bear the thought of facing him again. However, the fear of him possibly doing worse to her caused her to nearly run to his tent.

Tahan looked up at her with a soft smirk. "Marhaban eazizati. Asjud , limadha la? (Hello, sweetheart. Kneel down, why don't you?)"

Too stunned and too frightened to speak, Gamila knelt on the ground. She kept her eyes on the ground, unable to look him directly in the eye.

"Anzur 'ilya. (Look at me.)" His sharp voice caused her to jump, and she looked up. The fear in her eyes must've been obvious, because Tahan was grinning maliciously. "Hadha 'afdali. alan ya habibati hal tatadhakarin ayn akhuk? (That's better. Now, sweetheart, do you remember where your brother is?)"

This had not been at all what Gamila had expected. "Swkufia , sidi. (Sokovia, sir.)"

"Bialdabta. 'ana saeid jdan li'anak tawaliy hadha alaihtimam aljayid (Exactly. I'm so glad you pay such good attention)," he said, sounding absolutely delighted. "'iidha kunt tatadhakar , 'arsalna maeah athnayn akharini. liatima tajribatiha. (If you remember, we sent two others with him. To be experimented on.)" Gamila nodded, to show she was listening. "lisu' alhazi , kanat jinatuhum daeifatan , walam yunjuu min altajaribi. (Unfortunately, their genetics were weak, and they did not survive the experiments.)"

Her eyes widened in fear. "Wakarim? (And Kareem?)"

She flinched, waiting for the slap that was sure to follow. She had spoken out of turn after all.

"laqad naja ,(He has survived,)" Tahan said, ignoring her outburst. Gamila could feel the relief flood through her. "Sayabqaa fi sukufia lifatrat min 'ajl tatwir qudratih aljadidati. (He will be staying in Sokovia for a while, to develop his new abilities.)" Gamila nodded again, unsure why he felt the need to tell her this.

"Hidra yatatalab mutatawie akhir. wanahn bihajat 'iilaa jundi akhara. bima 'ana kilakuma ladayh nafs aljinat , fa'ana 'uriduk 'an takun jundina alakhar. (Hydra requires another volunteer. And we need another soldier. Since you both have the same genetics, I want you to be our other soldier.)"

After a moment, Gamila simply nodded. "Mataa 'aghadir ya saydi? (When do I leave, sir?)"

"Faa alhali. (Right now.)"


Before Gamila truly had time to process her thoughts on the situation, she was on a plane, flying to Sokovia with a Hydra agent, who had introduced himself as Agent Kravinoff.

During the flight, she thought about everything that had just happened. She was going to see Kareem again. She was away from Tahan for at least the next few months. She was going to be experimented on, and from what it sounded like, they were very dangerous and possibly even painful experiments.

Overall, Gamila couldn't help but be excited by the change. Nothing Hydra could do to her would be worse than what Tahan had already done to her. Whatever experiments they had planned for her were probably like child's play, compared to what was behind her.

The flight lasted around 8 hours, and with nothing else to do, Gamila fell asleep. Despite being on a plane, she couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well. Sleeping in the desert on the dirt covered ground with nothing but a rag didn't exactly give her a great night's rest.

When she woke up, Agent Kravinoff had a meal ready for her. It wasn't food she had ever had before. It was a soup with chunks of chicken, rice, celery, and carrots floating in it, along with a glass of water. She couldn't remember the last time her stomach had been full.

This trip was getting better all the time.


Despite her treatment on the plane, Gamila felt herself waiting. Waiting for Hydra to turn on her, just as Tahan had.

It hadn't taken her long to realize their motives in keeping her well fed and rested. Hydra needed a healthy body to perform their experiments on.

Gamila was underfed and sleep deprived. She was strong, yes, but since her body was lacking the proper care it needed, she was not as strong as she could be. And Hydra would need her to be in good condition if their little experiment was going to work.

Once their plane had landed, she had been escorted to a small cell with a simple bed and a toilet. It was more than Gamila could've hoped for; her expectations had been so low.

After a night's rest, she was taken to the doctor.

Strucker was the doctor's name. He wore an eyepatch and stood with an arrogance about him.

Agent Kravinoff, who spoke Arabic, translated his words for her.

"Hydra has been striving to give the world the freedom it deserves since the 1940s," he told her. "Many have attempted to stop us, all have failed. Even the circus freaks, America's heroes, have failed to truly crush us. Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.

"You belong to Hydra now. Whatever your silly little leader thought he was getting out of this deal was a lie. You will now help to bring forth the greatest cause known to mankind. Do you understand?"

Gamila nodded. "Naeam sydi. (Yes, sir.)"

"Excellent. We will begin our test at the end of this week. For now, you will be trained, physically and mentally. You will learn English and Russian, and whatever else is necessary for you to be a tool in Hydra. Agent Kravinoff will oversee your training."

Gamila's world had just taken a drastic turn.

No longer would she have to live in fear of Tahan. No longer would she be fighting for a group of men that had taken her prisoner as a child.

Hydra may have had their own best interests in mind, but Gamila had never felt so free.

"Hail Hydra," Strucker said before leaving.

"Hail Hydra!" echoed Agent Kravinoff.

And while Gamila didn't speak English yet, she picked up exactly what they were saying, and she repeated their words with vigor.

"Hail Hydra!"