Chapter 6
The Sweet Beggar Girl
The last three weeks of school passed by fast. I was kept busy. I managed to learn Arabic fast, becoming advanced (not fluent) in three weeks. With one week to go the sessions became more intense. My other lessons (outside of Arabic) was different types of martial arts and fighting, Moroccan culture, street life, known members of HELP U, weapons, poisons, and other espionage related subjects. I feel really prepared, for I am now fluent in Arabic and I know a little more about my mission.
I had one day to spend with Jack before I left. We ended up spending the day at an amusement park. She spent the entire day looking at me with those sad eyes, as if trying to memorize my face in case I didn't comeback, as if saying 'why this?'. Why can't she just forget about it today and let me forget about it to? I gust keep feeling guilty. I know she doesn't like my decision but I feel as if I have to do this, I can't explain it.
The next day I boarded the flight to Morocco.
As soon as I arrive4 and got through customs and everything else, I ran to a nearby dumpster with my duffel. I quickly stripped down and put on the old worn out clothes in my bag. My hair had already been died black and I had gotten a tan from a tanning booth. After I got changed I rolled in dirt then jumped in the river to look as if I had attempted to clean myself. I also put in brown contact to cover my blue eyes.
The river alone was enough to make me feel grimy. I had obviously discarded my shoes, since most beggars didn't own a pair let alone an almost new pair. In order to get a hold of the streets I moved around a bit, being sure to stick to the shadows. I even practiced looking the trash for food for what I get hungry. It broke my heart to know that I didn't have to live like this when I saw other children just skin and bone who were fighting even harder to survive.
As I walked, I felt a tug on my shirt. I turned around and looked around before my eyes wandered to a young girl about the age of six with big brown eyes. She looked on the verge of tears and she had nothing but rags for clothing.
"Hello, what is your name?" I asked the child in Arabic. (AN: Everything from here on out will be in Arabic unless said so)
"Amira. Yours?" She answered in a quiet and terrified tone. She looked as if she was afraid of being punished for talking.
"Asim. Why are you afraid? Am I that scary?"
She shook here head before saying, "I am a girl. I should not be so bold. Why do you treat me as your equal?"
"I was raised in a family to think of women as equals. You could say we broke tradition."
"Oh! Why do you act as if you have never been here?"
"Because I have not been here before. I have spent a very long time walking from my home village to here. I heard this was a good village for beggars." I gave her a smile, she lit up at that.
"Really?"
"Yes. You know I have an idea. Why don't we stick together? I am not very good in this new place."
She nodded here head. "Since we will stick together, will you protect me from the mean boys who keep calling me worthless and taking my food?"
"Of course."
I knew it was dangerous but I obviously didn't know where I was and I couldn't just leave her. Maybe I can bring her back with me. I could ask Mrs. Jones when MI6 pulled me out.
AN: Alex has no gadgets so that he will have less chance of being suspected but there is a secret button hidden in a few places for emergencies.
What do you want to happen to Amira? Should she betray Alex? If so what should happen to her? Or should she end up being loyal and should Alex be able to take her home?