Selected Detective
THE KALANDIAN MILITARY GUARD POST

As instructed, Yunis Abu Jish went to the Kalandia military Guard Post in broad daylight wearing a T-shirt ‘Kubu’, taking a position just below the advertising board of master monster Satellite Dishes.

For the past twenty-four hours, since receiving a phone call from Al-Mulatham's representatives, his mood has thronged wildly between humiliating terror and dizzying excitement. At one time his whole body would tremble as if frozen, enchanted by the greatness of the mission offered to him; in the next moment he would be swept away in a poisoned bliss, like when he played by the beach during his childhood, rolling in the warm, frothy waves, giggling and thinking it was the best feeling in the whole world.

Now, he stands staring at the line of traffic that is creeping towards the Israeli roadblock. He felt no fear or ecstasy, or anything at all just a hollow and emotionless stance; a steely acceptance that this was what he had to do; this is the fate that was written for him. Especially the ones there, really? Conquest and bitterness throughout life; watching helplessly from the edge when day by day the Israelites plundered even more of their people's land, peeling off yet another layer of their self-respect? A relentless cycle of hostility, disgrace, and regret?

No, he couldn't stand it. He was no longer able to endure for a long time. That's road. Only way. One pattern that gives strength and pride, giving him the opportunity to be able to influence the various events that are happening and not just forever drowned by them. Even if this should lead him to death..yahh, what is his life like other than being buried alive?

He remained under the billboard for exactly thirty minutes, as instructed to him, checking and re-examining his watch to make sure the time was right. Then, with a nod of his head as if to say, “You know the answer,” turned around and walked towards the refugee camp where he lived, his buildings eating their way across the landscape like a bad gray mushroom.

“You scared me,” scolded him, his eyes half glared and sharp like a car indicator light. “I brought ... you know..” He tapped his suitcase.

Khalifa apologized for surprising him. “Although I don't think anyone will attack you inside the police station,” he added.

The bank official threw a disapproving look.

“I have been attacked several times in many unpleasant places and by many unpleasant people anyway, inspector. Including once in a while, it was hard to say, by my own father-in-law. When it comes to gold, there is no term of being too cautious. Never was.” He looked Khalifa in the eye for a moment to emphasize the importance of the message he meant, then rose from his chair to Khalifa's desk and placed the suitcase on it.