The Monster Snake

e sun's glare reflec

nn

is the fa

plied, taking the m

iv

ty po

nn

uch does a t

nded it to the driver, stepped out of the tu

him told him this wasn't just a passing trip-it was the beginning of a new scene. A scen

phone and call

nn

Hamad, I'

ma

Café-keep it behind you-and walk stra

lipped the phone into his

ong shadow on the ground-as if the city itself was trying to guide hi

walked a little past it. He took o

h (Al-

Hamad, I'm

back at the café as he

the window of a re

ma

see you-you're the one

nn

I can't

ma

ooking behind y

d saw Hamad at the w

nn

I see

ed the phone into his pocket. Then he continued walking with steady steps t

ma

up, H

dently as he prepared

nn

comi

heavy under the weight of the bag, his face glistening with s

e stairs to the second floor, moving slowly, checking eve

rs, he found Hamad waiting for him,

he apartment d

ma

u made it safe

es scanning the place as sunlight streamed through the open

and a chair where Hamad sat, facing Hannash, who pl

fixed on the papers

ma

your paper

er. Hamad began reviewing them closely, staring at every de

ma

riminal record c

tences? On the run

voice calm but carr

nn

No charges. I just didn't

ent, watching him with

ma

annash? You need

t from his bag, and held his pho

nn

o my hometown... I've been on the road

rugged c

ma

art work, and you can get it done l

yebrow and simply n

iping the sweat

nn

ass of

returned with a bottle of water. He opened it, pou

ag aside for a moment, feeling its

y, Hama

ma

ee your ID

card from his small wa

lit a cigarette and passed one t

unds of the street drifting in through the open wi

up and picked up his

ma

on, H

ving his bag on the floor-then picke

ma

th you... I'll set

ed Hamad, who opened the door, his eyes scanning every corner of

e rapid beating of Hannash's heart. He no longer felt the weight of the ba

tiously behind Hamad, while sunlight filtered through the windows, cas