A Journey of Two Roads

A Journey of Two Roads

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Written By:

Mariam Omran

A Journey of Two Roads Copyright © 2020 by Mariam Omran

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design By Canva and Author and Writer Mariam Omran

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Note from the Narrator

To all the lives who lost their souls

PROLOGUE

Under the trees, in the shadows of war, there are two sides fighting like bulls beating each other with their tremendous horns, and then... I pop out. I am not a person. Nor an alien, or a robot. Rather, I am something that will give you some advice through this harsh journey of life. You can't say that I went through this life, but perhaps you can say that I am the current situation. I am the thing being fought for, and if you're lucky, you might know who I am.

You're curious right? You'll probably try to figure out who this unknown creepy speaker is, but trust me, you will not have the time to do so. Before we start our story, I am going to give you some tools to enter this world—the world of the book you're holding.

You, my lovely reader, are going to be the judge! And not just any judge, you are going to be responsible for this story. Just focus on what I'm going to say now. There is no time to be wasted!

Be Careful! I'm not going to give you an object that you can hold. I'm giving you a lesson to be learned and a story to be told.

Oh! How disrespectful of me not to introduce myself! But you don't need to know much about me.

Are you still willing to know who I am?

Well, let me have the pleasure of giving you some hints.

I don't have any descendants that you can trace me through and I won't tell you my identity, you might figure it out if you are smart enough though.

We'll check your intelligence; don't worry.

Now let's focus on my traits. I have a weird sight, or should I say a weird eye as you might call it. Now don't get me wrong; I don't have I'm not blind. I just happen to have an eye full of wisdom. An eye that looks at everything wisely and judges everything fairly.

I just happen to look at things objectively. Let me give you a simple example. Focus on what I'm going to say. Here we go!

A seven-year-old boy is having an argument with his mother on whether or not the mother should give him candy.

Simple, right?

The mother's perspective is: That's for his good, and I also think he should be punished for getting a bad grade in his math quiz.

So, that mother wants to raise her child correctly. Doesn't she?

Let's see the child's perspective: I deserve to get some candy since I finished all my chores.

If you're on the mother's side, then you failed the pretest.

And if you're on the kid's side, then, unfortunately, you also failed.

What a rude and disappointing narrator am I!

The answer is, you shouldn't be on either side. I'm going to leave it for your brain to start functioning. Remember this was just the pretest, meaning that I was just giving you a warm-up exercise. Our next journey is way more complex. If you're not ready to know the real truth, then you can just as well close the book, and toss it in the nearest trash bin.

Well, I can see you've decided to continue. Then let's get into business!

Let me tell you about the big case that I have to deal with.

But wait! Don't be a fool. I am going to give you some advice to be able to judge fairly and wisely. Stay alertd!

You just took your first test, if you've noticed that the word alerted was misspelled, congrats you've passed. But if you didn't, then you failed and you are just reading, and that's not acceptable. This is no joke, trust me, this book is going to teach you a lot of things, just open your eyes.

Be careful, every word that I am saying is important in your mission. You've started this book; you can't just leave the judgment of the case to anyone else. It's your responsibility, no backing down.

Guidelines for this book

While judging:

1. Acknowledge one's dignity and one's value.

2. Forget about all your beliefs and think like a judge, not like a person of a special country or a believer of a particular religion.

These were some guidelines that would lead you through your mission.

So, did you get bored yet? Well, get ready for the test! Try your best; it might be a bit confusing. I know you're going to pass.

Here we go!

Oh, before you get into the big case, I think I'll give you a riddle to think about. Now read carefully.

You can feel me in the air,

My enemy is oppression and I'm quite rare.

Don't go looking for me here and there,

You won't see me anywhere.

Although I'm everywhere.

You might beg or fight for my existence,

In courts or streets,

I'm closest to your stare.

Mind you, don't look for me with your eyes,

But with the first word of my advice.

Now flip the page to deal with the big case.

CHAPTER ONE

It was another day at Crownhouse High School Academy, Morrisville, North Carolina, and the school was buzzing with teachers walking through corridors, holding a bunch of papers and muttering how busy and full-minded they are.

Oh, hey Mrs. Nicol, have you heard about the quarter exaaaa— Mrs. Stainer fell on the floor, her papers scattered all around her.

Sarah was rushing to her social studies class when she knocked one of the teachers. She was already in a hurry, and the fact that she had a presentation waiting for her wasn't comforting in this situation.

YOU! Mrs. Stainer shouted as she pointed at Sarah.

Without a word, Sarah ducked down and collected Mrs. Stainer's papers.

Er— Sarah said as she handed her the papers.

But before she could apologize, Mrs. Stainer snatched her papers and went off. Sarah stood there, thinking of how clumsy and unfortunate she is, as she heard Mrs. Stainer swear under her breath.

Tringggggg, the bell echoed abruptly in Sarah's eardrums. She was going to be late. She turned and went to room 308. 

Grade Nine, as you all know, we have a geography presentation today. You've got five minutes to prepare for it before we start, Mrs. Penelope said.

The order of the students' presentation was in alphabetical order. The names of the students went one after the other.

Alicia Raphael... Brian Studious... Belle Carter... Cicily Levian...Hannah Adams... 

Sarah Mohamed Khalil, your turn, Mrs. Penelope read from the list of names she had on her desk.

Sarah stood up; her knees trembling. Somehow, her legs were dragging her to the front of the classroom. She suddenly felt a lump in her throat. 

Hey, Sarah. Are you going to stand there dumbstruck forever, Hannah said teasingly and the whole class roared with laughter.

Silence! Mrs. Penelope said.

For the first time in a century, Sarah felt grateful that Hannah was there at that moment. Hannah was, with no doubt, a bully, yet she brought back Sarah's senses. 

Sarah began to present, and it seemed alright for a split of a second, but then Mrs. Penelope interrupted her.

Excuse me, Sarah, but Palestine isn't one of the countries you're supposed to talk about, is it?

That was the question that she dreaded the most. She stood there staring at Mrs. Penelope blankly.

Am I right, Sarah? Mrs. Penelope repeated her question more intently this time.

Actually, no, you're not. Palestine is one of the countries mentioned, if not directly in the rubric. Sarah couldn’t believe that these words were coming out of her mouth.

Well, let me tell you something, Sarah. I am the teacher here, and your presentation is not accepted.

Sarah tried to contain her anger. Her cheeks were reddening, and she was starting to sweat.

May, I know why, then?

No, you may go back to your seat.

Sarah's rage was rising every second. If Mrs. Penelope was stubborn, then she was even more.

Let me tell you something, Mrs. Penelope. You can say whatever you want, but I want you to be sure that I'm not going to move an organ of my body if you don't tell me the reason behind your disapproval.

The conversation was starting to heat up, and side whispers were taking place. 

Get out of my class, then!

You heard me. I am not moving, Sarah said persistently, and shrugged. 

Mrs. Penelope started rising from her chair and walking towards Sarah. At the moment, Sarah knew she was in big trouble. 

Mrs. Penelope was the kind of teacher that you wouldn’t enjoy talking to, and you had to watch your language while being obliged to talk to her; because one thing’s for sure; she never forgot anything. 

Once, she had a tenth-grade student named George. He was smart, handsome, and well-respected.

And then one