30 December 1941, Kampar
The British knew what had to be done now.
Artillery was set up, trenches were dug they were preparing for the Japanese attack. The British had one thought in their minds: if Kampar fell, the entire peninsula would be wide open for the Japanese to seize. The route to Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, and eventually Singapore would be undefended.
Meanwhile, Aman and Mei Lian stared at the sabotaged train tracks. Escape by train was impossible, but worse, the Japanese seemed to be encircling the British positions. The only hope left was a truck.
"Okay, you two... I don't know if they're watching," Carter muttered, glancing around. "There's an evacuation, but not for you. I don't know they're prioritizing others." He fixed his gaze on Aman.
"What do you mean, there's none for us?" Aman demanded. Mei Lian nodded in silent agreement.
"Why? Why do you even ask?" Carter snapped. "You're fucking strays, that's why! You just showed up yesterday. There's a list a fucking list and you're not on it. Did you think you'd get special treatment? I don't even hell, I don't fucking know! Are you on our side or the Japs'?"
"Hey, you can still fight, right? Right?" Carter tightened his grip on Aman's shoulder, his voice low and urgent. Aman winced. "You're hurting me," he protested.
Mei Lian stepped forward, trying to intervene. "Hey, you should calm down. You're scaring us"
Carter shoved her back. "She's just a child!" Aman shouted, only for Carter to pin him harder.
"I don't care what you are. You're lowlife strays, and I've lost my patience. That evacuation has a list, and you're not on it. Nothing can be done! You Malays always make my headache worse..."
Carter leaned in, whispering into Aman's ear. "You still have that gun, right? You can shoot now, can't you?" He pressed his own pistol toward Mei Lian. "The Japs at least try to win over the Malays, but you you're not thinking of defecting to them, are you? Right? Right?" His voice was a venomous hiss. "You know how much tension there is? It's not just the Japs every brown skinned or slanted-eyed bastard makes my life harder. Now get moving. Not everyone gets a spot on that truck."
Mei Lian flinched as the barrel swung toward her, her eyes wide with fear.
"A fucking kid thinking he was all for him what a joke"
Finally, he released Aman, who coughed, rubbing his sore shoulder. "Lower your gun. I know what you want," Aman said, catching his breath. "You want me to scout, don't you? I've heard about your scouts they don't come back. Sending another just wastes manpower that could be fighting. So now you want a child to do your dirty work. You're a real bastard, Carter."
Carter smirked and lowered the gun. "You're smarter than you look. No wonder Henry left his things with you."
---
Now, deep in the woods surrounding Kampar, Aman moved cautiously. The Japanese were everywhere skirmishes flared here and there, but no full battle had begun yet. It was clear Carter was losing his grip, and Aman couldn't help but compare him to Henry. Cold as Henry was, at least he never aimed a gun at a child. Remember back Carter told him that suicidal Henry was demoted for punching a superior officer what had driven him to that?
Carter's sudden shift from the day before was unsettling. He'd sent Aman out with nothing but civilian clothes and Henry's old sling bag no gear, no weapons except what he already carried that snub nose. As Aman crept forward, his thoughts turned to his father. Was he even in Kampar? Had he joined the Japanese? Was he dead? There were no answers, only the relentless need to survive and he asking if his father knew what happened to all his children and important what happened to his wife.
Aman had no time to dwell on it. His task was simple: scout the Japanese positions, note their artillery, tanks, armored cars anything that could be used against the British. But his real concern was Mei Lian, stuck with Carter's paranoia. The man's distrust was suffocating did he really think Aman would switch sides so easily?
Before long, Aman spotted a Japanese patrol. He ducked into hiding, memories of his mother's fate flashing in his mind. He wanted to kill them could he? He'd never taken a life before.
From a distance, he aimed his snub-nosed revolver. He couldn't risk firing but was that logic or cowardice? Right now, Mei Lian's safety mattered more than revenge.
After noting the Japanese artillery positions, Aman slipped back toward British lines until he saw him.
The officer.
The one who had ordered his village burned. The one whose men had were... Rape and kill his mother
Aman's vision blurred with rage. His hands shook as he raised the pistol.
And he fired.
The shot rang out, startling the Japanese soldiers.
"Are they attacking already?" one barked.
"No, they wouldn't be this reckless. Must be a scout," another replied.
The officer average height, unassuming behind round glasses, younger than expected turned slowly. It was the same man who had let Aman escape before, dismissing him as not worth the effort. Now, his lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as his eyes locked onto Aman's hiding spot.
The bullet had hit nothing. Aman was too far, his aim unsteady.
*Why? Why? Why? Why are they here?* Aman's mind raced, fear clawing at him worse than anything he'd felt in Jitra. These men had broken something inside him. He caught his reflection in a puddle hollow eyed, hardened.
The war had changed him. Thinking back he just noticed he act differently from whatever he use to he.
He ran. Back to Mei Lian. Back to whatever safety remained. The British could abandon him he didn't care. His only goal now was getting her to Singapore.
But why? .... Why Singapore... His little siblings how he can't.... Ah he mess up his head mess to much occupied his head is they even send them to Singapore to safety even there are they alive?
But why? Were Nini and Nana even there?
This was never his fight. Why he was here?
Asking and asking again.
Why? It just terrible now he was here.