A jump of a tiger or single escape story

by Veronika Shliakhova (Ukraine)

A leap into the unknown Egypt

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Three days after my 18th birthday. I’m standing in front of my gate « Kyiv – Sharm-al-Sheikh». I heard that the most thrilling adventures happen to you after you turn 18. I’ve never been a calm child. Before my adulthood I already had an opportunity to say that I've escaped death thrice, being raped twice and moved to the capital alone at the age of 15. But I never suspected what was waiting for me that September 2017. It was my first journalistic investigation - new country, completely different culture and religion. My task was to go undercover as an animation staff at the hotel and find out the illegal labour slavery scheme at one of Egyptian companies. No fear, I just stood in front of the gate watching happy faces of people looking forward their vacation. There was a slight excitement inside my chest, or stomach, or both… A couple of minutes and I’ll make this leap. The last words from my editor were: «Remember why you’re there. And please, try not to die». – Perfect beginning of the trip. But after everything, I can say that the last instruction was the most relevant. Of all the stories that happened to me there you can probably write a book, but now I’ll tell you one, the one that became that very "leap into the unknown." My fourth week came to the end. In fact, everything came to the end after I met her. Sasha. That night they were sending me to the new «flat», which would be more suitable for the name «dump». As soon as I entered, my desire to exit was extremely powerful. The smell of rotten rubbish on the floor was quite impressive. Suddenly I heard a sob in the dark corner. I came closer and saw a girl. Her baby-face looked twice older her age. The makeup was running down her face. *** - Let me help you. Tell your story. - I’m 17. My mom died, my father is in jail and I’m trapped here for 8 month already. They took my passport. I have no money, no family and I think they have given me too much dose if I’m telling this to you now. - Let’s make a deal. Give me one week, and promise to stay strong. *** One week of thoughts and fight. Several calls and the night X came. We had only 3 minutes to escape which flew like a second. We are in the car. My heart went 10000000 beats per second. Phone call. Boss. - «Stop right where you are now. We’ll find you, crazy b*tches! We’re almost there, there’s no way out. You’ve just signed your death sentence, you …» I hang up faster than he could finish that endless list of threats. Our way to the airport seemed too long. Driver is too slow, too slow! Why the hell is he so slow?! Car stopped. The leap out looked like we were two tigers catching the last existing victim, fighting for their only chance to live. We grabbed our things and rushed towards the airport. The phone kept ringing. The same ringtone was playing again and again and again. *Power Off* - «Keep running! We are free, Sasha! ». I tried to give her the understanding that she is closer to freedom than ever. The door opened. I’m inside. «Sharm-al-Sheikh – Kiev». The luminous inscription on the board has never pleased me so much before. - «We did it! » - I’m turning my head and notice that I’m alone. Where’s she? They caught her. Thousand thoughts are running through my mind. Suddenly I saw her standing outside and watching the door closing. - Sasha … - I’m. I’m not …Where am I going? I don’t know wha… - Nobody knows, okay? We never know. There is so much in this world that we will never be able to know. I’m never sure what’s going to happen the next second but one thing I do know for sure. If you take this step right now, you’ll remember forever how strong you are. *** On the plane, she immediately falls asleep. I plug in my headphones and a pleasant melody instantly spreads inside my head. It seems to have been Ed Sheeran, but who cares?