Chapter 11

One of the voices outside was Mohammed's. Another one was Sayed's, and there were a few more Zubaida did not recognize. Hasan had barely finished stuffing Sakr al-Djinni into the closet when Mohammed's key jangled in the lock. Fortunately, Mohammed took a long time to open the door.

When the door opened, Zubaida gasped. Mohammed walked in, followed by Sayed and two masked men carrying machine guns.

They weren't pointing the guns at Mohammed, but her brother's face was flushed and sweaty. Zubaida tensed up and bit her lip, and glared at her uncle.

Mohammed

Sayed, this is absurd.

Sayed

What is absurd? If you have nothing to hide then why should you object to us having a look around? We are all brothers in our struggle, are we not?

Mohammed

My father and mother would not want those weapons in this house.

Sayed

Your father was martyred by the Zionists—he would rather have weapons in his house than Zionist radio beacons, let me assure you.

Zubaida stepped forward.

Zubaida

What is going on here?

Sayed put his finger to his mouth and brusquely shushed her. The gunmen began looking around the living room. One of them unscrewed the ceiling lamp.

Sayed

Be careful! This is my own nephew's house. Do not be so rough.

Mohammed

Uncle! You cannot come into my house like this!

Sayed

Mohammed—it is not that I distrust you, my nephew. But how do you explain our men picking up a Zionist radio beacon coming straight from your house? God forbid, I know you would never willingly collaborate with the Zionists, but perhaps they snuck something in one of your computers from work? We cannot allow the Zionists to spy on us, nephew. What am I supposed to do? And your blinds are always closed—it is suspicious, many have noticed. This is for your own safety too, Mohammed. Your safety, and Zubaida's, and Hasan's.

Mohammed was sweating so much that his shirt was wet. But he stood in front of one of the gunmen, unafraid.

Mohammed

Stop this, right now! This house is my property. And—

The gunman would have none of that. He pushed Mohammed away with the butt of his gun. Mohammed almost toppled over his own coffee table. Sayed screamed at the gunman not to lay a finger on his family, and Mohammed yelled at Sayed to get out of his house.

Zubaida stood tall, so she could shout louder.

Zubaida

Everyone, listen!

Sayed, the gunmen and Mohammed all turned to her. Mohammed wore an expression of horror.

Zubaida

The truth is that we have been hiding something. And I am ashamed that we have to hide him, because we shouldn't have to keep him hidden from good Muslims.

Mohammed

Zubaida, be quiet!

Zubaida

They're going to find him anyway, brother.

Sayed squinted at Zubaida.

Sayed

Is there something you'd like to show us, little Zubaida?

Without answering or even looking at her uncle, Zubaida stormed into Mohammed's room. Mohammed did not try to stop her.

Mohammed, Sayed, Hasan and the gunmen followed her. She threw open the door to the closet, and the gunmen both gasped hollowly through their ski masks.

Zubaida

You can come out.

The robot warily stepped out of the closet. His lights blinked slowly.

Sayed and the gunmen kept their distance. Zubaida returned to Mohammed's side so that the guests could get a better look at Sakr al-Djinni.

Zubaida

His name is Sakr al-Djinni. We found him in the old Israeli factory. He is a Muslim and can recite the Quran as well as anyone. I know it may seem strange, but—

Sayed

You found this in the Zionist factory?

Zubaida

Yes, a week ago—as I was saying, I think he is a djinni bound in a robot body, because it is obvious he has a soul, but he has embraced Islam now—

One of the gunman gasped and backed away.

Gunman

Is it dangerous?

Mohammed

No. Zubaida is more or less correct. The machine is harmless. And its AI is advanced enough that it appears capable of rational thought.

Sayed

Put a cloth over its head. Its eyes look like cameras.

One of the gunmen took a sheet off Mohammed's bed and draped it over the robot.

Gunman

I have heard whispers of this—of djinn collaborating with the Zionists—

Zubaida

Listen to me! Sakr al-Djinni—

Sayed

Do not open your mouth, Zubaida. Ibraham, Ali, do not mention anything sensitive. The Zionists are using this machine to spy on us. Take it outside and destroy it.

Chapter 12