But I was already scrambling down the lane. For the next few minutes, I scoured the bazaar in vain. Maybe the old merchant’s eyes had betrayed him. Except he’d seen the blue kite. I poked my head behind every lane. No sign of Hassan. I had begun to worry that darkness would fall before I found Hassan when I heard voices from up ahead. I’d reached a secluded, muddy road. I followed the voices. My boot squished in mud with every step.
I heard the voices again, louder this time, coming from one of the alleys. I crept close to the mouth of the alley. Held my breath. Peeked around the corner. Hassan was standing at the end of the alley in a defiant stance: fists curled. Behind him, sitting on piles of scrap and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to Baba’s heart. Blocking Hassan’s way out of the alley were three boys, the same three from that day on the hill, when Hassan had saved us with his slingshot. Wali was standing on one side, Kamal on the other, and in the middle, Assef.
“Where is your slingshot, Hazara?” Assef said, turning the brass knuckles in his hand. “What was it you said? ‘They’ll have to call you One-Eyed Assef.’ That’s right. That was clever. Then again, it’s easy to be clever when you’re holding a loaded weapon.”
I realized I still hadn’t breathed out. I exhaled quietly. I felt paralyzed. I watched them close in on the boy I’d grown up with.
“But today is your lucky day, Hazara,” Assef said. He had his back to me, but I would have bet he was grinning. “I’m in a mood to forgive. What do you say to that, boys?”
“That’s generous,” Kamal blurted, “Especially after the rude manners he showed us last time.” He was trying to sound like Assef, except there was a tremor in his voice. Assef waved a dismissive hand. “Forgiven. It’s done.” His voice dropped a little. “Of course, nothing is free in this world, and my pardon comes with a small price.”
“That’s fair,” Kamal said.
“Nothing is free,” Wali added.
“You’re a lucky Hazara,” Assef said, taking a step toward Hassan. “It’s only going to cost you that blue kite.” Even from where I was standing, I could see the fear creeping into Hassan’s eyes. “Amir agha won the tournament and I ran this kite for him. I ran it fairly. This is his kite.”