The Barn By /u/Kamares

INT. BARN - AFTERNOON The building is in a state of mild disrepair. Light shines through a few holes in the roof and the walls and the ground is layered with dirt and some unswept animal droppings. No actual animals are in the barn, only a group of men huddling around another man, named FARID, whos lying under a blanket in the corner. The front door to the barn swings open and all the men turn around to see what it is. FARAH, the wife of Farid, is escorted through by another man, both of them on edge. She walks, almost runs, over to her husband, those huddled around him parting quickly to let her pass. FARAH Farid. Oh no, what has happened to you? He had been closing his eyes, but he opens them to look up at the face of his wife. FARID Farah? How did you get here? I thought Id never see you again. FARAH Your cousin, Ahmed, came to get me right away. FARID Ahmed? I thought he was dead when I didnt see him here. AHMED, the man who brought Farid in, takes a step forward and looks down on his cousin. The two make eye contact and Farid lets his head fall to the ground, sighing with some mixture of relief and pain. FARID Im in a terrible amount of pain, Farah. Its hard toHe closes his eyes tightly and turns his head to the side. FARID (CONTD) Look away, please.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

He vomits onto the ground next to his head, but Farah doesnt turn away, even as most of the men around her do. Farid looks like he wants to give up forever, but he manages to gather some energy and prop himself up onto his elbows. FARID (to Ahmed) Can you help me up against this wall? I dont want to be lying down right now. AHMED I dont know if thats a good idea, cousin. FARID Im going to die anyway. What does it matter? Ahmed complies and pulls Farid up and sets him against the wall. FARID (CONTD) Cousin, Im not sure it was a good thing to bring my wife here. But Im immensely grateful in any case. Now can you give us a moment alone? Ahmed nods solemnly, then he and the rest of the men turn around and walk to the other side of the barn. FARAH Tell me how it happened. FARID That doesnt matter right now. There was gas, and I breathed it in. We dont have a lot of time. The couple gaze at each other, each with tears in their eyes. The moment is interrupted by a coughing fit from Farid. Farah glances back at the men, but they remain where they are. FARID We had a good time together, didnt we? As far as marriages go, wasnt ours was pretty good, for both of us?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: FARAH I could not have wished for anything more.

3.

Farid gulps once then blinks rapidly, trying to focus on the face in front of him. FARID I tried to do what I could in my life for me, for you, for all our people. I didnt do enough, and now Im leaving you alone, in a time of war, when to be alone is the worst thing a person can be. Im sorry. FARAH You dont have to be sorry. Listen to me Farid, you did what you could. You were hit by gas; nobody can predict that, its just bad luck. The measure of a man isnt determined only by what he accomplishes. Its whats in his heart, in his soul. If you fall in a struggle for good, for your people, in the name of Allah, you can be content with what you did. And you can surely be content with what you have done. Farah opens his mouth to respond, but his body starts shaking, convulsing uncontrollably. Now the men do run over, crowding around him once more. The man on the ground is able to steady himself enough to look at his wife one more time. FARID Remember me. Say that you wont forget. FARAH I wont. Ill think of you every hour until the day I join you in heaven. Farid almost smiles, then his body flails around again and he knocks his head against the wall, dropping into unconsciousness. Farah covers her face and starts to cry. Some of the men attempt to steady Farid, but soon his body stops convulsing on its own accord, and he lies dead on the ground.

(CONTINUED)

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4.

AHMED Im so sorry, Farrah. The woman takes her hands away from her face and looks straight at her cousin in law, anger flaring up in her eyes. Ahmed looks away somewhat nervously. FARAH Youll tell me who did this, Ahmed. I know youre sorry, but I have to know who did this so I can drive them into the ground with all the fury I posses. Ahmed looks back at her, as if reassured. AHMED Well get them, dont worry. If we have to double our numbers, well go after them or die trying. FADE OUT