Humiliation

This morning came a little earlier than yesterday's.

It was only a little past six, yet the sky was already bright.

By the faint morning light, Johnny stirred awake from his daze. He rolled over and sat up, shoved the warm blanket beneath him, then rubbed his face hard with both hands.

On the other side of the tent, Abel, who had been asleep, vigilantly opened his eyes and glanced in Johnny's direction.

After confirming that Johnny had made the noise, Abel relaxed, turned over, and asked softly.

"Johnny, you didn't sleep well last night, did you?"

"How could I sleep? Damn it, I've waited ten and a half months for today!"

Johnny replied quietly, then could not help taking a deep breath.

The inhale was so loud that it seemed as though he wanted to suck all the air out of the tent.

Listening to that exaggerated breath, Abel curled his lip and said with feeling.

"That's already pretty good, man. At least you got to wait for it."

"Take Anglu, for example. Poor Anglu still hasn't been able to see his mother, has he?"

"But you? Today, your dream comes true."

"Tsk, tsk. A search spanning ten and a half months, and a reunion that will finally happen today."

"That's romantic as hell, miraculous as hell, and of course, enough to make anyone insanely jealous!"

At that, Abel shook his head irritably.

What had happened to his family?

He did not know. He had absolutely no idea!

If his family had been in America, even in Canada or Mexico, he could at least try to find them like Johnny and Anglu had, risking his life if necessary.

But his family was in fucking Europe. Goddamn Europe!

What the hell could he use to cross that vast ocean in