through the border of Pakistan

Ahmed Sahlazian tighted up his boot laces as he sat in a dusty Pakistani bazaar. The locals paid little attention as he self-consciously tried to pass himself off as a day laborer or commoner. After only more than a week, he missed his home but turning back now was out of the question. Hundreds of miles took their toll on his appearance but not his determination. It was still a long way to Iraq from here and he planned to travel swiftly.

In his head, Ahmed could still see the ghosts of his uncles' bulletridden corpses. Hard to believe that was only three years ago. Seemed like decades until he could make good on promises to keep his family's honor, even if it meant forever abandoning the comforts of his parents, family and hometown. He was joining the ranks of the Mujahedeen.

Flashbacks of his youth returned, when the townspeople asked when Ahmed planned to settle down and raise children. A simple life would have been possible in another place, another time. Too many members of Ahmed's family were blacklisted for anti-government activities. And none had happy endings.

Executions were common punishments for those who dared speak out. Ahmed preferred to die in battle, fighting his country's brutal oppressors, rather than be slaughtered along with a host of other sacrificial lambs.

Ahmed's goal was to surpass the death hangings that would result from peaceful demonstrations. His chances of survival were slim as he joined forces with fellow militants in Iraq. But he was happy. His life might result in someone else's freedom.