Page 46 - The Kite Runner

FIVE

Something roared like thunder. The earth shook a little and we
heard the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire. “Father!” Hassan cried. We
sprung to our feet and raced out of the living room. We found Ali
hobbling frantically across the foyer.
“Father! What’s that sound?” Hassan yelped, his hands out-
stretched toward Ali. Ali wrapped his arms around us. A white
light flashed, lit the sky in silver. It flashed again and was followed
by a rapid staccato of gunfire.
“They’re hunting ducks,” Ali said in a hoarse voice. “They hunt
ducks at night, you know. Don’t be afraid.”
A siren went off in the distance. Somewhere glass shattered
and someone shouted. I heard people on the street, jolted from
sleep and probably still in their pajamas, with ruffled hair and
puffy eyes. Hassan was crying. Ali pulled him close, clutched him
with tenderness. Later, I would tell myself I hadn’t felt envious of
Hassan. Not at all.