Summary

Chapters 11 and 12

It takes a while, but soon the man next to him begins greeting him each morning, and he returns the greeting automatically until one day the man surprises him by introducing himself in English. Later, three soldiers arrive with shackles, and Khalid watches as one group of prisoners is taken away. When they return, they are wet and are wearing clean t-shirts. Khalid can hardly believe a shower is in his future. A Red Cross representative arrives with pens, paper and a cup with the Red Cross logo. He is told his number is 256, and Khalid tries to tell him that he is just a child and should be in school. He smiles and tells Khalid that he is an enemy combatant and unfortunately he can do nothing. Khalid realizes the letters probably won’t get where they are supposed to...