# Darin's Covert Dawn Return: Smells of War, Hides a Sketchbook ## Quick Navigation - [Find Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners.md): Discover language exchange partners worldwide - [Language Exchange](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange.md): Practice with native speakers worldwide - [Moments](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments.md): Share your language learning journey - [Topics](https://www.hellotalk.com/topics.md): Explore trending topics and discussions - [Chat & Messaging](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/chat.md): Text, voice, and video conversations - [Voice Rooms](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/voiceroom.md): Join live audio conversations - [Live Streaming](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/live-streaming.md): Interactive classes and language sessions - [Certified Teachers](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/certified-teachers.md): Learn from professional language instructors - [Immersive Learning](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/immersive-learning.md): Learn everywhere with instant translations - [Translation Tools](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/translation.md): Instant translation between any languages - [AI-Powered Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Access specialized learning tools - [Language AI Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Discover our AI-powered language learning applications - [All Features](https://www.hellotalk.com/features.md): Explore all learning features and tools - [Download](https://www.hellotalk.com/download.md): Get HelloTalk on iOS and Android ## Author - **Name**: Nedim Ahmed - **Username**: @nedim_ahmed ## Content 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 My big brother reaches home in the dark hours before dawn, when even ghosts take their rest. He smells of steel and coal and forge. He smells of the enemy. He folds his scarecrow body through the window, bare feet silent on the rushes. A hot desert wind blows in after him, rustling the limp curtains. His sketchbook falls to the floor, and he nudges it under his bunk with a quick foot, as if it's a snake. Where have you been, Darin? In my head, I have the courage to ask the question, and Darin trusts me enough to answer. Why do you keep disappearing? Why, when Pop and Nan need you? When I need you? Every night for almost two years, I've wanted to ask. Every night, I've lacked the courage. I have one sibling left. I don't want him to shut me out like he has everyone else. But tonight's different. I know what's in his sketchbook. I know what it means. "You shouldn't be awake." Darin's whisper jolts me from my thoughts. He has a cat's sense for traps - he got it from our mother. I sit up on the bunk as he lights the lamp. No use pretending to be asleep. "It's past curfew, and three patrols have gone by. I was worried." "I can avoid the soldiers, Laia. Lots of practice." He rests his chin on my bunk and smiles Mother's sweet, crooked smile. A familiar look - the one he gives me if I wake from a nightmare or we run out of grain. Everything will be fine, the look says. He picks up the book on my bed. "Gather in the Night," he reads the title. "Spooky. What's it about?" "I just started it. It's about a jinn -" I stop. Clever. Very clever. He likes hearing stories as much as I like telling them. "Forget that. Where were you? Pop had a dozen patients this morning." And I filled in for you because he can't do so much alone. Which left Nan to bottle the trader's jams by herself. Except she didn't finish. Now the trader won't pay us, and we'll starve this winter, and why in the skies don't you care? — Sabaa Tahir from An Ember in the Ashes ## Learning Language **English** ## Topics #103920 #1693417 #1693456 ## Metadata - **Posted**: 3/16/2025 - **View on HelloTalk**: [https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/AmPSLEyHyLEcDD.md](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/AmPSLEyHyLEcDD.md) ## Engagement - **Comments**: 4 --- ## Language Exchange Partners - [English Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/english.md): Connect with native English speakers - [Spanish Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/spanish.md): Connect with native Spanish speakers - [French Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/french.md): Connect with native French speakers - [Japanese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/japanese.md): Connect with native Japanese speakers - [German Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/german.md): Connect with native German speakers - 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