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the soldiers returning. Shanti heard them too.
    â€˜We must hurry!’ she whispered.
    We ran through three more carriages, all deserted, until we found the one we were looking for. It had no windows and the side doors were bolted shut. It had to be the prisoner transport coach.
    The only way in was through doors at each end. And at the first stood a young guard, no more than eighteen years old. We crouched behind more boxesand Shanti told me it was her turn to help. I wanted to stop her but she insisted.
    â€˜I’ll lead him this way. Once we pass you, check the carriage.’
    â€˜But what about you?’
    She smiled. ‘I’ll meet you outside, at the top of the bank.’
    Counting to three, she stood and ran to the guard, pretending to cry. ‘Help!’ she screamed. ‘Please!’
    The guard looked startled but when he saw Shanti he didn’t raise his rifle.
    â€˜What are you doing here?’ he asked.
    â€˜I’ve escaped from some bandits!’ she wailed. ‘They are after me. Come quickly – you must protect me!’
    The soldier looked puzzled. ‘What bandits?’ he asked.
    â€˜They’re outside,’ she told him. ‘Please! If they take me, I will be killed!’
    The soldier’s face changed. His eyes grew narrow and he raised his gun. ‘Show me!’ he demanded. ‘Show me these dogs that would harm a child!’
    Shanti turned and led him past me. As soon as they were gone, I stood and ran into the carriage. It wasfull of men, most sleeping on the rough floor. When they heard me enter, some of them woke up, blinking in the darkness.
    â€˜Dad?’ I whispered. ‘Dad – it’s me, Arjan!’
    For a moment no one replied but then I heard a voice that made my heart leap.
    â€˜Arjan – is that really you?’ came my dad’s voice. He sounded weak and tired.
    â€˜Come on!’ I said. ‘We have to go.’
    And then he was at my side, his turban gone, and his long hair a mess. The right side of his face was swollen and the eye bruised over.
    â€˜What did they do?’ I gasped.
    I took his hand and we ran out, followed by some of the others.
    â€˜What are you doing here?’ asked my dad.
    â€˜Never mind that now,’ I told him. ‘We have to leave before the soldiers come back.
    At the door, two prisoners shoved past us and jumped down to the tracks. Before I could warn them, they ran towards the soldiers. I took my dad the other way, and we climbed the steep bank through thick weeds and bushes. I heard whistles blowing, soldiers shouting and the crack of threerifle shots. Someone screamed and then I heard more soldiers.
    Shanti tapped me on the shoulder, making me start. My heart was almost in my mouth with excitement.
    â€˜What happened to the soldier?’ I asked.
    â€˜He went to check some bushes and I hid,’ she replied.
    â€˜You’re very brave,’ I told her. ‘For a girl.’
    Shanti shoved me as my father looked on in utter confusion.
    â€˜I don’t understand what’s happening,’ he said. ‘Is this a dream?’
    Two more gunshots and the sound of a screaming, dying man told my dad it wasn’t a dream – or a nightmare.
    â€˜Follow me,’ said Shanti, standing up.
    I helped my dad up, angered when I heard him groan in pain.
    â€˜Quickly!’ Shanti whispered, leading us away from the tracks and back into the city before more patrols arrived.

Chapter Fourteen

Showdown
    T he rest of the journey was slow and I was beginning to get tired. My dad could only limp. We had to hide several times, to avoid being seen. Not only were we running from the soldiers and the police, we had The Bull’s thugs to think about too. By now he would be searching every street for us, according to Shanti.
    I wondered what we would do, even if we did make it home. My father was a wanted man, and if we stayed in Amritsar it was just a