Under The Stars (68 hits)
Category: UberMadness! EntryRating: 2 on 1 review (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Parlor Trick (View user info) at 2006-09-26 04:36:52 EDT
This post was an official UberMadness! entry. Click here to view the original matchup.
Wailing sirens punctuated each booming announcement. "Once you arrive at the Civil Control Station you will receive further instructions."
The giant commotion thundered toward Sara's bedroom. Rainbow painted fairies and steadfast unicorns stood guard as the girl considered the empty backpack on the floor beside her.
"Sara! Hurry up!" Somewhere downstairs, mama was yelling. "Get your things, we have to go!" A purple stuffed rabbit and frayed knit blanket were first in the bag.
"Evacuees must carry with them on departure proper registration and no more than a single bag containing..." The announcements continued and outside the streets began to rumble with people on the move.
"Pack warm clothes, leave your toys," her mother had instructed, as if this could be done. Sara reached for the outstretched arms of the cloth doll with tangled brown hair and stuffed her into the bag. The family was going on a trip.
"Cooperation is compulsory."
Red-stripped pajamas claimed the last space in the bag. "I'll be back soon," she lied to the remaining stuffed animals on her bed. She slid on her coat; one finger traced the star on the newly sewn patch, as she descended the stairs.
Sara had been sleeping when the men came and took daddy. Light from the hallway broke into her room and let the noises in with it. It was a dream, a bad dream. Her father was talking loudly, her mother was saying 'no' but there were other voices insisting. The door slammed and when she awoke daddy was gone and mama was something different.
"It'll be ok," mama had told her, "They just want to ask daddy some questions. They'll bring him back soon. I promise. Don't worry baby." Days passed and together they worried and waited for word of their next move. Their questions went unanswered.
Violent images and government issued statements carried them into the situation with the deceptive force of an undertow. "Remain alert to persons of questionable affiliations," the citizens were cautioned. "Avoid confrontations and notify authorities of suspicious behavior." The bridges had been burned and people were dying for a cause.
The sirens and bold printed flyers announced to the selected area residences that their next move would be today. "Pursuant to the provisions of Civilian Exclusion Order No. 33...." The words repeated like history.
Downstairs Sara listened to her mother talking anxiously on the phone. "Yes, I have our papers. No. I don't know. I don't know! I suppose they'll tell us when we get there. I hope so. Yes, I'll bring what I can. Ok, God help us. Love you. See you there."
"All specified persons will be evacuated from the posted areas by 23 hundred hours. Evacuees must carry with them on departure proper registration and no more than a single bag containing..."
Uniformed men working under star studded sashes and shoulder-slung rifles directed the effort on behalf of the national interest. The stoned faced soldiers herded the people in the direction of the bus station where they and the others like them, would be relocated to a safer place. They were to be separated from those who felt they were vulnerable. Daddy had feared it would come to this.
Mother and daughter, a single bag each, left their home and merged with the others on the street who were adorned with newly sewn identification patches. The numbers spilled from tributary streets and flowed in the direction of the bus depot where they would be detained until their scheduled departure.
..................
The decision was made with the care and consideration of an angry hunter. Support followed the baited scent hungry for revenge.
"Our nation has the right and obligation to preserve the integrity of our way of life. We can no longer tolerate the proliferation of this enemy within our borders. We must gather and bring to justice those people whose fundamental beliefs have authorized these attacks on our great country." The President's speech was accompanied with repeating scenes of collapsing buildings and flag waving patriots.
"Today we have taken a courageous and overdue step in protecting American values from the poison of extremist influence. There was a day, not so long ago; when we had the luxury of thinking we could allow the brothers and sisters of our enemy to walk unchecked along our streets and in our neighborhoods. But in the taking of so many of our precious American sons and daughters, through their choice of violence, they have lost that luxury.
Today our enemy knows, in no uncertain terms, that Americans will no longer open our arms to those who seek to harm us. We have unified as a nation in this profound mission of extracting the face of evil from our great and humble home."
.....................
Sara clutched her mother's black gown as they were pushed onto an already overcrowded bus. They said nothing to the faces of the people they knew from schoolroom meetings and Thursday night soccer games. Pleasantries were not invited. All attention was on the destination that no one dare ask.
A plume of exhaust escaped the bus in front of them as it pulled away like the ones before it. The caravan snaked its way under the stars with a full military escort.
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Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-06-05 12:38:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2