Invaded (For lack of a better title at the moment)

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Passions in Prose

Invaded (For lack of a better title at the moment)

Marilyn
Member Elite

since 1999-09-26

Posts 2621
Ontario, Canada

0 posted 2008-05-22 12:11 PM

This piece I started years ago. Some of it was posted here in parts. I have intended to continue it and possible make it into a novel but I have not written anything for a long time. I hope you enjoy.

  Chaos surrounded her like a swirling tornado. Fighting through the terrified crowd
searching the faces, people were everywhere scrambling for their lives. What had happened
here? Her mind was grasping for answers. It was an ordinary day before the explosions started. Were they being invaded? Was the world coming to an end? She pushed these thoughts aside as she searched for the faces for the ones dear to her. Suddenly she heard gun fire and she fell to her knees. Crawling to shelter in a tiny crevice in the wall, she searched the people running by her she saw a small child sobbing with fright. Frozen in terror this child was motionless, a perfect target in this mess that had so suddenly become her world. She moved with the speed and grace of a tigress on the hunt. Scooped up the child and was back in the crevice in seconds. Holding the child close and cooing softly to him trying to sooth shaking body, she pulled some debris over the opening in the wall to cover them. Safe for the time being, she wrapped her arms around the child keeping him warm.

She looked at him as she comforted and she realized that he could not be more then 4 years old. He curled up to her warmth and suckled his thumb. The child's sobs stilled and his breathing became slow and regular. She stroked his hair as he fell fast asleep in her arms. The sounds of battle continued around her as her mind tried to make sense of this madness. This was Canada! What enemies does this country have in 2005? An invasion seemed senseless. We are peace keepers not invaders. Was this a terrorist act? The world was in a time of unrest and turmoil but there was nothing politically happening that would explain this invasion. Were we being taken in order to get to the US? That could be the answer. We were being used as a means to an end.

She would find her answers when the ugliness happening outside her crevice was at an end. She would first find someone who knew this child in her arms and then seek answers. The ugliness of war sent shivers down her spine but she knew she would do what it took to eliminate blood shed. She had been in this small space for over an hour now and she was exhausted. The warmth of the child and his gentle breathing lulled her to sleep.

She awoke to small fingers playing with her hair. Confused and very stiff, she tried to move. The crevice was too small for her to stretch out in. Suddenly the reality of where she was enveloped her. She was suddenly wide awake. Listening intently for any sounds of fighting beyond this safe haven they had found. She heard nothing but the occasional shuffle of feet passing by. Slowly and carefully she moved some of the debris so she could see outside, the sight shocked her. Rubble lay every where in the street. People were moving around slowly calling names of loved ones. Soldiers could be seen patrolling up and down the street. She wasn't sure how long they had been hidden away in this small space but it must have been some time, the sun was beginning to set. She willed her legs to move as she pushed aside all of the debris blocking the small opening. Every muscle in her body screamed at her as she stood. The child scrambled after her, clinging to her hand. She was the only familiar thing to him now and he was afraid to loose her, she was security. She smiled down at him as she moved her aching muscles. OK, she thought. First thing is to find out who this young child belongs to. She bent down and softly said
     “What's your name sweetie?"
     The child looked at her and replied “Andrew".
     "Well Andrew, my name is Jessica. Do you know your Mommy or Daddy's name?"
     He looked at her confused. "Mommy" he said looking around with tears in his eyes.
     "Do you know your last name sweetheart? Or where you live?" She spoke softly not wanting to upset the child. He smiled and pointed down the street. She took his hand and asked him to lead her to his house.

     The street, a mass of debris and people in shock that she wasn't sure this child would know his home when he saw it. As they moved up the street his strides because more hurried, he was getting excited and she knew that they were getting close. She couldn't believe the randomness of the destruction. One house totally demolished while its neighbor went untouched. She wondered about her own house, she had loved it so much,
taking great care to remodel it. Her home was an old Victorian, a treasure in this city of steel and glass. It was on the other side of town, nestled in a quaint and quiet neighborhood. She silently prayed that it still stood. Her thoughts were abruptly brought back where she was when little Andrew cried "Mommy!"
     She looked up the short walk they stood in front of and saw a small woman coming running toward them. Tears were streaming down her face as she scooped up the little boy. "Andrew! My baby, I am so glad you’re safe. I didn't know what had become of you." She just hugged him and kissed his little face. Andrew reveled in his mother's arms for all of 5 minutes and then began to
squirm. He was home and safe now and he was hungry. "Eat Mommy. I'm want oh oh's."
She put Andrew down and extended her hand to me.

     Jessica took the hand and smiled at the woman. "Thank you so much for finding Andrew." The woman gushed. She was so relieved to have her son home. "Please come in while I fix Andrew something to eat. I would like to thank you for bringing him home." Jessica could not refuse as she was ushered into the quaint little house. They were among
the lucky ones. The house stood untouched by the bombardment. She showed her into a large kitchen and asked her to sit as she prepared Andrew some spaghettio’s.
      "Would you like some coffee or a cold drink? Something to eat maybe? Oh I am so sorry my name is Elizabeth Stone. Please call me Beth." She said as she bustled around the kitchen.
          “Coffee would be wonderful thank you Beth. I don't think my stomach could handle anything else right now." Jess replied. She was relieved that she had found this child's family in tact. Beth set a steaming mug in front of Jess. Her eyes were still unsettled as she began to
speak.
     “When you found Andrew was he alone? My husband was in the square with him."
Jess didn't know how to answer this question. She took a sip of her coffee and replied.
     “I didn't see anyone with him Beth. There was such a commotion and I found myself a little
crevice in a wall. When I was hiding there I saw Andrew and couldn't leave him alone there. He was so frightened. I pulled him into the small space with me and we stayed there until now. I am sorry."

     Beth got up from the table and checked on Andrew's meal. She scooped out a big bowl
and set it on the table in front of him. He was so hungry that he gobbled up the bowl in 2 seconds flat and asked for more. Beth refilled his bowl and sat again by Jess. "If he was separated from Andrew he might still be looking for him. After things quieted down I went searching for them. There were so many dead or wounded but I didn't come across his body. For that I am relieved. I hope that he will be home soon." Jess didn't know how to reply to this and finished her coffee.
     “I really must be going Beth." Jess said as she rose from her chair. "I have to check on my own home and family." Beth understood and thanked her again for finding and bringing Andrew home safely.
     "I don't have the words to tell you." Tears of gratitude shone in Beth's eyes as she hugged Jessica good-bye. Jess walked back through the damaged streets to the square where it had all started. She then turned the corner to find her car still in tact and undamaged. She couldn't believe her luck so far. She got into her car and crept slowly threw town toward her home. Once outside the downtown area there was no evidence of bombing. It had been a controlled military
attack. Hitting the city at its most vulnerable and leaving the rest at peace. She released a
huge sigh of relief when she pulled into her drive.

She turned off the car and just sat and stared at her home for a moment. Her mind was blank, a blessed thing. The turmoil of the day was unreal in the peacefulness of her drive. Getting out of the car and moving slowly to the door, she
couldn't think. As she put her key into the lock happy barks protruded the stillness. A smile spread across her lips. She opened the door and her two babies smothered her with affection. Zeus and Apollo, the only roommates she has are Rottweiler-Shepard cross dogs, large, intimidating creatures but gentle and friendly in their demeanor. In their excitement they knocked her to the floor. She laughed while she tried to close the door behind her.” I missed you guys too.” Jess got out between the licks to her face. Now more then ever she was glad she had them for company and protection. It was pitch black inside her home, the sun had just set. Dark came early in the middle of October. She fumbled for the light as the dogs mauled her with bumps and licks. She flipped the switch and nothing happened. The reality of what she had witness came back to her quite suddenly. "Flashlight." she spoke aloud "I have to find the flashlight guys." She struggled to her feet. Her boys would rather spend a few more
minutes on the floor with them. "Come on guys; help me out her a little." She chastised them half heartedly. The three of them bumped around the kitchen for a few minutes until she came across the right drawer. Pulling the flashlight out and shaking it slightly.” I hope the batteries still work." She whispered flicking the switch. Light pierced the room, she sighed inwardly. Jess made her way to the phone on the counter hoping that the lines were not down. Picking it up she heard a dial tone and called her family and made sure that they were all unharmed before sliding to the floor. She let out a huge sigh of relief as her head dropped into her hands.

     Pulling herself together, Jess sent the beam of light around the room checking the corners and nooks. She was still shaken from the events of the day. The light came to rest on the dogs dishes to the right of the fridge. “Hungry guys?” she cooed to her babies. She walked to the pantry and grabbed the food. Moving to the dishes she fed the dogs their dinner and refilled the water dishes. The routine was comforting as her brain began to process what had happened. She still didn’t have any more information then she did when it all started and dwelling on who and why was pointless. She moved to the basement where she had supplies for emergencies. Her father had insisted that she be prepared, though she didn’t think he had ever thought that something like this would ever happen. She remembered how she had resisted compiling such supplies.

     “You can never be to prepared honey.” Her father insisted.
     “But Dad, a generator and all these food stuffs, blankets, matches etc. Do you really think this is all necessary? We are in Ottawa, Canada Dad.” She rolled her eyes at her father. “You’re being paranoid and over protective.”
      “Someday you’ll thank God that I made sure you had everything you need. This radio and extra batteries might be your only means of knowing what is happening in the world.”

     He didn’t know how right he had been. She pulled the radio off the shelf and grabbed a new package of batteries. She let the light fall onto the generator in the corner. “I don’t need to start that yet.” She thought to herself. “Better to see how long this all last before I turn lights on in the house. No sense drawing unnecessary attention to myself so soon.” She moved back upstairs to the kitchen and she stomach growled. “I had better see if the gas is still on.” She said to the dogs as she opened the package of batteries and put them into the radio. She placed the radio on the counter and was playing with the tuner to find a station that might give her some idea about what is happening when there was a sharp rap on her door. Jess jumped about 3 feet off the floor and the dogs ran to the door barking loudly.

     Jess moved to the door, her heart beating loudly in her ears. Fear gripped her as she moved the curtain back to see who was knocking on her door. Relief flooded her as she looked into the eyes of her friend Roy.” It’s ok guys, it is Roy. Zeus, Apollo Sit!” Jess said sharply to the dogs. The wrotties quieted and sat obediently.  Jess unlocked the door and let Roy inside.
     “I just came by to check and make sure you made it home safely Jess.” Roy said quickly. “Do you know what happened this afternoon?” Jess nodded her head.
     “I was down town in the middle of….. What ever that was that happened today.” Roy moved quickly to her and hugged her tightly.
     “I was afraid of that. I knew that you had plans to see your publisher this afternoon. I am glad you managed to stay safe. Do you have any idea who might be behind this?” Jess shook her head.
     I was just putting batteries into my radio when you scared me half to death.” Jess laughed. She moved back to the radio and turned it on. Finding a station that she knew was local. All that was coming from the radio at that moment was music and Jess looked at Roy. “Are you hungry? I was going to check if the gas was still on and make myself something to eat.”
     “Sounds like a great idea. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” Roy chuckled. “With all the mess outside I was more concerned about getting home and checking on you.”

     Jess moved to the stove and checked the pilot light. “Looks like we are in luck, I’ll check the freezer and see what I have. Ohhh Roy, I forgot about the appliances. I wasn’t going to start the generator right away but the food will go bad. Would you mind?”
    “Not at all, give me the flashlight and I’ll be back in a minute.” Jess went to the drawer and pulled out another flashlight and handed it to Roy. He turned it on and went to the basement. Jess moved to the fridge and opened the freezer. She grabbed 2 chicken breasts and went back to the counter to prepare some dinner for the two of them. She heard the generator start and the quiet buzz of the fridge begin. She moved through the house making sure that no lights or other unnecessary appliances were left on. Moving back to the kitchen she pulled pots and pans from the cupboard. Roy appeared at the top of the stairs “What’s for dinner?” He smiled as he patted his grumbling stomach.
     “Mushroom chicken with asparagus and baked potatoes.” Jess replied.
     Roy’s mouth began to water “MmMmm….sounds great. What can I do to help?” Jess and Roy passed the next 2 hours preparing and eating their dinner, all the while listening to the radio for any information about why their country had been invaded that afternoon.

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.