The morning sun was just peeking from the horizon but a different media outlets have already gathered. Antennae towers rose from their vehicles as they waited for things to unfold. Today marks the day of the last phase of land development and the destruction of the trees that hinders the contruction of the industrial plant. The picket line was as long as the barbed wire that marks the private property as a TV reporter explained the situation on cam. Different moods and emotions in the spectrum of loneliness and anger registered in the TV monitor in their service van.
At the center of the picket were Lam and Minute with Beam and Park chainlocked in arms together with the other activists. The tension of determination to protect their territory building inside them. Standing firm for their rights to live in a safe and beautiful environment against a threat to their health.
T/N: You don't know how this text just pains me. As a chemical engineer who works in those installations people usually render as "a threat to their safety, health, and environment", I just resigned myself to the fact that the end result of my work is convenience for mankind in general. Though of course capitalism is the true evil.
But Beam can't deny that deep in his heart, the real reason why he joined the protest was to prevent the destruction of their paradise that served as a witness to their peculiar friendship and as a symbol of their innocence: Fairies Creek.
The sun was hot ablaze. All wet with sweat and burning in anger, ready to shield their own bodies to prevent the huge metal monster that will run them over.
"Tighten your hold everyone!"
"No one let go no matter what happens!
"For the sake of our village and the children of our village, we're in this together!"
"For Suthee and all the other victims!"
"For the environment! For our village!"
Their despair fuels their passion and ignites their courage.
Soon, they heard the motors of the bulldozers roaring to life not far from them and started moving towards the picket line. The whole area hazed with smoke and particulates. It's ironic that it looks like a smoke for fruiting trees.
T/N: there's a practice here where fruit plantations will burn dried leaves to smoke fruit trees for bigger yields.
The engines roared louder as they approached like rampaging monsters ready to kill their static preys. The cries of the protesters grew equally louder, everyone braving themselves in the face of impending death.
The duststorm reduced the visibility to almost zero. Irritating eyes. Tearing up. Hindering breathing. But it's not enough for the picket to break their links. It even spurred them to tighten their hold and closed their eyes in earnest amidst the shouting, waiting for what will happen next.
Until the thundering engines suddenly turned silent into a halt... the swirling particulates settling like a calm abrupt rain. The serene foliage returned to their vision.
xoxo
Every cheered and hugged while tear-eyed as they left the scene after the success of their protest. But they knew this is just one of many future battles that they will endure to claim overall victory.
"Sir! What is happening? Can you give us some clarification why the demolition suddenly stopped into a halt?" The reporter asked Lam in between catching her breath.
"All of us were surprise, let's wait for their attorney to have enough rest, he will give a statement for everyone," Lam replied while also panting.
YOU ARE READING
Fairies Creek
FanfictionFour friends: Forth, Beam, Lam, and Park shared their summers together in a magical place. It had stood as a witness to their youth and growth. They may have separated ways. But all will come back to the mystical place called... ...Fairies Creek. Un...
