Short Stories And Teasers

The Day Bells Of Liberty Rang

The sound of bells ringing wake up the small boy on the hard, wooden bed. Those bells, that hadn't been rang in over 4 years, nearly 5, sounded so incredibly loud. The sound echoed through the streets, fluttered into the windows, doors, and everywhere it could possibly reach. Everyone had to hear it. They needed to know it was over. They were finally free.

Alex sat up straight on his bed. He had no idea wyat was happening, but for some reason he felt excited. As quickly as he could he tugged his white, but no longer so white shirt over his head and put on his torn, ragged pants. The minute he left his room, he could smell something. Something he hadn't smelled in a long time. Fresh bread.

His head poking around the corner of the door frame, or what was left of it, he followed the smell. He was no longer surprised at the sight of wore down buildings, bullet holes in brick walls next to him, or even the men and women who were so skinny it seemed like they could be broken im half by the slightest huff of wind. Their small town had had it rough. Fighting, both with guns as well as people legitimately bashing in their opponents skulls with bricks, to a songle bomb that had been dropped onto the church. Which is why he had been so surprised when he heard a bell ring.

He didnt see many today, but alex knew when to bow his head down and stare at his feet when he passed a soldier. He shuffled away as silently as he could, trying to walk towards the smell of bread without being questioned or even straight up bullied for their fun by a german. The closer he got to the smell, the more different scents he could distinguish. But the closer he got, the more soldiers he saw.

Without looking up and ignoring the painfull hunger in his stomach, he turned on his heels, ready to leave all the food behind if it meant he had to cross literal dozens of soldiers for it. First step he took, he heard someone yell. "boy! Come! Come here, we brought you some food!" another step. He couldnt understand what the people were saying, but alex had learned not to question their german muttering. It only gave trouble. Another step in the opposite direction. And another. And another.

Untill he felt a hand on his shoulder. Bowing his head down even further, he greeted the soldier. To his surprise, the man didnt hurt him. He didnt kick him. He didnt hut him to the ground and spit on him for not obeying whatever command he gave. No. The man crouched down, and looked up at him.

That was the moment alex realized. Their uniforms, they were different. This man wasnt german at all. "its ok. Dont worry, we're here to help." alex didnt understand a word besides "ok" and "help", but it was enough. He knew they were there to free his tiny little hometown instead of surpress it.

A single tear ran down his cheek. And then another. Through the tears, alex laughed. He hadn't been so happy since the war began. He had no idea why, or how, but he found himself hugging the soldier, clasping him tightly as the man picked him up. He may not have been a small kid anymore, the war had left him light enough to carry.

Dozens of friends he had lost, along with everything he held dear. But it was over now. The americans, he learned later, were here.