The Occupation [Hiatus]

A Secret Message

America's POV

I was concerned. Wilmington had been occupied by the National Guard for almost two months now, and that was much longer than they needed to be there. I was worried, since I haven't had much contact with Delaware since it started. I hoped he was okay.

Thankfully, Delaware's Governor had arranged a meeting for the two of us, although I didn't like the fact that I had to arrange a meeting to see my own son.

I was sitting at a table, waiting for my son to walk in, fiddling with a pen anxiously. The doors then opened, and Delaware walked in with two members of his National Guard. I looked him over, and I didn't see any injuries. That was good. My anxiety had kept trying to convince me that Delaware was injured or hurt, which just made me more stressed about this meeting.

"Delaware, are you alright?" I asked. Delaware nodded and sat down, and I relaxed. Seeing that he was okay and hearing that he was okay were different, and I'm glad he was alright. I noticed then that the two members of the Delaware National Guard were still present.

"Could you leave? I would like to speak to my son alone." I asked them.

"Oh-uh, they can't leave. Governor Terry is having them stay with me because he is worried about the protesters and such, and wants to make sure I'm okay." Delaware said quickly, as he began tapping his fingers on the table. I turned back to face Delaware.

"Are you sure?" I asked. He nodded, and that's when I noticed how tense he seemed, although he was doing his best to hide it.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I've been perfectly safe during the occupation, Governor Terry has made sure of that." Delaware said, and now that I was paying more attention to his body language, his voice seemed strained, and the tapping of his fingers was growing a bit louder.

"Then why hasn't the National Guard been removed? They should be, there is no reason for them to remain." I said.

"Governor Terry believes it is the best course of action to prevent more violence, and I agree with him." Delaware said. That's when I noticed exactly what he was tapping. I thought it was just him tapping his fingers, but...that pattern of it.

Short. Short. Short. Short. That was an H in Morse code.

Short. An E.

Short. Long. Short. Short. An L. A feeling of dread began to grow in my stomach as I realized exactly what Delaware was trying to say.

Short. Long. Long. Short. That was a P. Delaware was asking for help. I looked at the members of the National Guard, and back at Delaware. If Delaware was asking for help, I don't think that the National Guard was here to protect him. They were probably here as a threat.

"Are you sure? Are you okay?" I asked, reaching for his hand. Delaware pulled it away, flinching slightly.

"I-I'm fine." He said, stuttering slightly, his eyes flicking towards the two National Guard members. So the National Guard was here to keep him from saying something. Was that why he was tapping for help? What was actually happening?

"Delly..." I said. Delaware looked away.

"I'm fine. The occupation is okay. Everything is fine." He said, the Morse code growing more frantic, switching between help and SOS. My concern grew as well.

"Dela-" I began before I was cut off.

"Mr. Delaware, Governor Terry has requested your presence back in Wilmington." One of the National Guard members said. Delaware's head shot up and he nodded, his body language, despite how much he tried to hide it, betrayed fear.