The Occupation [Hiatus]

The Call

Delaware's POV

"Yo-you shot someone?" I asked, stuttering slightly. While there were some guards I could almost act normal around, he wasn't one.

"No, the gun simply misfired, a tragic accident, not murder." He said. I knew he was wrong, I knew he was lying, but...he was terrifying, the guard with the whip. I didn't like seeing his face. It made the cuts sting again.

"Not every-everyone will be-believe that." I stuttered out.

"I'm aware, Delaware. Your family has been asking so many questions about it. So we've arranged a call." He said. My hope grew. I could talk to them more, maybe I would be able to get out another message!

"You will be watched and you will tell them exactly what we say, understand?" He asked. I nodded, "Good. Now here's what you need to say. First, that it was an accident, and second, that you are alright. Don't let them know anything is wrong, or I'll make your past whipping seem painless."

I began shaking as he walked closer, and he smiled. "Understand, Delly?"

I nodded quickly, and he smiled, before walking away. I didn't relax until he was gone.

I really, really hated him.

New Jersey's POV

"What if he's hurt? What if he watched it happen? What if-"

"Calm down Ginny." Massachusetts said, stopping Virginia's pacing. Virginia has been worried ever since she had heard about the man who had been killed by Delaware's National Guard.

"How can I be calm? Del might not be safe!" Virginia exclaimed.

"I'm worried too Ginny. He's my twin. But you aren't helping anyone's anxiety." New York said. Virginia sighed, and opened her mouth, but was interrupted by the phone ringing.

"Del?" New Hampshire said, answering the phone, her voice full of concern.

"Hey Hamp." Delaware said, his voice ringing out from the phone. A sigh of relief seemed to go around the room, as we all relaxed.

"Thank god." Virginia said as she heard the voice of our brother.

"Hey Delly." Pennsylvania said, "Are you alright?"

"Of course I'm fine. Governor Terry and the National Guard won't let me get hurt." Delaware answered. There was something off about his voice. It seemed strained, like there was something wrong. There was also a hint of a Southern accent.

My blood ran cold as I thought about the implications of that. Delaware could be lying about him being fine. 

Was he?

Delaware sometimes has a southern accent even when he wasn't lying. Besides, why would Delaware lie about his own well being?

Yes, Delaware must be fine. Even if we mother hen him sometimes, he wouldn't keep that a secret. Satisfied with that conclusion, I turned back into the conversation.

"What about the man who was murdered by the guard?" Georgia asked. That question. The question that led to this call. The thing that had worried us the most out of all the concerning stories that had come out of Wilmington, including Dad's story of Delaware's Morse code message.

"The person wasn't murdered. It was an accident." Delaware responded after a moment of hesitation.

"What do you mean 'it was an accident?'" South Carolina asked, sounding incredulous.

"I mean it was an accident. The gun was faulty. I don't blame the National Guard. They are doing an excellent job. What happened was a tragedy, yes, and something we'll try to avoid in the future. But what happened was an accident, not a murder." Delaware explained, "And before you ask we aren't trying to guard for anything either."

I scoffed, "Come on Del, really? You believe that bullshit?"

"It's not bullshit. It's the truth. You called me to ask what happened. That's what happened." Delaware responded.

Maybe something was wrong. Even if that was true, Delly wouldn't act this way.

Right? Was I overthinking?

"Are you sure that's what happened?" North Carolina asked.

"Yes I'm sure." Delaware responded.

"Okay, if you're so sure, we'll drop it. For now at least. While you're here, do you just want to talk?" Connecticut asked. There was a pause, and what sounded like whispers on the other end. Was Delaware making sure he had the time to talk? Or was it something else?

"I can stay for the next few minutes." Delaware eventually said. New York posture brightened, and he immediately began telling Delaware about something new he had remembered from when he was New Netherlands.

"And I remember seeing New Sweden there, and man was your past self an idiot because he did the dumbest thing-" New York was cut off by Delaware's voice quietly speaking up.

"Yorkie, hjäp mig! De tvingar mig att-" Delaware's voice was cut off as the sounds of a scuffle began, and the phone was abruptly hung up. New York's face changed to one of panic, and he immediately began calling back the number.

"Apple? What did he say?" Massachusetts asked.

"York, what happened?" North Carolina asked.

"He asked for help! Something's wrong with him!" New York said, as the phone was finally answered.

"Delly? Delly, what's wrong, are you okay?" New York asked quietly.

"M'fine. Just dropped the phone. I have to go now, so hjälp mig och tro inte på någonting..." The phone was hung up again, and no matter how many times New York called back the number, there was no answer.

Something was very wrong.

Delaware's POV

After I gave the second message, the guards pulled me away from the phone, hitting the back of my head. I groaned as the already present dizziness grew. I tried to pull away as the guard hung up the phone, but everything felt too heavy.

I felt so tired.

The guard who had hung up the phone marched over to me, pulling up my head to look at him. I tried to pull away, but it was just too much effort. I just felt too weak to fight.

"What did you say Delly?" The guard asked.

"Words." I slurred our, trying to get my tongue to cooperate. The guard slapped me.

"You don't give us any attitude." He ordered. I wished my hands were free so I could flip him off. But, like normal, they were handcuffed behind my back, "You will tell us the truth."

"I...I did." I murmured as speaking became harder. The guard hit me again, before pulling out the gag.

"Well until you are ready to use your speaking privileges properly, they will be taken away until further notice." The guard said. I tried to pull away, to resist, but every action just made me more tired. The gag was put on, the fabric pushing uncomfortably against the corners of my mouth.

"We should probably get it a muzzle. Maybe that'll help it learn better." The guard holding me said. I froze. I didn't want them to switch to a muzzle. They already dehumanized me enough, constantly referring to me as an 'it', but I didn't want them to get a muzzle for me!

"I think that's a good idea." The other guard said, "Don't you agree Delly?"

The guard then began moving my head to make it look like I was nodding. My face burned in embarrassment, as tears appeared in my eyes, my shame growing.

"Well it looks like we are all in agreement. I'll go see what I can do to get you that muzzle Delly." I wanted to attack him, to hurt him, to make him pay for the pain and humiliation.

But all I could do was watch as my consciousness slowly slipped away.