The Occupation [Hiatus]

Sisterly Visit

Pennsylvania's POV

"Hurry up Mary, we have to be quick." I told my sister as we snuck through Wilmington, trying to find our brother.

"I'm coming, I'm coming, jeez." Maryland said, coming up behind me, "I don't like this."

"Trying to find Delly?" I asked, confused as to why she wouldn't like it. After all, it was her idea. Maryland shook her head.

"The occupation. What Da said about Dela asking for help in Morse code and then the meeting being suddenly ended by the guards and then the phone call and then communications with Dela stopped completely. Something bad might be happening to him and I'm worried." Maryland said. I nodded.

"I feel the same why. But that's why we're here after all." I said.

"Leave them alone!" I heard Delaware's voice call out. I exchanged looks with Maryland. Sounds like we found our brother. We quickly made our way over to the sound, and saw Delaware standing between two of his people and five members of his National Guard. He was wearing a black turtleneck that almost looked small on him.

Actually, everything he was wearing looked small on him, and didn't even look like something he would wear. Was he borrowing someone else's clothes? And his legs looked very shaky, like standing was taking a lot out of him.

"Should we help?" Maryland whispered. I snorted.

"And get kicked out immediately? Let's just wait for Dela to be alone and talk to him then." I whispered back.

"Delaware, we are doing what is best for the city." A guard said. Delaware scowled.

"Leave them alone." He responded. I frowned. Normally when Delaware said something like that, he sounded defiant, but his voice now was desperate, pleading, and scared. I didn't like that.

"Restrain Delaware." The lead guard of the group said. Two guards immediately went to grab Delaware, who's eyes widened.

"You cowardly-" Delaware began as he started cursing out the guardsmen, who had grabbed him and forced his hands behind his back.

"Dela!" Maryland exclaimed. I was shocked as well. How could those people treat their state this way?

"Someone escort them. We'll take care of making sure Delaware understands the consequences of its actions." Lead Guard said. Delaware's eyes widened, and he began trying harder to get out of the grip of the guards, swearing and begging, Delaware was begging for them to stop, as the two guards restraining him put handcuffs on him. "And someone shut it up!"

Another guard, that last one in the group pulled what looked like a piece of cloth out of his pocket, and used it to gag Delaware, who tried to bite his hand. While that guard did that, one of the ones that had been previously restraining him took something out of his pocket and put it on Delaware's neck briefly, before removing it.

How could they do this to Delaware? Why were they doing this to him? Was this why he had asked for help? What was put on his neck?

"Oh my god..." Maryland muttered. The guards then pushed Delaware to the ground, who looked up at them with such fear in his eyes. I had never seen Delaware look that scared in my life. I had to do something.

"What the fuck are you doing to my brother?" I said, marching over to the four guards. I heard Maryland sigh before she followed me. I looked to Delaware, who just looked more panicked at seeing me. He was probably concerned for me, as the guards obviously haven't been treating him well.

"Pennsylvania? Maryland? How on earth did you get here?" One of the guards asked.

"That's not important. What is important is what the hell you are doing to our brother!" Maryland said.

"We're keeping i-him under control. Just like we are with the city." Lead Guard said. I felt my hands curl into fists as I turned to Delaware, who still looked scared, although his eyes seemed to be having trouble focusing, as whenever he looked towards me, his eyes would drift to the side.

Delaware tried to say something, but the gag prevented him from doing it. Guard 1 turned around and swiftly kicked him in the stomach, which made Delaware stop attempting to speak as his face twisted to one of pain. I immediately punched him in the face when he turned back to face us.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snarled out.

"We are simply following orders. It's not our fault your brother can't listen." Guard 2 said.

"Our brother listens to capable people. And when I get back I will be informing my father of this." Maryland snapped. The Lead Guard laughed.

"No you won't." He said.

"Yes we will." I responded.

"No you won't, because if anyone finds out from you, we will kill Delaware. Do you want to risk his life?" The Lead Guard said. I was stunned that he would even say something like that.

"You're bluffing." Maryland said, but there was far in her voice. She didn't believe they would do that either. Guard 3 smiled, and picked Delaware up off the ground, who now looked slightly dazed, looking around like he couldn't understand what he was seeing. He also wasn't making any effort to stand, being held up entirely by the guard.

What was wrong? Surely that one kick didn't do that, but something was making Delaware act so...so...off.

"Put him down." I said. Guard 3 smiled.

"Alright then." He said, throwing Delaware to the ground, whose head hit it with a loud crack. Delaware must of been knocked unconscious, because he didn't move after he hit the ground

"DELLY!" I screamed, turning to attack the guards with a snarl.

"I wouldn't." A guard said as he harshly kicked Delaware's side, "We'll just make it worse."

"I...I..." Maryland said as she tried to come up with something to say. I did too. We couldn't just keep silent about this.

But we couldn't risk Delaware getting hurt even more.

"We won't tell." I said. Maryland turned towards me.

"Penny!" She exclaimed.

"We can't risk it." I said, "I...if Delly gets hurt more...I can't risk that."

Maryland looked so conflicted, but nodded.

"Fine." She spat at the guards, "we won't tell."

"It's so nice to see that you care about your brother. Those three will escort you out of the city. I'll take Delaware back to his...accommodations." Lead Guard said before picking Delaware's limp body off the ground and carrying him off.

"Alright you two, let's go." Guard 3 said, grabbing my arm and dragging me off.

I'm sorry Delaware. I wish I could protect you better.