September 12th, 2010
"People of Paraméncio," General Santiago announced, his voice ripping throughout the crowd, "we've all had enough of this false democracia." He strutted the stage upon which he was speaking from.
"We, the people—" he gestured toward the crowd "—demanded change. What did they do? They FIRED UPON US!" His voice exploded with rage in every syllable, his fist punctuating his words.
"THEY DIDN'T GIVE US A CHANCE TO SPEAK! ¡ESOS HIJOS DE PUTA INTENTARON SILENCIARNOS A TODOS!" He shook his fist in the air.
His voice calmed down. "But now, they're gone. And we have our freedom!" The crowd roared in triumph. "¡Se ha hecho justicia al pueblo de Paraméncio!"
He addressed the crowd directly. "Citizens, as the great leader of this new country—now called Estado Comunista de Paraméncio—I vow to make great reforms. Not just for Paraméncio but for all of your lives!" The crowd roared with excitement, chanting his name.
"SANTIAGO! SANTIAGO!"
"¡No habrá más desigualdad!" General Santiago announced through the speakers, his voice getting stronger and louder as he went along. "No more class! No more racism! No more sexism! Everyone shall be supported and everyone shall help everyone so nadie se quedará en el polvo! We shall all be equal and united!"
He raised his fist in the air in triumph, and the crowd followed suit. This became the unofficial human symbol for the Communist State of Paraméncio.
Pride was in all who was in the crowd at that moment. This pride came from overthrowing the unfair republic that plagued this land and finally having freedom, along with a just leader.
The crowd turned their heads towards the flagpole, which was flying La Bandera de la República Libre de Parámencio, the flag made and issued by the first President of The Republic of Paraméncio.
They quickly ran over to it and, with a resolute and unified shout, tore the flag down, shredding the version on the flagpole to pieces and burning it to ash. Avid Communists then hoisted a new flag by climbing up the flagpole and attaching it with their bare hands.
As they finished the attachment, they waved their hands with pride, making the crowd roar with triumph. "¡Viva el Estado Comunista de Paraméncio!"
The flagpole now flies La Bandera del Estado Comunista de Paraméncio.
This thrusted Paraméncio into a dark age: one of conflict, death, bloodshed, savagery and civil war.
"Now now," Santiago said as he tried to calm the public down, "calm down people. Cálmese." He clasped his hands together and put on a more serious tone.
"Although we have rightfully gained our freedom, a lot of Paraméncianos...don't agree with us and side with the former republic." He rubbed his head in annoyance.
"These...traitors," he continued, spitting the word traitors out with venom, "have taken it upon themselves to reject us and to rebel against us." Whispers went into the crowd filled with disbelief and confusion.
"It seems unbelievable," Santiago continued, "that people we tried to free would side with the people we tried to free them from, but here we are." He shook his head. "Un montón de gente equivocada.
"At first, I wanted to try reasoning. After all, they were just misguided people who were brainwashed by the republic." Santiago had the ability to make insane things sound plausible. "But when I tried contacting them, I discovered they were exhibiting criminal behaviour.
"They were boycotting businesses who follow the right path, raiding banks for funds and robbing stores for supplies." Mumbles of dissent began bubbling to the surface of the crowd.
Feeding off this, Santiago's tone became more vicious and hateful. "They call themselves La Fuerza Liberadora Para la Democracia de Paraméncio or La Fuerza Libertadora." Even upon saying the names, Santiago chuckled in disbelief.
"No matter the name, they are insane. They steal from us, wreck our businesses and form groups against us to take us down.
"¡La república y Occidente les lavaron el cerebro! ¡No son dignos de salvación!" The crowd roared in agreement.
He clasped his hands together and smiled, his sinister aura ever growing, and announced a terrible thing. "As leader of this great country, I give the citizens three options whenever they encounter a rebel.
"Citizens can either report to the nearest authorities—that includes calling the police through the payphones throughout Paraméncio—capture them and bring them to the police or kill them outright."
Profound silence overcame the crowd as they realised what Santiago was offering them.
Reading their minds, Santiago elaborated on his statement. "Of course, if you kill a rebel, you would be given a medal because you helped make this country a little safer. You would have nothing put on your criminal record."
The crowd was silent for a while, but eventually erupted in cheer. Santiago grinned; eliminating the rebels was going to be easier than he thought.
"Let's help make Paraméncio a safe and equal place," Santiago said, talking to the crowd. "Together."
And together, they all shouted.
"¡Viva el Estado Comunista de Paraméncio!"
Citizens proceeded to grab every weapon and firearm they could and hunted for rebels.
Bloodshed was inevitable.
YOU ARE READING
At What Cost?
ActionA boy fresh out of high school is dragged into a bloody civil war. He sees the bloody hell that he's trapped in and tries to figure out which side to help. As he navigates his new brutal life, he gets hit with bombs, gunfire and many other close br...
