The Attack

The Attack: Chapter One

20:56 CST August 15th

Andrei Bovosky, college student at UAB

The spring afternoon was quite chilly. A breeze from the east was blowing the willow tree on the lawn in the front of the theater. Dressed in a short sleeved striped polo and khaki shorts with a small stain near the left pocket, I was very cold.

"Goodness, I should have brought a pullover," I muttered. I looked at the stone steps of leading to the theater. An intricately carved rail had stars and roses on the sides. Potted lilies were blooming all around.

When I stepped inside, I heard the buzz of the heaters. "That's more like it," I whispered, and I walked up to the box office. "I would like one to The Fair Maiden of Paris, please. Might I add that you like quite nice tonight, madam?"

The ticket woman smiled. "I haven't heard a compliment in forever. Thank you."

I smiled softly with my ticket in hand, impressed at my genial nature. I turned to walk into the auditorium-

"Andrei..."

"Vincent?" I turned. Had he returned from the dead?

"Andrei... You must not continue-"

"WELCOME TO THE REAGAN MEMORIAL THEATER!" A voice boomed from the stage.

"Vincent," I turned back to the empty waiting area one last time, "you can not stop destiny."

I walked with forthright down into the theater, which sloped downward from the entrance at a thirty degree angle. I checked the bags that were under the fourth chair in the seventh row and the fifteenth chair in the third row middle aisle. Next, I took the red duffel bag that was in the orchestra pit and walked into the restroom. I took a minute to admire the marble flooring and granite furnishes in the restrooms. Placing a forged CAUTION sign on the handicapped stall, I slipped inside and placed a blue backpack in the seat. Inside was one of my creations and several reserved signs. I put on an escort outfit and took several Vera Bradley purses from the drop-off area, placing more devices inside and putting the in the "reserved" row I had set up.

How could no one notice this suspicious behavior?

I took a seat in the plush red velvet chair near the back and watched the play as it started.

The Fair Maiden of Paris was about a young woman who lost her husband in the American Revolution and was searching for a home in her old age.

"But how shall I, Percival?" The Fair Maiden, played by a woman the program said was called Annabeth Harlen.

How shall she? I wondered this to myself as I pulled out my cellphone. It was a customized one. I sent one text message.

"Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president. -Andrei"

I sent it to ten different numbers, all starting with 876-19

Ten different phones buzzed and then a clicking noise went off in ten different bags scattered throughout the theater.

On the stage, the fair maiden finished a falsetto that ended "Ye Gardens and Sewers." The curtains closed and overhead announcer with a shrill voice said that snacks were half-priced and the winner of the raffle would be announced shortly.

I walked into the waiting area. Children waving their parents' money around were running through the crowd and the director of the play came out and thanked everyone for coming. I briskly walked out the theater door, much to the surprise of the director, who egotistically thought everyone loved the play.

I took keys out of my khaki pockets and then opened the door of my 2008 Toyota Camry.

I was driving away when I heard the explosions.