A Prisoner Of War

Chapter One : The Beginning

I sit on the windowsill, the sunlight warming my back as I watch my mother knead and shape a roll of dough into a loaf of bread. Her skilled hands twist the dough effortlessly, pausing occasionally to sprinkle some flour onto the counter.

The little bell tinkles, signalling the arrival of yet another customer. Mom leaves the counter briefly, and when she returns, there is a hint of a smile on her face.

"Business going well, I must say. Mr. Jones there just bought six loaves of bread and eight cookies. War's not that bad, eh?"

I look out of the window, trying to contemplate. True, the demand for bread had shot up since the war began, but then again, so had the prices of flour. Father had gone off to fight, being the unwavering patriot he was, only to never return. Countless villages and towns like ours had been wiped out completely, not to mention that our little town was situated on the border that separated The Defence, that was us , and the Offence, our enemy. The war had been going on for three years now, and all hopes of it ending anytime soon were slowly diminishing. The border on our side was slowly weakening, and our town could be next. No one knew why at all the war had started in the first place, but a simple feud had gradually worsened into something so evil that either of the sides could wipe out all the population of the other's, without any regret. 

"What is it, Jackie?" My mother's warm brown eyes search mine worriedly. 

"Nothing, Mom." I try to wave it off.

"Thinking about the war, aren't you?"

I sigh. "How can I not? We're on the border, expecting an attack any day, and Dad's not even back yet."

My mother looks wistful. "He will be back, dear."

"When?" I can barely hold back my anger.

" Someday," she says and tucks a strand of black hair behind my ear. "Don't lose hope."

I look out of the window and contemplate.

"Someday."

 ~

Mom decided to work late that day. She wanted to prepare ingredients for the next day and see if any hungry customer decided to drop by. She dropped me off at home.

" Now, Jackie, listen carefully." she said. "Stay put at home. If the drones come, go down to the cellar, okay? Stay there until the sirens stop blaring."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me. There's a trapdoor in the shop too. I'll go down it. When it's all over, I'll come and get you. " she smiled.

"Okay."

~ 

I remember the blast as clear as day.

The bomb went off without any warning. Turns out it had been attached to the underside of a loose manhole by a spy. Unfortunately, the manhole was the one just next to Mom's bakery. When the timer went off, all hell broke loose.

I remember seeing the bakery up in flames through the window. I run faster than I have ever run before, towards the bakery. A little part of my mind is constantly reminding me of the danger of being outside. What if this is an invasion? 

I am numb. All I can see is my mother's smiling face, now probably trapped in the burning bakery. All I can hear is the sound of my feet thundering down the pavement. I need to find out if Mom is alive. I reach close to the blaze. The heat is searing and I'm screaming my throat hoarse, screaming for Mom, and suddenly I'm hearing a periodic thundering, like a synchronised pattering of rain, only several times louder.

And there, turning the corner, is a regiment of soldiers, clad in black and wearing gas masks;  and I'm searching frantically, desperately for someplace to hide before they can see me. But I know they've spotted me when a group of four to five soldiers holding guns start running towards me.

A strangled gasp escapes from my mouth. I try to find my feet and run - but I know it is only a matter of time before I am taken a prisoner of war. These soldiers will stop at nothing. I am only fourteen, but they have raided other villages too. Stories of mere six - year - olds being taken prisoners had alarmed our country, keeping us on high alert.

I am stumbling forward, then running for my life - literally - running carelessly, lashing out wildly. Then suddenly there is the cold point of a gun pressed against my back. I stand stiff, fear engulfing my senses and I search for a way of escape. 

This can't be happening to me. I don't even know if Mom is alive or not. If I am taken prisoner, I may have absolutely no chance of finding out if she is. Heck, I may even die. 

The gunman's tying my hands behind my back. I attempt to kick him on the shin, but he sidesteps and twists my arm.

"No funny business, girl. One wrong step and it's a bullet through your head."

I gulp. The soldier proceeds to shove me back to his regiment. I can hear screams and wails. I can see explosions, signifying that the explosion near Mom's bakery was the first of many.

Mom's Bakery.

It is just now that I remember that I may catch a glimpse of the burning building. I crane my neck, and see the bakery, now up in flames. My breath catches as I can't see Mom, and I begin screaming again. I'm screaming for Mom, kicking around wildly. Another soldier comes running and helps my captor restrain me. Burning tears are coursing down my cheeks, as adrenaline is coursing through my veins. I'm losing control, seeing the bakery and possibly my mother go up in flames.

I see Prudence, my neighbour, get captured. Where are our soldiers? 

I am about to call out to Prudence, when suddenly I feel something hard and heavy hit the side of my head, and my vision turns black.

____

End of Chapter One.

Hey, everyone! This is my first story and I sincerely hope you like it. Vote, Comment, and Follow!

Where do you think the soldiers will take Jacqueline? Thoughts, please!

Post Script: Have a Happy New Year 2017! (Wow, this year really flew by, right?)

~T.J.