Hands to the Sky

The soldiers marched through his ancestor's streets like vermin infesting the walls of an ancient family mansion. The grandness of fond memories spanned each handcrafted panel until it crumbled to the wrath of the gnarly teeth jutting from the unwelcomed beasts that crept along the corridors. Kayne eyed the uniformed living mannequins as they strut by, displaying a misplaced dominance in a place they had no real control. Kayne tightened his jaw and turned away from the sight. Soldiers continued to march along the streets.

The United Kingdom continues to send soldiers to keep the peace in Northern Ireland, but the sight of the infestation boiled the blood in Kayne's veins. Northern Ireland did not need anyone to monitor them, no one to babysit. The increasing pressure of the soldiers to occupy the country irritated those proud to be their own nation. The UK pretended Kayne's own country misbehaved and needed to be 'saved' or controlled. To keep the anarchy down, soldier prowled the streets, but the presence only tempted more to fight back.

School ended for the day and Kayne kept his younger brother by his side as they headed out towards the farmhouse. Aiden only recently turned eight years old and he fought the odds by remaining childishly innocent in the midst of a national uprising. To protect him, Kayne watched him nonstop, often skipping his own classes to roam around the primary school Aiden attended. Aiden felt like the last good thing on earth to Kayne. Both brothers shared a muddy blond, jagged haircut that bowled around their pale faces. Kayne's eyes however stuck out from his face while Aiden's eyes glistened, doe-like, in the evening light. Aiden carried with him a thin teddy bear sewn from their father's old work shirt. Perhaps, to Aiden, carrying around the bear made him feel close to their deceased parents.

The sky darkened as a murky stormcloud wandered over the desolate street, casting a gloomy haze over the two brothers. Two soldiers appeared by the intersection where Kayne often lead Aiden through. The shortcut lead them between the industrial towers where smoke continuously billowed from and contaminated the purity of the sky. The area, however, prided itself in the No Trespassing signs bolted to each visible wall. Kayne knew better than to sneak through forbidden alleys, but the path lead him home faster. The faster Kayne got home, the faster he got Aiden out of the streets.

Kayne grabbed Aiden and pulled him by the arm behind him. Kayne frowned and whispered, "Stay behind me."

"Are we caught?" Aiden asked in a muted voice. He grasped onto the loose fabric of Kayne's cargo jeans.

"Hush," Kayne instructed him and proceeded forward. A million lies zipped through Kayne's mind as he thought of ways to get by the soldiers. Turning back would result in being followed. Up close confrontation would be best to avoid disaster. Causality saved lives, Kayne assured himself.

A soldier zeroed in on Kayne, pointing the gun to his face. The soldier shouted, "Halt! Who are you?"

Kayne lifted his hands calmly. "I'm not armed, I'm just heading home."

"This area is restricted. What are your intentions?" The soldier stepped forward.

"I'm just leading me and my brother home."

"Liar, this area is marked no trespassing," the soldier's partner shouted from behind him, staying halfway hidden by the wall.

"Liar?" Kayne uneasily laughed, "I swear. Would you... believe I'm illiterate?"

"Illiterate? Convenient, I'd say. Step forward."

Kayne gripped onto to Aiden's shoulder and continued walking. Kayne kept his head low. Aiden pressed his bear into his chest as he followed.

The soldier moved the gun away from Kayne and aimed at Aiden. Kayne snarled and moved to block the shot.

"The hell are you snooks doing pointing that death machine at him!" Kayne growled, "Sod off, just let us pass through here."